Deep Dweller: Start

[voidtreckermods]

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)

Comments

[blitzcheer]

The news about Nita gets a small 'oh?' out of Tidus, and maybe he can catch her later to see what she's doing, if there's a chance.

"Oh yeah? Ohhh... now that I think about it, you guys were the ones to talk about the beacons. " Over the SCAs. But that then gets a small furrow of his brow. "But wait...isn't that the first time the SCAs did that? Let everyone talk to each other?"

He remembers that from talking to Tony one time, or how they were trying to make devices to communicator to one another before bam, SCA-phones. So how did Orange Team get in contact with everyone before that?

[blue_ice]

"Right, it was. Even in the worst case scenario we usually convey information to each other before the end of the week. Either the teams travel to each other's bases, and now we have the group with black bands who can check in on us."

He taps his climbing equipment, still in thought.

"We'll find a way."

Re: Orange team

[iamnotgod]

Webmind, meanwhile, has made his way down to the 'basement'.

He has something similar to report.

"This is Webmind. I have likewise discovered an orb on the 'negative fifth' floor, room three. Any evidence of containment procedures for it?"

Hopefully they won't have to conduct all the studies from scratch, but finding the computers containing relevant data has left him so far with no small feeling like searching for a needle in a haystack.

Or a stack of needles.

"Or that the scientists stationed at this lab interacted with the orb at all, for that matter?"

[blitzcheer]

"Hey, that's me." Speaking of black bands--Tidus lifts his hand, shaking it some to reveal the band around his wrist. "So I guess I can do some hopping around if we need it!"

...well, if they really need it, since- "But if we're lucky, those SCAs will turn on again and make life easier. You know if there's a system to that? Info sharing," he clarifies. "If the Team Leads don't do it, I don't mind giving you a heads up what's going on with the Reds."

He's not shy about using his mouth, after all.

Prep; Custom!

[unfavorableinstigation]

Nita's around - checking in with the Kitchen people for supplies, in Stores for the more esoteric supplies (because you just never know what you'll need for a spell in a pinch), and in Dressing to scope out the materials.

... Hopefully Nita will be able to use wizardry to replicate her own climbing equipment.

But, busy as she is, she always makes time to talk, and will glance up from whatever she's doing as Tidus approaches.

"Yeah? What's up?"

[blitzcheer]

hey nita heeyyyy.

"I heard you were team swapping! You not feeling Orange?"

Yep, that's exactly why he called her name and said hey, and what other reason would he need? Tidus isn't one for sitting long on his hands, not while he's waiting to get outdoors for the first time in too long. But despite his plans to follow Red's mission, he's got a purple bag hanging off from his shoulder, looking exactly like a Purple Team member in his train-issued hoodie too.

'Cause why would he need to wear one of those suits for?? He's not digging around in rubble.

[unfavorableinstigation]

Nita shoots him a wry look for that.

"I do know more about visions than labwork, that's all. What about you?"

Her pack is full, but she's quietly debating if she needs to go back and check over her room - her bad-and-undercabinet, really - and see if she's missing anything.

[blue_ice]

"I don't think we have a formal system established. I'll have to ask the team leads about it---but personally I'm of the mindset we should share things as widely as possible whenever possible, so we can protect ourselves and each other."

Most of them can handle the responsibility. Mostly.

"If the SCAs turn on again that's the easiest option, but with the teleport chain we can work something out."

[xue_yang]

"They are what we've been tasked with. Might as well figure out what we can while we still have daylight." They probably should also start setting up tents but Xue Yang figures someone will be more adapt at such a thing then he is. He'd rather get right to the source of the problem.

He starts in that direction. Once again he is going on a mission unarmed. Last time he was given a sword that eventually resulted in a murder and his eventually punishment. He wonders if anyone will trust him with a weapon this time.

[xue_yang]

"That would make sense, though that makes for a very small target." Not usually a problem for him who is rather adept at having a small window to work with. His aim with a sword has always been true. But he is unarmed now so basically little more then a pest on a battlefield.

"Perhaps we should consider why they only came out at night."

[xue_yang]

"I have not.." He pulls his hand back out of it and looks to see if any of the orb is even still on it. But there isn't.

"It's a very strange constancy. I don't think it can just be cut into pieces and destroyed."

[xue_yang]

He caught the gun and stared at it. He has never touched one of these before but he knows their application thanks to the previous mission. He wonders how useful they are against the creatures and it is going to take him some getting used to using it.

Xue Yang never expected someone to give him a weapon but he will certainly take advantage of that luck. "Have these been effective against them?"

[unfavorableinstigation]

"Some people have nightlights, but usually we don't need them."

