december event log

[hohnkai]

Who: Everyone
When: December 1st and on
Where: The Midway Hub.
What: With the Moira destroyed, the crew travel to the center of the Hub.
Warnings: Potential violence. Lots and lots and lots of walking. Please label your content

E V E N T L O G

the outer gate "Open up, and let them in." The Moira is no more. With the damage done to the ship due to the timeslip, all that remains is a burning wreckage and parts to be taken—if the crew can find anything in the pieces. Recovery and headcounts are the main objective for the first several hours of being planetside, and once things have settled just enough, Captain Ira calls for a meeting and addresses those who are able in person to explain the situation. He draws a rough map of the area and explains where he believes they are - according to the terrain - and where they must go. For anyone who’s listening, he describes things like an “Outer Gate”, an “Inner Gate” and “gate sectors”. Believing this to be the best course of action, all crew are asked to explore and gather what they think they’ll need to make the long journey towards the central point of the Hub. Because the MIDs are no longer working due to the lack of a network, the Captains distribute a newer tech called the TAB. It serves the same functions as the MID but is lighter, slimmer, and has the ability to stick to any surface. WELCOME TO THE MIDWAY HUB Now that the smoke from the crash has cleared, and injured crew have been tended to, the Captains get everyone ready for departure by explaining what they know of the Hub. Almost stone-like, the creators built a domed workspace in the largest solid space on the planet they could find. Gates are the only way inside, and anyone who catches a glimpse of the compound will see that parts of the dome are cracked. Yet, everything still appears to be relatively intact. The Midway Hub’s terrain is very rocky and difficult to walk on at times. Below the surface is a honeycomb of intermittently dense and brittle stone that makes travel difficult due to the unpredictable nature of what lies beneath the crew’s feet. Those who can develop the tech from what’s left of the debris might be able to create something to determine which route is the safest. Ships and small crafts can be used to fly, but landing is a problem—rocks jut up in sharp peaks and the clearer spots can't handle their weight. Vegetation is sparse, consisting of twisted dark gray thistles that have sprung up from cracks in the rock and burn when in direct contact with skin, and what could be considered small animals here can be seen scurrying away the closer crew get to them. ☄ WEEK ONE Crew are asked to hook cryo beds together and to use any appropriate vehicles that can be made or fashioned to fit the terrain to carry injured crew on the journey to the center of the Hub. Supplies are gathered, and the Captains, as well as any crew who want to, give the Moira a proper sendoff, heads bowed as they say goodbye to what’s been their home. Traveling starts out slowly, a line of a hundred-plus crew members making their way slowly forward. Stops are frequent, but camping for rest only occurs at night. Crew are assigned watch shifts, fires are built, injured tended to, and those who are able are asked to explore nearby caves and hunt for food. Something akin to deer, though striped and only to be found in pairs, can be stumbled across at night. Throngs of dark purple mammels begin to follow the Moirans on their trip as well. They are friendly, curious, and eat the thistle. Meet the intelligent, watchful predators that aren’t easily scared away and follow the crew from a distance as if waiting to pounce. The thistle can be eaten, but only if cooked first, and those who sample the chewy plant raw will experience a burning sensation in their throat that doesn’t go away until the cooked version is consumed. During the first week, water can’t be found. Anyone who does hunt, gather, or explore should make sure to that their TABS are on and it’s suggested that nobody goes alone. Nearing the end of the first week, an Ingress can be spotted close by that crew can explore. If anyone dares to go inside, they will find the texture of the ground and surrounding walls to be rather soft. If inspected closely, crew will discover that what they originally thought to be rock is actually a living organism that’s fed off the energy of the Ingress it’s attached itself to. It’s not harmful and squishy to the touch. If pressed hard enough, it secretes a turquoise liquid with the consistency of water that might make a good substitute for that very thing. ☄ WEEK TWO When crew finally pass through the sector gates, a strange sensation encompasses them, and a depowering of sorts goes into effect. The creators put in security measures meant to put all visitors on equal footing as well as to protect themselves from harm. All crew will essentially have the strength and abilities of the average human. An unforeseen issue, this causes Captain Thán to slip into a coma as he is no longer able to continue to recover at a steady pace, and with the loss of the former Captain’s abilities, crew can no longer be brought back if they die. For the first time, all Moirans are subject to permanent death. During this week of travel, broken ingress machines and parts will be found scattered among the rocks, and new crew will come through. Unfortunately, these Ingresses aren’t in good shape, and anyone coming through will be in varying states of distress—some physical and some mental. New individuals will either have suffered an age slip, growing older or younger than their original body, some form of body transformation (perhaps that shiny thing they were wearing is now part of them somehow), or an extreme weakness they had never been subjected to before arriving on the Midway Hub. The new people will be offered to join their group, once found, and seasoned crew will be asked to explain to them where they are going and what they know. The rest of the week will be a mix of greeting the new arrivals and continuing to travel to the center of the Hub. The closer they get, the less frequently they’ll see animals, and more caves will begin to pop up. ☄ WEEK THREE Entering the third week of travel, settlements and houses begin to crop up and are prime areas for exploration and general supplies. Those who go inside may find items that have been left behind and evidence showing that those of varying species and cultures lived in the homes. Some appeared to have been scientists while others were explorers, but all living quarters are deserted. Crew who are less lucky in their search might come away with no fresh supplies, and others might walk into traps or safeguards left behind by previous tenants; these come in many forms, from mild paralysis to temporary unconsciousness. As there are more residences, there are also more caves. The entrances vary in size, and light sources will be needed to explore. Once inside, crew can find purple underwater streams, which can be consumed, and glowing surfaces. When crew drink the water, it temporarily restores powers, a few minutes tops, and then, extreme lethargy settles in for a couple of hours. Further into the cave systems, crew will come across these lovely creatures that are attracted to sound and track through scent. They are highly dangerous and attack simply to feed. Killing them, though, is surprisingly simple as they are just as vulnerable and weak as everyone else. They are vicious in demeanor but only as strong as an average human. The closer to the Inner Gate crew get, the less homes, wildlife, and more caves there will be. ☄ WEEK FOUR The Captains, aware that the crew is exhausted, stop and make camp for the first few days. Someone mentions that it’s the holidays where they’re from, and the Captains do their best to throw a party. Set up at the base of a cave, tents are built and fires roar. Soft music is played in the form of guitar, thank you Ira, and Cúrre brings out some legumes that taste like cherries when roasted. There isn’t much in the way of decorations, but crew are encouraged to dig through their pac-discs and contribute to the festivities. After a brief respite, crew learn that the entrances to Gate A and Gate B are inside one of the caves but any signs or markings have long since worn away or been destroyed. Groups are split, TABS are synced, and crew explore carefully until an entrance is found. Crew discover Gate A first, and all crew are contacted to gather there. The Captains will remain at the cave entrance until all crew are accounted for, and then, they’ll enter through the gate together. ( ooc; For questions, go here. Please comment to activity check to receive new ranks (if applicable)! )

