THE AMAZING BASE.

[agogemod]

WHO? Everybody!
WHAT? Welcome home, nerds.
WHEN? Outside time and space, in the aether between dimensions.
ANYTHING ELSE? There is also a fish. Please warn in subject lines for anything beyond physical violence and move to a personal journal if things go beyond PG-13.

MYSTERY FISH;

question the mystery fish

DEPARTING GALLIPOLI

The order comes the day after the Marie Antoinette sets sail:

PACK UP AND GET READY TO MOVE OUT. WE'VE DONE ALL WE CAN HERE.

DEPLOYMENT: BASE.

WE NEED TO RESTOCK. BE PREPARED FOR MORE TRANSFERS ON ARRIVAL.

STAY SAFE. TIME-STEP EXPECTED TO BEGIN WITHIN THE HOUR.

FOR THOSE OF YOU NEW TO COST: FIND A SECLUDED SPOT AND TRY NOT TO EAT ANYTHING BEFORE THE JUMP.

The Time-Step

The transfer begins like a vibrating heat on the collar bone, just a hum of sensation.

But the vibration spreads. Veteran COST soldiers often refer to this phenomenon as "the buzz". The feeling builds, not unlike standing near a great engine or the wind-rattled branches of a massive tree. There is a long moment of motion sickness and you can't be sure if the world is shaking you from the inside out or the outside in. It may be better to close your eyes against the growing nausea, as the world blurs out of focus.

A star shines in the distance. You may hear the faint rustling of leaves. Some swear they hear voices in this moment, indistinct words echoing off nothingness. Others say they feel a touch of the divine, that the eyes of the eternal look down upon you. Ancient bones rattle just out of earshot, cold and brittle and nothing more than the suggestion of sound. Or maybe it's only an illusion, brought on by the powerful technology grafted into your skin.

One thing is for sure: One moment you are here and the next you are not.

The shift takes you from whatever solitude you could find aboard the Marie Antoinette to the temperature-regulated hallway of what looks like a very poorly put together space station. Droids rush up and down the long hallway, fixing broken bits of machinery or just chattering with each other. A few crows sit on high ledges, looking down and watching. Someone mutters something about a centaur around the corner.

And you might just notice, provided you were in Gallipoli long enough to acquire stowaways, that the parasites lurking on your skin are mercifully gone.

For new arrivals who didn't experience Gallipoli: You, too, will appear in this long hallway, filled with droids and crows and humans (still filthy and clad in ANZAC uniforms, carrying battered equipment from the first World War). And you'll be wearing the minimal COST-issued athletic underwear and holding whatever one item you were allowed to bring. Surprise!

READ THE BASE INFOPAGE.

home away from home

Those who have been to BASE before may find a strangeness to it all: BASE seems...still. The windows show a verdant world instead of the usual aether (though with the typical paranoia), and the halls are bereft of all but a few crows. A man stands at the end of the long hallway you arrived in, waiting for you to get your bearings before he speaks.

Except, you know, he's not a man. He's a centaur.

"It's been barely a week since you left, by my reckoning. But for you, I'm sure, it's been much longer. Still, much has changed. You may have noticed we are...becalmed. This is due, it seems, to an error in our ways. We kept something that does not belong to us, several wild creatures that are meant to be free. They seem to have psychically called out to their home, and their home responded; we are now somewhat stranded.

"But let me explain—the Aether is the nexus between worlds and times, but it is not a dead thing. Creatures live in it. We have crashed onto the back of one such creature, a mighty beast, as large as a small country and entirely undiscovered. We have found why the creature has intercepted us: we have accidentally taken captive some of its children. Shapers, the wild creatures I mentioned, it seems they form a symbiotic bond with the creature, and live happily within its stomach."

He frowns, considering this.

"Shapers, I should mention, are creatures that briefly infested our fair BASE. The issue was dealt with, though we kept some for experimentation. The coelacanth took issue with this, it seems. It can speak, of course; we are stranded very near its head, and if you wish to ask it a question, I implore you to do so. The creature is older than creation—older than me—and only speaks once to any creature it encounters. It's said its wisdom brings kings to their knees."

His eyes crinkle in humor.

"My name is Chiron and I am the caretaker of this place, for those of you whom I have not had the pleasure of meeting. More importantly, I am a trainer and a teacher of some experience; if you wish training or schooling of any sort, do summon me. I will be happy to assist."

