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

[ramengroupie]

Wormmon raises his head, in a posture of noble martyrdom. "W-we can use...."

He has to do it. This planet is counting on him. If he doesn't do it, Ken-chan will be sad, because Ken-chan cares about everyone, because Ken-chan is so VERY VERY NICE.

In order to say this, though, Wormmon has to shut his eyes. As if that will block out this terrible reality, that has forced his hand (hands? claws?) to such a degree:

"Pandas love Ken-chan!"

THIS IS SO HARD.

[sos_pilot]

She... hadn't been expecting that answer, that's for sure. Definite raised eyebrow.

"So... you're saying he can calm them down?" She looked at Ken, since, well, he was a vital part of this plan, apparently. "Can you?"

[ramengroupie]

"......I don't know."

Ken has to be honest; he's at a loss, too, but now that he's on the spot he's trying to think it over. He doesn't have the power to speak to animals like Nita, but....based on experience....

"I have been followed around. What if I tried to occupy them, while the two of you looked for why they're upset?"

Wormmon knew it.....!!! He knew Ken-chan was going to offer to be bait. But he also knew that Ken-chan would be sad if Wormmon thought of a solution and didn't offer it.

WHY ARE YOU SO NICE, KEN-CHAN?!

[sos_pilot]

The idea was tempting for a few seconds, but Della looked Ken up and down. No offense to him, but he looked like a limp noodle could take him down. No way was she letting him get accidentally mauled by a bunch of bears, adorable as they were.

"No need to play decoy today, champ. Do your best to translate, and we'll have your back. Got it?"

[ramengroupie]

Ken is really, deeply uncertain how good "his best" is, but if this is what he can do to contribute, then he'll find a way! He nods.

"Thanks."

Okay, the first thing to do is...Get the upset animals somewhere it won't cause problems for the planet if he and Wormmon have to settle some of the pandas down, ah, forcefully. And that means -

Ken checks his SCA, then runs towards the pandamonium. Wormmon hops down to be with Della but watches Ken-chan.

"How do we support him?"

[sos_pilot]

"We watch from a distance, but form a plan to come in and rescue him the second he needs it." Della said, kneeling down to offer an arm if he wanted to climb up on her - he seemed like the type more comfortable on people than on land.

"If the bears go aggressive, you can use your netting to blind their eyes, and I'll yank Ken out of the way, so we can all run to safety!"

[ramengroupie]

Wormmon does indeed climb - his little legs tickle, but not too badly, and he's also extremely light. So all in all, he is not a bad portable buddy!

He is also a very impressed portable buddy as Della explains her plan. "My net can be useful, huh? Leave it to me!"

Ken is also feeling that go-getter spirit, heading up and trying to attract the pandas. What can he - Oh.

Grabbing a branch of leaves he's seen the pandas munch before, he tugs it free and waves it in the air. "Everyone, this way! You'll have room to run safely!"

[sos_pilot]

Della nods in approval as she watches, occasionally petting Wormmon to keep the little guy calm.

"At least he'll grab their attention... does Ken talk to, uh, a lot of pandas in your world?"

[ramengroupie]

Wormmon shakes his head. "Never. But..."

Yep, there it goes. A smaller panda has had their attention caught by Ken and, though still panicking, is making a beeline for him instead.

They've discovered this in the jungle, recently. It's not like Ken is exerting any sort of influence over the animals, but a pattern has appeared. First there were the girls, back home, who couldn't help but watch him. Now all the animals can sense his kindness and want to be with him. This is Wormmon's theory.

So he takes a moment to boast. Which means he has not noticed how many pandas are now starting to run right for Ken. "Ken-chan is so POPULAR!"

[sos_pilot]

Della was trying to stay positive, but... boy, those pandas running for him are awfully fast, aren't they?

"Um. Not to be a downer, but with what Ken's saying... shouldn't they be running another direction, instead of... STRAIGHT AR HIM?"

[ramengroupie]

"Hm?"

Wormmon checks. Ken, at least, has the sense to both start moving and to run in the direction he'd wanted the pandas to go anyway. The pandas follow.

With all deliberate haste.

Wormmon's mandibles swing open.

