Voice;

[mopirates_moproblems]

Some time ago, I posited the idea of building a ship. While it was met with derision by some -- [You know who you are.] -- recent events have convinced me that there is no other reasonable course of action.

We are entering a time of ease now, and I feel very strongly that we must act before the next catastrophe arises. While we have the opportunity and the materials, we can construct a proper ship. This will give us the freedom to explore beyond the turtle's shell, and give us a means of escape, should it sicken again.

I believe there is enough wood from the homes destroyed when the satellite fell to salvage and build a modest ship. It will not hold all of us, but it is a fine start. With more mobility, I believe we can find the materials we need to make a proper go of it.

For those who question my qualifications, I am an Admiral of his Majesty's navy, formerly in the employ of the East India Trading Company. I have more than the proper qualifications to oversee the construction and voyages of such a vessel.

Comments

[langsyne]

Sounds like a good idea to me. [It also sounds easier and slightly more comfortable than riding a bunch of flying bugs around.] Do you already have a blueprint for the size and layout?

[mopirates_moproblems]

[Flying bugs. Right. Not even going to touch that one.]

Not at present, though such a thing is easy enough to draw up. I have ample experience with the construction of boats.

[In theory, at least... he's never actually... been... to a boat yard....

How hard can it be?]

[langsyne]

[Hey man, bugs are very friendly as long as you don't squish them by the dozens.]

Drawing up plans and executing plans are two very different things. [This he knows from painful, painful experience.] Have you considered making models to test out your plans first?

[mopirates_moproblems]

[Yeah, he'll... nope, still not touching it.]

I will have to. We simply do not have enough raw materials to waste on experimentation.

[langsyne]

[Flatly:] So you'd rather run the risk of accidentally drowning people on a boat that might not work.

[Pardon his skepticism, it's the engineer in him. Also the dad in him that is highly fearful of watching all the kids on the turtle suffer, even if they all seem to have superpowers of their own and are probably all perfectly capable. He's a worrier. It's kind of a problem.]

[mopirates_moproblems]

Of course not. What in the world gave you that impression?

[langsyne]

[THE NOT BUILDING MODELS PART MAYBE? But okay, that might be a lot little rude to say so maybe he should. Calm down or something. And avoid the question because he's good at that.]

Are you going to build lifeboats to go along with your ship?

[mopirates_moproblems]

We'll have jolly boats, to serve much the same purpose.

[langsyne]

[Sorry, he is unfamiliar with your weird naval terminology.]

.....Jolly boats? Does everyone have to have a smile on their face to be in one?

[mopirates_moproblems]

In my experience, men in jolly boats very rarely have smiles.

[langsyne]

Then why are they called jolly boats?

[Unless they look like Jolly Ranchers but somehow Scott doubts that is the case.]

[mopirates_moproblems]

It's a butchered pronunciation of yawl, which really isn't the point. I assure you, she will be thoroughly tested and quite seaworthy.

[langsyne]

[No, that doesn't make things any better because Scott has no idea what a 'yawl' is either - some weird mix between a yowl and a yawn?? - but he's smart enough to catch on that this really isn't an acceptable topic of discussion (at least at the current moment) and gracefully moves on.]

What're you planning on doing once you've got her all built? Just...sail away from here?

[mopirates_moproblems]

Perhaps, although there are difficulties with that course of action.

[The barrier. The fact that he -- and many others -- are, most likely, dead. They don't have a good enough hold on where they are to make for land, yet, and whose to say the world they visited would be better than life on the Turtle?]

[langsyne]

You mean apart from slamming into whatever magical barrier's out there and then getting eaten by piranhas. Not necessarily in that order.

[None of that was meant to be taken seriously through (although piranhas would be somewhat terrifying).]

So what do you need then? Materials, designs, slave labor...?

[mopirates_moproblems]

Apart from that. Precisely.

[Humor? Or not? James is so dry, it's quite impossible to tell.]

Materials and labor, certainly.

[langsyne]

[Scott will claim a win when he can, so that dryness is getting tucked away as humor.]

What do you need mostly? Wood? I can try and keep an eye out for whatever you need.

[mopirates_moproblems]

Wood, indeed. And metal, for appropriate nails, rivets, and other fastenings. We'll need strong lengths of fine rope, canvas, and tar ultimately. As well as general cleaning supplies and mechanical tools.

[langsyne]

[Scott's mentally noting to keep an eye out for all of these things as he goes about his daily shopping ritual.]

When are you hoping to start building?

[mopirates_moproblems]

As quickly as possible.

[langsyne]

[Right. Of course. Why did he even bother asking?]

I'll see what I can find. [Um.] What was your name again? And where did you want them dropped off?

[mopirates_moproblems]

Admiral James Norrington.

[The heaviest sigh.]

As for a drop off location -- I will be in touch with that information. You will, of course, be well compensated.

[langsyne]

[Norrington does get a small smile for that.]

Works for me. And as long as I get a ride in one of this ships, we'll call it fair.

[mopirates_moproblems]

If you are sure.

[No dancing around it with James. If Scott is willing to do the work for nothing, he's not going to argue.]

[langsyne]

[Scott is willing to do lots of work for lots of people. It's just how he rolls.]

I'm sure. Just let me know where and when.