thisavrou_log | ( april intro log )

Entry tags:

( april intro log )

Who: Everyone
When: April 1st and on
Where: The Moira + Del Pascia
What: The crew finds themselves visiting the correctional facility of Del Pascia.
Warnings: Mentions of blood. Please label your content!

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slammed & counted
"I feel liberated when I'm doing it, and I want other people to feel liberated through it."

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. This process 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 with only the slightest pinch. From there, you are guided out of the medbay and to your living quarters.

With the combined efforts of the crew, the terror plaguing the ship has been successfully removed from the Moira. Yet, it doesn’t come without consequences. Aside from the overall state of those aboard the ship, the Moira itself has taken considerable damage across various sections. Overall functionality seems stable for now, but with necessary repairs to be made and few supplies to actually make them with, the Captains have set a course for any nearby planet with the hope of finding what they need. However, that is much closer than it appears. As new arrivals begin coming through the Ingress, a message is received by those in the Tower and broadcast to everyone:
Please be advised. Your vessel is now entering Restricted Space. As per penal code 65208-A, only authorized personnel are to be admitted beyond this point. If necessary, further assistance will be provided once docked.
As there is little choice, the Captains instruct Navigation to proceed with caution. All transporters will be required to assist in taking those who volunteer to the main hub.

WELCOME TO CORRECTIONAL FACILITY DEL PASCIA

Del Pascia is one of many facilities across the universe built to maintain and rehabilitate its inhabitants. With a combined populace of both prisoners and employed civilians, it functions as both prison and living quarters. The central section of Del Pascia is divided into multiple floors that branch out into subdivisions of the facility—clearly and precisely labeled. For those contracted to work in the prison, Del Pas Main is home. There are cafeterias, common areas for exercise and general downtime, divided residences, and work stations. Beyond this area, each remaining wing of Del Pascia separates into cell blocks A through F with similar facilities available to the inmates. Varying degrees of criminals are brought to Del Pascia, ranging from maximum security to juvenile offenders, and security differs depending on which block is visited.

Yet, there is something peculiar about this prison upon further investigation: there are no living persons within Del Pascia. The AI, which runs and oversees all of Del Pascia, has made arrangements with the Moira so that those who wish may board and take what is needed to begin repairs. This program, while generally polite in nature, goes simply by the name D-E-L.

☄ ENJOY YOUR STAY ... IN PRISON

Those who choose to go to Del Pascia will find themselves greeted by D-E-L. It has already agreed to terms with the Captains, allowing crew to strip nonessential supplies that aren’t needed since the station’s crew and prisoners were relocated due to funding cuts. The only condition placed upon this agreement is that any crew wishing to explore must undergo a mandatory decontamination before proceeding through the rest of Del Pascia. This process takes only minutes and is guaranteed to cause no physical side effects. Following this simple procedure, exploration is open with only warnings to be careful about damaging key systems. It is important to note that there are various security cameras located throughout the correctional facility, and it is not uncommon for D-E-L to comment or show concern for those exploring parts of Del Pascia.

☄ DEATH BECOMES YOU

There is salvage to be found in all parts of the facility, including the cell blocks and infirmaries of the prison wings. However, there is something odd about these sectors, a strange charge in the air that follows you as you search for anything useful to bring back to the Moira. Perhaps it is the eyes of D-E-L watching? But then, after an indiscernible amount of time, it's like a switch is flipped. Suddenly, you are wearing your sins where anyone but you can see. For however much death you have wrought or committed, there will be blood on your hands—perhaps even further than that. This bizarre occurrence will appear as an almost digital skin and will not vanish until outside the cell blocks. If exploring the infirmaries for supplies, any and all health stats throughout your life will be visible and easy to read by anyone who happens to take an interest.

For those who have killed once or twice, they might find a red stain on their hands, but the higher the kill count will result in larger proportions of blood covering their arms and, in extreme cases, perhaps their entire body. The blood will vanish once you have left the prison wing, though you may occasionally see a flicker of the image while anywhere on the station. The same goes for health stats viewed in infirmary sections of Del Pascia.

☄ WHAT WAS THAT SOUND?

Del Pascia is a very large station and has been abandoned for quite some time. D-E-L will regretfully inform anyone who asks that some nonessential areas have fallen into disrepair. It will warn that exploring these areas can be risky as it has no knowledge of what damage these sections have taken. Regardless of that, if you venture in, you’ll find that these sections are in rather bad shape. Exposed wiring sparks in the walls, a great variety of broken tools are thrown about, and it seems that every camera has been purposely broken. Venturing in further will yield valuable components for salvage, and yet... as before, you suspect you aren’t alone. It isn’t often, but sometimes, you might hear a step falling moments after yours or a rattle coming from the vents. Every time you go to investigate... whatever made the noise is gone.

