Alternate History RPW or RRR
As request on the main Alternate-History thread.
Role-playing writing or round-robin writing — you work out the details.
Date: April 5, 2009
Categories: RRRs, RPWs, and RPGs
Thursday, 18 April 2024
Life, the universe, pies, hot-pink bunnies, world domination, and everything
As request on the main Alternate-History thread.
Role-playing writing or round-robin writing — you work out the details.
Date: April 5, 2009
Categories: RRRs, RPWs, and RPGs
We already have an AH RRR.
Really? Where? Anyhoo, what does “Round-Robin ‘Riting mean?
1- It died. I liked the concept, but the more I read the less realistic it got. Yes, I know I started it in the first place
I may be getting a book of essays on AH for my birthday on Thursday, though, so that should help with fact-checking.
Yeah, but this one is a RPW or RPG. I don’t know where they got RRR. So, anyway, here is a suggestion for the storyline:
There are people who can travel to alternate universes with some difference in them. If this is an RPW, then we are writing reports to our agency, which goes into other universes and finds out what is different, and WHY.Or, we can be normal people writing normal letters, each showning what is slightly different in our universe. If it is an RPG, then people try to change history in their advantage, often causing awful problems. I vote for RPW, because books written in letters are more cryptic
2- RRR SMAS-TT. Look it up. It’s quite good.
Round Robin ‘Riting is where people take turns writing a story. They can turn out decent, or awful, but mostly they don’t finish at all. They’re fun, though.
RPG? Where? *looks around crazily*
I’d like to go with RPW, myself.
If it is an RPW, can we determine the plotline? Ivote for the one above, but if anyone has any other ideas, put them up and we’ll vite.
RPW stands for Role Playing Writing, right?
9- Yes, RPW is Role-Playing Writing. I vote for us being time travelers studying and reporting on alternate timelines for a futuristic agency and writing reports back to the agency. We can also write to each other, comparing notes or asking for help.
I think so. It could also mean Role Play World, according to my mom, knower of all.
10- I agree.
How about we’re the only timeline to have developed travel between timelines, but a group in a more unpleasant alternate universe has stolen one of our machines. As the story unfolds, its leaders get bolder, first sending out an expedition and later beginning to conquer.
Okay. We have
1.Futuristic agency
2.People in other timelines
3.Only one place has developed traveling between universes, but a hostile universe staels from them.
My vote is for #1. It would be easiest to do in letter form.
12- That’s a good twist! I like it!
Eh. I dunno. I’m bad at AH.
We can do 1 and 3 at the same time, can’t we?
((Okay. The feelings are for one and three. I’ll start. This is describing our universe))
REPORT BY: Faglan
SUBJECT: Other universes’ splits
BODY: This universe #8976463, is similar to ours, but has not discovered universal travel. This is probably fortunate, as many country leaders are hostile. I suggest you set this universe’s status as Could Collapse
SFTDP People, get back here! We need you!!!
Report By: Mr. Block
Subject: Rumors re 8654346
Body: Have discovered unusual data in the tribal myths of Sapspec 17 (“Rodentines”). Possible that trans-timeline traveler crashed here at one point. Traveled to site and found wreckage impossible to identify. Unusual isotopes present. Could be a stolen machine. Recommend you send additional operatives to inspect.
((Okay, I’m going to go with a really weird- yet significant- point of divergence for my first report…))
Report by: Sphaera.
Subject: Timeline 876
Body: This timeline (876) resembled the prime Universe until somewhere in the 1930s, when a car accident in Paris that occurred in the prime timeline was prevented. One of the passengers was a naval gunnery officer named Jacques-Yves Cousteau who went on to become an aviator. In the subsequent war, he became a decorated ace before being shot down and killed by the Italians.
As the Supervising Council may be aware, in the prime timeline, the accident caused Cousteau to be disqualified from flying training. To help recover from the accident, he started swimming in the ocean and experimenting with breath-hold diving with several of his friends. In the prime year 1942, this would result in Cousteau’s invention of the aqualung and his subsequent exploration of the oceans and calls for their preservation. In timeline 876, none of this occurred.