Nita nodded as well. "Wizardry, for me. I had to take an Oath, too."

She glanced over at Mami. "Maybe not the same way she did, but... 'to protect what lives and grows well in its own way'. That, among other things."

The light would do no harm to her antenna, if that helped the Gry make any decision.

Itsuki Myoudouin | Purple

[sunbloom]

[preparation]
Itsuki will be the first to admit she's a little nervous; she's read the documentation, she listened to the mission brief, and she still doesn't quite know what to expect. Are they literally just dropping into a random world to provide support? She supposes it'll all be clear soon enough, though; she spends some time in the dressing coach browsing through the supplies and settling on some climbing gear and a smaller bag in case her big bag won't fit, looking everything over critically - not that she's used any of it before - and packing it. A short time later, she's standing by in the seater coach with her rucksack, waiting for the purple drop call and trying not to look too much like she's... well, anything less then composed. It's mostly working? She's not so bad off that she'll miss the call, but she might need a little reassurance.

[arrival]
Vision is hard. This is Itsuki's first observation; sure, her SCA has a flashlight function, but it's going to be rough down here for several days. Not that she'll let anyone hear her complain too loudly. No, there's work to be done, and she spends plenty of her time helping out. She's small enough to sneak into some of the smaller cracks and deliver supplies, and she's... perhaps not the most reassuring person, but she's good at giving people the information they need. She's surprisingly strong for her age, too, so she can help move rocks and support rescue operations. So, in short, she's running around all over the city, only bumping into the walls sometimes (and grumbling but very pointedly not cursing), and trying very hard not to complain. It's fulfilling work, but she's going to have just a couple bruises. Not that those are new for her either.

Her luck doesn't hold out all day - at some point she gets into the crevasse she was trying to deliver supplies to, but in attempting to get back out something shifts and she finds herself stuck in place, hoodie caught and something slightly pinning her arm. She's not in a lot of pain, but she's pretty sure she's not supposed to start pulling, that'll either scratch her or make it shift worse, and then she will be in trouble. The grumbling is perhaps a little louder this time, before she sighs and raises her voice just a little bit. "Can I get a hand over here? I think I'm stuck and I can't see what I'm stuck on."

[rest]
When her shift ends, Itsuki finds it surprisingly hard to sleep, despite having worn herself out working all day. The curiosity of the locals helps her mind from wandering too much, though, and she certainly has plenty of people from the train to talk to, too. Occasionally she can be found roaming the city - flashlight on low - apparently just thinking. If she notices other people around, though, she'll attempt to strike up conversation despite herself.

Sonya Blade | Orange team | OTA

[soldier_blade]

arrival

Sonya was well aware she would hate herself when this was over, if not sooner. For all she could use crutches if she absolutely needed to, she was still more or less restricted to a wheelchair, which meant her options were limited. Still, if she was able to assist in anyway, she would-limited mobility be damned.

The surroundings were familiar atleast, and a level of tech she recognized as being able to control elevators. She moved forward, frowning as her senses went on high-alert; except for the team she traveled with, the place appeared deserted. There were people outside though, so something caused them to evacuate in a hurry.

What was it that caused them to move.

Stopped the chair for a bit, Sonya made sure her wrist blaster was in place. Even one was enough to knock someone off their feet-or wound them if they were close enough. She had yet to see any enemy forces, but she hadn't made it as long as she had to take such things for granted.

She also pulled out a notepad and pen, keeping both handy to record anything she saw.

exploration

The halls were so deserted, it was unerving. Everywhere there were signs of people leaving in a hurry, but no struggle-nothing being damaged beyond what might've been neglect. She wasn't sure which she would've preferred; a struggle would've meant lives lost, but that might've been something to fight against, but a mass evacuation, especially one as hurried as this looked-that spoke of something else.

At some point in her explorations, she pulled a notepad and pen from her bag. Moments like this, she wished she had her E-pad, but for lack of anything better, the old fashioned way would have to do.

The whole point of exploration was to collect intel, one way or the other.

Wildcard: rest time
Find Sonya trying to organize notes or set up camp, or hit me up in Discord or PM if you have a different prompt in mind.

Rest Time

[nutkrusher]

Cassie has had a long day. Clearing debris is exhausting work. She really, really ought to lie down.

But Cassie's never been the type to lie down and quit. Especially when she knows her mother is out there. As much as Sonya had insisted that she was perfectly good to go, Cassie isn't going to let the day go by without making sure that's the case. It's not like she has to walk anymore.

She glides to a stop near where Sonya is, with her drone following close behind.

"Purple Team's taking an hour off, so I thought I'd swing by."

There's a slightly concealed grin on her face. Showing off her new qi abilities wasn't the main reason she came over, but she won't pretend it wasn't a small part of it.

