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.
myblueskies: (of course!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2021-01-17 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Romeo looked up and grinned a lopsided grin at Devero. "Thank you sir!"

He did as he was told and stood behind him him as the Helpmate swung its long staff towards them.

"LINE!" He threw a borderline out at it, a slicing burst of energy.
hisblueskies: Blond boy with candle, smiling (Candle)

[personal profile] hisblueskies 2021-01-17 09:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Alfredo smiles. "Hopefully, yes."

He settles in as well, looking thoughtful as Devero explains.

"That doesn't bother me - do you like Koumyou Sanzo? Are you friends?" Because that's what matters in the end, he figures.

It's far from Alfredo's first mission, but he still feels new - which means focusing on the other part Devero mentioned. And, of course:

"... May I ask what those - hand motions, are for? Are they a language?"
myblueskies: (someone needs help!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2021-01-17 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
It is a terrible thing! If these alpacas have never even had pets that was really sad!

"We should! We should pet them all!"

There's a lot of alpacas and he's not sure how much time they will have here but it's important!
unfavorableinstigation: Nita looking directly at the viewer, mouth slightly open, as if she's in the middle of an important or unamused expression. (Focused)

[personal profile] unfavorableinstigation 2021-01-17 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"Hnn."

The stairs, like the patch, hold steady - but Nita looks uncertain for a different reason, now.

"Also makes me wonder... was anyone meant to monitor this biosphere? Or were the Helpmates deemed enough?"

That didn't sound precisely like good caretaking to her.
blitzcheer: (i go where you go)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-01-17 09:08 pm (UTC)(link)
That gets a light scoff from Tidus, a raised eyebrow. "Why? What history you got with the animal kingdom?"

They smelling his fear or something?
subcircuits: (definitely like what i'm seeing)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-01-17 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ten million people," he says, a little bit faintly. "O'Neill cylinders supporting ten million people. That's incredible. And you said most of your population lives up in those? To keep off the Earth?"
myblueskies: (of course!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2021-01-17 09:10 pm (UTC)(link)
"I will hold it as long as I can, sir!" He gritted his teeth, it was hard but he was determined to not drop it.

"I'm really good at them now!" He looked between Kaseri and Jonouchi. He bet he had a plan!
lucklessgege: (Default)

[personal profile] lucklessgege 2021-01-17 09:11 pm (UTC)(link)
Xie Lian feels the struggling stop and Rouye releases the helpmate and returns to his place. "I think you've managed to stop it for the moment."

He waits until he is sure it isn't moving before he starts walking over to the creature.
myblueskies: (Alfredo is speaking!)

[personal profile] myblueskies 2021-01-17 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"LINE! LINE!" He threw out two more border lines, one to hit a nearby Helpmate and another to make a shield between her and two others.

"How is it going, Ple Two?"
lucklessgege: (worries)

[personal profile] lucklessgege 2021-01-17 09:14 pm (UTC)(link)
"It would be my bad luck that would draw one that was in a bad mood." Xie Lian's luck is very bad even on a good day. So it doesn't surprise him that he would be the person who would attract a malfunctioning creature.

Managing to pop open the creature finally all he sees is bunch of things that are terribly unfamiliar to him. He reaches in and pulls a few of the wires out, disconnecting them in the hopes that if the thing does feel the need to get back up that this will prevent it.

"I'm afraid I don't know much about this kind of thing. But if this prevents it from attacking anyone else then that is what matters."
blitzcheer: (wibbly wobbly)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-01-17 09:15 pm (UTC)(link)
"Thanks! And let's hope there's something there for you and everyone else too, huh? Maaybe no knitting shops on a bio-thingy in progress, but who knows?"

Is she sarcastic, is she not? Tidus isn't going to be too worried about it. Spaceships, friends!
lucklessgege: (Default)

[personal profile] lucklessgege 2021-01-17 09:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"I can try. I know they gave us a few supplies to work with." And so he sets a pot on the fire and start to place things inside of it. Someone should probably tell him at some point that not everything should be cooked all together in one pot but for Xie Lian he figures that is the best way to draw out the flavor. Of course it does draw out the flavor...and also eliminates it.
its_dad_sanzo: (it's messy work)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2021-01-17 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Koumyou laughs lightly, and then blows smoke rings toward the fire after his next drag, holding the cigarette where Devero can reclaim it if he wants. And, "I think I can shoulder that karma."

He only falls when it's funny anyway.

