In mysterious fathoms below; Closed-ish Mingle 12/12

[expulsions]

[When Percy Jackson gets an idea, it's better just to let him do it even if it's probably a bad idea. Such an idea is how a large group of explorers wind up taking a submarine or two out toward the dunes, Percy swimming alongside them to lead them onward before diving down under the dunes. Let's do a little exploring where the water flows below, shall we?]

i.

[Deep under the dunes the group will find several waterfalls and caves to explore on their own. There's also the acid river he mentioned to a few people, all surrounded by tree-like plants in arches and pathways.

The eel is still there and even more agitated Percy brought friends this time. Do try to take care not to get electrocuted, okay?]

ii

[That's about where Percy stopped the first time, but with a crew now it's easier to keep going. Crew members may wish to follow the river northeast where they will all discover an unexpected and massive structure. It's easy to enter the docking area and check out the inside of the base through the dim lighting.

It's clear that it's different than anything else they've seen before. Crew members can explore the different floors but it's clear that every area has one thing in common. What will you do with these aquariums?]

iii

[Because really, the base itself has a lot to look at. Each aquarium houses weird little creatures suspended in a stasis mode. They're definitely not moving, but it appears the tanks can be moveable.

Aside from that, there are also some terminals that could use some attention. Any of our tech-inclined crew members can fiddle with it enough to bring up a video showing someone large tearing into the facility they're in, knocking in the walls until it settles to its current form.

But if you're not interested in weird aliens or weirder terminals, there's plenty to look at. An elevator-type opening appears to be the in-between of the floors. Be careful where you step though seeing how it'll flip you into Zero G.

Or you can explore to your heart's content. Who knows what else you'll find…?]

wildcard

[What it says on the tin! Here is more information about the mission in-question with other information available. Have fun!]

Comments

[imsorey]

It's possible; we don't have anything set in stone as far as a timeline goes. But the Emperor's depiction of time matches what the reefbacks have said too, given how old she is and URSULA's estimation of their average lifespans.

It would be nice to be able to decipher these records...think Annabeth can do it? Documentation from an alien species it likely to be more concrete than anything else we've got.

[expulsions]

I feel like I've missed a lot not talking to this Emperor. [But there's a grin.] Good thing we've got you and Mikleo to keep things on-record.

[But the question's a good one.] I think so. It'll take time, I think, but Annabeth's really good at this kind of stuff. It's what she's always done and if she can't...why do you think I brought Dirk, too? They can work on it together. [But no he's not toying with the thought that Dirk could do it himself without Annabeth. Let him be biased okay.]

[imsorey]

Come with us to see her sometime. She's hard to find, but I know she likes company.

[he cracks a little grin at that bias; he's seen enough of Annabeth's work in action to know that she could give Dirk a run for his money, that's for sure]

Between the two of them I bet they'll get us something to work with. Neither of them are the type to back down from a challenge like this.

[expulsions]

If she's hard to find how do you guys keep finding her? [It's maybe a silly question, but he's always interested in Sorey's methods of action.

But he smiles because...yeah. Yeeeeeah his girlfriend's a little intense.] I don't think Annabeth's ever run away from a challenge in her whole life. Dirk's helped us out a few times, too, and I know he can write programs. He's the one who wrote one for me and Annabeth so we can read the communicators.

[imsorey]

We were kind of led to her the first time. Or, well, we found her by accident when we kept pushing a certain direction. We didn't know what we were looking for until we found her, basically. And now we more or less know the way.

[that's the best way he can remember it happening when it was so long ago, but if pressed for details he can give them]

Could you not read the communicators before?

[expulsions]

The same time you guys found the soul without realizing it. Mikleo told me this story. [He's not even surprised they've befriended the Emperor. Sorey and Mikleo seem to have that effect.] If she doesn't mind company then I don't see a problem with it.

[The question's a little embarrassing.] It's not that we couldn't read them, but all demigods are dyslexic. You can never really tell with Annabeth because she's always reading, but our brains are wired for reading Ancient Greek instead of English. Some time before I got here, Annabeth had Dirk make a patch so that everything we're reading is in the right language. Less headaches.

[imsorey]

[dyslexia isn't a word he's familiar with from home, but he's read about the term enough that it only takes a beat before his eyes light up with understanding.]

Oh, wow! So you sort of know two languages by necessity? Unless you can't speak Greek. But even being able to read it is pretty impressive. Does that mean that reading Greek doesn't give you headaches?

[expulsions]

I can speak a little but not that much. It's easier to understand it when it's spoken, probably just the way we're wired. [There's a shrug.] But you've got the right idea. It's a lot easier since the letters already look pretty weird anyway but since it's an ancient language it sort of works out? Annabeth would probably be able to explain it better. I didn't even know that I could until I was twelve.