❪ event ❫ THE DESCENT: PART ONE.

[natha]

THE PROLOGUE     Your sleep on the night of the 15th is not a restful one, unfortunately. It’s unclear whether you are in a state of half-wakefulness, or dreaming. The voices you hear certainly sound very real. What is it, Sael? —Is everyone asleep?! Every one, yes. Sael, it appears you do not have good news to deliver...? N-No! I don’t know how it slipped past us, but there’s something powerful coming this way. Something hostile. I can barely keep the core systems online! ... I don't know what to do... I see... and we cannot protect Thesa and Alria in addition to transferring the Refugees to Olympia. This force, they waited for this moment. They knew I have been Intervening, and that I have become weak from such Interventions— ... We've been had. It cannot be helped. To save the Refugees on the Stations, we must eject the awoken unto El Nysa. My remaining energy shall go into shielding Thesa— left defenseless, every being we have saved on this station will perish... Sael, where is the ideal location for the landing? Hmm. There aren’t any people within a ten mile radius of The Outlook, and there shouldn’t be any for a few more days. I think that’s the best location right now. Very well. Instruct Zasere and Roman to begin preparations for an emergency eject. This is the only way we can save everyone. I am counting on you to ward off the enemy on the space front. The rest... is up to our Refugees. The alarms are blaring. It shouts against your eardrums, calling you to wake again. This time, you are in new pod, strapped down completely and cushioned tightly against the walls. In truth, you had no idea when you’d gone to sleep, but it is reminiscent of when you had been saved from the force of the Storm. A voice greets you when you come to, while the conversation between Darma and Sael is still fresh on your mind. Despite their voices playing like an old tune in your memory, you still know it is something that happened. Something has gone terribly wrong. You hear Darma speak, her voice loud in your head. Fellow Refugee, I wake you with regrettable news. A force equal to our own is attempting to engage Thesa, no doubt to steal the souls contained here. My energy is near depleted with this last Intervention, so I cannot send you to the grounds safely as originally intended. However, there is hope yet.This power shall instead shield Thesa and Alria — and believe in me when I swear no one shall be hurt. Your loved ones are safe with us. —Unfortunately, that is at your expense. Your descent will not be an easy one. This pod that contains you shall pierce through El Nysa's atmosphere and land you on an island west of Olympia, simply called The Outlook. Travel east. Find the West Outpost, then continue east until you find the Olympian North Gate. There is a method to this madness. You shall be sent in waves. The inhumanly strong shall be first. The parachute will soften the landing, but I am aware of all your capabilities. The first wave will survive the drop, and will work tirelessly to secure the others. Find your bearings, and ensure the safety of the second wave. They are the healers and medics. Catch their pods, ease their landings, make certain that they shall not be harmed, because you will need them for your wounds. The third wave are your strongmen. They shall help clear the debris and take people to safety, making way for the fourth wave, those can conjure magic to help. Bring everyone to a safe distance. A supply drop will follow soon after; it shall contain tents and tools that will be useful for the long night. The fifth and sixth waves are largely vulnerable humans. With your combined efforts, you shall survive this great misfortune. Forgive us, Refugee. Leave the Moons to us, my promise to you is still in tact— focus on what you can do for others like you. Helping at least two (2) Refugees will earn you one (1) Natha REP. Threads must be AC length to qualify, and can be submitted HERE by JULY 31st. THE DESCENT     FIRST WAVE. The instructions are clear. Those who are a part of the First Wave should be equipped with physical strength and fortitude to survive the drop or the power to regenerate and heal their own wounds. While the pods are already designed to cushion some of the impact, as this is the first group, it will likely to be the most jarring. In all of the waves, some of the pods will malfunction and offer no cushion at all. They will be expected to quickly find their bearings. Their mission isn’t simply just landing, after all. The first wave will be expected to help the next wave, and the wave after that. Whether through their abilities or brute strength, they will be expected to help soften the landing for those who are falling. They will also be expected to pry open hatches, carry people to safety, and to just... survive. It’s not always easy being first. SECOND WAVE. Within the next hour, it’s time for the Second Wave to make their descent. You were selected based upon your aptitude for healing and/or being able to administer first aid. Perhaps you can help the tired and weary. Maybe those who have landed have have strength, but no stamina. Either way, it may be unwise to exhaust all their abilities at once. The night is long, and you may want to conserve their energy for the next waves to come. At least you’ll have help in getting settled. THIRD WAVE. Akin to the First Wave, the Third Wave will possess some durability, and some manner