[SHIELD] Project: Open Eyes

[misterdaniel]

So, the weekend after the one coming is the Lions Event, and I have (perhaps foolishly) agreed to have Duncan McAllister stop for the two nights (Kaz also being at the event).

Now I'm sure it would be no fun for Duncan to see himself as being dumped on a boring guy whilst his parents are off having an adventure. So I have deemed that his stay will be as interesting as I can make it. Duncan is into spy-things at the moment, so I'm coming up with a spy plan.

Nick Fury, of SHIELD, will be contacting Duncan to ask for his assistance. SHIELD suspects that HYDRA are operating in Nottingham and Leicester. Since Duncan has moved from Scotland, he is completely clear of suspicion of being a HYDRA agent making him perfect for this mission, if he agrees.

Friday night will focus on training, including code-breaking.
Saturday will involve a trip to the National Space Centre in Leicestershire to check its not a HYDRA front.
Sunday will involve some more investigation based on data received from Saturday.

I'm blogging openly about this because I am wondering if anyone would be willing and able to help me with this, either in preparation or in the course of the weekend. I'm thinking:
1 - Suggestions for spy-based activities
2 - Helping to prepare some bits (e.g. simple transliterated code to be cracked)
3 - Playing NPC roles at the end of telephones, texts or even Skype

If not, never mind. I think I can come up with enough stuff. Spymasters often give wildly confusing instructions, so being asked to gather random - yet scientifically accurate - information from the National Space Centre makes a game of learning stuff.

Frankly, when Dessie and Bria get back from the Lions to discover that Duncan has saved the free world from terrorism, I think they will feel like the ones who missed out.

(And, of course, this is a proto run for doing similar with Eleanor when she is a little older)

Comments

[dbsurfeit.livejournal.com]

I am otherwise engaged for the weekend, but wanted to let you know that you are an amazing parent.

[endis-ni.livejournal.com]

I'm happy to play an NPC role, and help make things if need be.

[pax-draconis.livejournal.com]

I currently have no plans for that weekend. I may be in London on the friday but I have no fixed agenda and am available at the end of a phone for such a worthy cause.

[forest-rose.livejournal.com]

I'm in! Alas, I'm away until Sunday evening, but hit me up for texts/phone calls/Skype as necessary. Alan's in the shower right now, but I KNOW he'll be up for this too. I'll happily prepare code etc too. You have my phone number, yes? If not, have a look at Gill's latest LJ post, it's on the comments on there (under a friends lock, hence why I'm not putting it here).

[forest-rose.livejournal.com]

Oooh, I just realised you mean next weekend! I'm working until 4 on the Saturday, but am otherwise free. And 'working' entails a shift in A&E at the Leicester Royal Infirmary - I can therefore be at the hospital or elsewhere shortly afterwards in scrubs and stethoscope as a SHIELD doctor.
*is far too excited about the whole thing*

[darkebon.livejournal.com]

For obvious reasons I can't realistically help over that weekend, but just wanted to say that this sounds like an awesome idea.

I'll turn my mind to potential activities and get back to you if any occur to me.

[badgersandjam.livejournal.com]

That's brilliant!!!

[breezle.livejournal.com]

Bugger the Lions, can I come and play with you?

That sounds utterly amazing. I'll have a think about stuff, and will see you on Saturday for potential planning.

Also, thank you gazillions.

[jetlagjen.livejournal.com]

Awesome! I can certainly NPC-by-text.

Other ideas:
Invisible ink
morse code
anagrams
secret stashes / geocaching

[rachelprince.livejournal.com]

Am also at the Lions, but since I am catering, and therefore will be in the kitchen most of the weekend, I am more than happy to be an NPC via text. Dessie has my number if you guys don't.

This does sounds like an awesomely fun idea, wish I could come and play.

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the links and the doc.

The materials that I develop for this can be re-used. Heck, we may even be able to build on existing "plot" and "canon"

[green-bryony.livejournal.com]

Having to climb through a web of strings with bells attached is similar and almost as cool as climbing through a room with lasers.

I will investigate whether I have any bells that I can post you from previously forcing larpers to do similar.

[larpexiles.livejournal.com]

I'm happy to help via text let me know if you need a number and I'm going to echo the over arching sentiment that you are indeed made of awesome!

-Dawn

[svartmetall.livejournal.com]

Even so, the adjectival precursor 'doubleplus' is worthy of plaudits nevertheless :)

[spiraltower.livejournal.com]

I am free all day on Saturday, but my involvement would have to remote.

Suggestions -
1 - Make a blog (or even a facebook or twitter account) for a Hydra Agent. Once Agent Duncan has identified the Agent's Name, a simple google search would provide a link (especially if it's a very unique name). Start this as soon as possible, since entries will be date stamped and it'll be more convincing if they haven't all been written in the last couple of days.
2 - Mention in the blog/facebook how enjoyable a certain book is. Go to the local library and discover a 'letter drop' inside that book. (Be sure to borrow the book yourself beforehand, and return it just before the library closes the day before to minimise the chance of someone else borrowing it!).
3 - Plant clues in the small ads of the local paper.
4 - Write a letter of thanks from Nick Fury and post it so that it arrives a day or two later. Better yet, email it to Tom and Marina and ask them to print and post it from America. A letter for a child is exciting, but a letter from America would be awesome!