Comments

Shiro the exhausted Space Dad | OTA

[shiro2hero]

>> WEEK 1
[A week might not be enough time to really recouperate from cracked ribs, but there's nothing to be done. He'd pulled the armor back on a long while ago, helped load up whatever and whoever he could. Sure, it hurt, but there isn't anything to be done about it. He has to pitch in. Pure and simple.]

[Afterward, of course, he's one of those who ends up going out looking for supplies. And food. He's not exactly a wilderness expert, but more hands on deck won't hurt. Probably borrowing a weapon from the other crew members, since trying to take down a deer with just a glowing metal hand is probably a terrible idea. See? He can plan.]

[As the week progresses, though, those wandering carnivores attract his attention. Because they're cats. Not lions, sure, but. Cats. And they're sort of a sight for sore eyes.]

[Needless to say, if he's not out trying to find supplies, the ever-weary head of Voltron is trying to entice a purple space tiger to share some of his ration of deer.]

[That's leadership for you, apparently.]


>> WEEK 2
[It happens at a terrible time. When he's trying to help someone unload something too heavy from the floating hover beds. With the arm, it wouldn't be too heavy at all. But given where they are, and what's happening through their ranks, the inhuman strength of it fails.]

[Abruptly.]

[There's an undignified yelp of shock as it pulls down hard on muscle and healing bone. He nearly falls off the hover bed, staggering. It falls to the ground, leaving him grasping the metal limb in stunned silence. That's. Never happened before.]

[He lifts it cautiously, his face gone pale.]

What's wrong with it now...?



>> WEEK 3
[Of course he volunteered to go in and explore the caves. Maybe you're with him. But either way, he's going to be examining them with interest, including the glowing parts. They remind him, sort of, where they found the Blue Lion.]

