thisavrou_log | ( december intro log )

Entry tags:

( december intro log )

Who: Everyone
When: December 1st and on
Where: Throughout the Moira
What: Repercussions of Caducus Primary + New Arrivals + The Unknown
Warnings: None, but please label anything you do that needs a warning

SHIP LIFE

"In nature, there are neither rewards nor punishments; there are consequences."

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 various machines line the walls on either side, though they are not accessible from where you stand. Shortly after, you are led out and toward the medbay.

Inside this room, you are given a physical scan and sign a contract 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.

MERO DECK ● NOMO DECK ● MORO DECK

☄ Due to the circumstances of Caducus Primary, the captains appear abnormally absent. Unlike before, they will not be seen or heard from after processing the newest members of the crew. They can still be contacted via their MID devices for emergencies only, but otherwise, they have retreated to their rooms and clearly do not want disturbed. They are displeased with the events and will be less accommodating in regards to resources and rank privileges. In fact, they may feel less like a privilege and more like a punishment.

☄DRUM THRUM THUD

Reverberations of what has happened to Caducus Primary are still being felt despite having left the chaos behind. After the initial influx of new crew, there seems to be the occasional flicker of the power all throughout the Moira—like a pulse, a breath. Do the shadows move, or is it just a trick of the light? Several hours pass, and a message flashes across all MIDs. It is labeled urgent and comes directly from Thán; however, any responses will be automatically rejected.

Our ship has sustained minor outer damage, and the systems are fluctuating as they reboot themselves individually. Take care of darker areas, and travel with other crew if you need to leave your room.

Crew safety is severely stressed this month, especially after what's occurred, and anyone in need of medical attention is to report to the Medbay posthaste. Yet, the crew may soon realize it's not only the power that appears to be having issues as the days progress in their travels.

☄IN THE FRIDGE

From the 3rd on, things start to grow a bit chilly. With current power issues, a problem that even those in areas responsible for its function cannot seem to solve, there has been a steady decline of less vital life support systems. It soon grows cold enough that sections of the ship that house any sort of water systems may find them slowly freezing over, and even showers don't seem as warm as they should be. ( Those in Mero Deck may find their communal bathroom a rink. ) In the mess hall, late in the evening after all shifts are finished, several pipes rupture and create particles of ice (snow) and a solid slippery sheet across the entirety of the floor. Melting it may be a temporary solution, but as there is no way to keep the water in its liquid form, it might be inadvisable to try more than once.

Other areas of the ship are also open to exploration, though they may be affected by the power and temperature changes as well. Please advise the captains' warning.

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

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[ Named for a state, actually. But a state named for a president, so the confusion is understandable. Standing a little straighter, Wash hesitates a moment before answering, though he's not entirely sure why he does it. Normally he's proud to announce who he's an agent for, but suddenly...? It feels uncomfortable.

Shaking his head quickly to clear it, he's then quick to try to bring an end to the awkward pause. ]

Agent of Project Freelancer. It's a military project where I'm from.

Snake, though. Nice to meet you. Is, uh. Is that a codename, too?

[ Just out of curiosity. But hell, for all he knows, it's the guy's real name! Just because it doesn't sound like one to him doesn't necessarily mean it isn't. But, Wash is interested all the same. It'd be kind of cool if he was bunking with someone else military, or something similar. ]

[ Project Freelancer? It isn't a name that Snake is familiar with, which doesn't necessarily mean it isn't Earth-based. Plenty of military projects are kept classified for years after they end, and while Otacon usually has the most cutting-edge information on hand, it's always possible that he missed something.

Not likely, but possible.

Snake crosses his arms over his chest. ] And where would that be? [ They can figure out where their common ground ends and go from there, but at least they seem to come from similar backgrounds. It means that Wash here will probably know how to be a considerate roommate. Messiness isn't usually tolerated in the military.

At the question, Snake nods. ] What gave it away? [ It's meant to be a joke, but his dry tone leaves that a little unclear. Snake isn't really a common name to give your kid. For all that the people who decided to create him did wrong, at least they'd had the decency to give him a normal name. ]

Where?

[ The question confuses Wash for a few seconds because it could mean a lot of different things. This Snake guy, he's already decided, is very blunt and to the point. Not that there's a problem with that, it's just... Wash sometimes struggles with that, is all. ~~(ironically)~~ ]

Well, it's a Project meant to protect Earth, but we're based in space.

