TARDIS Control Room In transit through time and space
The crew of the TARDIS was once again standing around the console in the center of the control room as the time-space vessel approached her destination. The Time Lord Story and Elizabeth Young had fully recovered from the wounds they had received in their last, deadly adventure in London in 1930. Lucius Verres was still wary of all the wonders around him, but he had accepted that these devices were not magical and was able to keep his fears contained. Brook Davies had been shocked by the deaths she had witnessed, but she was bouncing back resiliently. Their encounter with the being called Nephren-Ka had been a frightening one, but they had all come through it in one piece. Still, they couldn't help but feel that things could have gone better. However, there was nothing that could be done about it now. The past was behind them, and the future lay ahead.
OOC,Feel free to talk amongst yourselves and roleplay. I'll let you know when the TARDIS arrives.
Brook looks at all the handles and buttons and little blinking lights with wonder. She turns to Story eagerly. "Where to now, Story? Somewhere beautiful, I hope. Or exciting. Or both! Where and when...." she muses, trailing off. "You know, the question "when are we going" will never have the same meaning again." She trails her fingers along the consoll. "The thirties were okay, I guess, but I can do without ghouls and old mummies. I kinda miss Harry, though. He was ugly as old heck, but I felt like I was in a gangster flick or something around him. Pretty cool."
Lucius sat on a bench nearby the console, sharpening his dagger. "Help me understand this..." he said to anyone who was listening. "We sent the Black Pharaoh back to ancient Egypt, but nothing seemed to have changed around us. Does that mean he was ineffectual in changing the past? Or does it mean that his change of the past had already happened to that timeline and that is why things were the way they were? Or ... " he paused sharpening and looked up asking, "... did things change, and we simply didn't notice the changes? Should we have looked around a bit more?"
"I was puzzled too," says Elizabeth. "I'd assumed that things must have changed when he was sent back, but nothing seems to, or at least nothing we've noticed. Still at least we made it through and the world hasn't ended. I do wonder where we are going next though." With that she looks towards Story and the TARDIS controls, and wonders where he is taking them.
Story looks up from the console at his companions. "Well... I was thinking dinosaurs but I may have over shot that." Scratches head. "I'll let you know where we are when we arrive." Smiles and looks at Lucius. "As to the Nephren-Ka there's no easy answer other than" Shrugs "sometimes it's better not to know.. no need to fret over it."
Mr. Handy,Did I Story ever make Brook a spare key? If not what must I do?
As the central column moved up and down, the TARDIS began to make its familiar wheezing, groaning noise. Wherever and whenever they were headed, they would be there soon.
OOC,[b]Story[/b], please make a Pilot(TARDIS) roll, at double your skill due to calm conditions. Don't worry too much if you fail the roll.
I'd say that a spare TARDIS key already existed, so it would be a simple matter just to give it to [b]Brook[/b]. I'm assuming she returned the sonic screwdriver to you after the last adventure, so it's now on your character sheet.
For safety's sake, Lucius sheathed his dagger and put away the sharpening stone. "I know of some Roman officials who ended up dead because 'it was better to just not know'," he muttered to himself as he grabbed on to the bench and prepared for a possibly rough landing.
It was a rougher landing than usual, but everyone had braced adequately for it. The central column stopped moving, indicating that the TARDIS had arrived.
"Ah yes... um..." Looks at console. "Hmmm." Looks up at his companions and smiles. "Welcome to the... um..." Looks at the readout and thumps the console. "Just a second." Looks up at Brook. "Brook back inside!" Flips a switch to activate viewing monitor to see the outside world.
Mr. Handy,Did we land on Pluto, a ship in orbit or somewhere far more sinister?
Slight edit to reflect not knowing when or where the TARDIS has landed.
Story turned on the monitor before Brook reached the door, and his reminder made her realize that she was being hasty. There could have been anything out there. However, the monitor showed a room apparently devoid of people. The visible walls were metallic, and one of them had a concave curvature. There were stacks of black crates that Story and Brook recognized as being made out of plastic. There was also a door in the curved wall, currently closed.
