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Thread: Forgotten Futures: The Cassowary and the Continental Zombies

  1. #101
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    "Thank y', highness." Lore takes the tube, finishing off his beer before stretching a bit. There's a nod to the new captain, and without much ceremony he'll start for his new position.

    Although he does pause for Dr. LeFevre's question. "Sit'cher ass in somethin' tha' don't move an' hang on," he suggests with a smirk.

  2. #102
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    Ian is off to the bridge. He looks quite happy.

  3. #103
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    Dr Lefevre gives Lore an answering smirk and a nod. "Thank you."

    Turning to Miss Weber: "Might I sit with you, mademoiselle? I haven't had a chance to see anyone actually use a Babbage engine before." If that is not an option, he'll settle himself in the medical facilities until the ship is steady in the air.

  4. #104
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    Boyd says, "I would be honored to serve as first lieutenant. Thank you, Your Highness. Capt. MacAndrew, by your leave, then, I will examine the ship's weaponry and ammunition stores and advise you if I note any deficiencies." He rises to go.

  5. #105
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    "Of course, Doctor. I would be happy to explain it's workings." Klara says. "This is really an ingenious use of Babbage's design - the algorithms involved are quite sophisticated, the aeronautical equations it can handle are really ..." She'll go in this vein as she makes her way towards the library.

  6. #106
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    For a moment, Smythe looks over the assembled, his eyes moving towards the two doctors, then back to the exuberant Boyd. They all hurry to their particular tasks, and he waits for a long moment in the galley. Enjoying a bite, he savors it slowly, patiently, then leaves the area to find his room and a book he brought with him. It was not in English, and and he slowly rises to find a view window, where he will station himself and wait for the travel to be put underway. The book is opened to pass the time as he waits, and if any took a look, and could manage, it seemed he held a book that was in some asian dialect. The lack of pictures obfuscated any additional purpose to it.

    Absently, as he read, he slid his thumb against the teeth which hung around his neck as trophy; his finger would pause, regularly, at one at the base. It looked particularly human.

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    "Oh dear", mutters Nate to himself, "I haven't removed that hypnotism from Mr Spencer yet. I do hope lady Klara likes bread rolls and I really should remove it later."

    He settles back down to the table with a cup of tea, pulls out a deck of cards and starts dealing them out onto the table.
    In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.

  8. #108
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    The Babbage engine takes up the majority of the room in which it sits, as well as being connected to the majority of mechanical parts in the ship itself. Lefevre will be able to follow most of Weber's explanations of how it works, though cannot grasp the full complexity of it. One innovation of the machine that will make Weber's job easier is sheets of paper which are struck with metal sorts like the ones used in typesetting. This will print updates and notices spontaneously, as well as the results of programs Weber might feed into it.

    Boyd's inventory of the ship's weaponry and ammunition stores shows that there are four artillery guns. Two are on either side of the cabin and two are at the center of the Cassowary. They are machine loading, with the recoil energy used to load the next round after firing. Extra ammunition is stored in the crawlspace beneath the cabins and the guns may be controlled from the bridge. Everything inspected appears to be in good working condition.

    Once everyone has settled in for the flight and the prince has left the ship, the canvas roof of the hangar is pulled back. The ship vibrates as the rotors start up and the shift in gravity is felt by everyone aboard when it rises. For those who have never been in an airship before, it's somewhat unsettling and may make some nauseated.

    Aside from the spectacular view, the flight is fairly uneventful for the first two hours. Then, as they're crossing over the Channel, MacAndrew will notice something in the air off of the starboard bow. It's partially obscured by cloud, but an indistinct black shape can be seen for a moment. It's still some distance away, but appears to be larger than any bird MacAndrew is familiar with.

  9. #109
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    All hands to their stations. We have sighted another vessel. As a ship of war would, we hope she is a friend and prepare for the eventuality that she is not. Is the Cassowary provided with means for ship-to-ship communications?
    Librarians rule, Oook

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    At the declaration of hands to stations, Smythe bolts to his room to retrieve his rifle, and once he grabs his trusty weapon and his ammunition. He had every intention to double back and race to the crew deck; but he moved with the expectation of impact, hand constantly along the wall as he's preparing to catch himself if an impact is made. His hands should be at the deck for his station as security, he figured, but he'd be doing a poor job of it if he was unable to shoot someone with his favored weapon.

