Not with a Bang: Side Missions

[voidtreckermods]

On day nine of the month of Imagination voidtreckers may notice a new symbol on the SCA map. Lime green exclamation marks hover above several sections of Nion’s jungle. Tapping these exclamation marks will bring up additional tasks that need to be undertaken.

These appear at different times over the course of day nine and ten and do not seem to be linked to any specific team, anyone who wishes may follow their SCA to the marker and help solve the problems.

Task 1

Shield integrity is below expected levels in sector R-37. Potential for sabotage. Please investigate at the location indicated.

R-37 is a mile-wide area of jungle with a single solar station. and a cursory investigation will show that station to be the cause of the issue. Sirens wail and indicators flash red, both light and sound spilling out into the surrounding jungle.

The structure doesn’t seem to have taken any physical damage, but something is certainly wrong. The shielding in the air above this sector is flickering on and off, and no attempts to stabilise it work.
It will require a hard reset to fix; the map icon will pinpoint two towers on the corner of the station grounds from which this may be done. It will require a mix of people to physically climb the towers and access the controls whilst others reboot the system from inside the solar station building. The SCA will indicate locations and required interactions.

Task 2

Impacts upon the array have caused seismic activity in sector E-10, blocking a major river. Repair damage to the environment caused by the tremors.

It will be obvious when the Voidtreckers arrive in sector E-10, because the area is completely flooded. Trees are submerged and water is in places deep enough for Voidtreckers to have to swim, though for the most part they will be able to wade through the muddy water to find the source of the problem.

A sizable landslide has completely dammed the river running through E-10 at two points, causing the waters to swell and flood its surroundings. Whilst most of the wildlife is able to swim or climb and is therefore unaffected, one resident of the jungle is faring even better - the large plesiosaur-like reptiles that call the river home can now range much further afield in search of prey.

Voidtreckers should clear the river of debris, whilst avoiding dangers both environmental and reptilian.

Task 3

A violet panda pack has been detected in northern sector B-19, moving rapidly westwards. Given the lack of nearby solar stations, this movement is uncharacteristic. Please investigate.

Once Voidtreckers get into sector B-19 they will find the panda pack stampeding through the jungle. Some may wish to help them out and calm them down, but for those investigating the trail they have made through the undergrowth is clear.

Following backwards they will discover a blackened, smoking area of jungle, raggedly felled trees and a small crater where something has impacted heavily against the earth. The surrounding trees are partially ablaze, though the dampness of the foliage mean that none of the fires have grown large enough that they can’t be put out with concerted effort. A small river runs through B-19, within walking distance of the impact site. 

Task 4

Solar Station 29 in sector Y-5 is taking fire  from unknown assailants. None of its security drones are responding. Defend the station and identify the aggressors.

Their SCA will direct them to the entrance of Station 29. It is under attack by two large terraforming robots, identical to any of those already seen on Nion. There is also a complement of security drones with them, all painted with 29 across their chassis, and all attacking the station.

They are no tougher than any of the other automatons encountered thus far, but their attack is more coordinated compared to the simple self-defense of the stray robots. Even though they are focused on attacking the station, they will turn and fight anyone who tries to stop them.

Comments

Task 1 (before the bonus quest)

[blue_ice]

Shield integrity...well, that sounded serious. Would there be another meteor before they left? It was always possible. He set off, tools in hand, and glanced down at his SCA. Upon tracking the symbols to their real-world locations, he squinted at the controls in one of the towers, then stepped out to look up.

"...so how do we get up there?" was his first question.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin looks up at the skies above Section R-37 and sees the flickering of the shields. He checks his SCA again for clues or instructions, and as he approaches the solar station, its indicators flash red and the emergency sirens scream. "Oh-oh, not good!" he mutters to himself, and then he follows the map.

It leads him to one of the towers on the station grounds, where he finds Kaiba gazing up at the tower. "Use our hands and feet, I guess," he answers. "It looks like it should be possible, though. Those towers are made of steel girders for the most part, and there are plenty of handholds. There's an enclosed platform up there, and I'd guess that's where the controls are."

He walks over and sets a foot on the lowest girder and a hand on the one above that, and pulls himself up. Then he starts the ascent.

[namethattune]

Nothing quite like the dual issues of shield integrity and sabotage to get Siebren invested in a mission. He arrives just after Curufin, in time to watch him begin the ascent. "I do have a more expedient method, if either of you are interested."

[blue_ice]

"I'm going to assume time is of the essence, so...hit me. Open to suggestions," Seto says with a small smirk.

He's circled the base once more for clues. It sure is a mess, he can see that much, but he's confident they can handle it.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin looks down in time to see Siebren arriving, smiles at him, and replies to him after Kaiba does. "You have a better idea of how to get up this tower? I'd like to hear it."

[namethattune]

Between the shield visibly flickering and the flashing lights and sirens, Siebren figures unnecessary conversation should be kept to a minimum. "Perhaps a demonstration."

