test:drive_01.

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TESTDRIVE_01

THE ARRIVAL. You wake up, wet and bruised, in the water. You don't recall falling, but you recall a flash of bright light, and the next thing you know you're washing up on the shoreline. You can see two moons and a planet in the sky. Directly abovehead is a slash of oscillating lights that flash painfully bright with every passing second - and you witness a handful of silhouettes getting spit out of the lights, falling into the water with a loud splash. It's a surprising sight; just as surprising is the fact that you're not alone. A stranger you didn't notice approaching hauls you up onto your feet, checks you for injuries, and then you're lifted into a shuttle, where you're healed by the med techs on board. There are others like you who were pulled from the water and the sand, and they're in various states of healing. You're all soaked in seawater - and by the look of things, you're all equally at a loss about your situation. An automated message keeps repeating over the PA system in English: "You are currently in Caius Allied Territory. Welcome to Alexandrina." Where the hell are you? You're now in Alexandrina, and we hope you enjoy your stay. NOT IN KANSAS ANYMORE. It isn't your lucky day. Something, somewhere along the line, goes incredibly wrong. Rather than keeping you at the shores of Alexandrina, the rift pulls you in and spits you out in a place that's a lot less watery and clear. The first thing you come to is the taste of dirt and grime, and the hustle and bustle of a city that doesn't have an off-switch. Overhead, there are high-rises and towers that go up further than your eyes can see. It seems neverending, and natural light struggles to filter through the metal. The shock only starts to fade away when you hear the sounds of a struggle not too far away from where you landed. Investigating will lead you to a group of Caia Maxus harassing a few Terrans on a back alleyway. The Terrans are trying to sidestep their way out of this (they'd rather not get involved in a fight), but the Caia Maxus far outnumber them and all escape routes have been blocked. No one else is stepping in to intervene. If anything, the rest of the onlookers seem to be encouraging the rough treatment. So now you get to decide: OPTION A | YOU STEP IN LIKE THE HERO YOU ARE. You step between the two parties to try and avoid an escalation. You don't want to start trouble, or maybe you do and this seems like a good reason to fish for a fight. OPTION B | YOU LOOK THE OTHER WAY. This isn't your problem really, so without saying a word, you head for the other direction. The Terrans weren't asking for help anyway, so maybe they could handle it. Best hope nothing will let you regret your decision. Choose wisely. You'll feel the effects of your choices sooner than you think. Regardless of what you decide though, the Hypatia Rescue Fleet 409 will locate you a few Terran hours later. They'll tell you they have no idea how you ended up in Koriba, that's never really happened before, but they're glad they managed to find you before anything major happened. THE NIGHT OF. It's a lot to take in. You're on an alien moon, looking out to a planet that looks a lot like Earth but isn't. You can see the storms swirling around, the deep blue of its own seas, as you listen to the crash and pull of the waves not far from where you stand. The stars are different here too - there are no constellations that you recognize immediately. Some of the older locals are lingering outdoors with you, and they nod at you as you make your way around the cottages. Are you headed to the beach? You might find a few couples having a moment there. Are you headed back into the cottages? If you peer into some of the windows, you'll find entire families sitting together, or parents tucking their children to bed. If you're headed into the woodsy areas that extend away from the beach, you might hear a rustling sound or two - from something too large to be another person. Careful where you walk tonight. There's a reason for lights out being a thing. WELCOME TO THE 409. It's the morning after your quick orientation into the Alexandrina settlement, and everything looks dewy and homey — until you start hearing loud splashes, followed by shots firing off nearby. Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's a bunch of eldritch horrors falling from the rift abovehead. They stand at roughly ten meters tall each, lumbering out from the water with angry screeching and flailing limbs. They're already kicking up a mess at the shorelines, and upending some of the makeshift outposts lining the beach. The locals are shooting at them to keep them away from the settlement borders. Most of them are adults, but some of the shooters are as young as fifteen or sixteen, and clearly used to the kickback of the firearms they're carrying. One of these shooters pushes you forward, tells you to get moving. Another hands you keys to a vehicle and points you in the direction of the fleet — every able adult needs to help in manning the patrol lines, they say. The keys fit into a hoverbike, which in turn is armed with blast guns up front. "Get up in the air and help the guys out," the stranger urges you. "We don't have as many men as we used, to. Get going, get going!" ...Maybe those bikes come with a how-to manual? On the bright side, at least you're not alone in trying to figure these bikes out. NOTHING WASTED, NOTHING THROWN. The beach is saved! You're drenched in monster blood, there's sand in places you didn't realize you even had, and your bike is in some form of damage after those first few crucial minutes of getting the hang of riding them. Now comes the cleanup, and your character is armed with large chainsaws and buckets. The creatures need to be chopped down to smaller sizes before they can be properly incinerated, and everyone's kindly asked to suit up and get to chopping! There are small stalls and tents lined up along the beach for various purposes to help with the process. There are refreshment tents for when the sun heat gets to be too much; there are portable incinerator ovens, which burn the creatures' parts down into fertilizer (no point letting it go to waste, hey!), there are shower tents for when you're done with the hacking and sawing, and at the far end of the beach, away from the gore and the carnage, is a beach barbeque bonanza. From the way people act, this is a normal day in the 409. So why not grab a saw, chop up some monster flesh, and have yourself a nice beef-flavored something? You've earned it today. HYPENET. C̪͇̜̞͇̲a̮̠̝͍̩̦n̪̣ a̦͖n̕y̯̪̪o̟̭͞n҉̩e͢ ̱̜̠͎̖̤h̘̝͔͓̳̪̠e̻̲̦̯ͅa̵r͈̜͙̣̜ ̧m̩͇ḙ͓͡?̩͈̲ͅͅ H̷͖͇͈̮e̲͖❚❚͓͈̥̤̺͔ͅ—͍ N͎̦̫̯͔̯o͖̖͎̠̣̮ ̹̝o̬̦̠̫̮ͅ❚̱͈̺̝̥͞❚͏ ̳❚͉͎͜ş ̨͚̲͓͚̣̫s̙̥❚̮͚̻͠f̟̪̲̳̕e̥̞̲̝̝͟—͈̖ Whoa. What was that? This is the first thing you hear as soon as you try connecting to the network. Something tells you this isn't something that happens often, but asking anyone who knows more about this place than you do isn't netting you any answers. The more people start looking at you like you're crazy, the more you're tempted to brush it off... Connecting to the network again will trigger its original default message: Welcome to HypeNet, DefaultUsername[xxxx]! You are now accessing the Hypatia Mass Network. You may input your personalized username and start chatting now! Time to get some answers. Maybe someone else must have heard it too, right? OOC NOTES. Welcome to the first TDM of HYPERJUMP! We're trying something different with the Koriba prompt, so please bear with us. Cast your vote here! Both options have their own sets of consequences that will affect the first intro log of the game, so choose your actions carefully! Additionally, the interactions in this test drive can be game canon if the parties involved agree to it. Everyone is also encouraged to use test drive threads for samples in your application. We are super excited to have you here, and we hope you like what you see. ♥

