❪ test drive: #2 ❫ THE OVERFLOW

[natha]

ORIGINAL 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

max | black sails

[ebeje]

winter came: dilemma;

[ The supplies are essential to the colonies. Upon clandestinely confirming the content of the boxes they carry, Max doesn't reconsider the truth of that statement. The supplies are essential — to the survival of colonies that no longer wish to be so.

(How can they succeed? How many will die to find out? But where else can she expect lovers like hers survive, if not spitting in the face of an empire?)

Max does not bring any part of what she's confirmed to the attention of her partner on this journey. But it seems she doesn't need to. Maybe it's nothing more than an uneasy look, a quick prod at the heavier boxes, or an offhand comment, but eventually something seems to imply her partner may have suspicions of their own, and when that happens, Max raises the subject herself with cautious poise. ]

What do you think they will do, with the things in these boxes?

[ Maybe she means the salt pork. ]

(choose your own) stasis unit;

[ What she is told about the world, about the Storm that is said to have swallowed up everything she had built more swiftly and surely than any tempest she had feared, feels no more real to Max than the cold metal room she wakes in, or the dream that had enveloped her prior. They tell her it is gone, but it looks to her like she is the one out of place. Taken, perhaps. But somewhere, somehow, the world she built must still be spinning on without her.

It's only as she walks that row after row of these metal coffins begin to chip at her resolve. The frozen face of a woman. A boy. A teen. A man she almost recognizes but cannot possibly — until one undeniably familiar face brings her steps to a halt, the fabric of her skirts still swinging. The trunk of her corset heaves once, twice with short, fractious breaths. The palm of one lace-trimmed hand moves to ghost over the glass surface, only to pull back in sharp retreat.

Gone. ]

All our fucking sacrifices, [ she accuses the glass, more than just anger tempering her voice, ] For this?

wildcard;

[ IDK come at me. ]

@behavingmyself

[ebeje]

[ from here, with black sails spoilers ]

@beatupgrass

[ebeje]

[ from here ]

[ That is one way to put it. Max arches an eyebrow gamely, but gives a nod, acknowledging the neat accuracy of that statement. More straightforward than she was expecting, but accurate. ]

This does not bother you?

[ Funny how she doesn't sound particularly bothered herself. Just curious. ]

he's collecting the pirate ladies. it is important.

[beatupgrass]

[He can't say why it doesn't bother him, but he just shrugs and jumps down, landing on his feet.] I prefer to save my own skin before I save anyone else's. And people are gonna die either way, right? There's no right thing here.

[Which seems terribly unfair. Too bad he doesn't give enough of a fuck to pull a Kirk and game this system Kobayashi Maru-style.]

[ebeje]

Mn. [ Noncommittal. Right is an elusive concept, in her experience, and not always the most important to consider. She watches him move, studying him a beat — and thanks to the simulation, the fact of his species isn't what interests her. ] There is, however, a decision: who may die, and how. And what part you and I decide we are comfortable playing in that.

[ Just because she's made her decision doesn't mean it wasn't carefully considered; she'd like to make sure his is, too. ]

You have no love for Olympia?

[beatupgrass]

There are people I don't love in Olympia. And, incidentally, they are located in the place most likely to get threatened.

[he shrugs.] I'll sleep okay about it.

[Man, he really hopes this never happens in real life, because it will be unexpectedly more complicated than he wants to deal with. Ugh.]

[ebeje]

[ Max smiles at that. ]

Good, because I should very much like to be paid at the end of this.

[ And earning a little favor from Wyver wouldn't hurt either. Anne and Jack, she'll reconcile herself to in her own way, but a cache of weapons could go a long way toward getting through the front door first. ]

[beatupgrass]

Yeah, getting paid and not dying are kinda high on my priority list here. 'Sides if it comes down to it, we can always play stupid. [He places a hand over his chest, hamming up the drama.] "Oh, but officer, we're just two people tryin' to help the poor. Why would we ever believe for a second that someone would take advantage of our pure hearts like this?"

[ebeje]

My heart, by point of fact, is as pure as the driven snow, [ she assures him, batting her best wide-eyed innocent lashes at him for a least a second before her cat-in-cream smile breaks the act. ]

And if we are not caught at all, well, should our employers not show appropriate gratitude for our continued silence? It would be so inconvenient if the delivery of such sensitive cargo were to become known to the wrong individuals.

[beatupgrass]

[He waves a finger in her direction, grinning toothily.] Heeeey. I like the way you think, lady. Always nice to meet a real pragmatist.