In the present, timeline 876 superficially resembles the prime universe. There isn’t as much science popularization in general, especially about the environment in particular. Underwater archeology never really developed and the wreck of the Titanic has yet to be discovered. (The box office record, for those who care, is still held by Star Wars) But it’s the things one doesn’t readily see that are fundamentally different. People get sunburned more easily because there’s less ozone. Most of the reefs are bleached and dead. Many non-human species of note are extinct.
Given these circumstances, I suggest that this universe’s status be set at Travel Restriction: Intervention-Only.
((Okay, this won’t be a report. This is a letter between a scientist and a leader in our universe.))
Dear Mr.Kim Jong Il
I have discovered a machine which proves very interesting. A man appeared in this machine, across our border without any permission. I shot him, as we do not allow intruders. Perhaps your holiness would like to inspect the machine?
From,
Maikono
((SFTDP
Kim Jong Il is the supreme dictator of N. Korea.))
((I just realized all the universes we created begin with “8”.))
From: Sphaera.
To: Faglan.
Subject: What’s up?
So I’ve got two more weeks here in 876 before I get called back to Headquarters. I don’t like it here. This world is dying and its people don’t even realize it. And until the Supervising Council gives a report, there can be no interventions, as we all know.
How are things where you are? Apparently they’re calling a lot of us back to Headquarters to brief us on something Mr. Block found.
Report by: Errata
Subject: Timeline #923
Body: I have yet to discover life in this timeline. My best guess, based on analyzation of soil and general atmosphere, is that it is in approximately present time, but the Cold War was not resolved peacefully. Radiation levels too high to allow unshielded life. Recommend status be placed at Highly Dangerous: No Travel.
Commencing Return Journey shortly. Should be back within three days, Prime Time.
21- I really don’t think that we should have a real-world government as our antagonist. Even though MB is probably already banned in North Korea, it doesn’t seem quite right. Besides, Mr. Block’s already found the wreckage of an early exploration machine from the rogue timeline (whatever that is.)
((25- Why not? North Korea is practically hated by ever country on Earth, but the people there love it! They worship their leader, and deny all contact w/ the world. They have no internet!!! People who left North Korea hated it, that’s why they left!!! Or, we could have both team up an take over together…
23- Are you a boy or girl?))
REPORT BY: Faglan
SUBJECT: How things are going
BODY: Things aren’t going very well. I had to leave by wrist transporter, as a person tried to shoot me. They stole my machine, which is bad, as they are a very hostile country. Perhaps we could mett face-to-face in universe 780548, which is a tropical paradise?
Report by: Cygnus Vicis-Viator
Subject: Odd Transmission
Body:
I received this message from Agent Aries, who disappeared about five months ago:
I've been *static*. They've stolen *static* of our *static*. *static* come! This is very *static*! Repeat: you must *static* *static*!
I have no interpretation for this. Will send my report concerning timeline #682 (where I am now) soon.
REPORT BY: Faglan
SUBJECT: Agent Aries
BODY: Agnet Aries dissapeared in timeline 8976463.
((26- A girl. Why does it matter?))
((29- It doesn’t. Your name confuzzles me, and I can’t tell if you are a boy or girl. I thought ZVX was a girl for a while.))
From: Sphaera.
To: Faglan.
Subject: Re- How things are going
Sorry about your misfortunes. Perhaps I could come to 780548 after my study tour here is up, if Headquarters will allow it. I guess it depends on the nature of that whole business with Mr. Block.
Keep on your toes, remember what happened to Adrian last year? Word is, somebody else has disappeared, too. Maybe you’ve got more info on this than I do.
OK, it looks like we’ve got multiple plotlines here… Aries disappeared, North Korea found a crosstime machine, and some mysterious wreckage appeared on 8654346 several centuries ago. How can we link these?
Psst. Canix.
Somewhat off-topic, but there’s a Certain RPW that Some People are trying to revive. You should come. I’ll go write now so maybe you’ll have something to respond to.
Talk about lightning moderation!
(34) All a matter of luck.
((I changed my name. Agent #16 was soo boring, if people are being cool things. Anyway, the way I see it, they resolve quite well. The N. Korea people found the machine, duplicated it, and sent several out. The first one managed to go several centuries into the past, that timeline’s time. It crashed. Then, a different NK agent found Agent Aries, and kidnapped en. Now, we have consolidated everything, and if we chose to proceed, we may.))
