⇨ POLARIS 3.0

[ringleaders]

Who: Everyone!
When: Day 115
Where: Polaris
What: On the morning of day 115, a couple hours before the technicians would come to pick up the test subjects, the escape plan will officially come into effect. If your character has been left out of the loop up till this point, feel free that someone hastily explains the plan during the initial phase! The meat of everything else will be played out via megathreads and any private toplevels people want to make.
Warnings: Probably violence.

PEER REVIEW↴ The plan starts with getting everyone out of their cells. Childermass is going to be using his Gilded Mark to enhance his shadow movement abilities, unabling him to teleport himself and other people out of containment. If your character has other ways of escaping they are free to pursue that, but on a base level, it can be assumed that everyone gets out thanks to Childermass. (Thanks Childermass!) Once everyone has been removed from their cells by some means or another, they will be forced to split into teams as swiftly as possible, as the moment people start breaking out, negative attention from the staff will start building. The area is poorly guarded at first, but as people become aware of the breakout, more will arrive. Gild, speaking on behalf of her inside plant, will say that those that 1) want to get their stuff back, 2) want to find Ignatius, should get the assistance of their allied Deltas to access sector A5. From there, they will have to access Polaris's storage in A3, a neighbouring sector, and find access to C2, the station where Ignatius is being held. They should expect to be met with armed resistance, but with any luck allies will be there to assist them. In general, characters will be most effective if they back one of these major objectives: ► TEAM LOOT: This team is trying to get back the items and pets that were confiscated when the group was brought into Polaris. Their objective, according to their allies on the inside, is to get to A5, and then make their way to A3. The important thing is being able to locate their stuff among a sea of other items, and to make it through security in order to reclaim it. Gild's plant has said that they will assist with this. After getting these items, Team Loot may wish to merge with Team Rescue. ► TEAM RESCUE: This team's primary focus is to get to A5 and then make their way to C2. If desired, they may wait for or join with Team Loot, or they may strike out ahead in order to take advantage of the element of surprise. The key factors are obtaining a way to access C2, as well as being prepared for armed conflict with the technicians guarding it, as well as possibly the Mother of Invention herself. Though, the ideal is that Gild will be distracting here at that time. ► TEAM DISTRACTION: This team can do their thing wherever they please, as their main intent is to sew general discord and distract the staff from the teams doing more important things. They should be prepared for armed resistance, but what tactics they pursue beyond that point are highly variable. ► TEAM FORTRESS: This team is attempting to set up a protective base of operations in the original sector in order to survive the conflict and protect their noncombatant comrades. How they accomplish this is also highly variable. Other objectives may exist, of course, and can be made with their own separate top levels. Chunks of these megathreads will have to be played out in summary form, so when characters are simply trying to get from place to place and specifics aren't necessary, feel free to stick to that format. Assume that everyone is already out of their cells for the purpose of the megathreads. Here is a shitty map of how the sectors connect, from a side view of the central Polaris hub.

Comments

► TEAM LOOT

[ringleaders]

[whattaprick]

Lambert's visibly tense until Childermass brings the last of their party to the teleporter, not that it improves much once everyone is actually present and they move through to A5. After all, in some respects, this is where the work really begins.

He looks a little different from how people may have seen him last, with angular, gold-circuited dark metal grafted over his horns. He's moving with a stiffness of motion only barely eased by the healing draught and witcher's potions he's drunk, and he's armed with his steel sword -- not much of a weapon, but better than nothing -- and the shapeshifting ring from the Ringmaster.

"Right," he looks around at the group, keeping his voice low. "Everyone clear on what to do? We move towards where our shit is, try not to draw attention unless we have to. No heroics -- just try to get in and out as quick as we can. If we're lucky, the plant's already there. If we need a distraction in a pinch, I can provide one. Any questions?"

[atouts]

Lambert's new look has had Childermass looking increasingly distraught every time he's had to look his way, though he won't say anything about it. His memories are still too scrambled to settle on why it upsets him beyond his dislike of the Winter Court and machines both and, as such, he isn't feeling too well about anyone else displaying visible changes or even having to force himself through some damn teleporter, but...

Now isn't the time or place to had a breakdown about it. He may hold himself apart from the rest. Not far, but just far enough, just uncertain enough. He'll mutter an affirmative when asked if it's clear on what they're doing.

"Should I look and see what's ahead or are we going straight in?"

[prazerbutterfly]

Tyki's quieter than usual, his ears stiffly swiveling on his head and listening while he does his part to assure them through with his Delta access. He's still wearing his Delta outfit and that visor on his eyes keeps most of his expression hidden other than the firm set of his lips. He can't help but scan Childermass and Lambert over for any tests or trials they might've undergone. He hasn't seen either of them in a while.

The moment they are through he pops open his wallhack potion and takes a long drink, wiping his mouth at the taste for better or worse. He's already told Lambert what it was earlier when he took it from the eggspace. He drinks it now because any more than an hour and they risk getting caught. He wants this over quickly and he nods at Lambert's question to affirm he's clear on what to do. He reminds them about their suits and the risk they pose at getting tased if any resistance isn't taken out quietly and quickly.

