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.
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Raised Eyebrow)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-05-11 04:59 pm (UTC)(link)
There is the dull, distant echo of offense at Tidus' reaction but it is something she is somewhat used to cursed with a lean build and a height that, whilst tall for a Miqo'te, doesn't exactly stack up next to a lot of Hydaelyn's races.

"I am a Dragoon, I would hope that all of my Jumping is special," She responds dryly, "But it comes in handy when trying to get to the tops of tall places. As for carrying you, you look to be about the same weight as my axe so it should not be too taxing."

In Q'uila's defense, her axe is very big and almost solid metal.
Edited 2021-05-11 16:59 (UTC)
blitzcheer: (the QUEEN)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-05-11 05:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"I-I weigh more than an axe!"

In Tidus's defence, his protest isn't coming out as loud as his soul wants to be protesting it. Also, he wouldn't remember said axe even if he saw it. But there is some guy masculinity that needs to be defended here, that's making him more unsure about this plan of anyone (read: him) getting carried.

"I can jump! I just-- yeah." Need some room, was what he was going to say, but he doesn't exactly want to admit that when they're going to be doing this in an alley. But an alley will have enough room, right? Riiight. No problem! He's so got this!
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Smug)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-05-12 06:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mayhaps a normal axe, though mine is almost as tall as you so unless you are also made of mythril..." She wiggles her ears at Tidus as she teases him.

"Come on," She motions for Tidus to follow her, "The alley is this way, we can see how successful you traversal will be."
blitzcheer: (hand onnnn HIP!!!!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-05-12 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"This'll be fine."

Sometimes, at some point, there's no helping a person once they have their mind set on a decision, a tall axe made of mythril meaning nothing to Tidus's pride belief in his jumping skills. He jumps all the time! He can jump off fiends! Swords! What's jumping up to the top of a building but just a new goal for him?

He may be working himself up along the way down the alley, but that's just to assure himself that he's got this. Oh man, has he got this. Look, he's jogging on the spot once they come to a stop.

"So? You want me to go first?"

He sounds so smug, so sure of himself.

Nothing can go wrong here.
dragoonrouge: (Default)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-05-17 08:35 am (UTC)(link)
Sure Tidus can jump but can he Jump? Q'uila's immediate thought is no but she steps behind Tidus with an exaggerated bow, "Please lead on, I shall guard your rear."

Literally guard his rear because Q'uila was preparing to Jump and save him in case he slips.

"Make sure to be as quiet as possible as you scale the building."
blitzcheer: (jump into the fight!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-05-17 11:13 am (UTC)(link)
Surely Tidus's life has been leading up to this moment. He hums in acknowledgement, all eyes on the wall, the amount of space he has to make his jump; backing up a few steps to get all of that room that he can, his feet under him never not moving. Preparing, building up. Eyes on the prize, up above. He does this all the time! He can jump good! Sure, he's no Kimahri, but he's a pro blitzer. A pro blitzer with moves.

And that confidence is all that Tidus needs to launch himself up into the air,
blitzcheer: (UGGGH!!!!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-05-17 11:13 am (UTC)(link)
and get about as far as an upper floor window but without any preparations, scrambling to grab at said window but already dropping back down.




Tidus's life is now either in Q'uila's arms or with a date with the pavement.
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Smirk)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-05-17 08:10 pm (UTC)(link)
Don't worry Tidus, luckily the Warrior of Light and Azure Dragoon is here to make sure that you don't loose all of your dignity and feeling in your arse. Q'uila was flexing her aether as she watches Tidus miss the window ledge and she Jumps to grab him just as he starts to fall, pulling the blond into a bridal lift as her moment takes them up to the roof where a small application of wind aether has them silently and gently touching down.

"See," Her ears wiggle mischievously as she directs a shit-eating grin down at Tidus who is still firmly cradled in her arms, "You are lighter than my great axe!"
blitzcheer: (fluster fluster!)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-05-20 02:53 pm (UTC)(link)
Hasn't lost any dignity in his ass? Please, Tidus has lost his dignity everywhere, especially once they're up on the roof, Tidus a fresh red-faced bride in Q'uila's arms, or even a baby. ...it might be the latter by the way he starts squirming, face further reddening.

"Awww, shut up! Put me down!"

She's saying it on purpose, he can tell by that grin!! He's a manly man, he's a manly man!! A manly man who has lost all cred for the rest of this mission. He could've made the jump too!!!
dragoonrouge: (Default)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-05-22 11:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh but of course," Her grin somehow gets wider and her tail curls, "Be careful that you do not trip or fall."

Poking a little bit of harmless fun at Tidus certainly takes the tension out of breaking into a crime scene, something that shouldn't be as easy as Q'uila slinking in through the open window and into the loft conversion.

"Well, I can certainly smell a fair amount of blood," Q'uila whispers to Tidus once he's also inside, "We will have to make our way further in."
blitzcheer: (pouty times are here)

[personal profile] blitzcheer 2021-05-23 05:01 pm (UTC)(link)
He was once a serious pro blitzer back in his day...!

But none of Tidus's pride will be following him inside the open window, coming down by his feet and landing half-decently, if with a thump of weight. He'll lick his wounds in the privacy of his own mind, keep his pouting to a minimum - at least, out of the severity of their case: "Smell anything else? Like...is it just one person's blood?"

...can her nose tell that? But the fact she's smelling anything at all from here, Tidus is swinging it out there. He can only hit or miss.
dragoonrouge: (Default)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2021-05-25 09:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Q'uila hums thoughtfully and takes a deeper breath before she has a hesitant answer for Tidus.

"Mayhaps, the scent is strong enough for two people but there are many different sizes of people here, it could just be one larger person," The only way to figure it out would be to sneak downstairs, "At least we should be safe, I cannot hear anyone about either."

Q'uila follows the scent of blood down the stairs and through the house until they reach a large room where, even in the dim lighting, the dark blood stains covering the floor are easy to see.

"By the Fury, no wonder I could smell it upstairs. I struggle to believe that that comes from one person alone."