VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2021-01-11 05:58 am

Fierce New World- Mission Start!

"Good Morning passengers. Today is day six of the month of Jelly." The voice echoes through the train as passengers wake up in their beds. Not long afterwards their SCA’s glow with the colour of the void and a holographic image will appear.

Preparation and Arrival

They have a short time to prepare for their mission, enough time to read their briefs, make decisions, meet in their teams and gather anything they may need.

A few hours later there is another announcement. "Shortly arriving on System #2207385. All passengers get ready to disembark. Next stop world #2207385. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

The train judders as it leaves the void, the colours from the windows turn into the blackness of space but quickly white as the train descends into the entrance of the biosphere.

The doors of the train open and passengers can enter the large white-walled holding bay. Currently, they are the only vehicle inside. There are four large doors around the bay each labelled with where they lead. Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.

The doors open easily, and their SCA’s show a basic route, though the non-linear nature of the sectors mean that obstacles will need to be navigated. While they are in a closed world, there is a day and night cycle: the panels far up above are designed to make it seem like there is a natural sky, brightening and dimming every ten hours.

Red/Summer

Empty Streets

Wide streets divide sealed-off factories and manufacturing pods that tower up towards the ‘sky’. It is hot here, though the fumes from the factories are vented out, leaving the air breathable if overly warm.

Sometimes the pods are not yet finished, empty shells that can be sheltered in. There are also stations for living, with plumbing and basic amenities scattered through the sector. Places to rest as they move towards the center and the Great-Summer that they seek.

Helpmates

Where factories are still being built they will find Helpmates, operating machinery or moving materials.

They will not pause in their tasks for long but are programmed to answer questions so can be drawn into a conversation. Or, if the Voidtreckers are unfortunate, they will find those that are malfunctioning turning on them as they approach.

They aren’t too difficult to fight, but can do some damage with the machinery if they manage to take a Voidtrecker by surprise. They can be fought with weapons or magic, or for those that think to use the panels they can be shut down outright.

Wild Weather

Though warm, the corridors remain a constant temperature that is not too unpleasant for people. For the most part. Unfortunately, due to the malfunctioning state of things routes may become impassable. Boiling air, freezing blasts, electricity crackling across a pathway.

Their SCA’s do a good job of warning them, allowing them to change direction or shelter in nearby buildings.

Purple/Autumn

Exploring

The Autumn sector is the least complete of the sectors, with shells of habitation pods and not much else. No one is expected to live here until nearing the end of construction, and so the pods are unfurnished, many missing doors, some missing internal walls.

Outside the streets are wide and clearly made to be pleasant to walk on; it is airy, bright and spacious, if a bit eerie due to the quiet.

There are panels on the walls, to call Helpmates to appear. Here they are primarily for helping citizens, giving directions and offering aid.

Malfunctions

Since there are more helpmates there is more risk of them malfunctioning. They attack with or without weapons, using any tools they can pick up to attack. They can be fought with weapons or magic, or for those that think to use the panels they can be shut down.

They won’t chase people into the houses, their privacy programming preventing them from doing so.

Turned Around

The roads seem simple, built in a grid pattern around the houses. However, whatever is going wrong here is affecting the very streets themselves. Sometimes there will be a wall where there wasn’t before or roads go in circles. Sometimes they find themselves at a dead end, trapped until structures shift again.

Their SCA’s do their best to keep up but it can take a while for them to reroute and by the time they do, that path might be blocked too!

Blue/Spring

Patchwork Forest

The Spring sector houses the hydroponics and pastoral sections. It alternates between grazing land and more heavily forested areas with rows of pine-like trees in a checkerboard pattern, with empty plots interspersed. Walkways divide each square, but all squares appear able to move about as required, as though on a conveyor system.

There are clear walkways to avoid stepping on any newly growing plants. In the grazing land live flocks of camelid creatures resembling alpacas with blueish wool, on average a metre and a half tall at the shoulders. Helpmates appear here as if on a timer to feed the animals and tend to plants.

