voidtreckermods: (train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2021-05-09 06:48 am

What their Eyes See: Start

"Good Morning Voidtreckers, today is day five of the month of Llama." 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.

Preperation and Arrival

As usual they have a couple of hours before arrival to ready themselves for the mission ahead. As promised the dressing carriage is open for them to find suitable clothing. Trench coats, a lot of leather, a lot of black with neon colours thrown in here and there. There is a lot of choice in a variety of sizes so everyone is bound to find something to fit. Hopefully something they like, though some passengers may be more comfortable with the fashion choices than others.

A couple of hours after the announcement of the mission the voice speaks again. "Shortly arriving in system #93426194992. Arriving in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." The train shakes as it leaves the void, colours fading to be replaced to a grey thick smog outside the windows.

The train bumps slightly as it hits rails, snaking its way towards the city before entering a tunnel. A few moments and they come to a stop, the doors open onto a platform. Stepping out into the station the first thing to hit them is noise, it sounds like there are ten different advertisements blaring, someone or something is playing loud music. There's a lot of flashing signs, screens with advertisements, bright lights that change colour for no real apparant reason. Heavy on the senses as they make their way to the gates.

They will find that their SCAs allow them through the barriers and into the wider train station, which is somehow even louder. It is busy as well, people hurrying from place to place. There are signs declaring this to be Tier Three, Home of Manufacturing. as well as signs pointing the way to lifts, to take them to other tiers.

Tier One

Mapping

For those travelling up to tier one the first thing they will notice when they leave the lift is, it is a lot quieter up here. Peaceful even, there are people around, all looking official and busy. None will pay the Voidtreckers any mind unless they are acting particularly suspicious.

The air feels better here, probably because the whole tier is encased with a dome that they will be able to see as they enter, coming from a lift near the edge of the tier. The buildings are all harsh dark metal, almost uniform in design. The streets are clean and there has been an attempt at greenery with some shrubs and simple plants.

The buildings all need to be accessed using their SCA's. Their SCA maps show them where the buildings are but give no information about them, nor do they have maps of inside. Once the voidtreckers enter they will find that their maps fill in as they explore.

There are plenty of different buildings, offices, labs and meeting rooms. There are also a lot of security staff and anyone acting too suspiciously will be approached and questioned. Hopefully they have a plan, blend in or sneak around.

Flickers

Sometimes though that is a little harder, they might enter a room to find themselves on their old street, in a world they have visited before on the train or somewhere else that is decidedly not here. These illusions get more common as time goes on and people will begin seeing the illusions of others or find the two scenes merging together.

Voidtreckers who are immune to illusions will not see these strange visions and those who are particularly strong willed will be able to fight them off. Once people know they are illusions they can focus through them to see reality even if it is overlaid with what their minds want to see. It will take a lot of concentration to stay focused and get an accurate map.

Tier Two

A Mystery

The lift here brings them out into a glass covered corridor. Outside the glass the air is thick with smog but the filtration systems means that the air seems fine inside, especially with their SCA's helping out. Outside the tunnels they will be able to see the lights of hovercars zipping around and the silhouettes of buildings. Office blocks and large houses make up this sector. Large billboards blare out advertisements at all hours, neon lights shining through the smog.

The atmosphere of the sector is one of fear, people hurry about their business, keeping an wary eye on their surroundings. The newcomers won't get too much scrutiny but people are likely to be very wary if approached or questioned.

But they will talk once they guage them to not be a threat. Murders. Six people dead, from inside their own houses. Locked doors, security systems, all for nothing. Is it a serial killer? But the reports suggested an animal attack? From what animals?

Getting access to the houses will take some negotiating or breaking and entering. The bodies themselves have been cleared by law enforcement, caution tape still up to keep out any nosy public.

The rooms the bodies were found in were all rooms that used holograms as decoration and the voidtreckers will realise when they enter them that these holograms seem a lot more realistic than some of the others they might have seen in their stay in the sector so far.

Creatures

As they talk to people, or overhear gossip they will hear more about animal attacks. Someone swears they saw a lion prowling the streets. A hovercar crashed and the driver swore they had been attacked by an eagle. Neither of those creatures live in the city. Neither of those creatures exist on this world anymore.

But the Voidtreckers will quickly learn there is something to these rumours, especially as dark falls, the feeling they are being hunted. A paw tread, a tail disappearing around a corner. As days go on they may get attacked by a bear, a tiger or perhaps a creature from their own world, one that should not exist here at all...

