[21:09] <Chamelaeon> <<ATC SESSION FORTY-ONE, LIFTOFF! TODAY THERE ARE DEER ON
THE RUNWAYS!>>
[21:10] <Chamelaeon> <<The present day: April 14th. Present time: 1100 hours.
Present location: Common room of Annual Fruitcake.>>
[21:11] *** Vernon (jrenken@sandwich.net) has joined #ATC
[21:11] <Vernon> (...>_<)
[21:11] <Taluun`tzo> (Welcome!)
[21:11] <Chamelaeon> <<It's the following morning. Tim and Vernon have been
busily installing all sorts of additional hardware as a support base for Ronnie,
who has been very quiet after she began completely saturating the base's
bandwidth.>>
[21:11] <Chamelaeon> (Woo, good! The gang's all here!)
[21:11] *** Chamelaeon sets mode: +v Vernon
[21:11] <Vernon> (I have no idea what's been happening...^_^;)
[21:12] <Chamelaeon> (We're just starting this session... someone wanna fill him
in a little while I exposit?)
[21:12] <Vernon> (Yay!)
[21:13] <Chamelaeon> (Ronnie has also eaten the bandwidth of the dicebot.)
[21:14] <Vernon> (Oh well. ...but eat Herring-chan's and it's Button time. >_>#)
[21:15] <Chamelaeon> <<After faking logs and postdating reports about an
extended survey of a possible Hippy reformation, Ronnie began absorbing data at
an alarming rate. The Cube has not contacted you. The Bug attacks continue. And
there's a strange rumour going around about a plague in Red India.>>
[21:15] <Isis> ( Oh! Calcutta! )
[21:16] <Vernon> (...I'll kill you.)
[21:16] <Chamelaeon> <<It's lunchtime, or something close. It's not like there's
anything else to do in this godforsaken place, except drink or cut up more of
Chako's now quite large supply of punching bags. [/END EXPOSITION!]>>
[21:21] * Chako wanders her way into the lunchroom and goes over to get food.
She's got wet hair and is wearing a jumpsuit.
[21:22] * Vernon is sitting at one of the tables, typing away as usual. He's
somehow obtained pineapple pizza and a pina colada. Best not to ask, really.
[21:22] * Taluun`tzo glances around, bored as all hell. That wall looks like it
may need a new hole soon. "More waiting, more waiting." He goes over and gets
some of the whatever-it-is-they're serving today.
[21:23] <Chako> (What are they serving today!)
[21:23] * Tim is sitting at the same table, also typing away. He's somehow
obtained sleep.
[21:23] <Chamelaeon> <<Space Tacos.>>
[21:23] <Chamelaeon> <<Bethany walks into the room, Lenin scuttling close behind
her. It's decidedly not her usual prance.>> "Hi, guys." <<She sits down next to
Tim and taps her fingers on the table.>>
[21:24] <Vernon> (Dammit. Now we've seen Bethany and Lenin at the same time.
;_;)
[21:24] * Isis is absorbed in "How to Make Friends and Influence People". She
often corrects lines with a red pen.
[21:24] <Chako> (It's a hologram!)
[21:24] * Vernon waves, only glancing up (but politely) before continuing to
type.
[21:25] <Charlie> Hey.. bad news, I take it?
[21:25] * Tim looks over at Bethany. "Oh, hey Beth. How goes?"
[21:25] * Taluun`tzo idly says... "Any news is better than no news."
[21:26] <Chamelaeon> "Yeah, bad news. I got a memo from Tech HQ today... your
suits are done, but on impound indefinitely." <<She winces.>>
[21:26] * Isis shrugs, not looking up. She circles something twice. "Found out,
I see."
[21:27] * Vernon mutters darkly.
[21:27] * Chako wanders over from getting the Tacos, and thunks down. "Hey."
[21:27] * Tim blinks. "Eh?"
[21:27] * Tim pulls a seat out for Bethany to sit in.
[21:27] <Chako> (Tim is behind the curve more than me. >.>)
[21:27] * Isis turns a page. "I'm guessing Snidely Cubelash has tied our suits
to the tracks unless we give him Ronnie."
[21:27] * Vernon nearly spittakes.
