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)
irrationally: (who tonight will change your life)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-13 08:33 am (UTC)(link)
[ Going by Alice's silence to the first part, that probably is a no. For now, anyway. She's gone with little food before, so she can wait with eating until she feels like she really needs it. ]

I've mostly been breaking boulders to get them out of the way. [ Is she aware that sounds weird when she pretty much has sticks for arms? She doesn't bother to clarify, at least. ] I wouldn't exactly call it my favourite activity. But it's better than dealing with people.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (i'll be holding you so near)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-13 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Not a people person, huh?

[ There was a hint of that back during the party, but now it's confirmed. ]

But you must pack one heck of a punch to get boulders out of your way!
irrationally: (when you go to bed)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-13 08:44 pm (UTC)(link)
Quite the opposite.

[ So yes, that's most certainly confirmed. Though Della's next words make Alice hold out a hand in the air next to her, making something appear in it that seems very much like a metal hobby horse. ]

I had some help. [ Of her weapon, of course. Not actual people help! Please, that'd involve talking to people while working, no thanks! ] It's so much better than attempting to carry those things somewhere else.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (we'll just glide starry-eyed)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-14 12:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Della whistles, impressed! ]

Now that's a really cool weapon! What do you call that baby?
irrationally: (who tonight will change your life)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-14 04:38 pm (UTC)(link)
The Hobby Horse. [ A very creative name, right. To be fair to Alice though, she didn't make it up herself!

.. Or maybe she did, considering everything in Wonderland kind of came from her own mind. But still.. ]


It's not really about its name as much as it's about what it can do though. It's handled much worse things than the rubble here.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (Default)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-15 10:29 am (UTC)(link)
Oh? Sounds like you've got some interesting stories to share.

[ Ones she'd like to hear! ]
irrationally: (be the last one)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-16 01:49 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Alice shrugs, the weapon vanishing into thin air as she lets her arms hang back by her side once more. ]

I'm not so sure about interesting. [ No one back home ever seemed interested in her stories in the slightest, after all. They only got annoyed. ] But they are most odd, I suppose.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (if you could use)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-16 08:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Those are even better!

C'mon, we'll swap tales. I bet we can out-weird each other!
irrationally: (there's a porpoise close behind us)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-18 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Out.. weird.

[ She slowly repeats the word. Like she's trying it out. But as she glances around and sees everyone is resting anyway, she figures it can't hurt..

Though she's going to make sure to not tell Della any embarrassing stories. She's witnessed what the other could do back at the party, Alice sure isn't going to give her any ammunition! ]


Well, I suppose what people may find the oddest about my life is that I have been to a place called Wonderland. No one back home believed me when I told them about it. Everything there is much stranger than in England. Even much stranger than anything on the train.

[ Like Della being a talking duck? Totally normal to Alice. ]
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (we'll just glide starry-eyed)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-19 12:21 pm (UTC)(link)
[ yay story time :3 ]

So what was Wonderland like? Live up to the name, or was it one of those ironic names and it was actually terrible?
irrationally: (with eyes of stone she walks alone)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-20 09:23 am (UTC)(link)
That depends on when we are talking about.

[ Because it did get pretty awful. ]

When I first visited as a child it was rather wonderous. There was a talking caterpillar, a tea party that never ended.. even a caucus race. I didn't understand most of it since the beings there enjoyed speaking in riddles far too much, but that just added to the wonder.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (i'll be holding you so near)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-21 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
That does sound like a lot of fun... but what happened when you grew up? A bad case of nostalgia filter?
irrationally: (we ripped it in two)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-21 11:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ She pauses. Hesitates. There are some things that she doesn't mind talking about, but there's more personal and painful things that she'd rather sweep under the carpet and hope no one ever finds.

So she needs a moment to think of what she doesn't mind sharing. ]


Everything became.. different.

[ See, talking about the change in Wonderland isn't that bad. She just has to make sure to not mention why it happened. ]

More violent and twisted.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (i'll be holding you so near)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-21 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Della oh so desperately wants to know the details, but all that pausing probably means Nothing Good. So she struggles to restrain herself. ]

That... uh, sucks. Sorry.

[ maybe her own story will ease things. ]

I've been around the world myself, and on the moon, through time...
irrationally: (a little more now i'm awake)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-21 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Alice is quiet for a moment. Apparently the idea of someone spending time on the moon isn't that odd to her..?

But at the very least it gives her a good opportunity to deflect attention away from herself and the awkward things she doesn't want to talk about. ]


What is your favourite place out of all the places you visited?
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (let's fly let's fly away)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-22 05:48 pm (UTC)(link)
Currently? The Arctic! Me and my son busted into this top-secret place full of emergency seeds in case the world ended and accidentally grew a huge money-tree.

It's there I learned how much of an amazing kid Dewey is and how much he cares about me!

[ Adventure is great and all, but learning more about her kids and bonding with them? SO BETTER!!! ]
irrationally: (now the past is gone)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-23 08:58 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Ruh-roh, family talk! At least it does make Della seem like a better person for apparently caring so much about one of her children, but geez, is family ever an awkward topic for Alice ever since she lost her own. So she's going to make sure to not make that the focal point of the conversation here. ]

Is a money-tree quite literally what the name implies? A tree that grows money rather than fruit?
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (Default)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-24 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
[ If she noties Alice's discomfort, she doesn't say anything about it - but it's just as easy to assume she didn't see it at all. ]

Yep! With dollar bills instead of leaves. Whole thing was so huge, it kinda sorta destroyed the building itself.
irrationally: (be the last one)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-25 09:22 pm (UTC)(link)
That almost sounds metaphorical.

[ .. if you're as cynical as Alice is, anyway. ]

The greed of man destroying everything in its path.
sos_pilot: (there's a bar in far bombay)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-26 10:49 am (UTC)(link)
Well, the professor behind it was kinda known for not thinking his projects 100% through.

And it probably wouldn't have happened if me and my boy were a little less... well, like that, too.
irrationally: (if i was to give in)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-27 01:58 pm (UTC)(link)
You do understand that that last part isn't exactly reassuring to hear when we share a living space most of the time, right?

[ Sure, they aren't on the train right now. Della can go wild in this weird city, not like they'll ever return here, probably! But if anything not thought well through happened on the train, they might all have to live with the consequences.

Which would just be a pain. ]
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (some exotic booze)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-27 08:01 pm (UTC)(link)
[ She winces, but she has to admit that was deserved. ]

I know, and I'm trying to do better, honest. But... if you feel a good need to smack me upside the head after doing a big Dumb-Dumb, don't hesitate, okay?
irrationally: (but come and join the dance)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-27 09:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ At least Della's reaction is pretty good. Alice admires it when people can actually own up to past mistakes, or bad character traits. A whole lot of people out there don't even bother. ]

I trust you to be better if you say you're trying.

[ .. well, mostly, anyway. Alice's full trust doesn't come easily. ]

Besides, I'm fairly sure you don't want me to be the one to smack you.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (we'll just glide starry-eyed)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2020-07-27 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Why? Because it'll hurt extra hard?

[ Not said in a doubtful way, but amused. The smack is supposed to hurt, after all. ]
irrationally: (when you go to bed)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-07-28 04:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Yes. [ She answers easily. If it wasn't for the fact that she says it while not looking too pleased, it'd almost be easy to assume she was bragging or something.. ]

A little too hard, most likely. I'm not exactly someone who's good at being gentle.

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