In your dreams, you keep trying to play five games of chess.  But the opponents who range from Q to the Devil to the nice man down the street from you at the convenience store keep cheating when your back is turned, and you're looking at another board..

And when you try to tell them to stop they laugh so loud you can hardly hear yourself, and so you spin around looking for someone reasonable, and  you find yourself falling to wake on the ground.

A metal grate is making a pattern in the side of your face, and the shunts and whooshes of steam, and an overall grinding hum make it hard to think its so loud, and you realize you're awake.

For a second, you feel odd. Nauseated.  Then its gone. Now its back.  And so forth.

PT

Awareness comes slowly.

Not an awareness of Karl's home, or of a hospital treating my gunshot wound.

Not an awareness of the Dreamworld, with a song echoing throughout the Heart.

Not an awareness of my home.

Not an awareness of Heaven.

Somehow it feels like an altogether new place.

:'I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me...':

I open my eyes, and quietly sit up and look around.

:Ugh.  Why the nausea?  Could this loud machinery be driving some sort of vessel, giving me motion sickness?  But why then would it come and go so quickly?:

:Please guide me, dear LORD...:

I focus my thoughts, and try to send my awareness out to perceive what lies beyond my current vantage point.  A maneuver both of caution (to try avoiding movement without additional information), and of curiosity (to test whether or not I can still do it).

:There were things I could do in the Dreamworld that could not be done in the Waking World.  So whatever capabilities I still have here, I had better find out about now...:

OOC: What do I perceive of my environment, via both my normal and my psi senses?  Do I feel any familiar "tugs", either of my belongings, or of other versers?  Do I feel any precognition tingles?
This message was last edited by the player at 01:04, Thu 04 May 2006.

Its a dimly lit corridor, and you're laying on a metal grate.  Above you are metal pipes, and to your right and left are great machines, blocks, and even some gears.

Some looks almost Victorian, except the gears don't quite look like iron.  And some just looks odd.  Like boxes with no fixed definite corner to them.

Nausea.

The room wavers in and out of focus.

It seems to be on a thirty second cycle.

There is a passageway through the machinery forward to a wider grateway, or backwards into more dimness.

Its harder, but you send your awareness outward, up and down the corridor, through a wall...and into space.  The stars waver before your vision, and then suddenly you're in a formless mist, and back again to the stars, but you feel as if you just got punched in the stomach.

The nausea was much worse this time, when you saw that mist...you are back in your own mind, doubling over, vomiting.

You feel your regular equipment, and some other source, but it does not feel like a person.

Upon checking your precog, you get a feeling of overwhelming danger.

PT

For better or for worse, it has been a long time since I have eaten anything, since my body was probably asleep for at least a day and a half before Lilandra attacked me, and perhaps longer, since she needed to heal me before waking me.

So happily, there isn't anything to vomit.

And painfully, there isn't anything to vomit.

Vomiting isn't much fun.  But neither are the dry heaves.

But thankfully, the thin trickle of saliva isn't nearly as obvious as vomit would have been, especially as it falls through the metal grate and disappears.

After the gagging reflex subsides, I sit back weakly against the wall, and my mind slowly starts working again.

:Space.  I'm in space.  On a ship that must have some type of jump-drive for FTL travel.:

:And Victorian?  Like some type of "Difference Engine" technology?  Too bad I never got around to reading that sci-fi genre...:

:Wow.:

:And there is much danger -- I can feel it.:

:Please guide me, dear LORD, my God.:

The relentless loud noise of the machinery wearies me, and the periodic nausea doesn't help much.  But there is great danger.  Must... focus...

I focus my thoughts, trying to sense where the source of the danger is coming from, as well as where my belongings are, and where the "some other source" is.

Then I gather my courage, and send out my perceptions to explore the ship... but being very careful to only pass through walls shortly after a jump has taken place, and quickly move back if I stray outside the ship.  Thirty seconds between jumps should be enough to make sure I avoid another direct glimpse of hyperspace...

You cast your mind out into the shifting sands of the future, and catch glimpses.  A rug, you holding a magnifying glass, ships exploding in space...

Gasping, you come back to present awareness.  Ruefully, you remember how hard the Jedi strained to see the future, and how vague and imprecise it all was.

You feel at peace.  It may make no sense, but you're where you're supposed to be
on this ship.  You're needed here.

You sense your belongings, and follow them down a corridor, and find them stashed on top of a metallic box.

The some other source is down or up the length of the ship.

You slip your mind up? the ship, and through a wall.  A man in a small room is checking to see which scarf goes with which suit jacket.  Through the open door, you reach a more brightly lit corridor where your clairaudience has it easier as its not very noisy here.

You see a guy leaning against a wall, chatting to a woman.  She has on a jumpsuit, and he has tightly fitted pants and a pull-over shirt.

You find yourself not liking the guy.  For a moment, you're perplexed, but then you see he has a wedding ring, and she doesn't, but he's obviously trying to charm her.

PT

I catch my breath, rubbing my hand against my forehead as I recall Yoda's voice with some rueful amusement.

:"Difficult to see. Always in motion is the future...":


As I reflect, I nod thoughtfully, thankful for my Sovereign LORD's comfort and peaceful assurance.

:"Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence?
If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there.
If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea;
Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.":


I walk up to my belongings, but rather than touching them, I reach out with my mind to bring one of the gems to my hand, as I did with the rock in the Dreamworld.  But after several moments of futile attempt, I give up, and find an inconspicuous place nearby to sit.


I reach out with my mind to sense his thoughts, but after several moments of futile attempt, I give up.

:Clairvoyance and clairaudience, both here and in Karl's world, plus precognition here.  Yet no telepathy and no telekinesis here or in Karl's world, but only in the Dreamworld.  Hmmmmm...:

I file this observation away for further consideration later...



I continue exploring the entire ship, taking care to time my movement through walls to ensure I don't accidentally go outside the ship when a jump is about to take place.

And as I explore, I continue seeking the "some other source"...

You turn about, and head down the other direction with your clairvoyance.  You pass into storerooms, and see a guy working with a miniature power wrench on a pipe.  And then through another wall,a nd you see a large bay with catwalks along the outer edges.

In the center of the room, a ring of fire hovers in the air, and it fluxes in time with the jumps.  Its the source of that sense of familiarity.

You see one guy in a jumpsuit talking to a elderly man in a long cloak, brocaded with gold thread.  The cloak-wearer has a natural air of authority, and he is talking to the jumpsuited man.

"Engineer Davies, will the stabilizers hold."
"Same answer as yesterday, milord, if you hold it down to eighty percent, then they should get us there.  Not sure if they'll get us back, but you know that already."
"Well, just checking up.  All the scientists are antsy, and require progress reports and signs of flurry from the ship crew to justify to them that we are doing our best."

The engineer laughs.

PT

I look with interest at the ring of fire.

:The source of the ship's ability to do FTL jumps through space, with that sense of familiarity, like those who have the ability to do jumps between universes...:

I ponder moving my point of view to the center of the ring... but after what happened when I looked into the mist, I refrain from doing so.  I have enough problems with susceptibility to motion sickness as it is.

I linger for a bit, watching the cloak-wearer to see if he seems inclined to remain for awhile or go elsewhere.

:If he goes elsewhere, I'll follow him around awhile until he stops.  Once he stays put for a bit, I'll explore all the rest of the ship.  And once I've found the one who looks like they have the most authority, I'll need to find the best path to walk from here to there...:

:Please guide me, dearest LORD, my God...:

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
You follow the cloaked man around. Everyone seems very deferential to him, but its usually a more distant thing in his responses. Like he's not in day-to-day command.

You hear him called "Lord Ambassador", and someone else mentions The Message, and speculates on what They will be like. The Ambassador pats the man on the shoulder.

"Never fear, we'll manage, the Marcus Caine has a good crew."

"But what if they are like the Travid?"

The Ambassador's face hardens.

"Then we do our duty. You know the Captain will have messager torps dropped behind just in case of such a problem. And we have ample weaponry to defend ourselves. We will defend the Imperium and uphold the honor of the Fleet."

"Oh, its not that sir. I just wonder if they could be friendly,a nd then we mess it up."

"Ah. Well then, I reccomend hard work, and prayer."

He proceeds on ward leaving the tech working on some machinery in a wall.

Playtester
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:27, Fri 19 May 2006.

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
:Not the Captain, but an Ambassador... And one who recommends prayer...:

:It sounds like he may be an excellent source of information, and a potentially good first contact.:

:And for that matter, it sounds like the ship is on a first contact mission.:

:Please guide me, dearest LORD...:

I continue following the Ambassador around...

If he seems to stop doing interesting things (moving around, talking to people, reading any secret reports, etc.), then I explore the rest of the ship, find out anything of interest from watching the Captain, and figure out how to walk from my current location to both the Ambassador and the Captain (hopefully without having to encounter others on the way...).

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
The Ambassador makes a tour of the ship. Its not a very large ship.

Its shaped like an "H" with a single level. The head of the left bar of the H is the bridge, and the head of the right bar is a "Detachable Combat Unit".

There seems to be around twenty people on the ship, at least awake at this time.

While there is ample space, true privacy seems hard to come by, and so it looks unlikely that you would be able to walk to the Bridge or the Captain's Cabin just behind it without meeting a couple of people at least.

The Ambassador does not enter the Bridge or the DCU. Instead, he stops two doors down from the DCU, and enters. And proceeds to preside over a small room of scientists who are griping about the quarters, the speed, the helpfulness or lack thereof of the 'idiot crew', etc.

PT
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:28, Fri 19 May 2006.

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
OOC: Where is my current location in the "H"? Where is the Ring of Fire's location in the "H"?

:Hmmm. They might say something informative, but I still haven't found the Captain yet.:

:Perhaps now is as good a time as any to see what I can do with these abilities...:

I focus my thoughts, and attempt to shift my clairvoyance point of view to search the ship visually for the Captain, while leaving my clairaudience point of view with the Ambassador and scientists. If successful, then once I find the Captain, I will attempt to leave the clairvoyance point of view with the Captain, and shift the clairaudience point of view over to the Captain as well.

If I'm able to use these abilities in this manner, I'll be able to monitor the conversation and search at the same time. If I'm not able to pull it off, then I'll go ahead and search for the Captain by shifting both clairvoyance and clairaudience in sync as usual.

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
It helps if you think about it like you are listening to the radio as you watch the scenery from the passenger seat of a car. With this view in mind, you're able to complete the split, but you can tell its wobbly. Rather as if you were a new driver again, and every time a cool song came on the radio, you found yourself driving to the edge of the road.

The scientists continue their complaint session, and you're listening to the ambassador who treats them with courtesy, assures them that they are the reason for the ship's mission, but also points out that they are 'joggling the elbow of someone at a microscope' with their continual questions of the crew. He flatters, charms, and wheedles, and then tosses in a joke, and acts as if he were on their side, and in general does a very good job of being a professional politician.

There are a couple serious issues he says he will take up with the crew. One involves the tendencies to call Them "Messies" and to start a betting pool on who gets to kill the first alien, and the other is a usage of the biohazzard freezer for food supplies.

And then you drift through the wall into the Bridge. There's the Captain. You can tell because he sits on a 'throne' in the center of the room, and by his look, and by the gold name tag--Captain Robert Overmark.

Three others are on the Bridge as well. It seems quiet.

PT
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:29, Fri 19 May 2006.

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
:Hmmm. The Captain doesn't look as busy. But the Ambassador seems to have some clout with all the various groups aboard ship, whereas the Captain's clout is probably more with his own crew, and he is probably more military and operational in orientation.:

:Perhaps the Ambassador would make a better choice for first contact.:

:But how to get from here to there?...:

I keep listening in on the Ambassador, while moving my viewpoint from the Captain to scout out the best route from where I am to the Ambassador, before returning to both view and listen to him.

:Should I approach him now, or wait until he is alone?:

I pray for guidance silently...

OOC: Where is my current location in the "H"? Where is the Ring of Fire's location in the "H"?

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
Your current location is in the bottom left protrusion of the H. The Ring is at the bottom of the other bar.

It would take about five minutes to walk from where you are to where he is, but you'd meet several people.

You're pretty sure it would be better to meet the Ambassador in private.

PT
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:30, Fri 19 May 2006.

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
After praying, I feel it would be better to seek a private audience for first contact with the Ambassador.

I give thanks for His guidance, and continue watching and listening to the Ambassador, and following him, and waiting for a suitable opportunity to reveal myself to him privately, and considering alternatives if the status quo continues indefinitely.

And of course, I continue to pray...

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
Twenty minutes later, he is done. He walks back through the ship, a bit weary you can tell from his steps, and enters his cabin which is but two doors above the middle bar on your side of the H.

The man who had been choosing clothes comes in, bearing a tray full of drinks, and crackers and cheese, and leaves it with him while he thanks Mr. Martin, and continues to look through some papers.

A minute later, it seems clear, and you step out through a door into the more pleasant and sound-proofed part of the ship, and ten steps forward, and into the Lord Ambassador's cabin.

He looks up from his sheaf of papers, squints.

"Good afternoon, sir. I don't recall seeing you on the roster."

PT
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:31, Fri 19 May 2006.

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
I nod respectfully.

"Good afternoon. I'm sorry to disturb you, sir."

"I do not believe that I am on your roster... for an hour ago I was not even aboard this ship."

"And though it seems as strange to me saying this as it no doubt will seem to you hearing it -- I believe that an hour ago, I was not even in this universe."

I regard him quietly, observing how he reacts to this statement. My expression is open and honest, slightly bewildered at finding myself in the position of making such unbelievable assertions, and fully aware of how incredible my statement must sound to him.

"May I request a few moments of your time? For I suspect that you would like to know more of me, and how I came to be here, at least as much as I understand such things. And I would like to know more of where I am now, so that I may better understand why the LORD has sent me here."

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
"Well, that is certainly interesting. I was prepared for you to tell me you were a stowaway, or even that one of the other factions on Greenwood Planet had sent you because they wanted their own scientist to meet the Message People."

He rings a bell, and the valet comes in.

"Get our guest some food, and then wait here."

Something seems to pass between them, and the valet is back very quickly with a tray of food, and you are seated. The valet then stands in the corner, just out of your peripheral vision.

Studying his face, you find nothing but pleasantness, and mild curiousity. But you're pretty sure thats not what he's feeling.

"Now, I am Lord Ambassador Richard Chandler, and your name is? We are on the Imperial Navy ship, the Marcus Caine, on a First Contact mission to meet an alien ship at a certain point in space that the Message designated. And I must say, extraordinary claims would be better backed by proof."

PT
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:31, Fri 19 May 2006.

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
As we wait for the food, I pray silently for the LORD's guidance, and that He would bless my interactions here.

When the food is brought, I briefly bow my head in prayer, giving thanks for the food, before taking a small sip of the beverage and regarding my host.

"I am John Oakmaster, Dr. John Oakmaster, or more formally, Professor John Oakmaster."

"Thank you for your kindness and patience, Lord Ambassador. I understand that you are an important man on an important mission, and yet you take the time and care to very politely understate how unbelievably absurd my statement must seem. A week ago, before I had ever known or experienced anything of other universes, I would have thought the same. But I do not relish falsehood, nor does the God I serve, so I can do little but truthfully tell of the events that brought me here to you, no matter how extraordinary they may be. I can only hope that you would observe that if I wished to deceive you, I would no doubt have come up with a far more believable story that this."

"As to what proof I can offer, I am not certain what would be convincing to you, for I know almost nothing of this place."

"My clothing may differ in various ways from anything you have here, but given that we do not differ physically and that we speak the same language, it is possible that such clothing can be found here also."

"Here are various documents and currency, which may differ in various ways from what you have here."

"Perhaps more convincing would be this camera, or this computer, for the technology may differ from what you have here. I am native to a time and place that was prior to space travel, so my devices may be sufficiently different and/or archaic to be convincing. And the data on this computer includes many things that may well be unique. Even the everyday photographs of my family may show various items that could help convince you."

"I was born on Earth, or at least my version of it, in the year 1961. It is possible that this would give me knowledge not commonly available to people here, which could help convince you."

"And since you have the technology to travel in space, you may well have technology to detect truth and falsehood. If so, you could use it on me to help verify my statements."

I show the various items as I speak, demonstrating as appropriate.

"Do you wish me to continue, and describe the events that have brought me here?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:08, Thu 18 May 2006.

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
He nods, accepting your points about your duty to God to be truthful, and your unlikelihood defense. His face is still pleasantly neutral.

"There are nearly two hundred settled solar systems. I'm sure one of them has clothes similiar to yours. As to my understating, well, I seek to understand first, and then make judgement second."

He examines your offered evidences.

"Perhaps a more expert perusal would turn up something, but I see nothing that could not be made. Which only proves that you are who you say you are, or that you have went to some considerable effort to fabricate evidence for it."

"We do indeed have such technology, but we also have means of defeating it. The control of one's pulse, or mental imagery is not exactly uncommon in this time and place. It has a number of uses, not just related to the criminal. The best such devices can yield is probabilities. I'm afraid with my training, I could convince a lie detector that the sky was orange."

"But.." And the valet comes over, and lays a small black box on your arm. Its about the size of a cheeseburger. "Please continue with your story, Professor."

PT
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:32, Fri 19 May 2006.

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As I become aware of the approaching valet and his apparent intention, I glance at the device he is bringing toward me, and willingly offer my arm.

"I had lived my life on the Earth I knew in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries after the birth of Jesus Christ. I was a professor at a conservative Christian college, a joyful singer in our church choir, and a devoted husband and father. And other universes, or even space travel beyond our own moon, were part of the realm of science fiction."

"It was less than one week ago, relative to my own subjective experience, that I received some type of unusual electric shock from a malfunctioning communications device, and lost consciousness."

"When I awoke, I was in a forest, with clear, fresh, unpolluted air to breathe -- much cleaner than the air of my homeland. I felt a strange sense of 'familiarity', tugging me in a certain direction, which eventually led me to some small number of my most commonly used possessions. And I sensed a different sort of 'familiarity' further off in the distance, so I began walking toward it."

"On the way I met a shepherd, from whom I learned that the year was 1342! And stranger still, he talked of various strange lands, and of strange monsters, and of users of magic, none of which are part of the history of my home world."

"In this world, magic was real, and wielded both by those who serve the LORD and by those who serve the Devil. And it was invoked by singing."

"I discovered this accidentally, and, by singing some appropriate hymns of praise to the LORD, I was healed of various infirmities, and defeated a demon. But when I tried to use it to make friends with some of the creatures that dwelt there, I underestimated the power that I had called forth, for the creatures fought over me, all fervently desiring my friendship. As they were large and powerful and over-enthusiastic in their affection toward me, I soon lost consciousness once again."

"When I awoke, I was back in the early twenty-first century, but the world was changed, and the countries were all different. I found those same possessions of mine nearby. And I found employment as a personal instructor to a young man of some means, staying on his estate."

"But this land was strange, for there existed both a Waking World... and a Dreamworld. And a small number of individuals, myself included, seem to have the power to enter that Dreamworld, and through our actions there, influence the dreams, and desires, of the collective consciousness of that entire world."

"In that Dreamworld, I learned the ways of clairvoyance, and clairaudience, and telepathy, and telekinesis, and precognition -- although I found myself unable to use telepathy or telekinesis in the Waking World. And in that Dreamworld, I sang songs of praise to the LORD, projected so that the entire planet could hear... and so seeded the hearts of that entire world with the Gospel of Christ."

