"The thing which John A1nut makes in his game."
"What are, lots of posts?"
"Correct, for two hundred dollars."
Just a note to anyone following. I edit my posts A LOT. Especially when it says (Doing Therapy) at the bottom. Might not want to read my game until MJ posts the following day.
(Doing Therapy)
A grenade launcher is a different skill from a rifle. I will give you credit for knowing how to use the rifle, but your skill ability level will start based on the learning roll.
Yes, the shotgun was in stock. I should mention that shotguns are heavy hand-carried; you've got 2@4 in the Mossberg, so you're 1@10 in other shotguns.
On grenades, you wrote:
-
Explosive (BIG BOOM!!!)
I'm thinking that you do not mean a standard fragmentation grenade, because such a device would be closer to your flechettes, only not quite as well designed. The standard pineapple grenade has that look because it is designed to blast apart and send shrapnel into near targets. Thus I'm thinking this is closer to a concussion grenade, in which the explosive impact of the rush of air and sound does the damage. Is that what you're after? -
Armor piercing, explosive. (Smaller boom, but it will go through 6 feet of concrete first. Explodes when it returns to empty space, or stops moving if target penetration isn't complete. Shoot it at a tank, it goes in and blows up inside the tank, in other words.)
I'm assuming that you're working from reality here, but I find this one a bit incredible. Part of that is because I expect that the armor piercing ability must come from the launcher (you could not design a grenade that would do this thrown by hand, and the properties I put into grenades work even if you set them on the ground and detonate them with a pistol shot). What you're describing sounds more like a rocket to me. But I'm not entirely certain I am right, and I can see how the detonator could be rigged to blow when pressure is relieved from the leading end, so I'm asking for more information on this one. -
Explosive flechettes (Throws a spread of explosive darts. Like having Tony Stark's Jericho missile in your holster. Osevens gave me the idea. At 25 yards, it's a 6 foot spread of exploding darts. God help whoever is in the way.)
This would be a high quality version of a standard frag grenade, I think--unless the flechettes are independent rockets of some sort, but I don't think that's likely. Do I have the idea aright? -
Tear gas (Added bonus, if I actually hit the guy with the grenade, it's like getting hit with a baseball bat THEN the tear gas goes off!!!)
I think I've got this. - Glue (Like the grenades I have. Detonates in a shower of glue on impact)Right, those are the same.
-
Net gun? (Trows a fishing net, you see them in movies!!!)
I can see this as being launched from a grenade launcher, but they're probably not recoverable. Is that agreed?
The sling and the sleeve carrier are good, in stock.
I have reason to think that the Mossberg is pump action, but I'm not fixed in that opinion. The new one it seems would almost have to be automatic.
--M. J. Young
A grenade launcher is a different skill from a rifle. I will give you credit for knowing how to use the rifle, but your skill ability level will start based on the learning roll.
Does seeing one used in a movie count as an example?
Yes, the shotgun was in stock. I should mention that shotguns are heavy hand-carried; you've got 2@4 in the Mossberg, so you're 1@10 in other shotguns.
Exactly what I thought.
I have reason to think that the Mossberg is pump action, but I'm not fixed in that opinion. The new one it seems would almost have to be automatic.
The Mossberg is pump action, yes. It will likely be disowned. (I'm going to be disowning a bunch of stuff. How do I go about that? Tell you when I verse out what stuff I don't want to take? I think I'm over the weight limit.)
Regarding the new shotgun, the one which I saw in the catalog was pump action. I want Pump or Automatic Fire. That's a single option, and is actually a much more advanced design than the straight automatic. Automatic shotguns are notorious for jamming, so the Pump or Auto design was made, mostly for combat and military shotguns, which this certainly would be the equivalent of. As I said, you pump it to clear it. (Is there an option for not losing an attack due to a gun jam, because of simplicity of clearing the jam? Just thought I'd ask. This gun would qualify in that vein.)
I'm thinking that you do not mean a standard fragmentation grenade, because such a device would be closer to your flechettes, only not quite as well designed. The standard pineapple grenade has that look because it is designed to blast apart and send shrapnel into near targets. Thus I'm thinking this is closer to a concussion grenade, in which the explosive impact of the rush of air and sound does the damage. Is that what you're after?
The grenades fired by Arnold in T2 were 70mm explosive grenades. The launcher he had fires the same ammo, just his would be more accurate.
I'm assuming that you're working from reality here, but I find this one a bit incredible. Part of that is because I expect that the armor piercing ability must come from the launcher (you could not design a grenade that would do this thrown by hand, and the properties I put into grenades work even if you set them on the ground and detonate them with a pistol shot). What you're describing sounds more like a rocket to me. But I'm not entirely certain I am right, and I can see how the detonator could be rigged to blow when pressure is relieved from the leading end, so I'm asking for more information on this one.
Actually it's the shell of the grenade. It's made out of depleted uranium, or some other incredibly dense metal. It's probably designed to fragment from the inside on explosion, but still, harder to blast though (hence, smaller boom) Also, they're heavier than standard grenades. But yeah, we make armor piercing grenades now which will go through 6 feet of concrete.
This would be a high quality version of a standard frag grenade, I think--unless the flechettes are independent rockets of some sort, but I don't think that's likely. Do I have the idea aright?
No, it's more like a 70mm shotgun firing darts which explode on impact. We actually have flechette grenades here, but to my knowledge, the darts don't explode. They were designed during the Vietnam war for penetrating dense foliage. Also available in 12 gauge shotgun shells.
I can see this as being launched from a grenade launcher, but they're probably not recoverable. Is that agreed?
You've never seen something like a net gun used in a movie? The net fires out, spreads, and envelopes the target. They're only good for about 20 feet. I just wanted one or two because the net could be used for trapping game, even after it was fired. (First fire catches a deer, after that, it's a fishing net)
(Doing Therapy)
Yes, I would give you a 1@1 example for observing the use of a device in a fictional context, provided that it was used in a way intended to emulate the actual use of a real device of that sort. (This includes the actual use of fictional devices, incidently.)
In order to disown objects, you as character must do something to signify that you do not own them anymore. You can give them away or sell them, or you can put them somewhere and walk away from them stating that you no longer own them. You cannot make that decision when you verse out; it must be done in advance of this. If you're still using it or keeping it with your possessions at that moment, it remains yours, subject to my decision as to what objects you take and which you leave.
Got it on the new shotgun: Pump/Auto. We need to give it a better name than "new", but a fictional brand name is fine. However:
Is there an option for not losing an attack due to a gun jam, because of simplicity of clearing the jam? Just thought I'd ask. This gun would qualify in that vein.I think you would not want this, for a very simple reason.
