[19:02] <GM|> *** LOG ON ***
[19:03] <GM|> * The party is checked over medically for thier stay in Jord.  Afterwards, the official members of the team are debreifed on the botched mission.  The newcomer is also breifed about the I-D project, and extended works.
[19:03] * Django is now known as Nikolai
[19:03] <GM|> *It is only after all this is done is the party allowed to talk to eachother.
[19:04] * Nikolai looks thoroughly disgruntled
[19:04] <GM|> ((Wait.  I already did this, didn't I?))
[19:04] <Yuki`> ((Last I saw, the party was on its way to the hospital for the checking.))
[19:04] <GM|> ((Alright, this is after.))
[19:05] * Aislinn` is probably doing laps or something. >.>
[19:05] * Yuki` is a bit annoyed at the medical people finding nothing, but she kind of expected that by now.
[19:06] * Raoul is exhausted, from a harsh debriefing and a little bit of worry about his home country, and to a lesser extent, his home world.
[19:06] * Uileam is thoroughly intrigued in the whole I-DEMON project, but he's not saying much on the whole thing.
[19:08] * Uileam is probably resting somewhere. He's not an old, crochety man yet, but he does enjoy his peace and quiet when he gets the time.
[19:08] <GM|> ((Here's hoping you guys can logic yourselves into one of the plot paths.  I'd hate to give you an itemized list.))
[19:09] * Anika is siting cross-legged, fiddling with an odd-looking contraption.
[19:09] <Anika> (( +t ))
[19:09] * Nikolai is walking around the grounds. He's pretty familiar with the place.
[19:09] <Raoul> ((Hmm.))
[19:09] * Ablogqwer is now known as Gervaise
[19:10] * Aislinn` will eventually head back to where everyone is sitting.
[19:11] * Uileam eventually finds everyone. He has a drink of some kind or other in his hand, which he drinks from every now and then.
[19:11] * Anika mutters to herself, tweaking something on the machine. "Just a little...there."
[19:12] * Yuki` finally speaks up. "..we're going to have to find a way to get Aede out, or have Mr. Black get her out."
[19:12] <GM|> ((Any explosions will be noted and if it's under a 4.0 on the richter scale, you get off with a warning.  :) ))
[19:12] * Raoul will wander back in from the sandy air outside, sweating and a little drained from practicing in the similar-to-home atmosphere.
[19:12] * Aislinn` finds a vending machine, and is munching on some chips.
[19:13] <Aislinn`> "I'm sure he's workin' on that already."
[19:13] * Nikolai sighs. "I wonder just how much leverage we're going to get from Black from now on."
[19:13] * Anika holds up her newest invention, proudly examining the finished product.
[19:13] <Yuki`> "Not much, I think.  We're obviously not cut out for spying."
[19:14] <Uileam> "It helps if you're literate."
[19:15] * Aislinn` sighs. "Well, we can't spy, what can we do?"
[19:15] <Raoul> "Hm. We performed much better under more violent - and less polite - situations."
[19:15] <Nikolai> "True. Maybe we can stick to being attack dogs."
[19:16] * Yuki` frowns to herself.
[19:16] <Aislinn`> "Hey, now you're talkin'."
[19:16] * Aislinn` fistpumps.
[19:16] <Anika> (( Can I use it on the party? ^-^ ))
[19:17] * Nikolai looks very sarcastic.
[19:17] <Raoul> "That was not... entirely what I intended."
[19:17] * Uileam shakes his head. "So what, assault the prison? Yes, I'm sure that'd end well."
[19:17] <Raoul> "Not the prison. Perhaps a warden?"
[19:18] <Raoul> "I admit what I suggest is simple thuggery, but it is, at least, a plan to build from. I do hope it is not the only one, though."
[19:18] * Nikolai scratches his head, looking unmotivated.
[19:18] <Anika> "What about what I suggested last time?"