"In this world, I encountered others who seemed 'familiar', and learned that they were 'versers' -- those with the power to travel between universes. And I learned that, through that electrical accident I had, I had been exposed to some type of unusual substance that had made me into a 'verser' as well. And I learned that when 'versers' die, they do not in fact perish, but are simply transported into a different universe. So it seemed that the original electric shock had in fact killed me, causing me to leave my original world. And it seemed that an overly affectionate dragon's embrace had in fact killed me, causing me to leave that world."

"One of these 'versers' attempted to abduct me from the home of my employer, and there was a battle in which both I and my kidnapper were shot. I lost consciousness, and it seems that I was killed."

"And when I awoke... I was aboard this ship."

"I found these same possessions of mine nearby. And I found that my clairvoyance and clairaudience and precognition abilities still seem to function here (though that seems not the case for telepathy or telekinesis), so I tried to reorient myself, and learn of where the LORD had sent me. I felt a different type of 'familiarity' aboard the ship, which I eventually traced to the Ring of Fire that seems to cause this ship to jump out of normal space at regular frequent intervals. And I perceived you to be someone appropriate to reveal myself to. So I waited until I could meet with you privately. And here I am."

I take a deep breath, and another bite of food.

"What type of powers or abilities are common here, if any? For I don't believe that clairvoyance or clairaudience or precognition existed in my native universe, outside of Divine revelation, yet I was able to learn them in my previous universe. If these abilities are unusual here, perhaps that could also help convince you."

"Please, could you please tell me something of this place? What year is it? What is the technology like here? Have you met other aliens before, or are the ones we are soon meeting the first? And what else do I need to know, that I may better serve the LORD here? For I am convinced that He has a reason for bringing me here, talking here with you, in such a time as this."

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}
You succeed in getting an expression on his face. Startlement. He looks skeptically at the valet who nods back affirming that his machine is saying you are telling the truth.

"Well, .." The Ambassador clears his throat. "Er. Either the universe is a lot stranger than I had reckoned on, or you are insane. I apologize for the impolitic remark, but you have me off guard. My valet thinks you are truthful. I do too, and in fact, I think you are not only honest, but correct, however, some physical evidence would settle the mind further. You claim to be immortal of a sort, to have seen other dimensions, to have travelled in time, to have worked miracles or magic by God's power, to have met a dragon, and more. Well. You do get around."

He takes a sip of his tea, collecting his thoughts.

"Let me answer your questions, and then we will test you."

"There are Talents. That is people with Telekinesis, or Clairvoyance, or Telepathy, but such is uncommon, and sadly enough, I'm afraid such Talents are not well-liked. Perhaps 5% of normal Talents have multiple skills, such as TK-Clairs. This ship is driven by a Stutter Warp, or a Jimensen Fast Pace Teleport Drive, named after Sir Arthur Jimensen, the greatest mathematician of the 22nd century."

He pauses again.

"The year is 2519 Anno Domini. The political unit for most of Humanity is the Imperium which is a form of feudalism with a Bill of Rights, and nobility requires parents or great skills, but also the passing of the Test. You were perhaps born in the age of Democracy? This is the fourth alien species we've met. The Lolan are friendly and capable, if frequently incomprehensible and suddenly violent. The Hydrogen Planet People are imcomprehensible. We meet them, but have no dealings. The Travid are solipsists who have decided we are a mental illness, and need to be cured/exterminated. We are at war with them now, happily they are on the other side of the Empire. However, we certainly do not want to start another war here in teh backwaters of the Empire. A two front war would be ...problematic."

Then he stands, and motions to the valet who pulls a large cloth towel from his tray.

"Please blindfold yourself. I think we shall put your skill at 'finding' the Ring to the test. If you can take us to it, after I lead you on a twisting path, I think that will be most convincing. If you can lead to your things as well, that would be doubly so."

PT
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:33, Fri 19 May 2006.

^{http://www.gamingoutpost.com/d....php?showtopic=82750}

I smile gently and understandingly.

"And all in the span of less than a week, no less."

"No apology is necessary, Lord Ambassador. A week ago, if someone had approached me with such a tale, I would have doubted their sanity as well. I still wonder if this is all somehow a dream, from which I will wake to see my beloved wife and children once again."

"But if the LORD would say, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?', what then can I reply, but 'Here am I; send me.'?"


"It is sad that such Talents are not well-liked, though I suppose people could feel threatened by them. But are they not at least appreciated for their potential strategic value? For example, I would think that in a situation such as First Contact, could not such Talents be used to gather valuable intelligence?"


I ponder thoughtfully, speaking partially to myself.

"Perhaps that is one way I could help... and even more so if I could learn any additional skills..."

I regard the Ambassador quietly.

"You mentioned that with your training, you could convince a lie detector that the sky is orange. Do you have any Talents, Lord Ambassador? Or does anyone else aboard?"


"It took me some time to locate the Ring before, because the feeling of 'familiarity' associated with it actually runs up and down the length of the ship. I suppose that must be due to some type of dimensional-travel field it generates around the entire vessel. It was only when my explorations brought me into the large bay containing the Ring that I perceived it as the source of that 'familiar' feeling."

"However, I would think that I could perceive it blindfolded, particularly as we get close enough. And from what limited past experience I've had thus far, I believe that I should have little trouble locating my belongings blindfolded, no matter where you may hide them aboard the ship."

I pick up the blindfold.

"I assume that you wish me to refrain from using Clairvoyance, and restrict myself to finding my belongings and the Ring via following that inner tug toward 'familiarity'?"

I tie the blindfold into place. And as I wait for what comes next, I silently pray...

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It takes an hour, after which you feel like a performing elephant. You've been joined by a number of other people, one who must be the Captain by the tone of command in his voice, and by the deference others show him. At one point, it gets so crowded that the Captain has to order people back to their stations.

"Poor discipline. I know they are bored, but still I expect better of my crew." He mutters.

By this time, you've found the Ring twice, your coins by tracking them down, and followed a person around a room by the feeling of one of your items. And pointed to a room which held your items even though they were on the other side of the ship.

Your blindfold is removed, and you are seated in a more cafeteria-like room with your items in front of you. A steaming coffee is placed in front of you. Across the table are three men, and one woman.

You already know them from their voices. The Captain, grim and searching for trouble so he can stomp it first before it gets him; the Lord Ambassador, a short and preternaturally suspicious man who is the only one not fully convinced of your tale, but then he seems the sort who would suspect his mother of being an enemy agent, and the woman, the Chief Scientist who seems openly fascinated.

PT
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:33, Fri 19 May 2006.

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I open my eyes as the blindfold is taken off, blinking at the sudden brightness.

As I see the coffee placed in front of me, I squint at it, and apologetically up at the person who put it there.

"Thank you very much for your kindness, but I'm afraid that I don't drink coffee... or carbonated beverages, or alcohol.. For someone who has had such an eventful life lately, I am actually quite a boring beverage drinker. If you have any tea, or non-fat milk, or fruit juice, or water?"

I turn to look to those at table with me, my eyes finally adjusted to the lights, and give a weary, gentle, yet genuine smile.

"'Peace be unto you.' I have heard your voices, but now I see you face to face. I am Dr. John Oakmaster, more formally Professor John Oakmaster. I am honoured to meet you all."

"There is so much that I want to know of you, and I suspect you may feel the same way."

"For now, I will try to confine myself to a few questions, and then give you all more of a chance to ask what you will."

"I believe that the LORD has sent me here for a reason. So I have been considering how I can be useful here."

"It is true that I know almost nothing of this place. But I do know that you are on an important mission of First Contact. And I do know that abilities such as Clairvoyance or Clairaudience or Precognition are not common here. And I believe that such abilities could be of strategic value, for in such a mission, we need all of the information we can get about those we are meeting."

"Would it be useful for me to attempt to use these abilities to help bring about a successful conclusion to this mission?"

"I also understand that other Talents exist here, such as Telepathy and Telekinesis. Are there any others with Talents aboard the ship? If so, would it be possible to see if I could be trained in any additional skills? For if I was able to use Telepathy in conjunction with Clairvoyance, for example, that would add a great deal to my ability to gather information."

"Also, would it be possible for me to get access to any historical databases you may have aboard, so that I can educate myself about this universe?"

I take a deep breath, weary.

"And last but certainly not least... could you please tell me something of yourselves, that I may start getting to know you better?..."

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"A health nut, then." the suspicious man says.


"May the Ruler of Time and Space watch over all our wayfaring." Captain Overmark says gravely.


The Captain nods. "You do understand that such abilities are unpopular, especially among the less enlightened, although some of the elite find them a threat as well. While I cannot shield you from social unpleasantness, I can assure you that the law applies to everyone in the Empire, Talented and Norm."

"Some Talents hide themselves, which I find personally and scientifically unfortunate." The Chief Scientist says.


The Captain shakes his head. "We have a crew and science team totalling eighteen, and statistics show only about one in two fifty is Talented."


They nod, and tell you that they will have one delivered to your quarters.


"Captain Robert Overmark, ship's master. I'm the final authority, unless the Lord Ambassador declares a Imperial Policy Edict."

The Ambassador smiles faintly. "Which I hope to do with a treaty. The other options such as ordering the destruction of a fully functional ship to deny data to the enemy don't bear thinking on. My name is Chandler as you know."

"I am Simon Queens-Higgins, on the knight's list, but not yet risen." The suspicious looking man, with the weasel face says. You can see his eyes on you weighing what you say, and what you don't say.

"Doctor of Xenobiology Phyllis Hitchcock. I studied at Lunagrad University, and received my doc at Tau Ceti Upper Level Studies Program." She's the only one to hold out her hand to shake. "I'm, for my sins, which was taking a vacation on the far side of the empire, away from aliens, and thus the only xenodoc out here, in charge of the Science Team."

PT
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:34, Fri 19 May 2006.

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I shake the offered hand warmly.

"Well met."

I turn to the Captain.

"Yes, I have heard that Talents are not popular. But I am as the LORD has made me, and in the circumstances He has placed me. I can only strive to please Him with whatever abilities He has given me, and to be as sensitive to those around me as I can, and to leave the rest in His hands."

I regard the group again.

"You all no doubt understand the situation better than I. What else is at the top of the list for Things I Need To Know? Do you have any suggestions as to how else I may be useful here? Or do you have any other questions for me?"

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"Are you a chaplain, sir?" Captain Overmark says. "We had one scheduled to be on board, but he came down with Siblakan Plague, very contagious, and so will be out of duty for several months as the disease takes its course, and he rehabs. And this was an hour before we lifted, so we had not time for another."

PT
This message was last updated by the GM at 16:35, Fri 19 May 2006.

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I blink in surprise, and give a brief silent prayer for wisdom. When soliciting suggestions for my usefulness, I didn't expect this response... though I suppose that I certainly haven't made any attempt to downplay my faith.

"No, I am not ordained. I've served in full-time ministry as a professor at a conservative Christian college, but my area of expertise is Computer Science. I've also served as a church deacon, and in music ministries."

I consider briefly.

"However, if it is the case that no one more qualified is available, and that everyone else aboard is already occupied with their own assigned duties... then I would be honoured to serve in such a capacity, if you would have me."

I look around those assembled at the table.

"But do you think that everyone aboard would be comfortable with me assuming such a role, given the prevailing feelings toward those with Talents?"

"Well some singing would be a pleasant diversion.  One problem, there's never enough to do in the downtimes on a spaceship. People get bored, and then they hunt trouble." The Captain says.  "Please set up a singing of some sort."

"If your story is accurate, then your computer science is a century out of date since by the Great Reconfiguration of 2120, Computer Science is a dead field." Dr. Hitchcock says.  "You'd be having to undergo a lot of retraining."

The general consensus about Talents and Chaplains is that it should be okay, and its not like going to service is mandatory.  So if someone does fear you, then they won't come.  Their loss.

They shrug.

PT

I nod at the Captain.

"It would be a pleasure to lead worship here through song.  And I also have experience and training in leading Bible studies.  I would be privileged to serve in that manner as well, if you wish?"

I turn to the Chief Scientist, perplexed.

"A dead field?  The Great Reconfiguration?  It sounds like I am indeed out of date.  How then am I to access the historical databases, without a computer?  Come to think of it, why did you say that you would deliver them to my quarters, rather than simply giving me computer access to them from my quarters?"

"Could you please give me a brief summary of what has happened before and after the Great Reconfiguration?"

"Certainly, certainly." The Captain says.

Theres a shared look of embarrassment as everyone gets up.

"We don't trust you to access the ShipNet yet." Simon Queen-Higgins says bluntly.  "So we'll give you a standalone unit."

"Let me explain," Dr. Hitchcock says glaring at Simon as everyone exits the room.  "I'm not a historian, but the Great is an important decade, not really a specific event, although it did have the Tipping Point which according to history nearly caused a major war.  We used Windows related OS, and it got increasingly clunky, until the GR system started coming out.  There was a spurt of creativity following it, but then things died down.  Computers were not getting any faster, and most of the programs one needed for practically any project were already made.  What was left was minor adaptations by 2200.  By now, there's not even that.  Its just a matter of finding the right program for your job, and plugging it in.  No one gets degrees in Computer Science anymore.  We just manage the infrastructure already built.  The time you came from with your hackers and phreakers and programmers is visited often in our stories, a moment in time when the frontiers of knowledge seemed limitless.  And that Humanity could aspire to some kind of godhood, but we know better now."

PT

I nod with understanding, completely and obviously unoffended.

"That is more than fair."

"This is a mission of extreme importance, and you really know nothing about me, except for some stories that are frankly incredible."

"I already appreciate your kindness in allowing me to be useful and play some part, rather than sending me to the brig, or on a one-way trip out of an airlock."

"And I hope that in time I will earn your trust."


I nod thoughtfully.

"I meant what I just said.  I am a stranger here, as well as a Talent.  It is kind of you all to give me a part to play here.  And I hope that I can be a blessing to you all, and to the mission."

"As someone who looks to be stepping into a role of spiritual leadership here, let me ask you -- what beliefs are prevalent here, both aboard ship and in this overall civilization?"

Dr. Hitchcock pauses, and then takes you to a large sitting room where there is one other guy who is studying something.  She calls up some files on a screen that rises from the its recess in the floor.

"I'm not a historian, and perhaps the Ambassador or someone might be better.  But, for one we are an aristocracy.  That means, we are in general more formal, preachers usually wear robes.  And well, we have more restrictions on religion.  The outcome of the fight against the Islamofascists.  If a doctrine is deemed hazardous by the Emperor, the Congress of Planets, and the High Court then it or even the religion that promulgates it may be banned.  The most known example is the Black San.  The San are solipsists, like the Travid, but the San are human.  White San believe you don't exist, but they should behave ethically to you anyways since to lie to you would be in effect lying to themselves.  Black San hold no strictures against lying to Those That Don't."

She rubs her face, trying to think.

"We have the High Church which I am, and four others, I think, Reformed Roman, an Agnostic, a Baptist, no two of them, a Church of the Enlightened Ones, a Friend of the Star Gods which is really Talent friendly, and the rest I don't know.  People talk about their views openly, but if you get mad in public thats major bad manners.  Most of the Aristocracy is High Church."

PT

I nod, taking in the information, along with the unknown references that I'll need to do some research on later...

"Will there be information on these things in the databases that I will have access to?"

I consider.

"There is so much I don't know, that I almost don't know where to start."

"Knowing what you know, and knowing how little I know of this place, what other things do you think are near the top of the list of Things I Need To Know?"

"You probably need to learn our safety procedures, and symbols for various dangers on the walls, just the general type of stuff like how the food decompressor works, and how to use the sonic shower."

She pulls up a program entitled "Guiding the Outsider into Civilization.", and tags a number of sub-programs and then sends it to your standalone which is still connected.

She bows slightly, and then leaves you to read about a hundred thousand words on general history, manners, and the use of laser beard clippers in your quarters from a small box with a holographic display.

PT

I bow slightly in return.

"Thank you for your kindness.  I appreciate it.  I'm a long way from home... and a friendly face is a blessing."

"Is there any type of shipboard schedule that I need to be aware of?  Common meal times, if people dine together here?  Meetings where my presence would be desired?  Time slots that would be most appropriate for scheduling worship?  For that matter, what time is it now, and how do you keep track of time here?"

After she departs, I pray.  I give thanks to the LORD for His mercies.  I pray for wisdom in this new place to discern His will, and to serve Him and those He has placed me with.  And I pray for my dear wife and children, wherever they may be.

After praying, I focus my thoughts, attempting to discern whether or not I sense the same level of danger that I did when I first arrived, and if so, from what source.  Seeking any more clues, any more clarity, any more glimpses into the future.

After doing that (and recovering as necessary), I send my awareness out into the ship once again, this time paying particular attention to identifying and locating anything I may have glimpsed through precognition (such as the rug from my first vision, etc.).

Then I finally settle down to check out the stand alone box I have been given, exploring the databases as well as the software and the GR operating system used to run them...
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:57, Sat 20 May 2006.

"Talk to the XO about scheduling things, and meals are every four hours, round the clock."

She points to a clock on the wall.  It has the day, Tuesday, and the time is 2214. Military time.

Clocks haven't changed.

Fear of the future returns in your quarters as you search the future, but you do find the rug.  Its goes from the main corridor into the exercise room.  It goes under a door.

The GR OS is rugged, with lots of options, and even after ten minutes you can see that it is superior to Windows.  You laugh to yourself as you note a couple ideas you'd once had for improving Windows have made it into this system.

One thing that surprises you at first, is that it seems to be set up with a permanent command line interface.

PT

"Who is the XO?  Could you please upload some basic information about the crew -- names, photos, ship duties, room assignments, etc., so I can figure out who to see, and what they look like, and where to find them?"



I read "Guiding the Outsider into Civilization", and start in on the historical databases, beginning with acquiring an overview of all that has taken place, then going into more depth on interesting topics as time permits.

And when I grow weary, I check out the sonic shower, read a Bible passage, pray, and sleep.  Perhaps a different type of sleep than I experienced in Karl's world, for better and for worse...

OOC:
(*) Where is the large sitting room located?
(*) Where are my quarters located?
(*) What crew information do I get?
(*) What information do I get from my reading?
(*) Do I get any other glimpses when using precog?
(*) Do I see or hear anything of interest when I am checking out the ship again?
(*) When the rug goes under a door, that is the door leading from the main corridor into the exercise room, right?
(*) What other stuff do I figure out about the computer?  How much data can it hold?  How fast is the processor?  Other specs?
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:50, Sun 21 May 2006.

She smiles and leaves.

The large sitting room is on the front side of the middle bar, right side to the gym.  They take up that entire side.

No crew info.

You get an overview of the last millenia's history, the first half seems familiar, but then it differs with the War Against the Fascists which broke out on 9/11, 1999.  After the victorious conclusion of the war things were different.  An aristocracy was born seeing as it was generally held that a democracy lacked the internal moral fiber to defend itself against infiltration, and the more restrictive Helpful Religion Laws were passed.

Later came the realization that the Singularity wasn't going to happen.  And then the GR reorganization which nearly provoked a civil war between the South and the West in America.  This led to the creation of the Empire of Man.  Which then led to the colonization of the Sol System with skyhooks.

The mental techniques for proper usage of Talent are discovered.

Then the Teleport Drive was invented, and nanotech used to terraform planets.  Wherever it failed was a 'banned' world.  So there are worlds with vicious nanotech that would eat you alive in minutes, but they are quarantined.

Met the Hydrogren People. Did not understand them.

Met the next alien race. Sorta understood them.  Occasionally we blow up each other's stuff, but we're not sure they really understand war.  Mostly we trade..very cautiously.

