Intro Phase 3 - "Fixer-Upper"
New Cast Appearing:
Storen as TheStoryteller, Jack, Various NPCs
DNW as Vytor
Session Start: Sat Apr 16 21:36:59 2005
New Meribia, Commercial Dist.
<TheStoryteller> Strolling through the Meribian streets, one can find a wonderful overview of the artisans and crafters of the Blue Star hard at work plying their respective trades. Jewelry, foodstuffs, weapons, machines... it boggles the imagination to think that just a couple decades ago this spot was merely empty wilderness.
<TheStoryteller> Thanks to the guidance of Ramus and his formation of the Merchant Guild some years ago, it soon became the hub of all trading conducted on the Blue Star. His giant mall and clearance outlet dominates the skyline, but there are many other stores that grace this place. One among them being Jack's Repair Shop.
<TheStoryteller> The budding craftsman Vytor is on his way there, summoned by his erstwhile mentor to help with a very special project...
* Vytor saunters down the busy streets, whistling a tune, his various tools and supplies strapped to his back.
* Vytor digs into his pocket for a sheet of directions, and looks them over for the 14th time.
<TheStoryteller> Vytor rounds a corner of the busy Main Street, finding his destination with ease. Jack's store sticks out like a sore thumb with the sheer amount of gadgetry laying about, some of it being artfully strapped together to make the whole storefront seem like a living machine itself.
New Meribia, Commercial Dist. - Jack's Place
* Vytor notes the extremely obvious-looking desitination in front of him, at the directions again, then shrugs and tosses them in a nearby trashcan.
<TheStoryteller> On the sign, near a print of Jack's grinning face, proclaims his motto to prospective customers: "It ain't broken 'till it falls apart or blows up!"
* Vytor walks in through the main entrance, "Mr. Mystere? Hello?"
<TheStoryteller> Vytor notices the store is extremly quiet. It seems there's no customers today... usually it would be crowded with a line of people seeking troubleshooting advice or repairs.
<TheStoryteller> On the counter rests a tiny replica of the old Dragonship Destiny vehicle, perfect down to the finest detail.
<Vytor> Where is everybody?
* Vytor sets down his pack
<Vytor> Mr. Mystere? Are you home?
<TheStoryteller> Just then Vytor hears a loud CLANG
* Vytor jumps at the noise, and spin around to face the direction of the sound
<TheStoryteller> The grizzled inventor "Lumber" Jack Mystere falls out of the cieling onto the floor in a heap of dust and shrapnel! Oof!
* Vytor blinks
* Vytor takes a couple of moments to take everything in
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Look out below! *THUD*
<Vytor> Um...hi?
<Vytor> Are you OK?
<TheStoryteller> When the debris clears you see the huge middle-aged man holding a massive wrench, and his work jumpsuit stained with grease in several places.
* Vytor goes to help the man up
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] *cough* Oh 'ey Vytor! Just in time!
<Vytor> Renovating the shop?
<TheStoryteller> Jack is helped up by Vytor, not looking the worse for wear. You notice there's now a hole in the cieling.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Ya could say that.
<Vytor> Does this involve the project you wanted me to help you on?
<Vytor> Fixing roofs isn't exactly my bailywig, but I can give it a shot
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] I actually was testing out a set of heavy glider wings... but it decided to take off without me - Har, har!
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Oh well, back to the drawing board, eh?
<Vytor> The glider wings? Again? I though Chrissy told you to put a kybosh on that.
<TheStoryteller> Jack looks like he's about to retort, but swallows his words for some reason. He then replies calmly, "Right, right. I just have to get it out of my system."
<TheStoryteller> Jack puts the wrench down on the counter, grabbing a rag and wiping his hands off.
* Vytor looks at Jack oddly for a moment, then returns to the task at hand, "OK, change of subject. hat did you need me to do?"
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] The REAL reason I summoned you here is because I need a hand at the forge for another big project!
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] It's involving the new Land Cruiser XL series upgrade.
<Vytor> Upgrade? What kind of upgrade?
<TheStoryteller> Jack looks at the model Destiny a moment, then grins broadly.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Well, ya know we've gone to production with the first model, and the 3 axles are doing great...
