Heh.
What if Kirk had abandoned ship over OC3?: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...d.php?t=718073
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Heh.
What if Kirk had abandoned ship over OC3?: http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/...d.php?t=718073
Very clever. No matter your fandom, we can all get along: http://www.northernsun.com/Science-F...288345%29.html
:bravo:Quote:
Originally posted by choie
Also, too, other things, we'll see how it all balances out :(
Whew...good thing I had Graham speed up!Quote:
Originally posted by choie
Or that Kylah didn't shout it
:D
Heh. I was hoping he might have caught it anyway. When I started on that earlier post about Kylah's parents' deaths, I wasn't thinking of how Graham would take it, but then the parallels hit me and I rewrote some of her dialogue to make it even more poignant for Graham.Quote:
Originally posted by general_urko
OTOH, the double-meaning about growing up without a father in the next post was definitely intentional. As P.G. Wodehouse's Bertie Wooster would say, "And I meant it to sting." But from Kylah's POV, it was a perfectly valid remark: she would find it odd that he focused on how difficult it is to grow up without a mother when her so-called "friend" also lost her father only two days earlier.
...Which was a totally improvised bit of backstory. I'd always thought of the parents dying somewhere together on some off-planet journey where their shuttle blew up. (Still haven't decided whether Aldaan was responsible.)
Anyhoo I find it hilarious that now it's Graham who's sorta running away from Kylah because of an innocent comment about mothers. Is he gonna trip and hurt his ankle or something? :)
At this rate, its going to devolve into which member of the crew killed another one first. :cage:
It would have been a bad scene if he'd, let's say, heard it quite enough to react to it in the moment.... He's getting to the point of confronting some things - this was a big push (unexpected...but a big push)...but to force it then would have been a rough go...Quote:
Originally posted by choieHeh. I was hoping he might have caught it anyway. When I started on that earlier post about Kylah's parents' deaths, I wasn't thinking of how Graham would take it, but then the parallels hit me and I rewrote some of her dialogue to make it even more poignant for Graham.Quote:
Originally posted by general_urko
Not that he would have killed her, CIAS...despite what Rangin might expect from him ... :p
Ahh, well, we'll have to table that for another time then, either post-mission or if something during the mission triggers it. Between Kylah's lack of parents, feelings of abandonment (or 'mommy issues' as Collins so kindly put it ;)) and mistrust of authority figures due to her icky uncle, and Graham's guilt over his wife's death (and allegedly being neglectful as a father), I'd imagine their neuroses are bound to collide at some point.
All we have to do now is find out what might set Delaney and T'Var off and we can go for the full set. :D
I'm thinking something involving lemurs and plomeek soup, respectively....
Jesus, what ideal precinct did Graham work in? I mean, I've heard the first 48 hours are especially crucial, but less than 10 hours? Right now, I don't know any large city that solves 80% of its cases all year, much less in 6 hours. In Boston, only 40% of murders in 2013 were solved (and they only had 40 murders to deal with!); in LA, 38%; Chicago, 30% (Dayum!). Here in NYC, rather surprisingly, our cops cleared 55% of our murder cases. (Woohoo! Go New York's finest!) Admittedly, things may be different in the 23rd century.Quote:
Originally posted by general_urko
I suppose Graham can usually clear his cases pretty quickly. Probably easy to get a confession out of anyone if you're willing to beat suspects to a pulp or hang them out a window. (Provided they have a Y chromosome, anyway.) :devil:
I'm glad I'm in London. It's the same size as New York but only had 100 murder/manslaughter cases to deal with over the last year. I believe the conviction rate is somewhere about 65% or so across the UK, but then cases running through the criminal justice system do take time. I heard it was the first 24 hrs that were most important, so I guess it differs from force to force.
In terms of Graham's thoughts though, that's what local knowledge of a force can give: a massive advantage of knowing who to talk to and where to look. It's an advantage this group doesn't have.
sorry guys - I have a lot of shritte going on now. My landlord has decided to sell the unit so I either have to move again (to where, is yet to be determined) or buy the place (which means being in debt all over again). There is another apartment available for rent in this building but after I saw it and decided I'd take it, the landlord of that unit suddenly decided "no pets". I am more overwhelmed than I was last year at this time, so I have to take a break until this is sorted out.
Oh grief, anyrose, that's bad. Sorry to hear it.
I hope things work out for you soon.
+1
When I was in New Haven our clearance rate on murders was 95% (which was high - we used to send detectives around to other cities to explain why).
But it's not actually hard to get there: the two big buckets are domestic/family/relationship and gang/drug involved folks killing each other (or bystanders). The 3rd bucket of stuff that's weird and random is pretty small.
The deciding factor on clearances is investing in knowing who all the players are in bucket 2 (admittedly harder in huge cities) and paying informants, with the latter being the absolute #1 most powerful driver. As I recall the departments that had the lowest clearance rates were those with policies against paying informants.
CIAS is totally right about local knowledge (something a lot of US departments themselves dont actually have because they act like armies, not local police) and you're both right 8 hours is a little fast, but I'm assuming 23rd century tech...and also I wanted to go out of my way for Graham to contradict Kylah :D
Sorry, anyrose, and hope things improve for you very soon. I'll run Collins as an NPC, as well, unless someone else would like to.
I presumed a lot of the progress in law enforcement implicit in Graham's remark was technological - scanners, procedures and tests we can't even imagine. Also, in the post-scarcity economy and more enlightened society of United Earth and the Federation, crime is much rarer and police can focus with greater intensity on the (relative) handful of cases.
Aw geeze, you always stick up for Graham! I call foul, GM bias! (Plus, some of the technology--including transporters and interstellar travel--would make it waaay easier for criminals to escape!)
In other news: please take care of yourself, anyrose, and I hope you'll be less overwhelmed soon.
The check's the mail, EH.... :DQuote:
Originally posted by choie
But seriously, transporters et al would only make it easier for criminals to escape if absolutely everything wasn't being tracked in real time. I assume (hope) actual use of that data in our own universe and that of ST TOS would involve a warrant and such, but I basically can't believe the capability to easily record everyone and everything, all the time, won't be used in either (for better or worse).*
*Obviously super duper criminals and uber hackers might be able to subvert systems etc.
