middleofsomewhere | Deep Dweller: Start

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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)

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It made sense to stick with the one person who was naturally emanating light. He did this on the train, he didn't even need to put any effort into it, did he? So Roland immediately approached Glorfindel, teaming up with the elf to help put some structure into their operations. Rescuing people was no small task, and they needed all the help they could get.

"What do you think about moving that section of debris, right over there? We need to ask if it's supporting another tunnel though." He points to the far right as he asks Glorfindel for advice, Terrans moving in coordination with able-bodied Purple team members.

"We could ask Kitty or Danny to scout it out to be sure," Glorfindel suggested. Coordinating attacks was saved on wasted time and effort, whether it was battle or rescue, and Glorfindel was a fan.

He closed his eyes for a brief moment. "Everyone on the other side is still alive," he reassured their allies.

Roland stares at Glorfindel, awe radiating in waves.

"That's so incredibly helpful, you have no idea." He smirks, confident they'll be able to get work done with someone as talented as the elf general giving unprecedented assistance. "I'll jump into the fray soon, so someone else can take a breather." He starts to roll up his sleeves as far as they can go, revealing his Arms Band glinting despite the dimmest level of light.

"Glorfindel...You can sense things pretty well with your intuition, right?" Roland asks nonchalantly. But when he glances back at him, there is a look in his eyes, a look Glorfindel might find familiar. "Other teams are dealing with monsters, after all."

Paranoid as he may be, he doesn't want to risk it. Not when civvies were around.

Glorfindel waved off the compliment. "It's an elf thing. We can hear the Song that everything gives off. Fingon, over there, for example, is using it to get the rocks to move out of the way as he's digging. He's much better at that than I am." Glorfindel hadn't worked with stone much since the founding of Imladris, focusing on the plants more.

He nodded at Roland's comment of jumping in. "Haven't seen that before, is it armor, like my hair bands?" he asked about the Arms Band.

"Well, yes. Ah," he thinks he knows what Roland is getting at. "All I can sense is us and the Terrans," he says quietly. But he would keep an eye out. He appreciated Roland's paranoia. He'd make a good Team Leader in Glorfindel's opinion.

"Let's hope the Song you hear helps us save the day till the end," Roland nods to him confidently, though he can't help but be afraid of the things that may come crawling into the darkness. He has kept his ears open for any updates from other Teams above-ground, and he hopes they can continue working in relative peace...They had a lot of Terrans left to save.

As for the Arms Band, he gives it a reassuring pat before materializing an intricate looking gun out of its hammerspace. "More a weapon than armor. It keeps all the skills I've learned, some items, and my arsenal of tools." He smirks, brandishing his weapon with expert ease.

He proceeds to move towards their latest effort to get to a couple of Terrans with a trapped exit from a bunch of dirt and rock, glancing back at Glorfindel, eyes sharp and on the lookout for anything suspicious. "Just let me know at any time if you feel like we have to prepare for something, okay? I know Terrans look like they can hold their ground but...I don't want to risk any more civilian casualties."

Glorfindel nodded. "This isn't my world, but the Song is similar," he said. "We'll rescue, and protect, because that is what we do."

"Plus, the SCAs being linked will help us keep an eye on the rest of our Team," Glorfindel added. Like he'd told Tidus earlier, though they may get different parts to the mission, and they may wear different colors, he personally felt like all the VoidTrekkers were one Team, honestly. "Looking over the old missions that Lightning and Tidus put together, I'm expecting a twist. Somewhere, somehow."

"Oh, that's handy," Glorfindel said. "Some of you," and by this he meant VoidTrekkers, "make me a little jealous. If I had an extra-dimensional space filled with arrows, do you know what kind of things I could do?" He grinned at Roland and shook his head.

"I'll keep an ear out to the stone and ask Fingon to do the same. So if another event like what caused this happens, hopefully we'll have some warning," he said firmly. "The Terrans are keeping us abreast of what happens in their caverns as well. We are very fortunate to have their trust."

"And that's that." Roland grins back. At the end of the day, the job was simple: save and rescue. Make sure the people get to live in peace. That followed Roland no matter what world he's in - home, Evermore, or here.

Before he jots off, Roland pats Glorfindel once on the arm with a glance back at his Arms Band. "Tell you what, when we get back to the train, let me see if I can't ask them for another Arms Band on the onboard shop. Worth a shot, right? Someone like you would put it to good use."

"That...would be most appreciated," Glorfindel said. He was very touched and honored that Roland would be able willing to spend his points like that. "I am happy to trade. Use my points to get you something, if you like?"

"Let's hope the train doesn't oppose it. The better armed our front liners are for missions, the better it is for everyone, wouldn't you say?" He shakes his head though, denying Glorfindel's offer immediately upon hearing it.

"No, it's okay. Save that favor for when we need it. Points get replenished, after all. A couple of extra chores won't hurt anyone."

"If it does, then we are no worse off than we are now," Glorfindel philosophised with a grin. "But I do agree. Having the right tools at the right time is extremely helpful. This is something the Council should be working on as well."

"The favor is yours," he said. "Whether or not you can get the Arms Band for me or not. We're friends, right?"

That takes Roland by surprise, only because he's unused to candid sentiment outside of Evan, and sometimes Tani or Lofty. He blinks at Glorfindel, with a light shining as bright as the sun, before smiling back in earnest, nodding without further hesitation.

"Right. Friends." He claps Glorfindel on the back once, in affection. "Thank you for your trust."

