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

[wyvernmaster]

"My mask...?" He knew what she was asking, but phrased his words as a question regardless. Gerome was aware that his mask was something that tended to cause confusion with people. Sometimes it bothered him. Sometimes not.

"... By masking my face, I can prevent the enemy from reading my emotions."

[blitzcheer]

"Well... ... ...should we keep poking it?" He knows, he knows, after all that fuss, but. "We did come here to investigate it."

So, isn't that the thing to do here? Especially if Taiki didn't want to do anything too violent. Did sticking their fingers in and trying to knead it like dough count as violent?

[sos_pilot]

"Oooh." That made a certain amount of sense. "We're not among enemies... but then again, they could spring out anywhere, so you'd have a step up! Good thinking!"

Have a few heart back-slaps, kiddo!

[goingthroughaphase]

Investigating can be more difficult than one might assume, depending on how cooperative people were. Not to mention any kind of unexpected events along the way.

Deciding is might be better not to mention that though, instead she smiled. "Well, good luck all the same. Hopefully it'll go pretty smoothly."

[goingthroughaphase]

She definitely could tell he was nervous, but decides not to comment on it for now. "I've found it's been pretty useful so far," she replies instead with a grin.

[alchemists]

Finding a microwave or other device that could emit different waves might be a bit hard to find given the state of the labs, but it wouldn't hurt to search.

"I would love to take one of these back and do more tests."

[thebiggestguy]

Dread judged his moment, then, as the stuff above it began to tumble, twisted on his heel to slam one foot into the falling debris. It, too, shifted off to the left, and as something of an avalanche rolled down the crumbled face of the former building, the inside now stood exposed.

[iamnotgod]

"Assuming that doesn't make us as much a target as the other five labs were," Webmind points out.

"Then that would be ideal, yes. ... Perhaps I can try retrieving part of an orb? Using tools, of course."

Because even though his body is (presumably) more robust than Elfnein's, direct exposure still seems unwise!

[happyends]

She shakes her head.

Although.. surprisingly, it's not to totally deny that she can do this for once. Madoka is trying to be a little more positive. But still..

"I can do it since everyone else is here with me. Like Maru, of course.. and you too, Mami-san. Just you being here with me gives me strength."

If not just because it reminds her of the fact that she really wants to try and do better by the older girl this time. Which means she's got to tackle this situation they're dealing with with all she's got, just so the burden doesn't all fall on Mami's shoulders.

[thebiggestguy]

[Yeah, he had a hunch. He comes over to stand outside it, almost leaning on the rubble out of reflex before he remembers that's not a good idea.]

[everylittlesecret]

"Really? So they're like a wildcard team? Seems too messy for a long term thing... but also fun."

One day she'll feel like she fits in with her team. Having someone else she knows in a team with her is helping with that to a degree. "What about you? Always happy to be on team orange?"

[iamnotgod]

"Most people do seem to appreciate fun," Webmind comments, a touch wry but mostly just stating things as he sees them.

"But, to answer your question - given I have not been on this train for more than a single completed mission, I cannot give a full response, but I was relieved to be of use during the mission I have participated in."

'Always' was debatable. As was 'happy', depending upon who you asked.

[soldier_blade]

"We are the contingency plans," She said, her attention fully on her. "The Lin Kuei and Shirai Ryu are both strong in Earthrealm's defense, but their numbers are still small compared to those in Special Forces, and thus far you and Johnny were the only ones capable of defeating Shinnok." Well, there was the Elder Subzero, if the stories were true, but he wasn't exactly an ally now. "He might not like that we don't obey him in all things, but I think he found it a small price to pay."

Frustrating to be sure, but if there was one thing she was good at, it was compartmentalizing.

"The only good thing that came from all of this was," She forced something of a smile. "You and Johnny finally strong arming me into getting counseling."

And given how infamous her mother was for being stubborn, Cassie should well imagine how that was like.

[nutkrusher]

Cassie sighs. "Aren't we always?"

Her expression softens a little as she hears her describe the help she's receiving.

"That's good. That's really good, actually."

Then, a long pause.

"How are they taking care of you here? Have you been getting checked up?"

She supposes that counting on there being a psychotherapist on this train might be too much to hope for.

[pleple]

It's Ple Two trying to be comfortable with her feelings. All the progress she's made doesn't mean it's just improved in a straight line, after all.

But laying next to Madoka... sounds nice. "Sleep is essential. So... let's do that."

Wrap?

[only_one_wei]

"Sounds good!" He looked ahead to where Lan Zhan was walking. "I'm going to go catch up with him, because, no offense, but he's more my type, being my husband and all. But let me know what you decide, if I can help!" With that, he literally skipped off.

Wrap?

[only_one_wei]

"Well, hopefully we won't run into any on the train. Or on a mission," Wei Wuxian said. "Good luck on this one though. It was nice to talk to you."

[only_one_wei]

Close enough, one doesn't chide children you don't know on pronunciation, it may be a speech impediment, and then you've gone and made the child self-conscious and possibly sad!

"It is an honor to meet you, Alice Liddell," Wei Wuxian said. "And I meant what I said. If something scares you, you can call me on the SCA. I am very familiar with scary things. I might be able to help. Or, if you have a question. I love answering questions too." He grinned at her.

[only_one_wei]

"When they sealed it, it was part of a larger problem, so it was likely the fastest and easiest way to deal with it. When we killed it, it had our undivided attention." Wei Wuxian grinned at him. "Being trapped in the cave with it, there were not a lot of other entertainment options."

[only_one_wei]

Wei Wuxian frowned in confusion. "How can cards be a distraction? Are you going to do some sleight of hand to confuse them?"

Wrap?

[only_one_wei]

Wei Wuxian nodded. That made sense. He knew that Lan Zhan could use his Golden Core to speed up another's, usually his, healing, but his wasn't strong enough in this body, yet.

"Thank you," he told Tidus. "I really appreciate you taking the time to fill me in, and to share your potions. It bodes well for the future."

[only_one_wei]

Wei Wuxian tilted his head to the side. "While I have had to deal with some real evil people, I have found that they are the easiest. You understand their motivation, you know what you need to do to neutralize them. With people who are motivated by other things, like greed or self-interest, or because they just don't see someone else's life as important as theirs...sometimes they need the harder lesson."

Re: Trowa Barton | Blue Team | OTA

[only_one_wei]

Wei Wuxian bowed at the introduction. "How long have you been here? You give off the air of someone with some experience." Considering how young he was doing night-hunts, Trowa's age did not bother him in that regard.

[only_one_wei]

"Wen Qing is more qualified than a lot of people," Wei Wuxian said with a nod. "But I meant that you follow the same path of healing over fighting. Except verbally. Don't get into a verbal fight with her, she doesn't pull punches."

"Yes," he said, as the pieces click in his brain. "Okay, she's the spider seamstress. And she's one of the train's leaders, moving people around to cover gaps in skills?"

[only_one_wei]

"I'm usually nice and warm at night." Wei Wuxian said smugly. "Well, recently that changes when I get teleported back to my own bed in the middle of the night." He looked downright grumpy at that.

"Unfortunately my aura isn't as manly as yours," he said, going back to smiling again. "If there was a Mister Train contest, I might not even come in third." Because Lan Zhan would totally win, in his opinion.