Tier Three

A Crisis

Leaving the station brings them into crowded streets, air thick with smog, Up above them is the floor of the plate above, set with bright lights to offset the lack of natural light getting through. Billboards and screens blare advertisements, traders yell their wares. Life is fast and swirls around them as they step out into the streets.

Here also there is an air of worry. The talk is all of Spectura, kids unconcious after playing video games, hospital overflowing. Spectura's fault, there are calls for accountability, claims of sabotage. No person gives the same story and it becomes clear that most people don't know what has happened but almost everyone knows someone who has been affected. Fear, blame, tensions are high.

But life must go on, the factories never stop, people can't not work and with so many people unconscious people have to pick up the slack. The whole sector feels at breaking point.

If they try and buy Spectura systems they will not be stopped though they will need to sign a waiver, to take on all responsibility for what might happen to them if they go into the system.

Spectura


There are a whole range of games to look through, though the two most popular ones where the majority of players can be found are an open-world farming MMO called AgriTopia VI Ultimate, with bright landscapes and calming diegetic music, and Aegis Force, a tournament team shooter with short battle scenarios and smaller maps.

Those entering the system will fall unconscious in the real world and as they enter the problem will be pretty obvious straight away. Red vines, covering everything, tangling trees, creeping up buildings, coming straight for them to attack.

Anyone who gets overwhelmed by them will be stuck, unable to move or progress. It is possible to fight them off and for those voidtreckers who have faced the vines before they will find their soothing powers will work here as well.

People are tangled throughout many different games and once they are freed will need some help to find the next save point or exit. They need to help plant the final hundred potatoes, or team up to take down the level boss or solve the next puzzle, keep the vines away and free as many people as they can.

Tier Four

A Way In

As they leave the lifts they will find this tier is dark, dim lighting barely penetrating the smog. Homes are makeshift and all on top of each other. The streets are crowded, loud and people don't stop to chat. It is incredibly claustrophobic, with large support columns, exposed wires and large pipes running alongside and over the 'roads'.

Here there are plenty of stores selling anything and everything, certainly not above board. Credits are sometimes accepted but more often store keepers will prefer to trade in barters, food is popular. Anything that isn't nutri slime or the even worse unbranded basic version.

Bars and other seedy establishments are open all hours, neon signs beckoning. It is here that they will find the entry points to the fighting rings.

People don't talk about it openly but you look big enough, mean enough or dramatic enough then it will be slipped into conversation. Have you heard? Winners get a dream come true.

The fights are a mix of one on one and group fights. All terms are negotiated before hand with an overseer and fights are to the yield. The crowd wants a show and so dramatics are encouraged.

What was that?

The rumours about people going berserk are spoken in whispers. No one really knows what has gone on. A few fights have gotten out of control, a couple of fighters broke down after fights, at least one has quit for good. Most spoken about is The Crimson Fist. The best fighter in the ring who two days prior just left. Left the city with no protective gear, no word to anyone. No one knows what happened to them.

As the voidtreckers get further into their fights they will begin to realise something strange is going on. That opponent you are facing? They now look like your worst enemy, or perhaps your best friend, your lover. Sometimes you're no longer in the city but in a place of fond memories or your worst nightmares. Fights can very quickly go south when your opponent believes you their greatest foe.

Advancing the ranks now seems like it might be more difficult than first it appeared.
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (face each new sun)

Interlude

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-10 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Once Ken's got his pockets full and gets out of the sore, he'll run right smack into Della - and judging by her expression, she's clearly seen what he did.

She doesn't say anything right off the bat. Just raises an eyebrow, waiting to see if he'll explain himself.
miseris_socios: (ugh...)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-05-10 03:39 pm (UTC)(link)
He shrugs a little bit. "Only have so much in money. We need some supplies."

He'll save money for things like food or stuff to do with the investigation. He's not taking things like food.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (and he'll toot his flute for you)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-10 06:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"A lot of people need them." Della pointed out, gesturing around them. "Dunno if you noticed, but the classes here are super divided and super unfair."
miseris_socios: (grr...)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-05-10 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
“I noticed. I can’t really get up to the other levels though, can I?” He’s got shit to do.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (i'll be holding you so near)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-11 10:28 am (UTC)(link)
"No, but you can help the people here." So she's not against stealing, per say...
miseris_socios: (Default)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-05-11 10:36 am (UTC)(link)
"If you could get me up top fast, maybe..."
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (in llama land)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-11 06:11 pm (UTC)(link)
"Focus on here and now, buddy." Della pointed downward. "There are people HERE who could need this stuff more than we do."
miseris_socios: (grr...)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-05-11 07:52 pm (UTC)(link)
He gives her the stinkeye for a moment before turning towards the store.

