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

[blitzcheer]

Wow, that sure is someone saying his name while he's trying to think about things, let him try and continue to ignore them--

oh. Ugh. The water comes down, leaving Gibbs where it was, looking rather pleased and ready for more. Tidus turns where he's kneeling, but decides to stand up anyway, as he talks.

"Why not?" Why not--because of what Roland decides to pipe up and say. Nevertheless, Tidus's expression of exasperation doesn't change much. What bores!

"Then aren't we gonna get electrocuted climbing up? You just need to ride this and then jump!" See? It's so safe! "We're not going to push you into the tower. Just... give you a platform. Of water! It'll be safe!"

[flatteries]

Inigo's eyes grow wide as Roland speaks. And while Tidus is replying, it seems like Inigo is trying to.. say something behind Roland's back. At Tidus. But it's a little too complicated to convey through either lip movements or hand gestures, though he seems to be attempting to use both.

He quickly realises though this isn't going to work.. but Inigo knows there's another solution. Something that thankfully happens to work just because it's Roland here with them. Roland who can't understand higgledy speak.

With a flash of light from Inigo's chest, Jumblie joins her fellow higgledy, looking like she just showed up because she's happy to be by the water creature's side, but speaking up soon enough.

"Hig! What the young traveller means to say is 'He doesn't know what happened back there with Senku, does he?'"

Little did Roland realise yet another neat feature of his gifts for the teens is the ability to talk behind his back. Because Inigo is so not mentioning in front of his train dad that he did kind of get electrocuted back there, okay.

It relieves Inigo a whole lot too. Enough to step forward so he's standing next to Roland instead, curiously looking up at the tower.

"Well, if you're sure it's safe, I guess I could try it.. I'm trusting you here, Tidus!"

[adregem]

The appearance of Jumblie is enough to get Roland a bit suspicious about what's been going on when he wasn't keeping in touch with the two of them, but between the hiigs and piigs that come out of her, he tries not to read too much into it. So yes, Inigo. Your bid to hide getting electrocuted, has successfully passed into you made it territory. Roland is none the wiser.

Joined by Inigo now, he doesn't hide the fact that he's worried about how this was going to go. There's a tinge of excitement at having to ride another one of these water geysers, this time in a different direction, but work-Roland is vastly different from relaxed-Roland on the train, very little stakes. Though they were wasting time debating pedantry, so he sighs deeply and glances at Tidus with a Look he will recognize well.

"You heard him. Our lives are in your hands." You better focus, pro! Roland turns back and meets Inigo's eye. Nods as if this was the most serious thing in the world, and offers his hand for his, ready to step on the water that's just about to catapult them.

Is Roland regretting teaching Tidus Water Slide? Maybe. Who knows? It will all depend on how smooth this ride is going to be.

[blitzcheer]

This situation is pretty distraction. That between dealing with Roland's overcautious self and the discussion taking place right now, the silent bro communication isn't going to work.

...but a higgledy will. Tidus blinks, opens his mouth, but then decides that keeping it zipped and shaking his head is the better answer, a lift in his eyes that says, 'I didn't tell him!'

What is he, a snitch?? Not if it's going to cause dumb worrying. (Because getting electrocuted is exactly that)

But oh, listen to that concede. Tidus loves the sound of it, grinning, anticipation as much in him - or more so - than Roland. He just isn't going to hide it, pumping a fist and exclaiming, "No problem!"

He will have one last idea, prompted however by the worrying, looking at Inigo as he kneels back down. Gibbs scuttling over to the trio(-that is actually a quartet? Quintet?!) "Hey Inigo, that shield I got you! Take it out. Just in case!"

Just in case. With that said, Tidus will start readying his water magic, water coming under their feet, innocuous to begin with, but then giving a bump, and lifting them up with it, solid as the ground they were on before. If softer, too...

"You guide the water, Gibbs!" Tidus directs, the higgledy squeaking. They're going to start getting higher and higher...!

[adregem]

Shield? Roland blinks, suspicions growing wilder. "What shield?" He verbalizes, the worry rising like the water that's given him no chance to prepare. Even if Inigo's held his hand, Roland knows the tell-tale signs of two things: the Water Slide amplifying the geyser, and when he's been bested and fooled all along.

That shield was something he audited before and he knows it's meant to absorb lightning and how dare they trick him into thinking this was safe, where was his backbone?! His resolve?! His -

"W-WHOA! HEY! T-Take it easy!"

Softer was not reassuring, not when the lift is vertical, and the drop down even more so, even if he wasn't necessarily scared of heights. This is it, huh? With only Inigo's hand - no ARM - to cling to, this is how President Crane meets his end. And it's a long, long way up. With live wires inches away from them.

[flatteries]

Inigo can't help but smile once he's figured out his secret plan worked - especially when he can tell that Roland hasn't noticed a thing. Well, well, well, if this isn't a trick to keep up their sleeves for later, in case they ever need to communicate something between just the two of them with Roland present. (And honestly, it's a relief that Roland doesn't know about what happened earlier too, since Inigo also knows it'd just make the older guy worry about something that already passed.)

