❪ test drive: #2 ❫

[natha]

OVERFLOW POST

THE PROLOGUE     Many people in stasis seem to be medically sound enough to wake up, brother. Are the preparations ready to go? Yes, I've long prepared myself for this. Watching them everyday has been truly rewarding. ... Right. Yeah. Okay, let's get them ready to wake up. We should keep their minds active to ease the transition into consciousness. A simple VR program should do the trick, I think. I will boot one immediately. There! All systems are green. Their consciousnesses are linked. However, their minds appear to be too active... They may be over-stimulated, brother. Huh? How can that be...? Can we pull them out safely? Not from my end, no. This may be too large for us to fix alone. Do you think...? Yes, I think so... It will have to be done organically. Can you send out a message to our refugees? Of course, brother. I will send one swiftly. We must be sure to fix this before Darma returns. There is urgency in the Orbiters' request. Refugees currently in El Nysa are asked via mass message to please return to Thesa Station virtual reality area immediately. Zasere tells them that the next set of Refugees are scheduled to wake, but there's been an issue. On Thesa, refugees will find that the people in stasis are still apparently trapped in slumber. Most of them are complete strangers, but there's a chance you may recognize a familiar face or two. Normally, these people would wake up from their pods without issue, but due to a malfunction caused by the unforeseen force during The Descent, they have to go through extra measures to make this possible. Those in slumber require extra stimulation, something to keep their minds active. What better than a simulation of an area of El Nysa? Keeping their minds active requires an extremely involved simulation. Those subjected to the VR (prospective characters) will find themselves completely immersed in their new environment, believing themselves to be native Olympians. To wake up from the simulation, characters must work together to accomplish a certain objective(s) in the icy tundra. Characters in-game will be aware that this is a simulation, but this is good practice for properly interacting with El Nysa natives, isn't it? An AC-length log thread on this TDM may be submitted for Two (2) Natha REP points HERE. Please read the OOC note at the bottom of this post for the terms. PROMPT: WINTER CAME     The wind in the icy wasteland is bitter and frigid. You are wrapped up in a winter coat, but even still, the cold bites at your skin and leaves you yearning for a warm fire. Perhaps you're a merchant from the city, here to make a delivery, or you're a royal guard, sent to patrol the area. Who are you? The sky is the limit. One thing is certain — you won't snap out of your new identity until you finish a task. 1. Due to the vast diversity of the creatures on El Nysa and the fact that new ones are constantly being discovered, an important objective is to carefully chronicle different species. Unfortunately, to research these new species, they happen to need more than just a visual. More than just fleeting glances in over a snowy hill. Researchers are constantly looking for ways to secure... You guessed it! Blood and stool samples. The supplies for the former will be given. Supplies are offered in a small box; one per person. In this box is a small dart that will automatically procure a small touch of blood, and easily shaken off so the creature will be able to securely escape. As for the latter— well, they'll give you a plastic bag if that counts. Look, sometimes to get a job done, you have to get your hands dirty. Specifically, they seek samples from a newly recorded rare beast known as a Klep. Kleps spend much of their time hidden in caves, so hitting them with the darts will be tricky. They are also nocturnal, but you may be able to lure them out of the cave with fish as bait. When struck with a dart, you must grab the dart and escape immediately, as they will charge you, and killing such an endangered species is illegal. As for stool samples, well... Once you find a pile, you will have plenty of sample to work with. 2. It's cold, to say the least. Too cold to continue forward. Whatever you were doing, you must stop and seek shelter. Looks like your goal is clear, at least. Get warm. Not finding a way to sustain heat, whether it be seeking shelter, building a fire, cuddling up, or all of the above, will likely end in serious consequences. 