Demiurge says "Okay, Liz."
Demiurge says "Before we start, can you just give me a _very_ basic idea of what your plane is like, so I don't make any stupid mistakes later?"
Liz says "It's pretty simple."
Liz mostly needs to just *move* for a while, but put simply, she's going to do a recon of Bellmans studio, by air, before sunset. She's going to photograph the layout from 'standoff' range, and then do a nearflyby on the way back, minimum legal altitude, just at dusk, to see if anyone throws up any songs or the like.
Liz thinks we will find out if Demons look up.
Liz will be listening for, shall we say, Symphonic happenings.
Demiurge nods to Liz.
Demiurge was wondering more of the capabilities of your plane, really. Apologises for putting it badly.
Liz says "Oh."
Liz says "It's a twin engine Lockheed Electra."
Liz says "In short, a pre-WWII era cargo/transport plane, the same type that Amelia Earhardt flew."
Demiurge says "As I'm not entirely sure what sorts of planes Amelia Earhart used. Does that mean it's an old biplane or something?"
Liz says "With updated electronics and modern engines."
Liz says "Think 'Retro DC-3' and you're all right."
Demiurge says "Right. So not as good as a Spitfire. Though with modern electronics. Okay."
Liz says "It's not a fighter, it's a cargo plane."
Liz says "Although with the new engines it'll do 300mph easy. ^_^"
Demiurge can manage Biggles-type planes fairly okay, from background reading, but starts getting wobbly when you hit jet engines. Though this is propellor, if it's pre-WW2. Okay.
Liz says "This was back when aerodynamics was a new thing."
Liz calls her plane 'Amelia', naturally.
Demiurge nods. Naturally.
Demiurge says "Okay. Are you filing a flight plan with the airport controller?"
Liz says "Naturally."
Liz says "Since it's DC, flight plans for 'circling around' are pretty critical."
Liz says "Lots of National Security stuff."
Liz says "Fly over the White House, and the guy with the Stinger missles on the roof could ruin your whole day."
Liz drops Eduardo off after we can't find the place where Essence was spent.
Liz then phones Pat & Sara, says she's going for a flight.
The guy in the central tower acknowledges your flight plan with an end-of-day weariness to his voice. "Yes, miss, that's quite all right. Please watch yourself down near Dulles, they're quite busy today."
Liz then heads back to the Hangar, files flight plan, preps plane, and then makes her take-off window.
It is a pleasant evening, and Amelia handles well: there's a mild tailwind, but nothing out of the ordinary.
Liz is going to make two long, shallow passes, one from the north, one from the south, over the compound.
Liz isn't going to get too close. She wants to look like somewhat low flying, but not overly suspicious, traffic.
Liz says "The low altitude pass comes last."
Liz will get pictures the first two passes. Last pass, she's getting ready to do Ofanim-like things with the plane.
Demiurge nods.
From high altitude, you can see that there are several fairly bare outdoors sets, and buildings in the form of a rough U, with the midpiece a high building, and the two arms long and low.
Liz says "OK."
Liz imagines the light isn't *great*, but hey, it's near sunset.
Demiurge nods. Not very good light, no, though you get a couple of high-altitude shots that you think should come out.
Liz goods.
Liz has, of course, done this sort of thing before, during the war.
Demiurge says "Naturally."
Demiurge says "Next, low-altitude pass?"
Liz says "In a bit."
Demiurge nods.
Liz settles in for about 30-45 minutes of flying for the fun of it, making the pass just at the point where her plane, like the ground, will be shrouded in darkness.
Liz doesn't exactly regenerate essence doing this, but it's *nice* (OK maybe she does, a little.)
Liz envies Ofanim who work for Janus.
The plane buzzes above the sets - one appears to be in use for some night filming, something involving a dinosaur and bikinied starlets - and whizzes towards the U of the building.
Liz pays close attention.
The two arms of the U have occasional windows set along them, differing in shape as you move along. The high central part seems more of an office-building. There's some small commotion, as four or five people are coming out onto the roof.
Liz . o O (If they're night filming, they're going to be unhappy if I ruin a take...)
One of the people points towards the plane, the gesture visible in the dim light.
Liz isn't buzzing the building, exactly.
Liz is about 250-500m up. (She has very good sight.)
Liz also believes anything below that is illegal.
Demiurge says "You can see the guy gesturing up towards the plane, then, and the little people down below."
Liz is, however, taking it nice and slow. No rush for this part. Want to get a nice, good look.
Demiurge thinks she's pretty much described the salient features.
Liz says "OK."
Liz whips out binoculars to try and identify people on the roof.
Liz imagines this is at something of a minus.
Demiurge nods. Try a Per roll.
<
Liz nope.
Liz sighs.
Demiurge says "Can't quite make any out, no. They seem to be fairly huddled together."
Liz nods.
Liz diverts south, away from DC, and then doubles back when she's out of eye- and earshot,
lands.
Demiurge says "Going to try another buzz?"
Liz got one good look. More than that would be stupid.
Liz can always do this again with *proper* reconaissance gear tomorrow.
Liz wants to get home, develop her pictures, and arrange for a little dawn investigation of the
place.
Demiurge nods.
Liz is going to get the pictures developed, and arrange for 1: proper reconnaissance gear, 2: a
dawn investigation of Bellmans.
Demiurge says "How do you class "proper recon gear" and who do you propose to make the
dawn investigation?"
Liz says "Proper Recon Gear: a plane mounted camera with anti-vibration mountings,
magnification gear, and high speed film."
Liz says "WWII surplus would be fine. ^_^"
Liz is actually familiar with that sort of thing.
Liz says "Investigation: whoever's interested. Eduardo is a definite candidate, as are Sephar and
Hitherby. Pat & Sarah are welcome to come along, as is Daimon, if he's conscious by then."
Liz says "And, of course, the Triad."
Liz . o O (Judge this.)
Demiurge nods. Where does Liz propose to get the camera, or does she happen to have such a
thing in the storage locker somewhere?
Liz might.
Liz has a pre WWII plane.
Liz says "Although that was special."
Liz lost most of her WWII era gear when her vessel augered in in '52.
Liz probably knows somone.
Liz says "Like, say, over at the Smithsonian."
Demiurge nods, okay.
Liz is an Ofanite of Marc. We know where to get *everything* on short notice.
Liz then spends the rest of the evening mounting the camera in Amelia, and arranging for a dawn
'Visit'.
Demiurge says "Actually, there are a couple of Seraphs of Jean who hang round the Smithsonian,
and the Seneschal is a Kyrio."
Demiurge says "I'm prepared to accept you can get hold of one of them and manage to
"requisition" a suitable camera."
Liz says "Cool."
Demiurge nods to Liz, and will leave you working on your plane, then, and presumptively phoning
around.
Liz says "And having the film developed."
Liz says "And about six other things."
Liz is doing the Ofanim thing: eight things at once, maybe more.
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