The rule is that on a botch you lose that attack mode for at least the next attack. I use "gun jams" because it will cost at least one attack to clear the jam (and with high speed weapons possibly more). If you have a gun that can be cleared of a jam without losing an attack, there's no (game mechanics) reason for that gun ever to jam, and on a botch something else will happen to it--it will be knocked from your hand, or the barrel will warp, or the firing mechanism will break, or in some way the gun will be rendered inoperable until you can attend to repairs.
So if you want a gun whose jams are cleared without costing an attack, we will not that jam is not a botch for that weapon and will use other potentially more serious botch outcomes instead. That's your call.
This does not really answer my question. Let me rephrase.The grenades fired by Arnold in T2 were 70mm explosive grenades.
You already have several fragmentation grenades. Such grenades are designed such that the explosive inside rips the casing apart and uses it as shrapnel. There are also "flash" grenades which do no more than make a loud noise and a bright light to disorient the enemy. I can imagine a grenade that would be "explosive" in that it was like detonating a chunck of C-4. If carefully placed and detonated it would be useful for demolition; if aimed and fired there would be a question of what it destroyed. It might leave a crater if it hit softer ground. It might knock people away from the blast center, or hit them with debris from ground zero. If it hit a person it would blow a hole in them, but if it did not actually hit the person the damage they received would be more from the shock wave knocking them away, possibly into some other object. That's what I'm understanding from "explosive grenade"; if you're good with that, list it that way.
This means that the armor piercing abilities are dependent on the force of the grenade launcher. A grenade launcher capable of launching an armor-piercing grenade would probably have sufficient force to detonate other types in the barrel. That's my opinion and subject to discussion, but I'm thinking that a device that fires shells which pierce armor must be separate from one that fires ordinary grenades.Actually it's the shell of the grenade. It's made out of depleted uranium, or some other incredibly dense metal. It's probably designed to fragment from the inside on explosion, but still, harder to blast though (hence, smaller boom) Also, they're heavier than standard grenades. But yeah, we make armor piercing grenades now which will go through 6 feet of concrete.
You want the flechettes to be exploding darts, such that there is an initial impact explosion and then secondary impact explosions for every target hit by a dart, correct? Interesting design.
The net concept is fine; I just wanted to make sure that you were not expecting the net to be reloadable. I can see a version of this designed for a crossbow that would be something you could repack yourself, but not the net version.
If you agree with these versions of these weapons, I will determine what is available immediately and what will take time.
--M. J. Young
it remains yours, subject to my decision as to what objects you take and which you leave.
Why is it your decision? Some items I am more attached to than others. I'd think it would be mine. Or at least that you would get my input on it.
So if you want a gun whose jams are cleared without costing an attack, we will not that jam is not a botch for that weapon and will use other potentially more serious botch outcomes instead. That's your call.
Guns jamming are fine.
This means that the armor piercing abilities are dependent on the force of the grenade launcher.
Wrong. An armor piercing bullet is no more powerful and fires with no more force than a standard bullet. Change the bullet head from copper jacketed lead to copper jacketed steel, and you have an armor piercing bullet. No more force, and I probably won't even know the difference firing. Actually, if you want to cut the armor piercing off the list completely, that's cool too. Really, I am more after the tear gas grenades anyway. I have explosives, tear gas I don't have.
You already have several fragmentation grenades. Such grenades are designed such that the explosive inside rips the casing apart and uses it as shrapnel.
Right. It's a 70mm exploding bullet, I guess.
I don't think you understand grenade launchers MJ. The launcher has nothing more to do with the power of the grenade than a gun does with the bullet. The launcher has a firing pin which hits a primer in the grenade, firing it. Don't think of a grenade, think of a very large gun who's bullets explode on impact. It's gunpowder firing a bullet, which is why I said it could qualify as a "Heavy, explosive driven slug thrower." I totally accept that I have to learn to use it though. Don't think of it as a grenade, think of it as an exploding bullet.
And the new shotgun? We will call it a Pump/Auto.
(Doing Therapy)
Two Posts
You explained to me once why it's the referee's call what equipment comes. If you could explain it again (Cliff's Notes version is fine) I'd appreciate it. As far as my gear, I have less attachment to certain items. These I would expect to be less likely to verse with me, if it goes by your feelings of possession and ownership. Things I don't really want, in other words. (The collapsible 22, for instance. I've got the 9mm carbine for the pack, and my Marlin 22 is a tried and trusted weapon) Should I list these off as being disowned? I guess you could say it's the stuff I wouldn't mind leaving behind.
(Doing Therapy)
Lots-O-Posts
Oh ya know what? You said that the bulletproof clothes even had socks and gloves. (It was a 4 roll) How flexible is the material? Put a pool ball inside a sock, instant blackjack. And believe it or not (on our world) they're legal, because it's just a pool ball in a sock. No different than a bag of marbles (Which also makes an effective blackjack) Are the socks flexible and pliable enough for that? They won't rip....
(Doing Therapy)
concerning equipment, it falls to the referee to make that decision when the player has not had his character make it. The player is inherently biased, and might make decisions based on tactical values; the referee is presumably less biased. Remeember, we had a player character drag around a pile of empty aluminum soda cans for several worlds until he formally disowned them; that's part of the game. If your character does not make conscious decisions as to what to disown, you lose the power to make conscious decisions on his behalf. I will probably do something arbitrary, such as cut the last items off the list, or roll the dice against items that might be dropped.
Ah, I see the problem. You're assuming that the grenades are designed specifically for use in grenade launchers. They're not. The grenade launchers are designed specifically to propel the grenades. You can throw these grenades by hand and get the same results; the launcher only gives you better range. Anything the grenade will not do if you throw it it will not do fired from this grenade launcher; but it will launch nearly any type of grenade you put into it.I don't think you understand grenade launchers MJ. The launcher has nothing more to do with the power of the grenade than a gun does with the bullet.
You've asked questions about the socks. Did you buy them at the time? Were they in stock, or ordered?
--M. J. Young
If your character does not make conscious decisions as to what to disown, you lose the power to make conscious decisions on his behalf.
So does that mean I can disown the stuff now, but when I verse out, it's too late?
Anything the grenade will not do if you throw it it will not do fired from this grenade launcher; but it will launch nearly any type of grenade you put into it.
Then this is nothing whatsoever like the M-203. What kinds of grenades do I have?
You've asked questions about the socks. Did you buy them at the time? Were they in stock, or ordered?
It was a 4 roll. They were in stock, all over the place, and extremely inexpensive.
