Space Camp Session 3

Princess Guard - The New Era 2017/11/18 	 Titan Wolf Lien Tali Unix Artemis Nohrbor 47

Crash Site Continuation
By the time police and paramedics arrive at the site of the multi-vehicle accident the danger is past. The risk of fire from the leaking tanker was dealt with by Tali, using a rubber toy crocodile. The injured have been healed. The highway cleard, resulting in an unslightly mess of mangled cars at the side of the hideway.

Tali is cleaned up and back on the coach, so her involvement isn't obvious to outsiders.

Wolf nestles on the floor of the bus in the underseat luggage stowage area closest to Peter's feet as he keeps Peter company and watches over him as the latter recovers from the mental effort Peter has just expended and the trauma he'd gotten for his troubles. Bravely done, for certain. Wolf keeps his own end of the mental connection, just in case, as the team investigate the details of the accident. It's hard to see all that much of what's going on outside from this close to the floor, so, Wolf mostly *listens*, his pointed fuzzy ears flickering to and fro to catch the news.

Unix is glad to see no one got seriously hurt anymore, especially with healing skills of everyone present. Unix didn't even have to burst out her limited supply yet. Going back on the bus she gives Mr Parrot a few scritches and holds him. "Hey there. Everything's fine now." 'Brawk! Car crash! Brawk!'

One of those involved in the accident is revealed to be a meta himself. His name is Perceptor, and the nature of his only significant power is to be aware of every detail in an area around himself. He explains he 'borrowed' Peter's mind to share that clarity of perception with the rescuers.

Although Tali's role is no longer obvious to those arriving later, the kids, both younger and older, who were included in the mental linkup, are all aware now of the meta nature of the 'escort' group. Except Nohrbor who moved out of the area before changing. As Tali is the one closest to the older kids' ages she's the one who gets asked questions. Lots of questions.

Unix who refused the link is also unaware of the meta...

That includes a question from Jackson May, which is "What is it about the younger kids that calls for a meta escort?"

Since the people in the NASA coach didn't see the accident as it happened but arrived afterwards, the police take brief statements and tell the coach driver he is free to continue on his way.

Tali has generally been pretty free with the answers, but to that just says, "Oh, I'm not supposed to talk about that - you know, security and junk." And hopes they let it lie, not that it's likely to be a huge problem if it's known to the other kids, presumably.

Tali is happy to tell them mostly-true stories about her misadventures in time, though. She's rather enjoying the attention she's getting.

Lien never left the bus, and may or may not have been aware of the incident as it unfolded at a distance. Had she, there would be little that she could've done prior to their arrival, and it seems well in-hand, now.

It probably not that surprising that it's Robert 'Sparks' O'Reily who answers May's question. "Didn't you listen?" Robert says to May. "Patrica Doi and Mark Quinn. That's like half the high tech industries on the planet in one package. It's got to be to stop kidnapping and stuff."

Tali says, "I couldn't possibly comment," and hopes that confirms things in their mind.

The Stranger quietly listens to the ramblings and incessant questions hurled towards Tali and the other heroes. He smirks, happy to have been kept free of such pestering. His eyes cut to Artemis a moment before he closes his eyes and leans back in his seat to hopefully have a quiet drive to the next stage of their journey. He was very much looing forward to learning more about this world through the eyes of the various commuters and drivers on their path- barring any other accidents or other unforseen occurances. Well gods can dream anyway.

Unix says, "Subtle as a lead brick..."

The Cape
The remainder of the journey goes uneventfully with the coach arriving at the Cape in time for Lunch. A lunch shared with several noted members of the astronaut corps. Which certainly awes some of the kids. Commander Iverson is there with the other members of the Space Camp's shuttle crew. He waits until after deserts have been served before telling everyone that the afternoon's schedule is measuring up for spacesuits, and then a parabolic sub-orbital flight to provide several minutes of simulated zero-gee.

Unix would have no issues with getting measured for a spacesuit but... didn't need one. Besides limitations on movement alone would be so annoying. Has more fun watching Mr Parrot enjoy food than trying it out herself.