Destruction


If the Helpmates here malfunction they attack anyone nearby, cause havoc to any farming equipment and frightening the animals.

They can be fought with weapons or magic, or for those that think to use the panels they can be shut down. The panels here are less obvious than they are in the more urban sectors, low to the ground, looking almost like energy panels. But once they know what to look for they will be able to use them to shut down the Helpmates.

Stampede

Frightened animals are likely to flee and unfortunately in this case it means rampaging across the grazing land to the newly growing trees.

They will need to be calmed, returned to their grazing lands and the plants restored. Or it might be that the Voidtreckers can stop the Helpmates before the creatures get too spooked.

Orange/Winter

Exploring

The Winter sector’s primary concern is life support. Huge banks of air scrubbers form artificial cliffs, while other sections are tanks filled with water in varying stages of processing or recycling.

The paths here are a lot narrower than they are in other areas, sometimes requiring moving between pipes or scrambling over layers of railing.

There doesn’t seem to be any easy or straightforward path through the sector, their SCA takes them on wild winding routes through the machinery.

Help or Hindrance

The fluctuating temperatures here are causing problems with many of the pipes, several sections are flooded, others are in danger of being so.

There are patch kits in easily opened panels, designed to be used by the helpmates and indeed there are many helpmates out.

But some are less helpful, those that are malfunctioning are more likely to cause more damage than they are there to fix. They will attack any one who tries to interfere with them. They can be fought with weapons or magic, or for those that think to use the panels they can be shut down.

Patch Job

Once the malfunctioning Helpmates are dealt with the pipes still need to be fixed. The patch kits do not have any instructions but are simple enough that anyone with a basic knowledge of how to fix things should be able to figure them out- though the more knowledge and expertise they have the better the fix!

For those that don’t, many of the jobs will need more than one person and so for those that don’t mind taking instructions they will find an extra pair of hands is always welcome.
firewalled: (Just digging my grave)

[personal profile] firewalled 2021-02-03 02:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"...If everyone could go back to where they wanted, and no one got hurt... that doesn't sound so bad." He's hesitant to trust Jack, but if he just has to deal with the SQUIP for an hour or two, then that has to be worth everyone making it back safely.

"I'd have to get Mountain Dew, though. And Red, just... just in case something goes wrong."
adregem: (i'm staying here with you evan.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-03 04:17 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He retracts his hand after a gentle squeeze. It's a heavy conversation indeed, but it does a lot for how he sees Della. A greater respect granted. ]

Don't mention it. I meant every word. Us single parents have to stick together, heh. [ Roland nods determinately. ] We'll support each other. One step at a time.

[ And speaking of. ] Come on. Let's try and unravel this weird mystery. This is your area of expertise, as usual. So lead the way, Miss Adventurer.
adregem: (don't ask questions.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-03 04:18 pm (UTC)(link)
His brows rise in response and surprise.

"You...don't have control over what costume comes out every time you summon the suit?" That's rather disconcerting. What if she had summoned an outfit totally wrong for the mission?
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (if you could use)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-02-03 07:06 pm (UTC)(link)
I like trouble! It's practically my middle name! You really need to relax, kid, I've got this!
flatteries: (i'll know my name as it's called again)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-02-03 09:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He slowly nods. ]

Yeah, I can imagine that people who think that way in the first place wouldn't easily change their minds. [ Because you really need to have a certain mindset to hate a whole group of people over nothing in the first place, Inigo can't help but think.

Usually he'd worry about being too judgemental, but whatever! These people are mean to one of his friends, so he can be a little mean in return to them! ]


.. you don't worry about it on the train though, do you? You know, about.. people thinking you're odd, or disliking you in any way for your powers.
subcircuits: (fucking WHAT)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-02-04 02:40 am (UTC)(link)
Devero had handed Jou a fork to sample the MRE with, and digs in with his own for a bite after the kid's tried it. He makes a bit of a face as he samples the "custard apple crunch"; somehow, it's managed to be both mushy and gritty at the same time, at least to his palate.

