Conversation with #ussatlantis at Wed Apr 4 20:53:53 2012 on VAdmBlackthorne@opus.il.us.darkmyst.org (irc)

(20:53:53) The topic for #USSAtlantis is: Last time, while assaulting one of Ashexana's distribution hubs, we detected a huge pirate fleet en route. Orbital fighting has wrapped up, but the ground operation has changed its mission to destroying the place before that fleet arrives to turn us into slag.
(20:53:53) mode (+o VAdmBlackthorne) by ChanServ
(21:01:41) ColDougMcKnight [Mibbit@j-88-351-725-23.hsd6.ma.comcast.net] entered the room.
(21:01:48) VAdmBlackthorne: Evening!
(21:01:53) ColDougMcKnight: Evening.
(21:02:14) ColDougMcKnight: Just me tonight. Still 100% better than last week, though.
(21:02:18) CdrTKirr: Good evening.
(21:02:26) LtJGAlexisWright [Mibbit@w-11-876-382-46.hsd1.wa.comcast.net] entered the room.
(21:02:32) VAdmBlackthorne: Hiya
(21:02:40) ColDougMcKnight: Evening, Wright.
(21:03:01) LtJGAlexisWright: Sorry I'm late. I had minor surgery this morning and I'm still not firing on all cylinders.
(21:03:25) VAdmBlackthorne: omg two minutes
(21:03:31) CdrTKirr: 'Cause of the meds, not the surgery itself, probably. *hugs*
(21:03:49) CdrHarper [Mibbit@ihmo-40-564-22-286.rcmdva.fios.verizon.net] entered the room.
(21:04:01) EnsignJohnTChance [Mibbit@50.10.ypw.ptg] entered the room.
(21:04:04) LtJGAlexisWright: And I was under general anesthesia for a couple hours so
(21:04:29) LtJGAlexisWright: I'm not even allowed to drive myself anywhere until tomorrow afternoon :(
(21:04:55) VAdmBlackthorne: I'm amazed you're here.
(21:05:19) LtJGAlexisWright: I wouldn't call myself exactly "here" per se
(21:05:33) LtJGAlexisWright: :)
(21:05:48) CdrTKirr: Hah
(21:06:16) ColDougMcKnight: Are you alright, fog aside?
(21:07:51) LtJGAlexisWright: It hurts, but I'll survive
(21:08:00) LtJGAlexisWright: This is what they did: http://www.tmjhope.org/info-for-patients/tmj-arthrocentesis/
(21:08:23) LtLedaHarper [Margot@85-929-90-90.hlrn.qwest.net] entered the room.
(21:09:07) CdrTKirr: Meep.
(21:09:11) CdrTKirr: Hi, Leda.
(21:09:27) LtLedaHarper: Meep!
(21:09:30) LtLedaHarper: Mmmm, slag.
(21:09:34) LtJGAlexisWright: Except they had to put a stitch in the left side, which is atypical, and I couldn't close my left eye properly for a couple hours. I think it's finally stopped bleeding everywhere, but my face is all puffy and swollen and that's what ice packs are for.
(21:09:41) LtJGAlexisWright: Hihi, Leda
(21:09:46) LtLedaHarper: Good grief, Wright.
(21:10:03) CdrTKirr: Yikes.
(21:10:19) LtJGAlexisWright: Ja, I had surgery this morning, you came in right after I pasted the link http://www.tmjhope.org/info-for-patients/tmj-arthrocentesis/
(21:11:17) LtJGAlexisWright: ANYWAY, my point being, I may not remain totally coherent or even randomly fall asleep so I will probably participate minimally tonight
(21:11:35) EnsignJohnTChance left the room (quit: Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client).
(21:12:04) EnsignJohnTChance [Mibbit@50.10.ypw.ptg] entered the room.
(21:12:38) CdrTKirr: So if she's asleep she'll type jjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjjkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk to let us know.
(21:13:05) LtLedaHarper: Jaw. ow.
(21:13:12) CdrTKirr: Right. Maybe not.
(21:13:23) CdrTKirr: Unless it's with her forehead
(21:13:28) LtLedaHarper: If her face hits the keyboard she'll probably wake up, yeah.
(21:15:19) CdrTKirr: Great log, by the way.
(21:16:12) LtLedaHarper: Thank you. It's nice to actually stretch a bit. I haven't done text RP in years, and I'm awfully glad the reflexes are still there....
(21:16:25) LtLedaHarper: Wright, we can talk rocket boots anytime if you feel up to it!
(21:18:05) VAdmBlackthorne: We'll begin in a few minutes, working out a problem or three.
(21:18:40) LtJGAlexisWright: So down with rocket boots. I haven't read the log yet and for this I apologize. I could read it right now but possible I wouldn't remember it.