[That's a good memory.]

[What isn't a good memory is the sudden appearance of the cave's occupants. Who seem unhappy to see the unnatural light from the explorers. So, of course... he's going to shove whoever is with him behind him, taking his usual fighting stance -- one arm held in front of them like a weapon, forgetting for an instant the arm has no more power to it.]

Stay still. Maybe we can back away slowly.

[And then it charges.]


>> WEEK 4
[He opts to stay at camp this time, on the fringes of the party -- or what passes for one. It's quiet, and he appreciates that. But, more importantly, it's a good chance to wander and check up on people he hasn't yet.]

[Or, you know, get the old injuries from the Moira's crash checked out again.]
[Run into him anywhere!]

WILDCARD
[CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE!]

WEEK 1

[patchricide]

[Huh. Well, that's not a side to Shiro she gets to see much of. She hangs back and watches him try to feed the space cat, but it seems wary of getting close.

Maybe he just wants company. She heads on over.]

Are you trying to lure over a new pet?

[shiro2hero]

Princess-!

[You startled him hi there Allura.]

[When he turns to face her, it's with a fairly embarrassed smile.]

... something like that, yeah. They seem pretty friendly.

[patchricide]

You're right. For one thing, they're not hunting us.

[One of them might have started to go into stalking mode a moment ago. But, as if it heard and understood, it flops down on its side and starts cleaning its paw innocently. No sir, no man-eating felines here! Really!]

And they do seem to like us, don't they? There weren't nearly this many a few days ago.

[shiro2hero]

Maybe they like the deer better. Food-wise.

[At least, he hopes so. He's still trying to entice one or two to let him feed them. The one cleaning its paw gets a piece of deer tossed its way, in fact.]

They look a little like big cats, from back home.

[patchricide]

You had them on Earth, as well? There's more cats in the universe than I realized.

[The feline leans down and sniffs the meat carefully. Aw, yes. Even if humans prepared it, it knows that smell. It eagerly accepts the treat.]

Maybe that's why they were the best choice to defend it.

[... of course, this one is just giving Shiro looks now. Sizing him up, trying to figure out how much more meat he's hiding.]

[shiro2hero]

Yeah, we did. All kinds of them. Even pet-sized ones.

[He grins, when it snatches the food away. And, of course, being the dork he is, offers up another piece to the cat-alien.]

Maybe. But are they always predators, I wonder.

WEEK 2

[pidge_out]

[Naturally, whenever it's possible to stick with her teammates, that's what Pidge does. She may not be directly working with Shiro to carry heavy objects or anything, but she's nearby when it, whatever it is, happens.

At first she's moving closer simply because he'd nearly fallen off the bed, and that couldn't mean anything good. But then she's moving much faster when she sees the way he's holding his metal arm with his good hand. And the way he's looking at it...]

Shiro!! [She's at his side in a matter of seconds, looking between him and his prosthetic hand.] What just happened??

[shiro2hero]

[After the initial surprise... he's more shocked how used to it he'd gotten. To having that casual strength whenever he wanted or needed it. Suddenly it's gone, and he's... at a loss. Staring at it.]

[His fingers flex. They're still whirring faintly. Still mechanical. Functional. So why...?]

It stopped... it just cut out.

[pidge_out]

Wha- Out of nowhere?

[That prompts her to immediately reach out to grab the limb and pull it close to her face so she can inspect it, brows furrowed and lips quirked in thought.]

How could it just... It's not damaged... [She starts to look slightly annoyed. What Pidge wouldn't give to know more about all the damn Galra tech.]

...I need my laptop.

[shiro2hero]

Out of nowhere.

[She's one of the few people he doesn't mind grabbing onto it and yanking it around. He's used to it, really. He'll show her his fingers flexing, moves his wrist a little.]

I didn't do anything to it, lately. Or... [He shakes his head.] Go get it. I'll take the armor off.

[At least the torso piece, anyway.]

[pidge_out]

[As soon as Pidge gets confirmation, she's back on her feet and darting over to where she'd left the bag with her laptop. She isn't gone for long, and soon enough she's back at his side and pulling the machine out onto the ground in front of her. It takes a bit longer for her to find the wires that she needs to plug into Shiro's arm, and even longer to get them all plugged in correctly. They're much cruder than what she had back home, but they work.

...At least they do when the arm itself is working properly. Pidge blinks down at her screen in confusion, then looks mildly annoyed as her fingers start to fly across the keyboard.] What the...