[21:28] * Taluun`tzo gets back, carrying about as much food as you'd expect him
to consume. "Your suits are impounded? Well, that's just great..."
[21:28] * Chako eyes Isis. "What the hell?"
[21:28] <Taluun`tzo> (Yay! Sarcasm!)
[21:28] <Chamelaeon> "The memo said it came from higher up... oh, man, I hope
you guys didn't piss someone off badly."
[21:28] * Isis underlines something and chews on her pen a moment. "Oh, we did.
I told you it would happen." Hard to tell who she's addressing.
[21:29] * Vernon nods.
[21:29] * Tim nods in reply to Isis' comment, since it's more or less true.
[21:30] * Isis snaps the book shut and puts it down on the table. "We did more
or less kidnap his 'daughter', after all. And I know you can hear me, so you
might as well prepare yourself."
[21:30] <Isis> ( I'm sure Bethany thinks Isis has completely snapped at this
point. )
[21:31] <Isis> ( Wait. Girl with cute nickname hires us to kidnap her from
father's corporate-slash-government regime. Somehow this seems familiar. )
[21:31] <Chamelaeon> <<Bethany is, indeed, looking at Isis funnily. The speaker
nearest you pops, and you hear Ronnie quietly say>> "I think he's just guessing.
I've covered your tracks better than that, for sure."
[21:32] * Tim nods.
[21:32] <Isis> But that's not the point.
[21:33] <Isis> You could prove we were on Venus and he'd still suspect us. Who
else on this godforsaken rock would have the knowledge or interest to do that?
[21:34] <Vernon> Unless one of the others has contacts here.
[21:34] <Taluun`tzo> Correct. No body else here is even the least bit competent
at this sort of thing.
[21:34] <Isis> ( See? Even the future luggage agrees with me. )
[21:34] <Chamelaeon> "I suppose that's true, but... I don't want to go back,
really, truly. I'm not his daughter, he only gives a damn because I'm another
way for him to get a little more control." <<She sounds distraught. Bethany is
kind of clutching Tim and looking around her warily.>>
[21:35] <Taluun`tzo> (<.<)
[21:35] <Taluun`tzo> (I hope you know I'm going to outlive all of you.)
[21:35] * Chako frowns, and kicks Tim from under the table.
[21:35] * Tim pats Bethany on the shoulder. "Don't worry. That's just Ronnie."
[21:35] * Tim is kicked. Ow. ;_;
[21:35] <Chako> (Wow. Premptive strike. >.>)
[21:36] * Chako glares at him, then at Bethany, then him again.
[21:36] * Isis slides the book across the table to Chako. "I've made some
corrections. It's a shockingly good read."
[21:37] <Chamelaeon> (... you've been saving that joke all game. >_>)
[21:37] <Vernon> (...)
[21:38] <Chamelaeon> <<Ronnie is still talking.>> "I could find out where
they're keeping the suits - I'm sure he's not expecting you to just openly break
in and take them..."
[21:38] <Isis> Why should we?
[21:38] <Isis> Unless he's suddenly grown himself a 50' robot body bristling
with missile pods, he still needs us. We just have to do some negotiating.
[21:38] * Chako picks up the book and looks at the cover. "Sheesh, a real book?"
[21:38] <Isis> ( Until then, he has Chako. )
[21:40] * Charlie ponders for a sec.. "Why hasn't he?.. And, you've gotta be
able to come up with an easier way to get the suits if we can't negotiate."
[21:40] <Chamelaeon> "Because he's been leading you around by the nose since the
very beginning! He doesn't need you, you're just better than some of the other
ways he can do things."
[21:40] <Chamelaeon> <<Bethany is prodding Tim in the arm VERY HARD, glaring
death at him, and mouthing "Ronnie?">>
[21:41] * Taluun`tzo shrugs. "Run in, grab the suits, and get out. Is there
something hard about that?"
[21:42] <Isis> You're right. In the beginning we were just a rogue's gallery of
the conveniently stupid. Things have changed. If he doesn't realize it, then
it's going to be his loss.
[21:42] <Charlie> Ronnie could have them transfered to an easy to get at
location.. Not that they're locked up tight though.
[21:42] * Tim owowows. He whispers to Bethany "She's an AI. There's nothing
between us. I strongly doubt it'd be physically possible."