(Doing Therapy)
Couple Posts
I think my character has some idea of the weight limit. He versed out once with a van full of stuff, and lost more than half of it on his next verse. He knows also that everything he had before came, plus the stuff he picked up in Dancing Princess. If it is reasonable that he understands the weight limit rule a little, he would disown stuff to ensure that what he wanted would come. I didn't think I would be over the weight limit. I did some checking I have (again) got over 200 pounds just in ammo.
(Doing Therapy)
I think we might find a way to reduce the amount of ammo you're carrying before you verse out.
The grenades are half a pound each. You can acquire now probably as many as you want of:
- Fragmentation grenades, such as you already have, hard shell explosives that use their own cases as shrapnel.
- Explosive grenades, soft-shell explosives that function much as dynamite, effective for targeting objects.
- Tear gas, those in affected area must resist caustic effects or be disabled.
- Knockout gas, similar but renders unconscious.
- Glue grenades, such as you already have.
- Net caster, as described.
What are you taking?
--M. J. Young
After a closer inspection, I think probably I would be underweight if you cut some (but not all) ammo. All the magazines are loaded, so Kyler gave me all loaded magazines, but not much else in the way of ammo. Just a thought.
Does this grenade launcher fit underneath my MAK 90? Does this thing need batteries?
Ten of each of whatever I don't already have ten of.
(Doing Therapy)
Two Posts
Screw the MAK 90, can I mount that grenade launcher to the 9mm carbine? Or can I get a second one which will mount to it? I'm carrying the 9mm carbine, and I can't pick up the MAK 90 with the backpack on. Might as well have as much firepower on me as I can.
BTW, it's after 3 AM. I'd be more surprised if you finished tonight than not.
(Doing Therapy)
Couple Posts
Ya know what? Do they have shotgun shells which will do the same thing only smaller as those grenades will? I might just carry that pump shotgun instead of the grenade launcher. That and 32 shotguns shells would weigh about the same as the grenade launcher and 10 grenades.
Now that I know you're not going to be back tonight, do they have/can I order anything like that Mare's Leg that Osevens was talking about Behind the Screens, but in a 12 gauge shotgun? A lever action (or automatic) shotgun, total length 24 inches (or shorter) which would break apart for storage? With a 12 inch barrel, I'd imagine it would hold probably 4 shells in the magazine. Anything like that? I think I'd rather have lever action, but an automatic would be fine too.
If they have the described gun, and tear gas and/or knockout gas available in 12 gauge shotgun shells, I will probably forgo the grenade launcher. Shredders for explosives, 00 buck, and knockout/tear gas... And it weighs less and is almost as powerful as the grenade launcher.
(Doing Therapy)
Four Posts (Hey now, it's been 2 days since the last one!!!)
You want to know what will get me involved? In this scenario at least, if I perceive my friends are in danger. I will spring into action immediately to protect Lauren. (Although, from what I've seen, she hardly needs my protection) If Derek gets into a jam, I'll be there. You need to draw me into a story here? Put one of the other versers in jeopardy.
The grenade launcher is apparently recharged by a pump action, and it fits on the bottom of most rifle-length guns.
I don't suppose I could get you to list which grenades you now have? Never mind; I'll get the list in a few days, when I need it.
You can order all those described weapons and ammo; it will take about three days to get them. You already have the grenade launcher, because you bought it when you said.
I believe we've also got to cover the psionics lesson today. Lauren projects the pattern of a psionic slicer into your mind, and you manage to work out how to do that, creating a barely visible blade of force with a keen edge that can slice a target once a minute. She says with practice you'll get much better at it.
Is there anything else you want to do today?
--M. J. Young
I don't suppose I could get you to list which grenades you now have? Never mind; I'll get the list in a few days, when I need it.
I have 10 fragmentation and 10 glue, currently. In a few days? Is some Fit about to hit the Shan MJ?
You can order all those described weapons and ammo; it will take about three days to get them. You already have the grenade launcher, because you bought it when you said.
So I can get the 24 inch Mare's Leg shotgun I was talking about? And I can also get the tear gas and knockout gas shells for it? Give me the specs on the Mare's Leg shotgun. (Lever or auto, how many shells? etc) I've got plans for this gun. Let me get it before the fit hits the shan if you can help it.... (Better yet, let me just go and pick it up when the fit hits the shan (laughing))
Is there anything else you want to do today?
Nothing I would be willing to post here in game hehehe. Go to tomorrow.
More than one
If I can get that Mare's Leg shotgun, I'll likely drop the grenade launcher completely. I mean 4 shells (instead of 1) and I've already got 1@10 skill using it. Did I get that Mare's Leg shotgun or no?
Tons of posts
If I'm going to get tear gas and knockout gas rounds, it might be prudent to get a gas mask.... Can I?
(Doing Therapy)
You know the answer to that, John: How would you know?Is some Fit about to hit the Shan MJ?
The Mare's Leg is three days away.
Since it is now tomorrow, it is now two days away.
Lauren says she only knows one other psionic skill: she knows how to slow your aging process. That's not a skill she's ever needed for herself, but Merlin taught it to her and she in turn taught it to her student Bethany, who was born in the thirteen hundreds sometime and was still a young woman in the beginning of the third millennium. If you'd like the pattern, she'll show you, although she's not that good at it. If you'd rather start on magic, she can show you some of that. But then, you've already said you're not interested in her magic.
You have work to do today.
--M. J. Young
But then, you've already said you're not interested in her magic.
"I think I've changed my mind on that Lauren. Do you know ways to accelerate praying? That's the primary edge psionics have. You can perform them much faster than praying."
Lauren says she only knows one other psionic skill: she knows how to slow your aging process.
"Lauren, why would we need that? The Architect told me we're never going to get older. Only reason for that would be if someone cast an "Age Rapidly" spell on you or something. Give it to me, sure. Just asking why we need it, ya know."
Is some Fit about to hit the Shan MJ?
You know the answer to that, John: How would you know?
It was asked kind of sarcastically and rhetorically. I thought the "Fit hits the Shan" comment would better reveal the sarcasm.
Since it is now tomorrow, it (Mare's Leg shotgun) is now two days away.
Give me the specs on the Mare's Leg shotgun. (Lever or auto, how many shells? etc) I would imagine 4 shells, as I stated. Twelve inch barrel, 4 inches for the action, and 8 inches for the handle. I would want lever action. There's just something about the feel of a lever action gun in your hands. If that's fine with you, then it's fine with me.
