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

76 | ota get at me

[mylawn]

i. arrival

[76 arrives from Gallipoli filthy and spent and more than a little exhausted. He should be used to the time-step by now, but it still gets him every time, and immediately upon return he has to spend a moment braced against the wall until his head stops swimming. After that, all he really feels is overwhelming relief, and he might even let the mask slip during a prolonged reunion hug with one Angela Ziegler.

Don’t ask him about that.

He’s easily found going through the motions after that—picking through the available clothes just in case he missed anything, swinging by his new capsule, and then waiting in line for what he hopes to be the hottest shower of his entire life. The communal nature of it doesn’t seem to bother him, and if you look particularly miserable while waiting, he’ll even offer his spot.]

Go ahead. I can wait.

ii. capsule 4

[He doesn’t mind the shake-up too much—he gets the bigger room this time, and for as much as he’s come to terms with Mordred, he thinks he’ll be just fine not having her as a bunkmate. It doesn’t take him very long to get settled in, and for someone like 76 that mostly means taking inventory, including everything apparently delivered to him through the aether and left on his bed.

If you come looking, that’s where you’ll find him, with miscellaneous items spread out across one of the work tables as he catalogues what he’d left here and anything new that’s turned up.

Or maybe you are here looking for Jon? Maybe you are knocking on the wrong door? Either way, this guy is here now, either opening the door and looming, or approaching you in the hall because this is his capsule, thanks.]

Think you’ve got the wrong room.

iii. rec room and gun range

[It’s not difficult to find 76 around BASE—he doesn’t exactly cut a discreet figure, after all, but now he’s even harder to miss, having been given most of his equipment from home. He’s retreated back into the comfortable anonymity of his visor, which he keeps on even as he returns to the recreation areas and unloads on a lone punching bag with frightening enthusiasm.

There’s a bottle of what appears to be whiskey nearby. A good life choice.

When he’s not blowing off steam in the rec room, he’s dealing with the most important item returned to him this time around--76 needs to make sure it hasn't been tampered with. He doesn’t want to waste too much of the limited ammo for his rifle, so for now he’s commandeered a not insubstantial section of the gun range, dismantled his gun and spread the pieces out on the floor. It’s meticulous and almost meditative, the way he cleans each component and snaps it carefully back into place, until the whole thing comes together as a very large rifle. Once it’s back together, he hefts it up with much less effort than it should take, given the size of the thing.

Is he—is he going to fire that in here?]

iv. explorin

[Once he has a chance to brief his people (which is a weird thing to think about, given the circumstances), 76 doesn’t need to be told twice to get off BASE and do some exploring. Despite the alien nature of the world, the fresh air is a welcome respite, and he thinks he could definitely use some time in the wilderness. You know, for quiet contemplation. The motorbikes are just a bonus, really.

He’s got a go-bag and his giant gun and all of his tactical gear. He’s Ready, and you definitely want to get on the bike with him.]

Climb on.

[There’s room for two on these things, after all.]

You look like you could use a lift.

v. campin (cw animal murder)

[For someone dressed mostly in near-future tactical gear, 76 might not stand out as being any good at camping. In fact, the opposite is correct. He’s kind of looking for an excuse to have some quiet contemplation anyway, so if he’s not playing buddy system with someone, 76 is off on his own excursion.

He checks back into base periodically, but otherwise is gone long stretches of time doing who knows what—but if you’re the curious sort, you might spot smoke from a campfire while off on your own exploratory mission. Following the smoke to its source yields an impromptu campsite, where 76 is making good on the whole quiet contemplation thing.

Except for the fact that he appears to have killed one of the deer-like creatures that roam the forest and is in the process of skinning it. He’s got like blood up to his elbows and it’s super gross oh god this is a murder scene. Where did he learn how to do this??? Why is this happening??!???]

vi. network

FROM: @DIEDHARD
TO: @ALL 

There’s a lot to take in out here. Let me know if you need a hand.

[He’s also. You know. On Birchstory. Generally he just seems to do his own thing, keeping to himself, but given the somewhat literal nature of his avatar it might not be difficult to guess who’s behind this particular account. This is definitely something you want to ask him about IRL.]

vii. wildcard

[I’ll do whatever you want. Hit me up on plurk at whitticus.]

Explooooooore!

[horsepowered]

I believe you massively overestimate the ability of those things to carry anything that isn't human.

[The grin that Chiron gives 76 makes it clear that he is taking a little bit of joy in pointing out that centaur + hoverbike = probably a bad life choice all things considered.]

And my ability to cover ground.

