⇨ POLARIS 2.0

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Days 110 - 114
Where: Polaris
What: After a mysterious explosion shakes the station, the staff of Polaris struggle to maintain order while the test subjects fight for freedom with the aid of hidden allies. Productivity info is here.
Warnings: More graphic experimentation.

THEORY & CONCLUSION↴ At the midnight between Day 109 and Day 110, something happens. For most people, it won't be clear what - yet, they are shaken by it just the same. Violent tremors appear out of nowhere, rattling the entirety of the Polar station, violent enough to throw sleeping test subjects off their bunks. The source is unclear, but there is a sudden flurry of activity from staff as power flickers and is lost in various parts of the facility. Subjects, for the most part, will be left to their cells while they try to sort things out. The next morning, the staff are late picking people up. It's more like 6:30AM than the usual 6AM when they arrive to take people to the farm, which is a bit of tardiness that is entirely without precedent. Any questions about the incident the previous night will be waved off with the explanation of 'technical difficulties' that have been 'resolved.' ► DELTA: The three new Deltas will be left in their cells for even longer, waiting to be picked up, instructed that they would be escorted elsewhere instead of to the farm. Around 6:45AM some unfamiliar technicians will arrive and tell them that they are here to begin their processing into Delta. They are led into a previously untouched section of the station, where they are invited into a somewhat more intimate medical room to be asked some cursory questions and given a check up. Then, their suits will be removed, and they will be provided with their new uniforms, which they can apply like normal clothes. Delta life begins there. There will be a top level for the initial parts of their processing to be played out. Ultimately, however, they will end up being given a tour of the new Delta facilities, which amounts to a waterfront area that borders the new apartments they'll be staying in, as well a small supply shop where they can pick up an allotted amount of 'amenities' per day, based on their level of productivity and other achievements. This includes luxury items like food, pleasant smelling soaps, or other hygiene related tools. There are even small things like decorations or pictures of other places available, though they are fairly expensive. The first day will mostly involve the processing, a tour, and some basic training regarding the new tools they will be using, such as the mandatory visors and basic computer access. The next day, observation shifts in the farm will start, as will participation in trials. ► FARMING: The Farm will continue as normal, though it seems like there are fewer staff observing it at the moment. The ones that are there seem a little bit more tense than usual. Power is still down in some places, but the Farm is thankfully still active. Sometimes the productivity turn-in scanners might be a bit glitchy, so try not to panic if it measures fewer points than you're due. ► TRIALS: Trials are continuing as projected, though with the most broad of experiments already under way, they may be more selective. If you have an idea for a trial you can be sure to share it with the staff, and they will take it under advisement! Any information you want to provide is encouraged, they will say, especially if it involves notable traits about you or your fellow test subjects - or perhaps behavioral patterns you've noticed. You might even be rewarded!

Comments

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya has no actual clue what 'Omicron' even means. He draws his hand back, furrowing his brow as he considers it.

"I have been in labs not unlike this. A core is probably a central, more guarded area. It may even be close to the base of this place's functionality. The Asura would often build them going downward, but I cannot say if Fae would be the same."

Still, it gives him some idea where to go. If they could only get out into the halls... "They took you somewhere else once you were demoted, didn't they? Where was it?"

[atouts]

"Which means we can use magic," Childermass says, watching the purple crackle over Syrlya's hand. Just not enough for him to move through shadows, apparently, but he'll stab his shovel into the ground and raise his own hands, similarly, to try his own.

He holds his hands together, one cupping over the other to create a pocket of shadow between, and focuses. It isn't immediate, mind having to settle on what to build and then pulling it together mostly out of sight the way his hands are held. His magic doesn't give off any spark or real indication of use, not unless Syrlya can sense magic happening in its own right, but when he does finally lift his hand up and away from the other, a small bird made completely of darkness sits in it. It's more of a silhouette given more form than a real bird, not unlike the numerous shadow crows the magician is prone to leaving around the carnival.