I paid for that, it's legally mine. I see it as mine. On the off chance that I verse out before it shows up, could it come with me? Probably can't answer that. It would probably be out in space somewhere in the next world, but I could get to it with what I've learned here. When I get it, I'm going to devise a holster for the Mare's Leg, and drop the single shot.
On second thought "Hey Mr. Weapons Dealer Guy, can you get me a tactical holster for that Mare's Leg shotgun? It would hang from the hip, strap to your leg, and be down a little bit to make the drawing from the position your hand would be in."
I would want it with a quick draw. Strapped in at the top, encompassing both the lever and the handle (so the lever doesn't fall open) and only a matter of inches at the bottom. Three or four inches, maximum, probably less. Might as well make the baddest gun I'm carrying the easiest one to get to.
Also, I wanted to say that the bulletproof trench coat that I have is open, so I can get at my weapons. At work, I wear one of my army jackets, with the 9mm and the 357 concealed underneath it. I have the belt bag on me too. The backpack and whatnot is in the office. When I'm wearing the trench coat, I also have the single shot shotgun. Also, I've got it set up so that I can pull the 9mm carbine out of the backpack without taking it off. (Is that a skill? I hope not.)
On-Person Weapons
1 9mm pistol
1 9mm carbine. 200+ rounds ammo
1 357 magnum revolver 42+ rounds ammo
1 single shot/Mare's Leg 12 gauge 12+ rounds ammo
1 crossbow 36 hunting arrows. (but it's folded up in the pack, and I doubt I would try to get it)
2+ frag grenades
2+ glue grenades (They still work without the launcher)
I'm not exactly sure on the ammo count, but I'll keep track of what's used. (I mean I HOPE I don't fire 242 rounds in one gunfight!!!!) I just promised myself that I wouldn't go below 200 rounds 9mm and not below 42 rounds 357. All 15 round magazines and 4 speed loaders are accessible (not in the backpack) All other speed loaders are in the backpack. The 30 round mags are rubber banded to the carbine. Pistol and carbine are loaded with 15 round mags, and the carbine is set on triburt (3 shots per trigger pull) unless otherwise specified. (Double all 9mm pistol ranges. How are you planning to roll the triburt? Negative sit-mod for the other two?)
I may or may not have a grenade launcher. (I got 2, 1 on the MAK 90) I don't know if he's gotten around to putting the other on the 9mm carbine or not. (In other words, I'm trying to decide if I really want to.) How does that work? If I say I'm using it, I officially have it, or do I not have it unless I officially say so beforehand?
I know from Behind the Screens that something is going down today, so I thought it wise to mention this.
You have work to do today.
Go to work.
(Doing Therapy)
Hate it when I write in two places and post before I've combined them. This is edited.
"One reason to learn it," she says, "is that the more different skills you know, the more likely you are to be able to figure out how to do something you've never tried." She then projects the skill into your mind, which involves areas of your brain you've never used for psionics before. You copy it, with difficulty, and figure out how to use those areas, giving you a new ability you will probably never use for yourself, and a greater understanding of how psionics work.
As to the holster, he'll order it for you; it might come with the gun, if he's quick.
If you walk away from the dealer without taking it with you, you cannot say later that you decided you would take it.
As work is ending, Derek's thoughts come into your head telepathically. We need you, he says. Come to my place straight from work, I'll explain there.
--M. J. Young
"Oh hey Lauren, I was thinking. Do you think you could use that Slow Aging trick to make yourself younger? What would be slowing the aging of a person who never ages? It would be making them younger, wouldn't it?"
If you walk away from the dealer without taking it with you, you cannot say later that you decided you would take it.
No, MJ I got 2 grenade launchers, I'm just not certain if one of them is on person. I'm still trying to work out the weight of the pack. I've got a working version, I'm just fine-tuning it. I was asking if the Mare's Leg shotgun would verse with me, since I paid for it and see it as mine. If I recall, the policy on special orders was they put a lien against your bank account for the amount, and it's taken out when you actually receive the merchandise. Legally, I own that shotgun, and I see it as mine.
As work is ending, Derek's thoughts come into your head telepathically. We need you, he says. Come to my place straight from work, I'll explain there.
Sending back
"On my way, for King and Country."
Do I detect any panic or anything else in him? You know how you can listen to a voice and hear a person's mood? Does that come through in telepathy?
Upon Arrival
"So Derek, what's the big emergency?"
Who else is here? Lauren? CW? Anyone else?
(Doing Therapy)
Two Posts
NOTES:
You've also got a 357 magnum belt buckle and 100 yards of DET cord waiting for you today. Don't forget that in the fun with Superbabe and Rotundo boy.
(Doing Therapy)
Lots-O-Posts
MJ, I asked about getting a gas mask some time ago. Did I ever get it?
(Doing Therapy)
"It doesn't make aging go backwards, John. Sorry. There probably are ways to make yourself look younger, or to make yourself younger, but I've never thought of trying one."
My recollection is that this was true only for certain expensive or unusual products--things that the dealer couldn't sell if you didn't return for them. You've been a good customer so far, and this doesn't strike me as that difficult a product to move, but we'll let the dice decide if we get that far.If I recall, the policy on special orders was they put a lien against your bank account for the amount, and it's taken out when you actually receive the merchandise.
Derek's mood does not come through the telepathy. Whether it might in other circumstances is difficult to say.
Lauren and CW are present.
"Tell him, Derek," Lauren says.
"Well--it seems that there's a problem. I stumbled on it working with the computers, and I know that my boss knows, and the station leadership know, but I think they're keeping a lid on it because they don't want to start a panic. They can't evacuate the ship in time, and they can't control the crowds for an orderly evacuation anyway.
"The problem is, there's a rather large cargo ship on a collision course. It's got its defenses full up, is not answering hails, and is using evasives. If it hits, millions will die. Anyway, I asked Lauren what we could do about it."
Lauren says, "Derek and I are going over there. I can get us there. I can get the two of you there, too, if you're willing to go. The way I figure it, no matter what happens, we wake up somewhere tomorrow morning. If we fail, at least we tried. If we succeed, we save millions of lives and get back here with no one the wiser. We don't know what's out there yet, but we'll deal with it when we get there.
"Are you in?"
"Count on me," Claude says. "You'll need someone who knows something about how spaceships work, and I've got a bit of experience at that."
I do not recall whether you got a gas mask. Check the thread to see what it says. It is not listed in my cheat sheet on your events.
--M. J. Young
"Collision course with who? Us? Dumb question, why do we have to board the ship? We've all got psionics right? Just push the damn thing off course. We could do that from any window where we can see it coming."
This is meant as a serious attempt to discuss other options, and of course I want to hear her what she has in mind.