[mylawn]

[Yeah, that’s not exactly what 76 expected to see, but Chiron seems fairly unconcerned about it. He has to backpedal on his offer to share the bike, looking equal parts confused and embarrassed—hopefully none of that had been insulting.]

We could always race.

[Downplaying it seems to be the best way to handle it, as Chrion seems fairly good-natured about the development. He recalls that Genji had been made to appear completely human at Gallipoli. Perhaps Chiron has just been appearing human all this time as well.

Perhaps it’s a little offensive to ask, but 76 knows he needs to check, if only for his own sanity.]

Is this, uh. How things are supposed to be? For you?

[horsepowered]

Yes, this is my normal form. I've only recently been given the mechanism to regain it.

[Chiron's grin is more directed at the option of racing though, something that's slightly childish but feels all too appropriate for the giddiness inside of him.]

You were saying about a race?

deer skinning simulator 207X

[desynched]

[ Lena started her camping expedition with enthusiasm and optimism, neither of which compensate for her complete lack of experience. Pitching the tent took her a solid two hours the first time, and she's pretty sure it wasn't right anyway. Building a fire is a little easier, but building one that won't catch the forest on fire is a bit harder. Hunting is a hurdle she's not even trying to leap right now. Even if she managed to hunt something, there's skinning it and hoping she can find the proper parts that are edible.

She's perfectly suited to exploration. It's the camping that's getting her. Once she sees the smoke, Lena decides that if it's a COST agent and if they'll have her, she might camp with someone else tonight. They already have a fire started-- they're ahead of her already.

Lena makes her way through the brush and turns into the clearing to find...

Oh. Gross.

Lena has never seen someone skin an animal before, so she stares with equal parts curiosity and disgust. ]

Didn't realize you're supposed to stick your hands in.

[mylawn]

[He’d struggled through the briefing as best as he could—it had been necessary, to get their whole group on the same page—but as soon as he was given the opportunity, Jack headed out into the woods. The others could always message him if necessary, and he needs the time to clear his head. Going hunting perhaps isn’t the main goal of the exploratory mission, but it might be nice to eat something that isn’t protein blocks. Perhaps the rest of the crew will appreciate it, too.

Despite his desire to spend some time alone, he isn’t exactly discreet about his location, and he’s not surprised when Lena finds her way into his clearing. The look on her face is what surprises him, until he realizes that she probably wasn’t expecting this. Jack has been a soldier and a commander the entire time they’ve known each other—this is a little out of that skill set.

Also there’s blood everywhere.]

You have to, uh. Pull the guts out.

[The aforementioned guts are sitting nearby on the forest floor. He’ll dispose of them soon, not wanting to attract the attention of something bigger or meaner or more predatory. Lena looks a little worse for the wear, and Jack lets out an awkward cough as he tries to think about how to go about this.]

Hungry?

[Sure, it’s dead alien deer, but that’s as good a peace offering as any.]

[desynched]

[ Lena's still not sure how she feels about Jack not only being alive, but an internationally-wanted terrorist. He let everyone mourn him, watched Overwatch fall apart from a distance. So things are tense at worst and awkward at best. It's not like they'd been particularly close, but she'd still admired and respected Commander Morrison.

But she's grateful that he's actually alive. Lena refuses to let a second chance slip away, even awkward moments like this.

Lena does her best to look more grateful than grossed out. A proper meal would be nice, after all. ]

A little.

[ She's minimizing it, of course. While not starving, she is quite hungry. ]

Have some fruit and clean water to share, if you like.

ii, sort of

[bloodings]

[ 'Sort of', because she's in his actual room, not just in his capsule. They might not share one anymore, but it was easy enough to find his — easier still to phase through the wall and see what new things he's gotten.

Already wearing his trenchcoat (which utterly dwarfs her) over her own sweater, she reaches for his visor next, turning it over in her hands. ]

The hell is this? Some weird pair of glasses?

[ She's never seen a visor before... she's from 500AD. She holds it over her own eyes, and while it doesn't even begin to fit her, she's amused enough by just looking through it.

... Funny, that almost looks like 76 standing in the doorway... ]

Yo, old man. [ No remorse whatsoever. ] Looks like you got some good stuff.

[mylawn]

[It doesn’t surprise him in the least that Saber has found her way into his room, despite the fact that they aren’t roommates anymore. 76 has already decided that this isn’t the hill he wants to die on—though he can’t help but look a little surprised to find that she’s not only beaten him here, but is already going through the pile of his belongings on the bed.