[anti_nonsense]

As the procedure commences, Rita sits in place with her eyes wide and darting around, as if trying to see what's being done to her. She then winces, clenching her jaw and shuddering as the drilling starts. The pain is dulled, but not quite enough. It takes all of her willpower to keep from screaming, though a strangled whimper still escapes her throat.

At last, the visor is in place and the pain starts to ebb, and her tension starts to ease away, replaced with disorientation and curiosity. She rises to her feet and brings her hands up to her face, feeling over the visor and the back of her head. Of course, any questions in her mind about what was physically done will probably be answered soon, when she sees the others undergo the same procedure.

[atouts]

Childermass carries on frowning at Lambert a moment longer as he lets his arm fall back to his side, like he may not entirely believe him. They spent time together because they're colleagues? But if they're both supervisors, there's reason to trust what he says. The frown fades and he'll accept that answer, for now.

"You messed up. Somehow that sounds normal but you'll have to explain it better than that," he says with a sigh. He doesn't recall any plan, he isn't sure what he means by messing up.

[npcarnival]

Once Rita is up, the technician will turn to Tyki.

"Delta-703, you're next. Please sit down."

Sans, who is apparently watching how the visors are applied and how the machines work, stops long enough to shrug a shoulder in Tyki's direction, then glances at Rita.

"See, not so bad, right?" Sans says.

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya assumes, looking at it, that it is like his crow constructs. He's not much of an illusionist, after all, like Syrlya.

He lets the magic dissipate, leaning closer. "Can it still scout for you?"

[prazerbutterfly]

Less than a minute from when it started Tyki abruptly changes his mind. Instead of seeing what is happening he would've rather gone first. It's a mix of the injections, drilling, and the fact he doesn't understand half of what he's seeing that prompts this sudden indecision. She seems in pain or at least some discomfort but that doesn't bother him as much as it does when the drills start boring into her head.

The worse part is that normally he might offer a hand to hold, some kind words to soothe her discomfort, or at least some sort of action to focus her on something else. Except this time none of that is necessary or warranted and he finds his throat tightened up enough where he can't speak. His tail hangs low behind him, lashing at the tip in an awkward stance near the floor. He's doing the best he can in not letting the dread flood onto his face but it is failing in his other body mannerisms.

He almost doesn't register the technician speaking and prompts himself to move forward to sit down. At least he's not flirting this time. There's glance towards Sans, his false words more soothing than he would like right now. He places his hands somewhere other than in front of him, fingers twitching, so he doesn't act accordingly to anything but a good listener.

Roommates | Day 112 Ass O'Clock in the Morning (5am really)

[bananaspeedrider]

[Who knows if things will remain the same during this cycle without how literally shaken up things got during the start. Yugo doesn't know what to do yet with the portion of warmth returned to his chest, but he knows the little he has is better than having nothing to possibly work with.

He blinks awake, far from actually used to rising up during this time of "day", but there's ideas in his head...! So with haste he maneuvers out from the bed before moving up to shake his Standard brother awake- which should be fine because that doesn't look like a restful sleep judging from Yuya's face.]

Oi... Yuya... wake up!

[anti_nonsense]

This might be an opportunity to reassure the others... or it would be, if Rita could bring herself to do so. Instead, she lowers her hands away from her face and gives Sans a long stare through the visor, then scoffs and looks away.

The UI follows her gaze, and to distract herself from the dull pain and the fact that she'll soon be seeing the same thing happen to someone else, she looks over what UI elements she can see, though it doesn't seem like she can interact with much until the sync completes... which is vaguely ominous in itself.

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya grumbles a little as Yugo yells in his face, tilting his head to bury it into the pillow instead.] Five more minutes...