of strength, making you a reliable ally. Especially in a time of crisis... Or so we hope. While the landing is tough, and some of you may need first aid. As soon as you’re all healed up, you’ll have no time to dawdle. Your help is required. “Please help those still trapped in pods. Carry those unconscious to safety. Lift debris, and rescue all you can.” May be a vague message still stuck in the back of your head. Something whispered to you while you were just waking. Well, might as well roll with it. It’s the best shot you have, after all. FOURTH WAVE. Those in the Fourth Wave, as Darma projects, were selected due to the versatility of their abilities. No one expects one man to do the same as the next. Rather, that’s precisely the point: to be different. To be able to accomplish something unique. While one individual may be blessed with powers that assist in putting out fires, another may have the ability to shield those from oncoming debris. Maybe one even has the ability to channel all of these. Regardless, it’s up to you and your quick wits to see what tasks are open. It’ll take some coordination, especially as there are more people mixing into the fray, but, you can do it, can’t you? FIFTH WAVE. If you are in the Fifth Wave it is likely that you have a specific power or ability. One that isn’t easily channeled or called upon. Or, perhaps, you were merely placed here for insurance. Whatever the case if, your expertise will presently be put to the test. Maybe you’re quite proficient in survival skills, and you’re already eyeing the supplies that were dropped between the Fourth Wave and now. Goods all ready to be salvaged. Okay, maybe some can’t, but as they say, “it’s the thought that counts.” Besides, the injured from earlier certainly need a space to rest, and camp isn’t going to make itself. Regardless, maybe you feel more comfortable joining in the efforts to assist those who still require it. Whatever it is, you are sure to find your place and use. Darma obviously held the same faith. FINAL WAVE. The Final Wave is fortunate in a variety of ways. With Thesa Station a bit more stabilized, Darma utilizes the last bit of her powers in insuring that these last remaining pods are met with the softest landing, right beside the fifth, that is. The fragility of life is nothing she is unfamiliar with, after all. Still, that isn’t to say nothing is expected of you. Most of the individuals that have dropped earlier will likely be exhausted. An hour stretched between each one, makes several hours for the first couple of waves. They'll need a place to relax. You will act as the final group of helpers. Settle into whatever role feels best for you. Are you an excellent cook? Great at rationing supplies? Perhaps, you have a secret skill in ______ that might come in handy here? Or, maybe, despite the gentler landing you still managed to get hurt. The sky's the limit, and you got this! Meanwhile, in the distant kingdom of Olympia, the Empress and her loyal subject discuss matters late into the night... I’ll have the results of that dragon toxin study ready for you soon, Your Highness. I just need a few helpers to— oh wow, is that a meteor shower? Oh yes, it appears so. How beautiful.. hehe. Let us thank Thesa for this blessing. GATHER YOUR BEARINGS     All in all, the descent lasts for nearly seven hours. After the deployment of the last wave of refugees, it’s only natural that you may be feeling pretty worn out. A. Within the remains of the pods, Refugees will find basic camping supplies such as small tents, sleeping bags, and compasses. Not all of the supplies remain intact, thanks to the impact of the crash. But, sharing resources will ensure there is enough for everyone to rest for the night. Can you really in good conscience leave that stranger next to you without shelter? B. Although you may be tired after such a life-threatening ordeal, there is still work to be done to ensure your survival. Fortunately, it works out because now there are plenty of empty hands. There are stray debris and metal parts that should be collected and disposed of. There's firewood that needs to be collected, and campfires to upkeep. The nights in the Outlook are particularly chilly, and so it will be imperative to keep warm! C. Your clothes are tattered or too bloodied to sleep on with comfortably. Fortunately, Darma thought ahead. There will be various types of clothing provided, mostly robes that resemble her own in earthy tones, all to help them camouflage you for your next big adventure. FINAL OOC NOTE     This INTRO event will be broken up into three parts! Please keep this in mind when plotting your threads/tag load. PART 2 will be posted on JULY 18TH and PART 3 on JULY 22ND, at 6 PM EST. In the event of CAPTCHA, we will be providing an overflow. In the event of a second CAPTCHA, players are advised to move threads to an overflow post on their character journals. These threads remain eligible for AC, AC Rewards, and REP. The NETWORK is currently down, as Sael must concentrate all of his efforts on warding off the invading force. Characters may still message each other's personal IC inboxes. Submit two (2) AC-eligible threads from this log for one (1) Natha Orbiter REP point here by JULY 31ST. Recommended Listening: Alex & TOKYO Rose QUICK NAV premise ● faq ● world ● map ● reputation ● npcs taken ● reserves ● application calendar ● hiatus/drops ● modbox [ FULL NAVIGATION ] elnysa nysalogs nysaisles nysaooc elnyan

