Piers and the Wolf (Bougene Station ATU)
- Thread starter Grav_Moped
- Start date
It could bee.
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I was going to spell it travel, but in the context of Travellers travelling, I went with travell. Sorry for causing a 'buzzz'.
That last buzzz is for you @Grav_Moped .
It could bee.
Indeed, they're great for conveying "learning each others' culture" episodes.
They're also very good for working out "fantastic racism" tropes and the LGBTQ+ analogues thereof (TVTropes.com -- "Fantastic" as in "fantasy" or fictional, not as in "awesome".)
And yes, they're a couple in a SF setting, which could get weird on worlds where "being a couple" has different implications than one would expect (for example, on Uakye/Regina (SPIN1805) "In an effort to increase Uakye's population, the government requires widows and widowers between the ages of 20 and 30 to remarry within a year. Divorces are not allowed between these age limits. ")
A trans-species polycule might be a good solution to having children in a cross-species relationship. IMTU, poly relationships exist (at least hetrospecies ones, and trans-species ones are likely possible) and aren't an issue as long as everybody who shows up on the Imperal Register is accounted for -- including their genetic profiles. Need to keep that kind of thing documented, you know. SOC 8 or less can do whatever they want since they'll never affect the bloodlines of the soi disant "important" people...
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It's the Final Index! [fx: fanfare]
This is the list links to this thread's posts containing only the narrative, without the digressions. You may find it easier to read it this way.
#1 Piers and the Wolf (character introductions, backstory in dialogue, and where I got the framing for it).
#2 Veronica's Backstory
#6 Steward walks in -- drink orders and fresh fruit.
#7 Boughene Station is the place for dancing and parties -- who knew?
#13 Piers's family. And maybe more than you wanted to know about Menorb/Regina.
#16 And it starts to get awkward. Plus gratuitous lyrics insert!
#17 The Look, and Veronica's little brother.
#20 Veronica and her mom each take a level in badass. And we finally find out why she was flying solo
#23: Language Difficulty
#25: Pulling herself together
#32: Jump Rituals
#33: (Continuation)
#36: Captain's Table
#37: The Real Story
#39: You should feel what I'm feeling, you should take what I'm taking. *
#40: No Parking on the Dance Floor
#41: I think they've got it!
#43: (It's Not Me) Talking
#44: Strange Things Happen
#51: World (The Price of Love) with art by The Pakkrat
Again, thanks for reading!
I may make one more editing pass and turn it into a *.pdf, if there's interest.
----------------------------
* from "Star Guitar" by the Chemical Brothers. It's pretty much the entirety of that song's lyrics... (YT link)
This is the list links to this thread's posts containing only the narrative, without the digressions. You may find it easier to read it this way.
#1 Piers and the Wolf (character introductions, backstory in dialogue, and where I got the framing for it).
#2 Veronica's Backstory
#6 Steward walks in -- drink orders and fresh fruit.
#7 Boughene Station is the place for dancing and parties -- who knew?
#13 Piers's family. And maybe more than you wanted to know about Menorb/Regina.
#16 And it starts to get awkward. Plus gratuitous lyrics insert!
#17 The Look, and Veronica's little brother.
#20 Veronica and her mom each take a level in badass. And we finally find out why she was flying solo
#23: Language Difficulty
#25: Pulling herself together
#32: Jump Rituals
#33: (Continuation)
#36: Captain's Table
#37: The Real Story
#39: You should feel what I'm feeling, you should take what I'm taking. *
#40: No Parking on the Dance Floor
#41: I think they've got it!
#43: (It's Not Me) Talking
#44: Strange Things Happen
#51: World (The Price of Love) with art by The Pakkrat
Again, thanks for reading!
I may make one more editing pass and turn it into a *.pdf, if there's interest.
----------------------------
* from "Star Guitar" by the Chemical Brothers. It's pretty much the entirety of that song's lyrics... (YT link)
Vignette -- Subway Series (1)
Menorb/Regina (Spin 1803)
Downport Station is pretty well hidden for a major subway stop. Menorb’s always been good about blending the transport infrastructure into its surroundings – mind you, it’s easy to find if you grew up riding it as I did. This was my home base, what with my folks living near Imperial House here in the Extrality Zone. So, first clear security, then load up the fare cards with credits, and down the stairs we go.
“Piers,” Veronica calls over my shoulder, following me down, “I’m so glad your parents like me.”
“I couldn’t imagine they wouldn’t,” I answer. We stay to the right as we descend from daylight to dimmer fluorescent lamps, with the arriving passengers – a mix of Human and Vargr -- climbing towards us on the left. There’s plenty of room during these off-peak hours. There are elevators; nobody uses them. Eastbound is on the near side -- pass the police on duty, swipe cards across the turnstile scanners, and go down another couple of flights of stairs to the platform.
“But, I’m not human.” The train arrives thrumming on its dozens of solid tires, and she has to raise her voice. “They didn’t seem to have a problem with that though – that’s a relief, but why don’t they?”
The doors open to us before the passengers finish exiting from the far side; more efficient than waiting. In we go. Eleven stops to the University Station and the Orange Line. I wait for the tinny announcement of the next stop in both Galanglic and Gvegh before answering. “Dated a few Vargr girls in high school. Didn’t work out – none of us were really ready back then, you know how it is – but my parents got used to it. Even took Masie Gshervrrdn to the Senior Prom; she was the runner-up for Junior Corsair Queen. Granted, I think she was mostly messing with her parents on that.”