He's easy to contact, often found in the library, the training area, his capsule, or elsewhere in the station, attempting to fix what he understands and arguing with crows.

"We intended to spend this time exploring, for this is a rare opportunity to discover more of an entirely uncharted world. I hasten you to see if anything on the coelacanth can be of use, but be careful. Take only what you need, not what you may want. I intend to learn my lessons well; these creatures are not pets. Takes food, water, and any materials of use to us for our survival and perseverance, but no more. We task you with this: explore the coelacanth, and see what of it can be understood. Bring us back samples, but do try to interrupt the natural habitat as little as possible. We are guests here."

He bows and the action shows a slight limp in one of his back legs.

"I would join you, but I am far too old for such activities. Still, do pepper me with any questions you should encounter. I am always available on the network, or in person, within this hulking mass we call home."

And then he leaves you to find your capsules and rest.

CAPSULE ASSIGNMENTS

Once you've found your room and settled in—perhaps taken a shower, collected clothes, and eaten—a droid will approach you with camping equipment and give you a brief explanation of how to access and use the database. It's time to get your gear and go.

Of course, you can decline. You can stay and tend to the fort, maybe try and clean up this patchwork jumble of metal and machinery. But seeing the sights on the back of a giant fish flying through non-space? Who can say no to that?


the undiscovered country.

BASE's airlocks open into a lush valley, vibrant with color and rustling with life that has thrived on the coelacanth's back for millennia. It's a striking shift from the rot and gunfire of Gallipoli, unmarked by shrapnel, bombshells, and never-fresh air.

No, the air here is clean in a way that can leave you breathless, untouched by pollutants and stirred into a gentle breeze. It's a marked departure for anyone used to a more modern Earth or rough equivalent; letting the air sit on your tongue leaves a crisp, unsullied taste behind. And the whole forest feels alive, in a way that reminds you of how small you really are.

A white crow perches in a tree near BASE's exit, too high up to properly engage but a stark contrast to the bright leaves around her. She merely watches recruits come and go with a shrewd eye, feathers fluffed against the light chill. There are other crows scattered throughout the wilderness, some easier to find than others as they flit through the trees, sit on camping equipment, or hitch rides on the hoverbikes.

Besides those brief flashes of black feathers, however, you're left unsupervised.

Try not to fuck up anything too badly.

EXPLORE:INFOPAGE|DATABASE
talk to a fish | destruction report

NAV. NETWORK LOGS OOC MEMES PLURK

Comments

[bloodings]

[ ]

i have better things to do. that guy loves helping, so it's fine.

[heilt]

No, but I can help you clear it up.

[faenthras]

[ Of course she is right, why wouldn't she be? It isn't as though she raised a bear cub herself who is not her steadfast companion in all things. Fingers brush the brilliant blue color of the feather before she turns her gaze to Chiron, glancing briefly up at the bears. ]

You could say I happen to like bears. [ A vague answer but one all the same. ] I could lead your around if you need the aid.

[faenthras]

[ Got him.

Her grin grows, watching Percy move in and towards her, taking note of the traces of shower he had previously. The clothes are strange when compared to his usual taste of attire, although he manages to make it work for what it is. Without much thought Vex bites her bottom lip briefly, lazily dragging her fingers across the water. ]

You would hardly be intruding, I welcome your company.

[ She waits until he is sitting beside her to flick water at him, a tease and a challenge almost. If anything his company is the one she'd enjoy the most, outside of her brother - though honestly it'd be terrible if he walked in right now as she lounged naked in this tub. She can already feel herself gagging at the thought of it. ]

Besides, [ She starts, flicking a little more water his way. ] You still have some muck behind your ear.

[dorzalta]

"It is. Wouldn't want to wear one of these in there, lest we intended on ruining it."

We. Because, she realizes, she would absolutely wear one of those dresses in the shower if he'd asked her to. Not that he would--it seems too impractical of him.

She considers both their eggs, sitting beside one another on her pillows. They're pretty, far too elaborately designed to house any creature within it. But her dragon eggs were beautiful as well, stone-like, and they'd hatched.

Smoothing her palm along his stomach, she nods her head--both in acknowledgement, and to prompt him to move. "Shower. Before the chicken's remains decide to take permanent refuge on your cheeks and I can never kiss you again."

[inconstantly]

John has had his share of stupid ideas. This one is right up there, but at least it's a plan. The plan itself says something about its architect but possibly even more about the person willing to carry it through. That's a thought to be filed away for later.