(21:18:59) LtLedaHarper: pff no worries. You're all DRUGGED and stuff.
(21:19:06) LtLedaHarper: I've done oral surgery and it's awful.
(21:19:12) LtJGAlexisWright: And I'm in the recliner with a laptop, so falling asleep would be entirely too easy
(21:19:25) LtLedaHarper: You're just begging to nod off there, yeah. :)
(21:19:43) CdrTKirr: I remember my wisdom teeth. Was hell.
(21:20:05) LtJGAlexisWright: I didn't even have to open my mouf! I try to forget about my wisdom teeth, that's how this whole damn jaw thing started
(21:20:13) LtKuari: :: bounces into the room ::
(21:20:28) LtLedaHarper: Got an infection with mine. Glad that's over with at least.
(21:20:30) CdrTKirr: Oh right. Tav's busy with an Easter project, by the way.
(21:20:42) CdrTKirr: Oh really?
(21:20:55) CdrTKirr: It started with wisdom teeth? An infection from that caused this?
(21:21:22) LtLedaHarper: I don't know if Alexis over there had an infection when HER wisdom teeth were pulled, but when mine were, I got one....
(21:21:37) LtLedaHarper: ...but I haven't had to have jaw surgery.
(21:22:00) LtLedaHarper: What kind of Easter project? I'm prepping eggs over here.
(21:22:00) LtJGAlexisWright: Not me. They had to dislocate my jaw to extract my wisdom teeth back when I was 21 and screwed it up somehow, and it deteriorated over the years until the discs finally slipped completely out of place on both sides about 10 years later
(21:22:10) LtLedaHarper: mmmmnnnnnaaagh ow.
(21:23:31) LtJGAlexisWright: And I'm 32 now and we're trying to figure out how to minimize pain from things like talking, singing, chewing, kissing, and other normal stuff now that my jaw joint has been fubared for a year and a half
(21:24:38) CdrTKirr: Kensington.org's Easter project, the Orlando campus.
(21:25:11) CdrTKirr: Sorry Wright, Leda... both your names are like the same color, it's confusing me.
(21:25:19) LtLedaHarper: No worries.
(21:25:23) LtLedaHarper: ...can I change mine?
(21:25:38) CdrHarper: Your name? Yes.
(21:25:45) CdrTKirr: No she means the color
(21:25:45) LtLedaHarper: Meant the color.
(21:25:53) CdrTKirr: I think it's random...?
(21:25:54) CdrHarper: I know that.
(21:26:27) VAdmBlackthorne: Alright, the delay was trying to figure out what to do, since we're facing the largest battle in the sim's history and don't have our chief engineer. So we'd have to be really lucky and not get hit.
(21:27:05) LtLedaHarper: ooooor get hit next week if we aren't done I suppose?
(21:27:55) VAdmBlackthorne: And no one can get hurt, since we appear to be out of doctors.
(21:29:00) CdrTKirr: EnsLogan> Don't overwhelm me!
(21:29:02) ColDougMcKnight: And this would be a bad time to go get drunk.
(21:29:11) ColDougMcKnight: If you believe in such things.
(21:29:17) VAdmBlackthorne: Bad times to get drunk?
(21:29:20) VAdmBlackthorne: Mythical.
(21:30:36) ColDougMcKnight: Maybe we should set up some less formal secondary game or something. For times when Plan A falls through.
(21:31:23) VAdmBlackthorne: I suppose that was one of the original ideas behind Lost Harbor, but it mainly focuses on the bar these days.
(21:31:36) CdrTKirr: It doesn't have to, though.
(21:31:46) CdrTKirr: I think that's just for lack of creativity.
(21:31:51) VAdmBlackthorne: Indeed.
(21:31:52) CdrTKirr: And keeps us all in the same place
(21:31:59) CdrTKirr: And it's easy =P
(21:32:19) LtLedaHarper: Lost whosis?
(21:32:20) ColDougMcKnight: No, it doesn't. But I mean something that doesn't HAVE to directly intersect with this specific plot and these specific characters.
(21:32:23) LtLedaHarper: Educate the newbie.
(21:32:24) CdrTKirr: We had a lighthouse, a pier with a plane, a couple restaurants...
(21:33:08) LtLedaHarper: Hell, I've always been a fan of 'damn, main plotline derailed for a week, character chatter time!'
(21:33:09) CdrTKirr: Well we can easily move Lost Harbor "episodes" to before/after plots.
(21:33:23) CdrTKirr: The talk within can be completely them playing parts and interacting with the local story, or what not.
(21:33:24) ColDougMcKnight: Like...hell, it could be a different genre, even. Something fantasy, or Star Wars, or...anything really. Or we could all make Lost Harbor characters and play them. Didn't we establish the program is always left running?
(21:33:35) VAdmBlackthorne: It is persistent, yes.