    A fact that displeased him more than a touch.

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    Nate hears the call through the ship and sighs, he was close to finishing his game of Solitaire. He didn't really like the thought of being called insurance, and the more he thought about it, the more concerned he was becoming.

    However, the tea was excellent and he poured himself another cup, certain that the crew would handle whatever was about to occur.
    In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.

  12. #112
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    Dr Lefevre frowns and gets to his feet, then starts back toward the medical facilities to prepare some supplies should any injuries result from this meeting. He makes a mental note to stash one such kit in the bridge later. Being at the farthest point from the sick bay, it would be better to have the means there for binding a gaping wound before trying to transport them back. He walks with one hand along the wall as he would on a sea-bound ship, giving Smythe a tight smile of acknowledgment as they pass one another.

  13. #113
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    Ian maneuvers the ship to present the smallest target to the potential aggressor. He then begins checking the guns are ready. Once the first maneuver is underway, I apply additional lift to gain altitude.

  14. #114
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    Lt. Boyd, your binoculars on the strange ship if you please, and tell us what you make of her.
    Librarians rule, Oook

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    Though there has been some theory regaring wireless telegraphy, nothing of use has yet been developed. There is a speaking tube in the bridge, which will project the voice through a trumpet on the exterior of the ship.

    As Spencer increases the altitude of the ship, they are able to look down toward the other flying object. It's a smaller, but similarly designed rotorcraft. This one has its belly painted white so that it blended in with the clouds when seen from below, while the top portion is painted black. Had it not been seen against the backdrop of cloud, the black likely would have blended into the sea.

    Should Boyd look through binoculars toward the other ship, he will be able to see three men flying it with what looks like some effort. On its side is painted the word Pinguinus.

  16. #116
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    We should have semaphore I would think.

    Ian says, "Captain, we could try signaling with semaphore or Morse code by mirror."

  17. #117
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    There are signal flags, but no one in the party is currently skilled with communicating via semaphore. There are also mounted mirrors on the exterior of the ship for watching behind them, which could be adjusted manually though it would involve opening a window at altitude. There are likely to be other mirrors on the ship, of course. MacAndrew and O'Cuinn can both use Morse code.
    Last edited by Peeta Mellark; 29 Mar 2011 at 01:08 PM.

  18. #118
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    The head mirror of a physician would be a standard piece of equipment, and well-suited for signaling with because of its curved surface. Dr Lefevre would have one as a matter of course with the supplies he's carrying to the front of the ship.

  19. #119
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    What's the exterior noise like on a rotorcraft? If we can make ourselves heard through the trumpet when we're slowed to a hover, we can flash the Pinguinus to pass within hail. Try the Doctor's mirror and if there is any trouble making a signal with that, there's an acetylene lamp among my lab equipment and some tins of carbide for it.
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    Librarians rule, Oook

  20. #120
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    "Tha' thing e'en looks like a penguin," Lore muses, looking up from his charts. There's been suggestions of Morse code and mirrors, and Lore will head for the doctor, holding out his hand for the mirror.

    "Let's give this a go, then."

  21. #121
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    He gave a brief gesture of something resembling greeting as Smythe passed the doctor, grasped his rifle in his room then turned and sprinted back towards the deck with his armaments in case things went sideways.

  22. #122
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    The noise isn't quite deafening, though close. The trumpet can be heard over it.

    The Pinguinus finally notices the other craft and turns toward them, coming in closer. After some experimentation with the mirror, O'Cuinn can use MacAndrew's lamp in conjunction with it to flash a strong light toward the other ship.

  23. #123
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    Signal "Approach within hail, reduce speed to minimum"
    Librarians rule, Oook

  24. #124
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    "Aye, aye" and Ian does so.

  25. #125
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    Smythe, aware of Boyd's experiences in the Marines from the man's discussion he overhead, addresses him. "Can you handle ship guns?" he would ask, a skill he himself does not possess as a proper Infantry Rifleman.