Met the Travid.  They are solipsists.  Things seem to go well.  Then a Telepath contacts them.  They get the thought that Humanity might be Real. They go into denial,a nd wage genocidal war.  Humanity replies with same intent.

--You see nothing unusual.

--yes. Main corridor to room.

--Human level computation, but no awareness.  80% full.  Feel free to fill in more details as you like.

OOC: Does this mean that it has an AI that is smart enough for understanding natural language, but non-sentient?  Would the ship's computer from the Defiant be a reasonable example, or am I off the mark for what you have in mind?




I go into as much depth as possible on these mental techniques, with the goal of acquiring a working knowledge of how to use them.

If time permits me to acquire sufficient information on the topic now, then I will see whether or not I can make use of them, starting with telepathy and telekinesis first.  I figure that even if I only dreamed about them, the dream experience itself may make it easier for me to learn these skills than others...

OOC: Details of these techniques?  And what psionic abilities have relevant information available for guiding someone who is a Talent on how to learn and use them?

Its not quite as good as two skilled human conversationalists, but close.  They talk about something called Bronsky's Dilemna, and the ratio of indeterminacy, and these seem to be some sort of hard and fast limits on just how good the computer can get on this topic.

Looking at the information presented, you realize that to understand truly what they are talking about would be the equivalent of a graduate level course in computer sciences.  This of course, interests you....but its not something you're going to quickly pick up.

Its a general history you're reading, so specific details are not plentiful.  However, the general theory is that the human brain is a quantum device which is able to cause macroscale quantum events (aka many, many microscale quantum events in unison.)  Visualization seems to be the 'upper-level programming code' for the 'machine language quantum collapses'.

The locals seem to have Telepathy, Telekinesis, and Clairvoyance.  All of these seem to be limited in range.

There is also discussion of "partial trance states" and "self-hypnosis" and "epsilon waves" in the brain.

Hmmm...  With this taste of technology info, I grow curious, and do some checking to see what types of interesting tech inventions they have come up with... particularly those which I might have any chance of acquiring and eventually versing out with, if and when the LORD calls me elsewhere.

As I do so, I realize that my current existence now boils down to three goals:

(*) Serve the LORD wherever He has currently planted me
(*) Seek how to better equip myself (knowledge, abilities, skills, possessions, etc.) to serve the LORD wherever He sends me next
(*) Seek how to return home to my wife and children...

And after checking for interesting technology useful to me in general, I reflect upon the fact that teleportation has been discovered here, and that the Ring of Fire "feels" in some sense like other versers do.  Does that mean that I could learn how to teleport myself?  I look for information that might give me some clues in this area...



Hmmm.  Visualization.  That sounds a bit like Q: "In the Dreamworld its easy.  You have to envision..."

If I knew how to do Telepathy and Telekinesis by envisioning... and if visualization is how these abilities work here... then it must be possible, if I keep trying...

But there were mishaps when I tried to use these abilities in the Dreamworld.  I could burn my brain.  I could turn myself into a human rocket.  Care needs to be taken.  Slowly.  Carefully.  Persistently.

I pray, then focus my thoughts, and find something relatively harmless, like a piece of tissue paper.  And I envision moving it via telekinesis...

You work at it, again and again, and a couple times you think you felt a faint stirring in your mind, but then nothing.

You hear a knock on your door.

"Lunch.  If you want it." A careless voice calls out, and then feet pad away, the noise rapidly fading.

You look up.  Its been two hours since you started envisioning.  You're surprised.

PT

I blink as the call to lunch comes, and blink again with surprise as I look at the time.

Rising quickly, I open the door and look to get a glimpse of the messenger, and which part of the ship he or she is moving toward.

If lunch has been left for me outside of my door, then I bring it back into my quarters, give thanks to the LORD for the food, and eat.

If not, then I follow the messenger to the lunch venue, and eat there (still to be roleplayed).

After lunch, I pray, focus my mind, and resume my efforts to learn telekinesis.

If and when I get too tired for further Talent activities, I resume my database reading...

OOC:
(*) What interesting/useful tech did I find out about?
(*) Since the Ring of Fire has that feeling of familiarity to it, what info did I get about teleportation that might give me insight on how to teleport myself?

The messenger is a tough looking lady with her hair cut short.

She turns back to you, and gives you a broad smile which doesn't disguise the readiness in her stance.

"Ah, preacher, welcome. I'm Maggie, or Lt. Col. retired Elizabeth Magnum, Imperial Marines.  I guess God really wanted a representative on board to send you from outside time adn space."

You read about matter affecting forceshields which can be used to protect space habitats and ships from solar radiation, and can also be used to create impact batons which is one of the preferred hand to hand combat weapons of the age.  It produces massive crushing damage.

Food decompressors allow the adding of water and air to restore food back to its original condition, or close enough to be edible.

It occurs to you as you pray that a more in-depth treatment of Talentry would be useful.  You go get one, and add it to the standalone.  Once there, you find yourself up to your eyebrows in studies, and in subjective descriptions.  One key thing you've been missing is the creation of the epsilon partial trance which allows for hyper-acute visualization.

The Ring of Fire is an artifact of the stutter warp drive.  Its the spearhead that opens the door to hyperspace, and creates a demi-stable envelope around the ship as it expands, and then it contracts at a slightly different location producing both queasiness (which you are getting used too) and the teleport.

You're not sure if this is how teleport would work for a human.

PT

I smile back warmly.

"Thank you kindly, Maggie.  I'm John, or Professor John Oakmaster.  I am honored to be here to serve you."

"The Captain has asked me to arrange some time for singing and Bible study, for anyone who might be interested.  And I was told that I should discuss scheduling with the XO.  Could you spare a moment to show me who and where the XO is?"



I look to see if there are any less lethal options (incapacitate instead of damage?), and if there are any type of forceshields for individuals rather than for ships.



Well, I am on a ship on warp drive in outer space, so I don't want to try anything too fancy yet.  Teleporting to outside of the ship wouldn't be much fun, nor would applying telekinesis to the wrong critical control just before a jump, nor would uncontrolled telepathy to an already guarded crew.

Care needs to be taken.  Slowly.  Carefully.  Persistently.

Hmmm... "partial trance states" and "self-hypnosis" and "epsilon waves" in the brain.  I haven't played around with hypnosis since high school, though I suppose it must be like riding a bicycle...

After reading and extracting whatever relevant information I can get my hands on, I resume my efforts with telekinesis.

I pray, and focus my thoughts, and then focus them deeper, instructing myself silently to listen to my voice, and shut out everything else.  And once I feel myself in a hypnotic state, I focus upon the piece of tissue paper, trying to move it...

And again...

OOC:
(*) Was lunch left outside my quarters for me, or am I supposed to go to a lunch venue to eat?
(*) Meeting with XO?
(*) Any other good survival tech (non-lethal offensive, defensive, water-from-air canteens, etc.)?  I'm particularly interested in stuff that keeps working indefinitely (self-powered, self-repairing, etc., rather than something always needing new batteries, new ammo, new refills, or etc.).
(*) Any telekinesis progress?

Maggie takes you up to the Bridge, and points out a woman with gray streaks in her pony-tailed hair.

"Susan Clark, our XO."

Then she leaves.

There are less lethal settings for impact batons.  The damage can range from utterly bone-shattering to one pound per square inch of force.  Most non-military IB's such as the ones on the ship are set at non-lethal unless a command officer 'unlocks' them.

Lunch was outside your door with a note saying this is a special dispensation until you get settled in.

You're deep in your trance state, and suddenly every detail jumps out at you.  And you can clearly 'see' the tissue move.  And at the same time, not move.  And then both images align themselves.  You drift up out of trance, but still maintaining a foothold in it, and see the tissue floating a foot in the air.  Your startlement has it drop back to the table.

They have a survival on primitive planet kit which is supposed to keep you alive for up to six months.

PT

I approach respectfully, trying not to do anything to disturb the bridge crew in their duties, and wait at a suitable distance away from her until it looks like I won't be interrupting her in the middle of anything important.  I give a gentle, friendly smile when recognized.

"Excuse me... are you the XO, Susan Clark?  I am the new arrival, John Oakmaster."

"The Captain has asked me to arrange some time for singing and Bible study, for anyone who might be interested.  And I was told that I should discuss scheduling with you."

"I'm afraid I'm still finding my way about.  What is the standard schedule here, and what do you think would be a suitable time for this activity?"



I blink as the tissue floats down to the table before my eyes.

:Wow.  I can do it!  Thank you, LORD...:

I practice several more times, reinforcing the knowledge and experience, and getting more comfortable and confident.

And again...

Then I start considering how to apply this knowledge to telepathy, yet in a way that will not endanger others or spook my uneasy crewmates.

And so it is that I start trying to apply the process to use telepathy to read my own mind.  If I can master such a thing, I could probably search into my own mind to recall different things that are fuzzy in my memory now... and I would have a safer level of expertise with which to expand upon in eventually trying to read other people...

Care needs to be taken.  Slowly.  Carefully.  Persistently.

I pray, and focus my thoughts, and then focus them deeper, instructing myself silently to listen to my voice, and shut out everything else.  And once I feel myself in a hypnotic state, I focus upon my own mind, trying to read it.

And again...

After a couple minutes, Susan turns to you, listens, and thinks.  She pulls up a schedule, and offers you a choice of several times.

"As you can see, our social calendar is a bit bare.  Its one of a deep-space commander's continuing headaches.  Keeping the crew from becoming bored."

You pick some times, and its entered into the shipnet.

===============================================================================

The Telepathy to Self works, and you find yourself able to ransack your memories.

PT
OOC: Interestingly, this was one of the psi skills my character thought useful to.

I give a friendly gentle nod.

"I understand...  What kind of hobbies or interests or activities do you all have?  If I knew everyone's preferences, perhaps I could try to organize other activities as well, if there was any interest..."



I spend several minutes in bittersweet rapture.

For I have not only been able to make a breakthrough in telekinesis, but now in telepathy as well.

The accomplishment is sweet.

And the memories are sweet as well.  To be able to delve into my memories at will. To recall with crystal clarity my wife and children.  To relive moments from throughout their lives, from newborn to college graduate.  How they have grown.  How they have changed.  And yet still the same.

And now... only the memory is left.  Now crystal clear.  But still only memories to hug and cherish.

I slowly return to the here-and-now, and absently wipe my cheek, gazing uncomprehendingly at the teardrop upon my fingers.

A breakthrough indeed.  And indeed... bittersweet.

---

Some further time to compose myself, and pray, and refocus, and practice my abilities.

And again...

And when I am ready for the next step... I practice my clairvoyance/clairaudience to locate Dr. Phyllis Hitchcock.

And when I locate her, and observe that it would be convenient for me to speak with her privately, I seek her out, and knock (or otherwise announce my arrival as appropriate).

"'Peace be unto you', Dr. Hitchcock.  May I please ask a favor of you?"

"I understand that Talents are not popular here... but that you are less negatively inclined toward them than many."

"I have been researching, and practicing in my quarters, and I have managed to make some breakthroughs, manifesting both telekinesis and self-telepathy."

"I would like to see whether or not I can progress to successfully manifest person-to-person telepathy."

"However, I am new here, and I know that I have not yet earned the trust of those aboard.  So I want to avoid making telepathic contact with anyone without leave."

"Would you be willing to allow me to try to make telepathic contact with you?"

"Please feel more than free to decline, without offense.  But if I could successfully develop this ability, it would be one more resource at the ship's disposal, if needed for the mission ahead..."

"Well, strategy games, card games, martial arts in the gym, and on a less elevated note, we occasionally take out the Deck Hand robots and use them to play soccer with in the hallway."  The XO grins.  "I'm the champion at that.  I have to offer people handicaps to get them to play me.  Its difficult because they're not made to move quickly, and the rule is, if you break something by slammng the botinto the wall, you have to fix it on your free time.  Oh, we had a play put on about four months ago about living in the Twentieth Century with lots of nuclear wars and gunfights.  It was fun."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------

You remember and you can see how it could help, and how it could be addictive, and also, you see how it could be a useful training tool.  You can perfectly remember the right way to do things now, and analyze your very best golf shot, and then redo it...with a lump in your throat you move on to other studies.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I think that Talents should be registered, but I also think its a good and useful thing, just like being a mathematical genius would be.  I favor equal treatment before the Emperor."

She pauses.

"I'm not certain.  Let me think about it."

PT

I grin back, visibly interested.

"Those all sound fun, actually.  I enjoy games.  Are there any more usual times and places that they take place, or is it more as-and-when?  And do you suppose that there would be room for a rank beginner?"

I consider.

"And even beyond fun... I've always wanted to learn some martial arts.  Does anyone serve as the teacher, or does everyone simply practice things they already know from elsewhere?  Would there be any way for a rank beginner to try to learn the ropes?"

I consider further, musing partially to myself.

"And you put on a play.  I wonder if there would be any interest in choir singing?  I spent a number of years as a church choir conductor..."



Addictive, indeed.  It is all too easy for me to escape into my own virtual reality, and procrastinate with whatever needs to be done in the real world.  How much more so when my family only exists in my virtual reality, and not in flesh and bone?

I will certainly have to guard against such addiction.  Some serious self discipline will be needed.

If only it were possible for me to use self-telepathy to help me stay more focused, rather than tempt me towards distraction...

I blink, doing a double-take.

Use self-telepathy to help me stay more focused?  Hmmmm....

And so it is that I start exploring how I can use self-telepathy to help keep my thoughts focused upon whatever thoughts or tasks are at hand...



"That is more than fair.  And when you decide, please let me know.  Don't be shy to tell me right away, even if the answer is no, for the sooner I know, the sooner I can seek other volunteers if need be."

I pause, considering her words.

"How would you describe most people's view of Talents, both in the culture overall, and among those aboard here?  And is there anything I can do to help put them more at ease?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:01, Fri 26 May 2006.

"Its more-as-and-when, as you say. Now, if you wanted to arrange something, I'm sure people would be interested.  And a choir would be fine, just remember, roughly eleven, no ten now, days from now, we're getting into a First Contact.  And I'm alto."  The XO says.

"We love rank beginners, with relish and chopped onions on top. For martial arts, you want to talk to the Intrusion Countermeasures Officer, Simon Queens-Higgins."

You look about inside your head, and then think to study one of the moments when you did have superlative concentration.  And suddenly, the world, its still there, you're aware of it, but at a distance.  You can examine your own thoughts with a pristine clarity.

For several minutes, you play with it, and then you decide to check if it works on something else.  And that breaks it.



 In the Groove 1@2 Raise PSI skill level by 1-20%, 15 seconds to 3 minutes.  Only lasts until you change focus.

==============================================================================

"Well there is some suspicion of them as being alien agents or enemies of aliens, unneccessarily provocative that is.  And worries about esper conspiracies to take over the government.  The Tinfoil Hat Brigade people, the same ones that believed Jews, or the Illuminati, or Oil Company Execs ran the world, now focus most of their hate on Espers.  However, the Empire is less congenial a place for such people than your time.  Here we have limits on free speech such as the Three Lies Rule.  If it is proven in court three times that you deliberately or with negligence lied, then you lose your right to speak before large groups of people, or buy advertisements, or publish books."

PT

I take in the information on the time frame to First Contact with interest, and smile at the news that she is an alto.

That turns into a somewhat rueful good-natured grin as I visibly resign myself to being a tasty appetizer to those more experienced at their games...

And then my expression turns thoughtful as she concludes with news of martial arts.

"Does he have scheduled group and/or individual instruction times, or is that as-and-when as well?"

"And perhaps I should seek your advice.  For I know that he is not comfortable with my unexpected arrival here, and has reservations about trusting me.  Considering that you all have just met me and that I came uninvited, making incredible claims, in the midst of a mission of critical importance, I can hardly blame him."

"Do you have any suggestions as to how I can help him feel more at ease?  Should I even ask him about martial arts, and if so, how do you think I should approach him?"



I slowly return to the here-and-now, and give thanks to the LORD for helping me.

Then I start to slowly increase the difficulty of what I am trying to accomplish, practicing and gaining expertise and confidence and experience.

Using telekinesis to shoot a wadded up tissue rapidly across the room, or to gently place one coin on top of another, or to use it to move a piece of tissue with my eyes closed, via clairvoyance/clairaudience.

Using precognition to see if I can get any more glimpses of the future, and to examine my current perception of the danger level.

Exploring what else can be accomplished using self-telepathy...



I take in this information thoughtfully.

"How about aboard this ship?  How do you think the folks here feel about Talents?  And is there anything I can do to help put them at ease?"

"You mentioned something about needing to register Talents?  Should I be officially informing anyone as to my progress in acquiring additional abilities?"

She takes you aside, and speaks quietly.

"Professor, it is up to him when he is able, and yes, he is suspicious of you, but this might help him with that.  I suspect myself that he would be glad to have you as a student...if only to keep an eye on you.  I would just walk up to him and ask him."

You get the feeling she's not telling you something.

You practise.  One time it goes out of control, but a tissue paper bouncing crazyily around the room for ten minutes like a robot ping pong ball does little damage.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

"The navy does not let those inclined to irrational behavior into its service.  I think most will be polite, but with private reservations.  To put them at ease? Be honest, straightforward, etc..  The Registry Board for Talents is back on the planet Greenwood.  When you get back there, thats the time to do that."

PT

I nod thoughtfully.

"Thank you for your time, and for your advice, and for your kindness.  I appreciate it."

"One last question -- where and when are folks supposed to gather together to eat?  Someone was kind enough to bring a meal to me just now, but I think I should get clued in on what the usual method is..."



I take in my experiences of both success and failure with interest, and give thanks to the LORD that my failure was harmless.

Indeed, care does need to be taken.  Slowly.  Carefully.  Persistently.



OOC: insert my visit to her here... :)



I nod thoughtfully.

"Thank you for your time, and for your advice, and your kind consideration of my person-to-person telepathy request.  Again, please don't hestitate to let me know when you have decided, even if you wish to decline.  I appreciate you even considering it."

I take my leave of her, returning to my quarters.

I spend some minutes reflecting upon all that has happened.

Then I put aside some time for reading the Bible, and praying.

And, newly strengthened, I send out my awareness to seek the current location of Simon Queens-Higgins.

And when it does not look like I will be interrupting him from anything important, I seek him out, knocking if appropriate.

"I'm sorry to disturb you, but I have heard that shipboard activities include martial arts, and that you are the person to talk to."

"I could certainly use some constructive exercise, and I have an interest in learning martial arts.  Would you be willing to give any instruction to a rank beginner, at whatever time or times are convenient for you?"

"In the break room, every four hours, a meal is served." The XO tells you.

Later you check on Simon Queen-Higgins.  At first you don't find him, and as you search, your mind bounces painfully off the area near one room.  And then a few minutes later, you see him walking near that room.

He seems to be just strolling around, so you go visit him.

He nods at your request.

"Now is convenient with me.  Perhaps every other day, and the day in between you can practise strength and endurance training."

He still doesn't seem friendly, but he takes you to the gym, and shows you the gi's, and gets you started on something.

"This is the Basic Self-Defense Course taught to all recruits in the Imperial Forces.  It focuses on evasion, joint locks, and weapons drawing, with crippling or damaging blows the last.  This is for three reasons: 1)Your enemy likely has a weapon more damaging than a fist. Trust me on this. You do not want to be hit by an impact baton on full charge.  2)Joint locks are useful in zero gravity.  Punches and kicks are terrible attacks in zero g, and should be avoided by the beginning recruit. 3)If you can evade, and then back up and draw your own weapon, you can greatly improve the odds of your surviving the encounter."

