004: The Mean Streets of Aki

[Tiglath]

Garvin sends over the neural link "Look I'm going to give her it all. We're just nowhere near expert enough to keep the lies straight about all this gear an' , as she revealed, she understands the archaeology an' we don't. If we try another big lie or a frame up job we're gonna get well an' truly 'ung up on it an' loose our best chance of an ally we desperately need in the process. Maybe it'll all come as a cascade of discoveries she can't yet make full sense of but I'll give 'er the lot - including the moon base. Then I'm going to kinda show her the gates so she knows we still have something kept back to bargain with. I will not mention the Ancient just that we became Psionic. If I ask her not to ask she won't. Are we good with that?"

"To be clear the physical stuff she gets to keep is scout ship an' the moon base and an offer of a Metz enhancement - but only if she wants it... an' Metz you have no idea how uncomfortable I am with you, her, me and that whole concept".

(OOC: I'm usually quite good at intrigue but I just can't keep all this stuff straight so I think my PC has no chance!

I'm taking the below as consent:

William speaks over the neural net. "I say that we admit that we know about the gates."

Jaelah pitches in over the link. "Tell her all of it. If we prevaricate with her, she will know it. We need an ally, and this is the best we will ever have, and the best time to secure her."

[terrymixon]

Garvin sends over the neural link "Look I'm going to give her it all. We're just nowhere near expert enough to keep the lies straight about all this gear an' , as she revealed, she understands the archaeology an' we don't. If we try another big lie or a frame up we're gonna get well an' truly 'ung up on it an' loose our best chance of an ally in the process. Maybe as a cascade of images she can't yet make full sense of but the lot including the moon base an' then I'm going to kinda show her the gates so she knows we still have something kept back to bargain with. I will not mention the Ancient just that we became Psionic. If I ask her not to ask she won't. We good with that?"

"To be clear the physical stuff she gets to keep is scout ship an' the moon base and an offer of a Metz enhancement as further evidence - but only if she wants it... an' Metz you have no idea how uncomfortable I am with you, her, me and that whole concept".

(OOC:

I'm taking the below as consent:

William speaks over the neural net. "I say that we admit that we know about the gates."

Jaelah pitches in over the link. "Tell her all of it. If we prevaricate with her, she will know it. We need an ally, and this is the best we will ever have, and the best time to secure her."

"We obtained samples from the base, so its loss would be painful, but not crippling," Roscoe said. "Besides, we have an entire world covered with Ancients technology to explore when we have the time and inclination. The base will be just one more lever to secure our safety. Also, seeing how she handles that will tell us much about her character."

"I'd still like access to the base to study it," Metz said. "The Ancients manufactory still has secrets to reveal. Even if they are studying it, there is no reason that we cannot have full access as well. If we collaborate, that makes us allies in truth. We'll be able to get in if we retrieve the lost half of the operational gate, but that will reveal we can travel great distances as well. Admitting the possibility of future gate production might carry a lot a weight."

[Tiglath]

"We obtained samples from the base, so its loss would be painful, but not crippling," Roscoe said. "Besides, we have an entire world covered with Ancients technology to explore when we have the time and inclination. The base will be just one more lever to secure our safety. Also, seeing how she handles that will tell us much about her character."

"I'd still like access to the base to study it," Metz said. "The Ancients manufactory still has secrets to reveal. Even if they are studying it, there is no reason that we cannot have full access as well. If we collaborate, that makes us allies in truth. We'll be able to get in if we retrieve the lost half of the operational gate, but that will reveal we can travel great distances as well. Admitting the possibility of future gate production might carry a lot a weight."

Garvin replies "I know this is really your playground so I want you both to be 'appy with the deal. I'll insist we have unlimited free access an' first dibs on finds within any an' all facilities discovered plus unlimited access to all connected an' related research. It's probably important that you invent yourself a grand academic title to go with that an' then make everyone who works 'ere your research... er... minion. I'm just a layman o' course but anything outranking a mere "Captain of Knowledge" would be where I'd go".

"An' I think you're bang on with your pitch. Not only do we come with all this but we promise more - on our terms".

[Thumper]

Walt on the net-
”I’m ok with the moon base with those stipulations. Also ok with revealing the group endowment of psionic abilities and psionic vision interpretation. The Metz special, sure but because its inventor agrees to that VOlUNTARY procedure.

