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)
longforgottenpromise: (sad)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-07-11 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
He meets his eyes for a moment, his eyes sad and empty before they look down again. He has no idea who they are or why they would take his king from him. He's worried, where had he gone? Would he awake again in a suitcase or would he not... Or would Taiki have to watch him walk away into the unknown on the next platform?

He can't think about that. Tidus is right. He needs to stand up and keep going. Just like he has before. After everything. Pick himself off the floor and continue on. There isn't another choice.

But having Tidus here, having his arms on his shoulders. Someone to stand with him.

It means more than he can ever put into words. He nodded numbly. Took another deep, shaking breath and moved his leg, pushing himself up to a standing position.
kabe: (pic#8412109)

[personal profile] kabe 2020-07-11 04:32 pm (UTC)(link)
"During the last mission I was able to shoot down the crabs with ease, right now it appears to be working but I'm not sure how effective it is against them.", she said, holding her own gun straight forward and shooting at the creature before them.

"We can try it out, if not I have other tricks up my sleeve.", she says, taking a look back at Xue Yang. The only downside of her other dresspheres is that they only had one weapon to work with (with the exception of her Thief one).
callmegladio: (Default)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2020-07-11 04:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"You know I'll come after you if you go and promise me this and then get killed, right? I'll wait for you to come back and I'll kick your ass." Gladio's smile was firmly in place, big and friendly, all teeth.

Of course he was mostly joking. He'd be damn upset if Curufin went and got killed and maybe he'd want revenge on what had killed him, but it would be less of an ass kicking and more of a bear hug once he came back.

"I'll be doing my best. Got little ones to protect. Can't go dying now, can I?" He replied with a low laugh.
blitzcheer: (sry gtg)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-07-11 04:35 pm (UTC)(link)
When they come to a stop, Yuna speaking first, Tidus holds out a hand towards her, smiling bright and explaining.

"I told her about you and King Saku, plus how we met back on Gyueran, with the kids. Yuna's from the same world as me..." And his head dips for a second, when he can't help but feel embarrassed (if in a good way) admitting: "And she's my girlfriend. And we wanted to set up our tent with yours."

There's a rise in his volume at the end there, a hurry in his words; the early bashful stages of a new relationship not yet smoothed away from Tidus, even though he knows Taiki isn't going to be particularly thinking about who he's dating right now. Tidus is going to be a kid about this anyway--a happy kid.
callmegladio: (20)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2020-07-11 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Gladio looked over her gear and grinned at the pan. Why the hell not? It was heavy enough by the looks of it. It could do some blunt force damage if nothing else.

So he scooped up one of the hard hats and placed up atop her head with a chuckle. "Think you're good to go." he said with a gentle pat upon the top of the hat.
callmegladio: (41)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2020-07-11 04:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Gladio laughed and took a step forward, and the rocks moved for him. It was amazing. He was fascinated. He almost missed what Nita said to him.

"Sure, c'mon, come talk to me some." Gladio was in a MUCH better mood now that he was able to actually stand. It didn't much help the ache he'd already earned, but that would soon go away he was sure.
blitzcheer: (keywords key WODS)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-07-11 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
At least in rising, Tidus can take a lead, unless he feels Taiki standing with the use of his body. Tidus wouldn't mind, allow him to, and either way standing on his own two feet at some point, a hand returning to give one last squeeze to Taiki's shoulder.

"The sooner we figure out this mystery, the sooner we can get back." And then what, who knows, but Tidus figures the idea of being on the train waiting for Saku is better than being out here. And out here--Tidus looks across at the open expanse of red sand and heat. Sees with a quick squint, and where he also notices others heading towards.

"I think that's the orbs over there." He nods in the direction, then looks back at Taiki. "There anyone you wanna look for?"
callmegladio: (Default)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2020-07-11 04:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Maybe..." Gladio eyed Yugi curiously. "Why aren't you sleeping?" Gladio knew the reason why he wasn't himself. He hadn't even really bothered. It was the first night and he didn't expect much, but he was going to take his job seriously. He fully planned to keep watch over everyone every night. Or at least part of the night. He'd be happy to hand over and take shifts. But this first night... he would stay where he was.
blitzcheer: (there's an english  suteki da ne??)

HOLD THAT THREAD WRAP

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-07-11 04:48 pm (UTC)(link)
AND HOLD UUPPPPP IN THIS THREAD.

"You--" Tidus is pointing. He is pointing at her. "You can-- you can turn into a whale?"

And now he's motioning out his arms, absolutely not making the appropriate size for even a S'reee length of a whale, but!! He's nodding at Nita, like, yes? A whale whale??
callmegladio: (Default)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2020-07-11 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh yeah, doing fantastic." Gladio muttered unhappily, before he shot Wei Wuxian an apologetic smile.

"Being tall doesn't help if everyone else is short." And the world around them is built for that shortness. Like the tunnels. Being six foot and change did not help him here in the slightest.
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking right, holding a book. (I'm In The Book)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-07-11 04:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"Any ideas for what to ask the Gry, when we get down to them?" Nita asked, readying herself to keep on heading down.

"Might be good to ask about relations with the Terra, how long they've been growing plants... these visions they're reporting can't be divorced from all context, right?"

And the Gry might not only want to talk about them, either, or talk about them at all. Other options would be good to have in store.
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking directly at the viewer, mouth slightly open, as if she's in the middle of an important or unamused expression. (Focused)

XDDDD

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-07-11 04:51 pm (UTC)(link)
Cue metaphorical record-scratch!