"'m keeping the magazine."
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (my darling baby boys)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-12 09:42 am (UTC)(link)
Good boy. She smiles, proud. "Fine by me. I don't think anyone needs one of those that badly."
miseris_socios: (blankly)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-05-12 01:25 pm (UTC)(link)
The clerk gives him a suspicious look as he goes back inside but Ken waits until he's distracted again before quickly replacing most of what he took. He then leaves the shop and rejoins Della.

"... I'm not... tech isn't really... my thing... but I wanted to help..."
Edited 2021-05-12 13:25 (UTC)
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (Default)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-12 06:27 pm (UTC)(link)
"You can help, and you will." Della said confidently, shrugging one shoulder to indicate he should follow her as she walks.

"All right, let's take this one step at a time. Tell me what you know about this mission."
miseris_socios: (huh?)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-05-12 10:37 pm (UTC)(link)
"Thought we might need materials..." Screwdrivers and duct tape should be in everyone's kit. But he follows along with her.

"People are stuck in some video game system. We have to go in there and pull them out somehow. Without killing them, I mean." Which is a solution, though not the desired one. "That's really all we know."
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (Default)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-13 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
"And you think you can't help because you're not a 'techie'." She repeated from before. "But that's not true. Not everyone can go in the system - and we need people to watch over the ones who can."
miseris_socios: (standing proud)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-05-13 05:18 pm (UTC)(link)
"That, and because I don't think I'll be able to use my Persona in the game. I can fight with a spear, sure. But I fight best when I can use both."
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (i'll be holding you so near)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-14 09:41 am (UTC)(link)
"Do you think you can help us from the outside?" Della asked. "Making sure no one hurts us in case an outside source comes for us?"
miseris_socios: (ugh...)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-05-14 10:14 am (UTC)(link)
"Maybe. I'd be.. um. I use mostly electricity... which might not be a good thing to have around a lot of electronics. If I short it out while we've got people in there, I don't... know what will happen."
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (i'll be holding you so near)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-14 05:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Interesting. Della cupped her beak in thought. "Have you ever taken any hand-to-hand combat training?"
miseris_socios: (standing proud)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-05-14 06:09 pm (UTC)(link)
"The only training I've gotten has been on the train. ... I mostly just figured things out myself. I got given an Evoker and told how to use it, and from there I just basically had to figure stuff out. The others gave me a few tips, but..." He shrugs. He's used to learning on his own.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (if you could use)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-15 05:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"Maybe it's time you trained under someone intelligent, brave, and who knows more than anyone else about how to take down things larger than their size."

She means her. She definitely means her.
miseris_socios: (huh?)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-05-16 11:29 am (UTC)(link)
"And who I could probably pick up?" He's aware she means her, but he's not so sure if hollow bones will make a difference here.

... Does she have hollow bones? He knows birds do, but maybe her birds are different.
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (we'll just glide starry-eyed)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-16 01:36 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, now he's asking for it.

She stops walking, crosses her arms, and raises her eyebrows, amused. "Try me."
miseris_socios: (unimpressed.jpg)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-05-16 02:05 pm (UTC)(link)
He shrugs and walks over to her, grabbing her around the waist to try to lift her up. He's pretty strong for his age and frame... ducks can't weigh that much, can they?
sos_pilot: by <user name=cupcake_graphics> (till the end)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-17 10:58 am (UTC)(link)
Della just smiles...

... Then grabs his wrists, turns him around, flips him over, and knocks him to the ground, an arm (lightly) on his throat.

"So. What did we learn?"
miseris_socios: (not so innocent)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-05-17 02:45 pm (UTC)(link)
He puts an arm up to block the arm to his throat, spinning his leg to try to knock her over.

He just grins.

There's a reason he was assigned to Red Team.
Edited 2021-05-17 14:45 (UTC)
sos_pilot: by <user name=noimpulsecontrol> (if you could use)

[personal profile] sos_pilot 2021-05-18 04:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Della catches her balance, but JUST barely. A light breeze might've tipped her over, and she's wobbling back and forth.

Pleased, she's grinning from ear to... well, you get the idea. "You've been holding out on me, Ken!"

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