[ He hopes that's a sufficient answer. Maybe a little because Snake is intimidating, and Wash wants to be as accommodating as possible. Shuffling a little on his feet, the Freelancer then takes a seat on the edge of his own bed.

Snake's joke, honestly, goes over Wash's head. He's a very literal person, and with no joking tone to really obviously tip him off, he thinks that the guy is actually asking what gave away that his is a codename. Which probably has him coming off as a dumbass. ]

Well, most people don't name their kids after animals. At least, not...ones that aren't cute. Snake sounds more like a name someone gives themselves to sound cool, or something. --Not that I think you did that.

--Not that it doesn't sound cool--!

Just... Uhm.

[ Just digging that hole deeper there, Wash. ]

[ What Snake had been really asking was where Wash was from, but the answer he gets is good enough. Based in space is really all he needs to hear, since any terminology or names beyond that will be like Greek to him. ]

Guess that this is business as usual for you, then.

[ Since Wash takes a seat, Snake does the same, figuring that he'll need to get comfortable with this living space whether he wants to or not. The bed is nice, almost too nice for his tastes, but better that than no bed at all.

Snake watches Wash fumble over his explanation with eyebrows raised, making a note that people from space might not understand the subtleties of tone. ]

Don't worry about it, kid. It's not like I picked it for myself. It's based on a ranking system. [ And "Snake" is the second highest rank someone in FOXHOUND could get, but he's not going to get into that. ] So, you said you're protecting Earth. [ He goes digging into his pocket for cigarettes that aren't there and lets out a grumbling noise when he's reminded of that fact. ] What's threatening it this time?

Sort of. I mean, the spaceship thing is. The being transported through a portal to another universe isn't so much.

[ He smiles a little to indicate it's a joke, but, you know, he's wearing a helmet so that doesn't really have the effect he wants. All the same, it is the truth, too. Portals are not something he's had to deal with before. ]

And sanitation and kitchen duties aren't exactly anything I've had to worry about before, either.

[ Hands going together, Wash toys with his fingers--a nervous habit. Like he hasn't thought it a hundred times already, but Snake is intimidating! He keeps feeling like he's going to say the wrong thing or that they're not going to get along as roommates and things'll be even more awkward and-- ...Well, basically, he's spiralling in anxiety just a little bit.

--He doesn't care much for being called kid, but he obviously lets it go. He is the younger one of the two here. ]

Oh, really? So... Is the ranking system all animal names, or...? [ That's it. That's the question he wants to ask about that.

Perking up a little at the question that comes next though, Wash doesn't take much notice in Snake's digging in his pockets. Instead, he's more interested in telling someone from another world what his is like. ]

Aliens. Specifically a cult of them. They want to eliminate the human race, and we're trying to stop them.

[ Wash still has one up on Snake, though. Spaceships are definitely a new frontier for him. He's going to have to adjust to small things like the ambient noise, or the way that the floor doesn't feel completely steady under his feet. He imagines that he'll get used to that, just like sailors get used to being out at sea, but for now it's still throwing him off.

Snake watches as Wash manages to wring his hands together even with the full armored gloves on. He's nervous and he isn't doing a very good job of hiding it. Another rookie mistake, the sort of thing that might get him seriously hurt in a different context. ]

Part of a military organization, and you've never had to worry about kitchen duty or sanitation? [ What a charmed life. Snake leaves it alone, though. There's no reason to get too mean about it.

At the question about rankings, Snake only nods. It isn't that important, especially since FOXHOUND is long gone, and they've got a lot more pressing matters on their plate right now.

The explanation about an alien conflict sounds almost generic, but apparently it's real. There's a lot about this entire situation that Snake has to just take on faith, which he isn't a fan of doing. ] Did the human race do something to deserve it? [ Wait, maybe that question is too cynical. Snake sighs and studies Wash's helmet. ] What year are you from, anyway?

Well-- I did, when I was in the normal military. But once I got accepted into Project Freelancer, we mostly had to focus on our training and missions.

[ Wash is quick to backpedal over what he's said, not wanting to sound like he's lived this fantastical, easy military life. He knows what it's like to work the boring jobs, it's just...been a while since he has, is all. But now he's back in it, and he's not complaining! It's just...he kind of needs a refresher, that's all.

