Session Start: Tue Jul 15 22:06:36 2003
Session Ident: #taw
* Logging #taw to 'logs\EsperNet\#taw.20030715.log'
<Katrina`> Session 84: When God Angers
<Katrina`> Time Chart: August 15th, 2222
<Katrina`> Location: Conference Room, Aquarius.
<Corvus> NRP: BRB, getting food
* Katrina` stands around the conference room, holding scientific papers from what looks to be Alliance command. She's nervous, as she's the one being called to give the information, since she's the Science Officer.
* Cardinal leans back in her chair, legs crossed
* Thedda leans on the back wall, twirling her finger around the strands of her whip.
* Katrina` plays with a string of her red hair as she stands around, swallowing a few times. Her eyes look everywhere but the others.
* Sardis sits up in his seat, looking about.
<Katrina`> I-Is everyone ready? *she squeaks*
* Thedda turns to Kat. "Sure."
* Cardinal sits forward
<Cardinal> Whenever you are.
* Katrina` opens the folder and pulls out some documents. She grips them in her hand, looking very serious now. She clears her throat, nervousness gone replaced by some urgency.
<Katrina`> The reason I called this emergency meeting is because a fellow Alliance ship happened to be in Quadrant 5 when they monitored some activity on a planet. The planet, *she says, putting off saying what it is* is technologically lacking and has probably never seen another race besides their own. They have no space technology and barely the means to travel out of their city.
* Thedda pulls herself from the wall and walks a few steps forward, watching Kat.
* Katrina` grips the papers and looks up, frowning.
<Cardinal> ...Continue.
<Katrina`> It seems there's going to be a series of naturally disasters, caused by a massive earthquake. From the brief scans they could provide, it seems a major earthquake is going to tear through the only city on the planet, enough to destroy it all. And, to follow it up, chances are the earthquake will cause the volcano overlooking the city to errupt and destroy whatever remains of the ravaged city.
<Katrina`> The estimated probability the species will go extinct is 95%.
* Sardis furrows his brow, listening silentlty.
* Thedda takes a deep breath and blows it out slowly, listening.
* Cardinal slowly shakes her head
<Katrina`> The earthquakes will occur in less than 2 hours. Alliance command asked us to attempt to get the species' permission to remove them. We should be able to communicate with them with our translators.
<Katrina`> NRP: And yes, we're doing this in REAL time.
*** Zeta has joined #taw
* Katrina` clapses her hands together behind her back, focusing entirely on Captain Cardinal to see what she says.
<Vile> NRP: "That is, if we dont scare the shit out of them, what with arriving in shuttles and whatnot."
<Cardinal> Relay number two the coordinates, if you haven't already, Katrina. We have a people to save.
<Katrina`> I have already, sir. I... guessed that would be your response. We'll be arriving in ten minutes.
<Katrina`> Also, I have the translators in the shuttle, waiting whatever away party you choose.
<Cardinal> I don't see where we have a choice. We can't go against direct orders from command, after all.
<Sardis> Captain?
* Thedda runs her right hand through her hair, ruffling it as she does so.
<Cardinal> Yes, Sardis?
<Sardis> If I may, wouldn't we be breaking a plethora of Alliance regulations by interfering with an uninitiated world?
*** Vile is now known as Vile|AWAY
<Vile|AWAY> Vile is away. Reason: [Brb].
<Katrina`> NRP: ><
<Sardis> There are moral implications of not becoming involved, but whom are we to interfere with that planet's otherwise natural events?
<Katrina`> But...Sardis... they'll all die if we don't move them. We have to ask them for the permission to do so.
* Thedda raises a brow at Sardis' comment.
<Cardinal> ...Indeed. *rubs the bridge of her nose* But this is an order from Alliance command. If all else fails, they can take the fall for making us do it.
<Thedda> I don't know how we could sit back and let an entire planet die without giving them the option of a life elsewhere.
<Sardis> And as we have a meer two hours--time which is deminishing as we speak--how do you propose that we even begin to organize something so impromptu? It's very likely we'll be caught in the apocolypse.
<Katrina`> ...
<Cardinal> NRP: I know! We'll send a bunch of ensigns and monitor their progress from a safe distance!
<Katrina`> NRP: LOL
<Thedda> NRP: ROFLMAO.
* Cardinal stands, walking for the exit
* Katrina` follows to the left of the Captain, since Thedda is her "right hand man"
<Cardinal> I am sorry that you don't agree with the methods chosen by the Alliance, Sardis, but this is one of those times that we have to listen to them. I have my reservations about this, too, but...
* Thedda sighs, and follows Cardinal and Kat out the exit.
* Cardinal walks into the hallway and towards the elevator
<Thedda> What's their population, Kat?
* Katrina` checks a piece of paper, eyebrows furrowing.
<Katrina`> 2 million.
<Sardis> And all live within a single city?
* Cardinal 's eye twitches visibly
* Thedda rubs her forehead. "How are we going to save 2 million people?"
<Katrina`> Yes.
<Cardinal> This is going to be difficult... do we even have room to hold that many people on the Aquarius?
<Katrina`> ... no, ma'am. We'll have to ... pick and choose.
<Sardis> A galactic society that believes in evolution can't see this moment of "survial of the fittest" *holds his head*
<Thedda> ... How can we pick and choose?
