middleofsomewhere | Race Against Time: Ongoing Mission

Race Against Time: Ongoing Mission

Once the training is over people can get to work pretty quickly, there is plenty to be done both out in the world and back at the hub for those not too keep on jumping straight in to a strange volcanic planet with creatures that probably want to eat them.

Hub

The underground hub is a centre of activity. It turns out there isn't all that much fuel for shuttles to get back up to the space station so trips are rationed, they will hold villagers and lindusi until they have full shuttles and then send them up. So the hub is busy with scientists, lindusi in holding pens and as the week goes on villagers who may not be too impressed with the evacuation.

There is food, usually large pots of soup that can be reheated whenever people are around. Though some heavier meals are provided at set times the people leading the evacuation are keen not to let any of their helpers, or those they are rescuing, starve.

Sleeping rooms hold bunk beds, usually around eight a room but as the hub fills up space gets limited. Sharing beds or sleeping on the floor may become necessary.

For those hanging around the hub as the week goes on there is plenty to do, small jobs, entertaining village children, logistics, communication. Or they can find a quiet place to rest before going back out on their mission.

Red

The skies are heavy with debris, both from space and the volcanic ash and rocks from the planet itself. The fighter craft are not difficult to pilot but nor are they easy. They cannot be piloted by one person, unless that person has four arms and space in the cockpit is tight for two people.

It's difficult work and it is probably good for everybody that the craft only fly for six hours before recharging, it means they have to work in shifts, and rest when they are not in the sky. The pilots from the world are generally friendly, if very focused.

Purple

Flying bubble pods around what seems like an apocalyptic wasteland may seem surreal and that's before they even get to the villages. The villages are mostly underground, bunkers where groups of people shelter. There are a range of ages. Some villages come easy, some do not. Diplomacy is key.

Watch out for falling rocks, rogue lindusi and angry villagers, all are threats that have to mitigated. As the week goes on the villagers get more stubborn, the earthquakes get more frequent and the villagers that are waiting to be taken off world get more impatient. It's a tough job.

Orange

The lindusi are scattered across the island. Mostly as far away from volcanoes as possible though there are a few that seem too curious for their own good.

The trucks to hold the lindusi in are kept in a central point in an area whilst the groups go out to try and round as many up as possible. The voidtreckers are encouraged to stick together as they don't know the area or threats very well.

Blue

The Blue team are to protect the scientists, both those collecting plants and other life samples and those with Orange rounding up Lindusi. Once they have the hang of the shield devices it's just a case of sticking close by, keeping both eyes open and being quick to activate shields whenever there is a threat.

There are plenty of threats, it's one thing this island has in abundance.

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Madoka felt familiar, to Raven's passive empathy; bright and strong. It made one end of her own mouth lift in a hint of smile. Cowl up still so hard to see, but there all the same.

"Where else would I be?" Raven murmured. "I didn't think we were allowed to stay on the train." Not that Raven wouldn't have helped anyways.

"Well, you could've been out there.."

There's a lot to be done by all the teams, after all. And Raven seems so cool and useful with her powers, so Madoka was sure she'd probably be getting a lot done. More so than Madoka herself, who can only do her best without any special powers.

"But now we're here together for a moment! I already couldn't find another familiar face, I thought I'd be here alone while resting up.. But that's why I'm extra glad to see you now."

Raven was very glad she'd resisted speaking aloud her first thoughts; that all of them were out there at different points. Especially once Madoka continued, and reminded Raven once more Starfire. The same kind of earnestness and happiness, just to be around her friends.

"I need to rest too." Which was true, but Raven was also trying to say she didn't mind the company. A familiar face was nice, as Madoka had already pointed out. "How are things going for your team? and for you?"

That question prompts her to think for a moment. Although at the very least it seems to be genuine thought rather than Madoka trying to think about whether to tell the truth or lie.

"Hmm.. I think it's going okay..?"

It's not exactly easy, but somehow things still feel more manageable than the last time they had a mission.

"Those shield gloves they gave us are really handy..! Even I can use them, so I feel glad to be able to help out this time. How about you?"

It hadn't been quite what Raven was asking, but that was also her fault for not being more specific. Madoka didn't seem injured though, just tired. A state that was justified for both of them considering how hard they'd been working.

"If you can find Mr. Stark, show him. I suspect he'd want to know about a nice and easy to use gadget like that. Or ask Mr. Scientia to see if we can bring one or two back with us." It honestly was a useful piece of tech, besides just making Madoka feel useful which Raven was also glad for.

"We've had the usual ups and downs of dealing with people. Some are scared and determined, some are just scared. Some are angry, or stubborn, as well as scared. Several are unhappy, but resigned." Which was taxing for Raven because she usually didn't deal with so many people.

"I see.. I guess people must be feeling all sorts of things while living in a world like this."

Mostly not too many positive things either, huh. Madoka can't imagine feeling happy in the face of this planet literally being about to be destroyed. Especially not when it's the only home you've known.

"I hope all those people can realise that in the end it's for their own good to leave this place.."

"Even when someone knows it might be better to go...it can be hard." Raven agreed softly. "I've been trying to just keep a passive feeling of Calm around me if I can, especially around groups." Much like she had on the train, for Madoka or others. Just a passive-projection and nothing more.

"We're doing what we can though, without having to be mean. So to speak..." A shrug there, before huddling a bit more in her cloak. It was tiring, even if Raven felt it was worth it. The last thing they needed was a panic or conflict between groups.

It really is a benefit to that team that Raven is part of their team, huh. She can't imagine anyone being better suited to having to keep people calm and help them get out of there. Madoka still vividly remembers how the other girl took all her negative feelings away for a while back on the train, after all.