"How are you planning to get us over there?"
"Like you just said Lauren, no matter what, we wake up somewhere tomorrow, so how is this our problem? I'm gonna need some more information here before I decide what to do."
I want to hear her reasons for wanting to do this. Whatever she says:
"I'll probably go, you're going to need someone for crowd control, and a 9mm makes a great negotiator. Like I say, I just need some more information."
Ya know, I started to doubt whether or not I would go help her on this. Then I thought about it some more. I'm probably excited at some adventure, and he's developed at least a modicum of loyalty to Lauren. He's probably half in love with her too. OF COURSE HE'S IN ON THIS!!!!!
I do not recall whether you got a gas mask. Check the thread to see what it says. It is not listed in my cheat sheet on your events.
I asked about a gas mask, you didn't say a word about it yea or nay. It's a couple posts up on this page. If I'm going to have tear gas and knockout gas, it seems only prudent to have a gas mask, ya know?
(Doing Therapy)
Two Posts
Regardless of whatever else is said here:
"I have a stop to make. I've got some stuff waiting for me at the weapons depot. How many worlds am I going to land in where I can get Det cord legally?"
It's there today, just gotta go get it.
If anyone protests
"The longer we argue, the longer it's going to take. Either you want my help or you don't. Unless this thing is only minutes away, I'm going to get my stuff."
If it's only minutes away, we wouldn't be talking about it, so I must have time.
Whilst I'm there:
"Mr. Weapons Dealer Guy, any updates on my shotgun getting in? I know you said tomorrow, but I just thought I'd ask whilst I was here, ya know."
The 9mm carbine came in early, who knows? And yes, if it's a bad roll and it's going to be late, I'll accept that. I'm probably not going to pick it up tomorrow anyway....
MJ, did you ever see Triple X, with Vin Diesel? A yes or no is all I need. It might not come up in play, but I need to know if you've seen that movie.
(Doing Therapy)
Lauren thinks about your suggestion.
"The ship is under full thrust," she says, "and apparently course correcting; it's also too far away to see from here, at least as something other than one of the many points of light out there. Derek?"
"If you moved it now," he says, "It would probably correct its course; it appears to be programmed for here. If you waited until it was closer--well, I saw you fight that cat, but somehow I don't think even you would have enough power to hold a ship that size at full power. Might make the collision less serious, but do you think you could stop it?"
She thinks about this. "I'd rather not take that risk," she says. "Much better to get on the ship and get control of it there, while it's still far enough out that we have options. If we can't stop it, we can abandon ship and try to redirect it John's way. If we wait until it's close enough to stop it John's way and then fail, we won't have time to do the other."
...no matter what, we wake up somewhere tomorrow, so how is this our problem?
"John, I believe that God put me in this world for a reason, and that that reason has to do with the needs of others. I believe that God puts you in worlds no the same basis: because something needs to be done that you can do. You might not believe that. I don't think C.W. believes it, and I know that Joe Kondor doesn't. But whatever you think is your reason for being here doesn't change the fact that I think my purpose in any world is to help the people in that world. I am going to do what I can to save the lives of the people on this station, because their lives matter to God, and what matters to God matters to me. If Joe were here, I knew that he would do this, not because those lives matter to God, but because he recognizes that his own life is indestructible and thus can be sacrificed cheaply to save the lives of those whose lives are in his mind irreplaceable and thus far more precious. So maybe other people don't matter to you; maybe you don't care what happens to the people on this station. But perhaps this will help. If that ship hits the station, you'll probably verse out in the midst of the carnage you might have prevented. If you get killed trying to stop the carnage, you verse out anyway. If you succeed, maybe nobody dies, maybe there is no carnage. Maybe even you get to live. So what's the point of not trying to help these people?"
I believe that the gas mask was part of the equipment I said would arrive in three days, yesterday.
Lauren says everyone needs to "kit up" for this, and asks if an hour is sufficient time for everyone to get what they need and meet back here at Derek's place. The others agree; assuming you do, too, you've got an hour.
The carbiner rig is in; the things that were ordered after that are not. The shotgun was not scheduled to arrive until the day after tomorrow; you ordered it yesterday.
I have never seen any Vin Diesel movie other than Fast and Furious, which I don't remember well.
I need you to give me a list of exactly what you are wearing, carrying, or taking, and how you are packing it all.
--M. J. Young
"OK, how about moving the station? Or hell, use psionics and/or magic to make it non-corporeal? The ship would pass harmlessly through the station. What about teleporting one of them somewhere else? Anybody know how to teleport?"
"Let's get something straight Lauren. You had me on this as soon as you said "Save the lives of millions of people." Play our cards right, we could turn ourselves into celebrities. I wouldn't want to do that. A handsome reward, enough to live off of comfortably for a few years would be nice though. What do you think? (Hey, it's a legitimate question) I had an angel of God appear to me in my last world. It instructed me that demons had taken control of the castle, and I was Humanities last, best, and only hope. The Great Referee in the Sky shouldn't give me a mystery to solve, but if something just kind of falls into my lap, I think I'll jump at it. At least if the Great Referee in the Sky wants me to be any kind of effective servant."
"I want to know about the specifics of the ship. What is the crew compliment? Security forces? I mean for all we know it's been hijacked by those same @$$holes who flew planes into the WTC (I've told them about it by now) We could be going against suicide bombers. This could be 9/11 all over again."
I've told Lauren and Derek about that. It's meant to be motivational.
"I recommend short range weaponry. Lauren, are you planning to bring those 50 cal pistols of yours? I'd be worried about punching a hole in the ship, but I can't tell you what to do. I've got guns out the ying yang if anybody needs one. CW, a gentleman is kind of required to know how to use a shotgun, is he not? I've got a Mossberg Persuader which would make most folks think twice about trying anything. Anybody needs any guns, let me know."
That thing about a gentleman kind of being required to know how to use a shotgun is true. It was something I read online, the unwritten rules to be a true gentleman, and one of them was that you had to be proficient with a shotgun. "A gentleman may need to protect his family or put food on the table, therefore, it is a requirement." If CW accepts the shotgun, and verses out with it, he can have it. In fact, if he's got a double barrel 12 gauge, (The true gentleman's shotgun) I'll trade him straight out for the Mossberg. But he's not allowed to complain about what I do to it once it's mine..... I was kind of wondering how you were planning to separate me from the rest of my gear.
I believe that the gas mask was part of the equipment I said would arrive in three days, yesterday.
Fair enough, since it didn't occur to me until I ordered the knockout shotgun shells.
