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Entry tags:
❪ test drive #7 ❫
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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 ![](https://i.imgur.com/G8jldQW.png") 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.
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. 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: 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! |
no subject
Don't I always?
[She smiles and puts her hands behind her back, folding them as she walks with that perfect posture of hers. Despite everything happening, she's as calm as ever. Really one has to wonder if there is anything out there that can shake her at all.]
Shall we, Gabriel?
[Perhaps she can get more clues about what time period he is in for this body of his by watching him. There will be some rather glaring clues along the way, after all.]
no subject
He hopes, anyway. It's easier not to think about the complicated nature of this situation and O'Deorain's sudden appearance if he throws himself headfirst into the mission.]
Might as well.
[Choose wisely, he thinks he hears, but it's just one other thing he brushes aside as he pulls his guns out of their holsters. He doesn't have to worry about wasting ammo here, though as of yet there isn't anything to shoot at. It's would be easy enough to rush into the thick of things, but the sound of Bastion fire nearby has him heading for cover, instead.]
When did you wake up?
no subject
That should be enough to pull their attention for a moment.]
Quite recently. It seems I arrived to quite the scenario with so many things barely functioning.
[And just like that she fades out of sight and appears behind another wall on the opposite side. Lifting her left hand, she also lifts a brow his way. Would he care to go shoot some things? She is prepared to keep him quite healthy through it.]
no subject
It wasn't that much better before, trust me.
[For all he knows, they're still being watched.
There are other questions too--if Jack and Ana and Reinhardt are from a different point on their shared timeline, then Moira might be as well. The answers that he wants could be right in front of him, but now he's not sure he should ask, as he's still processing the fact that Moira is here.
It's easy enough to fall in step, at least, and he answers her cocked eyebrow by raising his guns and giving her a firm nod. He's ready to go.]
no subject
Of course there's an itch inside her that she's not familiar with. Like she can feel as if there is something else she can do but the timing isn't right yet. It fascinates her, awakens that need to know deep inside her. However, she waits until she can find a moment to test what this feeling is since even she knows that only fools rush in.
Moira can never be accused of being a fool.
Seeing some extra fire is about to be directed Gabriel's way, she switches to using her left hand, spraying out that golden mist his way so that any attacks rapidly become null as she heals them away.]
no subject
Good thing this is just a simulation. Gabriel alternates between pressing the assault and ducking for cover, trying to get a better handle on the positioning of the enemy.]
They're guarding something just up the block.
[Hostages, weapons, a weakness of some kind--Gabriel doesn't particularly care. If he completes the objective, they can leave the simulation and he can start getting some real answers about Moira's presence here. He waits for a lull in the gunfire and then makes his move. It's a bit reckless, considering he needs to be in close quarters to do real damage, but the way he rushes in indicates that he doesn't particularly care.]
no subject
I see them. Any ideas, Gabriel?
[Some part of her is thinking if she can get close to one of them then she can create an opening. However, she is not foolish enough to just try that. Nor is she sure why she feels like that would be the case. It's just something of an itch inside her that tells her she can do something.
So best to make sure she knows what is going through his mind first. After all, she already knows he can be so very efficient.]
no subject
[There's really only one thing to do in a situation like this, when you're a close-quarters fighter like Gabriel is. He's not going to rush them head-on--such a thing would be suicide, but luckily there's a way to flank them.
Gabriel hits the ground running, around a corner and down a ruined alleyway, hoping to hit them from the back. He doesn't look behind him to see if she's following. He knows she is.]
no subject
With an amused look, she fades. In the blink of an eye she's running directly behind him, hands stretched out behind her to allow her more speed.
Might as well see how this one plays out.]
no subject
On some level, he knows he should be using this to keep his skills sharp instead of acting as recklessly as possible, but as he weaves behind the gathered group of opponents, he's too full of the adrenaline of it to really care. The buildings provide some measure of cover, enough to work his way around the back. Whether or not Moira is keeping up doesn't necessarily concern him, although it probably should, given what happens next.
It all plays out very quickly. The OR-14 drops down from above him, something he should have seen coming. Gabriel pivots to try and block the gun arm of the omnic, but something automatic within him takes over and he falls apart.
