Fenspace: Escher's Box
- Thread starter Shaderic
- Start date
It began when I found a small jar of goo. It had been hidden underneath the stairs to the main building of my college. At the time, I didn't know what the hell it was, only that it looks interesting and I was bored so I took it home with me.
I soon found out that I could make more of the stuff by feeding it junk. Since I had a whole load of junk in my room and garage that I didn't need, it made for an okay garbage disposal. It soon got out of hand however when I had to keep it in several large eskies. Then one fateful day, I dropped my DS along with my dad's old cellphone in the gunk. Don't ask why, and how, it just happened, okay. I had freaked and quickly took a look at it to make sure the thing was still working.
That's when I realised I had a over a dozen litre of Handwavium. Sure I had heard about the stuff but I didn't really pay much attention. I guess that's why I only realised it when I found my stuff modified.
The DS and the cellphone had fused together, sort of. What was formerly the Nintendo hand-held game console was now bulkier yet sleeker and looked really high-tech. I was surprised to find out that not only I could ring someone with it, I was able to somehow access the internet from anywhere. I could also still play my DS games on it.
I called it DSwave. It did have a weird habit of suddenly interrupting what I was doing with an in-built game of nintendogs and didn't go away until I took care of the dogs which involved feeding, grooming and walking each dogs. It also had the tendency to play music fitting the situation I was in.
After that, I started messing around with all my stuff. From my radio alarm clock to my desktop computer, I soon had a variety of handwaved goodies. My parents and my little brother didn't care much. They didn't really understand the whole Handwavium miracle stuff and just told me to be careful. My brother was pleased when I waved his school laptop though.
Then some guy who I knew told me he had some handwavium, only about a coffee can's worth though and wanted my help with making more. I told him that I had several eskies of the stuff. He went wild and begged for my help with his own endeavours of going into Fenspace. While I had no desire to go at the time, I still wanted to see if we could make and launch a space craft with our resources.
My friend had somehow obtained an old bus from somewhere. I didn't ask where though. Together, we gathered up a team of people who were interested in our little project. A guy brought us an old turbine and some girl came up with several old computers. We refitted the minibus with its own toilet, shower, a couch that folded out into a bed and a microwave. For life support, I came up with the idea of stealing two vending machines, one for food and the other for water. The idea was used much to my terror.
It took several months of planning and saving up to complete our space-craft. Handwaving the craft was one of the more annoying phases that we had to go through. It used up more than two-thirds of my supply of the stuff. Originally my friends and the others in the group would be the one taking the ship out. I had opted to stay on Earth. Then disaster struck.
Turns out more than half the stuff used to make the ship were stolen. No big surprise there. Only thing was, someone snitched on us. I had been planning on going camping when I got the call from my friend while packing my bags. He told me to get to the ship and launch. Apparently everyone else had been caught by the cops and now they were coming to get me.
And now here I was, sitting in the drivers seat of what was supposed to be my friends' entry to fenspace. Only now, it seemed liked it was now mine. The bus had been hidden in a warehouse near the beach. I could hear the police sirens coming. There was now only one thing for it.
I ripped off the USB drive on my necklace and plugged it into the USB port that we were using as the ignition. A remote control activated the system that tilted the bus upwards and opened the roof up. I started pounding on the start up keyboard and began the countdown.
10...
9...
8...
7..
Ah screw it! I hit the gas.
I soon found out that I could make more of the stuff by feeding it junk. Since I had a whole load of junk in my room and garage that I didn't need, it made for an okay garbage disposal. It soon got out of hand however when I had to keep it in several large eskies. Then one fateful day, I dropped my DS along with my dad's old cellphone in the gunk. Don't ask why, and how, it just happened, okay. I had freaked and quickly took a look at it to make sure the thing was still working.
That's when I realised I had a over a dozen litre of Handwavium. Sure I had heard about the stuff but I didn't really pay much attention. I guess that's why I only realised it when I found my stuff modified.
The DS and the cellphone had fused together, sort of. What was formerly the Nintendo hand-held game console was now bulkier yet sleeker and looked really high-tech. I was surprised to find out that not only I could ring someone with it, I was able to somehow access the internet from anywhere. I could also still play my DS games on it.