* Katrina` doesn't answer. She steps onto the elevator.
<Corvus> NRP: All the ugly people stay behind!
<Cardinal> For the record, Sardis, I believe that evolution is a crock of shena. *steps onto the elevator*
* Thedda steps on after Kat.
<Katrina`> GM: *there's a soft rumble of the Aquarius leaving hyperspace*
* Sardis rubs his face, standing.
<Katrina`> GM: *the elevator, after collecting everyone, zooms down to the hanger, where the doors open. Already, in front of them, a single shuttle has been prepped and prepared*
<Thedda> How mayn CAN we hold?
<Katrina`> Without risk to life support?
<Thedda> Yes.
<Katrina`> 7,235
* Corvus stands next to the shuttle
* Thedda shakes her head.
* Cardinal crosses her arms and steps off
<Sardis> That's a lot less than two million.
<Thedda> We can't leave that many there.
* Katrina` steps off, looking at Corvus. She doesn't even have a flicker of happiness to show him.
<Cardinal> *flips on her comm* Number 3, are there any other Aquarius ships that could get to this area in... *checks her watch* an hour's time?
* Thedda steps off and looks around.
<Katrina`> Ensign 3 on comm: Negative. There's a food crisis in Quadrant 7 that has the fleet tied up.
<Corvus> Food crisis versus the destruction fo a planet. Cute.
<Cardinal> Comm: Figures... thanks, and do me a favor and get the teleporter crew ready. We have a major job coming up...
* Katrina` moves onto the shuttle, buckling herself in. She brushes back a stand of red hair, sighing. The pilot hops in, dressed in a tropical shirt.
<Thedda> Good to know that the priorities are in check.
* Cardinal steps on - and hesitates in the door
* Thedda looks in for a moment, then gets onto the shuttle.
<Cardinal> This is going to be a primarily diplomatic mission. Anyone who feels they can contribute may come. Those who wish to stay and aid the 7300 new temporary crew members, you may stay.
<Katrina`> I
<Katrina`> I'm going. *she says firmly*
<Corvus> I'll go.
<Thedda> I'll go. *she takes a seat, and buckles in.*
<Cardinal> Right. *finishes stepping on and sits, buckling in*
<Katrina`> Pilot: Where should we land, ma'am? If we land outside the city, it'll take us time to get inside. IF we land in it, we might cause a panic.
<Sardis> I will help the 7300.
<Cardinal> Thank you, Sardis... we're going to need all the help we can get.
<Cardinal> Land outside. We have time... for now.
<Sardis> There may be riots that need to be controlled. People won't respond well to their world being destroyed and, well... they'll need to be kept from losing it.
<Katrina`> Pilot: *pulls the controls back, lifting the shuttle up off the ground. He closes the shuttle door, then pushes the controls forward, flying out of the hanger and into space. He immediately aims for the reddish brown planet up ahead.
* Thedda taps her fingers on her thighs.
<Katrina`> Pilot: *plays elevator music to relieve tension*
*** Zeta has quit IRC (Quit: )
<Katrina`> GM: *they enter the atmosphere, the shuttle shaking. As they pass dark clouds, they emerge over the landscape of the land, which is mostly like a desert. As far as the eye can see, sand stretches, with veins of water running through it. In one concentrated spot, near the biggest source of water - a large lake - seems to be some sort of civilization, unable to be made out from here.*
<Katrina`> Pilot: Whooooo!
<Cardinal> ...Here's the plan... Regardless of the situation, we leave the planet at t-minus fifteen minutes.
* Thedda glances at Cardinal as she speaks.
*** Sardis has quit IRC (Read error: Connection reset by peer)
<Katrina`> GM: *the shuttle drops faster, spinning around several times as they head straight down. Various dark clouds pass by as they zoom down to the ever growing landscape. The shuttle does a tight pull, landing half a mile from the city. So far there seems to be no one there --- but, off in the distance, buildings made of clay can be seen. There seems to be tons of them*
* Katrina` unbuckles her seatbelt, looking at her watch
<Katrina`> That gives us an hour, then.
* Thedda unhooks her belt, not saying a word.
* Katrina` steps out. The hot, dusty wind blows sand into her face. She squints, looking off to the side at what seems to be a mountain. Wrong. It's a volcano and the black clouds are rising from it, going up into the sky.
* Cardinal unbuckles her seatbelt, silent for a moment, and steps off
<Cardinal> There's Mount Fireball...
<Cardinal> Let's hurry. Time is short.
* Katrina` grabs her translator, adjusting it. She marches towards the city, ignoring the hot wind blowing in her face from the volcano.
* Thedda steps up and looks up at the volcano for a moment before she starts walking.
* Cardinal fishes her translator out of her pocket and fits it on, and walks towards the city
* Katrina` keeps her eyes down, pondering how they are going to do this. She doesn't speak it, but secretly she thinks they won't be able to do any good here, except maybe saving a few thousands. The sorrow in her gut eats at her, but she attempts not to let it show.
* Thedda pulls her translator from her jacket, which is flapping in the wind. She puts it on and continues walking, looking at neither Kat or Cardinal.
*** Sardis has joined #taw
* Katrina` lets out a miserible sigh, casting a glance at Corvus as she walks along.
