⇨ 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

[ringleaders]

YEAH I LOVE THE SKELETON TOO MUCH.

Papyrus is getting metal plating and joint reinforcement, following this kind of aesthetic. The main intent is to see if it's possible to defend the monster anatomy from its traditional weakness of WILLFUL BLOODLUST, or whatever. So, the plating is intended to make the soul less vulnerable to attack while not being a so brutal of a process to make him poof.

The results will actually be a bit successful. Damage against the plate armor will ward off most of the willpower damage, though it's still possible to get tricky and stab him in between them. All in all, it will enhance his durability, though it will probably feel read weird. The metal is technically made of magic, but it's different.

[ringleaders]

There's a whole process so it, but what Reira will ultimately end up with is a Tamagotchi-like screen installed into her torso, that will shift colors in accordance to the balance of emotions she picks up through her empathy. If she isn't picking up on any emotions, it will just default to showing what she is feeling herself. The exact size and shape of the screen is up to you.

[dontpokethat]

That mostly works (and sounds rad as hell)! My main concern would be that the tokoyami in his eye, if that's what you were referring to, don't usually multiply (beyond in the case of stuff like Tanyuu fucking with them in Wismuth); of course, I'd still be totally fine with the prosthetic making that happen if that's what it does, but I'd also ask if it keeps the resulting mushi contained?

[ringleaders]

I thought they did for some reason, or was it just them gathering in that spot?

WELL, it can easily be said that it makes them multiple somehow. And they would be contained into the eye piece, since the idea is that they wanted to replicate them like germs in a petri dish so that they could be taken out and examined. Without them being removed, though, the fact that they are multiplying will create a problem.

[dontpokethat]

Hell yeah, that works great for me! Thank you!

[hippocarnival]

Yuya cringes a little when Strange points out the production board, holding his hands up in a mock surrender.

"I'm trying!" Whether trying will be enough, though, he can't promise. "It's... easier to work around being tired now."

Is it just getting used to how weary and hungry and nightmare plagued he is? He's not really sure, and he's not inclined to sit and dwell on it right now.

[kingsroads]

Strange shifts his arms a little, as if that'll make the pain move to a different location. It doesn't really do that, but hey, it was an attempt.

"Well, keep it up," he gently chastises Yuya. "I know the work is tough but it's a lot harder to do anything once you fall down here." And that's even if Yuya's mysterious rabbit that might or might not be real can do anything to begin with.

"Best of luck," Strange nods, as he starts to head off back to where he's supposed to put the box.

this is gonna be pretrial b/c man would have this played differently if maru forgot her identity

[verbaltic]

On the one hand, shouldn't the kid be doing her own work? But on the other hand, if this girl knows how to do some farming or something like that, it won't hurt to at least listen.

"My name's Hanamaru Kunikida. And I think I'd like the help, zura." Maybe it could at least her to 'middling' instead of 'absolutely failing.' That'd be nice. "What's your name?"

[spaghettimonster]

Oooooh, I like. Having every part of his reflection change like that, even if the shape of him is mostly the same underneath, AND even if it makes him look a little like a cool skeleton robot, qualifies for Bad Tem. Couple questions!

- How well can he feel through the metal? Is it like he's trapped in a thin layer of armor that blocks sensation, or like having a layer of scales that dampens it from what he's used to, or can he feel sensations through the metal as if it's him? (If up to me, I prefer the middle option, because there's something Undertale about distance from feeling = reducing the damage they take.)

- How does the joint reinforcement affect his separation rare change? Do the joint reinforcements completely nullify his ability to separate his bones from each other, reduce it to certain key joints, or do they only offer a bit of shielding to the joints but otherwise not impede movement?

not switching accounts lol

[spaghettimonster]

And a quick confirmation - are the people of this trial being left like this, still bound in the trial room under observation of Rita and Sans, for the 24 hours? Or are they released back to the Farm/sleep cells without any notice how long the trial will last, free to interact with the other test subjects, with Rita and Sans on the farm to check on their status at various points?

[amphibiopathic]

Syrlya grabs her arm and it has entirely too much give in an instant, Eruka instinctively trying to wiggle out of his grip. It only makes the panic worse.

"Nothing!" Eruka near-screams, only barely remembering in time to catch herself and keep her voice to a low, panicked hiss. "Nothing happened, why would you think anything happened, I've been here this whole time doing this farmwork like I'm supposed to!"

[atouts]

Childermass brings up his other hand to place on Lambert's other shoulder as if that might somehow steady him better. It won't, not really, but there's something comforting about it nonetheless.

"I don't even know my reasons for not telling you before," he points out. "It's a bit pointless to argue about it until I do. What about the arrows? Other people have been getting that dream?"

[whattaprick]

"It's always pointless," Lambert mutters, but he collects himself, brows knitting together.

"They have," he confirms. "Besides you, three others." He could name them, but given the holes in Childermass's memory, he seriously doubts it would mean much. What's important to communicate, is--

"They're to give you power when you need it. To help us get out of here."

[ringleaders]

1) I'm fine with saying it's the middle option if that's what you prefer.

2) I actually totally forgot about that, but i have no interest I ruining someone's rare change, so assume that it is protecting joints more than sealing them together.

DAY 113

[soft_focus]

[DAY 113, EARLY]

Perhaps she had been tempting fate too much. Getting so fed up with things, taking at least an hour of her many hour work day to sit and ramble at the air near Deltas and Technicians. Maybe they realized something was Off.

