Newt Geiszler | Pacific Rim (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
groupiedrifter) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
ximilialog2022-05-23 11:20 am
groupiedrifter) wrote in ximilialog2022-05-23 11:20 am
[PLAYER PLOT LOG] you can fight this all you want
CHARACTERS: Everyone opting into the Kaiju player plot!
LOCATION: The Train to Vrefesea
DATE: The very end of the mission.
CONTENT: Newton Geiszler, fully possessed by precursors, attempts to wipe out the Ximilia crew and get to the station to retrieve the orb — by borrowing some of the orb's power to raise a miniature kaiju, of course! How else do you try to kill your meatsuit's friends and take what's obviously yours? (Please read the mod's mission conclusion as well, as it contains information before and after this player plot!)
WARNINGS: Likely will involve blood/violence, potential mentioned NPC civilian death, and possession; any additional content warnings will be listed in anyone's top levels!
I. YOU BETTER RUN LIKE THE DEVIL | (KAIJU ATTACK PROMPT)
"Oh, screw it."
There's a vivid burst of light in front of Newton — a cacophony of energy around him that brightens his eager, manic expression. He talks to the mysterious glow, his smile wolfish, predatory. "Lend me some of that sweet power of yours, and I'll make it worth your while. Enough destruction to feed on for lifetime after lifetime. I know just the planets we can visit. I even have the perfect means of travel in mind to take over. What do you say? The Ximilia's really cozy. Help me get to you in Vrefesea, and we'll strike you up a fresh new bargain...!"
The orb is nowhere on the train; it's many miles away, and yet — it's power is here, and there's little room for doubt: it has given Newton Geiszler a fraction of its power. Before anyone can push through the force that has been created, it's too late. The ethereal light pops like a bubble in front of him, expanding to blind those in the train cars nearest to him.
If any crewmembers of the Ximilia are close enough and make the choice to lash out at him, what weapons they have on hand will not meet Newton's skin; their blades or bullets will bounce off a resilient set of thick, reptile-like scales. As the train shakes uncomfortably, rattling their bones and flickering the lights, a long-tailed, bi-pedaled beast bursts out of the light itself, created from thin air and shielding its master from harm. The sharp spines that line the back of the beast's head scrapes gashes into the ceiling of the train car, and its barbed tail whips around with enough strength to break bone, smashing into windows and letting unpleasant gusts of wind into the long line of cars.
It is a kaiju.
Just like the creatures from Newton's world that he'd spoken of many times aboard the Ximilia — smaller and more compact here, but no less of a nightmare when you're literally powerless. And despite Newton saying nothing to it, it seems to know exactly what its purpose is. The beast looks straight down the walkway ahead of it, toward orbers and confused civilians approaching from the back cars... and begins its wild assault down the middle of the train cars. Newton has already fled in the other direction — toward the front of the train — and as he goes, the kaiju lets out a battle-cry that rattles abandoned glasses before it lunges toward whomever may be unfortunate enough to be in its warpath.
You'll need to think fast or fight hard; the kaiju is creating chaos as it goes, and the passengers are all in peril if left unguarded. Likewise, many orbers don't have the means to fight, and must simply run and survive... to do what they must to get out of this without the beast's massive claws slicing through their skin or its tail snapping bone. It will not hesitate to try and take anyone too slow or bold in its mouth and shake them like prey, throw them aside, and move onto the next target. The kaiju's goal is clear: it is here to kill and damage, to keep them all at bay for their master.
Those who can manage it may dodge around the beast with some fast moves, or tucking away into corners to be passed over, left to be able to hide safely in the debris and chaos... or give chase to Newton. The others who fall back? Must fight it, as well as defend the train's passengers, many of which scurry toward the back of the train in a mad panic.
Luckily, the kaiju is not all-powerful: if a weapon is lodged between its scales, the pointed ends can be wedged in deep enough to draw blood and do real damage... and the softer underside of its long, alligator-like jaw can be pierced after many foolhardy attempts, but be careful: its blood is a terrible corrosive. If it meets one's skin and isn't removed very quickly, it will leave an awful burn where it falls, one that will worsen until the thick substance is wiped away and left to slowly corrode elsewhere.
