[19:01] <GM|> *** LOG START ***
[19:02] <GM|> *When we last left the party, they had acquired a powerful battery to use with the I-D device Anika is building.
[19:03] <GM|> *All that is left is the blueprints for a modern I-D, else Anika would have to spend a month building it.
[19:03] * Nikolai has been working in his Time Magic, and happened upon something interesting. He wonders if he'll get the chance to display it...
[19:04] <GM|> *It is night, and the Raoul has come back from his time talking to his government.
[19:04] * Newbie_X is now known as Yuki`
[19:06] * Anika fiddles with said battery.
[19:06] * Raoul is a little nervous, actually. But he'll ask anyhow: "How have affairs proceeded in my absence? I trust no one was ambushed by demons or terrorists."
[19:07] * Nikolai nods at Raoul. "Not yet, but fingers crossed."
[19:07] * JadeNSC is now known as Aislinn`
[19:07] * Yuki` takes a slight step back. >_>
[19:08] <Raoul> "Ah, good. I, uh, have been asked to assist on a diplomatic measure that has a small likelihood of similar events. The Azure Islands, Refulgo, and Etoile are going to talk to our old host... And they have asked that I ask you all if you would like to observe, on behalf of your own nations."
[19:09] <GM|> *Contrary to the laws of narrative causality, no demons or terrorists appear.
[19:10] * Yuki` blinks, and looks a bit confused.
[19:11] <Nikolai> "I think this could actually be worthwhile."
[19:11] <Raoul> "...I admit, I did not expect everyone to jump at the opport- oh?"
[19:11] <Nikolai> "We could stand to learn as much as we can about them if we hope to rescue Ms. Keirley from them."
[19:12] * Anika nods, tweaking something.
[19:13] * Uileam shrugs. "Doesn't make much difference to me. I'm not one for this subterfuge and sneaking nonsense, so I'll go wherever I'm told I would be most useful."
[19:15] <Nikolai> "Hmm. Raoul, when is this diplomatic venture?"
[19:15] <Yuki`> ((BRB.))
[19:16] <Raoul> "Soon, though some preparation work is required first."
[19:16] <Yuki`> ((And back again.))
[19:16] <Yuki`> "How do you need to prep for that, anyway?"
[19:18] * Raoul shrugs. "I always left such details to those more capable with them. I imagine some correspondence to set up the meeting, though in this case that will likely be rushed."
[19:19] <Nikolai> "So... I think we should have some time to retreive something while we're here?"
[19:20] <Raoul> "As far as I am aware. Does this mean you are going to come?"
[19:21] <Anika> "Maybe we should try to have the device ready before then, in case the government doesn't want to let us go back."
[19:21] <Nikolai> "I think so."
[19:21] <Nikolai> "My thoughts exactly, Anika. It may behoove us to leave quickly after acquiring those blueprints."
[19:22] * Raoul blinks. "Blueprints? It appears I *did* miss something."
[19:22] <Anika> "Oh, yeah. By the way, we're building our own I-DEMON device."
[19:23] <Raoul> o_o
[19:23] <Nikolai> "We are!"
[19:24] <Raoul> "That... How... How did you get the blueprints?"
[19:24] <Nikolai> "Will we. We don't have'em yet, but we're working on it."
[19:25] * Aislinn` sits off in a corner, part of her wishing she'd gotten a sample of the illegal booze before snagging the copper tubing.
[19:26] <Anika> "We should probably come up with a plan."
[19:26] <Nikolai> "Well, first off we need to find where they are."
[19:27] <Anika> "Oh right. Wasn't Aislinn going to take care of that?"
[19:27] * Raoul is intrigued. I-D plans would be an asset for his country, though he doubts the argument of "Jord has it and we don't, that's not fair" won't fly very far...
[19:27] <Aislinn`> "With some help from Yuki as I recall."
[19:28] <Yuki`> "Yes, I can help with that."