Or maybe they just needed time after the 'Social Experiment' to figure out the best way to do it.

It's posted on the board, and she only notices because of the flash of the word 'Mandatory'- as has been sporadically meeting the board over this round. It's all rather unfair, she thinks. Weren't they supposed to ask for volunteers first?

And then she notices something else.

"Epsilon...709..." That.

That's her number, she's pretty sure.

[NIGHT 113 | POST-OP | CONTAINS VAGUE TRIAL DESCRIPTIONS]

Reira's memories of what just happened are a massive blur- confused and blended even further from comprehension by the sheer lack of understanding she had for what she saw in the first place. She remembered being brought into the trial chamber- remembered the suit becoming a weird disk, the cold cleaning spray getting her in the eyes as she grimaced, and then the table's weird translucent cling film covering almost everything once she laid down.

She had wondered how she could breathe through it, but more concerning at the time perhaps had been the machines. It was a bit like getting a shot. Or maybe like getting a sample taken. She couldn't tell, but she knew that things went very numb and very blurry, and the metal arms were moving around above her eyes to do something closer to her chest (or maybe more where her stomach was?? It was hard to tell) but all that was really coming to mind was 'Oh.'

'This sort of hurts, actually. A lot.'

Pain tolerance coupled with anesthetic did wonders during the surgery, apparently. To the point where most of it passed and felt like no time at all despite everything that they seemed to be doing. She thinks they may have had to do something to her back at some point, but maybe not. All she knows is that a lot happened, before the film was removed somewhat, while the arms did something Else. She knows for certain that there was a quiet period where she got to sit for a bit and respond to a bunch of pictures the machines present at least. Or. Well.

Less respond and more 'stare at while something on her front glows different colours', but they didn't seem to want to bother to say what it's about.

Instead she's sprayed with that mist again (she manages to close her eyes first this time) and put back in her suit, and taken to a cell.

By the time all the pain killing medications have worn off, she's laying in bed feeling a bit like she's done the worst belly flop into a pool imaginable. It's not enough for her to cry out, but it Is enough for her to remain on her back on the bottom bunk, staring at the one above with her arms at her sides.

...So that was what the trials Were, she finds herself thinking numbly.

...

She doesn't like it.

And she wishes she knew what happened, even a little.

The door eventually opens, and Reira turns her head to see who's come to join her for the night.

[anti_nonsense]

"Yeah. I grew up in a magic research facility, after all, so in some ways, I'm in my element here." Rita even seems somewhat relaxed right now, despite everything. "The computer systems are pretty amazing, I have to admit." The technology level may be far beyond anything Rita's worked with before, but there's a logic to how it works, and a certain beauty in the design and coding.

But after gazing out at the water for a bit, Rita turns around and instead leans back against the rail, allowing her to face Tyki. The visors prevent them from properly making eye contact, however.

"Never thought I'd actually miss talking to people normally, though," she adds after a pause. Then again, the keyword there might be normally. She's had quite a few conversations carried out through abnormal means in the past two days, after all.

[spaghettimonster]

1: it just seems fitting, so yeah! I'll go with that.

2: No worries, I haven't done a whole lot with it. I figured offering the range of takes would show I'm cool which whichever, and just wanted to know what to be going with.

Thank you again!

[prazerbutterfly]

"I'm a little jealous at the rest of you, that seems to be so bonded for a lot of this already. I am only experiencing such wonders a little at a time," he admits, his head tilting away to look over at the towering structures, much like he had at Wismuth.

It hides the way he's mildly surprised at her turning to face him, comfortable and spoken as if it was natural between them. It helps Tyki to relax as he rests back on his heels, straightening upwards.

"No, I understand what you mean," he responds, eyeing her over from head to toe as if looking for something, though to anyone else it might seem like he's checking out her body. He did have that reputation. In truth he was looking for her 'bead' or something he could fixate or latch onto.

LMAO YEAH...yeah...

[soft_focus]

Hey, she's still going to do her work!

It's called Demonstration. Reira's attitude at least perks up at the idea of doing something beneficial in all of this however, so she quickly responds. "Mn- Reira Akaba!" she answers quickly, tapping her fingers together as she carries on. "Ok! ...Was there stuff you were doing ok at before?" Better to start with what Hanamaru could at least mostly do, when it comes to advice on doing it better.

[periphrasing]

I'm gonna piggyback off this.

Re: Item 1, is it possible there's something on the interior of the cell that looks like Peridot could potentially conduct herself through using her elemental form in order to reach the control pad?

[atouts]

"It's not—" Oh, it doesn't even matter. He scowls but listens. "But what power? From who?"

[whattaprick]

"Someone who wants to save Ignatius, but who needs us to do it," Lambert explains. "And no, I don't know her name. Steven says we can call on her for fire and light, strength, or to find things."

[hippocarnival]

Yuya purses his lips. "I'm not going to do anything that I won't be able to help."

Giving his mark to Rita is totally under the definition of helping.

[ringleaders]

1) Yes, I would say so, but she still won't be able to use the control pad since it requires visor access.

[bananaspeedrider]

... Well you look like hell.

[Just bluntly stating facts of course. No tact attempted whatsoever. Still pretty typical for Yugo.]

If you need some help until we finally get out of here, you can ask.