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ximilialog2022-11-08 03:24 pm
MISSION: THE DARKEST WILD
● ● ● M I S S I O N 1 0 . 0
It’s the middle of the day when the ping! of a new mission file is broadcast across every crewmember’s communications device. Whether you were in the middle of your meal, or occupied in one of the other rooms, you might want to pause for a moment to check on the file and hear what Viveca has to say.
You’ll have the rest of the afternoon to figure out what to pack with you, and it might not be a bad idea to seek some advice from those more experienced with the great outdoors; and when the morning comes, it is time to head to the teleportation platform once again.
It’ll be up and running when you arrive, its’ hum now a familiar sound — and beside the platform, Viveca awaits the entire team to shuffle in. Once everyone has gathered there, she takes a quick headcount and then smiles.
With that, the machine’s hum grows louder and louder, its lights blinding —
And then all of a sudden the lights shut down, the hum of the engine cutting off as if by a knife’s edge. Perhaps you are part of those who are left standing on the now-quiet platform, Viveca’s quiet curses in the dark the only other sound … until sudden laughter is carried into your comms, a woman’s voice echoing in your ears.
Or it may just be that you are one of those that the machine takes with it, suspended in the middle of nothingness with the multiverse surrounding you, waiting to be pulled towards the right direction — in your ears, there is the whisper of many voices, telling you what you must do in order to receive their help.
And then, just before you can open your mouth to shout for help, you find sand beneath your feet.
Somehow, some way, you’ve arrived on Noth 11X8.
The pale yellow skies of Noth 11X8 are dark and storm-filled when you arrive. Rolling thunder booms in the distance, and fat raindrops fall around you, leaving you drenched in seconds. At your feet are the pale sands of the island’s shoreline, and stretching out beyond that are the wild, torrential waves you’re meant to cross.
You might take a moment to gather your wits about you, but it won’t take long to realize there are fewer of your number than you last remember. If you try to reach out to the missing crew, you’ll only find static through your earpiece… similar to the way it sounds whenever you try to reach Viveca or Degar during a mission.
Wherever the rest of the team are, whatever happened to them — those are answers you won’t find in the wilds that stretch out around you. What you do know is this: there is an orb waiting for you on the next island over, and the faster you get to it, the faster you can hope to find your missing people and finally get the sand out from between your toes. (You know, if you’ve got them.)
1.0 Unfortunately, it doesn’t look as if the storm will let up any time soon. (In fact, it won’t until seven hours later.) Those of you who are perhaps feeling antsier than the others might genuinely consider attempting the trip even with the waters raging as they are. Who knows, maybe you’ve got skills and abilities of your own that would make the journey from island to island mere child’s play.
2.0 Maybe you notice the giant turtle dragon peacefully slumbering along the shoreline, whose entire length, as far as you can see, stretches the distance between the two islands. With its tough, armored skin and the rock-like formations along its shell, the turtle dragon almost appears… hikable. It’s definitely a risk, but is it any riskier than braving the churning waters yourself? It doesn’t even seem to notice the commotion happening all around it, so what are the chances it’ll notice a little ant like you crawling along its body?
Of course, you can always choose to wait the weather out. By the following morning, the skies will have cleared, and you can now see the main island in the distance. There, rising right out of its center, is the volcano that houses the orb. Thanks to the mission file you know it is active, but right now it sits dormant, save for a faint cloud of crackling energy floating over its peak. The more you look at it, the more unsettling it becomes, until eventually you find yourself forced to look away.
You refocus. One quick look around you will make clear that the turtle dragon has disappeared, likely sinking back under the cooler waters to avoid the rising heat from the planet’s trinity of suns. The air is thick and humid now, tasting of the previous night’s rains, but the ocean is calm and welcoming. What better time to venture out than now?
3.0 Daylight reveals the smaller island to be rife with natural resources that can easily make a handy raft, should you have the skill to fashion one. The trees alone would suffice: tough wood, sturdy and flexible leaves, vines for rope, and sap so sticky and waterproof it would give any artificial glue a run for its money. (Careful not to get it on your hands! The only way to remove the sap from any surface is to use the juice of the tree’s fruits ... a fine idea of course, except for the rank smell that lingers for at least two days.)
