voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2020-11-13 04:28 am
Entry tags:

Not with a Bang Start and Ongoing

"Good Morning passengers. Today is day seven of the month of Imagination." The voice echoes through the train as passengers wake up in their beds. Not long afterwards their SCA’s glow with the colour of the void and a holographic image will appear.

Preperation

They have about an hour to prepare, a little less than usual but perhaps expected, given the urgency of the task.

The cupboards in the dressing room are open to reveal rows of tents, in all four team colours as well as some basic camp cooking equipment. They are in bags that should be easy enough to carry.

"Shortly arriving on System #6416. All passengers get ready to disembark. Next stop world 6416. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." The train rocks and lurches, bright colours of the void filling the space and then fading as they fly downwards towards a very green landscape.

Arrival and Initial Task

The train lands in a clearing, curving round in an attempt to fit. Once everyone who wishes to disembark has done it flies back into the air, vanishing from sight.

The air is heavy and humid, though it is not currently raining. The clearing is open to the sky and looking up will reveal a worrying sight. The sky is an angry red colour, colours shifting as if the clouds themselves were on fire. It's an unnerving sight.

Their SCA's show three points, one Orange, One purple and one that is half blue and half red. The three control centres. Each are a few hours treck through the jungle and it certainly feels like there is no time to waste.

Those that don't want to treck through the forest can start setting up camp, though the darkening sky might be a little distracting. As time goes on flecks of fire drift down, though they extinguish before hitting the forest floor.

Orange are to travel to the north, Purple to the south and Blue and Red must travel together to the west. Each route takes them through thick and unrelenting jungle. Flying is difficult here unless you can get up past the canopy layer, which means vision of the ground is severely hampered.

The control stations themselves are half buried in vines and require cutting into. If voidtreckers are unlucky they will meet their first security robots here, firing on the intruders. They might even meet their first giant Armadillos, the creatures are curious and may wish to investigate. They are not helpful or constructive to trying to power up the stations and prevent the destruction of the planet.

The control stations are simple enough to operate, but there's quite a lot that needs to be done in way of repairs and clearing. It will take a team effort to get it in working enough order to activate the shield.

The shield itself, when it is activated, is mostly invisible but there is a loud humming sound. The meteor, which has gotten more visible throughout the five hours, hits the shield and splinters, fire enveloping the whole sky. It is visibly terrifying, but no fire falls to earth, no rocks get through, the planet is safe.

Ongoing

Once the planet is safe the voidtreckers deserve a rest. But once the next morning dawns it is time to start with their next tasks, to make sure that this planet stays safe from future threats.

Red

The robots at the control stations are not the only malfunctioning security robots around. They roam the jungle, or are more often stranded in the jungle, powering up only when faced with a new threat.

Some are benign, terraforming machines whose only crime is using up precious power. These need to be dismantled so that power can be saved for the shield system. Others are security robots that will attack the intruders to the planet.

Though the machines are scattered they are often obvious, emitting warning alarms or flashing lights. Their SCA's will show some areas where there are larger clusters but machines can be found anywhere.

Purple

Their SCA's are filled with hundreds of purple dots, each a solar stations that needs cleared and brought back online. It's not the most glamourous job, the stations are deep in the jungle, the treck is difficult and most of the work needed is weed clearing.

But once the weeds have been cut away they will need to patch up the station, doing basic maintenance to get it back online. In some cases wires need to be patched back together but it shouldn't take any great feats of engineering to get the stations up and running.

They may run into some of the security automatons, needing to fight their way into the stations before they can begin the clean up operations.

Orange

Like the red team their SCA will show areas where there are clusters of the small insectoid automatons that need to be rescued and restored. However they can be found anywhere throughout the jungle, they are not too suited for the terrain outside of the stations and so they have gotten tangled in vines. They can be found powered down, stranded and in dire need of maintenance.

Tools and spare parts can be found in many of the solar stations that purple team have been locating. Actually repairing the robots takes some engineering knowledge but once they are restored they will go about their tasks in the stations. They will need help getting to the further flung stations as well as the main control centres.

They are very basic in design and follow pre programmed instructions rather than being able to hear and listen to orders. But once in the correct place they are very effective at their job.

Blue

Once the shield is up there is a faint humming that can be heard throughout the jungle if they listen closely and find it among the sound of rain and insects. But once they hear it, it is obvious where it is louder and more prominent.

Their SCA will pin point some of the larger control boxes but there are truthfully too many to show on a map. Not all of them have attracted Violet Pandas, but many of them have.

They are curious creatures, both of the power boxes and the voidtreckers. They are protective of each other but not so much of territory and therefore it is not difficult to move them on. Keeping them away is another matter, the power humming is interesting and they will unearth wires and chew through them. It doesn't seem to do them much harm, there is clearly safety stops in the system for such eventualities. It does however cut power off to entire solar stations and require a lot of patch work.