Tali sits with the older kids, asking them more about themselves while eating a rather embarrassing amount of food. Mostly, she's just trying to make friends.

Jackson May is clearly more than willing to be Tali's friend. And in the tradition of air force pilots, more than just friends with Tali. Getting him to talk about himself is simplicity itself. Getting him to stop talking long enough for the other, shyer, kids of that group to have a chance to speak is the hard part.

Titan speaks with Captain Hibson as they eat, wanting to learn about her career, "How did you end up here? I realize we're going to learn a lot about what it takes to become an astronaut, but I'm curious about your life path in particular. What made you decide to become one?"

Artemis has helped herself to a mighty feast of sandwiches and "chips" and cola, sitting down at one of the tables. Just not the kiddie table. Or so she thinks. It is not the spread from before, but any offering to demigods and goddesses is appreciated. And she shows this appreciation by lifting her Italian sub and taking a hearty bite.

Unix ... really doesn't know who she should be talking to or what about. Certainly she had millions of topics stored in her perfect memory, however that didn't mean she was a creative sort, more the type to do things based on problems and creating results R&D to achieve results depending on the problems.

Nohrbor - still disguised as 'Stanton Fairchild', joins the meal which might be strange considering he supposedly works for the organization in question but no one working here seems to notice him much at all. He seems to go where he pleases and appears almost as suddenly as he seems to appear. Nevertheless, there is an aire of calm and compassion eminating off of him. What might be a familiar presence to Althea.

The other GodFlora saddles up beside 'Artemis' as she enjoys her sub. His goal is to strike up conversation as he sets a plate with a little bit of everything vegetarian offered down at his place. He picks up his fork - the proper one no less - and then takes a bite of some roasted broccoli.

"So- 'Artemis'. How'd you come by that interesting moniker?" He asks after chewing thoughtfully.

Captain Hibson smiles as she reminisces about her career choice. "I was twelve when I discovered Jason Hilbert's epic tri-dee series on the solar system. I vowed to become a NASA pilot and tread on the worlds I was seeing. It's hard work." That was spoken with her catching the eye of Jackson May, "but here I am. I can't imagine being satisfied doing anything else." she tells Johnathan.

Wolf settles down at the foot of the lunch table where the kids are sitting. He hunkers down on all fours on the floor, snaps up his meal with the absolute minimum possible number of chewings, and settles in to listen to the conversations and questions drifting down from above with a serene sense of contentment that a comfortably full stomach always brings. Wolf always enjoys lunch immensely. Food! And without even needing to wait for the crepuscular hunting. . . Wolf also makes sure to scrounge or scavenge or otherwise pick up an extra breadstick or two (or other, similar, crunchy-style grain product) to give to Mr Parrot later. Ideally *not* after Mr Parrot empties the contents of his avian stomach after trying to fly in Zero-G on the "vomit comet," as the parabolic flight trainer is surreptitiously known. . . but, it certainly can't hurt to be prepared for all knowable contingencies, of which that is, well, one. Wolf has been to space only twice before, but does know firsthand that it can be disorienting for animals used to "up" and "down" being in their usual positions!

Lien may not be one for honoring deities, but she isn't one to turn down free chow, either. She grabs a little of this, some of that, and a pile of that other thing to fill up her plate. Not terribly familiar with others here, and not the most vocal to begin with, she chooses to fill her time by filling her face, rather than smalltalk for now.

Titan grins, and says to Captain Hibson, "That's awesome. I've always been really impressed by people willing to do this job." He thinks about it for a moment, "I've never been off planet, I think. Not even out to the moon, unlike a lot of the folks say..in Starguard."

By contrast, Artemis' sandwich was chosen for having every kind of processed meat inside. She swallows her bite and washing it down with a sip of cola before she glances to Stanton.