With that in mind, he begins to teach you with and without a stun baton.

PT

I thank her warmly, take my leave, and return to my quarters to eat my delivered lunch...

OOC: insert post-lunch psi practicing, discussion with Phyllis Hitchcock, etc., here...  :)



I do a double-take, considering.  When I first arrived aboard ship and explored the entire ship via clairvoyance/clairaudience, I certainly didn't experience anything like that...

I telepathically contact my own mind, sifting through my own memories of the first time I explored that area of the ship, examining with crystal clarity the area where clairvoyant access is now denied me...



"Thank you.  I appreciate it."

I listen attentively and respectfully, doing my best to absorb and follow his instructions, both for the martial arts and for the strength and endurance training.

At the end of the instruction, I wearily wipe the sweat from my eyes.

"That was a workout.  Thank you."

"What do you think so far?  Is there any hope that someone of my age and sedentary background can successfully acquire such skills?"

After we finish conversing, I return to my quarters to shower and change.

I practice my psi skills more before dinner, including using precognition to try to discern the current level of danger, and to try to get any further glimpses into the future...

I continue my readings, learning more about the current prominent religious viewpoints, particularly the ones that Phyllis Hitchcock told me were represented aboard ship.

And when it is time for the next meal, I make my way to the break room to eat and to meet with the others.  As good a time as any to start getting to know the folks aboard ship with me...

OOC:
(*) What do my memories tell me is in the part of the ship now inaccessible via clairvoyance?
(*) "Shows you the gi's"?  What are "gi's"?
(*) Does the ship currently have artificial gravity, or are we in zero-g?
(*) What do I get from my precognition attempts?
(*) What are the details and doctrines of the various religious views, particularly those represented aboard ship?

You examine your memory.  It was definitely SQ-H's private quarters and office.  There is a desk with pictures of him with people who look famous.

There are some plastic sheets on the desk with people's names on them...ship people.

A wall of awards for meritorious service and the pictures, although a number of the awards are conspicuosly vague on what service was entailed.  Another wall full of ancient oriental weapons.  A third wall is a note board.  The forth wall is a map of Human Space with some very odd symbols on it.

Its a grim place.

And there is a small plaque on the desk.

"Intrusion Countermeasures Service. Where Paranoia is a Virtue, and Fear is a Grace."

=============================================

later at the gym, he smiles faintly for the first time.

"Dedication can make up for many flaws."

You strip out of your karate uniform, the white robe that are your gi's, and place them in a robolaundry, and then  absorb the low level abuse of a sonic shower as you stand in the one g gravity field of the ship.

=====================================================

You get more of the same from your pre-cog efforts.  You sense if you want more, you're going to have to push yourself harder.

===================================================

At the meal, one man challenges you as to the notion whether love is the supreme virtue.  He smiles, and you recognize him as one of the first men you saw when you arrived.  To his right is Maggie, who is hanging on his words.

His name is Jonathon Quincy.  He's a graduate student in Xenology, and thus Dr. Hitchcocks' second.

====================================================

00C: Doctrines and belief structures of the various religions on board the ship?  You hate me, don't you?  :)

That is, a lot of work.  I can give you a quick overview, but its likely to take a couple days real time, and in game time for me to type the outline, and for your character to read and study several hundred thousand words.

PT



PT

I take a breath, stand up and stretch.  Then I pray, and focus, and focus more deeply, until I successfully use my ability to boost my focus "in the groove".

Then I apply my boosted focused efforts toward precognition, seeking to understand more of the source and nature of the danger I sense, and any glimpses into the future that may help give me insight...

And (if necessary) again...



I give an interested, genuine smile back to him.

"That is a very interesting question."

"In fact, someone once asked Jesus Christ a very similar question -- 'Which is the first commandment of all?'"

"'And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord:'
'And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.'
'And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.'"

"But I think that there is more to this than meets the eye, for 'love' is a funny word in English.  One person may say that they 'love' God, another that they 'love' their spouse, another that they 'love' ice cream, another that they 'love' money, and yet another that they 'love' to get even."

"So let me ask you -- what do you think Jesus meant when he spoke of ‘love’?"



OOC:  Who me?  Hate PT?  May it never be!!!  ;)

Love is the supreme virtue, after all...  I'm just a faithful playtester, helping make sure you've covered all the bases in your existing writeup...  :)

I really only need the quick overview ultra-condensed executive summary -- just enough to give me something to work with.  That is, as long as you don't mind me creatively filling in whatever gaps you leave me with.

ROFL!... :D

BTW, any additional precognition info???

You fling yourself into the future, over and over again, but somehow, you're doing something wrong.  Frustrated, you give up after an hour of work at the effort, and consider what you accomplished so far.

Jonathon smiles back at you as he places an arm around Maggie who is sitting next to him.

"Benevolence, kindness, caring for others needs."

-----------------------------------------------------------

PT
ooc: I'll get you some more on the question you asked, in a while.

"Those, certainly... but what do these things truly mean?"

"For Jesus Christ also says, 'If ye love me, keep my commandments.'"

"So to truly love, or exhibit true benevolence or kindness or caring, these things must be done in a manner that pleases the LORD, and keeps His commandments."

"Thus, for example, the loving bond between a husband and wife is good in the sight of the LORD, for it obeys His commandments.  However, that very same behavior in other contexts, such as adultery or fornication or homosexuality or incest, is evil in the sight of the LORD, for it disobeys His commandments."

"Or for another example, some might be surprised when they read about Jesus condemning the Pharisees, or casting out those who bought and sold in the temple.  After all, these don't seem very 'benevolent' or 'kind' at first glance, do they?"

"Ah, but when we consider that the first commandment is to 'love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength', then priorities become clear.  We must love His will rather than our own, and we show that by keeping His commandments."

"And to be truly loving to our neighbor, we must not silently watch as they through disobedience condemn themselves to everlasting fire.  Rather, we must give them warning, that they might turn away from sin, and choose everlasting life."
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:58, Mon 29 May 2006.

He turns red in the face, and gets up, and stomps out of the room.

Maggie keeps her face straight until he leaves, and then rocks forward on the table laughing.  Once she recovers, she sits up, and grins at you.

"Ah, pastor, you torched him.  Quincy is cute, and he knows it. He goes around looking for buttons to push. So he makes the rounds, making 'special friends'.  His wife doesn't know, poor thing.  Not that I agree with you, since I have the ethics of a Fleet Cyborg Marine, which is to say, I play whereever and whenever I want to, but expect the same from everyone else. Completely open about things. Quince, he expects to play, but wifey is supposed to stay loyal to him.  If he wasn't so cute, I wouldn't even speak to him, but there I am.  Its a sad thing, but the proportion of pretty to weasel is largely invariant and matched."

PT

I give a rueful smile back to Maggie, though my eyes are a bit sad.

"Well, I suppose that it is better to be a bit singed now than to burn later.  But I hope that he will be able, at least in time, to see that as an act of love, rather than feeling like I was just making sport of him.  Perhaps I should check on him later..."

"But when it comes to being completely open about things, he did ask me, after all..."

I sigh, then smile gently.

"Well Maggie, as you can see, I am still finding my way around here.  What things are near the top of the list of Things I Need To Know?"

"And would you like to tell me a bit about yourself, and your shipmates?  What kinds of hobbies or interests do you have?  I might try to put together a few activities, such as a choir perhaps, if there is any interest..."

She smiles gently.

"You don't understand.  He wants you to approve of him, to help him in chasing girls. He got angry that you didn't consent to be used.  Like  I said, he's a weasel.  I don't agree with all your standards, but I don't expect you to change them to suit me.  He expects you to make a special exception for him because he's so doggone charming."

She smiles again.  "I like you.  Kind all the way to the bone.  Like my uncle Stephen on Earth. And when some thugs bothered his store, I went and had a 'talk' with them, just me and my plasma rifle.  After that, they became well-behaved citizens.  And thats at the top of your list to know. We're still people up here in the 26th century.  Wolves, weasels, kindly teachers, and old retired sheep dogs."

You and her continue to eat.

She mentions martial arts for several people.  One guy called "Lobo", and Simon, and some others.

"You'd like Lobo.  He's a real nice guy and a Marine even if he's not interested in becoming a cyborg."

PT




Later you study on the religions on the ship, and recall a comment...

"We have the High Church which I am, and four others, I think, Reformed Roman, an Agnostic, a Baptist, no two of them, a Church of the Enlightened Ones, a Friend of the Star Gods which is really Talent friendly, and the rest I don't know.  People talk about their views openly, but if you get mad in public thats major bad manners.  Most of the Aristocracy is High Church."

High Church--A formal, doctrine-heavy, scholarly group. Sometimes called the "First Church of the Glacier".  They accept the Nicean Creed, and sola scriptura.  They accept drinking moderately, and gambling moderately.  This tends to be the church the Emperor's go to.

They use the Textual Clarity Study Group of 2217 translation of the Bible.

Reformed Roman--a split-away group from the Roman Catholic Church.  The American Church left Rome, and Rome made reforms to get them back.  This succeeded, but it angered more conservative members who wanted different reforms made.  The AC has languished in Rome's grasp ever since, but the Reformed has gained considerable strength.

They hold to most RCC doctrine, except for Papal Infallibility.

Agnostic--Don't know for sure.

Baptist--The Bible as final authority for faith and practise.  Salvation as a free gift undeserved by the receiver.  There are hundreds of different Baptist groups.

Church of the Enlightened Ones--A gnostic group which cloaks their real teachings in mystery since if you don't know what they are already, you're obviously not enlightened.  Not very popular, and there have been occasional considerations of putting them on the Proscribed Religions List.

Friends of the Star Gods--a new religion, founded by the Speaker of Light in 2324.  Talent is the gift of the Star Gods, and a step toward becoming an Angel.  Stars are gods. The Hydrogen People are Angels.  The Travid are Demons.

Low doctrine, high mysticism, very talent friendly, more popular among the lower classes.

They do require the Talent who joins to sign the Oath of Honor.  This swears teh Talent to always behave honorably.  And promises dire punishment if they don't.  They have a two path approach to Talents...1)Great Respect 2)Great Hatred if you transgress against the Oath.

PT

I sigh.

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint him then, at least in that respect."

I smile back at her.

"Thanks, Maggie.  I'm the new kid on the block, and a long way from home, so I certainly appreciate friendly faces."

"Yes, people are still people, with all those types you mentioned.  But these days, there are also Talents, which is strange.  And I have ended up becoming one myself, which is stranger still.  And it seems that Talents aren't universally popular."

"How do you feel about Talents, Maggie?  And how do you think the other folks aboard feel?  And what, if anything, do you think I can do to help?"

"Disapointment is good for people. It builds character."

She laughs.

"Well, I don't understand, I mean lots of your documentaries and such had people with Talents in them."

She starts to list off a number of shows.  Some you've heard of, some not.

"I'm an Imperial Marine, a Cyborg, retired, and my bionics turned off, but I understand how people fear someone who can do what they can't.  I say you're lucky because they can't take it away from you.  Some of the others here, won't like it.  Marines are taught to be pragmatic, whatever works is good. Failure is bad.  I'm okay with it, but if I catch you messing about in my brain, well..."

She smiles, and you feel the hairs on the back of your neck rise up.  In that second, you've no doubt you're speaking to a professional killer.

"I think you let people know they can't mess with you. Sure you be kind, but a lot of people have some weasel in them.  They will pick on whomever they think they can get away with."

PT

I nod understandingly.

"Of course -- that is a natural enough reaction to the prospect of unauthorized telepathic manipulation."

"But let me ask you...  Just suppose that I thought of a number between one and a hundred, and then asked your permission in advance to try to tell you, telepathically, which number I chose.  Or suppose that you thought of a number between one and a hundred, and then I asked your permission in advance to try to read from you, telepathically, which number you chose."

"How would you feel about that, or the others aboard?  Would you feel like that is a harmless game, and be inclined to give permission?  Or would you feel more like 'over my dead body... or even better, yours!'?"

"The reason I ask is because I've been trying to learn and practice other Talents, like moving tissue paper in my room by telekinesis.  I figure that the more abilities I can develop, the more options we’ll have, and the more potentially useful I could be to the mission should the need arise.  But because telepathy involves other people, I can't try, because I don't want to involve anyone else without permission."

"So what do you think?  Should I try to learn telepathy, so that we can have such a resource at our disposal if needed?  And do you think that anyone would ever be willing to let me make the attempt?  Or will everyone's gut feeling be more like 'no way –- don’t you ever get near my brain, under any circumstances'?"

She looks thoughtful, and then shrugs acceptingly.

"You're right.  And its not like I've got current data of classified importance in my brain. So where and when?"

PT

I blink, and give a gentle yet genuine smile, pleasantly surprised.  I had carefully kept my query more general, but she immediately applies it to herself, and volunteers.

"Where do you think would be best, both for your own comfort level, and that of the crew?  I am fine here, or in either of our quarters, or anywhere else that you think would be best."

"And if it would be convenient for you... how about now?"

Assuming that she agrees to proceed, we move to the venue of her choice (if necessary), and get settled.

"OK, please think of a number between one and one hundred, and concentrate on it.  I'll need a few moments to focus my thoughts.  Then I'll see if I am able to sense what number you are thinking of..."

I pray, and focus my thoughts, and then focus more deeply.  And I reach out with my mind, attempting to read her's...
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:47, Sat 03 June 2006.

You go to the gymnasium which is unoccupied after a meal, and both of you sit facing each other on adjoining weight benches.  The benches are not so much holders of weights as collection points of bungee type cords to give resistance to the exerciser.

The room echoes oddly, and for a second you think you smell a sharp acrid scent.  But its gone.

Carefully, you shift your mind into the appropriate state, and nothing.  Stilling your mind with a prayer, you try again.

This time, a strong connection is forged.

"Four".  You say with pleased smile, and then rattle off for the next thirty seconds another succession of numbers.

*Congrats. You know this is weird. I don't even feel you in my mind, but you're obviously reading it*

PT

As we walk from the main corridor to the exercise room, my eyes fall upon the rug which goes from the corridor, under the door, and into the exercise room.  The same rug that I saw in my precog vision.  What significance would it hold in the future?

Thus, I am more aware of things that seem strange, like the scent.  It may have disappeared, but I thought I smelled it.  Thank the LORD for the clarity of perception he has recently blessed me with, and the clarity of recall.  There may not be an opportunity to further investigate that odor now, but I know that I can search my memories later for further clues.

Nonetheless, these thoughts leave me in an initially distracted state...



I nod, smiling with quiet enthusiasm.

I gently ask to see if she is willing to allow me to try to further test my skills, but take care to be sensitive and not push if at any point she isn't inclined:

"Thank you.  I couldn't have done it without you."

"Shall we try something more complex?  Would you like to think of some random person that isn't aboard the ship, and see if I can perceive what they look like?..."

If she agrees, we proceed.  After attempting this...

"Do you speak any languages besides English?  If so, would you like to try thinking or saying something in that language, and see if I can tap into your language center to translate?..."

If she agrees, we proceed.  After attempting this...

"How about empathy?  Do you want to try feeling some type of emotion, and see if I can figure out what you are feeling?..."

If she agrees, we proceed.  After attempting this...

"So far I have been reading your mind.  Shall I try to send my thoughts to you, so you know what number I am thinking of?..."

If she agrees, we proceed, with numbers, and faces, and emotions.  After attempting these...

"Reading is one thing, and sending is another...  Shall we try to have a telepathic conversation, both reading and sending at the same time?"

If she agrees, we proceed...

You get a clear image of a man with a shaved head yelling at her.

"Git yup, ya' lazy slug. Its only thirty degrees below freezing, and I need someone, which means you, congrats you've just been promoted to a person, someone to entertain me by doing two hundred push-ups. Right now! Unless you want me to be bored, and you know what happens then."

The image of her Marine drill instructor fades, as does the Artic training base.

=======================================================================

A phrase in what seems to be Spanish runs through your mind.  And then you just 'know' what it means.

==========================================================================

She doesn't want to try empathy.

============================================================================

Your first attempt at projecting or hers at receiving fails.  On your second try, she crinkles up her face.

"Maybe I heard something."

You try again.  She shakes her head.


PT

I silently give thanks to the LORD as each new milestone is reached.

And I smile, amazed, shaking my head.

"Well, we have already come a long way.  But let me try sending to you again.  I may be able to if I focus a bit more first..."

I take a deep breath, then pray, then focus, then focus more deeply, getting "In the Groove".  Then I attempt to project my thoughts to her once more.

And again...

The focus evades you, and you sigh.  Feeling tired in a way that seems related to coming up with test questions, and other hard mental labor you realize that things are getting harder to do.

Its like you've ran a mile, and now have to run another.

PT

I sigh, and look at Maggie with a rueful smile.

"I think that there is hope for future improvement, especially after you almost heard something that one time.  But I can tell that I'm getting too tired mentally to keep up the effort now, and that I won't make any more progress without some rest."

"If you still feel like trying sometime later, perhaps we could try again?"

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help.  Already I've come a long way, and I couldn't have done it without you."

I rub my hands over my face, and stretch.

"I don't know why the LORD has brought me here, but I know He has a use for me being here.  So I want to be able to be useful to you all, and to the mission."

"I may not be a Marine, or a Cyborg, or have the training for the technology of this day and age to offer."

"And for all I know, Talents may not be needed at all for the mission's success."

"But I can see how they could be useful... so trying to prepare myself to be as potentially useful as possible makes me feel a lot better."

I regard her thoughtfully.

"You talked about being a Cyborg.  What is that like?  What kinds of bionics are there, and what kinds do you have?  And why would they turn them off when you are on a mission of such importance?"

"There's a proverb in my culture. Actually, we have a lot of proverbs.  It goes like this: An Alien is an Alien.  In point of fact, we need you.  We need different approaches and viewpoints because one of them might get lucky.  You know, or you don't, but we've met the Hydrogen People for over fifty years. We still don't have a clue.  Fact is, some people think that we haven't met them at all, but only some sort of solar system janitorial robots of theirs."

She stands up.

"A bit faster, every shot more accurate--almost perfect really.  Run faster, farther.  In my Testing Week, I ran a hundred miles in one day.  I can or could leap flat-footed to the roof of a two-story structure with a flat roof.  Bend steel bars in my bare hands.  Kill a man with a single punch.  Mostly it was wonderful, great, marvelous.  Problem is, I'm a Retired Cyborg.  The Emperor doesn't want his Cyborgs running around, flipping over police hovercars, and opening safes with crowbars.  So, they turn off the cyberwear.  Now, I'm just mortal, and on top of that, I've got an extra thirty pounds of metal in my body weighing me down, and shortening my lifespan.  I was retired before the mission.  And no one has the Marine Key to turn me back on."

She looks bitter.

PT

"I'm sorry."

I regard her gently, sympathetically... and thoughtfully.

"I suppose that makes some sense, but why wouldn't they reactive it for a mission like this?  And why wouldn't they make sure to include a Talent aboard, to try to help communicate with the aliens?"

I consider quietly.

"Could that be... because of what happened with the Telepath and the Travid?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 20:25, Wed 07 June 2006.

"Oh. Well, I retired to planet Greenwood, out on the back end of pretty close to nowhere that is still serviced by regular transports.  They don't have a Marine Key on the planet.  I'm not even sure if the Sector Capital has a MK."

She pauses.

