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middleofsomewhere2022-08-20 08:40 pm
voidtreckermods) wrote in middleofsomewhere2022-08-20 08:40 pm
Into the Unknown Part Two
On day twenty-five of the month of Symphony, everyone is gathered together, at least everyone who follows the request for a meeting to be held.
One of the head scientists - named Till - stands before the group, a look of excitement on their face.
The scientists stick around to reassure people and help them make their decisions. Those going to investigate are told to report to their craft in the morning.
One of the head scientists - named Till - stands before the group, a look of excitement on their face.
"We have found something, an anomaly in the void. We are not sure what it is exactly, but there is a lot of activity coming from its coordinates. More penitently, initial investigations have picked up readings that are constant with a void storm.
I believe from your own reports you have experienced void storms before, and you know they can be dangerous, but always fleeting, never lasting more than a few days. However, this storm seems to be static. It has not moved or changed since we first detected it.
We understand there may be people who do not want to venture into this storm, and we understand. The loops we have added to your tethers will allow you to stay on the base long enough for those investigating to return. You may experience some discomfort and disorientation during the time your craft is away, but it should only be mild and temporary.
For those investigating, we know little of what you will face. Every storm is different, and this one is already stranger than anything we have come across before."
The scientists stick around to reassure people and help them make their decisions. Those going to investigate are told to report to their craft in the morning.
INTO THE UNKNOWN: PART 2
SYMPHONY 26-29 ~ OOC POST ~ QUESTIONS ~ FIRST PART
JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN
Those willing to go will leave on the Voidtrecker Express first thing the next day, with only warnings and well-wishes to be careful to go with them. There is an estimate for how long it'll take them to reach the anomaly, about half a day's travel by the train's clock, give or take. But there's no telling the true time it'll take, nor the effects of the void that will be waiting for them. Keeping away from the windows or putting up blinds is advised as a precaution, just in case, and to monitor each other's health.
"Warning: Approaching Voidstorm, please take precautions." The train warns as they arrive on the edges, all the usual train precautions have been taken, the lab cart has been shut down, the ovens in the kitchen are disconnected. The train begins to shake as it enters the first layer.
LAYER ONE: CHANGING SHADESThey first experience changes by sight - literally. Around them, objects start emitting an aura that's unique to each passenger, colouring it to match their mood towards that particular thing. Coffee machines? Amazing, paint that gold. A boring book? Ugh, the entire thing is turning grey.
It's a small effect at the start, yet objects aren't the only things being affected - so are the people on board. Their own moods are changing their hair colour, eyes, and skin, shifting more rapidly than the furniture's paint job. And as time goes on, passengers will be able to affect one another's colouration and aura, giving away how they may feel about that person at that moment, if their feelings are strong enough. Never noticed how fondly one feels about you? Now you do.
LAYER TWO: LOOSE LIPSGoing into the next layer, there's an itch that starts to gnaw at everyone - an itch to talk. To friends, to strangers, to anyone; you have a need to chatter, and it has to get out. Attempting to isolate yourself only makes the need worse, and you won't be able to sleep it away. It doesn't matter if you don't know what to talk about - you'll find something.
A good chat will subdue the need for a while, but it will eventually return. So while listening to others talk might help keep it at bay, it won't forever.
LAYER THREE: CONFESSION - I THINK YOU'RE OKThe changes become stronger, and with them the urges. Passengers will feel compelled to tell those they know their feelings for them, whether it's as simple as finding them okay, to having stronger inclinations of friendship, dislike, or even love.
These urges can be held back on for a time, but it's easy for it to slip out; and many may still be suffering from the previous layer, where they get the sudden need to talk.
LAYER FOUR: A CAKE FOR MY BELOVEDTalking is simply not good enough in this layer: actions speak louder than words. You want to create ways of expressing your desires, regardless of how creative you actually are. Building a shrine to your loved ones, challenging rivals to duels. You can't stay idle, and your hands and brain need to be at work! What can you manage on this train?
EYE OF THE STORM
Finally, all of it stops. The colours, the emotions, the compulsion of dramatics; their minds go from being caught in the storm to completely calm (or, as calm as they ever are). It is much like waking from a dream, or going from one very noisy overwhelming place to complete silence.
