Somewhere beyond the sea...

[logdate]

Peridot has had this idea since her conversation with Ursula about the mysterious seismic readings. While she can appreciate that need for immediacy and getting used to their local surroundings, she's also one hundred percent sure that they're going to need to find out more about what's going on beyond their little sphere of influence. Knowledge is power and she intends to find out as much as she possibly can about this planet - and what might be coming their way from the wildlife (or anything else that lives on this stupid death trap of a world).  

To that end, she's set up camp in material storage so she has access to most of the salvage that's being brought in and she's doing her absolute best to repurpose it. Anyone who's volunteered to help her (or any passers-by) can find her amongst a bevy scattered materials, either directing the actions of her hapless "assistants" or going to work with a welding torch, hammer, screw-driver, or other tools. She's trying to make some autonomous drones and they're shaping up to be odd little things - tear drop shaped, with a built-in propulsion systems (and other bells and whistles, depending on what she and everyone else decide to add on). Pitch in! Or just make Peridot's life harder.

You know, which ever is more appealing. Or bother the other people who are working! It's not like they can avoid people. 

Comments

[splinten]

Amidst all his work, a thumping dub beat might be heard. And a certain gem's dulcet tones, songified for this exact purpose. "Make it stop! Make it stop! Make it stop stop stop stop stop stop stop stop—CLOD!"

The drone starts projecting light patterns, in a club style, on the ceiling, for the instrumental period. Then Peridot's voice projected again, shifted down to a bass: "This is an incredible waste of resources."

Dirk gives his drone a solid pat. It isn't complete: wires still jut out, and several of the panels are left open. There are also some major gaps, possibly to be filled by the small Crash powder bombs Dirk has sitting next to him. "Nice work. Crestfactor, you are gonna do great."

[logdate]

"Why would you do this to me?" That's the very real Peridot. She's not nearly as songified; in fact, it's more of a screech. All she wanted was functional, efficient technology. Instead she's getting music. Of herself. She's half tempted to just shut it all down, tear the drone apart, and start from square one.

"And it isn't called 'Crestfactor', that's Drone Zero-Two!"

When world-views collide.

[splinten]

You know what just got incorporated into the song? "Why? Why would you do this why? Why would you do this? Why? Why? Why would you do this do this to me? CLOD!" (Apparently, 'CLOD' is what Crestfactor prefers to use before breaking it down.)

Programming your robots for adaptation is very important.

Dirk looks up from his dear new dronefriend, impassive before Peridot's outrage. "Dude, you need to chill it on the shouting. You'll hurt your vocal cords. You don't want Crestfactor to be the only one who can sing with that voice."

It's definitely Crestfactor.

[logdate]

"I don't actually have vocal cords to damage, Dirk!" Peridot groans and runs a hand over her face. Landing on this planet has apparently undone some of the unwinding she did back on Earth (mainly because everything here is terrible). She takes a deep breath and then raises both of her hands as if she's trying to get over all of this.

"You know what? Fine. I can handle this. I can handle my drones singing at me. You can call them whatever you want, just - make sure they actually do what they're supposed to!"

[bonomial]

Droids aren't Don's usual area of expertise, but he's a fast learner. The Turtle has been hard at work studying Peridot's and Dirk's preliminary robotics work, and now he's trying his hand at something of his own.

Donatello is arched over one of the piles of salvage, picking out pieces of the most useful components to repurpose into the motherboard of the eventual droid. His fingers hesitate on one of the flatter, more domelike pieces of resilient plastic.

Definitely tempted to make a Turtlebot with this one.

"Aquatic recon droid... this one's begging for some Turtle elements. You're sure I can't give it a shell?" He's half-joking. Sort of. He'll actually do it if you let him, Peridot.

[logdate]

"Why would it need a shell?" Peridot wrinkles her nose at Donatello, "The design already incorporates a semi-armored hull for protection. It doesn't need anything else."

There's a pause as Peridot considers Donatello for a moment, thinking, "What's a turtle, anyway?"

She's still not overly familiar with Earth wildlife.

[bonomial]

"Ah, but you'd be neglecting the possibilities of the drone being able to fold into a more-hydrodynamic configuration inside an external shell." Don smirks a little over his shoulder as he delicately threads two wires together - something that looks pretty difficult with his huge hands. "The teardrop shape is an excellent start, of course, but considering the damage those Reapers were able to do, the hull's armour shouldn't be too skimpy."

