Space Camp Session 8

Princess Guard - The New Era 2017/11/18 	 Titan Wolf Lien Tali Harlequin Unix Artemis Nohrbor 52

Rescue Mission Continued
The last of the overgrown alien parasites have been stomped, squeezed, or otherwise dealt with. You've found the five crew, all of which are unconscious and suspectedly infected.

Titan looks to Harlequin, "Do you have a way to cure them?"

Tali says, "I should be able to put them into the state they were before they were infected. But I'm not sure if it will wear off."

Harlequin shakes his head, "Not one I would give a guarantee with, I fear." he says.

Tali says, "Anyone have any better ideas? At the very least I can give them a day's remission."

Titan says over the radio, "We have the crew members, but we suspect they've been infected by aliens, based on the way they're acting in pain."

Titan says to Tali, "Do it, if you can do it quickly. We'll need to keep them in quarantine in the life pod after that."

Tali sets about that, making each of the crew a few days younger.

Commander Iverson calls over comms, "Are any of you on the Liberty certified to pilot it?" Quiet has arrived.

Titan makes sure the reverted crew members are placed in the life pod safely. He says over the radio, "I'm not. Anyone else?"

The crew affected by Tali's younthening seem in less to no pain physically but they remain deeply unconcious.

So, back in the NASA shuttle, the flight engineer Julio comes back to the passenger section. "Cadet May, how would you like some stick time? I'm going over to the Liberty to pilot it to the Moon. So there's an empty seat in the cockpit."

Tali says, "I guess the moon is a good place to quarantine them, where they can still get medical attention?"

Titan says over the radio, "If we're recovering the Liberty, we'll need to stop that explosion."

Jackson May comes to attention, an impressive feat in zero G, and made a little less impressive by the way his straightening sends him up to bounce his suit helmet off the roof of the shuttle. "Yes, Sir!" his answer comes with unhidden eagerness.

Tali says, "Oh right!"

Tali rushes to go and slow down time for the engines, to give people time to repair them.

What Tali finds, obvious to even a non-technical expert, is the engines have been intentionally set to explode. As given away by the engine status display showing a countdown and the authorisation code.

Tali says, "It's set on self-destruct - likely the crew knew they were infected and didn't want to infect Earth?"

Tali says, "So, anyone know how to turn off the explodiness?"

Artemis looks to Tali. "I thought you were going to do that with your strange temporal powers."

Tali says, "I was, and I still could, but actually *fixing* it is probably better than warping time some more and hoping everything doesn't all come unravelled. Same as with the crew."

Titan says over the radio, "If anyone can read the mind of the engineer, we might be able to get the code."

A sigh comes from the Director of Quality Assurance- who is in fact the Doj'on Gladiator- Nohrbor the Shademarked. "I believe... I believe I can help you with that much. I can read minds if necessary."

Tali is glad someone can. Her backup plan was to go back in time to find out the code, but that obviously would be very risky! Peter was about to speak but with the Stranger's comment he remains silent.

Titan says over the radio, "Yeah, well...it's necessary."

Quiet responds to one or more queries over the comms with an affirmative double-tap of Tx. To which questions, or even the meaning of the CLICK-CLICK on the net may be vague or worse to some. After returning the other kids to the Liberty and finding no space herpes trying to infect anyone anymore, she can head to the engine room with some confidence.

Tali has another thought. She might as well read the manual for the engines while the others are doing things, if she can find it.

The Stranger responds to Titan, "I will see to the Engineer now."

He unfastens himself and pushes off - before flying directly to the area the distressed crewmembers are being held.

Once he gets near by, he crouches nearest the crewmember foudn in the Engine room.

To those capable of sensing Mental Abilities - they will see his eyes begin to glow.

Tali can access the computer to read the engine manual, and the limiting factor to her reading is the speed with which the display can update. However thousands of pages later it becomes clear that authentication codes are not written into service user manuals where anyone can read them.

Quiet may have been only recently informed of the observation concerning the engine's status and cause, but once in engineering, she takes a look herself for confirmation. This isn't her first time in a spacecraft, and won't be her last (assuming that this one doesn't overload, of course).

Wolf keeps watch on the kids, to Peter whatever status updates would help him to Understand what is going on with the engines and the carge shuttle, just in case his expertise will be called upon before all is said and done.

The QA Director/Stranger responds over the comms once the mind of the Engineer is read, "I have the code- its a hexadecimal code... 8 characters. Tell me when you are prepared, Guardian."

