In reply to Olek Longthrow (msg # 605):

James wanders quietly over to the back of the room.  You hear a thump followed by a muffled curse.  Looking over you see him holding his hand.

Suddenly James blinks out of existence.

As suddenly as he disappears he returns.

He slowly takes the helmet off blinking rapidly.  He looks shaken.

I think I'm going to take this thing off and put it away.  Alveris, I reccomend that we leave this thing somewhere safe.  It has caused us nothing but trouble.I think you may want to come to the infirmary for some testing I'm worried that there may be some radioactive exposure for your between-world exploits.  Unless you are fine with shooting blanks for the rest of your life.
He pauses a moments

Because the gonadal stem cells are particularly suceptible to radiation poisoning due to their high rates of meiosis and mitosis.
Alveris blinks at him.

I'm talking about your testicles.
James blushes a bright red.  I'll be in the infirmary.  He walks out.

In reply to James (msg # 606):

"Apparently fey touch their dicks together in some kind of ritual greeting ceremony. Let's leave them to it."

Conrad looks at the viewport.

"How long were we gone, sir? How long until we make landfall?"

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 607):

Near seven hours as six.  When we reach the island, if the waters are as the map says, I'll have the helmsman take us on a roundabout the perimeter before we think about landfall.

Olek rubs his eyes with one fist.

Why don't you lads get some rest until then.  We'll take a look around at first watch.

In reply to Olek Longthrow (msg # 608):

Olek takes his own advice.  After a few orders to the Helmsman, he moves off the bridge toward his cabin to rest.

Uthor and the AutoGnome head to his bunk.  He removes the Attack cartridge and gets some rest, as well.

In reply to Uthor son of Magnusson (msg # 610):

Conrad, too, takes a nap.

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 611):

James waits the red mantle at his side to see if Alveris arrives in the infirmary.

In reply to James (msg # 612):

After waiting for some time Jamess falls asleep on the gurnee in the medical bay.

In reply to James (msg # 613):

Thus, at least decently rested, you awake off the beaches of the mysterious island you've heard so much about.

You all converge (eventually) in the Bridge with one or more of strong coffee, strong liquor, and something strongly resembling an egg Mcmuffin from the kitchens.

The Captain is already there, admitting that he had trouble sleeping and thus came early.  He is frowning over a map and discussing details of the topology with the Navigator.

As planned, the Red Spring did a loop around the island while you slept and confirmed that most of the islands sides are sheer rock faces and thus inaccessible from the water.  The only place landfall is possible is to the south, where a dock has conveniently been built.

The Captain points out several aquatic features, namely the coral atoll, then moves to check the periscope.

For any who want to take a look, the island is small but extremely dense with terrain.  From where you are, you can see that the elevation varies wildly from near sea-level up into tiny snow-capped peaks, sheer drops and a massive waterfall.  The flora look to be mostly pine trees.

You can also see the docks and a small stone tower just beyond it, sticking up above some trees.

In reply to GM (msg # 614):

Gnomish. Olek notes after he takes a moment to scan the island with the periscope.  As I suspected.  The tower and dock were built by us, though I cannot say when.

In reply to Olek Longthrow (msg # 615):

"Have we hailed them, Captain? Perhaps if we raise the appropriate flags, they will respond in kind. Since it's the only dock, it's certainly under watch. We might as well see if the island's defenders are friendly to the Empire -- though, I'll admit, it's more likely to be those Templar..."

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 616):

Aye Lt. Commander, we raised all signals we could, no reply yet and no activity on the dock or tower.  If you look closely though, there's some carts and equipment just past the dock.  That's Human made.

In reply to Olek Longthrow (msg # 617):

At this point James pads into the helm looking somewhat rested.

There are two questions that everyone here has heard me ask before and I'm sure is sick of hearing me ask... but I feel it is my sworn duty to ask them.

One:  Can't we just blow up the whole village?  I'll bet you anything you like that this village is full of drooling templars demanding parts.  We have enough firepower don't we?

Two: Has anyone seen Alveris?