(21:34:46) CdrTKirr: I like my idea, honestly.
(21:34:54) LtKuari: Me, too!
(21:34:58) ColDougMcKnight: Anyway, right. Harper, Lost Harbor is a holodeck program originally written by McKnight and Busard. The setting is a town set on some remote island in the South Pacific, circa 1935.
(21:35:24) VAdmBlackthorne: But you don't have to wash that man right outta your hair.
(21:36:20) LtLedaHarper: What if I WANT to.
(21:36:48) LtLedaHarper: Some parallel fluff would be healthy.
(21:37:05) LtLedaHarper: I hate to log in, have all of you wonderful people here to pester, and to be derailed.
(21:38:03) VAdmBlackthorne: Alright, we'll go with T'Kirr's idea. Lost Harbor, being completely IC, interacting with the locals, and not centered on the bar.
(21:39:39) CdrTKirr: When you say IC, you mean our characters playing characters, so those lovely Trek moments where they break character.
(21:39:48) VAdmBlackthorne: Yeah
(21:39:58) VAdmBlackthorne: Gotta blend in with the locals.
(21:40:20) LtLedaHarper: Oh, this oughtta be fun.
(21:40:24) ColDougMcKnight: And we just leave it vague where these episodes fit in with the main plot timeline?
(21:40:28) LtLedaHarper: Right.
(21:40:32) CdrTKirr: And we decided any racial "differences" would be ignored by the program
(21:40:34) LtLedaHarper: Useful vagueness in this case.
(21:40:50) CdrTKirr: Sorta like a few recent logs...
(21:41:46) VAdmBlackthorne: Yeah, no need to worry about that when we're just doing this for off-plot fun.
(21:41:52) VAdmBlackthorne: Any other questions?
(21:43:05) LtJGAlexisWright: Yes, but they'll be hopefully answered by playing this through
(21:43:26) VAdmBlackthorne: Alright, remember, you can invent any local personalities you want!
(21:43:36) VAdmBlackthorne: The lighthouse keeper was already invented though.
(21:43:40) LtJGAlexisWright: To interact with, you mean?
(21:43:49) VAdmBlackthorne: Yep
(21:44:17) LtJGAlexisWright: And we just bring them into existence like this?
(21:44:33) LtJGAlexisWright: McBob Townie> Hey, where'd I come from?
(21:44:57) VAdmBlackthorne: Yarp
(21:45:04) LtJGAlexisWright: Splendid.
(21:46:15) LtJGAlexisWright: Are there any really interesting features about this island? Like.. .it has a big coral reef, there's a volcano, there's a jungle, there are indigenous people on the other side of the island,
(21:46:21) CdrTKirr: Jensen McFarlene> :: wipes his hands on a clay-stained towel and peers around the doorway :: Kirsten, come on, wash up. It's closing time.
(21:46:33) VAdmBlackthorne: Oh, right, BEGIN SIM IN A SIM
(21:46:36) ColDougMcKnight: (Yeah.)
(21:46:50) CdrTKirr: (Rofl apparently I'm eager to start, I didn't even wait)
(21:47:05) CdrTKirr: (Wright threw me off, she started it.)
(21:47:14) CdrTKirr: (<~Blame-shifter)
(21:47:18) LtJGAlexisWright: (It was an example!)
(21:47:25) LtLedaHarper: (volcanoes!)
(21:47:42) CdrTKirr: (Fine, I was the teaser before the title sequence)
(21:48:11) LtJGAlexisWright: (So are there any of those features? Because I'm going to need something to study and I don't want to invent something that already exists or conflicts with something that already exists.)
(21:48:50) ColDougMcKnight: (The town itself is in a valley completely encircled by a vaguely teardrop shaped mountain range, which juts out past the shore to provide a natural sheltered harbor. The resulting secluded nature of the place gives it its name.)
(21:49:33) VAdmBlackthorne: :: in a seaplane, wearing a US Navy uniform, flying one Mr. Albert Dunham in from another island ::
(21:49:39) ColDougMcKnight: (There's a small USMC garrison there as well, who man a pair of installations overlooking and guarding the harbor on two sides with artillery batteries.)
(21:49:44) CdrTKirr: :: gently but firmly pushes her thumb into the surface of her newest clay creation, imprinting a unique feature into the otherwise plainly-spun pot :: I'm almost finished for now.
(21:49:58) VAdmBlackthorne: Dunham> C'mon, hurry up, miladdo! I've got to get to the lighthouse by dark!
(21:50:39) VAdmBlackthorne: (Scratch that, Royal Navy)
(21:51:11) VAdmBlackthorne: I know, Al, she's flying as fast as she can.
(21:51:21) ColDougMcKnight: (There are...I believe it was two roads leading up over the mountains. Once you get out there, there are a couple odd farms and the like, and even an airfield somewhere, but it's mostly jungle. Think LOST. There may or may not be natives. We never ironed that out. Oh, and there was some mention of pirates in the area.)
