voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2020-07-09 04:39 am

Deep Dweller: Start

After the dreams some of the voidtreckers report on day Four of Grasshopper those that have been on the train for a little while will be expecting what comes the next day. Their SCA's glow with the colour of the void and a holographic image will appear.

Preparations and Arrival

As promised the dressing carriage is opened for optional extras. There are flight suits, similar to those they wore into space but without the helmets. There are instead hard hats and some basic climbing gear as well as bags to put supplies in. There are even a few red tents if any of those planning on tackling red's mission want to grab one, they hold six people in two inner compartments and are relatively easy to put up and take down.

They have a few hours of preparation before the announcement comes. Soon approaching system #789327772. Planet Terra. Drop order: Orange, Red, Blue, Purple. Orange to doors. Leaving the void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one. A sharp jerk, a judder and the view from the window changes from the void to dark cloudy skies and very red sand.

They land smoothly, and indeed it seems they have landed on train tracks. A few moments later they pull up outside a huge metal and glass building.

Orange Team

Arrival

Jumping down from the train they will find themselves outside large metal gates. Noticable is the spotlights that shine even in the day time, reflecting oddly off the red sand. It is hot and dry outside, a slight breeze sending red dust rolling around their feet.

The gates aren't locked. There is no lock though they will notice devices that are probably security cameras. The doors are glass and inside is light and airy. They enter into a large lobby, a large circular desk in the centre and a glass walled waiting room to the side.

It is empty. No people at all. All the lights are on. Time to explore.

Exploration

Going up two floors and down five the lab is large and full of all manner of interesting things. Scientific equipment, monitoring stations measuring chemical levels in the air, temperature, water levels. Where to even start is a good question. The lights remain on, which might be annoying at night.

Red Team

Arrivals

Red team to doors. The train continues travelling along the train tracks, looking out the windows they will see endless rolling red sand. Factories rising up from the ground, dotted across the landscape. As the train gets close the air outside seems hazier, through the fumes. They may even see in the distance, strange silver floating orbs.

Eventually it pulls up at a station. Just a raised block really, but easy enough for red team to disembark.

The land stretches out around them. Train tracks criss cross the surface but apart from that there don't seem to be any boundaries. No fences, roads or sign posts.

It won't take them long to find the first orbs, strange silvery spheres and seem almost liquid, until they are not.

Night Time

It grows dark quickly after sunset here, which might take them by surprise. Taking them more by surprise however may be the scraping, scuttling noises in the dark. Skittering close. There is no light out here on the surface, they are far away from the research facility that Orange found themselves in.

If anyone manages to catch a glimpse they will see grey, long limmbed creatures. They shy away from light but anyone in the dark is likely to be attacked. They fight with claws and teeth.

When the sun rises they are gone.

Blue Team

Arrival

Blue team to doors. The train continues across the landscape, passing more orbs, just floating there silently. It stops at the entrance of a cave.

The cave slopes downwards into darkness and soon turns into small tunnels. They don't need to go far when they meet the first ground of Gry. A group of young Gry, practising with spears in an wider section of cave.

Despite being very surprised at the sudden visitors no weapons are pointed at the voidtreckers, instead they are met with curiosity. They are soon led further into the tunnels and soon come to the living areas.

The Gry lead simple lives but they are all pretty fascinated to see their visitors and will allow them to look around their home and answer any questions they have.

Night Time

Most of the Gry sleep in a large communal sleeping area and the Voidtreckers are welcome to join them, though the Gry won't be insulted if they choose to seek out a more private area.

If the Voidtreckers awake in fear in the night, after strange dreams they will find they are not alone. Many of the Gry have awoken too and will reassure the Voidtreckers, tell them it is an honour to communicate with The Burrower.

Purple

Arrival

Purple team to doors. The train continues on the tracks and soon enters a tunnel itself. It's a bit of a bumpy trip, this train was clearly not made for warren systems but after some uneasy twists and turns they pull to a stop.

They are at a train station, not that it's easy to see because it is pitch black. But it is clear there are people around, some looking very confused at the very odd train.

Once the last of those going on the mission leave the train it speeds off into the darkness.

The Terran's are large and tower over most of the voidtreckers but they are friendly enough, if a little confused, once it is explained that they are here to help. They will be led over towards the collapsed section of city.

