⇨ 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

[betheman]

Hahhh.

"...Understood."

There's an image of him rubbing his face and drawing a lifeboat on a note before shooting it off. FINE HE'LL ASK ABOUT ESCAPE ROUTES GEEZE,

[whattaprick]

Lambert smirks. "So long as we're on the same page."

And there's a sense of finality on the last image he sends over: the map with Lambert (carrying a bag of loot), Gon (carrying a flame over his head), and what might vaguely look like a beansprout with legs (holding a sword) superimposed on it. They seem to be wandering aimlessly within their respective sectors -- Gon, naturally, is in the one that was helpfully labeled Ignatius. Then a gold arrow gets planted at a random part of the map and both of them jump and orient themselves towards it, taking off like a shot. Lambert shifts the arrow jumps to another place, and the versions of themselves follow. Then the gold arrow is lifted off the map, another question tied to it as it spins like a compass trying to find true north.

[hippocarnival]

An image... that's what he needs, to know where he's going. His eyes widen a little as he files it away.

Yuya pauses, and then focuses on putting one image in the feather: the map that Gild showed him. Exactly where Ignatius is.

Then he lets go of the feather in her hand and pulls back, shrugging. "I guess, but... you're a lot smarter than me and you know more. I don't really know what I'm going to do."

Not about the trial, of course. About the mark. But when he looks at Rita... well, he has an idea.

He just needs to speak to Gild one more time. "Maybe I'll figure it out tomorrow."

[betheman]

Ah. Yes, good idea. "Hmn..." He sends an idea over- the image of the flame in Gongenzaka's hand; he crushes it, and it becomes an arrow pointing them toward somewhere on the map. Somewhere that isn't Ignatius. Briefly, 'somewhere' is a question mark. But then it becomes their things. And then it becomes a lifeboat. And then, it becomes that siren with the wire cut.

They can't necessarily find everything this way, but the point is that they can likely use that boon to find something...worst case.

"Well- I, the man Gongenzaka, shall see you at another time, hm?" The connection holds, just in case there is more for whatever reason.

112

[hippocarnival]

Ok I think you mentioned you wanted to stick to this by summary so after Yuya gets over his nightmare he will:

1. Let her know they're putting something together, Gon has more details but they did receive power from Ignatius.
2. What's the plan for actually getting out of Polaris once they have Iggy? Is Gild handling that part?
3. He'll let her know tomorrow he's going to pass his mark to Rita, someone connected to Igantius who's in a better position to use it and to get to him. He'll mention he's given her details about it already but ask Gild to still get in touch with her the following night.

[whattaprick]

Lambert affirms the image Gon sends, tail lashing behind him. But he also emphasizes the idea of coming together ... and shows the map again.

"Sure," he waves him off, lazily. "But who knows where we'll meet again? You might not even see me tomorrow, for all I know."

The last part is a tasteless but not unfounded joke ... and as a last, fleeting image? He hands Gon a four-leafed clover in his mind. As luck goes, it's not really substantial, but they'll all probably need it.

[betheman]

"...Indeed." He nods, sending one last wash of understanding, and moves to leave.

"...I, the man Gongenzaka, will have to see then." Have to make it happen, more like.

[anti_nonsense]

A small amount of color fills in Rita's cheeks at the praise; though she doesn't have a normal heartbeat, it looks like her heart can still fluctuate in heat levels like this.

She nods, just to acknowledge his words, but says nothing more. Hopefully she'll see him tomorrow.

[hippocarnival]

That gets a genuine smile out of Yuya. There's something so normal about her getting flustered over praise, that sets his mind on something a little bright.

"Good luck, Rita!" He waves before turning to disappear back into the farm.

[anti_nonsense]

Childermass? Rita checks his file again. He did have a trial two days ago, but it doesn't seem like it should have affected his memory. She even saw him that day, and he was...

... Something clicks.

Rita tenses, her mouth hanging open for a moment as she considers the possibility that just entered her mind. Did he... no, it can't be. But it makes sense... She quickly regains her composure, scratching again at her shoulder. This time, she'll imbue a feather with what she can recall of that conversation.

Rita, speaking of Ignatius as she murmurs, "If he had more power..."

Childermass, suggesting, "I wonder... if a faerie can pull power from whoever they own. That might be worth trying." There's a blur, before he can be heard adding, "If you're still recovering from the trial, I can try myself."

"I think... it has to be me," says Rita, later adding, "I'm not saying you shouldn't try."

"I'll see what I can do," is Childermass's answer, and the last words to be heard in this memory.

It's her fault. Or rather... it's mostly his own fault, but it's partly hers. She feels kind of bad about it, and some of that feeling ends up imprinted in the feather along with the memory. She hesitates, shakes her head... then turns to start walking away again, leaving the feather to fall behind her.