Comments

pods pods pods

[insurgent]

[ For Jyn, most flights have been rough. Soaring through hyperspace with the empire on her tail, the Ponta family's explosion thrusting her into port, taking off as Jedha ruptured beneath and around her. Despite this (or, perhaps, because of it), hitting the ground rattles her, though not as much as it ought to have done. Instinctively, she assumes the other refugees must have done something useful. (Or she might just be lucky, but she's never lucky). Still, the pod proves uniquely horrifying even after landing, reminding her as much of previous ordeals as of simply being alone and small in a cave.

It makes Saw's last words loop in her mind. Save the rebellion. But she can't, she's too little, even as she leverages her weight against the glass. Her fourth punch leaves her knuckles bloody, the angle off due to the limited space in this piece of junk.

When she hears cracks and bangs coming from the outside, she stills. There's something familiar about the form outside the dirtied glass. When Alec pries the pod open, he'll be greeted by a blaster in his face. Muscle memory. ]

— Alec?

[ At least she has the decency to look abashed. ]

[offthatpath]

[Alec sees the pod coming down and rushes over to it, wasting no time in using his strength Mark to pry off the door. He can tell that it's a smaller figure inside, likely a woman, and a part of him hopes it's his sister. But once the glass is off he catches a glimpse of a face before a blaster is leveled at him. She's the next best thing to Izzy, being one of the few people he bothered to speak to while at the Station.]

Jyn. Glad to see your reflexes work just as well in gravity as they do in space. [As it had been mostly thanks to Jyn's reflexes and general piloting ability that had saved in during the "space joyride that is not to be spoken of". He reaches out a hand to her to assist in pulling her up and out of the pod.]

Are you injured at all?

[insurgent]

[ To her surprise, she doesn't hesitate in holstering her blaster and accepting his hand. Relief and warmth flood her easily over seeing someone familiar, particularly Alec (who indulged her by undertaking their "space joyride that is not to be spoken of," even though he whinged the whole way through). She tells herself that it's only instinct that has her smiling. Or that makes her clasp his hand too tightly, her hand bloodied from her earlier fight with the door. It takes her too long to muster a reply, too, voice a touch hoarse from yelling for help

Anyone would react this way, if they were freed from a metal death-trap. ]

Just bumps. [ she'll let him do most of the work in getting them to safety, unsure of how the world outside looks or who might be waiting. ] Maybe a few scrapes.

[offthatpath]

[He notices the blood as soon as she clasps his hand tightly but he doesn't hesitate to use his hold on her to pull her forward and out of the pod, careful to not let her topple onto the ground. Once she's out he'll release her hand in order to grip her arm to help her find balance on her feet.

He knows from his own experience that getting out of the pod can be a dizzying experience as your body relearns which way is up.]

And your hand? You're bleeding.

[There are landed pods all around them that Alec assists her in steering around. They're several feet away from where the earlier groups have set up a make-shift camp.]

[insurgent]

[ The new world is decidedly disorientating, particularly with the earth shaking beneath their feet and pods falling from the sky. Once again, she finds herself grateful for Alec. The preemptive steadying grip stops her from taking a tumble. Still, it only takes a few moments for her to reorient herself. Her gaze sweeps over the surroundings. It reminds her of Tamsye Prime and Jedha in reverse — the chaos of landing instead of take-off.

A mass exodus, either way. Her breathing steadies, evening out as she grips his arm in turn. An attempt to thank and reassure. ]

Got a bit — [ panicky? ] — punchy in there. [ she huffs a laugh, willing herself to relax. ANYWAY. ] Thanks for the lift.

[offthatpath]

[Alec understands the panic of being trapped inside even after the pod has landed, of feeling like there's no way out. His pod had landed badly, damaging the hatch door, and he had kicked and clawed at the door for what had felt like hours before receiving assistance.]

Felt like you'd be trapped inside forever if you couldn't get the door to open? Yeah...I know the feeling. [He tries to grin but it comes off strained.] I'm just glad I got to you before you could do some serious damage. We'll get a medic to patch you up.

[insurgent]

[ He does know the feeling, and his words catch her easily — in the wound made raw by waking up alone in the pod and being left behind, like she was on Tamsye Prime. She nods, because that all she needs to do, when he gets it. I'm glad I got to you, he says, and that hits her, too, in a different way because she wasn't left behind this time. Hard not to look up at him with widened eyes and a weak smile.

Her jelly legs grow steadier, and she begins moving towards the crowds. ]

You have good timing.

[ and that's as close as she'll come to admitting aloud, yeah, she was gonna break her hand in there. An unspoken understanding should be enough. ]

[offthatpath]

[When she begins walking steadier he loosens his grip on her, but he remains close by in case she needs to lean on him for any reason. He knows she would have done the same for him if their situation had been reversed. But he's glad he could be the one to help her. Somewhere along the line his protective instincts that are usually reserved for his siblings have managed to include her as well.]

I try. It was mostly luck really. I couldn't tell it was you until I got the hatch door open. Pointing a weapon in someone's face is an unusual way to show appreciation for a rescue though.

[insurgent]

[ Jyn would have, especially now. ]

[ with a shrug. ] Didn't know it was a rescue. Last time I was busted out, my heroes just wanted to cart me somewhere else.

[ Said without any malice, mind. She understands why they did it — and can only assume it's unsettling when the damsel fights the rescuer, as she had on Wobani and almost did again now. Still, no apologies for playing it safe, even if she'll admit it's a good thing that she looked before she fired. ]

[offthatpath]

It's good that you're on your guard.

[His words weren't meant to be a dressing down. If Izzy had been in Jyn's shoes he would have expected the same reaction. Except a whip around his throat instead of a gun to the face. But it's worth it to know that they'll defend themselves. Just in case.]