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[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

Somewhere in the middle of the day, Quinn slipped out of the Bar- a little to think, a lot to work with the horse properly. His arm still throbs where the stallion bit it, a reminder that failing to take the animal's needs seriously has consequences. Fortunately, the work is done now, so Quinn is back. He's got a table near the entrance, well-lit (something's got to cast the shadows for all those dark corners, after all!), and he's got dinner. It's all good, really.

Comments

[lt-naraht.livejournal.com]

There's a Horta wandering by. For those acquainted with the species' body language, he looks rather satisfied with himself. Spotting the fire chief, he wanders over.

"Good evening, Quinn," he says. "How are you doing? I take it that the news from Captain Reynolds was indeed good."

[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

Quinn glances up. "You could say that, yeah," he says. "I put it in storage with Bar. Have a look." He jerks his thumb towards the Tab Board. His is in the black.

Way in the black.

Way, way, wayyyyyyy in the black.

[lt-naraht.livejournal.com]

Naraht looks.

...

...

...

"Quin...just how many coins was that?"

[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

Quinn grins. "Just the one," he says. "But people in Captain Reynolds' universe are bloody fond of antiques."

[lt-naraht.livejournal.com]

Those low-pitched, harsh syllables you hear? That's just Naraht swearing fervently (perhaps even reverently) in Klingon.

"I'm thinking I may need some graphite to fortify me before I ask how many you have left."

[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, you are," says Quinn. "You really are."

[lt-naraht.livejournal.com]

That half-answers his question right there. Naraht darts over to Bar and quickly returns with a quarter-pound of graphite.




Now it's an eighth of a pound of graphite.

"Okay...how many?"

And he braces himself.

[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

"Bag the size of my fist."

[lt-naraht.livejournal.com]

"Guuuurrrkkkk!"

It's not often you hear that particular sound from a Horta. Hisses and whistles, yeah, but this?

"I guess you won't be worried about supplies for a while," he murmurs once he gets ahold of himself enough to work the voder.

[spark-girl.livejournal.com]

Agatha spots Quinn and approaches, grinning, with more notes than before. And books! Non-fiction ones, even!

"Good evening, Quinn. How have you been?"

[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

"Pretty good, actually," Quinn says. "I don't think it'll be long before we're ready to head out. Yourself?"

[spark-girl.livejournal.com]

"I found a few reference books on the Glass City; fortunately, there was a shop in the last town we passed through. There's a good deal of misinformation -- details I know wouldn't work -- but even that gives me a better idea of what I need to work toward."

She opens up one of the books and points to a diagram. Several passages on the opposite page have been scratched out, and she's already made a few notations.

"It's clear England prefers that their design details be kept secret, to keep anyone from building a rival city that might threaten their rule over the oceans. Like this pump -- it's an excellent concept, but this illustration adds in an additional feature that would flood the structure unexpectedly about a week after it had been activated. I'll need to review everything carefully to eliminate the 'modifications' that have been added. . . "

[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

Quinn looks over the plans and whistles. "Not the sort of thing most would notice, I think," he says. "Review away, then. Considering what's at stake and all."

[spark-girl.livejournal.com]

"Precisely. It's very subtle, and most would overlook it even as they were building the part. It's only to be expected; I can understand their reasoning, in a way. But even an overview of the structure gives me an immense advantage with the designs . . . I do believe this could really work."

She's beaming with pride, cheered at the thought of what might be.

[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

"I can't wait to see the prototype," Quinn says. "I mean, once you've seen where we're going, of course."

[spark-girl.livejournal.com]

"Right. The dome is straightforward enough, but the base design will need to be modified to fit the landscape it will be located on. Do you have access to any submersibles?"

It's a long shot, but it would be very helpful.

[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

"Not that I know of," Quinn's forced to admit. "Might be something at anchor in Edinburgh, but there's no one left alive in Edinburgh to say."

[simon_doctor]

The thing about a well-lit table near the entrance is it gives you quite a good view of anyone coming in.

Such as Simon Tam, medical kit in hand, heading towards the infirmary for the regular check on patients and inventory.

[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

Quinn had a few descriptions given him, and he's seen River; between these factors he's just about willing to take a chance. He rises to his feet, one hand up. "Excuse me-"

[simon_doctor]

Simon slows, his attention caught.

"Yes?"

[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

"Um, yeah," says Quinn. "Would you be Dr. Tam? My name's Quinn Abercromby..."

[simon_doctor]

"Yes, I -- you're Quinn? My captain's mentioned you."

[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

"Yeah? Not surprised." Quinn smiles a little. "been meaning to talk to you for a while now. Is this a bad time?"

[simon_doctor]

"No, not at all." He comes closer, and tilts his head questioningly at the second chair at Quinn's table.

[twoeyesonthesky.livejournal.com]

"Go ahead," Quinn says, and settles back into his own seat. "Can I get you anything, first off?"