JULY 17, 2015
SERENITY VALLEY, GANYMEDE
Standing a safe distance away from Void Eagle, Chris watched in mild amusement as the two plumbers worked on the opened underside of his ship. Several pipes were open and dripping liquids he really didn’t want to try and identify into the buckets and across a plastic sheet, while the catgirl of the pair had her arm in one of the pipes up to her bicep. “And… got it!” she declared, pulling her arm out. Taking a rag from her coverall pocket, she wiped at the item in her hands, then raised an eyebrow. “So, yeah, I’d say I found the problem,” she called out to Chris.
Curious, he walked over, and she held out her hand to show a half-destroyed doll of some sort. He considered it for a minute, then groaned slightly, pinching the bridge of his nose with his thumb and forefinger. “Two weeks back, moved a family to Coruscant. When we unloaded, their daughter was screaming bloody murder about one of her dolls going missing. Her dad and I damn near tore the ship apart trying to find the thing.”
Pausing in sealing up another pipe, the other plumber, who looked like Nightcrawler if he’d gotten a bit old and out of shape, winced in sympathy. “Lemme guess, she had a brother?”
Nodding, Chris rolled his eyes. “And he was an annoying little shit the whole flight. Little bastard must have shoved it down the toilet.”
“Well, points for effort,” the catgirl commented, dropping it in a bucket. “Looks like it kept getting moved around for a while at least, then got jammed and turned into a blockage.” Wiping the slime off her arm, she shrugged slightly. “Still, could be worse. At least it’s still just a doll,” she added with a shudder.
Matching her shudder, Chris gave her a horrified look. “Oh thank you Jules, I really needed that mental image.”
“I live to serve,” Julian ‘Jules’ Friez replied dryly. “Still, wasn’t much chance of that happening here.”
“I have to say Chris,” the other Julian commented, “I rather like your setup here. It actually makes complete sense. You don’t see that as much as I’d like.”
Shrugging, Chris handed Jules another rag as it became clear the first one simply wasn’t going to be enough. “There are some places where the Weird that is handwavium certainly isn’t welcome. And call me old-fashioned, but I think my toilet’s one such place.”
Jules laughed, wiping her hands relatively clean and dropping the rag in the bucket. “What a wonderful concept. I wish more people lived by it.” Snorting, she grabbed her water bottle. “But they don’t. And then things get annoying.”
“And then we’re the ones that have to deal with it,” Julian finished with a scowl, finishing his work on the current pipe. Dropping the tape back in the toolbox, he took another look at the ships plumbing. “You said you’re still happy with the water recycling, right?”
“Takes about a month before it’s noticeable to the point of changing the filters,” the captain replied, suppressing a smile. Constant of the universe. Present a Friez with a plumbing problem, they’d end up working out improvements somewhere. It was one of the ways they kept their grip on reality.
Rubbing at his chin thoughtfully, Julian considered the pipes above him. “I think I could improve it a little. Waste filtration looks alright, but it should be possible to keep more water cycling through.”
“Ohhh, I think I see where you’re going with that,” Jules said, ears perking up. “Although we’ll need to keep it from going stale faster. I’ve got an idea for that.”
Chris stepped back and let the two Friez debate their plans for several minutes, waiting patiently. Eventually, the pairs debate became even more excitable, the catgirl in particular gesturing wildly, and he clapped his hand to get their attention. “Okay, that’s enough. I’m pretty sure you’re not going to be able to get this done today, and I do have a schedule to keep.” Jules nodded reluctantly, and he grinned. “So, write up a quote and email it to me. I’ll look it over and give you an answer.”