There is a lot of activity. People digging at rubble, others using their sheer size and strength to hold up beams. There is an array of rescue equipment and a group of official-looking Terran's holding large devices that are comparable to a tablet-computer and discussing solutions.

There is plenty to do to help, smaller rubble to clear, injured people to tend to. Worried Terran's to calm and reassure. Those brave enough can volunteer to use their smaller size to help get supplies through to those trapped and those with any scientific know how, great strength or magic can put their skills to good use.

Rest Time

Throughout the day people are rescued and other parts of the tunnels stabilised. There is more work to be done but the Terran's seem to be working in shifts and they will encourage their surprise allies to rest as well. They will offer to host them.

They live in large groups and will happily invite the voidtreckers into their homes. They will be curious about the voidtreckers but will also answer questions. Telling them about the strange storm and the collapse of the tunnels. They are urged to sleep early and the next day it will be back to work.

(OOC: Information is here)
magicurls: (be alright)

yes ;-;

[personal profile] magicurls 2020-07-10 11:54 am (UTC)(link)
It took Mami a moment to remember who this was. She jumped a little, sorry, but instinctively waved her hand, transforming the ring on her finger into a glowing yellow egg. She held it at neck level.

"...mm, h-hello again. It was...the dreams, do you know what I'm talking about?"
voidtreckernpcs: (gry)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2020-07-10 12:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh! Thank you, little alien.

[ She pats Kaseri gingerly on the neck. The translator is clearly doing some serious legwork; the Gry's motions don't match up to how he hears it at all. Like sign language, dubbed. ]

Yes! [ Her voice is hushed. A large proportion of the cavern is still asleep, after all, though most have subsided into more restful sleep. ] I didn't think I'd get a vision two nights in a row, you know? Super weird.
adregem: (improbable but not impossible.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-10 12:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"Really?" he quips, pausing a little with his arms crossed over his chest. "You want to find monsters and man-eating creatures?" A beat. "In here? Underground?" Another beat. "In the dark?"
magicurls: (to the future)

[personal profile] magicurls 2020-07-10 12:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"It'll be all right. I don't think any of us will go alone. Not into the danger like that."

She shifts back to her sleeping bag, feeling a fair bit calmer. "You have friends to go with, right?"
luckydragonsfoot: (nyh-)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2020-07-10 12:32 pm (UTC)(link)
[It's weird- but if he thinks about it, it's sort of like watching the monsters that couldn't talk. Clearer actually- he sure never got 'real' words from those guys...]

T' be honest, I'm less used t' nights w'thout, [he admits- quietly though, so only they can hear. It's still a touchy matter to him- with someone who is used to them though, someone he'll probably never see after they leave...well. It's easier.

While Kaseri whinnies happily and makes herself comfortable, Katsuya goes on.
] Visions f'r you guys rarer then though? What'd they normally mean? It was kinda...intense, not gonna lie.
adregem: (guess i landed on my feet.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-10 12:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"Gah -!"

The warning comes just a tad bit too late, as he trips slightly against the pile of rocks nestled in the dirt. He steadies himself with both arms outstretched before regaining his balance. With an incredulous look about him, Roland can only say, "You can see that?" before he resumes his stride away from the platform and closer to Terran civilization.

"And you bring up a good point. You're right about making sure we don't delay - we do need to move fast so casualties, if any, are minimum at best." He finally spots some Terrans grouped together in three's, some of them turned their way as if expecting them to approach. Looked like a good start. "Why don't you lead the questions," he nods at the Terrans' general direction as subtly as possible. "And I'll follow." He honestly trusts that the Terrans will be able to give them the best account of the said casualties brought about by the explosion, and judging from the way they were built...They might even be faring better than expected. Still - they shouldn't be taking that chance. Roland's questions will be economical at best.
luckydragonsfoot: (nyh-)

[personal profile] luckydragonsfoot 2020-07-10 12:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"Uhhh...Well, I got Yugi," he notes, nodding. "An' Kaseri's here too 'f course...plus A-Qing..."

He shrugs. "I've only been around a few days t' be honest."
blitzcheer: (star player you know!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-07-10 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
[ heck YEAH is she getting a high-5! ]

That's what I wanna hear! I didn't want to see you getting second and third thoughts on the day!