Nice to have the visor back, at least, though the sight of the blue trench coat makes him a little uncomfortable—not that she’d know why. He leans in the door frame, trying to look nonchalant.]

That’s my tactical visor.

[He says, like everyone is going to know what a tactical visor is and what it does. 76 is a little to exhausted from Gallipoli to have the personal property fight with Saber right now. Maybe if he pretends it’s not so interesting, she’ll give it up without a fight.]

There’s a button on the side if you want to turn it on.

[It’s not a toy, but as long as she doesn’t look like she’s going to damage anything, he’s accepted her going through his stuff as a fact of life. If she does hit the button, she’ll find the interior display blinking to life, offering her environmental readouts.]

[bloodings]

[ Mordred just blindly pokes at the side until she hits the button — not roughly, so there's no danger that she'll break it, but she clearly has the patience of a child. Once it's on, she swivels around the room, taking in the (relatively boring) sights. ]

Pretty cool. [ Definitely more tech-y than she's used to. Switching it off, she pulls it free of her head and holds it out to him. ] But I don't need something like this. If it looks dangerous, or tries to screw with me, I'll kill it. Those are my only tactics.

[ Not quite the same thing. ]

arrival

[heilt]

( the amount of relief that angela feels when she sees him is bigger than she'd realised. she'd been concerned for him, and then genji and lena after he'd let her know about their presence, and even though they'd messaged, and angela knew that he was more than capable, she couldn't rest easy until he was back.

he's easy to find and angela is quick to go over to him, hand resting on his face, quick assessment of his condition, before she hugs him.

and doesn't let go )

I'm glad that you're back.

( and in what, for those five seconds she'd checked him over, seemed to be relatively one piece. she'd give him a full assessment later, mixed with conversations of their respective days no doubt, but for now she's content just knowing he's back )

[mylawn]

[It was a good thing that Angela had the foresight to contact him from base—Jack had been more than ready to tear Gallipoli apart in search of her, mission be damned. To say he was glad to hear from her was an understatement, and he’d spent the last few days in the trenches worried about her, even though she was arguably in the safer position.

Still, she owes him an explanation. He hasn’t forgotten her avoidance of the subject when he asked her why she was pulled off the mission. Jack supposes he could get an answer from Chiron, but he’d rather hear it from Angela, first. He has no reason to believe she’ll keep avoiding the subject now that they’re all back.

For now, however, he just wants to make sure she’s safe. Jack isn’t a very physical person, military formality practically ingrained in his person, but he can’t help running to meet her and opening his arms to her at the first opportunity. She has to check him over first, because that’s just how she is, but soon enough he’s trying to pull her into a hug, which he’ll be content to hold for a few long moments.]

It’s good to see you, Ange.

[heilt]

( she breathes a sigh of relief and jack will be able to feel her relax in his arms. it hadn't been as long for angela as it had been for jack, chiron had mentioned the time difference (as strange as it was) but it hadn't taken much to build up that tension. he was out there alone. that was all it took.

it's a few more seconds before angela steps back, eyes searching his face for a moment before she speaks. they have a lot to catch up on and angela wants to run her physical on him. they could cover both together, which would possibly be the easiest option. they'd both get their answers and she'd get her peace of mind )

Let's get it over with. We can talk at the same time.

( because she knew he was in no way eager to have a physical )

iv

[handsomefoil]

[ Henry is generally a chatty thing but he could also go for some quiet contemplation and nature walking or whatever the heck they end up doing out here. Some new discoveries would be fun, at least. Certainly a turn from whatever he usually does on BASE, and of course from their previous missions. ]

Oy, thanks—

[ And he seats himself on the back end of the bike, perhaps a bit precariously than most people would. On his back, he carries his own provisions that the droids had provided. He checks out the giant rifle that 76 is packing and raises an eyebrow to himself. ]

Just a friendly stroll through the park, eh?

[mylawn]

[76 can think of worse people to get on the back of a bike with him. He's not sure how a sword is going to fare out in this kind of wilderness, because he imagines that close quarters is the last thing you want to be with wildlife, but it will do. At the very least, they'll have something to hack at the underbrush with.]

I ain't taking any chances.

[He'd rather not use his limited ammo, of course, but with so much uncertainty, 76 isn't about to be caught off guard. Still, he feels some reservation, directed at the back of his head, or perhaps what's on his back, and finds it necessary to address.]

You got a problem with it?

[handsomefoil]

On the contrary.

