elnyan | ❪ test drive: #2 ❫ THE OVERFLOW

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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.

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Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I don't think even the brightest can explain the disparity of three centuries between your present and mine.

[2014 is ancient history, the years leading to that even moreso even for those privileged enough for a formal education. The drink in his hand no longer feels adequate, but his head is swimming with both dread and excitement.

Anno Domini. The disaster era.]

I'm from P.D 331. Right, that's the calendar change right after the end of the Calamity War, but I'm guessing that hasn't happened yet in your time.

_{[Three centuries...just...give Slaine a moment.

Okay. Moment over.]}

I don't believe so. _{[But then again after 300 years or so historians could've taken liberties with names of events and whatnot.]} There was the first Earth-Mars war over a decade ago. Then Heaven's Fall came about...and now currently we are experiencing the second Earth-Mars war, triggered by an assassination attempt on Princess Asseylum Vers Allusia's life.

_{[And since he figures Yamagi will probably want a reason for the first war-]}

The first war came about after almost two decades of unrest after humans began to colonize the planet. Earth refused to send assistance to Mars, to help those who were initially sent there to settle the planet, going so far as to cut ties with Mars, but at the same time refusing to recognize the planet's independence. There's a lot more to it, of course, but that's the short version of it.

[Well.

That got depressing. Fast.

Not that what Slaine tells him doesn't align with what he knows of their past. It's fitting rather well, even with the vague documentation of history and their own exposure of whatever version the elite have written of it and allowed to survive. Royalty aside.

He wonders briefly if the mess hall is serving alcohol this early in the day.]

We're independent now. [and all it took was three hundred years of suffering and the death of most of his family--and the loss of their own souls. A bitter smile lingers on Yamagi's lips despite his best efforts at polite attentiveness.]

Five precious years of Martian independence so far.

_{[Don't look at Slaine, he doesn't drink.

There's something that hits him though at that, knowing that Mars gained its independence at last. He's happy for its people, happy to know that Asseylum's goals were finally realized...even if it would take three centuries.

It's as depressing as it is uplifting.

Not that it matters though, in the end. They've no Mars or Earth to return to anymore.]}

I'm glad to hear it.

A peace so many of us had to die for.

[And in the end, "independence" tastes like ash in his mouth. It's hard looking at the larger picture when he and his ilk aren't permitted to be part of it.]

Were you in any of the wars, then? You look too young for enlistment, but you're in a uniform all the same.

[Official enlistment into a proper military, not that Yamagi's about to divulge his more violent past.]

You could say I have direct involvement...yes.

_{[There's a bitter taste in his mouth as he recalls everything that's lead up to this moment. He sets the sandwich down. He needs a moment to digest. He's not really sure why he's telling Yamagi all of this but the words spill out of him before he has a chance to stop himself.]}

When I was eleven I crash landed in a rocket into Princess Asseylum's estate. She saved my life and in turn I've been indebted to her ever since. I was taken in by the Count whose care she lived under after my father's death and became a tutor to her. Earlier in the year she was to make an appearance on Earth, as a sign of goodwill...but there was a plot against her life. I...became involved in an attempt to save her, as there were people both on Earth and Mars who wanted her dead.

[And to think Yamagi has had it rough.

He's surrendered the rest of his sandwiches to the younger boy by then, no food left for him to pick or stare at. His head is already swimming at a plot befitting a world he and his comrades know nothing about, people whose lives have ruined his own in their petty struggle for power.

Perhaps some things really don't change at all. Even if it's easy to forget all of this is now gone. Their past is gone, they've kept the pain.]

Is she here? On this ship?

[Whether she's dead or alive, assassinated or not, it makes no difference now.]

_{[At least that's an easy question to answer, even if the discussion has been not an easy one.]}

She is...in the Stasis Unit.

Then you still have something to live for.

[Perhaps it isn't how their rescuers have planned it. Perhaps they're more devious than Yamagi gives them credit for, but hope has always been a most powerful drive.]

That's more than a lot of people have.

She's all I've ever had to live for.

_{[That's more depressing than he means for it to sound, but it's the truth. No point in sugar coating it.]}

[If that isn't Takaki at that particular age, down to the resigned youthfulness of his tone. The memory tugs the corners of Yamagi's lips into a smile, even if his eyes don't leave his tray at the recollection.

Who's he to lecture others on self worth?]

And you're still alive. And she's still alive. So make sure you stay alive and safe, for her sake, kid.

_{[Even if Yamagi were to lecture him...he could take it. That said, he gets where the other boy is coming from. There's a nod as he reaches for another half of a sandwich. He has no intention of dying yet. Not when he has to be there for Asseylum when she wakes up.]}

Of course.