I called it DSwave. It did have a weird habit of suddenly interrupting what I was doing with an in-built game of nintendogs and didn't go away until I took care of the dogs which involved feeding, grooming and walking each dogs. It also had the tendency to play music fitting the situation I was in.
After that, I started messing around with all my stuff. From my radio alarm clock to my desktop computer, I soon had a variety of handwaved goodies. My parents and my little brother didn't care much. They didn't really understand the whole Handwavium miracle stuff and just told me to be careful. My brother was pleased when I waved his school laptop though.
Then some guy who I knew told me he had some handwavium, only about a coffee can's worth though and wanted my help with making more. I told him that I had several eskies of the stuff. He went wild and begged for my help with his own endeavours of going into Fenspace. While I had no desire to go at the time, I still wanted to see if we could make and launch a space craft with our resources.
My friend had somehow obtained an old bus from somewhere. I didn't ask where though. Together, we gathered up a team of people who were interested in our little project. A guy brought us an old turbine and some girl came up with several old computers. We refitted the minibus with its own toilet, shower, a couch that folded out into a bed and a microwave. For life support, I came up with the idea of stealing two vending machines, one for food and the other for water. The idea was used much to my terror.
It took several months of planning and saving up to complete our space-craft. Handwaving the craft was one of the more annoying phases that we had to go through. It used up more than two-thirds of my supply of the stuff. Originally my friends and the others in the group would be the one taking the ship out. I had opted to stay on Earth. Then disaster struck.
Turns out more than half the stuff used to make the ship were stolen. No big surprise there. Only thing was, someone snitched on us. I had been planning on going camping when I got the call from my friend while packing my bags. He told me to get to the ship and launch. Apparently everyone else had been caught by the cops and now they were coming to get me.
And now here I was, sitting in the drivers seat of what was supposed to be my friends' entry to fenspace. Only now, it seemed liked it was now mine. The bus had been hidden in a warehouse near the beach. I could hear the police sirens coming. There was now only one thing for it.
I ripped off the USB drive on my necklace and plugged it into the USB port that we were using as the ignition. A remote control activated the system that tilted the bus upwards and opened the roof up. I started pounding on the start up keyboard and began the countdown.
10...
9...
8...
7..
Ah screw it! I hit the gas.
"Attention, step out of the vehicle right now."
Today has gone to hell.
"You are under arrest for the use and possesion of illegal substances." The police officer continued his speech. Soon, he'd be on the way to the Miranda rights. Or was that, Moranda rights? I don't remember.
You see, I technicaly just bought the car. I didn't know it was 'waved until after it started floating after I hit twenty miles an hour. I didn't wave it. But, I don't think they're gonna buy that. When I started to pull over, the car didn't slow down. I tried, I hit the brake, but I couldn't stop. I then hit a mail box, and almost ran a police car off the road.
I had no idea what to do. Then, the car started talking.
I veared off the road and started flying. I nearly went through a house. Damn car.
Well, it told me what was up at least. It couldn't slow down to stop, unless it was at it's destination. I rushed home, lost the cops, and then decided to lay low at a friends place. Well, partway through...
I got found again.
So, now I'm trapped in the car.
"Hey. You know you can always go Up, right?"
And the car's talking again. And making sense dammit.
"I have a name, you. It's Lorry."
Fucking Puns...
"Nothin' wrong with a good pun.
Today has gone to hell.
"You are under arrest for the use and possesion of illegal substances." The police officer continued his speech. Soon, he'd be on the way to the Miranda rights. Or was that, Moranda rights? I don't remember.
You see, I technicaly just bought the car. I didn't know it was 'waved until after it started floating after I hit twenty miles an hour. I didn't wave it. But, I don't think they're gonna buy that. When I started to pull over, the car didn't slow down. I tried, I hit the brake, but I couldn't stop. I then hit a mail box, and almost ran a police car off the road.
I had no idea what to do. Then, the car started talking.
I veared off the road and started flying. I nearly went through a house. Damn car.
Well, it told me what was up at least. It couldn't slow down to stop, unless it was at it's destination. I rushed home, lost the cops, and then decided to lay low at a friends place. Well, partway through...
