middleofsomewhere | Fighting Headstrong in our Final Hour: IC Preperation

Entry tags:

Fighting Headstrong in our Final Hour: IC Preperation

THE FINAL MISSION: PREP

On day 5 of the month of Tribulation - the day after the performances - the Voidtrecker Express makes its return to the void base. The void scientists meet them as always, with those visiting for the first time are welcomed and given information, and offered a tour if they wish it.

Everyone will be informed of a meeting to take place in a couple of hours. Voidtreckers are welcome to skip it and to do their own thing, but attending is stressed - it's important, to both them and the rest of the void.

Once everyone has had time to rest, a call will come through the base leading everyone to the largest of the meeting rooms. It's filled with more than just the Voidtreckers: The ministry, its scientists and those from system #3721010010 are present, as well as Osigans. Far more familiar faces take the front of the meeting, with Lia-Nine, Ten-Nank and Anan joining the head scientist Till, who takes a step forward to address everyone.

She thanks everyone for joining, and recaps the situation:

A couple of weeks ago, the Voidtrecker Express and those on it discovered a tear in the void within a void storm. This tear, and the resulting shapes seen within it, are the disaster wiping out systems from existence - including system #78961112094711 (Osiga's system) and system #1015, which is the system of the Voidtrecker Express.

Many of those present will not have heard of system #1015 because of the voidcraft's previous crew attempting to revert time after the shapes destroyed their homes, despite the many taboos surrounding this practice. This resulted in a paradox as they met with themselves, which utterly erased all existence of system #1015, and even outside knowledge, which led to the Voidtrecker Express on its course to capturing unwilling souls to serve upon it. It's believed that Halo - a person from the planet Enrara of system #1015 - escaped the same fate as many outside of their system at the time by being caught in the void storm at the time, saving them.

The attempt to revert time in system #1015 created an anomaly that can't be left alone. While not immediately dire, a plan has been made to address the issue of both the tear in the void, and that of system #1015. It will be dangerous, and everyone is free to give their own thoughts and help solidify the plan before the mission starts.

The plan is such:

ONE. Dealing with the shapes. Convince the entity known as Chaos to take in the shapes within its sealed space of illusions.

This entity and the Voidtreckers have a history, with Chaos attempting to take control over worlds after losing their own, and being driven insane through exposure to the void. However, this exposure has also made them an incredibly powerful - and dangerous - force, capable of warping reality to the point where life is inhabitable within their illusions. Just, not with their consent.

The Voidtreckers were able to talk them down in the past, and the Ministry have sealed Chaos within their own illusion. It is believed that Chaos's abilities could, if not destroy the shapes currently in the void, then contain them within himself. However, Chaos would need to be convinced, but he does have a history with them after they destroyed his system.

TWO. Close the rift. Seal the rift letting through the shapes so that no more can travel the void.

In the centre of a void storm lies a tear in the void that is allowing the 'shapes' to slip out and decimate the systems that they spill out near to. An inspector voidcraft will be taken into the storm that will protect everyone on board from the effects of the storm, allowing them to focus on the tear. Charges - devices of the ministry - must be set around the tear, the inspectors have allowed the use of their suits and technology for this. More charges will be set where system #1015 used to be. By having those tethered to the Voidtrecker Express do this and establishing links between the two locations, the energy from the experiment taking place in system #1015 can be used to close the rift.

It is best believed the tethers Voidtreckers have with the Voidtrecker Express, a craft from system #1015, will allow the energy to flow from one point to another. It is unknown what or if there will be any side-effects to this.

THREE. Deal with time. Rescue the survivors of the shape attack on system #1015 and Prepare the site of system #1015 to recieve a surge of energy and redirect it to the tear in the void.

This is perhaps the most audacious part of the plan. The Voidtrecker Express will travel to the site of system #1015 and using experimental technology from our scientist allies who were rescued from system #3721010010, will anchor backwards towards the point in time where the decision to break time was made. Those anchoring will try and convince the previous voidtreckers to instead be pulled into the present with them, breaking the time paradox.

The energy discharge from this shaking of reality will be great, and so charges will be set up in the space that was once system #1015 linked to the charges at the site of the rift, and Voidtreckers in both sites will use their entangled tethers to open a connection and redirect the energy.

As the plan is explained, their SCA's have lit up with the colours of the void that signals a mission brief.

OOC NOTES

Questions.

To help some people who may be confused about references to certain individuals or terms, we've connected a summary below to help! This will be told and so known ICly.

Click here!

