Forward Dated: Catfish Day 10

[voidtreckermods]

So far so good. Lindusi had been collected, people had been evacuated and the evacuations up to the space station had gone smoothly.

There aren't many people left now, another shuttle craft worth of citizens, a couple of scientists and the Void Treckers. Jori had called everyone into the hub once night fell. The villagers who were left, generally the most stubborn ones who had been hardest to round up, sat sullenly at one of the tables. The few harried scientists who hadn't already accompanied Lindusi up to the space station stood around.

"Well done everyone." Jori started on a positive. "Thank you to those that came from the Void to help us, we could not have done this without you. Tomorrow at first light we will start the final evacuation off world. We have three shuttles left which is plenty more than we need, there is one more container of Lindusi to be evacuated as well. We will split ourselves between the shuttles and the container shuttle. If any of you," Here he turned to the villagers, "Need any assistance tomorrow please make yourself known. The good news is that it seems a community of those originally from this world has been found relatively nearby and there are currently plans underway for a ship to come and collect you and your families."

He smiled, taking in everyone again. "Only one more day, one last push and we will be leaving here..." He trailed off as a young man stood up suddenly.

Those on purple team might recognise him as a villager, one of the more cooperative ones who had came quickly near the beginning of the week. He had quickly made himself useful in the hub and had joined in helping the scientists and the voidtreckers.

Now he was pale. "Jori... Listen." He fiddles with the dial of a small radio he had, pulling out the earphones.

"Blue Mountains." There is a lot of static but a voice, a young, scared voice comes through. "Mayday, mayday. I don't know if anyone can hear me.... I... Viyanli... Elders said.... Hide... are not on the maps... Shaking so much and... burning. Did everybody go? They don't want to leave but... really the end? If you can... I stole the radio... Please... In the Blue Mountains."

Jori swore under his breath. "Someone get a map, where are the blue mountains? Can we see if we can get the radio to respond, improve the signal at all." One of the scientists quickly produced a map and he spread it over a table, quickly locating an area called the blue mountains a fair distance away.

Rath spoke, "We can fit everyone here into two shuttles. Get everyone else evacuated while I go and find these people. We'd need to hold a shuttle back, which means keeping a pilot."

"I'll do it." Quin volunteered, "I'll hold the final shuttle."

Jori frowned at them. "Your window of opportunity to evacuate is going to be very small."

"The Blue Mountains are a big place Rath, it will take you too long searching on your own. You need a team." Mira pointed out. She looked over at the Voidtreckers.

"It will be extremely dangerous." Jori warned.

Mira rolled her eyes at him, "Pretty sure they signed up for danger when they became Void Warriors."

(OOC: The sign up post for this bonus mission is here. Sign ups are open until the 18th.)

Comments

Jori

[voidtreckernpcs]

Rath

[voidtreckernpcs]

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin raised a hand. "I'm going with you, Rath."

[voidtreckernpcs]

"Thank you." He nodded in his direction. "It is appreciated."

[so_dark_a_road]

"How about if we go and take a look at that map of the Blue Mountains? Also, how soon will you want to leave?" Curufin is nervously excited, as he always is when going into danger. But the nervousness doesn't show on his face; he merely looks alert and attentive.

[voidtreckernpcs]

"Yes, over this way." He led him over to where Jori was studying the map. "In a few hours, it is urgent but not so much that we should leave without preparing properly. Taking a few hours to make sure we are ready will save precious time in the long term I feel."

It would hopefully give them some more time to hone in on where this group was in the mountains and maybe even make more contact.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin followed Rath and studied the details of the map drawing.

"I agree. Forethought and preparation are essential. Myself, I'm all packed. Everything I took on the lindusi mission is in my rucksack, and a few items more. And I'm sure it's the same for anybody else who might volunteer for this one. But how will you yourself use those few hours before we go?"

[voidtreckernpcs]

"You will probably want some rations and water. More water than you think. Conditions out there are worsening by the hour." He doesn't want any of the volunteers collapsing from dehydration.

"My main aim will be trying to pin point the signal. If we can narrow down where we need to be as much as possible that means less time wandering around a mountain range."

I hope a slight threadjack is alright?

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Raven had been keeping herself back, but wandered over following Rath and her fellow void-trecker. She was exhausted, but they still had people to help. She could rest later, back on the train.