From: Errata
To: Cygnus
Body: Hey. I’m preparing my ship for Inter-Timeline travel, and I hit a point where there’s nothing to do for a while, so I’m slightly bored. How are things over there? This timeline– Oh wait, that’s classified. I guess any information on that timeline would be too. I don’t see why, it’s not like anyone else is interested in the ITA ((Inter-Timeline Agency))Well, the Stealth is nearly ready to travel. Bye!
((POSOC: Agent Aries dissapeared in our North Korea))
From: Faglan
To:Sphaera
Body: It was nice to see you in timeline 780548! As a tropical paradise, it’s really nice! The natives are also friendly, too. I have to get a new crosstime machine, as that hostile country stole my old one.
P.S. Who’s Mr. Block?
((Just to clarify, the Prime Timeline is the real world, right?))
From: Sphaera
To: Faglan
Subject: Mr. Block is an ITA agent usually assigned to timelines where Earth civilization is still at a primative level. I got assigned to timeline 96163 (Tunguska meteor exploded over London) with him about five years back. Great guy.
Headquarters said he’d issued a request for back-up.
((The Prime Reality is what we all are agents from))
((SFTDP Is this thread dead? Nobody is posting as much. COME BACK, PEOPLE!!!
All right, I’m back, but I still don’t like the whole “North Korea as villains” thing.
((I don’t really like the North Korean thing either.
What I meant to clarify is that in the Prime Timeline, history happened as it did in the real world, right? Because that’s what I was using as the basis for my comparisons.))
((41- Me neither.))
To: Errata
From: Cygnus V.-V.
Body: Things here are boringly normal. They’re not interested in ITA. Actually, I’m under the impression that they think I’ve lost my mind, as they say, “Oh, I see, you’re a time-traveler,” and then look at other people as if to say, “Call the asylum, please.” They’ve never been visited by us before, apparently. Unless you count an odd reference in a book called “Obscure Myths & Ambiguous Legends”, which was published in 1921 and mentions “travelers from another world” visiting in 1586. I did exhaustive research. I think the author made it up.
I really should get back to my investigations of this timeline. Bye.
Postscript: HQ sent an announcement that we need to be back for some kind of meeting. I wonder if it has anything to do with Aries.
(( Okay, no N. Korea as villians. They don’t really fit the part. Someone else make the villian.))
((The villain could be from a hostile alternate timeline or perhaps there could be a rogue agent in ITA who wants to control the timestream.))
((45- I vote rogue hostile alternate timeline that wants to control the timestream. Best of both worlds.))
From: The Supervising Council
To: Sphaera
Body: We are pleased with your work in 876. Your next assignment will be to aid Mr. Block in Timeline 8654346, where he has requested help. He has reported finding possible evidence that 8654346 was visited by cross-timers in the past, and requested help in investigating this evidence. We trust that you are familiar with Mr. Block from your shared mission to 96163.
From: Sphaera
To: Cygnus
Body: Did you hear about what happened with Aries on 8976463? He vanished, just like Adrian last year. This kind of thing has got me feeling nervous. At least I’ll be with a group on my next assignment. Also, they finally got around to fixing the snack machines at Headquarters. How are things in your sector?
From: Felinis
To: Sphaera
Body: As a new agent, I can’t tell if I’ve found something odd or not. I’m in Timeline 58009 at the moment, and it all seems relatively normal. Unusually quiet, but relatively normal. In this timeline the United States lost the Revolutionary War and the world is still colonized by European powers, who seem to have advanced technology and morality such that it’s about the same as our world. However, there’s one area that I can’t seem to get into… an island off the coast of Prime Timeline Belize, called here British Honduras. It’s surrounded by armed guards, who don’t seem to be able to speak. The rest of this timeline has nothing like this. Advice, please?
From: Mr. Block
To: Sphaera
I hope you will be arriving soon. The temporospatial coordinates of the wreck are attached. Please join me there.
Report by: Pahoehoe
Subject: Timeline 621105
Body: I’m in Timeline 621105. Instead of humans it is populated by what appears to be a race of intelligent starfish. I’m new, so I don’t know how common a non-human timeline is. However, there is important news: These creatures are close to discovering the technology necessary to build a trans-universe machine! The suggested status is Contact Necessary, as they may soon be traveling themselves…
From: Sphaera
To: Felinis
Body: They don’t speak? At all? This could be nothing, but something about your report makes me think it’s serious. Send a report directly to Headquarters requesting a cloaking device for further investigation of the island. In the meantime, I would advise looking for unusual energy signatures around the island with your sensor suite. I’d come to help, but I’m leaving for an assignment in 8654346 in one hour.