As the subway accelerates with a loud whirr -- she asks, “Was she prettier than me?” Yikes. Only one good answer to that; fortunately, it’s the truth.
“To me, or to her fellow Vargr? Nevermind – doesn’t matter. No. I’ve never seen anyone with your eyes, your fur, or your ears before, and those are why you’re beautiful.”
“Good answer,” she comments, eyes sparkling and tail wagging. “You ever make out with her, or any others?”
“That was the fun part of being in the ‘Xeno clique’ in school – we could be as physical as we wanted without sex making our relationships weird. There were rumors of course, but I’m pretty sure it was just rumors.”
“Twenty-Second Avenue,” says the public address system, repeated in Gvegh a moment later. As I expect, the farther we get from the downport, the greater the ratio of Vargr passengers to Human ones.
“Three more stops,” I advise Roni, pointing up. “Route is on the cards near the ceiling over the doors, with the stops listed. We’re changing lines at COSTCO University station.
I turn her question around. “What about you? Have you ever…?”
“Not with a human, no. I mean, I’m twenty-six – and a girl has needs, you know. Nothing lasting though, and no pups… that I know about.”
“Um…” I start, with a sour expression. “I’d think you’d have noticed.”
She breaks out laughing, “Well, yeah, of course I’d have noticed!”
“COSTCO University Station, Orange Line,” says the subway car. We move to the doors and get ready.
“COSTCO, not COTCO?” she asks at the last moment.
“S for Syncretist,” I answer. “Vargr and Humans both have a place in Grandfather’s Plan. We’re all the Chosen Ones. Here we go – up the stairs, two flights, then right and back down one flight. Follow me.”
[Writer's Note: Obviously, more to come. Probably also will go out-of-sequence once I'm done with the Menorb Tourism bit, to write up the trip back to Feri (dropping off the Robot Unicorn's delivery crew) before the visit to Menorb.]
Menorb/Regina (Spin 1803)
Downport Station is pretty well hidden for a major subway stop. Menorb’s always been good about blending the transport infrastructure into its surroundings – mind you, it’s easy to find if you grew up riding it as I did. This was my home base, what with my folks living near Imperial House here in the Extrality Zone. So, first clear security, then load up the fare cards with credits, and down the stairs we go.
“Piers,” Veronica calls over my shoulder, following me down, “I’m so glad your parents like me.”
“I couldn’t imagine they wouldn’t,” I answer. We stay to the right as we descend from daylight to dimmer fluorescent lamps, with the arriving passengers – a mix of Human and Vargr -- climbing towards us on the left. There’s plenty of room during these off-peak hours. There are elevators; nobody uses them. Eastbound is on the near side -- pass the police on duty, swipe cards across the turnstile scanners, and go down another couple of flights of stairs to the platform.
“But, I’m not human.” The train arrives thrumming on its dozens of solid tires, and she has to raise her voice. “They didn’t seem to have a problem with that though – that’s a relief, but why don’t they?”
The doors open to us before the passengers finish exiting from the far side; more efficient than waiting. In we go. Eleven stops to the University Station and the Orange Line. I wait for the tinny announcement of the next stop in both Galanglic and Gvegh before answering. “Dated a few Vargr girls in high school. Didn’t work out – none of us were really ready back then, you know how it is – but my parents got used to it. Even took Masie Gshervrrdn to the Senior Prom; she was the runner-up for Junior Corsair Queen. Granted, I think she was mostly messing with her parents on that.”
As the subway accelerates with a loud whirr -- she asks, “Was she prettier than me?” Yikes. Only one good answer to that; fortunately, it’s the truth.
“To me, or to her fellow Vargr? Nevermind – doesn’t matter. No. I’ve never seen anyone with your eyes, your fur, or your ears before, and those are why you’re beautiful.”
“Good answer,” she comments, eyes sparkling and tail wagging. “You ever make out with her, or any others?”
“That was the fun part of being in the ‘Xeno clique’ in school – we could be as physical as we wanted without sex making our relationships weird. There were rumors of course, but I’m pretty sure it was just rumors.”
“Twenty-Second Avenue,” says the public address system, repeated in Gvegh a moment later. As I expect, the farther we get from the downport, the greater the ratio of Vargr passengers to Human ones.
“Three more stops,” I advise Roni, pointing up. “Route is on the cards near the ceiling over the doors, with the stops listed. We’re changing lines at COSTCO University station.
I turn her question around. “What about you? Have you ever…?”
“Not with a human, no. I mean, I’m twenty-six – and a girl has needs, you know. Nothing lasting though, and no pups… that I know about.”
“Um…” I start, with a sour expression. “I’d think you’d have noticed.”
She breaks out laughing, “Well, yeah, of course I’d have noticed!”
“COSTCO University Station, Orange Line,” says the subway car. We move to the doors and get ready.
“COSTCO, not COTCO?” she asks at the last moment.
“S for Syncretist,” I answer. “Vargr and Humans both have a place in Grandfather’s Plan. We’re all the Chosen Ones. Here we go – up the stairs, two flights, then right and back down one flight. Follow me.”
[Writer's Note: Obviously, more to come. Probably also will go out-of-sequence once I'm done with the Menorb Tourism bit, to write up the trip back to Feri (dropping off the Robot Unicorn's delivery crew) before the visit to Menorb.]
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He is to Vargr -- at least, their conception of him is.
Actually knowing about the Uber-Droyne individual, "Grandfather"? Can't entirely justify it except as an IMTU thing. It may be that they posit such an individual existed, but they’re wrong about what he looks like...