Jules grinned. “Aye-Aye Captain!” she declared, mock saluting. Chris smiled at her enthusiasm, then pointed at the mess on the deck plates. “Oh, right. Fair point.” Nearly purring, she turned her attention back to her work.
Chuckling, Chris stepped back, checking to make sure he hadn’t gotten anything on him, then jumped slightly as his phone chirped for attention, a sharp urgent beep that was the ringtone for his daughters emergency code. Pulling it out of his pocket, he held it in front of him and tapped the answer key, Kitbash’s holographic avatar appearing in the air above it. “What’s the problem?” he asked quietly. Over by the ship, both Friez hesitated slightly, then tried their best not to look over at where the AI was manifesting. They tried to be polite, they honestly liked the girl, but like so many of their kin, they just couldn’t quite process concepts like AIs.
Kitbash kept her voice low, and Chris instantly got the impression that this time, it wasn’t to try and make things easier on on his friends. “Dad, I just got a warning ping from ATC. We’ve got a ship coming in, it just charged right on through the flight lanes and demanded a hanger.” Her fathers eyebrows rose as he imagined what the Browncoat militia must be doing right now. Who the hell would be so arrogantly stupid to act like that, here of all places… His eyes widened and he paled slightly as he made the connection. “It’s the Sol Bianca,” Kitbash confirmed. “I’m asking around, but no one can think of any solid reason for him to be here except-”
There was a crash, and both Chris and his daughter spun towards the ship. The bucket Jules had been holding had spilt across the decking, and the tiny catgirl was almost shrinking in on herself in terror, ears and tail tucked in tight. Julian clearly lacked his ‘sisters’ hearing, and was stepping towards her in confusion and concern, placing a gentle hand on her arm. “Jules, what’s the-”
“The Professor’s coming here!” she whimpered, not noticing as Julian flinched back in horror. “He’s coming here and he’s coming for us and he’s coming for me oh God it’s happening again please no don’t let it happen again please this is all I have left please-” She bit back a shriek of terror as a hand touched her shoulder, and she spun to see Chris standing there, concern on his face.
“He’s not here yet,” he said gently, voice low. “We don’t know he’s coming for you-”
“Don’t you get it?!” she demanded, tears starting to run down her face. “He took us because he couldn’t find a ‘Julienne Friez!’ Well,” she gestured at her petite form, “here’s one for him! He’s heard about me, and it’s going to start all. Over. AGAIN!” The last word came out in a ear-breaking, broken wail, and she slumped against the man, sobbing.
“We have to hide,” Julian said desperately, getting his balance back. “Not our quarters. Too many of us take the obvious hiding place. Somewhere under the dome he can’t reach, maybe in the maintenance tunnels…”
Looking down at the sobbing girl in his arms, Chris scowled. “No, if you do that, he’ll just start cutting his way in. He’s done it before on things that gained his attention. Both of you,” he ordered, voice cutting through Jule’s crying, “seal those pipes up and get that plating back on. Kit, as soon as they’re done, I want you to start preflight checks.”
“Preflight…?” Jules whispered, looking up at him.
“If it comes to it,” Chris told her gently, “I’m getting both of you out of here. TeeSeven, get my guns and get down here!” he yelled. Pushing Jules back away from him, he turned and ran for the door. “Now get to work! I need the Void Eagle ready to run!”

