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.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (let's fly let's fly away)

malfunctions

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-01-14 02:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Whoa, cool!"

Instead of... actively helping, Della is way too impressed with Raven's powers.

"What kinda magic is that?"
lanxichen: (Soft look)

[personal profile] lanxichen 2021-01-14 02:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Xichen settles his hands in his lap once Meng Yao is better, but doesn't try to bolt. Though he does shake his head slightly.

"I am not really tired, yet. I will meditate some when everyone seems all right and resting."

He doesn't sleep if he can avoid it, no.
adregem: (did you just use a twig?)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 02:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"How reassuring. Thank you for the pleasant reminder, Tidus."

It's a testament to Roland's own recovery from Nion that now, he's able to return to the dry sense of humor he falls back on without noticing. Which isn't to say he's devoid of worry. Quite the contrary; Roland's mind latches on to the brewing sense of dread that he hasn't quite shaken off from the time they stepped foot into the Great Autumn. Hearing the suspicion come to life from someone else's observation just puts him on a teetering balance between being prepared and being completely on-edge.

He rests one foot against the edge of the pod, trying to look closer into it. There really is nothing much to point out. In fact, Roland could say that about the entire grid, the entire habitation network. It's so bare.

"We're going to have to break ground and establish headquarters one way or another," Roland says, letting go of the pod and moving along the next few rows of futuristic, sterile housing. "And I'll keep watch if you want to take five. Don't worry about it. I'm pretty good at staying awake."
adregem: (dammit we're getting caught.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 02:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Roland stops completely, whatever it is he finds himself doing, all searching of pockets and bags and hammerspaces at a total standstill. He stares at Tidus, straight-faced at first, until he takes two steps to approach him, suddenly stricken with a look of worry.

"What's wrong?" He offers sharply, arms crossed against his chest, ready to hear bad news. "Is there news about Purple's mission that I missed? Anything you heard along the grapevine that we need to get ready for?"

...Tidus going with his team? Roland's immediately set to SOS mode. That, or the planets of every universe have aligned. This was just totally new to him, since it's usually the other way around; with Tidus protecting Blue or Red, or lending aid in some capacity, before he swamps out for a time to visit Purple.
adregem: (goldpaw is kind of sketch???)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 03:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, he said Marco Polo, not leap the frog wall!!! Roland stutters in his step as he looks incredulously at nothing in particular, imagining instead the kind of thought process behind Tidus's suggested course of action.

"Tidus, no. I'll find you the old fashioned way." Roland shouts back, cupping his hands over his mouth to aid in being heard. Tilting his chin up to stare at the walls which come and go; Roland's quite certain such a task would be near impossible anyway.

Right...?

Thankfully, Tidus's voice is not too distant from where he is, so the best plan now is to keep him talking so he can determine distance by sound. And so Roland moves again, feet shuffling until he can break out into a reasonable gait.
Edited 2021-01-14 15:21 (UTC)
adregem: (think about it carefully.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 03:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Really, the only silver lining was that none of the Helpmates actually posed a significant enough threat such that they might have given either one of them a hard time. Apart from a heated chase, the group malfunctioning didn't challenge him enough to even warrant his sword - for now, keeping them at bay until Reno finished with the panel.

And he sure took his time...

Roland slows down and halts to a complete stop when they reset. Not that Roland means to show visible surprise, but he doesn't stop it when his brows raise and the Helpmates turn docile, recognizing foe turned friend. It's almost strange to look at when they're so humanoid yet holograms at the same time. He doesn't quite approach them, so much as he studies them with narrowed eyes and a finger under his chin. The SCA that signals to a shift in the grid from the danger of the Helpmates, finally pauses in it warning.

"...Hm." Is all he can offer, staring at the Helpmate. "Guess we need to engage it further. What else was on that panel?" He throws the question to Reno, promptly.
firewalled: (You can make it on a wish)

[personal profile] firewalled 2021-01-14 04:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"A distraction works. I swear, I'm almost done."

He is moving a lot faster with someone watching his back. He doesn't want Senku to end up getting hurt because of him, either, so the moment it looks like his patch is going to hold, he's back up on his feet.

