( tdm 13 )

[hohnkai]

T E S T D R I V E

my evil twin, bad weather friend "I know someday I'll meet him, but I don't know where or when." ABOARD THE MOIRA The Ingress has pulled you in. Your body experiences several sensations at once: being pushed forward as if a hand is resting on your back, momentary and startling blindness, a gentle ringing in your head. You have difficulty discerning whether it is hot or cold, but where you have been prodded is noticeably warmer than the rest of you. Some may suffer from dizziness while others are perfectly fine. Once equilibrium has been reestablished, you will notice you are standing on a long platform and that the room is filled with a soft cerulean light. It's slightly humid and dark despite the glow around you, and nothing is familiar. Shortly after, you are led out and toward the medbay. Inside this room, you are given a physical scan and offered a contract to sign that states you are now part of the crew of the Moira with a specific job. Any questions you might have would be answered in a straightforward manner as well as an explanation about how the Ingress, the thing that has pulled you onto the Moira, is broken and bringing people here unintentionally. This process also consists of a complete work-up of medical history and current health, and afterwards, you are given your MID, a device that is integrated into your hand or wrist with only the slightest pinch. From there, you are guided out of the medbay and to your living quarters. Whether adjusting to space travel has been difficult or not, there is always something to be done. From working to leisure, the Moira offers a multitude of opportunities to get to know your crewmates a bit better. Exploration of the ship is highly encouraged. You may notice a slight change in the artificial gravity every once in awhile; however, more noticeable changes can be found in overall morale of those of the crew. ☄ on your own There are plenty of other communal areas on the ship to explore! Pick a place, and see where it takes you. ( These scenarios can be used as in-game canon. ) Every day, the ship gets closer to its destination: the Midway Hub. Answers as to how to the fix the broken Ingress and send everyone home are sought there. Your captains, both old and new, have been working together peacefully to make the trip a little easier, though events occur that are well outside of their control. After having made the last cargo supply stop at the Mini Colony, the Moira and its crew are on the last stretch of its journey. The Ingress, for the majority of the time, is left off and only turned back on during testing; that's when new crew and other items come through. It's October on the Moira, and it's been far, far too peaceful.. ☄ older and far less kind get clowned when I come around On one of the ship's many stops, a group of sentient, flying whale-type natives were stumbled upon. They were friendly, although unfortunately hunted for a substance they produce, and the crew paid a group of mercenaries to keep these beings safe. Now, early afternoon, red lights begin to flash, and Captain Ira makes an announcement. A gam of a less advanced sub-species of those gentle giants is in the ship's path, and crew are told to make their way to the Observation Deck, Tower, and anywhere else that affords them a view of space. When the beings move closer to the Moira, the captains send out non-explosive decoys that can be remotely operated by the crew—lead these beings away from the ship so that the Moira can safely pass through. ☄ graveyard smash i was working in the lab, late one night Let's set the scene. It's early in the morning. Those who don't sleep or sleep very little already know what's going on as they've been roped into helping by the Captains. Everyone else wakes to a surprise. Some universes celebrate holidays like Halloween or Samhain, and this one is no different. First Mate Egan's home is known for honoring the dead on October 15th of every year, and after approaching the other Captains, they've decided to celebrate it on the Moira. The observation deck is decorated with candles and lights, music playing in the background. Small gift boxes are left outside everyone's door; a MID message explains that each crew member is to put something inside and then place them on the observation deck. At the end of the day, each crew takes a random box. A device that alters the gravity around a single object is used to make drinks, food, and gifts and float through the air. Everyone is encouraged to relax and have a good time. ☄ section t unfinished business, that's what There are many locations on the ship that are inaccessible, either because they are locked unless crew have clearance or for some an unknown reason. Section T is one of those such areas. Crew are known to get lost in this area, and hear voices, among other things. Having this brought to the Captain's attention, an expedition of sorts ghost hunters in space has been organized, and anyone who wishes to join will be paired up and sent in with their MIDs on alert to track their paths. Not long into the search, it will become clear that something, or someone, is displeased with the large number of people wandering through. Some unlucky crew will stumble across an apparition and those who are luckier won't. It's relatively harmless, and appears to only seek to scare everyone out of Section T. OUT OF CHARACTER INFO FAQ | LOCATIONS | RESERVES | APPLICATIONS | NAVIGATION For mature or graphic content, please label. For questions, please direct them to the FAQ. As always, be kind and have fun!

