text;

[prehendere]

While I am looking into joining some branch of the science department on board and am generally taking time to acclimatize to new surroundings, I'm not used to having so little to do. I've been taking advantage of the media libraries and reading back on the network, but I'd really prefer to have something to work on. If anyone has any odd jobs, needs anything fixed or built depending on whether the materials are available, consider this an open offer. Trade is negotiable, since this is something I'm asking for.

I can provide character references if people are worried about their belongings being damaged. If the term means anything to anyone, electrical and mechanical engineering are amongst my specialties.

[Which is as polite a way as he can think of implying that he has more than one without it coming off as bragging.

Also he has probably typed and re-typed a lot of this, but at the same time thank mutant baby Jesus goodness something like text function exists in all it's glory because it's made life about ten times easier to navigate.]

Comments

[fullmoon]

Do you know anything about 'survey nodes'.

text

[standsupagain]

Hey, do you think you could try to rig up a way to charge a cell phone?

[prehendere]

Node as in a connection point, a redistribution point or a communication endpoint? [Look, it pays to check with these things.] Because if so, yes. If not, I can learn quickly. What's this in reference to?

text

[prehendere]

What period of time is the cell phone from? [ - phone presumably being short for 'telephone,' which they do have where he's from, just not in cell form. Something which he will just casually forget to mention (not that it really matters.)]

voice;

[2leftfeet]

Do you have any experience with robotics or networked routers?

[fullmoon]

I couldn't tell you. I'm not familiar with how they work or what they look like. It's in reference to Shepard's exploration and reconnaissance update, earlier:

'We need to . . . lay survey nodes that a network can track in case the ship's interior alters itself post- or mid-jump cycle.'

Something similar can be done with magic, and apparently during their last effort magic was in some instances more durable than technology. But I don't know if anyone capable of the spellwork would be able to accompany the teams. I'm wondering if we can't get survey nodes and charms to cooperate.

Unfortunately, anything that uses electricity is a little beyond me.

[ If this were voice Hank would get to hear him tiptoe carefully through the pronunciations of technology and electricity, but alas. He's a better speller than pronouncer. ]

voice;

[prehendere]

[There's the sound of throat being cleared, then:] Some. I'm familiar with the concept of both and I've been examining the technology available on this ship. I, uh, had a very broad field of work, back home.

If what Remus communicated above is correct, I think I would be able to help and I wouldn't volunteer myself if I thought it might stretch my capabilities or create any set-backs to a project.

[2leftfeet]

Luckily we've got a pretty damn broad field of work here too. [Just an edge of sarcasm there - in good humor, or as close to it as it gets.]

Right now we're working with a bunch of different tech and magic [two jump cycles ago there would've been more awkwardness with that word, but it comes pretty easily to her now] but don't have a solid game plane on how to make them work best for what we need. I've got ideas, but I'm not an engineer and don't really know how to fit it together. I can get you a list of equipment we have on hand if that would help.

text;

[suddenlycaptain]

We always need help with the shuttles.

text;

[redhotsummers]

Could use a pet sitter.

text; this is literally the only reason i could see stiles speaking to him whoops

[de_void]

but do you know how to knit

text;

[prehendere]

Does Bozo need a jetpack? [He's joking. Probably (no, he is.)]

I don't mind, although I thought cats took care of themselves. And I thought you needed a pet sitter if you were going somewhere. [Unless there are vacations in space.]

text;

[prehendere]

I at least have a more experience with building and maintaining aircrafts compared to some of the other offers, although I should disclose that spacecraft is still in it's infancy where I'm from. But that shouldn't be a problem. And I have piloting experience.

text; lmao rolling with it

[prehendere]

I do (?)

[Because if he can make several hideously clashing suits that resist G-Force with very specific measurements, surely knitting can be included amongst his skills.]

text;

[de_void]

sweet because i am basically just tying myself up with yarn when i try it on my own.

[prehendere]

I'm speaking to Cdr. Shephard and between what both of you have said, I think I might be able to help. I also read up on the earlier report on the network; I'd looked over it before, but I wanted to talk it over with some people I know who've been here longer. [Because it sounded creepy as hell and in Charles Xavier we trust.]

Do you think you'd be able to talk me through some 101 magic theory? So I have some sort of idea what I'd be working with?

[prehendere]

[The smile can he heard in Hank's voice because no kidding.]

It would and I can speak with people more versed on the subject of magic. There might be something in the data libraries about someone else doing something similar, too, or at least enough material to give myself a crash course. But I'm sure if we knock our heads together enough, we can think up something.

[prehendere]

Oh okay, you want someone to teach you? I wasn't sure if you were kidding around.

[de_void]

why does everyone think i'm not serious about the knitting thing. i have yarn what else am i supposed to do with it

[prehendere]

True, it's not like there's much point making a tin can telephone now we've got these.

Sure, I could show you the basics. I should warn you it's been a while.

[de_void]

i don't think any of us are going anywhere any time soon

[prehendere]

That too. I did say I wanted something to work on. [He'd just been expecting something slightly more mechanical, but he will take what he can get to keep his mind off everything else.]

Fine. Aside from your yarn, you're going to need:

- Two sets of needles, one for me and one for you. The size doesn't matter for now since you need to learn the basics, although nothing too thick.
- Snacks. Anything resembling a twinkie or oreos would be great, anything else acceptable (we are in space.)

[de_void]

yeah i haven't exactly had the best luck finding actual needles up here but i can probably make a couple sets from stuff in engineering

[also using tasks to distract you from dwelling on actual important things, a man after stiles' own heart.]

i don't think hostess delivers to space but i'll find something

[2leftfeet]

Right now what we need most is a way to track the changes of the ship. We've got a schematic of new areas that were explored this cycle, but there's no guarantee the internal structure of the ship will stay consistent from now through to the next jump cycle. If there was a way to signal points throughout the ship that could be networked and tracked we might have a better idea of how the ship rearranges itself. We're also running into a lot of structural damage that should be explored, but honestly I don't really feel confident sending anyone down a mysterious hole for fun.

I'll forward you a copy of equipment shortly.

[And true to her word, a few moments later Shepard sends over a short text file:]

EQUIPMENT MANIFEST
(m) denotes magical items

9 ship maintenance drones
5 3-dimensional mapping devices
communication network routers (see: communications dept)
two-way radio mirrors (m)
bottomless packs (m)

text; they can have a whole conversation without realising they're facetwins

[stimulations]

You may find yourself with enough work simply for signing up to engineering. Though if you do manage to single-handedly fix everything they've been struggling with for months, I believe communications and gunnery still haven't managed to repair their outboard systems. And the head of flight crew has already contacted you about the shuttle situation.