* Cardinal 's wings are thrown around crazily in the wind, losing more than a few molting feathers. She ignores them - and the fact that her dress is being whipped around as well - and continues walking.
<Katrina`> NRP: *ratings go up*
<Thedda> NRP: lol.
* Katrina` is wearing a standard Aquarius uniform, which doesn't move very much in the wind. It's pale gray color clashes against the sand colored planet, at least in her opinion.
* Corvus walks along without much emotion
<Katrina`> GM: *as they near the town, they can see shapes moving about, on the outskirts. They seem to blend in with the colored sand and not much can be made out right now*
<Cardinal> ...Bloody wind... *folds her wings* I can't wait to get this over with...
* Thedda sighs, disgusted with the fact they can save so few from the planet. She continues walking, although finds it difficult with her jacket swirling around her legs.
<Katrina`> GM: *as they walk up closer, yes, the alien creature can be made out. Standing at a questionable 7 feet of height, they are an orange color, with large circular heads, which expands out the back in a small bump. Their face is completely orange with two big yellow eyes and a nose, but no mouth. Their arms are long and thin, like they can easily break. Same with their legs*
<Cardinal> ...Is that figure still the same, Katrina?
<Katrina`> What do you mean?
<Cardinal> They're not exactly the... never mind.
<Katrina`> GM: *the creature turns it's face towards them, it's yellow eyes blinking several times. A scream emmits in all of their minds and the creature takes off running for the city. Commotion, like a soft buzz in another language, can be heard in their minds from the city.*
*** Vile|AWAY is now known as Vile
<Vile> Vile|AWAY is back from [.].
<Katrina`> NRP: <>
* Thedda listens to the conversation, but doesn't join in.
<Cardinal> ...Telepaths... *groans*
* Katrina` holds her head, grunting.
<Katrina`> I didn't calculate that.
<Thedda> NRP: .oO( Bed goes up, bed goes down... Cloud goes up, cloud goes down) :P
<Katrina`> GM: *slowly at first, but then faster, dozens upon dozens of the orange looking creatures begin to gather on the outskirts of the town, forming a type of mob. They all seem to be silent on the outside, but it's obvious, well, sorta, that they're a buzz about something. They wave their long arms in awkward gestures.*
<Katrina`> I'm afraid our translators will be useless if they're telepaths, sir.
* Sardis teleports down infront of Cardinal.
* Thedda watches the species as they collect.
<Sardis> The teleporters are now active, Captain.
* Cardinal yelps and falls backwards
<Katrina`> GM: *the crowd, upon seeing Sardis appear, begin to back away, motioning their hands wildly. They are terrified. And it looks like they're about to flee. Especially from Sardis*
* Cardinal stands up, rubbing her backside
<Cardinal> ...Thank you, Sardis...
<Katrina`> W-Wait! *she waves at them* Don't go! Don't go!
* Sardis holds out a laser pen "Just paint the, er, targets and they'll be marked for teleportation."
* Sardis turns to the aliens.
* Thedda continues walking towards the group.
<Katrina`> NRP: What group? Specify.
<Thedda> NRP: Whoops... the aliens. sawwies.
<Cardinal> *takes it* ...Thank you, Sardis... you might want to walk behind something before leaving.
* Sardis thinks hard for a moment, watching them back away... "I know this from the accademy... Oh yes, Ba weep graghna weep ninibong."
<Katrina`> GM: *the aliens, watching Thedda approach, scramble away, motioning wildly now. They seem to be pointing at Thedda wildly. They ignore Sardis totally.*
<Katrina`> ...ba...weep..wha?
* Cardinal scratches her head
<Vile> NRP: Alien1: He said bong. <Alien2: Yeah..huhuhuhuhuhuhuh.
<Katrina`> GM: *suddenly, a loud voice appears in all of their heads* <WHAT WANT DO YOU?>
* Thedda pauses.
* Katrina` grabs her head again, flinching in pain.
* Thedda grabs her head, in pain.
<Sardis> ...
* Cardinal presses her hand against her head, used to migraines from her job on the Aquarius
<Katrina`> GM: *the aliens sway a bit, looking at one another. The one speaking, at a guess, steps up* <SCAN MIND FOR LANGUAGE. BASIC SCAN. CANNOT DO DEEP SCAN ON PRIMITIVE CREATURES. WHAT WANT DO YOU?>
<Sardis> Yes, well, I'll be sure to do that when I'm ready to beam up.
* Corvus rubs his temples
<Katrina`> Ensign on Comm: You're ready to beam up? Rightyo. *beams up Sardis. The aliens gesture wildly again*
* Cardinal facepalms
* Thedda grinds her teeth at the voice.
<Katrina`> Uh...do you mind speaking...softer?
<Cardinal> Any chance you could... uh... telepath more quietly?
<Katrina`> GM: *the aliens look at one another, gesturing at Katrina this time. They turn back and the only alien cranes it's weird head* <This good?>
<Katrina`> GM: *A deep rumble shakes the entire planet. The aliens gesture about, almost excitedly.*
* Thedda lowers her hands from her head and looks up.
<Cardinal> Thank you...
<Katrina`> GM: *they say nothing, merely waiting for an answer*
* Thedda sighs. "Yes, that is better."