[Edit to add:
1. Vargr probably don't know why they call him that!
2. They "created" their conception of "Grandfather" from the premise that the greatest civilization ever [sic] must have had the greatest leader ever. So, he is assigned all of the attributes of a great Vargr leader.
3. This sort of maps onto the concept of an incarnate monotheistic deity too.
4. Again, they almost certainly are wrong about who/what the individual entity "Grandfather" is. But many are devoted to what they think he is -- and in broad strokes, they're not wildly wrong.
End of edited addition.]
COTCO (the Church of the Chosen Ones) is canonical -- it's main tenet being that Vargr have a special (and usually superior) place in the Ancients' plans because they were specifically engineered rather than naturally occurring.
The syncretist variant is my invemtion, or at least I dragged it back in time from the TNE description at the end of the article and added a name to it.
[Second Edit to Add:
The baseline COTCO wouldn't be terribly welcome on Imperial or most Human-dominant worlds; the syncretist variant (there's a plan for both Vargr and Humans as co-equals) would be perfectly acceptable -- especially if it can be used to culturally pre-empt the baseline version.
Also, tagging @kilemall in on this reply since I've edited it a bit.
End of second edit to add.]
Church of the Chosen Ones - Traveller
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On this instance of syncretism (music, not SF and only tangentially related -- feel free to skip it):
(Quote from about the 2:30 mark.)
Dada -- "Dog" (1992)
(Quote from about the 2:30 mark.)
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Haven't forgotten about this, just had a busy week. Should have something up here by this evening (PST).
Also contributing to the delay is that next scene or two are going to be a figurative train wreck (Spoiler: no fictional trains will be harmed. What kind of monster do you take me for?*)
---------------------------------
*not choosy, just curious.
Also contributing to the delay is that next scene or two are going to be a figurative train wreck (Spoiler: no fictional trains will be harmed. What kind of monster do you take me for?*)
---------------------------------
*not choosy, just curious.
Vignette -- Subway Series (2):
This train’s a bit more crowded – we’re strap-hanging here – and it’s mostly a Vargr crowd. There’s an animated LED advertisement on the tunnel walls, timed to the train’s speed so it looks stationary. They’re touting meatsticks; I remember the brand from my youth. Spicier than I like nowadays, but Veronica would love them. The car lurches a bit; the Heroes’ Line does a few dodges to clear other subway tunnels.
She reaches out to me, except she’s still holding the vertical bar with both paws and not reaching out.
Oh.
“Hi. Wish I didn’t have to do it this way, but there’s a couple of human males at the aft end of the car who followed us from the first train. Can’t get a good read on their intent from here, but I don’t think they’re friendly.”
“Good catch,” I mentally reply after cursing myself for not seeing them first. ”Four more stops to Heroes’ Plaza. Let’s overshoot that by three more – to Market Station – get off and then catch the next train back to the Plaza. Market’s where the Blue Line crosses, and we can feint toward it first. If they follow, we’ll know. Think we can take ‘em?”
“Of course we…” Her confidence shifts to realism mid-thought. “Ok, probably. I’ve got a taser, you’ve got the slapstick. They can’t have much more than that legally, but we can’t know if they’re staying legal.”
“Right,” I think back at her. “And we don’t know if they’ve got backup we haven’t discovered yet.”
[Author: yeah, it's not much, but I wanted to get something up tonight.]
This train’s a bit more crowded – we’re strap-hanging here – and it’s mostly a Vargr crowd. There’s an animated LED advertisement on the tunnel walls, timed to the train’s speed so it looks stationary. They’re touting meatsticks; I remember the brand from my youth. Spicier than I like nowadays, but Veronica would love them. The car lurches a bit; the Heroes’ Line does a few dodges to clear other subway tunnels.
She reaches out to me, except she’s still holding the vertical bar with both paws and not reaching out.
Oh.
“Hi. Wish I didn’t have to do it this way, but there’s a couple of human males at the aft end of the car who followed us from the first train. Can’t get a good read on their intent from here, but I don’t think they’re friendly.”
“Good catch,” I mentally reply after cursing myself for not seeing them first. ”Four more stops to Heroes’ Plaza. Let’s overshoot that by three more – to Market Station – get off and then catch the next train back to the Plaza. Market’s where the Blue Line crosses, and we can feint toward it first. If they follow, we’ll know. Think we can take ‘em?”
“Of course we…” Her confidence shifts to realism mid-thought. “Ok, probably. I’ve got a taser, you’ve got the slapstick. They can’t have much more than that legally, but we can’t know if they’re staying legal.”
“Right,” I think back at her. “And we don’t know if they’ve got backup we haven’t discovered yet.”
[Author: yeah, it's not much, but I wanted to get something up tonight.]
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Author's Note: I had an inspiration for the location of the Greater Thatho Temple in the Dro-Zhemm Hills (Trav Wiki), but it totally throws off the choreography of the impending fight scene.
Delays...
Inspiration:
San Cristóbal Hill (Cerro San Cristóbal); Santiago, Chile. (Wikipedia, as are all links in this paragraph.) It incudes access vis both an aerial tramway (Gondola Lift) and via a funicular. What more could you want -- a 22m tall statue of the Virgin Mary? It has that too (it's a couple of decades older than that better-known hilltop statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Just swap in the building that has the blindingly bright glowing orb, for the Virgin Mary statue and there you go. (TL-appropriate, too.)
Delays...