I got found again.
So, now I'm trapped in the car.
"Hey. You know you can always go Up, right?"
And the car's talking again. And making sense dammit.
"I have a name, you. It's Lorry."
Fucking Puns...
"Nothin' wrong with a good pun.
He whooped as his bike juked and swooped down in the early morning air.
-Hell Yeah! He loved lucid flying dreams!-
Oh! OH! He should totally go to space and see the Stellvia! It would be awesome!
Christopher pulled back the handle bars tilting the bike upwards and hitting the accelerator enjoying himself immensely as the ground fell away below him. With a massive grin he flipped on the radio.
~Raindrops keep fallin' on my head~
~But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red~
~Cryin's not for me~
Somehow the happy smile spread a little further and he started swerving back and forth a bit to the beat and singing along in his helmet.
~'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'~
~Because I'm free~
~Nothin's worryin' me~
Lucid flying dreams were so awesome.
-Hell Yeah! He loved lucid flying dreams!-
Oh! OH! He should totally go to space and see the Stellvia! It would be awesome!
Christopher pulled back the handle bars tilting the bike upwards and hitting the accelerator enjoying himself immensely as the ground fell away below him. With a massive grin he flipped on the radio.
~Raindrops keep fallin' on my head~
~But that doesn't mean my eyes will soon be turnin' red~
~Cryin's not for me~
Somehow the happy smile spread a little further and he started swerving back and forth a bit to the beat and singing along in his helmet.
~'Cause I'm never gonna stop the rain by complainin'~
~Because I'm free~
~Nothin's worryin' me~
Lucid flying dreams were so awesome.
I really should have taken those driving lesson.
AAAAAHHHHH! HOW DO YOU DRIVE THIS THING?!
Why didn't it go straight up into the sky!? Why I am driving along the road like a fucking maniac?!
Okay, let's rewind for a second here. HOLY SHIT OLD LADY!
DODGE IT! DODGE IS SUCCESSFUL! Okay, where was I? Oh yeah, the bus launched out through the open roof, then it landed back on the ground. Now it is going out of control either through its own quirks or I have no idea what I'm doing factor. Oh and there a whole bunch of cops after me.
....
SOMEONE HELP ME DRIVE THIS THING?!
"CORE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS FINISH ACTIVATION SEQUENCE. YUKI IS NOW ACTIVE."
What? What did the PA system say just now?
"Good morn- What the? Who the hell are you?! And your driving is terrible!" A young female voice says over the PA system. An image of a anime girl appears on the monitor to my left looking put out with me.
Great. They didn't tell me we had an AI in the computers already! I thought that we were going to ma -
"Heellloo. I asked you a question, moron!"
Yeesh! I'm getting to it! But first, can you drive this thing?! I really think its a good idea to head off into the stratosphere before we introduce ourselves seeing as THERE A FUCKING CONVOY OF POLICE CARS AFTER US!
"Don't be so pushy! Fine, I'll drive the bus for you, loser."
Ah, good that's what I want - GAH! FAST! HOLY SHIT! WE'RE FLYING! WE'RE ACTUALLY FUCKING FLYING!
"Stop swearing, you ignoramus! Now then, tell me who you are now or else I'm turning this ship back!"
Me? Well, my real name is, well come to think of it, since I'm going into fenspace, maybe I should change my name or use a different one.
"Whatever! Just tell me your name so I can register you as the owner of this ship!"
Fine, fine. Lets see....I've got it.
Starting from now on...my name is
Shibosho Shedninja!
"Your last name sucks, you know."
Oi! Don't question my name!
AAAAAHHHHH! HOW DO YOU DRIVE THIS THING?!
Why didn't it go straight up into the sky!? Why I am driving along the road like a fucking maniac?!
Okay, let's rewind for a second here. HOLY SHIT OLD LADY!
DODGE IT! DODGE IS SUCCESSFUL! Okay, where was I? Oh yeah, the bus launched out through the open roof, then it landed back on the ground. Now it is going out of control either through its own quirks or I have no idea what I'm doing factor. Oh and there a whole bunch of cops after me.
....