Re: 112

[ringleaders]

1) Good to know.
2) Depends on the circumstances of leaving. There are a few options, but ideally she'd rather take out the Mother herself.
3) Can do! She has power from Ignatius as well?

[hippocarnival]

2. Yuya's not terribly involved in team murdering here, but he uh. Won't tell her not to. Since He and Gon were discussing it anyway, he'll ask what she knows about what the Mother of Invention has been doing, or where she is in the station.
3. She does! She's also in Delta and has more freedom as a result, so Yuya expresses a lot of confidence in her.

Re: NIGHT 112

[ringleaders]

1) She does know what the interior set up is like thanks to the plant.

2) She is flexible time wise. Perhaps early morning?

3) The plant may be able to assist with that, but it may involve some combat.

4) Maybe. From what she knows most of the iron experimentation happens on bases outside of Acadia.

5) Is he asking her to personally kill her with iron? She's not sure she'd be impartialit physically capable of it.

[ringleaders]

2) Trying to enhance changelings and subvert fae weaknesses mostly. She's always got projects going on and right now that project is probably Ignatius. If the Summer Court knew what she was doing they'd be furious.

[betheman]

1) Awesome

2) Good to know, he'll pass that on

3) Combat is expected, he'll note- though he's had a few asking about what else the Plant may be capable of, if Gild can share.

4) Worth a shot searching at least; he's pretty sure SOME iron experimenting happened here.

5) He'll quickly say he's just asking if she's up to a fight with the Mother; any iron use will be in their own 'hands', not to worry. Gongenzaka will note here that they have someone with Metalokinesis in particular he might hit up. too bad she's in theta tomorrow

5b) He will also ask what Gild herself knows of the Mother; weaknesses, maybe? Any idea what she looks like?

[hippocarnival]

Makes sense. Did they see her when they got into the station during the explosion? She hasn't come around their part of the sector that anyone's noticed, and they only ever saw her drone during the Hunt. Does she have an idea for dealing with her?

[ringleaders]

5) She's allegedly some kind of robot, though she may have changed her chassis. She's like a technological golem.

[whattaprick]

A bow? Lambert's never been great at using those. He watches skeptically as Steven conjures the note -- something Lambert just chooses to accept, since this is pretty much more normal than dreaming of his legs set on fire -- and launches the arrow into space.

That tickles at a memory that isn't quite as easy to grasp for his half-asleep mind, though he clings onto it, frowning as the arrow disappears. Someone was telling him about arrows recently, he thinks. There's something important he's forgetting. Something...

"She can't answer if we're in here, can she?"

Will becomes world. The cavern falls away, and now Steven and Lambert are standing on a balcony overlooking a verdant valley, snow-capped peaks in the distance. A dilapidated courtyard stretches out below.

Day 113

[hippocarnival]

The next day, Yuya tries to keep an eye out for Rita. He's made his resolve, now, and that means he definitely needs to speak to her.

It's when he's lugging a box of weird fruit, trying to keep his back straight despite the pain, that he spots her--and then starts making a beeline in her direction. "Same stuff today?"

[anti_nonsense]

Rita watches him approach, trying not to give much of a reaction. To his question, she simply nods.

Looks like he's got something to say. Should she enchant something for him...? Without moving, Rita looks him over. Maybe that box could do the trick. She'll wait and see if he brings it closer, or if he's got something else in mind.

[kingsroads]

As Yuya gives his pep talk, Strange looks down at him with a little confused frown. Duh? He kind of knew that already.

"Of course I'm getting out of here," Strange says, as if it's obvious. Whether everybody else gets out of here...that's a different story. But he's filled with spite, anger, and determination at this whole thing. He's getting out of here no matter what (he just doesn't know if Yuya's mystery dream person would be any help in the getting out of here scenario).

"I have to return home to Arabella. I don't care what I have to do in order to do it, but I am leaving this place."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya stares blankly at him. Was he misheard?

"I said, I'm not giving up until that happens." And all the implication in Yuya taking responsibility for it that Strange doesn't have to act alone. They can do this together and get out together.

He leans over the basket a little, mustering up the strongest expression he can. "You're not alone, Mr. Strange. You're my friend, and you'll always have me."

[betheman]

Got it; he'll thank her for everything, and ask if there can be any way to know what the Plant thinks about that Find the Items/Find the Iron idea.

After that's answered he'll say goodnight; nothing that with any luck, he'll be coming with a plan draft the next evening.

[chronosynthesis]

Well, maybe those in Delta can confirm. They'll need to know where they're going before they can go there.

"I see." There's a pause as he shifts back. "Thank you, Strange. We'll see what we can do with that." Hopefully a lot.

And then he turns to go.

[chronosynthesis]

Syrlya stumbles as he tries to twist and avoid her, looking surprised--before he reaches on impulse to try and grab her arm to steady her, too.

"You're the one running." Which, hm. Why does she seem so harried? "What happened?"