IC INBOX for The Revival Project

[dr_riley]

You've reached Doctor Drake Riley. I'm not in right now, obviously. If it's an emergency, you'll know where to find me. Otherwise, leave a message and I'll get back to you.







Hi, this is Drake Riley, and as much as I'd love to answer your call, I frankly haven't got the time and I'm sure it isn't as important as whatever reason I'm away. If this is an actual emergency, EUGENE, come get me yourself instead of sending nastygrams through Xbox Live.






This is Riley; if you're getting this message, it means I'm working as fast as I bloody can and don't have the time to answer stupid questions.






I'm not in, stop calling!

Comments

[demjiin]

Me again, and I'm not going to apologize if you think this is a stupid question. So it would be possible to reduce the size of the ships hold in order to make another sleeping place. This was news to me, but Reeve hypothesizes it could be done. If it would bother you if he did it, let me know. Otherwise, there would be one less person in the group sleeping bunks.

[dr_riley]

Why in God's name would you want to reduce the size of the hold? The analytic probe barely fit in there as it was.

[demjiin]

Because it's necessary.

[ Though Kaz isn't saying why it's necessary. ]

If you hadn't noticed it's getting to be pretty tight on living space for the rest of the ship.

[dr_riley]

I'm used to it. The space for supplies is more important. If you ABSOLUTELY MUST OMG ILL DIE W/O MY OWN BUNK, then I'll sleep in the hold, but I don't need an extra place setting.

[demjiin]

The idea is not for YOU to have a bunk in the hold. In fact you don't have to do anything at all

[dr_riley]

I said I don't need a bunk. You can have mine and I'll just sleep in the hold without one.

Video

[silenziobruno]

Ey, Ciao! [ Look what familiar young face is here. Thankfully for Drake, Alberto has touched the Engineering data point and he's more tech-savvy no. He isn't contacting him to doubt Drake's abilities or to ask him questions. No, he's sending him a video because they talked about radios and music. ]

When I got here, I found the magic signing lady from home and I thought you might like to hear it. [ Alberto shifts the camera to show a gramophone. After a moment, he reaches out to place the needle into the right position so it fits into the groove in the record and music starts playing: Maria Calla's, “O Mio Babbino Caro”, from the Puccini opera 'Gianni Schicchi'. Enjoy.]

Re: Video

[dr_riley]

[[ OOC oh my gosh Alberto is precious! Is this a live feed or a recorded message? ]]

[silenziobruno]

[ ooc: every now and then he's not just a gremlin, haha. He doesn't know how to record things and then send them, only hit the [ REC ] button, so this is live! ]

[dr_riley]

[Alberto has contacted Drake while he was, as usual, busy with something. The scientist looks tired and cranky (also as usual) and has to lean forward because he's suffering a bit of eye strain at the moment]

What, who is it this time? What d'you wan-

Oh, it's you. Magic what?

[The incredulity shifts subtly to surprise when he sees an actual gramophone, and from there, outright shock. Now that is a blast from the past. Drake has never been into opera, but one of his closest friends is, and he knows exactly what he's listening to. What he doesn't know is how something so recognizable - something identifiable, something from his world maybe probably - is here.]

That- ...that's-

Where did you find that?

[silenziobruno]

It had it at home, it was mine before I woke up in Tembla. I found it the other day while scavenging, I'm not sure how it got here but is the one I had back in Portorosso, not just a similar singing box.

[ He doesn't mention that he stole it after scaring some sailors by accident because eeeeeh, those are unimportant details.

Alberto sits next to the gramophone as it plays. If Drake's eyes stop giving him problems, he might see that the gramophone (and by extension the kid) is just on top of a flat rock. He's still at the beach. ]

It plays more songs. Pretty amazing, uh?

[dr_riley]

Yeeeaahh... [he says slowly, as if still deciding how amazing it is; then a very small smile tilts one corner of his mouth, because ... it's music. And it is amazing, and it reminds him of his friend, and God help him, this weird kid's curiosity and joyful wonder occasionally remind him of his oldest son.]

Yeh. I suppose it is.

[He leans forward with a little frown]

Are you still at the shore?

[silenziobruno]

[ Don't you think he doesn't spot that smile, Drake. He's never seen the other man do that expression before, it looks good on him. Alberto knows not to bring it up, lest the man steps smiling. He enjoys the music for a few

Alberto hums as an affirmation to the question, smiling, legs bouncing a little. ]

I am. It's getting a little cold now that it is getting dark, but I lived by the coast in my home world. I'm used to it.

[dr_riley]

[That answer gives Drake cause to lean back in his chair and fold his arms, his face darkening not just from the concerned expression it's wearing, but because he's backed away from the light of his desk lamp. He stays like that for a few seconds, drumming his fingers on his arm, before leaning forward again.]

Surely you had some kind of shelter in your home world. Have you found a suitable one on the beach?

[He rather doubted it. Drake didn't make a habit of finding himself on the beach as a general rule, but he didn't remember seeing any buildings or ruins there.]

[silenziobruno]

[ That's a bit of a concerning look for Drake, but Alberto reminds himself that the man seems to be the serious sort. Maybe the serious expression doesn't mean he's angry. ]

I lived in a ruined tower, and then I slept in a tree-house for a few days. I even had a pillow there. [ He hasn't slept in a bed in...well, never. But Alberto has the uncanny ability to fall asleep in any place that's flat enough, and he knows how to make a fire in case it gets cold at night, so he's convinced he's just fine like that. ]

I've been looking, it's an ongoing process... [ He will eventually find a place, he's sure, but for now, he sleeps anywhere that's sheltered enough from the cold wind. ]

[dr_riley]

[A ruined tower? A tree house? This has sped right past child neglect to child homelessness, and that doesn't sit well with Drake at all. In fact, having a son almost Alberto's age makes it hit even harder than the altruism his Catholic upbringing insists on.]