3. You are stuck in a dilemma. On one hand, you are set to work for Olympia. One the other, you're not completely sure what is really expected of you, or who the man who gave you this mission truly is. You and your partner are meant to protect precious trade cargo for them. You were told that these were essential supplies for one of the outer colonies. They assured you it was mostly food. In loading the cargo onto the supplied wagon with your partner, however, you noticed something inherently off about it. The weight and even the sounds of some of the contents inside definitely don't sound like food. Moreover, some boxes are more obviously more concealed— draped in black sheets and reinforced on all sides. You've also caught wind of rumors that you are potentially being utilized to supply advanced weapons and other contraband to Wyver terrorists in the colonies. But what do you do? Refuse to make the delivery, and people in the colony will surely starve. Try to remove the weapons and only deliver the food, and you will be killed on sight for being too suspicious. Make the delivery as-is, and not only will Olympians die at the hands of terrorists in the future, but you will betray your country. Decide quickly... 4. There are many dangers associated with traveling in such an isolated, harsh environment. You must help each other to survive. Perhaps someone has fallen on thin ice, and requires a rescue. Maybe someone is on the brink of starvation, and you must share what provisions you have. When you come to, you will awaken in Thesa Station. All will be explained to you by Zasere or Sael via telepathic link. Your world is no more. The Storm has consumed it. We offer proof in the Observation Deck if you desire it, but it won't be an easy thing to stomach. We offer you a new life, in our planet of El Nysa. We just ask for your help in maintaining the vitality of El Nysa. What can we offer you in exchange for your help? PROMPT: STASIS UNIT     You have found the massive section of Thesa known as the Stasis Unit. There’s no special access required to access this part of Thesa Station, but refugees are warned that it may not be for the faint of heart. Here, in large pods that nearly cover every square inch of the space, are all of the people the Orbiters have managed to rescue. Your loved ones, your greatest enemy, your next door neighbor— you might find them here. These people are in a state of deep cryosleep. Due to the damaging effects of The Storm, their bodies are not yet ready to be awoken. PROMPT: GET REKT     The Orbiters have noticed that some of the refugees really miss their video games. The technology in El Nysa could be much worse, but it definitely leaves much to be desired. Which is why, after expressing relief that everyone awoke safely, the Orbiters have decided to provide a little fun in the form of video game competitions. Anything from old-timey arcade machines to state-of-the-art computers, consoles, and VR headsets (though you may be a little tired of VR right now...) is available, and yes, they have your favorite games! Enjoy PAC-MAN, Starcraft 2, or perhaps Dance Dance Revolution! Teach a friend how to play. Get unnecessarily angry and competitive. Most importantly, have fun. Keep fourthwalling to a minimum, please. Recommended playing: QWOP PROMPT: OMAGE     Upon receiving your mobile phone, you will be asked to set a username. Voila, you can now access the network! You can choose to send a message to the entire network, specific usernames, or you can try out the Orbiters’ service, Omage, which connects you to a random user. They thought this might be a good way for their new guests to make friends with each other... Connecting to server... Looking for someone you can chat with... You’re now chatting with [username]... Say hi! PROMPT: WILDCARD     You are welcome to write any scenarios in Thesa Station! Characters have been granted temporary access to the Observation Room, and are encouraged to study it carefully. FINAL OOC NOTE     Please give toplevel priority to prospective characters! Current characters wishing to thread these scenarios with other current characters are encouraged to create separate logs. However, threads between 2 current characters are not eligible for Natha Orbiter REP. 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! A TDM thread of AC length may be submitted HERE for 2 NATHA ORBITER REPUTATION POINTS. Current players may submit their thread at any time, and prospective players may submit a thread after acceptance. Please note that threads must contain at least five (5) log comments from your character. A toplevel counts as a comment. Network threads are not eligible. QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