[21:43] * Chako taps the book on the table. "Yeah, but if we negotiate, and he
says no, he's gonna know we have to do something else."
[21:43] * Vernon nods.
[21:43] * Isis smiles. "That's why we just need a trump card."
[21:44] <Taluun`tzo> I think it would be best for us to simply get them
ourselves.
[21:44] <Chamelaeon> <<Bethany continues to glare at Tim. Ronnie, meanwhile,
continues.>> "He doesn't trust human, except for his Phalanx. I've been
listening to him talk to the Egg and the others." <<She's quite obviously
pleading.>> "I could do a lot of things to help, I mean, I can do everything he
can and more..." <<She trails off.>> 
[21:44] <Isis> I know.
[21:45] <Isis> I want to talk to the Egg.
[21:45] * Chako holds up the book at Taluun. "Isis is strategy. Give her a sec."
She eyes Isis.
[21:46] <Taluun`tzo> Very well. A few moments...
[21:46] * Isis drums her pen on the desk. "Ronnie, I have a project for you
too."
[21:46] * Tim sweatdrops.
[21:47] <Chamelaeon> "... yes?"
[21:47] * Chako kicks Tim again, and nods towards the door.
[21:47] * Isis grins. "Stick with me, kid. We're going to make you a star."
[21:47] <Vernon> (...I just found an actual legal filing that contains the words
"holy fuck, Batman!")
[21:47] <Chamelaeon> (...)
[21:48] <Tim> ( ... )
[21:48] <Vernon> (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/fword1.html)
[21:48] * Isis stands up. "I'll need to discuss this somewhere secure, if you
don't mind. And I think everyone should come."
[21:48] * Tim patpats Bethany. "Hey, what say we go get a bit, eh?"
[21:48] * Vernon finishes his drink, and packs up his computer. "I won't have
much to contribute strategy-wise, but..."
[21:48] <Tim> ( Bite, even. )
[21:48] * Chako mutters, "Thank you."
[21:49] * Isis nods as she walks out. "Fine with me. I have other uses to put
you to."
[21:49] * Charlie nods. "Lets get out of here."
[21:49] * Chako stands too, following Isis.
[21:49] <Chamelaeon> <<Bethany nods at Tim, but she's still glaring.>>
[21:49] * Vernon follows.
[21:50] <Isis> ( Sue for change of venue: Successful. )
[21:50] * Tim leads Bethany away from the strategisers.
[21:50] <Chamelaeon> <<Isis goes! She goes to..... wherever she goes! Speakers
pop as you walk overhead - Ronnie's following.>>
[21:50] * Taluun`tzo gets up and follows. "No sense in being left out."
[21:51] <Chamelaeon> (Tim, I presume, will catch up with you later.)
[21:51] * Isis goes to a strategy room. Or something. And takes a seat when she
gets there. "Okay. Our little tete-a-tete with the Beans taught us that our most
valuable weapon is what?"
[21:52] <Taluun`tzo> Why would you fight Legumes?
[21:52] * Chako frowns. "Well, you used speed and lies to split them, and then
we combined up and smashed them. I guess you're going for the info thing."
[21:53] * Isis nods. "Intel is the key to any battlefield victory, because
information is the key weapon. That's why we're subordinate, here. The Cube has
the corner on the inside info."
[21:53] * Vernon nods.
[21:54] * Taluun`tzo nods slowly.
[21:54] <Chamelaeon> <<Ronnie appears on one of the viewscreens in the room. She
looks like she's been crying.>>
[21:54] <Isis> So, the key to putting ourselves on level with the Cube, is to
find information he doesn't have.
[21:54] <Charlie> Ronnie should be able to help us with info, big time. *he
nods*
[21:55] <Vernon> Hmm...
[21:55] <Vernon> (...check out page 7. *falls out of chair*)
[21:56] <Chamelaeon> (Vernon loses a CP for bringing Chuck-E-Cheese within one
degree of my game.)
[21:56] <Vernon> (;_;)
[21:56] * Chako glances over at the screen, and back. "Unless you think the egg
and the cube haven't been playing nice together, we're seriously out of luck
there."
[21:56] <Isis> Why would they? It's chess.