In reply to James (msg # 618):

"He was here just a moment ago. Let's make landfall and get to work. Secure the area, then bring the artifact back to its resting place?"

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 619):

What about blowing up the city?  We'd be doing them a favor.

In reply to James (msg # 620):

Olek growls to himself.

One: no, we cannot 'blow up the village'.  With torpedo we COULD destroy the docks but, and this may surprise you, torpedoes do not work well against inland targets.

Two: I am not about to fire on a Gnomish military installation.

Three: No matter what suggestion you have to top that one, I don't want to hear it.

In reply to Olek Longthrow (msg # 621):

*shrugs* and mumbles

If Connie dies on that island its on your head.

In reply to James (msg # 622):

Olek ignores the Fey and looks to his Lt. Commander.

Put together your away team and talk to Colm and Goath about any equipment you need.  When your team is assembled and ready, I'll meet you topside.

Olek orders the Helmsman to surface.

In reply to Olek Longthrow (msg # 623):

"Attention crew," the Helmsman calls over the intercom.  "Prepare to surface.  Brace and stow away all equipment."

A few moments later, the Helmsman toggles a few controls and the Red Spring rumbles to life.  It tilts for a moment, then shudders and shakes as it bursts up from the sea in a spray of foam and seaweed.

In the top portion of the massive fore viewport, you can see sunlight and clouds.

In reply to GM (msg # 624):

... we are so gonna die.


James will pack up his needle gun and some extra propellant for it.  He will have his medics pouch, poison weapons (poison tipped arrows, knife, axe and rapier), mithril mail (under a shirt), he also has a bandolier of syringes (call it 20).

When he goes to Colm he will see if there are any weapons or armor he does not currently have and will take it if it fits.

When the party goes on shore he will be the last off of the boat.

In reply to James (msg # 625):

Conrad salutes and heads off to find Colm and Goath, reloading and repairing his weapons in the process. In the end, he decides to take his entire arsenal with him, which includes two pistols, a carbine, a harpoon gun, ammunition, his power axe, and the scimitar -- among other oddities.

This accomplished, he returns the bridge.

"Captain, I have assembled my team: myself, Uthor, Jeeves, James, Alveris, Magni, and Hom, to fill Modi's position on my Away Team," he says, saluting.  "Enough to make attacking us undesirable, while still leaving you the strength to complete any repairs, keep watch, and defend the sub -- and to operate it, should you need to swiftly flee the island before we return."

He walks over to the map of the island.

"How would you prefer we approached this, sir? What are the primary and secondary objectives?"

In reply to Conrad Deepsavior (msg # 626):

Primarily, don't get yourself killed.  The important thing to me after that, is figuring out what to do with that blasted hand.  If indeed there IS a standing facility on the island, we should make contact and turn over custody of the artifact to them.

If the Templar killed them, we'll have to bring it back with us to Imperial territory.  In that event, I'd very much like a Cold Iron case to put it in.

In reply to Olek Longthrow (msg # 627):

"Understood, sir," Conrad says, saluting and turning to his team. "Gather your things, and let's get to work."

He claps Magni on the shoulder.

"We'll give 'em hell. For Modi."

Uthor approaches the Captain, the AutoGnome in tow.  He opens the new compartment on the automaton.

Cap'n, had Sven install this so none of us has to hold that damned thing.  I say we have Jeeves here carry it for us.

He readies all of his weapons and armor, making sure the flashlight has fresh batteries.  The AutoGnome is currently operating the 'Porter' cartridge, but once landfall is made, Uthor will switch it for the 'Attack' cartridge.  Jeeves has two handaxes, a repeater, and a carbine, if Uthor can requisition one for him.

In reply to Uthor son of Magnusson (msg # 629):

Olek inspects the AutoGnome.

Marvelous engineering... truely remarkable isn't it?

He leans over and looks into the compartment, then gives the hinged door a practice open and close.

Looks secure enough, aye.  Though I'm not sure it's the best idea to send this thing into possibly enemy-infested lands.  On the other... side of thinking of things, I sure as all hells don't want it on my ship any more than it has to be.