CHAPTER 5: IC - At Sea > Panama to Australia

[Mr. Handy]

Katie reaches the door to George's cabin and knocks, hoping he'll be inside.

[Anatomist]

Katie reaches the door to George's cabin and knocks, hoping he'll be inside.

'Yes? come in'
George Barrow stands with his back to the door reading a book up against the light from the small window.

[Mr. Handy]

Katie opens the door and steps inside, closing it behind her. "Hi, Dr. Barrow," she says, realizing that with his back turned, he doesn't know who she is. "It's Katie Wright. I found this crystalline substance and took a sample of it." She takes out the envelope in which she had collected the crystals. "Could you please analyze it and try to identify what it is? I think it's important."

[Job]

10:00 p.m. (ship time) – Monday 25th September, 1933
Main Deck

Captain Vredenburgh forcefully notes, "You've had all the time that I can allow, Mr. Starkweather. And--I might add--you've had time to investigate when I was not made aware of critical information. I must now shut down operations and perform a cabin-to-cabin search and, if you'll all excuse me, I have urgent search activities to organize with my officers."

The U.S.S. Gabrielle's klaxon sounded three short blasts. Yells erupted across the main deck as seamen immediately stopped their work and raced to predetermined locations. The ship's heartbeat, its rhythmic throbbing of engines, noticeably slowed.

On the bridge, James Starkweather and Captain Vredenburgh flung sharp words at each other, arguing whether it was really necessary to stop the ship, resulting moments later in Commander Starkweather's forced escort from the command center.

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Job. (the tortured one)

[Job]

"You are allowed to smile you know." Martin smiles and takes a picture. When his quip fails to amuse, "Why so glum Mr. Halperin? Is something bothering you?"

Douglas stops and looks up at Martin for a moment, then says, "No, I'm just looking for something, that's all. I could swear that I left my keys in this kit, but I guess not. I must've dropped them."

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Job. (the tortured one)

[Ewoklord]

.Douglas decides that he's been searching long enough, and it's time to wash some of the grime that's accumulated off. He wipes some grease off onto a nearby crate, and heads for his chambers.

[Anatomist]

Katie opens the door and steps inside, closing it behind her. "Hi, Dr. Barrow," she says, realizing that with his back turned, he doesn't know who she is. "It's Katie Wright. I found this crystalline substance and took a sample of it." She takes out the envelope in which she had collected the crystals. "Could you please analyze it and try to identify what it is? I think it's important."

'Oh' 'Miss Wright i asume?' 'Your are a terrific pilot i must say' 'that move in Panama was stunning!' 'What did you mention about crystalline? please explain me the circumstances so i can get a better idea of what this might be'

10:00 p.m. (ship time) – Monday 25th September, 1933
Main Deck

The U.S.S. Gabrielle's klaxon sounded three short blasts. Yells erupted across the main deck as seamen immediately stopped their work and raced to predetermined locations. The ship's heartbeat, its rhythmic throbbing of engines, noticeably slowed.

.'What in al hearth was that!' 'Well i know what it is, but why....' 'Something terrible must have happen' 'Stay here with me Miss Wright, until we are fetched'

[Mr. Handy]

.Katie's cheeks turn as red as her hair when George compliments her flying. "Thank you, Dr. Barrow," she says, opening up the envelope and showing him the contents. "I found this stuff on one of the generators in Tweendeck Hold One. Almost missed it, but I saw it out of the corner of my eye and checked it out. I don't know what it is, but I know it wasn't supposed to be there and probably isn't anything good." She flinches when the klaxon sounds but recovers quickly. "Does it have to be so loud? Yeah, I guess it does." She nods. "I'll stay here. Do you have equipment for chemical analysis here in your cabin, or is it elsewhere?"

[Anatomist]

Katie's cheeks turn as red as her hair when George compliments her flying. "Thank you, Dr. Barrow," she says, opening up the envelope and showing him the contents. "I found this stuff on one of the generators in Tweendeck Hold One. Almost missed it, but I saw it out of the corner of my eye and checked it out. I don't know what it is, but I know it wasn't supposed to be there and probably isn't anything good." She flinches when the klaxon sounds but recovers quickly. "Does it have to be so loud? Yeah, I guess it does." She nods. "I'll stay here. Do you have equipment for chemical analysis here in your cabin, or is it elsewhere?"

.'Yes yes' he says absentminded 'take a seat Miss' 'i think i got my reactants in this crate somewhere' George almost dives into a large crate in the corner and fetching some reactants and aother necessary equipment.

After some minutes whit setting all up with most care and expertise George hands Miss Wright a cup and the coffee kettle 'serve yourself' this may take time'

ooc: Chemistry roll,[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3983898/]Chemistry 65% (1d100=61)[/url] Holy shit that was close! :S but Success! Job. if you want i can make more rolls if Barrow needs to confirm the substance

[aine]

.Douglas stops and looks up at Martin for a moment, then says, "No, I'm just looking for something, that's all. I could swear that I left my keys in this kit, but I guess not. I must've dropped them."