Inspiration:
San Cristóbal Hill (Cerro San Cristóbal); Santiago, Chile. (Wikipedia, as are all links in this paragraph.) It incudes access vis both an aerial tramway (Gondola Lift) and via a funicular. What more could you want -- a 22m tall statue of the Virgin Mary? It has that too (it's a couple of decades older than that better-known hilltop statue in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Just swap in the building that has the blindingly bright glowing orb, for the Virgin Mary statue and there you go. (TL-appropriate, too.)
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Vignette – Subway Series (3):
We’re on our way up the stairs and out to daylight again, in the mostly Vargr crowd here at Heroes’ Plaza Station. I’ve got the jitters, and I’m seeing auras – a normal range, nothing weird so far. I hope Roni knows what she’s doing and can drag me back when the drugs really kick in. But I could see our trackers go astray at Market Station, so that’s our Better Living through Chemistry for today.
“I didn’t think that’d work!” she declares with a tongue-out grin and sparkling eyes. “Where to next?”
“I did, mostly,” I reply. ”Helps to have memorized the schedules decades ago.” Up the last flight of stairs to the plaza, get my bearings… then point for Veronica, reflexively shielding my eyes as I point. “See that big double hill over there? Tramway stop at the base is straight down from the saddle between the peaks, then a bit to the right. You can see the cables for it if you look above the big orange building on the other side of the street.”
“Oh, ok – OW!” she yelps.
“Hey, don’t look directly at the Temple Light on the left peak!” I say, belatedly helpful.
“Now you tell me,” she replies with a growl. “I’ll be ok. Let’s go.”
It’s a couple of kilometers, and we keep a fair and light-stepped pace through the tree-lined neigborhood -- we're used to higher gravity than this. The homes are high-end and gaudy in the Vargr fashion; most of the houses have tall and artistically-twisted fences, mural-covered walls, or manic hedges at the sidewalk. Sometimes it’s not clear where the driveways are, or if they even have a gate to the street. It’s been years since I walked these streets, but I still know my way around.
“The next one across the street – look at the metalwork on that gate!” I tell Veronica.
“Is that supposed to be an Escort Trader? And a Far Courier?” she asks.
“Yep. One of the best steelbending artists on Menorb did that one. He lives a few blocks...” I point to the right “… over that way, with his mate and pups. Was a junior at my high school when I graduated.“
Roni starts to say something, but the shriek of a small engine low overhead cuts her off. I look up – it’s a mini-delta airplane. “Counter-drone interceptor.” I then add in a smug singsong tone, “Someone didn’t get a permit… ” The delta deployed a net, snaring something in mid-air. It's now doggedly dragging its prey back through the air toward its starting point, hanging on its propeller, little engine screaming away. “Got ‘em! We don’t allow that sort of thing here, except for the Paras. It’s not safe, and it’s just plain rude.”
“Piers, hold on a moment,” Veronica asks, then changes her mind. “Nevermind, just get to cover – those trees over there – now!” She’s right, I realize as we break into a run. The Paras might just have saved us without even knowing it!
We shelter under a large tree in a little park we find, panting heavily. She’s better at panting than I am; it just makes me look winded, while she looks excited. “Ok,” I begin, “onward to the Temple, or back to the starport?”
“Our trackers -- are they anywhere near us?” she asks.
“Let me check. Be ready to drag me back, though.”
“Piers, I’ve got you like one of those counter-drones,” she says as she steps out of herself, and her projected aura embraces me. I relax, and think about the city.
Back toward the station and its crowd, it’s all Vargr and nothing unusual; nobody to drag me in. Onward to the hill, mostly Vargr except for a group of human college students. This is going to be a bit more dif--
I tap my omnipass at the counter, Cr5 for the tramway ticket. And again for Tammy’s too. She protests a little, but looks pleased. “Piers,” Roni tells me, “you’re slipping. Come back.”
I’m with her under the tree; we’re embracing, she's so close, so real -- I want to be her, but she's not letting me so I have to be myself now. “Thanks, hon,” I whisper, and add “No hostiles yet between us and the station, or between us and the Temple.”
“Gotcha,” she says. “Lets go see the Temple, and catch a cab back to the starport gate. If we go straight back by train, they’ll just catch us at University Station.” She was definitely paying attention, I think to myself.
“Yep!” she thinks back at me, her spectral tail up and wagging – as is her real one. “Navigator training sticks with you, even if it’s a subway instead of spacelanes.”
Her aura slides back into herself; I take her hand as we briskly head for the hills.
[Minor edits complete.]
We’re on our way up the stairs and out to daylight again, in the mostly Vargr crowd here at Heroes’ Plaza Station. I’ve got the jitters, and I’m seeing auras – a normal range, nothing weird so far. I hope Roni knows what she’s doing and can drag me back when the drugs really kick in. But I could see our trackers go astray at Market Station, so that’s our Better Living through Chemistry for today.
“I didn’t think that’d work!” she declares with a tongue-out grin and sparkling eyes. “Where to next?”
“I did, mostly,” I reply. ”Helps to have memorized the schedules decades ago.” Up the last flight of stairs to the plaza, get my bearings… then point for Veronica, reflexively shielding my eyes as I point. “See that big double hill over there? Tramway stop at the base is straight down from the saddle between the peaks, then a bit to the right. You can see the cables for it if you look above the big orange building on the other side of the street.”
“Oh, ok – OW!” she yelps.
“Hey, don’t look directly at the Temple Light on the left peak!” I say, belatedly helpful.
“Now you tell me,” she replies with a growl. “I’ll be ok. Let’s go.”