[19:29] <Anika> "I can scrounge around for some materials while you guys do that."
[19:29] <Nikolai> "I'd like to come with you two to get the blueprints, if you don't mind."
[19:30] <Raoul> "Is there anything I can do to assist, as well?"
[19:30] * Uileam whistles "With a Little Help From my Friends" quietly.
[19:30] <Raoul> ((* Raoul makes a note to smuggle back some Beatles LPs next time he goes back to Thera...))
[19:31] * Anika shrugs. "You two could help me gather scrap metal."
[19:32] <GM|> ((So, how will you guys go about trying to find the blueprints?))
[19:33] <Aislinn`> (( Thought we were sneaking in to a computer lab or something? ))
[19:34] <Nikolai> "Well, we can't just ask somebody..."
[19:34] * Nikolai tries to recall any mention or reference to them during his time in training.
[19:34] <GM|> ((Awareness +20))
[19:35] <Nikolai> !roll 1d100
[19:35] <Highwind>  Nikolai - 1d100: 38 ( Total: 38 )
[19:35] <Anika> (( Thought you were getting people drunk and asking them? ))
[19:35] <Aislinn`> (( ...it's been three weeks. ))
[19:35] <GM|> ((It may come to that.))
[19:35] <Nikolai> ((pass by 4 with mod))
[19:35] <Anika> (( 'Cause none of us knows anything about computers. *has a good memory* ))
[19:36] <Aislinn`> (( Yeah, getting 'em drunk. ))
[19:36] <GM|> *Nikolai recalls something about an isolated computer system, that some guy named Johann has access to.
[19:37] * Nikolai relates this.
[19:37] <Anika> "Johann?"
[19:38] <Aislinn`> "Still doesn't mean we can get into that system."
[19:38] <Nikolai> "So we have two possible leads here- find a Johann, or the system."
[19:39] <Nikolai> "I think it would be best to find Johann and see if he can access the files for us."
[19:39] <Anika> "Maybe Johann can be persuaded to get into the system for- yeah."
[19:39] <Aislinn`> "wonder how we'll entice him?"
[19:39] <Yuki`> "Maybe, but that could be risky, so we'd have to be careful."
[19:40] <Nikolai> "I don't know about you, but I am LOUSY with computers."
[19:40] <Uileam> "Alcohol?"
[19:41] <Nikolai> "I think the best way to go about this is to meet him, and play it by ear."
[19:41] <Nikolai> "But yes, bring alcohol."
[19:42] * Anika wrinkles her nose.
[19:42] <Aislinn`> "Alochol's a good lubricant for getting him to do something, yeah, but if it'll be enough on its own to get him to compromise security and risk his job?  We'll see."
[19:42] <Nikolai> "Like I said, play it by ear."
[19:42] <Uileam> (( Did I go on the mission to bust up the alcohol thing? I forget. ))
[19:43] <GM|> ((No.  That was Yuki/Aislinn/Anika.  You went looking for Yeti on base.))
[19:43] <Uileam> (( K. Would I know of the mission, then? ))
[19:43] <Anika> (( I think you knew the plan, yeah. ))
[19:43] <Anika> (( Not positive though. ))
[19:44] <GM|> ((You can always bring his up to speed.))
[19:44] <Uileam> "It seems to be enough to risk their post here, judging by the job you just broke up.  Certainly the more tasteful of the two easy options."
[19:45] <Nikolai> "Alright team, let's move out."
[19:45] * Nikolai heads to someone with knowledge of the Personnel and a directory?
[19:47] <GM|> ((You could bring your handy-dandy Ninja-Marine for that.))
[19:47] <Nikolai> ((I'd have thought she was in "team"))
[19:48] * Anika decides, in the meantime, to wander off in search of discarded scrap metal.
[19:49] * Raoul is likely going to do that too, as it is innocuous and something he can help with. Especially if they find a lot of it.