Peridot's question isn't particularly weird, but it's strange reminding himself that his body doesn't immediately answer this question for an alien. From the little he's gleaned of Peridot, he can tell she's definitely not from Earth, but she seems to have a little knowledge about the planet.

"Turtles are Earth animals. They're reptiles, from the order Testudines, that are characterized by bony or cartilaginous outgrowths of their rib bones that give them a protective covering that's not unlike the hull I'm considering." Don taps his own shell lightly with one of his wrenches. "Or what's on me, for that matter."

A beat, as he realizes he has to clarify: "... I'm kind of an unusual circumstance. Most turtles on Earth are a lot smaller than I am, and none of them are sapient."

[logdate]

Peridot squints for a moment, considering the proposal, "...Possibly. But we're also trying to conserve resources. We don't want to spend too much time on any particular drone - unless you think you can efficiently put together a shell. I suppose we can try it..."

It makes logical sense, so she's willing to give it a shot. She's personally a fan of simplicity in this regard, though.

"...I definitely don't remember anything like you on Earth," Peridot replies after a long moment, "So I have to agree with the 'unusual circumstance'."

[splinten]

"Give it a shell."

No hesitation. No restraint. Dirk is currently slipping some crash-powder bombs into the drone in his lap, and he doesn't even look up from it. Yet his voice is so very confident.

The drone needs a shell.

"You gotta name it, too. This lil lady is Crestfactor."

Temporary Interrupt

[logdate]

Peridot yells from across the room, "Drone Zero-Two!"

[adaywithoutsandcakes]

While Stork has at least a few misgivings about this project -- like, "he's fairly new to the whole idea of computers and robotics, and he's already anticipating the inevitable robot uprising" kind of misgivings -- it is, nonetheless, a chance to put his hands to work and build something, which can be wonderfully therapeutic. It's exactly what he needs right now.

The anxious merb throws himself into this work with an ease and confidence that's probably surprising to anyone who's observed him so far; he doesn't even appear concerned about the risks of working with welding torches and other potentially dangerous equipment. He's clearly at home surrounded by tools and parts, and an old pro at cobbling together new devices out of salvaged equipment. Though he's stymied by the higher-tech side of the project, he seems to have the basic mechanics down.

He quickly settles in, applying his skills wherever directed, only occasionally stopping to ask succinct questions about the current task. On the whole, he's pretty efficient, really. But somewhere along the way, he gets a little sidetracked by one question in particular.

"Umm... stupid question..." He's staring at a battery, turning it this way and that. What is it. Does it open. "But I'm noticing a distinct lack of crystals in this design? Unless they're... in these little cans..."

[logdate]

Peridot appreciates the fact that she's not being bombarded with useless questions and that Stork seems to have a grasp of what needs to be done, at least when it comes to getting the shell and the mechanical bits put together. She's very carefully trying to put together some of the more delicate circuitry that they'll be programming (eventually). She glances up at his question and gives him a curious look. Bit of a strange question, but not totally moronic.

"It's a battery - a portable power source. This is all based on human technology and they don't use any kind of crystal as a power source!"

Which is sort of creepy, now that she thinks about it. Using a gem as a power source. Ugh.

[adaywithoutsandcakes]

A battery? Stork is picturing cannons, but okay. He gives the power source a slightly suspicious look before putting it back down.

"They don't?" Humans are weird here -- though, judging from the fact that Peridot also referred to them as "they," Stork may have to scratch "some of them are also green?" off the list of weird things about the local humans. "Huh. They do on Atmos. Everyone does. They're powerful, versatile... takes a crystal mage to really get the most out of them, though..."

[voidkatini]

[ Someone's invisible and lurking around the base! Roxy has nothing better to do but float around and spy on people sometimes, but what better way to learn about the place and its people than get the low-down on them when their guard is down, and they think no one is watching? She's respectful about it, of course-- she won't spy on anyone who looks like they're having a private conversation (unless it involves romance, then you bet your sweet bippy she's going to eavesdrop on that!

It looks like Peridot's up to nothing of the sorts, however, so Roxy has no qualms against lurking and observing. It looks like she's building something. Robots, probably. Idly, she wonders if this girl has met Dirk yet. The guy's robot fetish was almost as bad as his shitty sword fetish.