[shiro2hero]

[By the time she's back, he's stripped out of the ... arm... portion of his armor, sitting on the ground, cross legged and waiting for her. Even if it takes longer than usual, he keeps the arm steady. Trying to help fit in plugs where he can.]

[But then she's typing away and all he can really do is lean over to peer at her screen occasionally. He won't deny he's a little apprehensive of the results. What does this mean for the rest of him?]

Are you seeing anything?

Week 3 -- *gently collects more dads*

[tearmeanewone]

[Her first venture into the caves hadn't turned up any creatures like this, so of course Elizabeth wanted to go back and didn't think to bring anyone with her. Again. Miles was probably having a small fit somewhere. When she'd come upon the other crewmember, she'd smiled politely and moved past him to go further in-- and that's when the occupants made their move.]

[Elizabeth is startled when she gets pulled behind the protective man-shield, and she's about to open her mouth when they're charged. She knows that movement, that's someone who wants to hurt somebody.]

[She pulls her gun and leans around him, firing off three shots, one of which hits the being's shoulder.]

Maybe we can run like hell! [Who knows how many more of these dwellers there are in this particular cave.]

dads for miles

[shiro2hero]

[Sorry, Elizabeth, it's his first instinct. Shove whoever he's with behind him, and brace for the worst. He's armored, after all. And he's the one with a body part made of metal. It just stands to reason.]

[Her having a handgun of some kind is a pleasant surprise. So he makes no move to stop her or otherwise block her line of sight, dropping his shoulder a bit to give her a better line of sight.]

There might be more with them. If we run, it leaves our backs open.

[tearmeanewone]

[She forgives-- and she will once she realizes what kind of person he is, that this is just reflex. She has reflexes of her own, like shooting and running for cover immediately after.]

If we don't, we could be overrun and shot at by more guns than we can handle. [She pauses, replays the words, and realizes that there are no guns in this one.] Or... stabbed, speared, whatever they might have. Are you suggesting we hold here and take on what could be a whole... hive?

[shiro2hero]

Good point.

[But he takes a deliberate step backward, all the same.] So one of us watches our backs.

[He's not sure how to accomplish it -- he's a close-range fighter, hand-to-hand and she has a pistol. It would probably be best if he covers her back while she shoots. But... Damn, they really need three people for this.]

You shoot. Walk backward -- I'm going to turn around and make sure we don't back into anything. Okay?

[tearmeanewone]

[...wow, he's actually taking her advice to run. Surprising, given everyone on the crew seemed to swing one of two ways: astoundingly gung-ho about meeting fights head on and never looking back, or expert at avoiding them altogether before a retreat was needed.]

Fortunately for both of us, I'm great at shooting while running backwards. Of course the last time I did that, I was running over a flat surface, so it would be great if you could make sure I don't turn into a turtle.

[There's a screech from deeper into the caves and Elizabeth backs up.] You ready for this?

[shiro2hero]

[She had a good idea -- he doesn't see any reason not to go with it. It's not like she's Lance, spouting ridiculous plans that have no basis in reality.]

Works for me.

[And he will absolutely be sure she doesn't trip. If nothing else, he can pick her up and bolt while she shoots.] Ready. Let's move!

it's been.... 4 week since u looked @ me

[cadeuces]

[ Perhaps it would indeed be a good time to see a doctor, or at least ask her to pencil you in as she passes by and seems to recognize him hanging around the fridges of the large camp, offering up a smile when she speaks a moment before her hand comes down on his shoulder. Angela is bundled up in a cold weather coat on top of her sweaterdress, rosy-cheeked above the thick scarf obscuring half her face until she moves to sip at her coffee.

Which she'll offer him in a quiet camaraderie. ]

Shiro, was it? Enjoying the peace while it lasts, I see. How are you?

oh angie he sorry

[shiro2hero]

[It probably would be. Especially since The Arm has generally stopped functioning. It moves, it responds. But one of its other, more aggressive functions are viable. For the most part, it feels like his body has generally healed up.]

[But it's still alarming.]

[He looks up from examining his fingers when she speaks, eyes widening a little at the coffee -- that sounds so good right now.] Yeah, hi. You look better than last time I saw you.

[A faint smile, before he sobers up a bit.] I'm getting by. You?

WHY IS HE SORRY also fuck I typed fridges instead of fringes how

[cadeuces]

[ That might be a thing to mention to her, yes.