[21:57] <Isis> It all looks good on the surface, but underneath it's war.
[21:57] * Vernon nods.
[21:58] <Chako> Because the dumbest thing they could do right now is make
themselves weaker, especially considering the Egg's suicide tactic.
[21:58] * Taluun`tzo nods. "And it is all based off of knowledge, is it not?"
[21:58] * Isis nods. "Information is rooks, queens, kings. Big movers. We're
pawns."
[21:58] <Chamelaeon> (s/Egg/Pyramid, Chako?)
[21:58] <Isis> But you can't win a chess game with queens and kings alone.
[21:58] <Chako> (No, the Egg. Yanno, his 'throw unprepared troops at the bugs'
tactic which he said was suicide? Yeah. That.)
[21:59] <Chamelaeon> (Oh.)
[21:59] <Isis> If we can prove that Ronnie was a black project designed to
interface with the bugs, and to use them as a tool rather than eradicate them...
[21:59] * Taluun`tzo counts each of those in the air, nodding to himself after
each one. "And what is this suicide tactic you are talking about?"
[22:00] * Isis smiles. "It doesn't have to be true. It just has to be true
enough. The Egg will think the Cube is trying to undermine him and we can use
their hostility as a bargaining chip."
[22:01] * Chako eyes Isis. "Jesus. We don't even know if that'd be possible."
[22:01] <Isis> You're right. The person you'd have to ask is Ronnie.
[22:01] <Chamelaeon> <<Ronnie looks up.>> "...what?"
[22:02] * Chako looks over at Taluun, and says, "I'll explain the suicide thing
later."
[22:02] * Isis grins. "It would require a lot of work on your part. And some
good acting. But the Cube can't afford to divide his attention if the Egg
suddenly becomes hostile."
[22:03] <Taluun`tzo> Good. Self sacrifice is something that is... not usually
tolerated.
[22:03] * Chako looks back at Isis. "Or maybe I'll just end up explaining it
now. The Egg can't afford to be hostile, remember? He doesn't have the forces
for a full on fight, let alone two. That's why the Sleythin hid."
[22:04] <Isis> What about the Sleythin first contact?
[22:04] <Isis> There's more to it than just physical force.
[22:04] <Chamelaeon> <<Rondure listens.>>
[22:04] * Tim peeks in. "Oh, here you are." He walks over after making sure
there arent women or bids following him.
[22:04] * Taluun`tzo listens intently.
[22:04] <Isis> If ATC introduces the Sleythin to humanity, then the Sleythin
suddenly shut their borders, it'll look quite suspicious. It'd be a PR
nightmare, at the very least.
[22:05] <Chamelaeon> <<No eBay quotes follow Tim into the room.>>
[22:05] <Tim> ( ... birds. Birds. )
[22:05] <Chamelaeon> <<No avians, either.>>
[22:05] <Tim> ( Yay! )
[22:06] * Tim closes the door behind him, too, because by gosh, you can't be too
careful.
[22:06] <Chako> Uh... maybe. I ain't sure about that. The Cube's good at that
sorta thing.
[22:06] <Isis> Even omniscient AIs can't be everywhere.
[22:07] <Chamelaeon> "Well.... I think, if we can pull it off, the Cube would be
upset - he'd certainly expect a doublecross. I mean, the tides of the Game are
against him right now, really."
[22:07] <Isis> Which is exactly why we shouldn't let ourselves be cowed by him.
[22:08] * Vernon nods.
[22:08] <Taluun`tzo> By keeping the suits from us, he's merely making another
opponent in the game. By forcing us to oppose him, he not only looses us, but
also gains another opponent.
[22:08] * Isis nods. "We're not out to destroy him. Just put on a little
pressure."
[22:09] * Chako rubs her head. "Yeah, well, you're doing a damn good job of the
destroying. Cuts his potential forces in half, and his forces are our forces,
right now."
[22:09] * Tim has a seat and just listens.
[22:09] <Chamelaeon> "No, you couldn't actually be opponents... you can't use
ITT. It'd be breaking the rules."
[22:09] * Isis raises an eyebrow. "Elaborate."
[22:09] <Chako> Me or her?
[22:09] <Isis> Her.
[22:11] * Chako frowns, and looks as if she's trying to churn through the
situation.