From: Faglan
To: Anyone
Subject: HELP!!
Body: Help me! I * kidnapped! I am in time* 58009, filling in for Felinis and * British Honduras and they * me, trying to * my inter * machine! Please send * imediatly! Gahhh!! No! Don't take * transmiter! Gah ************
P.S. This was received by Cygnus Vicis-Viator. She seems to have a knack for intercepting messages.
From: Sphaera
To: The Supervising Council
Body: I am investigating the wreckage with Mr. Block and it does indeed resemble a cross-time machine, although not of traditional make. The wires are copper instead of carbon and the frames are steel rather than aluminum. This would suggest the builder, although possessing knowledge of cross-time engineering, lacked access to these advanced materials. Perhaps they lived in a poor region.
From: Errata
Subject: Report
Body: Back from timeflow #923. Commencing slowdown of travel machine Stealth in three and one half hours, unless contradictory command is received.
From: The Supervising Council
To: Errata
Body: Do not begin slowdown. Urgent help is needed in timeflow #8654346. Commence travel immediately.
From: Errata
To: The Supervising Council
Body: Command received. Should be gone in three minutes.
((Can we make parts of the story that aren’t reports?))
From: Pahoehoe
To: Sphaera
Body: I saw your report. The crashed machine may be from timeline 621105, which has few natural resources.
((If we can’t make things that aren’t reports, then GAPAs should zap this. This is a news paper article from timeline 58009.))
Man Jailed For Breaking In To The Facility On British Honduras!
‘Faglan ITA’ broke into the facility at British Honduras, where technlogies are beign developed. He attempted to steal one machine, which he calined was his. He was jailed on premises of breaking and entering, treason, attacking guards, and resistance to enforcers. More on his case will be coming later.
((I think newspaper articles are okay.))
From: Sphaera
To: Pahoehoe
Body: 621105, huh? Is there any indication that they ever developed cross-time travel?
From: Mr. Block
To: Sphaera
I think we have collected enough samples. We should return to the outpost in TL 811276 to analyze them. I’ll try and see if there’s anything we can salvage from the computer.
From : Emergency wrist communicator #57263
To: Pahoehoe
This is Faglan. I have been trapped in British Honduras in 58009. Please send help. They are close to creating a cross-time machine. Please send help, as this is may be a hostile force. They may try to rule the other universes. If they do succeed, then the first
Inter-Universal Empire may be formed. I repeat please send help. Oh no, someone's coming. No! Sto *static* *static* *static* *static*0
(( It’s definetely okay to write non-reports.))
From: Pahoehoe
To: Sphaera
Body: 621105 is inhabited by a race of intelligent starfish which seemed close to creating cross-universe machines.
((sorry to double-post, but I want to respond to Faglan))
Report by: Pahoehoe
Subject: We need help
Body: i have recieved a message from Faglan saying that 58009 is hostile and about to invent inter-universal travel. Is it okay if I contact the starfish of 621105 and attempt to enlist thier help? I think it would be wise to get them on our side before 58009 does. Then, peace efforts with 58009 can be made.
From: The Supervising Council
To: Pahoehoe
Body: Yes, proceed.
From: Emergency wrist communicator #57263
To: The Supervising Council
Subject: #58009
Body: This timeline has developed Inter-Universal travel. I was used as a test subject. They have machines that aren't as advanced as ours, and cannot be set to a particular universe. They can *static* now travel.
From: Sphaera
To: The Supervising Council
Body: Having analyzed the wreckage discovered in 811276, we have concluded that it was created by a society with few natural resources, possibly the sea stars (Archaicly known as starfish) of 621105.
(( Sorry, I forgot that their real name was sea stars.))
From: Mr Block
To: Sphaera, via outpost intercom
Finish up in the lab and meet me in the hangar, please. Faglan’s being held prisoner in 58009. Perhaps there we can discuss a plan of action.