<Cardinal> .oO{This is going to sound horribly cliche.} We wish to speak with your leader.
<Vile> NRP: LOL
<Thedda> NRP: roflmao!!!
<Katrina`> NRP: LOL
<Vile> NRP: "Nano nano."
<Katrina`> Voice: <Leader? What is Leader?>
<Sardis> NRP: You wish to speak to... THE SPONGE. *gestures to a newspaper bin*
<Katrina`> Another Voice: <Perhaps she means *the rest if unintelligenable, a series of grunts and squeeks of the mind*>
<Katrina`> <Voice> <This leader?> *it repeats the sound*
<Cardinal> ...Um...
<Vile> NRP: "You know...this would probably go quicker if we vaporized a few and just tagged the rest while they ran away.."
<Katrina`> I think we should say yes.
<Katrina`> We have to talk to someone of importance.
<Thedda> Who runs things here?
<Katrina`> <Voice> < ... *it makes the same series of sounds*>
<Thedda> Alright then. >.<
<Katrina`> Yes, we'd like to speak with that person.
<Katrina`> GM: *the aliens turn, waving their arms at the group, then begin to march back into the city, one by one. Pretty soon, only the speaker is left. He moves into the city, also.*
<Katrina`> ... I suppose we follow them, Captain.
<Cardinal> ...We have thirty-five minutes left. Works for me.
* Cardinal follows the group of aliens
* Thedda walks along side Cardinal.
* Katrina` follows after the aliens. As they move into the city, they find the buildings are done in a pattern, spreading away from the volcano. The group walks towards the volcano, the source of the building spreadout. All the building are turned to face the volcano, with their entrances directly in alignment with it.
<Katrina`> GM: *as they pass, small versions of the aliens, undoubtedly children, can be seen making clay toys, looking up with awe at the Aquarius team as they move by. Many look up at their mothers, gesturing wildly. Then they get up, carrying their clay doll, following after the team*
<Thedda> They probably see it as a god-like structure.
<Cardinal> ...Looks like they don't get visitors very often...
<Katrina`> GM: *the ground trembles again, violently, as it seems the big earthquake is nearing*
* Katrina` looks at the children, a softness on her face as she looks at them. It almost seems like she wants to walk over to one and talk with it.
<Thedda> Heh... The lil' guys are cute.
<Vile> Nrp: *And they are led into the Temple of Sacrifice.*
<Katrina`> GM: *as they move through the center of the city, they begin to near the volcano, which looms high above them. A ring of dark clouds circle the volcano and below it, at the base - and their destination - is a large temple, where there are already several of the aliens gathered, bowing to the ground at the volcano*
<Katrina`> NRP: LOL
<Katrina`> GM: *the children, with their big yellow eyes, look up at the group, wonderinglike. They wagger behind, their long legs making them seem awkward.*
<Katrina`> GM: *as they approach the base of the stairs leading up to the temple, one of the alien creatures walks downward toward the group, it's dangling arms held behind it's back. It turns it's head to look at the speaker from the group as the other aliens spread out in a semi-circle behind the group. It seems a conversation is going on*
* Katrina` kneels down, looking at one of the children. She smiles at it, pulling out her translator and offering it to her. The kid looks at it, then at it's mom. It scrambles over, takes it from Kat, and hands her the clay doll. It scurries back to it's mother*
<Vile> NRP: "No...we'll let the children commence the blood letting ritual."
* Thedda watches the aliens intently, curious as to what they are doing.
* Katrina` stands up, holding the clay doll, shaped to look like one of the aliens' themselves.
<Katrina`> GM: *the one who stepped out before turns to look at the group*
<Katrina`> <What bring you here?>
* Katrina` looks at Cardinal and Thedda. She decides to let them do the talking.
* Thedda looks at Cardinal, wondering which of us is going to do the talking.
<Katrina`> GM: *movement occurs. The aliens seem to be waiting. Even the ones praying have stopped, to look at the group now*
<Thedda> We are from a ship called the Alliance. We have gotten word that the volcano *points to it* is going to erupt.
* Cardinal takes a knee. "We come to give you a warning. These quakes your planet is having? They are going to increase in magnitude until this volcano erupts."
<Katrina`> GM: *the aliens gesture wildly, then at Thedda and Cardinal. The only calm one, the leader, seems to be even taken back*
<Katrina`> <Voice> You refer to our ... "God"?
<Sardis> NRP: Yes, we represent the Aquarius, an organization of planets out to save the world!
<Thedda> NRP: *slaps forehead* Man I'm tired. o.o;;;
<Cardinal> ...I suppose we do indeed...
<Thedda> It's extremely dangerous and could possibly wipe out your entire population.
<Katrina`> <Voice> Our God would never erupt at his children... or ... "Wipe" us out. You are mistaken.>
<Thedda> Science doesn't lie.
<Katrina`> GM: *there's no response. It's as if they have no word to match with the word science to understand.*
<Thedda> NRP: Well, sometimes. :P
<Cardinal> I don't think you understand the magnitude of this situation...
<Thedda> You have less then two hours.
<Katrina`> <Voice> It is time of great merriment. Our God is finally returning to his chosen children, to give us his blessing. Stay and watch our mighty God return.>
* Katrina` eyes Thedda, then her watch.