[19:19] <Raoul> ((Er, I don't recall it off the top of my head. S'ry. >.>))
[19:20] * Anika frowns. "It does involve a bit of spy work, though."
[19:20] <Aislinn`> "Well so long as it's not only spying...."
[19:20] <Nikolai> "..."
[19:20] <Yuki`> "As long as it's doing something to help out, I'm for it."
[19:21] <Anika> "I'm interested to find out more about that facility in Jord, and where they were getting their information from."
[19:21] <Nikolai> "That's true..."
[19:22] <Nikolai> "They knew way too much."
[19:23] <Raoul> "They also seemed eager to show off that fact."
[19:23] * Anika nods. "That kind of knowledge could be dangerous, in the wrong hands. As they proved."
[19:23] <Raoul> "Perhaps that is why they released us. To relay the message."
[19:24] * Nikolai hunches over and steeples his fingers.
[19:24] <Nikolai> "... Do you think we could find our way back to that prison?"
[19:24] <GM|> ((Did you just do a Gendo Ikari?))
[19:24] <Nikolai> ((You know I did))
[19:25] <GM|> ((I am not giving you any giant robots.))
[19:25] * Anika shrugs. "Maybe."
[19:25] * Aislinn` rubs the back of her neck. "They may not be so happy to see us again."
[19:26] <Yuki`> "Mr. Black might not be happy to see us again there, either.  Whatever we do will probably have to go through him."
[19:26] <Nikolai> "We may not need to be seen."
[19:26] * Anika nods.
[19:26] <Aislinn`> "Like we weren't supposed to be seen before?"
[19:26] <Nikolai> "Think about it. Most secret ops are performed under the assumption that if caught, the existance of the secret ops team will be denied."
[19:27] <Nikolai> "If we were to undergo such ops without telling Black, we're really just skipping the middleman."
[19:27] <Anika> "What he doesn't know, won't hurt him?"
[19:27] * Nikolai nods and smiles. "Precisely."
[19:28] * Yuki` raises an eyebrow. "You act like we'll be able to keep him in the dark. If we do, we'll have to be very careful about using what leeway we do get."
[19:28] * Uileam frowns.
[19:29] <Aislinn`> "Um, guys, this ain't exactly his first rodeo.  I think someone with his rank would already be suspectin' us plannin' something dumb."
[19:29] <Nikolai> "So we just need to plan something smart."
[19:29] <Uileam> "Not to mention you'd be two down this time around."
[19:30] <Raoul> "...Or - and excuse me if this sounds naive - simply ask him to join us. To get to a high rank, one must do some stupid things and survive, correct?"
[19:30] <Aislinn`> "Yes, and not get caught."
[19:30] <Nikolai> "Perhaps."
[19:31] <Yuki`> "He would definitely be a huge help if we can get something planned."
[19:31] <Aislinn`> "We have to knock his socks off and impress the hell out of him, though."
[19:31] * Raoul nods. "Then many more angles have to be considered. For one, we must be sure he wears socks."
[19:31] * Nikolai nods.
[19:31] * Raoul grins. >.>
[19:32] <Anika> "I can show him this!"
[19:33] * Anika holds up her strange-looking mechanical creation.
[19:33] <Nikolai> "..."
[19:33] <Aislinn`> "He's in uniform.  He wears socks."
[19:33] <Uileam> "And he doesn't exactly seem all that inclined to like us."
[19:34] * Aislinn` snorts, "You've never met brass before?"
[19:34] * Yuki` thinks... "Well, then if he doesn't trust us to do it, then he can always get his own hand-picked team to do the job."
[19:34] <Aislinn`> "Officers never like anybody.  Now, if he's were a Marine, you'd think he'd want you dead."
[19:34] * Uileam apparently is completely forgettable. He'll just stop talking.
[19:35] <Raoul> "If no one has any further angles to throw in, allow me to: Thera's balance of power."
[19:36] * Yuki` frowns. "As it is, it may be the best thing to do anyway. They know us, and if we aren't perfect and one of us is even barely seen, the whole thing is screwed."