4.0 Further investigation will reveal the planet’s fauna to be just as helpful as its flora. Basking along the shoreline are a herd of irkals. While the males are only about 2 meters long, the females average around 3 meters from the tips of their snout to the tips of their tails. They are friendly and playful when approached, to the point where it doesn’t take much cajoling for the irkals to wade into the waters with you. By that point, why not test your luck? This time around, fortune favors the friendly — any who attempt to get a ride off of one of the irkals will find them agreeable. In fact, they might even make a race of it…
5.0 Should you choose a more direct route, you’ll find the waters during the daytime a tepid temperature, just a degree or two shy of feeling uncomfortable. Swimming the distance will clock you in somewhere under three hours, and the trip will be (miraculously) relatively uneventful. Save for the group of irkals, the waters are quiet. As you get closer to the main island, you may happen across a lone gevvin hanging around just outside of the shoreline. Though it will find you curious and swim closer for examination, it won’t prove aggressive unless provoked first.
Regardless of how you get there, the moment you step onto the main island’s sands, you can feel the difference. The air here is thicker, almost tangible and electric. In fact, the closer you get to the island’s center, the denser the atmosphere around you will feel, as if something invisible is physically trying to prevent you from approaching.
But that’s a problem for future-you. Right now, you’ve still got the rest of the island to get through. Those of you with teleporting abilities or enhanced speed will find they no longer work accurately, and the more you try, the more disastrous every outcome gets. Hopefully you’ve packed some water to keep hydrated, because it looks like you’re stuck doing it the old-fashioned way.
At least the view is nice. Like the island you first landed on, the main island is overrun with nature, with plenty of vegetation and fruit to provide sustenance. Flora of various kinds thrive in vivid, brilliant colors, providing a lush backdrop to your otherwise tenuous trek.
6.0 But as the day wears on, the planet’s suns prove to be an obstacle all on their own. In the middle of the day when the suns are at their highest in the sky, the heat will be so unbearable that only a handful of seconds under direct light will result in second degree burns. It may be in your best interest to find shade and shelter with your fellow teammates until the worst of the mid-afternoon sunlight has passed.
7.0 Nevertheless, the majority of your traveling will probably be best done during the daytime. At night, Noth 11X8’s only moon plunges the planet into a bone-piercing chill. Even if you can withstand the freezing cold, what little moonlight that manages to make it through the tree’s canopies makes for overall poor visibility, hindering any productive travel.
8.0 And be careful not to get too distracted by the scenery either. Many dangers await you on a planet deemed ungovernable by its own neighbors. Apart from the creatures of interest listed on the mission file, the island is teeming with wildlife who may not take too kindly over being disturbed. They may be encountered during the day as you're trekking through the island, or at night when you're trying to rest, so make sure to familiarise yourself with them beforehand so you know what to look out for.
• Dregzeok: Nocturnal. They hunt in pairs using their razor-sharp horns/antlers and the glowing orbs along their body, which gathers energy from the planet’s moon to create concussive energy blasts.
• Bladed Iris: Named for their coloring that matches many of the island’s wild flora, these solitary reptiles main weapon are the numerous spikes along their tail and frill. If that doesn’t work, they can also spit out a corrosive acid the same orange color as their markings.
• Thrilqoils: A symbiotic species, each thrilqoil is host to at least a dozen qoils (miniscule, gnat-like insects). While relatively peaceful, they can be very territorial of their nests found along low-hanging branches of trees. Just one sting can cause the flesh to swell up to the size of a small melon.
• Swamp Boars: Found only in swamps, their tough plating make for good armor. Though these herbivores keep mostly to themselves, they have been known to maul and gore any would-be threats.
• Khulgruns: These giants can be easily confused with the trees found scattered near rivers, but the khulgruns themselves are not actually the wood, but rather the glowing bulbs encased within them. Once fully matured, a khulgrun will burrow itself into a tree, uproot it, and use it as a vessel for its body.
• Oltir: While a useful plant during the evening, ingesting the bulbs of an oltir will cause the eater to feel incredibly intoxicated for the next three hours as it digests.
Despite it all, you reach your destination. By now, the orb’s power is downright palpable in the air surrounding the volcano. Gravity feels stronger, making each step heavier than the last. At its peak, pink-purple clouds swirl overhead like a brewing storm. Maybe you feel a sense of unease at the sight of the omen, but you also know how close you are now. There, nestled into the volcano’s caldera, sits your ticket out of this hellscape — the orb.
