As for me, personally - I would be fine if you abandon the whole idea of Planetbase LP and write Mermaid Story instead. It's pretty interesting, and it just got to the point where serious stuff is about to happen.
A robinsonade with the main character being inexplicably transported to a definitely-not-on-Earth island. Considering he's a city boy, he's surprisingly competent at base survival. To me it has a definite Light Novel flavour in its narration, but that might just be me.
Incidentally, I agree with your assessment. Merstory earns my official
Blaargh.
So tired.
But can't sleep!
Uuuu. Brain so much on fire.
Yeah, you know how this feels.
I just finished with a deadline, but instead of feeling accomplished, I'm just so stressed.
All I have to do now is to wait for the feedback, dreading it being rejected and forcing me to start all over again.
I need to sleep. I need to sleep. I need to sleep!
But I caaaaaan't! Whhyyy?!!!
I've drank so much milk I should be a cow by now.
I close my eyes, but despite being so tired, I just can't complete going to sleep.
There has to be something I can do... something to distract myself...
Something. Something.
Need to relax. Something relaxing. Turn off my brain...
Yeah sure why not. Sounds legit. AN:
Pietro returns!
Sorry for missing the schedule, guys. If you've been at CrW, you may have noticed I've been hit by inspiration of about 12 Mizuki Stones (MzTs) and been enjoying writing an intro arc for a new story. It's fabulous.
IUA Cerberus> This is Cerberus Actual to Pod Zero, Fiver, Niner, orbital launch angle is at optimum.
IUA Cerberus> Final safety check. Confirm status of colonists?
Pod059 > All colonists strapped in and healthy, release at your convenience.
IUA Cerberus> Understood. Release in ten. Nine. Eight.
*hissing noises*
IUA Cerberus> Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One.
*hissing*
*pop*
*burning sounds*
IUA Cerberus> Pod is away. Happy landings!
Pod059 > And clear lanes to you, Cerberus. See you in a month!
What's the worst that could happen?
Like, I don' care, lol.
(How do I even play this game, it's been so long I don't remember the mechanics anymore...)
Pod059 > Automated landing procedures initiated.
Pod059 > Landing Site Telemetry matches previous scan.
Pod059 > Firing rockets. Landing in thirty seconds.
Pod059 > Here we go, people. Holler if you feel like it!
Pod059 > Touchdown.
Pod059 > Please exit the pod in an orderly fashion.
Pod059 > Congratulations on taking the first step to establishing your new colony.
Pod059 > Your charter privileges are pending the accomplishment of preset milestones.
Pod059 > Planetbase Corporation and its subsidiaries thanks you for your cooperation.
Pod059 > Enjoy your stay!
Imprint ID "Andrew E. Reese" Worker> Aw yeaah, smell that fresh new planet smell!
Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker> Ah can't smell shit, cap'n. I'm still in my space suit with recycled air tanks. Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker> Same as you.
Imprint ID "A.V. Gilmore" Worker> I just hope this doesn't end with everything on fire like last time.
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>Settle down, people! Now let's see, what's the procedure...
Imprint ID "Slade K. Mccall" Biologist>Isn't it just 'Don't touch anything, let the robots handle it'?
Imprint ID "Marcia Kane" Biologist>I claim this planet in the name of Kane!
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic>Oh this is going to be just fun. I can feel it.
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>This is a good spot. Lots of room to build. Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>Planetbase Corp did us good.
Imprint ID "Andrew E. Reese" Worker> Indeedy! Imprint ID "Andrew E. Reese" Worker> A colony named Finality! Imprint ID "Andrew E. Reese" Worker> Because with this much potential, what could possibly go wrong?!
Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker> Some inattentive intern making a typo. Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker> I'm almost certain that's supposed to be "Finally".
Imprint ID "Andrew E. Reese" Worker> We're all competent people here, don't worry about it.
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <response> <direct transmission> Bzzt. Query?
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <response> <direct transmission> Bzzt. Query Accepted.
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <response> <direct transmission> Bzzt. Does Subject Unit understand concept of bets?
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <response> <direct transmission> Bzzt. This Unit refuses.
This unit understands 'individuals lacking risk-assessment intelligence and their currency of exchange are soon separated'.