Glancing downward, he almost misses Snake's nod to the question he'd asked. But, he does catch it, and also gets the idea that pressing questions further than that isn't a great idea if just asking about rank names only gets him a nod. Even if he wants to press to learn more about his new roommate. He's curious about everyone here--where they're all from, what their lives are like back home, everything. But he may not be getting that out of Snake, by the way things are going so far. ]

Not really? If we did, it's been kept classified from most of us. As far as any of us know, we just offend something in the aliens' religion so they want to get rid of us. [ Wash gives a little shrug of his shoulder. ] I'm from the 26th century. What about you?

[ He can at least ask that... Right? ]

[ Snake generally isn't one to dwell, or he's at least learned to be the kind of person who doesn't. That's the main reason why he isn't divulging information about his past, even if it's only logistical details about his old unit. He sees it as irrelevant, and maybe there is also that instinct to keep personal information to himself. Not that his rank is particularly personal.

When Wash elaborates on his military history, Snake nods along. It sounds like he's got more years of training under his belt than Snake would have guessed at, interesting. ] What'd you have to do to get accepted? [ The exclusivity of the program will give Snake a better idea of what his new roommate is capable of on the battlefield.

With how often wars have been fought over religion, it isn't hard to buy Wash's explanation. Snake lets out a huff and shakes his head to himself. Some things never change, even five hundred years later. ]

I'm from the 21st century. [ So a good deal behind Wash. Snake rubs at his temple with the fingers of one hand. ] So we have to wrestle with time discrepancies on top of everything else, great. [ He is definitely too old for this. ]

Well--

[ Now this is the slightly awkward part. Wash still remembers his interview before being accepted into the program well--one of the few things that isn't cloudy and uncertain--and it's... It was interesting. They'd already known everything they needed to know about his history, it had seemed, they'd just...wanted to meet him. ]

They were looking for talent, for sure, but also... I think, people who didn't have a lot more options of where to go with their military career. [ He hesitates here, glancing away in thought. ] To this day, I don't really know why they accepted me. I'm not as good as my teammates and I probably never will be.

[ But that doesn't mean he should be underestimated. The training he's had, he's much more talented at fighting than the average marine, he's just...hard on himself, is all. ]

Wow, the 21st century? Really? That's kind of cool! [ He gets kind of excited at that, but settles down quickly seeing Snakes reaction to the whole thing. ] I mean... Yeah, it makes things more...interesting, for sure. But if we're all from different places, it would make sense if there were time differences, too. ...I think.

[ That isn't much of an answer. Wash is either that driven by his own lack of self-confidence or he honestly doesn't know why he'd been picked. It sounds like it had been the nuclear option. He hadn't known where else to turn, so he'd ended up in this project.

Which probably means it's extremely dangerous, but that's just a guess. ]

If you keep thinking like that, then you won't be. [ It's like Wash has already given up on the idea of improving his skills as a soldier, but feeling sorry for himself won't help his progress. If he wants to dedicate himself to being better, it's going to take hard work.

Wash has still got the attitude of a rookie, even if he isn't one. He hears about different time periods and gets excited, rather than exasperated. Snake almost remembers those days. ] I would think that picking people from different times would take more... I don't know, power? Then just plucking people from different places. But maybe time flows differently depending on where you are in the universe. [ That sounds good, at least, but he's really just talking out of his ass. ]

[ Wash purses his lips at that, taking the comment a little...more harshly than it's intended. ]

No, no, it's not like that-- I just mean, you should see these guys, they're crazy good, and only getting better. And now most of them have AIs helping them, which makes it even more unlikely that I'll ever be able to touch their level of greatness.

[ Especially since his own AI implantation failed. Mentioning the AIs was a bad idea, actually, because it makes him think about that, makes his mind go there, and brings up memories from that day. From when Epsilon--...

No. No, he won't let himself go there. Wash gets a slightly pained expression on his face and shakes his head a little in an attempt to clear it. It works, to an extent, and to improve it, he points his focus back on Snake and their conversation. He's Wash, he's on the Moira, and he's totally, completely fine. ]

I couldn't say. I don't know anything about inter-dimensional kidnapping, or whatever you'd call this. [ He shrugs a little, offering a slight smile. ] But in my opinion? I think it'd take more power or whatever to take people from different places, if we're talking different universes here. At least along the timeline would still just be one universe.

