Stars in your multitudes, scarce to be counted, filling the darkness with order and light.

[tookashirototheknee]

[Matt might be good at the network, but that doesn't mean he has complete control over his thoughts. Sometimes things slip through. But in this case, it's probably for the better.]

Oh, for the love of space peas, that's it!

[He pauses, and then sets out to make slightly more coherent comments. Standing in front of a mirror, at first all people can see is a detailed star chart. Anyone who is familiar with stars from earth would know this isn't exactly a view from Earth, but it's similar.]

So, I totally forgot that I got blessed with visions or hallucinations or something like that, but I had a... something of a star field. I don't know if I was there or in a planetarium or what, but I drew it out.

And then I realized. This is the star field as seen from Mars. I'd be a crap Garrison graduate if I couldn't figure that one out. So, uh, on top of everything else that's going on, we're going to Mars.

I haven't been there myself, but my dad's told me a lot about it, so I can help. I hope.

Comments

[vrepit_no]

Agreed... My bike's modded to fit two now, if you ever want to go for a ride, and we're working on figuring out schematics for a small flying machine. But if we can get hold of an actual shuttle, I really, really want to go flying with you.

[vrepit_no]

So long as no one gets hurt, I am all for this. Even if we can get me to a computer with the files, I can probably store them in my arm till we get back.

[tookashirototheknee]

That sounds fantastic. I'd be up for a ride anytime.

I just want to watch you fly. You're always so happy when you're flying.

[tookashirototheknee]

Yeah! Our solar system has nine planets... [It may not be technically correct, but you can fite him. Pluto is a planet.] and Mars is the one closest to the Earth.

You wouldn't want to live there outside of the base, and, really, it's not that interesting, but, well. It is another planet.

[tookashirototheknee]

You know, that sounds like a good idea in any circumstance, to be honest.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Easier than getting a printout, I'm sure.

I think this might be the first time I've had a plan, going into a jaunt.

[[and what a plan it is...]]

[vrepit_no]

[Sheepish chuckle.]

It's my second favorite thing, so I suppose it makes sense. Think you can hack it for me? We probably won't have the same layout as home.

[vrepit_no]

We don't usually know this much ahead of time. Odds are we're going to want ATVs that can stand up to a lot of dust and low gravity.

[tookashirototheknee]

What's your favorite thing, then? I always thought it was flying.

[He pauses, a smug tone to his voice.]

Do you doubt me, Captain? I'll just have to show you what I can do, then.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Can add an additional set of filters for the exhaust intakes on the hoverbikes. Temperatures might be different, but the basics should be about the same as Jangwa, from the sound of it. The lower gravity will give them a hell of a lift too. Should be able to catch some serious air time.

[vrepit_no]

My favorite thing? You really want to know?

[vrepit_no]

What do you say to getting another couple of bikes built before we go?

[triggerhappytraitor]

I'll see what I can do.

[[He hasn't tried just making a bike whole cloth yet... time to find out if he can.]]

[vrepit_no]

If you can give me parts, I'll work right there with you. Maybe we can keep each other from adding too many extras.

[triggerhappytraitor]

To get in a few before the jaunt hits, yeah, they'll need to be a bit more streamlined. I should be able to create the frame as one piece, and then the main engine as a second. Should be enough parts and pieces in the garage already to fill out the rest from there.

[vrepit_no]

Perfect! I'll bring over the sketches I've got of the shuttle I'm familiar with- consoles and parts of the engine and wings, mostly.

[triggerhappytraitor]

Going to try and make a combination of the two?

[vrepit_no]

Not right away, but I thought we could look it over and see if you had ideas for streamlining at some point. The shuttle is pretty large, so we could use a way to slim it down but still allow two, three people in it.

[triggerhappytraitor]

A good idea, yeah. Need to make sure if fits inside a room so that Liminal doesn't make off with it. And the more lightweight it is, the less fuel it'll need.

[vrepit_no]

Yeah, that was part of my thought - remember how large the simulator was back in the dungeon? That's just the cockpit cabin. It's a ship meant to make 6 month trips in. So yeah, sizing it down without losing functionality will be important.

[reallymean]

[Everyone else has covered most of the important bits, but:]

Space peas?

[butthemiracleneverhappen]

Unfortunately, given Kinji's dreams of droving, I'd strap a laser sixgun to your belt and beware of desperadoes in spaceplanes.

I feel obligated to add a 'yeehaw.'

[triggerhappytraitor]

Aiming for something for a day trip at first, yeah. More a shuttle than a full fledged cruiser. Shouldn't be too hard to get all the controls and equipment into the condensed space, I'd think. Most of the early designs back home where super compact, with the bulk of it all being the fuel.

[helborn]

... I'm incredibly jealous. I've never been to space - we've only barely been to the moon. I've been to the underworld, but not space! This is great!

... Could you even fit a ship in liminal space? I mean maybe if you have enough room creation like I do... I don't know.

[carbonatedscientist]

And yet if we look at this group...

...I don't think "good ideas" are popular with a certain segment of the population.

[Says the hero-type with zero sense of self-preservation.]