Good luck voidtreckers!
irrationally: (reverberating through my dreams)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-11-22 08:36 am (UTC)(link)
As if that example of an act of kindness doesn't make it obvious that Xingchen is just way too kind for this world. Or his world. Or any world out there. Who would go so far to give up their sight for another person? That's not just a small sacrifice - it's something you have to live with for the rest of your life.

But she doesn't say anything about it. Instead Alice stares at the ground for a few moments, trying to process all of this, before looking back at him.

"Right." The mission. "You should be careful out there. The location that was being described to us didn't sound like a place very accomodating to blind people."

You know, considering the sheer amount of things one could either trip over or bump into in the jungle..
lanxichen: (Soft look)

[personal profile] lanxichen 2020-11-22 08:46 am (UTC)(link)
Xichen's face softens.

"Talismans are imbued with the energy of the person who makes them, and they can be activated or left active for a long time. They can do different things - many can be used for attacking, or lighting a fire, but most often they are used for protection, to keep things away, or out, of an area.

"Where I come from, they are often used to ward houses against ghosts, but I think they can be modified to keep the curious animals away."

Beat.

"... perhaps at least until we can build a fence of some sort." He is so used to dealing with the supernatural creatures that it takes him explaining to realize there are, in fact, simpler solutions.
happyends: (i want to see you smile with power)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-11-22 08:56 am (UTC)(link)
Okay!

[ There are times where she may prod a little more at a statement like that to make sure it's really alright with the other person, but Tidus has never given her reason to. It doesn't seem like he's ever tried to hide his pain from her like way too many people on the train do.

So she politely bows a bit to him. ]


Please take it easy until you feel a little better. We'll take care of the pandas, and then I'll make sure to bring her back to you when it's done! [ Upright again, Madoka giggles. ] You're working hard as always, Tidus!
happyends: (lies in the palm)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-11-22 08:58 am (UTC)(link)
"I think it's a little bit further.."

Granted, 'a little bit' is still pretty vague, huh. But it's not like Madoka knows how else to express distance in the jungle! It's not like there are actual roads or anything.

"Yoite-san, you're pretty strong though! I don't think just anyone would be able to carry a panda on their head like that, let alone balance it all this way!"
lanxichen: (Surprised)

[personal profile] lanxichen 2020-11-22 09:00 am (UTC)(link)
"Maiden!" Xichen was a cultivator. He could move fast and bear the weight of the tent...

.... but he was far from familiar enough with the tents to know where to support so he could prevent the collapse entirely. So he had to lift the whole thing up after the fact and put it aside. Lan arm strength was like that. Then he crouched next to her.

"Are you hurt?"
lanxichen: (Consider)

[personal profile] lanxichen 2020-11-22 09:02 am (UTC)(link)
"They are small pieces of paper with spells written on them and imbued with energy, which can then be used to perform the respective action. Often used for warding areas against the entry of certain things. They might need a little modification for live animals, but it should be possible."

Fences are not something he thinks of normally, magical barriers are more his speed.
lanxichen: (Consider)

[personal profile] lanxichen 2020-11-22 09:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Would those runes be something in writing imbued with energy, such as spiritual energy, to perform an action? Then that would be much akin to the talismans." Wangji said that young master Wei has paper for talismans, so he can demonstrate later, he thinks.

"We would still need to clear them a little bit first, however, yes." He does appreciate her efforts.
lanxichen: (Surprised)

[personal profile] lanxichen 2020-11-22 09:09 am (UTC)(link)
Xichen paused, then blinked slightly.

"... a fence might be more sustainable, once the train leaves..."

Meanwhile, magical barriers really were his speed. He looked up.

"We could combine both. A fence, and talismans to prevent them from dropping in on the fenced-out areas from trees."
lanxichen: (Consider)

[personal profile] lanxichen 2020-11-22 09:11 am (UTC)(link)
Please, violence was likely to not be very permanent, either.

"I have a brush and ink from home. We could attempt that, too."

Wangji had said that young master Wei had paper for talismans, but this was, in fact, a rather good suggestion.
flatteries: (a token for the pain)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-11-22 09:17 am (UTC)(link)
[ DARNIT, NITA.

Why can't you just let him distract you so he can sneak out when you forgot why you stopped him in the first place, huh? That was the ideal plan here! ]


C-Can't we just keep it to looking forward to it for now? [ Inigo is aware of how dumb and desperate this sounds, that it's a flimsy excuse, but what else is he supposed to do? ] I think I really have to head out there right now.
irrationally: (i don't even have a song)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-11-22 09:19 am (UTC)(link)
A pipe sounds like a fairly good option to me.

[ It's simple, sure, but you don't need complexity with these kinds of weapons, no matter how elaborate her own weapon works. Speaking of said weapon, she slings the hobby horse casually over her shoulder as she thinks. ]

Anything that's heavy and would allow you to hit hard would work, I think. These robots are made out of metal anyway, so sharp weapons take a whole lot more work with these things.
nocawsforconcern: (pic#12577315)

[personal profile] nocawsforconcern 2020-11-22 09:21 am (UTC)(link)
[Dizzy.