A second passes, and then another, and then... there's a feeling. Fear, terror - even those who normally have no ability to feel the emotions of others can feel it, emanating from the train itself.
With it comes an invitation. Hard to describe, but a tugging at their mind. They can push it away no problem, but if they accept...
They are looking out. The familiar colours of the Void are all around them, but they can't turn to look. Ahead is a hole where space should be, nothingness curving and spiralling out from a point deep within that wound in reality, tearing and tugging at the unfortunate observer. The chaotic nimbus at the edge of their vision spins inwards to meet it, and vanishes at the edge of the hole. A void within the Void. And within that terrifying chaotic darkness there are shapes.
The train rocks as energy rushes past it, tossing the craft from side to side. It spins, lurching out of control, the connection snapping as everyone is thrown back into their own awareness as the train starts vibrating to at full speed.
But the tell-tale signs of movement isn't there, and a creaking of metal can be heard. The train shakes more as the view outside the windows shows them inching forward towards where the hole had been, and parts of the roof start to bend inward, water pipes burst and the electricity fails in multiple carriages.
Until there's a rush, a shaking and twisting, and the void flashes violently in the windows. The ever distant choral singing becomes a roar as a kaleidoscope of colours fills the interior of the train itself.
Then there is stillness. It calms, and there is no storm, no terrifying darkness. Just the void, as it ever is, ever changing.
OOC NOTES
NOTES: They will be in the storm for three days, each layer takes about half a day.
The Doctor | OTA : CW for genocide
[He knows something is weird, feeling the urge to just be - chatty. Okay, maybe he's chatty with certain subjects but now he feels like he just wants to ramble babble, just because. He does try to isolate himself, except that only seems to make the itch - worse.
In evidently, he finds himself going into a monologue. The Doctor starts this off by being highly confident]
I'm the Doctor. I'm a Time Lord. I'm from the planet Gallifrey in the constellation of Kasterborous. I am 903 years old - a long time ago, I stole a Type 40 Tardis and run away with my granddaughter Susan to see the universe.
I had humans travel with me, and we explored worlds, fought monsters, right-ed wrongs, and thought-out my many lives.
[The Doctor’s tone slowly becomes serious]
Then the Time War came a fight between my people and The Daleks.
[His tone changes to distress.]
I didn’t want to fight but ended up having to.I don’t know how long I fought but at one point all of space and time was going to burn. And I had to fight in the Time War. There came a point, where my choices were getting less and less. And the only choice to end The War, was –
[The Doctor inhales deeply, a clear look of pain on his face and in loud whisper]
To destroy my own planet. My own home… And I did. Both the Time Lords and Daleks burned.
[There seems to be an undertone of shame in his voice and a clear look on his face that he hates himself]
And I was the On-Coming Storm, Destroyer of Worlds, Bringer of Darkness.
[Then a short pause and continues in a worn loud whisper.]
I traveled a long time, trying to help others, proving to myself that I was The Doctor again. I met Rose Tyler and she showed me that I had become too much like a Dalek. How willing I was to kill. She made that old soldier me better, as did Jack.
[Then a brief excitement of]
I got to have a moment when I finally felt I was The Doctor again!
[Another pause and look of dread on his face]
Somehow, a fleet of Daleks got lost from the Time War and we found them… And Rose saved us all. She brought Jack alive forever, making life the last act of The Time War.
And I died, saving her. I wanted to be able to express the affection she had shown me, so I hoped that her influence would create most of the new me.
I had to prove to her and myself that I was, The Doctor.
[A big boost of enthusiasm]
And I did!
We traveled to many more worlds and times together, helping out and having fun. And seeing impossible things!
[Another pause and another look of dread. Ten continues in a whisper and looks like he’s holding back pain again.]
....
Until...
I lost her.
In another universe.
... I never got to tell her how I felt about her...Though I said it when I went into the pit with The Beast, she does know.
[A short pause and less a bit less sad]
Martha and I had adventures together too but I didn’t see her and I don’t blame her at all for wanting to walk.
[Another boost of enthusiasm]
But she was impressive! Oh yes!