Eventually, the creature will be taken down. Try not to get killed before then.
[PROMPT NOTE: The two selected characters from the plotting post's RNG may create a thread together to kill the kaiju; the takedown will happen at the very tail end of the player plot, of course, but feel free to start in any time! Everyone else is more than welcome to land blows on the kaiju or find themselves running, harmed or attempting to save civilians and orbers.]
II. SPARKS AGAINST THE RAILING | (OPT-OUT OPTION)
But not everyone will even know what's happening, in that moment: those who are further back in the train cars will be concerned by the distant jolts of energy making the train cars tremble, until an even larger jolt that knocks them to their knees — followed by the smell of smoke. If they make their way through the doors that bridge one piece of the train to the next, they'll find themselves stopped suddenly short... when they open the door and find that there is no next train car to greet them. No walkway that leads to a new door.
Instead, they look down to see railroad tracks submerged in ocean water.
And further up the tracks? The rest of the train is speeding away, leaving them behind.
As the backend of the detached train they're stuck in slowly rolls to a helpless stop, an inspection will reveal what must surely have been a bomb of some sort that had been detonated and completely blasted through the train coupler. Can't really keep moving if you're not coupled to an engine anymore, can you...? The orbers and passengers on these last few cars will be mortified to realize they're stranded — and there's no catching up to what sounds like the distant sounds of monstrous roars. Indeed, it looks like everyone trapped there will have to simply hope that those left aboard the speeding train will return for them later. And for the orbers: they'll have to hope that their fellow teammate will retrieve the orb and teleport them back to the Ximilia.
Hopefully with everyone in one piece. Hopefully.
[PROMPT NOTES: If you'd like minimal interaction, there's also the option of still being able to contact those involved through the network/inboxes! This is basically just an option put into place so that anyone who isn't feeling the player plot or are too busy to participate to have an easy out.]
III. SAY HELLO TO THE BRUSH FIRE | (BOMB DISARMING PROMPT)
Ah, but was that explosion the only one those left aboard the speeding train need to worry about?
Unfortunately, the answer is no.
Those who have managed to skate by the kaiju or are further back on what's left of the train will have another concerning dilemma on their hands, one of which is swiftly brought to their attention: explosives.
Explosives some of the more seasoned orbers may recognize, built eerily close to those used to blow up the pulse-fire mining tunnels on the planet Badrock. Another sample of Newton's work, something which the precursors possessing him must've sapped knowledge of to prepare before they'd even left for this train mission; those train guards really should have checked their luggage, huh?
There is a telltale timer build into the sides of the devices, giving frighteningly short windows of opportunity to be defused. Yes, if left unattended, these will no doubt finish off any of the remaining train cars, leaving them to become stranded — or worse. Derailing is not something anyone will want to happen here, nor do they want Newton to decouple the remaining train cars as he makes his way to the front of the barreling locomotive; being left behind or killed means the orb's as good as theirs.
Attempting to rip the explosives away from the spaces they've been attached will do no good, not unless you want an instant explosion to occur (and maybe some of you need to be urgently stopped before you do this very stupid thing; don't you know anything about pressure switches, friends?). But if you've got someone around with particularly skilled hands and well-trained brains when it comes to bomb disposal, you may be in luck, because they can most-certainly be disarmed by those familiar with basic technologies. Better get on that fast, team. Newton will appreciate it keeping you busy either way.
IV. KILL ALL YOUR FRIENDS | SEMI-CLOSED | (CONFRONTING NEWTON PROMPT)
'We feel you wriggling around in there, Newton,' the precursors think.
Armed with a supply of talismans from Sedorum powered by their new best friend the orb, they make their way from train to train, their perfectly shined shoes tapping urgently along the train. Most of the civilians make way, too busy cowering, but they don't hesitate to aim a handy-dandy ray gun from the Ximilia herself and shoot any brave souls who try to stop them from progressing. 'That'll show 'em.' As long as they can get this body to the first few train cars, it'll be easy breezy: the remaining bombs will detonate and decouple the rest of them to be left with a violent, murderous kaiju, they'll get to the station, and the orb will be as good as theirs... And then, of course, they'll take over the Ximilia and collect the rest of the orbs for themselves.