Martin's ears prick up; having had his own kit just rifled with he thinks the worst. "Can I give you a hand looking for them? What are the keys for?"

[Mr. Handy]

"Thank you," says Katie, sitting down and pouring herself a cup of coffee, sipping it gratefully. "Ah, that hit the spot! Panamanian blend, unless I miss my guess. Truly among the best in the world. And that is the extent of my knowledge of chemistry. I know a great deal about physics and aeronautics, but I'll have to defer to your expertise on this subject. I'm always keen to learn, however." She watches with interest as Dr. Barrow conducts his analysis.

[Job]

Douglas decides that he's been searching long enough, and it's time to wash some of the grime that's accumulated off. He wipes some grease off onto a nearby crate, and heads for his chambers.

Douglas Orgelfinger exits the bosun's store and begins climbing the ladder to the Main Deck. He begins to hear the sounds of clamor above: the ship's horn, running, bellowed orders. Looking up as he climbs, he sees the circular hatch opening in the foreground lit by bright reflections of light that are interrupted by passing silhouettes of seamen racing to and fro. He is reminded of the hour as he sees the dark night sky in the background.

Emerging onto the deck, he notices that a few of the seamen are carrying firearms.

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Job. (the tortured one)

[Job]

10:00 p.m. (ship time) – Monday 25th September, 1933
Tweendeck Number 3

'Yes yes' he says absentminded 'take a seat Miss' 'i think i got my reactants in this crate somewhere' George almost dives into a large crate in the corner and fetching some reactants and aother necessary equipment.

After some minutes whit setting all up with most care and expertise George hands Miss Wright a cup and the coffee kettle 'serve yourself' this may take time'

ooc: Chemistry roll,[url=http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3983898/]Chemistry 65% (1d100=61)[/url] Holy shit that was close! :S but Success! Job. if you want i can make more rolls if Barrow needs to confirm the substance

This is the second time within a single day that that Dr. Barrow has seen these crystals and he knows immediately which chemical reactions will identify the substance. Mere minutes later, he confirms the presence of sulfuric acid.

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Job. (the tortured one)

[Job]

10:00 p.m. (ship time) – Monday 25th September, 1933
Aftercastle, Main Deck Level

Martin's ears prick up; having had his own kit just rifled with he thinks the worst. "Can I give you a hand looking for them? What are the keys for?"

With a sigh, Douglas Halperin explains, "I'm looking for the my keys to the ship's holds that contain the aeroplanes. I only have access to those two holds, for maintenance reasons. Professor Moore asked me to confirm that I have my keys and it was then that I noticed them missing."

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Job. (the tortured one)

[Anatomist]

.'Well Miss Wright sulfuric acid' 'again...' 'follow me Miss'

George walks out of the room without seeing back if the lady was following or not. He went straight Dr. Moore with the news.

[Mr. Handy]

.Katie accompanies George. "That's what was used in the reefer hold," she says. "I'm going to need to take a closer look at those generators later."

[aine]

.Martin looks concerned, "That's not good news Mr Halperin. I'm afraid I've had some of my equipment tampered with and I'm worried about those 'planes now. I may be paronoid but the last thing you want to do is upset the professor. Come on, I'll give you a hand. We must find those keys and check the 'planes immediately." He closes up his camera. "Lets go to the storage first." He directs for Douglas to lead the way.

[Job]

10:10 p.m. (ship time) – Monday 25th September, 1933
Tweendeck Number 3

'Well Miss Wright sulfuric acid' 'again...' 'follow me Miss'

George walks out of the room without seeing back if the lady was following or not.

Katie accompanies George. "That's what was used in the reefer hold," she says. "I'm going to need to take a closer look at those generators later."

As George and Katie [climb up from Tweendeck #3, walk across the main deck and into the superstructure and] ship's mess, they are met by a seaman yelling, "STOP right there!" The seaman's arm is raised towards them, palm outward, signalling them to move no further, while his right hand is at his hip, gripping his sidearm. "Please turn around and return to your cabin. Captain's orders."

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Job. (the tortured one)

[Mr. Handy]

Katie stops moving. "All right," she says, "but we have important information that we need to report to Professor Moore."

[Job]

10:10 p.m. (ship time) – Monday 25th September, 1933
Aftercastle, Main Deck Level

Martin looks concerned, "That's not good news Mr Halperin. I'm afraid I've had some of my equipment tampered with and I'm worried about those 'planes now. I may be paronoid but the last thing you want to do is upset the professor. Come on, I'll give you a hand. We must find those keys and check the 'planes immediately." He closes up his camera. "Lets go to the storage first." He directs for Douglas to lead the way.

Halperin looks up at Martin and says, "I already backtracked through every area that I visited yesterday and today. I last remember using my keys yesterday before lunch, when I greased the Fairchild." He shook his head. "I don't understand. I don't lose my keys. I don't lose anything."

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Job. (the tortured one)