natha: (Default)
ɴᴀᴛʜᴀ orbiters ❰ mod collective ❱ ([personal profile] natha) wrote in [community profile] elnyan2018-08-26 01:27 pm
Entry tags:

❪ test drive #7 ❫

YOUR STORY BEGINS    

The Storm came. You remember darkness, but you don't remember much after that.

You don't know how long you slept, but the dreams were short. You remember the expanse of stars and galaxies in your direct view. Every world and solar system ever known to man was present in your dreams in careful, pristine detail. You also witnessed the Storm, which has devoured a fair portion of these galaxies. Your Earth and similar planets were assimilated by the Storm. Somehow, you knew it would be the last you'd see of your world. That was when she told you what happened. You knew that you'd be living somewhere new. The details weren't clear, but you knew it was a part of a deal with the entity known as Darma - once, you might have been able to speak to her, but now you are only met with silence.

When you awake, you will find yourself in Thesa Station. Your body is still cold, you're hungry, and the halls seem frighteningly bare somehow.

EMPTY HALLS    

Despite the absence of Darma and the rest of the Natha Orbiters, the station is still managing to sustain itself. Those that dig within the station’s log will find that it’s currently in some sort of Energy Saving Mode. While Thesa isn’t at risk of failing any time soon, people will notice that the ship will appear more dim and desolate. Malfunctions will be common, and while none seem to be life-threatening (yet), they are notably inconvenient. Fortunately, it seems the Orbiters were prepared for the worst, and in a potential response to these concerning turn of events, they've prepared some help.

Hi! My name is Yppilc, I will be your assistant on the station! It looks like you just woke up. Did you need help?


The virtual assistant takes a wide variety of shapes, from adorable animals to metal paper clips with googly eyes. Regardless of what form they take, their mission is clear: to help in any way they can. It’s unfortunate, however, that they just haven’t been calibrated properly. Hence, they will appear at the strangest times— in the middle of dinner or an important conversation— sometimes they won’t even offer anything useful. Apparently they were designed after a program that existed once, but who really knows....

However, while they may seem like nothing but trouble at first, there are many occasions in which they can actually help. They are equipped with a whole wealth of information on how to keep the station operational. They can offer tutorials and step-by-step instructions on how to fix various aspects of the station and beyond. Their knowledge is extensive, and if they believe the refugee they're assigned to needs a different kind of help (a lesson in smiling or how to have adequate small talk being some of the many topics they're equipped to teach), well ... they're not against supplying it. Expect some invasive teaching.

The virtual assistants are also all synced together. Meaning, if there’s a big enough problem, they can ping one another and assign refugees to help with certain parts of the ship. The only problem is that prioritizing may not be their strong suit. What seems like a simple issue could be exacerbated into a huge ordeal. What someone thinks is a fire in the main hatch could actually be a plumbing issue near the Mess Hall. They also seem to assign people arbitrarily. One can only hope all the refugees get along.

SEND HELP    

While no specific parts of the station are necessarily offline, a lot of the tasks the station would normally complete on its own will need to be handled manually. Fortunately, the main functions of the station are more than accounted for, however everything else will be up to the refugees. As there is no telling when the Natha Orbiters will return, perhaps it’d be wise to take this opportunity to learn to be a little more self-sufficient on Thesa Station.

1. There are some areas the Station can’t automatically clean without exiting its current emergency protocols. Each of these areas will be marked off on the map provided by Thesa's very own virtual assistant, Yppilc. According to Yppilc, one of the key places that would benefit from a good wash down is the airlock. As a fair amount of foreign matter travels through these doors, special suits will be provided for those cleaning the area. The suits will have a built-in communications system and will also include its own oxygen tank. A helpful feature to have, just in case someone may be swept out into space. Which happens more often than one would think! Cleaning too close to the controls can trigger the doors to open… they’re sensitive. The oxygen tank isn’t equipped to last very long, so you can only help comes soon.

