EVENT: Into the Unknown

[voidtreckermods]

"Good morning Voidtreckers and passengers of the voidtrecker Express. Today is day twenty two of the month of Symphony. As you are aware we have some guests on board and our next task is to deliver them safely to the void hub. The tethering kits can only keep them tethered to this craft for a short space of time. We will be arriving at the void hub tomorrow."

Until now the scientists have kept themselves to themselves, remaining in their room and rarely exiting out. However after this announcement they emerge more and more, interested in asking about the void hub, the ministry workers and what they might expect from the situaion.

The next morning, just before lunch, the train makes another announcement.

"Approaching Voidbase now. Prepare for docking."

There is no shaking, not leaving the void: instead those who risk looking out of the windows will see a large structure ahead of them. The void turns to metal around them as they enter the structure, and for a moment, there is nothing outside the train but darkness.

"Welcome Voidtreckers." A voice speaks over the ICPs. Not the voice of the train, this is a male voice, sentient. "The filtration process takes a few moments, so please be patient. Meanwhile, I am sending some information about our void base over to your SCA's."

They will receive a small pamphlet on their SCA's explaining about the void base, this is the same pamphlet as last time but will be useful reading for those who are new, or those who didn't pay attention the last month. It explains that the base was set up as a research base and has been expanded to provide living quarters for some of those rescued from system #78961112094711. It explains that they had made the decision to invite the voidtreckers there to further unravel the mystery surrounding them. They would be quartered in ministry sleeping areas, and have free access to the ministry part of the base. Anyone who wished to visit the citizens of system #78961112094711 could do with good reason.

It's not too long before the filtration process is completed, and the doors of the Voidtrecker Express open. This time they are greeted just by the scientists who welcome them back.

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AT THE VOID BASE

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~ VOIDBASE INFO ~ OOC INFO

SETTLING IN

They are shown to their sleeping quarters first. They are in small suites, which match their room assignments on the train. They will be given time to unpack and rest, and told that their SCA's have been programmed to allow them access to the general ministry parts of the base.

Their time here is their own, And though the ministry hopes that they will help out with the various experiments and research programs they have going on, they do not need to. If they wish to take the time to rest and enjoy the amenities, they can.

---

1. MULTIMEDIA. There are a few types of lounging rooms, chairs and cushions, tables for sitting at. Slim televisions sitting on walls, a few tables - that can be lowered or raised - joined with screens that can be more privately watched. Shows and movies are available in some rooms, gaming equipment in others. There is also a more quiet room for lounging in, with access to e-books and screen readers for them, audio options also available.

Relax, or get into a multiplayer game -- games that break friendships are available in the void.

---

2. FITNESS AND SWIM. For those looking for more activity in their 'rest', there's the fitness gym and swimming pool. In separate rooms but nearby, the fitness gym is larger than the train's gym, and more well-equipped. Muscle training, speed; there will be a Ministry worker to show how to use the variety of equipment, so that nobody has an accident.

The same will be for the swimming pool, with a shallow and deep end. Balls, floating pads and more can be grabbed. It's a swimming pool - what's not to love?

---

3. TRAINING. Beside the pool and fitness gym is the combat gym, where they will find small groups already exercising in a variety of fighting styles. Voidtreckers will be left alone to train if they wish, but any who take interest in partners will be allowed to join in with the ministry training. Magic, energy, weaponry; some of them use special batons, Ministry-issued, and the Ministry workers will show how to use them. If a Voidtrecker becomes well-trained in how to use one by the end of their stay, they can be given one to use on void missions.

The Ministry fighters will also introduce them to a special training tool, the hard- and holographic courses and 'dummies'. Quite a few fighting styles can be set to a holographic opponent, or even one made to mimic a voidtrecker after fighting them - they're surprisingly quick to adapt. The hard-light partner can listen and read sign-language, and will change on command. Want them to move faster, focus on attack, dodging? Now they will.

---

4. GREEN THUMBS, OPEN AIR. The last room in the relaxation area is a curious one, reading simply 'GARDENS AND SIMULATION' on its front. Opening it will lead to a simple and long corridor, five more doors on each side. Four devoted to gardening, labelled Hydroponics, Hot Houses, Ice Houses, and Land. Entering, each space will be larger than should be possible. But it is, with each an indoor type growing space except for land, which mimics a farming field. There's a sky above, a wind in the air; sometimes, it might be raining when you enter.

It might be a shocking experience for some, the first time round.