<Vytor> I know, I saw the production paper and review.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] It's time to up the horsepower and add a 4th axle. Think of the off road handling and speed! It could increase by up to 50% if we're lucky!
* Vytor begins to pace as he thinks (which is very typical for him)
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] I wanted to give you a chance to help me forge the silver parts for the new engine & wheels. I've already got the new frame handy, after some test.
<Vytor> Do have some design notes I could look at first? I'd like to see what I'm supposed to help make before I try it
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] I've closed up the store early, so they'll be no distractions at all, either. And of course I've got the blueprints. So, whaddaya say?
<Vytor> I'm here. I got nothing else to do. I say we go for it.
<TheStoryteller> Jack grins. "That's the spirit, Vytor! When we're done, you'll see these things on the road and know you built the protype yerself." :)
<Vytor> Let's hold off on the champaine for now. We've got to make it first
* Vytor kneels down beside his pack and extracts his tools
<Vytor> Ready when you are
<TheStoryteller> Jack nods and steps behind the counter. He places a hand on the small model fo the Destiny and tilts it sideways with a click.
<TheStoryteller> Just as he does so, a trapdoor opens in the floor!
* Vytor raises an eyebrow
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] I never showed ya the garage before did I?
<Vytor> Can't say you have
<TheStoryteller> Jack runs over and starts descending some stairs that go down out of sight.
* Vytor follows, a little curious as to how Jack intends to pull all this off
<TheStoryteller> Following the machinist's lead, you continue downwards for what seems to be a long while. The sides of the staircase are metallic, and some of the new non-willforce powered lights illuminate the way forward.
<TheStoryteller> Jack looks very pleased with himself, as he eventually comes to a landing, where all is dark.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Hrm.. now where th'hell was that thing? Oh yeah!
* Vytor falls in step behind Jack, until he runs into the darkened landing
<TheStoryteller> Jack fumbles around for what soon is revealed to be a pull chain. Giving it a tug, you hear a sequence of clicks as multiple sets of lights are triggered on...
* Vytor blinks a few times as the lights come on
<TheStoryteller> From the darkness you see an entire fleet of 3-wheeled, armored Land Cruiser vehicles lined up in 4 bays. Each of them is a dull metal hue, and shines as the rays of light strike it.
<Vytor> Are those what you're working on?
<TheStoryteller> On either end of these 4 bays are experimental docks, two of them occupied by what seems to be a half-destroyed metal glider and a flying machine with two-three propellers aiming upwards.
<TheStoryteller> The third is occupied by the outer frame & skin of a Land Cruiser, but it's much larger than the others. Could this be what Jack meant? Many spare parts are scattered around it, as it is still being worked on.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Yep! Welcome to my little workshop. :)
* Vytor blinks at the extremely large Land Cruiser, then slides a curious look at Jack
<Vytor> Mr. Mystere, that thing's monstrous
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Hah, well it has to be to handle the additional 2 wheels! It also has a much greater carrying capacity.. just the thing for a bunch of explorers! It was a real complaint about the early model.
<Vytor> I suppose so, but jeze, you'd best be on real solid ground with that thing
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Chrissy's teams are workin' on the computer guidance for the suspension, we've just got to get the hardware right.
<Vytor> OK, so where do we start?
<TheStoryteller> Jack walks over to the experimental bay, as your feet are now on a mesh-like catwalk rather than solid earth.
* Vytor follows
<TheStoryteller> He flicks a few switchs as he non-chalantly passes a control panel, and one of the walls opens up nearby. Within you catch the gleam of a silver alchemical forge!
<Vytor> Ah :)
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] I had a spare installed down here so no need to haul parts!
<Vytor> Handy
<TheStoryteller> Vytor immediately notices the advanced construction. This round forge takes up nearly half the space he's normally sued to. With further advances, a man-portable size should be simple... perhaps the rumors are true.
* Vytor walks over to the forge, "Wow, look at this thing."
<Vytor> It so...small
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Ain't it a beaut? This is the latest model. It's actually a prototype.. the following production one should be small enough to carry around.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] That Chrissy.. she's sure a genius. I gotta admit when I'm beat!
<Vytor> Its just...wow!
