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𝚂𝚢𝚗𝚏𝚕𝚞𝚡 𝙼𝚘𝚍𝚜 ([personal profile] synfluxmods) wrote in [community profile] sinfucks2024-06-30 09:10 am
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TDM #5

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?




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.


curingidiocy: (pic#17171072)

Okinawa C

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2024-07-02 06:51 am (UTC)(link)
[ The darkness of the night is a refreshing reprieve from the scorching heat of the sun and the ambient air together. While he'd taken to lounging under an umbrella or swimming in the ocean during the day, it is at this time that Ratio has decided to slowly meander his way across the beach, enjoying the night time scenery and the water lapping at his feet.

He hasn't felt this relaxed since—well, perhaps his last bath back in Las Vegas, but it is a different kind of relaxation, and honestly was not truly comfortable, given how that city looked like... well.

It is with a subtle smile that he greets Raidou, perhaps lost in the sharp shadows of the nearby campfire and the darkness of the night. He'll accept the grilled fish gratefully.
]

I have not eaten dinner yet. Thank you.
the_fourteenth: (143)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2024-07-03 02:14 am (UTC)(link)
Have a seat, then. [There are some chairs around, though Raidou is sat on a beach blanket where there is room as well.

Much like the other Outsiders, Raidou had been really run down towards the end of the mission, only to return to a mess when they got home. He'd gotten more quiet and withdrawn as it all continued, but here, he seems to have some of his energy back. It's excitement in that understated, Raidou sort of way.]


I thought maybe people would like something else to eat that wasn't just crab. Though there is still plenty of that left, too.
curingidiocy: (talking 2)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2024-07-04 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
[ Ratio will take a seat in one of the chairs, first checking the temperature of the fish with his hand. Nice and hot, and will probably only take a minute to cool to something more appropriate for his tongue. ]

I've not yet tired of its flavour. It is welcome after being subjected to quite a few days of tasteless rations. But I will not decline the fish. That, too, is welcome.

[ It's always food with this young man, isn't it? Ratio has by now long identified it as the form by which the quiet summoner shows his care. But there is no need to voice his observations, so he does not. ]

Have you had the opportunity to visit the fruit farms?
the_fourteenth: (142)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2024-07-05 12:25 am (UTC)(link)
Very true. Anything is better than those. I wish we could take some of this back with us. Perhaps if the power outages have subsided by then.

[There's nothing better than fresh food you caught and cooked yourself, though. He'd be more than glad to go out and catch a bunch more if it meant being able to take them back to the base's freezers.

He shakes his head at that question.]


I haven't, but I've seen the size of some of the fruit people have been bringing back. Watermelons the size of boulders. I guess that's from the rift's effects too?
curingidiocy: (pic#17171085)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2024-07-06 08:56 pm (UTC)(link)
We have been requested to procure provisions. No doubt some will go to the ailing citizens of Neo Tokyo, but I believe a portion will be reserved for us.

[ So, if Raidou wants this on the menu for the next few weeks, he better get hunting. Ratio's already done his part for the morning, but he plans on hunting crabs again in the evening. ]

Perhaps so. It is a blessing, at any rate, and one we ought to take advantage of.

[ He's definitely curious about the rift, but he can investigate that later. ]
the_fourteenth: (041)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2024-07-09 05:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Then I should go and catch some more. Some look a little odd, but... I think they're okay. Technically the crabs are a bit odd too, considering their size. But they taste fine.

[He's not thinking of them as kaiju. Because he refuses to ever eat kaiju, no matter how LILITH tries to dress it up in the cafeteria.]

There's really not much chance to go fishing back in Neo Tokyo. It'll nice to have some fresh food for awhile. So long as the electricity is back on.
curingidiocy: (pic#17171063)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2024-07-11 02:51 am (UTC)(link)
I can assure you that they are safe for consumption.

[ He checked, because he was also just as concerned about the rift's effect on them. And no, after the sand worm, the giant crabs didn't feel like kaiju at all. It's just a case of gigantism. ]

We'd best enjoy these luxuries while we have the chance. However, I will work with LILITH and the authorities of Neo Tokyo to improve the city's power situation. You may rest assured that I will do my best to prevent this incident from occurring again.

[ Ratio has his fingers everywhere... it would be considered a miracle he hasn't overworked himself, except this was really his normal workload and he has long learned how to manage his work-life balance to ensure he gets proper rest. ]
the_fourteenth: (132)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2024-07-13 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
Then I'll catch as much as we can carry back. Or, as much as Yuji can carry back.

[He's stronger than Raidou anyway.

Raidou nods, believing Ratio. If there is one person among the Outsiders that he feels like he can trust to do help improve things, it's Ratio.]