[22:11] * Tim blinks. "What, there's rules?"
[22:11] <Isis> ( ...Chako in a gown churning butter. AAAAAUGH. )
[22:11] <Chamelaeon> <<Ronnie wipes her eyes one last time and puts on her
glasses.>> "There are four rules to the Game. One, any entity that can use
Instantaneous Thought Transfer can join the game as an Opponent. Two, Losing is
defined as either resigning or being destroyed. Three, the winner is the last
one to lose. Four, any two Opponents may set up any number of secondary rules
between them." <<She brushes a hair out of her face.>> "That's the Game."
[22:11] <Vernon> (...)
[22:12] <Chako> (Aye, missie, would ya like a turn at the churn, before I beat
ye with it?)
[22:12] <Chamelaeon> (Amish Tofu Corp. *sbo*)
[22:12] <Isis> ITT... what the AIs use to communicate, correct? 
[22:12] <Tim> ...can you use ITT yet?
[22:13] <Chamelaeon> "Yes, and yes. Though all I've been doing is listening."
[22:13] * Isis gets a very slow, very weird grin.
[22:13] <Isis> Scrap the subterfuge. Let's get our suits.
[22:13] * Isis stands up and pushes in her chain. "I hate fruitcake anyway.
What's your favorite Platonic solid, Ronnie?"
[22:13] <Chamelaeon> (... I am frightened.)
[22:13] <Charlie> That's not the kinda grin ya want to see..
[22:14] * Taluun`tzo makes a nice whisping sound through his gills. "Free
autonomy? I like."
[22:14] <Vernon> Oh, I can just tell this is going to get interesting.
[22:14] <Charlie> Though, I'm all for getting our suits.
[22:14] * Chako grins too. "Now you're talking! Christ. You were talking all
that subtefuge and I was wondering how the hell we'd manage not to get pasted."
[22:14] <Chamelaeon> "Uh, I suppose I am the Sphere." <<She smiles, shyly.>>
[22:14] * Tim nods, starting to smirk.
[22:14] <Isis> Well, then. Let's get this ball rolling, so to speak. We'll have
to abandon Mars.
[22:14] * Taluun`tzo nods. "Where are the suits being held?"
[22:15] * Tim nods, as if that made perfect sense.
[22:15] <Chamelaeon> (Fortress of solitude. Oh god.)
[22:15] <Tim> ( More like the Brick of Solitude. )
[22:16] <Chamelaeon> "Just a moment..." <<She closes her eyes and you get a
nifty .hack/Matrix effect of ghostly lines of code flowing over her image on
screen.>>
[22:16] * Chako frowns. "We? Okay, wait a minute. We've got a problem here. I'm
guessing you want to enter the game, or something. We don't got an army. We
don't even got a small amount of protection."
[22:16] * Isis nods. "We have information, though."
[22:17] <Vernon> (*stares* This is UNIX! I know this!)
[22:17] * Chako shakes her head. "Nah, ya don't get it. The Cube will paste us,
our friends, and our family, if he wants.'
[22:17] * Isis shrugs. "No guts, no glory, Chako."
[22:17] <Chako> Yeah, but I'd rather it not be Krissy's guts.
[22:17] <Charlie> I can't see how we have more information than they do,
honestly.
[22:18] <Isis> We don't. We have just enough. If you have better plans, I'd like
to hear them.
[22:20] <Charlie> Nah, but I hope you know what you're getting into here.
[22:20] <Tim> Only other plan I can think of involves sitting here in the
toolchest some more, so.
[22:20] <Charlie> ..'cause I dont.
[22:20] * Vernon nods. "I'm sort of drifting here, myself..."
[22:20] <Charlie> But.. I'm sure it's big.
[22:20] <Taluun`tzo> I have nothing to lose, so I am all for it. Everyone else?
[22:21] * Chako rubs her head. "I... christ. This feels all wrong. Get the
suits, threaten the Cube, paste him if he doesn't tell us shit. Anything
else..."
[22:21] <Chamelaeon> <<Rondure opens her eyes again.>> "The suits are being held
in storage in Red Cleveland. There's extra guards posted, but nothing you won't
be able to handle."
[22:21] <Tim> Anything else is us being led around on a leash some more. 
