Sixth Night

[raisethemoon]

[The comm just shows one of the computer monitors on the Mother of Invention, flashing its LIFE SUPPORT SYSTEMS: DAMAGED message. There's also a strange whirring. After a few seconds, Luna turns the comm to face herself.]

There is still an atmosphere here for the moment, but that warning will not cease. We should be cautious in traveling.

[Though by "we", she mostly means everyone else. She's got this.]

Unless, of course, any of you are capable of fixing it?

Comments

[trademark_skull]

[Sees the flashing warning. Hmmm...]

...I don't know about fixing it, but might be able to do something.

[raisethemoon]

Yes?

[trademark_skull]

If someone else knows what needs to be done, I can also go in there to help.

[raisethemoon]

One of the Freelancers may know something. I take it thou canst manage such a potentially hostile environment?

[trademark_skull]

Lack of air doesn't bother me that much. If it is no different than how being on the moon was.

[...Long story, that one.]

[raisethemoon]

[...there is a somewhat noticeable pause. Take the words right out of her mouth, why don't you.]

...yes. Well. Very well then. We shall...notify thee if thou art needed.

[trademark_skull]

[Most likely would have that same reaction, but probably for the opposite reason. His reason there was no really as complicated as Luna's. Or as long.]

I'll keep this on then.

[defrostedpride]

Well, that's ominous.

Does anyone native to that world have experience in system repair? [He has some experience himself, but when it comes to whether or not there continues to be breathable air, he's more than willing to defer to someone else's expertise, if there is any.]

[raisethemoon]

That is part of what I hoped to discover. Not all of can live in such an environment, 'twould be best to fix it ere it becomes a problem.

[blitz_of_gold]

I may not be able to help with the repairs, but a personal atmosphere is an automatic function of a Barrier jacket.

With some work, I could probably make a spell to expand that protective bubble across multiple people. So unless whatever is there has the ability to dispel something as inoffensive as that, then I should be able to make sure no one has to worry about running out of air.

[raisethemoon]

[Hmmmmm...]

If thou wert knocked unconscious, would the spell unravel? The invisible creature is still uncaptured.

[blitz_of_gold]

[Fate considers the question carefully.]

There would be two ways of making the spell. The easier way would be to have Bardiche run it. As long as everybody involved was within, say a kilometer or two? Bardiche would simply maintain the matrix. The down side is that it would reduce my combat abilities, and that if anything happened to him it would fail quickly. It is significantly harder to knock an Intelligent Device unconscious then a human, especially if I have him prioritize maintaining the spell.

Making a self sustaining field would be harder. Either cast over the person, or bound to some sort of object that would be a lot safer, but I don't think I could design the spell or cast it on very many people- on my own.

Honestly, if others could help me I'm sure the second would be a much better choice, but I think I'll go ahead and figure out the first spell just in case.

I don't think there are any other Mid-Style mages here, but are there any who think they could help anyway?

[raisethemoon]

Oh, my sister and I can do that. We do not particularly require life support anyhow.

[....well, she knows she can handle a vacuum well enough. She can't recall if Celestia's ever had occasion to try it.]

[blitz_of_gold]

[Fate smiles brightly. She had been thinking that the royal equine might be good for that- but she didn't want to out and ask!]

Oh, thank you! Fortunately, the part of the spell that actually protects you is already stored in Bardiche, its only figuring out how to enchant other people we have to get right.

I'd like to come and help during the repairs anyway.

[Fate looks less confident.]

So you think I'm intruding? Its not my ship, after all- I know some people have a lot of memories on it.

[raisethemoon]

[She frowns a little at that. It's perfectly true; she's seen this place in a quite disproportionate number of nightmares. More than enough that she doesn't particularly like the ship herself, anymore.]

I do not think they will mind.

[blitz_of_gold]

[Fate chuckles and gives a small, sardonic grin.]

Its funny. I've lived in interstellar craft my entire life, so I'm actually excited to go. No matter how damaged, its something a bit closer to home, you know?

[raisethemoon]

Well, at least it pleases someone...

[She still wishes, for the Freelancers' sakes at least, that it had been some other place.]

[brodakota]

I'm sort of familiar with the Mother of Invention's systems.

[It is his home but he wasn't really on maintenance duty.]

I might be able to look into it.

[raisethemoon]

Excellent! And thy armor will protect thee if the life support goes, yes?

[brodakota]

It should. Theta's reporting all system green.

[raisethemoon]

Good. I should not like anyone to put themselves in danger unnecessarily.

[brodakota]

Yeah, I should be alright. I have Theta to look after me as well.

[lessabrasive]

I'm no airbender. Though I've been told that the.. space 'vaccum'? --[was that the word she was looking for?] --would make that irrelevant. My metalbending would likely be better suited to destructive measures over reconstructive, in any case.