[19:50] * Aislinn` wanders off with Nikolai to help find this Johann.
[19:50] * Uileam is a scrap metal finder. [Hey, I think I have the highest STR here, gotta use it. <.<]
[19:51] <Raoul> ((possible. I'm rockin' a 13, but Samurai gotta juggle MAG a little sometimes too.))
[19:52] <GM|> *It isn't hard to find the Personal Directory.  It's a small room in the Administration building.  There's no one here at the moment, but there is a bell on the counter...
[19:52] <Uileam> (( Ah, only 11 here. ))
[19:52] <Aislinn`> (( Yeah, I only have an 11. ))
[19:52] <Raoul> ((RAR I smoosh you all.))
[19:52] <Uileam> (( I protect the fragile. Gotta keep mah VIT buff. ))
[19:52] * Nikolai rings the bell, combing his hair with his fingers. Gotta look presentable.
[19:53] <Anika> (( Anika has 5. ))
[19:54] <GM|> *From behind a pile of papers, a female voice calls out, "One moment please!"
[19:54] * GM| is now known as GM|SgtThompson
[19:54] <GM|SgtThompson> "Yes?  Can I help you...?"  Her voice trails off as she sees who's at the counter.
[19:55] * Aislinn` lets Nikolai do the talking at first. She's got the name.
[19:57] <Nikolai> "Hello there, I'm Nikolai Cadmus, and I'm looking for a Mr. Johann? He's involved with the computer systems, I believe."
[19:58] <GM|SgtThompson> "Ah, yes.  And you are?"
[19:58] * GM|SgtThompson makes no move to divulge any information to people out of uniform, and total strangers to boot.
[19:58] <Aislinn`> "Sargeant Logan."
[19:59] * Nikolai flashes his identification.
[19:59] <GM|SgtThompson> "And what business do you have with this Mr. Johann?"
[19:59] <Aislinn`> "Marines Corps."  She also pulls out appropriate identification.  (( I imagine we were given id badges or something? ))
[20:00] <Aislinn`> (( If not, she's got her dog tags. :P ))
[20:00] <GM|SgtThompson> ((Or something...))
[20:01] <Nikolai> ((brb, must wolf some dinner))
[20:01] * GM|SgtThompson moves to a small computer terminal, and begins typing. "There is no man with a last name of Johann in the IT department."
[20:02] * Aislinn` would elbow Nikolai, but figures that'd look suspicious. "Nothing terribly important. We just had some questions about computers."
[20:02] <Aislinn`> (( >.< ))
[20:03] <GM|SgtThompson> "Still, the person you're looking for isn't in that department."
[20:03] <Aislinn`> "Are you sure?  May not be the IT department, but another area related to some computer work around here."
[20:03] * ElementalKnight has joined #I-DEMON
[20:04] * ChanServ sets mode: +o ElementalKnight
[20:05] * GM|SgtThompson types some more.
[20:06] * Raoul has quit IRC (Ping timeout: 180 seconds)
[20:07] <GM|SgtThompson> "Well, we do have a Johann Strauss as a civilian contractor."
[20:07] <GM|SgtThompson> "I can give you his contact information, will that do?"
[20:08] <Nikolai> "Yes please!"
[20:09] * GM|SgtThompson types a bit more, then waits a couple moments as a printer comes to life, which then spits out a sheet of paper.
[20:09] <Aislinn`> "Civilian?  Huh, I guess I assumed he was military being on the base and all."
[20:10] * GM|SgtThompson hands you the paper, with Johann Strauss' name and his office number on it. "Anything else?"
[20:11] * Aislinn` looks to Nikolai.
[20:11] <Nikolai> "No, that will be all for now. Thank you very much for your help."
[20:11] * Nikolai flashes a pleasant smile.
[20:11] <GM|SgtThompson> "Have a good day!"
[20:12] * Aislinn` gives a curt nod and turns to leave.