But she also does realise that in some ways Raven is actually terribly suited for it. After all, it's not just that she can help other people with their emotions, but she also feels them so strongly herself..

Which is why Madoka shoots a worried look in the other girl's direction.

"Are you doing okay though..? It must be so tough for you, feeling what all those people are feeling.."

"I'm managing." Raven had almost said I'm fine, but that wasn't entirely true. She was fine, in a manner of speaking. She had dealt with harsher than this before, and had training to learn how to manage her Empathy and other gifts since she was young. But this wasn't an easy situation, and Madoka did not seem as if she would take an I'm fine when she suspected the other wasn't.

"When we're back on the train, I might just spend a day or two in one of the quiet cabins on my own, but I'm taking care of myself as well."

Madoka slowly nods. That answer sounds logical, even if it still isn't ideal. She wishes Raven wouldn't have to deal with feeling this many - and mostly not positive - emotions at once, but then again, what can be done about it..?

"Would it help if I stayed here with you for a bit and tried to be extra calm? Would you maybe then not feel everyone else as much..?"

Yes, she even sounds a little desperate to help. Because Madoka - with the way she is - immediately feels guilty for not being able to do anything for the other girl otherwise.

The offer was and wasn't expected; mostly the part about trying to be 'extra calm'. It made Raven's eyes widen a bit, and a hint of what was almost a laugh escape. Then she was ducking her head, reaching up to adjust her cowl.

"It's...not quite that easy, Madoka. When we get back to the train, I plan to hermit a way for about a day or so. Thank you though." A pause, perhaps a bit awkward as Raven looked to meet the other's eyes. "...you do help though, already. Just because you're a familiar presence and face, who's a friend. That on it's own kind of can help as an anchor, if you think of being surrounded by it all as being on the sea or ocean."

She blushes a little.

"A-- Ah, sorry then." Honestly, Madoka can't help but feel a little awkward too about bringing something up that wasn't going to work, but at the very least it doesn't seem like she's utterly devastated by it. Just the usual Madoka levels of shy. "For not being able to do more, I mean.. But if me being here in general helps even just a little bit, then I'm glad.."

"It helps, and we're going to teach you, remember? How to do more." Raven confirmed and agreed, an actual smile visible under her cowl. "You definitely have potential, Madoka. To help a lot of people."

"I'm not so sure about that.."

If not just because she feels like she's already let so many people down. Thankfully not as much during this mission, but she definitely let her team down during the last one. And then back home-- that's even worse. She let down every single one of their friends. How could she help other people if she couldn't even help them?

But she doesn't want to bring the mood down too much. Especially not since this is Raven of all people, and bringing down the mood means bringing down Raven's mood as well. So she quickly shakes her head as if to shake off any bad thoughts, and takes in a breath to try looking at it from a more positive angle.

"But.. I-It's really kind of you to say that! You really say the nicest things.."

"No, I really don't. Not just to be nice in any case." Raven countered, tone gentle but firm. "I'm not the type of person who is 'nice' just to be 'nice', Madoka. But trust me, even if you won't trust yourself." Still with that actual smile, even if it was small. "Even if all you learn is how to keep yourself calm and at peace, that'll be enough and you can do it."

Well, Madoka's mission to keep herself calm and at peace is definitely going straight out of the window for the moment. Because it's pretty hard to keep herself calm in the face of those words - she gets way too flustered at them for that.

Sure, some might see it as just general reaffirment, but even that's already a lot for Madoka.

"A-- Ah, no, that's not what I meant..! I mean, I know you wouldn't do it just to be nice-- probably.. But it's still nice of you to say it anyway and to believe in me that much..!"

Later, Raven would attribute it to stress and exhaustion; in the moment she couldn't really stop it. Madoka's reaction caused her to laugh softly, somewhere between a giggle and a chuckle. Highly unusual for her, and entirely unexpected, and only for a moment. It had still happened though.

"We can work on your confidence too, Madoka. You're more capable than you think you are."

Don't worry, Raven, the fact that you just laughed went totally over Madoka's head with how flustered she is right now. Your secret is safe for another day.

"My confidence.." Well, at the very least Madoka herself is also very aware that her confidence is pretty low. In the negatives, even. So she won't deny that it could use some work. But still.. "It's.. It's okay. I don't want you to have to help me with too much. Especially with everything being so tough for you.."

Since it's not as if Raven is only surrounded by people here on the mission. Even back on the train there's not a whole ton of space for the amount of people traveling on that train.

"I can probably figure out some things myself."

There was another soft laugh, mostly in her chest and barely heard. "It's okay Madoka. None of this will come overnight and it will take practice and some study. But I do believe you can do it. We can talk about it more back on the train."

Right then, Raven didn't have the energy to do much else. Other than be grateful for Madoka's familiar presence right then. "I'm also tougher than I look, so don't worry too much about me. I've been through worse than this."

"Okay.."

Despite the way her voice trails off, it's not as if Madoka doesn't believe Raven on that last point. She thinks Raven seems plenty tough, and so she'll probably indeed be okay. (Even if the thought of her having gone through bad things isn't exactly fun.)

"But if there's anything I can do at all for you at some point, please tell me, okay..?"

Raven blinked and then ducked her head. A shy smile, but still a smile, on her face. "I will. Right now, you're doing plenty though just by being here and providing a familiar presence. It's comforting, even if it doesn't seem like much."

At least she seems willing to believe this much too - maybe since she's catching a glimpse of that small smile. Madoka just nods without questioning what the other girl is saying, but she does look like she's thinking for a moment or two.

Then she speaks again. "Then I'll stay here with you for a bit. Mister Ignis said I should take a break here for a bit anyway before going back out there.."

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Race Against Time: Ongoing Mission

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