Easy peasy, as Newton would have said.
But the prideful creatures don't particularly expect too many of you to get through the kaiju's barrage, or the bombs planted along the couplers ... Hmm. But shouldn't they have heard some explosions by now? Surely the timed bombs weren't disabled, were they? They slide their hand into their pocket, curling Newton's fingers around the etched talismans there he'd taken from Sedorum — the last mission had a lot of benefits, y'know?
So do be careful if you're giving chase: he's more armed than he seems, and more capable of defensive attacks than some who are usually more superpowered aboard this train. They won't hesitate to shoot to kill, though you can try your best to talk to Newton; clearly this must be Newton, right? And Newton is a good man — surely he can be convinced what he's doing is wrong. Surely he will see reason and remember his empathy and better nature...!
(Oh, if only.)
But eventually, finally, with some elbow grease and maybe a bit of rough treatment, Newton will be apprehended.
Just in time for (most) of the train to roll up to the loading zone.
... Welcome to Vrefesea Station?
[PROMPT NOTES: This prompt is somewhat closed for Newton! I'll be plotting with CR and seeing who is interested in running into him and getting hurt or failing to capture him; if you're interested, feel free to hit me up on plurk at![[plurk.com profile]](https://plurk.com/favicon.ico)
simpledog or via private message! I cannot guarantee I can involve everyone that is interested for the sake of time, but I will try my best to keep it varied! There will also be a short network post from the precursors, as well as a post-player plot log where characters with the ability to supernaturally or technically help remove the precursors from Newton's mind, so there'll be plenty of other methods of interaction if those fit your fancy! The two characters who are RNG'd to apprehend Newton in a thread will be contacted and threaded out here in a closed thread.
And that's all she wrote! Check out the mod's conclusion post to see the ending of the mission and the player plot, in which the orb is retrieved and Newton is apprehended and returned with everyone else to the Ximilia. I'll be posting a log sometime after this one for (less perilous) precursor interaction and removal aboard the station, so stay tuned for that if you're interested in being involved!
Thanks so much for everything. ♥ ]
LOCATION: The Train to Vrefesea
DATE: The very end of the mission.
CONTENT: Newton Geiszler, fully possessed by precursors, attempts to wipe out the Ximilia crew and get to the station to retrieve the orb — by borrowing some of the orb's power to raise a miniature kaiju, of course! How else do you try to kill your meatsuit's friends and take what's obviously yours? (Please read the mod's mission conclusion as well, as it contains information before and after this player plot!)
WARNINGS: Likely will involve blood/violence, potential mentioned NPC civilian death, and possession; any additional content warnings will be listed in anyone's top levels!
I. YOU BETTER RUN LIKE THE DEVIL | (KAIJU ATTACK PROMPT)
"Oh, screw it."
There's a vivid burst of light in front of Newton — a cacophony of energy around him that brightens his eager, manic expression. He talks to the mysterious glow, his smile wolfish, predatory. "Lend me some of that sweet power of yours, and I'll make it worth your while. Enough destruction to feed on for lifetime after lifetime. I know just the planets we can visit. I even have the perfect means of travel in mind to take over. What do you say? The Ximilia's really cozy. Help me get to you in Vrefesea, and we'll strike you up a fresh new bargain...!"
The orb is nowhere on the train; it's many miles away, and yet — it's power is here, and there's little room for doubt: it has given Newton Geiszler a fraction of its power. Before anyone can push through the force that has been created, it's too late. The ethereal light pops like a bubble in front of him, expanding to blind those in the train cars nearest to him.
If any crewmembers of the Ximilia are close enough and make the choice to lash out at him, what weapons they have on hand will not meet Newton's skin; their blades or bullets will bounce off a resilient set of thick, reptile-like scales. As the train shakes uncomfortably, rattling their bones and flickering the lights, a long-tailed, bi-pedaled beast bursts out of the light itself, created from thin air and shielding its master from harm. The sharp spines that line the back of the beast's head scrapes gashes into the ceiling of the train car, and its barbed tail whips around with enough strength to break bone, smashing into windows and letting unpleasant gusts of wind into the long line of cars.