[22:22] <Vernon> Unless this is exactly what the Cube expects us to do.
[22:22] * Isis turns around from the doorway. "The point is this, Chako. We can
continue serving the Cube forever, have our families used as leverage, be
someone's toys... or we can take our fate into our own hands. Whether we're for
or against him the Cube will look for ways to keep us in line. I'd rather he do
it in a way where we all know where we stand."
[22:23] <Tim> If it were what he expected us to do, he'd be doing things to stop
us.
[22:23] <Chako> Yeah, but you can't do it halfway. We've got to hit the Cube
physically immediately.
[22:23] <Isis> Why do we immediately have to become his enemy?
[22:23] <Isis> At the moment our goals are the same.
[22:23] <Chako> Because the second we break into his base, especially if we do
that 'Takin' over the bugs' lie thing, we ARE his enemy.
[22:23] <Taluun`tzo> Who said we would become his enemy? Um, what's that old
phrase... The enemy of my enemy is my friend?
[22:24] <Isis> It would benefit him more to cut his losses and work with us than
wage war *against* us. Sometimes a small target's harder to hit.
[22:24] <Isis> ( Okay, did Chako miss the 'forget the subterfuge' line? )
[22:24] <Chako> ( Maybe, since you didn't lay out any actual plan. )
[22:25] <Isis> Provided we can effectively enter the Game, we don't need to pit
him against the Egg.
[22:26] * Chako frowns. "We've at least got to threaten him. How are we gonna
get info if we just let him plan?"
[22:26] <Atom> ( I have the weirdest image of you guys in Saga Frontier 2 art
style. )
[22:27] <Isis> We are threatening him. We're taking Ronnie and our suits.
[22:28] * Tim gets a thoughtful look. "Y'think we could take away his 'leverage'
while we're at it?"
[22:28] * Chako shakes her head. "I think that ain't enough. He'll still just be
able to hold back everything. "
[22:29] <Isis> ( Okay. Tal, clock Chako over the head and we'll throw her in the
backseat and explain when she wakes up. )
[22:29] <Taluun`tzo> (Done and done.)
[22:29] * Isis blinks at Tim. "As in, take everyone with us?"
[22:30] <Isis> Do we have that kind of time? Or space on the Brick? Not that
it's a bad plan, per se.
[22:30] <Tim> Sort of. If we could find somewhere relatively safe to stash them,
we could do that. Or if we could steal a bigger ship while we're out acquiring
things...
[22:30] <Isis> ( *snicker* I know where they'd be safe. )
[22:31] <Isis> ( If the trip didn't drive 'em insane. )
[22:31] <Vernon> (Send them to stay at Stan's brother's hotel. After that
they'll be nice and aggressive.)
[22:32] <Tim> ( ...heh. )
[22:32] * Taluun`tzo nods.
[22:32] <Isis> Anyway, Chako, we don't want to threaten the Cube too much
anyway. We're just going to go from lackey to ally.
[22:32] <Isis> We don't want humanity eaten by the bugs, and neither does he.
[22:32] * Vernon nods.
[22:33] <Taluun`tzo> Correct. We are merely affirming ourselves as an individual
power.
[22:36] * Chako is still frowning, and shakes her head. "Hell. This is bloody
insane. I at least expected a plan outta ya, Isis, before somethin' like this."
[22:36] * Taluun`tzo looks at Chako strangely. "It sounds perfectly sound to
me."
[22:36] <Tim> This is a plan. Sort of.
[22:37] * Isis raises an eyebrow. "I plan, you say it's too complex. I
extemporize, you say I don't plan. One or the other."
[22:39] <Chamelaeon> <<Ronnie sits, looking. The AC in the room kicks on.>>
[22:40] * Vernon considers. "Ronnie? Any thoughts?"
[22:40] * Chako frowns. "Plans are fine, when it's a war on the way."
[22:40] * Taluun`tzo looks over at Ronnie.
[22:42] <Isis> Then the plan is to retake our suits, relocate and set up shop
somewhere besides Mars, enter into the Game, make a truce with the Cube, and get
back to saving humanity.
