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.”
knifewithnoname: (yes okay)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2019-11-24 07:41 am (UTC)(link)
"It do be looking like you do be making a mess to me." Not that it matters all that much really and actually she's quite interested. He had made more webfluid? How?

She got closer, "How did you be making it?"
hashtagparkerluck: (488)

[personal profile] hashtagparkerluck 2019-11-25 10:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"... uh... yeah.. it's kinda inevitable when you work in a lab." Peter looks at the webbing he accidentally shot off. "It's... part of the fun." He says before shaking his head and focuses on her a little more.

"I'm actually really good with chemistry-it's like when you mix compounds and chemicals and stuff. Wanna help?" He offers with a smile. Because it is a good idea for Peter to teach a little girl to make webfluid, right? Surely this won't end with them stuck to something?
knifewithnoname: (pondering)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2019-11-26 07:02 am (UTC)(link)
"Yes." She was interested in what he was doing. She stepped further into the room, looking around curiously as she got closer to him.

"What do be compounds and chemicals be being and how do you be mixing them?" She maybe didn't even need to ask, Peter needed very little excuse to talk.
hashtagparkerluck: (srs superhero stuff)

[personal profile] hashtagparkerluck 2019-11-28 05:49 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh!" Peter reacts when he realizes he'll need to give her a small chemistry crash-course. "Uh, A compound is a thing that has two or more elements." This is a lab right, is there periodic table around here somewhere? Or should he just draw one. "A chemical a compound that's been prepared."

"So there's a lot of parts to chemistry and I'm totally happy to teach you, but it'll take awhile-as a warning. Water is a compound-it's made of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen-that's why it can be referred to as H2O. Uh... here, lemme..." He pulls a piece of paper towards him and starts writing out the periodic table-pausing a few times because he can't remember the exact order of some of it.

"...Iron is the 26th, then Cobalt, Nickel coins you get. Copper, Zinc and Gallium
Germanium and Arsenic...Selenium and Bromine film While Krypton helps light up your room. Rubidium and Strontium then Yttrium, Zirconium..."
knifewithnoname: (okay that's not good)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2019-11-30 06:30 am (UTC)(link)
She fought the urge to roll her eyes as he began talking. Because she was confused straight away. She knows what an element is but she doesn't really understand what he means by two of them being a compound or even if she understood that she isn't sure what he means when he says a chemical has been prepared.

Then he just started saying words and writing words and numbers and she stared at him in confusion for a moment. "Water do be being an element."

She knew that much, but he said it was a compound. She also understands Iron, that's a metal. Oxygen was in the air, she had learned that when they had been in space. The first time. But apart from that...
hashtagparkerluck: (what's my combination again?)

[personal profile] hashtagparkerluck 2019-12-03 06:23 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I guess... if you wanna go the whole 'Earth, wind and fire' route. But in chemistry it's a compound because it's more than one element together."

Don't mind Peter as he just continues to write out the periodic table, it'll be a lot easier to explain with it. He also makes a mental note to get an actual copy of the periodic table when he can.

"Niobium, Molybdenum, Technetium
Ruthenium, Rhodium, Palladium
Silver-ware then Cadmium and Indium
Tin-cans, Antimony then Tellurium and Iodine and Xenon and then Caesium and...

"Barium is 56 and this is where the table splits
Where Lanthanides have just begun..." He splits his table and starts on the other section." This goes on for a few minutes but soon he has a quickly drawn up copy of the periodic table.

"Okay. So, this is the Periodic table. Anyone in chemistry will tell you how much they love the periodic table. But only periodically." He takes a second to laugh at his own joke. "Each square is an element and the letters is the chemical abbreviation and the number is it's number on the periodic table. So to be able to read a chemist's notes, you have to know your elements-" He flips to one of his notes on webfluid. "Like this."
knifewithnoname: (silence)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2019-12-03 06:37 am (UTC)(link)
But that was an element. He had just named them. But now he was saying they were compounds which made no sense because they couldn't be both. Not if a compound was more than one element.

She frowned at him, even more confused as he continued writing and chanting like he had gone insane. Maybe he had gone insane. She stood still, watching with annoyed eyes as he kept writing and writing. She wondered if she needed to go and find Tony. He might be able to snap him out of this nonsense.

But then he is talking in real words again, not that they made sense. Each square was an element and the letter was a chemical abbreviation and none of that made sense. Also she knew what elements were and they weren't these stupid boxes.

She nodded with a scowl.
hashtagparkerluck: (491)

[personal profile] hashtagparkerluck 2019-12-03 07:03 am (UTC)(link)
He sees her nod but he also sees her scowl so suppresses a small sigh and flips back to his periodic table.

"Okay, I can tell I've lost you." He states before moving his pencil up to point at the first element on the table. In science-the elements on the periodic table can't be broken down anymore than this." He explains.

"So, this is Hydrogen. Hydrogen is the lightest element and the most common. You and I both are made up of hydrogen-other elements too, but lots of hydrogen. This." He points to the number one. "Is it's number on the periodic table-more commonly referred to as the atomic number. It also tells us how many protons are in the nuclei of it's atoms. So you move to Two. Two protons-this is Helium-most people know it because it's what you put in balloons and is considered to be lighter than air. It has other uses-more practical uses but, I mean, balloons can be pretty cool." He pauses a moment, biting gently at the bottom of his lip.

"I need to explain atoms, nuclei and protons, don't I?" He flips to another page and starts to draw an atom.
knifewithnoname: (I dislike you)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2019-12-03 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
At least he had noticed that she was lost. He started to talk about hydrogen that was apparently part of what she was made of even though it didn't even sound like a proper world and then he said more words and more words and more.

She sighed, anger rising at how stupid this all was. "And balloon. None of the words you did be saying did even mean anything." She shook her head and scowled again, "Chemistry do be being stupid."

Because she was smart and she knew a lot and she shouldn't not be able to understand any word in a whole paragraph of words. Yet here she was, no idea what Peter is even trying to tell her about elements that weren't real elements and numbers and a table and atoms and balloons.