The last six rooms simulation rooms are less specific, but with plenty more options. Rooms of prayers, beaches, cities, open valleys; with some time spent learning the menu, people can recreate a realistic area. The rooms can be set to private, but some people may leave the spaces they've created - on purpose, at random, or on accident - free for others to wander into. Sharing is caring, and there's only six of these rooms, you know.

---

EXPERIMENTING

A lot has happened since they were last here and the scientists of the base will be happy to share their news as well as here reports on what the voidtreckers learned in their last mission.

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PROGRESS They have done a lot of research into time and they think they have managed to replicate the Voidtrecker Expresses' ability to respond to catastrophes, they currently have a test crew on a new voidcraft furthering that experiment. They also believe they have found a way to stabilise the tethers of the Voidtreckers enough to loop them to the void base, this will give them an extra level of protection should anything happen to their craft. They are also very interested in speaking to the scientists found on system ##3721010010.

They will once again take any help in research or experiments and will be very interested in doing health checks on the newer voidtreckers.

---

2. REACHING OUT. At the top of the void base is an area with a clear domed roof, allowing in the light of the void. Here voidtreckers can attempt to reach out, to strengthen their connection with the train and through it try and find those that have left the train.

For those that did this last time they will find it easier now, practice and a lot of atuning make it feel easier to do, easier to reach out towards those specs of light. Those who put in a lot of work feel like they can almost touch them now, just a bit further and they could reach out and pluck them from the vastness.

It is still very hard work. It's easy to get lost in the void, though the room has ministry workers who are highly trained and will be able to help anyone who needs it.

They do say it might be easier to go in pairs, to meditate together and help guide each other, using each others tethers as a touch point. Anything is worth a try.

---

OOC NOTES

~ Questions.
~ This part of the event runs until the 19th August (Day 25)
~ Part Two will go up on the 20th August

Comments

Reaching Out

[borntolove]

"You really shouldn't go out thar alone." The Doctor remarks, "With no up, down, or sides in The Void, it's quite easy to get lost."

[light_of_willpower]

"It's not my preferred option, but it won't be the first time I've had to do dangerous stuff alone." Trunks' tone is polite, but cool. He's not exactly in the mood for a lecture. He'd just been on his way to go help with the tethering, too.

[borntolove]

"Want me to go with you?"

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks blinked, and gave the Doctor a pointed look up, and down. "Not particularly. I'd rather have someone I trust go with me, and I don't really trust, or know you." It was still polite...

[borntolove]

The Doctor is a bit quiet, he's not used to that sort of answer, "Look, I... Over-reacted.. a bit. But I'm not going to do that again. And I certainly, wouldn't leave you to get strandarded out there."

[light_of_willpower]

"You did not 'over-react'." Trunks turned now to fully face the Doctor. "You threw a tantrum like a child." Blunt, much like his father. "You let whatever bothered you take over any rational thought, Doctor and acted like an absolute idiot. And given I've only met you twice now, I only have the two samples--that, and when we first met--to know what you're like."

Stone-faced. "It's not exactly reassuring." Yes, he and Cassie had talked a bit. She hadn't broken any confidences, but she had let Trunks know the basics. It was why Trunks was bothering with giving the man his time right then.

[borntolove]

The Doctor, definitely hears Donna's, 'find someone' lecture in his head, right now, "You're right I did. And I put others, needlessly in danger and that was wrong of me... And Cassie convinced me to find others to talk to."

[light_of_willpower]

Now Trunks relaxed some. "Good. She's right." A moment, before he sighed and raked his fingers through his bangs. "So why don't you and I go find some where to talk. I'll explain to you about Fight Club, and you can just listen--or you can talk too."

[borntolove]

The Doctor gives a firm head nod, "After you. Lead on."

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks doesn't wait, just assumes the other will fall in beside him. Honestly, he'll just keep walking--around the base, places that are interesting, maybe through one of the garden houses. He always thought better and brooded less when he was moving.

"So I didn't start Fight Club originally. I just took it over, when Mr. Rieper left." Trunks started in. "It really is a place where people can come and learn, and practice, and we try to make it as safe as possible. That's part of why I supervise it too. We clearly mark out certain areas of the gym--and while it'd be better if we could schedule a separate time for firearms and ranged weapons..." Blue-eyes shifted to the doctor, anticipating an argument. "It's hard enough to find time with the gym being mostly empty as it is. I all-but-live there most days, and I'm not alone in that."

