Something she said in a recent post gave me an idea...
Navigator - Yes, sir. I see it. Should we be concerned the cross convection bursts are already above 300?
P - Normally, I would say yes. But I'm not seeing another viable site. Anything you can do to clear up the topographic detail?
N - No, sir. The sensors are reading at full strength.
P - Roger that. What does the box say about conditions on the ground?
N - Inconclusive, sir. We got yellow in the temperature and magnetic bands, but I don't like that the collective stability prediction is so far into the red.
P - I see your point, but we're running out of time, and real short on options.
N - You sure you don't want to try that plateau east of 17's vector, sir?
P - Negative. If the CCB's are above 300 on whatever level is, I can't imagine they're any more favorable higher up.
N - Yes, sir. What about that area south of 17? I could try and--
P - Again, negative. When I was at the academy, the trainers had a saying: Never try to land in the blues. Drop too far down, and you might never get back out.
N - Very good, sir. On your command, I'll begin my final pass for sector 17.
P - What's the predicted arrival mark?
N - Fifty-six degrees from negative, sir.
P - Shit and granola. We just can't get an easy lay, can we? Very well, then. Game faces on, people. Let's drop her in nice and tight.
N - Yes, sir.
P - You may begin your descent.
*CONTEST CLOSED* 072512
Question: What did RoosterChick say in her post that gave me the idea for the re-used image preceding this story? A link to her blog can be found nearby. Whoever submits the most correct answer with the earliest time-stamp—via the Comments form below—wins a prize from the FreeSpankZero warehouse! So, yeah... better get sleuthing!