Right. Soooo.... how're we doing on identifying that transporter trace we found near Wilson's body? :devil:Quote:
Originally posted by general_urko
Edited to add after reading the latest post: Well, I guess the rest of us don't need to report!
EH - I ask only that you keep the uneven personality I worked so hard to establish in Collins
Ok, so I don't know if EH did this intentionally but note the highlight from #1910 in the game thread:Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
Did Collins put in a hat, sit at the head of table and ask everyone to report to "Commander Collins"???? :DQuote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
http://www.wowtransmog.com/wp-conten...dmiralshat.png
See, he's already doing a bang-up job in characterization!
I'm totally imagining her going gaga and wearing a Napoleonic outfit and demanding everyone call her Commander! That is clearly the logical next step for her character. :devil"
I'll go back and read it all in the next couple of days but meanwhile I'm watching the ST:TNG episode Disaster, where in the ship systems fail, and small groups of cast regulars, scattered all over the ship, are doing their best to cope; Troi is on the bridge with O'Brien and Ro, and Troi seems as lost as Collins has seemed at times
Hmm. If you have time to watch TNG, you have time to play the game, don't you...?
I'll fix the Collins typo. Thanks for catching it.
Probably lucky that you're not writing Collins's interior dialogue. I'm sure she'd be thinking about calling Kylah something that begins with "B." Or even... possibly one step further in the alphabet. :DQuote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
Heh. I know my limitations.
Rangin is going to wear out his iron at this rate :D
His iron's gone cold, methinks. Or at least, he seems to be extremely (and increasingly) interested in using it on Collins at Kylah's expense. Minimizing Kylah's worries about lives in jeopardy by ascribing her motives to simple diplomatic niceties? DUDE! If he only knew how much she despises the thought of being a shill like her family. Plus, suggesting she be removed from interviews (her strong suit) to handle such piddly matters is adding injury to insult.
He better pull out a major rabbit from his hat this time. :D Twice she's blurted her feelings for him first. Time for Velir to make the overtures.
And btw, I have no idea how Graham sees the motes in Kylah's eyes (re: taking differences of opinion personally) with the massive piece of timber jammed into his own, considering he cannot see how his One True Hardbitten Way of Solving Crimes is not always the best. But I have no doubt Vargas will agree with him and Collins, and Kylah will basically have to eat more gall. I almost hope bodies start piling up along the pleasant paths of OCIII. That'll teach them!
He's not thinking so much "that Kylah, she takes everything personally!"Quote:
Originally posted by choie
as
"I keep unintentionally making Kylah freak out, and this would be a bad time for that" :o
Heh. Well, I'm almost certain there've been half a dozen times during this mission where we've seen "hmm how do I say this so that crazy ol' hypersensitive Kylah won't take this so personally?" :) Luckily I would hardly call her comments in this meeting freaking out, so hopefully he can see she's capable of responding without any of that terrifying female hysteria.
I'm back, and I've read the thread. I'll handle Collins' end of the private convo with Vargas
Yay, welcome back!
Your comment is interpreted as:
A well-intentioned gesture of professional respect
or
A condescending (and probably sexist) pat on the head
Luck roll FAILS! :dance:
:) He does have a pretty low Luck score/level/whatever it's called. Sorry, I'm blanking as much as Kylah is.
I figure, of all the things Kylah said, the Palver reminder re: spores was something everyone already knew, so Kylah wouldn't consider it that much of a compliment. Also, the girl hasn't slept in nearly 30 hours, she's not at her best. Also she really wants to get rid of those Jan cooties.
Seconded! Good to have you back.Quote:
Originally posted by choie
and thirded - welcome back anyrose.
Now to find out what's happened...
It's a long shot, and not likely to succeed, but if enough of my friends pitch in, it might work. I set up a fundly campaign to raise the money to buy my apartment
Oh geeze, I wish you the best of luck, anyrose. That sucks that I guess they're turning your apartment into condos? I wonder if you should--if you feel comfortable--give some more details about this stuff on your Fundly page? I know it's probably something you're just sharing with friends and those folks already know your situation, but you never know. In my experience... well, I worked in nonprofit fundraising for a decade, and have some history w/Kickstarter and Indiegogo and so on... generally the more you explain the cause, the more people are likely to understand, empathize, and help out either by donating or at least sharing the link. You deserve to get the best response possible!
On an entirely different and waaaay more banal subject... OMG with Collins first telling Vargas she wants everyone to get along better as a team and her crew's all just newbies and so on (though Graham... not so much), only to follow it up with "Oh btw, I totally need to change roomies." Awesome passive aggressive dig against Kylah without actually putting it on record, Jeremi! She must know Vargas, head of security, isn't in charge of apportioning quarters, much less in the middle of a mission. Oh dear Collins, never change. :bravo:
As an addendum to the above post... I gotta say that even I feel sorry for Collins after Vargas's unbelievably unhelpful comments. Not the roommate thing--he was right there--but "hey, yeah, you've got 200 guests you might need to interview so I'll give you an extra, what, 4 crewmen? I mean geeze, you're supposed to be resourceful. You figure it out." Using a murder investigation as some kind of field test? And this was the guy who was all "Oh I'm sure we all care about people's lives and solving the crime, Ensign"? Jerk!
I did give more details on my fundly page, btw
it may be moot, as I found a rental that's less expensive and slightly bigger, even though it's farther east than I would have chosen. Also moot because I'd be a fool to put myself in debt like that again, but nothing ventured etc etc
"Less" "expensive" "and" "bigger" -- hmm, I'm sorry, it's probably because I I live in Manhattan, but I'm afraid I don't understand this combination of words. Are you sure that's English?
Seriously, that would be awesome, although it's out of your way. Plus moving is a pain. But in the long run, wow, that's terrific. I hope it works out for the best!
That's good news anyrose, that would be great if it works out.