[Living for someone else is as good an incentive as any. From the looks of him, the weariness and tension in the boy, he hardly looks to be high enough or at all in the military ranks. Not that there's any intelligence in discounting one's allegiance to their own nation.

Earth born or not.]

You're the only one awake so far?

I am, yes.

_{[He takes a small bite of sandwich, chewing thoughtfully. Asseylum aside, he hopes it remains that way. Anyone else in the pods he hopes will either a) die or b) never wake up.]}

[The ramen was hardly filling at all, but Yamagi's consumed it to spare the younger boy the discomfort of eating the unfamiliar food. Not that he minds. Slaine seems to be in more need of something that's actually nourishing than Yamagi is.

So he watches him eat, waiting for him to finish the bulk of his food before interrupting him one more time.]

That sounds lonely. [the others here have often told him how lucky he is to have his family with him, even if he can count them on one hand. It's a blessing, all in all]

Whenever we disembark, you should come around. If you want to, I mean. We don't have much so far but we can offer you company at least.

Edited 2017-08-31 22:57 (UTC)

_{[Lonely doesn't even begin to describe how Slaine feels. He just exists in a constant state of perpetual loneliness. He's been taking his time eating the sandwiches and only has a quarter of one left as he stares at Yamagi, listening to his offer. He's not sure what to think of it. He definitely wasn't expecting it.]</sub.

...Are you sure? I wouldn't want to impose...}

You wouldn't be. I would offer if I didn't mean it.

[Spending the majority of his life around young people--a staggering number of them--should have prepared Yamagi for the occasional shy reluctance. Slaine's demeanor isn't far from what his has been once upon a time.

And look at how long it's taken him to come out of his shell. Sometimes he's not entirely out.]

It's nothing fancy, but we'll build you a family in no time.

_{[Okay, yeah, sure, Yamagi might mean it, but that doesn't make Slaine feel any less awkward in his skin. He opts to shove half of the remaining quarter into his mouth in a bid to quell his awkwardness, especially at the last bit. Build him a family? What sort of nonsense was that? It doesn't help either that he can't exactly read Yamagi either. Was he being serious? What was having a real family even like?

Just how pathetic was he, that he was being pitied like this already?

Even so...he's grateful for it and the attention.]}

...I'm afraid I don't know what to say.

["Please take care of me!" but the line itself is so comical and Yamagi's reluctant to use humor when the boy already looks ill at ease.

Half terrified.]

You don't have to do anything you don't want to do, but you can hang around and see how you like it. I know it sounds impressive to tough it out on your own, but the new place they're dropping off at is still somewhere unlike anything we've ever known.

[Their physical past is gone; if it was ever home, there's no returning to it.

For a brief moment, Yamagi wonders whether the social considerations of consuming alcohol so early in the day are also gone with that.]

You don't have to pretend to like it if you don't want to, either.

_{[It's not so much that he finds it impressive to strike it out on his own, it's just that that's how it's always been. Slaine Troyard against not one, but two worlds, not belonging to either and having no family or place to truly call home. His stomach is twisting awkwardly at the thought and it's only the guilt that comes with wasting food that he shoves the last bit of sandwich past his lips.]}

It's not that...I'm just not used to having the luxury to depend on anyone other than myself.

["Luxury" sounds bitter and heavy on the boy's tongue. There's no gentle way of breaking it to him that whatever life his leading has warped his way of thinking. Yamagi's own can be lonely at times, but he's never been alone for it.]

I suppose you'll have to start living a more luxurious life from now on.

I'm not sure if I'm made for luxury.

_{[Which is his way of saying he's not sure if he's capable or even worthy of such a thing. Trusting others at this point is something he's not sure he can manage anymore, not after everything that's happened.]}

Do you always sound this serious?

[although he teases, Yamagi's glad to see all of the sandwiches are gone. Teenage boys really could put away that much, huh? Although when he was Slaine's age, there was hardly enough food to go around as it were.

He has a feeling Slaine's situation hasn't been that far from his own, working for different military forces notwithstanding.]

You have the rest of your life to sound this grim.

...Sorry.

_{[What else is he supposed to say to that other than apologize? He knows he must come across like a stick in the mud but he's not exactly in the cheeriest of moods either.]}

I'm not very good company to keep.

You're traumatized.

[Yamagi signals the mechanical server for coffee, hoping this time for something not as black as old engine oil, but he's at the mercy of the thing and whatever it picks for him.]

Our planet is no longer in one piece. You have your loved one to worry about, and it's a rude awakening for anyone. I don't expect you to be good company, but things won't always be this bad.

Perhaps it's even your fresh start.

[Fresher than this coffee, anyway.]

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