(21:51:46) VAdmBlackthorne: :yarr:
(21:51:49) ColDougMcKnight: (Well, rumors of pirates.)
(21:52:04) ColDougMcKnight: (I like pirates.)
(21:53:32) ColDougMcKnight: (What else...I believe confirmed locations in the town from previous sims include a baseball field, a sports museum, and off at the periphery of the town, a Mexican restaurant. That last one's from a log, though. I don't figure Percy or McKnight told anyone else about that place, but they might have discovered it on their own.)
(21:54:35) ColDougMcKnight: (The bar we usually sim in is on a large artificial structure floating on pontoons out in the harbor, with a long wooden dock leading out to it. There are seaplanes and small boats tied up all along the way.)
(21:54:44) ColDougMcKnight: (Did I miss anything?)
(21:54:54) LtJGAlexisWright: (Leda, check PMs)
(21:55:39) VAdmBlackthorne: Dunham> Well, then that'll have to do.
(21:55:41) ColDougMcKnight: (Oh, and though this IS still the South Pacific, the fact that it's sheltered by mountains means it's relatively cool for the tropics.)
(21:56:47) CdrTKirr: (Tav says hi)
(21:56:55) ColDougMcKnight: (Hey, Tav.)
(21:58:28) VAdmBlackthorne: ::: starts his descent toward the harbor ::
(21:59:43) CdrTKirr: Jensen McFarlene> :: shakes his head and laughs good-naturedly :: You never quit, do you? Every time I see you back there, you're completely absorbed in your work. It's like you live for nothing else.
(22:02:30) VAdmBlackthorne: Dunham> Now don't land too close, Ian, that bloody sea monster might get us.
(22:02:59) VAdmBlackthorne: There's no sea monster, Al.
(22:05:36) VAdmBlackthorne: Dunham> And how do you know, anyway? There bloody well could be!
(22:06:37) LtJGAlexisWright: :: standing in the town square, apparently not noticing the odd looks she's getting from people for her style of dress - she's wearing fitted khaki pants with many pockets and a matching shirt, a belt bristling with stuff, a sturdy pair of boots and a wide-brimmed hat, and carrying a large satchel. Clothing is fitted such that her gender is obvious, but...::
(22:07:47) CdrHarper: :: also flying, but not a seaplane, and approaching a landing at the airfield over the mountains ::
(22:08:08) CdrTKirr: :: perks a slanted eyebrow :: I assure you, your assumption is inaccurate. I merely concentrate on the pleasure of creating works of art while I am here. That is my function here, after all. We do not import, so everything that sells in the shop must be replaced. :: looks up at the store owner :: I have a life outside McFarlene Pottery.
(22:08:13) LtJGAlexisWright: :: doing what looks like a final check through her pockets, stowing the provisions that she's just purchased ::
(22:08:51) VAdmBlackthorne: Sure, and there could be a dinosaur in Loch Ness.
(22:09:29) VAdmBlackthorne: Dunham> I've seen `er, y'know!
(22:09:56) VAdmBlackthorne: That doesn't surprise me, Al.
(22:10:36) CdrHarper: :: touches down the taildragger on the airstrip and is met by an excited farmboy :: Ms. Earhart!
(22:11:15) LtLedaHarper: :: Obvious though Wright may be, that just makes her easier to pick out for Harper, who is almost equally odd - hair loose around her shoulders, crowned with flowers, sporting a bright sundress and sandals and bare metallic-bronze legs which no one seems to notice. She comes up alongside Wright with hands loosely clasped behind her back, tilting her head to look up towards the mountains in parallel. :: "Good afternoon. Are you heading
(22:11:53) VAdmBlackthorne: :: splashes the seaplane down, creating twin wakes behind the pontoons, and drifts up to the dock ::
(22:11:58) CdrTKirr: Jensen McFarlene> :: sighs and smiles :: Ah, yes, with that young fellow, Ian. :: moves to a counter and puts some recently-glazed pieces onto a shelf :: I suppose that would keep you occupied, wouldn't it? Why think about pots when there's young love!
(22:12:34) VAdmBlackthorne: Dunham> Nice landing miladdo! Say, are you still with that Welsh girl?
(22:13:20) CdrTKirr: :: eyebrow rises higher, not bothering to tell the human character her true, alien age :: He's hardly young.
(22:14:27) LtJGAlexisWright: :: turns to Leda in surprise, pausing amid tightening her bootlaces :: You are speaking to me? Am I heading where?
(22:14:45) CdrTKirr: Jensen McFarlene> Pah. Compared to me, you're both still kids. Anyway, isn't he flying in soon?