[19:37] <Raoul> "Yes. If we decide on this course of action... it may be best if I not accompany you."
[19:37] <GM|> ((Ack!  Split party!))
[19:37] <Nikolai> "Very well."
[19:37] * Anika pouts, as the group appears to be slightly less than awestruck.
[19:37] <Raoul> "Jord now has some device capable of amazing destruction. I imagine they itch to test it further. If a prince of the Azure Isles is the unlucky one spotted - on a second occasion - well, that is less than desirable."
[19:37] <Aislinn`> "So, how will we even teleport back there?  You gotta figure that gate is guarded."
[19:38] <Raoul> ((Sorry. but it's been on Raoul's mind for a while here now. <.<))
[19:38] <Anika> "They did ask for the technology in return for our release, didn't they?"
[19:38] <Nikolai> "All I know is that Ms. Keirley is being held captive, and I would be remiss not to help her as she helped us."
[19:38] <Yuki`> "Well, we can only do what we can.  But right now, I don't think that's very much.  Much as I hate to admit it."
[19:40] <Yuki`> "But at the least, we can try to get Mr. Black to do something instead."
[19:40] <Uileam> (( Jon, you're looking at a split party even if they decide to go back to Jord, no matter the course of action. <.< ))
[19:40] * Anika nods. "I think our first priority is to rescue miss Kierley. Secondly, investigate Jord's doings."
[19:40] <GM|> ((Well, there is one more plot path I left dangling.  It's a little Meta, but it could keep the party together.))
[19:41] <Anika> (( Railroad moar, then. :p ))
[19:41] <Nikolai> ((really))
[19:41] <Raoul> ((I try very hard not to think meta here.))
[19:41] <Uileam> (( I have absolutely no reason to return to that area, meta or no. ))
[19:41] <Nikolai> ((We have no idea what we're doing))
[19:42] <Raoul> ((That's different from every other day how? Just right now we're not about to die because of it.))
[19:43] <GM|> *As you guys are talking, you hear a couple scientists complain about how those Japanese aren't letting them look at that crystal of theirs.
[19:43] <Yuki`> "...Crystal?"
[19:44] * Anika perks up, looking interested.
[19:44] <Uileam> (( ... that is completely random. ))
[19:44] <GM|> ((But it makes sense in the larger plot.))
[19:44] <Aislinn`> "Japanese?"
[19:44] <Raoul> ((Hunh. There's a six-pack of worms.))
[19:44] <Aislinn`> (( Hehe >.> ))
[19:45] * Nikolai isn't really listening, appearing deep in thought.
[19:46] * Yuki` tries listening in to those scientists more.
[19:46] * GM| is now known as GM|Scientist
[19:47] * GM|Scientist gets a seat and looks at his clipboard. "If only we could figure out how they interact with the portals, but those damned Japanese are keeping a tight grip on their crystal. I mean, what could they want with something that makes Air?"
[19:48] * Aislinn` looks at the others and raises her eyebrows.
[19:48] * Yuki` sighs to herslef and looks at the others.
[19:48] * Anika stands up, creeping closer to the Scientists and attempting to eavesdrop without being noticed.
[19:49] * GM|Scientist notices the attention. "Is there something I can help you with?"
[19:49] <Anika> (( Aw, no Stealth check? >.> ))
[19:49] <Raoul> ((Way to spy.))
[19:50] <GM|Scientist> ((We've proven that you aren't the most sneaky of groups.))
[19:50] <Anika> (( Anika is an individual! With Stealth. ))
[19:50] <GM|Scientist> ((The Scientist has awareness, and GM fiat.))
[19:50] * Uileam takes a seat where everyone just vacated.
[19:51] <Anika> "Pardon me. I couldn't help but overhear your conversation, and, as a Scientist myself, couldn't contain my curiousity."
[19:52] * GM|Scientist looks Anika up and down. "You look more like a field agent, than a scientist."
