voidtreckermods: (train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2019-11-08 06:52 am

Race Against Time: Mission Start

Preparation

Four days after the newest passengers join the train everyone’s SCA glows with the colours of the void. A message for the mission to come.

There’s a few hours as usual to get prepared before there is an announcement. "Arrival to System #16125 imminent. Prepare for exit from Void. All passengers are to wear their Safety Control Apparatus."

A shudder as the train jerks to the side and judders. "We have arrived on Space Station Delta in system #16125. Passengers should note that due to the adverse conditions of the planet evactuation protocol should not be relied on."

Arrival

With that the doors hiss open into artificial lighting. As passengers step off the train they will find themselves in a vast room of stark metal. A hangar of a ship, the train looks strange next to a move conventional shuttle craft.

Footsteps sound, heavy on the metal floor. Three people approach. A man flanked by two women take in the group silently.

“Voidtreckers. Thank you so much for heeding our call.” The man speaks. “I am professor Jori. I am the lead scientist here. This is officer Mira, head of security and captain Quin. I believe you have some information already and time is short but we have arranged a short induction and basic training for you. A lot of the equipment we use is strange even for us and we know… nothing of your origin world. We will be taking the shuttle down to the planets surface and our base there. If you would follow us to the shuttle we will do our best to answer any questions on the way.”

He pauses and looks around. “I will warn you, the planet is very unstable and not a safe place to be. Even though we are deeply grateful for your assistance we do not wish to take anyone who does not wish to go. If anyone wishes to remain here and help with the technical side of things they may.”

It is just large enough for everyone, though it is a bit of a squeeze and those who are tall, large or spider will find it an uncomfortable ride.

It is a relatively short journey, the craft is small and fast. It has no windows and passengers are strapped into their seats, but apart from a couple of dicey moments the journey is smooth, allowing Jori and Mira to answer questions. Quin is busy piloting.

They arrive at a large camp, except most of the actual buildings are underground. Jori leads them down through tunnels to a surprisingly well lit room where there are a group of people waiting them.

“This is our main rest area, you are welcome to use it as a base whilst you are helping us. There are sleeping compartments at the far end, feel free to use any not in use. Food will be served here too, it is very basic I’m afraid. We have an open radio channel you will have access to for use in emergencies.” Jori explained. “I will pass you along to those who have agreed to give you a quick training course in our equipment and the specifics of the tasks we need assistance with.”

Basic Training: Red

“Those assisting with the clearing of space debris please come this way.” Quin called, before turning and leaving the hall quickly. She led the way up out of the compound to a large transport bay where there were a series of small fighter craft.

“These were donated very kindly by the Gubita people and are the best craft for the job, they can take a hit. A few hits actually and their beams practically obliterate space debris to harmless levels. Problem is,” She grinned, “Gubita have four arms and so they cannot be piloted by someone with two. Luckily they are just big enough to fit two. One person needs to do the actual piloting while the other controls the guns.”

She led them over to the open cockpit of one so she could explain the different controls. She spoke as briskly as she had walked and seemed to assume they all had at least a basic understanding of fighter craft, though she was open for questions if anyone got confused.

“Feel free to test them out. Once your ready then the sky is yours. There’s a group already up there, but they could do with being relieved. Radio is on the left.”

Basic Training: Purple

“Those willing to evacuate villages please come with me.” A young man gestures anyone over and begins leading them out of the main room.

“We estimate about fifty villages, though in reality they are glorified bunkers underground that house groups of people. Some we are in regular contact with and they are ready to evacuate once transport turns up. Others are less… They don’t want to leave their homes and believe that as the world didn’t end last time it won’t this time either.”

He shrugged, “Our aim is to leave no one behind, do what you must.”

He enters a bay that contains some strange looking transport. Best described as glass bubbles. Each has a front bubble, or carriage, with a control panel and then two spheres attached. Each sphere had a ladder leading up to it’s centre and a bench around the side, with thick straps. Metal legs kept the transport up off the ground.. “This is what is left of the public transport system here. But they are our best way of moving groups. Each pod holds ten people. We don’t recommend pulling more than two pods per engine, as it is harder to dodge falling rocks. They travel about fifteen feet from the ground at their highest.”

He took them over to show them how they worked. If they checked they would find the whereabouts of the villages on their maps and their guide was happy to point them out. “Once you have a full load bring them back here and we can shuttle them to the station.”

Basic Training: Orange

“If you come this way I will give you the rundown on lindusi and how to catch them.” Jori gathered any science types to his side and led them into a side room. There were chairs around a few desks and Jiro gestured for them to sit before turning on a hologram projector at one end.

Large lizard-like creatures are shown prowling around forests, or skittering up mountain sides. “This is the only planet in the system where we have found lindusi. It is an umbrella term for many sub species of creatures but they are all reptilian creatures that don’t just survive in this environment but seem to thrive here. They are predators, preying on each other as well as other creatures.” He grinned as the images moved through different creatures, some small, some very large.

“We have transporter ships read, we just need help rounding the creatures up. You will be given a restraining device.” He help up an object that looked a bit like a yoyo. “You attach the strap to your wrist and throw the device towards the creature.”