The previous crew: The Voidtrecker Express's previous crew. Most were killed in the attack on system #1015 by the shapes. The survivors broke all the rules in a desperate attempt to bring their friends and their home back and paid a terrible price. More information can be found here

Enrara, Thistea: Sister planets from system #1015, the system the Voidtrecker Express is from.

Halo: A dying void pilot that some voidtreckers found on a mission. She had been caught in a void storm and when it faded she had discovered not only her system gone but every mention and every memory of her and her home vanished. You can read her final message here.

The Inspectors: The inspection arm of the ministry are the protectors of the ministry. A psionic people who share a low level telepathy and the ability to manipulate emotions, they are a worrying force to face. Here is some more information about them.

Chaos, Diagad: Diagad was in system #401837400141. The people of Diagad specifically were known for having powers. The system was destroyed by the shapes and somehow a person- later known as the entity Chaos, survived. But not with their mind intact.

Chaos' main powers are illusions and there was an arc of plot dealing with the Voidtreckers finding systems in the sway of Chaos' imagination. Eventually they ended up on a world created by Chaos- a 4th wall event where people had been pulled onto into a false superhero world. They managed to get everyone stolen back home and sealed Chaos in the system of their making.

Anchoring: Anchoring is a way of moving through the void 'spiritually'. It anchors a person to their craft whilst allowing their mind to move. This was used on Chaos' world to return the 4th wallers home, it was subsequently used during the 'No Place Like Home' event to return everyone safely back to the train.

Tether: The tether is the voidtreckers connection both to the voidcraft and their home worlds. When they talk about 'looping' a tether it is to connect them to another void craft (or the void hub) as an extra level of protection and to allow them to exist in the void whilst not in proximity of the Voidtrecker Express.

PREP PROMPTS: While the plans may differ in some places, there will be preparation before the mission for the equipment and environments used. Here is a list of exercises that will be gone through, and for which task. Feel free to use them to play with below, or just to know how your character would have prepared for the mission!

Click here!

RED task:

ORANGE task:

BLUE task:

PURPLE task:

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

If you are having your own discussions in your own top levels and want an NPC to answer a question or have a IC question that you want answered but don't want to be in the big chat here is the place to ask them!

Note this is for IC questions only, for OOC questions please go here

Edited 2022-09-11 10:23 (UTC)

These will be mod led discussions - treat them like a boss battle where everyone may comment once per mod comment round. To help the mods out please bold any questions and relevant information!

Anan speaks, Chiff sitting on her head like a hat. "Chaos is extremely powerful. It is more than just illusions, it is imagination becoming real. After the events on the fake Diagad I was able to feel how others felt, to sense their presence, their joys and sorrow. My own crew also maintained their powers that they had developed during that time and I know from speaking to the voidtreckers who were there it was the same for them. They are probably the only force we now and have access to who could contain the shapes. But first we need to convince them to do it."

An inspector speaks, their voice emotionless through their suit. They are clearly trying hard to keep their general aura of intimidation down but those standing close will still feel a tendril of dread inside them.

"Those heading to the rift will travel in Inspection Craft A9310. We will bypass the storm and so that is not relevent. Charges will be set around the rift, you will also work to open a connection with those setting charges at the site of the former system of #1015.

Ordinarily we would not take non inspectors on our crafts, nor would we put them in our technology, but it is believed that it is only your tethers, as unusual and entangled they are, that will allow the energy caused by changing time in the void itself to be redirected to the rift to repair it. We do not know what the consequences to yourselves will be."

Till speaks. "So this part might be the most... audacious of it all." She sighed. "We have some experimental technology, from our scientist allies who were rescued from system #3721010010. We believe that if we take the Voidtrecker Express to the site of system #1015, with use of the technology and the fact that time is broken in that place we should be able to... anchor backwards."

She looked at them, as if she was surprised that she, as a ministry scientist, was suggesting this.

"We believe if a team anchors backwards to the moments before the time paradox occured and convinced them to instead return with them. This will change time, which in itself is incredibly risky but we think we can use the energy that will be unleashed."

She sighed again, looking grim. "If we set up charges in the space that was once system #1015 and charges in at the site of the rift and we have members of the voidtreckers, whose tethers are entangled and connected in the way that they are we can direct that energy, from one site to the other, using it to close the rift. It is madness, but it is the best plan we have."

Yondu makes a point to find Anan, even outside of mission shit. Just to see her and see what she went through.

"I'd hoped y'all would go get him out. I wanna speak to ya before ever'body lights out by the way. Just a word."

He knows they're not gonna have much time.