It’s a couple of kilometers, and we keep a fair and light-stepped pace through the tree-lined neigborhood -- we're used to higher gravity than this. The homes are high-end and gaudy in the Vargr fashion; most of the houses have tall and artistically-twisted fences, mural-covered walls, or manic hedges at the sidewalk. Sometimes it’s not clear where the driveways are, or if they even have a gate to the street. It’s been years since I walked these streets, but I still know my way around.
“The next one across the street – look at the metalwork on that gate!” I tell Veronica.
“Is that supposed to be an Escort Trader? And a Far Courier?” she asks.
“Yep. One of the best steelbending artists on Menorb did that one. He lives a few blocks...” I point to the right “… over that way, with his mate and pups. Was a junior at my high school when I graduated.“
Roni starts to say something, but the shriek of a small engine low overhead cuts her off. I look up – it’s a mini-delta airplane. “Counter-drone interceptor.” I then add in a smug singsong tone, “Someone didn’t get a permit… ” The delta deployed a net, snaring something in mid-air. It's now doggedly dragging its prey back through the air toward its starting point, hanging on its propeller, little engine screaming away. “Got ‘em! We don’t allow that sort of thing here, except for the Paras. It’s not safe, and it’s just plain rude.”
“Piers, hold on a moment,” Veronica asks, then changes her mind. “Nevermind, just get to cover – those trees over there – now!” She’s right, I realize as we break into a run. The Paras might just have saved us without even knowing it!
We shelter under a large tree in a little park we find, panting heavily. She’s better at panting than I am; it just makes me look winded, while she looks excited. “Ok,” I begin, “onward to the Temple, or back to the starport?”
“Our trackers -- are they anywhere near us?” she asks.
“Let me check. Be ready to drag me back, though.”
“Piers, I’ve got you like one of those counter-drones,” she says as she steps out of herself, and her projected aura embraces me. I relax, and think about the city.
Back toward the station and its crowd, it’s all Vargr and nothing unusual; nobody to drag me in. Onward to the hill, mostly Vargr except for a group of human college students. This is going to be a bit more dif--
I tap my omnipass at the counter, Cr5 for the tramway ticket. And again for Tammy’s too. She protests a little, but looks pleased. “Piers,” Roni tells me, “you’re slipping. Come back.”
I’m with her under the tree; we’re embracing, she's so close, so real -- I want to be her, but she's not letting me so I have to be myself now. “Thanks, hon,” I whisper, and add “No hostiles yet between us and the station, or between us and the Temple.”
“Gotcha,” she says. “Lets go see the Temple, and catch a cab back to the starport gate. If we go straight back by train, they’ll just catch us at University Station.” She was definitely paying attention, I think to myself.
“Yep!” she thinks back at me, her spectral tail up and wagging – as is her real one. “Navigator training sticks with you, even if it’s a subway instead of spacelanes.”
Her aura slides back into herself; I take her hand as we briskly head for the hills.
[Minor edits complete.]
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Minor problem:
I'm trying to work out the aftermath of a battle scene atop the hill, with Vargr paramedics, paramiltary police, and other first responders rushing to the scene in alien vehicles.
The problem is that I started to visualize it a Richard Scarry art style, and I can't un-see it.
I'm trying to work out the aftermath of a battle scene atop the hill, with Vargr paramedics, paramiltary police, and other first responders rushing to the scene in alien vehicles.
The problem is that I started to visualize it a Richard Scarry art style, and I can't un-see it.
Attachments
Spinward Flow
SOC-14 5K
Well, if you're talking about Menorb/Regina, you're looking at a UWP of C652998–7 ... which means ...
- Slightly lower than Terra normal gravity (Travellermap says 0.75G).
- Thin atmosphere and low/nearly desert-like hydrographics. Menorb has a Poor world trade code (which refers to habitability of the biosphere, rather than any sort of financial "wealth" condition, or lack thereof).
- TL=7.
Also, your primary power source for vehicles is going to be ... combustion ... and superchargers might be "standard" on everything to compensate for the thin atmospheric conditions. So for any kind of vehicular response to an emergency, figure that there will be a much higher preponderance of ground vehicles (because most of the world surface is LAND, not water). Therefore, rather than a bucket brigade of helicopters, you're probably looking at something more like a swarm of ground APCs (some medical, some security) showing up on site. Any sort of air lift out of the scene would be EXPENSIVE emergency stuff, rather than cute furries joyriding around.
Hope that helps.
Oh. I know what it's supposed to look like -- note the gas-powered delta counter-drone.Well, if you're talking about Menorb/Regina, you're looking at a UWP of C652998–7 ... which means ...
This means that gravitics (like air/rafts) would not necessarily be in common use (there might be SOME because of interstellar trade, but they wouldn't be ubiquitous). This means that any VTOLs are going to be operating under what (we the readers) would consider "hot and high" conditions that are decidedly unfavorable for aerial lift (passenger, cargo or otherwise). In fact, any kind of aerofoil lift (fixed wing or rotary) is going to need to be MUCH BIGGER on Menorb to compensate for the reduction in atmospheric pressure relative to Terra (even if Menorb has a lower surface gravity). So aerial lift is still "viable" but it will need a lot more ROOM in order to be able to operate safely.
- Slightly lower than Terra normal gravity (Travellermap says 0.75G).
- Thin atmosphere and low/nearly desert-like hydrographics. Menorb has a Poor world trade code (which refers to habitability of the biosphere, rather than any sort of financial "wealth" condition, or lack thereof).
- TL=7.