It is a kaiju.
Just like the creatures from Newton's world that he'd spoken of many times aboard the Ximilia — smaller and more compact here, but no less of a nightmare when you're literally powerless. And despite Newton saying nothing to it, it seems to know exactly what its purpose is. The beast looks straight down the walkway ahead of it, toward orbers and confused civilians approaching from the back cars... and begins its wild assault down the middle of the train cars. Newton has already fled in the other direction — toward the front of the train — and as he goes, the kaiju lets out a battle-cry that rattles abandoned glasses before it lunges toward whomever may be unfortunate enough to be in its warpath.
You'll need to think fast or fight hard; the kaiju is creating chaos as it goes, and the passengers are all in peril if left unguarded. Likewise, many orbers don't have the means to fight, and must simply run and survive... to do what they must to get out of this without the beast's massive claws slicing through their skin or its tail snapping bone. It will not hesitate to try and take anyone too slow or bold in its mouth and shake them like prey, throw them aside, and move onto the next target. The kaiju's goal is clear: it is here to kill and damage, to keep them all at bay for their master.
Those who can manage it may dodge around the beast with some fast moves, or tucking away into corners to be passed over, left to be able to hide safely in the debris and chaos... or give chase to Newton. The others who fall back? Must fight it, as well as defend the train's passengers, many of which scurry toward the back of the train in a mad panic.
Luckily, the kaiju is not all-powerful: if a weapon is lodged between its scales, the pointed ends can be wedged in deep enough to draw blood and do real damage... and the softer underside of its long, alligator-like jaw can be pierced after many foolhardy attempts, but be careful: its blood is a terrible corrosive. If it meets one's skin and isn't removed very quickly, it will leave an awful burn where it falls, one that will worsen until the thick substance is wiped away and left to slowly corrode elsewhere.
Eventually, the creature will be taken down. Try not to get killed before then.
[PROMPT NOTE: The two selected characters from the plotting post's RNG may create a thread together to kill the kaiju; the takedown will happen at the very tail end of the player plot, of course, but feel free to start in any time! Everyone else is more than welcome to land blows on the kaiju or find themselves running, harmed or attempting to save civilians and orbers.]
II. SPARKS AGAINST THE RAILING | (OPT-OUT OPTION)
But not everyone will even know what's happening, in that moment: those who are further back in the train cars will be concerned by the distant jolts of energy making the train cars tremble, until an even larger jolt that knocks them to their knees — followed by the smell of smoke. If they make their way through the doors that bridge one piece of the train to the next, they'll find themselves stopped suddenly short... when they open the door and find that there is no next train car to greet them. No walkway that leads to a new door.
Instead, they look down to see railroad tracks submerged in ocean water.
And further up the tracks? The rest of the train is speeding away, leaving them behind.
As the backend of the detached train they're stuck in slowly rolls to a helpless stop, an inspection will reveal what must surely have been a bomb of some sort that had been detonated and completely blasted through the train coupler. Can't really keep moving if you're not coupled to an engine anymore, can you...? The orbers and passengers on these last few cars will be mortified to realize they're stranded — and there's no catching up to what sounds like the distant sounds of monstrous roars. Indeed, it looks like everyone trapped there will have to simply hope that those left aboard the speeding train will return for them later. And for the orbers: they'll have to hope that their fellow teammate will retrieve the orb and teleport them back to the Ximilia.
Hopefully with everyone in one piece. Hopefully.
[PROMPT NOTES: If you'd like minimal interaction, there's also the option of still being able to contact those involved through the network/inboxes! This is basically just an option put into place so that anyone who isn't feeling the player plot or are too busy to participate to have an easy out.]
III. SAY HELLO TO THE BRUSH FIRE | (BOMB DISARMING PROMPT)
Ah, but was that explosion the only one those left aboard the speeding train need to worry about?
Unfortunately, the answer is no.
Those who have managed to skate by the kaiju or are further back on what's left of the train will have another concerning dilemma on their hands, one of which is swiftly brought to their attention: explosives.