I am not happy with any consideration of revealing the ship’s changes, the connections to the pocket Universe, or our status as Ancients. She has no reason to even want to know any of that, unless you reveal it. Those three things are all way outside the bounds of the discussion she asked to have. Three things shouldn’t be too hard to remember.

[terrymixon]

Walt on the net-
”I’m ok with the moon base with those stipulations. Also ok with revealing the group endowment of psionic abilities and psionic vision interpretation. The Metz special, sure but because its inventor agrees to that VOlUNTARY procedure.

I am not happy with any consideration of revealing the ship’s changes, the connections to the pocket Universe, or our status as Ancients. She has no reason to even want to know any of that, unless you reveal it. Those three things are all way outside the bounds of the discussion she asked to have. Three things shouldn’t be too hard to remember.

“Agreed,” Metz said. “Make the pitch, Garvin. It's time to roll the dice and see what Lady Luck thinks.”

[joertexas]

“Agreed,” Metz said. “Make the pitch, Garvin. It's time to roll the dice and see what Lady Luck thinks.”

"I agree provisionally," Jaelah says on the link. "She will suspect the rest soon enough, and that will not help our credibility with her. But, go ahead."

[Tiglath]

Walt on the net-
”I’m ok with the moon base with those stipulations. Also ok with revealing the group endowment of psionic abilities and psionic vision interpretation. The Metz special, sure but because its inventor agrees to that VOlUNTARY procedure.

I am not happy with any consideration of revealing the ship’s changes, the connections to the pocket Universe, or our status as Ancients. She has no reason to even want to know any of that, unless you reveal it. Those three things are all way outside the bounds of the discussion she asked to have. Three things shouldn’t be too hard to remember.

“Agreed,” Metz said. “Make the pitch, Garvin. It's time to roll the dice and see what Lady Luck thinks.”

Garvin sends "Well, alright but I'm going to take her through one of the cargo 'old gates blindfold so we need to uncover a section of that. She'll deduce that we have another portable gate an' that underwrites our collective position as the "Golden Goose" an' Doc's position on future gate production".

He makes some arrangements and then turns to Madam Treegarden "Alright then Madam Treegarden please first remove any comm devices or trackers you might be carryin an' as another precaution keep any mental shenanigans to a minimum. If you're ready - 'ere's the pitch". He extends an arm and opens his hand to reveal a length of black silk "Always pays to be upfront about this sort of thing in a relationship - business or otherwise". He gives her a reassuring wink and a smile before blindfolding her "Comfy? 'Ere we go then". He picks her off her bar stool and carries her through to the cargo hold where places her on the back of a grav bike. He pauses only long enough to don his trenchcoat and shades (eye protection!) then climbs aboard and advises his passenger " 'Old on as tight as you like, treacle" and guns the grav bike through the gate (to the virgin jungle world). Engaging the bike's inertial navigation he climbs for a panoramic view from which he picks out a suitably elevated LZ. Parking the grav bike he dismounts and kisses his passenger before lifting her off the pillion seat. "Sorry, Aster, that last bit was... um... improvised - but we're on our own now an' you were lookin' particularly ruddy lovely. So, on with business, 'ere let me 'elp". He gently unfastens the blindfold "Take your time an' 'ave a look around. This is the sales pitch though so no goin' all scientific on me. I like it 'ere. Restful". He lets her take in the scenery "Gates. Metz reckons he can make 'em. There's more but on be'alf of the Guild I'll deliver the rest of the show by puttin' my thoughts into your mind - but only with your full cooperation an' agreement. O' course these "thoughts" could be just that but bein' familiar with my fevered puerile imagination I think you'd be able to tell. All of this place is clearly real an what I'm about to send you is physically verifiable - because that's what we're 'andin' over". He kisses her again "I'm only just takin' me first falterin' steps along the path of Psionic heresy so bear with me. Now yer experts can do all this at range but I still find I 'ave to get as close as possible. Don't suppose the kind lady could 'elp an apprentice warlock out?"

Garvin will deliver the full package - with agreed edits and absolutely no innuendo...

[terrymixon]

Walt on the net-
”I’m ok with the moon base with those stipulations. Also ok with revealing the group endowment of psionic abilities and psionic vision interpretation. The Metz special, sure but because its inventor agrees to that VOlUNTARY procedure.

I am not happy with any consideration of revealing the ship’s changes, the connections to the pocket Universe, or our status as Ancients. She has no reason to even want to know any of that, unless you reveal it. Those three things are all way outside the bounds of the discussion she asked to have. Three things shouldn’t be too hard to remember.

