⇨ 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

[whattaprick]

“I’m planning on it,” Lambert answers grimly, “But in the meantime, the rest of you need to look after yourselves, too. Think you can try to do that?”

He looks at Yuya sternly.

[prazerbutterfly]

He turns to look at Herbert with a dull expression, his brow raising high behind the visor, though not visibly seen. Already he's seeing his trial results on the screen, looking over the details. Ah, that makes more sense and he'll turn his head away, jotting down a few quick notes.

"I am restricted from fraternizing with you as it is against protocol. If you need assistance with your task, I can provide that information..." Note to self: Recommend Herbert for some type of muzzle later.

[atouts]

"Only the one, that I can recall," Childermass answers, though not without a bit of a sigh. "So that was real... I couldn't remember who the arrows were from. When I asked, they didn't want to talk to me anymore."

[verbaltic]

Unfortunately for Eruka, she picked on the one topic Hanamaru still hasn't really gotten used to. So poor Hanamaru just starts fuckin CRYING UP A STORM as she looks over at Eruka with big, blubbery anime eyes.

Yeah, the horns are new. She got them after she died! She doesn't wanna think about actually dying!

[scientificist]

"Iii'd hardly call this friendly conversation: this, is perfectly on task." He shifts his weight, the hoe tilting out sideways to counterbalance. "Themed, on the system we're both part of. I can't imagine that's not part of protocol." His jaw works stiffly around that final word.

"I wonder why you weren't asked for a single trial, nothing particularly targetting you. You're clearly something not human, after all." He was hiding the specifics of his appearance before now but Herbert has all the very basic info. Tyki was always off, even if he wouldn't show up for a proper examination. "And yet you progressed, despite not taking a single trial--do you have access to their databases? Perhaps they're already studying one of you." Your species, he means, he obviously doesn't have any information on Tyki's whole setup. "Th-ey might want your input."

day 112

[verbaltic]

Poor Hanamaru's been hit with some True Name bullshit. Considering that she's an Eta with constant hunger as well as constant nightmares now, she's not doing so hot. There's really no way to express how not hot she's doing right now, just because Hanamaru's having trouble wrapping her head around the concept of simply existing.

It's terrifying and weird and she doesn't like it. And Shima looks like someone who might at least help her through what should be a simple concept that's becoming oddly hard.

"Hey," she says, as she walks up to Shima. There's an odd look on Hanamaru's face, like she's trying to figure out something despite a blatant inability to do so. It's like watching someone try to fly by flapping their arms but they're still doing so. "I know why all of you guys are in Polaris. But why'm I here, zura?"

[whattaprick]

And just like before, Lambert bends down to pick it up... but this time, a distinctively choked sound follows. Lambert crushes the feather in his fingers, shaking his head.

“That fucking idiot...”

But this time, at least, he won’t chase after Rita again. That’ll have to wait until they get the chance to ‘speak’ again.

[verbaltic]

Hanamaru nods. "I can't work as well as I did before but...well, I wasn't working that well ta begin with, zura."

She's saying it in a self-deprecating tone of voice, but it's obvious that Hanamaru's more distraught and sad about this than she wants to let on.

[soft_focus]

It really is.

Extra obvious. Reira gives the matter some thought before she speaks again though. "...Mnhh...maybe... ...Is it ok if I help you? Um. Not help you with the work," she corrects, tipping her head as she thinks on the right way to put it. "But, um... ...Helping to know how to do the work, without getting too tired? ...I helped with all the animals at the Carnival, so I knew a bunch of things for a farm already- maybe it'll help you stay less tired, um..."

...

"...What's your name?"

[anti_nonsense]

The defense systems... hmm. In truth, Rita doesn't know much about them. But...

She'll try to work with the imagery Gongenzaka's provided. She'll show him four figures with barely enough features to identify them as herself and the other new Deltas. The two representing Tyki and Yukio, she moves to associate with the eyes and sirens. The ones representing herself and Sans instead move to a different space, represented with an examination table, needles, test tubes.

Two of them in security, two in research. Maybe those in security will know where to start when it comes to messing with these systems.

[prazerbutterfly]

"I am only here to observe, Epsilon-704," he responds with a very calm voice, keeping his face straight and expressionless. Even his tone drawls out slowly as if reading a script.

Yet Herbert goes on and Tyki listens like an attentive lackey. He knows they record, they pay attention, and they sometimes listen. So when Herbert even remotely mentions his family, his left ear flicks in confirmation, his head turns in his direction again. Herbert now has his full attention and he's staring, hard. Even putting the idea into any of their heads, he'd take offense to that. If he finds even a shred of his family here, his 'species', he'd murder every single one of them.

"Productivity points are earned based on your progression. If you need assistance or wish to recommend yourself for a trial, I am listening."

[betheman]

Understanding comes through- so he needs to check with them. Got it.

Yet, there is hesitance...When he shows Tyki and Yukio, there is a sense of unfamiliarity. The desire to trust, but the knowledge that he simply doesn't know them well enough.

There is a sort of prod against the other- What does she think? Should he reach out to either of them?