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Imagine what the world will be like if everyone has one of these puppies? It could put the emrchants as we know it out of business... heh!
* Vytor seems engrossed in the idea, then get a concerned look over his face
<Vytor> There are a lot of merchants out there that won't like that one bit
<TheStoryteller> Jack sighs. "Ya, it's a shame. The Merchant Guild of the League won't be too happy."
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] That's where people like you come in though, Vytor. You're going to train the new generation of crafters.
<Vytor> Me? I'm just an apprentice. I can't teach anyone this stuff yet.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Hey, you're already helping us sell plenty! Keep it up and I can see big things for ya.
<TheStoryteller> Jack pulls out a tube from a recessed cubbyhole near the forge, and pops the cork off. Out slide a set of blueprints...
<Vytor> Well yeah, I can do stuff. Maybe I can teach in a couple more years. But there's still stuff I can't do yet. I'm sure you haven't already forgotten my last project disaster.
<TheStoryteller> Jack frowns a bit...
<Vytor> You remmeber right? The autopen? With the unintended self-destruct mechanism that was supposed to have been the inkwell?
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Hey, ya win some, ya lose some. I wouldn't sweat it too much. Everybody knows you care about these things a lot more than most, that's why a failure gets to ya so badly.
* Vytor shudders, "So much ink...everywhere."
<TheStoryteller> Jack laughs a bit. "It was sure a sight, I'll say."
<Vytor> Well yeah, in hindsight its funny. But at the time it was mortifying. I couldn't get all that ink off me for days.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Maybe it's because of you we pushed ahead with development of chemical cleansers!
* Vytor thinks about that
<Vytor> I suppose you could look at it that way
* Vytor shakes his head, realizing he's gone off track, "Um, the plans? Can I see them?"
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Righto.. take a look see.
<TheStoryteller> Jack hands the plans over to Vytor
* Vytor takes the plans and sets them down on a table, "So which part do you want me to work on?"
<TheStoryteller> Studying the layout and components, you recognize the familiar design of the Land Cruiser. But the engine portions and the wheels are not as you remember them. They are not too complex, but certainly large. This may take some effort to get right... in the lower right corner you can see some notes, above which reads "Destiny Class".
* Vytor traces his finger across various designs, but his eyes do not follow, instead travelling along different lines
<Vytor> Destiny Class huh?
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Alright! I'm going to leave the wheels to you. That thing's not going to be sittin' on stilts forever.
<TheStoryteller> Jack blinks, putting a hand behind his head.
* Vytor flips to the page with the wheel designs
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Oh.. yeah.. I call this the Destiny modification!
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] If it goes well, any number of sizes and wheel numbers are possible... like the ancient ship...
<Vytor> Let's see...this one here. Hmm, that's the new typhoon design. Whoa, big bastards. At least half again as big as the previous Kirov design. Check out these struts. Vectror angles are brought in pretty tight. Probably to cut down in vibration.
<TheStoryteller> Jack says this almost dreamily, with stars in his eyes.
<TheStoryteller> Jack is snapped out of his reverie by Vytor's tech talk. "You got it."
<Vytor> 6...no 7 attachment points and two extra structure points. Hefty. What's with the odd number of junction nodes? Don't they always come in even pairs?
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] One in the rear to handle pressure from the paylaod compartment, o' course.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Can't have this baby dragging her tail too much, eh? Who knows what might be stuck in there.
<TheStoryteller> As he speaks, Jack flips a few switchs to start the flow of silver ore into the chamber. The small meter on the side begins to rise as it fills. You figure at this rate, he has enough to finish all of the parts, with only a few errors possible.
* Vytor lifts the designs and gives them one last look over, "Well, considering that a lot of this is all hardpoints from one component, I'll have to forge it in two runs. I can get the base points in on the first pass no problem. But these extra extentions will require a lower temperature spread over the whole design. If I can keep the core temp steady, I can extrude the last extentions from the base portion.
* Vytor sets the plans down, "Can I see the base material you want to use?"
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Sounds like a good bet. We've got to be lean here, I'm runnin' low today.
<Vytor> That'll make things awkward. But I suppose there's no choice.
<TheStoryteller> Jack waits for the OK light to blink near the metr when 100%. He flicks a latch, and the top of the lathe opens...