Shiro eyes her travel mug when she offers it and she offers another little nudge, urging him to take it. It's simple and strong, and laced with a good splash of cream. His remark on her looking better earns him a little curtsy, dainty and elegant, never lowering an ounce of weight on the hand at his shoulder. ]

I appreciate you noticing; I am generally quite bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, though I'm sure there are worse things than sleepy doctors to see in the world. You're looking like you've settled in a little more comfortably. I haven't seen you filter through medical, so I'm glad to hear it.

As for myself, I am tired, but otherwise just fine. Everyone was accounted for on arrival save a few that were able to return home beforehand, and any critical or otherwise injuries that came through we were able to heal. It's certainly been something, here. It doesn't feel as though we're about to go home though, does it.

[ It's scarcely even spoken as a question, but they were on the home planet of the Ingress portal technology, after all. It hasn't seemed very promising yet. ]

IT'S OKAY

[shiro2hero]

[Maybe later. Like. "Ask Pidge to do it" later. Even if she'd already tried to restore it without success. No offense to Angela -- but if Pidge couldn't manage it, he'd be surprised if anyone else could.]

[Her gesture earns a smile, and an awkward sort of bow. Something he's definitely not used to, but hey, he'll give it a try.]

Compared to the last time we ran into each other, I'd say we're both in better shape.

[Granted, he hadn't gone to medical, which was probably a bad idea all around. But he'd been on his feet. Other people didn't have that luxury. And if their supplies were limited, best let the more-injured parties in first.]

[He finally accepts the mug, and -- of course -- just takes a little. But wow. Something so small as a drink does wonders. And he lets his eyes close for a minute, remembering a thousand other times he'd just chugged it, instead of slowly took it in.]

No, it doesn't. I wish it did. [He hands her the mug back, something flickering across his expression.] Guess we just have to believe otherwise, huh?

my embarrassment will never die.... all these fridges chillin around camp, and shiro among them

[cadeuces]

[ It is a fair enough assumption; they're from well beyond 2076 in any case, and technology has surpassed what Angela knows. Yet the Moira and its residuals may hold answers beyond them both to restore some further function he'd possessed before, now, if given the chance to look into it. One couldn't say unless they tried.

The curtsy is a brief thing with a tap of the very toe of her boot to the ground and his bow gets another soft laugh out of her, inclining her head in returned acknowledgment. ]

Thankfully enough, no? It is always good to see a familiar face.

[ Angela had at least done her best to get others back on their feet, but she couldn't reasonably see to everyone. Nanotechnology is still a bit of a bane to many and she's hesitant to use it beyond emergencies, and some had denied or otherwise seemed adverse to it. Some she hadn't been able to heal back to full health and still remained bedridden or in need of careful application of weight on injured limbs and the like— whatever the case may have been.

There is a scarce hundred of them altogether and she is glad to have filtered through and found those she knew. Finally Shiro takes her thermal mug from her and indulges in a sip of coffee and she can practically see it work through him, the way his eyes close to savor it and the heat works its magic. More importantly, the caffeine softened by the cream. When he returns it, she takes a sip herself and the slow curl of her smile says enough for her enjoyment of it as well. ]

I suppose my feelings on the matter are a little complicated. I feel as though there's more here for me to do; others I can help before I return home. Knowing it has essentially paused and is waiting for me is... far more than I could have hoped for in setting my mind at ease.

[ To say that Angela's grown rather attached to those she's met here is an understatement— Ahab, Solid Snake, Frisk and little Ginko and even the senior Ginko, Lucio and 76 and others from her world she hasn't seen in too long— thought she may never see again. It certainly is complicated. ]

IT'S OK

[shiro2hero]

[At least she's laughing. There's that. That means it wasn't a total flop, right? Score one for tall, broad and perpetually exhausted. He'll take whatever he can get in that department.]

A familiar, conscious face, anyway.

[That's probably meant to be something of a joke. Probably. But his sense of humor is not quite up to the same stuff as most normal people. Hence the propensity for terrible puns when he's in a good mood. Or just plain bad Space Jail jokes.]

[Still, that coffee might as well have been pure gold. Or something even more precious. It's almost unrecognizable -- that taste. It's just been too long. But he can't deny he's dragging the tip of his tongue over the roof of his mouth a little longer than necessary.]

I guess it's easier to find things to do when you're a doctor than a pilot. Hard to do that when there's nothing to fly.