From: Cygnus
To: The Supervising Council
Body: I’ve just intercepted an urgent message from Faglan. He’s trapped on British Honduras in timeline 58009. What do I do?
From: The Supervising Council
To: Cygnus
Body: Join Mr. Block and Sphaera at the outpost on 811276. We were already aware of Faglan’s predicament. Your current assignment is off, for the moment.
From: Cygnus
To: The Supervising Council
Body: Got it. I’ll go there immediately.
((The Council knows everything. *nods sagely*))
(( I can’t do anything right now, as I’m trapped in a prison. ))
((WOW! fast moderation! W00t!))
((Come, people! We need you!))
((70- You could keep a “personal log” with a hidden tape recorder in your helmet or something.))
From: Spharea
To: The Supervising Council
Body: Mr. Block and I are formally requesting all information gathered on the installation in 58009 British Honduras by other agents in order to formulate a rescue plan.
((Good idea! I’m scratching this on the wall, as I have no paper))
Day one.
Gahh. I can't believe I'm here. How did I let myself be captured? Oh well, I'll just sleep.
Day two.
Gahh. I can't believe I'm here. How did I let myself be captured? Oh well, I'll just sleep.
Day three.
Gahh. I can't believe I'm here. How did I let myself be captured? Oh well, I'll just sleep.
Day four.
Gahh. I can't believe I'm here. How did I let myself be captured? Oh well, I'll just sleep.
Day five.
This is so incredibly boring. I'm going to sleep.
(( Who is Nimly (*.*)?))
Report by: Pahoehoe
Subject: Sea Stars
Body: The sea stars had indeed been traveling, but they could not direct how the machines landed. They crashed in 811276. I gave them the necessary technology to control trans-universal travel. They have agreed to help us against 58009, should force be necessary. I am going to 811276 to discuss freeing Faglan.
((Nimly is my WUNG!!))
From: Felinis
To: [unspecified]
Body: Sent in hope that interception occurs. Attempted to exit 58009. Unable to as discovered by British Honduras. In cell, transmitter discovered. Dangerous. Do not, repeat, do not, repeat ,donot,repeat,donotdonotdonot…
*static*
Come back!
From: Errata
Subject: Report
Body: Reached timeline #8654346. Contacting Mr. Block and Sphaera immediately.
From: Sphaera
To: Errata
Body: If you have any additional information about the base in Honduras, please tell us. We’re all going to need all the information we can get if we want to have a hope of saving our friends.
I’m a bit lost at the moment. There seem to be several different plot threads… Help?
((78- You and I are planning to go to Belize and save the others.))
From: Mr. Block
To: Supervising Council
Am on way with Sphaera to rescue the rest of the operatives in British Honduras. Will report with operation strategy as soon as machine is back in timestream. Out.
From: Sphaera
To: Mr. Block, via headset communicators.
I took the data the captured agents sent back before they were captured and managed to create a virtual map of the island on our craft’s computers. I overlaid it on a chart showing the geography of the island in our world, and- get this- like most of Central America, it’s full of sinkholes. There are some under the base. If we can put our machine in underwater mode without being detected and find one that’s connected to the sea through a subterranean channel, we’re in.
From: Mr. Block
Replying to Sphaera
Will forward your message to Supervising Council. Strategy seems viable. Shall we begin sonar scans?
((And mom said reading scuba diving magazines was a waste of time…))
(( What are the rest of us doing while you rescue people? Are we there helping you?))
((Yes, but in your own machines.))
From: Sphaera
To: Errata and Pahoehoe
Body: There’s one tunnel on the southwestern side of the island that seems to connect to the sinkholes from what our sonar scans show. It’s under the reef, so the fish should provide some cover, but let’s have each machine go in ten minutes apart and do it at night, just to be on the safe side.
From: Pahoehoe
To: Sphaera
Body: Okay. Some sea stars will swim in after us as backup.
From: Errata
To:Spheara
Body:
Sorry for silence. Enemy near, couldn’t send for risk of interception. Can be there in time to do it. Arriving at base at approximately 1800. ((6:00, military time, I think.))
((Yes, converting military time to standard time means subtracting 12 from any number higher than 12.))
My dad’s a fan of 24 hour time, so I know about that, but I was unsure about using eighteen hundred rather than eighteen o’clock. I’m fairly confident it’s right, though…
From: Sphaera
To: Errata, Pahoehoe and Mr. Block
The first group should go in now.