Harlequin quietly watches all of the activity, his masked face turning to observe each hero in turn.

Tali lets people do the shutdown, and gets the needed tool for shutting of the fuel feed in case that doesn't work for some reason.

Titan says over the radio, "Anyone near the engine room...please respond about canceling the shutdown. We have the code."

Tali says, "Ok, tell me the code!"

Tali rushes back to the control panel and enters the code as soon as it's given to her. She's greatly relieved once the engine starts powering down back into normal mode.

When called upon no Bloodlit will ignore the call- no matter the danger. The Stranger is no different, despite planning on continuing his walkabout once Mars-side.

His Sister being there may change that plan- especially if she recognizes him, a talent she's always had.

When Tali calls, the code comes. "e-5-0-0-0-0-d-d then hit enter."

Tali thinks. o O (I suppose I could just have tried all possible combinations, if the computer is fast enough. It can't be any more boring than that manual was!)

"We, or some other group, will still have to investigate the alien craft this cargo ship intercepted," murmurs Harlequin over the comm. "But after the children and infected crew are safe, yes?"

With the crisis over for now, the heroes, et al., can return to the NASA shuttle. Captain Julio Henchard will pilot the cargo shuttle to the moon. The Space Camp can continue on its way to Selene City as well.

Commander Iverson allows Jackson May to execute the course correction burn. Watching over the young cadet like a hawk naturally.

Tali is much relieved, being completely worn out. She promptly falls asleep.

Titan answers Harlequin, "We still need a potential cure for the crew, too. They likely have been given a delay on whatever is going to happen."

Finally, The Moon
And a couple of hours later the shuttle lands on the Moon. A crawler comes out from a cliff-face airlock to transport everyone to Selene City proper. Because of meteorites and cosmic radiation the city is underground, with just four domes on the surface.

"I will remain with the cargo shuttle until it lands, Titan. Just to be certain no other, hmm, 'surprises' are on board. And I'll think on the problem of the crew." says Harlequin.

This trip is Quiet's first encounter with metahuman-generated time-dilation effects, and they are somewhat disorienting. It seems that no sooner does she reach the engine control panel that she is knocked away from it to make room for others. The impending overload is averted and for an instant she is back aboard the Liberty. Or is it the Daedalus?

The moon. Bouncy footsteps. One sixth normal gravity. Passing through the airlock brings you to a long downward sloping passageway, with a couple of emergency air seals in it, which finally deposits you in the main chamber of Selene City. Or small town actually. Still; the Moon.

Tali is having great fun being bouncy! Like she wasn't normally bouncy enough!

A guide is waiting for the group. She greets you all, "Welcome to Selene City. I'll be your guide during your stay here. My name is Sue Watkins."

Wolf pauses, just before setting foot on the ground. He closes his eyes, and take a deep breath. And then: *Contact* In the space of an instant, Wolf seems to age. . . ?years?. A momentary flash of light, so quick you'd miss it entirely if you blinked. Afterwards, he walks more slowly, more thoughtfully, his eyes taking in things he'd never seen before in quite -this- way. In the wake of his slow but steady footfalls, a single wolf-print now graces the surface of the moon. Although the rest of his tracks are the wider, smoother imprints made by his four space-suit "boots," a single right forepaw -print stands out from all the rest

Wolf, to Sasha and his other old friends on the PG team:

In gratitude and thankfulness, My heart is quiet,. . . awed. Mere words can't say what it has meant To Touch the Face of God.

The kids, most of them, are having great fun bouncing, the non-super strength and non-flyers seeing how high they can leap up.

This is The Stranger's first time on the moon as well. To his dismay reaching orbit is exorbitantly difficult - much less the moon. It took him months of work to seep into the background of the space authority and arrange for this trip. So this is a rare treat for him - the Moon was never even on the agenda.

The disguised QA director bounds through the airlock and into Selene City. "Good day, Ms. Watkins." He adds cordially as he stops near by to take it all in.

Titan is careful to not leap as high as he can. Just in case.

Wolf, in addition to Tali, now Knows what it feels like to live a lifetime in the span of an instant. . . he's intensely Quiet, and thoughtful, as he works to take all of it in while still keeping enough presence of mind to keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Ms Watkins waits patiently, with a smile on her face. She's used to the reaction of 'Earthers' on their first time on the moon.

Quiet may be the only one not bouncing, as she walks rather normally despite the fractional gee. Her helm dips in a nod of greeting and acknowledgement to Ms. Watkins and her welcome speech.

