TDM #5

[synfluxmods]

TEST DRIVE & SIMULATION #5

CONTENT WARNINGS: forced scenarios, partial nudity, alcohol use

▶ 001. ARRIVAL / CAFETERIA.

It happens in the blink of an eye -- a dash of time. You're taken from where you were. What you were doing.. it isn't important anymore, and slowly, you give up to desire your normal life. When you awake, figures are looking down on you from a surgical table.

"Yeah, this one will do; let's take them to the rest," That's all you see before losing consciousness again, only to wake up in a pod with many others.

"Your questions will be answered soon enough as I'm sure you will have many," a female, robotic voice says.

Just then, your pod opens in a dim corridor with many others. Your new life is about to begin... whether you like it or not.

The pods drain their stasis fluid which wakens each Outsider. When Outsiders emerge from their pod in only their undergarments which have been supplied to them and head to a locker room in the medical bay, to find a towel to dry off with, a set of gray loungewear to wear as LILITH makes the final decision in organizing the Outsider to their rightful teams. If a character has any accessibility needs, they will be found here. It's about then they will feel a sharp pain at the back of their eyes, almost like there’s a foreign body lodged on the inside of their head. This pain will subside quickly as their body adapts to the changes, but there will always be a sensation of something being not quite right. That their bodies have been changed forever. They would be correct in thinking that. In the pod, all Outsiders have been surgically fitted with ocular and brain implants that will enable them to communicate with LILITH and the rest of the crew, and feed them the information they require. Almost like a computer screen has been loaded into their brains, they will see a loading screen as the implant completes its download. A questionnaire will then pop up, waiting for their answer. A voice, robotic and feminine, will also read along in their brain for them.

█ █ █ LOADING COMPLETE … BEGIN ORIENTATION …

Name:
Username:
Civilian Identity:
Age:
Species:
Origin:

What is your darkest fear?

<raw code><table width="80%"><br><div align="center"><img src="IMAGE_URL" style="width: 200px; border-radius: 15px; border: 1px solid #7F7F7F; box-shadow: #8D8D8D 1px 1px 1px;"> <!-- CARD --> <div style="width:230px;padding:20px 0 0;border:1px solid #f2f2f2;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:center;align-items:right;gap:5px;background:#fff;"> <!-- CHAR INFO: start --> <div style="width:150px;font-family:courier;font-weight:bold;font-size: clamp(14px, 1vw, 10px);letter-spacing:1px;line-height:1;color:#000;"></lj-raw><font color="#00686E">NAME</font> <lj-raw></div> <!-- CHAR INFO: end --> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE START --> <div style="width:230px;background:#eee;"><details><summary style="cursor:pointer;text-align:center;font-family:arial, sans serif;font-weight:bold;text-align:left;display:flex;justify-content:center;align-items:center;background:#ccc;color:#000;">+</summary> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE: content --> <div style="width:190px;margin:0 auto;padding:7px 0;font-family:arial, sans serif;font-size:11px;text-align:left;color:#000;"> </lj-raw><b>Username:</b> !!ANSWER HERE!! <br> <b>Civilian Identity:</b> !!ANSWER HERE OR SAY UNDECIDED!! <br> <b>Age:</b> !!AGE HERE!! <br> <b>Species:</b> !!SPECIES HERE!! <br> <b>Origin:</b> !!ORIGIN HERE!! <br></br> <b>What is your darkest fear?</b></br> </br>!! ANSWER HERE !!<lj-raw> </div></details></div> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE: content end --> <!-- COLLAPSIBLE END --> </div></div> <!-- CARD name: END --> <!-- CREDIT --> <div style="width:100%;margin-top:-15px;font-size:10px;color:#ddd; text-align:center;"><a title="code credit!" href="http://10billionghosts.dreamwidth.org" style="text-decoration:none;color:#ddd;">credit</a></div></center></table></raw code>

The system will give Outsiders one chance to provide a truthful answer and choose their username and civilian identity. Should they refuse to cooperate, the implant will download the answer directly from their brain (and give them a username or civilian name against their will). This questionnaire will then be posted on the network for all to view and reply to. Almost like an ice-breaker, if you will. LILITH wants all their newest recruits to learn about each other!