<TheStoryteller> Vytor is greated with high temperature, vicious silver bubbling and awaiting to be granted form. It's of just about the highest quality in existences today.
* Vytor adjust his toolbelt, and walks to the forge, cracking his knuckles as he moves
<Vytor> Hmm..good stuff. I can see why you don't have a lot of it.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Only the best for my greatest invention! I've got lower quality stuff, but there's now ay it can stand the pressures of what we need.
<Vytor> For something this big? Yeah, I can see why.
* Vytor takes a moment to visualize what he's about to do
<Vytor> OK, here we go
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] I'll be standing by to take the components as you make them...
<TheStoryteller> Jack indicates a big crane nearby for the larger things
* Vytor holds his hammer near the head, and extends his arms outward, closing his eyes
* Vytor then grips the hammer with both hands, and dips the head into the molten goo, beginning to stir and agitate it
* Vytor raises the hammer, no dripping with siler goo and begins to trace designs in the air with it, like an artist building a sketch with a stroke of paint at a time
* Vytor dips into the silver goo again and again, each time adding more and more to the design floating in mid-air before him, becoming more and more distict each time
<TheStoryteller> Jack looks on as Vytor gets to work, becoming much more serious. This is obviously just as much of a test as it is an honor.
* Vytor begins to turn the design, fleshing it out into 3 dimentions instead of two, until its nearly completed, his hammer moving in a flurry of artistic motions.
* Vytor suddenly strikes the object with his hammer, and it resonates with long bell tone, shaking off the excess back into the pool, its shaping completed
* Vytor quickly moves to lower the temperature of the pool
<Vytor> Almost there.
* Vytor raises his hammer again, and begins to move it around like a conductor, and the contruct begins to stretch and deform, adding in the last peices that are required.
* Vytor strikes the piece one last time, cause it to ring out, and the last of the excess silver falls back into the pool. Vytor points his hammer at the no finished axel, and it slowly moves away from the forge.
<Vytor> OK, grab it!
<TheStoryteller> Jack swivels into action, grabbing the axel with the crane head. *kachink*
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Bingo! Not too shabby.
<Vytor> Whew!
<Vytor> OK, only three more to go ^^;
<TheStoryteller> After a few lever flips it's lowered to the mechanics' pit, and swings back ready for more! The silver axle gleams, almost as if it's happy to have a function and form thanks to Vytor's help.
* Vytor sets the temperature back up, and waits to begin again
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] You holding up okay? We can trade places if yer winded.
<Vytor> I'm OK, its just warm over here.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Hah, just warning up aren't we? Alright, onto the next part!
* Vytor starts on the second axle, proceeding through each piece in turn until the necessary parts are constructed
<TheStoryteller> >> This continues on for some time into the day.... until eventually all the pieces are made. The contruction is nearly flawless, and fits perfectly!
* Vytor finishes the last part, looking rather red from being near the hot forge for so long. He wipes the sweat from his brow.
<Vytor> There! That should do it.
~~ Success! Vytor gains 3 MXP. ~~
<TheStoryteller> Jack puts a hand on Vytor's shoulder, as the strain of having made so many immense mechanical components weighs heavily on his brain.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Ey.. take a break, Vytor! Don't work yourself to death. ^^;
<Vytor> Heh, good idea. I just didn;t want to stop in the middle of it. I was on a roll there for a while
* Vytor sits down, and digs a bottle of water out of his pack
<Vytor> Cheers
* Vytor cracks the seal and takes a good drink
<TheStoryteller> Jack takes out a flask of some whiskey and has a swig, smiling.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] You've really come a long way since we first took you in. It's like you were born to do this.
<Vytor> I've had good teachers
<Vytor> Besides, I like what I do
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] That's what I like to hear! I wouldn't give this up for anything.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] So, you're gonna stay in the crafting business for the future?
* Vytor takes another swig, pausing for a moment before answering, "Definitely. I like making things. So whay not spend my time doing what I enjoy?"
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] No argument there. Just there's something that's been buggin' me lately.
<TheStoryteller> Jack pauses to stroke his chin in thought, digging for the right words.
<Vytor> Hm?