The carabiner rig is in; the things that were ordered after that are not. The shotgun was not scheduled to arrive until the day after tomorrow; you ordered it yesterday.
So no det cord, no belt buckle, no shotgun? That an "AW $#!+" moment, but no big deal.
I didn't see a dice roll. Just curious how it was decided, is all.
I need you to give me a list of exactly what you are wearing, carrying, or taking, and how you are packing it all.
This will be in the next post.
(Doing Therapy)
Two Posts
Backpack, 4 pounds
bulletproof trench coat, 4 pounds
clothes, Pearl Harbor jumpsuit worn over jeans and a t-shirt, socks and underwear, Swat boots 5 pounds
Billfold, containing my ID and all other mentioned documents, and the 15 bucks and change from B Movie Monster World.
my keyring and keys. (Yeah, it's all going to be useless most places, but the wallet was a gift, and I still have a handcuff key.)
total 13 pounds
9mm carbine 3 pounds, loaded with 15 round magazine (to avoid snagging on draw)
9mm pistol, 1.5 pounds, loaded with 15 round magazine, no round in chamber
8 15 round mags, 1/2 pound each 120 rounds, 2 in guns, 4 in holders, 2 in fanny pack
8 30 round mags, 1 pound each 240 rounds, magazines rubber banded to stock and shoulder sling of carbine
Carbine is set up so that it can be drawn from the pack without taking it off.
16.5 pounds
shoulder holster holds 2 magazines
2 magazine holder holds 2 magazines
2 speedloader pouch holds 2 speedloaders
357 holster
1 pound total, (Holders only, not counting magazines, counted elsewhere.)
.
single shot shotgun 2 pounds
8 00 buck
8 flares
8 shredders
Two 12 round shotgun belts 1/2 pound total
Shotgun shells 8 to a pound.
5.5 pounds
357, loaded 1.5 pounds
9 speedloaders 6 to a pound, 2 on belt, 2 in fanny pack, 5 in backpack
60 rounds, 30 accessible.
2.5 pounds
Kabar 1/2 pound
Pocket fisherman 1 pound
crossbow, 3 pounds
5 arrows, 1 loose, 30 arrow quiver (36 arrows total) 8 to a pound with quiver, 5 pounds
1 Pearl Harbor jumpsuit 3 pounds
a handful of chlorine tabs, in a ziploc bag. negligible weight
2 quart canteen, empty, half pound
12 dehydrated meals 6 pounds
Hobo Knife (splits into a fork and spoon) 1/2 pound
Plastic book on wilderness survival. 1 pound
TOTAL 20.5 pounds
2 glue grenade/s 1/2 pound each
2 frag grenade/s 1/2 pound each (No launcher, they can also be thrown)
solar penlight,
charges whilst you walk flashlight
Invisibility cloak
total 3 pounds
1 pair vice grips
1 hammer
1 folding camp saw
TOTAL 1 pound
Long, flathead screwdriver (prybar)
1 roll duct tape
1 throwing knife
deck playing cards
total 1 pound
First Aid kit, 1 pound
Sleeping bag, 4 pounds
total 5 pounds
4 bandannas
4 king size, cloth bedsheets, 2 waterproof, 2 not
box of Plastic garbage bags
rubber bands
TOTAL 1 pound
aluminum foil
sturdy insulated electrical wire (Electrical work and ties)
flat cookie sheet type thing
ball of good twine.
TOTAL 1.5 pounds
single carabiner, 100 feet 400 pound test rope, 2 squeeze to adjust tension hand holders.
1 pound
fanny pack
10 ounce silver pieces
4 gold coins
2 two ounce platinum pieces
8 half ounce pence
8 half ounce shillings
1 once block lead
Ten completely random gems, 1 ounce each (What does the GE roll say about their value?)
magnesium fire starting tool
Minature sewing kit, 8 spools thread, 12 needles, small scissors
2 lighters
straight razor
2 rings
Leatherman multitool, in pouch, on strap.
TOTAL 3 1/2 pounds
The listed contents of the fanny pack is only items not listed and weighed elsewhere.
total encumbered weight, 76 pounds.
(Doing Therapy)
Three posts
Now for how it's all set up. The guns are in holsters, the carbine can be drawn without taking off the backpack. The grenades are in the pockets of the jumpsuit, and since I know I'm likely going into a combat situation, the 9mm pistol is chambered and ready to go. The Kabar knife and the Leatherman multitool are on my belt and accessible. The solar penlight is charged and accessible. Probably hanging from the belt bag strap.
Everything else is likely helter skelter in the pack.
"Your ideas are good, John, but way beyond anything I think even Merlin could do. I don't know how to move the space station while I'm on it, and I think that it's position--Derek, how is it held here?"
"It's in a gravity node, so that all forces are equal on it. It uses kinetic stabilizers to keep it from drifting out of the node, but if it went too far in any direction it would start falling toward one of the large bodies that stabilize it--probably the sun."
"Yeah, couldn't do much with moving it, even if we got off it and tried from somewhere else. And I don't think you've any real idea of the size of this thing--remember, I can move it as fast as I can walk, maybe run, but I'd have to move it several miles to get clear of the path of this thing. As for making it noncorporeal--well, that's the kind of thing you have to be real careful about. We make the entire space station non-solid, and everything in it that is not space station falls out, starting with the air that's no longer contained by the walls. You've got millions of people on this thing; you'd have to target each one individually and keep him non-corporeal for the duration of the disaster, and find a way to put it all back together when it's over.
"I can teleport myself and anyone who can walk with me and anything we can carry; that's how we'll get there, by walking the twilight, the between, as my werewolf friends called it. I can't teleport an object, and certainly not the whole station or ship."
"No one knows that we're doing this. I'm not in it for a reward."
Derek pulls out a computer from his pocket and puts out some numbers--crew compliment about a hundred, it's a cargo ship, doesn't need that many but there's crew redundancy. They would have a security team of not more than a dozen men. But it seems something must have happened to them, "and we're only guessing what."
Lauren will be bringing a variety of weapons. She says her fifty caliber bullets will only penetrate the hull if they miss the target, but she'll bear that in mind.
C. W. has his own weapons, and wouldn't go into an unknown situation with an unfamiliar gun anyway.
I'm confused about when you ordered the det cord and belt buckle; the shotgun was definitely in the "three days from now" order. The decision was made when you were ordering stuff that it wasn't going to come in in time--because I knew when this was happening, and the reason it was "three days" was because that was long enough that it wouldn't be here in time. The stuff you ordered yesterday (with the shotgun) is not here, but anything you ordered before that is.