Comments

shouta mikoshiba | dolls

[enforce]

I. DOROTHY

[ Shouta has a feeling or two about luck. Mostly that it's a large crock of bullshit, if his current predicament is anything to go by.

Lucky people don't get hurtled through space, dunked in alien saltwater, and then scrambled up some more, only to end up spit out onto some trash heap of a city street. His suspension of disbelief is pretty damn good most days, especially when it relates to his survival, but from one particular alleyway, the long string of curses and splattering water might not be well-camouflaged by the sounds of the streets.

He only stops there to wring out his coat and gloves, the damp material already stinking like the air of this place. Really, it'd be easier to go without, but then he'd be left carrying his firearms out in the open, and let's be real, they're about the most extra things in the history of guns, so. That's out. Soggy is in.

And so, soggily, Shouta sets out to navigate his way around this place. Visibility is poor, he doesn't recognize any landmarks. There are flying cars. A fractured skyline that never seems to end. And — ah, there. That's familiar. The silhouettes might be all wrong, but there's no mistaking it.

A fight. ]

Yo! [ Wisely, Shouta has decided to enter the mouth of the alleyway, unconcerned that it could eat him alive. ] How about we all take a second to calm down.

[ Law enforcement is in his blood, which is probably going to end up all over the ground soon because he's definitely going to get punched in the face.

Backup, maybe? ]

II. RESCUE FLEET

Get off me!

[ As if a rescue operation and a bumpy shuttle ride wasn't stressful enough, now there's this asshole making a ruckus with the medical technicians, refusing their treatments. Most people aboard have any number of injuries from taking a tumble out of the sky, of all things, but Shouta is notably drier, a little grimier, and he definitely has a handsome bruise purpling on his cheek that seems more pointed than just your average faceplant-into-the-beach fare.

(Guess who got punched in the aforementioned prompt. This guy.)

Luckily the techs back off, leaving Shouta to sit there pettily, arms crossed and wild auburn hair tousled every which way. If he feels eyes on him, he's quick to return the favor. ]

What are you looking at?

[ Yikes. ]

III. NIGHT OF

[ It's a lot to take in. He'd call it a nightmare, but Shouta is a man who knows his nightmares, and this isn't it. He's loathe to admit this is almost peaceful in comparison to the life he was counting down to zero on, the beach lit by the glow of the planet it orbits, soft tides and wind moving through the trees. At least, he hopes it's wind.

Either way, he's sitting in the sand with his alien booze and his bruised cheek. Not unarmed, but old habits die hard.

If he hears an approach, he'll sigh, leaning back in the sand. ]

Same bright idea, eh?

[ You know, a "get hammered and hope you blink it away" kind of deal. ]

IV. 409

[ Just when he thought he'd seen enough fun and was this-close to believing he'd open his eyes and find himself back in his shitty apartment, aliens. Really, really ugly aliens. He's probably too hungover for this? And Shouta's not much of a getaway driver, reckless as he is. He has people for that. But boy, can he shoot. Which is why he's hailing the closest person he can find that doesn't look like they'll get him killed for the effort, wasting no time in tossing the hoverbike keys at them. ]

Can you fly this thing?!

[ Too bad, he already gave you the keys! Aren't you lucky. ]

Look, you drive, I'll shoot.

[ Or someone is getting a tentacle upside the face and goddamnit, it's not going to be him. ]

V. HYPENET

CAPTAIN: Anyone see our pal with the drinks lately? Pretty stingy, if you ask me.

let it be known that I take no personal responsibility for what happens in this thread. 409.

[timewaitsfornonun]

[ Oh well that's. Pleasant. Feels a little too close to home, and there should probably be something gratifying about that underneath the apparent gore and that... is that a face?

Actually no. Forget she asked. Not worth knowing.

As Rosette questions whether or not she should do anything about this (yes, she should, but man this is not how she wanted to spend her time getting acclimated doing), someone thrusts a key ring toward her. She blinks, looking down at the keys in her gloved hand, then back up at the taller man.

Yes, Shouta, you're asking a nun to drive you while you go gun-happy on some poor alien. And yes, you're probably going to Hell for it. Good choice. ]

Sure, no problem!

[ At least she doesn't seem to mind, giving him a self-assured grin, tossing the keys up and catching them in a show of confidence. If nothing else, he'll have someone there to give him his final rites when she inevitably crashes this thing. ]

[enforce]

[ Well, that's better than someone screaming and running away or any other kind of refusal, so. Good enough for him. Now, to make sure the monsters die instead of, you know, them. He may be resigned to the seat he's secured himself in Hell, but he's not in a hurry to die here for it. ]

Then let's move!

