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

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?

[mylawn]

[Well, if this is what Chrion is supposed to be, then 76 supposes there isn't anything more to say about it. He'll keep his internal hang-ups to himself--all he's going to have to do is mentally adjust, and in the end, it's not his feelings that matters.

He tries not to look too surprised. A race might be a good distraction.]

Sure. You think you're faster than one of these things?

[76 doesn't say that as a challenge--rather, he's genuinely curious. The bikes seem in rough shape, so he doesn't actually trust them to be faster than anything.]

[horsepowered]

I very genuinely do not know. There's been no information given about their horsepower, has there?

[Chiron tilts his head slightly, hoping that 76 might have overheard something that Chiron missed.]

We'll also need to set a finish line.

[mylawn]

They seem a little worse for the wear.

[But then again, so does everything else COST provides them. 76 screws up his face a little in thought, scanning the nearby area before settling on a landmark.]

There.

[76 points at what seems to be an outcropping of rock perhaps three-quarters of a mile in the distance--it's hard to tell, but the air is clear, and with his luck, there'll be some kind of chasm in the way, but otherwise it seems like a fairly unimpeded straight shot.]

[horsepowered]

[Chiron follows where 76's finger is pointed, and he nods in understanding.]

Start your bike then, it's hardly fair otherwise. We'll go by my count.

[mylawn]

[With the logistics out of the way, all that's left to do is start the bike. 76 nods and does so, feeling it rumble to life underneath him. It's a little shaky, but not the worst thing he's ever been on. He'll figure out how to make do.]

Ready.

[horsepowered]

[Chiron waits, making sure that the motor's noise is consistent. He can't imagine starting only to have the engine crap out two moments later.]

Okay.

[Satisfied, Chiron readies himself to sprint.]

One, two, three, go!

[mylawn]

[On three, 76 puts the bike into gear, smoke billowing from the exhaust as the vehicle lurches forward. It's not a smooth ride by any stretch of the imagination, and he grits his teeth as the whole frame vibrates underneath him, but it manages to get off to a good start.

Chiron might win this one simply by virtue of not being a half-broken down hoverbike, but 76 is certainly going to give it his best shot, steadily accelerating down their makeshift track.]

also please imagine his top half doing the naruto run pose

[horsepowered]

[Chiron doesn't stop to look back and see how 76 is doing. He is moving at his fastest pace, enjoying the sheer exhilaration of it all. It is such a joyful thing, running hogwild through a forest with the only care in the world being a race.

The luckiest thing of all is that there is no thick brush or growth to fight against. No forest threatening to devour, nothing but a clear path to...well, hopefully victory.]

hes beautiful

[mylawn]

[76 doesn't look back, nor does he pay attention to whether or not Chiron is passing him. His eyes are directly on their makeshift road, if he can even call it that, trying to focus on the speed of the bike and the feel of riding it. He is pretty sure it is spewing a not insubstantial amount of smoke, but the rush of the race has him putting thoughts of the Coelacanth getting cheesed about it in the back of his mind.

Thrilling as it is, the bike tops out fairly quickly. 76 tries to shift gears again, perhaps to see if there is another gear, but it seems the run-down tech has its limits.]

sure let's go with that

[horsepowered]

[The only way that Chiron is capable of tracking 76's progress is the sound of the bike itself. It's distinct, and while gear shifts aren't things Chiron's familiar with, he can at least conclude that there is something happening that's to his advantage.

It's only halfway through that Chiron even calls out:]

You're not running into any problems, are you?

[mylawn]

This bike needs some TLC.

[He shouts it over the sound of the bike’s engine, but he’s pretty sure that Chiron will get the idea either way. Everything on BASE needs a little TLC, and the bikes are no exception. Still, he’s thankful the thing isn’t falling apart underneath him, even if it means that he’s probably going to lose the race.]

No need to worry about me.

[horsepowered]

If you're sure!

[Chiron is happy to let the conversation die there. He keeps moving forward, the forest starting to grow denser and denser. His feet help with avoiding the larger trees, but the thickets and their density? There lies the challenge.]

[mylawn]

[76 doesn't respond to that, preferring instead to keep his eyes on the road. They've already established that the bike is not exactly the pinnacle of transport, and now he needs to concentrate on not wiping out, especially as their makeshift track becomes more forested the further they go.

He's forced to divert, which in turn means he doesn't notice if he's passing Chiron or if Chiron is passing him, the only thing in his periphery the blur of trees as he zooms through the forest.]

[horsepowered]

[Diverting, avoiding, whatever the right word is, Chiron strives to do it. It means a few more running leaps than he ever intended to do, but he lands perfectly fine.

The finish line is ahead. Feeling daring, Chiron urges himself forward for the final sprint. He can hear the motorbike...somewhere? It doesn't matter. He's got this.]

[mylawn]

[Similarly, 76 hears Chiron but through the thick foliage can't see him--can only pinpoint his approximate location by the sound of him. He bursts through the forest on the bike, finish line finally visible, and his opponent as well.

It's clear now that Chiron has the distinct advantage, but 76 pushes to the end anyway, even as the bike emits an unhealthy cloud of black smoke as he finally reaches the marker.]

[horsepowered]

[The outcropping nears at a rate that feels almost impossible to calculate. There's a clearing ahead, and Chiron leaps over a fallen tree in order to get to it. He's sure 76 is nearby, that noise is still somewhere, and as Chiron makes it to the outcropping, he's aware that he could run miles and miles more.

Coming to a stop is...hard. He wants to keep going. He nearly does, until the outcropping reveals itself to be part of a cliff.]

[mylawn]

[76, too, notices the cliff just a second too late--it's no something they could have spotted from the starting line, but even with the general mediocrity of the bike, it's difficult to stop in time. He jerks the bike to the side, but the lack of friction causes him to skid, and given the distance between him and the cliff, he makes the decision to bail.

It has him tucking and rolling, praying that the bike doesn't go over the edge. Luckily,when it turns on its side it gains some traction and skids to a stop with inches to spare. 76 looks up in disbelief before he lets out an audible exhale.]

[horsepowered]

[The minute that Chiron sees 76 hit the ground, he's off to make sure the other man's landed find. He probably has, this kind of a tumble is something that must be anticipated and practiced, but on the off chance there's anything wrong, Chiron would prefer to be safe rather than sorry.

His hooves pound on the ground as he darts over.]

Are you okay?

[mylawn]

[For a few long moments, he looks more bewildered than anything, like he can’t quite believe that just happened. Indeed, he’s likely regarding the fact that he didn’t lose the bike as some sort of miracle. Chiron can practically see the gears turning until finally it breaks, the adrenaline rushing out of him in one fell swoop.

He rolls over on his back and laughs, a harsh sort of sound that indicates he doesn't do it very often.]

Yeah. Yeah, I'm fine.

[horsepowered]

That was a very impressive dismount.

[Chiron's tone seems to actually mean that with all sincerity, and he automatically offers a hand down to 76. The man doubtlessly can pick himself up off the forest floor, but whatever.]

I think you ought to be crowned winner for that stunt alone.

[mylawn]

Still got it.

[Barely, and it's clear that even 76 is surprised he pulled that off. He gets it all out of his system, culminating in a fairly dramatic sigh, then he finally rights himself, shaking his head.]

You beat me fair and square.

[horsepowered]

I did, but I was genuinely worried that I might not. It seems that those bikes are fairly good, so long as say, cliffs aren't involved.

[Chiron gives the bike a respectful nod.]

We may need to keep an eye out for such sudden drops in the future though.