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Entry tags:
❪ test drive #6 ❫
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YOUR STORY BEGINS  The Storm came. You remember darkness, but you don't remember much after that. You don't know how long you slept, but the dreams were short. You remember the expanse of stars and galaxies in your direct view. Every world and solar system ever known to man was present in your dreams in careful, pristine detail. You also witnessed the Storm, which has devoured a fair portion of these galaxies. Your Earth and similar planets were assimilated by the Storm. Somehow, you knew it would be the last you'd see of your world. That was when she told you what happened. You knew that you'd be living somewhere new. The details weren't clear, but you knew it was a part of a deal with the entity known as Darma. Not long after, you'll wake at Thesa Station. Your body is still cold; it all felt like a dream, but somehow, you knew it wasn't —
CLEAN-UP CREW  While everything has wound down significantly from the strife and destruction of battle, the frozen image of Ysverai, the massive, rotten dragon, and the hole he tore in El Nysa's sky, on several screens of the station is a constant reminder of what took place. New and old refugees alike will notice that prolonged exposure to these images will leave them with a disquiet that gradually builds to actual pain. The discomfort starts from a crawling sensation, insects over skin, and gradually becomes unbearable. They will begin to hear the cries of Ysverai’s pain and suffering, first whispers, then echoes, then wails. Even after Refugees tear their eyes away from this footage, a strange itching sensation remains beneath their skin for several minutes. The dragon isn’t a matter for them to deal with, however. Darma made it clear that the Natha will find a solution. For now, everyone is encouraged to assist in the clean-up of the cities currently frozen in time. However, in interest of the current events and the fact that the refugees still have much to prepare for, they will be offering this help remotely. Several stations are set up where refugees can remote control drones to map out areas and pick up some of the lighter weight debris. Those more well versed technology are encouraged to assist those who may be having trouble getting started with the unfamiliar Natha tech. It seems like it’ll definitely take some getting used to, though. On the bright side, they’re pretty durable drones so if at first you don’t succeed, press the next button? To keep morale high during the clean-up efforts, one of the Natha have set up large hoops around dumpsites and a scoreboard program in the control room, though there's no sign of any directions or rules to be found. That's right, you can play a mechanized version of… some sort of game while you're helping clean up El Nysa. Just make sure you don't get too carried away with competitive spirit! For those looking to pilot something more heavy-duty, there are also cockpits set up for remote control piloting of basic mecha. These are very similar to the VR simulations offered on the station. However, they will not work without a partner. To be able to successfully move one of these, two refugees will be required to connect their minds and pilot in tandem. This may be a daunting task, but with the extensive structural damage to the cities, it's a necessary one. Piloting will require trust and cooperation to make it through. The more connected the pilots are, the more agile and powerful their mecha will be. For those who can’t seem to get on the same page, coordination will be a pipe dream. PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIP  By now it’s likely clear to all refugees, new and old, that for all that they may appear to be infinitely powerful, the Natha Orbiters have been shaken by the recent events on El Nysa. The details of Ysverai’s revival were somehow obscured from their view, and while they’re focusing their efforts on the planet, certain… abnormalities again begin to arise on Thesa Station. The most prevalent of the problems plaguing the Station are the malfunctioning doors. Walking through a door that should lead to a bedroom or kitchen (or, for the truly unfortunate, a toilet) will suddenly take refugees somewhere entirely different and possibly even new. And while this may lead to some accusations of breaking and entering, at least these mishaps can be quickly rectified by an apology and a hasty exit. That is, unless the door refuses to open again — the locks also seem to be malfunctioning. Still, those that find themselves transported somewhere familiar, though off-limits, should consider themselves lucky. Thesa Station is far more vast than most refugees are aware, and some of them might find themselves wandering into a uniquely sticky laboratory. This area appears to serve no purpose other than to house dozens of slimes. These slimes appear not only in a variety of fun colours, but with a variety of not-so-fun abilities ranging from harmless (spitting bubbles) to deadly (spitting fire). Regardless of what abilities a slime possesses however, they are all relentlessly friendly, and characters will need to be careful not to accidentally bringing one out with them once they manage to escape. Unfortunately, that’s not the only situation to escape from. Whether it’s in the mess hall or the bathroom, many will find themselves suddenly rising off the ground. … with everything else in the room, too! It seems like gravity control is also on the fritz. Fortunately, most open spaces aboard the station have a small control panel that can correct these effects. The only problem is getting there. Hopefully at least one of you refugees took that anti-gravity safety course. SUMMER TURNS TO WINTER  The news that the refugees should begin preparations for a return to El Nysa may come as a surprise given that the planet still remains frozen, but it appears there is one community that has somehow withstood Darma’s intervention: an area known as Nadril where time continues to flow freely. Not much information is available regarding this destination, other than the fact that it is isolated, and, more importantly, that it is cold. (Maybe characters should consider the malfunctioning thermostat plunging the temperature to below zero in certain areas on the station as preparation for their upcoming journey!) There are other resources available for those itching to take action, of course. There will be a new supply pack delivered to each room containing gear meant to withstand freezing temperatures — both clothing and storage gear to keep water rations from freezing. Characters will also be alerted to new training programs available in the VR room that are designed to assist with survival in the snowy regions of Nadril. The training programs will consist of a variety of tutorials that will assist in winter survival. Naturally, there will be courses on how to start fires, find food, and build igloos to withstand the frigid temperatures, but that’s not all. Due to the Natha testing their systems, there will occasionally be strange occurrences. For example, refugees may experience a snowball or two pelting them from out of nowhere, or they may suddenly find themselves being cloaked by a snow yeti costume, amongst many other inconveniences. Hopefully that doesn’t detract from the lessons to be learned here, as some of the training programs can include extreme weather survival, including the perils of snow storms or avalanches. SOCIAL-LINKED(in) By some miracle, there are still some quieter parts of the hall. This may be an appropriate time to check out your smartphone. Aside from the expected "Omage" app, there seems to be a new one called Social-Linked. There, you may find a profile waiting to be posted. The app allows for the user to fill it in, but there is also an auto-function! upon pressing it, it will generate a shockingly-honest answer based on the Natha's observation of your history. Roman will be your only friend in this app, with his very own profile: STASIS UNITS  During this time of crisis, the Natha have done their utmost to ensure the safety of those in cryosleep. However, due to the nature of recent events, they will be asking some refugees to do a quick check on some of the pods in the stasis unit. While they are definitely looking for any damage that may have occurred over these past few weeks, they also seem interested in getting a deeper insight into some of the occupants. On each control panel for the pods, there's a new application, asking observers to add notes and commentary — the Natha are looking for a more personal understanding of their sleeping occupants. Refugees are tasked with providing evaluations of the sleepers, based on both their knowledge of those from their homes and on what they can observe just by examining them in their repose. The application asks for how useful you think the pod's occupant would be in a crisis, what their skills are, what their best feature is, if you'd take them with you for a long walk on the beach, and so on… And, of course, all answers must be recorded out loud. Anyone passing by could overhear these evaluations, flattering or less than. FINAL OOC NOTES
As always, feel free to wildcard prompts within Thesa Station!
