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

[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.