OOC,[b]Story[/b], you do not know where or when you have landed at this point. You can try to check the instruments to narrow it down, and it's probably good to make sure it's safe to go outside anyway. Please make a Navigate roll to see if you have any idea where you are. Only [b]Story[/b] may attempt this roll.
"Hmmm... well I'm not sure where or when we are. But I do see plastic so we've definitely overshot the era of dinosaurs." Ruffles his hair. "I was so hoping for giant lizards." Looks back at the monitor. "It looks like no one is around... who's up for exploring a whole new world as Brook put it?" Smiles.
The readings showed that the atmosphere was breathable, a healthy mix primarily of nitrogen and oxygen. Radiation levels were normal, and gravity was about three quarters of that of Earth. It wouldn't be difficult to adjust to it, and moving around would be less stressful.
Lucius stood and approached the doors, "I'm game. What's the worst that could happen?" His thoughts reflected back to being attacked by ghouls, witnessing a human sacrifice first hand, and the Black Pharaoh ... then shook his head, "Nevermind answering that. Best not to know."
As he opened the doors, he looked back to Story and asked, "What is plastic?"
ooc,it was my understanding that the Tardis door could be opened even in the outer space and still keep atmospheric integrity inside. The only real threat on opening the door would be that someone might enter unexpectedly.
"We have plastic in my time too," muses Elizabeth, "like Bakelite and other things around televisions and power sockets. Though this type looks a bit different from the kind I'm familiar with."
Brook follows Lucius, glancing back at Story and Elisabeth. "Well, in my time we have lots of plastic dinosaurs, so maybe you weren't too far off, Story."
Story looks up. "Ah well plastic is derived from the Greek word plastikos meaning capable of being shaped or molded. It's used for all kinds of things... chairs, containers, toys and many many over things." Hearing Brook's dino comment he just smiles. "Perhaps... perhaps." Story follows Lucius and Brook out of the TARDIS.
OOC,Someone...or some[i]thing[/i]. ;) Yes, that is correct. The TARDIS does contain its atmosphere. However, visible light is clearly able to enter the TARDIS, so it is possible that other forms of radiation could as well.
Story and his companions stepped out of the TARDIS and into the room. Now that they could see in all directions, it was apparent that it was the shape of a quarter of a circle. The only exit, aside from the TARDIS itself, was the door in the curved wall. It was made of sturdy-looking metal, and some sort of electronic plate was embedded in the wall next to it. The black plate was slightly larger than a human hand, and in fact the white outline of a hand was on its surface. The door did not have any handles, knobs, or other visible means of opening it.
Looking back at the TARDIS, the time travelers could see that it was still in the shape of a London police box. It usually changed shape to blend in with its surroundings. Lucius had known this too, as it had appeared as a large statue when he had seen it in Rome. Elizabeth and Brook had seen it take many different shapes. Story had mentioned that the TARDIS had a chameleon circuit that was responsible for altering its appearance. The Time Lord had heard that this was a known issue with the Type 40 model. Theta Sigma, better known as the Doctor, still used a Type 40, and his TARDIS had gotten stuck in the exact same form due to a faulty chameleon circuit.
Story checks to insure the TARDIS is locked up and then looks at Brook "I almost forgot..." Reaches into his pocket and pulls out a spare TARDIS key. "This is for you." Smiles as he hands it to her. "This is your lifeline if things get hairy. Never hesitate to use it if I get captured. And remember no one is permitted to enter but our group. "
"What about pressing a hand onto the plate?" asks Elizabeth. "It looks as though that's how the door might work. Shall we try it? I guess it can't be too unsafe on the other side."
Lucius stepped back, obviously confounded by future technology again. He spread an upwards palm beckoning Elizabeth to feel free and give her try at the door.
Returning the hug Story says "You are very welcome." Looking over at Elizabeth. "Yes by all means Elizabeth feel free. It's probably best for one of you to try instead of myself anyways."
Elizabeth Young,[b]Elizabeth[/b] noticed that the locking mechanism seemed to be electronic, of a common sort that she had seen before on trips into times after her own. [b]Story[/b]'s sonic screwdriver had proven effective against such locks.