Outsiders will receive a quick brief about their situation: They will be told that the year is 2278, and they have been taken to Neo Tokyo, one of the last bastions of mankind in a world terrorized by various Kaiju and monsters. Only a third of the population remains, and LILITH has gathered talented people from other dimensions here as a last ditch effort to save humanity. Outsiders are free to continue asking LILITH questions through their implant, but there’s no guarantee they will provide them with a straight answer …

Outsiders will also notice an implant in their dominant wrist. This implant has a barcode in it that will enable them to purchase goods from the local stores in Neo Tokyo. They will receive a starting balance of 10,000 KRYPTOS (about USD 66), which is barely enough for a few good meals, groceries and supplies. They can view their current balance through a hologram window projected by their ocular implant.

While there would normally be a meal available for them in the cafeteria, this doesn’t seem to be the case this time. Robots working within the cafeteria will instead be handing out food ration bars to each Outsider. They are dense with calories and nutrition, but taste a bit like sawdust.

That familiar, robotic voice is heard again:

"Greetings, my name is SYNTHIA and I will be taking care of you today while the rest of the crew is busy handling a recent issue. Worry not, my children. You are in safe hands."

▶ 002. THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

Existing Outsiders will receive a call to report to the data portal within Las Vegas. They’ve done their parts helping to take down the worm kaiju and assisting with the clean up of the city. LILITH’s army of cleaner drones can take the rest from here. It’s been a physically and emotionally draining mission for everyone, and it’s time to head home. The beaming back to Neo Tokyo will go rather smoothly for the most part (and yes, holding someone’s hand through it still helps), but upon arrival, Outsiders might be struck with a splitting headache, nausea and vertigo. They might need an hour or so to recuperate, which they can do in their rooms or the sick bay.

New and fresh Outsiders will be given the task to take care of their seniors as they recuperate. Make sure they have water and food (even if it’s terrible ration bars). Give them a massage, or cheer them up because they’ve had such a difficult mission! It’s a great way to build bonds and get to know your teammates. Ask them what happened in Vegas! They’ll be more than happy to tell you.

▶ 003. TOO HOT TO HANDLE.

One thing Outsiders will notice immediately upon stepping foot in the Neo Tokyo base is that it is hot. Did someone forget to turn on the air conditioning? The rest of Neo Tokyo doesn’t seem to be any better. With summer approaching, the city has been hit with a heatwave, and it doesn’t help that the heat is interfering with the city’s power generators. This means that not only is it hot, but notices are popping up within everyone’s implants to be mindful of how much electricity they are using. Blackouts appear to be happening all over the base and the city. Electricity is being rationed, and when residents exceed it, it’s cut off.

This is having a devastating impact on the people of Neo Tokyo. The fact that it’s hot and there isn’t much air conditioning is one thing. Hospitals are also struggling from an influx of patients being admitted due to heat stroke, dehydration and severe sunburns. Fires are breaking out more often in the heat and this is only making things worse.

On top of it all, restaurants and stores have been greatly impacted by the electricity rations. Refrigerators and freezers are not working, so food storage is a problem and fresh ingredients are going bad. Restaurants are desperate to sell off what remains of their stock before it spoils. LILITH has been giving out food ration bars and non-perishable meals (such as canned food) and it’s been keeping the people from starving, but their subpar taste doesn’t seem to help the morale one bit.

While LILITH knows that older Outsiders have just had a difficult mission, there’s no choice but to activate them once again. A mission brief will pop up in everyone’s implants:

█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:

✖Contain heat-wave related fires and conduct rescue operations
✖Assist hospitals to care for the influx of patients while they may not have the power to use their medical equipment
✖Distribute water and food rations to citizens in need
✖Assist restaurants and supermarkets to salvage their food supplies as far as possible

While things aren’t looking too great, the Neo Tokyo Meteorological Agency is promising that temperatures will go down when the rainy season comes along. There hasn’t been much rain recently, however …

▶ 004. WELCOME TO OKINAWA.