[19:52] * Aislinn` facepalms.
[19:53] * Anika holds out her hand. "Anika Roeschen, Inventer Extraordinaire." She holds up the creation she's been working on, as if to offer proof of her claim. "Allow me to present you with my latest work."
[19:53] <GM|Scientist> "Oh?  And what does it do?"
[19:54] * GM|Scientist doesn't touch it though.
[19:55] <Anika> "This is the Gehirnerschütterung. It's meant to be used in battle, to throw the enemies into a state of confusion, making it difficult for them to attack."
[19:55] * GM|Scientist really doesn't touch it now.
[19:56] <Anika> "So, what can you tell me about this crystal?"
[19:57] <GM|Scientist> "Ah.  yes.  The crystal.  Well, the Japanese scientists have been, well," *a nervous glance at Anika and her 'device'. "Well, they have this supposed Elemental Crystal of Wind, but they won't let anyone else have a look at it.  And there is only so much we could do with Life..."
[19:58] * Anika furrows her brow. "Life?"
[19:59] <GM|Scientist> "Well, yes, Life.  Didn't you read the breifing documents on the Elemental crystals?  Material foci for the primal elemental forces of Thera?  That we have a couple of them here on Earth since about a few years back?"
[20:00] <Anika> "Sorry, I've just returned from doing some...field work. I must have missed those."
[20:02] * GM|Scientist snorts. "And what intrest do you have in the Wind?"
[20:02] <Anika> "Purely scientific."
[20:03] <GM|Scientist> "They still defy analysis."
[20:04] <Anika> "What effects do they have on the portals?"
[20:04] <GM|Scientist> "They simply do what they do, with no input, and no obvious energy source.  They violate at least two of the Laws of Thermodynamics!"
[20:04] <Anika> "What do they do, exactly?"
[20:05] * Anika ponders. "Wait, are those the things they're using to keep airships afloat?"
[20:06] <Raoul> ((BRB))
[20:06] <GM|Scientist> "What don't they do?  Life is a crytalise genetics factory, Lightning apparently can produce enough power on an off day to power North America, but those religious fanatics have it, and Air?  Well, what would you expect?"
[20:07] * Anika nods. "Where did they originate?"
[20:07] <Raoul> ((back))
[20:08] * GM|Scientist looks at you like you're crazy. "Where do you think?"
[20:11] <Raoul> ((Any native Therans want to get in on the explanation? I would, but Raoul isn't gonna know much beyond "they're old and powerful and mysterious."))
[20:11] <Anika> "Ah, of course. Well, thank you very much for your time."
[20:12] * Anika bites her lip, hoping the rest of the party can make something of the information she's gained.
[20:13] <Uileam> (( I am a) not present and b) toly not a Theran. ))
[20:14] * Yuki` waits until Anika gets back to talk a bit. "So, they really are some of The Crsytals on Earth."
[20:14] * GM|Scientist decides he's had enough to talking to this woman for now, and goes away.
[20:14] <Yuki`> ((*Crystals))
[20:14] * GM|Scientist is now known as GM|
[20:14] <Anika> "I guess so. In Japan, apparently."
[20:14] <Aislinn`> "...what's so special about these crystals?"
[20:15] <Aislinn`> "I mean, other than what you were just told?  What do they do on Thera?"
[20:15] <Yuki`> "Basically, they are the most powerful objects in Thera."
[20:15] <Anika> "Uhhh..."
[20:15] <Yuki`> "Easily."
[20:15] * Anika lets Yuki explain, as she's not a native Theran herself.
[20:15] * Raoul listens. Storytime!
[20:15] <Aislinn`> "Great, and now that we know about them on Earth..."
[20:16] <Aislinn`> "If Jord learned of it and had a gate..."
[20:17] <Anika> "...Do you think it's possible to get them from the Japanese?"