"Story, could you try the sonic screwdriver on the door?" says Elizabeth, peering towards the door. "The locking mechanism on it looks to be electronic. Maybe the screwdriver would work on it?"
Story snaps his finger. "Ah Elizabeth thank you for your brilliance... I just love it!" Smiles and pulls out the Sonic Screwdriver, aims it at the hand plate and activates it.
OOC,If it's still needed... [url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3183402/]Idea - 65% (1d100=91)[/url]
When Story activated the sonic screwdriver, the door slid open to reveal a curving hallway beyond that stretched to the left and right. Off to the right, what looked like an airlock door was visible on the corridor's left wall.
Before they could explore further, an alarm began to ring. "Attention!" shouted a voice from an unseen speaker. "Security breach in Tertiary Storage!"
"That can't be good," Lucius states. "Maybe we should try to move along and distance ourselves from here? Left or right?" He shrugged then headed right looking for a place they could hide... an air duct, storage area with crates, whatever...
"We are not intruders but unexpected visitors. If we are discovered sneaking about and evading security in this facility we could be met with deadly force. In a matter of moments they will be on top of us anyways. So our options are we either stay and chat or run like we've done something wrong." Looks around at the group. "Running like criminals will almost certainly insure we never leave this place."
Lucius had only taken a few steps down the corridor, then stopped after it was obvious no one was going to follow. Story had a point. He turned and came back to the doorway in the corridor, hid his dagger in his boot and under a pant leg, and stood there crossed-armed, waiting for the station's security to arrive.
Listen - cannot,Invisible Castle is down. Please roll on my behalf.
Lucius continued to wait patiently, arms folded across his chest, leaning up against the wall in the corridor for the time being. It was his intent, if they were to be accosted that he would seem as non-threatening as possible.
After a minute or so of waiting, the lights suddenly went out, plunging Story and his companions into complete darkness!
OOC,I used Dark and Moody's dice roller, as Invisible Castle is giving me trouble too. [b]Lucius[/b] [url=http://darkandmoodyforums.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?action=logrolldisplay]succeeded[/url] with a 22.
Also, [b]Lucius[/b], please roll Conceal to see how well you've hidden your dagger.
Brook Davies/Lucius Verres,Shortly after the lights went out, [b]Brook[/b] and [b]Lucius[/b] could hear a distant hiss of air.
Story,Shortly after the lights went out, [b]Story[/b] could hear a distant hiss of air, and he recognized the sound instantly. It was an airlock opening.
Conceal,My conceal is 45%, I rolled a 49 (D&M Dice Log - http://darkandmoodyforums.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?action=logrolldisplay
Lucius kicked off of the wall and headed quickly back towards the TARDIS. "They are trying to smoke us out!" Lucius exclaimed. "We should get back in the TARDIS, quickly!"
Brook stands up, placing a hand on the TARDIS for support and comfort. "I can't see a thing...but here comes the storm troopers. Airlock? Are we on a space ship? Geez, you really did overshoot the dinosaurs. Unless they're some kind of space dinos. There are space rhinos, after all...Okay, rambling now. Shutting up."
A distant voice with a distinct Scottish accent called out from somewhere in the corridor: "Drop your weapons an slide 'em toward us, and then git down on the ground. You're trespassin in a secure storage room of a secure facility and we'll use force if ya make us. I dinnae ken how ya got here, but you're caught now, so best surrender."
"That's a right cruel trick ... blind your opponents in the blanket of darkness. Not a good way to greet your guests either," Lucius stated. He hit something solid and felt around... but it was the wall. Somehow he got turned around a bit.
"I assure you we mean you no harm. We have no hostile intentions and would kindly request that you would turn the lights back on so that we can at least see those who are about to shoot us." Clears his throat. "Like now... please."
Footsteps approached from down the corridor, to the right. They stopped at the entrance, and a beam of light suddenly came through it and shined in the time travelers' faces, temporarily blinding them. "I'm comin' in," said the Scotsman. "We won't shoot anyone we don' need to. Stay onna ground and no sudden moves."