On the bright side, in the event that someone is stuck outside and running low on oxygen, rescuers can easily share some of their air with them. The suits are built to be able to connect to one another like an adhesive. To activate this oxygen-sharing mode, refugees will be required to follow several steps. Hand on one another's shoulders, eye contact, helmets pressed against each other— each suit follows a slightly different set of steps, but they’re probably not any less awkward. While it looks a little absurd and while maneuverability might be a bit of an issue, at least everyone is breathing!

2. Space is unpredictable at times. It isn’t uncommon for the station or its pods to occasionally brush against meteors or asteroids. While Thesa is well-fortified, it doesn’t mean that these asteroids don’t need closer inspection. A lot of rare materials can be mined from them, and while this domain would normally be handled by the Natha, it’s now the job of the refugees to procure pieces of it. You never know when this alternate source of energy and fuel could come in handy, after all! Refugees will be provided two-person pods to go and retrieve these materials. While they can physically descend from the pod once they get out there, they can also control the pods to drill and pick up these materials. Though, the controls are a bit difficult.

3. Without the Orbiters to operate the the kitchen, the Mess Hall will also experience a steep shortage of food. All the ingredients used in the cafeteria were actually conjured up by the Natha, hence without them— people will discover that there isn’t enough food for the new refugees. Old refugees will be pinged prior to their arrival at Thesa Station and the message is clear: bring and cook food for the new refugees. With the errors on the ship, it seems that many of them woke up hungry. For those that lack confidence in their culinary skills&Mdash; they say food tastes better when you’re starving.

GIFTS FROM THESA    

The Natha have bequeathed their will unto the refugees, the burden of watching over their dear planet not given without a token of trust. Everyone, those newly awakened and those already settled, will receive periodic urging from Yppilc to visit the VR facilities. These messages will grow more frequent, more frantic, the longer they go ignored - for the sake of sleep, it’s best to indulge the request.

Load into the simulation, and the scene is mired by the confusion of battle. You and another stand on a low hanging precipice, overlooking a failing front line. The location and conditions of the fight vary, drawn from the memories and fears of the participants themselves. Olympia and Wyver, locked in a caustic war - and your new home is succumbing. Or your homeland, entrenched in conflict from the past, or from a dreaded future. While the scene laid out before you is chaotic, one thing stands clear; your allies are fighting a losing battle. Comrades fall, innocents flee, and the wounded cry out for help. The program has determined what could best spur you and your comrade to intervene, though the more stubborn refugees may need additional goading from their partners.

Your next action determines more than the outcome of the fight before you. Choose wisely - this message is conveyed mentally in a garbled voice that sounds familiar and ethereal all at once. Jump into action and fight. Save an ally - perhaps even your partner in this simulation - from certain death. Or help those who cannot help themselves. Act, and you will find yourself imbued with a new power. Use it, and the scene will soon come to a close. Despite returning to the reality of Thesa Station, you’ll find this newfound power still within your grasp. A gift from Darma, to aid in the battles to come.

OOC Note: Feel free to give your character any one power that would be classified as a ‘major spell’ on the ACP rewards table. These powers can fall under any category (Unaffiliated, Natha, Olympia, or Wyver), and must be reported by existing characters and new applicants here under the most appropriate header no later than September 8th 11:59PM EST. Please include a brief description of the power you’ve chosen. You will receive a response within 48 hours if there are any modifications required.

SOCIAL-LINKED(in)   
By some miracle, there are still some quieter parts of the hall. This may be an appropriate time to check out your smartphone. Aside from the expected "Omage" app, there seems to be a new one called Social-Linked. There, you may find a profile waiting to be posted. The app allows for the user to fill it in, but there is also an auto-function! upon pressing it, it will generate a shockingly-honest answer based on the Natha's observation of your history. Roman will be your only friend in this app, with his very own profile:

●●●●○ THESA
ROMAN
@romannoodles (∞), Thesa

I WAS A: Butler! I still am, and I'm happy to serve all of the new arrivals!

