Session Start: Mon Apr 12 21:33:59 2004
Session Ident: #taw
* Logging #taw to 'logs\EsperNet\#taw.20040412.log'
<Snipe> Session 167: Inner Journeys
<Snipe> Time Chart: July 20th, 2223
<Snipe> Location: Aquarius Bridge
* Colephantus is leaning against his wall beside the elevator.
<Snipe> <Katrina> I finished studying the strand of hair that you gave me. I can conclude that the people you encountered were very close to being human. Not quite, but not far removed that you could see a difference. Cousins, you might say, to the human species.
<Snipe> Interesting. 'Cousins'. This far from Earth.
<Colephantus> So their only missing a few pieces of DNA that humans posses...?
<Snipe> <Katrina> More like they're DNA is slightly different. Normally in DNA, even slight changes could prove to have some of the most radical changes. Their DNA, while different, works enough like ours that they're virtually almost the same. The chances of such a similarity is amazing. I'd conclude that maybe, long ago, we started from the same source material.
<Colephantus> ....I see.
<Snipe> I have to confess the realm of DNA is a little beyond me.
<Colephantus> ...Yeah....thats why we have Kat...
<Snipe> <Katrina> You know, John, you could probably be as smart as me if you applied yourself to it. 6She says, looking rather serious.
<Snipe> .. 6He rubs the back of his head, shaking it. "I'm afraid I just don't have your genes, KAt."
<Snipe> <Katrina> ...
* Colephantus merely looks at the floor.
* Snipe rubs his face, which looks shaven and fresh, but his body language hints at something. His shoulder sag a little and his eyes dart around, never staying focused on one thing for long. He walks over to the chair, sitting down it.
*** Alicia is now known as Hotaru`
<Colephantus> You ok Snipe?
<Snipe> I'm tired... I think.
<Colephantus> How much sleep have you got in the past few days?
<Snipe> I've been doing a lot of sleeping. 6He says, his voice flat. "I tell Hotaru and Em good night, then crash in my seperate room so I can get nothing but sleep."
<Snipe> <Katrina> Maybe you're pushing yourself too hard. You should step by Medical Lab... 6She says, her voice sounding a bit urgent, as if concerned.
* Colephantus glances at Snipe.
<Colephantus> You know it might be....the you know what....acting up.
* Snipe leans back, his tired eyes focusing on Colephantus. He nods a few times.
<Snipe> I think, sometimes, that time is catching up with me.
* Colephantus looks a little serious. "Go to the Med lab....they might be able to help you out a bit..."
*** X1 has quit IRC (Ping timeout)
<Snipe> I will. In a bit. 6He rubs his eyes hard, then when he lowers his hand, they've stopped their nervous darting around.
<Snipe> Scanners picked up something unusual. We're almost at the sector. We should look into it.
*** Kimera is now known as Ariel
<Hotaru`> NRP: ^^
<Colephantus> ....Another clone thingy?
<Snipe> I'm not sure. We'll find out soon.
<Snipe> 6* The Aquarius begins to pull past various planets - having obviously entered some type of solar system
<Colephantus> ....Wow more planets...
<Snipe> This surprises you? 6He asks about sarcastically.
<Colephantus> .....I was being sarcastic fella...
<Ariel> I doubt the Motenks go around destroying EVERY planet they see. *scowls*
<Snipe> Of course. 6He says somewhat mildly, his eyes rolling. "Sometimes, Cole, I think of you like---holy fucker!"
* Snipe jerks around in his seat.
* Colephantus arches an eyebrow...
<Snipe> <Katrina> Hi, mom! 6She smiles at the other woman. Despite the fact they look almost the same age, she still refers to Ariel as mom.
<Colephantus> Holy Fucker? I haven't any holes?
* Hotaru` wanders in.
* Snipe pushes up his glasses with one hand, waving at Cole dismissively as he fixes Ariel with a glare.
* Colephantus glances at Hotaru..."Whos this now?"
<Hotaru`> I could ask the same of you.
* Ariel nods to Kat, starting to smile a little before Snipe catches her attention.
* Colephantus arches a brow.
<Ariel> *bluntly* What is it?
<Snipe> You. Scared. Me.
<Colephantus> Cole.....
<Colephantus> Thats my name....
<Hotaru`> I'm Hotaru. Nice to meet you. .oO(I think.)
* Colephantus nods and looks up to the ceiling.
<Hotaru`> What's new?
* Ariel sighs, "Snipe. You never grow up."