    If Boyd answers affirmatively, Smythe would order him to man them in preparation for possible conflict; if their predecessor has the same armaments that the Cassowary does, it is wise to be armed; he, on the other hand, will try to use his rather sharp vision to make out any helming of the wheel; while slowly chambering a round in his rifle and eyeballing for a window that can be opened or a hatch to allow him access.

  26. #126
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    Toff grabs his bag of tricks and brings it with him to the deck, dropping it next to him somewhat carelessly. He pulls out his crossbow and looks through it's scope at the approaching ship. He scans it looking for anything that will indicate their possible purpose. He suspects they aren't here to make friends since most people who's intentions are innocent aren't sneaking around with a quiet and camouflaged transport.
    Last edited by Hoopy Frood; 29 Mar 2011 at 07:40 PM.

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    Boyd raises an eyebrow at Smythe's peremptory tone. "Yes, I can handle the ship's guns, but you will, I'm sure, recall that the Prince put Mr. MacAndrew in command of this ship, and appointed me first mate. I intend to man one of the guns anyway, but not because you have 'ordered' me to do it, my good man." Boyd will go to the gun nearest the other aircraft and prepare it for action. If he cannot do so single-handedly, he'll ask anyone nearby who's not otherwise occupied to help him.

  28. #128
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    With the right angle on the light, Lore signals the other ship. His Morse code is fast and practiced. He'll send the message twice, then wait for a reply.

    "We've signaled 'em, sir."

  29. #129
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    Spencer adjusts their crafts position expertly.

    Smythe will see that there is a window on each side of the bridge with latches and a crank. Both have three latches to hold them in place and thick rubber around the edges. The cranks appear to release them outwards.

    Boyd finds he is able to singlehandedly prepare the guns. From his controls he finds several levers for adjusting the angle of the guns as well, so that he has a greater range for aim.

    After the Pinguinus receives O'Cuinn's message they look around their bridge, then find a mirror to send another message back. They aren't so practiced at Morse code as MacAndrew or O'Cuinn and their light is weak, so the message comes through haltingly. S...O...S.

    Through his scope, Toff will see that the men in the other rotorcraft are wearing brightly colored vests in red and blue over billowing white shirts. They don't look particularly English.

  30. #130
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    Smythe, stand clear of the window! We're sealed for flight at altitude, and an abrupt loss of cabin pressure would be dangerous. Belay the rifle, pending orders.

    Navigator, shortest course to the English coast, and we'll signal the heading to the Pinguinus when you've computed it.
    Librarians rule, Oook

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    "Aye, sir," Lore calls back, returning to his charts. It's just a few quick calculations before Lore's back, signaling the heading. Perhaps a bit more slowly this time.

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    Smythe keeps the issue to himself of the orders; Boyd's attitude leaves him frustrated but there were far more important issues upon which to focus. Signalled against using the windows, he lifts his hands up, showing a disinterest in opening the pressurized window, looking back for the Captain.

    "Well, I hardly intend to use it inside, so I'm taking that natural cognitive leap already," he concurred at the dismissal for use of his rifle, as he settled some, lowering the rifle; assuming that the S.O.S. message is transmitted, he calms some, hoping that those in the opposing ship are anything but opposing.

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    OOC: Did I really put apostrophes in two possessive pronouns in my last post. Ugh.

    IC: Toff keeps scanning the other ship through the scope, watching for any suspicious behavior.

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    "Oh my", thinks Nate and he wanders up to the Bridge area.

    "Excuse me for asking, but who is chasing that other vessel?"
    In the land of the blind, the one-arm man is king.

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    Dr Lefevre gives Nate a confused look. "Chasing?" He looks out the windows off to the sides, to see if there's anything they might have missed.

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    "They've sent an SOS signal," says Boyd. "We don't know that they're being chased."

    For the record, "SOS" was a much later distress signal IRL. RMS Titanic was one of the first to use it, in 1912.
    Last edited by Elendil's Heir; 01 Apr 2011 at 10:58 PM.

  37. #137
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    Klara has been sticking by the Babbage engine, keeping an eye on things.

    Once Nate heads onto the bridge, her curiosity will get the better of her, and she'll follow him (assuming the machinery appears to be operating correctly).