SOMEONE HELP ME DRIVE THIS THING?!
"CORE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE HAS FINISH ACTIVATION SEQUENCE. YUKI IS NOW ACTIVE."
What? What did the PA system say just now?
"Good morn- What the? Who the hell are you?! And your driving is terrible!" A young female voice says over the PA system. An image of a anime girl appears on the monitor to my left looking put out with me.
Great. They didn't tell me we had an AI in the computers already! I thought that we were going to ma -
"Heellloo. I asked you a question, moron!"
Yeesh! I'm getting to it! But first, can you drive this thing?! I really think its a good idea to head off into the stratosphere before we introduce ourselves seeing as THERE A FUCKING CONVOY OF POLICE CARS AFTER US!
"Don't be so pushy! Fine, I'll drive the bus for you, loser."
Ah, good that's what I want - GAH! FAST! HOLY SHIT! WE'RE FLYING! WE'RE ACTUALLY FUCKING FLYING!
"Stop swearing, you ignoramus! Now then, tell me who you are now or else I'm turning this ship back!"
Me? Well, my real name is, well come to think of it, since I'm going into fenspace, maybe I should change my name or use a different one.
"Whatever! Just tell me your name so I can register you as the owner of this ship!"
Fine, fine. Lets see....I've got it.
Starting from now on...my name is
Shibosho Shedninja!
"Your last name sucks, you know."
Oi! Don't question my name!
I stared at the Fen outside my window.
He was riding a motorcycle on a rainbow road.
And laughing. Loudly.
Fen. Are. Nuts.
Who the hell rides a Rainbow-cycle?
Which brings to mind another question. Why was I leaving my entire life life behind? Effectively exiling myself into cold, hard space? I knew no one, had no resources, and had no plans. I'm screwed.
"Oi, doofus, cheer up. It's the big wide open!"
I turned to look at the dashboard, where a convenient little screen had flipped out. Lorry's 'face' was what was being shown, I suppose. It was a girl's face. A cute one, too. Whoever made this thing was probably being a little sexist.
But, I suppose if I had to share space with a artificial intelligence, I'd try and make the experience more tolerable. It's like those guys who play girls in MMOs. If you have to look at something's ass for a couple of hours, might as well be a nice one.
"I left my home, my job, most of my stuff, and any real chance I have at getting a job on Earth when I bought you. I'm entitled to a little brooding."
"Gah, knock it off with the grumpiness. You're not as doomed as you think you are. We're going to Stellvia. If you can find a job anywhere in Fenspace, it's at Stellvia station!"
He was riding a motorcycle on a rainbow road.
And laughing. Loudly.
Fen. Are. Nuts.
Who the hell rides a Rainbow-cycle?
Which brings to mind another question. Why was I leaving my entire life life behind? Effectively exiling myself into cold, hard space? I knew no one, had no resources, and had no plans. I'm screwed.
"Oi, doofus, cheer up. It's the big wide open!"
I turned to look at the dashboard, where a convenient little screen had flipped out. Lorry's 'face' was what was being shown, I suppose. It was a girl's face. A cute one, too. Whoever made this thing was probably being a little sexist.
But, I suppose if I had to share space with a artificial intelligence, I'd try and make the experience more tolerable. It's like those guys who play girls in MMOs. If you have to look at something's ass for a couple of hours, might as well be a nice one.
"I left my home, my job, most of my stuff, and any real chance I have at getting a job on Earth when I bought you. I'm entitled to a little brooding."
"Gah, knock it off with the grumpiness. You're not as doomed as you think you are. We're going to Stellvia. If you can find a job anywhere in Fenspace, it's at Stellvia station!"
Chris gave a cheerful wave when he noticed he had company all of a sudden.
Hmm, what could this mean, was his psyche trying to tell him something while he dreamed again? This seemed far more subtle than usual, though the man inside the car seemed rather stressed and looked like he was talking to someone.
Ah! He had an idea!
Flipping through the radio stations, which oddly seemed to all have their individual genre's to them, how strange, Chris came across just what he was looking for.