“Agreed,” Metz said. “Make the pitch, Garvin. It's time to roll the dice and see what Lady Luck thinks.”

Garvin sends "Well, alright but I'm going to take her through one of the cargo 'old gates blindfold so we need to uncover a section of that. She'll deduce that we have another portable gate an' that underwrites our collective position as the "Golden Goose" an' Doc's position on future gate production".

"With the ship able to shift forms, it's easy enough to hide the gate inside the bulkhead when it's not in use," Roscoe said. "That'll drive her crazy."

He makes some arrangements and then turns to Madam Treegarden "Alright then Madam Treegarden please first remove any comm devices or trackers you might be carryin an' as another precaution keep any mental shenanigans to a minimum."

She raised an eyebrow. "Is a strip search required to determine my compliance? That could delay things somewhat."

[dialog["If you're ready - 'ere's the pitch".[/dialog] He extends an arm and opens his hand to reveal a length of black silk "Always pays to be upfront about this sort of thing in a relationship - business or otherwise". He gives her a reassuring wink and a smile before blindfolding her "Comfy? 'Ere we go then". He picks her off her bar stool and carries her through to the cargo hold where places her on the back of a grav bike. He pauses only long enough to don his trenchcoat and shades (eye protection!) then climbs aboard and advises his passenger " 'Old on as tight as you like, treacle" and guns the grav bike through the gate (to the virgin jungle world).

There was the agricultural world. Do you mean that one? It wasn't virgin. It's being continually harvested, though you have no idea where the food is going. The other one was more of a giant megalopolis with grand, mountain-sized structures.

Engaging the bike's inertial navigation he climbs for a panoramic view from which he picks out a suitably elevated LZ. Parking the grav bike he dismounts and kisses his passenger before lifting her off the pillion seat. "Sorry, Aster, that last bit was... um... improvised - but we're on our own now an' you were lookin' particularly ruddy lovely. So, on with business, 'ere let me 'elp". He gently unfastens the blindfold "Take your time an' 'ave a look around. This is the sales pitch though so no goin' all scientific on me. I like it 'ere. Restful". He lets her take in the scenery "Gates. Metz reckons he can make 'em. There's more but on be'alf of the Guild I'll deliver the rest of the show by puttin' my thoughts into your mind - but only with your full cooperation an' agreement. O' course these "thoughts" could be just that but bein' familiar with my fevered puerile imagination I think you'd be able to tell. All of this place is clearly real an what I'm about to send you is physically verifiable - because that's what we're 'andin' over". He kisses her again "I'm only just takin' me first falterin' steps along the path of Psionic heresy so bear with me. Now yer experts can do all this at range but I still find I 'ave to get as close as possible. Don't suppose the kind lady could 'elp an apprentice warlock out?"

Garvin will deliver the full package - with agreed edits and absolutely no innuendo...

She is stunned, of course, and wordlessly, she nods her agreement.

What is the full package? Lay it out so I know for sure what I'm working with.

[Tiglath]

What is the full package? Lay it out so I know for sure what I'm working with.

Yes, apology there but after much artistic angst I went for a Wellingtonian "publish and be damned" to help keep things moving along.

The list of our demands concessions is as follows:

the scout ship (plus debris field)
the moon base (alpha)

as per the above we let on that Metz knows "Gate Tech" and give a "peek" through a gate to establish our bona fides in that respect (done above)

We don't mention our close encounter with the Ancient or ship "upgrade" but admit that we're now Psionic.

There was the agricultural world. Do you mean that one? It wasn't virgin. It's being continually harvested, though you have no idea where the food is going. The other one was more of a giant megalopolis with grand, mountain-sized structures.

Yes that one - the more (strategically neutral) non "starship graveyard" one.

[terrymixon]

What is the full package? Lay it out so I know for sure what I'm working with.

Yes, apology there but after much artistic angst I went for a Wellingtonian "publish and be damned" to help keep things moving along.

The list of our demands concessions is as follows:

the scout ship (plus debris field)
the moon base (alpha)

as per the above we let on that Metz knows "Gate Tech" and give a "peek" through a gate to establish our bona fides in that respect (done above)

We don't mention our close encounter with the Ancient or ship "upgrade" but admit that we're now Psionic.