<Katrina`> More like 35 minutes, Commander.
<Thedda> If you sit back and watch your "god" you will all die.
<Cardinal> Twenty.
<Sardis> NRP: Jesus loves me, this I know. For the summit flames me so. Yes, I am burning! Yes, I am charred. For the summit burns my ass.
<Katrina`> GM: *the aliens gesture at Thedda wildly* <Voice> I suggest you stop your lies, for my people are easily aggitated. Please, join us in our ceremony. No more need for lies.>
<Thedda> We didn't come here to lie to you.
<Vile> NRP: I'm surprised no one has debated the moral issue, here. I mean, after all - who are the alliance to dictate the Evolution of a primitive planet that really holds no influence on..anything.
<Katrina`> <Voice> <Please. You pain us. Drink with us our "water", and be merry. Our God is returning to bless us.>
<Sardis> NRP: Sardis did.
<Katrina`> NRP: Sardis did
<Katrina`> ...But ... but it's just a volcano.
* Katrina` says sternly.
* Cardinal shakes her head and straightens
<Thedda> We are concerned about you. We don't want to your species wiped out.
<Vile> NRP: I must have missed that! Nice debating, though! ^_^
<Katrina`> GM: *the aliens seem to be getting antcy. They refuse to speak now*
<Cardinal> People are entitled to their religion. There's nothing we can do - if they believe their god is coming, we won't be able to talk them out of it.
<Thedda> We can't force you to leave, we do however strongly urge for some of you to come with us.
<Katrina`> ...Captain! We have to talk sense into them. They'll go extinct!
<Thedda> Kat, we can't FORCE them.
<Cardinal> *takes Kat's comment personally* You think I don't know that?
*** Dahok has joined #taw
<Thedda> You think we decided to come here to watch them DIE?
* Katrina` hangs her head.
<Katrina`> Their religion is stupid. The fact they think this volcano is going to deliver them is meaningless and hollow.
<Thedda> I sure as hell know I didn't. But we can't just force them to leave if they believe this is their fate.
<Vile> NRP: LOL, just wondering...but wouldnt the aliens be hearing all this?
<Katrina`> NRP: Yes.
<Thedda> .... Hundreds of years ago people thought sacraficing virgins, by throwing them into volcanos would stop them. Sure it was stupid, but they weren't talked out of it.
<Katrina`> GM: *the aliens look agitated. They seem to be holding their own conversation right now*
<Cardinal> I've studied your Earth religions. Buddhism states that the reason for living is to eventually attain nirvana. Reincarnation until nonexistance. Maybe this religion shares a similar "final" meaning.
<Katrina`> I don't care about religion. Not when it gets in the way of the survival of a species. We can't let them blindly walk into extinction.
<Cardinal> If I'm right, who are we to talk them out of their final solution? Maybe the coming of their god through this eruption is the final ideas of their religion.
<Katrina`> GM: *another earthquake, greater than the last. Everything rumbles. This seems to calm down some of the aliens, as it means their "God" is coming*
<Thedda> I won't stand here and let you force these people to go somewhere they don't want to go. This is their planet, let them do what they please with the information we gave them.
<Katrina`> ...
<Cardinal> Isn't the Second Coming of your god in Christianity supposed to cause widespread destruction, as well?
<Katrina`> I don't believe in such rubbish.
<Thedda> But these people do.
<Katrina`> They're things people tell themselves so they don't have to face the rational choices in life.
<Thedda> And let them.
<Thedda> They probably think we are just as crazy for NOT believing in their religion.
<Katrina`> ...
<Cardinal> ...Aren't all religious nuts?
<Katrina`> S-So we let them destroy themselves?
<Thedda> I think so, but that's just me. I have to give credit to people who can believe in something that is invisible. But religion doesn't really effect reploids anyway.
<Katrina`> <Voice> Please. You pain my people. Stop with your talk. Join us. The time is near.>
* Thedda cradles her face with her hand.
<Thedda> We can't help them, unless we teleport them against their free-will.
<Cardinal> ...Which would be worse than leaving them to die...
<Katrina`> They could learn to re-adjust. But if we don't move them, they'll die. Here.
<Thedda> I'm going against my morals here, but... Lets get them off this planet.
<Katrina`> GM: *another tremor.*
<Cardinal> *quietly* Let's attempt reason one more time. I don't agree with this, but...
* Thedda nods at Cardinal.
* Katrina` nods.
<Katrina`> GM: *The people all seem to be focusing on the volcano, awaiting their God's return*
<Thedda> NRP: *crickets*
* Cardinal crosses her arms, unable to come up with anything, and looks at Katrina
<Katrina`> ... *nods, turning to look at the people* Please...you have to come with us. This isn't a god. It's a volcano, and it will destroy you all if you stay. You must leave. Save your lives, don't believe in this. There's more out there than this thing. You have to give us a chance.
<Corvus> Cardinal, can I have a word with you?
<Katrina`> GM: *the people wave their arms about, but continue to focus on the volcano. The entire planet shakes again, the volcano making noises like a rumbling. Time is running out*
<Cardinal> Yes?
* Cardinal glances at her watch
* Corvus motions Cardinal away from the people
* Cardinal shakes her head and walks that way
* Katrina` stomps her foot, waving her arms at them.