I'm not sure if it counts since it was made apparent yesterday well before I started typing the post, but our black cat seems to be dying. This is the same cat that infected momma cat and the father of all those dead kittens. We've been having him stay outside because here we actually him stinkycat because he does. We don't know why, it comes back even after being bathed.
He's been a sneezing cat all his life, so it was not unusual. It's warm enough outside, there's plenty of places to hide at night specially behind the generator, and he enjoys sunning himself during the day. He's no longer been fighting other cats because it seems he's surrendered the territory and given up to his bullies.
Then he disappeared for a while and now he's back and he's very weak and his eyes can no longer open or close properly, his nictating membranes are stuck. He's all skin and bones and his nose is stuffed.
Not sure if there's a point in trying to send him to the same hospital for confinement as mommacat since he's already such an old cat anyway and I'm not sure I can afford that for a literal alley cat. I'll take him to the local clinic tomorrow for an injection, but he's still able to move and drink - just no appetite for solid food. Maybe instead of an IV, will just take the time to use a plunger for vitamins and dextrose and antibiotics. No need for donations. Can handle this.
Mommacat is fine. She's been moving around so much I couldn't get a clear photo of her.
Since there's nothing in the post that is even prophetically similar, this is probably just a coincidence. I will be marking a tally of strange events that only happen after the posts, for science's sake.
Things that happen to non-immediate relatives don't count. Nor do broken appliances. No power outages matter unless there's shown a power outage in-game and within 12 hours of posting. There would be too much confirmation bias otherwise.
[edit]
Wait, yesterday was a Tuesday. Tuesday and Thursdays are the days I generally post these things.
... no, still doesn't count. He returned on the Monday before that.
Allright. Time for a (poorly remembered) guide to planetbase!
1. Build entrance, air generator, energy generator, battery, and a water pump.
Oxygen! Glorious Oxygen!
2.Let your dudes catch a breath since the idiotic dorway serves only one dude at a time, and if a queque forms, someone might die.
3. Build a dining dome, place down a table, drinking fountain, and a food dispencer.
Food and Water! You can now survive the day.
4. Build another energy generator and a water tank. Also another battery if you don't trust the wind. (You shouldn't trust the wind)
5. Build a biodome and fill it with food producing plants. You will also want some starch production, but it is optional.
6. You are probably running low on building resources by now. Deconstruct the shuttle and construct a storage dome. Small one will be enough for now.
7. Build a workshop and a mine. With this, you can produce metal and polymers, the two building blocks that you will need.
8. At this point, you will probably need more energy. Build it.
There is no step 9, by this point you have allready won. Celebrate by building beds.
General tips:
Smaller structures are more resource efficient. Since you are seriously parched for resources in the beggining, you should never build anything larger than minimal size.
Spaceport is useless untill you get your basic economy going. You have nothing to trade and no jobs to employ extra colonists.
I've actually heard not to build the mine, since that results in your workers getting injured and then they can't work. Apparently, one good way to get stuff is to sell weed medicinal plants to traders for resources.
I've actually heard not to build the mine, since that results in your workers getting injured and then they can't work. Apparently, one good way to get stuff is to sell weed medicinal plants to traders for resources.
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>All right, so we have this big wide flat building area to the Pod south west, and mountains close by for mining and prospecting.
What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>And this craggly rocky area to the southeast of the pod, and then more flat area beyond that. Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>We could develop that later into an industrial area.
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic> I don't think dividing our population into Eloi and Morlocks is a good idea.
Imprint ID "Marcia Kane" Biologist> The sigh of the oppressed is the downfall of tyrants.
Okay. Air. Of course air.
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>Okay, so what the first thing to do...?
Imprint ID "Andrew E. Reese" Worker> Airlocks?
Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker> No, then what would an airlock lock air to?
Imprint ID "A.V. Gilmore" Worker> Uh, guys, I think the bots have a different idea.
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <response> Humans. Please move out of the way.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <response> Taser protocols have been authorized.
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>Ah, here go. Step one. Move out of the way. Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>Step two: Don't touch anything.
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <report> Construction under way.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <report> Speed at maximum work efficiency.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <report> Construction complete.
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic> Hey, you trapped your buddy in there.
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>DON'T. TOUCH. ANYTHING.
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic> Okay, okay, not touching! No touching!
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic> Oh. So you just cut your way out. Okay, I get it. Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic> I don't wanna get in the way of your constructor beam.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <report> <audio> (taser clicking noise)
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>The next is airlock.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <report> Calculating maximum pathing efficiency.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <report> Construction under way.