As for the game and changing roomies, don't forget Vargas doesn't know about Collins and Kylah's chalk and cheese situation, but he does know about her pregnancy. He probably heard, "I'm not thinking about this mission, I just want to bunk up with Ben some more."
:bravo: I hadn't thought of that
I hadn't either, but it's plausible!
Collins asked about extra Security officers to accompany each member of the current landing party, so four to six isn't unreasonable (esp. if Vargas wants to keep the investigation relatively low-profile, as earlier requested by Mrs. Hsu, still the top WR&R official there). I checked the 1975 non-canon USS Enterprise blueprints by Franz Joseph, which has a departmental breakdown of a Constitution-class ship's typical crew; it shows 84 (!) Security specialists aboard, which seems 'way too much to me, even accounting for the dreaded Redshirt Syndrome. But you could certainly flood the resort with Yorktown Security officers if you wanted to.
http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Star_Trek_Blueprints
anyrose, hope your housing situation works out soon, and to your satisfaction.
And the U.N. contingent keeps on coming!
...Played by an older Paul Henried? :DQuote:
a middle-aged Czech male
ooo-woOoo! Velir had better keep on eye on that one. Oh! I know! Collins will send him along with Kylah and Graham, just to watch Rangin get jealous. :devil: :dance:
Ha! Well dang, she already knows Kylah slept with someone else. Or maybe she doesn't; Collins was uninterested in the Jan meeting both before and especially immediately after*, which is par for the course since I don't think I remember Collins expressing much interest in the lives or feelings of her crewmates in this or past missions.** Well, except for the one she was involved with (and maybe not even him all that much since they only dated for a few weeks before sperm met ovum).Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
Overall, Collins seems pretty focused on... hmm, I'd say her own problems, except she's not really shown to be thinking about the pregnancy or the drug thing all that much. So maybe she's just not hugely social or introspective, which is true for many people? She's breaking down a bit now, which is good, but doesn't seem to know how to share anything with others yet.
Anyway, point is, unless Collins suddenly and rather drastically increases her PSI level, there's no way she knows Rangin/Kylah are a kind of a sort of a thing. Graham's more observant (what with being an ex-cop) and even he thought it was Kylah/T'Var! (I'm still holding out hope for that issue to be brought up in some awesomely awkward way.)
Really what needs to happen is for Kylah and Collins to get stuck in a--oh wow, my mind is blanking, what's the Trek tech version of elevator? Well, one of those things. (Edited to add: TURBOLIFTS!) No way out until the power gets turned back on, just the two of them forced to deal with each other as human beings. True, one of them might end up as phaser residue, but OTOH maybe they'd actually learn something? (Ooh, and simultaneously, the same thing can happen with Rangin and Graham. Maybe the foursome are trapped separately in some weird accident in pairs, and it ain't the pairing they'd prefer! Sitcom zany hijinks, coupled with some "awww" moments, would invariably ensue.)
* Don't get me wrong, today I wouldn't expect her to give a damn about much except the murder. I'm just talking about last night when the rest of the PCs were concerned about Kylah's state after they saw her.
** Which isn't much reflection on her, really; I'd say was par for the course for everyone before the middle of mission #3. There wasn't all that much personal interaction between PCs. Seemed like most non-mission activities were spent with NPCs.
The thing is, RPGs to me are "say this, do that, take hitpoints"; these missions, especially #3, are multi-author novels, and I've never been much of a writer
...and you're still doing a grand job. :)Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
1 million quatloos if you confess that the secret sauce behind Collins' personality has been rolling a d20 to decide on her dialogue:Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
1-4 She says something totally professional and on point
5-10 She says something a little odd
11-20 She says something totally out of left field
:D
:( bustedQuote:
Originally posted by general_urko1 million quatloos if you confess that the secret sauce behind Collins' personality has been rolling a d20 to decide on her dialogue:Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
1-4 She says something totally professional and on point
5-10 She says something a little odd
11-20 She says something totally out of left field
:D
:devil:
:dance:
All four of these Security officers have appeared in previous missions, as it happens.Quote:
Originally posted by choie
I hadn't envisioned Paul Henreid, but I have no objection if that's your mental image.
And isn't rolling a d20 supposed to be the best option? So anyrose, you do prefer confrontation after all! :)
As far as writing, you know I think you totally underestimate yourself there. I thought the whole shopping scenes, not to mention the drug stuff before we all left the ship, were really well-done. Of course if that's not something you enjoy, you gotta play the game the way you want to. I don't mean to imply anything otherwise if it's not fun for you.
My one "real person" RPG (as opposed to a videogames) was "Call of Cthulhu" back in the 1990s and it was, at least in the group I played with, very storyline/roleplaying-oriented. But I know through reading the sometimes interminable discussions for the AD&D-oriented "Order of the Stick" webcomic, action and commands are usually a huge part of the genre. This mission does seem pretty different from the Sakathian one by design: mysteries tend to be less hitpointy and more cerebral/dialogue-heavy.
BTW I realize I miswrote earlier--I said the character interaction began in the middle of #3, when I meant middle of #2. I forgot there were basically two mini-missions in #2 -- the fakeout test at the beginning, and then the Sakathian stuff; the latter is the point when I joined in, and I forgot it wasn't a different mission number from the test stuff.
Edited to add: Oh yes EH, I recognized Fariz; but I admit the others are all blurs amid the multitudinous country representatives. Actually I always wonder if this is the character whose nationality is going to be significant, or if it's just setting the atmosphere. Your mystery background makes me hyperanalyze ever potential clue!