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. New players may submit an AC-length thread HERE from this TDM for 2 Natha REP. In addition, old players who have not submitted rep for the Hour of Ruin log may also submit a TDM thread for 2 Natha REP. The due date for submission is July 15 11:59 PM EST. For this application cycle, there will be a cap of 60 and no reserves. Applications will be open on July 9 12:01 AM EST and end on July 13 11:59 PM EST. Thank you! |
no subject
Her expression is unchanged beyond a blink. ]
No one says noob anymore, Rumlow.
[ She gently closes the brochure and places it on the table, reaching for the wine bottle.
It's a screw cap, not cork. Worth wasting on his head, if need be, although she only intends to pour herself a drink for the time being. ]
no subject
He raised an eyebrow and snorted. She clearly didn't sit next to the tech department monitoring dumb ass kids slinging insults at each other. He was too old for those kinds of endeavors, but it was entertaining to see arm-chair generals in action.]
You've never played World of Warcraft, did you? That's a word that's used plenty if you know where to look for it.
[He wasn't interested in a drink, and he didn't expect her to offer him one. He had a policy with STRIKE that there was no drinking on the job, and that included on-call time. He didn't drink often, and he knew better than to drink with her. He was more likely to choke on a shard of glass.
The way she looked at him made him think she was aware of his... other life.]
Need a debrief, or are you all set?
no subject
She pours herself a small glass, although she can easily hold her liquor (she's Russian, after all, or she was; and she knows her limits after countless evenings spent casing marks in hotels and bars). A sip later, she answers his question. ]
I'm interested in your take.
[ so, no, she doesn't need a debrief, but she isn't set, either. Whether he gives her good or bad intelligence is of interest. He knows her reputation for selling and sniffing out lies. ]
no subject
After all, he knew that no matter how good STRIKE was - how good he was - they would remain somewhere below her notice. That's where they thrived, all the way up until Pierce made a bad call and everything went tits-up. Then it was a wild goose chase where the geese in question were old-time spies that knew how to circumvent most of the ways they had been taught to operate.]
Our world's gone. Natha collected those they could and stuffed them in cryo-tanks until the right time, and when you're awake, you're to integrate with society that on some level dislikes the influx of refugees. Political tensions are rising, terrorist groups are forming and you better watch your back because people have been taken in broad daylight, special abilities or no.
[His intel was all good of course. The best part of being a good liar was putting just enough truth in to hide the lie. He'd build up first, then see how far on her game she was.]
no subject
I'll keep that in mind. [ The intel fits with Agent Carter's, so she doesn't doubt it. As a human member of a powered team, she knows that all special abilities can be overcome. Not even Thor or the Hulk can win every fight.
Another sip. Then, lightly — ] Have you picked a city yet?
no subject
She was keeping things close to the belt, all of which he expected. It wasn't as if they had ever had a relationship where they went for drinks and ate pretzels.]
No, not yet. You have an idea which direction you're going to swing, or just run with everyone for the fun of it?
no subject
You don't go undetected for as long as Brock Rumlow without the latter. ]
I have ideas. [ shrugging. ] But I'll read the terrain once I'm topside.
[ which is true, even though it's an absolute non-answer. Natasha will make the call on the ground, and even then she'll adjust her course as needed. Her gaze is steady on him, though not scrutinizing. ]
You been up long, Agent Rumlow?
no subject
And she was one of the hardest to evade. He played the soldier in her presence normally, but it was a role he knew better than to stray from otherwise she could sniff out details he might not enjoy revealing.]
Your answers are always so off the cuff but commits to nothing. Always a pleasure.
[As a soldier, he called it like it was. He wasn't afraid to come across as rude, though he knew his place in the grand scheme of things. Here in his place, he had no support structure, so he too had to play it a bit more off the cuff.]
Just woke up. But I was awake some time before that. Don't worry, it's mostly tank-top and booty-shorts weather down there. Mind the fanatics lurking in dark corners, mind you.