(22:15:01) VAdmBlackthorne: Oh, Kirsten? Yes, of course. :: flashes his ring ::
(22:15:58) CdrHarper: :: stops the engine and opens the door, climbing down :: Hello.
(22:16:15) VAdmBlackthorne: Dunham> Well, that's great. You flyboys have all the luck in that department. You'd better watch those Welsh women though, I tell ya.
(22:16:32) CdrTKirr: :: hearing this and deciding she rather did get lost in her work, stands and moves for the sink to wash the clay from her hands :: He is, yes. Anytime, now. Could you move this pot for me?
(22:16:59) VAdmBlackthorne: Oh, don't I know it. :: after engine stop, he opens the door, steps on the pontoon, and grabs a rope from the dock, then proceeds to tie off the plane ::
(22:17:18) LtLedaHarper: "I am." :: Leda rocks back on her heels, chuckling to Alexis. :: "Please forgive me. I'm still very new here, and you look to me like you're ready to tackle the entire forest, with all of that kit. Am I wrong?"
(22:18:40) VAdmBlackthorne: Dunham> :: climbs out the door and steps onto the dock :: Thanks for the ride, Ian. :: hands him five schillings and six pence :: I appreciate the Navy taking time to help me out! Now I must be off to the lighthouse!
(22:19:10) CdrTKirr: Jensen McFarlene> :: chuckles again to himself :: So now we're eager to close shop, are we? :: approaches T'Kirr's latest work and lifts it by its mat to put away safely :: I'll see you in the morning, my dear.
(22:19:18) VAdmBlackthorne: No problem, Al. :: pockets the five and six, then watches Dunham scurry away :
(22:19:59) LtJGAlexisWright: :: grins :: I'm still new here myself. And no, you're not at all wrong. Dr. Alexis Wright, specializing in the natural sciences, at your service. :: sticks her hand toward Leda as part of her introduction ::
(22:20:18) CdrHarper: Farmboy> Ms. Earhart, will you take me for a ride in your plane?
(22:21:25) CdrTKirr: (I love it, Wright. And to think, the meds created it.)
(22:22:17) LtJGAlexisWright: (pshaw, it's essentially who Alexis would be if she was contemporary to 1935. ;) )
(22:22:33) CdrHarper: I am sorry, but I can not. My plane is low on fuel and supplies, and I must get to town.
(22:22:35) LtLedaHarper: "Leda Harper. Specialist in dance. My pleasure." :: Leda plunks her hand into Alexis' for a quick clasp. :: "May I ask where you plan on heading? I was considering a walk up there, but it looks like rougher terrain than I should tackle for laughs."
(22:22:55) CdrHarper: Farmboy> :: thinks that Ms. Earhart sure talks funny ::
(22:23:28) CdrTKirr: :: towels off her wet and now clean hands before moving to the store front and acknowledging Jensen formally :: I'll be here for opening to wipe down the displays. Good night, Mr. McFarlene.
(22:23:39) VAdmBlackthorne: :: starts walking off the pier ::
(22:24:11) VAdmBlackthorne: :: Wearing a bomber jacket, aviator frames, and a Royal Navy hat perched jauntily on his head ::
(22:25:03) CdrHarper: Is there transportation available to town?
(22:25:15) LtJGAlexisWright: :: takes a look up at the sky, licking her thumb and holding it aloft :: Well, it still early yet, and it looks like the pleasant weather will hold. I was planning a hike up along the beach, turning inland through the jungle when we get to the mountains, but I plan to stop frequently to collect specimens and sketches. But you're welcome to join me...?
(22:25:26) CdrHarper: Farmboy> Well, there's a few cars kept here for that purpose, and a horse or two at my paw's farm.
(22:25:35) CdrTKirr: Jensen McFarlene> :: tsks and waves a finger at her :: You call me McFarlene again, I'll have to dock your pay! It's Jensen, for the fiftieth time!
(22:26:45) CdrHarper: Ah, a car. I think I would have better luck with that than a horse.
(22:27:06) CdrTKirr: :: tilts her head in amusement :: Jensen. Take your time walking home. :: makes for the door ::
(22:27:17) LtLedaHarper: "You're sure that would be all right? I hate to walk out on my own." :: Leda rocks back half a step, a fleeting glitter of mischief in her eyes. :: "Unescorted young ladies, even in a place as peaceful as this. I can't claim that I'm any kind of naturalist, but I'd be delighted to listen and perhaps help collect."
(22:28:46) CdrTKirr: Jensen McFarlene> I will.