You sticking with Purple?
adregem: (tell me something.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-10 12:48 pm (UTC)(link)
He watches her use the flashlight function on her watch and he has forgotten that existed to begin with. He silently mimics the action, only for him to accidentally flash the beam of light against the closest Terran. They wince away from Roland and Kitty out of surprise, and he silently sends them an apology as he relies on her light instead of his.

Huh. That's interesting. I guess they're really more used to the dark than I thought.

"Err, go ahead and walk forward, I'll follow behind you." Roland delays his steps, so Kitty could set the pace. He'll try opening his SCA's torch light again, later. "As for what to ask, well. For starters, why don't we ask them to take us where we need to be, and what's been done so far to rescue their trapped citizens?" He can't see past his own face but Roland's already disoriented with the way tunnels have been carved out, some winding, some dipping and rising out of nowhere...
adregem: (chin up kid.)

< open for Purple Team threadjacking!! or anyone who came with Purple really >

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-10 12:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Roland isn't sure of what the Terran custom is, but he's always gone with the more diplomatic approach which is to just follow their lead. So out of respect, he mimics the action and sets aside his current task for now. He had been studying this particular Terran from the corner of his eye as she moved. Judging by her interactions with the rest of the villagers, she was someone well-respected. Perhaps even well-loved.

"Ma'am. I go by Roland, a member of the Voidtrecker Express. We're here to mobilize as needed. Thank you for the extended hospitality so far." He uncrosses his arms, though he does have to crane his neck up to make eye contact.

"Would it be alright to ask you a couple of questions? Just to help us get a clearer picture of what happened and how we can better assist the rescues and rebuilding?"
adregem: (let me explain a little.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-10 01:05 pm (UTC)(link)
As he stuffs the last piece of carabiner into his pocket for emergencies, Roland turns to the passenger and nods with some level of certainty.

"Only time will tell if we'll actually need or use everything, but it's an alien underground city with casualties. We won't be able to go back for supplies either. It's best to come prepared, wouldn't you say? One extra piece of equipment might just be what saves a life."
blitzcheer: (siigh it's tough!!!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-07-10 01:10 pm (UTC)(link)
...bah. Was the guy like this before? Tidus wonders, joining him with a small hop on his first step, as if being cautious about whatever level of drop onto the platform. He knows he's going to regret the hoodie he's wearing, but he'll deal with that later.

"Well? You wanna go straight and check out the spheres-- guess those are 'em," he says with a nod in the direction where the spread of the silvery orbs can be spotted nearby.

"Not a lot else around."
blitzcheer: (tfw yuna tbh)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-07-10 01:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Ohhh, that look's called worry. Tidus's expression turns curious before understanding, interrupted by the shake of his head.

"Nope, but I know a person or two. Who you want them looking out for?"

Since, you know, he's figuring that's why Kaiba's asking.
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking directly at the viewer, mouth slightly open, as if she's in the middle of an important or unamused expression. (Focused)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-07-10 01:18 pm (UTC)(link)
Nita smiled - not, perhaps, as weakly as Gladio might fear, but there was still an element of focus in her face.

"It's temporary, yeah, and it's pretty likely I'll have to ask again the next time we go through a tunnel. But the rock can take care of itself for now."

She added a whispered /Thanks/ in the Speech, before thumbing in the direction of the rest of the group.

"Onward? We should be able to chat while we walk if you want, too."
unfavorableinstigation: Nita working with a Kernel (Wizardry Is Kid Stuff)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-07-10 01:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Nita pauses, both at noticing the Gry child (teenager?) and at Mami's own surprise.

She offers the wizards' light to the Gry, expression shifting to a smile.

"It doesn't burn. It's warm, but it's mostly for light. You can hold it, if you like."
iamnotgod: Webmind projecting a smile. The robot is wearing an orange hoodie. (A smile!)

Re: An Internet's Return | Luggage

[personal profile] iamnotgod 2020-07-10 01:24 pm (UTC)(link)
Webmind nodded - and then bowed, for good measure.

"It seems I have missed another platform stop. May I presume you've been introduced to the more... eccentric features of this Voidtrecker Express?"