For now John watches for signs that the creature has been contained and when he sees the blood John quickly spreads the fire across the surface of the lake. With the layer of flame resembling a gas stove burner in reverse the water below begins to roll. The temperature increases beneath his hands and the water bubbles and splashes as it reaches its boil, licks of water flicking to flame only to be extinguished as steam.

The man still hasn't emerged to to surface yet, but there was no way in hell John was going to jump in after him.

[horsepowered]

That would be preferable, yes. I'll be there in...hm. I am not sure. Within half an hour, perhaps?

[horsepowered]

[It is vague, and it suggests that there's much more being unsaid. Regardless, the offer is something Chiron would usually shrug off, trusting in his own instincts and abilities.

However, he'd venture this woman may as well be a bear expert, and with an unusual breed of them, it is much better safe than sorry.]

If you don't object, I would deeply appreciate it.

[thingpuncher]

A bit more thrashing, and Midnighter emerges, red and boiled, burns over a fair amount of his skin. But the creature he drags out of the water is dead, and that's what matters.

"You could've warned me," he says, wiping some of the blood and dead skin off his shoulder. "That might've killed a normal person." (No, because a normal person would have been smart enough to get the fuck out when the water started boiling.)

He throws the rainbow fish in John's direction. "You're on cooking duty, Pyro."

[northerndragon]

The threat of never being kissed again is not very convincing, but they're both tired... her more than him... and both still filthy. She seems steady enough on her feet, for now; that can't last. That hand on his stomach feels like a promise of something to come later, after they're cleaner, after they've slept. For now, there are few pleasures like a hot bath and a hot meal after a long journey, and their journey had been longer than most.

"That licking... he doesn't usually do that. But it's been so long since I've seen him."

He heads out of her room with her, towards the showers. It's been a while since arrival, hours, so he doubts the showers will be too crowded anymore. If things had been otherwise, they would have been his first destination.

"What would you think those eyes might be? Some kind of fancy bird?"

[gerechtigkeit]

[The more he thinks about it, the more he finds that Chiron seems to know his sense of self just as well as he does. Siegfried huffs a little in amusement, looking to the elder beside him.]

He's a friend. [The elder seems satisfied with that answer, and this time, it stretches before turning in a circle and lying down, firmly placing its head on his leg. Siegfried balks just a little, but the foxweald doesn't seem to move, content where it is.

Meanwhile, his dog is barking at the other foxwealds to come play, so Chiron might have a bunch of bright and wide-eyed critters joining him soon enough.

The fact that Chiron's now a centaur doesn't go amiss, and a brow raises as he watches the pack welcome this newcomer.] I take it that's something new. [Having four legs instead of two, but he hasn't known Chiron long enough back home to know for sure- and according to Mordred, he won't live through the War, anyway.]

[gerechtigkeit]

Saber. I went as Joseph during Gallipoli.

[horsepowered]

[Having more tiny things to try not to step on is...well, the opposite of ideal. But he does move forward very slowly, far more interested in making his way over to Siegfried and having a moment to sit down.

There's a bit more forest in Chiron's hair than he'd like, but that's the price of exploring. He really doesn't mind.]

More like a return to form.

[It is a terrible joke. But worth making.]

Does your more dog-like friend have a name yet?

[gerechtigkeit]

[Although deterred, that certainly doesn't stop the energetic husky from wriggling in Percy's grasp, nor does it stop her excited barking to hear an entirely new voice talking to her. Her head pokes out from under the jacket, trying to see who her supposed captor is, before she practically assaults his face in kisses, far too happy to see this stranger.

Siegfried, not too far away, hears the barking and approaches Percy soon enough. He sighs, looking at his dog and giving a faint smile.]

Ah, sorry- she hasn't interrupted whatever you were in the middle of doing, has she?

[He may not know this stranger, but better to be safe than sorry.]

[synergise]

Good to meet you, Asuka.

[ and she means that, despite the circumstances. most of the harder edges to her voice have been washed out along with the dirt and dried blood. her body and her tongue have loosened up, in a manner of speaking. ]

After Gallipoli, I'd say these are practically luxurious. So long as I've got a bed that I fit into, then the size of the room around it doesn't matter to me. [ nodding at one of the nearby seats, ] Mind if I join you for a while?

[ seems reasonably polite to ask, especially if he's adjusting. maybe he needs some space, and while shepard supposes seeking space in a shared area would be an interesting choice — she might not be a people person, per se, but she's decent enough at reading them. ]

[desynched]

[ Her thick Cockney accent gives away her nationality, at least.

