Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2022-12-16

I'll meet you two
in the cockpit.

Looks like Florence left it to me to figure out how to keep you from floating around during launch.

I can magnetically adhere myself to the floor.

You are taking
all the fun out
of this.

[!2]KA-CHONK!

[!2]KA-CHONK!

Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2022-12-19

Magnets? Magnets can barely hold a sign to the refrigerator. They're no match for duct tape.

Huh. You're anchored pretty solidly. Guess there's a difference between refrigerator magnets and industrial magnets.

I wonder
if they make magnetic duct tape?

They do, and the universe will
be safer if we keep it out of your hands.

Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2022-12-21

I've never been in a cockpit before.

May I fly the ship?

Actually, the
ship flies itself.

So we're
just cargo?

You may be just cargo. I am adventurous, handsome, daring, hero of myth and legend sqid captain cargo.

Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2022-12-23

Attention 1071-CCN.
Your flight path to the Pournelle/Niven transfer station has been approved.

Thank
you, P/N junction control.

Rover17, we request your permission to depart.

Me? Oh. Yes! You have my permission.

This is all very exciting. This is my first adventure.

Going on your first adventure with Sam?
That's one way to skip
the beginner's slope.

Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2022-12-26

Hi. I'm Helix.

Hi. I'm Rover17.
I'm going to save humans.

I am Sam.

The humans won't just let you come in and save them. You will need to negotiate. Allow me to offer my services. My species is a natural
at negotiations.

They are?

Negotiation. Extortion.
Two sides of the same coin.

Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2022-12-28

Please secure yourselves. We're about to start moving.

I'm on my way to
save humans! I'm on my way to save humans!

With seven hours ahead of us,
is that going to be more or less annoying than “Are we there yet?”

Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2022-12-30

We have exited the factory. No other ships in the immediate vicinity. Drive corridor is clear. Extending radiators.

We'll be accelerating at one meter per second squared. Beginning acceleration.

I've never met a human in real life. Are they as beautiful as they appear in the videos?

They're okay for mammals, but you can't expect true beauty from a species that doesn't have tentacles.

Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-01-02

I forgot to ask if your bomb factory gives away free samples.

We do not give away megaton pulse devices.

You don't have any little ones so people can get an idea of what you provide?

Interesting idea. Using external lasers, we could make very low yield devices.

Florence, we have to go back and get some fun size nuclear explosives.

No, we don't.

Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-01-04

We can get fun size explosives on the next trip. Anyhow, I want to talk to you about why you need to be paid by the station.

Should I take advice
from someone who fails to magnetize their feet?

People who lack common sense are the best teachers. We've learned from experience!

Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-01-06

Let's head to the
kitchen. We can talk
about economics there.

Are the barriers up in the living area?

They're up. You're
free to move around the ship.

Thanks. It's easier to describe the race to the bottom when I don't have to worry about making a thud at the end.

Race to the bottom (datacompboy)