Also, your primary power source for vehicles is going to be ... combustion ... and superchargers might be "standard" on everything to compensate for the thin atmospheric conditions. So for any kind of vehicular response to an emergency, figure that there will be a much higher preponderance of ground vehicles (because most of the world surface is LAND, not water). Therefore, rather than a bucket brigade of helicopters, you're probably looking at something more like a swarm of ground APCs (some medical, some security) showing up on site. Any sort of air lift out of the scene would be EXPENSIVE emergency stuff, rather than cute furries joyriding around.
Hope that helps.
I also realize that the anthropomorphic canines in Scarry's works are supposed to be foxes, not wolves.
But, Busy Busy Mass Casualty Event!
Attachments
Spinward Flow
SOC-14 5K
Those olfactory senses are going to work wonders when it comes to searching through rubble and/or tracing suspects who might have fled the scene ...
Vignette -- Subway Series (4):
[Veronica]
Piers and I reached the tramway and paid for the ride, and here it is right at the top of the stairs. Cars drop in from the left, under the first set of cable wheels, then slow down in the terminal as their doors open and release passengers. They’re all fellow Vargr right now – mostly tourists, not religious devotees – mostly cheerful, none compelling, none to shun.
It’s almost walk-on boarding; we actually get a car to ourselves – a tremendous relief. I don’t need to be making small talk while trying to anchor Piers, let alone trying to keep him out of a couple of other minds in close proximity.
Out we go into daylight! I slide close to Piers and lean in --- the cabin sways and shudders as we come up to speed and pass under the first set of cable wheels, sweeping skyward through the trees like an Air/Raft with a wonky autopilot. Piers starts pointing out landmark buildings as we go. It’s interesting, but won’t stay with me. From here, I can see where Vargr sensibilities took over from Imperial planning. There’s a grid layout back toward the Extrality Zone and Downport, but out here the streets and roads go where they’re needed and avoid the important properties. Looks chaotic, but concrete and asphalt paint the city’s power dynamics quite clearly in a way that the Imperial grid hides.
The car shudders – didn’t expect that first support tower and its wheels so soon. Piers speaks up. “They found us, or at least guessed right. Two hostiles in a ground car, and not the ones from the subway. They’re still pissed off about losing their drone, too. Just boarded the skytram, so a few minutes behind.”
I can feel he’s still within himself, but I ask anyhow, “You doing ok?”
“Yeah, they’re far enough away I’m not getting hooked in. Going to be tougher when we get to the crowds at the top though,” he replies, adding, “Damnit. There’s the two from the subway too – they’ve taken the car and are going to try driving up. Good luck with that, the road’s restricted.”
“Looks like we’re at the top,” I point out as we approach the terminal.
“Nope, just the midway stop. There’s a park and a pool – look to the right as we get to the top of the hill.”
A speaker in the car’s ceiling announces the stop in Galanglic and Gvegh, “Approaching Middle Peak Station. Warning, doors will open automatically. You may disembark here, but do not need to do so.”
I ask Piers if he thinks getting out here could give us a tactical advantage, but he thinks the guys behind us would see, and there aren’t any easy ways out from here if they do. “Ok,” I respond, “how are we going to handle this? Doesn’t look like we can lose them.”
“Confront them in a crowd, before their reinforcements show up,” he says, as the car shakes on entering the station, slows down, and opens its doors. The bored attendant watches us go past, the doors close, and we’re back up to speed, with some shaking and swaying on the way out. "Here's the layout up there..." he begins.
-----------------------------
{Author note: Haven't even really given this a cold read yet, as I wanted to get some content into this thread as soon as I had it... hope it's ok.}
[Veronica]
Piers and I reached the tramway and paid for the ride, and here it is right at the top of the stairs. Cars drop in from the left, under the first set of cable wheels, then slow down in the terminal as their doors open and release passengers. They’re all fellow Vargr right now – mostly tourists, not religious devotees – mostly cheerful, none compelling, none to shun.
It’s almost walk-on boarding; we actually get a car to ourselves – a tremendous relief. I don’t need to be making small talk while trying to anchor Piers, let alone trying to keep him out of a couple of other minds in close proximity.
Out we go into daylight! I slide close to Piers and lean in --- the cabin sways and shudders as we come up to speed and pass under the first set of cable wheels, sweeping skyward through the trees like an Air/Raft with a wonky autopilot. Piers starts pointing out landmark buildings as we go. It’s interesting, but won’t stay with me. From here, I can see where Vargr sensibilities took over from Imperial planning. There’s a grid layout back toward the Extrality Zone and Downport, but out here the streets and roads go where they’re needed and avoid the important properties. Looks chaotic, but concrete and asphalt paint the city’s power dynamics quite clearly in a way that the Imperial grid hides.
The car shudders – didn’t expect that first support tower and its wheels so soon. Piers speaks up. “They found us, or at least guessed right. Two hostiles in a ground car, and not the ones from the subway. They’re still pissed off about losing their drone, too. Just boarded the skytram, so a few minutes behind.”
I can feel he’s still within himself, but I ask anyhow, “You doing ok?”
“Yeah, they’re far enough away I’m not getting hooked in. Going to be tougher when we get to the crowds at the top though,” he replies, adding, “Damnit. There’s the two from the subway too – they’ve taken the car and are going to try driving up. Good luck with that, the road’s restricted.”
“Looks like we’re at the top,” I point out as we approach the terminal.
“Nope, just the midway stop. There’s a park and a pool – look to the right as we get to the top of the hill.”
A speaker in the car’s ceiling announces the stop in Galanglic and Gvegh, “Approaching Middle Peak Station. Warning, doors will open automatically. You may disembark here, but do not need to do so.”