"Yeeees?" Nita asks-slash-answers.

"The shapechange is the only one I really know, but, yeah. Made it way easier to handle those crabs, though using the SCA was a drag."
blitzcheer: (awww yeah babeyyy)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-07-11 04:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Aha, now that was an idea! And Tidus nods, looking at her, pointing a forefinger while holding the rock in the same hand,.

"You can thunder, and I'll water! And... if we wanna slash it, I can use Quick Hit! So we don't have to be near it!"

Get in and get out--better than either of them hanging around in case it decides to explode or anything not great for being in front of. His mind tries to run down the rest of the spells he knows, but considering his were more for slowing or disabling targets than really great for floating, inoffensive orbs--

"You got anything else you wanna try?" And then he blinks and remembers: "Oh right! You've got guns!"

He totally forgot!
callmegladio: (Default)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2020-07-11 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
Gladio gently squeezed that shoulder, his smile warming to a reassuring one.

"Hey, you'll be fine. Just stick close and nothing bad will happen." The promise came easily to Gladio. Because if history taught him anything, they were due for a whole mess soon enough. But he would do his best to stand in the way of that.
blitzcheer: (oh it's a dweeb)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-07-11 04:58 pm (UTC)(link)
'Made it easier to handle those crabs'.....


....


"...Did you eat them?"

Just. Staring at her with some strange wonder in his eyes. Is this real. Is this life.
callmegladio: (Default)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2020-07-11 05:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"Why they think building tunnels just high enough for them is a good idea?" Gladio joked, though he knew Nita was asking a serious question so he smiled.

"Honestly, diplomacy and politics aren't really my thing. Always left that stuff to Iggy... But you sure asking about their relationship with the other guys is a bright idea? If they don't like each other, could give them the wrong impression..." He thought for a moment.

"... Me? I'd offer to help first. Ask where we're needed. Show them we're here to be of use. Earn their trust. Then maybe they'll open up some."
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking right, holding a book. (I'm In The Book)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-07-11 05:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"... Mostly, I tried not to. I helped Najaran carry a bunch of them back to the train, though."

Nita sounds distracted, because she does NOT know how to feel about how Tidus is looking at her!!

"That's the only world I've been able to go whale on since I got here; if you want to see it for yourself you might have to wait?"

Or pester S'reee to share her memories. Or something.
adregem: (fishy.)

[personal profile] adregem 2020-07-11 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"A map would be useful so we don't damage the integrity of your tunnels."

He hums, one finger under his chin. That was more Terrans than he expected. They needed to move real fast. But something tugged at him from Buij's answer...he chooses to chase the feeling.

"Why do you think those specific five Terrans might have been absent during the collapse? Are you unable to contact them, now?"
unfavorableinstigation: Nita working with a Kernel (Wizardry Is Kid Stuff)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-07-11 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Efficiency? And reducing chances of causing a tunnel collapse, probably."

There was a reason the Mason's Word effect was temporary.

Nita shot Gladio a wry smile.

"Probably won't go any better than asking the Terrans about the Gry - but the Gry are the ones growing plants, so I can always start there instead."

Maybe see if they could get anything else growing before the Voidtreckers had to leave...
callmegladio: (Default)

[personal profile] callmegladio 2020-07-11 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
"Possibly." Maybe that was another reason that these two races were so at odds? It didn't seem like the Gry were very welcoming to anyone taller than themselves.

Gladio laughed. "Plants would be an easy topic. Get em talking about something they know and enjoy. They'll soon open up about everything else without you even trying." He flashed a wide smile. "Pretty sure everyone likes to gossip about the weirdo's next door." And he'd be surprised if these guys were any different.
enthunder: (dismissive ☇ this plan)

[personal profile] enthunder 2020-07-11 05:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Personal responsibility is a terrible thing, really. Both of his assumptions are correct, and she nods approval without much thinking about it when he hops down beside her.

"Hope your will's ready to investigate some weird shit," she murmurs, squinting out into the desert to where the orbs hang, glinting in the sunlight. "I don't have a weapon for you this time. Piccolo vaporised 'em all."
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking right, holding a book. (I'm In The Book)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-07-11 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
That remained to be seen, though Nita couldn't fault them for being shy if they were that short.

"Depends on how you define gossip, though..."

She glanced back up the tunnel again.

"I bet they'll have opinions about all those train tracks the Terrans have. And the factories."
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (i'll be holding you so near)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-11 05:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Losing the leg? Long story. Short version, rocket-ship-crash.
blitzcheer: (just ???? faces everywhere)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2020-07-11 05:29 pm (UTC)(link)
Tidus's face currently, in the form of internet expressions: o________o

"Sure." Which doesn't exactly let up at the offer, like Tidus doesn't know what to do with this new information in his life. May he tell someone that 'dude Nita turned into a whale and ate a bunch of crabs'? Possibly.

Right now, he's somewhere between amazed and stun. But he does have a few working brain cells for his brow to dip and to ask:

"Then, S'reee--can she turn human too? Is she stuck as a whale?"

One last question, promise. (Maybe.)
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking right, holding a book. (I'm In The Book)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-07-11 05:36 pm (UTC)(link)
But what about... this?

"She can, yeah. Haven't seen her do it here yet, though, but she can. As long as wizardry's working, she can pull it off."

At least it's a straightforward answer?