(22:29:11) CdrHarper: Farmboy> C'mon then, Ms. Earhart! :: grabs her arm and drags her toward a car ::
(22:29:45) VAdmBlackthorne: :: strolls past Wright and Harper, tips his hat ::
(22:30:58) CdrTKirr: :: walks out of McFarlene Pottery, her inner eyelids flicking momentarily in the setting sun before she squints a bit, and makes for the waterside, one street over ::
(22:31:09) LtJGAlexisWright: :: clearly doesn't catch the mischief :: Most certainly! And my advice... invest in a good pocketknife and learn how to use it. Most miscreants will decide you're not worth the trouble if you pull a knife. :: inclines her head politely to Ian as he passes :: I'm ready to depart whenever you are?
(22:31:25) LtJGAlexisWright: (Oh, the sun is setting? Hmm.)
(22:31:48) LtLedaHarper: :: Leda starts visibly, but stifles it, and manages to turn a near salute at Blackthorne to a little wave. ::
(22:32:32) CdrTKirr: (Sorry you did talk about the day, I just assumed a closing time period)
(22:32:33) VAdmBlackthorne: :: chuckles ::
(22:32:53) CdrTKirr: (Let's call it day, she got out early today)
(22:33:31) LtJGAlexisWright: I think we've still got a good couple hours before we lose the light, but we should get started.
(22:33:33) VAdmBlackthorne: (Heh, I figured it was later too, Dunham was in a hurry to get to the lighthouse before dark)
(22:33:56) LtLedaHarper: (Piffle, we're not going to be playing long enough for it to be much of an issue.)
(22:34:08) LtJGAlexisWright: (My bad.)
(22:35:05) LtLedaHarper: "You're on. Please, lead away." :: Leda shifts, pointing herself down towards the beach, but doesn't take off just yet. :: "Have you been here before? This is all new to me still."
(22:36:42) CdrHarper: :: is dragged to a car and stares at it, wondering how it works ::
(22:36:55) LtJGAlexisWright: :: begins marching down toward the beach, calls gaily over her shoulder :: Nope! I did a flyover in a seaplane earlier today to get my bearings, though, and I have maps.
(22:37:27) CdrHarper: Farmboy> Whatsamatter, Ms. Earhart? Cantcha drive?
(22:38:07) CdrHarper: Of course I can, do not be silly.
(22:39:06) CdrHarper: I will be fine, you run along back to your father.
(22:39:21) CdrTKirr: :: spots Ian up the street, her stride not changing as she calmly walks to meet him ::
(22:39:52) LtLedaHarper: :: Leda falls into an easy stride alongside Alexis. :: "Good, because I have no idea where we're going, and I'm happy to leave it that way. You're a naturalist?" :: Brightly inquired, with a curious glance over all the STUFF Wright's toting. :: "Are you looking to discover some exotic new orchid? I just came to get some fresh air."
(22:41:05) VAdmBlackthorne: :: smiles as he spies Kirsten, jangles his pocket change as he walks, not used to coins ::
(22:42:06) CdrTKirr: :: slows as she approaches Ian :: Good afternoon. How was your flight?
(22:42:50) LtJGAlexisWright: A naturalist I am indeed. This is my initial survey, so I'll be collecting a little of everything. Soil, plants, insects, sketching creatures and geological features, just to establish some basic data upon which to build.
(22:43:13) VAdmBlackthorne: Oh, just fine, save for Al Dunham's constant prattling.
(22:43:38) CdrHarper: Farmboy> OK Miss Earhart! You be careful! :: runs off ::
(22:43:40) LtJGAlexisWright: But fresh air is a definite side benefit. ::flicks her eyes toward Leda and smiles ::
(22:44:07) LtJGAlexisWright: (I totally read that as "Fanboy" just now. Which may not be inaccurate.)
(22:44:24) CdrHarper: (Yeah, that's pretty accurate. )
(22:45:05) CdrTKirr: :: takes Blackthorne's hand, something not done often aboard ship, but since they're playing the part :: Mr. McFarlene called you young today.
(22:46:03) LtLedaHarper: "Building what, precisely?" :: Leda's stride has lengthened a bit as the two approach the edge of town, and the scrubby grasses which slope gradually down towards the wide, gleaming beach. :: "Because that sounds suspiciously like work."
(22:46:28) VAdmBlackthorne: :: laughs loudly :: Well, I'll have to buy him a bottle of whiskey for that one.
(22:47:37) CdrTKirr: :: silently revels in Blackthorne's mirth and swings his hand a little higher than usual as they begin to walk ::
(22:48:10) VAdmBlackthorne: You know that Al says there's a sea monster about?
(22:50:05) CdrTKirr: :: turns her eyes up to Ian's :: Does he? The existence of such a creature is not likely. A man such as Mr. Dunham is much more likely to mistake a vision of something for something that does not exist.
(22:50:12) LtJGAlexisWright: :: throws her head back and laughs, then scrambles to clap her hat back onto her head as an errant puff of wind catches the brim :: It does sound suspiciously like work, doesn't it? But no... the work part comes later when I get all of the specimens into my lab. This is just... collecting souvenirs.
