Thread Continuations (TFLN, etc.)

[desertpowered]

Comments

[unearthlyexile]

[Thread start]

Perhaps we'll see the sandworms after the snow, [Susan suggests. She twists a dial on one panel of the control column, and the outer door of the ship can be seen swinging closed, if one looks toward it.] I think you need something a little more peaceful than wrangling a great beast and making sure I don't get eaten.

[One of the display screens on the wall glows red for a moment, then shows a series of images -- various circles and spirals that merge together. Susan walks over to that particular console and flips a few switches. She slides back part of the console's casing to reveal a touch-sensitive panel.] Will you come over here, Paul? This device is an emergency return failsafe. I've set it for this time and place that we're leaving from, but I want to key it to your bio-signature specifically. You'll be able to get home safely even if I'm incapacitated somehow, once we set that up.

[It's a little something that Susan added to her own TARDIS after remembering just how often her grandfather failed to return his companions to the right time on Earth.]

[desertpowered]

That's a good idea. I'm happy to show you sandriding and how it's done, but it certainly isn't easy. It would be best to follow my lead and watch from a safe distance the first time. Or I could simply call a sandworm so you could have the chance to see one. [He gets himself comfortable on board, still impressed by the strange ship. Paul has never seen anything like this. It's clearly alien technology.]

Of course. And thank you, that's very considerate.[Paul follows the instructions given and goes over to the panel, but doesn't do anything just yet.] I assume I'm supposed to touch it? I didn't want to touch anything until I know exactly what you need me to do. [He knows what a bio-signature is, or at least can figure out what Susan means by context. But he wants to wait for instructions before he makes a move. Paul is wary and cautious by nature and wants to be sure he makes the right move.] Hopefully, though, no incapacitation would happen.

[Paul is a fierce fighter and is not one to abandon his allies, incapacitated or not. But he also recognizes her as the expert in this situation and agrees to the precaution.]

[unearthlyexile]

[Susan laughs.] You're much more polite and cautious than my last travel companion! [She nods, and points to the touch-sensitive panel.] If you press your palm flat to this panel here, it will scan your palm print and bio-signature and associate that with these coordinates for the return. It should just feel a little warm while it scans you.

Once we're done with that, I'll set the coordinates for Metebelis Three, in a safe year. And you can take a look around the ship, if you like, once we enter the Time Vortex.

[desertpowered]

[Paul laughs back.] Well, you’re the expert on matters like this. This is your ship, the way I’m the expert when it comes to riding sandworms. [Following the instructions he was given, Paul places his hand onto the panel, his palm flat as asked. He waits patiently until the heat from the scan fades.] Interesting technology. We don’t have anything like this where I come from.

Metebelis Three it is, then. [Paul smiles, relaxing. A fine break from politics, and with good company. He’s enjoying this vacation already.] So what exactly is a Time Vortex?

[unearthlyexile]

[Susan sounds genuinely interested when she asks,] What is unusual about the bio-scanner in comparison to the technology that you're familiar with?

[For the most part, the Time Lords avoid the regions of space-time controlled by the Spacing Guild. It is known, in the way that all things to do with time are known to 'the Time Lords' as a people, but few of their number are actually well-versed in the details of the era and locale. Susan is not one of those few.]

[Susan sets the coordinates, murmuring absently about "eight legs" as she does so, and the grinding hum begins again as the crystalline cylinder atop the control column rises and falls in a steady rhythm. One of the display screens, showing the environment outside of the ship, fades into a kaleidoscopic swirl of color and light. She points to that screen and says,] That is the Time Vortex. Or rather, how the TARDIS's sensors can translate the Vortex to be understood by our eyes.

It is a pathway forged by the Time Lords to travel to anywhere and anywhen, and how our TARDISes move in time and space. It is infinite strands of energy neither separated from nor connected to all of space-time, criss-crossing in a recursive fractal pattern that cannot be held within a fifth-dimensional mind.

[Susan winks.] And I think it's quite pretty to look at, don't you?