[veneries]

[On the one hand, taking the weapons makes sense. There's no need for anyone to realise they're missing until the two of them are long gone from the delivery.

But... His father, though outwardly loyal to their rulers, has dealings with a number of rebels. If this weapons shipment is a part of that and he jeopardises his father's work, it'll undo all the work he's put in to gaining the man's favour.]

I agree that we should take some weapons. [Casually, he puts his hands on his hips, within easy reach of the knife at his back. Ren has a sword drawn, he doesn't want to be defenceless if they can't come to an agreement.]

But this traitor business is none of our concern. If we find a buyer for what we take, that'll more than recompense us for our troubles. [He's watching Ren carefully now.]

[jensaarai]

[For a moment, Ren continues studying the weapons. There's something about the suggestion that he doesn't trust. Perhaps it's stemming from knowing nothing about Ramsay, perhaps it's something more. What he does know is that this directly conflicts with his sworn duty--and if he doesn't have that, Ren has nothing.

When he turns to look at Ramsay again, it's with an impenetrable stare as he weighs his options. Notably, whether or not he shouldn't just cut Ramsay down and follow his own plan. There's not a question in his mind that he could take him easily. But if Ramsay is up to something, there are merits in keeping him alive longer.

But he certainly doesn't trust him as far as he can throw him.]

Fine. We will find a buyer.

[veneries]

[The stillness stretches out between them.

He can't make this delivery and get back on his own, that much is sure. The northern wastes aren't a walk in the park. He needs Ren to be on his side, at least for now.]

And perhaps when we're back and all is done between us, if one of us wanted to look further into this traitor business, that wouldn't need to concern both of us. All the reward for turning a traitor in wouldn't need to be shared. [It's suspicious, but it can't be helped. Surely there are a number of reasons to not want to get up with authorities and traitors?]

[jensaarai]

[There's another long pause as Ren continues watching Ramsay. It's almost a fair offer, but Ren can't be certain that Ramsay won't turn on him as soon as his back's turned. He wouldn't be surprised if it came to that.

His own curiosity wins out--he'd like to see what Ramsay decides to do from this point forward, though Ren isn't going to let his guard down.]

We're in agreement.

[They can move along now, but Ren is going to let Ramsay take the lead from here.]

[veneries]

We're together in this until we our mission is ended. [It's putting himself at risk, putting his knife out of reach, but he extends his right hand to take the other's arm. The oath means little to him, but it might help to set the other man at ease.]

[jensaarai]

[Sword sheathed, Ren takes Ramsay's arm in a similar gesture. Taking the other man at his word is a risk, but for the sake of continuing this mission, he can roll with it.]

Very well. We're losing daylight.

[veneries]

[As if convinced by their shared oath, he nods and turns straight to the crates.]

How many do we want to take?

[It's tempting to take all of them.]

[jensaarai]

It depends upon the outcome we want.

[Putting their opinions aside, at least, there's still quite a number of options.]

People may starve if we don't deliver the food, but we might have a fight on our hands if we turn up without any of them.

[His tone doesn't indicate having a problem with a fight, at least. The former is trickier, but more in the sense of how it correlates with what he's supposed to be doing rather than the individual lives.]

[veneries]

If these weapons are intended for who I think they are, the Olympians up there will die one way or another. [And his tone implies he really doesn't care either way.

But as tempting as that is, it's not the option he wants to take.] If we take a cratefull of them, that would net us a worthwhile pile of coins each, and we could be gone before any realises something's amiss.

[jensaarai]

True. They're the ones at the short end of the stick. [That's just how it is, and there's little way around that. It's just a matter of deciding what the proper amount of casualties allowed is.

Fewer Olympians die if the Wyvers don't get the weapons. Then again, making a show of delivering the weapons means he can get close enough to the Wyvers to kill the ones involved.]

A crate for them, our own shares of whatever we want to keep, and we sell the rest. [He's more or less reiterating what they've discussed.]

If we haven't killed each other by the end of it, we will get a pint.

[veneries]

[He pulls one crate aside and starts to cover the rest up. His back is to Ren, but he's alert.]

We can't kill each other, Ren. We've shaken on it. I'm not an oathbreaker.

[He absolutely is, but invoking loyalty and honour tends to help most people stick to a course of action.]

[jensaarai]

Of course. [He watches Ramsay for a moment longer, before tugging on the other side of the covering to help secure the crates. 'Teamwork.' Or something like that.

Once they're finished, he moves back to his original position on the wagon so they can continue onward. His guard is still up, hyper-aware of any movements around him as he consults a map to estimate how much further they have to go--though perhaps it might be worth diverting their course a little. There's a lot he's considering.]

Have you made this journey before?