"...That's really saying something," he remarks dryly. "I can't say I'm that impressed." He hands the packet back over. "Here, you can have the rest of that."
subcircuits: (tch!)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-02-04 02:46 am (UTC)(link)
Ughhhh why is his world the only one that's managed to get away from haptic technology. Devero tries to keep his distaste to himself as he prods the screen-- which responds immediately, just like Romeo had predicted.

"Yup," he groans. "We have to press it. Fine." He brings both hands up to the panel. "Let's see what's in this menu..."
subcircuits: (the soft man)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-02-04 03:24 am (UTC)(link)
Oh no. She's adorable. How could Devero possibly resist her little hands on him, urging him forward?

"Of course, of course!" he says, starting forward again. The alpaca does back off a bit once Devero gets close, but not far. In fact, it sits-- and not like an ungulate, with all of its legs tucked under its body. No, it sits like a dog, with just its hindquarters tucked under and its font hooves planted together in the first in front of it.

As Devero figures out the latch holding the shed door closed, it calls out again, this time a high chiming sound like a wet finger drawn around the rim of a glass.
swansongs: (Said a million things but now I know)

[personal profile] swansongs 2021-02-04 03:30 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah... there's people here I'd like to keep in touch with." And people who were gone who he wished he could get back in touch with.
subcircuits: (go young lover)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-02-04 03:35 am (UTC)(link)
"--Oh sh--" Language, Devero. He shuts his mouth on the rest of the swear and lifts a hand to check his Interface before grinning sheepishly. "It was done about two minutes ago. Go ahead and open that up-- carefully!-- while I grab a couple of forks."

(Which, in this case means getting up from his seat and disappearing out of the immediate ring of the fire's light. He can dimly be seen joining Koumyou Sanzo where the priest is leaning against a tree and smoking, taking his hand and-- reaching into his arms band. He may or may not plant a smooch on Koumyou's cheek before returning to the fire.)

"Here we go," he says cheerfully, showing the utensils as he sits beside Alfredo again.
gundamofthedesert: (I'm on the phone here)

[personal profile] gundamofthedesert 2021-02-04 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
Great! Thanks.

[That made it so much easier and didn't risk breaking the tools that he did have.

He spent quite a long time studying the wires, including (carefully) removing some and seeing if buttons on the panel would still perform some function]


I don't know that any of these are directly connected to whatever the master computer system is. There must be another relay point somewhere.
subcircuits: (eyes only for you)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-02-04 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
Devero returns the punch, just as lightly. "Thanks, Trunks. You too, man."
renegadeprince: (annoyed 06)

[personal profile] renegadeprince 2021-02-04 04:35 am (UTC)(link)
Happens more often than you would think it should. [It's why taking over naturally establish planets had been more fun back in the day. Or seeing someone Frieza had put in control screw up a newly 'acquired' planet, only for them to fail and, well, not get a second chance.] Either incompetency or whatever is overseeing this is not actually going to be using this location themselves and doesn't care.

[Her little jab back at him doesn't get a response, Vegeta just letting it go and letting her have that, but focuses on her with that sigh. She has a point, they are here for a job. However,] I'm glad you're having fun. [His tone says the opposite of that, though it's not really towards her enjoying the chance to play with tech, more just how bored he is with his section he's supposed to be in.]
flatteries: (you don't gain a single thing)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-02-04 08:38 am (UTC)(link)
Despite the conundrum they're facing about how to ever watch Tidus pulling off some hot blitzball action, the conversation doesn't feel too heavy, unable to fully be dragged down by the disappointment. Tidus's light tone helps a lot, really, allowing Inigo to smile a little too.

Especially since he drops a slight, but meaningful pause after Tidus says that last part.