[22:42] <Chamelaeon> "From an AI, standpoint, he can't make your families
dissapear or harm them or your friends. That's too coincidental, especially when
some people make livings off data patterns." <<She frowns.>> "As for you, you're
a little less safe. Accidents can be easier to fake in space..."
[22:42] <Chako> And if the truce don't happen?
[22:42] * Isis says, flatly, "If we haven't been killed already by letting a
bird navigate, it's going to take more than coincidence to kill us."
[22:42] * Vernon nods.
[22:43] <Vernon> (Ma'am, why are you letting the penguin drive? [8])
[22:43] <Chamelaeon> "But he'd be silly to kill you, really. Then he'd lose ALL
of your functionality instead of most of it, and he can't easily rebuild a team
like this."
[22:43] * Isis shrugs at Chako. "Then we play it as it comes. If I could predict
the future with exacting prcision, I wouldn't be here."
[22:43] <Chamelaeon> (Because he has his license, you fool.)
[22:44] <Vernon> (Eight points for wombat.)
[22:44] * Tim looks at Ronnie. "Any shipyards near the place they're holding our
suits?"
[22:44] <Chamelaeon> "Just a moment..." <<She pauses.>> "No."
[22:45] * Chako rubs her head. "Fine. Shit, you're the strategy person. I still
don't think it's right unless we make the Cube know where it stands real
personal-like, though."
[22:45] <Tim> Damn. So much for getting a better ship while we're at it.
[22:45] * Isis raises an eyebrow. "If you're suggesting walking into his
chambers with a really strong electromagnet, you're free to do so. I have no
particular attachment to the Cube."
[22:46] <Chamelaeon> (.. wow, it's only been like an hour and a half. o_O)
[22:46] <Taluun`tzo> (A very productive hour and a half. :P)
[22:46] <Vernon> That would be risky. I'm certain he has off-site backup
systems.
[22:46] <Chako> Just walk up, put a gun to his head, and let him know that we're
both in the business of saving the human race, and if he fucks with us, we'll
come back.
[22:46] <Isis> ( Okay, Mecha, you've clearly lost your mind. c.c; )
[22:46] <Chako> And I'm sure ya could deal with that, Vernon.
[22:46] <Chako> ( No more than you, Isis. ^^;)
[22:46] * Vernon grins. "I appreciate your confidence, but it's tricky."
[22:46] <Tim> You know, his 'head' is probably very, very thickly armored.
[22:47] <Isis> I'm presuming she meant it metaphorically.
[22:47] <Isis> ( I certainly hope she did. c.c; )
[22:47] <Tim> Ah.
[22:47] <Taluun`tzo> Yeah. You'd probably use a plasma cannon instead.
[22:47] <Chako> Sure, as long as it happens. If he doesn't think betraying us
will cause anything but a little more recoup time for him, then he might just do
it.
[22:48] <Chako> I don't wanna put my trust in his good will.
[22:48] <Vernon> (BRB, keep going.)
[22:50] <Taluun`tzo> Who said it was in his good will?
[22:51] <Isis> The longer we wait, the harder breaking free is going to be, and
we're stalling because we're trying to predict the future.
[22:51] <Tim> Which is a notoriously difficult thing to do.
[22:52] <Isis> Even for omniscient AIs.
[22:52] * Tim nods.
[22:52] * Chako says, "I said go for the suit grabbing, alright? We don't have
to wait on that."
[22:53] * Vernon nods.
[22:53] * Taluun`tzo gets up, if he wasn't standing already. "I have been for
that the entire time. Let's get going."
[22:53] <Tim> Works for me.
[22:54] * Tim stands back up and gets the door for everybody.
[22:54] <Chamelaeon> <<Out in the hall, Prag wanders by, wearing a tiny chef's
hat.>> "Oh! Guys! I've been looking for you. I just made falafel! And I wanted
you guys to have some first."
[22:54] <Isis> ( ...you were waiting all night to do that. )
[22:54] <Taluun`tzo> (Thank you Prag!)
[22:54] * Vernon steps into the hall and... ...
[22:54] <Chamelaeon> (Actually, yes.)
[22:54] <Taluun`tzo> A... Falafel?
[22:54] <Isis> Um...
[22:54] <Isis> Tell you what, Prag.
[22:54] <Chamelaeon> Yeah, falafel! It's ... Greek, I think.