I'M SKILLED IN: Cooking, cleaning, anything that involves making your life better!

I'M LOOKING FOR: Consistency!

ALSO, I'M: Not entirely certain if the "auto" profile function is to your liking. Feel free to edit if it is not to taste!

So, have you decided on making your own profile? Perhaps you used the "auto" function on accident? Regardless, once your profile is out there, it's out there. And like the Omage app, it will match you with someone. NOTE: Please use the form below to fill out a profile! Whether it's auto-generated or filled by the character is up to you!

PROBLEMS IN STASIS    

1. The ship’s malfunctions have reached the stasis chamber, a long feared outcome finally dawning on sleeping friends and families. Yppilc will be quick to notify all refugees aboard that the pods will need close monitoring. Whether you’re visiting to keep an eye on things, or simply there to see the face of someone dear, be careful. Bumping a control panel, or drawing a hand along the glass could trigger an emergency ejection. Lights blink and a mechanism hisses, and then the pod is gone. With the pod thrust into space, you’ll be left with nothing but a small screen displaying the chamber’s position. There are ways to retrieve it— such as climbing into a suit from the airlock or following Yppilc’s instructions. Regardless of approach, it’s imperative that you stay calm. One error, and you could eject another pod or cut off the view screen entirely.

2. The newly awakened won’t find a moment of respite. The errors that pervade over the rest of the station have altered the contingencies for resuscitation in a majority of the pods. Some may awaken with gaps in their memory, or an old injury yet unhealed. Some may be afflicted with new ailments, such as loss of a sense or severe nausea. Anything could happen, with the computer systems processing so inconsistently. Interfacing with Thesa in any way, from entering the VR simulator to accessing the medical facilities, can cause the same range of side effects, so even established refugees should take caution.

FINAL OOC NOTES    
As always, feel free to wildcard prompts within Thesa Station!

These threads may be carried over as game canon if players choose. Players are encouraged to submit TDM threads as application samples, but they are not required. Please direct any OOC questions to the questions thread below.

Players may submit an AC-length thread HERE from this TDM for 2 Natha REP. The due date for submission is September 16 11:59 PM EST.

For this application cycle, there will be a cap of 60 and no reserves. Applications will be open on September 2 12:01 AM EST and end on September 4 11:59 PM EST. Thank you!

social-linked; @avreya

[personal profile] krasnaya_vdova 2018-08-29 02:12 am (UTC)(link)
[It takes her a long time to work up the courage to message her, but eventually she bites.]

I'm not offering to be a test subject or anything.

But when you talk about biological potential and battle applications of genetics, what do you mean?
tellmehowthisfeels: (Before her achievements)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-29 06:35 am (UTC)(link)
[Intriguing. That is quite the different response to what she expected. Not many would ask for more details on those matters.]

The body is rather limited as we know it. We have embraced this as truth and work within those limitations. However, I believe we have not yet unlocked what we are truly capable of. We are able to alter the very core of our genetic makeup to improve ourselves beyond what we are. To reach what our true potential really is.

[personal profile] krasnaya_vdova 2018-08-29 09:30 am (UTC)(link)
Maximizing physical capability through genetic manipulation. Or-- more about additions, like further abilities?
I don't know much about the science, but I know a little about some of the concepts.


[Gee, why could she be asking?]
tellmehowthisfeels: (Witnessing progress)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-29 11:26 am (UTC)(link)
Further abilities are well within the realm of possibility. I know that to be fact based on my own studies and experiments.