"AAAAAAAAAAA--"

[sos_pilot]

Ooh not good not good not good! Della began to sprint after Ken, hoping to avoid a full on stampede.

"Ken!" But there was nothing Ken could do to avoid being trampled! "C'mon... I got it!" She grabbed Wormmon, holding him up above her.

"Worrmon, how tight are your webs? Could they hold three people without breaking?"

[ramengroupie]

"Yeah!"

Wormmon's not sure, actually, but if that's what Ken-chan needs him to do then he will find a way to generate the strongest web EVER!

"What should I do?"

[sos_pilot]

"I need you to hit a a tree up ahead! Once we catch up to Ken, I'll grab him, and then you need to pull us all up with that web as fast and as hard as you can!" She would've reference a Tarzan swing if she had any confidence Wormmon knew what that meant, but she didn't.

And if worse came to worse, and Wormmon couldn't yank all of them up... She'd do the noble thing and let go, letting them trample her instead.

[ramengroupie]

Ooh, that's a really smart and cool plan, where Wormmon plays a super-important role! Antennae streaming behind him, he puts on a hero face. "Leave it to me!"

A strong enough branch, um, uh -

He sees one! And they're getting close to Ken-chan!! Ready, aim---

Wormmon fires. One extremely sticky rope: secured!

[sos_pilot]

"Ken! Hang on!"

With only that warning, she jumped as hard and as far as her legs would allow, wrapping on arm tightly around Ken.

"NOW, WORMMON! PULL US UP!"

[ramengroupie]

"Nnn!"

Wormmon obliges, retracting his thread; Ken, catching on to what's happening, tucks his legs up so they have less of a chance of dragging on the ground.

Out they swing, away from the stampandapede!

[sos_pilot]

Della does manage to let out one "WHOO-HOO!", but just the one, this is still very serious!!!

As Wormmon pulls them up, Della tries to get both boys onto the tree branch, hoping it can hold them. "Phew... you okay there, Ken?"

[ramengroupie]

This is an extremely vibrant jungle (aside from the parts that have been affected by [plot redacted]), so the branch is nice and sturdy. It helps that Ken has good balance.

"I am," he reassures her. Wormmon snips off the thread so he can talk and then just...flops....atop Della...for a moment. Whew! "That was quick thinking. Thanks."

Wormmon chuckles weakly. Did it--It worked, didn't it?

Whoa. He and Della just saved Ken-chan.

W H O A.

[sos_pilot]

Della sits on the branch, sighing deeply before trying to catch her breath. "That was too close for comfort... but yeah, I think Wormmon deserves a lot of the credit. Way to go, little guy." She reaches up to give him a good petting.

[ramengroupie]

Wormmon blushes and squirms in bashful happiness, but he's not quite shy enough to demur. His head bumps catlike against Della's hand. More pets, please! Please!

Ken grins, then watches the last few pandas thunder past. "They'll have room to run there," he remarks; if they can't stop the pandas, they can at least give them the space they need. "But, what upset them...?"

[sos_pilot]

Della looked down at the stamp-anda, trying to figure it out. "Something must have happened that we didn't notice. Maybe it's just something they can sense, like a change in the air... But no matter what, it can't be good. Animals don't run like they when they're happy."

A little gulp. "I thought things were going according to plan... did you two notice anything?"

[ourtomorrow]

"Not so far." Ken looks out in the direction whence the pandas had fled. "They were running when we spotted you..."

"Ken-chan, that."

Wormmon points a stubby bitty leg. Is that a tendril of smoke, wafting up into the air?

[sos_pilot]

Della's eyes widened as she also spotted the ominous warning from the distance.

"They say where there's smoke, there's fire... I'm thinking it might be literally, in this case."

[ourtomorrow]

Ken frowns, squinting - no, they're too far, he can't make out anything. He tenses, though. "So it seems...."

Fire. Wormmon had been afraid of that. In several ways. He had been afraid it would be a fire, and he is a....he is....

Wormmon hops from Della to Ken-chan. No offense. But there is a FIRE. He has to PROTECT HIS BOY.

Because he is NOT AFRAID OF F...

I-is Ken-chan looking for a way down now?!?!?