Comments

[heisenbitch]

When I first got here, yeah. They were cutting back on supplies and stuff. Conserving energy or whatever. Also wound up crash-landing on some planet while I was in cryo. Something to do with the internal core rebooting, or something.

[ Like he'd have a clue what that really means, though. Mr. White probably would've been able to explain it to him if he was here. For the most part, Jesse just tries not to think too hard about it. ]

[nightmarist]

That sounds like we're relying on more than solar panels.

[Terrifying. Terrifying. Fear doesn't make itself known on a face like Ronan's, though.]

We're not conserving energy now, though, right?

[heisenbitch]

You'd know it if we were. All the rooms and corridors would be pitch black.

[ Which was how it was when Jesse first got here. Terrified doesn't even come close to how Jesse was feeling then. ]

[nightmarist]

[God. Is he going to kill everyone on this ship? He needs Adam. He needs Adam like he needs air, and Adam's not here. Who's going to wake him if he ends up draining the entire ship of power?]

Can you keep a secret, Jesse?

[heisenbitch]

[ Jesse side-eyes the kid, not expecting that. ]

Uh. ...Yeah?

[nightmarist]

Good.

[He doesn't intend to explain further. Not yet.]

How far's the booze?

[heisenbitch]

[ ...'Good'? That's it? God, this kid is weird. ]

Moro deck. [ A bit of a trek from here if the kid is familiar with the layout of the ship at all yet. Jesse doubts it. ]

...So...?

[ The secret, bro? ]

[nightmarist]

[Yeah. "Moro deck" means nothing to him.]

You'll find out.

[heisenbitch]

[ Like that doesn't sound shady and ominous as hell. Jesse eyes him warily, then looks ahead of him, turning the cart around a corner. He slows the cart to a stop at an elevator and hits the call button. He looks back at the guy again. ]

Look, it's a bit of a hike from here. Plus, there ain't much privacy in the dorm I'm in. I can, like, meet you back here with booze? Seeing you passed out earlier and all that?

[ He'd rather press about this "secret", but he doubts the kid will venture more than creepy, ominous non-answers. ]

[nightmarist]

[Creepy and ominous is what he does, man.]

Sure. I can wait.

[heisenbitch]

[ The elevator arrives and the door slides open. With one final leery look at the guy, Jesse pushes the cart into the elevator, presses the button to his floor and turns to face him. Fucking creepy asshole, thinks Jesse, watching Ronan as the door slides shut.

True to his word, though, Jesse is back in the elevator about fifteen, maybe twenty minutes later. When the door slides open on the floor where he left Ronan, Jesse steps out clutching a bottle of something that wouldn't be found anywhere on Earth. Something that looks like whiskey but with an entirely alien label - literally.

As the door slides shut behind him, he holds the bottle out to him. ]

Two packs of smokes.

[ Just to reiterate their deal. ]

[nightmarist]

[Ronan, being right where Jesse left him (this is rare, so appreciate it), takes the bottle somewhat carelessly. Less like an alcoholic jonesing for a drink and more like someone who's been waiting for a delivery of medicine.]

Is there anywhere on this stupid ship that's actually private?

[heisenbitch]

Not really. Sucks, I know.

[ He pushes his hands into his hoodie pockets. In his left is his lighter, which he toys with between his fingers. Shit, he so badly wishes he could have a smoke right now. ]

Only place where a lotta people don't tend to go so much is the 'safe room'. A room next floor down that looks like a summer camp counsellor's wet dream. Also a soundproof room next to that. Otherwise...