[20:13] * GM|SgtThompson goes back to her work.
[20:13] * GM|SgtThompson is now known as GM|
[20:14] * Aislinn` looks at the information to figure out where this Johann strauss is on base.
[20:14] <GM|> ((As you all leave, make an Awareness check at +60))
[20:14] <Aislinn`> (( /me ought to ask him about music. ))
[20:14] <Aislinn`> !roll 1d100
[20:14] <Highwind>  Aislinn` - 1d100: 92 ( Total: 92 )
[20:14] <Nikolai> !roll 1d100
[20:14] <Highwind>  Nikolai - 1d100: 53 ( Total: 53 )
[20:14] <Aislinn`> (( hahaha Still pass. ))
[20:15] <GM|> ((Ah, you have an awareness of 152?))
[20:16] <Aislinn`> (( You said +60, which would put me at 104. ))
[20:16] <GM|> ((Or was I supposed to say -60 to make it harder?  I keep forgetting.  *facedesk*))
[20:16] <Aislinn`> (( -60, which means I'd have to crit. ))
[20:16] <Uileam> (( Negative modifiers make a check harder. ))
[20:16] <Aislinn`> (( And so I didn't make it. ))
[20:16] <Uileam> (( Modifiers add to or subtract from the player's relevant skill. ))
[20:17] <Nikolai> ((So yeah, fail))
[20:18] <GM|> *The party notices nothing unusual as Aislinn discovers that Johann's office is in the building adjacent to the barracks where everyone is staying...
[20:18] <Aislinn`> "...that's convenient."
[20:19] * Nikolai can only feel vaguely annoyed that he's forgetting something.
[20:20] * Aislinn` shrugs and thinks it's only a coincidence! There are no conspiracies.
[20:20] * ElementalKnight is now known as Johann
[20:21] <Uileam> (( ... buh? ))
[20:21] <GM|> *The three of them quickly make their way back to the right building.  And what do you know, Johann is listed on the building directory, third floor.
[20:21] * Nikolai heads on up.
[20:21] <Johann> ((Once upon a time Johann was my deus ex machina in NPC form.))
[20:21] <GM|> ((Johann was EK's 'GM-NPC', like Aede is for me, for ID-2))
[20:21] <Uileam> (( Ah. Silly ID trickses. ))
[20:21] <Johann> ((Though he wasn't my only one, nor was he the most annoying. <.<))
[20:22] <GM|> ((Cough*milesferrum*cough*))
[20:22] <Johann> ((Oh, we'll cough later. For now, I wanna see how this goes.))
[20:23] <GM|> *On the third floor, the group follows the directions to Johann's office.  You know it is the right one because his name in on the door.  "Johann Strauss; Director of Technology"
[20:23] <Nikolai> "Hmm. Sounds prestigious."
[20:25] <Aislinn`> "Then he would certainly know how to get to some blue prints."
[20:25] <GM|> *There are sounds of acitivuty from the other side of the door.
[20:25] * Aislinn` knocks on the door.
[20:25] * Johann speaks loudly, so that they can hear through the door. "It's, uh, it's open."
[20:26] * Nikolai opens it slowly.
[20:26] * Aislinn` steps inside. "Mr. Strauss?"
[20:28] * Johann is sitting at the desk, a man just out of young age, maybe German heritage but no matching accent. "Yep. Come in, sit down. I've already heard of you, everyone on base has."
[20:28] <Nikolai> "Oh! How flattering."
[20:30] <Johann> "Hah. You'd think, right? What brings you to me?"
[20:31] <Nikolai> "We're wondering if you can tell us about the computer systems here on base."
[20:31] * Aislinn` takes a seat wherever.
[20:32] <Johann> "Uh, yeah. The latest mainframes and a lot of bandwidth, direct to a bunch of labs around the world. CERN and Fermilab, to start. You need specs?"
[20:33] <Nikolai> "Yes, please. Any sort of printed specs, that we could bring to our teammates?"
