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

TAIKI'S GUARD DOGS ARE HERE

[blitzcheer]

"Hey you! Fluff balls! Come on! Here! Eat-eat-eat-eat!"

Who else could be the source of this chaotic shouting than who it usually ends up being? Tidus has placed himself into a position opposite from Taiki, or as best as he can get; spotting the man's efforts, and deciding to go for the first plan that comes to mind to distract the more wild bears.

Which is: wafting around a branch of bamboo leaves like it's a salt shaker at them. Look, he grabbed them on the way when Taiki first got worried about the pandas. Pandas like them, people told him! Even if he's just being annoying with it now, they're coming at him!

BARK BARK

[flatteries]

"Don't yell at them!"

Apparently we've got a shouting combo going on here now. Though Inigo isn't yelling at the pandas as much as he's yelling at Tidus for yelling at the pandas. It's a yellception.

"There's no way they're going to come your way if you seem like some scary shouter!" .. Granted, Inigo may not be helping this matter much since he is standing practically next to Tidus, also.. shouting.. But he thinks he's helping. They got to help Taiki distract these pandas, after all!

Also not helping is Inigo calling out a moment later, still at the same way too loud volume: "Taiki, it's alright, we've got this!"

(He really is helping.)

[longforgottenpromise]

In a way they do help because the bear that was so unsure of Taiki before now has figured that his calm, quiet presence is definitely better than the shouting men on the other side and has flung itself into Taiki's arms.

The shouting hasn't scared all the pandas though, two larger pandas have definitely been attracted by that bamboo, trundling towards Inigo and Tidus.

"Be careful!" Taiki kept his voice pitched low, hopefully they could hear him over the running animals.

"They are already spooked."

[blitzcheer]

What else is Tidus meant to do than yell!!!

"Well you call--!" Wait, he's still speaking too loudly, especially now that they have two pandas interested in them. He's going to keep waving the branch around like it's a cat toy. Heyyyy look fooodd!!

"You call someone to help!" he hushes at Inigo by his side, sounding exasperated, but more just pal I don't know what I'm doing, get someone who does. And how is he supposed to talk back to Taiki and not be loud? Ugh!

"Ask Taiki what we should do!"

There, he'll get Inigo to be his mouthpiece. But hey! These pandas at batting for the branch! Let him take a step back and see if he can't get the pandas to follow him. Heeere kitty kitty.

[flatteries]

Inigo glances around. Quickly. First at Taiki, then at the pandas approaching them, then at Tidus. There's some quick decisions being made here - mostly that he can probably leave these two to Tidus. And between being told to go ask Taiki and being kind of worried about Taiki being stuck by himself on the other side of this stampede, Inigo knows what he has to do.

So rather than being loud again, he just nods at Tidus to answer, briefly letting his hand rest on the other's shoulder as a 'you got this' kind of gesture. Then Inigo walks a few steps back, starts running, and - while taking out and activating the grav-con - kicks off on the ground to jump straight over the group of pandas between them with the help of the device.

Even the landing goes reasonably well this time, and Inigo can't help but grin proudly (did you guys see that!!!) as he quickly moves up to Taiki's side. This time he keeps relatively quiet though, not wanting to spook the panda the other is holding.

"Taiki, do you have any clue what we can do about this? You seem better with animals than either of us." Though they try! But they're dumb boys.. "You can be our fearless leader and tell us what to do."

[longforgottenpromise]

He wasn't expecting Inigo to fly over the stampede at him, though it was more an extreme jump than flight. Still he felt relieved to see him, though he automatically worried about Tidus over the other side, especially with two of the pandas going towards him.

None of the pandas had shown themselves to be violent though, it would be alright surely.

He looked worriedly at Inigo when he spoke, because truthfully he didn't know and he was not someone who was used to leading at all.

"Um... I... Um... We need to slow them down, Tidus has the right idea, try and draw some away at a time... I guess..."

[blitzcheer]

Look at him go!! Look at him go!!

Tidus forgot the guy even took the gravcon with him - not exactly the most important of details to remember really, as long as the guy didn't lose it (and if he did, that was him to tell Lightning, not Tidus!). But there he goes, a man of show, don't tell; and Tidus is pumped when he realises, but quickly startled when the two pandas drawn his way growl and tug the branch. He drops it from his hand and the pair start tugging and fighting over it. Well...! Better that than him!

Checking that the other two are still...doing something, it takes about five seconds until Tidus gets impatient. He moves, shuffling away from the pair of pandas so not to spook them as he brings magic into his left hand, the pyreflies appearing around his person. Sends it shooting off, a golden glow that then surrounds a small cluster of the pandas. Golden rings surround the creatures, blurring - a slowing spell.

At least he can make them slow down, right...!

[flatteries]

While Inigo is used to seeing Tidus use spells by now, he's still never too sure which does what - but thankfully the effects of this particular spell are pretty easy to notice, considering the pandas slow down right after he uses it.

Inigo flashes a smile at Tidus, even from the distance, as if to tell him he's doing a great job without yelling and disturbing more pandas.

"Well, it looks Tidus caught the message," he says as he turns back to Taiki. "Your idea is good! We're all doing our part to help, right?" Look at him, throwing out praise left and right. But that's just what Inigo is good at.

And he'll do his own part too! His chest glows, and a moment later Jumblie is standing there on the jungle floor - dancing her little heart out, which seems to draw three pandas her way, away from the rest of the group. They're definitely interested in this weird little dancing light. It's a few of the ones that were still moving at regular speed too, so the fast-moving group is shrinking rapidly!

[longforgottenpromise]

As Tidus springs into action and Inigo quickly catches on Taiki smiles, an idea coming to him.

"You, Tidus and Jumblie start pulling the slower ones this way, away from the main herd. See if you can find a safe clearing for them."