"Let's keep moving."
adregem: (Default)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 04:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Can't say I know the definitive answer to that one. Some people watch it for the adrenaline rush. Others just like getting scared." Roland says first, before immediately adding with the same lightness he lends his previous sentiment: "As for me, I'm into the production value. The kind of props they use to make the alien look realistic. It's crazy how imaginative people can get when they tell stories, even if they're scary."

Come along, little duckling puppy of his. Roland reaches out a hand for Inigo to hold, though he does use this to tug him along to another pod which he studies without the glass casing separating its bare interiors from the rest of the world. He doesn't quite let go of his hand, but he seems to peer into it for way too long...

...and for a moment, turns absolutely serious as he goes, "Do you think this was made to fit people? Let me see if I can lay down. Help me in?"
adregem: (lofty you say the silliest things.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"But what?"

Another one of those missions where they're left with more questions than leads, but this time, it bothers Roland visibly not only with the design of the biosphere...but the distinct lack of external danger apart from malfunctioning holograms.

"We might need to look further in, for clues. Maybe the threat really is more interior than it is external. Got any ideas?" He says to her, turning back with his arms crossed against his chest. His expression lightens when he almost forgets -

"I'm Roland, by the way. I don't believe we've met yet."
adregem: (gotta hurry.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 04:47 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Okay, so it's mostly a glass panel, like a touchscreen, which is good. He's familiar. He can work with that. And Broadleaf engineers from home would have taught him at least the basics of resetting, with intuition doing the rest.

But don't think he's so busy with his tap tap tapping that he misses what Della is planning. One hand lifts and points to her direction while the other keeps tapping. Just a little more, he's gonna get there...! ]


Miss Della Duck, don't you dare! [ ENOUGH LEG SHENANIGANS, you will make his conveniently young body sprout white hairs before their time, ma'am!!! Also, way to force him to use his dad voice on someone who isn't even a kid and is more or less his actual age!! ] Just buy me five more minutes! I've almost cracked this!
Edited 2021-01-14 16:48 (UTC)
adregem: (rise and shine!)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 04:54 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He goes through it and it doesn't grant him some strange, otherworldly experience of any sort. Just like going through a regular doorway, and before he knows it, Roland is already on the other side as promised. Thankfully, it's a clearer, more open area than the one where a wall popped up to block them.

He checks his map straight away, waiting for Raven to follow through the portal. ]


You're right. No crazy holograms to reset here. [ For now. Which means they're clear to continue exploration, with hopefully no more walls to separate them. Hopefully. ] Say, your talents are really quite something. Kind of reminds me of someone else's from back home, too.
adregem: (the decision that will change your life.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well now. How luxurious. Heh."

Not that he would reach for delicacies like that on first instinct, but the message is well-received and it's sustenance that'll last. But the white band around Senku's arm is new to Roland, and so it prompts him to remember one of the things he wanted to talk to Senku about before they embark through different doors. He taps his own marker once, in emphasis.

"...You'll come find me if you're in trouble, right?" Roland says, more serious than his quick quips just seconds before. "Or if you learn anything about all this. You'll let me know, won't you?"
Edited 2021-01-14 16:59 (UTC)
adregem: (dammit we're getting caught.)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Consider it ignored because right now, what's important is they outwit and outmatch these holographic critters that are more nuisances than they are threats. ]

I'm sure it's not rocket science! [ Introductions can wait for after this mess. Watch him try and dart around Helpmates eager to punch him a new one. ] Try, at least? Gah! Watch it!

[ Even if they're not strong, they are dexterous. Which means a long reach, almost catching Roland, but not quite. Better hurry mysterious one currently along for Purple's ride! It's a free for all, really! Welcome to the chaos! ]
adregem: (Default)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 05:08 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Taiki coming along for Purple was enough reason for Roland's increased attention to his surroundings, since he's not quite sure what precisely the threats are, and how to stop them should they come. Certainly, it can't be the Helpmates that need a hard reset, not quite giving him a challenge but swarming him and providing a nuisance all the same. For now, the best he can do is make sure every activated hologram have eyes on him, while Taiki continued to tinker.

From time to time, as he darts around and circles back to the Helpmates in confusion, he sends a worried glance Taiki's way. ]


You okay? [ Roland manages to bellow out, barely dodging two Helpmates attempting to pincer him in. ] What do you need, let me help you from over here! They're busy dancing with me anyway! Heh!

