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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
That is more than enough for his voice to become a snarl.]
I don't know what you think I'm gonna say.
[Why he was at McCree's tank? Why wouldn't he be? It was the first familiar face he'd found after being told the Earth was destroyed. The bigger question is what they think he's hiding--that they think he's enough of a threat, somehow, to tie him up and hold him at gunpoint.]
I should be asking you what this is all about.
no subject
He willfully misinterprets Gabriel's words for now. ]
It's pretty much what you've already been told. Earth is gone. So are a lot of other planets, which you probably guessed based on the sheer number of people in stasis.
[ Jack decides to give Gabriel information with the intent of making him more forthcoming. This isn't anything that other people couldn't tell him, if he asked around. ]
Wilhelm and Oxton are both awake, like us. McCree and Dr. Ziegler were, but they went back into stasis close to a year ago.
[ With nothing said about Reaper's short stint, of course. ]
no subject
If this is sort of thing is the most unexpected part of the day, it's almost lucky. This place plays by rules that we're far from understanding - we have to be sure.
[ It's almost an explanation; a half-truth.
If Jack wants to cut him loose, she's not going to stop him. ]
no subject
[What Gabriel really means is you know that's not what I meant, and his voice is cold. This is not a satisfactory answer, mostly because it's nothing he couldn't have figured on his own. What he really wants to know is why two of his closest friends reacted to his appearance by knocking him out and tying him up, then refused to be forthcoming about why, once they determined he was the real deal.
But he isn't going to make much progress while they're working in tandem. Better to let some of this go and find them separately later, though it's hard not to feel the sting of all this--that Jack and Ana have been compromised somehow, and that Gabriel is unable to trust the only two people he'd want to trust. When he regards them again, there's something dark in his expression.]
I'm not stupid, Morrison.
[It's an explicit warning, one he knows they won't miss. The look on his face makes it evident that he knows they're withholding the truth from him, and people don't hide things from Gabriel Reyes and get away with it. Jack should know that better than anyone.]
I'm a little insulted. Are you gonna untie me?
no subject
It's not like they have any other way to test it, though, and so after a moment of hesitation, he moves over to yank the pipes out of place and give Gabriel the ability to move. Being so close to him makes the hair on the back of his neck stand on end and causes his shoulders to tense, and that's not bound to change any time soon.
He steps back and nods, indicating that Gabriel can stand without risking getting punched in the face or sleep darted.
What Gabriel doesn't know is that months ago, he'd traveled through these halls like a ghost. He can't know, even if that's what would make him understand their caution. ]
For the moment, all of us are stuck up here on this Station. Take the chance to get the hang of things -- it won't be long before we're thrown into something.
[ No doubt Gabriel's already caught sight of Ysevrai. ]
no subject
To clean up someone else's mess, you mean?
[Jack's tension is almost palpable, and Gabriel crosses his arms in turn, nudging one of the bent pipes with his boot.]
no subject
We should get going, Jack. [ They don't really have anywhere to be, but it's clear that the discussion is tabled for now, and she doesn't see any point in all of them standing around posturing at each other. They don't really have any information on Ysevrai that Gabriel can't easily find around the station, and the information about him isn't something they're going to part with - at least not right here and now.
Gabriel might not be willing to be the first to back out of this conversation, but Ana doesn't have any such reservations about defusing the situation. She needs time to take all of this in, and she doesn't doubt that Jack feels the same way. Maybe Gabriel does too. ]
no subject
All right. [ Jack starts for the door, but it's hard not to send a long, lasting stare back at Gabriel as he does so. He knows how confused Reyes must be by how they've handled his arrival, and it feels strange to be cutting their conversation so short, but all of them need some time to process. This is for the best.
Jack opens the door, motioning Ana out of the room and leaving Reyes with his thoughts. He suggests they return to one of their rooms; they definitely need to talk somewhere privately about all of this. ]