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    Settling, he gives a nod to Dr. Lefevre again, who had passed him in the halls moments prior, before keeping his eyes scanned to the other ship. He considered his rifle, and lifting it to use the focus of the lens to sight better on the opposite ship, but his orders were clear and he obeyed; they knew what they were doing, and he kept his rifle down, at the ready, in case of the worst.

    "Can you handle a gun, Doctor?" he asked of Dr. Lefevre, before arching aside, to present the gun strapped to his waist if the Doctor felt bold enough to be armed against whatever possibility lay before. It was the sensible choice, he felt, the Doctor being assured on any sort of rescue mission to be present... and also likely unarmed at this moment.

  39. #139
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    The offer of a gun is met with a mildly horrified look and a shake of the head. "No, thank you. I've never fired one and inside of a rotorcraft isn't the time to learn."

  40. #140
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    O'Cuinn sends back a heading to the English coast to the Pinguinus.

    While he watches, Toff will note that the men in the other ship do not write down the signal as they receive it, simply watching.

    By sheer dumb luck, as Weber enters the bridge she happens to catch a glimpse of a reflection in one of those external mirrors. It appears to be a second ship--an enormous dirigible--and from the angle of the reflection it must be behind them on the port side.

  41. #141
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    "Excuse me," Klara says sharply, "there seems to be another Luftschiff coming up behind us."

    She'll point out what she sees to the group, and move around to try and get a better look.

  42. #142
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    Turn to port to bring port side guns to bear, and let's have a closer look at her. Lt Boyd, stay at your guns, and Mr Smythe, your hunter's eyes on the new arrival if you please.
    Librarians rule, Oook

  43. #143
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    "Aye, Aye, we'll put this ship through its paces." Turn and ready port guns.

  44. #144
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    "For once you are sent alongside to investigate, Doctor," he clarified, "not while inside our rotocraft," he clarified to Dr. Lefevre as he moved to get a better view of the approaching vehicle; perhaps this, in fact, was what caused their distress.

    If the view could not be made from here, he would race to the next best view so he might have some better view on what is coming their way. Considering the increasing level of panic, he seemed surprisingly at peace, if intent on his job.

  45. #145
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    Spencer turns the ship to port without event.

    As it turns, the party is able to see clearly what had been approaching. There is a large purple dirigible with a black skull painted on its envelope. Two smaller vessels accompany it, just large enough for two people in each gondola. One of them is lagging behind the others and is smoking. It doesn't look as though it will stay afloat for much longer. All three are somewhat battle scarred. It's clear that the rotorcrafts are more manueverable, though outnumbered.

    When Smythe moves to get a better view he will see that there appears to be one gun each on the smaller crafts and four on each side of the larger one. The purple one has its bow turned toward them, a poor angle for those guns just yet.

    A strange mechanical device covered with horns is on the gondola of the large dirigible. Out of it comes...harpsichord music, somehow enhanced enough to not only be audible but loud. After a moment the music quiets and a theatrical man's voice is projected.

    "Grrreetings! I, Captain Piero, shall now accept your surrender! In exchange, we shall let you live and perhaps will even let you join our crew for adventure and profit."

  46. #146
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    Smythe, if made distant by the travel to find a good vantage point, shares all the details in a loud, booming voice well-trained by battlefield necessity. If closer, well, he'll still make himself known, less deafeningly.

    Right before he is cut off by a Grrrrreeting by Captian Piero.

  47. #147
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    "...an' buggery," Lore mutters under his breath.

  48. #148
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    Boyd scowls, pulls his cap a bit lower on his brow, and carefully takes aim on the gondola of the large dirigible.

  49. #149
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    "Does this mean I can open fire?"

  50. #150
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    "Hey guys, either our distressed ship over here has men with phenomenal memory, or they're with the other guys!" Toff shouts, while loading a flash grenade into his crossbow.

    Taking aim, he launches it on the deck of the distressed ship with the intent of knocking out as many of the three men manning it as possible, depending on if they were stupid enough to cluster. If he can only get one, he'll get the one that appears to be the commander."

    He'll save the lethal weapons for the guys he knows for certain aren't here to make friends.

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