"Let me see what's ahead," he answers firmly, stepping forward to take a look, "With their visors they could call for help and if we go straight in, that's a possibility." There's no Ringmaster to bail them out this time. It was important they do nothing reckless and Tyki won't hesitate to drop someone to the floor if they do anything stupid.

[npcarnival]

Since this group is coming in second to the Rescue group, it means that as Tyki moves forward, there is no one immediately visible at the reception desk, mostly because both technicians are lying on the floor with their visors missing. They read as Gamma-302 and Gamma-307.

There's no one immediately visible down the hallway leading off to the side, either. It seems like they are clear to move forward.

[whattaprick]

The group won’t move on immediately. Stepping over the prone technicians, Lambert will direct a couple of members of the group to check the terminal and see if it may or may have more information about a direction for what they’re looking for (a storage/confiscation area) or any information about suit or taser controls.

Since Tyki has Delta access, he’s probably on point for that just in case the damn thing goes nuts and can tell if someone who shouldn’t be using it is using it. Fucking computers, man.

[spaghettimonster]

"Well, that simplifies things," Papyrus offers at the sight of the unconscious technicians. His entire skeleton's been coated in thin metals and thicker plating, covering the more vulnerable joints of his body in an altogether cyborg appearance, but it's not painful. Just a little less graceful, as he keeps shifting around at the yet-unfamiliar sensations of it.

He heads toward the reception desk with a goal in mind, a couple of bones clutched in one hand, with an only slightly-exaggerated confidence. He's used a computer or two in his day, even if this is more advanced than he's used to, and hopefully the interface is intuitive enough - and not set off by unauthorized users - that he can take a look.

In particular, he's searching for anything that seems to be related to suit / taser deactivation, whether for removing their outfits like at the starts of trials or for just turning off whatever in the suits activates the taser... as well as any fresh copies of the map, in hopes of finding areas marked something like confiscated goods or storage. If the map has a live feed of little dots indicating where everyone's at, that'd be especially helpful.

Of course, all that's moot if the reception desk doesn't actually have a computer, or if there is but it takes a visor to interface with it.

[npcarnival]

Apparently the unconscious technicians beneath the desk are also tied up, according to the other thread.

There is an accessible touch screen on the front of the desk, apparently meant to be used by anyone while the receptionists watch and provide aid. Most of it is just listings with generic supplies, so that technicians can come request that they need. Most of it won't sound familiar to a layman. It's obviously connected to some sort of storage, but when trying to request access to listings containing confiscated items or more advanced storage, it will refuse to go any further and ask for credentials. Tyki's won't be good enough, and it will tell him to speak to his supervisor.

Tyki's visor will respond to the desk area, indicating that is the supply request desk, and say that he has limited access, and has currently not been given clearance for pick ups. The map inside Tyki's visor will indicate that store rooms are in the hallway to the right, though there are some general labs and 'equipment servicing' bays nearby as well. When viewing this, the visor prompt will also suggest that he could speak to his supervisor before pursuing repairs.

He will be able to see through the first few layers of walls, and the first few seem to be filled with generic boxes of various sizes. There might be more to see once they enter the hall, however.

[whattaprick]

Ha ha if only it registered Childermass as his supervisor right? Lambert definitely makes a shitty joke to this effect.

What can they find about going to A4 and A3? (Lambert is assuming they’ll have to pass through one to ge to the other but if there’s a more direct route he’s all for it.)

[npcarnival]

Ostensibly they just need to get the right level of clearance to use the same teleporter they just entered through. Based on Tyki's visor, they need either Beta access, or permission from a Beta level or higher to go to certain locations in Polaris, including A3 or A4.

So, that means they probably need to find a Beta.

[prazerbutterfly]

Tyki continues to relay information as he receives it, his expression remaining neutral in a reflexive state. Lambert, that was a horrible joke and he will remind him that technically Childermass isn't his supervisor right now.

He glances down at the Gammas and then at the walls around him, rising from the computer since it is useless. He notes their lack of visors. He makes the general note that they can try to find a Beta or he could perhaps see if he can request one... which he might already be doing if no one pipes up to stop him or suggest something else. He'll look towards the repairs and simply navigate over towards requesting one.

[spaghettimonster]

Papyrus agrees and doesn't stop Tyki, figuring calling for one person to come here is a safer option than going looking for them and running into any number.

He checks their surroundings for good hiding places, moves into one where he's hidden from the rest of the room, then asks Tyki whether the visor indicates where he is. If they can't hide behind solid objects, sneaking around anywhere or ambushing people will be a lot trickier.

[npcarnival]

This is about the time that the Syrlya's party will cross paths with them, on their way back to the teleporter, Beta access chip freshly installed. This interaction should be mostly handwaved, but it can be assumed that information or items are quickly passed between groups during this encounter.