<Colephantus> Snipe is going crazy....and were finding all sorts of planets that we'll most likely have to search...
<Snipe> Hi Hotaru. 6He smiles brightly at the other woman, rubbing his hands together. "Finally decided to visit me in the office?"
* Colephantus sighs.
* Snipe eyes Cole.
<Snipe> What?
* Hotaru` blinks. "You act like I'm never here.."
<Colephantus> Even when he's mental weak he never ceases to hit on women.
* Colephantus glances around.
<Snipe> I think I'm allowed to hit on my wife.
* Hotaru` gives Cole a glare
<Colephantus> Wait Have I been saying all this out loud?
<Hotaru`> He's been hitting on other women again?
<Colephantus> NAh....thats Dias...
* Snipe leans back in his seat as their conversation continues. He holds a hand to his face, probably to hide the dark look on it.
<Hotaru`> Sounds like him.. *sighs a little*
<Snipe> 6* Katrina gives Hotaru a warning look, nodding at Snipe.
* Colephantus glances at Snipe...then Hotaru...."Wait....your married?"
* Hotaru` smiles quietly, saying nothing.
* Snipe drops his hand, forcing on a cheerful face. But something about his mannerism has shifted.
<Snipe> Can you believe it?
<Colephantus> ...Its wierd...you don't seem the type...
<Snipe> I'm not. 6He keeps smiling cheerfully.
<Ariel> Well, you haven't met the otherone yet Cole.
<Colephantus> The other one?
<Hotaru`> She's napping right now..
<Colephantus> Wait....he has TWO wives?
* Hotaru` tries not to laugh, being pretty successful
* Colephantus rubs his head.
<Ariel> *rolls her eyes some* Yes.
<Colephantus> Here I can't even talk to a girl and he has two....
* Snipe sits there, eyeing the viewport silently. He seems perfectly calm, except his right hand opening and closing as he looks out, his legs crossed.
* Colephantus walks over next to snipe.
<Colephantus> You ok man?
<Ariel> Normally I'd say something about that... But, well... I believe it was thier decision.
<Snipe> I'm fine. 6He says quickly, smiling at Cole. "Just waiting for us to find that distrubance."
<Snipe> <Katrina> I think, perhaps, we found it. 6She nods at the view screen of what seems to be a small planet and a larger planet really close to each other.
* Colephantus glances down and then leans close to Snipe whispering. "If you think..its the you know what...let me know..."
<Snipe> It's not. Believe me. 6He says to Cole, glancing over at Katrina. "What is it? I just see two planets."
<Snipe> <Katrina> Correct. But, the larger planet is on a collision course with the smaller planet. 6She says solomnly.
<Colephantus> Wait....We can't stop that can we?
<Hotaru`> ... is either one inhabited?
<Snipe> <Katrina> The smaller planet is inhabited... yes...
<Snipe> 6* Katrina swallows, then shakes her head at Cole.
* Colephantus crosses his arms thinking.
<Snipe> It seems to be my life's lot to watch planet's get destroyed.
<Hotaru`> ... unless there's some way to stop it...
<Colephantus> Check all the data banks and see if the alliance has had this kind of situation before....
<Hotaru`> I don't think we could evacuate an entire planet, even if we had room...
<Snipe> <Katrina> ... 6She raises her eyebrows. "There also seems to be humanoid life on the planet. I'm doing some scans - and we don't have DNA samples - but I say we might have found more "cousins". 6She pauses, waving her hand over a computer. "No occurance of the Alliance having faced such an obstacle before."
* Snipe lets out a breath, eyeing the two planets. Already the smaller one is shaking from the gravitional pull of the larger one.
* Colephantus rubs his chin...."Any indication of the cause of this?"
<Snipe> The planet is probably experiencing planet-wide storms and earthquakes. Whatever life is on it probably won't make it to the impact.
<Colephantus> Basically...we can't do anything again?
<Snipe> <Katrina> I can't guess. Perhaps something happened to make the planets' paths cross.
<Hotaru`> ... *just watches, speechless*
* Colephantus kneels to one knee staring at the ground trying his damnest to think of a solution.
<Snipe> Christ. 6He says the name of God in vain, rubbing his forehead. "I wish I had the smarts to think of something life saving, but I don't know how to handle something this large."
<Hotaru`> Is there any way we can get even some of them off the planet?
<Ariel> For once, I wish Cheryl was here.
<Colephantus> Any way at all that the tractor beam of this ship could pull the smaller planet away?