Nah, the Paul Henreid thing was just a joke because of our debate whether he was way older than he really was as of Casablanca, and here was this middle-aged Czech dude--just like Victor Laszlo. (The character definitely had at least 15 years on Henreid at the time, darn it!)
back in the 90s, when my friends and I had simple lives, we would get together once or twice a month. Our games were GURPS based, but our worlds were varied: Trekiverse, Superheroes, Spy (a la Bond), Star Wars, Conan the Barbarian, Ancient Japan, and one where we each created a character from our favorite genre. I liked that one the best. We had a 24th C. Sentient Android, a Medieval wizard, a 14th C. Japanese Ninja, a Brat-Pack era Vegas stage magician, a 17th C Pirate, and a Gulf War era Marine. A mysterious man known to us only as Mister Miller came to each of our characters' worlds, handed us a mystical coin, and the next morning we were all together. We played 4 adventures in that story "Unstuck in Time", including one where we ended up on DS9 and the Wizard and the Ninja nearly destroyed Quark's Bar when we saw the Ferengi (I was the wizard).
That sounds weird but fun!
Oh, so much fun.
I have a twin, or is it an older me? :o :???: :devil:Quote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
Wait, are we assuming that some significant amount of time passed after the redshirt's question--which was put to Collins, presumably? I sure as heck didn't want Kylah to respond before anyrose had a chance to post. Now Rangin's calling the rest of us slow-witted! Dang. :D
What - you were expecting Collins to answer? :p
"I'm an investigator, not an empath."
I realize that was cruel.
But hey, Graham's no empath... :devil:
Heh, heck yeah it was cruel, but perfect. And then Collins goes all "Let's me, you and him start a Secret Club!" with half the crew, ignoring the rest of us. Nice!
At this point I'm beginning to wonder if Collins has early-onset Irumodic Syndrome. (Y'know, what Picard had in All Good Things.) Did she forget, or is she simply ignoring, all of Vargas's orders?
She's not ignoring Vargas' orders. She's not anything. She wants to be anywhere else but in charge of this mission. She's in turmoil.
Did T'Var ever mention Wilson had a limp when he rejoined us before the spore introduction
I wonder who will flatten Rangin first, Kylah or Collins for suggestion they team up, though I don't think he is fully aware of how bad it has got between them.
:) Well, Kylah has been reminding Collins that this is what Vargas wanted (regarding them teaming up for the announcement), so while she obviously isn't thrilled about it herself, she's resigned to obeying Vargas's orders.
I'm not sure I understand anyrose's distinction between Collins's ignoring Vargas's orders and the fact that she's clearly not following them. I mean, sure, it's obvious Collins doesn't want command, and she's mentally checked out, but she's got her orders, so she doesn't even have to use her brain that much: follow what Vargas said and she's halfway there.
Re: the ankle, yeah, that's one of the anomalies I was hoping someone else would mention (because I didn't want Kylah bringing everything up and stealing someone's thunder; she's overstepping herself as it is).
To answer your question, while we were all headed to the induction room, T'Var offered to help get it fixed but Wilson brushed it off, so yep, the PCs all heard that.
I guess I should just bite the bullet and have Kylah ask all the questions I personally still have even if other characters (e.g. T'Var) should logically be the ones to address them. What the heck, Kylah can't get any more disliked for being uppity.
Speaking of T'Var and stuff she knows that isn't public, something's been bugging me since it happened because it's something that EH described as a gesture only T'Var saw, but she never told the rest of us about it. (At the time I actually PMed WES to nudge her so T'Var would tell us, but that didn't work.)
When we were at the crime scene, Collins asked if Wilson had argued with anyone recently. EH wrote that T'Var--and only T'Var, dammit--saw Mrs. Hsu look sideways at Halsey.
What did that mean? Did Mrs. Hsu overhear an argument between Halsey/Wilson? That's the obvious interpretation, but one could also easily read that look as Mrs. Hsu being worried that Halsey would mention overhearing an argument between Mrs. H and Wilson.
But as I said, the rest of the PCs don't know that and now that T'Var's an NPC I don't know if EH plans on rectifying that issue, ahem. It's frustrating to have privileged info locked away in an NPC's brain!
I guess I'll have Kylah try to elicit that info from T'Var now.
I do think it's weird to be re-interviewing people like Halsey when we haven't even gotten through the whole list of people in those houses (much less, like, other guests). That non-Federation Proxul dude, for example. He's obviously somebody we need to chat with, if only 'cause EH went to the trouble to create a non-Federation planet and alien for us. :D
Seeing his chance, Graham pulls Collins aside.Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
"Can you believe Rangin suggested you and Kylah team up? For god's sake, she wasn't even weaned properly." He shakes his head. "Now we know how much his advice is worth!
:devil::D
Will be fun to see how the rest of the group react.
So, what swung the decision then....
you'll find out
Awww poor Jeremi, her one idea this entire mission isn't immediately receiving a standing ovation!Quote:
Collins looks around the table. Nobody said anything about her idea to get the Admiral and his aide to safety, which surprises her. They've been coaching me to ask for input and when I do, no one speaks up. She mentally rolls her eyes
Anyway, speaking only for Kylah, she didn't think Collins was asking for input on the plan re: Hardin; when Collins said "Any thoughts?" Kylah assumed was asking in general for anything that wasn't yet brought up. Let's face it, at this point, Kylah had no reason to assume her ideas will be listened to by JC; Delaney seems to have given up hope long ago, for good reason, that Collins will remember him at all, much less listen to his ideas. Rangin just had his entire plan dismissed for Graham's. So that leaves Graham and T'Var who might have a shot at offering opinions that Collins might consider.
And that's what you get, Lt., when you treat people like mere nuisances for two missions straight.
to which Collins replies "Bite me" and throws the virtually empty coffee cup at Kylah, causing the last few drops to stain her uniform. :devil: :dance:
I'll be honest and say I completely missed it, and Rangin probably would have responded if only he wasn't thinking about the missing parts in Graham's plan that will pop up later on.
Yeah: blame Graham instead :p
Maybe the "mudpit of his brain" needed more time to process things... :dubious:
Don't worry, one of these days they'll learn to get along...Quote:
Originally posted by general_urko
Are we waiting for something to occur, or are we going to split up to our various tasks?
I think that's the plan
Wait...the plan to split or the plan to wait...because something just happened... :o
I don't know where the hell we are at this point. We've been walking out in the corridor for a while, but EH just said Rangin & Delaney haven't left yet. Help!