After a few days of continued efforts to support the people of Neo Tokyo, things seem to have calmed down. LILITH has fired up some backup generators that are able to power the hospital and essential services, most of the fires have been contained, and the hospital has been able to get its patient load under control. LILITH has stepped in to further support the city, with their drones working hard to hand out supplies and provide medical aid. Restaurants continue to struggle, but nobody is starving, and LILITH is working hard to get the power back in operation.




On July 5th, there is a message from Captain Yamakawa:

“My Angels of LILITH. You may be at ease now. Our dedicated staff will take over from here. It’s been a difficult month for us all. To show appreciation for your efforts, we have organized a company trip to allow you the appropriate rest and relaxation. We do ask that you gather some supplies since food is short in Neo Tokyo, but that should be an easy task for our talented workforce. Please report to the data portals for departure at once."

Departure is set at 1100hrs, and Outsiders will be provided a water bottle and some sunscreen. Once they step through the data portal, they will be met with soft sand, the hot sun, and clear, beautiful waves - Welcome to Okinawa! Specifically, Outsiders will find themselves in Emerald Beach. While the water is pristine, the first thing Outsiders might notice is that there are unnaturally large coconut crabs all over the shoreline; with the majority of them the size of a large dog, and the largest of them about the size of a car.

Nearby to the beach, there are many abandoned fruit farms (such as watermelon, dragon fruits, mango and pineapples) that may have fresh produce for Outsiders to harvest. With how the rift changes the environment, some of these fruits have grown humongous in size. On top of that, the water appears to be cleaner than that found in Tokyo Bay. There are fish still swimming in it, and while some of these fish appear to have mutated, they do not appear inedible.

This is probably what Captain Yamakawa means by ‘supplies’.

█ █ █ MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET
NAME: Coconut Crab
SIZE: 24 inches (size of a large dog) to about 5 meters (size of a car)
CLASS: Mild threat
LOCATION: Shoreline, ocean, forests
ABILITIES: Razor-sharp pincers with formidable gripping force - once it grips on to something, it is difficult to break free. Very hard shell that would take effort to crack.
WEAKNESS: Poor eyesight and hearing. Helpless if you tie them up. Becomes stunned with a knock to the head.
EXTRA NOTES: Apparently very delicious.

█ █ █ MISSION OBJECTIVE:
✖ Hunt and capture coconut crabs. Alive is preferable for the best quality meat.
✖ Harvest fresh fruit

█ █ █ ATTACHED PHOTO:

▶ 005. THIS IS A VACATION WE PROMISE.

“Are they seriously making you guys work on your vacation?! This is why we can’t leave everything up to that stiff-ass commander. This should be our beach episode! Don’t worry, your daddy Seok Dang’s got you. Take a crab, take whatever you want, have a damn barbeque! Lie on the beach until your tan comes in. Get nude! Let’s get this party started!”

(LILITH would highly discourage anyone from actually taking off their clothes.)

Following Seok Dang’s message, outsiders will notice a pop-up appearing in their eyes, prompting them to accept an outfit upgrade. If accepted, they will find themselves in beach-appropriate attire (player’s choice) using LILITH’s Style Upgrade technology.

Despite Seok Dang’s bid for a party, Outsiders will have to make their own fun in this abandoned beach. They are free to do as they like, whether it’s having a swim, lying in the sand, playing a game of volleyball with an old ball that happens to be lying around, or cracking open a watermelon to share. He does try to encourage things along by sending a few gifts. Through the data portal, several drones will emerge and drop off portable grills, boomboxes, and alcohol from his private stash. For some reason he’s also unleashed a robot that is insistent on challenging Outsiders to a watermelon slicing competition. It looks like he’s serious about this beach episode …

Outsiders may travel between Okinawa and Neo Tokyo throughout the few days using the data portals. There are no resorts in operation in Okinawa, but should they choose to stay near the beach, they may set up a camp or sleep in an abandoned house or hotel.