"The name sake? An earthling scholar gave it to me based on your historical records. He said it was the name of your ancient Goddess of the Hunt, and that it was suiting because I reminded him of your lost diety." She chuckles in amusement that they would name a diety after a different diety. "It was a name others could better grasp, I think. Your guardians do like their hidden names. Perhaps because it guards against certain magicks."

Captain Hibson nods, "Yes. I admire the Starguard people. But," she grins, "with Starguard Gamma hogging the adventure I suspect I see more new exploration missions than they do."

Tali gives up after a while trying to involve the others: she'll have to try to get to know them some other time. And the truth is she's quite enjoying the attention from Jackson. Perhaps she's rather too good at seeing the good in people....

Sybil and Robert seem entirely content to stay in the background and listen in on the conversations taking place.

Titan chuckles. "That's true. Most of the non-Gamma folks likely just make runs to satellites or the moon, not getting much further than that."

Unix takes more time it seems to give Mr Parrot various nibbles to eat, watching him standing on one foot while holding the food in the other foot and then chewing the food while using his tongue to rotate and control it in his mouth... quite facinatig to watch... Mr Parrot was being fairly quiet right now, more interested in trying everything out she'd let him than anything else.

There's a remarkable level of clumsiness on the part of the younger kids. They seem to be often dropping tidbits of food. Usually close to Wolf's muzzle.

'Stanton' laughs at the very absurdity of naming a GodFlora for one of the silent deities of the 'ancient past'. He tries to divert the reason for the quiet laughter to something a bit more mundane. "Is that why 'Heroes' do it? Magicks? Interesting." He says with a warm and geniune smile. "This is the kind of first hand knowlede you just don't get in the office." He adds before taking another bite of his meal.

"So- it seems you're doing well, here. You know- amongst 'Earthlings'. How is it that you've found yourself guarding these... 'younglings'?" He inquires aloofly, though he points with his fork towards the kiddie table.

Tali asks Jackson, "So what made you want to be a pilot?"

Jackson shrugs a bit non-plussed. "That's not the first time I've been asked that. Probably not the hundredth either. I've always wanted to be a pilot. I don't remember a time when I didn't." He looks at Captain Hibson before returning his gaze to Tali. "Like the Captain said, I cannot imagine wanting to do anything else."

Tali says, "Mild, I kind of snag that. Like I've always enjoyed drawing...."

Wolf does his own part to make quite sure that any external observer would have to be very quick indeed to notice the dropped food on the floor of the mess hall. *pounce* *chomp* *gulp* Except for a bread crust and a potato chip he's saving for Mr Parrot, there's nothing evidentiary whatsoever to be found in the vicinity of his nose. Nary a crumb. Wolf makes sure Peter is also feeling well enough, by now, to have regained his appetite. (And, if, not, he will set about seeing if he can secure a "boxed lunch" for Peter to eat later, ideally by asking Titan or et al. to request one for the child.)

"I think heroes do it to keep their loved ones safe. It's a smart mortal thing to do," Artemis comments to Stanton as she takes a bit from a chip. "But they have some saying that names hold power here. Sounds like magic to me." She smiles and shrugs lightly. It may not matter as much to her why they do it.

Artemis shifts in her seat and readjusts her scabbard as she leans back. "I am...adjusting among your people, still." That is the most polite way to put it. She did not do so well in trying a job as a personal assistant when she misunderstood the "Go get coffee and pastries" request to mean, "Go get yourself coffee and pastries and enjoy them." She didn't even make it to noon on her first day before getting fired.

"One of your Guardians told me there was a chance to go amongst the stars, even for a little while, should I guard your young," she flashes a smile. "I would have done it without the lure of travel. The news alone that there were young in need of protection would have been enough."

It's at this point that Commander Iverson drops his news about the zero-gee flight in store for young, and adult, tummies. Retroactive observation might note that the shuttle crew members have eaten lightly.

Tali keeps eating anyway. It's been a long time since breakfast, for her!