Oh dear, Collins. I've seen enough soaps to have a good guess where this is heading.
I think at this point, you could say that most of the conversations have taken place by the door and the four of them, Rangin, Delaney, Kylah and Graham, were about to head out, while Lt. Collins was across with Dr. Tvar. The security detail were mainly by the buffet.
Them, as Rangin and Delaney head out in front, Collins goes down. :(
Yeah, considering Graham's managed to leap inside before Rangin, my concept of both time and space is clearly not up to speed. I'll assume Kylah is aware of what's going on as well. Pretty scary!
I did try to convey that Graham would push past anybody in the way - not just because there probably was, but also because that's how he would react.
If Collins had heard Kylah's suggestion, she probably would have objected vehemently, which Kylah might then have chalked up to Collins' trauna
Mmm, interesting that Collins would refuse. But I doubt Kylah would have chalked it up to trauma--if Collins's feelings were strong enough I think Kylah'd probably be able to tell this was something she definitely wouldn't want.
In any event, it's probably not feasible (although seems like it'd be worth a try--ooh, I bet if creepy Dr. Waite were here he'd totally do it without Collins's permission!). Still, I thought it'd make sense for someone to throw the idea out there considering we were specifically told about the spores' regenerative properties.
It's a great plot thread; :bravo: for thinking of it; but it'll be interesting to read that scene should it come to pass
Thank you! Well, the miscarriage/pregnancy complication (whichever it turns out to be) was a surprising twist! Poor Collins. (Although if this were a TV show I'd be thinking, geeze, naturally the 1960s network's Standards & Practices wouldn't allow an abortion!) :)
The spore angle and the agonizing decision Collins might have to make could've made interesting ST: DS9 material. That show's writers (esp. Robert H. Wolfe & Ronald D. Moore) loved moral/psychological dilemmas like that.
anyrose and I had discussed several scenarios as to Collins's pregnancy, incl. a miscarriage. It certainly has dramatic potential.
Just added a couple of things to think about when it comes to Lt. Collins and the spore therapy.
To remain involved in the game while Collins is being treated in Sickbay, anyrose will, until further notice, be playing Security Crewman Felice Dodson, earlier described as "a young, stolid Canadian woman." She beamed down with Ens. Mahmoud and the others.
"...who hates Ensign Kylah"Quote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
Added what you left off EH :D
Cool, welcome, anyrose/Felice.
Geeze why doesn't Vargas just snip off Delaney's testicles and beam them off the planet while he's at it? I know you don't want an NPC to be the mission leader, but I do feel sorry for Delaney nonetheless. Plus, why wouldn't Roble or Singh order Pourtash (who's at least led a mission) or some other more senior officer(s) down to the planet? We've just lost 1/3 of our team. Although it's amusing to think of the Yorktown crew just hanging around in space while three ensigns and a castrated Lt. JG are trying to solve a major murder mystery down on the planet. :D
Edited to stick my tongue out at GU: :P
This is what Security Crewman Felice Dodson looks like (but with lighter hair and complexion) :
http://www.mingdoyle.com/temp/reddress00.png
Better coloring
http://i.imgur.com/6b9arEE.jpg
Heh, did you give her leggings rather than the dress, too? Fortunately she still has the regulation ST:TOS earrings, which are a must for any security officer. :D (Heck, she's a redshirt crewman sent down as part of the extra security team: her days are likely numbered. Might as well go out wearing some bling!)
Somehow I think Vargas should have mentioned that Graham had reached a high rank before certain indiscretions left him an Ensign, it would have added another reason why he should be in charge.
Felice Dodson: redshirt going out in style.
no leggings, just opaque stockings
I think strict Starfleet regulations require female legs to be in view at all times, at least with the mini-dress. One must be professional, you know. :)
Hell, he started to do so even before Vargas annointed him Collins's successor!Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
LOL, oh, this is awesome. Graham seems to have accepted his reputation as a bullying thug, especially since he appears to believe Rangin is a namby-pamby pacifist. But if Graham knew he's actually also considered a lech re: Kylah? Now that would certainly mortify him! Poor guy.Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
There seems to be a distinct lack of trust in Mr Graham from the non-security team members of the party.
If Graham could read minds, on the one hand he might learn & actually believe his daughter doesn't hate him.
On the other hand, knowing what the crew thinks of him would indeed be upsetting... :o
But will the latter get worse before / if it gets better? :\
Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
Oooh it's going to get worse!!! :popcorn:
Well that was certainly a curveball from Graham...it'll probably get worse before it gets better.
Mind-Reader Graham thinks "WTF does everyone mean what was wrong with the old plans, we just cut the core team almost in half, goddammit... who's going to talk to the ^&%^& Admiral, "Ghost Collins" and "Ghost T'Var"? :RAEG:
Mind-Reader Rangin thinks, "wonder why Graham didn't assign some of the security detail to back up the team members, then you could carry out the old plan with different groups. :p
long distance mind-reader Collins thinks "why don't you all just STFU and get going?"
Mind-reader Dobson thinks "When do I get to shoot someone?"
Finally a right-thinking individual, Stereotypical Thug as Imagined By Rangin Graham thinks. :DQuote:
Originally posted by anyrose
Kylah stands with her arms folded across her chest, amused by the attempts at the others to do her job.
Seriously, where is Graham's I.D.E.A. plan now? I wish Collins could see that Mr. Expert is just as inclined to make rash decisions and take action without thinking things through or drawing up a well-considered plan. Why the heck are these leaders so bad at organizing stuff?
Anyway I'll save my ideas (pun intended) for when Kylah rants with Rangin. :devil:
Always nice to see Starfleet's finest at work!
A clue! But Dobson doesn't know that.
Indeed. But it's pretty important and I'm beginning to have inklings about... stuff.Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
Feels like a corner piece in a jigsaw type clue.
