Session Start: Mon Apr 12 23:15:37 2004
Session Ident: #taw
* Logging #taw to 'logs\EsperNet\#taw.20040412.log'
<Snipe> Session 168: Danger of the Unknown
<Snipe> Time Chart: July 31st, 2223
*** Kimera is now known as Ariel
<Snipe> Location: Aquarius
*** Alicia is now known as Hotaru`
<Snipe> 6* Katrina stands on the bridge before Ariel, looking rather pale and concerned.
<Hotaru`> ... Katt? What's wrong?
<Snipe> <Katrina> I'm... I'm afraid there's been some bad developments last night with the people we saved.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina paces about, playing with the ends of her hair, looking rather nervous.
<Hotaru`> ... did we do the right thing? From what I saw... it almost looked like they wanted to die with the rest of their people..
<Ariel> ......
<Snipe> <Katrina> They eventually calmed down...but, I've been working so hard to figure out their language, I just can't do it. But, one of them died last night - beaten to death. The cameras don't show who did it. 6She stops pacing, looking at Ariel again as if she were a life vest. "Also, the cooks inform me that the food supply is dwindling faster than expected."
<Hotaru`> I'm sorry, Ariel...
<Hotaru`> ... well, it seems the aliens are very alien.. at least psychologically.
<Snipe> <Katrina> I tried to talk to John, but he has his communicator off. The computer says he's training.
* Ariel nods slowly
<Ariel> Well... We knew this wouldn't be easy, right?
<Snipe> <Katrina> What should we do? Nothing?
<Hotaru`> Right now, the food's the biggest concern...
<Snipe> <Katrina> I can't believe my own br-- 6She stops, catching herself. She sighs. "We have to do something. I mean, what if they begin to kill each other again?"
<Hotaru`> If they're calm now, there shouldn't be any more deaths.. your own what?
<Snipe> <Katrina> Nothing. 6She says weakly, shifting some and playing with her hair again.
<Hotaru`> ...
<Ariel> You really think they'll start to kill each other again...?
<Ariel> *sighs* I hope they don't have religious beliefs or something we violated... I never considered that.
<Snipe> <Katrina> I don't know. Most of them seem peaceful, but some of the males seem pretty aggressive.
<Hotaru`> It was probably panic, but...
<Hotaru`> .. if anyone finds out anything relevant, we need to know.
* Hotaru` glances at Kat
<Snipe> <Katrina> I'm not taking my eyes off of them. If anything else happens, I'll let you two know right away.
<Hotaru`> It might not even look connected, at first.
* Ariel leans against the wall, thinking on the matter
<Snipe> <Katrina> Also, I think some of the people aren't getting their share of food. Some of the others steal from each other.
<Hotaru`> ... well, that's new...
<Snipe> 6* Katrina sits down, her hands still playing with her hair. She looks at the monitor of the various rooms where the human like aliens stay. She looks at Ariel now and again, almost with concern, sometimes with hope she has an idea.
<Hotaru`> ... something else... I've been worried about John recently...
<Hotaru`> He's... not acting like himself.
<Snipe> <Katrina> I noticed he wasn't feeling good myself. On the day we found the aliens. He was jittery, like he was having a nervous breakdown. But he said he had been sleeping fine.
<Ariel> Food will be tricky to manage. If anyone starts getting too sick, we'll have to try to seperate them from the others.
<Snipe> <Katrina> I understand.
<Ariel> I'd suggest releasing a mild airborn seditive into the air, but it's hard to say how they'd react to it.
<Hotaru`> How much do we know of their physiology?
<Snipe> <Katrina> I've been running scans. They're not human, but they're very close. Just like another race we met. All three races are not the same, but their DNA differences are still produce something very close to human. I still say they all came from the same source material, eons ago.
<Ariel> So... chances are, if it works on humans, it could work on them?
<Snipe> <Katrina> Yes, very likely.
<Hotaru`> Just be careful about the dosage.. we don't want an overdose.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina types something into her computer, then looks up. 1"I have a small dosage loaded. Should I release it?"
* Hotaru` takes a deep breath, looking at Ariel
<Hotaru`> I say yes if you do..
<Ariel> *nods* Just release enough to calm them down, not to knock them out. We might need this stuff to last.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina a button, nodding. "It's done."
<Hotaru`> How are they?
<Snipe> <Katrina> It'll take a few minutes before I can tell you any results.