The Stranger doesn't seem at all surprised at the words 'mortal' or 'magic'. "Mmmhmm. I could see that- I suppose Earth is much luckier to have you than you it." 'Stanton' says, making small talk. Lunch comes to an end when two teams of technicians arrive to take the Space Camp members to be measured for spacesuits. The group is split on gender lines, with female techs catering for the girls and women, and male techs dealing with the boys and men. The reason for this quickly becomes obvious when the hygiene aspects of wearing a spacesuit for possibly extended periods is explained.

Tali thinks. o O (Oh right! 2D 21st-century spacesuits.)

Unix wonders if Mr Parrot gets a suit too...

Mr Parrot gets a survival capsule. Wolf is more of a challenge. But the techs seem to think they can provide something useable.

Since spacesuits are individually tailored the promised turn-around time of having them ready for training tomorrow morning seems astonishingly fast.

Artemis was left to ponder the meaning of Stanton's words for a moment. "There are worse places to be," she attempts the Ashildr version of diplomacy, which is nothing like Doj'on's.

As the meal ends, she finishes her last bites and heads for the measuring line. After a few moments, she looks confused and leans out of line to peek ahead. "Manual measurements?" She asks in confusion.

'Stanton' follows along the wholewhile missing the 'simple' bracelets given to members of the Academy. These bracelets were all one needed to guard against the uninviting & uninhabitable environment of deep space. He has seen 'modern' spacesuits on holovids in his travels. He is not looking forward to have to fit in one- though for him, his ability to change shape ought to make things much easier to bear.

During the 'hygiene lessons' he seems absolutely horrified by some of the prospects he was not aware of.

The measurement process is a hybrid of laser scanning and manual measurements.

Wolf spends a few minutes wrapping up the crust of bread and potato chip for Mr Parrot into the folds of a dropped napkin. Tricky work, without thumbs, but adroit use of his nose as a "placeholder" eventually solves the puzzle. Eventually. Now he has luggage too, just like everyone else! Wolf carries the bundle in his teeth as he marches over to the suit-fitting line. Carefully. Potato chips are delicate burdens -- Highly breakable. Wolf waits, napkin in tow, as the suit techs work and measure, fit and ponder. This is always the worst part. Well, at least it was the last time. Space suits are stuffy and itchy, the air in them is stale and uninformative, and you can't even scratch your ears properly once inside of one of them, more's the pity.

Titan has gone through multiple heavy makeup sessions for movies in the past. This doesn't seem all that different in the grand scheme of things. As a result, he's fairly comfortable while measurements are taken and instructions are given.

Unix has noted Wolf giving Mr Parrot treats more than once, so seeing the napkin package makes her wonder if that was for Mr Parrot too. Although Mr Parrot was probably feeling quite full right now, with as much to eat as he could have. Still in a hour or two maybe Mr Parrot would want a snack. Good idea... With the survival capsule that fit Mr Parrot Unix could tell he wasn't too happy with it, but giving the bird attention she promised him she would avoid putting him in it unless they had to.

With the less than delightful process of being measured for spacesuits finally completed the space camp members are driven out to a orbital shuttle for the zero-gee simulation flights. The shuttle crew make absolutely sure everyone has a plastic bag in hand.

Tali selectively accelerates her digestion, to avoid the problem of a full stomach!

Unix barely ate, but has been in space before... did spot repairs on a ship in the vaccume of space, something few of them could actually handle

Zero Gee Familiarization
The shuttle takes off in a conventional fashion, gaining speed along a runway and then climbing into the sky. The gee force never exceeds more than one and a half G. After about five minutes the crew person in the main cabin warns that you're about to enter zero-gee. He asks everyone to make sure their seatbelts are fastened for the first period, and to have the plastic bag ready.

Titan humors the crew person, despite knowing that he's unlikely to have much of an issue. He checks the belt and has the bag ready.

Tali does so. . o O (This sounds negamild.)

Unix follows the orders, feeling Mr Parrot being uncertain. "Don't worry. We're about to go Zero G... flying and moving will feel... very weird for a bit... After a few times you'll figure out what to do..."