:: smiles benevolently ::
Oh wow, I just caught this! Tsk tsk tsk, Graham. This order of questions was unfortunate -- and they're leading questions, too, offering Hardin the answers / excuses he needs... if he were a suspect.Quote:
Originally posted by Booker Graham
Despite his rank Graham's assuming his 2 Starfleet bodyguards would not obey an order to "stand at ease while I kill Wilson..."Quote:
Originally posted by choie
Or at least they would have mentioned "No problems here. Oh yeah but the Admiral stabbed Wilson to death last night." :D
Hmm, I don't think Hardin had security guards until after the murder. Wasn't that suggested before he left, and the notion was dismissed?
Oops...uh oh, I think you may be right. :oQuote:
Originally posted by choie
Negative Stereotype Graham, suddenly realizing that Hardin doesn't have an ironclad alibi, grabs the nice old man by the collar of his robe and jacks him up against the wall none-too-gently.
"I don't see any Admiral's stripes on the robe," he says hard-bittenly. "So it's just man-to-man. Or should I say...man-to-murderer. Why would you kill Wilson, hm? You had it all...rank...er, well, your aide could be from a hotter species. But, ah, watch out for Elasians. Their taste in clothes is great, but they seem to be a little volatile. Anyway, where was I--oh yeah, 'just come clean and nobody gets hurt."
Dobson quietly hmms "Oh, Canada" while waiting for something to happen.
Quietly hums? How about belts it out at the top of her lungs in a stirring display of patriotism! And a way to further annoy Rangin & Kylah with Security! :DQuote:
Originally posted by anyrose
Because she's stolid. She doesn't stir any displays of anything. :dance:Quote:
Originally posted by general_urkoQuietly hums? How about belts it out at the top of her lungs in a stirring display of patriotism! And a way to further annoy Rangin & Kylah with Security! :DQuote:
Originally posted by anyrose
Except in her fellow Security officers...Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
Evil Alternate Universe Graham strokes his (obligatory) beard upon learning he is now in command of the mission as he contemplates what orders to issue first.
"Kylah and Dobson will go with me to interview female guests by the pool. Rangin and Delaney will organize a drum circle for male guests."
He gestures for the two women to precede him out of the CP, making sure Rangin gets a good look at his lascivious wink and leer as he ogles their butts while they walk out the door.
Evil Alternate Universe Dobson removes the knife from her boot, slits Kylah's throat, and jumps Graham's bones
:bravo: ROTFL
"Mr. Dobson, your agonizer, please...."
While healing EAU Kylah knowing just how grateful she would be later that night, EAU Rangin opens his communicator to EAU Dr T'Var. "Yes Sir, it appears that the alternate Ens. Graham has fitted straight in. We will no longer have to deal with the law-quoting, upright, stick-in-the-mud. Long may the others keep him."
Ranginizer :devil::tongue:Quote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
EAU Kylah, having anticipated the others' actions what with her uninhibited willingness to breach everyone's privacy by using her finely honed psi skills--which were always lauded back on her home planet--is pleased to wake up under the care of Rangin. Admittedly the new Terran Booker Graham she saw briefly was a nice change from his mealy-mouthed, kind, intellectual counterpart from the Mirror Universe. But at his age he wouldn't be able to keep up with her tastes. Once her clandestine work sucking up to the Terran Empire is complete and she hands the Klingons the key to destroying the Terran-led empire's weakening grip on its power, she'll be happy to see him and the sociopathic Dodson end up in the Klingon slave trade. Having gathered enough evidence to turn all of them in to her Klingon supervisor/lover, she decides that if Rangin lives up to his potential in her often-used bed, she might have him spared the worst conditions of slavery... as long as he keeps amusing her.
In other news, I can't help but imagine Prolun Jaxo as the hyperchicken from Futurama:
http://content8.flixster.com/questio...096142_std.jpg
It is not Prolun Jaxo but one of the Ettoo-Oms who has emerged from guest house #4. The list again:
1 - currently vacant
2 - Fellim Palver, Rhaandaran
3 - Mrs. Webb, Luna
4 - The Ettoo-Oms, a family of Aurelians (perhaps those seen last night in the lobby), Pacifica
5 - Lord Fastolfe, Proxima Centauri
6 - Samuel and Bella Gold, both businesspeople, Earth
7 - currently vacant
8 - Prolun Jaxo, a top Hwuen government official
9 - Rosemary Calvin, author
10 - currently vacant
11 - Terrance and Claire Hutchinson, retirees, Earth
12 - Sylvia Aubrey, an actress, Cochrane V
More on Aurelians: http://en.memory-alpha.org/wiki/Aurelian
OH that's right, sorry. I should've known that, don't hit me. Thank goodness, though; I don't know if I could take this Hwuen dude seriously if he looks like the Hyperchicken or the Aurelians.
Why hasn't Big Bird answered Dobson's questions?
eta post 2093
Sorry. I overlooked it. Please PM if I miss something; doesn't need to go here in the setup thread.
But if I PMd you, the others wouldn't have seen me call the Aurelian "Big Bird" :devil: :dance:
A quick question for our GM. And yes, I am obsessive. It's a murder mystery, this is what I live for!
Assuming this is a roughly correct estimate of the cottage layout...
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps2fcbecef.gif
Using the letters in the center as a grid, which letter is closest to where the body was found?
(The darker squares represent empty cottages, natch.)
Graham pauses band looks thoughtfully at the crayon with which he was sketching a stick figure to mark the location of Wilson's body on a rock as Kylah produces a cross-indexed, annotated three-dimensional model of the resort...
Nice chart; please note the spelling of "Hutchinson." Wilson's body was found close by the upper-left part of the letter m.
Thank you, thank you. And I forgot, where was the transporter trace found?
In the same area.
Oh, gotcha. I thought it was a few yards away for some reason.
All right, gang, here's we are:
http://i741.photobucket.com/albums/x...psa6f4dcd3.gif
It makes it even stranger that Rosemary Calvin didn't hear anything--unless the murder really wasn't carried out there.
Calvin *is* the murderer
This is where we find out that Rosemary Calvin is a pseudonym for Jessica Fletcher, in which case we are all doooooommmmmeeeeedddd!!!!Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
For some reason, this whole time I've been assuming Calvin is a mystery author, but looking at her description when introduced, it was never specified what kind of books she wrote. And I think the only reason I guessed this was indeed Jessica Fletcher!