From: Errata
To: Sphaera, Pahoehoe, and Mr. Block
Body:
Entering now. Next machine should enter at Approximately 1840. See you inside.
From: Sphaera
To: Errata et al.
See you on the other side. Mr. Block and I are next, then Pahoehoe and the sea stars.
Added: I’m wondering about how they knew how to disable the personal communicators our friends had. I hope they didn’t torture the info out of the people they’d already captured.
“Pahoehoe and the Sea Stars” would make a good name for SudoRandom’s band.
((That comment about torture was not meant to be a political statement in any way, shape or form.))
((It always stinks when a thread goes inactive and you’re the last one who posted.))
From: Pahoehoe
To: Sphaera
Body: You should go in now. The sea stars have picked up a signal from the island. They may be close to finishing the machine.
From: Sphaera
To: Pahoehoe
Body: We’re already in. You guys are next. The sinkhole we’re at goes to some kind of courtyard in the base. We’ll surface and climb out once you get here.
((I’m with you, right?))
((Yes.))
From: Faglan
To: The resque squad
Body: I have succesfully recovered my communicator. They have moved my cell (sorry, guys) to an area with less security, but I’m sure they have something bad planned for you.
Pahoehoe- I’ve received a transmission from Faglan. They’ve moved his cell. I think they know we’re here.
((I, unfortunately, cannot make it on for the next while. Sorry about that, PP me, or ignore me. I’ll be on lookout duty, or something uneventful.))
From: Sphaera
To: Mr. Block
How could they know? Unless we had a mole in the ITA… I knew there was something funny about Adrian!
Come back to this, people! I wanna get resqued!
From: Transmitter of Prisoner
To: Headquarters
Body: Testing. One, two, testing. This device was discovered on the body of a prisoner taken in our headquarters on British Honduras. After much testing by scientists, it was determined to be a transmitter of some kind. If this is accurate, respond by command of the Leader.
From: Sphaera
To: All
I think we should proceed with the plan, but keep with the staged movement for greater safety. That is, one group should go through the sinkhole and into the compound first, so that if they get captured, the others can still escape.
((So, do you want to get rescued or not?))
From: Faglan
To: Anyone!!!
Body: Help! I’ve realized that as a trap, in front of my cell, they’ve put a crosstime machine, set to go off when someone steps in it, without specifying a universe or time! I think the seastars may weigh less than the detector detects.
((I’d like to get rescued. It’s a bit boring just sitting in my cell.))
Personal log, Agent Sphaera:
We’re near the cell block now, and the sea stars are about to go in to test Faglan’s theory. The security cameras are too primative to detect our shields. (Ah, the benefits of cross-time trade.) But I’m still worried. If Adrian’s really working for these people, he could have told them about the shields and they could be monitoring our every move…
From: Pahoehoe
To: Sphaera
Body: Are there any alarms attached to the cross-time machine? If not, we could simply pile stuff in it until it leaves, then get Faglan out of the cell before it comes back. But they probably thought of that, so I would be careful before trying it.
(( Am I inside yet?))
*whispers sumbliminally* Come to the Writers’ notebook and join, Amblystoma Maculatum, come come come! We need your ideas! Come come come!
((Yes, you’re inside.))
From: Sphaera
To: Faglan
Do there seem to be any sort of alarms on the cross-time machine, either proximity or otherwise?
From: Faglan
To: Sphaera
There ae appear to be mainly pressure sensors. People have been using it as a garbage dump. I’m trying to break a bar in my cell with the sour, disgusting food they give me. Sour=acidic=corrosive.
((I’d like to join. Does anyone have a summary?))
((Sometime in the future, a company developed a machine that allows one to jump between ‘timelines’, or, to put in another way, allows you to jump to alternate universes. This company, the ITA (Inter-Timeline Agency) sent operatives out on missions for some years, although during that time, a few went missing. Recently, we discovered that another timeline has come close to developing Timeline Travel, and are going about stopping them. Three of us, or so, have journeyed into the mist, freeing Enceladus and Cat’s Eye. You could either pop up as a new recruit for the ITA, or you could be someone from the opposing side. Or you could think of something else. We have some Sea Stars following us around that it might be interesting to play… Never mind.))