<Katrina`> Please. Listen to me!
<Cardinal> Time is short, Katrina...
* Corvus speaks softly. "We need to destroy the volcano."
<Dahok> NRP: And destroy their god with it!
<Cardinal> ...An idea... but I'm not sure that would be such a great idea...
<Corvus> Do we have any better ideas?
* Katrina` looks at Thedda.
<Katrina`> They won't listen.
* Cardinal shakes her head
<Cardinal> They're not going to listen.
<Corvus> They would if their god was dead.
<Cardinal> And we have... fifteen minutes left. I said we were going to leave now.
<Vile> NRP: "...Everyone grab atleast ONE child! SCATTER!"
<Katrina`> NRP: LOL
* Thedda shrugs, not knowing what to say.
<Dahok> NRP: Vile would be the one to grab the children.
<Katrina`> GM: *another earthquake. It seems the earthquakes are speeding up the process of the volcano*
<Vile> NRP: But not to save them...more so for my on perverse reasons..
<Vile> nrp: er, own
<Dahok> NRP: I KNEW IT!
* Cardinal thinks
<Katrina`> GM: *another tremor follows. The people wave their arms excitedly*
<Corvus> Unless we incapacitate them.
<Cardinal> ...By the goddess, we've got to get out of here.
<Katrina`> GM: *the ground cracks nearby, steam rising from the ground*
<Thedda> I don't want us to go down with them.
<Vile> NRP: "Ha! Your religion sucks!" *Kat moons the aliens as the shuttle takes off into the sky.*
<Thedda> Captain! We gotta leave.
<Katrina`> GM: *another crack appears, then another. The volcano shudders violently, more steam shooting out of the ground. The people are positively estatic*
* Cardinal flips on her comm
<Cardinal> Comm: Get us out of here. There's nothing we can do.
<Katrina`> GM: *beams of light surround the group as they find themselves in the tiny teleporter room. The ensign waves at them all.*
* Katrina` lets out a moan.
<Katrina`> Nooo..
* Thedda rubs her face.
* Katrina` runs out of the room - no doubt, to the bridge.
<Cardinal> The Alliance is going to love us for this one.
<Vile> NRP: "Orbital bombardment! Quick! We could say they attacked us!"
<Thedda> Heh... You know it. *shakes her head, sighing*
* Sardis looks at the aliens.
<Thedda> Lets hope they die happy.
<Katrina`> NRP: Uh, no aliens.
*** Blindeye is now known as BE_BrokenSaints
*** Vile has quit IRC (Quit: *** Squizzle has quit IRC (Kate Winslet: You have captured my heart. Let's run around the ship and giggle.))
* Katrina` arrives on the bridge moments later, walking up to the viewscreen of the planet. She grips the back of the captain's chair, the clay doll in hand as she looks on.
* Thedda makes her way onto the elevator and up onto the Bridge.
* Cardinal shakes her head
<Katrina`> GM: *it's slowly at first, but the viewscreen catches it --- a flash of red as the volcano errupts, then the shuddering of the planet. Within moments, the entire area - in a 1,000 square mile radius - is torn up by ravaging earthquakes. And it happened 4 minutes early. Their salvation...or their destruction.*
* Thedda steps off the elevator quietly, watching Kat, then the screen.
* Katrina` closes her eyes, trembling at knowing the entire race just went extinct.
* Corvus puts his hand on Kat's shoulder
* Thedda walks over to Kat and lays her hand on Kat's shoulder.
<Thedda> NRP: O.o
<Cardinal> *arrives at the bridge in time to see the explosion* There were those among my people that thought the Tsivrixsh attack was a test from the goddess... a test of our faith. I saw the destruction of my own planet just as we saw the destruction of this one... *stops* ...I'm sorry. I'm rambling...
<Katrina`> ...religion...is...irrational....*she says, her voice shaking*
* Thedda turns at looks at Cardinal. "There was nothing we could have done. This way, they were happy until the end."
* Sardis steps into the control room.
<Sardis> We should look for survivors.
Session Close: Wed Jul 16 00:00:00 2003

Session Start: Wed Jul 16 00:00:00 2003
Session Ident: #taw
<Corvus> NRP: "They were happy...until that flaming ball of death melted their skin clean off. Boy, were they pissed!"
<Cardinal> Survivors? I highly doubt it... still... Katrina, do it.
<Cardinal> ...No... I'm sorry, Kat. *sits at the science station* I'll handle it.
<Thedda> NRP: LOL
* Katrina` nods at Cardinal, trying to swallow quickly. She just looks miserible.
* Cardinal scans for lifesigns on what she expects is now an empty planet
<Katrina`> GM: *due to the dust and other conditions in the atmosphere, a scan is inconclusive*
* Thedda waits for the expected 'nobody' answer.
<Cardinal> Scans are inconclusive. I'd have to send a ground team to find out.
<Katrina`> I-.. I want to go.
<Sardis> I will go tend to the refugees.
* Sardis steps out.
<Corvus> Whoa, whoa, whoa!
<Katrina`> NRP: ... WHAT REFUGEES?
<Cardinal> As you wish, Katrina. You may lead the team, if you wish.
* Katrina` nods.