[ Remote instruction, he means. The next best thing. Or were the buttons intuitive enough? He hasn't glimpsed the panels at all yet, so this was going to be a guessing game if it was more difficult than an off button. ]
adregem: (a lightheartedness that comes with age)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 05:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Oof. Easy.

[ But that might have just straightened his spine somewhat, so it's totally cool. And also a joke, so Roland only offers a smile and a pretend rub to a sore spot that definitely wasn't even there. ]

Come on, for real though. Who knows what new surprise is gonna burst out of the ground. I definitely don't want to wait for it.

[ That is these rogue walls that are honestly giving him the impression of being caged up like in a trap. ]
adregem: (Default)

[personal profile] adregem 2021-01-14 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
Your family? They're all here?

[ On the train? On a mission? Roland blinks at her, and if it sounds like he's more surprised and worried than he is happy to see a family reunited first and foremost, it's only because of what he already knows of their situation. Then again, at least they're together...

He masks such thoughts well, behind a mask of sternness. ]


I'm with Purple, ma'am. Roland Crane, if you need any assistance.
firewalled: (Hey mayday!)

[personal profile] firewalled 2021-01-14 05:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Rich can definitely hear those noises. He does flinch a few times, but he tries to keep his focus on his work. Eventually, once the noise is completely gone, he's able to finish up a little more quickly, and he stands.

"Ready to move on?"
comefadeaway: (Hmm?)

Destruction

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2021-01-14 05:32 pm (UTC)(link)
He'd been fending off this robot-like Helpmate, infinitely glad for his new tools, kunai in hand, when it froze in place.

Yoite blinked a moment, looking around for what changed.

He saw Madoka come running and ask...he nodded.

"I'm fine. I'm ready this time." He showed her the kunai he had in hand.
comefadeaway: (A Threat)

I

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2021-01-14 05:37 pm (UTC)(link)
This time, Yoite was ready. Last time, the machines got the better of him and this time they were a lot less threatening, but he wasn't empty handed. In one hand, he had a kunai, deflecting its blows effortlessly, while he jumped backward to keep it from getting too close.

He wasn't really aware of what was going on behind him though, and he was moving right in Piccolo's direction.
comefadeaway: (A Threat)

Destruction

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2021-01-14 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"Alright." Yoite confirmed.

He was fine letting her handle things like panels because he had absolutely no idea how any of that worked. He did draw his kunai out of nowhere in the blink of an eye to deflect an approaching Helpmate. He was prepraed this time for a battle where his tricks wouldn't work.
comefadeaway: (A Threat)

Destruction

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2021-01-14 05:42 pm (UTC)(link)
He moved quickly, much quicker than a regular person could, hopefully to put himself between Romeo and him possibly ending up on the ground.

Hopefully, once his roommate caught his footing, he wouldn't mind, because Yoite stepped in front of him, kunai in his hand in a defensive posture.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (if you could use)

Re: Exploring

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-01-14 05:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Aw, they just haven't found the right thrill factor yet! You just have to find the right spook-factor.
stillnewatthis: (my purpose)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2021-01-14 05:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"I advise you to move behind my shield!" Orisa said, in the same moment as she shot a force projector out of a launcher on her arm. It struck the ground a few feet ahead, immediately spreading to deploy a large, curved field.
unfavorableinstigation: Nita Callahan kneeling in the woods, drawing a glowing blue diagram on the ground while reading from a book. (Drawing a Spell Diagram)

Re: 2

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2021-01-14 06:00 pm (UTC)(link)
"I know what you mean, then." A matter of pride.

Nita steps up - and up, and up, making sure the stairs are stable and uniform.

"Here. This'll hold both of us." And mean Persephone doesn't have to float herself so much.
melodiouspacifist: (Nort Yeah yeah I'm on it)

[personal profile] melodiouspacifist 2021-01-14 06:06 pm (UTC)(link)
"Man, always comes down to this, doesn't it?"

Alright then, if they weren't going to just back off, even if they weren't terribly threatening, he could buy them time, but to do that, he'd need a lot more water than what was at his disposal.

He held his hand out and water appeared around him, the drops heading upwards and forming a ball above his head as he raised his hand. It changed and he summoned his sitar, catching it in mid-air easily enough, practiced.

It might be an odd choice for a weapon.