▶ 006. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our fifth TDM! All TDM threads are game canon; characters who don't app will be glitched out of this world. As TDM will act as the event, existing characters are heavily encouraged to participate. We encourage this format for top levels: CHARACTER | CANON | CURRENT / NEW CHARACTER. '

There are currently 13 available player slots. New players are welcome to use this TDM to get samples for when APPLICATIONS open.

None of the prompts suit your fancy? Feel free to check out our main base and locations page and make up your own prompts! (Note that Las Vegas is currently being rebuilt and will be made available to visit sometime next month.)

Use the code provided in the ARRIVAL prompt if you'd like to participate in the ice breaker and place it in your top level along with your other prompts. Anything such as civilian name or username can be marked as UNDECIDED if you're unsure of what you'd like your character to have for now. Though it says 'Orientation', existing characters can still participate in the ice-breaker.

For oldbies: for a job well done after the last kaiju mission, 250,000,000 KRYPTOS (~1700 USD) will be deposited into everyone's account. And to our kaiju MVPs: we haven't forgotten you! Those characters will get their due recognition next event. :)

Please note that all tags in this log will count for 2 reward points each and will count towards July AC.

TDM #5 BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. ARRIVAL PROMPT: Newcomers arrive with ocular and brain implants and told a breakdown of the premise with an icebreaker orientation to fill out. Their first cafeteria meal is food ration bars. Newcomers are placed in gray loungewear while they are being sorted into teams.

2. THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME: Senior Outsiders return from Las Vegas via the data portal and will experience side effects such as dizziness, nausea and headaches. Newer Outsiders are tasked with taking care of their senpai.

3. TOO HOT TO HANDLE: There is a heatwave and that's messed up the power grid, leading to a city-wide electricity ration. Hospitals are struggling, fires are breaking out and black outs are happening all over the city. Restaurants are struggling to store their food so there there is a shortage of fresh food. Outsiders are tasked with assisting the hospitals, containing any fires, distributing rations to citizens and assisting restaurants to salvage their supplies.

4. WELCOME TO OKINAWA: With the chaos in the city now under control, LILITH has sent all Outsiders on a vacation to a beach in Okinawa. The caveat is that they will need to gather food supplies. These supplies come in the form of a coconut crab kaiju, fresh fruit and fish.

5. THIS IS A VACATION WE PROMISE: Seok Dang is eager to get this beach party starter. He's updated the implants, allowing all Outsiders to swap into beach-appropriate attire using LILITH's Style Upgrade technology. He's airdropped portable grills, music players and alcohol for Outsiders to enjoy. There is also a robot challenging people to watermelon slicing competitions. Outsiders can do whatever they want to relax at the beach.

code

Comments

@KENSUKE, ( TEXT. )

[vorous]

_{[ He would have scrolled right past this guy if he was a few chapters earlier, rip. In fact, he almost does, but the name is listed right then and there, so: ]}

Kabru!
You made it.

_{[ lmfao what... why is this like they're attending a party. ]}

Though, I'm not really sure why you were picked to come here.

_{[ Rude. ]}

1/?

[peoplewatch]

[ 'Kensuke'. He remembers that being the name of Laios' sword. ]

Laios!

[peoplewatch]

But if he's here, that means he saw my answer to that question! He knows I'm lying about wanting to eat monsters!

-- Or does he? Did he even notice? He would have brought it up if he did. He's not testing me, is he?

No, he probably didn't see it. And I'll talk my way out of things if it comes to it.

[peoplewatch]

Ah! I have to be careful not to send anything without meaning to. These implants are so tricky.

Erase! Erase!

[peoplewatch]

Wait .. What does he mean I shouldn't have been picked? Just because I'm not good with monsters ...