[ Authoritative as he dares to get as he climbs up to the gunner platform. ]

[timewaitsfornonun]

[ Could you maybe not bark at her like that? Doesn't he know that you don't get to take back first impressions? Reeling back slightly, she looks him up and down before waving her hand. ] All right, all right. [ Doesn't he know patience is a virtue. Not one that she has, but details. Anyway. She makes her way toward the vehicle, rushing to hop on board. She plops down on the seat, leans forward to place her hands on the handle bars. ] Let's just start her up aaand— [ Then abruptly stops, the air of confidence instantly melting from her face. That is a lot of buttons and gauges. She leans forward even closer, as if somehow that will help her figure this thing out. Maybe..? ] ... [ Nope, she's got nothing. She's not smart enough for this. ]

[enforce]

[ Patience is only a virtue when there aren't giant toothy monsters waiting to obliterate this whole settlement. Granted, the locals could look a little more unsettled with their predicament, but his scope is pretty narrow at the moment, considering he, personally, doesn't want to get eaten.

A fate that is looming ever closer thanks to the lack of them getting airborne. Leaning aside, Shouta spies the lack of anything happening with a wary eye. ]

— problem?

wescue fweet owo

[huffish]

[ Despite finding an immense pride in her independent nature, Metera welcomes the help of the medical technicians if only because it meant not having to bandage herself up. Her bruises from their arrival have settled well, an ugly purple peppering across smooth skin on her legs and arms -- fortunately her face was saved, though that doesn't erase from the pout evident on her lips.

Her expression only changes when she's given some entertainment in the form of the struggling man rejecting the help of the staff. The humor of the scene earning an immediate smile to her lips, and when he responds to her (obvious) staring with that she can't help but adhere to the need to tease him. ]

Hmmm~ Is that a trick question? I believe I'm looking at the face of a stranger! Such a cute one, at that, with a bruise that I just want to kiss and make better. ☆

[ And if this couldn't get any worse, she spreads herself out on whatever surface is close which is a.. table... i guess... listen........

Anyway, she's gonna lie on her side and pose. ]

More importantly... what do you see?

cold clock him

[enforce]

[ Ha. ]

What?

[ That's... ]

[enforce]

[ This face. ]

Let's not and say we did.

[ Or say nothing at all. ]

Are those real?

[ He, of course, doesn't specify which "those" he's talking about, thinking it's........ obvious.... ]

she could if she wasn't lazy

[huffish]

That's no fun. But I guess~ [ Arguing is so much work. Just lying here is so much work. She already wants to take a nap.

His question pulls at her attention, causing the ears on top of her head to twitch -- she knows that she's asking about that and not... that, but she doesn't mind playing dumb. ]

One hundred percent! You can even touch them... if you're brave enough.

[enforce]

[ By all means, maybe he won't entertain the urge to exit the vehicle while it's still in flight. He sighs, probably more forcefully than necessary, gloved fingers tightening in the crooks of his elbows. ]

Pass.

[ i mean if he's taking her word on not being some chuuni cosplayer

then maybe he'd feel obligated to look after her... ]

So? You end up down in that sludge pile they call a city?

[huffish]

[ snzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Actually, it's a good thing he goes against her suggestion; undoubtedly she'd use with magic she can within the facility to float away. ]

Unfortunately! My clothes got all dirty, too. [ An exaggerated slips past her lips, cheek in the palm of her hand as her eyes narrow. ] You would think whoever was just tossing us around would have at least dropped us off on something comfortable. I can't just nap on the floor.

get hypenet

[poisonpetals]

BeautifulRose: nope. i havent. which sucks because i want some juice.
BeautifulRose: i say we do a drink raid.

[enforce]

CAPTAIN: I'm all for a takeover of the drink reserves - however
CAPTAIN: Juice?

[poisonpetals]

Beautiful Rose: Yeah. Juice. You know. The artificially flavored stuff.
Beautiful Rose: But there's always TITAN brand alcohol. It knocks you out though so it's really strong. They might have some here if we're lucky.

[enforce]

CAPTAIN: You can have my share of the sweet stuff, if we come across it.
CAPTAIN: Never heard of TITAN. Local to you?

[poisonpetals]

BeautifulRose: You've never heard of TITAN?
BeautifulRose: You know. Big guy, large sword, conqueror of galaxies, bringer of Paradise, blah blah blah...
BeautifulRose: Oh well. I don't blame you. I barely paid attention too.
BeautifulRose: So, I wouldn't say he's local. He's just already been around my side of the galaxy. But his stuff is good so I really don't care.

hypenet.