Artemis sits and drums her fingers as she waits, buckled as dictated by the buckle up light overhead. She's used to the rigors of space travel, so for her, this is literally the kiddy ride. She smiles, however, as she studies the kids reactions to their first zero g experience. It's been so long, she doesn't even remember hers.

'Stanton' too isn't worried about the experience. Being capable of moving his body with his telekinesis as easily as any other object- flight is something he has covered. Though, he still has a cover to maintain so he too remains 'safety belted' into the chair.

He watches the children, so he can experience their elation vicariously.

The shuttle reaches the apex of its trajectory and curves down matching descent with gravity, creating the effect of simulated zero-gee in the craft.

Unix smiles and gives Mr Parrot some scratches. "Alright Mr Parrot, i want you to let go, and you're going to float... don't use your wings, try to be calm..."

Wolf closes his eyes, translating Unix' instructions into the raw sensations and images that Mr Parrot's Animal Mind will find easier to understand. Hopefully, that will help. Wolf also concentrates on trying to help Mr Parrot overcome the nausea, but, this would be a lot easier for an animal who had more experience with, say, swimming, or other "near-weightless" modes of movement. Wolf mentally "crosses his paws" and hopes for the best!

Tali really dislikes the sensation, and taste, of being sick. She slips into accelerated time to catch the mess neatly, and clean out her mouth. Then, deciding she really has to get used to this, she goes off bouncing round the cabin for a few hours of subjective time, to get the hang of things, before returning to her seat.

Titan feels a little discomfort, but he just burps a couple of times. "Not too bad, really."

The door to the cockpit opens and three figures make their way out using handholds. Two of them, Hispanic fraternal twins, a boy and girl, look like they're about 16 years old and are looking slightly nauseous. They are tightly holding hands as they are dragged behind a severely handomsely man with white blonde hair. Those who hve been on previous trips will recognize the man as Aleksandr, or as he's commonly known, Sasha (Harlequin to some of you.)

Jackson looks pale but manages to keep his lunch. Not so poor Robert who has to make hurried use of the plastic bag. Sybil matches Robert's pale face. Amanda looks entirely comfortable. Any guesses how many of these flights she's been on? The Phillips twins also seem at ease. Peter is the second to need to use a bag. Graham is gulping and pale, while Patrica and Mark are old timers, having cadged orbital flights with their father multiple times.

Tali looks quite comfortable, despite her sick bag not being empty.

The Stranger is no stranger to Zero-G, but once again- usually under his own power. 'Stanton' on the other hand waves his arms about and looks about the cabin to judge the reactions of the children, and then the other 'hoo-mans' around.

Unix is... a machine. Doesn't appear to have any issues at all with the training, although this is the first time she's done this before. Thankfully even if she failed she wouldn't have anything to empty from her stomach. But more it's the changing of gavity from 1.5 to 0 G going back and forth that would cause you to upchuck, and the strangeness of it all than anything else.

Wolf himself has been in ZeroG a few times before, so he mostly concentrates on trying to help Mr Parrot and/or any others who seem to be in (obvious) distress. Wolf his mind to Peter, in case Peter wants to "dump" some of the more awkwardly disorientating sensations into another mind willing to and help him through it. Not that Wolf had all that much fun in his experiences with Zero G those other times, but, at least Zero G is not totally new for him. He thinks of it a bit like swimming without water, sky, or a consistent sense of "THAT way is UP, which is the way to go to avoid drowning". ..

The orbital shuttle crew member is visibly relieved at the lack of clean up duties needed. Commander Iverson stands as gravity resumes its influence. "Well done. I've seen NASA trainees do much worse." he says. "Let's make sure you all have fresh bags. We'll be doing this again, for twice the duration. Those who kept their lunch may, on my instruction, and only on my instruction, undo their seatbelt and maneuver in the cabin. If you have difficulty in regaining your seat we'll assist. So don't panic."

Aleksandr murmurs to the twins as he tows them out into the main cabin. "Tomas, Karla, just breathe through your noses and out through your mouths," he says in his Eastern European accented English. "Slowly..."