Should the AI be queried about this, D-E-L will emphasize that all personnel and prisoners were removed and that there is no one on board except crew from the Moira.

( ooc; For questions, go here. All players, please comment to activity check to receive new ranks (if applicable)! )

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[had meant to look her up after seeing her very familiar name on the map, but then Zam had landed in medbay and the day got very busy after that. it's afternoon, ship's time, before Bel sits back and checks the map again, and what do you know, there she is.

the family resemblance isn't blazing, but it's there; Bel might have recognized her as Vor simply from the way she moves, and it's strikingly clear where Ivan got some of his good looks. but... she's young, younger she should be, younger than Bel is themself -- the Ingress has done it again. young, beautiful, and High Vor... she'll have an interesting time on this ship.

stepping into her field of vision, Bel gives her a polite nod, the alto voice doubtless familiar as to its broad Betan accent.]

Lady Vorpatril? I'm Bel Thorne -- I wonder if we might talk.

[ The accent is immediately noticed and Bel has Alys' full attention. When Bel says their name, there's a moment of recognition. Gregor had mentioned a Captain Bel Thorne on board, though he had neglected to mention that Bel is a Betan herm.

The fact isn't so readily apparent to her, though exposure to Cordelia has her not batting an eye to the Betan's appearance. Bel's a friend of Gregor and the others, and that vouching of character is enough for her. ]

Captain Thorne, I was hoping I would meet you. Gregor mentioned he had a friend from home aboard this ship.

[the sharp face brightens in pleased surprise.] You've met him, then? Good. [and hasn't he grown up nicely? ^^] This must be a disorienting experience for you, but if there's anything new I can tell you, I'm at your service.

[of course she knows Gregor's secret identity, and Bel has no doubt it's as safe with her as with themself. the tie between Miles and the Dendarii can remain unsaid; he's probably still a lieutenant to her, unless he or Gregor chooses to break security. the the tie between Miles and Bel, though.... damn, they'd discussed how to explain things if Quinnie showed up, but not Miles's Barrayaran relatives.]

Are you finding everything you need in Medbay?

[ Yes, all the boys have and she's been glad to see how each of them turned out. Even if some have felt the need to hide certain key aspects of their lives from her. ]

Thank you, Captain Thorne. I've been finding my way around with the help of others who work here. [ Not that it's done much to improve any of her minimal first aid skills, but she's gotten a handle on inventory and organizing. ]

To what do we owe your assistance to? [ Bel's clearly Betan and no member of the Imperium. Had the boys befriended Bel here or at some point back home? ]

[as someone from whom certain aspects of their lives were ~~officially~~ kept hidden for years, Bel might be a little too used to the secret-keeping.]

Glad to hear it. -- My assistance? [uncertain for a moment whether that was the royal we; did all Vor nobility use it? but quickly figures it out and grins.] Oh, to Lord Vorkosigan's wit.~ My fleet first crossed paths with him on almost the same day as the pirate ship we were pursuing; he was leading a spirited resistance from his courier vessel when we arrived. I've followed his career ever since. He's a good man in a pinch. I met Ivan and... Greg later on -- [a tiny hesitation on the nickname. security reasons, but Bel does know whom they're dealing with.] But that was several years ago, for us. It was a relief to find someone familiar here, though we all could have wished not to have come.

[ Gregor had informed her that Captain Thorne was on the 'know' list, so the hesitation only garners a small nod from her even if they're using the informal version of his name.

So they met Miles during a pirate raid on a courier vessel? Not unheard of though strange. What's more strange however-- ] You were interested in following an Imperial Security courier's career? My nephew must have made quite the impression on you.

[oh, she is sharp. it's a pleasure to watch -- no solution to the Conundrum of Ivan here.]

Well, when I say his career.... [a mischievous, fond smile.] Oh, yes. He did. [more seriously] It wouldn't be understating things to say his actions saved thousands of lives. In my line of work, one learns to appreciate people like that. But you'll see as you get to know him. [not even his only admirer in the fleet. he just... shines, somehow.]

[ That smile, are Miles and Captain Thorne...? Hm. She may have to ask her nephew about that. ]

I didn't realize the impact of a courier was so far-reaching. [ Despite how suspicious that sounds, she maintains her pleasant demeanor. Another thing to prod her nephew about. ] I'm glad he's made good friends in his travels.

[that smile would have been there -- had been, many times -- long before anything actually happened. still, though the two of them haven't been hiding anything, they've been inclined to be discreet; what they have is a private arrangement between adults, not a sociopolitical compact. and at that, Bel hasn't missed that Alys is wearing mourning.]

It was a complex situation, with repercussions far beyond my contract and his original mission. And he didn't miss a beat. Frankly, his talents are wasted on messenger errands. [no lies at all.] But they did take him to such interesting places -- it was through him I met Greg, as well.