[borntolove]

The Doctor easily keeps up and catches that look and calmly remarks with his hands in his raincoat pockets, "I've been traveling for a very long time. And I'm just tired of that. I haven't seen it ever do any good."

[light_of_willpower]

"Personally, I don't use guns. Don't need to. But my mother and Cassie have both made sure I know how to be safe around them. At least as safe as any weapon can be." Trunks said. "You're allowed to not like them. But as I said, I won't deny others a choice to practice with their preferred tool, in a safe environment."

"Some people could say the same for any weapon really. It's not hard to hurt yourself or others with a sword, or a knife. Heck, you're more likely to hurt yourself with one of those if you don't know what you're doing."

[borntolove]

There's a loud exhale, Trunks makes a good argument. The Doctor, however, can't say he hasn't used guns before and - definitely regrets it at this point. Ten hears Rose's voice; It's not the one pointing the gun at me. There is something of a slight flinch in his face.

"I don't use weapons, me." Even if he can swordfight and has a silver tongue.

[light_of_willpower]

"It's not for everyone. I don't need to use a weapon either. But it does come in handy sometimes." Trunks let himself give a soft laugh, and those blue-eyes are flickering to the Doctor again. "Sometimes it looks cool, using one." He might be trying to joke. Open up a bit.

[borntolove]

For a brief moment, from that laugh and those blue eyes, The Doctor wonders about Captain Jack, "I have my sonic screwdriver."

In the last remark, Ten's mind goes back to the day this regeneration was born and how happy and enthusiastic Rose was about this face when she watched him sword fight, "Can't argue that." Ten mumbles with sad eyes.

[light_of_willpower]

"I don't know how much you talked with Cas, or what came up." Trunks said, back to serious. "But I'm really hard to hurt, and can be a one-person army if need be. It's part of why I supervise the Fight Club. So that I *can* intervene if something looks likes going wrong." Trunks wasn't saying any of that to brag. More that he was explaining.

"I won't accept anyone putting everyone or anyone else in danger because of their recklessness or stupidity."

[borntolove]

"Good." The Doctor remarks firmly and locks his eyes with Trunks because he needs to be stopped sometimes. But is also not clearly looking to fight either and there's something fierce in those brown eyes. As much as someone tries to not fight. There is the burning, underlining of a fighter.

[light_of_willpower]

"You understand now, why we couldn't just let you walk away then." Blue-eyes met the Doctor's clearly, evenly. Again there was no fear or intimidation. That fire was also in Trunks' eyes, tempered by a need to protect everyone.

[borntolove]

The Doctor seems to groan inwardly, "Really? You give me the warning after the fact. Blimey!" He at least gives the warning, during.

"Fine. How do you want to settle this?"

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks blinked. "Presumably you got the explanation from Cassie. I'll settle for an apology." A hint of smirk, but there's amusement in blue eyes. "For acting like a reckless idiot." Again, he might be trying to tease.

[borntolove]

"Alright! I'm sorry." That was more a frustrated apology and then a calmer, "The important thing is no one got hurt."

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks will take it, as he isn't going to rub it in or anything. "Correct. And so long as you're not the cause of others getting hurt, then you and I will be fine." Now, there was a relaxing and some of his normal good nature. "You are even welcome back, if you want, provided you not have a tantrum again."

There's a wise look in blue-eyes. "I can guess it was a specific trigger, and I'm sorry. For whatever trauma you have that triggers it."

[borntolove]

There's a look that he doesn't want others getting hurt either, and then a silent,'thank you' with his eyes. The Doctor does a deep inhale for a moment and just stares at Trunks in silence because he does really appreciate the apology. Then mumbles,

"It is one of the ways I died."

It is a very layered issue but Trunks seems to want to help.

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks says nothing, just nods. He gets it. "There are...quite a few of us here on board who'd understand." He offers, and more quietly. "I'm also a good listener." It's up to the Doctor if he'd like to talk or not, as Trunks won't push. He got what he needed. "I'm guessing you're used to having to be the strong one for everyone else, huh?"

[borntolove]

There's a strong silence from The Doctor. Yes, someone is used to having to carry the Universe on their shoulders and doesn't get to break and it's hard to open up to Jack because Jack idolizes The Doctor so much that, to admit to Jack, someone is flawed.

Ten only gives a silent and worn, 'yes'.

"I'm not so good at talking." Ten whispers back but at least is acknowledging that someone wants to be there for him.