Suddenly, Roxy makes herself visible to Peridot. It seems she's been sitting there watching with her chin in hand for a while. ]

Yo, P-dot! Whatcha buildin', cutie?

[logdate]

[ Peridot actually screams when Roxy pops up out of nowhere. She was focused on her work and she really wasn't expecting anyone - friendly or otherwise to suddenly appear in her workspace. She flails and scrambles back for a moment, staring at Roxy with wide, wide eyes. ]

Where did you come from?!

[ If she had a heart, she would be complaining about nearly having a heart attack. ]

[voidkatini]

Whoops, sorry!

[ Roxy looks sheepish. She didn't think she'd scare the poor gem that badly. She supposes she'll just have to leave the pranks to professionals like John Egbert! ]

I came through the door, just like anyone else would! I'm sorry for being sneaky n' scarin' the bejeebus outta you like that.

[showybusiness]

Goodness, isn't that the tiny little nerd? Look at her work! So passionate and driven. It's kind of adorable, really - and reminds him of home. He seems keen on following the drones around, long, bendy metal arms extending out to poke at them tentatively as they work.

"Did you make these, darling? They're kind of cute, in a dull, plain sort of way. Now I know who can fix me up when I get a boo-boo!"

His laugh was obnoxious in its optimism and tv-ready cheerfulness.

[logdate]

Oh, it's Mettaton. Peridot gives him a suspicious squint as she tightens a bolt down. He's probably right - she is one of the few people around here who could probably help fix him up if he gets damaged.

"We'll see. If you really need the help, I can probably make sure you remain functioning."

Aw, she does care. One of the drones bumps into Mettaton and then turns to go in a different direction. Apparently she's still working out some bugs.

[showybusiness]

"I'll be there, writhing and crying out your name, darling! Oh, don't let it end like this! Not on this wet, disappointing world!"

A pair of long legs is now in her way - well, slightly. He's decided to recline a little off to the side, to still be very noticeable without interrupting anything.

[inject]

Ah, her little gemstone helper. Valentine could see she was hard at work, and her intial feeling was not to bother her. However, the little robots were interesting, and though robotics were not Valentine's speciality, she thought she might be able to assist.

Or at least find out what they were. They definitely made her think of that potential sensor system, and it might be useful to watch to get some ideas. Or pass the job off onto this person entirely. Even with that, however, offering to help gave a good impression.

She approached, putting a hand on her hip, and watched for a moment. Then she hunkered down beside the tools.

"Need a hand? Or two?"

[logdate]

Peridot looks up and adjusts her visor. She switches off the welding torch she was using to get the plating properly fixed and offers Valentine a little squint, "Oh, it's you."

She pauses and then jerks a thumb at the materials and tools piled around her, "If you want. Do you know what you're doing, though? I'd rather not have everything blow up in my face!"

[inject]

"Don't worry. It'll be my face it blows up in, surely." Though she wouldn't mind seeing her have to go into her gem, or whatever it was she'd said. Lose her holographic projection.

Valentine hunkered down beside the tools and flicked her gaze to Peridot's busy hands. Hm. "I'm not the robotics expert of the team, but I've helped with some creations. Give me some direction and I'll do just that."

[imsorey]

[Sorey is nothing if not an enthusiastic worker, but in this instance he falls a little into the "hapless" catergory. He has plenty of experience with building things back home, just due to the nature of his upbringing, but the technology Peridot is using is beyond him. Doing anything involving mechanical, electrical, or plumbing will be a bit of work.

Luckily for both of them, he's a quick study. After asking a few questions about the supplies and how to put things together (and after two stubbed fingers) he's pretty much got the hang of it. Just to be on the safe side, though, he's having Peridot check his work. He has something decent-looking put together, as long as he can finish putting it together.]

I think I can try using the welding torch now, right?

[logdate]

Sure. As long as you think you're not going to burn your fingers off...

[ No skin off of Peridot's back. Although she really should be worried about her team-mates ending up with injuries. Actually, now that she thinks about it- ]

You have eye protection, don't you? I don't want you blinding yourself - what good are you going to be then?

[imsorey]

Oh, right.

[Properly reminded about safety, he looks around for the proper equipment. He knows he left them somewhere--and after a few seconds of looking he finds the goggles, right next to the gloves, and triumphantly scoops them all up and dons them.]

Found them! I'm ready to go. Unless you'd rather demonstrate first.