He should know I've already thought of 10 different ways to kill him ...

done

[peoplewatch]

[ so sweet and so placid. ]

It's you! I didn't expect to see you here ... And I'm happy you remember my name.

[ or else he would mentally suplex you into the sun ] Ah ... I'm really not sure either. But you're certainly a great fit.

[vorous]

Well, yeah! Of course I did.

_{[ Having it on the network so easily displayed definitely helped. ]}

You think so? If I am being honest, I'm kind of nervous about all of this.

_{[ Being in such a new place with a bunch of new ... people. ]}

[peoplewatch]

[ damn it's true if it weren't there, you wouldn't remember ... he should kill u ]

Oh? What are you feeling nervous about?

[ can't be all the new monsters. he would be excited about them. maybe the people?
tell him all about it big boy. ]

[vorous]

I guess it's just... all of these bright lights, whirling machines.. it's a really different world and nothing like a dungeon. Can't say I'm really interested.. and a bunch of people. I don't know anyone here.

_{[ He could say.. besides you, Kabru! But he doesn't. ]}

It doesn't feel right. Not until a monster shows up.

1/2

[peoplewatch]

[ So he wants a monster to show up... of course he does. ]

[peoplewatch]

Are you nervous about meeting new people?

[vorous]

I don’t like being away from what I am good at, you know? Sure, there’s a lot of things to learn here, but I can’t say I am really interested in any of it.

_{[ Including the people. Especially the people. ]}

I’d really like to get back home to the dungeon.

_{[ AND BECOME THE DUNGEON LORD?? ]}

[peoplewatch]

[ He didn't exactly answer the question. But this is interesting ... Yes, Laios is someone obsessed with monsters, but he also finds it hard to deal with new environments where he doesn't have as much purpose? ]

We'll definitely find a way to go back together.

[ He hasn't made up his mind about whether or not Laios should be lord of the dungeon, but he has a feeling it will happen, and it needs to be him. The elves would just capture the dungeon and take the whole land. That side, they can't do anything about being here right now, so he should try to encourage Laios a bit. ]

Would you give it a chance? The technology here is the pinnacle of human innovation, and people have found so many ways to develop their interests. There might be something in the city you're interested in?

[vorous]

It’s REALLY uncomfortable here.

_{[ He hates it. He hates being outside of his element. He hasn’t even been assigned a room yet where he can just be by himself, it’s all just a lot of strange people and machinery. ]}

I don’t care about any of that stuff. I went out into the city and got lost.. it was too overwhelming.

[peoplewatch]

[ Interesting. This is a side of Laios he hasn't seen so far. He's seen the man on the surface in the tavern with his party, but he was probably preparing for his dungeon trips then. It was still in his element. ]

It's a lot to take in. [ Not for Kabru, who has been 👁👁 the whole time about all the people and new, manmade technology. ]

But it isn't good to hole yourself up either. You'll need to get used to it if you want to find a way home ... How about I go with you?

[vorous]

_{[ Laios doesn’t want to do it, but he knows that it would probably be best to familiarize himself with the surroundings as much as possible. The weird brain thing has a map, but he’s thinking of the prospect of something happening with that. Especially since things don’t work right with the energy source. ]}

Okay.

_{[ He’s still so reluctant. ]}

I’ll meet you at the exit of this building.

[peoplewatch]

[ Putting aside the fact that that message from Laios sounds so unenthused, isn't this great news? He gets to spend more time with the man and deepen his understanding of him, and he also gets company to explore this fascinating new land with! This is pretty great! What could go wrong!! ]

Very well. I'll see you soon.

[ ✨✨✨

As scheduled, Kabru will be at the exit of the building, keeping an eye open for Laios. ]

[vorous]

_{[ It takes Laios longer to get to the exit, maybe Kabru thinks that he’s stood him up. But after a moment, Kabru will see that he’s briskly walking towards the exit. He looks very focused! He doesn’t even really stop; he briefly does but gets going before Kabru can really respond. ]}

Okay, okay, come on.

