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.”
faithfulsupport: (Serious)

[personal profile] faithfulsupport 2019-11-21 05:42 am (UTC)(link)
"You're quite welcome." Ignis keeps his voice smooth and soothing as he always does with her. Between her and Romeo he wasn't sure who he worried about more. Romeo did have a spear the last time they were on the field, so that might make Madoka the one that he concerned himself about more now. This was where he was going to have to ask Tony if this was the whole how a dad feels type thing.

Smiling, he nodded. "Keep in mind to stay safe, and ask for help if you need it." Take his advice because he sure as hell won't use it.

"I may see if I can get you extra backup on the field as well."
happyends: (shaking off the darkness)

[personal profile] happyends 2019-11-21 11:51 am (UTC)(link)
She looks a little fussy at the last thing he's saying. Not that she isn't glad he obviously cares enough for her to want to make sure she's protected, but on the other hand, the idea of resources being used like that just for her sake makes Madoka a little antsy.. She's way too selfless for that sort of thing.

But then again, she's also too shy and insecure to really protest either. So she just nods.

"Don't worry, I'll.. I'll keep myself safe. Those shield gloves they're giving us work really well," or so it seems, anyway, "so if anything comes my way, I'll just make sure to use the shield."
faithfulsupport: (Really now..)

[personal profile] faithfulsupport 2019-11-22 06:01 am (UTC)(link)
Nodding to her, he smiled gently. "Hopefully after the mission you'll be able to retain it. Therefore, you can keep using it on future missions and learn to wield it well." If Madoka felt up to it, Ignis would train with her too, but that would remain to be seen. "However, no decisions need to be made today."

There was nothing more he could think to say but the advisor really wanted to ensure her safety. There had to be a way to keep her safe and future missions were definitely on his mind. He'd already told her to be safe and to come running to him if she encountered any problems.

It was all he could do.
happyends: (disheartened)

[personal profile] happyends 2019-11-22 07:20 pm (UTC)(link)
Apparently something he's saying is catching Madoka's attention, since her gaze immediately snaps back to him and her eyes widen slightly.

"Do you think we could keep it?"

She - being the overly polite person that she is - had already assumed they'd have to return it to these people for sure once their mission was over.

"It'd be so useful..!"
faithfulsupport: (Default)

[personal profile] faithfulsupport 2019-11-24 04:01 am (UTC)(link)
He nodded with a smile. "They were given to us to use. So I don't see why we wouldn't be able to keep them."

Ignis would keep one at least for Madoka and tell the scientists that he had no idea where it went or that it was lost. He would do anything to ensure his team's safety, especially if they had to go out and risk their own lives for others.

If he had to go answer for it, he would proudly stand up for his team, because his attitude was 'whatever it takes'.
happyends: (i feel like i'm tiny)

[personal profile] happyends 2019-11-24 03:07 pm (UTC)(link)
The surprise quickly turns into the widest smile. She seems so excited over this possibility - especially since she's assuming he must somehow have heard it from the scientists already or something, rather than planning on stealing it if he has to. Madoka is too innocent to even imagine that possibility, especially from someone she admires like Ignis.

"That's amazing.. I'll make sure to take good care of it and treasure it, so I can use it during other missions too!" Slowly she seems to realise something, and she quickly - almost frantically - adds: "I-- I know it's for the whole team though! We need to make sure to share it!"
faithfulsupport: https://ipromptography.tumblr.com/post/185208250936/let-him-be-happy (Cute smile)

[personal profile] faithfulsupport 2019-11-24 09:57 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's rather the idea really..to have it for other missions." And honestly that was the plan, to keep Madoka safe.

Her innocence is refreshing and Ignis intended to keep her that way. "Sharing will be fine if we need to do so. But if we can each keep our own, that's the ideal situation." Romeo was the only one that he worried a lot on his team. The pilot had proven herself more than capable to be battle ready.
happyends: (on a difficult road)

[personal profile] happyends 2019-11-25 10:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Are you sure they can miss that many though?"

Sure, if they only took enough to have one for everyone on the blue team, it wouldn't be a huge number of them, since their team is so small.. But considering the dire circumstances people are working under in this place, Madoka figures the people here may need everything they can get their hands on.

At least the tone she's asking it with makes it pretty obvious that she'd believe it if Ignis just told her that it's fine. He's smart, she's sure he knows better than her.
faithfulsupport: (I've got something to add)

[personal profile] faithfulsupport 2019-11-27 04:56 am (UTC)(link)
"It would depend entirely on what they say we can have." Ignis answered evasively. Really they were a good idea for anyone, but if he could just keep two or three that would be ideal. He himself wouldn't use them but Madoka, Romeo and Ple Two could use them, extra help for them wouldn't hurt.

"But we'll certainly ask and see what they say." He would ask but if push came to shove and it meant keeping his team safe, Ignis definitely has his priorities.