"I can see your point.  I think they would have taken a Talent if the Talent had a useful skill, but they would not have counted Talentry as a negative or a positive in the application forms.  As to the Travid's, I'm sure some people are worried about that.  But..."

She shrugs.  "I don't think its policy, or if it is, its way over my current security rating."

PT

I ponder.

"Hmmm.  Then again, Phyllis Hitchcock did say that she ended up aboard in charge of the science team because she was the only xenodoc in the area.  Maybe there weren't any Talents available?  How much time did the Empire have to assemble this mission?  Did it have to be done in haste?"

I ponder a bit more.

"If you were me, what would you do to try to make yourself more useful as we prepare for First Contact?"

"It was a rush mission, and we on Planet Greenwood were the closest.  And Greenwood isn't exactly a metropolitan center of the Empire.  The population is only a billion."

She leans back, and squints thoughtfully.

"I'd say continue with what you're doing."

PT

I nod thoughtfully, and smile.

"One thing I'd like to do is get to know more of the crew.  What are they like?  What kinds of hobbies and interests do you all have?  Do you all ever get together and hang out when you aren't on duty or eating?"

---

After the conversation with Maggie, I return to my quarters to do some further reading and practicing.

With the ability to retain and recall knowledge in detail, I start acquiring interesting information with an eye towards potential usefulness in other worlds -- useful inventions and how to make them, interesting knowledge and discoveries, sacred music (especially arrangements of Scripture text), etc.

And when I feel less psionicly fatigued, I practice and carefully attempt to expand my psionic skills:

I practice self-telepathy, and examine my memory of the strange odor I momentarily detected in the exercise room earlier.

I attempt to suggest to myself that one of the walls in my quarters is green, and perceive it as such.

If there are any animals (pets) aboard, I attempt to see if I can read their minds, and also their emotions.

I attempt to detect the presence of life forms aboard the ship, not by clairvoyance, but by directly sensing the presence of life, and where it is.

I attempt to detect the presence (not the actual thought) of other thinking entities aboard the ship, and where they are.

I examine what the tissue is made out of, and attempt to detect where else on the ship that material exists.

I attempt to gently move a heavier object by telekinesis, but one that won't cause noise or damage if I lose control.

I attempt to gently move a tissue paper that I cannot see directly, obscured from my direct line of sight.

I attempt to once again move a wadded up piece of tissue paper at high velocity by telekinesis.

I attempt to move a set of keys by telekinesis, both the entire object, and individual keys and the overall object at the same time.

I attempt to move two pieces of tissue paper at the same time by telekinesis.

:Care needs to be taken.  Slowly.  Carefully.  Persistently...:

This takes you the rest of the day, and you go to sleep on your fourth day here. (You spent most of one day reading up on religion).

Maggie smiles.

"You'll have to ask them."

=============================================================================

Your study takes several hours, and you've added some interesting inventions, and about twenty songs to your memory.  They have a large amount of Scripturally based songs.

You examine your memory of the smell, and try to pin it down.  It seems like nothing you've smelled before, and you keep searching...and then you realize you smell it.  Its in the room.  Its in the corridor.  Your hands smell of it.  Even the cup of milk you were drinking smells of it.  In fact, the milk doesn't smell like milk at all.

Its gross. (OOC: Minor botch--for the next several days, you're going to be smelling that bitter, acrid odor everywhere.)

A bit worried you decide to provoke a hallucination of colors to match the probably hallucination of smells you've inflicted on yourself.  It doesn't work despite several efforts.

You wander down to the kennel where hamsters, a common garter snake, and the XO's drin reside when they are not being played with.  The drin looks like claws, teeth, and fur, and five pounds of hissing ferocity.

Who do you attempt first?

The life sensing overwhelms you.  There's not just humans on board, but the pets, and rats, and cockroaches, and earthworms (in the hydroponics area)  But after getting used to the sudden pressure on your mind, you start to appreciate the skill.

You advance the life-sensing by differentiating out the lesser life forms with simple CNS which brings your lifesensing up from 1@3 to 1@4. (OOC: I'd rather make it one skill, but we can flip it back if you like.)

On examining the tissue...you struggle to succeed, and finally get it.  And then exhaustion kicks in, and you find yourself asleep at the desk when you wake up the next morning.

After breakfast, you continue on day five.  You succeeded in getting a feeling for the material (Are you trying to go down to atomic levels, or what?), and you cast out your mind with clairvoyant like effects feeling for more like it...its like a clair-tactile experience.  You find your box of tissue paper.  And old tissue behind a wall, and you sweep further out.  After you tag something in the hall, and hear a screech, you stop.

And you do what about that?

You then turn to heavy telekinesis.  The heaviest, and softest thing you can find in your cabin would be a flexible bucket full of water with the top firmly put on it.  You lift the five gallon mass up and down several times.

It seems to strain you, and you find yourself shaking like a leaf at the end.

An hour for Bible study seems in order.

After which, you're back to work.

Another thirty minutes of labor, and you have joined your clairvoyance to the tissue paper.  And the tissue is describing aerial flight patterns behind your head.

You shoot the tissue paper across the room at high-speed then.

You move the keys, but fail to get them to move individually.

The two pieces of tissue paper move, but in concord.  When you try to move them separately, they drift to the ground.

And its now lunchtime on your fifth day.

PT
OOC: Sad days here at PT Manor. A ton of rolls, and only one botch, and on a skill not likely to be that painful. Weep, sob.

I attempt to read the thoughts and emotions of the friendliest looking hamster...



OOC: I'm confused -- aren't both Detect Life and Detect Thought 3@1 skills?  Or are you granting the same effects based on Telepathy rather than Clairsentience/Detections?  Or is it that my own skill level is 1@4 for a 3@1 psi skill?

This rulebook is pretty thick (just like my wits ;), so I haven't quite made sense out of how all that works yet... :p  But combining them both into one skill that I have a bit higher skill level in is fine by me... :)



I rise, stretching the kinks out of my back, and give thanks to the LORD for the progress made thus far.

After a sonic shower, I head for breakfast, looking forward to another opportunity to get to know the people aboard...



OOC: I dunno -- does Detect Materials go down to atomic levels?  I would like that, if possible.

I may or may not be able to pull it off before the effects of my minor botch wear off, but ultimately it would be neat to be able to analyze my memory of the strange odor, isolate the material creating the odor, and try to detect that elsewhere aboard the ship...  :)



Startled, I look up, and quickly pop my head out of my quarters, looking toward where the screech came from...



I get up, stretch, and head for lunch, looking forward to another opportunity to get to know the people aboard...



OOC: Well, you can't say I didn't get a bit more than my fair share of botches in Haston (the demon, plus possibly the lethal hugs) and in the Dreamworld (telekinetic human rocket into space, plus telepathic brain burn -- and these weren't even using *real* telekinesis or telepathy!)... :p

Besides, we haven't even arrived yet -- once the ship drops out of warp, I may start experiments with teleporting, and I'm sure that you can gleefully figure out all kinds of nice botches for that... :o

Even after lunch, I'll probably be trying out some more new skills (more telekinetic tricks, healing myself, retrocognition, and the ever-popular Haston singing magic), so you'll have lots more chances to have your way with me, never fear... ;)

So the pending stuff includes roleplaying:
(*) Reading thoughts and emotions of the hamster
(*) Conversations while eating day five breakfast
(*) Checking out the screech
(*) Conversations while eating day five lunch

Out-of-sync multithreaded threads are so much fun... :p

Hamster is thinking *He looks strange. Pick me up. I'm bored. Where's the food. Come on now, what's taking you so long? Move, move, move!*
Its a torrent of thought, not really words, but impressions, and at high volume and speed.

OOC: I merged both the Detects into one with a Detect Life, and Detect Complex Sentient Life.  You can have them separate as life and thoughts at 1@3 and 1@2 or together as 1@4 for your skill level.

Outside in the hallway you see someone holding a tissue paper they had been using.  They're shaking it like they are looking for a spider in it.

This is the source of the screech.

Yes, Detect Mat goes down to Atomic Levels, but you realize you're going to have to learn how to crank down the perception to that level first.  Or you can try to make the direct jump to that--heh, heh.

During breakfast the crew is discussing work loads for the day, and the XO announces your upcoming teaching and the choir to spontaneous if short cheers.  About five of the crew come by to quickly shake your hand before heading to work.

During lunch you hear a conversation about zero-g two ball with lots of jargon you don't grasp, and four or is it five different teams being supported.

PT

I smile, silently give thanks to the LORD, and softly murmur to the hamster.

"Would you like me to pet you?"

I observe the hamster's thoughts as I speak to it (which I assume will be simply reacting to the sound, rather than understanding the words).

I attempt to observe not only the creature's thoughts, but also its emotions.

Then I attempt to project the following thought back to the hamster:

::Would you like me to pet you?...::

I observe the hamster's thoughts.  If my Project Thought is successful, I then attempt to establish two-way communications...

-=-

OOC: Do I also get the emotions, or just the thoughts?  Are you doing Read Minds and Empathy as two different skills, or one?

I'm quite happy to have both Detects as one combined skill at a higher level... :)

I'm still confused about the difference between my own skill level (1@4) and the skill's skill level (3@1)...  :p

Hooray!  I haven't swapped bodies with the Hamster!  :D

At least, not yet...  :o



OOC: Does the person see me?  Who is it?



Upon realizing this, I focus, and focus more deeply, and look at a tissue, trying to examine it more closely, and perceive the underlying structure...

OOC: Heightened Sensation, attempting microscopic perception, then chemical analysis...




I smile, and thank them for their kind encouragement...

-=-

OOC: Who is at breakfast?  Who shakes my hand?

BTW, what day of the week is it now?  When is the teaching/choir scheduled for?  Can we say that it is scheduled for Sunday, and have it be the case that my original arrival was on an earlier weekday, so that the first teaching/choir session will be the first Sunday after my arrival?  I checked the schedule with the XO earlier, so I would have known when Sunday was and would have chosen it, but we didn't actually specify those details when we talked about it earlier.  I wouldn't want to miss a Sunday...  :)




OOC: Who is at lunch?  :)

After lunch, I return to my quarters, and consider a minor abrasion and minor bruise I received from my first training session.

Then I pray, and focus, and focus more deeply, and attempt to heal myself...  :)

The hamster likes your voice.  Its not that loud, but soft, and it makes his fur vibrate in ways that feel good.  Its happy in a way that humans rarely reach.

You feel a rush inside your head as you contact the hamster.

"YES! NOW!"  It may not be bright, but it has a very substantial will.  You find yourself petting the hamster whether you will or not.  Happily, it has a short concentration span.

OOC: Minds and Empathy are two different skills. You have them.

1@4 is low amateur.  3@1 is a totally different scale with similiar numbers so that they can all work together, but the 3@1 is the bias level, and bias runs from -15 to +15@10.  The higher the number, the higher the level of psi.

You may not have switched, but the hamster mind-controlled you.

IC: The person does not see you.  It is Phyllis Hitchcock.

You work on heightening your vision. Shortly thereafter, you feel a tearing spike of pain in your head.  Now you can feel the blood pumping in your veins, ka-thump! ka-thump!  Its not quite tack hammers to the side of the head, but it comes close.  Everything you look at seems surrounded by an aura of pain.

At breakfast are Helmsman Raymond Doyle, Chief Engineer Edwin Poirot, Shuttle Pilot Richard Drood, Marine First Rick Lobo, and Doctor of Medicine Alice McDonald.

At lunch, the Helmsman is missing, but Simon Queens-Higgins and the captain is there.

pt

*ka-thump!  ka-thump!*

After lunch, I return to my quarters, and gently lie down.

*ka-thump!  ka-thump!*

I try to focus my thoughts to see if I can heal myself, intending to use the techniques that Obi Wan taught me in the Dreamworld...

*KA-THUMP!!!  KA-THUMP!!!*

:OW!  OW!  Ow!  ow!  ^{_{OW!  Ow!  ow!}}:

I recognize all too well the feeling of Brain Burn.  And this time, there is no Defiant Sickbay, no Merlin, no Obi Wan, and no Tomas.

:Hmmmm...  Ow!...  It hurts too much... to use my mind... to focus the Force... and there isn't... anyone else around... that can help...:

:I guess... I'll have to try... the Divine singing magic... I learned in the Haston world...  I've been avoiding using it... in case a given song... can only be used once successfully...  But maybe that assumption... isn't correct anyway... and I don't have... a lot of choice...:

I relax, and pray.  And since my mind isn't too inclined towards thinking up a new song, I content myself with singing the first song I sang in the land of Haston:

"'Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know that I am God,
Be still and know that I am God.

I am the Lord that healeth thee,
I am the Lord that healeth thee,
I am the Lord that healeth thee.

In thee, O Lord, I put my trust,
In thee, O Lord, I put my trust,
In thee, O Lord, I put my trust...'"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 20:32, Tue 13 June 2006.

You feel slightly better after singing your song, but you recognize it as relaxation.  No miracle of healing occurred.

PT

More relaxed, I pray, and once again lift up my voice in song, using the song that was successful in Haston:

"'There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.

Sometime I feel discouraged,
And think my work's in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.

If you cannot preach like Peter,
If you cannot pray like Paul,
You can tell the love of Jesus,
And say, "He died for all."

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin-sick soul.'"

If that isn't successful, I then try singing another Haston song:

"'Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.'"

And if that isn't successful, I'll try one that I haven't sung yet:

"'Sing praise to God Who reigns above, the God of all creation,
The God of power, the God of love, the God of our salvation.
With healing balm my soul is filled and every faithless murmur stilled:
To God all praise and glory.'"

And if that isn't successful, then I'll go to seek out Dr. Alice McDonald...

"I think I overstrained my brain while practicing my Talents, and have a thumping headache now.  Do you have any treatments for Psionic Brain Burn?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:35, Thu 15 June 2006.

Dr. Alice McDonald, a straw-haired woman, with a pencil type thing up in her ponytail, and a frazzled look on her face examines you.

"Well. You really did a number on yourself."  She shows you a scan of your head, as compared to the scan of a normal head.  There is a lot of activity in unusual places in your head.

"I can help, but not fix.  Psionical medicines are still in their infancy."  She presses a patch to the side of your neck, and sudden soothing relief floods through your body.  At the same time, you can feel a fog slightly dilute your concentration.

"I want you to take it easy for a couple days.  Your mind is still hurt, still reeling, I've just blocked the pain.  Now, I've got a med that has had some success with speeding up recovery in similar cases, but its also had some nasty side effects in about 1% of patients.  I don't really think you need to take it, but I leave that up to you."

PT

OOC: I assume this means that none of my singing attempts at healing were successful?  :(

"When you say 'take it easy', what do I need to do or avoid doing?"

I ponder as she describes her med to me.

"How much does the med speed up the recovery?  And what are the side effects?"

OOC: Correct. Very little miracles or magic in First Contact/FM world.

"Hmmh, well whatever got you this way the first time.  Too strenuos mental activities, I'd say, as well.  No, three-dimensional crossword puzzles okay?  Physical activies would be okay, and in fact, they should help as long as you don't overtire yourself."

She holds up a small ceramic box.

"This should have you okay sometime tommorrow.  Tests and statistics indicated that hallucinations, emotional lack of control, bi-polar disorder, and in one in a billion, death from cerebral hematoma was possible.  So, its used only with patient's informed consent."

PT

I ponder.

"So you are saying that with the med I would be able to resume practicing Talents in around twenty-four hours, and without the med I would be able to resume practicing Talents in around forty-eight hours?  And there is a one percent chance of these side effects?"

Assuming the answer is yes, I ponder.

"Better safe than sorry, I think, unless there is compelling need.  I want to practice more as soon as possible, but I suppose that I can use the time profitably in other ways..."

"Is reading OK during the recovery period?  Or will that slow the recovery?"

"Are there any other things I can do to help speed my recovery, besides physical activity?"

After getting her replies and thanking her, I head for the exercise room to practice (unless some other activity like sleeping will help more)...

Light reading is okay, and sleeping is helpful, but not too much.

You go to the gym, and begin to do your workout.  The XO drops by with the following list on a piece of plexi.

1. Viceroy and Lord Arthur Holmesby--Lord Ambassador Robert Chandler

2. Valet & Man-at-arms: Charles Watson

3. Captain Robert Overmark

4. Marine Infiltrator “Aggie” (Agatha) Maple

5. Helmsman Raymond Doyle

6. Chief Engineer Edwin Poirot

7. Specialist Richard Drood

8. Countermeasures Operator (aka Spy-in-Chief) Simon Queen-Higgins

9. Marine First “Rick” Lobo

10.Doctor of Xenobiology Phyllis Hitchcock

11. Doctor of Medicine Alice McDonald

12. XO Susan Clark

13. Weapons Manager Hercules Grisham-Franscis

14. Elle Grafton-Quincy--Married to Jonathan; Chef and nutritionist

15. Jonathan Quincy--Assistant to Phyllis

16. Marine Commando Elizabeth “Maggie” Magnum, Retired.

17. Mary Friday--Data analyst and intuitionist

18. Chaplain and Social Director Jack Spade John Oak

PT

OOC: That's supposed to be "John Oakmaster" (or "John 'Oak' Oakmaster")...  :p

I glance over the list with interest, and smile up warmly at the XO.

"Thank you.  I appreciate it."

"Well, I managed to pick up telepathy and telekinesis while practicing Talents, before overstraining my brain.  Now I have to take it easy mentally for a couple of days.  But with Sunday still three days away, I should still be good to go for teaching and choir."

"The doctor says I'm still allowed to do light reading.  Do you have any suggestions or recommendations?"

"Thank you for your advice with Simon Queens-Higgins.  We did indeed spend some time training together yesterday, and I even got a faint smile from him toward the end.  Today is supposed to my strength and endurance training session, which works well since my brain is fried anyway."

I glance again at the list.

"Does getting a copy of this mean that I'm slightly more trusted by him now?  Or was it in the pipeline to supply me with the information anyway?"

I ponder as I scan the names.

"Wow...  I guess that I'm official now.  And you've been without a Chaplain and Social Director until my arrival.  How long have you been in transit so far?"

The XO leaves with a smile, and comes back with a book.  She tells you that its fully recyclable.

Its a 'historical' fiction set in the Twentieth Century.

"World on Fire is a classic.  Everyone reads it in Second Level schooling."  She shakes her head about the trusted question.

"It means I got to the task after finishing my other tasks."

She waves her fingers, and you see a ten foot tall robot lumber in.  She starts making it dance.

"We've been a week before you showed up."

PT

I take the book with a warm smile.

"A classic?  Looks like... historical fiction?  I like that genre.  And yet the era is actually the one I am native to?  This should interesting.  Thank you."

"Does 'fully recyclable' mean that I should give it back to you when I'm done, or that I should put it into some type of shipboard recycle unit?"



I nod in response, looking thoughtful.

"Do you have any idea what my status is here, and what it may be?  How do you all perceive me?"

"I know that currently I am a volunteer Chaplain/Social Director, and that you all are kindly sharing valuable facilities and resources with me instead of tossing me out of an airlock."

"But what will become of me in time?  Will I ever get access to ShipNet?  Will you eventually want to hire me as some type of civilian specialist?  Will you someday want to make me a citizen?  Or after the mission, will I just be dropped off at some refugee center, stateless and penniless?"

"I know that I am in the LORD's hands to do with as He wills, and I know that you may not have any more idea of the answers to my questions than I do.  But I thought that I'd ask, just in case you have any more of a clue than I do..."



My eyes follow the robot with interest, and I grin at her.