[22:55] <Tim> Cool. 
[22:55] * Isis settles an internal debate. "Let's have some falafel."
[22:56] <Taluun`tzo> Um, sure. Why not?
[22:56] * Vernon nods.
[22:56] * Charlie shrugs
[22:57] <Tim> Sounds like a plan.
[22:57] <Chako> Sure, what the hell. I didn't get to finish my tacos anyway.
[22:57] <Chamelaeon> (Okay. We can FF the falafel eating and get to some
combat/sneaking, if you so wish, or woe could save that to next time and enjoy a
little falafel and then cut off.)
[22:57] <Vernon> Falafel makes you strong. Strength crushes enemies.
[22:57] <Chamelaeon> (or we could just cut Vernon.)
[22:57] <Vernon> (;_;)
[22:57] <Isis> ( Convincing Chako to actually do this has totally exhausted my
reserves. c.c; )
[22:58] <Taluun`tzo> ( * Taluun crushes Vernon. "Is that enough strength?")
[22:58] <Chamelaeon> (So. Which will it be?)
[22:58] <Isis> ( SO I say we get suits next time. )
[22:59] <Taluun`tzo> (I don't care either way. Although I am looking forward to
finally kicking some ass. ^_^)
[22:59] <Vernon> (Whatever works. ^_^)
[22:59] <Chako> (Whatever, sure.)
[23:00] <Chamelaeon> (I don't really have much in my head for the suit part, and
the only definite opinion (I hate you all) is for suits next time. So suits next
time it is.)
[23:00] <Chamelaeon> <<Prag has made a delightful spread, with pita bread and
feta and cucumbers and olives and tomatoes, and both red and black bean
hummus.>>
[23:01] <Vernon> (......)
[23:01] <Chako> (Ha ha.)
[23:02] * Taluun`tzo blinks at the odd spread. "How do you eat it?"
[23:03] * Isis has a seat. "Why the sudden interest in international cuisine?"
[23:03] <Chamelaeon> <<Prag fairly beams, for a low-level AI and a robot.>> "You
put the falafel balls in the pita with the other stuff, and then eat it! I'd,
uh, show you, but I left my hands in the kitchen."
[23:04] * Tim consumes. :9
[23:04] * Vernon consumes!
[23:04] * Taluun`tzo consumes?
[23:04] * Chako eyes the stuff, and does her best to consume.
[23:04] <Chamelaeon> "Oh, the Mexican day started it, really. Once I learned to
make enchiladas it was all downhill."
[23:05] <Chamelaeon> <<It's really good, if you like greek food. It is meatless,
just in case you're wondering.>>
[23:05] * Isis has half a one, to start. "A not altogether unwelcome
development."
[23:05] * Charlie grins "Sounds fun, prag."
[23:06] * Charlie tries some.
[23:06] <Taluun`tzo> Yes. It is definetly a interesting food.
[23:06] <Tim> Hey, nice. ^_^
[23:06] <Vernon> Mmm. Thanks, Prag!
[23:07] <Chamelaeon> <<He'd blush, if he knew how.>> "Thanks."
[23:11] * Vernon checks his e-mail. "Hey, Tim..."
[23:11] <Tim> Yehuh?
[23:11] * Vernon motions Tim over, and starts whispering.
[23:11] * Tim listens.
[23:12] <Chamelaeon> <<Prag busies himself back in the kitchen, humming
something out of Hello Dolly, not that any of you are familiar with old Earth
musicals.>>
[23:12] * Tim blinks. "Uhm... I *think* I could come up with something for
that."
[23:12] * Chako eyes the conference, shrugs, and eats more of the weird food.
[23:13] * Isis frowns as she eats, thinking but not speaking.
[23:13] <Chamelaeon> <<Okay. We can end whenever everyone's ready. ^^>>
[23:13] * Tim nods. "Sounds about right. Yeah, we can do this."
[23:14] * Vernon nods to Tim, sits down, and pulls up a few catalogs on his
laptop.
[23:14] <Vernon> (Ready whenever. ^_^)
[23:14] <Tim> ( Ready. ^.^ )
[23:14] <Isis> (Am good for end.)
[23:14] <Chamelaeon> <<SESSION FORTY-ONE, LANDED!