(22:50:49) VAdmBlackthorne: Ah, but you never know. He does have a good view up there. :: squeezes her hand as they swing ::
(22:51:52) CdrHarper: :: now that the boy's gone and not watching, she scrutinizes the car's controls :
(22:52:59) LtLedaHarper: "Lab. Uh huh. At least that part comes later and you can just walk along the beach for now, right?" :: Leda grins in answer, her hair stirred by the same gust. She pauses to strip off her sandals, tie them together and throw them over one shoulder as the two crunch down into the sand. :: "What are we looking for, anyway? This is all exotic to me."
(22:54:39) CdrHarper: :: The steering wheel is obvious enough, three pedals, a lever with markings ::
(22:55:00) VAdmBlackthorne: (Five minute warning!)
(22:55:11) CdrTKirr: :: scrutinizes Ian's attire and pinches it :: Your jacket is attractive on you.
(22:55:25) CdrHarper: :: tries to turn the key, but nothing happens ::
(22:56:01) CdrHarper: Hm. :: pushes down each pedal in turn ::
(22:56:30) LtJGAlexisWright: :: digs in her satchel as they walk and hands Leda a small pouch of stoppered vials that are labeled A01 through A20 and a small notepad and pencil :: To me, too! Don't worry about the work part, just if you see something that interests you, put it in a vial. You can make a brief note about where you found it if you want to, but not necessary.
(22:56:37) VAdmBlackthorne: :: smiles :: Why thank you.
(22:56:49) LtKuari: ACTION> A suspiciously seamonster-like shape leaps from the surface of deep water within view of Wright and Harper, and possibly anyone else who might be looking.
(22:57:23) LtKuari: ACTION> And then it's gone.
(22:57:24) CdrHarper: :: figures out the brake easily enough ::
(22:57:52) VAdmBlackthorne: The wind catching that dress of yours is quite fetching as well, my dear.
(22:58:08) LtJGAlexisWright: ..... :: drops the second pouch of vials that she'd pulled out for herself on her foot in surprise :: Leda. Leda. Tell me you saw that.
(22:58:26) CdrHarper: :: notes that she can move the lever with the left pedal pushed down :;
(22:59:22) CdrHarper: :: also sees an indicator move from various numbers and letters with the lever ::
(22:59:23) LtLedaHarper: :: Leda accepts the handful of vials, juggles them and the notepad cautiously, and nearly loses the lot when she spots the flashing shape out in the water. She doesn't speak until she's done not dropping things. :: "Yes. Definitely saw that."
(23:00:04) CdrHarper: :: moves the lever to 1, figuring that's a good place to start, keeps the left pedal in, and turns the key ::
(23:00:08) CdrHarper: :: the engine starts! ::
(23:00:28) CdrHarper: :: lets out the left pedal and tries the right one, and the car jumps forward and dies :( ::
(23:00:45) LtJGAlexisWright: ::pulls out a large sketchpad and starts sketching what she saw from memory :: Quick, go get a sample of the water!
(23:00:46) CdrTKirr: :: instead of taking the compliment like a normal human female, looks down the narrow street and between two buildings :: Yes, the wind is channeled quite efficiently through the buildings in this area of town.
(23:01:07) VAdmBlackthorne: :: chuckles :: Kirsten, dear, I wasn't commenting on the efficiency of the town's layout.
(23:02:04) LtLedaHarper: :: Leda looks up incredulously. :: "I'm pretty sure it's still going to be seawater, Alexis!" :: But she obliges, fumbling out a vial, rushing down to the water's edge, and getting her hem wet while dunking it into an oncoming wave. ::
(23:02:28) CdrHarper: Hm. ::: stares at the car's controls ::
(23:03:53) LtJGAlexisWright: Well yes, but, maybe there's something about the condition of the water that's different... or something. :: finishes lamely ::
(23:04:14) VAdmBlackthorne: PAUSE SIM
(23:04:15) VAdmBlackthorne: PAUSE SIM
(23:04:16) VAdmBlackthorne: PAUSE SIM
(23:04:17) LtLedaHarper: :: Leda pads up from the sea's edge, brows rising. :: "Your sample, Doctor."
(23:04:46) LtJGAlexisWright: :: takes the sample from Leda so she's not holding it out awkwardly this whole time, then pauses ::
(23:04:59) CdrTKirr: :: pauses ::
(23:05:05) VAdmBlackthorne: That was fun. :)
(23:05:10) LtKuari: :: pauses, mid-dive ::
(23:05:23) LtLedaHarper: I think it's good for us to just clown around a little now and then.
(23:05:28) CdrTKirr: It was. ^_^ A bit domestic at times, even
(23:05:38) VAdmBlackthorne: And good to see more of Lost Harbor than just Jack's bar.
