a grownup swings on her swing in a playground at night, wearing an embroidered patch that says 'SCUL - Dead Bride'
Dead Bride on shore leave

Shore Leave

While SCUL is often out for hours and hours, we don't spend the whole time flying. We often stop to climb things, get snacks, play games in empty parking lots, and tell stories. We have a certain way of doing things so that when it's time to go, we are all ready to go together.

"Once the timer has finished counting down, the mission leader calls out 'SADDLE UP!' and the crew aligns their ships up behind the navigator, who points in the direction of the chosen escape vector, ideally within seconds of the call."

Planetfall Protocol

Be mindful where you decide to park your ship. Make sure it's not in the way. If there are a lot of HARVs in the fleet, make sure they have a place to lean their ship if they do not have landing gear.

Upon landing, the first thing SCUL pilots do is take care of any minor mechanicals or electricals on their ship. The repair may be more serious than you anticipate, and therefore may take longer than you think.

Diplomatic Relations

When SCUL stops in populated areas of space, civilians want to know what's up. Direct them to our ambassador so they can get hooked up with stickers and the like. Pilots should check with Skunk before fulfilling any 'take-me-to-your-leader' requests.

Shore Leave Re-Launch Procedure

a woman hold up two fingers in response to the photographer doing the same
Red Squirrel signals she can be ready to 'saddle up' when two-minutes is called.
  • Two Minute Check: When the mission leader thinks that most of the crew wants to go, they go to each starpilot and cadet and gives them 'two minute check' sign. Each pilot in turn responds: if the pilot is able to be ready in two minutes, they give the 'two minute acknowledged' sign. If for any reason the pilot or cadet needs more time, they have the opportunity to ask for it.
  • Two Minutes: Once the mission leader has confirmed that all personnel can be ready to fly in two minutes (or whatever negotiated time), the mission leader sets a timer and calls out very loudly "TWO MINUTES!", or whatever time decided upon. It is this time that pilots should wrap up their conversations, strap their cargo down, and be ready for launch.
  • Saddle Up: Once the timer has finished counting down, the mission leader calls out 'SADDLE UP!' and the crew aligns their ships up behind the navigator, who points in the direction of the chosen escape vector, ideally within seconds of the call.
  • Anyone Not Ready?: The mission leader checks to make sure that everyone looks ready to go. If someone looks like they need more time, they ask them directly if they need some help. Once it's reasonably certain that everyone is ready to go, the mission leader calls 'IS ANYONE NOT READY?'
  • Navigator Has The Conn: If no one says anything, the mission leader calls to the navigator, 'NAVIGATOR, YOU HAVE THE CONN'.
  • Navi Away: Once the Navigator is underway, the mission leader and other pilots call out 'NAVI AWAY' and the fleet is in motion again.