Back in the wintertime, we lost heat for several days. It's a known issue, I suppose. They gave us some stays in a hotel and visits to the nearby bath house to warm up.
curingidiocy: (hmph)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2024-07-16 01:37 am (UTC)(link)
[ That would be a concern in the coming winter. He would do his best to have a solution ready by then, but it couldn't be guaranteed. Not with the way this world is in tatters, and without access to the IPC and Intelligentsia Guild's vast resources. ]

I see. I'm afraid the timeline for improvements may not be so quick, so we will have to be prepared for another such winter. I will look into alternative heat sources should progress be rougher than I hope.

[ More work for him, but that is just par for the course. He makes note of it on a notepad and banishes the window. Then he settles back against the chair with a sigh. ]

But that is a consideration for another day.
the_fourteenth: (041)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2024-07-16 06:14 pm (UTC)(link)
[Even Raidou can agree to that.]

Of course. Don't need to bog down vacation thinking about that stuff just yet.

[Raidou knows Ratio is like him, and has a hard time turning off work mode. Though, after the last few weeks they've had, even Raidou could recognize the burnout he was feeling. So far, he's managed to have a lot of fun at the beach, forgetting their troubles for just a little bit.]

Are you fond of the beach? I've never been to one like this. Ah, Katsuki-kun says he's going to teach me to surf later.
curingidiocy: (pic#17171079)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2024-07-17 05:35 am (UTC)(link)
[ Work is simply his default, it's true. Ratio knows how to manage himself such that the constant working doesn't burn him out, but he has been long, long overdue for a real vacation. And now that he has permitted himself one, he finds that he does not want to spoil it with work whatsoever. He loves his work, but even he has his limits. ]

This is the first time I have visited one for leisurely purposes. It's... nice.

[ An underwhelming opinion, considering the kind of person Ratio is. If he put a little more thought into it, he could certainly list of every aspect of the beach he has found himself enjoying, but... somehow, just the one word succinctly expresses his feelings. ]

Surfing? ...I see.

[ Maybe he should take the time to learn a water sport? He wouldn't get any other chance, would he? ]
the_fourteenth: (Default)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2024-07-17 05:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[Raidou's never really had vacations, never any time to fit one into his life. Demons don't take breaks, so neither can he. He dreamed about visiting places like Okinawa, but never thought it would happen. It's not exactly in the way he was expecting, this desolate beach, but it's okay. It's lively with the other Outsiders here.]

Do you want to give it a try? I'm sure he'd show you too. Or there's, ah, volleyball. Or some people are building competing sandcastles. Though, there's nothing wrong with just enjoying the scenery either.
curingidiocy: (pic#17171052)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2024-07-19 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
[ He contemplates all of the mentioned activities. He wants to dismiss building sandcastles as a childish activity, but there's another part of him that simply wants to be childish for once.

...no, he shouldn't relax that much.

Volleyball was fine, however. Sports has always been a respectable past time.
]

That is an appealing offer. Perhaps I will take you up on that offer, if he is amenable to teaching me.
the_fourteenth: (143)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2024-07-23 01:06 am (UTC)(link)
You should. And I promise to not turn it into a contest like he inevitably will.

[Spoken with a smile, though. Raidou knows how Bakugo is.]

Is there something you normally like doing at the beach?
curingidiocy: (pic#17171077)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2024-07-23 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
I would not mind either way. Competition breeds a healthy drive to improve.

[ Ratio has had enough interactions with Bakugo to get used to the teen's fiery disposition. He doesn't dislike it, the passion the young man has. ]

Normally... well, my previous visits were for research. I would be obtaining samples to analyze, or setting up equipment to measure certain variables. Were I to make visits for leisure a regular occurrence... [ A regular occurrence? He would be fortunate to have that much time to himself. But, now that he's said it— ] ...perhaps I would enjoy swimming in the water.
the_fourteenth: (041)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2024-07-24 03:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Agreed, but he, ah, takes it to a bit of an extreme sometimes.

[The two are close friends now, but even Raidou has tried to get Bakugo to dial it back when they're just trying to have fun. Bakugo doesn't quite get it.]

You should go swimming. The water is still cool this time of year. It's refreshing.

[Even this overachiever can make sure his tutor is getting some relaxation time too. Or he can try.]

Sometimes, it's hard for me to comprehend it, but... we can just move between here and Neo Tokyo anytime now. So really, you could come here to go swimming anytime.

... Though you might have to clear out the crabs again next time.
curingidiocy: (hmph)

[personal profile] curingidiocy 2024-07-26 06:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's fine. He prefers people who put their all into everything they do rather than the opposite—those who put effort into nothing. Despite his volatile personality, Bakugo has managed to endear himself to Ratio. ]

It's not a matter of accessibility. There is much to be done if we wish to resolve the planet's crisis swiftly. My time must be spent wisely. I have of course allotted myself time for daily exercise, but traveling here to swim when we have a pool on base is inefficient.

[ Ratio is a driven man. Not even the change of scenery and being abruptly pulled from his usual environment has stopped him from continuing to push on as he usually does. ]