Apparently, their plant friend is waiting for them a bit further in.

[whattaprick]

Well hello, strangers.

Lambert waves Tyki off calling any betas, but any interaction he has with the other group is brief -- they've got places to be. Presumably, they had a pretty good reason to be lingering in the sector, and they've figured out the same thing they have regarding the teleporters. Without much more than a 'good luck,' he'll direct the rest of his team to head in the direction they're told to.

There's little surprise in his expression when Shimmer is mentioned, and he gives her a jaunty, lazy wave when he sees her, though his expression is otherwise serious.

"Well, fancy seeing you here. Heard you're our way to where we need to be." He raises his brows, expectant.

[hippocarnival]

Yuya's in a silly combination of elven armor pieces over the body suit with his staff. He doesn't have much to say, listening to what team Iggy found out and wishing them luck (particularly Rita, knowing what she's carrying). And then waves to Shimmer when they catch up with her, but gives Lambert and Tyki the room to talk.

[npcarnival]

"Hi," Shimmer says, crossing her arms and leaning against the wall as they arrive. "You've got it. To get where we're going, we're going to swap our your Delta's access chip for at least a Beta level." She gestures at Tyki.

"Of course... if we really want to make this plan shine, we should strive to catch an Alpha."

[prazerbutterfly]

Shimmer? That's interesting. He remembers Strange enthusiastically sharing every inch of his notes on her, always hunting him down whenever he met her again even in Eden when it was almost hazardous to do so about him finding that dumb book.

Scanning everyone that leaves out of habit, he notices Rita as a Beta and that throws up a red flag. Shimmers words also confirm his suspicions. His tail tip lashes behind him, unable to maintain his poker face within it. Already he's looking at the machine before him with a nod. "An Alpha... That sounds fun."

[whattaprick]

“Oh, is that all?” Lambert snorts. “You should have asked for something harder.”

But, presumably, she wouldn’t have asked without a plan. He nods at the rest of the group.

“Any chance that plan of yours includes getting these suits off some of us? Little hard to fool anyone when these damn things broadcast everything about us.”

[atouts]

"I think I'll take my chances with the suit," Childermass speaks up after... awhile. He's not exactly a chatty man to begin with, so whatever, although Lambert's question earns the witcher a vaguely annoyed look.

It makes sense to want to ditch them but, also, he doesn't want to be running around with a pack of naked people. Really. That said, he'll spare a glance towards their familiar new arrival.

"And unless you have an Alpha in mind, Ms. Shimmer, it may be just as well to carry on without. Time won't be on our side here."

[npcarnival]

"All of the machinery for applying and removing suits is in the B-Ring," she explains. "Test subjects are never meant to be in this part of the station, unless they are particularly tantalizing and require private examination."

"And I don't have any in mind, Mr Childermass," she says, looking at him. "Beta may have to do for now, for lack of better options. An Alpha wouldn't be in a sector like this very often."

"But that doesn't mean we can't strive for better later. The Mother has a secret stash,and I'd like to get into it."

[bananaspeedrider]

"A secret stash?" Yugo can't help but pipe up at that tidbit of information. "What's in it?"

Something extremely important is his best guess.

[alphudo]

Yuusei, having remained otherwise quiet and out of the way for the others to do their thing until this point, raises an eyebrow as he scouts for an appropriate place to hide his large body. "I've heard that the Mother experiments with iron; is that what's in this stash you're looking for, or is there more of hers that you're interested in?"

Glancing briefly to Lambert, he adds, "If iron ends up being our earliest convenience of getting these things off, I'd be willing to take the first blow." If they're all weak to iron here, then trying to remove the suits with it is undoubtedly risky, and he doesn't have any particular abilities that would be interfered with if they tested effectiveness on himself.

[prazerbutterfly]

The thought of anyone getting into his head again makes him uneasy, but now the thought of two attempts make him a little more compliant just because there was a matter of trust that needed to be extended before he was outright forced into it. He's also going to resist making any comments on 'private examinations' given he's flirted with a couple of techs here and there.

"If it'll help," he complies, knowing the first necessary but not quite sure about the second with the Alpha. A higher access would cause them to have less barriers down the road in case whatever plan Gild and Shimmer had hitches.

[npcarnival]

"She does have iron somewhere," Shimmer says. "Most of her experimentation with it is done on Winter colonies, where it isn't illegal to have. However, when I was here, she still kept a bit around to work with privately. She's obsessed with nullifying it as a threat."

"If we want to destroy her, that'd be a good place to start. Right now, though, we need to catch a higher level technician."

[whattaprick]

“Obsessed, but how successful? She’s used it in at least one experiment, so she has it around,” Lambert confirms, though he doesn’t shed any light on how he knows that. Instead, he’ll move on.

“We were about to use that desk to call a Beta and force them to get us through the teleporter. I’m guessing we can skip the ‘keeping them conscious’ part.” He waves at the unconscious Beta.

“We can decide about getting to that stash later. Do you know where it is, or do you have one of those marks too?”