[Save him from these idiots and heroes and justicemongers. Said the Guardian of the Galaxy- whatever, he's still pragmatic about his galaxy guarding.]

[ebeje]

Likewise. [ And gladly. The world needs more pragmatists, in her opinion, and this one delights her. In fact— for half a beat, the gears turn behind her eyes. ]

Perhaps if this journey ends profitably, [ and, y'know, they don't get caught and killed— ] Our paths might have reason to cross again.

stasis;

[deathstiny]

Come now, no sacrifice could possibly be so worthless. Do not despair so soon.

[The voice comes from behind her, and if Max happens to turn around, she will find Wrathion sitting atop one of the pods himself. He does his best to look sympathetic -- he half succeeds, at least.]

I am told they are simply in a deep slumber.

[ebeje]

[ Max's head turns quick to the source of the voice. –What the fuck is anyone doing up there? (And what is wrong with his eyes?) Wary, she considers him a moment before she answers. ]

When neither of us has anything left to show for it, there is little of value to be salvaged.

[ A beat. Her expression flattens, begrudgingly adding, ] Except, I suppose, his life.

[deathstiny]

A life is worth quite a lot. Most mortals only ever get the chance to have one, after all.

[He turns his attention to the pod she has chosen, squinting just a little before looking back down at Max with the most benign smile he can manage.]

Unless you are the sort to prefer solitude. There is no guarantee he will wake, if he is injured.

[Oh wait -- that's not very helpful, is it? He seems to realize it almost exactly after he says it, and chooses to slide off his perch and stand with her.]

Besides, the world -- no, the universe is your oyster now.

[ebeje]

[ An equivocal bob of the head answers, as if this life in particular is of undetermined value to her. She would not have it on her conscience, and she may well find reason to call Long John Silver co-conspirator again if he wakes, but having him here, in this glass coffin, threatening to reemerge with his powers of persuasion and no guarantee he will not be immediately inclined to use them to her detriment, that state of affairs is not one she appreciates.

Nonetheless: ]

Without coin or position, how do you imagine that is?

[ She is not feeling in especially solid possession of this oyster. ]

[deathstiny]

Well, that all depends on how great your ambitions are, I suppose.

[Wrathion's head tilts in a manner that can almost be described as cat-like.]

And, do not forget -- we are not prisoners here, we are refugees. I have heard many a human voice their yearning for a clean slate. For the most part, we are all strangers here. Speaking of:

[To this, he holds out his hand for her own.]

You may call me Wrathion.

[ebeje]

[ Well, her ambitions certainly aren't small. Saying so at the moment doesn't suit her, though, so she arches an appraising eyebrow at the offered hand instead, considering the rest of what he's said for a beat before taking it. ]

Max.

And what of your ambitions, Wrathion?

[deathstiny]

[He can appreciate not wanting to lay all the cards in the table. He never did so himself--that would be incredibly foolish.

Still, the way she hesitates tells him how to proceed with his greeting. Someone less wary would have been offered a more flattering gesture -- instead, Max gets Wrathion's confident grip for but a moment before he lets her have her hand back.]

Well, I suppose that all depends on where we end up. What our hosts are capable of. How the native population sees us.

[The next smile he offers has some teeth to it.]

I like to keep my options open.

@vorrutyer

[ebeje]

[ The fluctuation in her smile is slight, but not absent. Can she move this cargo back on her own? Possibly. Probably, but not as easily or quickly as she would like, should she need to make a hasty retreat. How conveniently effective an obstacle he's proposing, and how complicated to avoid . ]

Ah, but how many men would say 'only a little wine,' and 'only a little more,' until they have had so much they could not lift a twig? And where would I be then? [ She tsks, seemingly unconvinced, and bends down to give an ineffectual tug on the corner of the box as if to demonstrate. ] Wishing there were two of me to lift this, I think. Would you leave a lady to such a fate?

[vorrutyer]

[ Ah. That level of insistence is...suspicious, to say the least. Still, his smile doesn't falter. ]

No, no, I swear I'll help. And you'll be quite glad if I'm a bit wine-drunk - I'm far more affable once I've a drink in me. Far less complaining. My oath to you.

[ebeje]

[ Any more of this, and her cards will be well and truly exposed - and so she adapts. Her expression brightens almost begrudgingly, as if charmed by his solemn oath against her better judgement. ]

Then I shall hold you to it, sir. [ She offers him a hand instead, to help him up. (To ensure wherever they go next, it is together.) ] Less complaining, most of all. Let us see what wine they see fit to send the outer colonies.