Aw hell.

Enna squints for a moment, then holds up her finger.]


Look at this?
nocawsforconcern: (pic#12577330)

[personal profile] nocawsforconcern 2020-11-22 09:22 am (UTC)(link)
We can do both at the same time! How does a sword bubble? Hey, can I see it? Can I try to use it? I don't like swords but this one looks really weird!
nocawsforconcern: (pic#14159120)

[personal profile] nocawsforconcern 2020-11-22 09:24 am (UTC)(link)
I can't do anything inside, though. It's full of weird buzzy and zappy stuff.

[Electricity, Enna. It's full of electrical equipment.]
nocawsforconcern: (pic#14159121)

[personal profile] nocawsforconcern 2020-11-22 09:25 am (UTC)(link)
Huh? No we wouldn't have. You'd have been fine!

[Enna finally stops, and sits up.

And hefts a panda over her head.]
nutkrusher: (Let's Get Down to Business)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-11-22 09:27 am (UTC)(link)
"A teacher," Cassie says. "I've learned martial arts from a few different people. He was one of my later ones. He's learned to see without his eyes, listen to what his sword is telling him, that sort of thing."

The sound of setting up the tent doesn't cease as she continues talking. Xingchen should be able to tell that the tent is coming up quick.
nutkrusher: (Sticks Out)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2020-11-22 09:28 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm already Team Quartermaster," Cassie says. "But I can hold two titles at once."
flatteries: (there's no logic in your sadness)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-11-22 09:28 am (UTC)(link)
Della.. thank you.

[ There's that momentary pause in the middle since he's touched! It means a lot to him to see her take it so seriously, okay. ]

Should we see if we can do anything about that hole for now then? You know.. just to make sure it doesn't get bigger or otherwise worse during the mission!
flatteries: (on the noose around your neck)

[personal profile] flatteries 2020-11-22 09:44 am (UTC)(link)
[ Sweet Naga, this is too much happening at once, especially while Inigo is still kind of dazed. His brain is having a hard time processing even one question right now, let alone the entire word waterfall that Tidus is sending his way. He's just blearily blinking at Tidus..

And then there's Senku's voice. It feels even more distant now. Inigo is quiet, trying to figure out what he's hearing and what he should say. And so it's probably not until Tidus is already replying to Senku that Inigo slowly says: ]


He wants to make sure I'm okay..?

[ Of course that's the one thing Inigo's dumb sappy brain latches onto in the middle of this. ]
irrationally: (i don't even have a song)

[personal profile] irrationally 2020-11-22 09:50 am (UTC)(link)
"It would be better. But often that's not how the world works." And boy, does Alice have a lot of experience with 'things that should be better, yet aren't.' It's why the idea of robots trying to stop them in their mission of quite literally protecting this planet is nothing new to her.

But rather than lingering on that thought, the girl's gaze instead shifts over to Willow. It takes her a moment or two, but then she seems to realise the other is giving her a slightly odd look..

".. Is something wrong?"
longforgottenpromise: (listening)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-11-22 09:50 am (UTC)(link)
[A dragon destroyed his land?

Taiki had known that something had happened, something to bring the sadness into Inigo's eyes whenever they spoke about their homes. But he had not thought of something so...

He let go of Inigo's hand, but only so he could wrap his arm around him.]


I'm sorry Inigo... That's terrible...
happyends: (so it's now or never more)

[personal profile] happyends 2020-11-22 09:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Hmm! I think the message said that the animals should be close to the stations."

And while she's not too sure how that's going work out when they're actually on the ground, it does sound like the teams will be a lot closer to each other than they usually are for this mission..

"So if dealing with the pandas is too hard, you can always help out the other teams! I know the blue team is small, and that we can always use extra help, but.. um, I know I'll be working extra hard to make up for it anyway, so please don't worry about that!" Look at this tiny 14 year old. She is DETERMINED.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-11-22 09:55 am (UTC)(link)
"I'd be happy to help in any way you need." He told him with another nervous smile.

"Sticking together is the best advice I think... um... Things can change quite quickly so people who go off on their own... they often get hurt."

He remembered Lightning coming back from scouting after that first night in the desert, when none of them had known the orbs would turn into creatures. She had been alright luckily, but it could have been much worse.
longforgottenpromise: (contemplation)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-11-22 10:01 am (UTC)(link)
"I know Seto but not Quatre..." He doesn't think. It takes him a moment to place the name, he has seen him around but they've never spoken.

Not a surprise, there's a lot of people on the train after all.

"Seto is on... orange team right?"

Red team didn't have many people who knew a lot about science, so hopefully it wouldn't be too complicated. Luckily they had the SCA's.
longforgottenpromise: (confused)

[personal profile] longforgottenpromise 2020-11-22 10:06 am (UTC)(link)
"It would be..." But it didn't look like they were, one of them had less poles to connect but...

"I guess one if for the front part... That's probably the shorter one."

With the two larger poles holding up the bulk of the tent, that would make sense, right?