* Hotaru` nods
<Hotaru`> If it helps.. it might be possible to move some into stasis, and thus save some food...
<Snipe> <Katrina> We'd have to send some people in there to pull them out to put in stasis.
<Hotaru`> ... not a good idea, unless we knocked them out first.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina props her head up with her arm, her head resting aside her face. She yawns, eyeing the monitor.
<Ariel> That... Might not be the brightest idea. If we knock them out, then take people while they sleep, they might get resentful.
<Hotaru`> They might if they were awake, too.
<Snipe> 6* A comm beeps on Katrina. She blinks, pulling it out. It's the DS comm.
<Hotaru`> To be honest, we don't know enough about how they think to properly estimate their reaction
* Ariel nods to Hotaru, but the comm has caught her attention
<Snipe> 6* Katrina turns on the communicator. "DS?"
*** Chris|Sleep has quit IRC (Ping timeout)
* Hotaru` looks over at the comm now
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> "DS"? Is that how I'm greeted now by you, Katrina?
<Snipe> <Katrina> I'm sorry, Dad. Slip of the tongue.
*** Sherinmir has joined #taw
* Hotaru` smiles a little, glad to have her mind taken off the current happenings
* Ariel laughs a little
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> Whoa, lag time there. 6A long pause. "So, how is everything?"
<Hotaru`> ... *looks over to Kat*
<Snipe> 6* Katrina looks up at the two of them.
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> Alright, I know there's a lag time, but this is ridiculous. Katrina? 6His voice sounds concerned.
<Hotaru`> ... right now, not too bad...
<Dias> NRP: Jesus Christ dad's pinging at 500!
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> Hey, I know that voice. Hotaru?
<Hotaru`> That's me!
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> I see you're going along with this crazy mission. Did Snipe talk you into saving the universe? Or... did you go to be with him?
<Hotaru`> A bit of both, really.
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> He could use you, I'm sure. 6He says gently.
<Hotaru`> .. yeah.. *sounds a little concerned*
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> Something wrong?
* Ariel pats Hotaru on the shoulder
<Hotaru`> He's... not been quite himself lately..
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> I ... see. 6Grows distant, but not from lagtime.
<Ariel> Okay DS, spill it. What's on your mind?
<Ariel> NRP: <DS> What! Am I on speaker phone?!
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> Ariel! You're there, too? 6He sounds happier.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina angles her head, listening.
<Snipe> NRP: And it suddenly gets quiet.
<Ariel> Yeah, caught us in the middle of trying to deal with some... Refugees.
<Ariel> NRP: Had to deal with Maestro =P
<Hotaru`> Their planet was about to be destroyed... so we brought some aboard.
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> Hm. I guess you're having trouble accomodating them?
<Hotaru`> Oh we put them in some of the lower decks, but... they seem a little... jumpy.
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> It happens. I'm sure you guys have it under control, though.
<Snipe> <Katrina> Barely.
* Ariel glances at the screen to see how their guests are doing.
Session Close: Tue Apr 13 00:00:00 2004

Session Start: Tue Apr 13 00:00:00 2004
Session Ident: #taw
<Ariel> It's hard... But better than leaving them behind. *pauses* I hope.
<Snipe> 6* Some of them have nodded off, while others pace around, slowly, as if warn out.
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> What do you think?
<Hotaru`> As long as we find a suitable planet to leave them on, we're leaving them there.
<Hotaru`> I'm all for saving lives, but it's best not to keep them on board longer than we have to.
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> Commendable, Hotaru. 6His voice grows faint. "And the smart choice."
<Ariel> If... If they have the strength to go on living, I'm glad we managed to keep that cataclysm from turning into genocide...
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> Then, since you feel it is the right choice, go with it. After all, if you can't trust your heart, what can you trust?
<Snipe> <Katrina> I agree. I know we did the right thing, helping them
* Hotaru` smiles a little
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> With your silence, I take it you're all re-- 6Static begins to fill the comm. "Which is a good thing."
<Ariel> We're all... what?
<Hotaru`> I'm sorry, we didn't quite catch that.
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> Damn. I'm about to lose the signal.
<Hotaru`> Well, it was great to hear from you again... take care.
<Snipe> <Death Star's voice> You too, Ho-- 6Static. "Ariel, Kat - all my love." 6Then it dies out.
<Ariel> *quietly* Good to hear from you...
<Snipe> 6* Katrina slowly puts the comm. away, smiling softly to herself. "I like hearing his voice."