[desertpowered]

Different make. Which makes sense, given that your people aren't human. There are beings where I come from who are human but don't look that way anymore, so it makes sense that there are also beings who look human but aren't.

[That's good thinking - while Paul wouldn't say his corner of the universe is horrible, though he'll freely admit it has more than its share of problems, he would have suggested avoiding it to outsiders if only because it's easy to run astray of politics and idiosyncrasies that would make it dangerous to strangers. It's not easy to explain to the uninitiated, which is why he's relieved that Susan already knows some of the basics.]

It's beautiful. [Plain but honest. Paul admires the time vortex - he wonders if his abilities will change as he travels through time and space, or whether they'll adjust. He can work with either. His powers are relatively new and could use both sharpening and preactice. He hasn't forgotten how Susan offered to help him find new uses for his skills. As a Kwisatz Haderach, Paul is far more powerful than an ordinary human being. A Kwisatz Haderach and a Time Lord as allies are something extremely formidable.]

I can tell you a bit about where I come from. Or better yet, write up a treatise for you, so there can be better understanding of where I come from. I wouldn't say we're the worst part of space, but I wouldn't suggest visiting regularly without full knowledge of what we're like, either. A gift from me as thanks for taking me along.

I do like adventures, you know.

[unearthlyexile]

[Susan looks pleased at his simple response, or perhaps the honesty behind it. She sees many shortcomings in her own people, and their lack of appreciation for the beauty in their lives is one.]

If you take the time to write up a treatise, I will definitely include it in the TARDIS library. We'll always have the knowledge on hand that way.

[Susan walks around the control column, checking gauges and pressing different sequences of buttons.] I am aiming for a time when the Eight Legs are no longer in power on Metebelis Three. We'll be able to observe the natural beauty of the planet in relative peace, and no one ruin the ambiance with their efforts to gather perfect Metebelis crystals. [Susan glances at Paul, and says in a mild tone,] They're known to enhance psychic abilities.

[desertpowered]

I'm guessing these Eight Legs are not pleasant creatures, or at least it would be for the best to stay out of their way. [Paul is powerful, but he's aware he isn't immortal - especially when dealing with a hostile alien species he has no prior knowledge of.]

I'll be happy to provide you with one. A collaborative effort between you and me. There's a great deal I believe we can learn from each other.

Ah. Enhance psychic abilities. I see, they might intersect with my own natural abilities or make them stronger. [A pause. Paul's picked up on what she's implying, but he feels that he needs to check and gain official permission. This is a planet that has suffered from resource depredation from hostile outsiders.] If it's damaging to the planet's environment to take a crystal, I won't do it. I feel I should ask for permission. Unlike these Eight Legs beings, I would be satisfied with only one.

[unearthlyexile]

[Susan nods.] The Eight Legs are an arachnid species. Not native to Metebelis Three, but they lived there for generations, and eventually developed a wide range of psychic powers. They also gained an increase in size, at least a meter in length on average... but when we are going, they are still recovering from their rather foolish attempt to gather all the perfect crystals to gain ultimate power. [Susan shrugs, and taps her fingernails against the face of a gauge in an absent little rhythm.] The energy web was too much for them to contain, and it destroyed their main settlement and the very crystals they sought.

I'm sure some of the Eight Legs survived, but they will be focused on survival and rebuilding, rather than any grand schemes. A people generally has to be settled and comfortable before they start dreaming of power and how to gather more of it.

Those who collect the blue crystals of Metebelis Three have all been wise enough, for the most part, to not interfere with the natural processes that grow more crystals. Therefore, the removal of a single crystal won't unbalance things on the planet. If you find a good one that resonates with you, you'll be able to take it with you safely.

[desertpowered]

So in some ways, these Eight Legs are not so different from humans aside from the body shape. We know all about that kind of thing - overreaching ourselves, getting reckless with needed resources and forgetting that "renewable" doesn't mean "use carelessly". I'll say I'm more familiar with giant worms than with giant spiders. My powers let me "talk" to them to some extent and instruct them for help. And there isn't much a worm bigger than most buildings can't do. I wouldn't be surprised if that works on many other animals.