"Wow!  I can see why you have to offer handicaps to get people to play you in robot soccer.  Can you show me how you do that?"

"Just toss it in a cycler."  She shrugs, pointing out one along the wall.  Its a small rectangular metal plate with the familiar circling triangle of arrows on it.

"I suspect your status is deeply tied to how this mission turns out.  We succeed, and you'll be golden.  We fail, and go to war, and you're likely to be drafted. We get blown up in space, and well, its not really a problem anymore."  She quirks her lips.

"Sure." She gives you the basics after using the command key around her neck to authorize you to use the Deck Hand robot.  Its somewhat like playing an 'air' piano, but with different motions.   Also, you wear metal caps on your fingers.

And then she tells you the best way to learn is to play.

She then trounces you 7-0.

PT

I give a rueful good-natured grin.

"I hear rumors that you love rank beginners, with relish and chopped onions on top.  So suppose that we change the game a bit, so that we are both beginners?"

I lead her over to the wall of the exercise room, to gaze at ourselves in a mirror there.

"How about playing the same game... except that the mirror is the only means we are allowed to use to view the playing field?"

You and she begin to play, this time to a larger audience since most of the ship's crew has 'coincidentally' if on duty, or if off just wandered by to watch the game.

Its not that bad, except when you really mess it up, and then the mistakes are bigger, for both of you.  You're able to handle the robot actually a little better, but one time you lurch to the right and into a wall when you meant to go left just a small step.

At one point, the XO bellyflops her robot, and you get an easy point.

By the end the score is 7-3 with her winning again, but both of you are covered with sweat.  She shakes your hand, and you can see that both your arms are trembling from the strain of constant movement.

"Whoa.  Haven't done something that hard since my Space Navigation Quals."

PT

I shake her hand with a grin, and wipe the sweat from my brow with a obviously trembling arm and hand.

"Good game.  That was fun."

"Well, I guess I'm still too out of condition to challenge you to an immediate rematch.  But I dare say that next time I can probably come up with a few other interesting variants, if you are interested..."

In my mind, I momentarily flash back to a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.  A different universe, long before I had ever experienced versing.  Playing with and against colleagues, and winning the table soccer championship.  But now the rules are different, and the game board and game pieces are bigger.  Both in soccer... and in real life.

I nod thoughtfully.

"You really are good with those controls.  How long have you been playing?"

"Since I was eight. My father was a freighter dock supervisor in Low Earth Orbit running receipt from the Ducal High Fabs, and elsewhere."

She then wipes her face clean with a towelette someone tossed her.  Someone does the same for you.

"You're new, but I can tell you're going to be a challenge once you get practised."

PT

OOC: Who else is there now?  And who tossed me the towelette?

I nod my thanks to the person who tossed me the towelette.

"What all can these robots do?  What kind of capabilities do they have, and what kinds of tasks are they used for when they aren't playing soccer?"

I ponder a bit.

"How many robots are aboard?  Do you ever play team soccer, instead of just one-on-one?"

The Helmsman throws the towellettes.  He nods back casually, and then heads on back to his duties.

"Ah, the Deck Hand robots.  They can lift up to five tons, and stack, and move various items.  If you're good with them, you can use them as power tools to tighten various connectors.  We use them as portable ladders as well to lift a crew up to the ceiling if need be."

She points at the two of them.

"That's all we have.  If we were a real freighter, we'd have more, but we're a naval vessel.  Oh, yes, sometimes we use them for EVA work, especially down near the engines."

She shakes her head at team soccer.

"Not enough room."

PT

I nod my head thoughtfully.

"So how did the eight year old daughter of a freighter dock supervisor in Low Earth Orbit end up as XO on a naval vessel about to make First Contact?"

"Oh, she tried very hard to be like her old man, but she just didn't have the talent to do close-in docking all day every day.  After all, she barely passed her Nav Quals.  So, after working the freighters for a bit, she got hit by pirates, and decided that next time she met pirates, she'd have bigger guns.  And in the next port, she signed up for the Navy.  Started, and found that this was where she had always wanted to be, and pretty quickly rose despite a late start, and a lack of Academy training."

She smiles.

"Not to be too immodest, but she expects to be an Admiral in twenty years, and hopefully in charge of the LEO docks.  I'm not Simon who pretty much worships the Emperor as the embodiment of stability, but I am a Navy girl for sure."

PT

"What is Navy life like?"

"And how long have you been assigned to this ship?"

"Has this crew been together for an extended period of time, or were you assembled for this mission?"

"How long have you known Simon, and all the rest of those aboard?"

"Navy life has a lot of rituals, and some things that you have to do, but there is a lot of unstructured time as well in the long missions.  So we work at keepign busy, and practise our skills so that we can get snapping good quals."  She walks about, cooling off from the game as you start your weight-lifting.
"I've been on the Marcus Caine for two years.  Another three, and I should have my own ship."

She shows you how to work the weight machine.

"A little of both.  Obviously, Dr. Hitchcock and her people are new.  Quincy, who's a discipline problem waiting for an opportunity, and his wife, who's the reason you're eating so well. We don't normally eat so well, but she's a chef. I worked with the Helmsman five years ago on the Lancelot, but otherwise, Simon and everyone else that is regular on the ship, I met when I got this posting."

Suddenly you hear an uh oh, and you see the XO walking off to intercept a lady with long blonde hair.  She looks infuriated, and is pointing at Quincy who is standing next to Maggie the Retired Marine.

Suddenly, a strap on your weight bench breaks and wraps itself around your neck--tight.

PT

OOC: I assume that I am still lifting something that keeps my hands full?  And that the strap has wrapped itself around my neck in such a way that it is not trivial to remove it?  And that it is too tight to breathe or use my voice?

:Please help me, my LORD and my God...:

I attempt to drop the weights I am lifting in a way that will not hit me or anyone else and that will hopefully not damage anything, but that will make plenty of noise.

Then with hands free, I immediately start trying to untangle the strap from my neck.

If it appears that I am too entangled to free myself before running out of air, I try to slap the wall or the machine or whatever else I am able to in order to get someone's attention.

And if no one comes and I get really desperate, then I attempt to call for help by projecting my thoughts...

You release the weights, and they clunk, but you can hear shouting from the other end of the room.  Several people are involved.

You struggle to get it untied, but to no avail.  Your kicking does make some noise, and then suddenly the strap loosens on its own.

You easily pull it clear of your neck and sit up gasping.

PT

:Thank you, dear LORD, my God...:

I rub my neck gingerly as I listen to and watch the conversation.

However, as I listen, I spare a moment to look at the broken strap, looking to see if it seems to have broken from normal wear and tear, or from something less normal.  For wasn't this the room that I smelled that strange odor?...

Then I look back at the conversation...

The strap doesn't look like it should have broken.  Also, you see several other disturbed items in the room.  A cord using weight machine has its cord completely unconnected.  Some weights are laying on the floor (not yours) when they were properly stowed.

A small mat seems to have flipped over.

It is indeed the room you smelled that acrid odor in.

You see a blonde woman being pacified by Quincy and by the XO while Maggie walks over your way with a rueful expression on her face.

PT

I exchange a meaningful glance with Maggie as she approaches, before indicating the strap marks on my neck, and the broken strap.

"This strap just broke and wrapped tightly around my neck, and for awhile I didn't think I would be able to get it off."

"I think it could have killed someone."

"Do these straps often break like that?  And does this look like normal wear and tear to you?"

She examines it closely, holding both ends of the strap in separate hands.

"No, this shouldn't have broken.  I'd ask if you had any enemies on board, but that's silly.  At least I think it is."

She sounds doubtful.

PT

I nod thoughtfully, before moving over to indicate the unconnected cord, and the flipped over mat, and the weights.

"How about these?  Do they look usual to you, or unusual?"

I return to sit close to her, and speak quietly.

"I was preoccupied with not choking to death, so I missed some of the exchange over there just now.  What happened?"

"Out of curiosity...  just how angry would you say Quincy was with me the other night?"

"And out of curiosity...  just how much would you say that Simon distrusts me?"

"And out of curiosity...  just how many other folks would you say are less than happy with my presence aboard the ship?"

"Weird." Maggie replies.

"Oh, Quincy was hitting on me, and then his wife showed up, got furious, and the XO came over to cool things off."

She thinks.

"I think he was ticked off.  But he's ultimately a shallow person. ANd as the saying goes 'he's a lover, not a fighter'  Now, Simon is an all together different bird.  And I don't know how to read him.  In case you're wondering, only the Ambassador has beaten him when it comes to the couple poker games we've played so far."

She thinks.

"I think most people like you.  You're an easy going person.  One or two of the atheists or agnostics might be a little grouchy, but enough to kill you? No."

PT

I nod thoughtfully.

"Well, whatever is going on or not, I suppose that it would be prudent to inform the XO about what just happened..."

When the XO finishes calming Elle, I quietly bring her over, and explain what just happened, and show her my neck, and show her the strap and the other equipment, and seek her opinion...
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:56, Mon 26 June 2006.

At first the XO is solicitous, and then her face grows grave.

With her thoughts hidden behind a serious face, she asks you a single question.

"Have you been practising psionic talents recently?"

She nods at your answer, and when you attempt to question her, she gives you a faint smile, and walks away.

PT

I blink in confusion at the XO's non-response before turning to Maggie.

"What do you make of that?"

Maggie looks thoughtful.

"Sometimes Susan is mostly Susan, but sometimes as you just saw, she is the XO.  At least you can be glad she's taking it seriously."

PT

I quickly poke my head out of the door to see which way Susan has gone, before sitting back down with Maggie.

"Are there folks aboard who particularly dislike Talents?"

"You have to understand, its not socially acceptable to be prejudgiced against Talents.  So although there is malice, its usually hidden, and most people don't just come out and say 'I think Talents should die' or something.  I think the only person I've heard say something out and out nasty about Talents is Elle, our new chef."

Maggie says with her face distant as she searches her memory.

Lobo, the First Marine, comes in the room, and heads for your weight bench. When he sees it broken, he grunts, and goes to get a replacement cord.

"Now that's serious lifting to break a thousand pound cord. Sure your cyber's are turned off, Colonel?"

Maggie flushes, but says nothing for a second.

"Not funny, Lobo."  She finally grates out.

PT

OOC: Which way did Susan go after she left?

I give a welcoming nod to Lobo as he arrives, and hold up the broken cord to him.

"That happened on my watch, if you would believe it.  It broke suddenly while I was lifting, and wrapped around my neck tight enough to make me wonder if I was long for this world."

I turn to regard them both.

"Does that break look natural to you?  And if not, what do y'all think could have caused it?"

Susan headed toward the bridge.

Lobo examines it, and shakes his head negatively in response to your question.  He then pulls out a combat knife, and slashes a cord.  The damage is close, but not the same with some striations from the blade.

"I think my old High Sergeant, a Blademaster, could have done that cut, but certainly no one on this ship could not with a knife anyways.  He then pulls out a very thin wire, and loops it around the stretch.

Its a garrotte.

Slice.

The damage looks similar to yours.

"A Self-Garrotte, Imperial Marine issue is incredibly sharp. You can easily take your finger off by mistake."  Lobo says.

PT

I nod thoughtfully.

"That establishes a possible 'how'.  But that leaves the more difficult questions of 'who', and 'why'..."

I pause, considering, before turning to them.

"Any ideas?"

They shake their heads, refusing to consider who it might be.

"No offense, Chaplain, but thats for my senior officers to figure out." Lobo says.  "When they need the slime dragged down the corridor, and flung into a makeshift bridge, they'll call me."

Maggie shrugs.

"Too litle information to say. It would be pure guesswork, and that would be very bad for morale. Plus, it might alert whoever is after you.  Me, I'd sleep with a gun under my pillow."

PT

I ponder their words, and the broken cord.

"Well, I suppose that it isn't even entirely clear that I'm the target, since I'm not the only one who uses this equipment."

"But if it was cut on purpose, then I actually hope that I am indeed the target."

"For if I die, I'll either be sent to another universe, the same way that I was sent here, or I'll go to be with the LORD.  So I worry not for my own sake."

"But I would not want someone else's soul to be stained with murder, or attempted murder.  I would want to stay their hand by the LORD changing their heart, that they would turn away from sin, and choose eternal life."

I carefully gather up the ends of the broken cord to preserve the evidence, disconnecting it from the exercise machine if necessary, and tuck them away in a pocket.

"I've seen you around, Lobo, but I haven't had much chance to chat with you yet.  Maggie said that I'd like you, though.  What's your story?  How did you end up here?"

He starts lifting even as he talks without much strain.  Watching him work the machines is liking watching grace in motion.

"Oh, I got my degree in micro-chemistry like a good boy intent on making lots of money, but truth be told, it never interested me.  What I liked to do was physical games, and pointless speculation about this and that.  If I'd been born in your time, I think I would have gone pro football as a career, and spent my off-season time reading poetry or something else useless.  Now, well someone pointed out the possibilities of being a Marine.  I could run around, work-out and have enough off-time if I was ship-stationed to satisfy my curiousity.  Land-stationed marines don't have such a luxury, but ship people tend to have lots of free time."

With an easy grin he changes to another configuration on the machine.

"I'm in my tenth year.  Four years ago I got promoted to a Marine First here. Next year, I'm up for a heavy cruiser Marine First.  Not totally sure I want to take it since it means more managing. I'll have two people under me. I hate plasticwork."

PT

I nod understandingly.

"Yeah, I've spent my life running away from anything even remotely managerial, so I know the feeling."

"'Pointless speculation about this and that' sounds interesting.  What are you into with your free time now, having found a vocation that gives you such a luxury?"

"I'm studying the Stutter Warp Drive equations, and I'm trying to teach myself ancient Sumerian hierogylphics."  He laughs.  "Impractical, I know. I'm barely smart enough to follow the popular level equations, and I don't see us meeting Sumerians any time soon, but its interesting.  I gather you are studying up on your new world, and looking for a choir..."

He pauses, and sits up, and then runs through the 'do-re-mi' with a fine baritone.

PT

I smile delightedly.

"That sounds promising.  I suppose that I'll hear for myself soon enough -- but do you have any advance intelligence information on what kind of voices we have aboard?  And what type of choir experience, if any?"

"And for that matter, what kind of music do folks sing these days?  If I break out hymns from the sixteenth through eighteenth centuries, or some Bach or Handel or Mendelssohn, will people look at me like I've come from a different universe or something?"

I look back to Maggie.

"So how long have you two known each other, and the others on the crew?"

"The Captain has a nice bass." Lobo says.  "I hear he sang in a boy's choir."

"You are from a different universe. Embrace your strengths." Maggie replies, but then adds. "I've heard of Bach, he did some big band right?  And Handel, that rings a bell, but Mendollsohn, wasn't he some early scientist?"

Lobo chuckles at Maggie.

PT

I grin as well.

"Well, in this universe they could well be, for all I know.  But where I came from, they were all renowned classical musicians."

I regard them both.

They know each other as long as Maggie has been onboard the ship.  Lobo has been on here a bit longer.

PT

OOC: Hmm, might want to make an "Impressions of each other chart" for each main character.  However, I don't see them as likely to go and talk about each crew to you.  For one, they'd regard it as gossip, and detrimental to morale.

PT

"Well, I'm trying to work on some strength and endurance training... and as you can see, I'm a rank beginner."

"Can you help me get this machine back into working order?  And do you have any good tips for getting in shape?"

Maggie leaves with a laugh, and Lobo gets you started on a program.  He turns out to be a good trainer with a sound grasp of a flexible program--the Imperial Marine Body Conditioning Course.

"We'll leave out the yelling in your face, and the 'drop and give me a hundred pushups in the pouring rain', bit if thats all right with you, Chaplain?"

The program is, he explains, designed to take a person from any state they are in, turn them into minimal Marine qualifying, with some degree of flexibility in the exercise techniques used since some people respond better to pullups, and others do better with free weights, and so on.

PT

I grin in response.

"Yes, leaving out that bit is quite all right."

"And feel free to call me John, if you like..."

I listen and watch attentively, working to grasp what to do to get and keep myself in shape, and peppering him with relevant questions periodically.

"What types of exercise are good for someone of my age?"

"What are good ways to get rid of a paunch like this?"

"Simon is teaching me some martial arts, and suggested interspersing strength and endurance training every other day.  What types of exercise are good for martial arts?"

"Suppose that I am somewhere without nice exercise equipment like this.  What are good exercises to do when you don't have access to any equipment?"

"We'll avoid some of the really heavy lifting and jarring exercises since your bones may not be up to that.  Your paunch, well, we're not going to do anything special for that, but it will be gone, I guarrantee you by the time you're done.  I don't really know about martial arts, but I'll be teaching you strength and endurance and flexibility here, so that should help."

For your last question, he laughs.

And soon you're doing a variety of floor calisthenics which if anything seem more exhausting than what you've done so far.  You're using the weight of your own body as the weight, and the length of your bones to teach you flexibility.

You grown inside when you see this sturdy man sit down, and touch his scalp to his big toe, and then indicate that you need to learn it too...

PT

I follow his instructions carefully, and soon the phrase "no pain, no gain" is echoing through my mind in sync with the exercises.

In between breaths, I give him a rueful grin.

"How long should it take... before I become... minimal Marine qualifying?"

"If you do this every other day, about twenty weeks." He says as he lifts you to your feet.  "You're done for the day. Now I want you to take a drink of Marine Three now, and then a one for breakfast along with your regular food, and a two for lunch."

He shows you how to get them from a dispenser in the breakroom.

It doesn't taste too bad, and its mostly a thick drink.

"Lots of stuff in there to help you regrow muscles, and ease pain.  Its not enough to keep you alive though, so don't try to live on it."

PT

OOC: How long was the workout?

I nod as I swallow.

"Thank you, Lobo.  You're a good teacher, and certainly know your stuff.  Have you trained others before?"

After we take leave of one another, I make my way back to my quarters, still sipping my Marine Three beverage.  A sonic shower and change of clothes, and I feel much fresher, and pleasantly relaxed.

:Hmmm...  It is now Thursday afternoon, and I can't practice any psi until Saturday when the telepathic brain burn will have healed.  I've done Quiet Time and Bible reading.  Exercises are done for the day.  But reading is still allowed...:

I spend time reading more of "Guiding the Outsider into Civilization".

I do some more investigation to find any useful tech that I may be able to obtain and take with me, should the LORD call me elsewhere to some other universe.  But is there any prospect that I would be able to earn wages to purchase anything?  Or that anything would be given to me to have as my own property?  On a ship such as this, it may well be that all items are assigned rather than given...  Does it seem like the possessions I have brought with me would have any value as interesting curiosities or antiques, that could be used for sale or barter?  (OOC: For example, am I correct in assuming that the stand-alone computer unit is merely assigned to me on loan, rather than being 'given' to me?)

I check out the stand-alone computer unit, and also examine the prospects for downloading anything interesting onto my own laptop, and if my own laptop would benefit from installing the high-tech OS and programs.

I consider details of the upcoming Sunday service and choir rehearsal I will be leading, and start preparing for it.

I look into specifics of Talents, and how types of skills have successfully been used in this universe.  I also examine specifics of how Talents are treated, and possible reactions from others, with an eye toward if attempted murder would be an expected occurrence.

I think and pray and consider about the damaged weight strap, and possible questions of who and why.

And when I need a break, I start in on Susan's "World on Fire" book...

1.5 hours.

"Yes, and I went to the Instructor's Academy on Palo's World."

You're earning wages now, and there is a small store on board, but its only open for a few hours of the day.  Your clothes are yours, along with personal toiletries, but otherwise, "Property Imperial Navy" is stamped on each one in very small print.