I ask Piers if he thinks getting out here could give us a tactical advantage, but he thinks the guys behind us would see, and there aren’t any easy ways out from here if they do. “Ok,” I respond, “how are we going to handle this? Doesn’t look like we can lose them.”
“Confront them in a crowd, before their reinforcements show up,” he says, as the car shakes on entering the station, slows down, and opens its doors. The bored attendant watches us go past, the doors close, and we’re back up to speed, with some shaking and swaying on the way out. "Here's the layout up there..." he begins.
-----------------------------
{Author note: Haven't even really given this a cold read yet, as I wanted to get some content into this thread as soon as I had it... hope it's ok.}
Vignette -- Subway Series (5):
I slide the slapstick out to full extension, and start using it as a cane. There’s a rubber endcap on the tip electrodes for just this purpose. Veronica and I come up behind the two hostiles. The taller and bulkier of the two is on my side of the pair; he’s probably the leader, so he draws the cane-tap.
“Excuse me. Why have you and your associates been following us for the past hour or so?” I ask him. “Hands up and out, thanks. You too,” that last directed to his accomplice. They seem to comply, turning to face us.
“You know what you did,” he says, menacingly.
“We’ve done a lot of things. None of them call for being followed around by a small pack of goons. Perhaps you could be more specific?” I request politely, with a quick glance at the stopwatch running on my wristcomp. Need to wrap this before the others arrive.
“You didn’t really think you’d get away with piracy forever, did you?”
“Wasn’t piracy. Officials agreed – and aside from their coverup, we were actually escaping from attempted piracy. But I’d bet there’s a big payday riding on your not giving a crap about what really happened, and don’t expect to change your mind about it. I do hope to convince you that trying right here and now would be a bad idea.” I gesture around us. “We’re in a crowd of mostly Vargr, in an isolated area. Going to be hard to drag us out of here -- almost as difficult as just making a run for it if you try to kill us outright. So knock off for now, and you’ll probably get a better shot at us later. Yeah, we’re betting we get away, but I’m sure you think you’re smarter than we are. What do you say?”
The bigger guy smirks. “Keep talking. Our backup will be here shortly, so you really ought to come along peaceably. Todd,” he tells his fellow goon, “You get the dog, I’ve got this joker.”
“Oh, and there are guards up there watching us,” I gesture up to the peak, “from the Temple. Just so you know.”
“Yeah, right, whaev -- ow!” Ha! Got ‘em. Their big ball of light’s good for something.
The smaller goon orders Veronica to drop her taser and put her hands up. She doesn’t – instead, she stares at him implacably, growling, “No. Back off, go away -- maybe you’ll survive.” This stops him in his tracks, then he stumbles backward as though faced with Death incarnate.
I’m facing death incarnate, and Matt has no idea. “Todd, it’s a trick!" he yells at me. "You have a taser – just shoot her!” I try to draw it; jaws agonizingly crush my wrist! Blood sprays – my blood! She tosses her head side to side, bones snap horrifically, it’s all greying out…
“Dammit Todd! Pick that back up and shoot her!” Matt shouts. I look at my wrist – it’s undamaged, for now. If I don’t get out of here she’s going to rip my throat out! Fanged death stares at me through insanely mismatched eyes, slavering jaws snapping and gnashing, and I can’t stop her no matter what Matt yells at me. I’ve got to get out of here!
“Piers, come back,” Veronica calls, “you’re slipping again.”
“Thanks!” I reply, and I’m back and she’s not death incarnate -- but damn intimidating!
“Do I have to do everything?” Matt rhetorically demands; draws a taser, fires at Roni. And doesn’t stop.
Inside my mind she howls in agony. I fall. The sounds fade as she does. “Hold on to me!” I demand. “Don’t let go!”
“I’m trying. Can’t get back into myself…” she gasps, distantly.
I slide the slapstick out to full extension, and start using it as a cane. There’s a rubber endcap on the tip electrodes for just this purpose. Veronica and I come up behind the two hostiles. The taller and bulkier of the two is on my side of the pair; he’s probably the leader, so he draws the cane-tap.
“Excuse me. Why have you and your associates been following us for the past hour or so?” I ask him. “Hands up and out, thanks. You too,” that last directed to his accomplice. They seem to comply, turning to face us.
“You know what you did,” he says, menacingly.
“We’ve done a lot of things. None of them call for being followed around by a small pack of goons. Perhaps you could be more specific?” I request politely, with a quick glance at the stopwatch running on my wristcomp. Need to wrap this before the others arrive.
“You didn’t really think you’d get away with piracy forever, did you?”
“Wasn’t piracy. Officials agreed – and aside from their coverup, we were actually escaping from attempted piracy. But I’d bet there’s a big payday riding on your not giving a crap about what really happened, and don’t expect to change your mind about it. I do hope to convince you that trying right here and now would be a bad idea.” I gesture around us. “We’re in a crowd of mostly Vargr, in an isolated area. Going to be hard to drag us out of here -- almost as difficult as just making a run for it if you try to kill us outright. So knock off for now, and you’ll probably get a better shot at us later. Yeah, we’re betting we get away, but I’m sure you think you’re smarter than we are. What do you say?”
The bigger guy smirks. “Keep talking. Our backup will be here shortly, so you really ought to come along peaceably. Todd,” he tells his fellow goon, “You get the dog, I’ve got this joker.”
“Oh, and there are guards up there watching us,” I gesture up to the peak, “from the Temple. Just so you know.”