<Thedda> NRP: O.o
<Sardis> NRP: Didn't we teleport people up?
<Katrina`> NRP: No.
<Corvus> No, hang on a minute!
<Cardinal> I'll leave this one in your ha... yes, Corvus?
* Katrina` looks at Corvus
<Sardis> NRP: *rewinds* <Sardis> Im going to go take a crap. *steps out*
<Corvus> That planet just had a MASSIVE ecological distaster, it's suicide for anyone to be going down right now.
<Corvus> A shuttle, MAYBE, but sure as hell not on foot.
<Katrina`> ...
* Corvus looks at Kat with deep concern. "I know you want to find survivors. but you'd almost be certainly throwing your life away going down now."
* Thedda stnads quietly, listening.
<Corvus> It's too risky and too dangerous.
<Katrina`> Then I'll go down in a shuttle.
<Corvus> Then I'm going with you.
<Katrina`> Alright.
<Thedda> I'm going to stay up here...
<Cardinal> We'll monitor from up here, and join you if the situation calls for it. Now get going... I'm going to need you two's moral support when I have to report to the Alliance.
<Corvus> NRP: "...What? Fuck! No, you're supposed to say 'No, Corvus, I love you too much! Let's stay here and fuck!'"
<Katrina`> NRP: lol
* Katrina` nods, stepping into the elevator.
* Corvus follows uneasily
* Thedda takes a seat in her chair and pulls out her pack of cigarettes. She take one ou and lights it.
* Sardis steps back in.
<Katrina`> Hanger. *the elevator jerks, sending whoever is on it down, down, down*
<Sardis> Are we going? The shuttle has been prepped.
* Cardinal points at the elevator
<Cardinal> They just left
<Cardinal> .
* Sardis glances at Kat, having ridden the elevator on the way up.
<Katrina`> GM: *all is silent on the bridge now. Thedda and Cardinal are alone*
<Katrina`> GM: *the trio arrives in the hanger, where the elevator opens*
<Thedda> NRP: *Thedda jumps Cardinal.* "TAKE ME NOW!"
* Cardinal falls into the Captain's chair
* Katrina` steps off, spotting the prepped shuttle. Ironically, this is a different shuttle, since the other stupidly remained on the planet*
<Cardinal> This job sucks sometimes.
* Sardis steps onto the shuttle, folding his arms and sitting.
* Corvus follows after Kat
* Katrina` gets on, buckling herself in. The pilot nods at them, doing various shielding on the shuttle. He closes the shuttle up after Corvus enters, the lifts off, heading for the planet.
* Thedda takes a long puff from her smoke. "Sometimes I wonder how I can still be sane." Smoke blows out each time she speaks a word.
* Sardis looks at Kat.
<Sardis> You did what you could.
<Cardinal> You're a Reploid.
<Katrina`> ... Thanks.
* Sardis leans back, looking forward.
<Thedda> ... So?
<Katrina`> GM: *the planet seems to be full of black, thick clouds now in the atmosphere. As the shuttle enters it, all they seem is black. Any smell is kept out of the shuttle, thankfully, as it's no doubt unbreatheable outside. They travel in the darkness of the clouds of ages*
<Sardis> I'm not sure what to tell you, I'm just a warrior with an axe, a soldier trained to take life.
<Sardis> I envy your value of life.
<Cardinal> I've heard your kind is more mentally stable than the other races that call Earth home. Unless infected by some... bacteria, or virus, or something.
<Katrina`> You can, too, Sardis. Just because you're a soldier doesn't mean you can't.
<Sardis> I hope to, one day..
<Katrina`> GM: *they emerge out of the clouds, finally, to witness the results. Below, where the city once stood, is a flow of lava, that seeps into canyon sizes cracks in the ground, where the earthquakes ruptured everything. The lava pours by, leaving nothing alive. The entire city has been wipes out. If anyone survived, they choked to death within moments. This is a large gravesite.*
<Cardinal> I wonder what Katrina hoped to accomplish by going down there... other than depressing herself even farther.
<Thedda> Depends on who you talk to. I've had my moments where I've broken down. All depends on what sort of situations you put yourself into.
* Sardis looks down at the river of lava.
<Thedda> I don't want to go somewhere just to see a graveyard. I don't know why she would do that to herself.
<Katrina`> ...
* Katrina` looks at the clay doll in her hands, then back at the lava pouring down the canyons.
* Sardis looks down at it, stoicly, a feint of emotion crosses his face.
<Sardis> Pilot, how close can we get to it?
<Katrina`> They're...all really dead.
* Corvus folds his arms and closes his eyes
<Katrina`> Pilot: As close as you want, sir.
<Cardinal> *clasps her hands* ...She is become less and less rational. I don't know how much longer Katrina will be able to handle jobs like these. I think it is about time she returned to the Academy.
<Sardis> Get closer.
<Sardis> No less than 50 feet up.
* Sardis eyes the destruction, narrowing his eyes slightly.
<Katrina`> GM: *The pilot nods, bringing the shuttle in closer. The heat shields begin to kick in as they fly ten feet over the waves of lava. Now and again, lava will splurt up near the shuttle, then crash back down. As they fly by, they can see burnt ruins of buildings in the canyon below, a living testament to what occured*
<Thedda> She has such potential.. *takes a puff of her smoke* Just doesn't have the skill of turning off the majority of her emotions for the jobs. that's the only reason I'm still here.