[20:17] <Yuki`> "I've heard about them now and again.  Some are held by this order of paladins,"  Yuki rolls her eyes at that, "but most were supposed to be placed way way beyond where anyone can find them.  I guess the Earth nations found some of them."
[20:17] <Aislinn`> "It might be, if we learned of where they are in Japan."
[20:18] <Anika> "Perhaps we can enlist Mr. Black's help with that."
[20:19] <Uileam> (( It's a good thing I'm not a real Paladin. <.< ))
[20:19] <Yuki`> "Maybe... I guess we'd just send it to those scientists if we can get that?"
[20:20] <Aislinn`> "If you told him about the crystals and the possibilities for bad things to happen, he'd be eager to get them from the Japs.  Looks good to the higher ups."
[20:20] <Uileam> "Or use it for himself."
[20:20] <Aislinn`> "Which is why we take it for ourselves."
[20:20] <Aislinn`> "And never give it to him."
[20:21] <Uileam> "Yes, because he'll never be able to hunt us down.  He's proven himself to be totally inept."
[20:21] <Uileam> "Excuse me while I remove myself from your plans."
[20:21] <Anika> "I wonder if it could distract him sufficiently for us to rescue Ms. Kierley..."
[20:22] <Yuki`> "I, uh, think that could put a huge target on our heads."
[20:22] <Yuki`> "From both sides."
[20:22] <Yuki`> "...or all sides.  Who knows how many groups are involved in this."
[20:23] <Raoul> "Hm. Jord, Azure, Refulgo - or what's left - and at least two Earth nations. So, at least five."
[20:26] <Raoul> "I will admit an interest in the possibility of obtaining such a Crystal in the name of the Azure Islands, or at least to borrow it for a time. That would trump Refulgo's stockpile by quite a bit, you understand."
[20:28] * Aislinn` sighs and goes back to her chips. She has no idea how to help.
[20:28] * Uileam has no interest in helping. It seems everyone else has a handle on how to get themselves killed.
[20:28] <Uileam> (( <.< ))
[20:29] <Anika> (( Well, contribute if you have an idea. ))
[20:29] <GM|> ((Yes.  Getting the party killed would be a bad idea.))
[20:30] <Uileam> (( ... No, I'm not contributing. It would not be IC. I have absolutely zero interest in what the party is doing. ))
[20:30] <Uileam> (( I know I apparently suck at making impressions, but I'm here to look for Yetis. Last I checked, Yetis aren't in a Jord prison or in Japan. ))
[20:30] <Yuki`> "It think it all comes down to us still being here, under Mr. Black's watch.  As long as that's the case, and he has that whole portal thing, we're a bit stuck as to what we can do."
[20:31] <Anika> (( ...Just saying. o.O ))
[20:31] * Yuki` sighs. "Damn it."
[20:31] <Uileam> "... sounds like you could use a distraction."
[20:32] <Anika> "...I have an idea."
[20:32] * Anika sighs, looking as though she didn't want it to come to this.
[20:32] <Yuki`> "I could use a lot of things.  Including a chance to get back to Th-"  Yuki shuts up and listens to Anika.
[20:33] <Anika> "We need to travel without Mr. Black finding out, correct?"
[20:33] * Uileam is trumped. Apparently.
[20:35] * Anika looks at Uileam. "You could help, if you're interestd in creating a distraction."
[20:35] <Uileam> '
[20:36] <Uileam> "Oh, *I* can't do anything myself.  I need others for that."
[20:36] * Nikolai spontaneously notices that the others are speaking nearby him.
[20:36] <Anika> "Well, it could come in in handy, if you want to try what I'm thinking."
[20:36] * ElementalKnight has joined #I-DEMON
[20:36] * ChanServ sets mode: +o ElementalKnight
[20:37] <ElementalKnight> ((man, I'm pinging way later than I expected. Yay!))
[20:38] <GM|> ((You miss anything?))
[20:38] * Raoul has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 180 seconds)
[20:39] <Uileam> "I heard that large, crazed and rather ferocious Yetis made for a nice distraction."