"Would a fly by over the mountains be possible? I...would need help." Raven is aware of her limits after all. "But I'm an Empath. I could try and sense where the people are by their emotions."

It might've been unclear which team she was on, with her blue cloak and cowl over the purple and black voidtrecker's uniform. Raven was on purple, but she wanted to help where she could.

[OOC: If it's possible, I was thinking any/all of those sensitive could try and pick up the life-signs via empathy/telepathy? That, and I'd like CR with Curu if it's okay.]

Threadjack is okay with me!

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin replied to Rath. "Good idea. I'll pack some more rations and water as soon as I get through looking at the map. I'm thinking that there are refuges that are more likely than others. Those people will have sought shelter wherever they can, but some places are better shelter."

And then he answered Raven. "If you're an Empath and you can pinpoint where those people are, it would certainly improve our chances of rescuing them in time. Not to mention making our job safer."

[ OOC: CR with Curufin is welcome! Btw, I sent you a Plurk friend request.]

[voidtreckernpcs]

"It is most likely that they have a bunker, but you are right there are more obvious places for them to have build them. Most started as natural cave systems..." He turned to Raven as she approached, nodding at her in welcome.

"Can you fly?" He asked, before looking a bit embarrassed, "Forgive my ignorance, it is just that you mentioned teleportation last time we met."

Flying wasn't all that much different.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"I can. It's levitation specifically, but the effect is the same." Raven replied to Rath easily. "I can also heal if needed, and am used to dealing with tense situations, so can also provided defensive measures or offense." Ducking her head slightly; perhaps shy, perhaps just finishing that tangent.

[so_dark_a_road]

"And natural cave systems tend to occur in certain geological locations or formations," Curufin replied to Rath. "So, if we search for limestone, we're most likely to find this bunker. And failing that, chalk, dolomite, and marble."

He listened as Raven spoke of levitation. What better way to survey the territory!

"If you can fly, and you have empathy as well, I think we'll find that cave pretty quickly."

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"It would depend on how deep the cave is and how far away, if I'm on the outside of the mountain." But Raven was willing to try, which is part of why she'd brought it up.

[so_dark_a_road]

He replies to Raven. "We'll put our skills together and see what happens. I'll check with the scientists and see if they have a geological map of the area. That would at least be a good start. And your skills would greatly improve our chances."

[voidtreckernpcs]

"I will go and find you a map." Rath smiled, "You two figure out how your... skills will work together."

Finding a map he can do. He has no empathy or other worldly magics.

[so_dark_a_road]

"Thank you, Rath," said Curufiin. "That will be very useful."

And he said to Raven, "Let's see how we can make this work. If you're up in the air and surveying the land with your empathic skills, maybe we can work out a means of communication so you can tell us what you are discovering."

[voidtreckernpcs]

"You are welcome." He nodded at them both and left, to find a map and leave them to their talking.

Mira

[voidtreckernpcs]

Quin

[voidtreckernpcs]

[myblueskies]

"I'll help!"

Romeo's eyes had gone wide with worry the moment he had heard the girls voice over the radio. He had thought they had managed to get all the people and all the lindusi, he had thought they would all be safe now but there were more people! Mister Curvo had had a future dream about all the volcanoes exploding and they didn't have much time left!

So he stood up and put up his hand straight in the air.

[tinkerheart]

Fëanor rushes to his side before anyone has a chance to respond or react.

"Put that hand down, child."

Eru, have mercy... What's wrong with those children? Which part of extremely dangerous they can't understand?

"Romeo, I know you want to help but there are adults that can go. You don't need to."

[myblueskies]

Romeo glances at Fëanor, he was a kind person and had helped Romeo with his fighting. Romeo didn't want to make him mad. But he also wanted to help.

"It sounds like a kid on the radio though too, sir and I know I don't need to go but I can help!"

His hand remains in the air.

[tinkerheart]

That is exactly why they shouldn't put more children in danger.

"Yes, you're right," he says. He's not mad. Worried, yes, but not angry. The kid means well. Unfortunately.

"You are a very brave boy but you'd be helping as much, if not more, by staying here and making sure everyone evacuated properly so that people who'd go won't have to worry."

Could anyone from the adults back him up? This is insane. They can't drag children on something this risky.

[myblueskies]

Romeo looked down, looking sad for a moment. Because he really doesn't want to disobey mister Fëanor but at the same time he doesn't want to not help.