Your items would likely be of some interest, especially to the scientists.

Telepathy gets the strongest reaction.  You also read a case about a guy who lost control, so he claimed of his TK, and an office chair beat up an office mate severely, and a belt untied itself and strangled the boss.  The Talent was executed for murder.

The book is entertaining.  It has insights into the past which surprise you, and make sense although no one in that time would have thought of them.  And there's a lot of adventure--the writer makes things seem more interesting than they were.  In the book, you can hardly walk out the door without meeting some sort of criminal.

PT

OOC: Anything interesting?

If the store is open, I go visit it, and check out what items can be bought.

I also think back to my initial clairvoyant scan of the entire ship.  If the store isn't open, I ponder the items that I observed in the store via clairvoyance.  I also ponder whatever personal (non-"Property Imperial Navy") items folks may have had in their quarters, etc., to identify possibilities of things I might want to try to buy or barter for.

I look around for details of any additional interesting information for tech/inventions/creative works/etc. that I might be able to use in other universes.

And when it is time for dinner, I make my way to join the others at table...

1. What are some of the examples of things you are looking for?  I can extrapolate for them, and/or roll a GE roll to see if they exist.

2. You won't be able to download the OS off the stand-alone. However, the OS could fit on your laptop, although there would be size issues.  There is no basic, trimmed-down version of the OS.

3. You puzzle away at it.

4. What items are you looking for, GE roll time again. (This is a standard Multiverser or MJ Young trick--rather than me listing all the items in the store, you tell me what you're looking for.)

The store is open, btw.

5. At dinner, conversation for the most part flows freely.

PT

1. Here I'm looking for knowledge of technology and/or inventions and/or ideas and/or creative works that I can take with me to another universe and reproduce there, for my own use and/or to sell to the locals.

2. Do they sell any memory upgrades that I could incorporate into my computer?  For example, perhaps a nice big flash memory (measured in terabytes or higher, rather than boring early 21st century gigabytes) that would fit into my USB port?  And pre-loaded with their OS?  It would seem a logical extrapolation for folks to be able to carry around their own personal data and OS, and simply plug it into any local computer to run their own stuff...

3. Puzzle...  puzzle...  puzzle...  :p

4. Here I'm looking for actual devices that I can purchase and own, so that they will verse out with me.  My interest is heavily toward portability, durability, and reusability, rather than stuff that I can't carry, or that will break easily, or that needs batteries and/or ammo replaced regularly.  Examples might include survival gear, non-lethal weapons, computer enhancements, and misc. tech gizmos.

5. Who is at dinner?  :p

1. You find a list with attachments for "Classic Novels and Theatre of the Imperial Era."  You also find the rules for five games which seem simple, yet intriguing.  You also find a Table of Elements that has ten more particles than the one you know.  You find a description of how to manipulate magnetic fields to contain a nuclear fusion reaction, but the math is beyond you at the moment.

2. They sell terrabyte memory upgrades for very cheap, but they don't connect to USB ports.  They sell small computational units along with either holographic, plasti-screen, or voice command links.

3. Keep at it.

4. Dual use solar blanket; hand solar distillery; water from air canteen; memory metal hatchet that folds up into a metal ball when not in use; dazzle stick will induce a state of temporary absent-mindedness to a group within ten feet of it; a 'snake' will squirm along the ground, and inject a sedative, or tie up a target with its own body.  Computer upgrades? They shake their heads after they figure out what you are talking about.  There is a certain fixed amount of varieties with a few options, and thats it. Computers are a dead field, a pure commodity.  Misc. Tech gizmos include a voice command flying baseball.

5. About half the crew. Why?

PT

1.  Yum.  I also look for more interesting music, particularly sacred, more particularly scripture text set to music.  And I start looking for tech, inventions, games, creative works that have been particularly popular and best-selling, to identify things I can take with me that would have maximum potential in other universes...

2.  Hmmm!
2a. Is there any way my laptop could connect to the memory upgrades?
2b. How do the small computational units compare to the one they have loaned me?
2c. How do they compare to my own laptop?
2d. How much memory, speed, etc.?
2e. Do they have their nice OS loaded already?
2f. How are they powered?
2g. Do the very cheap memory upgrades work for the small computational units?
2g. And of course, how much do they cost?
2h. Does there seem to be any way I could upload data from my own laptop to these small computational units?  Would it make sense to just use one of those, and ditch the laptop?

3.  Insert additional puzzling here...  :p

4. Double Yum!
4a. How much do each of them cost?
4b. What exactly does a "hand solar distillery" do?
4c. Do any of them require batteries, ammo, refills, etc.?
4d. Can the baseball go fast enough and accurate enough to be used as a weapon?

5. So I know how to roleplay the dinner conversation, since I want to get to know as many folks as possible...  :)

6a. How much money do I have to spend so far?
6b. How much am I getting paid, and how often?
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:25, Wed 12 July 2006.

1. Not a lot of the first.  They don't really have items catalogued on a basis of best-selling, although you can deduce such from heavy study, rather as if you read several thousand pages of 1950's history and kept running across mentions of the Hula Hoop.

Remember, you're on a Naval Warship.  Think what you're likely to find on a USN Heavy Cruiser.  Granted, they have more, but they don't have the whole universe or anything close to it on data files.  And their matter supplies are even more drastically limited.

So you are much more likely to find descriptions and blue prints than actual items.  But even then, this is not the Mall at Olympus Mons where nearly everything is for sale.

I've already dealt with the first three, unless you want blueprints.  For creative works, you find a list of computer files: Dozens of movies ranging from pedestrian to sublime to incomprehensible.

OOC: We'll do one more on your list.

2. a. Not on this ship is the first answer given at your dinner, and most of the rest of the dinner conversation you get involved in eventually winds back to that.  Although maybe Simon or Maggie or the Chief Engineer might be able to help.
b. Some are better, most are  worse.
c. Your laptop looks increasingly pathetic and prone to breaking, and heavy and batteries--ugh.  Also, since the now computers are 'reversible' they don't heat up much.
d. A lot.
e. You can't get it otherwise.
f. ambient energy, solar power, and very long term batteries.  Also, they are very low power use.
g. All of their devices are fully compatible.  They look at you extremely weird when you ask this question.  One person says he thinks its against the law to make a device that is not compatible.
h. ???  They don't have a system for it.


OOC: Okay, thats enough for today. We can deal with the rest tommorrow, or you can ask me new questions to deal with.


PT

OK, my priority is for Questions 4 & 6 now -- getting an idea of what my choices are for purchasing, and how much spending money I have or will have.  :)

Oops, and I had two "2g"s above.  How much do the various computational units cost?  And just how small is small?

And oops, almost forgot -- any first aid kits available?  :p
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:56, Fri 14 July 2006.

4. Double Yum!
4a. How much do each of them cost?--

Money is in Empires and Nobles with ten N = 1E.  You earn 100 E per day regardless of time on duty.

Dual use solar blanket- 15 E; hand solar distillery- 4E; water from air canteen- 1E; memory metal hatchet that folds up into a metal ball when not in use- 20 E; dazzle stick will induce a state of temporary absent-mindedness to a group within ten feet of it 50 E; a 'snake' will squirm along the ground, and inject a sedative, or tie up a target with its own body 120 E.  Misc. Tech gizmos include a voice command flying baseball for 10 E.


4b. What exactly does a "hand solar distillery" do?--Very small, drop it into a stream, and an hour later you have several gallons held in 'stable balloon fabric' gallons of pure water--even if the stream was a stream of sewage--however it does require sunlight.
4c. Do any of them require batteries, ammo, refills, etc.?  Dazzle stick does, so does flying baseball and snake.--batteries all.  The distillery is good for two hundred gallons, and then its recycled.  Its not designed to be reloaded.
4d. Can the baseball go fast enough and accurate enough to be used as a weapon?--No to the first, yes to the second.

Small is the size of fifteen playing cards stacked on each other.  This can be reconfigured to be narrower or shorter by making it thicker.

comp units cost varies from 20 E to 200 E.

Yes, first aid kits are available.

PT

I look over the items in the store, trying not to let my eyes bug out too much.

Two days of duty so far.  200E to spend.

From my limited experience, it seems that things that belong to me verse with me -- even new acquisitions, for the stuff that I bought and the gems that I earned in Karl's world followed me here.

And after my recent experience with the nearly-lethal exercise room strap, who knows how long the LORD will have me remain here?

Wherever He sends me next, this currency will probably not be useful.  But the items certainly would be...

But so many interesting choices... and so little cash...

After some inner struggle, I prioritize that the small computational unit must come first, even to the exclusion of all else.

So with a silent prayer that I'll live to see a new day aboard with another 100E to spend, I purchase the top-of-the-line 200E model.

I then take it back to my quarters, and copy all of the interesting data I've found thus far over to it, including all of the databases I've been loaned...

And while I'm transferring data, I ponder priorities for tomorrow's purchases...

OOC: A few questions for today's shopping trip:
1. What type of devices are incorporated into my top-of-the-line computational unit?  For example, is there:
1a. a built-in camera to take video and/or stills?
1b. a built-in mic?
1c. a built-in scanner?
1d. a built-in printer?
1e. a built-in communications device (like a cel phone)?
1f. a built-in receiver (like for TV and radio)?
(Given all the stuff built into cel phones these days, I'd be surprised if they didn't, but I thought I'd better check... :p )
1g. what type of input/output is used for the top-of-the-line model?

A few questions for tomorrow's shopping trip:

2. For the rechargeable stuff, is there anything that can make it less so?  For example, an ultra-light ultra-portable battery recharger that works using ambient energy, solar power, and/or even a hand crank?  If so, how much does it cost?

3. Any more ultra-light ultra-portable survival gear, and how much they cost:
3a. light/flashlight/headlamp type: ambient energy, solar power, very long term batteries, very low power use.
3b. fire-starter (no refills required)
3c. all-purpose cord
3d. knife (ever-sharp) and fork and spoon
3e. cooking gear
3f. food and/or food concentrate
3g. gear to catch wild game
3h. all-weather tent

4. Do they have any clothing that:
4a. is all-weather?
4b. includes defensive armor protection?
4c. is self-cleaning?
4d. (preferably all of the above qualities in the same set of clothes...  :)

5. How much are the first aid kits, and what stuff do they have?


This message was last edited by the GM at 21:11, Fri 14 July 2006.

1a-f--yes. g..video, audio, and braille.

2. No.

3. They have glowballs-2 N each, food concentrate 1 N per day, and Marine Combat Knives 15 E.  They look at you weird when you ask for tools to catch wild game.

4. The ship stores should be able to run you off a set of Whites, Blacks, and Space Combat Ones which will put you back about five hundred E's, but this room doesn't do that.

5. They have very basic kits on the principal that one should not be self-medicating.  That is what the Emperor issues you a doctor for.  5 E is basic, 15 E is moderate, and 30 E is top of the line, but thats not all that super-wonderful, or so it seems to you.

PT

OOC: More questions:

1.  Is the camera able to take holographic (3D) photos and video?
2.  What kind of zoom factor capability does the camera have?
3.  What kind of resolution?
4.  Is the display holographic?
5.  Since the OS has a command line interface, is there a way to type stuff in?
6.  What is the difference between Whites, Blacks, and Space Combat clothes?
7.  How heavy/bulky is one day's worth of food concentrate?

PT

As I feverishly copy data to my new comp unit, I am aware of the limited nature of the data available, but in a way am thankful for it.  For instead of having to sift through a universe of data, someone else has (for better or worse) already chosen the most important data (at least, in their eyes) to have available aboard the ship.  And since my comp unit (as good as it may be) wouldn't be able to store a universe of data anyway, it is just as well that I have a smaller set of data to work with.

Now instead of having to sift through data, I need only identify the general nature of a given database, and copy it over for later analysis.

History...  Geography (including high-resolution geological, geopolitical, and historical maps both of Earth, and star charts)...  Linguistics (including translation databases for every language available)...  Theology (including copies of historical documents, doctrines, expositional works, etc., especially Calvinist)...  Literature (including full texts of classics and other notable works, including sacred)...  Music (including recordings and scores of classics and other notable works, including sacred)...  Science (including details of discoveries, inventions, blueprints, etc.)...  Mathematics (including details of texts, theories, and discoveries)...  Various how-to and survival texts...

And the list goes on, as I continue transferring, keeping an eye on how much more data is still of value to copy, and how much more capacity I have, and how long it is taking to do the copying.  It is a good thing that my comp unit already has lots of capacity, and also that extra memory is both available and cheap, if necessary...

Before dinner, and after dinner, and through to bedtime...

And as I wait for various databases to transfer, I have opportunity to check out my new comp unit, and explore what other capabilities it has...

OOC: If nothing unexpected comes up, then Friday is spent with Quiet Time, looking for and transferring worthy data, physical training (martial arts this time), getting to know folks at meals, preparing for Sunday's service and choir rehearsal, and another trip to the store...

Let me know if things go as planned, and I can post Friday's shopping list acquisitions..  :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:33, Sun 23 July 2006.

You get halfway through the Linguistics section, and run out of space.  However, you do note that Linguistics is a very large section.

PT

Q1: Was this by loading up subjects in the order I gave above?  Or was I able to load everything except Linguistics?

Q2: How much memory do I have now?

Q3: How much are the "very cheap" terabyte memory upgrades?

Q4: Welcome back...  :)

WARNING: One of the above is not actually a question...  :p

Q1: Yes, in the order you described.  So you got all of area one, and half of area two.

Q2: A lot. Feel free to give me an answer that sounds reasonable to you.

Q3: 10 Empires.

Q4: Thanks.

OOC: Which one was that? :)

PT

Hmmmm...  OK, let me rephrase that...  :p

Q1: How much will it cost me to buy enough memory to get everything on my list downloaded?

Q2: Same as Q1, except after downloading everything, I've only used 50% of my disk space instead of 100%?

Q3: BTW, for the camera and mic, what parts of the spectrum can be recorded?  Infrared?  Ultraviolet?  Subsonic?  Supersonic?  Etc.?
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:13, Wed 26 July 2006.

1. 70 Empires.

2. 140 Empires.

3. Normal hearing range and vision.

PT

I awaken Friday morning, and take inventory as to what I already possess:

-- From my own world:

(*) Laptop and Bible and Hymnal and Psalter in hand (all currently stuffed into my slightly oversized computer bag).
(*) Wallet and (somewhat useless) keys and digital camera and comb and packet of tissue and pocket Bible with zippable sides in pockets.
(*) Dark green down jacket, green pullover sweater, office shirt, dockers pants, thermal long johns, shorts, socks, velcro sneakers.

-- From Haston: (nothing)

-- From Vespucia:

(*) Three complete changes of clothes (office shirt, dockers, thermal long johns, shorts, socks, handkerchiefs).
(*) One new sweater and one new pair of velcro sneakers.
(*) Some disposable pens and some pocket-sized pads of paper.
(*) One swiss army knife, with can opener and scissors and screwdriver and tweezers in addition to blades.
(*) A set of travel/camping eating utensils (knife, fork, spoon, cup, plate w/handle and/or frying pan, all campfire-safe in case I need to use them for heating).
(*) A canteen -- even better if they have those types that can actually extract water from the air.
(*) A waterproof digital watch with alarm and stopwatch.
(*) A compass.
(*) A rain poncho and Wellington boots.
(*) Some wax-tipped matches and a pocket magnifying glass for starting campfires.
(*) A down sleeping bag and a space blanket.
(*) Some nylon cord/rope.
(*) A laminated set of tips for wilderness survival.
(*) A camping first-aid kit, with some basic medications.
(*) A small suitcase with large wheels that can carry it all, including the laptop.
(*) Some gold.
(*) Several laminated photos of my family.
(*) Two gems.

From the Empire:

(*) Small computational unit.

I consider, and ponder the items available at the store, and ponder the broken strap.

Only the LORD knows how long I may remain in this universe.  Any day could be my last.

So I must prioritize my purchases based upon what is most valuable, and most unique to this universe, relative to the others I have experienced.

Thus as soon as the store opens, I make the following purchases:

(*) 9 terabyte memory upgrade modules (9 * 10E = 90E)
(*) 1 hand solar distillery (1 * 4E = 4E)
(*) 3 water from air canteens (3 * 1E = 3E)
(*) 12 glowballs (12 * 0.2E = 2.4E)
(*) 6 days of food concentrate (6 * 0.1E = 0.6E)

I bring my new treasures back to my quarters, add the memory upgrades to my comp unit, and proceed to transfer the rest of the data.

I make sure to also include interesting information in Medicine and in Zoology and in Botany, including what kinds of plants and animals have medicinal uses, and how to extract them.

And I also include interesting information about Talents (including how to acquire them, expand them, and improve the odds of avoiding psionic brain-burn in the process).

Meanwhile, I experiment to see if I can use my laptop's wireless to transfer my laptop files to the small comp unit...

OOC: if nothing unexpected happens, this will bring us to Saturday...

Any interesting conversations during mealtimes, etc.?  :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:07, Fri 28 July 2006.

There's not a whole lot of info on Talents, but you get what you can.

Interesting conversations at mealtimes....

1. Maggie gets teased about not being a marine anymore, and she takes it hard.
2. You notice at one point an arguement at the other end of the room between Elle and her wayward husband.  There's a building vibration in the room, and the chief engineer runs off to check his engines to see it they are out of tune.
3. The Captain gives a short talk at one point on how everyone has to be ultra-cautious.  He uses a personal illustration from a fight he was in with some aliens, and how horrible and scary it was.  After this, he orders a general white glove, battle ready inspection of the whole ship, stem to tail.
4. You find yourself sitting next to Agatha at one point, not even realizing it, because thats her way.  She's like a still pool of water, or a shadow in a darkened room.  And then someone throws a biscuit your way, and she doesn't even look up as she automatically stabs it with the first sharp thing to hand.  Its a bit uncanny.

PT

After the meal, I wait for an opportunity to talk with Maggie alone, and approach her gently.

"Want to talk about it?"


"Wow!  How did you do that?"



Saturday morning comes, and it is more of the same, except:

(*) I am finally able to spend some time looking over the data, rather than simply locating and downloading it (although I also keep looking for any worthy new data as well).  I also further examine the comp unit itself.
(*) Physical training is strength and endurance (with Lobo?) this time.
(*) Saturday's trip to the store, I acquire:
(**) 5 more terabyte memory upgrades (5 * 10E = 50E)
(**) 1 dazzle stick (1 * 50E = 50E)
(*) At the store, I also ask about if they have any other type of comp unit upgrades available (such as infrared camera, etc.), and how much they are.

OOC: Based upon the answers, I may modify Saturday's purchases.

BTW, I'm surprised that the built-in camera doesn't do infrared, since even today's RL videocams can do that.  Is there a reason infrared videocam tech isn't standard in this world?  Or was it just a bad die roll?  :p

(*) And of course, I'm finally recovered from the psionic brain burn!!!  :)

Thus it is that I start gently exercising my psionic skills once again.

To get warmed up, I attempt to search my memory in photographic clarity, back to when I first arrived aboard ship, and scouted out the entire ship via clairvoyance.  Back to when I examined Simon's quarters.  Back to when I saw the plastic sheets on his desk with ship people's names on them.  Looking for any clues that might help me identify who cut the exercise machine strap...