Do you show her the "recording" Roscoe made of the Ancients history minus the uplift afterward? As a digital being, he was able to save what he saw in full detail for recording. It only shows the history of the Ancients up to the war and doesn't resolve it, but it is also "proof" that you have a lot more to share without detailing what that is.

[Thumper]

Are you going to make an offer of the Metz Special? I recommend it.

[terrymixon]

Are you going to make an offer of the Metz Special? I recommend it.

He did mention how the anagathic augment would be a selling point, too. Of course, this is Metz we're talking about.

[Tiglath]

What is the full package? Lay it out so I know for sure what I'm working with.

Yes, apology there but after much artistic angst I went for a Wellingtonian "publish and be damned" to help keep things moving along.

The list of our demands concessions is as follows:

the scout ship (plus debris field)
the moon base (alpha)

as per the above we let on that Metz knows "Gate Tech" and give a "peek" through a gate to establish our bona fides in that respect (done above)

We don't mention our close encounter with the Ancient or ship "upgrade" but admit that we're now Psionic.

Do you show her the "recording" Roscoe made of the Ancients history minus the uplift afterward? As a digital being, he was able to save what he saw in full detail for recording. It only shows the history of the Ancients up to the war and doesn't resolve it, but it is also "proof" that you have a lot more to share without detailing what that is.

No - this is the "advert" she has to subscribe for that malarky! This the "seven veils" not a flasher's mack! In all fairness I hadn't considered that at all so Garvin's showing her his own very select "living polaroids" of a verifiably real Ancient Site / moon base interiors: the "kitchen" tables, corridors, storage rooms, the "screens" room... and the "money shot" - the "death ray" itself! Ending with an "exterior shot" of the cliff face/bluff in which it's all housed. If that doesn't do the job of selling the site's potential we're in the wrong arena!

[Tiglath]

Are you going to make an offer of the Metz Special? I recommend it.

He did mention how the anagathic augment would be a selling point, too. Of course, this is Metz we're talking about.

Well, yes, but Garvin's perhaps understandably with very good reason concerned about letting Metz "install" anything in his current love interest...

[terrymixon]

Yes, apology there but after much artistic angst I went for a Wellingtonian "publish and be damned" to help keep things moving along.

The list of our demands concessions is as follows:

the scout ship (plus debris field)
the moon base (alpha)

as per the above we let on that Metz knows "Gate Tech" and give a "peek" through a gate to establish our bona fides in that respect (done above)

We don't mention our close encounter with the Ancient or ship "upgrade" but admit that we're now Psionic.

Do you show her the "recording" Roscoe made of the Ancients history minus the uplift afterward? As a digital being, he was able to save what he saw in full detail for recording. It only shows the history of the Ancients up to the war and doesn't resolve it, but it is also "proof" that you have a lot more to share without detailing what that is.

No - this is the "advert" she has to subscribe for that malarky! This the "seven veils" not a flasher's mack! In all fairness I hadn't considered that at all so Garvin's showing her his own very select "living polaroids" of a verifiably real Ancient Site / moon base interiors: the "kitchen" tables, corridors, storage rooms, the "screens" room... and the "money shot" - the "death ray" itself! Ending with an "exterior shot" of the cliff face/bluff in which it's all housed. If that doesn't do the job of selling the site's potential we're in the wrong arena!

She will turn to you, take a deep breath, and let it out ever so slowly. "That... this is more than I imagined you had access to, and I'm sure it's not the best of what you've found. There is no need to tell me that that's not part of the bargain. I won't ask. I'm just a very good judge of character and I know you were discussing what could safely be revealed, and this is what made the cut. It boggles the mind almost as much as what must not have made the cut and is more than enough to entice the prospective patron."

She turned and looked out over the vast fields under cultivation. "There are machines running all of this, and they are still going. I thought the city was a find of incalculable value--and it is--but you have this and a base somewhere. I saw a weapon like you showed me where Mad Dog found the crashed ship. That tells me that we missed all the important things and hauled away the scraps away. Still, it's a bargaining point that you can tell the patron that it was missed fair and square."

There is a pause as she looks up at the sky. It's getting toward dusk, and the stars would normally be coming out in twilight, but the white light of the pocket universe is beginning to make itself known.

"What am I seeing? Where are the stars?"

[terrymixon]

Are you going to make an offer of the Metz Special? I recommend it.

He did mention how the anagathic augment would be a selling point, too. Of course, this is Metz we're talking about.