[20:33] <Aislinn`> "Which systems would contain information on the portals?"
[20:33] <Nikolai> "I'd rather not run the risk of relying on my imperfect memory."
[20:34] <Johann> "I can get you the general stuff. I actually have it on-hand; there's this growing push to migrate to Vista, and... Well, if you know Vista, you know why it's an issue."
[20:35] * Johann clicks, prints. It's a fairly long document, it'll be a few minutes.
[20:35] <Uileam> (( Vista hater. ))
[20:35] <Johann> "As for portal stuff... That's, uh, classified."
[20:35] <Johann> ((Hey, XP and OS X and Ubuntu are all I need.))
[20:35] <Aislinn`> (( Hey, I do ok on Vista. ))
[20:35] <GM|> ((Win 3.1 FTW ))
[20:35] <Johann> ((...I doubt you're on 3.1 right now.))
[20:36] <Johann> "Why do you need it? Something go wrong? I know no one ended up in rock, but... I still worry sometimes."
[20:36] <Aislinn`> "Naturally, but you know who we are and we use the portals..."
[20:36] <Nikolai> "So can we access any system from anywhere, or are there any isolated networks?"
[20:37] <Johann> "Um, stuff tied into the DoD has security on it outside of my control. But if you have the clearance, one computer is supposed to be as good as any other."
[20:37] <Nikolai> "DoD?"
[20:38] <Johann> "Department of Defense. Because we've got a hodgepodge of armed forces and open scientific inquiry merging on the I-DEMON project, they're a little paranoid about anything of their slipping through the cracks."
[20:39] * Nikolai nods and smiles. "Understandable."
[20:39] <Uileam> (( brb ))
[20:40] <Nikolai> "Hmm... does that include the blueprints for the I-DEMON device?"
[20:40] <Johann> "Uh... It should. The initial work was done by Fermilab, but a lot of the stuff that lets the I-DEMON work as well as it does is DoD territory."
[20:43] <Nikolai> "I see."
[20:44] * Anika has quit IRC (Quit: Client Exited)
[20:44] <Aislinn`> "So Fermilab's would be much more crude?"
[20:44] <Johann> "Yeah. That's where you have to worry about becoming one with the earth, in a very bad way. The private sector's going to catch up fast, though... And I'm kinda looking forward to it."
[20:45] * Aislinn` nods her head. . o O (Well, our set up is kinda crude anyway...)
[20:45] <Aislinn`> "Careful what you wish for."
[20:45] <Nikolai> "That may be more useful for our purposes..."
[20:46] <Nikolai> "Mr. Johann, where could we find more information on Fermilab's initial efforts?"
[20:47] <Johann> "Most of that should be on our network, but they're always pushing forward, too - and it doesn't always propagate quickly. The absolute latest work, you ca only get at the, um, source."
[20:48] <Nikolai> "Well, we're actually investigating a more unrefined approach."
[20:48] <Johann> "But the original work is totally open. Fermi didn't know what they had. The first article is actually in Scientific American."
[20:48] <Aislinn`> "Oh a quick Google search out to find that."
[20:49] <Johann> "Mmhm. A little bit after that, but then the lid went on."
[20:49] * Nikolai nods.
[20:51] <Aislinn`> "Well, thank you."
[20:51] <Johann> "Mind if I ask you a question in return, before you go?"
[20:51] <Nikolai> "Of course, sir."
[20:51] <Aislinn`> "Only fair."
[20:51] <Johann> "It sounds like you're planning on building your own I-D device. That's seriously dangerous work. I read the reports of that lab you all found, and that's not the worst that could happen. Though it's probably pretty close."
[20:52] <Johann> "Just... Whatever you do, don't do anything stupid. Whatever your plans are, they aren't worth a crater or ending up ten miles off-target in the up direction."
[20:52] <Johann> "...I, uh, I guess that wasn't a question. Heh."
