❪ 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

[cariad]

We've all had those days. [some of them on this ship being more fortunate than others, but Yamagi knows small frames and malnourished eyes well enough. Sometimes, pride isn't enough to survive on.

He removes the bowl deftly before the younger boy can change his mind, setting it to his lips to taste the soup. It's as salty as he remembers ramen being in the melting pot that was Mars.

The unfamiliarty with the utensils alone prompts him to wonder if he's not from his own home. Then again, the refugees come from all over; it's a bold claim to assume.]

Do they not have them in your part of Earth?

[The majority of them seem to be from sort of Earth, after all.]

[terrantrash]

...I can't say I have a part of Earth I belong to.

_{[Which is the easiest way to put it, although now he's starting to feel awkward, self conscious as he watches the other boy sip at the soup.]}

I was born there but I've spent most of my life on Mars.

_{[Quietly he reaches for a sandwich, a simple grilled cheese one at that, bringing it to his lips to take a bite. It's good, the cheese sharp and rich in flavour - a definite treat. He wasn't expecting real cheese.]}

[cariad]

[Yamagi all but chokes at the salty liquid in response, catching himself just in time to wipe surreptitiously at his mouth and lower the bowl. After months here, his first encounter with a Martian.

Or at least someone who's experienced Mars.]

What misfortune flung you all the way to Mars?

[He ought to be prouder of his home, but he can't pretend a voluntary relocation to the planet is any valid, sane choice.]

[terrantrash]

_{[Well that's not a reaction he was expecting and in all honesty it makes him somewhat anxious. Slaine's...not used to talking about himself, or being asked about himself for that matter. Yamagi's question comes at him and he's not sure how to answer it. There's no reason to lie or conceal his identity. Not now, anyway.]}

My father was a researcher of ancient technology on Mars. That's how I ended up there.

_{[Which is easier to say then explaining how he crash-landed in a rocket on the planet's surface.]}

[cariad]

[Were there any expeditions to Mars of purely scientific nature still in progress in this day and age? Unless the boy's come from a point much further in Yamagi's past.

It's a good explanation as any.]

I was born there. Well, that's me and everyone I know, really. I'd never even left Mars until a few years ago.

[He can't believe it's been eight years already. Yamagi winds the noodles around his chopsticks listlessly before unfurling the starchy knot.]

But almost everyone on this ship seems to be from Earth, after a fashion.

[terrantrash]

<sub>[There's a bitter, sharp taste in his mouth, but it's not due to the cheese. Despite knowing how badly off those who weren't nobles were on Mars he still holds a bit of disdain for people from the red planet. Then again he feels just as stiff toward those from Earth as well, perhaps even more so. This boy with the sandwiches...who knows what his story is like? He's as blue and blond as any martian noble could be, but he could be from squalor as well.

It's not his place to ask and so he nods, swallowing down the feeling. This boy, whatever his background may be, has been kind to him thus far, even though he's not really sure why. Who is he to judge him?]</sub>

So I've been noticing. I can't say Earth is a place I feel attachment to, beyond admiring the nature of the planet, but Mars is a place I hesitate to call home as well.

_{[Mainly because he's never really had a home. He doesn't know what it's like to belong, hated by native Martians for being a Terran but feeling no kinship toward those from Earth either.]}

[cariad]

[You look poor enough for a Martian isn't a polite remark to make under any circumstances, no matter how unpolished Yamagi may be. He finishes off the quick meal while the boy explains his background in as vague a fashion as possible, his own mind only wandering to all the times he's had to give a fake story for his own in the recent past.]

It is a beautiful place, isn't it? The sea took my breath away the first time I saw it. There's nothing like that on Mars; only dust and the cold.

[He calls Mars home because all the people he calls home are there... but that's not something to bring up to someone he stumbled on eating on his own.]

[terrantrash]

_{[It isn't a polite remark to make under any circumstances which is why Slaine does his best to remain, well, polite.]}

It is, yes. It's a far more beautiful planet than Mars. No matter how hard people try to bring life back to it, it'll never be as alive as Earth is.

_{[Not to mention those on Earth didn't know how good they had it.]}

[cariad]

Not the way it's being mined, anyway. [But it's best to not drag politics into their conversation. It's a lesson he's learned with meticulous care.]

Stupid me, I never introduced myself. Yamagi Gilmerton.

[His heart thumps fast in his chest as he extends a gloved hand. He cannot get over the exhilaration of using his real name in public even as he's had two months to get used to that. The freedom that comes with that has yet to lose its novelty.]

[terrantrash]

_{[Ah, an introduction and another hand extended. He's really not used to this, but he manages to take Yamagi's hand with his own gloved one, giving it a small shake. It's clear he feels out of his element, despite his best attempt at keeping his insecurities and anxieties suppressed.]}

Slaine Troyard.

[cariad]

Good to meet you, Slaine.

[It's the one Yamagi reserves for anyone outside his small circle, friendly with sufficient warmth, but his eyes shine with something more. Perhaps it's the feeling he can't quite place at finding another Martian.]

Even though we're far away from everything we've known here, I hope you don't feel you're alone.

[terrantrash]

_{[The smile is warm enough, sure, but it makes him feel nervous as he slides his hand away out of Yamagi's grasp, letting it drop back down into his lap once freed. Good to meet you, he'd said, but was it really? He can't think of anything good about himself, so it wasn't really good to meet him - Yamagi just doesn't know it yet.]}

No, of course not.

_{[It's a lie that slides past his teeth far too easily, his voice even although the words themselves are hollow. He's felt alone for years now - that feeling wasn't going to change anytime soon.]}

[cariad]

[He knows politeness out of discomfort when he hears it, so Yamagi doesn't comment on the tension he can cut with a knife, sipping on his straw, instead.]

What's ancient archaeology like? Is it anything like investigating half metals?

[Why else would a researcher from Earth haul himself all the way to Mars? Earth organizations never spared the funds to exploit the protective mineral, going as far as to go to war over it.]

[terrantrash]

_{[There's a shake of his head as he stares at the sandwiches before him. He was so hungry earlier but now his appetite is slowly beginning to fade. At least they wouldn't taste bad cold. Cheese was good either way, after all.]}

Not exactly, although the planet's resources in that regard are sought after. My father was investigating a technology created by an ancient civilization discovered on Mars. This technology acts as an unlimited power source for anything you can think of - powering orbital colonies, hyper gates, space craft, mobile suits - its potential applications are practically endless.

[cariad]

[He swirls the metallic chopstick in the remainder of the soup idly, although his face looks nothing but attentive. A part of him has his heart sinks at the possibility of Slaine being from his past, drowned out only by budding excitement. He's describing the not so humble beginnings of the Ahab Particles. Very little exists in documentation of the era before the Calamity War. Yamagi's own lack of formal education has always hindered his access to that.

It explains why he doesn't recognize that particular uniform. Then again, if it means not putting Yamagi at odds with a military faction then that's even better.]

This is amazing. [his voice pitches up in wonder] It's as if you're describing our past.

[terrantrash]

_{[Continued here]}