[spiraltower.livejournal.com]

Oh, and issue him with his own mobile phone for the weekend. I have a spare with a number that I've never used that I can post up to you if you wish.

[smallstoat.livejournal.com]

Can you be my dad?

Also, I think I know what I want to do on my next birthday...
(So awesome!)
At the Lions, so can't help (so awesome!)

Plant some bugs somewhere he can find them, on lights or something? (particularly good if you have bulbs you haven't gotten around to changing yet!)
If you have a Hawkins bazaar near you, they do cool (really cheap) gadgets?

[ed-fortune.livejournal.com]

Totally unable to help, but that is awesome. You rock sir, you really do.

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

Hmm. Good idea. I have a handset that I keep as a spare. Put some top-up on a SIM and bingo.

Also... in case I lose Duncan (which I won't!!)

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

Gadgets may be for the future if I invest in this as a "thing".

This is mostly a series of activities designed to distract children whilst I am in charge of three by myself.

Its a self-preservation sanity thing - by instilling a sense of paranoia in a 6-yr-old

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

Those are awesome suggestions, but way more elaborate than I have in mind on this occasion, with the exception of No.4

If all goes to plan, Duncan receives his first memo from Nick Fury tonight asking for his help. Duncan has to signify his willingness to do this by drawing a picture of a 3-eyed robot and putting it facing outwards in his bedroom window so that SHIELD agents can see it and know that he's willing to help.

Why a 3-eyed robot? I dunno, ask SHIELD...

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

Though I may well steal them for "next time" if such a thing happens

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

I am also not sure what this has to do with your next birthday...

Unless you are thinking a spy-themed party.

Which would be cool

[golden-exism.livejournal.com]

This. Is. So. Awesome.

I can't think of anything right now that would win this.

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

That is Very Cool.

I think that is a "next time" thing though. My main objective is surviving a weekend with 3 kids

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

Sadly, the most help I am likely to need is how to survive the weekend.

Whilst this all sounds cool, its mainly an effort to provide structure/distraction/activity for 3 kids else I go mad and kill them.

Some adult backup on Saturday eve or Sunday is likely to be welcome. The trip to the Space Centre on Sat is so that by adding Amanda and Renee, the adult:child ratio goes up from 1:3 to 2:4.

Writing you into the plot is easy enough. I mean, you've seen Alias. Spy stuff is *horrifically contrived*

Do you think Rufus would sit looking at a webcam long enough? Its a cool idea though.

text

[dutchy1.livejournal.com]

If you do need some text in Dutch, I will help.
Unless he has acces to a google translator and does know the Dutch connection? Have a nice time all, with the spy-game ánd the Lions.
Oh and by the way: there were 2 Dutch astronauts, and we do have a space-centre in Noordwijk, where parts for satelites and so on are made.Hint?

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

Could I possibly trouble you to create a secret message with invisible ink?

There's a good link here: http://www.wikihow.com/Make-an-Invisible-Ink-Message

Also, any interest in being a SHIELD Agent on a space station? It would basically mean Duncan calling you up, you checking the password and passing on a code for him to crack

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

4pm on Saturday is possibly too late and thats the day we'll be in Leics. The issue is that I will have Ben with me, and so returning to Notts early afternoon so he can nap is part of the plan

Its possible we could pop by LRI to collect some important intelligence from you

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

Currently, my plan for Sunday consists of:

1 - Go to Denz in the morning and let kids run around
2 - Have lunch
3 - Quiet afternoon with TV/Games/Ben napping until LTers get back

If you are around and willing, then other options open up. Such as switching Denz for a park trip. Or possibly visiting for lunch?

In terms of plot, if we visited your house, it could be because yours is the only house with a system capable of hacking Hydra's network. (Russ Phillips has offered to set up a password activated website which Duncan can have obtained the password for earlier in the weekend; he's even offered to set up a fake chat transcript between two enemy agents that can be observed on screen)

Or if we are out in the park then... uhm... maybe we can set up a buried treasure (probably some kind of transmitter/transponder/macguffin) that can be found.

[endis-ni.livejournal.com]

Lemon messages! I used to make these for my sister when we were little. What do you need them to say?

Sure, I can join SHIELD for the weekend. You've got my mobile, right?

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

I am still working on the plot. I figure invisible ink messages ought to have something important on. When I have worked out what that is, can I email you?

[slappersire.livejournal.com]

Just seen this! I believe I am utterly free that weekend to take phone calls, texts and emails. I can also code up any messages you already have into a variety of codes (simple to horrific) and send 'em back to you.

Also, depending on how my Insurrection writing goes, I am up for a day visit, either to secret agent, or play with Ellie and Ben. xx

[misterdaniel.livejournal.com]

"I am free all day on Saturday, but my involvement would have to remote."

On Saturday afternoon, circa 3pm, would you be OK to receive a phone call from Agent Glasgow?

The role is that of a SHIELD science division person. Your codename would probably feature Doctor or Professor.

It would focus on debriefing Duncan about his investigation of the Science Centre and arranging to retrieve the disposable camera.

[spiraltower.livejournal.com]

Yes, indeed.

Doctor Perry Helion will will be standing by for the call! (Though you'll need to give me an idea of what he'll have been looking for at the Science Centre and what you actually want him to do with the camera...)