Why do I have this such feeling of dread?
What am I forgetting?!
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <report> Construction complete.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <response> Please move out of the way, human.
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <report> Delivering resources.
Imprint ID "A.V. Gilmore" Worker>I'm feeling kinda... obsolescent.
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>And then the water extractor so that there's something the oxygen generator can crack oxygen from. Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer> Step Four. Step back and allow the bots to scan and place the water extractor in the best possible location. Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer> Step Five. Don't touch anything while the bots place power structures to power the primary life support structures.
Imprint ID "Andrew E. Reese" Worker> What even is your job around here?
We brought Blackcat to the local vet, and given new bottles of antibiotics, cough medicine, and vitamins. It was suggested that he should be given an IV, but will have to take him to the next city over again and pay for the IV and confinement and literally I had no spare funds for that.
So we had to manually just keep force-feeding with dextrose every 3 hours and medicines twice a day.
Seems to have worked. He is much more active now, can drink and eat on his own. Body no longer feels stiff, can even walk around and give a small meow when we approach. One eye no longer has its nictating membrane stuck. On the other hand, now the second eyelid over his other eye is swollen and red. I don't know if he's actually getting better or not!
The vet forbid us from bathing him, best not to shock his system. Stinkycat you so stinky. Where did you go?
That's not my (direct) fault though. The Engineer was literally just standing around, the bots did all the work faster that the colonists could decide to haul build material to the site.
Maybe because instead of queuing the build orders, I didn't put down any new buildings until after the first one had been built. Since they require 1 metal, 1 bioplastic, the bots go off to haul and build before the colonists get priority.
I didn't plan this, but it is a happy coincidence considering how fully-utilized colonist hands still had most of them fucking die from oxygen deprivation in a fully powered base.
Queing up everything required for Oxygen production is not a problem because it won't work if you have even a piece missing. You don't want to queup anything else, since death in conga line to airlock happens.
I hope this base does better than those previous ones.
Obviously it's to keep the bots in working order so they can do the rest of the work. Aishah clearly has chosen the career path where in she gets to spend significant time loafing around, but if she doesn't actually do her job everyone notices 'cause the bots just break down and stay that way.
AN: Sorry for the delay, just finished reinstalling things. New motherboard, new power supply, new SSD. I had to make a choice between new computer or new power components, and being able to view things no longer in eyesight-ruining VGA was more important to basic quality of life. Things... all seem to be working now?
What even am I doing?
Wait, shite.
That's not supposed to go there.
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>Wait, that's a Power Collector, not the Water Extractor. Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>Oops. Pushed the wrong button.
Imprint ID "Andrew E. Reese" Worker>What the hell, Johnson!
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer> It's fine. It's fine. Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>Just haul out the materials, the robots will handle the rest.
Imprint ID "A.V. Gilmore" Worker>So we're allowed to touch things now?
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer> I was scrolling and didn't realize that you could rearrange priority tabs.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <report> <internal>Yes, humans. Move faster.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <report> <internal>In the assembly line, you are the component delivery systems
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <report> <internal>And this unit is the assembler.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <report> <internal> In the labor theory of value, this unit has the highest value.
Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker> Oi, Carrier Bot, are you taking a break or summat?
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <response> <external audio> Supervisory Mode engaged.
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <response> <external audio> Move faster, humans. It is for your own good.
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <response> <audio> (taser clicking noises)
Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker> As least we get a salary!
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <response> <audio> No you do not. Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker> ... roight. We got paid in advance. No we don't.
Connections mean everything. Gah, I remembered just in time!
What next? What next?
Oh.
Actually... nothing?
I already placed all the essential buildings. Now it's all up to them to build in time the things they need to survive.
Imprint ID "Marcia Kane" Biologist> There's always something relaxing about watching a power accumulator fill up. Imprint ID "Marcia Kane" Biologist> Peace through power.
Imprint ID "Slade K. Mccall" Biologist> What are we building here anyway?
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic> Wind generator, I think.
Imprint ID "Slade K. Mccall" Biologist> Wouldn't the Colony Pod interfere with the air flow?
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic>I'm a Medic, not a meteorologist. But since we're near some mountains anyway, I think there's high pressure wind coming straight down the sides.
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic>Meteorologist... oh shit.