Glorfindel grinned back. "You don't need to thank me for what you clearly earned," he said. "You have some incredible people skills and are quite an excellent coordinator. We are quite lucky to have you here." In many ways, Roland reminded him of some of the Elves he worked with back home, the way he effortlessly stepped in where he saw a need and got things moving.

"Earned, huh?" Roland feels that he hasn't really done much, not yet as the work never truly ends, never really stops...But he shakes off that familiar feeling and continues to smile at Glorfindel. "That's mighty kind of you. I could say all of that and more right back at you. You wouldn't happen to be in the market for a new place to live, now would you? I know of a kingdom that would be really happy to have you on their team." He says that in earnest, though the delivery was light.

If circumstances were different, Roland could clearly see Evan asking Glorfindel to come join them in Evermore as a citizen.

That stopped Glorfindel in his tracks. He blinked a couple of times, thinking about it. "I-I'd have to ask the Valar," he finally said. "As I have certain obligations to them. But...the thing I was sent back to Middle Earth to do has been done. My people are at peace. And I strongly suspect that some of us might get a little bored, since our specialities are more martial than artistic." He looked at Roland, perfectly serious. "So...maybe?"

He felt honored that Roland offered him the opportunity, though. He'd been taking the opportunity to try several things while on the train, to find something he could embrace as his new career for the rest of eternity, but so far, nothing had inspired passion in him.

"Obligations to the Valar, huh? I'm guessing they're your big boss." He reads the context clues just right, piecing together what Glorfindel has told him in piecemeal since they first met on platform day. Though the story still has lapses for his complete understanding, all Roland needs to know is that Glorfindel seems to be a genuinely good person - elf - and he was born with a heart for service.

A smirk tugs at his lips again, just glad to know that while his suggestion was more of a quip than anything, if he did take it seriously, he would have the Chief Consul to back him up.

"I'm glad to hear peace has been achieved," he adds a little more seriously, his own world's fate uncertain to this day. "That's the best outcome for any leader, no matter how big or small their kingdom is. Heh. I'll convince you to take a trip down our side of the dimension one day. If we ever get off the Voidtrecker, that is. Maybe Evermore will give you the spice you're looking for." He chuckles.

"We can talk about it more after the mission. Maybe, if the Valar are willing, I may bring a friend or two along as well, if you don't mind?" Glorfindel was certain that, no matter how satisfying the peace, there were other elves who would start to yearn for a little adventure, as well.

"Though I am sorry you feel the need to recruit help, because that means your world is not at peace, correct?" he asked.

"The more the merrier, I say. I'm sure you keep good company. I trust you won't bring in elves who're afraid of a little elbow grease?" Because hey, while the citizenship in his kingdom is technically an easy affair, they are smaller than other nations. There's still a lot of work to be done, and everyone has to pitch in! But Roland has a feeling this won't deter Glorfindel, or anyone else he associates himself with. There's an easy sort of faith he grants to Glorfindel, and it's a feeling Roland doesn't try to hide or fight.

"...Well, it's getting there. Maybe with a little extra help, we'll finally be able to give Evan a kingdom where everyone can live happily ever after." That wasn't a lie. With almost all the major nations signed under their Declaration of Interdependence, the rest of the world didn't seem as daunting. But his own world, the one where he was taken from -

- no, Glorfindel didn't need to know the sorry state of affairs in his actual birthplace.

Edited 2020-07-30 06:06 (UTC)

Glorfindel shook his head with a grin. "I've never met an elf afraid of a little elbow grease. Even the bards help out with the planting and the dishes when needed."

"What sort of things are still needed," he asked, curious. If he knew what help to focus on, provided he got permission, of course, he could make sure to cover any openings.

[I do not think an analog of OUR world is ready for elves, no.]

"Whatever talents you can offer are welcome in Evermore. We've got it all, from miners, to hunters in guilds, blacksmiths, and people good at magic. We even have a Symphosium for theatre and music, so your bards have a place to perform." He's happy talking about the kingdom he and Evan built from scratch, and it's these moments when he feels the most peaceful; the most like himself.

He rests his hand easy against his hip. "Or...do what you feel like would be best. The benefit of a budding kingdom is we get to decide what work needs to be done according to the citizens."

"That is definitely a plus. What are the drawbacks? Was there recent war? Plague? Years of drought?" It sounded like the new kingdom was doing it right, why weren't they thriving?

"Well, it's...ambitious." He looks out, seeing work being carried out but his mind takes him somewhere far, far away. "Evan's kingdom is new, not even a year old. And Evermore exists to be a kingdom that can unite other warring lands under their banner. It's a kingdom where everyone can live happily ever after."

The fondness in his voice is evident. Once upon a time, he would have dismissed such a childish notion. But Evan did it. He's so close to it, to the beginning of a dream come true. How could he doubt it then, no matter how ideal, when he was there, helping build Evermore from the ground up? "It's a kingdom ripe with possibilities. A bright future. Our only hope is that everyone can work hard under its banner to make sure none of that will ever happen under Evan's rule."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Deep Dweller: Start

Purple Mission

Glorfindel totally suggested you for Team Lead to Sarai, btw.

Awww, Glorfinbuddy! B-but his black wristband :c

Glorfindel is also going to get Team Lead, Sarai took him too. But he intends to bribe the spooder.

Ahahahha man did this warning turn out to be way too true XD

It's like you read ahead in the story ;)

sorry we turned you into a human flashlight meat shield, glor

That's an ELVEN flashlight meat shield, thank you! ;)

ahahaha he stands corrected! the best elven flashlight meat shield this side of the kingdom of men!!

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Oh, what a can of worms you just opened....

Roland canonically steals people to join their team, SORRY BOUT THAT GLOR BUDDY xD

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