Well, I assumed Calvin was a mystery writer because Collins is such a fan, and Collins loves to read mysteries
Her book titles certainly suggest that.
Oh wow, whenever I've gone back to look at the guests' names, I only looked at the initial descriptions! I totally forgot about this post about her mysteries. Okay, so it was in my subconscious for a good reason. :D
Still very curious to know whether the repetition of the name "Palver" for both the research guy and the guest is either a simple brain glitch on your part, a red herring, or significant for some reason that eludes me. I guess we shall see!
So I didn't imagine that!Quote:
Originally posted by choie
:bravo: Oh you are dead, woman. D.E.A.D. Kylah will totally fling one of her blades into Felice's back one of these days.
I must have quoted before you edited. And I didn't catch it. I'm sorry. :kitteh:
That's okay, no knife blade will slip betwixt your shoulders. Speaking of typos...
So... Graham nearly claims that he's a descendent of the O.J. Simpson judge while apparently hallucinating that he's at a Colorado ski resort. Has he been ingesting those spores?Quote:
Originally posted by general_urko
:bravo:
Nope, don't get it, someone is going to have to explain.
I can't find Hwuen on Memory Alpha
The trial, The Judge, The Ski ResortQuote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
Whoa rampaging autocorrect...apparently posting from a tablet is not a great idea. :oQuote:
Originally posted by choieThat's okay, no knife blade will slip betwixt your shoulders. Speaking of typos...
So... Graham nearly claims that he's a descendent of the O.J. Simpson judge while apparently hallucinating that he's at a Colorado ski resort. Has he been ingesting those spores?Quote:
Originally posted by general_urko
I wondered about that. I'll fix it.
Damn, the correction ninja'd me before I could finish Graham's guilt-ridden flashback to Elizabeth's potty training.Quote:
Originally posted by anyroseSo I didn't imagine that!Quote:
Originally posted by choie
Elendil's Heir - where might I find info about this alien?Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
I'm betting the only source is in EH's headQuote:
Originally posted by anyroseElendil's Heir - where might I find info about this alien?Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
Yep this is an original species. All we know is that the Hwuen are from a non-Federation planet, and I believe it was mentioned that "Prolun" is indeed a title.
That helps me not at all. Isn't there a wiki entry somewhere?Quote:
Originally posted by choie
Correct. I made 'em up. At this point I know only a little more than you do about them!Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuitI'm betting the only source is in EH's headQuote:
Originally posted by anyroseElendil's Heir - where might I find info about this alien?Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
Erm... is Jeremi Collins in a wiki entry somewhere? Seriously, why would there be an entry for an original species that EH mades up?Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
Gimme a few minutes. I'll write one
Do you have a wiki stored away somewhere with details of this game in?Quote:
Originally posted by anyrose
no. I was being facetious. sorry. I'm not the writer in the group. You and choie are.
Hey, don't sell yourself short. Everyone involved in this game is a writer of one kind or another.
it's a damned good thing Collins isn't there. She'd have refused to kneel, politely bowed, and proceeded to ask questions without deference.
Graham would have offered to observe their customer provided they in turn observed the time-honored Terran custom of placing their mouths gently on his buttocks.
Yeeeeeah, that's probably why neither Collins nor Graham are on the fast track for leadership. :D But Kylah's not inclined to kneel either and I doubt Rangin is. She'll do whatever he does, at this point, because she's now thoroughly demoralized.
Rangin will try to hug it out with the Hwuen and perhaps invite them to a drum circle later that evening. :tongue:
Graham recoils in melodramatic shock and horror at the suggestion he kneel. "Surely you do not mean that I should insult the Jaxo so grievously, implying that I, a mere Ensign, must lower myself in order to come down to his level!"
Upper clarification that the point of kneeling is to show respect, Graham looks relieved. "Of course, the Jaxo is worth the highest respect, our most profound gesture pointing to his superior station and ascendancy, what we call the Italian Salute!"
While he's on a roll, Graham gives Kylah a quick thumbs up as an aside.
The Jaxo is the gift that keeps on giving...
It's Easter, a double bank holiday in the UK, so posting will be very sparse until Tuesday.
Have fun all.
I'm off work tomorrow myself. For those who celebrate either, Happy Passover and Happy Easter!
1. As someone who doesn't celebrate anything, it took me a few moments to sort out these posts: wait, it's Easter? isn't Easter usually on Sunday? :confused:
2. 50 quatloos to CIAS for Rangin not thinking "well he does have a lot of experience, what would Graham do" but rather the Jaxo seems like a jerk which reminds me of Graham and if I wanted to act like a jerk I should just emulate Graham :fist:
3. And the continuing saga...
Graham contacts the Yorktown and is surprised when Bennett answers. "The Captain is a little busy dealing with several attacking Hwuen ships," she says.
"Uh, yeah, about that," he asks. "Just hypothetically, if someone, say, started a war, would that make him or less attractive to you?"
LOL to Graham!
I do hope we get Collins back soon, although under the circumstances it doesn't seem very likely. Nothing against Dobson but playing a redshirt grunt doesn't seem like it offers anyrose a lot of flexibility. Also Collins has to pay up on a bet that anyrose lost to me out-of-game, heh heh.
Have a great holiday, CIAS and EH! Since the NPCs are so important here, and so is Rangin, it'll be rough doing anything without either of you, so I'd imagine the game will probably be on hold until whenever you get back.
And happy holidays to those who celebrate anything!
ETA just noticed Graham's call to Rangin. Talk about super-bad timing! No way can Rangin take this call right now, without causing even more rancor from the Hwuen.
stop calling me Neil, my name is Velir.Quote:
Originally posted by Elendil's Heir
At least he didn't say Jeril.
Oh, snap!
Geeze, anyrose, you sure like to play antisocial characters! What is Dobson's major malfunction when it comes to interacting with her fellow crewman? :D
she's stolid. I looked it up. It means "calm, dependable, and showing little emotion or animation". She'd make a good Vulcan. I didn't design her, EH did. I would have made her more friendly, but I'm just playing the character as written.