~'Cause we got a little convoy~
~Rockin' through the night.~
~Yeah, we got a little convoy,~
~Ain't she a beautiful sight?~
~Come on and join our convoy~
He bet his psyche was telling him to make more friends! The simplest, easiest answer was usually the right one, at least with his dreams.
Chris started cheerfully singing along again.
Hmm, what could this mean, was his psyche trying to tell him something while he dreamed again? This seemed far more subtle than usual, though the man inside the car seemed rather stressed and looked like he was talking to someone.
Ah! He had an idea!
Flipping through the radio stations, which oddly seemed to all have their individual genre's to them, how strange, Chris came across just what he was looking for.
~'Cause we got a little convoy~
~Rockin' through the night.~
~Yeah, we got a little convoy,~
~Ain't she a beautiful sight?~
~Come on and join our convoy~
He bet his psyche was telling him to make more friends! The simplest, easiest answer was usually the right one, at least with his dreams.
Chris started cheerfully singing along again.
There must be some inherit part of using Handwavium that turns you slightly crazy. Or maybe you just have to be slightly crazy to have the balls or lack of common sense to use it?
God Knows I'm not the sanest card in the deck. Or something like that.
Still it made more sense to invest in actual items when planing to go into the Fen than a vehicle to go up in. The stories of abandoned ones up at that space station.... Stellvia? Yes, Stellvia.
Volunteering as an EMT while in school proved to be one of the most..... entertaining decision I made at university. Arnie, the boss of the rig, insisted on every member (illegally) carrying Guacamole for those instances where it could be needed.
Sad to say there were three instances where people chose to be handwaved to save themselves. Once, I even had to help the girl swallow my Guacamole. It was amazing watching her come back from near death to turn into a fox girl.
Enough of this pointless reminiscing, with a backpack full of good loot I knocked on the cellar door Arnie said would be my ticket off Earth.
As the door opened I descended into the basement and looked around.
God Knows I'm not the sanest card in the deck. Or something like that.
Still it made more sense to invest in actual items when planing to go into the Fen than a vehicle to go up in. The stories of abandoned ones up at that space station.... Stellvia? Yes, Stellvia.
Volunteering as an EMT while in school proved to be one of the most..... entertaining decision I made at university. Arnie, the boss of the rig, insisted on every member (illegally) carrying Guacamole for those instances where it could be needed.
Sad to say there were three instances where people chose to be handwaved to save themselves. Once, I even had to help the girl swallow my Guacamole. It was amazing watching her come back from near death to turn into a fox girl.
Enough of this pointless reminiscing, with a backpack full of good loot I knocked on the cellar door Arnie said would be my ticket off Earth.
As the door opened I descended into the basement and looked around.
((I'm the GM. I have to play NPC's every once in a while. And I'll be doing the villain's too.))
I heard the knock.
A flick of my wrist, opened up the tiny grate in the door, letting me have a look at my little visitor. Casual dress, and pretty young. Lookede safe enough.
"Whaddaya want? I ain't got till the sun sets, you know."
"Doesn't the sun never set in space?" He replied, giving the first countersign.
"Down on Earth, it sets. But what would you want, going up there?"
"The dream, I suppose." The kid replied kinda half-heartedly. Yeah, I'll admit, my little sign/countersign bussiness gets a little lame. But, whatever helps keep the curious idiots away, along with the FBI.
I opened up the door, and the kid stared at me for a second, just a second, before coming in.
More polite than most, I see. Certain other 'customers' you could call them, had babbled for a second, when they saw my 'mod. Hey, at least I'm still alive and sane. Mostly.
As soon as he came in, I closed the door, throwing the room into darkness, apart from the little lantern at my card table.
"So, you're really going up. Got a plan?"
I heard the knock.
A flick of my wrist, opened up the tiny grate in the door, letting me have a look at my little visitor. Casual dress, and pretty young. Lookede safe enough.
"Whaddaya want? I ain't got till the sun sets, you know."
"Doesn't the sun never set in space?" He replied, giving the first countersign.
"Down on Earth, it sets. But what would you want, going up there?"
"The dream, I suppose." The kid replied kinda half-heartedly. Yeah, I'll admit, my little sign/countersign bussiness gets a little lame. But, whatever helps keep the curious idiots away, along with the FBI.