[npcarnival]

Once Tyki is seated, the process will continue much the same way that it did with Rita. Hair is shaved, areas cleansed, and then drills applied. The implant slots in and installs itself into his brain and spinal chord. Last, but not least, the visor is applied - allowed to sync for a few minutes before he stands.

"Your access to the system will be restricted to a Delta level during your training," the technicians explains. "Assignment related files, common locations, and necessary scheduling will be available as you require it. Your display will automatically inform you of the identity of all test subjects and staff at a glance."

Finally, Tyki is allowed to stand.

"The visor will also sync with all Polaris equipment at your current security level. Polaris's database cannot be accessed without it. Delta-704, please come forward."

[bananaspeedrider]

[It's never five more minutes. After a beat that's just long enough to let the room go eerily quiet again, how about instead Yugo leans in as much as he can manage just a biiiit closer to the other's ear.... then the teen snatches the pillow away to shout even louder-]

WAKE!!!!! UP!!!!!

[hippocarnival]

[Yuya flinches, reeling back as his eyes snap open and he pushes himself against the wall of the cell, staring at Yugo with shock and confusions.]

What? What?! [Are they getting picked up? Are they dying? Dead??]

[bananaspeedrider]

Finally.

[Yugo pulls back, looking pleased over his accomplishment despite any anger that might come his way from giving Yuya such a literally rude awakening.]

So hear me out right now... I've been thinking- [Oh no.] -about how all the things we were carrying on us was taken away.

[hippocarnival]

... Yeah. [Is he thinking about their dragons? Yuya assumes he is, but he'll ask anyway.

He props himself up on his arm.] What about it?

[npcarnival]

It's a while before there's a response, but they finally give in:

'IT WAS PROBABLY THOSE TECHNICIANS'

[npcarnival]

He'll first receive a note with this image drawn on it, and no further context.

And then:

'HELP WILL FIND YOU WHEN THEY CAN.

WE NEED TO SET A DATE, MOVE AT ONCE'

[bananaspeedrider]

[Yugo glances around before managing to tamp his voice down into something quieter.]

Well I realized that if we could somehow find out where they stashed all of the carnival's stuff... maybe someone was carrying something that we could use to get out of here.

[Of course there's one major glaring problem in the way of executing such a plan.]

[hippocarnival]

But how are we going to get to it? We're escorted everywhere, we can't just go look around.

[He pauses, brightening up a little.] Unless someone in Delta could go look for it... maybe they're allowed to walk around?

[betheman]

Understood

Hoping for access to "Delta" soon

Will plan with others through this

Anything we still need?

If there is anything specific that is.

He can guess what that image is for at least- if he can get to Rita and the others in Delta, he could maybe show them as well...

[npcarnival]

'A PLAN, MOSTLY.

WE'VE GOT PIECES BUT NO OBJECTIVE.

IGNATIUS IS UNRESPONSIVE.'

[reflash]

Yukio steps forward and sits in the chair, letting go of his tail as he does and trying not to just bolt from the room.

It's worth it, he tells himself. It has to be worth it.

He sits still, and lets the drilling start.

[betheman]

....Ah. That's typical.

With how they responded to the question on their 'plant inside's status, he opts to do something other than dumbly ask what the rest of their pieces in this are. Instead-

Will speak (covertly!!) with another- list Our pieces, for you, after

...Suspect unresponsivness from Ignatius relates to Contracts he adds. He already mentioned a bit of the magic being back so...

They can connect the dots on what his theory is right?

Either way, he'll have to come another night with more stuff they can plan with.

[atouts]

And he had just been about to give up and drift off back into dreaming, too.

'Perhaps. They were surprised.'

[atouts]

Childermass considers the bird — more finch-like than crow — before closing his eyes and focusing on pushing his senses into the construct itself. Once he does, it looks up with its shadowy little head, suddenly acting alive. It looks around them, over at Syrlya, then falls back into its default position.

"It's harder to make everything out but yes," Childermass confirms, opening his eyes again. "I can. I won't know my range until I try, though."