One of the scientists stepped forward and Jori threw the yoyo at him, It stuck where it landed and there were three short beeps. “It will detect their heartbeat and their size and create a harness for them.” It did indeed do that, straps sprang out of the cylinder and wrapped around the scientist, restraining him whilst leaving him able to walk. “

We do not recommend trying to restrain a creature more than half your size unless you are unnaturally strong. Larger creatures can be lured into the transporters directly. You will each receive a tranquilliser gun in case things become dangerous but we ask that you only use those in emergencies.”

One of the scientists began handing out the restraining devices. “Please have a practice with the restrainers. They are completely painless so practising on each other is fine. If anyone has any questions now is the time to ask.”

Basic Training: Blue

Mira gathers up anyone left and takes them off to a large training room before handing them a glove with a small disk in the centre. “Shields. Very easy to use, just clench your fist to activate the shield and throw your fist in the direction you need to protect. They will fly out up to ten feet so can be used to block falling rocks. They don’t last long, thirty seconds at best but they will save you from a rock rain or stop a charging lindusi.”

She looked around. “Your job is easy, don’t let the scientists die. They won’t let us actually shoot lindusi, even the ones that try to eat them, so tranq guns have to do.”

She went over to a basket full of small hard balls. “Have a practice with these, make sure you can all activate the shield before you leave. Good luck, I’ll be out there too so just yell on the radio if you need me.”
sweetnessandfight: (in my sights)

Basic Training: Purple

[personal profile] sweetnessandfight 2019-11-09 02:03 am (UTC)(link)
Sarai listened quietly to the young man, nodding at some of the pertinent points...until he came to the 'do what you must' part.

"I understand that you want to leave no one behind, and I commend that, but certainly you don't mean at the end of a weapon, do you?" Her expression was slightly horrified, to say the very least. Mostly because she'd never found these things to end well--some people, where she'd hailed from? They were perfectly all right with the idea of dying, rather than leaving their home.

"Obviously I'll do my best to be persuasive, but are you ready to accommodate people who were wounded by our hands? Are you going to tell them it was for their greater good?" Sarai would certainly do her best, but there was still something about this that didn't sit well with the Au Ra.
voidtreckernpcs: (Rath)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-11-09 07:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Rath looked towards her as she questioned him, noting her horrified expression and to his credit looking a bit discomforted.

He reminded himself that these void warriors were from a different world, had different ways and were to be treated with the utmost sensitivity. It had been in the briefing that morning.

"It is for the greater good. I understand your point, we would rather not see people harmed. But I do not want to see anyone die. Not when there is the chance we could have saved them."
azrthmtrnznthos: (....really?)

[personal profile] azrthmtrnznthos 2019-11-11 02:09 am (UTC)(link)
Raven kept herself quiet. Hopefully it wouldn't be needed, and she wasn't about to volunteer that she was an Empath to everyone (again). She understood both viewpoints, even though she was also personally horrified about potentially threatening their own, in a way.

"I can help, if they really won't go."

She could help even without having to manipulate emotions--because she did not want to do that. WOULD not do that without either permission and consent of those involved, or a great emergency. It had been trained into her since she was young, and Raven firmly believed in the ethics of it too.

"I can teleport, and I've been able to do so with one or two other people. I can't teleport too far, but I could get people out of immediate danger if they're being stubborn." There were other ways she could help with protecting people if things got dangerous too; shielding and manipulation of objects with her dark energy.
voidtreckernpcs: (Rath)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-11-12 06:43 am (UTC)(link)
Rath just raised an eyebrow at Raven when she spoke, but the fact that the void warriors would perhaps have strange power and even magic had also been in the briefing so he manages to keep most of the surprise of his face. "That would be useful, getting people out of danger is our first priority."
sweetnessandfight: (plotting)

[personal profile] sweetnessandfight 2019-11-12 05:33 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's a good idea, actually. Even if you could help me with diplomacy and coercion--I'm not a bard worth my salt if my words can't get them moving!" Sarai said, unable to help a chuckle. The situation might be dire indeed, but she'd always been convinced that humor usually didn't hurt, either.

"But you aren't allowed to overexert yourself, either. I'm not certain how much teleporting takes out of you, but I had a friend who could perform a similar spell, and it took a great deal out of her. So please be careful, all right?" Sarai asked, giving Raven a nod.
azrthmtrnznthos: (Default)

[personal profile] azrthmtrnznthos 2019-11-12 11:48 pm (UTC)(link)
"I have no intention of overdoing it." Raven responded, very glad she hadn't mentioned or brought up that her Empathy could help with persuading anyone. "Hopefully we won't encounter that many who are stubborn."
voidtreckernpcs: (Rath)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-11-13 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes please do not put yourselves in danger." He smiled at the two girls, "We would not wish those who came to help in our hour of need be hurt on our behalf."

Getting everyone out of here alive meant those leading the evacuation as well. "We will be on the ground with you, mostly rounding up lindusi but there are radios in the bubble pods."