[20:52] * Nikolai resets his glasses, and smiles.
[20:53] <Nikolai> "Thank you for your concern, Mr. Strauss, but we aren't planning anything so dangerous."
[20:54] <Johann> "Sure. It'll just come to you, a bolt from the blue."
[20:54] <Aislinn`> "We're honestly just curious about the history.  History is important to know."
[20:55] <Uileam> (( *makes a note to not be present when the group sets the I-DEMON up* ))
[20:55] <Nikolai> "And for recognizing independent parties who may be investigating such risky avenues for more... unscrupulous puproses."
[20:55] * Nikolai rises to leave. "Thank you for your time, Mr. Strauss. You've been a great help."
[20:56] * Johann stands up as well, stretching. "Absolutely. Come back if you have more questions."
[20:56] * Nikolai takes the printout.
[20:57] * Aislinn` stands up and offers her hand to shake. "Yes, thank you very much."
[20:58] * Nikolai departs.
[20:58] * Johann takes it, gives it an almost-distracted shake. "Yeah. Not a problem, like I said."
[20:59] * Aislinn` heads out the door. She can at least google the article in question.
[21:00] <Johann> ((Whew!))
[21:01] * Nikolai is now known as Django
[21:01] * Johann is now known as ElementalKnight
[21:02] <Aislinn`> (( Guess we're done? ))
[21:02] <GM|> ((Back to the barracks, and the ADSL internet connection?))
[21:02] <ElementalKnight> Cool. I'm gonna scoot now, because my laptop is almost out of power. But I'll check in tomorrow for the aftershock, eh?
[21:02] * ElementalKnight has quit IRC (Quit: And so, his quest completed, our hero walks off into the sunset, which is unfortunate because it's too bright to see that way.)
[21:02] <Yuki`> ((We- uh, I guess we are?))
[21:02] <GM|> ((No, those two have to go somewhere, and we can continnue.))
[21:02] <Yuki`> ((Oh, okay.))
[21:02] * Aislinn` will hit up the computer there, sure. Maybe catch up on some YouTube clips too.
[21:03] <Aislinn`> "POWERTHIRST!"
[21:03] * Uileam continues looking for scrap metal.
[21:03] <Uileam> (( ... you're a bad person, Jade. >.> ))
[21:03] <Aislinn`> (( I know. ))
[21:04] * Aislinn` googles for the Scientific American article Johann mentioned.
[21:04] <Yuki`> ((Hm... Yuki remained in the room where the people were before. Where is she in relation to these computers?))
[21:04] <GM|> *A Google search reveals some technical journals, stuff that is *way* beyond your ability to comprehend.  The math is that bad.
[21:04] <GM|> ((Could you be more specific?))
[21:04] * Aislinn` , uh, probably wouldn't understand the maths anyway. She'll print it up for Anika.
[21:06] <Yuki`> ((Basically, she's still in the same room where the device is being built, and I'm not entirely sure how close everyone else is. ^_^;))
[21:06] <GM|> ((It's not being built yet, unless Anika is getting a head start.))
[21:06] <Yuki`> ((...oh, wow, I seriously misread things then. Never mind. >_<))
[21:08] <GM|> ((Anika, choose a skill to go over the highly technical documents.))
[21:08] <Uileam> (( ... she left a while, dude. ))
[21:08] <Uileam> (( +ago ))
[21:08] * Aislinn` takes the documents to Anika once she's exhausted her google searches.
[21:09] <Uileam> (( Almost half an hour ago, now. ))
[21:09] <GM|> ((I missed that.))
[21:09] <GM|> ((Well, frak.  Without Melo, we can't continnue.))
[21:09] <Uileam> (( Only one 'n', ps. <.< ))
[21:10] <Aislinn`> (( ...yeah, I think she's upset tonight?  Or just tired? ))
[21:10] <GM|> *** LOG END ***