Harlequin chooses the route of using magick to just stay in contact with the floor.

The Hispanic twins 'Stefan' brought on the trip are awed by this but also giddy with excitement.

Ms Watkins says, after the first bounciness has subsided, "If you are agreeable I'll lead you to the quarters reserved for you. I imagine you'll wish to freshen up after the shuttle flight? Then in an hour's time you have reserved seats on the Selena." She seems to think everyone will know what the Selena is.

"And what is the Selene?" asks Harlequin.

Titan is beaten to the question by Harlequin. He just waits to hear the answer.

Tali is glad it's not just her. She just assumed she'd forgotten, it's been so long since the briefing.

The QA Director- who probably should know as well is all ears as well.

"Selena." smilingly corrects Ms Watkins. "Selena is the one and only moon dust sea vessel. It's a tourist must. Seats are booked up months in advance. It will take you on a sight-seeing tour of the Sea of Thirst, one of the craters in the Sinus Roris mega-crater."

Tali says, "Arid!"

Tali is actually still bouncing around a lot. She's just doing it in accelerated time so it's not so obvious. :)

Wolf comes back to the here-and-now, slowly, as if falling gently once more into a deeper, darker sleep. He struggles to remember where he is, and what the team were doing. After long moments, he recalls the important things.

To Titan, he :

You mentioned Wounded, and what's more, "Infected," maybe, too? I'd try to help them, if I may, if that's ok with you?

Quiet lifts her arms to tap out a sequence on her suit's right forearm with her left hand. A small holographic 2D display is formed facing Ms. Watkins, not too dissimilar from many advanced display interfaces. This one simply displays plain text, however. CAN YOU DIRECT ME TO THE BAY WHERE THE CARGO SHUTTLE IS DOCKED?

There are still many questions about the shuttle and whatever it was that affected it that need answered, and they could help the injured crew.

Titan nods to Wolf, "Sure, that's fine, if you think you can help."

Ms Watkins reads Quiet's message. Then she commuicates with someone on a very normal looking PDA. "That's under Starguard authority. You'll have to contact them if you want access." she tells Quiet.

Tali keeps bouncing about in accelerated time, while she waits not-so-patiently to be shown to her quarters.

Harlequin's lips thin under his mask at Ms Watkins answer then he looks over at his twins and the other children. "Perhaps we should let Starguard deal with the crew while we all watch over the children," quietly murmurs Harlequin over the comm link to the other heroes. "Somehow trouble always finds the Markham children."

Quiet dips her helm again. The one time, the only time bureaucracy seems to move at blistering speeds, is to secure anything and everything. She is not terribly surprised. The holo ends as she works on a new message, this one not local, as she steps off to see about finding the docking bay herself. As for access, she works on the request en route.

Tali, using a combination of low gravity and time manipulation, is now seemingly pulling off moves that would awe an Olympic gymnast.

Ms Watkins leads those wishing to go the the accomodation section reserved for them. A common area, shared toilets and showers, but individual bedrooms. It's all a bit small. Reminding you perhaps that every cubic inch has to be dug out of the moon's rock.

Tali rushes to the shower first. She's well aware she must reek by this point. Ms Watkins says she'll be back in an hour to take you to the Selena Bay.

Wolf bows his shaggy, angular (and now space-helmeted) head once, deeply, to Titan, in thanks for permission to try to go and heal the crew of the shuttle. After checking the kids once more, triple-counting them just to be on the safe side, Wolf canters off with Quiet toward the secure Starguard medical station where the crew are being held. Wolf instantly discovers that cantering doesn't really work the same in one-sixth gravity, and slows to a kind of four-footed shuffle to keep pace with Quiet without bouncing off of the ground so much.

Titan heads to the quarters to get cleaned up as well.

Tali showers, changes, and then goes about drawing pictures of any interesting sites to occupy the hour.

Harlequin makes certain his twins are settling in to rest, or to wander off with the other kids like as not, then retires to a bedroom to 'meditate'. He takes this opportunity for quiet to scry the facility.

Selene City is somewhat utilitarian. There's little private enterprise although some of the major corps have facilities here. Including Quinn Industries. The standing population is in the low seven hundreds, with maybe a couple of dozen rich tourists in addition to your group.

Tali is a bit disappointed with the sights of the underground city itself. Still, beauty can be found in all sorts of places.