[ A shrug of his shoulders. That's about as private as it gets. ]

[nightmarist]

[Jesus Christ. Everyone is going to die.]

Okay. I guess that'll have to do.

[And he gestures as if Jesse is his manservant.]

Take me there.

[heisenbitch]

[ Seriously? Waving at him like he's an obedient dog or something? Ugh, whatever. Jesse turns and hits the elevator button again, and being no one else has called the elevator on any other floor yet, the doors open instantly.

The ride to the next floor down is quick, and Jesse exits and leads the way down the corridor to a door that leads into a group of rooms exactly as Jesse described: a summer camp counsellor's wet dream. He passes the counsellor room to the soundproof room, which he opens and peers in to inspect. Empty. Glancing back at the kid, he enters. ]

[nightmarist]

[Ronan waltzes right in and gives the room a cursory look-over. Yes, okay, this should do fine. He pops open the mystery liquor and turns back to Jesse.]

Wait outside that door. If the lights go out, wake me up.

[heisenbitch]

[ An uncertain, confused squint. Huh? ]

...What?

[nightmarist]

What part didn't you understand?

[heisenbitch]

Uh. All of it? [ A jerk of his thumb back towards the corridor outside. ] I gotta wait outside while you get shit-faced?

[nightmarist]

Yes.

[heisenbitch]

What, this is your secret? You're a shy alcoholic or something?

[ What the hell? ]

The hell d'you even mean, wake you up if the lights go out?

[nightmarist]

Do you want your cigarettes or not?

[heisenbitch]

[ This shithead. Jesse throws his hands up because he can't argue with that. Fine. He'll wait. ]

Whatever, yo.

[ He turns, grabs the door handle and steps out, but before he shuts the door, he sticks his head back in. ]

That shit's like ninety proof, by the way. So, y'know. Tell your liver I said you're welcome.

[ Then he's shutting the door, muttering, "Asshole" under his breath. He slumps against the wall next to the door and slides down until his ass is on the floor with his knees drawn up to his chest. ]

[nightmarist]

[Once he's left in private, Ronan sets the bottle aside, shrugs off his jacket, and strips off his shirt. Then he takes up the bottle again and settles onto the floor. One gulp to warm him up. Another to ease his racing heart. Another few to get him drowsy.

He lowers the bottle beside him, then lowers himself. Eyes fluttering shut, a half-muttered prayer on his lips...

Ronan sleeps for over an hour.]

[heisenbitch]

[ Barely five minutes into waiting, Jesse's foot starts tapping in restless agitation. Ten minutes in, he's stretching his legs out, chewing on his fingernails, picking at his fingernails before drawing his knees back up to his chest and hugging them with a slouch.

The promise - real or not - of cigarettes keeps scratching at his mind. The still silence of the corridor, the emptiness of it, seems to be making that thought scratch even louder. His mind starts wandering, too, racing, about home, about Mr. White, about Jane. He smears his hands over his face and pushes them into his hair before dropping them to his knees. Squeezing his eyes shut, he thumps his head back against the wall.

And that creepy little asshole... He's barely an adult, still a kid, and Jesse is letting him get smashed. For cigarettes. And still, even as he thinks that, he can't help wondering if he's the kind of kid who'd do crystal with him.

An hour later, he's on his feet, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, after having paced restlessly around the corridor in between slumping back onto the floor. No lights have gone out, nothing has happened. More than that, he figured the guy would have come stumbling out, drunk and maybe rowdy at some point. Unable to stand waiting around any longer, Jesse shoves himself away from the wall and snatches the door handle. He pushes it open - and stops. The kid is passed out.

Shit. Should he leave him there? Should he do something? He runs his tongue along his lip apprehensively, then cautiously enters the room until he's standing over Ronan. He can see the kid is breathing. Okay. Good.

After staring down at him for a few moments, he crouches down, and carefully slips his hands underneath the kid's back. Just as carefully starts nudging and rolling him over so he sleeps properly on his side. Just in case. ]