<Snipe> This ship can hold some people, yeah. But our supplies might not last out here in the Unknown Regions. Also, what if they aren't compatiable with us? What if they're hostile?
* Colephantus asks this is vain knowing the asnwer..
<Snipe> <Katrina> Negative. Our tractor beam is not strong enough to move a planet.
<Colephantus> Sadly...
* Colephantus glances over at Snipe. "So whos coming with me?" "We have to find out if their hostile or not and we can't by watching."
* Colephantus seems to have the urgency to actually help someone as strange as it seems.
<Snipe> You're going to beam down on a planet that's suffering from natural storms and earthquakes and can be destroyed totally in the next hour or so?
<Colephantus> ....Well are we just going to stand here and watch?
<Snipe> I... We...
<Ariel> As much as I want to do something, what CAN we do?
* Colephantus crosses his arms trying to think.
<Snipe> This reminds me of Earth so long ago.
<Hotaru`> At best, we can save a few...
<Snipe> But this is no Fury we're on.'
<Colephantus> There.....has to be something we can do...
<Hotaru`> At worst... *trails off, not wanting to say anything*
* Snipe closes his eyes, tapping his finger on the chair
<Snipe> If we help, we could be opening up big trouble for ourselves down the road. Yet, we'd have saved at least a few of them.
<Colephantus> So....what will we do?
<Hotaru`> How bad are the storms?
<Ariel> *sighs* How many could this ship hold? And I don't mean comfortably.
<Snipe> <Katrina> This should could hold around 500 people.
<Colephantus> So how many more could it hold?
<Snipe> <Katrina> The storms are devastating. They're tearing the planet apart. The gravity of the larger planet is beginning to rip the planet to pieces.
<Hotaru`> ... I don't want to beam down, only to have our entire landing party killed.
<Hotaru`> I think it's less of a risk just to beam some up.
<Ariel> That's not even enough for a colony. Even if we brought some people with us, we'd have to leave them on an already inhabited world.
* Colephantus turns his head away from the view screen.
<Snipe> 500 people will also make our work here harder.
<Snipe> We'd be at risk from infections and contagions.
<Colephantus> Its in the best interest of the ship, to forget about it....High chance of death....even higher chance of hostility....its hopeless.
<Snipe> I guess we should vote then? To save them or not to.
<Snipe> <Katrina> We should never turn a helping hand away. I say we help them, despite the cost to us later on. It would be inhuman not to help them.
* Colephantus leans against a console, arms crossed and staring at the floor.
<Hotaru`> Maybe some of them will become useful crew, even...
<Ariel> *nods slowly* What would you have us do Kat? I want to help, but I can't think of anything.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina opens her mouth, hesitates, and hangs her head. She lets them decide on their own what they want to do.
<Snipe> We can't stop their planet from being destroyed. But taking on people is risky. I hate to be the devil's advocate here, but we can't afford to help them
<Snipe> My vote is no.
<Colephantus> If there is any way possible...I want to help...but if it seems futile...then forget it...theres not a single reason why we should risk the safety of the ship for unknown people...
<Colephantus> I want to help....
<Colephantus> But without any way...how can I?
* Colephantus stares at the ground.
<Colephantus> My answer....is a regrettable no.
<Snipe> Then, the vote is to you, Hotaru.
<Colephantus> NRP: Aye I know I spelled that wron...
<Colephantus> NRP....wrong.
<Hotaru`> We could still beam some aboard... but...
*** DS-Sleep is now known as Dias
<Hotaru`> ... I doubt it would be enough...
* Snipe sits in his chair, studying her. He offers her a weak smile for support.
<Hotaru`> I can't make this decision.. I want to save them, but... to be the last survivors of something like this...?
* Snipe nods with understanding, looking to Ariel now. Ariel, who recently lost her homeworld.
<Colephantus> Would feel like you were the last suvivor of Lunaris eh?
<Hotaru`> ... I at least have Earth...
* Ariel glares at Cole.
* Colephantus glances at Ariel.
<Hotaru`> And this ship.
<Colephantus> Do you want them to feel the same pain as you?
<Colephantus> Or be peaceful in death?
* Dias steps onto the bridge from the elevator
* Colephantus glances at Dias, if he can't feel the tension hes dumber than he looks.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina lifts her head at Dias, her face looking distressed at the way the voting is going
<Dias> Eeeeh...Did I walk onto a ulogy again?
<Hotaru`> ... sort of.
<Dias> ...How so?
<Colephantus> It seems a big planet is going to crash into a little planet...