* Ariel nods slowly, smiling a little.
* Snipe steps off the elevator, his face sweaty and a towel around his neck. He smiles at them all.
<Snipe> Everyone having one of those moments where you stare off into space smiling?
<Hotaru`> We just heard from DS.
<Snipe> He can still send messages out here? ... I'd love to know how his communicators do it.
<Hotaru`> I'm not sure they can now.
<Ariel> *smirks* Magic?
<Hotaru`> We might have just passed the point where they can.
<Snipe> Well, if it's Death Star, I'm sure he'll find away to mail us a letter if he has to.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina goes back to her monitor. "They seem to be pretty complacent right now, but we're no closer to solving the immediate problem."
* Snipe walks over to Hotaru, taking the towel and dropping it on her head so it covers her face.
<Hotaru`> ACK!
<Snipe> Thanks, dear.
* Hotaru` takes the towel off her head and just holds it.
* Ariel shakes her head in disbelief
<Snipe> Oh, I see that Ariel. What? You don't think I can be a romantic?
<Ariel> If you call that romantic, then yes.
<Snipe> I'm utterly crushed. 6Pouts.
* Snipe walks over to take a chair near Hotaru, leaning against a console.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina suddenly cries out and stiffens in her chair, eyeing the monitor.
<Snipe> What? What is it, Kat? 6Leans forward, concern flooding his facial expressions.
<Snipe> <Katrina> One of them is beating another person senseless. I think he'll kill him if he isn't stopped!
*** Hotaru` has quit IRC (Read error: Connection reset by peer)
<Snipe> NRP: Too late!
*** Hotaru` has joined #TAW
<Hotaru`> NRP: What did I miss?
<Ariel> *frowns* Can we transport the agresser out?
<Snipe> <Katrina> Our teleporters can't teleport people on the ship to another place on the ship.
<Snipe> ... Well, I don't much think I would enjoy going into a crowd of 500 savages, but this looks like a job for Snipe.
<Hotaru`> ... are you sure you'll be okay?
<Ariel> You want to try John?
* Snipe pauses, then holds out his hand
<Snipe> Wait for it... 6Then gives his best DS expression. "Trust me."
* Ariel rolls her eyes
<Ariel> Well, go for it then
<Snipe> <Katrina> I'm somehow not confident.
* Snipe waves, stepping into the elevator.
* Snipe is then out of sight.
<Hotaru`> ... I know they're only savages, but 500 of them...?
<Snipe> 6* Katrina leans forward as Snipe appears on the monitor, holding out his hands and saying something.
<Snipe> 6* Some of the people move away from Snipe, in fear. A few others stare at him curiously. Then they seem to be asking a flood of questions of him - so much, that Snipe steps back. Foreign language is bad = but from a dozen people at once?
<Hotaru`> ... what *IS* going on? Has he deciphered their language or something?
<Snipe> <Katrina> John? Deciphering a foreign language?
* Hotaru` nods slowly
<Snipe> 6* Katrina tries to picture this, but fails.
<Snipe> 6* Snipe holds out one hand to the crowd, then begins to do DS impressions on them. They just stare.
<Hotaru`> ... o...kay...
<Hotaru`> Today just got too strange
<Snipe> 6* Suddenly they surge forward and grab Snipe, dragging him off his feet. He's soon vanishing from sight in the multitude of bodies.
<Hotaru`> ... this might be bad...
* Hotaru` stands, not sure whether to run and help
<Snipe> <Katrina> They'll tear him apart... 6She says in fear.
<Ariel> ...what has he gotten himself into...
* Hotaru` starts into the elevator. ".. wish me luck.."
<Snipe> <Katrina> But they could hurt you, too!
<Hotaru`> If things get too bad, I'll teleport out.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina nods. "Becareful."
<Hotaru`> I will.
* Hotaru` starts off towards the aliens, and Snipe
<Snipe> 6* Hotaru rides the elevator down, the doors opening to the restricted area, where the mob of human like aliens stand before her. Snipe's on the floor, being clawed at.
<Hotaru`> <Let him go. Now.>
* Hotaru` tries to put the command into more images than words.
* Snipe looks up at Hotaru, as do a few of the others. They look at each other, then back away,.
* Snipe scurries backwards until he's in the elevator with Hotaru, some of his clothing torn.