"I know I can help here as well but..." He shook his head, "I just got a big feeling that I want to help and go find the people."

It's hard to explain.

[tinkerheart]

"Going into dangerous places is the adult's job not little kids like you. Even as brave as you."

Fëanor knows when he's on a losing position. He doesn't like it but he feels that faced with such conviction there might be little, save for the use of physical force, he can do. He's got enough experience with stupidly stubborn children to recognize the signs.

[myblueskies]

"But I wouldn't be here if I wasn't supposed to help!"

That was his logic anyways. Something or someone had put him on the train and put him in the Blue Team. Whoever that was must have thought he was up for the job. Why would they send him otherwise?

Kids could do brave things just like grown ups did!

[tinkerheart]

Fëanor lets out a sigh. Eru, have mercy.

"Alright," he says knowing damned well beforehand that he's going to regret it. In fact, he already does. "Go if you must but keep really close and let the adults handle all the really dangerous parts."

He can't believe they're doing this. What he should do instead is just tie Romeo to a chair and have him dumped on the train. As far from harm as possible.

[myblueskies]

"I will sir!" He grinned, glad that Fëanor wasn't arguing with him any longer. It feels bad to argue with grownups. Especially nice grown ups like Fëanor. "I'll stick really close! I promise!"

[tinkerheart]

Fëanor can't help but smile at that grin. He'd be quite surprised if he knew that Romeo considers him nice. That's not a quality he was credited with very often.

"Good," he says "Do so."

It might be better to have this heroic kid go with them openly than to risk he will try to follow them in secret. Maybe it won't be a total disaster.

[myblueskies]

"I will." He nodded again looking back over to where the scientists were with the map. "I just hope we can save everybody on time!"

Because it sounds like they don't have much time left at all.

[tinkerheart]

"So do I."

It still doesn't feel good to drag children into danger. Even if it's to save other children. Substantially worse when there is a time limit.

"Now go and prepare for departure. Remember to take extra water."

Because he won't. If they are going into the mountains, an active volcanic range at that, well, he's got plans.

[myblueskies]

"I will sir! I'll bring lots of water!"

He nodded and jumped up, time to go and prepare! Then they would go and save everybody!

I think that's a wrap ;)

[tinkerheart]

Fëanor watches as Romeo jumps and then sprints away to prepare.

He has to think hard himself how much, or rather how little, of the supplies his going to take. On a slim chance, he'd find what he needs there and will have enough time to collect it. It's a risk he's prepared for.

Yup!

[myblueskies]

[dredefulchilde]

“Fuck,” Joss swears softly, under his breath. Of course Romeo volunteers. He’s too nice not to, and it’s going to get him killed. Again.

Sighing, the smaller boy also stands.

“I’ll go as well. To look after Romeo.”

[myblueskies]

"You will?" Romeo turned to Joss with wide eyes. "Are you sure? It sounds like it will be really dangerous."

He doesn't want Joss to get hurt!

[dredefulchilde]

Joscelin snorts. “I could say the same to you. This is dangerous. That’s the whole point, but since you seem determined to go anyway, I’m going to keep you from getting hurt. Got it?”

[myblueskies]

"Well I'm going to go and stop you from being hurt!" He snapped back, but not in an angry way. Joss was a good friend, always trying to keep Romeo safe. But Romeo wanted to keep him safe too, even if Joss was much much older than him. He was still like a little kid in a lot of ways! Plus he didn't even have borderlines anymore so even though he was strong and fast he could get hurt easier.

[dredefulchilde]

Joscelin tries to look stern, but he's helpless in the face of Romeo's relentless positivity. Finally, he breaks down and cracks a smile. He holds out a pinky finger.

"We might as well do the thing properly, then."

[myblueskies]

Romeo was glad when Joss stopped arguing. He smiled and held out his pinky, linking with Joss.

"Let's vow to keep each other safe and help save all the people!"

Pinky promises are serious, so he knows that Joss really means that he will come and help!

Wrap?

[dredefulchilde]

"Always. I'm afraid you're quite stuck with me, you idiot."

Suddenly, a grin.

"Come on, Romeo. Let's go."

Re: Wrap?

[myblueskies]

"Yes! Let's go!"

Romeo grinned at him and jumped to his feet. Together he was sure they would be able to help keep everyone safe!