_{[ Out the doors and into the street he goes. ]}

1/

[peoplewatch]

[ He's been rejected by Laios enough times to not even be largely surprised if he gets stood up, but this time, they actually did promise to meet, so it would be quite annoying. Kabru is patient, however. He's more than happy to wait until he sees that familiar clean cut of blond hair.

When Laios does appear, he rushes to get going before Kabru can even attempt to make a good impression. It looks like he really doesn't want to be here .... But why? That's so curious.

As for feeling brushed off, he definitely does, but what's new? That doesn't surprise him either. ] Oh ... yes --

[peoplewatch]

[ Wait, are they just going to speed walk through the city? No talking?

No, he can't learn anything if they do that! There's no point to this then!! ]

done

[peoplewatch]

[ Kabru has to put on The Moves, and the only way he can is to slow Laios down to his pace first. Reaching out, he holds on to the other man's arm with both of his hands as always. ]

Hold on, Laios. We should decide where we're going first, right? [ Kabru can't plan the journey if he doesn't know ....... what the plan is??? ]

Is there anything at all you think you might be interested in doing? [ He'll give his own suggestions after hearing Laios' ]

[vorous]

<sub>[ This guy is so nice…

The feeling of touch in his arm gets his attention and he does slow down to a stop, but he’s clearly not happy about doing this. Still, Kabru is right, it’s something he should memorize and familiarize himself with.

The question, though, leaves at loss at what to say. Back home, he would go relax in a quiet field on the surface, or go to a tavern and prepare for a dungeon, go to the dungeon itself, etc. He has no idea what this place has to offer.

His eyes shift awkwardly. He really is completely out of his zone. ]</sub>

Um. I don’t— it doesn’t, matter. I mean, what’s the point? There’s no point here. There’s no objective. It’s just.. a big place and people existing in it.

_{[ damn.. ]}

[peoplewatch]

[ This this is Laios outside of his element. Most people wouldn't take to being whisked away from home very well, but Laios' reasons for feeling uncomfortable are unconventional. ] That's how most cities are ... People make their own objectives within them.

[ He could go on and on about how that's so fascinating, about how everyone has their own inner motivations and it's a treat to watch how their actions and goals compliment or clash, but he can see that Laios wouldn't be interested in hearing any of that.

Thiiink, Kabru. Is there anything here that might spark some enthusiasm within Laios? ] LILITH was created to protect the city against monsters. There must ... surely be clues on the types of monsters in the land. We could go searching for them?

[ He doesn't want to, but oh well ..... ]

[vorous]

_{[ Laios can’t tell that Kabru is trying really hard to appeal to his specific interest. He’s walking, cradling his temple in his hand and warily looking at the foreign surroundings as they pass. ]}

I’ve already read up on the monsters they’ve come across. They come out of something called a “rift.” Doesn’t sound accurate to me. It wouldn’t surprise me if some other human source is controlling them to cause destruction.

Humans do stuff like that.

_{[ he is.. so negative about mankind.. ]}

Don’t get me started on the cuisine here either. It sucks.

[peoplewatch]

[ Despite the way he acts, Kabru has come to realise that Laios was very intelligent when it came to topics he was interested in. That has always been his most useful trait and is probably what helped him venture so deep into the dungeon. It doesn't surprise him at all that Laios has already perused the available information.
The assumption that it was humans who caused the rift isn't completely unfounded. Kabru knows that there are many humans with unsavory personalities so it's nothing too strange. He just doesn't like to hear all that negativity about a topic he's passionate about. ]

Most humans wouldn't do something like that. [ Some of them might, but most humans are empathetic and not as awful as Laios is making them sound.

This isn't going well at all, is it? Food was the second option, but Laios has already shot that down. Should he continue trying to appease the other man? No, he's actually at a loss for what other suggestions to make.

This is giving rise to another curiousity anyway. ] Do you ... dislike other people?