[ Being over-prepared never bothered him, unless it was counter-productive in some way. The idea of having both his saber and this weird looking sci-fi rifle is pretty much what he'd expect. Don't worry, 76. He has a long range option for sure. ]

What sort of ammo does that thing use?

iii because where else would he also be

[prizeneck]

[That 76 was capable, that wasn't really news - Gallipoli showed him enough that he was a reliable person to have in whatever field they were sent to. But he does tuck his shades a little higher on the bridge of his nose when he hears the quick succession of punches into the bag.

Seriously, he could swear he almost hears the leather - or whatever the bag is made of - thinning whenever he decided to give it a hook instead of a jab.

So that makes him stop, and lean his weight against the huge mechanical spider.]

Some people drink energy drinks.

[mylawn]

Never really did it for me.

[He means that more literally than Mamoru can probably guess—ever since SEP, most substances burn through his enhanced metabolism before they have a chance to affect him. He’s not immune. He just needs a lot of whatever he’s taking for it to start to work.

Unfortunately, it applies to almost everything, from painkillers to sedatives to coffee to alcohol.

76 talks through a few more blows to the sandbag before he decides that he’s ready to engage in conversation, lowering his fists and taking a step or two backward. The exertion is evident in his voice, but he sounds good-natured.]

You never get the urge to punch something?

[prizeneck]

Sometimes. [A word with a bright big bow, golden letters of "Understatement of the Century Awards" shining.

The last time he had fought someone a bit seriously - before he even volunteered to join COST, it had been against a boxer. But Wau had been lean where 76 is wide, choosing footwork, over power stance. Uppercuts to his chin in between his arms, clutching his sword, instead of the reach over his range straight to his nose that 76 would probably attempt.

Or not. The problem with punching bags is that they work rhythm more than imagination. He can be wrong.

He snerks.] But just punching never works for me.

III

[deem]

[When 9S hears a firearm going off in the rec room, it seems only natural to investigate. Once he gets there, he supposes that this man is enjoying some form of target-practice. And rather than interrupt, he takes a seat on a nearby crate, swinging his feet in the manner that a child might as he observes.

As a Scanner, in particular, it interests him to get a feel for what sorts of equipment the others in this organization use. And, if anything, it gives him a better idea of how he might be helpful. When there's a pause, though...]

What are those things it's ejecting?

[He comes from an era where traditional bullets have long since ceased to be in use, and artillery comes with an endless supply of ammo unless something's defective]

[mylawn]

[76 is a little loath to use his limited ammunition in the practice range, but he can't be sure his rifle hasn't been tampered with, which means he has to test it out at least a little. The last thing he wants is to be able to take it on a mission only to find that it isn't functional or has been limited in some way.

It doesn't surprise him that he attracts the attention of other recruits--this is not a gun that's meant to be silent, after all. 76 stops short, taking a prolonged look at the target before he shoulders the rifle, turning to see who's come into the range.]

Pulse fire.

[Which he knows may or may not mean anything, depending on who he's talking to or if they're familiar with firearms at all. He gives 9S a quick once-over, as if trying to assess that.]

It's like, uh. Energy bullets.

network | @thecat

[mcscouty]

Aw, that's cute.

We gonna go walking in the moonlight? ;)

[ Troll mode: activated. ]

[mylawn]

If that's what you're into. Meet you right outside BASE. Bring your supplies.

iv

[dipolar]

(hei looks sour — rather the air about him does as he stares out at the forested area —, so the ride presents itself at a convenient time. he wants to get back out there, discover some things, spend some time alone, but he had to rest after that fruitless journey to the head of the coelacanth.

from his seated position just outside of BASE, hei angles his face up at the bike, then higher at 76.

wordlessly, hei accepts the offer and pushes off on a thigh to stand. positioning himself behind the soldier, reaching forward to take a fistful of the back of his jacket, he prepares himself for a quick take-off. someone clearly doesn't realize the hoverbikes practically putter.)

We're expected to gather supplies, but letting the group roam free seems ill-advised.

Re: iv

[mylawn]

[76 certainly isn't one to comment on anyone's mood--his general defualt is surly, after all, but he does take note of the fact that Hei doesn't seem to be having a very good time. For that reason alone, 76 is glad to take him on board, because nobody should have to walk long distances on this unpredictable terrain. He nods and lets Hei clamber on, shifting his weight in the seat to balance them both.

The way the bike accelerates is less-than-impressive, and it's not exactly the smoothest ride, but 76 is used to it by now.

It's a little hard to hear Hei over the wind, so he raises his voice a little when he responds.]

Seems to me they don't have much of a choice, if they want to get this done.

[Suffice to say, he's not sure if putting trust in this group is a good thing, either.]