From the outside, it looks as though he loses his form entirely, dissolving into black smoke that the OR-14 passes through, crashing to the ground as if he was never there at all. For Gabriel's part, he doesn't really know what's happening--just that he's himself one moment and then isn't anything at all in the next.
He re-assembles himself in an instant, but he's unbalanced and stumbling, the bewildered look on his face betraying unfamiliarity with the ability. Gabriel manages to unload his shotgun into the OR-14, blasting its head apart, but his arm is still smoking and the sight of it has him dropping his gun like it's burned him. He staggers backward.]
no subject
No signs of degradation. No injury. However, this isn't her work and that intrigues her as she takes a moment to look around for enemies before coming over to him. Walking around him, she takes in what happened and the condition he's currently in.]
We will have to look more closely at this when we're sure we're in a safe location.
[She reaches out to run her fingers through the smoke before lower her hand again.]
As of right now, the ability seems to be safe to use. I would recommend giving it a few seconds before using it again and then you should be able to somewhat "ghost" through enemies for a period of a few seconds.
[Does it sound like she's associating this with something familiar? Probably because she is.]
no subject
More pieces of the puzzle, or perhaps just the logical progression of what they were doing back home.
Case in point--now that he's starting to process things again, he recognizes the smoke. They're still working on just what, exactly, is going wrong with him, but something they've tried is a way for him to slough off or vent out abnormal cell production. This is what it looks like, coming off his body, but it's never outright consumed him before, and all at once he's overwhelmed by the ever-present fear that he's falling apart.
He pulls away from Moira and clutches at his forearm. Gabriel fights down the panic in his throat and breathes, hoping that's enough to make it stop. It does, dissipating, but it doesn't happen as quickly as he'd like, and he's left wondering if his whole arm is going to dissolve into smoke if he doesn't keep a solid hold on it.]
What the hell do you know about this?
[This is a simulation, he reminds himself. Nothing happening right now is real.]
no subject
[She puts her hands behind her back, clearly not seeming to care that she's revealing she's from his future. Or even that she's telling him she essentially gives him ghost powers. In fact, she's almost curious to see what he will do with that information? What paths will he seek with that knowledge at his fingertips? So few scientists get to see what would happen if someone had knowledge of the future to use.
She'll have to take mental notes for now. At least until she can write this down.]
This, however, is not my work. It would seem to be the work of the location we've found ourselves in. For that reason I will want to look you over when we find ourselves gone from this simulation. It will be important to see what this new ability is doing to your vitals and other bodily functions.
[She's a scientist not a doctor. She sees no reason to have a bedside manner.]
no subject
He tries to shake it off, sounding a little dismissive.]
It's a simulation, it's not real.
[Though of course now the question is if the simulation drew upon Gabriel's own future to create this ability. Perhaps unwillingly, he remembers the voice in his head that he'd been so quick to dismiss. The thought of it is enough for him to shout at whatever computer program is running this thing.]
You hear me? I'm finished in here.
[That's all it really takes, the simulation dissolving around them. Gabriel immediately starts looking for the door.]
no subject
She fades from his side in the blink of an eye and is behind the attack, her right hand attached to the back of his neck. Her body is glowing a dark purple as the life drains from his body and he convulses as he points his weapon towards the other enemies coming up. Firing on them, he kills them all himself before falling dead at her feet.
She looks down at him with fascination as the simulation ends entirely in that moment.]
Fascinating...
[Because that's not her work either. But she likes it. And it somehow feels like it's still there with her.]
no subject
Having the simulation come to an end is relieving, if only because he can convince himself that what he experienced in there isn’t real, but there’s dread in the pit of his stomach. He tries to play it off without sounding too rattled.]
Waste of time.
[Even if he really should keep his skills sharp. Gabriel glances over at Moira, and he can already tell she’s going to have other things to say about what they just experienced.]
no subject
In the end, he does keep coming back to her.]
A matter of opinion.
[She heads for the doorway, hands behind her back, folded so neatly.]
I look forward to when we have a chance to talk, Gabriel. I have a feeling it will be...enlightening.
no subject
[Gabriel says that pointedly, even if he's not quite ready to commit to hearing it. The answers he's trying to get out of Jack and Ana are presumably right in front of him, but he finds himself balking, if only momentarily.
He needs to be alone to think. When he puts the puzzle pieces together, it's going to be on his terms. For now, he'll let her go.]