[She frowns.] Is the bridge still safe at least?

[raisethemoon]

It seems to be. I will go and check the other areas in a moment.

[lessabrasive]

If there is damage across the ship, take care, your Highness. [It wouldn't do for something to fall on and trap Luna!]

While that A-I being may be gone, I doubt the invisible resident has taken leave yet, either.

[raisethemoon]

I believe 'tis still on the loose, yes...but I shall be cautious.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

H-hey! Are you sure you should be on that thing right now?!

[raisethemoon]

I shall be alright. The void of space is far from pleasant, but I can survive it well enough.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

What about surviving it when that mysterious thing in there is attacking you? You...

[Edge is becoming briefly confused, in large part because of rather painful memories about the last time he kicked a girl off a spacefaring vessel for her own safety.]

Hey, just... don't get hurt, okay?

[raisethemoon]

I have not encountered that beast yet.

[To be honest, she's sort of hoping to run into it. She doesn't know that she would be any more able to fight it than others have been, but it's worth a try.]

But I thank thee for thy concern.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

Neither have I, and I've been up there more than a few times trying to smoke it out. Perfectly stealthy, too. It must know I'm there... somehow or other, because it's never once dared go up against me!

[No lack of confidence here. He's sure he could stop the thing if he could just meet it one on one!]

[raisethemoon]

I hath not been able to draw it out, either. As far as I can ascertain, 'tis not attracted to any one thing in particular...

[Save, evidently, people who could probably kick its flank.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

I've only ever heard rumors of its attacks. Never witnessed one. I'm starting to wonder if something actually exists in there or if it's all just in people's heads...

[raisethemoon]

I suppose it must. It hath knocked out Spirits as well, and I do not believe them all to be particularly imaginative.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

That IS a good argument.... [Darn. He kind of likes his 'they're all just crazy' theory, but he isn't willing to embrace the conclusion that in their craziness they attacked their own Spirits...] You know, I think the only way we'll ever find it is if we go room by room and seal off every room behind us. But can't do that now...

[raisethemoon]

No...

[She says it contemplatively...but trying to magically shield every single door on that ship would be a bit much, particularly if she intended to hold them whilst fighting an unknown entity.]

No, I suppose not.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[That hesitation... that's a very scary hesitation...]

Uh... why did you have to think about it?

[raisethemoon]

I was merely contemplating the amount of effort 'twould take to hold a magical barrier over each of the doors, possibly whilst fighting the creature.

[She has no reason to lie about this.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

You're seriously that powerful.

[It's not even a question; experience and maybe a little cynicism has taught him not to disbelieve such things. It's just... how the heck does that even work?]

[raisethemoon]

A single shield is not very difficult to make. 'Tis merely a matter of scale.

[But she's flattered.]

[onehandsomeslickninja]

I don't think there's a mage or a Caller in history who could do that. That's pretty impressive!

[He's not above laying on a little more... although it's actually sincere praise!]

[video]

[buymedumplings]

Wish I could help Luna. I've been pretty useless every time I went over to that ship.

I'll be cheering you guys on from over here though.

[text]

[ttlynotanagent]

Could try as long as the atmosphere holds, but I'd be worried about it suddenly depleting and I don't have any gear.

Plus, not sure how close the systems are to the stuff I work with. I'm good, but I'm not sure I'm that good.

-P

[video]

[raisethemoon]

Some of us believe we can manufacture our own small atmosphere, if needed. The main issue is maintaining it if the spellcasters come under assault by the invisible creature.

[text]

[ttlynotanagent]

Then we should run it like an RPG campaign. You put the magic users in the back or center, a place you can guard with those who use either ranged or weapon attacks protecting from the outside.

I don't mind serving as your body guard Luna, if it comes to that. I've dealt with risky operations before. It's not like the ship is any bigger than the Tri-State area which I defend on a constant basis from any number of catastrophes.

[raisethemoon]

[Run it like a...Perry, she has absolutely no idea what you're talking about, but the strategy sounds sound enough.]

I do not require a bodyguard. [But that's her pride getting the best of her, and she knows it. She also probably can't afford to indulge it if she's providing oxygen to others. Sigh.] But I suppose it might be helpful in this instance.

[text]

[ttlynotanagent]

[Sorry. He doesn't realize. He figures the point is the same. Too bad you can't see him because he's kind of smirking at your indignation. The message he sends however:]

How about backup then? If bodyguard doesn't do it for you. I just want to help.

[raisethemoon]

That would be acceptable, yes. [Now she feels a little silly for reacting that way. Not that she'll ever admit it.]

[ttlynotanagent]

Good. See you soon.