Crashing Down: Preparation

[voidtreckermods]

Voidtreckers. I have picked up a catastrophe mission coming from system #78961112094711. Voidtreckers have urged me to be open with you all these last months and so I shall be transparent. The readings coming from this catastrophe are very unusual and I cannot determine the threats. Indeed there do not seem to be any threats in the system that would result in a catastrophe level mission.

This has been encountered before, in the Month of Egret on system #27462947582. This voidcraft was unable to ascertain the threats that could lead to a catastrophe. Known risks were calculated and mission goals created, but the Voidtreckers were put in unnecessary danger from the world destroyers.

From the data available it is not unreasonable to believe that the catastrophe facing #78961112094711 comes from the world destroyers. We still have little information. We do not have any way to stop the destroyers. However we have advantages that Voidtreckers did not have in the month of Egret.

We know what is coming. System #78961112094711 is Void Active. Voidtreckers have allies there. Saving the system is not possible but with five hours it is possible that many many lives could be saved by evacuating them to the void.

This voidcraft is sending a forward message to the ministry stationed on System #78961112094711. Due to the nature of arriving at catastrophe missions they will receive it not long before we arrive. But it should mean they are ready for us. This voidcraft has calculated mission goals to help voidtreckers organise but it should be noted that the most important goal is to save as many lives as possible.

The announcement comes out of the blue on day twenty four of the month of Quicksand. Not too long after breakfast when people are getting on with chores or other morning activities.

It is followed quickly by a holographic message setting out their team goals. They do not have all that much time before arrival, an hour or so to be prepared for the huge task ahead of them. The dressing carriage is open with warm coats, hats and other team-coordinated winter accessories.

How to prepare for such a challenge? It's going to be a very difficult day.

[OOC: This is a bonus extra for those who want to play out the preparation and reaction to the forthcoming event. It is forward dated until day 24. The actual event will go up on the 16th April and a conclusion on the 23rd. Though IC the event will only last one day.]

Comments

[subcircuits]

"Sors falls like snow," he explains, "but it's... different. When it accumulates, it hardens up and somehow manages to get colder. The accretions are pretty brittle-- and pretty-- but they can be dangerous. It's something to keep in mind."

[redprayer]

"It sounds as though keeping the evacuees warm may be an issue, then, if such a phenomena occurs while we're there," Rezo muses. "Keeping the roads clear may also prove to be tricky, if sors are harder to move than snow."

And snow can already be a massive pain in the ass if you're from a world where snow plows aren't readily available, which Rezo is, and is thus viewing the hazards of snow accordingly.

[subcircuits]

"If we're not taking advantage of local infrastructure, yeah," Devero says, nodding. A huff of breath. "I don't really know what to expect when we get on the ground out there.

"If I remember right--" And his tone indicates that he's not entirely sure he does. "--most of their vehicles are aerial. So roads shouldn't be too much of a concern, at least not in Irue Grotto."

And if this world tracks with his own outside of the city the way it does inside, aerial vehicles should be the norm across the planet. But he can't know that for sure, so he keeps that thought to himself.

[redprayer]

"You're right," Rezo admits with a humorless half-smile, "The locals are probably better equipped to handle such difficulties than we are. Let us hope they are cooperative, then."

More to himself than Devero, he mutters, "Aerial vehicles. Will wonders never cease."

Alas, Rezo will not be doing any driving, as Devero may have already figured out.

[subcircuits]

"They will be," Devero says, sounding certain and simultaneously a bit wistful. "...As long as they believe us, anyway."

The mutter may not have been meant for him, but this close, he can't help but hear it. "Let me guess," he says, "you're from a magic reality?"

Sure, it could be that he's just from a mundane, lo-tek reality, but in Devero's experience so far on the train, pretty much everyone comes from a reality predominating in either magic or tech (or, occasionally, both).

[redprayer]

Being believed does seem like it could be a serious issue. Showing up and saying ‘Your world’s about to be destroyed, we know because the train told us’ would probably just make them sound barmy, if they didn’t already have allies on Osiga.

Rezo’s head tilts; he feels like there’s some nuances to Devero’s question that he hasn’t picked up on yet.

“Is that unusual?” he asks, puzzled but unoffended. He has, truthfully, been picking up more information about other worlds from the books he’s been reading than talking to other people in any depth, but the library is a tad limited.

[subcircuits]

"Oh, no!" Devero says quickly, holding up both hands (and dropping them when he realizes the gesture will have no impact). "It's just something I've noticed. High technology and magic seem to be opposite endpoints of a spectrum of--energy use? If someone's from a universe that's tech-heavy--" He thumps his solid chest in indication. "--there's generally not any magic there. If it's a high fantasy 'verse, the tech level's usually pretty low. Seems like most folks on the train come from one or the other, rather than somewhere in the middle."

[redprayer]

Magic’s such an everyday thing that it’s a little hard for Rezo to wrap his head around the idea of there being worlds where it’s not integrated into life in some manner, but he does manage to parse it more or less.

“I suppose it has to do with efficiency- I’ve found mechanical explosives to be less cost-effective than magic, for example,” Rezo muses, before shaking his head. One could compare the evolution of various societies across worlds all day, but this is not the day for it.

“We’d be better off discussing this another time. I’ll let you get back to your preparation.”

[subcircuits]

"Copy that," Devero says with a huff. "But hey, feel free to flag me down later if you want to chat about it more, yeah? When this is all over."

But this is real big and real important and there's work yet to be done in preparation, so Devero heads off after his robot to keep pressing food bundles on his fellow passengers.

[redprayer]

“Of course,” Rezo says, genuinely not sure if he’s going to take Devero up on that offer or not. The usual war of curiosity versus his need to keep a distance from other passengers etc. “Good luck.”

He’ll let Devero head off; Rezo will just go double check his own belongings, which now includes a sample of one of Devero’s food bundles.