<Hotaru`> John, what were you thinking? *gets back into the elevator with Snipe*
* Snipe taps the button for the bridge, taking deep breaths
<Snipe> Trying to impress you pretty ladies?
<Hotaru`> ... *sighs a little* You could've gotten yourself killed...
<Snipe> 6* The elevator doors open at the bridge.
* Snipe stands up, rubbing his head. He looks at her, grinning
<Snipe> A trend I have.
* Hotaru` takes a deep breath, then smiles a little. "Just... please be careful in future..?"
<Snipe> Hotaru.... 6He pauses, trailing off.
<Ariel> *looks to Katrina* What are they doing now?
<Snipe> <Katrina> They've quieted down and are talking about something. I'm not sure. Probably wondering about what just happened.
<Hotaru`> Well, I found out how to communicate... sort of..
* Snipe stands there quietly, looking at the three.
<Snipe> <Katrina> I noticed they seem to back off of you. What did you do?
<Hotaru`> I told them to let Snipe go... but in images.
<Snipe> <Katrina> Interesting.
<Snipe> That's my Hotaru - always thinks outside the norm.
<Ariel> Telepathy, gotta love it.
* Hotaru` grins
<Snipe> Too bad I can never hear it.
* Hotaru` 's smile disappears.
* Snipe pauses, then points at himself
<Snipe> Void, remember?
<Hotaru`> Yeah... it's a shame.
<Snipe> I know you use it to talk to Em when I'm standing around so you can both pick on me.
<Hotaru`> Hey!
<Snipe> I think I'm right, judging by your reaction.
<Snipe> <Katrina> I've actually never experienced telepathy. What's it like?
<Hotaru`> <Umm.. like this?>
<Snipe> It's like having a bunch of voices at once talk about shoes in your head.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina sits there, glancing at Snipe as he talks - not responding to Hotaru
<Hotaru`> ... what?
<Snipe> What what?
<Hotaru`> It's nothing like that!
<Snipe> I'm hearing voices about shoes right now.
<Hotaru`> ... o...kay...
<Snipe> No, you're not getting a new pair.
<Hotaru`> Katrina?
<Snipe> <Katrina> Yes?
<Hotaru`> Are you sure you're not void yourself?
<Snipe> <Katrina> Void? 6She pauses, looking at Snipe, then at Hotaru. "I-I well...I'm sure I'm just tired and so I didn't hear it. A lot on my mind."
* Snipe pauses, rubbing his chin
<Hotaru`> ... ah.. okay.
<Hotaru`> <I'm missing something here, I just know it.>
* Ariel nods slowly, looking thoughtful
* Snipe looks blankly
<Snipe> Are you guys talking mentally again or did a silence just befall us?
<Hotaru`> What's on your mind, anyway, Kat?
<Hotaru`> Silence, John.
<Snipe> <Katrina> Just trying to figure out our guests. They're fascinating. 6She's clearly going into scientific mode now.
<Snipe> Oh - I see where this is going. I think I'll excuse myself now.
<Ariel> *shakes her head* Try not to get into trouble, okay?
<Snipe> Narrator: Perhaps, I really wanted to go because I didn't know what I was going to do in the months ahead. I wanted to make up for all the bad things I've done to Hotaru and Em. But how could I do that, when I was running on finite time?
<Snipe> I won't. 6He waves, then walks off into the elevator, pressing the button.
<Snipe> 6* Katrina watches Snipe go, then looks at them. "Well, studying him, he seemed to be in a lot better shape physically."
<Hotaru`> And mentally...?
<Snipe> <Katrina> Well, he seemed pretty cheerful.
* Ariel nods a little
<Ariel> Still... Well, you must have a handful with that one Hotaru.
<Hotaru`> Yeah..
<Snipe> <Katrina> You should confront him, if you're worried about something. You know, corner him and make him tell you. 6She offers, but then pauses, realizing she couldn't do it, if it were her talking to Snipe.
* Ariel nods in agreement with Katrina
<Hotaru`> ... I'm.. a little scared of what it might be...
<Snipe> 6* Katrina reaches out, touching Hotaru's shoulder, squeezing it and over a faint smile. "I'm sure everything will turn out okay in the end.
<Hotaru`> Yeah... everything will be fine...
* Hotaru` doesn't sound totally sure of it
<Snipe> Narrator: In the end, Hotaru was closer to the truth than she imagined.
<Snipe> Session Ends
Session Close: Tue Apr 13 01:07:36 2004