Good, I wanted to make sure. I'll see if I can find one that resonates with me. My own psychic powers are strong, but something which could make them even stronger is more than welcome out of curiosity's sake. I'm always interested in ways to help my abilities grow safely and learn new ways to use them. And the stronger I am, the more useful a companion I'll be.

Creativity's always been one of my assets. It's had to be - when you have limited resources, you have to get creative with them. So I think we'll work together effectively. I look forward to showing you more about myself, as I look forward to learning about you.

[unearthlyexile]

The Eight Legs are quite powerful in the psychic sense. I don't think they'd be very fond of taking instruction from a "Two Legs" like you or me, so please take care how you speak to them, if we do meet any of them on our trip.

[Susan flips a lever, and the swirling colors of the Time Vortex slowly give way to a thickly forested setting. Everything has a bluish tint to it -- the sky is a very rich dark blue, and the foliage all tends to teal instead of green. Even the soil appears to be a blue-grey. Metebelis Three is indeed a blue planet.] I offered to let you accompany me because you interest me, you know? Not so much because of your potential for strength, Paul.

[desertpowered]

I will. The arrogant types, are they? [Paul knows the type - but he also knows how to deal with people like that. Still, Susan is the expert and so he’ll gladly defer to her if they deal with the creatures. Paul is imagining a creature rather like a spider. He isn’t particularly bothered by large bugs, so he’s not frightened, more wary.]

It’s nice, you know. Having someone with me who wants me around because of who I am, not what I am and what I can do. It feels good, actually. [Paul looks out at the landscape, even more curious now that they’ve arrived. This is a completely new planet, one not in his part of the universe, and he might be the first person to see it from his time and place.] Should we get going, then? I’m ready whenever you are.

[unearthlyexile]

{OOC: Sorry for the delay, work has been a bit rough. I'll try to do a little scene-setting in this comment, but don't feel shy about making up your own stuff, too. Canon, schmanon, let's do what's fun.}

Oh yes, one last thing. [Susan pulls a small key out of her pocket. It's a simple-looking thing, just a flat piece of metal with a 'toothed' tab to be inserted in a lock, and a small hole at one end to put onto a keyring or chain. She hands it over to Paul.] Your TARDIS key. So that you can get back into the ship on your own, should you need to.

[After that, Susan leads the way back out of the console room and into the entrance area. The exterior door slides open, and crisp, fresh air from the forest surrounding them flows in. Susan steps out onto the blue-grey ground and looks around. Paul will probably notice, once he looks back, that they appear to have stepped out of a big tree -- that's the chameleon circuit at work, hiding the true nature of the ship and allowing the TARDIS to blend in with their surroundings on Metebelis Three.]

[Something that sounds like a large bird makes a whooping call in the distance, and there are bugs buzzing around in the undergrowth. Maybe some unfamiliar animals are watching them from other large trees in the vicinity.]

What do you think? Any particular direction catch your eye, Paul?

[sisterimperator]

[ Sister Imperator sometimes needed a breath of fresh air - even the Prime Mover had to take the weekly day off to recharge, and as such, she took the opportunity to visit Paul's new home. By the way he invited her, he was obviously proud of his place, and Sister had to admit that she was curious what someone from another planet would furnish their home on Earth with.

She came bearing gifts for her friend - a copy of Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Seas by Jules Verne, and freshly made pizza. ]

[desertpowered]

[Paul's home is humble, especially for someone used to extravagance. He's at the door quickly to let her in with a bow, carrying a box himself. Since she'd liked the wine he'd delivered earlier, he was happy to provide her with more. It's furnished with all kinds of oddities - a strange green rock, stacks of books, and assembled Earth oddities that have found their way into his collection.

He smells the pizza and curiously asks a question.]

Welcome. What kind is it, if I may ask?

[sisterimperator]

Thank you for welcoming me into your home, Paul. I see you've already formed quite a collection of decor.

[ She had much to admire - that green crystal caught her attention. But Sister Imperator first stepped inside, passing him the book. ]

A gift. Science fiction is so fond of exploring worlds beyond ours, but I find that going within - whether into the Earth or the mind - is just as fascinating.