But how about yourself? Was it a different time where you come from? [or are you just that pretty.~]

It's reassuring to know he has a good head on his shoulders, though I hope him getting into that kind of trouble isn't normal.

[ But he would hardly be the son of Aral and Cordelia if it wasn't. Trust their child to be the one to turn ImpSec courier into a dangerous profession.

At Bel's question, she shakes her head. ] Ivan had recently celebrated his second birthday before I arrived here. I appear to be years behind everyone else.

Oh, he does. Trouble seems to find him, but he meets it well. [studies her -- if she's seen Greg already, surely she's seen Miles in person too.] When someone is.... an exception, in any way, there never tends to be a dull moment.

[eyes light up in wicked glee at the thought of Ivan as a toddler.] That's quite a ways, yes. But there'd be some definite advantages by way of maternal chores postponed until returning home. I'm sure Miles and Greg can tell you all about his terrible twos. [he probably had some, right? every kid does. ~~except maybe Greg himself; pity, that.~~]

There's still plenty to do here even with them at their current ages. [ 'Maternal chores' never really ended, particularly if her twenty-five year old son remained unmarried. Never mind her nephews current relationship statuses. ]

Childhood stories have yet to come up as conversation topics. I thought they'd best be experienced in person.

[grins] The fun never stops? [would pat her arm, but that is probably not the Right And Proper Thing with a Vor lady. almost does it anyway; alas, potentially getting away with it wouldn't make it worth offending her, so the sympathy remains in Bel's eyes. it's a jolt, being so far from anything else familiar.]

Don't tell him I said so, but your son carries himself well. He pretends to Capitol indolence, but he's a good man. [and an unfairly handsome one, as she's surely noticed.~]

Unfortunately. [ Between the boys and what she's heard about the ship, she's going to have her hands fool given her current assignment.

At the mention of her son, she's watching Bel more closely. ] As I'm learning. Are you good friends with Ivan as well?

As the old curse goes, we live in interesting times.

[and what a loaded question that is, from a galactic to a Betan. ~~no, haven't had occasion to rob that cradle yet, milady.~~] Not so much as with his cousin. [he's fun to tease. ^^ ~~and it's not as though Bel hasn't wondered where that came from....~~] It was our work and experience brought us together, you know.... Some prefer to not be in the thick of things, but when needs must, Ivan does tend to come through.

[ She could almost breathe a sigh of relief at that because that sounds to her like Ivan does what he can to stay out of trouble instead of nosediving into it. That's really all she can ask. ]

Has that brought you both together here or back home in the Nexus? [ Because she's trying to figure out how Captain Thorne's line of work would bring them in contact with Ivan's if it wasn't aboard the Moira. ]

[oh. a tightness in Bel's chest, familiar enough to rise barely unnoticed, eases at the veiled relief in her face and posture. concern for Ivan's wellbeing, yes, but not in the way they'd feared... indeed, they'd underestimated her.]

Oh, both. I met him through Miles, but only briefly back home. [a curious tilt of the head] It must be sudden, seeing him grown into a career. I'm military myself, but... it sounds inescapable, for your Barrayaran men. Is it what you would have wanted to choose for him?

I hadn't gotten that far in my planning, but the Imperial Service is a respectable career for a Vor lord his age. [ And yes, she is quite serious about the planning part of things. ] I was busy ensuring he'd have a proper education once he was old enough.

[education being the first priority for every Betan, Bel nods approvingly. might scold at certain gaps in a "proper Barrayaran education", but at least they try, and it's still amusing to picture a tiny version of Ivan toddling around with the same what-did-I-do look on his little face.

a little more hesitantly, aware that asking might touch on Imperial security, even (on their own end) decades after the fact -- not to mention parts of the Barrayaran unrest much closer in her memory.] I understand they've all been close, since childhood?

Unless things have changed, where it appears they haven't, then yes. I'm sure Miles has told you stories.

[ And if he hasn't... She's not sure how much Captain Thorne is privy to know. Mostly she's grateful for the fact that the three boys seem to be getting along still, over twenty years later. ]

Not as many as I'd like. [wistful, but content to step away from the subject; their curiosity is personal, but her commitment to the young Emperor's safety would unquestionably be paramount. she won't learn about Admiral Naismith from Bel either, and not for any doubt of her loyalties. security is essential; it's second nature.]

In any case, I look forward to continuing our acquaintance for as long as we're all thrown together here. I'm sorry I won't have met you yet once you're safely home. [mischievous smile; they hadn't even left Beta yet back when she comes from.] Please don't hesitate to contact me if there's anything you require.

[ Yes, the very different timelines. It almost gives her a headache every time she thinks too hard about it. ]

Thank you, Captain Thorne. [ The sentiment is accompanied with grateful nod. ] I will keep that in mind. I'm sure I can speak for Gregor and the others when I say we appreciate any assistance we get.

[ Especially in these trying times. ]

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( april intro log )

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