The priest looks at his SCA on his other wrist, and the tiny map that shows their progress toward the target. "This is definitely going to take a few days. I suppose that's better than when we landed on Nion and only had a few hours to reach our targets or the world would end."
blitzcheer: (ummmooo)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-01-17 09:19 pm (UTC)(link)
Huh, that all that was stopping you at that point? [ Della... ]

Don't know how I'd feel seeing pictures of egg me like that.



... actually, I think I would have liked the googley-eyes more. With legs.
gentle_jim: (eyebrow raise)

[personal profile] gentle_jim 2021-01-17 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Wow, that sure was a look right before she backed off- Jack has a feeling he just dodged a very angry bullet. He also glances over the edge she nearly walked off, making a low whistle.

"Welcome. Though you don't really sound that freaked out about it."
subcircuits: (do a little turn on the catwalk)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-01-17 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
The money bits of what Trunks says sail right over Devero's happy socialistic head, but the reverse-engineering part he definitely understands. "Your mother is a genius," he says frankly. "And she's here on the train now? ...Maybe you could see your way clear to introducing us?"
light_of_willpower: (long hair profile talking)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-01-17 09:29 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh I've already mentioned you two will be wanting to meet each other." Trunks murmured, pulling on a boot. "Your world seems to be more advanced than ours, which she's not used to."
blitzcheer: (who asked you!!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-01-17 09:30 pm (UTC)(link)
"Ahaha! Good time to test those lungs! Get some yelling out of your system."

As if Romeo had any in him, but Tidus likes a good yell now and then. Tidus makes a fist, pumping it some.

"You ready for the mission? Everything's a big mystery beyond those doors. That means we gotta be ready for anything!"
gentle_jim: (pout 2)

[personal profile] gentle_jim 2021-01-17 09:34 pm (UTC)(link)
The nice thing about being a hologram is that none of his clothes are actually wet. The systems check confirms that nothing inside is damaged either. He's probably lucky Trunks didn't leave him submerged for too long.

"That was just teasing. I told the kid I didn't need his stupid body. Plus, he doesn't have a port anyhow. He was totally safe."

Sure, Jack.
blitzcheer: (meerrrrily merrily meerrrily)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-01-17 09:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Frankenstein? That a- spaceship?"

Planet? Some kind of name? He's got a raised brow, waiting curiously. That's nothing that's popped up in his scope of anything so far. Someone here does not know the classics...!
firewalled: (Strangely it comes out as yes)

sometimes you just gotta fidget your problems away!

[personal profile] firewalled 2021-01-17 09:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Perhaps this is a surprise for Jack, but Rich actually doesn't seem insulted by the joke, and in fact snorts as well.

"Hey now, you can say what you want about me, but even you know I ain't the type to jizz in my pants. For one thing, you need an actual penis for that."

He smirks, as if wondering if Jack will even figure that puzzle out before turning to head down the hall.

"Sure there're plenty of other pipes that need your attention though, my dude."
irrationally: (but now i know it's going to take)

[personal profile] irrationally 2021-01-17 10:11 pm (UTC)(link)
The bridge of Alice's nose wrinkles. Like she's almost pouting at the very thought. Yeah, she doesn't like the idea of physical contact at all either, but if it's necessary..

"It could be worse."

So much worse. Mostly because:

"I mean, it's not that bad if it's you."

Because Natsuno is 100% not interested in her in any creepy way. And she feels comfortable enough around him - especially when she knows he won't make fun of her for it or anything like that.
namethattune: (Lost in my train of thoughts)

[personal profile] namethattune 2021-01-17 10:16 pm (UTC)(link)
"It is alright." He's seen enough people cross the street when an Omnic approaches to understand the mindset. He gestures for Rich to join him. "Perhaps you should let me handle them while you focus on repairs."
subcircuits: (furious)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-01-17 10:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Even as Romeo's throwing his line, Devero's unslung a pair of steel pipes from where they're tied at his hip and stepped in to parry the swing of the sword with them. Their two attacks combined actually snap the staff in half, with force enough that even the end held by the Helpmate goes spinning away.

The Helpmate itself stumbles back several steps, apparently a little stunned. Devero looks over his shoulder at the kid. "What was that!?"
flatteries: (i'm just trying to stop the bleeding)

[personal profile] flatteries 2021-01-17 10:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yes.. me neither. Not even on any of these missions."

Of course Inigo easily accepts the hand. It's rather nice, actually - how with Taiki he never has to ask for it first and risk going through a whole set of flustered feelings about it. Taiki's hand is always there in his before Inigo even realises it, and it makes him smile despite his unease about everything around them.

"Maybe it's better to stick close together like this. Those walls sometimes seem to appear out of nowhere.. I wouldn't want to be separated from you."