Imprint ID "Slade K. Mccall" Biologist> What? Did you remember something?
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic> I just remembered that eventually Johnson's going to have her hands on the trigger of an anti-meteor doomlaser.
Imprint ID "Slade K. Mccall" Biologist> Doc, stop that. You're not supposed to give your crew heart attacks.
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic> Those shadows are getting kinda long. Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic> We need this wind generator up asap.
Imprint ID "Marcia Kane" Biologist> I'll go see what the rest of the crew are up to.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <response> <external audio>Move out of the way, human.
Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker> What? Oh. Sorry.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <response> <external audio>Constructing power and liquid connection between Oxygen Generator and Water Extractor.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <response> <external audio> Construction complete.
Why is the air supply going down!?
Oh, wait. The blue tint was the one showing it was out of water.
Okay. So... are you cracking?
You know those water tanks for holding water in? They are actually not useless, because as I discovered, the ammount of water the water pump creates varies as the time goes, same as wind generators.
You know those water tanks for holding water in? They are actually not useless, because as I discovered, the ammount of water the water pump creates varies as the time goes, same as wind generators.
I'm not sure I agree with the "not useless" part. I've tried using water tanks to deal with the cyclical output before. The cost in terms of materials and time spent to build another water extractor is far lower than having enough water tanks to fill the difference. Sure there's a power cost for the extractors but the amount that a water tank can store just isn't worth it. The largest water tank only stores 600 units of water. It also doesn't produce anything.
In my experience a water tank will prevent you from seeing the occasional "you are short on water" messages that are minor warnings you aren't producing enough water. Instead you will only notice when you have over-built and are suddenly net negative on water even at peak production. (And then you need to immediately find the resources to build another extractor or face serious problems.)
Personally I'd rather worry about energy production and storage with the extractors. I already have to worry about those problems to keep the lights on in my base.
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic> Oh hey! Williams said the Oxygen Plant's up and running now!
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>Shaddap, can't you see I'm being productive here?! Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer> Oh, look at Jonesie, what's your microelectronics certification doing as project team leader? Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer> I can handle a welder beam just fine!
Imprint ID "A.V. Gilmore" Worker> Don't wave it around! Aaah! No, not the face!
Imprint ID "Aishah Johnson" Engineer>LOOK UPON MY WORKS, YE MIGHTY, AND DESPAIR!
Imprint ID "Marcia Kane" Biologist>... tone the ham down a notch, friend.
Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker> Och, I need some air.
Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker>Oi'll be the first to taste this virgin air. Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker>Pity for whoever gets me sloppy seconds.
Imprint ID "Andrew E. Reese" Worker>Magnus! I swear, if you fart in there, I will kill you!
Aaah! It's night and I forgot to connect the Wind Generator to the Power Collector!
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <response> <audio out>Humans. Seriously.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <response> <audio out>You would all just die without us.
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic>Let me in, let me in. I'm dying out here!
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <response> <direct transmission>Adjusting atmospheric mix.
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <response> <direct transmission>Monitoring for hallucinogenic traces. None.
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <response> <direct transmission>Atmospheric balance achieved.
Log ID "CR-01" Carrier Bot> <response> <direct transmission>Power situation stable.
Imprint ID "Trent Burton" Medic>Oh god I'm dying in here!
Imprint ID "Andrew E. Reese" Worker>MAAAGNUUUSSS!
Imprint ID "Magnus Matthews" Worker>Don' be such a lemon, Reese.
Oh good. Just in time.
Everybody inside? Everybody manage to get a deep fresh new breath?
Okay. What's next?
Guuh. I don't remember.
Log ID "CNT-2" Construction Bot> <response> <audio out>Storage Dome recommended.
Blaargh.
So tired.
But can't sleep!
Uuuu. Brain so much on fire.
I just finished with a deadline, but instead of feeling accomplished, I'm just so stressed.
I need to sleep. I need to sleep. I need to sleep!
I've drank so much milk I should be a cow by now.
Something. Something.
Spin spin spin!
What's the worst that could happen?
Like, I don' care, lol.
Is it the same? I don't know. I don't remember.
Where did you go?
Wait, shite.
Now we need to put the Water Extractor somewhere.
What next? What next?
Oh, wait. The blue tint was the one showing it was out of water.
Are you enough to keep these people from dying?