And the smile doesn't fade even when they're suddenly faced with this amusement park ride. Inigo does trust Tidus, after all, and he knows the other wouldn't make them do something that'd be very likely to kill him. Maybe he'd be more scared if he was doing this by himself, if not at least dramatically so, but..

.. well, one of them sure is doing the whole 'dramatically being scared' thing already.

"Don't worry, we're fine!" He easily reassures Roland, a big smile on his face, as if they aren't moving higher and higher up in the air, only being held up by some water... It's hard to tell if Inigo really is that relaxed or if it's just part of some act, but then again, he doesn't seem like he's trying to hide nerves right now.

He even squeezes Roland's hand as he summons the shield in his other hand, making sure to hold it between them and the wires. Inigo now knows what it's like to be electrocuted, and it sure Is Not Fun. Especially when you're on a water tower you could easily plummet off from if you got stunned.

"I'm here to protect you, mister president!"

The smile on his face may be growing a bit too wide now, but.. come on. It's kind of funny to see Roland so scared, especially since it's Roland. He doesn't get dramatic this easily!

Inigo looks back down, seemingly without worrying about seeing how they're starting to get higher up-- "Tidus, it's going great so far! Keep it up!"

[blitzcheer]

What was that sound from the skies above? Had it been anyone else, the momentary flash of worry and surprise would have lasted, turned into a more concerning emotion. Except Tidus realises the yelling comes from Roland, so instead he just laughs, calling up to him as he ascends-

"Don't wobble around!"

Very helpful Tidus, good job.

But this will mean Tidus won't have much to say as their distance grows, and he focuses on the spell and not getting bored. Which actually helps when you're heart connected to a higgledy you can telepathically speak to. While that same higgledy is closer to the other pair, guiding the water to keep it strong and rising.

Inigo - and only Inigo - will hear from the Gibbers under their feet.

'Hiig, keep hope! You will not fall! We will never let you fall!'

But maybe Bambosh hears it, and can give Roland a dose of bravery.

[adregem]

"You two and your little tricks - !"

Thank you Inigo, faithful son and presidential bodyguard. His smile is split between actually trying to enjoy the ride up, but also wondering how good Tidus is at the spell for this to be considered even remotely safe for his constitution. He's never had a fear of heights, but goodness does Roland have a fear of two teenagers convinced of a good idea. And he gave them higgledies too.

And if they wanted Bambosh to help reassure Roland of anything, too bad. The little thing, growing stronger and braver thanks to its fellow higglefriends being so supportive of this geyser elevator to the top, does the complete opposite and asks to go faster.

Piggle! The greatest answer to fear is to head straight on! Onward! Up, up! More water! Higgle!

[blitzcheer]

Hibber-Gibbers, ever the optimist, -

'Too right, too right! Then go forth and show your true strengths! Hig hig!!'

- interrupts whatever Inigo may have been in the middle of doing and saying and answering Bambosh's request with a sudden thrust up.

[flatteries]

HEY, RUDE.

Especially since Inigo was just about to open his mouth and say something, probably more to Roland than to either of the talking creatures, but that's quickly interrupted by how they move up even more quickly at this point. It's so sudden and fierce that even Inigo lets out a yelp, though it soon turns into a laugh of excitement instead.

This is weirdly fun, actually! Especially since he truly believes in Tidus and his higgledy with all his heart. They won't fall as long as those two are looking after them.

He's not so sure how Roland feels about it though, so Inigo lets go of Roland's hand for the briefest moment, but just so he can put Jumblie up on the man's shoulder before grabbing that hand once more.

Roland will feel her effect soon enough, joy battling other emotions that might emerge in his mind in this situation.

"The other two are egging each other on," he explains, knowing that Roland can't hear them the way Inigo does. "So she'll help you to make up for it."

[adregem]

"Great. Just great."

You are a great pal, Bambosh my dude. Fantastic.

Jumblie does her best to help, playing with long strands of Roland's hair like they were swings, but the light is joyful and warm and he manages some semblance of an authentic smile as they cross the final distances to the tower. Thankfully, without a single case of electrocution. The wind is in his face just by sheer height, and that helps calm him somewhat, his signature dry sarcasm the only thing to be had and no longer actual fear. He loosens his grip on Inigo's arm too, now that the geyser is this close to the top.

"Don't jump." He tells Inigo, looking concerned on the get go. "I'll get down first. Tell Tidus to make an easy landing."

[blitzcheer]

YEAH TELL TIDUS THINGS, FRIENDS, HE'LL JUST BE DOWN THE BOTTOM KEEPING THIS WATER GOING. MAN YOUR NECKS ARE LUCKY LUCKY HE'S GOOD AT WATER MAGIC AND HAS GIBBERS.

[flatteries]

Wow, does it ever feel like someone is trying really hard to talk to us through narrative text, how weird...

And although Inigo was very much ready to jump first, he'll be obedient and let Roland go first. Especially since he sure seemed the less excited one to be here on this geyser ride.

He'll even call out down to Tidus, not caring how his voice practically echoes across the place with how hard he has to call out: "Hey, Tidus, you're missing out on all of the fun!"

.. not what he was supposed to say, huh. Oh, right.

"Oh, and Roland told me to tell you to make an easy landing!"