I'm going on another vacation starting tomorrow -- to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where we'll be sharing our timeshare with Kat, Joe, Scott and Nina.  I'll have my tablet with me and I believe the resort has wifi, so I won't be vanishing on you all for a week and a half. 
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

I kept meaning to post this, but kept putting it off.
Watchers of American Pickers will recognize this guy. I hereby submit that Dr. Evermor would have become one of us!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/1 ... 77248.html
Anyone else?

Specifically, the title of the larger story it was planned to be the first installment of, and which the author has written in various slightly differing ways:
Chima Baifeng Tianshan Chun
Chima Baifeng Shengshan Chun
Chiang Ma Bai Feng Tian Shan Sheng Sho

What are the actual Chinese characters it's supposed to be? And what is the title supposed to mean? The "trailer" says...

"chi(4), ma(3), bai(2), feng(1), tian(1), shan(1), sheng(4) and shu(4)"

...which doesn't tell me much. "Feng" alone can be written as any of more than 20 characters according to the one site I checked. I assume Hallstrom's referencing a listing/table/system/something-or-other I'm not familiar with, though since his numbers only go as high as 4, maybe they're supposed to be the order the characters move into place or something. (Probably not, since the same thing happens with the Chinese characters and only the Chinese characters in a previous description.)

True, he was limited to ASCII, but there's not even a picture of the title on the Wayback Machine's copy of his site.

Posted by: OldManTom
In: /r/IAMA

My name is Tom Rutley. I dare say that name rings a bell if you've been following the news feeds from up here, which is part of the reason I'm doing this AMA and all of the reason I'm posting from an undisclosed location somewhere in deep space. Anyway, a bit of biographical information.

I'm one of the older First Fen, born in 1970 in Leicestershire, England. Before going Up I flew Chinook transport helicopters for the RAF, serving in the Balkans, Iraq and finally Afghanistan before being badly injured when my aircraft was shot down. While aimlessly drifting along trying to figure out what to do with myself, I found some handwavium in a barn full of junk left to me by my late godfather and decided to build myself a spaceship. I went Up in 2008, and became a freelance trader and charter pilot

When the Boskone War came, I was attached to a Great Justice Taskforce called "Bravo Four-One" and did basically the same thing I'd been doing in the RAF, but in space. Apparently I was good at it, because they commissioned me as a Troubleshooter. I've mostly worked as a liaison with Earthside law-enforcement since, particularly with the UK's Extraordinary Events Agency. And then I got assigned to investigate some unlicensed 'wavetech in a pizzeria in New Jersey, and the rest is current affairs.

Ask me anything, within reason.

When did Tom and Barb investigate Freddys Pizzeria, or at least what year? I've got an idea floating in my head for a reaction snippet or shortfic, and I'd like to get my character list sorted before I start.

Seamus studied the man and his belongings for a minute or so more
before coming to a decision. He backed off to the entrance to
the clearing, then called out loudly, "Hullo the house!"

The man sat up straight and opened his eyes. Even from this
distance Seamus could see that they were a bright, startling
blue. "Well, if it isn't himself come to call!" the man said
with a rumbling chuckle; his voice was deep and crisp. He stood
and, smiling broadly, made a "come here" gesture. "Well come,
Seamus Finnigan. I offer you my hospitality and my fire. Here,
sit and speak with me." He waved to the side of him opposite the
cloth and its contents, and another camp chair was suddenly
there.

Seamus started. "Y'know me name?" he blurted, and the man
chuckled again.

"Of course! You've been expected, young Seamus," he said.
"Come, share my fire."

Seamus shrugged to himself and joined the man at his fire. "If
y'don't mind me askin', sir," he said as he settled in, "what may
your name be?"

One auburn eyebrow lifted in surprise. "You've made it all the
way to me fire, and you don't know that? Well, lad, I've had
many names in many times and places, and I don't doubt you'd know
most of them, but with this face and these hands," and here he
held out his hands -- big, strong hands that at the same time
seemed deft and dexterous, "I'm known as Ogma of the trí dée
dána."

"Og-ogma?" Seamus twisted in his seat to stare at him. "*The*
Ogma?"

"Aye," Ogma said with tectonic chuckle. "But we're not here to
talk about me, boyo, but you."

"Me?" Seamus considered the possibility that waking this man had
been a bad idea.

"Aye," Ogma repeated. "And to decide if you're better suited to
bein' a bard or a druid."

-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.

from:jet.jaguar(a)Friggarock.fen
to:local-call.residents(a)friggarock.fen
Subj: The State of the Rats... #8.

Alright, it's been 8 months and everyone's started to settle in.

First and most important, congratulations to Mimi and Lex and their new gynoid, 'Mutsu'. I'm sure everyone wishes her a long and happy life. Mutsu is doing well, and the happy parents have already started fitting her out for her first set of cannon.

On the Agenda for this month, the ongoing election to Parliament which has entered its sixth month, results from last month's referendum on structural development budgets, Rose Duellists, reactor maintenance plans, new businesses opening up, Hackerspace, Catgirls BBQ, Motorcon 2024, MAGI updates and a surprise for 2025.