Q1: Was I able to wirelessly transfer my laptop data to my comp unit OK?
Q2: Did I get all the other previously listed stuff downloaded OK?
Q3: Did I find any new worthy data to download?
Q4: How did Friday's martial arts training session with Simon go?
Q5: Post-meal chat with Maggie?
Q6: During-meal chat with Aggie?
Q7: Saturday's strength and endurance training session with Lobo?
Q8: Everything OK with Friday and Saturday's store trips?
Q9a: Any extra types of comp unit upgrades available (infrared cameras, etc.)?
Q9b: How much?
Q9c: Can I buy extra batteries for the dazzle stick?
Q9d: How much?
Q9e: How long is the dazzle stick supposed to last?
Q10: Results from searching for clues during Saturday's psionic session, part 1?  :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:58, Sat 29 July 2006.

PT

I put a gentle hand upon her shoulder.

"None of us are ever what we were, for each moment changes us.  Some changes we do not control... and some changes we do.  Some changes are of consequence only in this life... and some changes are of consequence eternally."

"None of us can escape change.  But those changes we do not control... how do we face them?  And those changes we do... how do we choose?"

"All we can do is pray to the Sovereign LORD for the strength needed for the former, and the wisdom needed for the latter."

"And for those who love Him, He shall cause all things to work to good... and shall wipe away every tear."




"How did you learn such skill?  And do you ever teach it?"


After a lack of success with the default Windows XP, I reboot my laptop from CD-ROM using Linux.  Armed with read access to my Windows file system (which is thankfully all I need), I proceed to try persuading my laptop with Linux OS to talk to my small comp unit, and wirelessly transfer my files...

Playtester:

Q3: Did I find any new worthy data to download?
--Like what?

Step-by-step recipes or how-to instructions on how to make stuff, in sufficient detail to be able to recreate it in another universe (inventions, technology, biochemistry, etc.).  "The Way Things Work" style manuals with full descriptions of  pre-first century to twenty-fifth century tech.  "Barefoot Doctor's Manual" style survival medicine.  Lists of "books and equipment I'd take with me if I was going to be stranded on a remote Earth-like planet", plus the texts of those books.  Etc.

Playtester:

Q4: How did Friday's martial arts training session with Simon go?
--It went all right.  You learned more about falls, and katas.  Simon shared a bit more of his extremely paranoid viewpoint of the world.

Ooo!  Do tell!  :p

Playtester:

Q7: Saturday's strength and endurance training session with Lobo?
--Lobo has put on brand-new straps just before the session, just in case.  It goes without incident, except at one point, he snaps a towel to make the sound of a snapping strap, and then chuckles at your reaction.

I look up quickly at the sound, and grin reprovingly.

"Why bother, I suppose, with snapping straps when my old body can meet my Maker via a heart attack instead?"

I chuckle along with him, then turn thoughtful.

"By the way, what shape are the straps you just took off in?  Anything out of the ordinary?"

Playtester:

Q9c: Can I buy extra batteries for the dazzle stick?
--Yes
Q9d: How much?
--3 E
Q9e: How long is the dazzle stick supposed to last?
--2 hrs. of continuous use. Less if used normally...typically a hundred to 200 pulses.

That is per battery, right?  So each new battery will give me 100-200 more pulses?  Or is it that the dazzle stick itself wears out after 100-200 pulses?  How long does the dazzle stick last if you keep feeding it new batteries when needed?

Assuming that more batteries give me more dazzles, I'll modify Saturday's purchases to get 4 terabyte memory upgrades, 1 dazzle stick, 3 batteries, and 5 glowballs.


I delight in my new small comp unit, but reflect ruefully upon the lack of infrared capability.

Then I consider, and turn off the lights in my quarters.  And I focus my thoughts, and focus again, and attempt to expand the range of my vision into the infrared...


OOC: Trying to use my "In the Groove" skill to assist me in learning "Infrared Vision P5@1"...  :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:23, Mon 31 July 2006.

"How do you cope with injustice? This was the adding of insult to injury. First I am denied the right to be a cyborg because its governmental policy made by scared little men.  Then their lackeys laugh at me."

Maggie storms.  Her fury a great change from her usual cheerfulness.

==============================================================================

Agatha shakes her head.

"Its in my subconscious.  I can just think a codeword, and suddenly I'm doing things.

==============================================================================

It takes you nearly ten hours, but you're able to find an overlooked portal which will enable the information to pass over.

It seems you have actually found a small error in the current OS since it seems to be designed not to allow what you're doing.

Add @1 to your computer programming skill.

=============================================================================

You find a description of how to build a solar power device out of extremely crude materials.  Its in a book which details how one guy survived for ten years marooned on a planet by himself.

But other than that, you're not having much luck.

You are increasingly running up against the limits of the stored data.

===========================================================================

PT

*bump*  :D

Simon--"We're in a difficult situation here. Ideally, we'd have waited for a hand-picked crew.  Instead, we have a Captain who suffered some severe trauma, the only survivor on a previous ship that was attacked by aliens, and the Ambassador is financially strapped, and it wouldn't hurt him financially if we started a war since he owns a defense plant....it makes one wonder if someone is deliberately trying to sabotage this mission.  Unlike some people, I am loyal to the Empire, and I will do anything to secure it."

He gives you a cold look.

Lobo--"No, just fine."

Per battery, yes.

Your psi experiment works admirably for both skills.

PT

"The only way to cope with injustice is to put yourself in the LORD's hands."

"For we have not the power to force others to act, or refrain from acting, as we would desire them to.  Nor do we have the will or wisdom to desire what would be right even if we did have the power, for we are fallen."

"The only one who has that power, and will, and wisdom, is the LORD, before whom everyone will be judged."

"And He knows what it is to suffer unjustly... for Jesus Christ had no sin of His own to carry upon the cross.  Ours is the transgression, for we are rebels and children of rebels against His Righteous Authority, and deserve nothing but death for our treason.  But He paid the price, so our Amnesty could be offered through Him."

"He knows what it is to suffer unjustly... more than we ever will, or can even ever conceive of.  He understands.  And He gives the strength to cope with our own, to those who will love and serve Him."


"But how did you get that way?  Was it training?  Or was it somehow implanted?"


I ponder this, not too surprised.

Then I ponder again.

If I'm hitting the limits of the stored data, and if these terabyte memory upgrades are cheap, then how much memory would be required to store all the shipboard data that I have access to?


I nod thoughtfully.

"Well, it may be true that my ties to the Empire are recent... but I am loyal to the LORD, and He has Sovereignly placed me here to serve Him."

"And His Word says, 'Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers.  For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.'"

"Furthermore, His Word says, 'If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.'"

"It is therefore also my hope and prayer that we are able to live peaceably with these beings... and that they might, in time, choose to follow the LORD."

I ponder.

"It would seem that we share the same goal.  Is there anything you can think of that I can do to help?"


I give thanks to the LORD, and turn on the lights in my quarters once again, and stretch, and take a sip of water.

Then I regard a small cut and bruise I received from a recent workout, and focus, and focus again, seeking to heal the wound...

OOC: If you don't have time for everything, let's prioritize in reverse order:
Q1: Result of attempt to Heal Damage to Self P6@1 (with In the Groove boost, if applicable)?
Q2: Chat with Simon?
Q3: Storage capacity required for all accessible ship's data?
Q4: Chat with Agatha?
Q5: Chat with Maggie?
Q6: There is no question number six.  Thanks for the computer programming skill boost!  :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:47, Wed 02 Aug 2006.

"I think I can figure out pretty good what I need." Maggie says.

=================================================================

"Lots of training, not all of which I remember.  Some various types of imprinting...which I can't go into details on since its classified.  I'm not a cyborg if that it what you're asking.  I'm a human who has had programs added into her subsconscious, and significant training at Shades Hall on Caprica Epsilon.  And yes, I can punch hard enough to penetrate the brain case, and cause instant death.  However..." She smiles softly. "Contrary to the vids, the result is not just a dead target, but also me with a broken hand. In a way its comforting since I never have to be afraid of going on the wrong side of town, and in a way its scary because someone with the proper countersigns could walk up to me, and with a few words turn me into a weapon.  I sometimes wonder if when they offered me the Ring of Power, I should have said no."

============================================================================

The supply store is willing to sell you some more, but they point out that they only have a limited supply for everyone on the ship, and you've used even more than Dr. Hitchcock who is in second place for memory buying.

=============================================================================

Simon studies you.

"You say you're loyal to teh Empire, but how can you be?  By your tale, you'd never heard of it less than two weeks ago.  You say you're loyal, your religion commands it, but what happens when your religion and the empire get crossways?  I know some religions forbid suicide, but in order to protect the Empire, I'm fully prepared to blow this ship up to keep unfriendly aliens from learning too much about us.

===============================================================================

Unsuccessful healing.  No effect.

PT

"Wouldn't that be exactly what the governmental policy makers thought?"

"As long as everyone seeks their own will, their own goals, and their own desires, then they will inevitably come into conflict with one another.  It is only when we seek the LORD's will, and the LORD's goals, and the LORD's desires, that we will find peace."

"For He is Sovereign.  Therefore, His Will will be done, whether we like it or not.  So we can either align our wills with His and find joy and peace, or futilely fight against His will and find frustration and pain."

"Each of us must make that choice, for now... and for eternity."


I listen with interest.

"Are all types of imprinting classified, or are there types of imprinting available to citizens in general?"


"Oh, dear.  Well, how much memory is left in stock, and how much do others usually want?"

OOC: And how much memory would be required to store all accessible ship's data?


"Of course, my highest loyalty is to the LORD.  However, suicide is quite different than self-sacrifice, which is the example you propose."

"For it is written, 'Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.'  Jesus Christ Himself gave up his life for us.  And it is also written, 'For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.'  And again, it is written, 'Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him'."

"So what is death to me?  Either the LORD will send me to another universe to serve Him there, or He will take me home to Heaven.  I fear neither, for my own sake."


OOC: Does it make sense to keep trying now, or do I need to wait until circumstances change somehow?  What needs to take place to constitute a change of circumstances?

Maggie stares at you, starts to say something, thinks about it, and stops.  She then nods farewell, and walks away.

=============================================

"Imprinting is classified.  Let me assure you, its not something the average person would deal that well with.  You have to be willing to listen and listen and listen without saying anything back.  You have to be calmer than calm.  And in the end, you have to shun pride for pride will make your gifts useless."

She smiles faintly, and looks at you with the kind of quiet interest.  You're quite sure you could talk to her for hours, and she'd be the same.  Of course, if you just walked away she'd probably be the same too.

=======================================================

They tell you they can sell you three more upgrades.

The rest of the data they're not interested in fetching.  They're polite about it, but they don't see a reason why they should have to do this work, and laziness exists everywhere.

=============================================================

"That is a good distinction, but still you're not like me.  I am loyal to the Empire, first last and always.  Its a source of stability in human affairs which brings peace which then helps more people out.  Anything else, I'm not concerned with."

=====================================================

You felt no effect whatsoever from your attempt.

PT

I look back at her thoughtfully.

"So what made you decide to choose the path you have chosen?"


OOC: So I've never actually had direct access to the data, but I've had to ask these folks to fetch it all???

If so, no wonder they are getting tired... :p

What are my impressions concerning the rest of the data?  Is there anything worthwhile there?  How much more storage space would I estimate it requires?  Does the data look interesting enough to consider whether or not to offer compensating them for the extra trouble?


I look at him thoughtfully.

"I haven't grown up in the Empire, obviously.  What has it been like?  What made you choose to serve it in your current capacity here?"

"It just seemed the thing to do.  Matched my talents, gave me some power.  I've always been quiet, and skinny and short.  I didn't like being helpless, got mugged once when I was sixteen, and the guy just tossed me around like I was a toy."

===============================

No, you have direct access. They're just lazy, and don't see why they should get up out of their chairs.  It doesn't seem important to them.

===============================

It would probably take about two hundred percent more than you've used, and that's not counting the movies, and the training videos.

The value of information is in the eye of the reader.  I'd say yes, but...then you can drown in data too.

=================================

He tells you he grew up on a frontier world that got annexed.

"We were told to hate the empire, but after they arrived, they emptied out our hospitals because they had good medicines, and they built parks, and they exterminated the man-killing Verdaz six-legged tiger except for a few in zoos.  The politicians suddenly started being mostly honest, and stopped planning coup d' etats which got people pointlessly killed for their own personal glory...I've seen what bad goverment does to a people. And I was one of those people who was going to die in the hospital because the local pols thought it more important to build a monument to their own nobility rather than heal a kid. So I've seen how pointlessly stupid humans can be, and I've seen how decent and kind they can be if someone is there to hold them to a higher standard."

PT

OOC: Sorry, I'm still confused.  If I have direct access, then why do I have to trouble them to fetch the data, or even make them get out of their chairs???

I thought you were asking them, but its true, you can find the information yourself.

PT

OOC: So the only issue is that I can only buy a limited amount of memory upgrades, right?  Other than that, I can copy whatever data I have memory for, if I am so inclined?  :)

This is correct.

PT

OOC: So much for Friday's mealtimes...  Interesting conversations for Saturday's mealtimes?  :)

Breakfast had a lot of grouchy people since there was a minor emergency which could have been avoided if someone had been doing their job properly, and as a consequence a lot of people were short on sleep.

Lunch was an animated discussion of the various chances of certain crew members to play Robot Soccer with the Deck Hand robots.  They want to know if you are up for the game as well which is scheduled in two days.

Dinner is a more formal affair as you are invited with several others to eat with the Captain and Dr. Phyllis Hitchcock, and offer your insights and theories as to Alien First Contact.

PT

I grin.

"Count me in!  Do y'all want to stick with standard rules, or is anyone up for any variations, like the mirror version Susan and I tried the other day?"


I consider thoughtfully.

"I have never met an alien, but I have some familiarity with cross-cultural interaction... and I suspect the challenges to be that much greater with aliens.  A completely different frame of reference, worldview, and culture.  Different morals, etiquette, goals, priorities, and fears.  And we are to walk blindly through a minefield, hoping to make our way safely to a peaceful other side."

"The Word of the LORD saith, 'If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.'  And how much more so, when the fate of the Empire may hang in the balance?"

"But if we would walk less blindly, we need information above all.  We need knowledge and wisdom to know their thoughts and emotions and intentions, and their impressions of and reactions to us."

"Since I have arrived here, I have considered how I can be of use to this mission.  For though I am untrained, inexperienced, and in many ways the least of those aboard, yet the LORD has also given me Talents that are unique among us."

"So I have sought to practice and develop these abilities.  And thus far, I have read the mind of a volunteer crew member, successfully performing tasks such as guessing what number was being thought of.  And I have also been able to telepathically both send and receive thoughts with one of the hamsters aboard, who incidentally is very fond of being petted."

"If I am able to continue to develop these Talents, then we may be able to make use of them to read the aliens' thoughts, providing us with invaluable information and insight.  They may also be used, LORD willing, to bridge the communication barrier between the aliens and us."

"However, I am aware of the consequences of the last time that telepathic contact with an alien race took place.  So I strive merely to make the option available to us, and leave the decision as to whether or not that option should be used in more qualified hands."

You have a number of enthusiastic responses to playing "mirror robo-soccer", and it occurs to you to wonder if you have started some new craze like hula hoops.

The Captain listens and nods.

"Ultimately any thing we do may set them off.  They may be like the bull, and not like the color red for all we know.  I think we will hold your telepathy as a second string.  We'll start with less invasive measures, and if that doesn't work then telepathy."

PT

I grin wider.

"And if you like that one... I've also got a few other variations to suggest..."



I consider.

"It would be good for me to practice my telepathy more, for I have yet to achieve two-way communication with a human.  Would any of you be willing to volunteer?"

Dr. Hitchcock says that she would be interested, and she's pretty sure her assistant would be interested as well.  However, if she's going to do it, she's going to do it in a scientific setting, with proper protocols, electrical sensors attached to each person, and in the general space, and recording devices, and...

She goes on for five minutes with the proposed devices, and her plans to use the data in a scientific paper.

PT

I listen with interest.

"When is a good time for you?  Perhaps tomorrow, after the Sunday service and choir rehearsal?  That way, if something goes wrong and I get another case of Psionic Brain Burn, I won't be incapacitated for those important activities..."

OOC: I'll ease us in slowly, before giving my detailed plots for psionic skill development, store purchases, data downloads, ship conversations, Sunday service and choir details, snapping strap detective work, and overall plans for multiverse domination.  You *do* have a complete list of every single file I've downloaded so far, with complete content, right?  ;)

You set it up with Dr. Hitchcock for after the services.

The rest of the day is spent in study, and on the next day you have your Sunday services.

Everyone except the individual Watchstanders on the Bridge and in Engineering is here, so you have a crowd of sixteen people.

How were you planning on running the service, etc...

PT

After Saturday's dinner, I spend the evening in preparation and prayer.  I reflect upon Biblical worship, and upon my own worship background, and upon those of the crew members.  I reflect upon the spiritual state of the crew members, and the circumstances we face.  And, when all is in order, I pray, and sleep.

Sunday morning comes, and I get up early enough for my own devotions, and sonic shower, and breakfast.

I make sure to arrive early to the venue of the service on Sunday morning, set up my small comp unit to both project the needed visuals at the appropriate times (lovingly created by yours truly) and to record the service, and stand at the door to greet those who are arriving.  (OOC: any interesting interactions?)

And at the appointed time and place (OOC: when and where?), I go to the front, giving a gentle nod of welcome to those assembled.

"'Peace be unto you.'  Please stand..."

"'Hear the word of the LORD.'  I am reading from the King James Version of the year of our Lord 1611.  From the book of Matthew, chapter seven, verse twenty-one."

I activate my comp unit, which projects the text of the passage in front of the congregation.

"'Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.'"

I pause, and look at the congregation.

"'Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.'"

At my direction, the comp unit plays the music (church organ, with orchestral instruments) through once so everyone can get to know the tune, with both lyrics and music (four part, hymnal style) projected for everyone to see.

Then I proceed to lead the group in singing, with my usual reverent yet joyful enthusiasm in song... :)

"'They that in ships, with courage bold, o'er swelling waves their trade pursue,
Do God's amazing works behold, and in the deep his wonders view.
No sooner his command is past, but forth the dreadful tempest flies,
Which sweeps the sea with rapid haste, and makes the stormy billows rise.

Sometimes the ships, tossed up to heav'n, on tops of mounting waves appear;
Then down the steep abyss are driven; whilst ev'ry soul dissolves with fear.
They reel and stagger to and fro, like men with fumes of wine oppressed;
Nor do the skilful seamen know which way to steer, what course is best.

Then straight to God's indulgent ear they do their mournful cry address;
Who graciously vouchsafes to hear, and frees them from their deep distress.
He does the raging storm appease, and makes the billows calm and still;
With joy they see their fury cease, and their intended course fulfil.

O then that all the earth with me would God for this his goodness praise,
And for the mighty works which he throughout the wond'ring world displays!
Let them, where all the tribes resort, advance to heav'n his glorious Name,
And in the elders' sov'reign court, with one consent his praise proclaim!'"

I smile, and nod to the congregation.

"Thank you.  Please be seated."

I regard them all gently.

"'Hear the word of the LORD.'  I am reading from the book of Philippians, chapter four, verses four through nine."

The comp unit projects the passage once again.  However, I have memorized this passage, so I am able to recite it without looking.

"'Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.

Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.'"

I regard them all with a gentle, encouraging smile.

"Before we go to the LORD together in prayer, do any of you have any praises, or prayer requests?"

OOC:
(*) Time and place of the service?
(*) Interesting interactions prior to the service?
(*) Praises and prayer requests?
:)
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:42, Fri 06 Oct 2006.