"Well.." Even the way his voice trails off is meaningful. "If it was Roland's suggestion.."

Then it seems they've already got a volunteer for cleaning that whole watery mess up, right! (Is Inigo fully serious about this? Who knows! He sure is smiling though.)

"Surely he'd think it's worth it to see his favourite pro at work!"
adregem: (that's my soN)

keywords

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-04 10:41 am (UTC)(link)
[ THAT'S THE SPIRIT

THE HIGGLEDY SPIRIT

And don't think that intense screaming doesn't immediately put Roland on fight mode, his sword already out the moment a single note erupts from Inigo's screech, an overthinking mind already jumping to the worst conclusions. this is it. They were under attack. His higgledies are protecting him at least, but the commotion, the banging and overall noise pollution from torn down walls and the tremors in the ground all but perfect indicators that Inigo was in total peril. ]


No, Inigo -!

[ Thankfully, the army of higglefriends led by the higgledy knight come into view sooner rather than later. Roland stumbles back, steps shaky, as the the towering creature halts perfectly in front of him. For a minute, he's intimidated by the sheer size of the shield in comparison to the rest of his body, and he's still wondering where Inigo is, head swiveling from side to side in search.

Roland doesn't have to look for long. The higgledy knight disperses in a poof!, Rannygazoo emerging from the smoke alongside a flurry of mixed higglecreatures squealing in delight as loud as their collective entrance. That left Inigo...who would have fallen from a dangerous height had it not been for every single spirte in question catching him gently midway down, like a generous spout of magic lifting him from harm. Roland reaches out almost, but he sees how carefully they hold him, and so he waits until they're able to sway Inigo back down to the ground where his feet can plant themselves in relative safety.

As soon as Inigo is stable, Roland runs towards him and crouches, inspecting his face and body with a worried look on his face. Rannygazoo and Jumblie are off to the side, standing in watch. The former at least, does his part to reassure his human counterpart that they were met well, and he was unharmed. ]


[ Still. Don't mind that Roland's hand is resting against the side of Inigo's face, catching his eye. If he's worried, he's trying his best not to show it. What's new! ]

There you are. Welcome back. I'm sorry. Are you sure you're okay?
adregem: (soft boi roland)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-04 11:00 am (UTC)(link)
There it is again.

From time to time, it emerges. Peaks out from the cracks and crevices of the facades they play, but Roland knows it immediately when he sees it. The moment Inigo takes his hand and rests it upon his leg, the flowers catching his attention as the only colorful thing in this entire dome, Roland takes a hold of it before the recognition escapes him. It's the unmistakable sight of the kind boy who he had met so long ago, who had helped him when he was stitching himself back together, who thought of Roland more than Roland thought of himself.

He's here again, by his side, and it melts him thoroughly and utterly. If his limbs grow lighter, almost limper by comparison, it's only because he wants Inigo to know without words that he's more than okay with this. That even as he understands now, the real reason why Inigo asked for a break, he's more than willing to grant both of them such a reprieve.

Roland takes in a deep breath, his chest rising visibly at the motion, before he exhales just as audibly, eyes coming to a close for a second before he looks down at where they're joined by the flowers weaved into links around his hand. And what beautiful flowers too. His free hand attempts to touch the soft petals but he draws back at the last second, too frightened to disturb Inigo and accidentally bruise them at the same time.

So instead, Roland rests his palm against his own lap and watches. Listens to the words Inigo tells him, smiling warmly as more chains are created like flora crawling up a vine.

"She's a well of wisdom." Roland says kindly. His head leans to the side too, planting his temple against the crown of Inigo's hair. "And what would you make of this place then, if that were true? Hm? What would you say if you looked back on this mission after we board back the train?"
sizedoesntmatter: (130)

[personal profile] sizedoesntmatter 2021-02-04 11:57 am (UTC)(link)
"I guess it must be but...There doesn't seem to be a door." Which makes getting in a tiny bit harder and he didn't want to cause damage just to get in.