Practicing

Sonic was not used to this at all. There's too much power going through him, too many new equipment and abilities. The SCA was really throwing him off and making him slower. This wouldn't do at all.

But, they need the practice. They need to create the web to help tie off the sealing points. He could do this solo, but no, this is a team thing and he needs to work with a team.

"C'mon, we're on a time limit, guys!" he called out.

Feeling of Dread

After all of the practicing, all of the tests, all of the work, Sonic still didn't feel right. But that was because he was dreading something. He wasn't here for long, but he had been in action for years, so he knew things were off when he saw it.

"Hey, c'mere. I need to talk to ya." he said, motioning to anyone coming close to him.

Discussions

She follows most things alright, after all she was one of the first to step on this train and has been here ever since except a couple of times spent in a suitcase. Still, this is very overwhelming.

"What do time energy be being, how do you redirecting it and this plan do be sounding stupid complicated." She grumbled. They aren't official questions, but there is an agitated young girl in the crowd, looking around as if those around her can fill in these gaps.

A Suit

Okay this was weird. She felt far too small and in a suit far too large. Even though it had controls to move it it was clunky. She felt like a monster from a movie stomping around like this.

"How do you be even getting through doors." It sounded strange, to hear her words come through not in her voice. Emptier even than when she was in the emptiness.

Going Outside

For other two years she has lived on a train, don't go near the windows, the void is dangerous, breaches could make terrible things happen, void storms made everything go mad.

And now they wanted her to go out in this suit?

"I do no be knowing about this..." She's no coward. She's just smart.

Mental Link

More meditation. It felt sometimes like all they did was meditate. She's used to it, it was part of her life before the train as well. But still. She sat restlessly as she focused on clearing her mind.

This would be so much easier if there was just a big monster to fight instead.

Edited 2022-09-12 04:13 (UTC)

Xie'er was not thrilled with this mission one bit. He was extremely unsettled and nervous. This was out of his element, but he was also determined to see this through. He tried to meditate as best he could to keep his mind focused and clear. He had set about placing the charges as expected. But it was a slow and cumbersome process.

With the bond he already shared with LO he did find it easier to set a mental link with her. She could probably sense his nervousness and fear with this mission.

"Fighting a monster would be easier then setting charges," Xie'er mentally replied.

I. Training Others How to Set Charges

47 was very familiar with this sort of work. He often used remote detonators for audio, visual, or explosive charges. The former for distractions and the latter for, well, lots of things but some less pleasant than others. These devices were different from his own concoctions but not enough to take him long to figure out. Then it was just a matter of learning where the best places would be to set them.

Once he knew that, 47 offered to teach Red Team (and any of the others with similar tasks) how to set the charges. It was relatively simple. Anyone with experience with any electronics would find it easy to learn the specifics for these devices so that all they really needed to learn was placement. And practice in the chaos of the void. For anyone else, 47 would take the time to go over the steps carefully, fully patient with even the most technically challenged individuals.

II. Void Practice

This was something 47 didn't excel in. For once, he was just as fallible as the rest of the team. However, his stubbornness would not allow him to give up. Working through a headache was simple enough; not the first time constant pain accompanied him while on a mission, and a headache was much better than a bullet wound. The disorientation was another story.

The hitman had dealt with this sort of distraction before as well but it was never pleasant. And one did not ever really get used to swirling colors and vibrant sounds causing a general lack of equilibrium. It hit his system just like anyone else and he didn't have much more in the way of wisdom than 'breathe calmly and focus through it'. Therefore, 47 was just as unsteady on his feet as others. The bulky suit didn't exactly help matters either. He had been fine operating it during inside practice, but out in the void it became a chore like everything else out here did.

He kept practicing, willing himself to get used to the disorientation and work through it. His stubbornness paid off as he set up charge after charge through simple trial an error as he went along. Good thing these aren't explosives, he thought to himself as he fumbled with one of the devices and only "caught" it after it dropped to what counted as ground out here, keeping it from tumbling away at least.

No one saw that. Or maybe they did. But he kept working at it either way.

III. Wildcard

When not teaching or practicing, 47 could be found wherever else at the base. He was always available for mission discussions--or whatever else someone might want from him. For anyone truly paying attention, he neglected tethering/mind link practice more than he probably should have considering Red Team's role in the upcoming mission.

Edited 2022-09-12 17:42 (UTC)

Hythlodaeus is assigned red, but of all the options, this one makes him narrow his eyes thoughtfully.

"Well. Even besides my utter curiosity about the technology, I must admit I tend to be rather successful in persuading people, or at least... getting them to do what I believe is the best choice for them."

