[video] a pirate's life for me

[hot_mes]

[much as he really should wait and learn more information generally, Law feels like he has enough to go on to make this...declaration. And question. Mostly question but there's some solid plans up in there too.]

Is there anyone present with the capability of building pressurized underwater vessel technology and passable engines from the parts we have at the lab? If not that, what about breathing apparatus for underwater exploration?

Without a submarine, at the very least we'll need a vessel capable of holding up to lengthy journeys and containing supplies for the trip. Curufin, Floki, it's time we got working.

[those who know him well might note the lack of his casual -ya on those names]

I'm sure our hosts will be on this soon enough, but I'm not waiting for them. I'm also not planning on taking the entire city on a pleasure cruise. When I form a crew it will be of the most capable and functionally useful sailors, fighters, and explorers only. And the position of captain is already taken. [S M U G] As is ship's doctor. I could use a navigator so long as their experience isn't solely a set of stars that don't exist here.

Comments

[hot_mes]

[there's a moment's pause where he just sort of...looks dour]

There are cabins in the designs. Fore and aft. I don't like low forecastles.

[are his drawings that bad?]

The Null told me that what we're looking for is physical. Not energy. Even if that gets stowed in the cargo hold, we need cabins for the galley, the scanning equipment Kaiba-ya is bringing, and crew quarters. The only thing I don't give a shit about is captain's quarters, because I'm not making a lifelong career out of this ship. The next time Fear moves us, it will stay here on this planet to live out its days.

Twenty to twenty-five meters should do. Above thirty meters is approaching a bark and anything larger is just excessive.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Is there any time Law doesn't look dour? XD ]

[ Picks up the drawings, takes a second look, grins. ] Nope, no low forecastles for you, my lad!

All right, we will build to your specifications. Probably best to keep it to twenty meters bow to stern.

Did the Null say anything about how large these Door fragments would be, or how much they might weigh?

[hot_mes]

No, and I didn't think to ask. It's possible that others are in contact with it, though, so someone might still be able to get that information.

[while he knows Curufin is part of the conspiracy, he also doesn't want to say anything that could be overheard by someone in the Kill the Null camp]

[so_dark_a_road]

If that conversation is still going on, maybe someone will ask. But the little guy seems to flit on and off the network before any discussion in depth seems to happen. Oh well, I guess we'll just have to assume that we're not talking about anything the size of a whale, and hope that's the case!

[ It would surprise Curufin greatly if anybody in the Clinic is in the Kill the Null camp! But you never know who might be visiting, so Curufin also refrains from this topic. ]

All right, then the next step is to get a set of exact plans drafted. Drawings with all features, and to scale. I can do that today, and I'll get back to you for your approval on the design details.

So, Captain Law? When will you be making your decision as to who will be in the crew? I'm volunteering my sailing and navigation skills. I'll build the ship in any case, in collaboration with Floki. But after that, I won't sit here on the islands and twiddle my thumbs. I'll be getting my own expedition organized if I'm not going on yours.

[hot_mes]

Good. Yeah, that's on you, I'm not any good at drafting. [if his "plans" are any indication] I'd appreciate it.

[aha, well. That is a concern, isn't it? He already bartered for Floki's skills, so...]

There's no reason to duplicate if only one ship at a time can be built. Rey-ya never said yes or no to being a navigator so if I come up short, that would be useful. The decision will come when the ship is ready and it's time to set out.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ He nods. ] I'll do it, and I'll message you soon.

You're forgetting I have my own boat. It's the same kind of boat that I and my family used to cross the Arctic ocean in our world, so if there isn't time to build another, there's my backup.

I understand that picking a crew is not an easy task. Just let me know as soon as you can. Meantime. . . . [ And his eyes light up at the thought of hewing timber and wielding saw, adze, and all his lovely cutting tools, to build this newer type of ship ] . . . the next step after the plans are made will be to pick a construction site and draw up the materials list. But we won't start construction until you give the word.

[hot_mes]

[oh, he's not forgetting. But the long-distance efficacy of open longboats isn't something Law is interested in getting into right now.]

The word will come as soon as I have a design to sign off on, so. Agreed. Go for it.