Explosives some of the more seasoned orbers may recognize, built eerily close to those used to blow up the pulse-fire mining tunnels on the planet Badrock. Another sample of Newton's work, something which the precursors possessing him must've sapped knowledge of to prepare before they'd even left for this train mission; those train guards really should have checked their luggage, huh?
There is a telltale timer build into the sides of the devices, giving frighteningly short windows of opportunity to be defused. Yes, if left unattended, these will no doubt finish off any of the remaining train cars, leaving them to become stranded — or worse. Derailing is not something anyone will want to happen here, nor do they want Newton to decouple the remaining train cars as he makes his way to the front of the barreling locomotive; being left behind or killed means the orb's as good as theirs.
Attempting to rip the explosives away from the spaces they've been attached will do no good, not unless you want an instant explosion to occur (and maybe some of you need to be urgently stopped before you do this very stupid thing; don't you know anything about pressure switches, friends?). But if you've got someone around with particularly skilled hands and well-trained brains when it comes to bomb disposal, you may be in luck, because they can most-certainly be disarmed by those familiar with basic technologies. Better get on that fast, team. Newton will appreciate it keeping you busy either way.
IV. KILL ALL YOUR FRIENDS | SEMI-CLOSED | (CONFRONTING NEWTON PROMPT)
'We feel you wriggling around in there, Newton,' the precursors think.
Armed with a supply of talismans from Sedorum powered by their new best friend the orb, they make their way from train to train, their perfectly shined shoes tapping urgently along the train. Most of the civilians make way, too busy cowering, but they don't hesitate to aim a handy-dandy ray gun from the Ximilia herself and shoot any brave souls who try to stop them from progressing. 'That'll show 'em.' As long as they can get this body to the first few train cars, it'll be easy breezy: the remaining bombs will detonate and decouple the rest of them to be left with a violent, murderous kaiju, they'll get to the station, and the orb will be as good as theirs... And then, of course, they'll take over the Ximilia and collect the rest of the orbs for themselves.
Easy peasy, as Newton would have said.
But the prideful creatures don't particularly expect too many of you to get through the kaiju's barrage, or the bombs planted along the couplers ... Hmm. But shouldn't they have heard some explosions by now? Surely the timed bombs weren't disabled, were they? They slide their hand into their pocket, curling Newton's fingers around the etched talismans there he'd taken from Sedorum — the last mission had a lot of benefits, y'know?
So do be careful if you're giving chase: he's more armed than he seems, and more capable of defensive attacks than some who are usually more superpowered aboard this train. They won't hesitate to shoot to kill, though you can try your best to talk to Newton; clearly this must be Newton, right? And Newton is a good man — surely he can be convinced what he's doing is wrong. Surely he will see reason and remember his empathy and better nature...!
(Oh, if only.)
But eventually, finally, with some elbow grease and maybe a bit of rough treatment, Newton will be apprehended.
Just in time for (most) of the train to roll up to the loading zone.
... Welcome to Vrefesea Station?
[PROMPT NOTES: This prompt is somewhat closed for Newton! I'll be plotting with CR and seeing who is interested in running into him and getting hurt or failing to capture him; if you're interested, feel free to hit me up on plurk at
And that's all she wrote! Check out the mod's conclusion post to see the ending of the mission and the player plot, in which the orb is retrieved and Newton is apprehended and returned with everyone else to the Ximilia. I'll be posting a log sometime after this one for (less perilous) precursor interaction and removal aboard the station, so stay tuned for that if you're interested in being involved!
Thanks so much for everything. ♥ ]
no subject
[She speaks with worry, not sure if he should keep going after the kaiju in this state. Especially if he hasn't managed to land a good hit on it yet.]
But we should also be thinking of evacuation. If no one's able to take it down, we'll all die if we stay on board.
[But it's not like they can just leap off all that safely. It may be their only choice in the end though. And she's coming to terms with that as she finishes cleaning off the blood on his head.]
no subject
And here, that isn't the case. He doesn't always have to put himself at risk so directly. He knows Law would prefer he didn't, too. So he nods, as she pulls the cloth away, and begins to consider exits, rather than attacks.]