The year that never happened, happened and kept the worst from happening my mates and I. They are quite a clever lot!
[The Doctor pauses and seems to be asking himself.]
I wonder if Jack changed his mind about my offer.
I don’t know why The Master had to die… Maybe this is my punishment for what I did.
[Ending with a big burst of enthusiasm and ‘lets’ go team’!]
Got to save the Earth again before ending up here and we’re all going to save the multiverse!
Does anyone have a problem with that?
Eye of The Storm
[What is this? What is this - terror? He should fend it off but he's also curious about what is trying to tug at his mind. The Doctor finds his hearts pounding in excitement, wonderment and terror.]
What was that? It's coming for us, whatever it is? Why does it want us?
[The sounds of interior popping. The Doctor dashes thought-out the carts with his sonic screwdriver in hand. A determined look on his face that The Train isn't going down if he can help it!]
Wildcard
Something else? Hit me up or get in touch for a starter.
Layer Two
I might never have realized how wrong that was. I was sworn to the pen and the page so was meant to spend my life in the archives, collecting information from field teams to better understand how to track and kill monsters. Except I had started to develop sorcery as a teenager, and would have been considered suspect if that had been found out. I started asking the kind of uncomfortable questions of my teachers that suggested I was not buying the propaganda and was sent into the field to gather information to be scared back on the path. Only I realized how arbitrary the lists of natural versus unnatural were, and that every note I took would be used against the 'unnatural' regardless of how little threat they were to humanity.
It took until my notes on Australia for my superiors to catch on that I was either dangerously incompetent or dangerously close to going rogue.
[that gets a smile; even conventional biologists find islands to be reservoirs of weird species, let alone crypto-biologists.]
I don't know if any of my actions while with the Covenant led to any deaths, let alone genocides, but does it make a difference if an organization diffuses the blame so that no one person is the cause?
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No. Still the purpose of the place everyone was working for.
But you're right. What exists besides humans, isn't necessarily more dangerous sometimes. That primitive survival instinct at times gets in the way of their better judgment.
It's not also not to say that they can't live in peace with other species. They can. I've seen it.
And sometimes other species aren't any better. Trust is a risk and sometimes one side or the other isn't willing to take that risk and
[His voice growls] They find it easier to just slaughter the other side.
[Then a sympathetic tone]
I'm sorry, so, so sorry you got caught up in all of that.
[Then enthusiasm]
But look at you! You were able to understand.
[Another short pause]
Did you go rogue?
no subject
[This gets a smile]
Of course, it was coupled with making a bargain with the Crossroads, so my ability to do much was curtailed. It didn't help that while I had my own funds, they were secured in England in a vault only I or my heirs could open, ina. Covenant facility, while I was stuck in rural Michigan. As long as I was disgraced rather than rogue, the Covenant at least sent me a stipend.
[more serious]
It was probably why they kept me on the books. As long as they could pretend I would consummate the arranged marriage they set up for me, and Gwendolyn could carry off the child to be raised in the Covenant, they could hope the money could come back to them.
[And there was a thought... he wondered if Kevin and... and whatever Alice decided to name the baby... knew that they, in theory, had the ability to open the vault, with the contents belonging to them. It was a theory, as he suspected the Covenant's solution would be to find a grandchild or great-grandchild young enough to be malleable, and 'return' them to their Carew and Healy relatives.]
[[Somewhere in the multiverse, Antimony Price sneezes for no apparent reason.]]
sorry this is late
You have my forgiveness.
[However, The Doctor refuses to forgive himself. Something, he needs to work on. He can give others another chance or compassion or forgiveness but forgiving himself for what War Doctor did, seems to be impossible. The loathing and the guilt runs deep]
Glad your family is safe.
[There's a small swallow. He misses his Gallifreyen family and those he definitely would have liked having children with them. Ten's eyes run deep with hurt but the rest of his face is pretending that hurt isn't there.]
Hopefully, you'll see them one day again.
[There is a deep inhale in the silence. He feels like he needs to talk again and he doesn't want too keep talking but somehow it still slips out.]