Then it happens — a daunting rumble.
9.0 Like a tidal wave, the rumbling ripples through the volcano, making the ground beneath your feet shudder and groan. Without any further warning, scorching lava spews out from the opening, erupting into the air and running down its craggy sides. Riding the fiery currents are magma crabs, looking for an easy meal by snatching up any scorched creature the lava leaves behind. You’ll probably want to get out of the way.
And yet, you know you have to find a way to brave the lava and the fumes of the active volcano, because leaving the orb there is not an option — so it's in your best interest to put your thinking caps on, plan with others, and figure out a way to get to your goal.
F Y I
• If you have questions about any of the prompts or the mission in general, please direct them HERE.
• To submit a suggestion for the orb retrieval, please do so HERE.
• And finally, your soundtrack for this log: ♪ ♪ ♪
earth
It's not his fault. Clearly he had no idea how to prepare for this mission, or else he wouldn't be out here dressed like a disheveled data analyst.
She makes a mental note of that.]
When was the last time you had something to eat?
[It's fairly clear he hasn't been drinking. Not that all of them aren't looking a little worse for wear at this point—Natasha's managed to get a sunburn across her nose that she'll regret when it starts peeling, and chapped lips and dirty hair come with the territory—but even so he's clearly fairing worse than the others.]
The suns are getting real high. Might be a good time to find some water and settle in for lunch and a rest.
no subject
Castiel is deeply entrenched in his own misery when Natasha appears at his side. Though he feels relieved to see a familiar face, his expression remains harried. At least it's somewhat of a relief to see his own misery reflected on her sun-reddened skin. If she can survive such small but unrelenting pains, surely he can, too. ]
I—
[ He tries to remember the last time he ate something. He can't. ]
—I've lost all sense of time.
[ Literally. He's never needed a clock of any kind before, and he looks up, squinting, at the three suns at her mention of it, but he can't remember where each was at any given moment before now. His head has been bent against their heat and his mind distracted by the constant rub of plastic against his heels and the sweat dripping in his eyes. Despite the discomfort and Natasha's clear expertise, though, Castiel argues in a voice even rougher than usual. ]
Do we have time to rest? We should keep moving.
[ The sooner they make it to the orb, the sooner this Hell ends. It's all he can think to look forward to. Complete the mission. Get back to the station. ]
no subject
[Natasha's tone is clipped and professional, but her hand is steady and gentle as she takes Castiel's arm and guides him just a little off the trail they've been breaking.
The first step is getting him into the deep shade. It's still not cool, but at least the suns (plural, she hates it) but it's better than baking. Even the thinner parts of the canopy let enough sunlight through to cause problems.]
Sit.
[Unfortunately there's not much to do for his shoes. Natasha's pretty sure if they take them off he won't be able to put them back on.
She has to settle for pushing a canteen into his hands.]
Drink. Let's give it an hour.
[It's not long, but Cas isn't entirely wrong. They can't waste time, and they only have so many good windows in the day for travel.]
no subject
Okay.
[ He sighs the word and his whole body seems to sag with exhaustion, before he reluctantly, guiltily, lifts his eyes to her again. ]
Thank you.
[ He takes a shallow sip from the canteen, not wanting to drink her whole supply. Despite the water swallowed down his throat, though, it still feels dried and parched, like he hadn't taken a sip at all. Thickly, miserably, he recites: ]
"Your carcasses shall fall in this wilderness, all which have murmured against me."
no subject
You're welcome. I get the feeling you haven't done a whole lot of camping.
[Wryly. After a moment, she produces a protein bar as well. The package is bright yellow, which may be a flavor or may just be a design choice. Hard to say.
She holds it out, pointing to it with a jut of her chin.]
That sounds religious.
[Which she suppose makes sense for an angel. It's not something that was covered with any particular rigor in her education.]
one eternity later 😩
Mostly in the form of military encampments, while I served in the army of God.
[ Which was the war-kind of camping, which probably wouldn't be terrible dissimilar to this if one were a human engaged in war, as the Winchesters, and notably their father John, were. But it's apparently very different from angelic military activities, as Castiel is finding out.