The twins do as he says and regain a bit of color. Not much, but a bit. "Tomas, quit squeezing my hand so hand," mutters Karla in a Harrisburg accent to her Southern drawl.

The shuttle climbs, higher this time, the sky growing dark and starry outside. Then it noses down again.

Tali wishes she'd hidden her sickbag, but it doesn't really matter. She had lots of experience without her seatbelt already.

Jackson May looks embrassered as he fills a bag. With Wolf's mental help Peter is okay(ish) on the second run.

Artemis unbuckles her belt this time and floats free of her seat as they enter zero g, preparing to help guide anyone to their seat should they need it.

After ten second of zero-gee Commander Iverson says, "You may unfasten your seatbelts and try maneuvering. Remember, you have no brakes so keep it slow."

Tali can't suppress a giggle at Jackson's failure.

Tali undoes her seatbelt and moves about the cabin, not expertly, but certainly better than one would expect of a beginner!

Unix unhooks herself keeping track of Mr Parrot and looking over everyone else. "Alright Mr Parrot, ready? You can try moving your wings but go slowly, it won't be like you're used to... Otherwise if you can, try to grab something solid and prefer to jump from spot to spot...

Jackson hides his face in his hands in embarrassment when Tali giggles.

One of the crew offers Jackson a nausea patch. Jackson shakes his head, "Thanks but I have to overcome this myself." he tells the crew member. "I can't fly a craft doped up."

Wolf tenses and releases each of his four paws in turn, convincing them to relax as the shuttle completes the high-G portion of the dive. So much for the easy part. Next will be the whole "swimming without any water" bit. . . . Wolf ponders, twitching his whiskers and squnching up his nose thoughtfully. Digging in with all fours, he clambers ((clinging)) up to the top of his assigned seat and perches there, incongruously, almost birdlike in a way, in case Mr Parrot or one of the kids needs something poofy and fuzzy-soft to crash into after (or during) a failed maneuver.

Aleksandr guides the twins around the cabin as he talks to the twins softly in mixture of somewhat fluent Spanish and his excellent English. It turns out he is by no means an expert on zero-G manuveuring, but he manages well enough.

The twins keep their stomachs under control and start to move about the cabin carefully. Their eyes alight with curioisty on the other passengers as they grow a bit more confident.

'Stanton' unbuckles, maneuvering in zero-g without his powers for the first time in hundreds of years. Still- he manuevers with relative ease as he remembers the ins and outs of manuevring safelty. After a few moments though he's sure he remembers enough. Then he makes sure to keep a face of concentration as he casually flies himself about the cabin to make sure the instructors clear him.

Titan unbuckles himself and he starts to move around. He's not exactly the most agile person, but he seems to do reasonably well, despite the disorientation. He doesn't even cheat by using his flight to stabilize himself.

Artemis rubs her chin as she notices the kids getting ill still. "Let us just hope we won't have to do evasive maneuvers or emergency landings in atmos," she sighs. "Lunch before this was a terrible idea. Look at their frail constitutions."

Commander Iverson has been timing the duration. "Please eturn to your seats and fasten in." he says after a couple of minutes of zero-G. The Space Camp crew and the shuttle crew give a hand to anyone who needs it.

Unix noting some having issues her back opens up to pull out her scythes, and angles them out to be down the middle of the craft, to act as an anchor point for anyone who can't seem to orient themselves. Meanwhile she activates her clinging abiltiies to walk as though she weren't in Zero-g

Unix Hearing the orders to return to seats and the like she helps out before strapping herself as well, holding Mr Parrot for the upcoming gravity shift.

Tali makes her way back to her seat with relative ease and straps in.

Artemis assists any kids to their seats as needed before taking her own seat and buckling up to server as an example.

The Phillips twins revel in the zero-G flight. They might be giving themselves away though. Because anyone watching them will notice a change in direction when told to return to their seats without using any surface to bounce off.