I miss my family. They burned with the planet. My spouse. My children... Even lost my granddaughter and my great-grandchildren on Earth because of The Daleks. And my Rose is gone. And I - well, even if we weren't the same species. Won't have minded that mortgage with her..... I never even got to tell her... Or Reinette or Jack. And as much as I'm a traveler, I wouldn't mind a place to have roots with Gallifrey gone.
But glad, very glad yours are still alright. Oh, yes!
Layer Two
Wow, that's a really amazing story that explains a lot about what your whole deal has been these past two weeks. I think you have a good heart but you have numerous emotional issues caused mostly by trauma that will likely require professional therapy and a robust support network that one person can't provide, and even if they could I'm not really that person and that's always kinda gonna be a thing about you I'm a little uncomfortable with even if I want you to get the help you need since I'm overall cool with you.
[She breathes deeply, sharply, and quickly before continuing.]
I've had a complicated relationship with my mother for my whole life - she's a Special Forces general and is also my commanding officer. My dad is a martial arts movie star and descendant of a Mediterranean war cult that was bred to fight Elder Gods, who had a one-night stand with my mom after they saved the world and apparently forgot to wear a condom because I was born nine months later. They got married but the fact that her military life kept her from being around most of the time strained their relationship and made me think I hated her for a while.
I joined the Army instead of going into show business for a lot of reasons but the main one that I'll never admit to anyone was that I wanted my mom's approval. It started badly when I went AWOL from basic training and got kidnapped by a cult run by a kleric of Chaosrealm who brainwashed me and tried to destroy Outworld. Wasn't until that whole fuckin' thing got cleared up that I started to appreciate the sacrifices she'd made and how serious the commitment to service was.
A few years later I was given my own international inter-service command that I didn't feel ready for and probably wasn't ready for. Then the fallen Elder God Shinnok escaped from the amulet he was imprisoned in and started trying to merge Earthrealm with the Netherrealm to make Hell on Earth. But I got my team there and used my war cult powers to save the world by kicking Shinnok in the nuts real fuckin' hard.
I tried to say a cool one-liner after I won the fight but the only thing I could think of was "You got Caged" which in retrospect I think was pretty laaaaaaaaaaaame -
[She practically gasps out the last word and finally takes another breath, leaning over and panting.]
Re: Layer Two
Rose could. Martha and Jack. They all could by themselves. They could stop me. Make everything better by just holding my hand.
[Ten is quiet and listens and does some calming circles on her back]
It's okay. It's okay. It's okay.
It's perfectly natural for off-spring to want the approval of their parents. Did she acknowledge you?
no subject
[Cassie looks up, then gathers enough breath to stand straight again.]
As for me and Mom, it was about more than acknowledgment. We understand each other a lot better now.
no subject
Good. I'm glad to hear.
[The Doctor gives her a smile for a moment]
no subject
[She rather senses what's going through the Doctor's head right now, as she is not in fact completely deaf and blind.]
Think you might find you've got things in common if you talked to her.
no subject
[At least rubbing his hand down his face stops.]
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but even with the weird goings on, it was still preferred to their last mission.
She'd tried to keep to herself in that case, or as much as one could given their location. still, anyone who knew her would have a good idea or two of where she could be found.
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Hey. How's the mission been treating you so far?
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Hallo, I'm The Doctor and you are?
no subject
She does look up when she sees Cassie approaching, managing something of a grin-and then a slight frown at the man's introducing himself.]
I've been trying to avoid other passengers. [That earned a flinch.] Just..the Doctor?
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Two for the feels and maybe able to find some common ground
So there is that pause, then,] That certainly explains much about what you've said and how you've acted so far. [No sense of judgement behind it, just that pieces were falling into place to help explain it.
Vegeta then offering back,] I'm from a people of warriors, our purpose is to fight, and for much of our history, to destroy and kill. It took me years to understand how pointless and damaging that was, how empty it was to kill off those who couldn't really oppose me, to accept that there was no need for needless killing. For any joy I had felt for it becoming hollow and pointless compared to what I really needed. It didn't make me stronger, didn't make me better, it was all pointless. But it was the way of my people before they and our planet was destroyed.