[whattaprick]

Lambert feels his temple gently throb, and reaches up to press his fingers against it. Of course. Childermass would go and forget that, wouldn’t he? Only something really damn useful?

“Well, I can at least tell you one thing,” he grumbles. “The reason you cant remember anything is you did it to your own damn self.”

[anti_nonsense]

Well... maybe? The feeling Rita returns is sort of an affirmative. He can try if he wants, basically.

Although... maybe Rita can handle it.

Once again, she borrows some of Gongenzaka's imagery, returning to the idea of the box within a box. In the inner box, these figures representing the four Deltas are bound tightly in chains, unable to move. But when they move to the outer box, those chains loosen significantly, allowing them to move their arms, turn their heads, that sort of thing. They have some breathing room there.

Maybe she can talk to some of the other Deltas herself. Just, not here, where they aren't permitted to talk freely. But there... that might be worth a shot.

[kingsroads]

Strange resists the urge to point out the obvious: of course he's going to keep holding on. What choice does he have? Still, that's being bitchy for the sake of being bitchy. Instead, he gives Yuya a little nod.

"You keep holding on as well. I can still see the production board even though I'm in Theta, you know. I don't want you joining me."

That part is said with utter sincerity.

[ringleaders]

1. It probably opens with something to do with visor activation. There's some sort of control pad on the outside, but it's done wirelessly sometimes. Generally, he's alone from like.... 2AM - 6AM at the least. Otherwise, it's erratic. There isn't much in way of guards, just the regular technicians and their security escorts. Most of the burden is left on the prison itself.

2. I can't really think of a reason why they'd put them together so I'm gunna say no.


1) On the border of the Wyld Lands and the territory of the Winter Court. A bit of a no man's land, really.

2) The plant has an idea of where it will be, but the true test of it won't come until they have the chance to raid the closed-off areas. IE once your crew comes around as back up.

3) The more specific, the easier it is to find. The things taken from us could be in multiple locations, for instance, so expecting it to zero in on it is a bit much. You are essentially guided by an internal and external compass. The vaguer you are the less strong of a pull there will be.

[betheman]

Ahhh...that could be something.

He pauses in his thought, and then has another idea- the image of Rita and those other Deltas, out in their 'free space'. Rita holds some sort of paper slip, it seems- words seem to fill it directly from her hands. The paper is passed to the others, who slowly gain '!' symbols above their heads in understanding.

Gongenzaka doesn't really know how her ability works entirely...but she could probably use that pretty easily to get the others filled in, right?

There is a moment of hesitance, as if he wants to add something more... ...But in the end, there is no further thought. Instead, one more feeling of hope. A sort of 'good luck'.

[prazerbutterfly]

New Questions about Delta...

1) How is Security different from Research? More specifically, are they given anything special that is separate from the other team. I understand they don't have access to security info.

2) Is there a curfew or force sleep placed upon the Deltas within their scheduling or are they expected to do so on their own if needed?

3) Is Security's day to day routine different than Research or is it moderately the same?

[scientificist]

Tyki's too good at staying blank faced, this isn't nearly as satisfying as aggravating Hill. Not least, of course, because he doesn't actually hate him: he's just irritated that Tyki advanced and Herbert was kept back. He's an outlet, just like the tilling. Not nearly as good an outlet, though, not with that visor in the way of any real tells.

"Ohh, I've already made recommendations," he says, suddenly cross again. "It takes days for anything to happen--here's a recommendation: let me run tests on myself, it would be faster." Straightening, he pulls the hoe in closer and hesitates a moment before grabbing it, his fingers folding slowly around the handle, only releasing it into his grip after another moment. This little moment seems to only annoy him further and he snaps, "Delta is wasted on you!" before walking away as abruptly as he arrived.

[osteothropy]

"Must be your charming personality," he says, with a bit of a tease to it. He kind of doubts that Tyki flipped out during his interview, for instance, since public hysterics didn't really seem to be his thing.

Sans glances over at him. Looks like Tyki is enjoying the apples, as expected. He looks back to his tablet.

"There's a lot of interesting stuff, here. I can see how someone'd get into the whole thing, after a while."

REGARDING MARK

[atouts]

I'm just going to double-check for certainty. I know Gild's mark can boost magic. Can he actually use it to boost his shadow teleportation into working properly?

[anti_nonsense]

There's a sense of affirmation, and of confidence. She can do that. It's easy.

All the other stuff isn't easy, but she'll take it step by step. At least they still have a few ways of communicating, even if they can't speak freely.

Re: REGARDING MARK

[osteothropy]

I'm going to say that because he already has access to it, but to a lesser degree than normal, that the boost will enable it. I kind of messed up and gave different implications at different times, so I'm just going to try to be flexible about its usage.

[osteothropy]

No, nothing obvious.

[betheman]

Indeed they will.

The image of a sheet of paper rolling up, with a sense of finality comes forth. They seem to be done with what they can discuss for now.

So he brings the image of the false 'sun' in the Farm's sky, as well as a clock, and a question mark. Chat again tomorrow? If she sets a time, he can contact her then...assuming she knows when she'll be around.