Well, yes, but Garvin's perhaps understandably with very good reason concerned about letting Metz "install" anything in his current love interest...

I'm sure he would take your threats of bodily harm seriously. Mostly. Just this one little tweak...

[Tiglath]

Do you show her the "recording" Roscoe made of the Ancients history minus the uplift afterward? As a digital being, he was able to save what he saw in full detail for recording. It only shows the history of the Ancients up to the war and doesn't resolve it, but it is also "proof" that you have a lot more to share without detailing what that is.

No - this is the "advert" she has to subscribe for that malarky! This the "seven veils" not a flasher's mack! In all fairness I hadn't considered that at all so Garvin's showing her his own very select "living polaroids" of a verifiably real Ancient Site / moon base interiors: the "kitchen" tables, corridors, storage rooms, the "screens" room... and the "money shot" - the "death ray" itself! Ending with an "exterior shot" of the cliff face/bluff in which it's all housed. If that doesn't do the job of selling the site's potential we're in the wrong arena!

She will turn to you, take a deep breath, and let it out ever so slowly. "That... this is more than I imagined you had access to, and I'm sure it's not the best of what you've found. There is no need to tell me that that's not part of the bargain. I won't ask. I'm just a very good judge of character and I know you were discussing what could safely be revealed, and this is what made the cut. It boggles the mind almost as much as what must not have made the cut and is more than enough to entice the prospective patron."

She turned and looked out over the vast fields under cultivation. "There are machines running all of this, and they are still going. I thought the city was a find of incalculable value--and it is--but you have this and a base somewhere. I saw a weapon like you showed me where Mad Dog found the crashed ship. That tells me that we missed all the important things and hauled away the scraps away. Still, it's a bargaining point that you can tell the patron that it was missed fair and square."

There is a pause as she looks up at the sky. It's getting toward dusk, and the stars would normally be coming out in twilight, but the white light of the pocket universe is beginning to make itself known.

"What am I seeing? Where are the stars?"

She will turn to you, take a deep breath, and let it out ever so slowly. "That... this is more than I imagined you had access to, and I'm sure it's not the best of what you've found. No need to tell me that's not part of the bargain, I won't ask. I'm just a very good judge of character and I know that you were all discussing what could safely be revealed, and this is what made the cut. It boggles the mind and is more than enough to entice the prospective patron."

She turned and looked out over the vast fields under cultivation. "There are machines running all of this, and they are still going? I thought the city was a find of incalculable value, but you have this and a base somewhere. I saw a weapon like that where Mad Dog found the crashed ship. That tells me that we missed all the important things and hauled the scraps away. So much intact technology."

There is a pause as she looks up at the sky. It's getting toward dark, and the stars would normally be coming out in twilight, but the white light of the pocket universe is beginning to make itself known.

"What am I seeing? Where are the stars?"

Garvin steps up behind Aster and slips his trenchcoat over her shoulders against the dusky chill and says "You know you burn brighter than a plasma lance? I'm an admiring fan o' course but sadly there are no strong boxes to slice 'ere". Garvin chuckles "I might be biased but I agree that you're an excellent judge of character. If you were rummagin' around my 'ead you'd 'ave found that I'm convinced of the inevitability that we'll get to future but that we maybe need to focus on getter there better rather than faster".

There is a pause as she looks up at the sky. It's getting toward dark, and the stars would normally be coming out in twilight, but the white light of the pocket universe is beginning to make itself known.

"What am I seeing? Where are the stars?"

Garvin puts his arms around her and admires the contours of her neck as she studies the skies "Settin' meself up to disappoint a girl 'ere I know - but I didn't build all this an' I don't know 'ow it works. Now, while I remember an' you really are makin' it difficult to concentrate, there's somethin' you should know that's much more along my subversive track. Usin' archaeotech "finds" to evoke a surprised reaction in a dedicated student of matters Ancient which a rogue like me would be obliged to take advantage of is surely underhand... and yet... 'ere I find meself". He smiles "There's something from the other site - the one you already have. You said you had trace human DNA an' thought it was us. Maybe your bluff or a bold call but I know that in that science puzzle you were missing the on site find of certain gear found with human sized handgrips?" He muses aloud "If only there was some medium of exchange whereby mundane "rude mechanicals" like meself could be rewarded for 'andin' out Doctorate level giveaways".

[Tiglath]

He did mention how the anagathic augment would be a selling point, too. Of course, this is Metz we're talking about.