<Katrina`> Pilot: I'm not picking up anything on my scanners. I'm afraid they're all gone, sir. To a better place, I'm sure.
<Sardis> Religion is nil, in this matter, Pilot.
<Katrina`> ...
<Katrina`> Pilot: Shall I keep scanning? Or should we go back? The others are probably worried.
<Sardis> Keep scanning a moment more.
<Katrina`> NRP: Katrina: I'll become the greatest scientist of them all! *pulls out data, slashing to pieces Sandpeople*
* Sardis stands, heading to the back of the shuttle to look out the back window.
<Katrina`> GM: *as the shuttle rides over the waves of lava, a type of silence falls in. The lava rumbles underneath them as the shuttle circles around. You would have hardly believed this used to be a city. That this used to be anything.*
* Sardis lowers his head.
* Thedda takes a last puff of her smoke before putting it out on the arm of her chair.
* Sardis returns to his seat, and looks to the Pilot.
<Sardis> We've done what we came to do.
<Katrina`> Pilot: Right.
<Katrina`> GM: *the shuttle returns back to the Aquarius in record time. Katrina says nothign the entire way. She just sits there. When they arrive, she gets up and steps off the shuttle*
<Corvus> Kat..
* Katrina` looks at Corvus.
<Corvus> You tried.
<Thedda> Lets hope our superiors don't have a hissy.
<Katrina`> I know. Thanks. *offers him a tired smile* It's what we do, right?
* Sardis stands and looks at Kat for a moment, then walks off.
<Cardinal> ...Are you kidding? They're going to hate us for this one.
<Corvus> Yeah, but you go beyond the call of duty.
<Corvus> Go get some sleep.
* Corvus kiss Kat a small kiss on the cheek and heads for the bridge.
<Thedda> Well, yeah. We didn't save a complete species from going extint. That's a rather large burden for 1 ship.
<Cardinal> If it was that important to them, they could've send more than just us.
* Katrina` watches Corvus go, looking a bit more relaxed now.
<Thedda> That was my thinking.
* Sardis stops in the hallway.
* Katrina` looks down at the doll in her hand, her hand gripping it tightly. She walks toward the elevator.
* Sardis leans against the wall and pulls his axe from his back.
* Sardis eyes it for what seems to be forever.
<Sardis> A double bladed axe, attacking on the approach, attacking on the recede. Such is the way of having two blades.
* Sardis pulls his sharpening stone from his belt and strikes his axe, breaking off one of the blades.
* Katrina` steps into the elevator, leaning against it's back as it closes. She doesn't hit a button to move, but closes her eyes, running a hand through her hair. She did all she can do, she tells herself. All that she could.
<Katrina`> GM: *except Corvus entering the bridge, all is silent. Command doesn't call in for a check up. It's as if the world is on pause*
<Sardis> An appreciateion of life. I will not attack at all times, and nor will my axe.
* Corvus walks onto teh bridge without a word.
* Katrina` hits the button for her floor. She rides up.
* Cardinal says nothing, either
* Corvus shakes his head, then sits.
<Cardinal> NRP: <Cardinal> ...Get out of my lap.
<Katrina`> NRP: LOL
<Corvus> NRP: <Corvus> But it's so warm and cozy!
* Katrina` steps off onto her floor, then walks up to her room. She steps in, closes the door, and literally collapses on the bed.
<Katrina`> Skippy: Well ... I think we did a job well done.
*** BE_BrokenSaints has quit IRC (Quit: And God said: Be Chris Quit: And it was done.)
<Cardinal> ...Speak for yourself.
<Katrina`> Skippy: Okay. "I think I did a job well done".
<Corvus> Skippy, button it.
<Cardinal> ...Let's get out of... where are the ensigns?
<Katrina`> GM: *the ensigns crowd back in, figuring it's safe again. They each take their places*
<Cardinal> Put us back on course, number 3.
<Katrina`> Ensign 2: You mean "2". *he plots the course*
<Katrina`> Ensign 3: I have a call from Command. They want to know our mission status.
<Cardinal> ...Whatever.
<Cardinal> ...Oh, boy.
<Thedda> This should be fun.
<Katrina`> Ensign 3: Shall I update them, sir?
<Cardinal> Please.
<Katrina`> Ensign: Alright. *speaks into the headphones* They all died.
<Cardinal> ...Thank you.
* Thedda slaps her forehead
<Katrina`> Ensign 3: *continues to speak, now telling them what happened*
<Thedda> Well, at least he's blunt.
<Katrina`> GM: *moments pass, slowly...then Ensign 3 looks over* Ensign 3: They said you did your best. We have no current standing mission orders and may do as we please.
* Cardinal lets out the breath she was holding
* Thedda smiles slightly at Cardinal. "Relieved?"
*** Sardis is now known as Garland
<Cardinal> Just a bit. ...Anybody have any ideas as to what to do?
*** Katrina` is now known as DeathStar
<Thedda> ... Get smashed?
<DeathStar> GM: *none of the ensigns volunteer anything this time*
<DeathStar> S.E.S.S.I.O.N E.N.D.S
Session Close: Wed Jul 16 00:46:24 2003