Lauren is wearing a gold-trimmed scarlet cowled robe over black plate and chain armor with a cowl. She has the pistols. She also has two odd green glass objects at her belt, a metal link chain around her waist and two draped over her shoulders beneath the robe, a laser rifle like Derek's on her back, and a roughly six foot pole with a gem at the end in her right hand.
Derek has his laser rifle, a backpack on his back from which a metal panhandle protrudes, what looks to be a butcher knife at his belt, a leather pouch loose on the belt, a tool belt and a bag over his shoulder that apparently contains computer parts and tools.
CW has a bag under his arm and a tool chest in his left hand He has a shotgun over his shoulder, unlike any you've seen, apparently fully automatic ten gauge. He's wearing a bullet-proof vest and leggings.
"Are we ready?" Lauren asks.
--M. J. Young
"No one knows that we're doing this. I'm not in it for a reward."
"I'm not really either. I learned following my first world that money really means very little to a verser. I mean gold, silver, and diamonds were growing on trees in my last world. A man can dream though can't he? If no one knows we're doing this, might we get into trouble for it? I'm not worried about that, I won't get arrested without a fight. Still though, fact remains, we might. What do you plan to do in that event?"
"It's in a gravity node, so that all forces are equal on it. It uses kinetic stabilizers to keep it from drifting out of the node, but if it went too far in any direction it would start falling toward one of the large bodies that stabilize it--probably the sun."
"Could you restabilize the orbit in time to fix the station? Do this on purpose until the station falls out of the way, then restabilize it? You're talking to somebody who has seen every Star Trek episode a hundred times. Strange space ideas are my specialty."
"CW, is that Kevlar? They sell these coats at the surplus. Might provide better protection. They're cheap and always in stock (4 roll) I thought you might want to upgrade your armor."
I'm confused about when you ordered the det cord and belt buckle; the shotgun was definitely in the "three days from now" order.
I thought that the det cord was ordered to be in in three days, with today being the third day. No wait, you're right. It's coming in with the shotgun. I got confused somewhere. It's not in yet. I did that over the course of several days out of game, and didn't realize that it was on the same day in game. See what I mean?
The 9mm carbine is out of the pack, has a round chambered, and is slung over my shoulder. It's set on triburst, and currently contains a 15 round magazine. The single shot shotgun is loaded with a round of 00 buckshot, and is folded in half in my coat pocket.
I might actually be the most lightly armed person here.
(Doing Therapy)
Two Posts
MJ, this probably isn't going to sound right, but you're not expecting me to survive this, are you? If you're playing fair, and if we get some good rolls, it's entirely possible that all 4 of us will walk out without a scratch. Seriously though, are you expecting me to verse out here?
Lots-o-posts
"Lauren, here's the problem that I have with this. The station management doesn't care, otherwise they would at least be trying to evacuate the station. Better a panic that saves lives than a calm, orderly death. The people on that ship don't care, otherwise, they would be changing course. The military apparently doesn't care, otherwise, they would be sending fighters to shoot that thing down. All of these people are far more responsible for the crisis, and they don't care about it. We are in no way responsible for it, we have nothing to gain by fixing it, and the only thing we stand to lose by inaction is versing out and landing somewhere else. Granted the only thing we stand to lose by trying to fix it is a couple hundred rounds of ammo, but still. They're responsible for it, they should fix it. I'm not trying to bow out, this sounds like two tons of fun. I'm in it all the way. Did I make my point though? And none of that "God put me here to help" either. God put the station management here to help too. They aren't concerned, why should we be? I think some versers think of themselves as the guardians of the Multiverse."
"I'll tel you why I'm doing it. You just know some cocknocker figured out a way to profit off of the deaths of millions of people. Who suffers? The little guy. I ain't gonna let him collect. I'm protecting my right to be one of the little guys."
"If no one knows we're doing this, might we get into trouble for it? I'm not worried about that, I won't get arrested without a fight. Still though, fact remains, we might. What do you plan to do in that event?"
"Well, as you observe, we don't know what we're going to find over there. If the crew are hostages of terrorists, we'll probably be heroes whatever we do. If the crew are the terrorists, we'll have to handle things very differently. But who knows? Maybe the computer has achieved sentience and taken over the ship, killed the crew, and is attempting to destroy the humanity that enslaved it. I don't think we'll have the same kinds of problems if that's the case. But we're going to have to get over there and find out whatever we can before we can really determine what we have to do."
"Could you restabilize the orbit in time to fix the station? Do this on purpose until the station falls out of the way, then restabilize it?"
"I don't know. I had a teacher say that size didn't matter, but really, I've never tried to move anything larger than a car--and we could be talking about moving it a hundred miles to get it out of danger, and a hundred miles back, and at three to five miles per hour, I'd have to maintain a hold for twenty hours to get it back in a stable location--if I can figure out where that stable location is. Remember, I have to be off the station to move it, and that means I'll be on some other moving object."
"There's another aspect to it, too," Derek says. "TerraNova Habitat is the largest of maybe thirty stations gathered here, and if you move it you're going to create ripples in the gravity well such that if you move it back things might not be so stable as they were. We could prevent the big accident and still have a major collision."
CW will stick with his vest; it's time to go, and there's no time to go shopping first.
"Lauren, here's the problem that I have with this. The station management doesn't care, otherwise they would at least be trying to evacuate the station. Better a panic that saves lives than a calm, orderly death. The people on that ship don't care, otherwise, they would be changing course. The military apparently doesn't care, otherwise, they would be sending fighters to shoot that thing down. All of these people are far more responsible for the crisis, and they don't care about it. We are in no way responsible for it, we have nothing to gain by fixing it, and the only thing we stand to lose by inaction is versing out and landing somewhere else. Granted the only thing we stand to lose by trying to fix it is a couple hundred rounds of ammo, but still. They're responsible for it, they should fix it. I'm not trying to bow out, this sounds like two tons of fun. I'm in it all the way. Did I make my point though? And none of that "God put me here to help" either. God put the station management here to help too. They aren't concerned, why should we be? I think some versers think of themselves as the guardians of the Multiverse."
"I'm sorry you feel that way, John. I do think that God selected us to be, what did you call us? The guardians of the multiverse? Anyway, that's how I explain the fact that I'm not in heaven enjoying my eternal rest and not on earth raising my children. I'm going to save these people, because I can and therefore I'm obligated to try.
"As for all those people you name, well--there is no military and there is no government. The station management has limited resources. And we have no idea who is on that ship or what they are doing. You told us about those terrorists who used airplanes to crash into the World Trade Center. Do you think that the passengers and crew would have wanted to be part of that?
"As to why they're not evacuating, that's not something I know."