((I’m PPing a non-player character. Beryllium is my character, she’s working for 58009.))
From: Agent Beryllium
To: Universal Travel Lab Board of Directors
Subject: New Captures
Body: Agent Neon and I have captured two travelers from an alternate universe, number 42 on our charts, in British Honduras. They have been jailed. We sent the odd device we found on “Felinis” to the lab. Awaiting further notification from our double agent in 42.
From: Adrian
To: Universal Travel Lab Board of Directors
Subject: They’re coming!
Body: The ITA has sent operatives to your timeline. They know where Faglan’s cell is, but I haven’t intercepted anything about Felinis.
From: UTLBD
To: Adrian
Subject: Fixed it.
Body: We’ve moved Faglan’s cell and placed a cross-time device in front of his cell.
From: Adrian
To: ULTBD
Subject: Forgot to tell you…
Body: They have shields which can’t be detected by your security cameras. It is possible to modify the cameras, but it will take valuable time. If my calculations are correct, they should be arriving right about now, with the odd companions of a bunch of starfish from another timeline. I believe it’s not on your charts as of yet.
((Yes, I meant to say “starfish.”))
((Of course. Because Adrian is a jerkidiot. Yes, I just made that word up. ))
((Would it be okay if I made another character as one of the Sea Stars.
((It would be okay by me.))
(( 107- The ITA isn’t from our universe, they are from some alternate timeline. We haven’t established how this timeline is different from ours yet, though.))
(( If we’re inside the prison, why are we sending each other messages? Wouldn’t we just be talking?))
((It would be good to have a sea star character.))
((I thought the ITA was staffed by people from various benevolent timelines, one of which, the Prime Timeline, happens to be the future of our own.
We’re sneaking around corners, and we don’t want to attract the attention of the guards by talking, so we send these typed messages.))
((Okay, then. Here comes TRGL!! Remeber, their technology isn’t as advanced as ours.))
From: TRGL
To: SSITA*
PAHOEHOE AND I HAVE LOCATED THE PRISON OF FAGLAN STOP WE NEED OBJECTS TO FOOL THE PRESSURE DETECTOR STOP SEND ALL JUNK NECESSARY STOP APPROXAMITELY SEVENTY FIVE POUNDS ARE NEEDED STOP
((110- What do you mean? We, (Eclipse, Panhoehoe, Faglan, Etc.) are working for the ITA, which I know because I invented that acronym. (See post #36)
Unless you meant that the ‘real’ (the one I (Errata) am sitting in right now) universe doesn’t exist. I’m confused. But also sure that the ITA is friendly, and we, (our RPG selves) are part of it.
Also, I don’t know why we’re sending messages. Because this is an RPW, therefore an RPW it shall remain.))
From: Agent Eclipse
To: Team Cookie Raid
Body:
Have located the recipe. Now proceeding to copy. Meet you in the game room.
((This message is in code. It actually means:
I have located the plans. Now proceeding to copy. Meet you in [designated meeting location]
Your characters know the code. I didn’t think I’d be sending plain messages when we were being sneaky. Wouldn’t do to walk into their arms, would it?))
((No, it means that the universe we are sitting in right now isn’t the universe with the ITA. I’ll do a code from Faglan.))
From: Faglan
To: Team Fountain
I have located the source of the fountain’s water, and the trigger. Please preccede to clog it.
((I have found the pressure sensor. Please pile stuff on it.))
From: Sphaera
To: Faglan
Proceeding to clog the fountain. Bring your spare change so we can make wishes.
((We’re piling on the stuff. Get ready to run when we spring the door.))
((What about Felinis?))
((Oh, dear. Did I kill it?))
((THREAD KILLER! Oh well, I do that too.))
((COME BACK!!!))
((No, I think I did.))
((I’m sorry I haven’t been on here. I just feel… uninspired, somehow. Maybe it’s how bland and underdeveloped my character is.))
(( POSOC, you just made me realize that none of our characters really have personalities. We should work on that.))
From: Pahoehoe
To: Team Fountain
Body: Make sure the water pressure doesn’t build up. I am in their kitchen. I am going to take some food. There are several recepies I hadn’t heard about.
