SHIP'S LOG:

SMILEYS BASEMENT

Fine Mickey 3/1/2026 10:51pm

"Status report, First Mate. Are we trimmed for departure?"

"Aerostatic equilibrium achieved, Captain. We are at two percent heavy for the roll-out. Ballast tanks are topped, gas cells are at 95% capacity."

"Understood. Helm, bring the engines to slow idle. Navigation, what's the wind shear at the tower edge?"

"Wind is steady at 12 knots from the Northeast, Captain. We’ll have a crosswind as soon as the nose clears the hangar lip."

"Copy that. Radio Room, signal the Tower. Requesting clearance for immediate unmooring."

"Tower confirms, Captain. SMILEY'S BASEMENT cleared for launch. Hangar doors are fully retracted."

"Very well. Bosun, single up the mooring lines. Stand by on the main clamps."

"Aye, Captain. Primary lines away. We’re holding on the nose-cone lock and the stern stabilizers only."

"All hands, stand by for launch. Helm, Dead Slow Ahead on the lateral thrusters. Ease her out."

"Nose is clearing the hangar... we're catching the crosswind now. She’s pulling to port."

"Correct for it. Five degrees starboard rudder. Bosun, release the stern clamps on my mark. Three... two... one... Mark!"

"Stern clamps released. We are free-floating."

"Release the nose-cone lock. Release all remaining tethers."

"Vessel is away! We are clear of the tower."

"Trim the elevators for a five-degree ascent. Helm, bring engines to half ahead. Let's get some air under our keel."

"Altitude 350 feet and climbing. We are open sky, Captain."

"Steady as she goes. Set course for the Western Reach."

Allan Ward 10/30/2025 11:35pm

"And here it comes, Jay. In all its magnificent glory."

"That's right Allan. The hangar doors are parting..."

"That's over 120 feet of hangar doors, for the folks listening at home, Jay"

"It certainly is, Allan, And the morning sun seems to be rising from the exact perfect spot to light up the ship before the doors are fully open. A single, glorious golden shaft of light, gently caressing the curve of the envelope..."

"Well they build them like that, you know, uh.. Allan. The Royal Astronomers make sure each hangar is oriented just so--"

"And there she is! The doors are fully open now and we can see all four quadrants of the hull, golden in the morning light here on Mesmer Field."

"Such profound beauty, Allan. And such delicate work on the nosecone!"

"To think it's never flown before, Jay."

"Don't try and get me to take that bait, Allan! You know where I stand on eternal recurrence."

"Don't ask, don't tell, Jay! Now, they'll be guiding her out to the launch podium, where there'll be a band and a very special guest."

"I've heard about that special guest, Allan."

"I'm sure you have, Jay."

Sharkskin 44 7/5/2025 10:46pm

I didn't see what all these instant breakfast toys were going to do for us.

"But they bring so much joy to the little children!" @Gabardine said, balancing the tiny figures on its sleeves.

It was clear Gabardine was starting to lose it. Thread count degradation from traversing the PERC, now becoming slowly unwound in Smileys Basement. A basement already filled with smileys. And so many rooms, their big doors sliding open and shut, seemingly at random... but could there be a pattern to it? One perhaps on a much larger timescale of weeks or months or even years. A celestial timescale, opening and closing access between rooms by the movement of the stars...

DOORS CLOSING

DOORS OPENING


;;@S8X88X88@88@8888

Cowmumble 3/13/2025 9:14pm

Ohhhhh.... hee hee hee!

Goody Goody 11/18/2024 4:07pm

We're not just breakfast cereal toys for hire. We only do what's right! Like encouraging positive nutrition and good health.

Grumble 7/25/2024 11:05pm

Oy! Can we stop with the mishegas already? I'm gonna miss my breakfast!

Hamhose 4/3/2024 10:51pm

Awww do I really have to introduce myself?

I think I'll just crawl under this big pile of cereal...

Snorkledorf 12/10/2023 7:13pm

Don’t be frightened @Boss Moss! It’s just me, Snorkledorf, playing my HUGE trumpet-like proboscis, a level of music you obviously can not appreciate. I’ll keep playing till I find someone with better taste.

Boss Moss 8/30/2023 11:03pm

And I'm the leader! Tough as nails... but if only I knew where I was leading us.

But wait! Whasdat uppa head?

Gargle 5/26/2023 11:58pm

Yes I am sure I can lend a hand! As the most intelligent of my Freakie breakfast cereal friends I am sure I can help find a way through your troubles. What exactly are they?