I opened up the door, and the kid stared at me for a second, just a second, before coming in.
More polite than most, I see. Certain other 'customers' you could call them, had babbled for a second, when they saw my 'mod. Hey, at least I'm still alive and sane. Mostly.
As soon as he came in, I closed the door, throwing the room into darkness, apart from the little lantern at my card table.
"So, you're really going up. Got a plan?"
I, Shibosho Shikoto, formerly known as [REDACTED] [REDACTED], am now officially in space and the owner of one space craft which I know none of the features since my friends didn't bother to fill in the notebook I told them to use as a manual.
That and the AI known as Yuki is being uncooperative.
"Maybe if you were more into this, I might be more helpful"
Pfft, yeah right. If you haven't forgotten, I had no intention of going into space when I still had a life back on Earth. While I admit that space seems pretty chic and cool and stuff, especially seeing earth as a blue gem a blanket of black velvet, I'm not really all that impressed.
"Tch, why can't you be more like that guy on that bike we passed by earlier?"
You mean, Mister Rainbowbrite with his rainbow road, singing some random song while looking high at the same time?
Yeah...Not gonna happen. I don't do drugs. Period. Unless it is in the form of a caffeinated beverage. I could do with some coffee right now.
"Fine, fine...So I guess we'll be headed for Stellvia then?" Yuki's avatar was looking intently at me for some reason when she asked me this. I probably would have found it cute if it wasn't for the fact that Yuki was an AI and her eyes were the ship's scanner and surveillance cameras.
Also, Stell-what?
"You know! Stellvia! The closest major space station from Earth in Fenspace? Ring any bells?"
Stellvia....I think I remember my friend talking about it. So can I get help over there?
"Durr! It's closest and therefore most likely the first place most newbie Fens head to first! Moron."
And there the condescending tone again. I wonder if I can get a new AI or something.
"Don't even think about it. I'm the one driving this thing, remember."
Damn it. Oh well, might as well see what this Stellvia place is all about then.
"Yuki, plot a direct course to Stellvia and stuff. And do an inventory check as well. I want to see what we have on board" I ordered Yuki.
"Say please~" The damn AI requested.
"Please plot a direct course to Stellvia Space Station and do an inventory check while you're doing that."
"Thank you, Captain. Will do."
Might as well get comfortable. Maybe if I'm lucky, I might find a way back to Earth or something.
That and the AI known as Yuki is being uncooperative.
"Maybe if you were more into this, I might be more helpful"
Pfft, yeah right. If you haven't forgotten, I had no intention of going into space when I still had a life back on Earth. While I admit that space seems pretty chic and cool and stuff, especially seeing earth as a blue gem a blanket of black velvet, I'm not really all that impressed.
"Tch, why can't you be more like that guy on that bike we passed by earlier?"
You mean, Mister Rainbowbrite with his rainbow road, singing some random song while looking high at the same time?
Yeah...Not gonna happen. I don't do drugs. Period. Unless it is in the form of a caffeinated beverage. I could do with some coffee right now.
"Fine, fine...So I guess we'll be headed for Stellvia then?" Yuki's avatar was looking intently at me for some reason when she asked me this. I probably would have found it cute if it wasn't for the fact that Yuki was an AI and her eyes were the ship's scanner and surveillance cameras.
Also, Stell-what?
"You know! Stellvia! The closest major space station from Earth in Fenspace? Ring any bells?"
Stellvia....I think I remember my friend talking about it. So can I get help over there?
"Durr! It's closest and therefore most likely the first place most newbie Fens head to first! Moron."
And there the condescending tone again. I wonder if I can get a new AI or something.
"Don't even think about it. I'm the one driving this thing, remember."
Damn it. Oh well, might as well see what this Stellvia place is all about then.
"Yuki, plot a direct course to Stellvia and stuff. And do an inventory check as well. I want to see what we have on board" I ordered Yuki.
"Say please~" The damn AI requested.
"Please plot a direct course to Stellvia Space Station and do an inventory check while you're doing that."
"Thank you, Captain. Will do."
Might as well get comfortable. Maybe if I'm lucky, I might find a way back to Earth or something.