(( Make sure that there’s no alarm attatched to the sensor. I am in the room where they keep new inventions and am taking some to study. There are a lot of ideas we never thought of.))
Personal log, Agent Sphaera:
There do not seem to be any alarms attached to the sensor. I’m still absolutely freaked out, though. I feel like the enemy could creep up on us at any moment and then what would we do? I haven’t been this scared since the Luneta incident in Timeline 41261.
((Personal logs are supposed to be recordings of our thoughts and involve no talking or writing to actually create.))
((Why am I always last to post?))
((*can’t think of anything*))
((How about, we save the agents who were captured, but accidentally set off an alarm and have to race back to the sinkhole while being attacked.))
((OK, since my character is a bad guy, I’ll be your first attacker! ))
From: TRGL
To: ITA
WE ARE LOOKING FOR MISSHAPEN PASTAS STOP WE WILL RECYCLE THEM IF NECESSARY STOP
((We are looking for enemies. We will kill them if necessary.))
((Misshapen pastas. Hahahaha.))
((Who recycles pastas?))
((I do! I do!))
((Sorry I’ve been gone. I’m back now. Oh, the plans I referred to are the building plans, in case that wasn’t clear, since I know it wasn’t. I’ll be back, must run off right now.))
From: Sphaera
To: All others
Body:
The fountain has spouted. The silver dollars have been recovered. Let’s all get some ice cream.
((The trick worked, all the agents are free, get back to the subs ASAP.))
From: Pahoehoe
To: Others
Body: I found a room with many light bulbs. Most were off or broken, but one illuminated a window which showed 8 cows in a meadow. There was some pasta there too. Unfortunately, I think one may have caused the pot to boil over.
(( I found a room with cross time machines. Most were off or not fully built, but one was open to timeline 8976463. There were guards there too. One might have seen me and set off an alarm.))
(( In case you don’t remember, timeline 8976463 is our universe))
From: Sphaera
To: Pahoehoe
Body: Come and get your ice cream before the pasta heats up.
((Head back to the sinkhole before the guards mobilize!))
(( By “our universe”, I mean the universe us Musebloggers are in , not the one the ITA is situated in.))
((But isn’t the ITA from the future of the universe us Musebloggers are in?))
(( I didn’t think so. I thought that our universe was the one North Korea was in before we abandoned that plotline. We should decide which.))
((I agree with Kai. As far as I know, the ITA was created in the future of this universe, the ‘real’ one. Except that none of this could happen, but you get my point.))
((What happened to this thread? Please come back!!!!!!!!!!))
((I’m here, I just don’t know what to write…))
((I’m occasionally here… I’ve forgotten to check on the past few days, but I have now. I think we’re all writer blocked…))
(( Same with me))
(( I see what the problem with this thread is. We aren’t focusing enough on the Alternate History aspect of it. We need to describe more realities the ITA finds.))
Report by: Pahoehoe
Subject: Timeline 92154230
Body: I am back on ordinary duty. In timeline 92154230, the Persians won the Persian Wars against the Greeks. Because of this, Greek democracy was destroyed, the Romans never got the idea for democracy from the Greeks, and the Americans never got the idea from the Romans. Therefore, there is no modern democracy. Suggested status: Possible Intervention.
((I’ll add to it later. Right now, I’m still catching up on everything on MB I missed while I was gone.))
((The world from my never-finished fan fic, Days of Future Never!))
Report by: Sphaera
Subject: Timeline 637199
Body: I have just begun my analysis of this timeline. In terms of culture and society, it greatly resembles the Prime timeline as it existed in the early 21st century, but with somewhat more advanced technology and moderate-scale space colonization existing several decades before it appeared in the Prime timeline. Also, the Disney attraction EPCOT follows its original conception as a model city rather than a theme park, indicating that Walt Disney may have lived beyond 1966. I’ll contact you again when I discover more.
((Finish that fanfic. Seriously.))
((This thread appears to be dead. *prod prod* Very dead. I can’t say I have a huge amount of enthusiasm for this anymore…))
Report by: Stratia
Subject: Timeline 732109
Body: This timeline appears much like the Prime Timeline, but most of Europe belongs to Rome. Perhaps it never fell?…
((Is this…a revival? *looks hopeful* If it is, I’ll come back.))
((Yes. Yes, it is.))