You're right about that. I hate to split our forces but not all of us can attack that creature effectively in such a small space. The more of us who survive, the better. Are there safe ways to stop a train if you aren't at the helm?
no subject
[Because she just doesn't see another way of stopping the train.]
I think we've already lost some cars off the back. Losing a few more with people safely inside is another option.
[Though not as appealing, she quickly realizes. There's just too many things that could go wrong with trying to force a few cars off. People could wind up injured, and the rest of the team could be further separated.]
Think heading toward the front is our best bet.
no subject
[They'll just have to be quiet and careful and fast so that thing doesn't come rampaging after them. Not an easy combination, especially without his powers to help them. But he notes the backup option - because while stranding people is definitely not ideal, it's less bad than some of the alternatives they're faced with.
He holsters his pistol and peers toward the front of the train, keeping his cover behind the wreckage of the compartment just in case. But wherever that thing went, it isn't right there in front of them. With one hand on a smashed chunk of wall, he stands, then holds his other hand out to Clara.
Weird being nearly her height, but it's not all bad.]
no subject
Rosinante is just himself, no matter how tall he may be.
And because of that, she doesn't hesitate in reaching over to take his hand. She's safe with him, she has no doubts of that.]
Come along then, Rosinante. It's time for a bit of fun.
[She's the one who starts to guide the way through the train, never letting go of his hand as they hurry along.]
no subject
They run past wreckage, and people cowering amongst it like they had been previously. Most of the passengers are quiet, but ahead someone cries out with pain from an injury sustained the last time the creature ran through this car. He doesn't slow down, though. Hopefully they can hold on. Stopping the train has to take priority, if they can work out how. They'll save a lot more people that way. But...]
Lotta people must be hurt pretty bad. If we can't get to the front or figure something else out, maybe we can at least help them.
no subject
[She reassures him, knowing that if they stop to help one person, they're both likely to want to stop and help them all. She's not the sort to walk away from people that need help, especially injured people that may be afraid.
As they pass through a car and into another where there's an injured family that are trying to console their small children, Clara realizes their plan to get to the front of the train is now on hold. She gives one glance towards him before she goes over to crouch down so the family can see her.]
Hey. It's gonna be okay. Rosinante and I, we're here to help you.
no subject
So he leans in behind her and looks the group over. Thankfully, the kids seem to have been spared the worst of it, but that doesn't stop them from being terrified by the whole ordeal, and the frightening angle that their father's leg is at.]
That's a bad break. Looks like it can be splinted for now, though. And -
[See, the benefit of him and Clara stocking their supply packs before each mission is he actually has a bottle of painkillers, which he hands to the guy along with some water.]
no subject
We need to find something to make a splint. Do you see anything?
no subject
[This means popping his head out into the open again to make sure he's not about to have a kaiju come down on top of him, though. And once again he wishes he'd brought the glaive - the shaft would be heavy, but sturdy enough to do the job.
Still, it doesn't take long to find some suitable items. A long splintered shard of compartment door will do once the rough edges are worn off with his knife. As he pushes wreckage aside, he finds someone who wasn't fortunate enough to survive the kaiju when it tore through this area earlier, and he apologizes under his breath as he takes the decorative scarf they were wearing to use to help tie the man's leg to the shard of wood.]
It's a start, [he says as he returns.] I'd like more than the one scarf, but I don't think we can be picky. There should be a dining car ahead with tablecloths, if this isn't enough.
[And he can and will go there, but who knows what's going on in there right now.]
no subject
We need to keep going. There's bound to be more just like this.
[Or worse, she thinks, but she wisely keeps that thought to herself.]
We can come back with a tablecloth after we've tried to make our way further up.
no subject
[Hard as it is to leave a job seemingly unfinished, he also can't convince himself that it's worth staying here any longer. At least now if this guy has to run, he can hobble along a little easier until a better solution is found.]
I'll pick up stuff along the way that looks useful. Might as well. Want me to take the lead again?
[Even if he's not much bigger than her right now, he still might be better able to move smashed luggage and broken bits of train out of the way.]
no subject
[Clara plans on following along close behind him, helping move whatever she can. She's sure they'll encounter plenty more injured and even some dead along the way. And can only hope that they have the time to do whatever they can to help.]