"I do," Derek says. "Computer projections say that with the time and resources available, the general panic would result in thirty percent of the population killed in outbreaks of violence, extensive looting compromising the station's defenses and life support even before the crash, and less than one half of one percent being evacuated alive. They're still hoping to find another solution, but at this point their hopes pretty much come down to getting someone on the com who can tell them what's happening on that ship and do something about it."
"Well then," Lauren says, "if we're ready? Derek show me a picture of that ship, and someone tell me the best place for us to enter."
Derek pulls out his computer, and in a moment the screen shows an oddly-shaped spaceship. "This is the design," he says. "I've got floor plans, too, but I don't really know--"
C.W. interrupts. "This point here? That's a small cargo door. Assuming life support is functional, it should be pressurized and temperature controlled behind there, with enough room that we don't have to worry about bumping into walls. That's where I'd start."
"Good," she says. "And which direction?"
Derek checks a different screen, and points. Lauren closes her eyes for a moment, and then stares at the wall in that direction for a couple of minutes. Then she says, "Knock, and the door will be open to you," while swinging her hand in front of her. A mist appears in the room.
Just then a door opens, and a man I think you might have met once enters. He happens to be Derek's boss, the head of computers on TerraNova--Raeph Williams, maybe. Lauren sees him, turns toward him, and says, "I never had the chance to tell you about eternal life. But whatever happens in your life, always remember that somewhere in all the worlds that might be there is an immortal being who will never forget your kindness to her."
She then turns back to face the mist, and says, "Walk with me now," and she walks into the mist. Derek and C.W. walk just behind her.
--M. J. Young
Right before I walk in with her, turn around and scream "You're all gonna die!!!!"
When, not if, Lauren objects
"They deserved some warning, don't you think? Now my conscience is clear. At least I tried to warn them. That's more than anyone else has done so far. Probably sounds kind of messed up to you, but this is a messed up situation."
OK, where are we now?
"Lauren, can you teach me how to do what you just did? If you get killed, the three of us will be stuck here with no way back, even if we succeed without you."
"John, you just told one of the few people who actually already knows."
As you walk into the mist, the room around you vanishes. Then an image starts to form in which there are other shapes, other objects, formed within the mist. They begin to gain color, and to become solid, and then the mist fades away and the objects remain.
You are weightless; the air is a bit chilled, but only compared to that of the room from which you departed. The lights are dim but not dark. Everyone is talking almost at once; this is all said in no particular order.
"Oh dear," CW says. "Gravity is out. That's serious."
"John," Lauren says, "what I just did is very high level magic. If you attempted it without already knowing something like how to create fire from nothing, you would almost certainly get all of us killed. I wouldn't try to teach it to you until you had already learned at least how to compel someone to speak truth. We don't have time for magic lessons now."
Derek says, "Which way is the bridge? That's really where we've got to go."
Lauren says, "Why is that a problem?"
CW says, "Up several levels, and toward the bow of the ship. What is that spot on the wall?"
Lauren says, "Why is the gravity a problem?"
Derek says, "But which direction is the bow?"
CW: "The front."
Lauren: "I don't know; I used it to mark this as a unique location."
CW: "It looks like blood."
It occurs to you that the two foot wide four foot high "spot" on the wall does look like blood, and a lot of it, from something or someone who was bleeding profusely when slammed against that wall, but there's no trace of a body.
Derek: "I know that; which way is the front?"
CW: "Air flow is dependent upon convection currents which in turn rely on gravity. Without gravity, the hot air and the cold air do not mix with each other, and we can walk into pockets that are sub-zero or pockets that are blistering, without any warning unless you've got an infrared scanner or something. It's also possible that toxic pockets could accumulate."
Lauren: "Yes, that's blood, I'd say. Whoever died here did not go gently."
CW: "That direction, I think. But I think that we should go down to engineering first, to see what's wrong with the gravity. Apart from the atmosphere problem, if we encounter whatever is responsible for that spot, I don't want to be knocked clear across the room by firing a shotgun."
Lauren: "We don't have a lot of time; is it necessary?"
CW: "Maybe not absolutely necessary; but I think we'd all feel a bit more comfortable walking with our feet instead of pushing along the walls with our hands."
The weightlessness is making you a bit uneasy in your stomach, but not too bad.
Derek: "Well, the sooner we get to the bridge, the sooner I can start working on the problem if it's in the computer. Should we split up?"
Lauren: "Not without knowing what we're up against. John?"
--M. J. Young
"John, you just told one of the few people who actually already knows."
No, I was turning around and screaming that into the hallway at the people there. (Or was no one around anywhere?) If no one was around who could have heard me, then I didn't do that at all. I thought we were somewhere where I could be heard by a crowd of people.
Lauren: "Not without knowing what we're up against. John?"
"I don't think ballistic weapons are going to work. Unless we were propped against something, wouldn't it throw us backwards like a rocket, and leave the bullet where it was? I saw that happen in a movie once anyway. Do you think a crossbow would work any better? It doesn't have nearly the recoil (although it still has some) OK, well, does anyone have any idea where we are? Without gravity, we don't even know which way is "up" on this thing. The ship could be pointed in any number of directions, but "Down" is where gravity takes you. Since Lauren and Derek have the laser weapons (and we know they don't recoil) I think I should go with Derek, and CW should go with Lauren."
I'm sure you already know this, but if I was propped up to take the recoil, the bullet ranges would be greatly augmented. Only wind resistance and no gravity.
Get the carabiner and rope out of my backpack. Tie Derek and myself together at the belt. Maybe 20 feet separation. Keep a length of rope at the carabiner end. Use tape to hold the carabiner spring open. I take point, Derek follows.
"A grappling hook can only come in handy until they get the gravity back on."
Whilst I've got the tape out, I'm also wrapping some, sticky side out on the palms of my hands and on my feet. In a weightless environment the reason should be obvious. I would wrap it so that I still had full use of all 5 digits and could still shoot. With the tape on my feet, can I walk normally?
And of course, make an offering of the tape. "Anyone else?"
"Anybody got anything resembling an aerosol can? Instant propulsion. At least in the movies."
"Would psionic flight work?"
"Yes, that's blood, I'd say. Whoever died here did not go gently."
"No, it's not blood, it's red paint, and I'll verse out anyone who says otherwise."
For a guy who likes guns, I have kind of a problem with blood. If you hadn't already rolled for me not losing my lunch, you probably would have to if I saw that. It's not anything which would affect his performance (not like phobia level or anything like that) but it's not blood, it's red paint, at least as far as I'm concerned.
(Doing Therapy)