![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png){kind=small}
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 ![](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
Culturally, we value pursuits of the mind; as such, scientists and engineers are held in high regard in Altean society. And for good cause: there is no match for Altean technology.
[Said with no small amount of pride. Then, almost apologetically,]
Unfortunately, as far as specifics go, I am a little out of my depth. My expertise falls more on the diplomatic than scientific, and much of our technology isn’t… compatible with other species. But I still enjoy listening to others speak about it.
no subject
Is it possible to make your technology compatible with other species? I understand your role was largely more diplomatic so I will understand if you don't know the answer.
[But she's curious, has a need to know. And if she could get her hands on Altean technology just to try it...]
Allura is so easily chatty about altean things :|
Compatible may have been the wrong word. The humans on board my ship had no problem accessing the mechanical systems on my ship. But Alteans have certain…
[She seems to struggle for an explanation, shifting in her seat. It’s less that she doesn’t understand it and more that bringing up quintessence here tends to make things more confusing.]
We use our own energy as a power source and conduit for other energy sources. I suppose you could call it magic, but it’s more complicated than that. It’s not as if I can simply just wish a wormhole into existence, but nor could the ship make a jump without me.
Allura...I'm not saying Moira is the WORST you could be talking to about this but...
[Magic? Please. There is no such thing as magic. She's a scientist so she doesn't believe in such nonsense.
With that said, what Allura describes has her interest as she slowly chews on some of the fruit, making sure to eat throughout this so she can regain her energy and end this hunger. Besides, the food will be important to helping her to have clearer thoughts.]
So you are able to connect with your technology using your own energy and mental capacity. By using both at once you are able to create a link that extends beyond the smaller ideas of what technology is capable of towards what could be possible instead. An expansion of possibility as it were.
[She so badly wants to study this energy. How it connects to the technology Allura speaks of. Of course she'd settle for just the energy to begin with.]
Tbh I don't overwatch but I asked my friend for a "moira sketchiness level" and she gave her a 10/10
Allura smiles and nods,]
There are some downsides. [A laugh, blissfully unaware of the other woman’s train of thought. She would be quite uncomfortable with the idea of having her quintessence extracted for any reason. As it is, her posture relaxes a little—not quite elbows on the table levels of relaxed, but less rigid,] Honestly, sometimes I wish the humans could share the responsibility of flying the castle ship.
[Then again, she doesn’t know if she would trust Lance with that responsibility.]
Your friend is 100% correct
[There's a pause as she has another sip of coffee. It is certainly doing wonders for the chill in her bones. It really isn't the best that she's had but she can focus on making her own meals once she has settled in here.]
Of course, that would mean you allowing someone to work with you to see how this is done if we should come across any technology of your people.
[Is she implying that she volunteers herself? Yes. Yes, she is.]
:D
...Have you ever heard of quintessence?
[It seems like a strange topic shift, but she has a reason. Allura goes on to explain,] It's a powerful form of energy. In the part of the universe I am from, it's a highly sought after resource.
no subject
I have heard of quintessence but I have a feeling the energy you refer to may be different from the one I am familiar with.
no subject
Put simply, quintessence powers our technology, and biologically, Alteans have a connection to it that other creatures do not.
[So there goes that mystery.] It can be engineered around, but there's little reason to do that here. The chances of coming across Altean technology are incredibly slim.
no subject
I would imagine so. Still, I would be interested in looking at it if you would allow for that when should you find any. I confess you have captured my scientific interests.
Sorry I'm super late here!
[
This relationship is moving too fast.It’s not a hard no, but the way her eyes shift away from Moira’s face, the tension in her posture, there’s some deal of trepidation there. Conflict between sating curiosity and being once bitten twice shy.]In the meantime, I would be interested to learn more about you and the sort of work you did on Earth.
no worries! it's only been a couple days.
[Moira is never one to shy away from talking about her work. It's quite possibly her favorite topic if she's to be honest. Oh there are other things, of course, but people so rarely bother to get to know her to truly understand what it is that she appreciates in life.]
What would you like to know?
no subject
[This time she resists a glance at Moira’s hand, but it’s on her mind. To be willing to experiment on herself speaks of more than just a professional interest.]
You must be passionate, to be so eager to get back into your work after all that’s happened.
no subject
[She finishes her coffee and sets it to the side.]
A change of location is hardly something to deter me from continuing with my research. Particularly when there is so much here to be applied to it.
no subject
"A change of location"... [
Is there an echo in here?Allura frowns, brows knitting together when she looks back to Moira.] Don't you think that's a cold way to refer to what happened to your planet?[Some people handled it better than others, and it's not fair to assume that just because the woman has her emotions under control that she isn't in mourning, but it always set Allura ill at ease when someone seems too casual about it.]
no subject
[It sounds like Moira had attachments to the planet and this is how she's dealing with it. In truth it's hard to tell and she's not really opening up further about the matter. Because it's true that there's nothing else she can do about it. What's done is done. She has to move on as she has always done.]
It isn't the first time things have taken from me and I've been left with nothing but a desire to start anew.