I may not had killed them like you did your own people, but I know my universe is better off without the Saiyans. We did too much damage, and would only continue to destroy. My people were destroyed out of fear and greed, yours were out of a need to prevent a worst situation. [Despite all of this, Vegeta seems unmoved from this. He's accepted this long ago. His people were gone, the damage they had done, the legacy they had left. And if they had learned what he had over the years, the power of Super Saiyan and above, it would not end well for their universe.
On saying that,] Though there is one I would enjoy meeting his end again and again at the hand of a Saiyan. Not my own, yet. Next time though. [Freeza will die from his hand the next time, not Trunks', not Goku's, but Vegeta's.]
no subject
Stagnation doesn't do any species any good. My own people... They were moving forward with their society after a very, very long time... And all that got erased because someone else was put in charge. Leading them backwards again and into war.
They used to be seen as savors of the universe. Nearly, gods. And they did think that they were above everyone else in the end. How they wanted to end the War. Maybe... the universe is better off without them as well.
I like to pretend they're still alive, despite all their shortcomings.
[Because it hurts a little less and someone hasn't accepted his people are gone.]
no subject
Yes, maybe it was better your people are gone, but you won't know if that is true or not. Short of discovering a timeline or universe in which it didn't happen. [Maybe it's easier for Vegeta to just accept what is done. Or maybe it's due to his Saiyan upbringing, where they were raised not to gain too much attachments to others. It's not like he could bring back his people, and even if the Dragon Balls would allow that in some way, he wouldn't. What was there for him to gain by doing that? His pride in his people will never waiver, what they stood for and believed in, but also recognizing that all of that would come to an end eventually.]
I always believed that only myself and one other full blooded Saiyan survived, [Leaving out the bits about Goku having killed Raditz, and Vegeta killing Nappa, for now.] However others seem to keep popping up. Maybe there are others out there of your kind that you just haven't found. The universe is a big space, let alone other universes.
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Yuuuuuuuup, entity brews boredom and if they do keep themselves pre-occupied, it's never in a good way. Usually, seeing how they can interfere with a lesser species and watch the chaos. Rather than trying to better the other societies just because they're "above" them. But, I like to hope me. That maybe in my travels, I'll find something impossible, like a god that will actually reason.
They caused it. They didn't want the rest of the universe involved in their War.
[There's a weary old look on The Doctor's face] And so long ago, I said many allies would be formed because of The Daleks.
[There's a pause and The Doctor is trying to not speak but blurts out]
They were willing to cleanse all of the universe in order to end the war.... The universe is better off without them. [The Doctor remarks as-a-matter of fact]
They were Time Lords. Just as I am. We control and manipulate time. And fought in a war where both sides were weaponizing time. We don't splinter! At least that's what we were told. I'm beginning to wonder a bit.
Funny, thing that. That's the only timeline that doesn't exist. A one where the War didn't happen.
Yeah, I found someone. At the end of the universe, itself. And he's gone now... He died in my arms.
[Someone isn't holding back tears.]
But glad, very glad you have hope. Hope is important.
eye of the storm
There's not even much time to think of all the things this terrifying sight might be because then the roof looks like it is about to break and his carriage goes dark.
Romeo isn't scared of the dark, he does his best to be brave all the time. But as he is plunged into darkness and the sound of rushing water fills his ears he screams, terrified.
Re: eye of the storm
Ten looks around for where the water is leaking from and finds the break in the pipe and rushes over.
"The good thing about this is that this metal is already broken which makes it easier to meld back together."
However, usually, one needs to turn off the water in order to apply the putty on the pipes. The Doctor, however, points his sonic screwdriver, which makes some kind of weird buzzing noise at the pipes and very, slowly, as if by magic, the pipes seems to be mending itself back together.
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So he can trust him quickly. He rushes over to see the broken metal in the pipe and his eyes widened as it began to fix itself. "That's really useful! Can I help you?"
His spirits are back up and with it his confidence. Amazing what a bit of light and a confident adult with a magic screwdriver could do.
2
[Has a hand over his mouth because man]
[MAN, he knows the policy of spoilers, but its hard. Its extremely hard to not just TELL HIM THINGS.]
[As it was...]
[Well, none of that is a surprise and while his eyes are sad, they are not shocked.]
Re: 2
I've already told you, haven't I?