The void, or even the ongoing time paradox, might interfere, but of all the tasks assigned, and how little time he has to acquaint himself with the relevant technology, and how little he knows about this Chaos, this seems the only thing he can help with.

"But I will need to check with at least one other person. It... aside from being trapped within the time paradox, what other danger do you foresee, if I may ask? I am fully aware that you would not be able to guess at all the possibilities."

Consideration

Anchoring practice

Wildcard

ooc: For any other ways you might want to run into him or poke him.

Aelienor has her carbuncle draped around her shoulders like a scarf, and a book strapped to her hip. She's made herself a proper mage's robe and slacks, and while cotton isn't the most aetherially conductive material...at least she looks and feels the part of a caster.

"Imagination becomin' real...sounds a bit familiar. Gonna go ahead an' apologize in advance if'n things get a bit crazy, last time things was conjured from me imagination, shite nearly got out o' hand."

"Practically multiplying a negative with a negative to create a positive." But if time's already broken, this probably won't break it any worse. "I don't know if I'm uniquely qualified for this but... I suppose all I can do is open up to them, and hope our earnestness will carry through."

...apparently beating them up isn't an option?

Here's a familiar face. Yes, he's familiar with a rhetoric question, but it's not it specifically that causes him to pause and address the child. He happened to be passing by when he heard her grumbles.

"Would you like me to explain? I can answer your questions to the best of my ability."

It's the confusion that brought him to stop. There's a lot being talked about and quickly. And it would be better to offer an opportunity for the child to better understand what's going on than have her swimming around and unsure where she can best put her talents.

[Prep Work]

On hearing there was going to be a mission soon, Aelienor had sewn herself up a set of cotton mage's robes, not trusting this strange shirt to be aetherially conductive enough for serious casting. On hearing what to expect, however...if the last time she faced dangers drawn from her own mind was any indication, she knew such simple garb wouldn't be enough.

Her prep time is spent in the art carriage, sewing frantically to put together protective and physically or magically enhancing clothing from exotic fabric, strange metals, and beautiful blue gemstones. Those visiting or passing through, particularly those wearing purple, are likely to get waylaid by a remarkably tall elfin woman with a tape measure.

"Hold still a bit, lemme measure ye so I can put together summat good fer fightin' in."

[Material Acquisition] (Closed to Hythlodaeus and Elidibus)

But how did she get her hands on the materials for her work? Asking for help, of course. First, she approaches Hythlodaeus, clad in her simple robe, hood down to properly show her face. When she tracks down Elidibus, she's instead wearing a much fancier set of Signifiers' clothes. Either way, her greeting is the same.

"Hey, mind if'n I ask a favor what'll help me help the folks goin' wit' purple out?"

[Surprise Gifts!] (Closed to K'zeka and Q'uila)

Once she's finished her own casting clothes, she has enough materials left from Hythlodaeus to outfit two other people, meant for a specific other two. Before she tracks down Elidibus, she goes looking for her counterparts who aren't already properly equipped. She approaches in her new casting shirt and pants, tape measure in hand.

"Hey, what kind o' soul crystals do ye have wit' ye?"

Lea listened to he proposed plan. They were right; the whole thing sounded crazy. But while he had no idea how anything related to time travel worked and planned to save himself a headache by not trying to figure it out, he couldn't help but think it was a good idea, no matter how much of a long shot it was. And a chance to restore a whole world was more than worth the risk.

"Wouldn't be the first time I've been on board with a plan that looked crazy on paper," he said. "Count me in; if there's any chance at all to restore a whole world, we've gotta take it. I don't have a clue about how time travel actually works, but I do know a thing or two about making friends and getting people to go along with weird ideas."

"Though it might help if we had a little more evidence than just our word and the fact that no one would make up a story this crazy. Would we be able to take some kind of Ministry documentation or something back with us that would help convince them we were legit, or would anything like that get damaged or erased when we went back?"

Feeling how others felt, The words were casually mentioned as an after-effect of encountering Chaos od Diaguard. But for Genjo, it had pinged something important. Something that was becoming all too common of a sensation the longer he had spent time on the Voidtrecker.

Was that something they needed to use to deal with Chaos?

"So you're saying to aid in communicating with Chaos and ability to read emotions and presence is necessary?"

He had been standing there on the sidelines, lingering behind the rest as she spoke. His arms crossed as he lifted his gaze to meet her eyes with the sudden interest he previously didn't have.

Hythlodaeus is thoughtful when she approaches him, but he does look up at her with a smile without hesitation. His eyebrows twitch very slightly, as he is rarely the one who can do much for those in combat, on the whole, but his eyes brighten, too.