Lena looks down sadly at her food, such as it is. ]

Supposed to be shepherd's pie. It's mostly a mess, though.

it's fine I KNEW WHAT YOU MEANT...

[gerechtigkeit]

It's the first time I've met one, or even had a dog in general.

Though those names... most of them are for saints, aren't they? I like them.

[Someone knows his lore really well.]

[synergise]

[ don't worry john, her usual style is more bull in a china shop than ninja, but everyone has their sneaky moments, and this is hers. either way, though, she loves to have at least a moment's worth of the element of surprise. besides, it's actually quite a nice spot, all things considered. a good view of the surrounding area. ]

Depends on the message, but I see your point. I'd have forgotten what I was planning to say halfway through, probably.

[ more curiously, ] How were you doing that?

[synergise]

Something like that, yeah.

[ shepard's quite happy to watch and (maybe) learn, right now. it might come in handy, in a place like this. ]

Wanted to see if I could get a better lay of the land from up there. And I was kind of bored. [ wryly, ] Nothing's tried to kill me for a while.

[bivariant]

Machines have long since obtained sentience, where I come from. They have societies I don't pretend to understand.

[ She speaks freely of her reality, but only when applicable -- some matters require her to play things close to her chest, but other situations call for comparison. It's a practical way that she looks at things, tinged with the influence of the general who looks at people. ( She's grateful that her shadow curves away from the two of them, right now. That Jedao's eyes are closed. ) ]

These machines haven't reached that point in their lives, yet.

[ Doubtless, they will. One day. ]

You are familiar with guns, but the dactyls are foreign to you. You look at parts of BASE with fresh eyes. What kind of place did you come from, de Rolo?

[dorzalta]

"Do you think he's from the same time as you are?" Would COST have bothered taking a wolf from the same time as its human companion? "Seems like an effort to pinpoint the time you were taken from."

This is no discussion to have. Not in the hallway, not when she's ready to topple over and sleep.

Thankfully, most have dispersed. They encounter none in the halls, and there is the pitter patter of one shower stall, by the time they enter the communal shower area, but she's unaffected by another's presence. It's not as if she and Jon were planning on intimacy like the last time.

"Seems curious we both received them. Could be a fancy bird, or some entirely new creature. I've never seen an egg look like that."

Granted, Irriella's egg was unique in its own way. More like a sphere which shifted colors. She stops by one of the mid shower stalls, crouching down to drop her belongings into the drybox. A quick glance over her shoulder asks Jon a silent question of whether he would deposit his own things with hers, or claim another shower as his.

[inconstantly]

Good to know you have your priorities in order.

[And it is. If they're going to be in the same unit then John will not be dragged down by someone's pet. Breeding had fuck all to do with it. And to a lesser extent maybe it was alright if nothing happened to Dorian either. The man was admittedly good company and a fun conversationalist. One less interesting person around would make COST that much more dull in addition to its other challenges.

After taking another drink John weaves the bottle in front of his face, as if taunting Dorian that one of them is in possession of alcohol while the other is not.]

I'd offer you some but after you took full advantage of my generosity with the wine [they both know that's not exactly the truth] I'm afraid you'd drain me completely.

[thingpuncher]

[Midnighter gets an okay length of string out of his experiment, and ties it around the charred space squirrel's neck, throwing it into the bushes. He keeps a hand on one end of the string.]

You wanna go exploring, huh?

[desynched]

[ Lena can't help but pull Angela into a hug. She's filthy and smells terrible, which probably isn't overly pleasant for Angela, but she can't help it. It's a relief to be somewhere safe and to be around someone familiar. ]

It's been too long! I've missed you.

[northerndragon]

"I think he knows I've been away. But I've been away from him before, and I don't know how long I've been away to him.

"I don't know if it's like you with the dragons, but sometimes... we feel the same things, or it seems that way."

If anyone is likely to understand this, it's her.

The showers are nearly deserted... not totally, but nearly, and as she settles in to a stall, she gives him a questioning look.

She can't be thinking... no. Neither of them is in the mood, and it was so cramped and awkward the first time that he isn't sure there should ever be a second time. But he's not sure she's steady on her feet, and if she's looking to him at all, it may be that she wants him with her.

He returns her questioning look with one of his own, then nods and puts his things with hers, stripping his filthy Gallipoli gear off and setting it on the floor outside of the shower.

He won't miss Jon Frost.