Jackson May is bubbling with excitement when he gets a chance to talk to Tali, chatting with fevered eagerness about getting to 'fly' the shuttle.

Tali grins at Jackson's enthusiasm. It certainly seems he's chosen a career that suits him!

Titan showers and changes before returning to the common area. He takes a seat in one of the chairs, just keeping an eye on what people are doing, more or less.

When Harlequin scrys in the direction of the cavern Amelia and he flew in, on an alternate Earth's moon, he sees there's a team of rock miners digging an expansion tunnel. They're heading directly towards the cavern and almost upon it.

Wolf reports back in to Titan, his fur looking a bit haggard and bedraggled through the viewport of his space helmet. With another nod and a silent promise to fill Titan in on the full details of the medical mission once they both have a moment or two of uninterrupted downtime to discuss it fully, Wolf turns and scurries off to catch up with the others and resume his watch over the children and their explorations.

Quiet will take advantage of the amenities, while able, even if there's only time to take a quick rinse and see if their amenities include a minibar. Then it's off to follow the civvie tour to ... look at dust. Sure, it's moon dust, but ... still dust. She does look over at Jackson's enthusiasm, idly wondering if he'd be so eager when making extreme maneuvers, also referred to as trying really hard not to get shot down and/or crash into something. It also gives her some hope as to her application: if they will allow children to fly, an experienced pilot should be able to get contracts.

Harlequin recalls Zak, the guy who hires out the wingsets, telling him when that Selene City broke through into the cavern they lost the mining team, blown into the cavern a thousand feet above the floor by escaping air, and had a blow out in the city that did a lot of damage.

The Stranger sees his room. Sits in it for 28 minutes to recenter himself. He too emerges from his meditations with plenty of time to explore on his own before the tour.

Harlequin steps out into the main room and rapidly approaches Ms Watkins. "Ms Watkins, your mining team in *he points in a seemingly random direction* is about to breach the wall of an unpressurized and immense cavern. They need to stop right now or the city will de-pressurize." The mage speaks in a quiet and commanding tone.

Titan raises a brow at Harlequin's comment. "Hmm."

Ms Watkins seems a little confused but not overly impressed by Harlequin's solo effort to prevent disaster.

Tali says to Harlequin, "Where are they? How do you get there?"

The Stranger, as the QA Director strides forward, behind Harlequin and faces Ms. Watkins. "You should listen to this man... he's been integral to us making it this far - when he says we're in danger, we're in danger."

Titan gets up, adding his voice. "He's able to sense such. I highly recommend you check it out. Otherwise, we'll have to do so."

Harlequin goes quiet and still for a long moment then says, "You can contact Jakob. He is the crew boss, chief, whatever you call them. Ask him if he's standing next to Lillian."

Quiet was not expecting that, out of nowhere. In lieu of having anything other than a vaguely-gestured direction towards the alleged catastrophe, she taps out a quick comment to her holo display.

Ms Watkin nods as Harlequin is backed up. She makes a call, "Hi, Micky, do we have a mining team working in East-20?" The answer comes back there is such a team. "Uh. Micky, tell them to stop digging.... Look, I have this Space Camp group here and I've been told that team is about to dig into a huge unpressured cavern. Can't hurt to check."

Tali thinks. o O (I wonder if there's a shovel somewhere.... just in case this all goes badly.....)

Titan ties his hair back into a ponytail while he waits to hear the results of the check.

Harlequin murmurs, "They need to back away from the rock face. They are inches from breaching the wall and over a thousand feet from the bottom of the cavern. And yes, Quiet's suggestion is good. Get them behind a closed bulkhead." He raises a hand to cover his eyes on his face covering mask. "Bozhe moi that wzs close," he mutters.

Ms Watkins still has the PDA to her ear when word comes back from the mining team that a sonar check shows Harlequin is correct. She looks at him, "How did you know?" she asks in amazement.

Wolf sets about "herding" the kids toward a place that can be sealed off in a hurry in case that ' ' thickness of rock wall should suddenly give way.

Harlequin shakes his head. "Sometimes I just /know/, Ms Watkins, as vague as that may sound. This time I verified it by, hmm, scrying. Clairvoyance."

What he does not say is that in his travels he has been to a faster time alternate Earth where such a disaster did occur and learned it from a citizen of Selene City as he rented a pair of grav wings to fly in the 'same' cavern.

Tali rushes about locating tools, since no one has bothered to tell her anything. She wants to be able to fill in tunnels quickly should the need arise!