Were they near the area Lan Xichen had warded? He's not sure, it might be around here, but any clearing would do, as long as it was safer.

"I'm going to go and fetch the ones that ran ahead." They were fast but there are less of them now and they were not as fast as Taiki could be.

[blitzcheer]

Shouldn't Mister Speedy Tidus go for the faster ones?! No, that's okay, Tidus doesn't mind trying to keep attracting the attention of these stressed out pandas immediately around him until he knows what the other two want to do. The pandas are too noisy for him to hear their plans!

So don't mind Tidus in the back as he just deals with some confused pandas in his own way. They grunt at and wave paws and heads at him in motions of being displeased, while Tidus waves around his hands.

"Hey hey hey, let's all be friends! Yeah?"

[flatteries]

While Inigo also questions who should be going after the faster pandas.. At the same time, he wouldn't want to deny Taiki even a single bit of his plan. He's so proud of the other for having thought of one in the first place, and more than anything, Inigo wants to show Taiki that Taiki has - in fact - good plans that work!

So he nods at him with a smile.

"Got it. I'll take care of the ones over here. Tell us if you end up needing help."

Inigo wordlessly communicates with Jumblie, and the higgledy starts walking, the pandas that are interested in her just slowly following her around like some sort of parade.

He casts his gaze back over towards Tidus - and honestly, the sight of him gesturing like that without being able to hear what he's saying is kind of comical - and makes a big gesture of his own, hoping Tidus will look up and see it. It's simple enough, just a 'come over here' kind of wave. They can at least herd their pandas together for now. Surely Tidus's pandas will chill out a little too at the sight of Jumblie.

[longforgottenpromise]

"Thank you, Inigo." He smiled and then there was a gust of wind, ruffling Inigo's hair. When it settled there was a pile of clothes at Inigo's feet and a black creature before him, for a second before he flew over the herd.

There's not much that can catch a kirin in flight and he very quickly reached the front of the stampede. He's hoping a kirin is sparkling enough to distract the pandas and he flies across them, hoping to draw their attention.

It works, sort of. As he lands he is immediately mobbed by pandas. Luckily he is strong enough in this form that he can still move with pandas trying to climb him. He keeps running around the herd, to turn them around.

He's lived in a city all his life and all he knows of sheep dogs comes from television but he's doing his very best to be a panda herding kirin here. To move them back towards Tidus, Inigo and the higgledys.

[blitzcheer]

What a strange week this must be turning out for all the creatures, but especially the wildlife. These strange new beings appearing all over place with their odd ways and noises and curious sounds and scents; and now these panic few are getting the grandest of performances. Tiny glowing beings, bigger weirder beings!

But of the tinier sort, more will appear - when Tidus does catch Inigo's motions and starts to join over to him, deciding to let Gibbers out from his heart with the private request approved to aid. Not just in one body, but in many: the far more excitable water higgledies dancing and jumping all around.

Are they helping? Probably as much as Tidus, coming to Inigo's side, swiping his Taiki's clothes if Inigo does do so first.

"Hey! He's getting to fly on a mission!" This, apparently, is worth excited conversation when they should be concentrating. Look, Inigo!! He's doing the kirin thing!

[flatteries]

"He is," Inigo replies, giving Tidus a smile. There's no small amount of pride in his voice, though he sounds a tad less excited than Tidus. Maybe it's just since Inigo is still trying to somewhat concentrate over here, trying to keep one eye on Taiki to make sure the pandas don't overwhelm the kirin, and keeping his other eye on Jumblie to make sure his adorable little higgle princess is not getting harassed.

Both of them seem to be doing fine for now though. At least the pandas are slowly starting to seem more distracted than angry at this point.

"Taiki!" He calls out after a moment or two. "Are you managing alright?"

Look, those pandas seem heavy, okay! He imagines it might not be too comfortable to have them attempting to climb him like that.

[longforgottenpromise]

"Yes." His voice is a little strained, a little muffled under the pandas but he doesn't sound too distressed. These pandas are heavy and they are clambering on him and pulling at his mane but the important thing is that they are following him as he herds them towards the two boys and their higgledies.

Hopefully they can find somewhere safe for all these pandas, at least the stampede has been broken up. Some are still ambling onwards but not in any formation, not in a way that is dangerous.

[blitzcheer]

Tidus can manage to be giddy over Taiki and work, thank you very much!

But he's trying what he did before, to slow at least how fast the pandas can move. To make the spell less distracting too- there's no hurrying to cast it, and being 'less flashy' has never been in Tidus's schedule to attempt with slowga, but--

"Come on, come on! No need to rush."

--but, actually, the attempt doesn't work, still rings of gold catching around each of the pandas, fading in a haze. Except it doesn't really matter, given that the point of the spell still works. Each moving a limb, a head, but at less the speed.

But more time for them to chill out, right?

[flatteries]

Inigo will take it as long as Taiki doesn't sound actually distressed. They can jump in to try and help pull pandas off him if that ends up being the case, but for now he'll gladly let their friend lead around those things by themselves.

So after smiling as he watches Taiki, he'll instead look over at Tidus.

"Hey, good job." With the spell! It's real helpful, okay! Inigo wants to make sure both Tidus and Taiki get their praise where they're owed it.

He'll even hold up his hand towards Tidus for a high five. (Giving Taiki a high.. hoof.. would be a little harder even if he was closer to the other, after all..)

"Where do you think we should take them? We can't just leave them here, right? You got any idea where the blue team was keeping the pandas?"

[longforgottenpromise]

"I think they were keeping them over there." He tossed his head in the direction the pandas had been running from. "But I guess... Something must have happened."

He's close now, the pandas that aren't clinging to him, following him, one of them desperately trying to catch his tail.

"I guess... We should find a clearing..."