[overarmed]

SHADOW: if you need more to drink there should be water nearby

[ completely missing the point here ]

[enforce]

[ MY GUY ]

CAPTAIN: Helpful, but looking for something a little stronger than water here.

[overarmed]

SHADOW: why
SHADOW: alcohol only impedes judgement

[enforce]

CAPTAIN: Says you. Gonna lecture me on it?

[overarmed]

SHADOW: not just me
SHADOW: no one fights well after drinking

[ why is that the context for all this? ]

SHADOW: unless you think you can?

dorothy! with a twist.

[demur]

( luck has rarely been on nill's side. if anything, it never really is. she finds herself in the most unsual, yet not unfamiliar situation: lost, alone, in the middle of a different planet she has never heard of. anywhere she looks are landmarks that she doesn't recognize, but the dirt and grime — that, she can deal with. the fight unfolding before her eyes is also (sadly) familiar.

at first, her survival instincts tell her to run: it isn't any of her business, and she should try to make her way back to the beach where... everyone else is. she's already backing away, but something else inside her head says no, this isn't right. the terrans getting harassed look scared out of their minds, and she knows that feeling all too well. the helplessness, knowing there's nothing you can do to help. she can't just leave them like this.

of course, as lady luck would have it, nill realizes very quickly that there is very little she can do. the minute she steps in between the bullies and the victims, there's condescending laughter, and an alien hand reaching for hers. she tries to pull back, but it's too late, they've got her firmly in their grasp. uh oh.

her saving grace comes when she hears someone else try to step in. this is the state shouta finds her in: panicked, and trying her very best to pull her arm free. this isn't the backup shouta asked for, and she would be sorry if she knew he needed one. )

[enforce]

[ She's so small compared to the initial outlines of the Terrans and their attackers that Shouta nearly misses her. A wisp of a girl, caught up in this mess too? Whoever's got their grip on the strings of this situation has poor taste... what a bother. Still, despite the initial surprise in Shouta's expression, he settles back into that same cavalier attitude, even if the cool hue of his eyes is more intense than before, sharper.

He takes another step into the alley, pushing back on the space that these guys have. They bristle in response, Terrans forgotten in favor of yanking Nill back around instead. His arms may be open at his sides, palms up like he's declaring a truce, but his demeanor isn't subtle. ]

I'll be needing the girl. Then I'm sure we'll all figure out a way to get along.

[ For now, his firearms stay holstered, while no one's moving. ]

[demur]

( the caian who had a grip on her doesn't look too happy once she's snatched away. he reaches over with a snarl, but nill ducks behind shouta without even thinking twice. the terrans, too, are now using shouta's presence for a distraction. they haven't left though, not yet. no matter what happens now, no one is leaving here scott-free, but they couldn't stay here either—

nill tugs at shouta's sleeve, as if to tell him that they should go. the guns holstered by his side reminds her of someone she misses so dearly at this moment, but she can't hold onto that thought right now.

they should go. hopefully he gets the message even when she can't say the words. )

[enforce]

[ They should go. Shouta is silently grateful that she doesn't need any coaxing to keep quiet and stay behind him. The tug reminds him of what he's gone and gotten himself into — wouldn't Seiju be proud — but he hasn't forgotten about what initially drew his attention this way. Warding an arm in front of Nill as if to say he's got her, he still doesn't back down from the advance of the Caians. While his gaze flickers to the Terrans imperceptibly, he gives an indication that they should use this opportunity to get out of dodge.

It's then that he hears one of the Caians speak, the cuff on his ear activating and turning alien gibberish into understandable language. And boy, do they sound pissed. Not that he waits around to be insulted as one of them lashes out at him with its long limbs. He responds likewise. ]

Not the type to negotiate, eh?

[ He's raised his arm to try and rebuff the hit but they hit hard, even if he holds his ground. A smile still splits across his mouth. ]

That's too bad.