Lien doesn't comment on those whose lunches escape, or try to. Most everyone has to deal with that the first dozen times or so. Instead, she enjoys the freedom to make a few casual spins or pirouettes before the time runs out. Then she pushes off the interior to flot back to and strap into, her seat.

The severe looking Aleksandr helps the twins to their seats and makes certain they are strapped in before taking care of himself. Tomas and Karla seem much happier then seated again and lean forward to look out any nearby window as they talk in a strange polyglot to each other. Aleksandr, for his part, just shakes his head with a slight smile as he notices the Phillips twins' 'faux pas'/

Titan returns to his seat, but not before checking on the kids to make sure they're secure.

The flights continue. Third time lucky for Jackson. And by the time the scheduled flights are completed most everyone is able to handle themselves fairly well under zero-G conditions.

'Stanton' changes directions with a simulated bounce off the ceiling, cartwheeling into a seat next to 'Artemis'. "Oh- So, Goddess of the Hunt- does all this bore you terribly? Being from some far off star and all I mean." His eyes slide shiftily towards Althea, almost conspiringly.

Wolf makes a game of the cycles, as he runs about (upside-down) on the ceiling to collect ((clinging)) any kids stranded up there, *clomping* on and then *nosing* them back toward their seats so that everyone is securely buckled back in in time for the next "heavy" phases. Wolf *barks* happily, in an encouraging way, as he collects any stragglers as everyone learns the ropes, also serving to help distract from the Phillips' (or any other kids') use of powers to maneuver.

The zero-G portion of the flights quickly get more rowdy as the younger kids start playing tag, including Wolf if he joins in.

Wolf's heart is gladdened once everyone starts to "get it" and he readily and joyfully joins the Zero-G tag games!

Tali smiles, "There you go," to Jackson. She's rather afraid she hurt his feelings by giggling - this obviously means a lot to him!

"There's usually some danger involved with guarding Younglings," Artemis sighs as Stanton strikes up a conversation. She looks over to him and studies him a moment. "Is this your first time without gravity?"

Jackson is a bit stiff to Tali until he is managing to cope with the maneuvering. But when he gets nudged by an errant Graham Sparks during the younger kids tag game he takes it in good heart and does a tuck and turn to land feet first against a wall and push off neatly.

Unix takes advantage of the various phases and time in the zero-g situation to give Mr Parrot plenty of chances to use his wings and try to get used to it. After a while he almost seemed to be having fun, it was like gliding without wings being out, and going far more like he was in a cage using his beak and feet to get around, although more swinging was used to move around during the time of no gravity to move.

Tali joins in the tag game with the kids and Jackson.

"I bet that's true no matter where you're from." The (disguised) Stranger says with a knowing smirk. "First time?" 'Stanton' asks. "Reminds me of a time in a place called Jeffersonville- there was this thing called a 'water slide'. I hadn't ever saw one of those before- but I'll tell you, I fell in love the very first time and everytime after that. It was such a simple, human pleasure. I think its like that." He manages to not answer the question at all.

Tomas and Karla get into the spirit of things as well and seem to have no problem interacting with either the younger or older kids. They do, however, stay close to each other.

Aleksandr watches the game but takes the opportunity to get used to moving in zero-G in his own way. Which seems to be figuring out how best to not move.

But all good things come to an end. Commander Iverson calls for everyone to strap in for a final time and the shuttle retuns to NASA to make a rolling landing. Commander Iverson congratulates you all on excellent progess, and advises that you're free to explore to public areas until dinner. "I'd recommend an early night. Tomorrow is going to be a long day. You'll be taught how to use your spacesuit and other devices, with a lot of time in the tank."

Titan finds himself getting slightly impatient with the later flights, knowing that he'll be fine. He does his best to contain his impatience, though...as the others need more time to get used to the sensations of weightlessness.

And so like a doj'on to evade the question with a tale. Artemis is a little suspicious, but she doesn't have a clue what Stanton really is. Just that he speaks a little strangely, but maybe he's humoring her. "Is there any of these 'water slides' around here? I'm curious to see this."