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: (questions)

[personal profile] magicurls 2020-07-10 11:50 am (UTC)(link)
"Right."

Mami answers by waving her hand, the ring on her finger transforming into a small yellow egg shape she catches in her hand. It glows softly too.

And that's when she's able to see the Gry watching them.

"Oh, hello. I'm sorry, did we wake you?"
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."
voidtreckernpcs: (gry)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2020-07-10 04:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"I was already awake. Do you usually sleep with such light." She squinted at them both through the glow and tilted her head at the offer. She didn't look convinced and indeed instead of a hand it was one of her antennae that reached down to poke the glowing light.

"Is it alien tech?" She doesn't sound sure whether she is fascinated or disapproving.
magicurls: (magic flower)

[personal profile] magicurls 2020-07-10 09:28 pm (UTC)(link)
"We can't sleep," Mami admitted, cradling her little ball in her hands.

"In my case it's...magic. I gained this power when I made a wish to keep living...in return, I have to protect others. That's why I'm here."
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking right, holding a book. (I'm In The Book)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-07-11 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
"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.
voidtreckernpcs: (gry)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2020-07-11 07:08 am (UTC)(link)
"This is normal for your people? To gain magic to protect others?" She sounds pretty interested, her antenna drawing back in return for her drawing closer, bringing her blanket with her as she skittered forwards, her hand reaching out towards Nita's light. After all it was Nita who had offered to allow her to hold it.
magicurls: (tea time)

[personal profile] magicurls 2020-07-11 04:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"...not normal in the sense that everyone does it. It's rare, but it's not unheard of."

Mami takes a deep breath, watching their new friend curiously.

"The group we're with seems to have specifically called out to people like us. Experienced protectors, whether they have magic or not."
unfavorableinstigation: Nita working with a Kernel (Wizardry Is Kid Stuff)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-07-11 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"Same for where I'm from."

So many worlds seemed to have it in common, but not many of them played by the same rules.

"Sometimes we were even brought in from the same world; not everyone's that lucky, though."

Small talk, as the light gets poked. It doesn't jump or anything, and Nita smiles at the Gry's curiosity.
voidtreckernpcs: (gry)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2020-07-12 11:06 am (UTC)(link)
"Experienced protectors..."

She nodded, cupping small fingers around the light as she grew in confidence. "Are you here to protect us?"

She sounds almost suspicious. If they were here to protect, then what were they protecting them from?
magicurls: (Default)

[personal profile] magicurls 2020-07-12 11:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"...if there's danger coming, yes."

Mami sighs. "We actually don't know much about what's happening. We were just asked to help. We know something happened a few days ago on the surface, and something else strange has started...but that's about it."
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking right, holding a book. (I'm In The Book)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-07-13 12:21 am (UTC)(link)
"We don't always protect - we have more skills than just that," Nita points out.

But there's more going on in this conversation, and so Nita adds, "But we don't intend on letting things just happen to people; if we can, we want to make sure all of the Gry get to protect and stand up for themselves."

Big thoughts for middle-of-the-night talk, perhaps.

"And learning about the lives here, and the Burrower... that's a big part in that."
voidtreckernpcs: (gry)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2020-07-13 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
She nodded, a small frown on her face. But accepting their words. When Nita mentions the Burrower she makes a gesture with her hand, just a small one. One that seems ritualistic more than having meaning in his conversation.

"We are plenty capable of standing up for ourselves. Just because we don't fight doesn't mean we can't. Not much would be able to best a Gry spear."

Said with the fervour of youth.
Edited 2020-07-13 04:39 (UTC)
magicurls: (Default)

[personal profile] magicurls 2020-07-13 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm sure you're all quite strong," Mami said kindly. "We don't know exactly why we're here yet, but...we'll do our best to help, okay?"
unfavorableinstigation: Nita working with a Kernel (Wizardry Is Kid Stuff)

Hmm. Wrapping this one, maybe?

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2020-07-13 02:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Nita looks briefly curious about the Gry's hand-gesture, but if she's not looking to volunteer the information then learning more can wait until tomorrow.

"Exactly," she says.

"But for now... is there anything else you want to talk about? That will make getting back to sleep easier, I mean."
voidtreckernpcs: (gry)

can fade into story time if you want

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2020-07-14 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
She seemed mollified by that and draws her hand back from the globe as she is reminded that she's meant to be sleeping right now.

She drew her blankets up, though she remained close to the two girls. It was easier to be brave in the dead of night when close to others who were also awake.

"You should tell me about your home caverns." Wait, her eyes flickered to the light in their hands. "Do you even live in caverns?" Some aliens didn't.
magicurls: (Default)

/wrap

[personal profile] magicurls 2020-08-25 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
"They're...bigger than caverns. Wider, so big you might get lost looking at the sky...but in a way we built so much around ourselves, it's not really that free....but it's home...."

Talk of home was hard. Painful, even. But she did so with a gentle sigh, hoping it would calm her back to a dream.