The SS Warrimoo, a passenger steamship traveling from Vancouver to Australia, was silently knifing its way across the mid-Pacific waters. The navigator had just finished calculating a star fix and handed the results to Captain John DS. Phillips.
The Warrimoo's coordinates were LAT 0º 31' N, LONG 179 30' W. The date was December 31, 1899. "Know what this means?" First Mate Payton announced, "We're only a few miles from the intersection of the Equator and the International Date Line."
Captain Phillips was prankish enough to seize the opportunity to do the nautical feat of a lifetime. He summoned his navigators to the bridge to double-check the ship's position. He altered his course slightly to focus directly on his target. He then altered the engine's speed.
The calm weather and clear night worked to his advantage. At midnight, the SS Warrimoo rested on the Equator, exactly where it had crossed the International Date Line. The ramifications of this odd arrangement were numerous.
The ship's bow was in the Southern Hemisphere, in the middle of summer. The stern was in the Northern Hemisphere, in the midst of winter. The date on the aft portion of the ship was December 31, 1899. The date on the forward half of the ship was January 1, 1900. The ship experienced multiple days, months, years, seasons, and centuries simultaneously.
voltron producers: we’d love to make a new theme song but we don’t have the budget me, sliding this monstrosity across the desk: you’re welcome
Part one
As the three teens made their way to the castle, they got strange looks from many of the citizens. They swerved through the crowd, but ended up in an unfamiliar area. It was worn down, the walls tainted with orange dust and graffiti- or some sort of alien art. Blue bricks looked gray, and the wallpaper was peeling. It had an eerie feeling to it, as if something could pop out and attack you. An unpleasant musty smell filled their sinuses, and Lance scrunched up his nose. “It smells horrible! How could they live in this area?” He complained as a bug buzz by him, resembling something like a moth.
The boy jumped and then started chasing it, determined to kill it. Keith groaned a little, and then scolded his friend. “Lance! Stop that, we can’t goof around.” “Ugh, you’re such a mood killer.” The other whined, then a low growl emmited from some figure- too animal like to be a human. Lane grabbed them both, and dragged them behind a dumpster. A chill crawled up Keith’s spine as he shuddered from the reeking smell. Lance coughed, about to complain- but heavy footsteps could be heard.
A well built figure walked along the alleyway, their thick fur covering it’s bulky body. Both of the Cuban boys quietly gasped, recognizing that it was a Yupper. The species that Beta Traz Warden owned as a pet. Though, it wasn’t purple like the previous one they saw was. It’s coat was a dark brown, and the fluffy parts of his fur were a tanned yellow as his eyes seemed to be dark as night, though there was a small green tint glowing within them.
“What? What is it?” Keith questioned quietly, but neither of the Lances responded. Lance slowly started to stand up, gripping onto his red bayard tightly. He steadily aimed it at the monster, then pulled the trigger. It hardly missed the creature, skimming the fur on his coat. The yupper roared and turned to the three, racing at them. Keith immediately pulled out his Mamora blade, charging at it.
Before he could slash at it, something shot the monster in the eye with a bang. He cried out in pain, stepping back as he covered his wound. The pale boy took this chance to attack, quickly knocking it down. He regained his breath then turned around, facing the two. Lance had a shocked face while Lane smirked triumphantly. “Pew, pew, pew~” He gently chuckled. “How did you do that?!” Lance questioned, and Keith rolled his eyes. “Come on, we have to get to the castle.”
When Coran was informed on the situation, he immediately called everyone back to the ship. While he was searching for information about the problem, the two Lances talked to eachother about the team.
Apparently, Lane was the new paladin for the Black lion- Shiro piloting the Red and Allura with Blue. The original cuban boy smiled, getting giddy about himself in another reality. He then grew serious, “Can you uhm… Help me train? Your aim is amazing and I want to uh, help out the team more… I’m not really the best warrior, this is war so I want to train hard.” The male said, and then Lane had an understanding look. “Yeah… I get that- but Lance,” He put his hand on the other’s shoulder. “We- you have amazing talent. You need to recognize that, it took me a long time to notice it.”
Before they could continue on with their heart-felt conversation, the rest of the team bolted inside, and they were all mostly in shock at the sight. “Uhh, am I the only one seeing doubles?” Hunk questioned, getting a nod from everyone as a response. Shiro spoke up, “Who uh, who’s our Lance?” Lane pointed to the other, and then the other stood up happily. “You should all recognize me, my dear paladins.” He teased, then introduced the scarred cuban. “This is me, well from another reality. We call him Lane!” Hunk smiled brightly and became giddy. “Oh yeah, two of my buds!”
After everyone was updated on the situation, they had to find Lane somewhere to sleep. He suggested that he could sleep next to Keith, but he shut him down immediately, just like he expected. It was decided that he would sleep in Lance’s bed as he slept on the floor. Of course the other whined, but he accepted it for now. It was almost midnight, and both of the cubans rustled around. “…Hey Lane, you awake?” Lance questioned, and the other hummed in response. “Can you uh, help me train?” The other raised an eyebrow as he sat up quickly. “Lance, you need your rest-” “Yeah yeah, I know! But I just can’t sleep right now. So can you help me?” He begged.
The other thought for a moment, then sighed. “Fine, but only for an hour- no more.” Lane said as he got up, “But I’m not changing out of these pajamas, I really like them!” The other chuckled with a nod, then grabbed his paladin suit. The two arrived in the battling arena, both of them equipped with their bayards.
Lane started on level 32, one that Lance was far away from. He watched as the other sniped a few of the enemies, kicking the one behind him with great force. When it was on the ground, he shot it in the head. He was suddenly tackled to the ground, but he turned the tables and pinned it down, shooting it with his bayard. Suddenly his weapon changed forms, turning into two black desert eagle pistols. He turned around and shot the remaining robots, smirking a little in pride.
Lance’s jaw was dropped on the ground, his pupils wide as a penny. He cheered the other as they walked towards him. “Your bayard changed mid battle! That’s amazing- how the cheese did you do it?!” He asked with a huge smile. “Secrets- but soon I’ll try and teach you them.” Lane teased cockily.
Paul features in all 3 Hatchetfield musicals. Which isn't much but it's a lot for a guy who doesn't like musicals.
my body is an orphanage we take everyone in
no webcomic will ever be as funny as this strip from oglaf
i loved nerdy prudes, but the fact that General John MacNemera feature and no PEIP joke, therefore not completing the rule of three, makes me want to vomit
No pressure. Just seeking some validation of my sentiment. Due to some. people
the mechanisms are a steampunk folk concept band! if you’re familiar with the decemberists, some of the stuff david bowie has done, or steam powered giraffe, it’s a bit like that- each album tells a story! (the albums are all tragic space operas, with the added bonus of being very queer!)
the bit where it starts to get complicated is the band itself. they’re all playing characters, and they do their shows in character! so, basically, the narration on the albums isn’t omniscient- it’s being narrated by the mechanisms, who have opinions about the story and tend to get involved in it at some point. to differentiate them from the actual band, i’m going to refer to them as ‘the crew of the aurora’!
further details under the cut! (edit: added some links!)
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