Returning to normal pose, he added, "And may I ask your name, as well?"

It was only to be polite - he had been at Wei WuXian and Lan WangJi's wedding within his first two weeks on the train, but if this man was surprised at his appearance... why should he presume it was the same Wei WuXian?

Webmind was slow to take offense to things.
thebiggestguy: (pic#13249164)

[personal profile] thebiggestguy 2020-07-10 01:32 pm (UTC)(link)
Nothing personal meant -- in the heat of the moment, Dread simply didn't think that other people were unused to this sort of thing. It was common, after all, in Eorzea, and not unheard of on the train.

"How are you doing?" Dread said sidelong to the other man, even as he put his shoulder into moving some rocks so the trapped person could get free.
thebiggestguy: (pic#13249165)

[personal profile] thebiggestguy 2020-07-10 01:37 pm (UTC)(link)
It'd just be in the way elsewhere, too. [Dread lifts his shoulders slightly, a subdued shrug from a big guy.] Are you all right? Is that... it?

[Do things like that just pop on and off?]
Edited 2020-07-10 13:38 (UTC)
stillnewatthis: (yellow glare)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2020-07-10 01:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"I believe I have injured one. As with most creatures, the head appears most vulnerable."

Orisa had not yet made the correlation between light, eyes, and injury; her combat analysis had heuristically extended battle logic to these creatures. In some ways, this was lucky, because she did on occasion land a shot directly to the eyes; in others, less so, because she wasn't yet targeting them on purpose.
stillnewatthis: (stop!)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2020-07-10 01:53 pm (UTC)(link)
If the creatures did not have long range attacks, they had an advantage, in that they did -- and any creature who closed, Orisa could either hold at range or punch straight in the face.

Orisa, courtesy of enhanced visual sensors, acted first -- the triple pistons of her fusion driver clattered in sequence, packaging energized particles into self-contained spheres to expel them in a veritable firehouse of ordnance. The first few particles struck the hide of a creature in the dark, doing no damage but offering brief illumination before it darted to the side and Orisa had to walk her shots.
blitzcheer: (the QUEEN)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-07-10 01:54 pm (UTC)(link)
What kind of level of show-off is this.

Because okay, Tidus definitely has a degree higher level of self-preservation than this guy when he's poking and distributing electricity into an unknown substance, considering his reaction to this display is an inner astonishment of what the fuck, guy?

And yeah, Tidus is definitely alarmed once he realises what's going on, even if the face Reno will be met with when he looks over to him is a questionable bewilderment. But also, some of that above 'what the fuck reno'. Because, again.

"Okay, you got some idea of what these are, or do you always put your face in front of things you're about to electrocute?"

Does he sound astonished? Like he thinks Reno is crazy? Maybe a little impressed by his luck? The answer is somewhere in there.
stillnewatthis: (stop!)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2020-07-10 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Every team had to have that one damage-dealer that ran off into the middle of combat, didn't it?

But Orisa could handle this. An internal shift of her mechanism and the mini-Tobelstein reactor in her weapon arm output a sphere of gravitic energy. As it shot past the man, Orisa detonated it -- and though its keyed energies had no effect on the Turk, several beasts abruptly came together as its gravity yanked them over. That ought to buy him the time he needed to react!
adropofsunlight: (272)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-07-10 02:07 pm (UTC)(link)
"About as ready as I'll ever be." she said giving him the thumbs up before gesturing to the fact she had some of the items that she figured the train gave for a reason along with a frying pan she keeps taking from the kitchen for missions... because hey if it can knock out a guy, it can do other things.

"Unless there is anything I am forgetting."
adropofsunlight: (33)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-07-10 02:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"I plan on staying back and moving people if they get too much into a dangerous situation. I'm also providing healing for those who might not have anything that can help." If she has to fight she has at least a frying pan, but for the most part, she has really thought about how she will be dealing with fights should they happen.

"I am not planning on going onto the front lines since I lack the experience."
adropofsunlight: (62)

[personal profile] adropofsunlight 2020-07-10 02:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Rapunzel was on alert and prepared for any escape they might have to do, but she knew at the same time that really they had to study it somehow and touching it was something they had to do.

She just wasn't confident about the whole attacking it thing. "How about we nudge it slightly?"