To his people, he is ever happy to be helpful.

"Aelienor! What can I do?"

"What is it?" Elidibus has no problem with a Warrior of Light approaching him with such a request. Aelienor will have found out that he's very capable of remaining a neutral party despite the past. There's no censure in his tone and he's there to hear out the request.

His current task- a checklist of available resources for the upcoming conflict- is paused and he turns to face the elezen woman. The ascian waits for her response while also taking a moment to observe her new attire.

Edited 2022-09-15 22:18 (UTC)

Once she has his attention, she greets him with a brief hug. There isn't the element of desperate clinging that was there last time, but an unmistakably fond warmth.

"I know a lot o' good patterns fer combat clothes, but the materials I got to work with are right shite. Think ye could change 'em around so as I have summat actually useful, an' the aetherial solvents to treat 'em wit'?"

She's had her moments of irritation or exasperation, but has remained entirely within the realm of civility toward Elidibus. He's done a lot of things to be angry over, including to her personally, but holding brutal grudges is an old weakness of hers that she's done her best to move away from.

And besides...though he might wear a stolen face at the moment, she can't help but recall his true face of eons ago. On some level, it's difficult not to want to help him.

"Naught' what'll take up too much o' yer time. I wanna make up armor fer more o' them what's goin' into danger, an' I'm out o' materials what aren't shite fer aetherial conductivity."

Edited 2022-09-16 01:30 (UTC)

Anchoring Practice

Lea had never attempted this sort of thing before, and he was beginning to understand why. The level of focus required was... not his strong suit. But if he had one thing in his favor it was stubborn determination, and gradually, he was getting the hang of it. Unfortunately, that same stubborn determination meant that when the inevitable fatigue started to set in, he kept trying to push through regardless, determined to be prepared before the actual mission. Maybe someone should convince him to take a break?

Resting and thinking

Lea sat against the wall head leaned back and eyes closed. He wasn't asleep, though there was a distinct possibility of that happening, even if he'd regret sleeping in such an awkward position later. He just... couldn't quite bring himself to get up and go anywhere. It felt like way too much effort. "Man, I'm beat...", he said to anyone within earshot, his tone reflecting the truth of his words. "They said we'd be tired afterwards, and they weren't kidding. All I did was stand there for a couple hours, but I feel like I spent all day training, then ran a marathon." Of course he'd done significantly more than stand there, but the effort had been mental and spiritual rather than physical. Not at all what he was used to.

Anchoring Practice

Bruno would be lying if he said he wasn't afraid. Terrified, even. But with the lives of a whole world, and- indirectly- many more in the balance, how could he just stand back? He'd never be able to look at himself in the mirror again if he was that much of a coward.

So here he was, doing his best to try and learn how to properly anchor before the big mission. It was kind of slow going though. Maybe someone could give him some tips?

Lunch Break

He'd also volunteered to help make sure his fellow Voidtreckers who were working on learning anchoring didn't collapse. It was Blue's turn at meals anyway, so he found himself bringing around coffee and arepas that he'd made, or bowls of a simple but tasty and filling bean stew that someone else had made to people who were too exhausted to make it to the dining car or station cafeteria, or who just looked like they needed a break.

Unplanned Siesta

Between his own anchoring practice and helping others with theirs, it was no wonder Bruno eventually ended up worn out. In fact, he'd straight up dozed off on a bench along the wall of the practice room. It obviously wasn't planned, as he was in kind of an odd position. Maybe some kind soul could wake him up before he ended up with a kink in his neck?

Hyth might not have noticed his growing fatigue, but Bruno had seen it, and approached him with a bit of a hesitant smile and a cup of coffee as soon as he saw the taller man settle back into the here and now. "Hey," he said a bit awkwardly. "Think maybe you ought to take a break for a bit? Long enough to get something to eat at least. I made some coffee and arepas, and there's some stew too, so..."

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 7

Fighting Headstrong in our Final Hour: IC Preperation

NPC Questions

NPC Discussion

Anan (Dealing with Chaos)

Inspector (Dealing with the Rift)

Till (Dealing with Time)

no subject

Sonic the Hedgehog | Purple Team | OTA

LO | Red Team

Mental Link

47 | Hitman | Red Team + OTA

no subject

Hythlodaeus | FFXIV | Red but going Blue

no subject

no subject

Discussion

Aelienor Estienie | Purple

no subject

no subject

Materials

Material Acquisition

no subject

no subject

Lea | Blue Team | OTA

Bruno Madrigal | Blue Team | OTA

Anchoring Practice