[20:40] * Anika nods. "I would think so."
[20:40] <Uileam> "Problem is, they just have to be found first."
[20:40] <ElementalKnight> ((Doesn't seem like I did.))
[20:40] * ElementalKnight is now known as Raoul
[20:43] <Anika> "Well, you're the expert on that. I know nothing about Yetis. However, I do know a thing or two about portals."
[20:43] * ElementalKnight has joined #I-DEMON
[20:43] * ChanServ sets mode: +o ElementalKnight
[20:43] <GM|> ((EK!))
[20:44] <ElementalKnight> ((Yeah, looks like it's starting.))
[20:44] <Anika> (( Stop that. ))
[20:45] <Uileam> "I'm no expert on them.  My last lead was rudely interrupted in Jord.  Perhaps someone with connections," he looks at Aislinn and Raoul, "might be able to lend a hand."
[20:45] * Raoul has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 180 seconds)
[20:46] <ElementalKnight> <Raoul> "Not many Yeti in Azrag Biet. But I might ask about who to ask."
[20:49] <Uileam> (( *whistles while he waits* ))
[20:50] <ElementalKnight> ((>.> I can't ask anyone now. Kinda on the wrong planet.))
[20:51] <Aislinn`> (( I'm seriously not sure what to say. ))
[20:52] <Uileam> (( You're Marines. Ask your superiors. Never hurts. ))
[20:52] <Aislinn`> (( we're also hard-headed. >.> ))
[20:52] <Aislinn`> "My old man knows a few people in Okinawa - that's in Japan."
[20:55] <Anika> "Why don't we build our own portal?"
[20:56] * ElementalKnight blinks. "...That would solve many, many issues at this point."
[20:56] <Nikolai> "..."
[20:56] <Nikolai> "Not a bad idea."
[20:56] <Anika> "I'm sure there's enough spare parts lying around here."
[20:56] * Yuki` raises an eyebrow, but remains silent.
[20:57] * Nikolai stands up suddenly."
[20:57] <Nikolai> "..."
[20:58] <Nikolai> "Anika. Do you think you can build a fully functioning portal?"
[20:58] <Anika> "I don't think. I know."
[21:00] <ElementalKnight> ((*badass Time To Invent music plays; alternatively, You Gotta Have A Montage.))
[21:00] <Nikolai> "Do you need any of our help? I mean, I could help a little. Time Magic and all."
[21:01] * Anika nods. "Last time, it proved to be very unstable. You could help me fix that, I think."
[21:01] * Nikolai nods, already thinking of theory and such.
[21:02] <Anika> "It did WORK, though, and I'm confident I could do it again."
[21:03] <Nikolai> "Alright. Lets do it, Anika!"
[21:04] * Anika holds up her hand for a high-five. XD
[21:05] * Nikolai accepts.
[21:06] <Anika> "Of course, it will take some time to gather the materials and actually build. So, in the meantime, Uileam can track down the Yetis..."
[21:10] <Anika> (( Sooo... ))
[21:11] * ElementalKnight_ has joined #I-DEMON
[21:11] <Nikolai> ((Log end, I think))
[21:11] <Uileam> (( OHNOEZ SPLIT PARTY ))
[21:11] <Uileam> (( <.< ))
[21:11] <Anika> (( Does everyone agree? >.< ))
[21:12] * ElementalKnight__ has joined #I-DEMON
[21:12] <Uileam> (( I can't exactly hunt down the Yetis by myself. <.< ))
[21:12] <Yuki`> ((Honestly, I can't think of anything for Yuki to really do at the moment, so yeah, I could go for that.))
[21:13] <GM|> ((If no one else has anything left to say here, I think I need to plot out White Sands and the next chapter:  Anika's Six!))
[21:13] * ElementalKnight has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 180 seconds)
[21:13] <ElementalKnight__> ((Sounds fair.))
[21:13] <GM|> *** LOG END ***