[She would know. She's done the experiments on herself and another. Both with very promising results.]
krasnaya_vdova: (Blue as My Heart)

[personal profile] krasnaya_vdova 2018-08-29 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
[It takes her a minute before she responds. This is probably a bad idea, but she could really use someone that understood. So:]

Have you encountered any problems with physical stability, or cellular breakdown?
tellmehowthisfeels: (Progress is important)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-30 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
Both are matters that I have corrected. The subject I used for these has shown no ill side effects and I monitor him daily. The physical body remains stable with the changes and the cells can be regenerated to make up for the breakdown.

[Because that is important. The last thing she needs is to lose track of her research on such a perfect subject.]

[personal profile] krasnaya_vdova 2018-08-30 04:46 am (UTC)(link)
[well damn.]

Would you mind meeting somewhere? My other questions might be better done in person- I find demonstrations easier.
tellmehowthisfeels: (An idea appears)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-31 06:49 am (UTC)(link)
This can be arranged. Where would be the most convenient for you to provide me with these demonstrations?

[personal profile] krasnaya_vdova 2018-08-31 09:57 am (UTC)(link)
There's an empty space not too far from the VR rooms that works well enough. I can meet you there.

[And she'll attach coordinates, just for clarity.]
tellmehowthisfeels: (Minister of Genetics)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-08-31 09:59 am (UTC)(link)
I'm familiar with the location. I will head there now unless you have other matters to attend to first.

[personal profile] krasnaya_vdova 2018-08-31 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Nothing pressing. I'll meet you there.

[And she does. It only takes her a few minutes to get there from her room, hands in her pockets as she does her best to not seem nervous about the whole thing. Doctors and scientists were generally not her favorite people, but she could use the help.

Ava doesn't look like much; slender redhead with eyes that are a little bit too blue, even when they're not glowing. She waves when Moira shows, taking a breath to gather her thoughts.]


I'm going to assume you have some idea of why I've been asking.

[She doesn't bother with the pleasantries.]
tellmehowthisfeels: (Suit wearing lady)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-09-01 10:13 am (UTC)(link)
[Moira arrives quickly and she studies the girl with her own mismatched eyes, one blue and the other what seems to be red. She has her hands behind her back and at the statement, she gives a nod.]

I prefer not to make assumptions without cause but our communication would suggest you are experiencing these symptoms.

[Which is interesting. Is it natural? Or is it some fool failing to do this properly?]

I believe you mentioned a demonstration.
krasnaya_vdova: (Blue as My Heart)

[personal profile] krasnaya_vdova 2018-09-02 11:06 am (UTC)(link)
[Ava looks the woman over, more than casual, but not quite exacting- noting her mismatched eyes. Her own used to be brown, but that's a detail she doesn't tell most people.]

Yes.

[It's an easy agreement when Moira suggests that Ava's been experiencing those symptoms. And she nods at the reminder about the demonstration, taking a breath as she holds her hands just in front of her chest, her palms facing one another.]

Something to start with, anyway.

[And then tendrils of energy, electricity, stretch between her hands, like lightning held in her fingertips. But as she holds it, it stretches and solidifies, becoming less electricity and more a sort of energy plasma. But there are-- side effects. The faint glow that starts over her heart, the way her eyes light up in the dim of the room.

But more than that is how the energy seems to slide up her arms, the sides of her neck and to her face, and keen eyes might catch that it's literally her skin turning to energy; her fingertips almost seeming to meld into the energy she holds in her hands.

Even when she stops- the very act of it seeming a struggle- the energy fading from her hands, her body still hums with it, her fingers still haven't entirely solidified.]
tellmehowthisfeels: (Thoughtful expression)

[personal profile] tellmehowthisfeels 2018-09-04 08:47 am (UTC)(link)
[Moira don't show any sign of being startled by the display. Rather, she steps forward without fear and only curiosity as she leans forward to inspect the results of the demonstration. The energy seems to be something that is impacting the body but what precisely it is doing is a mystery without proper tests. Still, she can hazard a hypothesis on the matter. One that she intends to start questioning now.]

How long before these symptoms fade on average?

[After all, the young woman hardly seemed to have them until after the display of power.]