(23:06:19) LtJGAlexisWright: I didn't get to tell Leda to hold still so I could pull a big mosquito off her shoulder and put it in a specimen jar, but KuariSeaMonster was more fun.
(23:06:37) LtLedaHarper: AIEEEEAAAGH.
(23:07:00) CdrTKirr: Can always continue it
(23:07:02) LtLedaHarper: Wright, you are CRUEL.
(23:07:10) VAdmBlackthorne: Yes, that's a beauty of it.
(23:07:42) CdrTKirr: If anyone wants to turn parts into logs, by all means. We don't have to all stay synced as we're in different places, etc.
(23:07:55) LtJGAlexisWright: You'd rather I just let the mosquito feed? Posh.
(23:08:01) LtLedaHarper: I sort of like the jumble!
(23:08:41) CdrTKirr: Mm... apparently I have to make an Easter bunny tomorrow.
(23:08:56) VAdmBlackthorne: Well, bunnies are easy to make.
(23:09:03) LtJGAlexisWright: Like... what, Conjure Easter Bunny?
(23:09:21) VAdmBlackthorne: Just put a boy bunny and a girl bunny together and lots of bunnies will appear.
(23:09:22) CdrTKirr: 3D model. I think I'll stretch the ears on the teddy bear I've already made and have it hold an egg.
(23:09:41) LtJGAlexisWright: Ahsou.
(23:09:51) CdrTKirr: Wright, you stayed awake. =P
(23:10:03) LtJGAlexisWright: 5 minutes to oxycontin redosing
(23:10:07) CdrTKirr: Still sad we couldn't meet in Oregon. =/ But omgtherewassnow
(23:10:10) LtJGAlexisWright: not that I'm watching the clock
(23:10:10) LtLedaHarper: That's true. Mmm, drugs!
(23:10:27) LtJGAlexisWright: I'm sad too :( The weather was really weird!
(23:10:54) LtJGAlexisWright: Next time, though. You have family up here, right? I'm sure you'll make it back up eventually
(23:11:23) CdrTKirr: Yep, for sure.
(23:11:43) CdrTKirr: Chance, how'd you like a glimpse of Lost Harbor?
(23:12:18) EnsignJohnTChance: Hi everybody. I'm still staying in the background learning the territory. But tonight was fun to follow along with.
(23:12:59) EnsignJohnTChance: Sure. Sounds like a great place. Is there a decent surf break?
(23:13:15) LtLedaHarper: Hi Chance. :)
(23:13:35) EnsignJohnTChance: Hi Leda. Nice to meet you.
(23:13:57) LtLedaHarper: I'm glad to see you back - I saw that name come through at least once before.
(23:15:00) EnsignJohnTChance: Well, I am just an ensign. Better to just stay out of everybody's way...at least until that promotion comes through.
(23:15:18) LtLedaHarper: Leda has pretty much decided that the entire ship outranks her. Totally on the same boat.
(23:16:04) CdrTKirr: Yeah, Kuari's 2Lt in corps but that's equivilent to navy ensign
(23:16:14) CdrTKirr: Same with Leda
(23:16:21) LtLedaHarper: We are BABIES.
(23:16:37) LtKuari: I'm a big baby. o_O
(23:16:58) CdrTKirr: The rest of us have just been around so long we collect ranks.
(23:16:59) LtLedaHarper: You're the resident sea monster, and that's awesome.
(23:17:16) LtKuari: Thanks. ^_^
(23:18:00) EnsignJohnTChance: Gotta admit, that was pretty cool!
(23:18:14) LtLedaHarper: We'll get back to drop-kicking pirates soon enough.
(23:19:16) LtKuari: Yeah, then I gotta be all marine-ey and level a rifle and wear my own custom-made suit and everything.
(23:19:30) LtKuari: And growl at people. On land. Not from the water.
(23:19:37) EnsignJohnTChance: Can't we beam a bunch of tribbles into a Klingon ship for kicks? That would be fun!
(23:19:37) LtKuari: Okay, not land, in a ship, but still.
(23:19:57) CdrTKirr: Maybe in another plot
(23:20:02) CdrHarper: Klingons. :: shudders ::
(23:20:19) CdrTKirr: Bunnies of space.
(23:20:25) CdrTKirr: Space Bunnies.
(23:21:25) EnsignJohnTChance: Don't say mean things about bunny...that bugs bunny!
(23:21:36) LtJGAlexisWright: BUUUUUUNS IIIIIIIN SPAAAAAACE
(23:22:04) CdrTKirr: Oh I get it. Marvin.
(23:23:07) EnsignJohnTChance: Hahaha!
(23:26:48) ColDougMcKnight left the room (quit: Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client).
(23:28:46) VAdmBlackthorne: I'll see y'all next week when we'll hopefully get back to pirateland.
(23:29:37) VAdmBlackthorne: G'night everyone!