So, without further ado, it's been a busy month.

1: Election Time 2024. Politics
For the fourth time, 'None of the Above' has beaten out all other candidates, earning a total of 152 First Preference Votes, meeting the quota at the first count. As a consequence, neither candidate will be eligible for the next runoff.

I would also like to congratulate everyone on causing an ongoing constitutional crisis in Crystal Tokyo.

It's looking likely that Queen Serenity II may directly appoint someone to the seat. I'm sure we will all extend our sympathies to whatever poor sod she chooses.

Until then, we'll continue operating as we have.

2: Structural Development.
Results on the development budget referendum are in...

66% of our budget is going towards repair of the existing railroad tracks, purchase of locomotives and stock. This is enough money to purchase and ship a single roadworthy EMD JT22CW locomotive to Frigga, a supply of spare parts, and enough rolling stock to provide a basic passenger and freight service between accommodation block, the mine and the main landing bay. It'll also be compatible with Galaxy Railways track if someone decides to handwave the thing. It's 50 years old, but this is solid iron. We didn't assign enough cash for electrification or an electric engine.

18% is going towards Defense upgrades. This is enough to purchase and equip a pair of fighters, and pay for aircrew training. Or, add full defensive missile batteries to the surface. Or equip a few Tachikoma. Answers on a postcard.

8% is going towards infrastructure and habitability upgrades. This will just about cover the basic biomass costs of setting up the arboretum. It will still require some volunteer work and private contributions to get done, but we can do it.

Backbone upgrades earn 4%, which is enough to replace some old Cisco gear, while Interwave ransmitter gets 3. We might be able to clean the thing and un-jam the secondary, but it's never going to handle KoFen at that level. The whole array will need to be replaced, as detailed.

1% is going towards investigating how to install drives on Frigga to move it around the Solar System.

The Vote on the Defense upgrades will be a simple one. Three choices. Pick what you want. STV as usual. Options are:
*Fighters
*Missiles
*Tachikoma
*Grab an expert and let them pick.

In this case, the expert will likely be myself, or Daryl.

3: Rose Duellists

Look, guys, technically what you're doing is illegal. So's a lot of what people do out here. It's one of the benefits of being a few AU from Venus, if you catch my drift. We don't have an AMP presence yet – the wheels of bureaucracy turn slow unless somebody does something stupid and greases them.

But to the particular moron who thought it was a good idea to cut a watermain with an axe to re-enact their favourite scene from a movie - you should know your little recreation drained the main water cistern of a grand total of over 4,000 hectolitres of drinking water this time.

If anyone's missing their daily shower or bath for the last week or so, you know who to blame. I don't. This also means the People's Recreational Swimming Pool will be closed until we grab some fresh ice. Lun will be departing on a mission in three days.

If this keeps happening, it'll have to be dealt with. Nobody wants the law to get heavy out here. We rely on people not being bloody morons so nobody in Tokyo has to 'think of the children'.

4: Reactor Maintenance.

Engineers from Lensherr will be here on the 30th of the month to perform a series of certification tests on the turbine for Unit 04. We may experience power failures, depending on the test schedule they wish to perform. Don't start anything that can't tolerate being interrupted halway through. And don't say you weren't warned if you do.

I've received a few questions about one particular item. Yes, I know the history – it's on the reactor nameplate - but they assure me there's no risk of an accident during the rundown test. They just want to make sure that the inertia of the freewheeling turbine will generate enough power to drive the cooling pumps for the few seconds it takes for the auxiliary systems to take over. I know the omens are less than ideal, but it has to happen. Technically, 04 is the best for the test.

No big deal. It has to be done, or we have to shut the plant down in three months. We like heat and power.

5: New Businesses

Looks like we gained our first official pub. The 'Rock and a Hard Place'. Prop. Gabriel Ermine. Offering both homebrew, and some of the best of imported from around the Verse. Mezzanine Level 2 on the main public Concourse. Karaoke every Thursday, and hopefully a band on Saturdays. Barfood for the first week after the supply ship comes in.