<Snipe> Ariel? 6He prompts again, ignoring Dias.
<Colephantus> Were trying to decide to help.
<Colephantus> If we go...it'll most likely be nothing but trouble...but can we sit around here and watch the unknown people die?
<Dias> ...Why not beam aboard...15 men, 15 woman. Put them in stasis and drop them off on a nearby liveable planet?
* Colephantus glances at Dias. "What if their hostile?"
<Ariel> *sighs* Save who you can... we're probally only delaying the inevitable, but atleast we're gicing them a chance.
<Snipe> Well, we had 2 to save, 2 not to save.
<Hotaru`> ... maybe they will find a new life... lets bring them on board.
<Dias> *looks at Cole as if he's dumb as a box of rocks* They're going to be asleep. They won't do us any harm.
* Colephantus eyes Dias.
<Snipe> So, we beam 500 people on. Understood.
<Hotaru`> And in stasis, they're no chance of infection.
<Snipe> We can't put 500 in stasis, I'm afraid.
<Hotaru`> ... I just wish we could save the others...
<Colephantus> What about...30 of each sex?
<Snipe> No point in saving the race then. A lot of them won't adapt to a new world.
<Colephantus> Thats 60....enough for stasis right?
<Dias> We should be able to keep the majority of them in a near state of comatosis. Or we just drop them into the simulator room.
<Snipe> Too risky.
<Colephantus> Drop them into the sim....make them think their on their planet? Don't we need to make a program for that?
<Snipe> The Simulator isn't as good as it use to be. It wouldn't hold up for long.
<Hotaru`> Lets do what we can, anyway
<Snipe> Katrina --- beam up 250 men and 250 women.
<Snipe> Try to get them from the same location.
* Colephantus glances down at Snipe who obviously doesn't want to do anything. "Your beaming up more people than there is crew....what if they mutiny?"
* Hotaru` smiles weakly, hoping this will work
<Snipe> Then we go down.
<Dias> I doubt they know what mutiny means.
<Hotaru`> Why should they mutiny?
<Snipe> You just wait, guys. You just wait.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina nods, beginning to work on isolating 500 people to beam up.
<Colephantus> Ok just listen for a second.
<Dias> They might think we're gods.
<Colephantus> Your on your planet knowing that your about to die....then boom a flash of light and your on some off space thingy...what if they think us hostile and attack in so called "defense"? WHat if they think us gods....they'll eat all our supplies and then where will we be?
* Snipe smiles at Cole
<Hotaru`> ... we're more likely to seem to be the keepers of the afterlife.
<Snipe> But we have heroes on board, Cole. They think with their heart, while you and I think with our head.
<Colephantus> I want to help....maybe thats the "hero" in me....but I don't want to lose what we have...were so far in this mission against the motenk....that one mistake and were out.
<Snipe> <Katrina> I have the 500 people isolated. I can beam when the command is given.
<Hotaru`> We've come this far..
<Colephantus> Then who will save your earth? Your alliance? No one....they'll die just like these people are about too...only worse...more hideous.
* Snipe rubs his face as Cole talks. His eyes dart around again, until Snipe closes them and reopens them.
<Dias> You think with your head too much.l
* Colephantus lowers his head. "The choice is the crews...i'm merely 1 man....I can be overuled.....and replaced."
<Snipe> And didn't Death Star think with his HEAD? And he won great battles. What if Cole is right?
* Colephantus cluthes his head with his hands trying to think.
<Snipe> <Katrina> John....it's the right thing to do!
<Colephantus> RIght thing?
<Snipe> But the fighter in me tells me that it could destroy us! Taking these people in could be the end of our mission
<Colephantus> The end of our lives as well as theirs...
<Colephantus> The end of everything!
<Snipe> <Katrina> You can't just pick and choose who lives! We can help - we shoudl help.
<Colephantus> ...........Can we stasis 100 people?
<Snipe> And what if we fail our mission? Who helps everyone then? Slasher's too busy on Earth.
<Dias> But DS also did the right thing.
<Colephantus> 50 of each sex?
<Snipe> No, DS did not do the right thing. 6He says angerily. "He's off finding himself while others fight."
<Hotaru`> ...
<Hotaru`> We're dropping them off on the next habitable planet.
* Colephantus waits for Kat's reply. "Its not that many people...buy 100 is more than enough to start a new society."
<Colephantus> Also 100 can be dealt with....500 cannot.
<Snipe> <Katrina> I say we help 500. Why settle for 400 less then we can save.