Wow. A pillow, even. Listen...

[He doesn't like kids, honest!]

...there's a building directly north of the central fountain on the edge of the city. Looks like a SCIF, not a lot of windows. There're plenty of rooms and offices, some have couches with pillows. Until you find a more suitable place, you should take one.

[silenziobruno]

[ Alberto's life has been rather eventful, let's leave it at that. If Drake knew the full story, chances are he might be even angrier.

And sure you don't like kids, keep telling yourself that, Drake. ]

A SCIF? [ He doesn't know what's that, but he memorizes the indications. While Alberto says he's fine sleeping at the beach, which is true, he doesn't know yet what sort of animals exists on the planet, and it could be dangerous to be unprotected. ] Sleeping on a couch would be nice. Are you sure no one would mind?

[dr_riley]

[Oops; he forgets sometimes.]

Sorry. SCIF stands for sensitive compartmented information facility. They're places that're built to keep secrets safe from spying or eavesdropping. Most are just rooms in a building, some are entire buildings, underground bunkers, what have you. I think this one might have been for research and development.

And uh. No, I'm the only one here. I don't think anyone will mind.

[Famous last words]

[silenziobruno]

[ Alberto knows that Drake likes using big words but sometimes he gets really lost and has to ask about them. Most of the time he's interested in what the other man as to say, even if he doesn't always get it. Luca would have loved Drake, he's sure and ask him to tell him more about science and how the universe worked. ]

A... like super-secret hideouts. Those are awesome. You're inviting me to your house?

[ 'House', Super Secre Hideous Building...same things to Alberto. he's touched by the offer. ]

I promise I won't play the music too loudly.

[dr_riley]

Not - uh - ... Sure. Secret hideout. Whatever makes it more interesting. I wouldn't call this place a house, but...

[He pulls a face and offers a one shouldered shrug.]

...it's suitable as shelter, at least.

[silenziobruno]

If you are living there, it should count as a house, right? Even if it's really big and has multiple levels.

[ Sea monsters don't have a concept of skyscrapers, they're houses are underwater. Even if Alberto spent most of the time in the surface, he's never seen building this big before Temba. ]

It beats sleeping outside for sure. Thank you, Drake.

[dr_riley]

It's.....

[He makes a face and tilts his head]

...fine. Alright, it's got walls and a ceiling. Running water. Electricity. May as well be the Four Seasons.

....anyway, you're welcome. It's certainly better than sleeping outside with no shelter.

And it's Doctor Riley.

[silenziobruno]

[ Alberto can't help but grin when Drake admits that technically, his place fits the description of a house even if it isn't one. He's a bit confused about the season comments, though. ]

I'll grab the gramophone and go there. Do you want me to bring you some fish or something from the beach?

Ah, Doctor Riley, got it. I didn't know you could cure sick people.

[dr_riley]

[Drake gives the boy an incredulous grin at the offer]

The ones you've been smashing with rocks, you mean? No thanks. No way to cook them, and while I like sashimi as well as the next genius, they're probably riddled with parasites.

And no. I'm not that kind of doctor. I'm much uh. Much better with machines than with people.

Anyway, bring the box, I'll have the security light on so you know which building it is.

[silenziobruno]

They're no smashed. I can grab them by hand just fine. And they all still taste good, you can cook them over a fire with a stick.

[ It is that simple to him. Alberto can eat fish raw without problem, but he likes cooked food as well. It's always tastier and less messy. Drake's explanation earns new a new wrong assumption, sorry. ]

So you're a doctor for Exos and the like? [ They're made of metal and ceramics, that much Alberto knows. But he seems to forget about the question almost as soon as he utters it, giving a smile and nodding enthusiastically. ]

Will do! Thank you.

LET'S PRETEND I DID THIS WAY EARLIER

[on_repeat]

['SUP Echo's sends along some attachments -- aerial shots of the 'sinkhole' and its surrounding mess of trees]

I don't know how much this will help, but it's a development I should have taken into consideration.

I CAN DIG IT haha dig

[dr_riley]

Thank you. How did you get these photos? An RPV?

I was reminded of an ant mound before, with that central dip, but it looks like it's flattened out now. Has it?

Still convinced it's something underground like a collapsed structure, old railway, animal den. I'll take a closer look at the photos to see if I can spot any more disturbances.

What's the biggest burrowing animal on this planet? mb it's a giant rabbit warren.

Booo /joking

[on_repeat]

RPV? We climbed one of the trees.

Not only did it flatten out, but its previous liquid state solidified. I don't know when or how quickly it settled, however.

There were no other trails or markings on the surface, and Omega brought up the possibility of it being animal-related as well. I reviewed the list of available local fauna, but I couldn't find anything referencing burrowing.

Re: Booo /joking

[dr_riley]

Sorry, right, a remotely piloted vehicle I mean.

So it's settled, but it isn't dipping in the center anymore. I can't explain that, there should be a dip in the middle as particles settle and air escapes. Unless there were more tremors and it caused liquefaction of the soil.

[on_repeat]

Affirmative. That sounds reasonable, but I haven't felt any other tremors lately. Have they even been that frequent?

[dr_riley]

I haven't noticed any. I hadn't even noticed the one you called in.

I could build a simple seismometer to find out.

[on_repeat]

That may be our next best option.

In the meantime, I'll keep you updated on any other changes.