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] I know you put your heart into your work all the time, but at the lab you don't seem as excited as ya used to be.
* Vytor fiddles with the cap from his water bottle for a bit
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] I think I know what it is, too. It's the itch I had a long time ago...
<Vytor> ...am I that transparent?
<TheStoryteller> Jack grins. "Aw, don't be ashamed about it. We've known ever since you've come back from your little hiatus."
* Vytor kicks at an errant bolt
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Well, maybe Chrissy hasn't noticed as much as me...
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] I did tell you the story of how I got here, didn't I? How I lost my store back on Lunar?
<Vytor> Some of it
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Though our reasons might be different, tragedy made me pick up my good ol' axe 'Barbarella' and head out to find a new place for myself. Obviously I had that Unravelin' to deal with, but in the end I got my store back.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] And as you can see, better than ever!
<Vytor> Yeah but...you're "Lumber" Jack Mystere. And I'm...well...not
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Yeah, I got my start as a humble woodcutter.. now look at me ^_^
* Vytor raises an eyebrow, "You? A woodcutter?"
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] That's right!
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] If some average Joe like me can become a bigshot, what to say you don't have a chance?
* Vytor considers that
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] I know Chrissy would blow a gasket if she found out I was tellin ya this..
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] But I know you've got to make peace with a part of yourself that's somewhere out there.
<Vytor> ...
<TheStoryteller> Jack waves his arms. "If you don't, you're just going to be having regrets for the rest o' your days. And there's nothin' I hate more than regrets."
<Vytor> Maybe I need to start being more honest with myself then
* Vytor takes another swig
<Vytor> Maybe I should talk to Chrissy when I get back.
<TheStoryteller> Jack takes another swig himself. "Sure. She's real stubborn, but she'd listen if you're more stubborn than she is."
<Vytor> That would take some effort ^^;
<TheStoryteller> Jack laughs.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Why don't you hang around the city and think about things a little? The Goddess Festival's in town, ya know.
<Vytor> Yeah, that might be fun
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] I'd be there m'self but I'm trying to work overtime to finish my pet project. Maybe next Festival it'll be the main event, not the fighting tournament!
* Vytor slides a glance at the glider wings, then gives Jack a critical look
<TheStoryteller> Jack notices the look. "My OTHER pet project." :P
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] I'll finish all of the assembly by the time you get back. It'll be great!
<Vytor> I'll be watching for it ;)
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] So enjoy the rest of the day off, on me. You earned it, bigtime
<Vytor> ...thanks Jack. I think I needed that prodding.
<TheStoryteller> Jack steps down, closing up the almost entirely empty silver forge. It's soon retracted back into the proetctive wall housing.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Ah, it was nothin'. Following your dreams is what being a Truth Seeker's all about.
* Vytor stands and goes to put his things away in his pack
<Vytor> What places would you recommend for some sightseeing around here?
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] If I'm right... the finale of the fighting contest is going to start soon. Mayor Bree's takin' on the champion in a macthup that's sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] The parks near the docsk have a great view... You might want to check out Ramus's store, too. Mention my name and you'll get a 10% discount in the parts aisle!
<Vytor> Well, I'm not much for fighting, but it might be fun to watch. I;ve never seen Mayor Bree actually fight before.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] Believe me, kid. I've seen her fight plenty. That girl's a hellion if I ever saw one.
<Vytor> The discoutn sounds good though. I could use a nicer belt. This one's looking a bit ratty.
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] She's changed a lot since we adventuered together, though.
* Vytor hefts his pack, "Thanks again Jack. For everything."
<TheStoryteller> [Jack] And thank you for all your hard work. Now get goin'! :)
<Vytor> Right. Seeya!
* Vytor waves and heads for the stairs, wondering exactly what he'll actually say to Chrissy when the time comes.
<TheStoryteller> Jack runs down into the docking bay, eyes gleaming. "Time for a date with Destiny! You're going to ride off into the sunset today! Woooohoooo!"
<TheStoryteller> Vytor heads out for some relaxation, with renewed confidence in his own abilities. But he may have to stand alone much sooner than he thinks...
~~ SESSION END ~~
Session Close: Sat Apr 16 23:53:52 2005