[ While Wash speaks of these AIs as if they're a huge asset, the mention of them only causes Snake's back to straighten with suspicion. It's not like any of Wash's teammates are here, so there's nothing to be immediately concerned about, but Snake definitely doesn't see artificial intelligence as the next step in warfare. ]

Expecting a machine to do all the work for you... [ Snake scoffs and shakes his head. ] You're probably better off without that. Relying on your own instincts as a soldier, that's what'll keep you alive.

[ Snake doesn't miss that moment when Wash looks like he's just mentally stumbled on something he really would have rather avoided. They all have times like that, so Snake doesn't think too much of it, but it's something to file away for later.

When Wash gives his own theory, Snake only shrugs, not willing to argue the point when both of them are just speculating. ] Maybe we'd be able to get some real answers if the people running this ship would give us the time of day. [ But that doesn't look like it's going to happen any time soon. ]

It's not all the work. [ Wash is quick to counter that, because while he currently has his own issues with AIs, it doesn't stop him from thinking they're a good idea. ] They just help. Make you more efficient. Improve your reflexes and your aim and all that. I'm not arguing that a soldier's instincts aren't important, but having some help from something that can think quicker than you? I think it's useful.

[ Not that he has a personal interest in trying again. Not after the attempt they made. But he still doesn't want to think about that. He's just arguing for the sake of the program he's in, the one that he believes in--or believed in. He's...a little unsure about it now, but again, not the point.

Shrugging, he moves back on to the other topic of conversation and nods his agreement. ]

Yeah, maybe. They're awfully secretive and...kept to themselves for captains, don't you think? They should be out here with us, not hiding away.

[ Despite Wash's argument for the benefits of an AI system, Snake isn't convinced, and he isn't one to hide how he really feels when it comes to something like this. He shakes his head vehemently. ] And what happens when that AI fails? When something in your armor gets damaged? You need to be able to function without that crutch to fall back on. Manufacturing a soldier's skills is a quick way to get you killed.

[ Harsh as Snake's being, he actually has good intentions in what he's doing, and after a pause he tries to make that a little clearer. ] My point is, you're better off without it, kid. [ So Wash doesn't need to feel inadequate because he doesn't have the same kind of tech.

As for the captains, Snake doesn't have much faith in them improving any time soon. He leans back on the bed and then folds his arms behind his head, kicking his feet up. ] Guess we'll just have to figure things out for ourselves. [ While Snake has gone out of his way to avoid being in this kind of situation (thrown into something with no proper briefing or guidance), at least he's got experience with it. ]

Well, that's why we didn't get the AIs first. We start out as soldiers, and they train us to be even better than the average soldier. Then they give us the AI, and only to the top agents, so there are skills there even if something goes wrong.

[ Wash's voice is merely matter-of-fact, not offended or angry in any way--he kind of just feels like Snake doesn't fully understand the system, or something. However, at the point that the other says he's probably better off without it, Wash pauses and glances down at his knees.

With the way things had gone for him? Snake is probably right. Except he's still left with the side-effects of that defective AI, even if he doesn't want to admit to it... ]

...But yeah. Maybe you're right.

[ Back on the topic of the captains though, Wash winces at those words when they leave Snake's mouth. Figure things out for themselves. That's essentially improvising, which he really doesn't like doing. He much prefers having an idea of what's going on, getting that briefing and intel, to being without it and having to deal. ]

Unfortunately, yeah. Kinda seems that way.

[ Snake can admit that sounds like a better system than training soldiers from the ground up with VR, but he's never going to be a complete convert. Wash can remain a supporter if he wants, but it's a moot point here anyway.

He doesn't seem that thrilled with the way that they've been left in the lurch like this, and who would? Snake lets out a sigh. Sometimes he wishes he didn't see himself in every young, well-trained soldier without a clue. ]

I've been through a lot of scrapes -- not quite on this scale, but I don't have any intention of dying out here.

[ He doesn't quite say it, but the implication is there: we'll be fine. Whether or not it's true, it seems to be what Wash needs to hear right now. ]

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( december intro log )

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