“Yeah, right, whaev -- ow!” Ha! Got ‘em. Their big ball of light’s good for something.
The smaller goon orders Veronica to drop her taser and put her hands up. She doesn’t – instead, she stares at him implacably, growling, “No. Back off, go away -- maybe you’ll survive.” This stops him in his tracks, then he stumbles backward as though faced with Death incarnate.
I’m facing death incarnate, and Matt has no idea. “Todd, it’s a trick!" he yells at me. "You have a taser – just shoot her!” I try to draw it; jaws agonizingly crush my wrist! Blood sprays – my blood! She tosses her head side to side, bones snap horrifically, it’s all greying out…
“Dammit Todd! Pick that back up and shoot her!” Matt shouts. I look at my wrist – it’s undamaged, for now. If I don’t get out of here she’s going to rip my throat out! Fanged death stares at me through insanely mismatched eyes, slavering jaws snapping and gnashing, and I can’t stop her no matter what Matt yells at me. I’ve got to get out of here!
“Piers, come back,” Veronica calls, “you’re slipping again.”
“Thanks!” I reply, and I’m back and she’s not death incarnate -- but damn intimidating!
“Do I have to do everything?” Matt rhetorically demands; draws a taser, fires at Roni. And doesn’t stop.
Inside my mind she howls in agony. I fall. The sounds fade as she does. “Hold on to me!” I demand. “Don’t let go!”
“I’m trying. Can’t get back into myself…” she gasps, distantly.
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Subway Series (6):
The fear is gone; I can turn back. That wolf is down — but she could get back up! I shudder, but keep moving. There’s my taser on the ground, got it, now to get that loudmouth pirate. He’s already on the ground too, but a few more shots will make sure he’s done too... Crap, that’s me he’s aiming at!
“Piers, say that over here!” Veronica calls to my mind, weakly. I go, except —
Good, dropping that dog broke whatever she did to him — he’s got his taser, we can get that punk now. Crap! That’s me he’s aiming at! What the hellworld did she do to his mind? I swing my taser around — a light zap will get his attention and we can get on with this.
“Back again, hon,” Roni thinks to me, distantly.
Line it up, correct for the lower gravity, and — Crap! That’s me he’s aiming at! What the hellworld did she do to his mind? I aim a little up, a little right — a light zap should get his attention and we can get on with this.
I pull the trigger.
I pull the trigger.
Agony! I jerk convulsively, I fall.
Agony! I jerk convulsively, I fall.
Pain! What the hellworld!?
Pain! What the hellworld!?
“Piers, come back -- I need you,” Her plea fades away.
I’m back; she’s still with me. Barely. “I’m here, Roni. Hold on, whatever it takes.” I get to my feet and stumble toward where her body lies. Staggering, I try to shout in Gvegh, “Someone call 733, need paramedics, police…” but my voice isn’t quite up to yelling -- let alone yelling in Gvegh. The Vargr around me react, so I must have gotten something out.
I get to Veronica. She’s still trembling; I reach under her arm -- there’s no pulse! “Guess that’s why I can’t get back in,” she thinks to me.
“Damnit, NO!” and I’m actually shouting this time. Grab feet, pull straight. Straighten neck. Check airway. Roll her to right side, start compressions – one two three four five… fifty-nine, sixty. Move up, close her mouth, blow into nose. Once, pause. And again, pause. I’ve seen those blank eyes before, but not like this. “Hang on. You’re going to make it.” And one two three four five six…
“At least it’s not getting worse,” I feel her tell me.
The fear is gone; I can turn back. That wolf is down — but she could get back up! I shudder, but keep moving. There’s my taser on the ground, got it, now to get that loudmouth pirate. He’s already on the ground too, but a few more shots will make sure he’s done too... Crap, that’s me he’s aiming at!
“Piers, say that over here!” Veronica calls to my mind, weakly. I go, except —
Good, dropping that dog broke whatever she did to him — he’s got his taser, we can get that punk now. Crap! That’s me he’s aiming at! What the hellworld did she do to his mind? I swing my taser around — a light zap will get his attention and we can get on with this.
“Back again, hon,” Roni thinks to me, distantly.
Line it up, correct for the lower gravity, and — Crap! That’s me he’s aiming at! What the hellworld did she do to his mind? I aim a little up, a little right — a light zap should get his attention and we can get on with this.
I pull the trigger.
I pull the trigger.
Agony! I jerk convulsively, I fall.
Agony! I jerk convulsively, I fall.
Pain! What the hellworld!?
Pain! What the hellworld!?
“Piers, come back -- I need you,” Her plea fades away.
I’m back; she’s still with me. Barely. “I’m here, Roni. Hold on, whatever it takes.” I get to my feet and stumble toward where her body lies. Staggering, I try to shout in Gvegh, “Someone call 733, need paramedics, police…” but my voice isn’t quite up to yelling -- let alone yelling in Gvegh. The Vargr around me react, so I must have gotten something out.
I get to Veronica. She’s still trembling; I reach under her arm -- there’s no pulse! “Guess that’s why I can’t get back in,” she thinks to me.
“Damnit, NO!” and I’m actually shouting this time. Grab feet, pull straight. Straighten neck. Check airway. Roll her to right side, start compressions – one two three four five… fifty-nine, sixty. Move up, close her mouth, blow into nose. Once, pause. And again, pause. I’ve seen those blank eyes before, but not like this. “Hang on. You’re going to make it.” And one two three four five six…
“At least it’s not getting worse,” I feel her tell me.
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