<Colephantus> Because 500 cannot be policed! They'll eat more of our food!
<Snipe> <Katrina> So we just let them die?
<Hotaru`> How long are they going to be on board?
<Dias> ...Cole...is that all you worry about?
<Snipe> Probably a few weeks.
<Colephantus> Yes....thats what we do! Let them die! I worry about myself....and here recently I worry about this ship!
<Dias> I highly doubt they'll do anything rash that might anger us.
<Colephantus> OUr lives are on the line as much as theirs and you all don't see that!
<Hotaru`> I can't see a reason why they'd do anything to harm us in that length of time.
<Dias> We do see that Cole, and some of us are willing to make sacrifices.
<Snipe> When people are afraid, they lash out.
<Colephantus> You don't even know who or what they are!
<Colephantus> WHen people do not understand...they hate and do rash things.
<Hotaru`> Before, you were worried that they'd think we were gods, now you're worried they'll think we're devils?
<Snipe> God, I want to help them, too. But if we fail here...if we fail...
<Colephantus> Is that not the same....both of great power....both controlling lives your lives.
<Snipe> Earth will be the next Lunarius.
<Dias> We won't fail John.
<Snipe> Oh, like we failed at Lunarius? I didn't see victory flags there, Dias.
<Colephantus> Look at the bigger picture...we fail....the alliance fails....earth fails....billions of lives gone...for how many...a few 500?
* Colephantus begins to walk toward the elevator.
<Colephantus> I am merely and ensign...why let my opinion stop you?
* Ariel is quiet, just listening to the others argue.
<Colephantus> Whatever choice you make I am forced to obey...Snipe....you understand where I
* Snipe looks at Ariel.
<Colephantus> 'm coming from...I just hope whatever choice is made...is not in vain.
<Snipe> How many do we beam up, Ariel? It will be your call.
<Ariel> Mine?
<Snipe> Yes.
* Colephantus steps into the elevator and pushes the button to the crew quarters.
<Ariel> *looks down* How many could we deal with if things go wrong?
* Colephantus crosses his arms and watches the elevator drop....his head is aching from all the thoughts.
<Snipe> We have around 50 security ensigns.
* Hotaru` stays quiet..
<Snipe> If a riot breaks out, they won't be able to stop it.
<Ariel> They won't be armed, we can quarentine them.
<Snipe> We can try locking down sections of the ship, yes.
<Ariel> *shrugs* If the number isn't an issue at all, why not take all we can?
* Colephantus gets off of the elevator and begins walking down he hall glancing at the various crew.
<Ariel> If things go bad, we're screwed either way.
<Snipe> Understood. 6He pulls out his comm, ordering 7 decks be emptied and locked down immediately.
* Hotaru` smiles a little, but still looks worried
* Colephantus stops at and window and stares out of it...watching the planet.
* Snipe stands there, his head lowered a little as he does this. When he gets the okay, he turns toward Katrina
<Snipe> Beam them to decks 37-43.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina nods, working her hands over the controls. A moment passes, then she nods. "Done."
<Hotaru`> Can you monitor them?
<Snipe> <Katrina> I'm doing so. They're pretty much rioting, smashing into each other and slamming each other into the walls. Some are trying to smash their way through the ship doors, but they're contained. No way for them to get out
* Snipe smiles, looking at them
<Snipe> Well, you're real heroes. And I mean that. 6He says without any sarcasm. Then, he heads for the elevator.
<Hotaru`> ... some people... *sighs a little*
* Colephantus is silent and most of the ensigns passing are giving him odd looks.
* Snipe steps into the elevator, tapping the door close button, vanishing from sight of the others on the bridge.
<Snipe> <Katrina> They seem to be pretty rough. Some are injured, others are cowering in fear. I can't make out their language, so I have no idea what they're saying.
* Colephantus turns and then walks over to the elevator and presses the button.
* Snipe looks up at Cole as the doors open to the elevator.
* Colephantus looks at Snipe.."Was I right?"
* Colephantus slowly steps in.
<Snipe> They're probably beating each other's hands in against the bulkhead. Sooner or later they'll wear themselves out - or die.
* Colephantus nods.
<Colephantus> Well I think this was just useless.
<Snipe> 500 lives saved, perhaps. All of us dead. It could end happily ever after.
* Colephantus frowns.
<Colephantus> But that chance is slim...
<Snipe> Covet your food. 6He says with a grin.
* Colephantus smirks.
<Snipe> Session Ends
Session Close: Mon Apr 12 23:04:52 2004