Well, yes, but Garvin's perhaps understandably with very good reason concerned about letting Metz "install" anything in his current love interest...

I'm sure he would take your threats of bodily harm seriously. Mostly. Just this one little tweak...

Or on an alternative "spin"...

I'm sure he would take your threats of bodily harm seriously. Mostly. Momentarily! And then he would be distracted by the urge for: Just this one little tweak...

[terrymixon]

She will turn to you, take a deep breath, and let it out ever so slowly. "That... this is more than I imagined you had access to, and I'm sure it's not the best of what you've found. There is no need to tell me that that's not part of the bargain. I won't ask. I'm just a very good judge of character and I know you were discussing what could safely be revealed, and this is what made the cut. It boggles the mind almost as much as what must not have made the cut and is more than enough to entice the prospective patron."

She turned and looked out over the vast fields under cultivation. "There are machines running all of this, and they are still going. I thought the city was a find of incalculable value--and it is--but you have this and a base somewhere. I saw a weapon like you showed me where Mad Dog found the crashed ship. That tells me that we missed all the important things and hauled away the scraps away. Still, it's a bargaining point that you can tell the patron that it was missed fair and square."

There is a pause as she looks up at the sky. It's getting toward dusk, and the stars would normally be coming out in twilight, but the white light of the pocket universe is beginning to make itself known.

"What am I seeing? Where are the stars?"

Garvin steps up behind Aster and slips his trenchcoat over her shoulders against the dusky chill and says "You know you burn brighter than a plasma lance? I'm an admiring fan o' course but sadly there are no strong boxes to slice 'ere". Garvin chuckles "I might be biased but I agree that you're an excellent judge of character. If you were rummagin' around my 'ead you'd 'ave found that I'm convinced of the inevitability that we'll get to future but that we maybe need to focus on getter there better rather than faster".

Garvin puts his arms around her and admires the contours of her neck as she studies the skies "Settin' meself up to disappoint a girl 'ere I know - but I didn't build all this an' I don't know 'ow it works. Now, while I remember an' you really are makin' it difficult to concentrate, there's somethin' you should know that's much more along my subversive track. Usin' archaeotech "finds" to evoke a surprised reaction in a dedicated student of matters Ancient which a rogue like me would be obliged to take advantage of is surely underhand... and yet... 'ere I find meself". He smiles "There's something from the other site - the one you already have. You said you had trace human DNA an' thought it was us. Maybe your bluff or a bold call but I know that in that science puzzle you were missing the on site find of certain gear found with human sized handgrips?" He muses aloud "If only there was some medium of exchange whereby mundane "rude mechanicals" like meself could be rewarded for 'andin' out Doctorate level giveaways".

She laughed. "Oh, I think you'll get rewarded. As for a bluff, no. I really did find the DNA. As for finding weapons made for humans, I suppose that wouldn't shock me. The Ancients pulled humans off Terra and scattered them everywhere. That implies there is a certain level of servitude they expected. There should be things that they can use."

Aster turned to face you, not leaving your arms. "We're in dangerous territory, Garvin. The siren call of something like this would be far too much temptation for some to resist. Tell no one about this place. My superiors wouldn't hesitate to vanish you. The base, too. Let them be blinded by the avarice they feel about the ruined city and the portals. If Doctor Metz really can make more of them, gods, that would turn everything on its head. Want to visit Captial? Poof, there you are. Keep that under your hat, too. In fact, tell no one anything at all until we can meet with your soon-to-be patron.

"At this point, they won't refuse their support though they might have conditions. I can use what you've given me to get in to see them, but time is not on our side. As much as I would love to stay here with you and see everything, we need to get moving or we might be screwed. The window of opportunity is closing, and we have to get hopping. The portal is on the destroyer, and I need to get it transferred to your ship. I hope your offer of a bed still holds because I'm not sleeping on the couch. Let's get back and get moving. You can come with me to pick up the portal. Maybe Roscoe, too. That will help keep me from being waylaid by wandering gasbags like the Captain of Knowledge."

[terrymixon]

Well, yes, but Garvin's perhaps understandably with very good reason concerned about letting Metz "install" anything in his current love interest...

I'm sure he would take your threats of bodily harm seriously. Mostly. Just this one little tweak...

Or on an alternative "spin"...

I'm sure he would take your threats of bodily harm seriously. Mostly. Momentarily! And then he would be distracted by the urge for: Just this one little tweak...

You know him so well.