Prep

[everylittlesecret]

Well, Nari is setting up even if she doesn't really want to. These missions seem like a pain and the equipment given to them is not what she's used to. There wasn't much to do about it but keep working.

She looks over at... she's not sure what that is. A fellow passenger at least. "Find anything interesting someone might have overlooked?"

[les_magique]

"This?"

She grabbed her mechanical arm, suddenly self conscious about the nail biting. "This is nothing, you should see the OTHER guy!"

Re: Kitty Pryde | Purple Team | Arrival

[laurefindil]

"Kitty!" Glorfindel called her over to where he was standing with a couple of Terrans.

He indicated the map they were holding, one of their 3D sandboxes. "Can you show us the easiest path to that group you were just helping? IM curious about this stalagmite here, is it still standing or has it collapsed to the left or right?" It could make a difference in the speed and ease of the retrieval.

[adregem]

...

"Ma'am, you're quite the something," Roland manages to answer, with an amused huff under his breath. He's pretty stunned at the enthusiasm, something he definitely didn't think he'd find in someone else given that they had such a gargantuan task ahead. But hey, that kind of energy could uplift spirits, especially of the Terrans stuck on ground zero.

So Roland immediately dives into it, talking to a couple of Terrans grouped together and welcoming them to the tunnels. He pauses from time to time, letting Della take charge of any questions she may have, but at the end of it all, both of them were finally led to the deeper underground tunnels that resembled highways and train tracks. An advanced system of transportation that would confuse anyone, had they not received a Terran guide.

Roland walks slowly, marveling at the spaces carved out with intricate detail. It was still dark and claustrophobic, but this was a civilization that made a home underground. He was in awe. He speaks to Della with his eyes still glued to the dark.

"So, Della. With that level of excitement, I'm pretty sure you've had some adventures like this before. Got any wisdom to share?"

i was born ready for this omg

[adregem]

Roland doesn't see Inigo coming right away - chalk that up to this terrible lack of light - but when he does sense his presence at last, he is immediately reminded of what he was asked to do before they departed from the Voidtrecker, Tidus' voice ringing loud and clear in his head:

"Don't let him do anything stupid."

He offers the young man a smile and a nod, genuinely happy to see them finally start a mission together, but now, he is colored with some degree of worry. Inigo, Roland apologizes in advance if he hovers too close or lingers too much, but he has his orders from a friend and even without them, Roland's inclined to make sure you won't go out and be reckless. He meant it before, on the platform. He's also got your back.

"Heh, someone's pretty excited!" His hand goes to his hip. So much energy in him! The dark didn't concern him at all? Or the fact that they're not even working on the surface? "Well, let's not jump to conclusions just yet. How about we go ask where the collapsed site is first, then we can figure out how to go about helping trapped folks. Sound good?"

[adregem]

"Phase through things...? Wow," he expresses honestly, eyes growing a little wider. "How dense is 'too dense' that it'll pose a problem for you? Any hazards of the phasing?" He places his finger under his chin, doing his best to talk to Kitty while following the Terran ahead. They're probably close now, as the tunnel grows wider and wider by the funnel.

Roland thinks its almost supernatural coincidence that the Purple team was assigned someone who could be so helpful during a rescue mission. But he wants to be sure he can assist people like Kitty, hence his line of questioning. If he knows their limits, he can support them faster. The worst case scenario was getting her stuck underneath rubble with no way out, even for her phasing. But then again, he's never seen it in action, so he plays on the side of caution.

[adregem]

Roland nods, but he realizes even if there was no one to rescue, the danger of their team was getting stuck somewhere with no way out. He scans the items and picks out what he thinks he might need for cave exploration.

"Here - "

And he demonstrates how to attach the carabiners to the loops, how to belay, how to create tension between the ropes. "If you're descending, it's best to have someone help you belay this, so if you get stuck, they can allow more give so you can get more tension to go down safely. If you have to do it alone, there's a way too, but try not to be a hero." He smiles, demonstrating how to attach the mechanisms on sturdy objects, trees, maybe a boulder.

[swansongs]

"God, I hope not. I'm not really an underground person." Actually, he'd never been underground before in his life, but the idea wasn't very pleasant. "But yeah, I'm checking out the lab. I dunno what we're expected to find, though." There had to be actual scientists on board who would know what they were looking at, right? People who'd know better than Dyme at least, and yet he was one of the people checking this stuff out.

[swansongs]

"Yeah, that's true. But what if I don't even know how to use any of this stuff?" He'd seen people use climbing gear in movies, sure, but that wasn't real life and he'd have no idea what he was doing. So he really hoped he didn't need any of this stuff.