Which is all the warning anyone gets before he raises a palm, takes control of Curufin's gravity, and lifts Curufin up the tower to the platform, a swift but controlled ascent. He looks at Seto. "Make your way to the other tower. I will join you shortly."

When Curufin is level with the platform, Siebren calls up to him, "Let me know when you are settled." He will not release Curufin without confirmation that he won't fall.

[blue_ice]

Seto could guess what he meant, but it was still inspiring to watch. He waved up at Curufin, then pointed to his SCA, calling up the tower.

"Keep me updated on how it goes, I'll be ready!"

With one last wave at Siebren, he took off to examine the second tower. Same situation, as far as he could tell.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin's eyes widened as he began to ascend without the effort of climbing. "Yee-haa!" he shouted, like a cowboy, grinning and waving back at Kaiba.

When his feet touched the platform he grabbed hold of a railing and called down to Siebren, "Okay, I'm fine up here. Thanks!" He saluted.

And then he lifted a wrist and sent a message via the SCA, to whomever was working on Task 1.

[namethattune]

Even with the urgency of the task at hand, Siebren cannot help but smile at Curufin's reaction. Having his powers greeted with enthusiasm is still a new and different experience for him.

"Understood." He releases his hold on Curufin and takes a moment to confirm that Curufin is indeed stable on the platform - because the last thing they need is an otherwise avoidable accident - before taking off after Seto, joining him at the next tower not long after.

"He is in place. Prepare yourself," is all the warning Seto gets before Siebren lifts him up to this tower's platform.

[blue_ice]

Seto gives Siebren a nod, and that's all he has time for. Suddenly, the planet's gravitational pull loses its grip on his body. He's tethered to a different center now, and up he goes.

It's a much smoother ascent than the potion-aided one had been, and though he might not be as open about it as Curufin...it is, in fact, 'cool'. Once he reaches out for the panel and lands, he calls right back to them over the Orange communication channel on the SCA.

All clear. Thanks for the lift---this won't take long to fix.

A few tugs and ties later, he speaks again. Give the signal when you're ready and we'll time this.

[so_dark_a_road]

And in the meantime, Curufin is clattering around his tower's control panels and waiting for Siebren or somebody else to call from the station itself.

Ready to go! he signals to Kaiba.

[namethattune]

The moment Siebren gets confirmation that Seto is in place, he releases his hold on Seto's gravity and takes off for the station at a dead sprint. It's not the easiest of journeys - the thick jungle foliage slows him more than he'd like - but he eventually makes it inside and to the main control panel, where warnings and instructions for a recommended restart sequence flash onscreen.

I have arrived. The reboot sequence is ready to execute.

[blue_ice]

And one...two...

It has to be timed properly after all. He throws all switches except the last, takes a breath...and go! Fingers crossed.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin does the same in his tower. He flicks or throws the switches in the designated sequence and prepares to throw the last one. And then, GO!!!

[namethattune]

The terminal functions differently from the towers: a sequence of keystrokes, culminating in an almost comical big red button enclosed in its own clear box. He flips the box open and times it to coincide with the towers, and-

The entire station abruptly powers down, and Siebren stands there for a moment, holding his breath in the dark and hoping-

Then the lights flicker back on and he breathes a sigh of relief.

Restart successful. The power should be restored. How does the shield look?

[so_dark_a_road]

The shield is looking good!

[blue_ice]

All stable here, Seto agrees, sounding rather relieved. That was close.

But they've done it. Siebren still sounds quite tired, so he adds:

There's no urgency now, at least. We can climb down from here, right Curufin?

[namethattune]

Good. I believe that is mission accomplished.

Receiving confirmation is a relief, and his breathing settles back in as he flips the clear box back in place over the button and covers the keyboard. The robots in the facility should be able to handle any maintenance or repairs necessary, but there is no reason not to guard against accidents.

I do not mind coming to assist, he says as he departs the station, closing the door behind him. Not that Seto and Curufin aren't capable - far from it. He would simply prefer not to end a mission with a preventable accident, if at all possible. Plus, Curufin seemed to enjoy the experience.

[so_dark_a_road]

We can climb down, he agrees, speaking to Kaiba.

And then, to Siebren, But if you insist on helping us down, I won't object. Siebren can't see his grin, but it's in his voice. Just don't exhaust yourself.

[blue_ice]

I half expected you to dive off for him to catch you, Kaiba gently teases Curufin as he cleans up his work. All is well.

But only if it won't overly strain you, Siebren.

[namethattune]

First it was gramps from Tidus at the camp last night, now it's these two. What is it with young people suddenly believing him incapable?

I am sixty-two, not dead, he grouses, mildly offended. I can handle far more than you two.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin's shoulders are shaking with laughter as Kaiba teases him.

Don't think I'm not tempted!

On the other hand, he's an Elf, and Elves respect their elders. Not that Siebren probably is older than Curufin, but he has elder status, so far as Curufin is concerned.

Okay, we get the point, he says to Siebren. Use your own best judgement, and we'll trust you for it.