There must be better ways to do it? He was going to be pondering on that for a bit.

"Do you have any ideas? Because at the moment I'm stumped."
adregem: (guess i landed on my feet.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-02-04 02:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"Uhuh. You got it."

He definitely doesn't, but you can't stop that amused glance thrown Tidus's way for a split second either! Don't ask him - it's not in his wheelhouse to name higgledies. Roland turns back and for a second there, it looks as if Rannygazoo and him are meeting eyes, with the smaller one stopping completely to stare, communicating in silence. Then he nods, and suddenly...disappears in midair. Roland walks to Tidus's side, ready for the move.

Hibber-Gibbers too, seems to understand inherently what's about to happen, but doesn't quite say specifically what he knows. Instead, jumping back into Tidus's arms, crawling up to his shoulder in proud standing. Hyping him up, as one might in a game ready to unfold. Where's the rock music when you need it?

"Trust the little guy. He's connected to me, after all. Have I ever let you down?" Roland jokingly taunts, though he knows he'll receive a similar joke in return, a jab at his...being Roland, or whatever strikes Tidus's fancy today. Still. Its an easy thing to say now that he knows precisely how they'll land. So he gets ready for it, waiting for the cue.

The said higgledy in charge of their safety is nowhere to be found, at least not where they can see.
Edited 2021-02-04 14:10 (UTC)
reluctantjinrou: (Glancing Around Corners)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2021-02-04 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Her words got an amused snicker out of Natsuno.

"Beats me. I'd rather live just about anywhere but here."
reluctantjinrou: (Default)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2021-02-04 06:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's been my experience so far." Natsuno agreed. He didn't mind the fighting so much now that he knew what he was doing, sort of.
reluctantjinrou: (Mournful Glance)

[personal profile] reluctantjinrou 2021-02-04 06:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"It doesn't sound to me like there was anything to get better. Except maybe living with the trauma, and if you've faced that head on then..." He exhaled slowly. "You've done a better job of it than I have."

Natsuno was very much avoiding dealing with anything, for as long as he could help it. He wasn't supposed to have to.

"And if you mean traumatic stuff, I don't know that it ever leaves you completely." He murmured. "But that doesn't make you insane. I don't think you are."
comefadeaway: (Hmm?)

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2021-02-04 07:05 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ah, okay!" Yoite said, slamming into the robot one last time to get it to stop moving.

He ran up to the panel again and tried another button.

More Helpmates turned their eyes on them.

"Not that one, not that one." He murmured and then he pushed another button and they all stopped moving. He took a deep breath.

They reset and started to wander off.
blitzcheer: (fluster fluster!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-02-04 07:50 pm (UTC)(link)
If the implication didn't slot in so well with the last of his musings, Tidus would think Inigo's point to be different: 'If it was Roland's suggestion, then shouldn't you take it seriously?'

Like the papa's boy he thinks Inigo to be. No offence, bro.

Fortunately, that's not where that goes but instead painted is the imagery of Roland with a mop, and Tidus swings his head, grins at Inigo. "Should I tell him that? You're offering him up for cleaning du--oof!"

nevermind, a wall just popped out in front of him and made him stumble back.
hisblueskies: Blond boy with candle, smiling (Candle)

[personal profile] hisblueskies 2021-02-04 09:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Alfredo barely suppresses a smile at Devero's reaction, and subsequently busies himself with the packet.

He lets the couple have their privacy, but once the man is back:

"Thank you - that means you get first bite, I think?" he says, offering the packet in turn.
kingcat: (Resurrección)

[personal profile] kingcat 2021-02-04 10:25 pm (UTC)(link)
He grinned, almost ferally, and pointed his blade at Ichigo. "You're on!" And he'd better be ready, because Grimmjow wasn't giving him a single second longer to get ready, releasing Pantera and pouncing.