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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_{[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.]

_{[Traumatized.

To hear it put so bluntly has Slaine's eyes widening. He's never really thought of himself as traumatized, let alone put himself in the victim position...but Yamagi's not really wrong, is he? Sure, the whole El Nysa ordeal was traumatizing in its own right, but in all honesty he was traumatized from the very start. Seeing the person you love get shot in front of you will do that to you.]}

Perhaps...

_{[He can't say for certain whether or not that's true. In fact he's afraid to even hope for the best. Hope has never really been something he's been able to have, considering his luck.]}

You don't believe me, but that's fine. You don't have to believe me off the bat.

[This isn't exactly his forte, as sympathetic as he feels towards the boy. Takaki is much better at soothing people, but he's in a pod now, along with almost everyone Yamagi cares about.

The coffee tastes bitter on his tongue.]

Just... Don't throw away your second chance.

I won't.

_{[At least that much he can say with enough conviction to sound convincing. A moment of silence passes between them before Slaine's attention falls to the drink Yamagi's been nursing. He's no idea what it is, but his curiosity gets the better of him.]}

...What is it you're drinking?

Coffee?

[Yamagi offers the container as a reflex. This isn't what he wants anyone's introduction to actual coffee to be, but the warm drink on the cool ship may be a welcome sensation.

He wonders if coffee was accessible on Mars three centuries ago.]

Careful, it's really bitter, but it still wakes you up.

_{[Taking the container Slaine hesitates a moment before bringing it to his lips. It's hot, that much is apparent, and so he's cautious when he does take a sip, eyes instantly widening at the taste, nose scrunching up.

Bitter. Really, really bitter.]}

You weren't lying.

['It's an acquired taste' sounds too much of a practiced cliche, but he remembers being Slaine's age and trying coffee for the first time, right after overthrowing CGS, of all times.

The expression of well deserved distaste on Slaine's face prompts a smile out of him all the same.]

You get used to it, but it's slow torture at first. I can't see why it's a luxury on Mars, but the stuff is kind of addictive.

_{[Honestly Slaine can't see why it's a luxury anywhere, period. It's not like he didn't know what coffee was - his father used to drink it, or so he believes he remembers him doing so, but he'd never tasted it himself.]}

It's hard to import really anything from Earth. There are a lot of regulations and sanctions in place, which I'm sure you know. I don't know why anyone would willingly drink this though.

Try finishing half the bottle and see if you feel differently. I guess people like it for a reason.

[Or maybe Yamagi's just curious to see what Slaine would be like on a caffeine rush.]

Nothing good grows on Mars. Nothing good and available to us peasants, anyway. The rich still pay exorbitant prices for Earth food, but that's changing now that the siege economy is finally going away.

[And all it took for hundreds of hopefuls of his brothers and sisters to be scapegoated for it. He doesn't need the bitterness of coffee to match what he tastes in his mouth at that.]

_{[A coffee rush would probably leave Slaine a neurotic mess.

The Terran can't say he exactly knows what it's like to live in squalor. His dad's position had granted him the luxury of living within decent means, and even after his death Slaine had still been clothed, fed and given board. Sure, he was treated rotten, beaten and demoralized, but his basic needs were still met.]}

It's a joke, how much they pay and what they pay for.

All for a chance to live like the fabled rich Earthians they'll never meet.

[While the sanctions have been lifted, Gjallahorn forces still monitor who visits Earth and how. In weak, honest moments, Yamagi can't help but envy those traveling to Earth freely. He's always been enchanted with the blue planet of plenty.]

You said you've lived on Mars for a while, but do you remember what Earth was like for you?

Of course.

_{[It's hard not to remember, especially when he'd been down on the planet recently. Not that he'd been able to enjoy his time on the surface.]}

My father moved us around a lot because of his research. I didn't go to school - I was home schooled instead...but I've been to every continent because of it. The arctic, seaside, rain forests and deserts...I've seen them all. Earth's nature is incredible, there's really nothing like it elsewhere.

That sounds very charmed.

[Even with the consideration that he can't quite assume Slaine's life have been completely idyllic only through his own projection, Earth's nature stirs something in him against his better judgment. It tugs a smile out of his lips, expanding the corners to curl up at the memories he harbor himself.]

I've been a few times. My company was lucky to enjoy what we saw whenever we weren't working. I can't say I was as well traveled as you. We were limited to Arbau territories whenever we were on Earth.

_{[That was one way of putting it.

Slaine has no idea where Arbau territories might span, nor is he sure he'd get an answer he'd understand if he asked. He opts to avoid it instead, enjoying the look of the smile on the other boy's face. He has a nice smile.]}

I'm glad you got to see it, well, some of it at least.

[The implication hangs unspoken between them, heavy in the air.

Glad to see it, before it was gone forever. There's nothing on the table to distract him from the glumness of the issue their gushing has brought forth.]

I think so, too. I've been luckier than most. [not the deaths and not the losses and not the violence and not the near misses]

I'm not sure I could ever consider myself lucky.

_{[The comment comes out of him before he even realizes it, eyes falling to his now empty plate. It doesn't come from a place of pity, but he realizes it might sound that way.]}

But then again I don't really know if luck is something that exists.

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❪ test drive: #2 ❫ THE OVERFLOW

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