Real Food may eventually be served, if he can agree something with Linsey.

Linsey tells me the Midoriyah is actually making money – especially with the traffic from Survival Shot. So it's not impossible to do.

Kotono's Phitness Bee gym remains open an available to all residents. She's also offering courses in 3DMG emloyment, having just completed certification on Luna as an instructor. Try it – it's fun.

Stellvia Oils will be opening a dedicated, staffed, petrol station within the next two weeks. So all your favourite vehicles won't need to pump from drums of the stuff. It should be safer, for a start.

6: Hackerspace

The old engineer's bays in the power plant have been converted into something resembling a Hackerspace. We've got a good selection of tools, from secondhand cyber-gear, to a chassis dyno for vehicles, and the usual array of workshop tools, and software. We also have a HV mains feed directly off the trafo for Turbine 1 in case anyone needs Frankenstein levels of power or wants to hack up a particle accelerator or something crazy like that.

Participation is encouraged from everyone. Even if you don't think you'll fit in, you will. You just need an idea, and a willingness to both help, and be helped.

Weekly subs are ten credits, which covers tooling, the occasional equipment rental, or using Xr-71.

Fooling Nature is our pastime.

7: Catgirl BBQ

We'll be having a joint BBQ with CGI on the 27th, up in the dome. This will be genuine, charcoal-fired dead animal in all its glory.

And a vegetarian option.

I've got the beer order in with GC and I think I can find a few old bottles of Rocket Fuel lying around if anyone's feeling adventurous.

8: Motorcon 2024
We're a month away from Motorcon 2024. Registration closed yesterday with an extra 50% over last year. This is fantastic news – especially for the few businesses just starting out here. It's looking to be a bumper weekend for everyone involved.

Please remember that the road a tunnel closures will be in effect from the 20th, to enable for setup and maintenance.

Also, if you're planning to attend, please read the harassment and code-of-conduct policies. Not only are they different from other cons – they're different for a reason.

We all know motorsport is dangerous. It's line 1 on the ticket. But there's no sense in making it more dangerous than it has to be.

9: MAGI system progress
Anika informs me that the last, week-long, test of the MAGI system was a success. The new system ran Frigga for 7 days, without major issue. Hammond, Malcolm and Grant functioned as expected, even with the Nedry system deliberately creating system errors and malfunctions, the voting system held

A few little glitches were thrown up, but on the whole the test went well. There's no showstoppers. We're looking to go live the month after Motorcon at this rate.

Which should put an end to DCAMS scheduling maintenance on your shower for a date 12 months away, and sending an exocomp to re-break it after you fix it.

MAGI promises to be more responsive, more reliable, and most importantly, more flexible and maintainable than TITANIC. And actually useable by people who don't know what a command line is.

Anika has been invited to give a talk on the MAGI system at this year's Cybercon. Wish her luck!

Which just about ends this month's newsletter, except for.

10: One more thing...

Survival Shot, Zenith of Things Tournament 001.

May, 2025.

I think. We just signed a sponsor. Full announcement with details will come in December. But it's happening.

Until Next Month.

-Jet.

------------------
________________________________
--m(^0^)m-- Wot, no sig?

... is today.  And lots of media coverage.  http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/bugs-bu ... 201544222/]Variety has a good short piece, with a YouTube embed of his first cartoon.  And http://www.cbsnews.com/pictures/happy-7 ... ugs-bunny/]CBS News has a slideshow worth looking at.  And of course, there's [link=[%[link=http://nerdist.com/happy-75th-birthday-bugs-bunny/]http://nerdist.com/happy-75th-birthday-bugs-bunny/]The Nerdist[/url]'s article.
Anyway, a day to remember.
Edit:  And suddenly it occurs to me, no wonder Canada issued a $20 silver Bugs Bunny coin this year...
-- Bob
---------
Then the horns kicked in...
...and my shoes began to squeak.