He takes the granola bar from Natasha in the shy, uncertain way a stray cat might, and offers her back the canteen in exchange, despite his dry throat and seemingly unquenchable thirst. As to her correct assumption of the passage: ]
It's the judgement God cast on His people who lost faith in Him after following Moses into the desert in search of freedom. Considering my own loss of faith... it seems fitting.
hey, I'm still here!
It's not, however, all that hard for her to compartmentalize.]
Not a lot of wilderness survival, then. Not in those shoes.
[She glances down at them pointedly.]
How are you feeling? Other than the crisis of faith—dizzy, nauseous, confused?
🙏
He sighs, both with regret for his hubris and in response to her question. ]
Yes.
[ Dizzy and nauseous and confused about life in general, though not so confused that he can't be sassy in his answer, apparently, and not so nauseous that he doesn't begin peeling open the granola bar she gave him and hazarding a bite, which he grumps around. ]
Mostly, I feel hot and uncomfortably sticky, my feet are sore, my throat is dry, and there's a small red welt on the back of my left hand that won't stop itching.
[ Pity him. :( ]
no subject
She nods to the granola bar.]
Don't eat it too fast. Work on it a little. Then more water.
[She glances is shows again.]
I'd say let's take your shoes off, but I'm not sure we'd be able to get them back on you. It'd help cool you off though.
[As for his hand, she investigates her belt and after a moment produces a small tube of ointment, screwing off the top.]
Just don't get space malaria on me, all right? Dean's going to be worried enough without you getting sick.
no subject
The idea of taking his shoes off and having to walk barefoot sends a strangely unfamiliar shiver of fear through him. What if he becomes even more incapacitated? At least with them on, he can walk, however painful it is. Better to leave them on for now.
He watches curiously as she pulls what looks like toothpaste from her belt, and feels his stomach sink at the idea of injuring her unintentionally. ]
Thank you. Whatever injuries I've sustained, I'll be fine once my grace has fully recovered. And I'll be able to heal your... space malaria as well, if it comes to that.
[ God, he wishes he were at his full strength right now. How do humans live like this?? Speaking of— His attention catches sharply at the name. ]
You know Dean?
no subject
[He texted her for drinks when Cas showed up. It was clear that there was something there—that the angel showing up had an effect.]
We've been on the same station for months now, and Ximilia isn't that big.
[And Dean is hard to miss. Natasha figures they talked maybe three times before he made a pass.
Generously speaking.]
Honestly, I'm still wrapping my head around the whole angel of the lord thing. You look pretty human from this angle.
no subject
Of course.
[ He sighs at the reminder before letting his head drop back like he's looking for strength from one or all of the three suns he squints through the trees against. No offense to humans, but like... This actively sucks. ]
This form you see is a human vessel. My real form, my angelic grace, is very powerful. It's damaging to humans to look upon directly.
[ But more relevantly than all that— he breaks off most of the rest of the granola, leaving only a small bite left in its wrapper, and gestures with the empty yellow packaging. ]
My grace was injured on the last mission. Right now, it remains diminished. I'm mostly human, at the moment.
no subject
For another she suspects it would go over his head.]
Quite a time to be mostly human. [She observes instead, rather mild. At least he looks slightly less miserable than he had dragging himself through the jungle.] This isn't exactly the easiest place for it.
[Is it weird to have sympathy for that? As though he was set up to fail because he wasn't used to all the petty physical struggles.]
So how long does it take for grace to heal?
no subject
He nods in agreement, the timing is actively awful, yes, around another more daring bite of granola. Not that he isn't used to bad luck. He was cut off from Heaven's power and ended up being killed by his brothers on two separate occasions during an apocalypse, after all. ]
Days, usually. Weeks, depending on the severity. As long as it isn't trapped elsewhere or gone entirely, it will continue to regenerate, much like a seed, or a human soul.
[ Castiel turns the empty granola wrapper over in his fingers, tilting his head as he looks at it, either making grandious metaphors about it in his head or— ]
This is disgusting.
[ That. He looks up at Natasha, clearly betrayed. He's been spoiled by meaty pastries and s'mores over the past few days, and you give him this?? ]
no subject
[A little too neutral, giving him a very level look. Flavor wasn't on her priority list.
At least in part because she can barely taste it anyway.]
Unfortunately, things that taste better tend not to have as much nutritional value.
[Who's been feeding you s'mores, Cas.]
What I'm hearing is that your grace should be back in time for our next mission. Not so much this one. Is that about the shape of it?