[ In response to his question, she replied, ] Pepperoni. The usual American choice.

[desertpowered]

Thank you. The green stone was supposed to be from space, or at least that’s what I was told when I bought it.

[It was a small joke. Paul himself is an extraterrestrial in terms of his origins in time and space. But he truly does miss where he came from.]

We had great seas where I was born and lived the first fifteen years of my life. I sailed on them a few times in my life. So in a way it’ll be a reminder of home.

Come, have a seat. We’ll enjoy the pepperoni pizza together.

[sisterimperator]

[ She caught the humor in his voice and flashed him a smile, even as she came closer to inspect the crystal. ]

Moldavite. A crystal used by witches and magick users to usher in transformation. An interesting choice.

[ Regarding the book - ] Let me know how you like it. If you're interested in learning other languages, the original text is actually in French, not English. You might want to read that as well.

[ Sister Imperator certainly wasn't going to say no to Pizza Hut, and so she nodded, following Paul to the table. ]

[desertpowered]

I didn’t know that, but it’s certainly an interesting coincidence. Especially since my abilities are…well, not magick precisely but easy to mistake for it.

[There are some special qualities, but science as far as it exists in Paul’s universe has changed to the extent that he’s not sure anyone has studied a substance like the Water of Life, or would even be allowed to.]

I could teach myself French. It would give me something to do with my time. I speak a few languages, including some that have never been used on your world and time.

[And Paul sets out plates for the pizza, taking his seat and waiting for the box to be opened.]

[sisterimperator]

Plenty of what was once thought as magic and science fiction has become fact. However, there is still a difference for those of us who know. With that said - would you say that your abilities can be explained by a heightened sensory perception of relativity?

[ Sister Imperator, realizing that that was her cue, opened the box. The familiar smell of pizza, cheese, and pepperoni greeted her immediately, and her stomach rumbled. ]

Go ahead, Paul. And if you like it spicy, there are packets of hot sauce you can use.

You know, it'll be interesting to show you some old texts. See if you can make anything of them.

[desertpowered]

That could be the case, though I'd prefer to keep the abilities I still have a secret. It's better that way, and safer for all parties involved. I wouldn't be surprised if there was an explanation of some kind or another - hallucinogens are known in your world, though the things I saw weren't those.

[Paul's stomach growls in turn, and when she opens the pizza box he decides to do something about it, snatching a slice right out.]

Ah, these should taste as good as they smell. Let me take a sample.

[With that, Paul snaps up the pizza slice in a couple of bites. He swallows with a satisfied expression.]

[sisterimperator]

Interesting.

[ Sister Imperator wasn't going to press if Paul didn't want to reveal his abilities. However, the idea of hallucinogens and spiritual practice was not unheard of, and she nodded.

Upon seeing him eat up the slice, she realized - ]

I should have ordered two, at least. Well, conveniently, they do have delivery. Do you have a phone?

[desertpowered]

I'm one of a kind here.

[Paul is wiping tomato sauce from his mouth with a napkin, and is going for another slice of pepperoni pizza when he hears Sister's comment. He gestures to a rotary phone in the kitchen.]

I have one, yes. You can use it if you need to. We'll split the pizzas - one for me and one for you.

[Paul wouldn't be above taking what Sister left if she let him.]

[sisterimperator]

[ The look she gave him was one of dry amusement. They were both well aware she couldn't finish an entire pizza, and Paul would have everything else. That was fine with her.

She headed to the phone to place an order. While she could have a Ghoul head to Pizza Hut to order it then take it to them, she thought he would enjoy seeing the human process of food delivery. ]

Do you want pepperoni or another flavor?

[desertpowered]

[That was, more or less, what Paul had planned. A whole pizza for him, and whatever was left of Sister's pizza. He may no longer have the full power of a Kwisatz Haderach but Paul's cunning is still very much present.

He nods, agreeing that he'd like to see the delivery process in person. Paul likes seeing how these things work, and learning so he can order a pizza for himself. He benefits strongly from observation.]

Hmm. Extra cheese with anchovies?