I think "stolid" mainly means showing little emotion when other people might be freaking out. Not unfriendly or lacking social graces. Of course, if you want to play her that way, that's cool! It's just that even T'Var would be courteous enough to pay attention to her partner rather than basically not giving a crap whether he's with her or not. That isn't Vulcanesque, that's borderline sociopath! :)
I thought stoild was unemotional or impassive, not showing anything and definitely vulcan like. No whether Dobson is like that inside who knows.
Absolutely, but is someone who's outwardly unemotional really not going to even look at other people? Do they not care about others at all? That's more Data than Spock, IMHO (although even Data showed reasonable levels of social behavior prior to the emotion chip). But either way, it's anyrose's call.
This most be Graham's greatest dream and worst nightmare rolled into one.
Rangin is being really polite and respectful to me...why is Rangin being polite and respectful to me???
To be honest a little part of me died at hearing Rangin calling Graham "sir" like a menial. A true sign of Rangin's professionalism, but still, that's gotta hurt.
Not really, its an act for the Hwuen more than anything. Of course, Rangin is now waiting for Graham to follow it up...that's when the fun begins.Quote:
Originally posted by choie
Graham is in charge of the mission after all :fist:Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuitNot really, its an act for the Hwuen more than anything. Of course, Rangin is now waiting for Graham to follow it up...that's when the fun begins.Quote:
Originally posted by choie
But anyway, more importantly, I suspect that a sincere attempt to work together well by either one of them will somehow manage to cause even more conflict than if they were trying to antagonize one another... :popcorn:
It's one thing to get your crush's first name wrong, but last name, too? :devil:Quote:
Originally posted by choie
Oh my God, LOL. HELLS no. CIAS or EH, pleeeeeeeease change this for me with your super-duper Admin powers?
Freudian slip?:devil::woowoo::dumbo::D
:bravo: Tell me about it -- considering the father/daughter issues going on, a very Freudian slip!!!
Someone has some serious explaining to do :dubious:
Was so very tempted to run with it as it was.
It would be perfect fodder for the spin-off series Yorktown High:Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
Rangin leaves Chess Club early so her can confront Graham on his way to football practice.
"Stay away from my girlfriend," Rangin says in an amiable yet grave manner. Graham's blank stare confirms his vapidity to Rangin.
Graham stares at Rangin, confused. Wait, he thinks, Cheerleading Captain Bennett is Rangin's girlfriend? When did that happen?
But of course... but I see CIAS beat me to it.Quote:
Originally posted by choie
Thanks - you just made my day.Quote:
Originally posted by general_urko
Wow, looks like Rangin changed sex at some point in the last episode due to plot device X and the show are milking it for laughs.Quote:
Originally posted by general_urko
Hall monitor Dobson steps between Graham and Rangin. "Principal Singh says no fighting inside the school. Take it outside, you two."Quote:
Originally posted by general_urkoIt would be perfect fodder for the spin-off series Yorktown High:Quote:
Originally posted by CatInASuit
Rangin leaves Chess Club early so her can confront Graham on his way to football practice.
"Stay away from my girlfriend," Rangin says in an amiable yet grave manner. Graham's blank stare confirms his vapidity to Rangin.
Graham stares at Rangin, confused. Wait, he thinks, Cheerleading Captain Bennett is Rangin's girlfriend? When did that happen?
I'm glad Kylah's not the only one who's having some name troubles. :)Quote:
Originally posted by general_urko
BTW, I forget--do we know for sure that Mrs. Wilson hasn't been informed yet? I don't remember finding that out. Also, on a technical note, is there any lag time when placing a "call" to other planets? Not sure how that works in the ST universe.
Oy. Great, "you're a valued member of the team, Whatever-Your-Name-Is." :roll:Quote:
Originally posted by choieI'm glad Kylah's not the only one who's having some name troubles. :)Quote:
Originally posted by general_urko
BTW, I forget--do we know for sure that Mrs. Wilson hasn't been informed yet? I don't remember finding that out. Also, on a technical note, is there any lag time when placing a "call" to other planets? Not sure how that works in the ST universe.
Who would have told Mrs. Wilson? :confused:
:) Lucky Dobson is so stolid that she doesn't even respond to her mispronounced name, whereas Rangin has a hissy over names being used correctly or not used at all. Perhaps personal identification is very important to him due to something in his past back on Coridan.
As for who'd've told Babs Wilson: I dunno, one of the Hsus or someone else in WR&R Corporate? Would've been awkward (for Mrs. H.), I grant you, but it seems possible that someone who vaguely knew the family and worked closely w/Wilson may have been the bearer of bad tidings. (Actually I don't even remember if general WR&R corporate administration back on... uh, whatever planet they're based... know yet.) But I'm probably overthinking things as usual.
...it's all that mask wearing, very important to make sure you're talking to the right person.Quote:
Originally posted by choie
Mrs. Hsu said that she was going to contact WR&R with the bad news, but not Mrs. Wilson. There would be a slight subspace communications lag, about 20 minutes or so, between OC3 and Wilson's family on Rigel IV.
Ah thanks, EH. Normally I'd be worried that we have a chick who lacks empathy coupled with a dude who lacks a certain... um, smoothness of tongue... in charge of telling a woman she's become a widow overnight. But Graham's own experience should--I hope--make him a good choice for bearing this unhappy message.
Hm maybe Kylah will start a war with the Hwuen...
Of course if that were to make her more attractive to Bennett (#2369), Graham will yet again be confounded by the lesbianism that apparently pervades Starfleet...in his mind...
Ah, Rangin and his gallant ways! I hope Kylah at least got a grab of Jaxo before Velir played Knight in Shining Armor.
LOL. Hmm, wait, there is no post #2369. Did Bennett mention somewhere that she has a 'thing' for warmongers or something?Quote:
Originally posted by general_urko
You will, of course, note that Rangin has only asked if she needed help, nothing further.