The location of Cloudbase/Skybase

by **Isabelle** » Tue Sep 08, 2015 8:34 pm

I'm not sure I've seen the subject covered on the forum before, but I was wondering how is the location of Cloudbase or Skybase determined? Do they hover in one place until they are needed somewhere? Do they travel along a set path? Do they just follow the Earth below and remain more or less over the same location?

If they do travel around, they have to plot the path, and make sure they don't collide with anything, such as other planes and space shuttles, so is this plot known in general? Or only to the higher military/space agencies?

by **Marion** » Mon Sep 14, 2015 7:46 am

Cloudbase can move - the Colonel gives an order for the base to move over the Himalayas when Cloudbase is under attack and there is a scene where Captain Grey looks out of a porthole/window and makes a comment about moving (unless I dreamt that up in my sleep...) In the cutaways of the base, there is mention of directional motors, I think, but I presume it sort of trundles along rather than whizzes about.
I wouldn't like to comment on Skybase, but I'd assumed that it does move... doesn't it head towards wherever Blue and Dismal - sorry, Destiny - are about to crash into in 'Mercury Falling' (or Rising? You might guess I am no great expert on NCS) :wink:

by **Isabelle** » Mon Sep 14, 2015 6:19 pm

They both can move and can get to specific locations, but are they constantly on the move, as in "patroling" around? Do they simply move to get closer to wherever the action is and make sure the Angels can refuel/re-arm?

They can't be moving around all that fast, unless there's some sort of compensating force inside; otherwise everyone would fall down or get sick.

Skybase almost crashed on top of Houston in Shape Shifter. Blue and Destiny almost crashed into Washington DC in Mercury Falling.

Come to think of it, Destiny crashed or almost crashed into many things/locations... :wink:

by **Marion** » Mon Sep 14, 2015 6:56 pm

I think it is probably correct to say that Cloud/Sky base is hovering over or close to wherever the storyline or plot needs it to be. Alternatively, they probably have a weekly management meeting to plot where they're going next... so that if Scarlet's getting ready to go on his holidays they'd head for wherever he's planned to take his bucket and spade this year.
:angel)

by **Isabelle** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 4:07 am

No doubt in case he runs into trouble. :wink:

If they move around constantly, I suppose they run by GMT as far as their day goes? Otherwise, it would be 3 o' clock all the time, or they would be going backward or forward in time constantly with the time zones. Talk about jet lag... <(>

by **Marion** » Wed Sep 16, 2015 7:03 am

LOL - sure enough, Scarlet's holidays are rarely relaxing and never peaceful! :grin:

I have always assumed that they use 'Cloudbase Time' which could be GMT or anything else they've decided on beforehand. We do see Cloudbase by day and night in the TV episodes, so at some point they are out of the brilliant sunlight, but presumably, the time on the base remains consistent with 'Cloudbase Time' whatever the planet is doing...
Of course, it is a well-known fact that jet lag does not happen to superheroes... :wink: