MISSION: A MATTER OF IMPORT, PART 2

[ximilian]

● ● ● M I S S I O N   1 3 . 2

TO THE GRINDSTONE • THE PARTY LINE • CALL THE CAVALRY • FYI

// PART I.TO THE GRINDSTONE  

For a few days after the fateful meeting between the two mercenaries working with Zandr and the two Orbers posing as mercenaries, the atmosphere is tense and thick with waiting — but sooner rather than later, Fyna gets the message to Yelena to pass on to those who might be able to aid in the making of anti-matter that Zandr has been immersed in; instructions for how to get to his hidden laboratory amidst the peaceful idyll of Nuhiri. While access to the lab is restricted to “necessary personnel”, as Fyna puts it (with air quotations included, making it clear she is quoting Zandr on this), those going can be accompanied up until the entrance… just in case they need to get there later.

So, at a time so early even the birds are only just waking up, you may find yourself following Fyna’s deft footsteps after landing the aircraft in a clearing in one of the quiet forests towards the mountains.

1.0   As you trek through the dense, lush forest, the sounds of birds and wildlife fill the air. Sunlight filters through the thick canopy of leaves overhead, dappling the forest floor with soft, warm light. A gentle breeze carries the scent of wildflowers and fresh earth, and the path winds its way through the forest at a steady incline, twisting and turning around ancient trees and over babbling brooks. The rustling of leaves and the occasional snap of a twig are the only sounds that break the serene silence of the forest.

As you continue on, the sound of rushing water grows louder, and though the path Fyna leads you on becomes steeper, almost blending into the surroundings (as a path to a hidden place should), but the beauty around you only intensifies. Vibrant green ferns and exotic flowers dot the sides of the path, their bright colors popping against the rich, earthy tones of the forest.

Finally, you reach a clearing, and there they are — the Cymmera Falls. The water cascades down the rocks in a torrent of white foam, plunging into a pool below. The mist rises high into the air, creating a rainbow that dances across the surface of the pool. And then, you notice it: a small stream running beneath the waterfall, leading to a hidden laboratory beyond.

2.0   Access to the laboratory is only possible by wading through a small stream that runs beneath the waterfall. The water is icy cold and rushes by at a furious pace, making it difficult to maintain footing. Once inside, the true nature of the laboratory is revealed. The walls are made of cold, grey metal, and you notice that the crashing sounds of the waterfall cleverly drown out any noise that might escape from within. The laboratory consists of many — adjoining rooms, connected to what seems to be Zandr’s living space. From the half-open door, Zandr sticks his head out, hair messy but face split with a grin.

ZANDR

Just a moment —

And indeed, it is only some five seconds before he’s pushing through the doorway, hand running through his hair as he comes to greet those who are to help him with getting rid of ghost matter once and for all. There is an easy charm to him, a kind of gravitas to his presence that speaks in part to why the Federation might find him such a threat.

ZANDR

It’s good you could make it. Really, I appreciate any and all expertise you can offer on this. There is no place in this Galaxy for ghost matter, not when the Federation is in charge. And because I can’t change the Federation… I’m going to change ghost matter.

There is no doubt to his voice, only a steely certainty — that he will succeed, be it in ten days’ time or then thousand days’ time.

3.0   Little time is wasted on chit-chat, however — anti-matter is the most pressing issue, of course, and you get to work as soon as possible. Zandr explains that he has been trying to create it through a process called particle acceleration, in order to create high-energy protons that can then be split up into subatomic particles, including anti-protons. However, the process of extracting anti-protons is a delicate one, as the negatively charged particles are attracted to anything positively charged in the surrounding space. Once isolated, the particles must be chilled to absolute zero, in order to stabilise them. The part Zandr is stuck on is combining this stabilised particles with positrons, the idea being for the two anti-particles together to create something that would attach to ghost matter upon being released into the atmosphere, changing its particle structure enough to neutralise its effects.

However, even with the lack of success with the last part of the process, the entire research is a dangerous one to go through — any deviation from the exacting parameters could result in catastrophic failure, causing the anti-protons to destabilize and potentially trigger a catastrophic explosion. So caution is of the essence — and so is all the knowledge the Orbers possess in helping make the process a success.

TOP

// PART II.THE PARTY LINE  

Meanwhile, the planet Naephus is abuzz with a different kind of energy. Today, businesses are either closed or close early as Federation employees and civilians alike observe one of the few government holidays of the year: Foundation Day, commemorating the day the leaders of the planetary systems of the Zeta Alatheia galaxy united to create the Interstellar Federation. While the citizens enjoy an extra day of rest and relaxation, all those associated with the Federation are looking forward to the evening’s gala. Equal parts fundraiser and celebration, as one of the Federation’s biggest parties of the year, there is sure to be plenty of fun to be had.

4.0   Of course, not everyone is so lucky to receive an invitation. Despite the planet being largely Federation-run, there are still quite a number of private citizens who have never even set foot into a Federation building, let alone have any business with them. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the forgery business sees a considerable uptick around the time of Foundation Day, and if you so happen to be one of the unlucky ones without a way into the gala, your best bet is consulting one of the better known forgers of the underground market. Perhaps you even meet a fellow Orber during your visit, prompting your forger to proclaim your good fortune — as it turns out, it’s far easier and less suspect to forge an invitation for a couple than several separate individuals.

If being part of the guestlist doesn’t sound as enticing, why not consider being part of the gala itself? A party of this scale requires many moving parts, from the catering to the waitstaff to the entertainment.

5.0   Speaking of entertainment, it’s obvious that this year the Federation spared no expenses. There is the usual lineup: a menagerie of exotic animals from the outer corners of the Zeta Alatheia galaxy, each held in individual gilded cages that line the expansive ballroom’s walls; a live 12-piece orchestra that only ever seems to play the same song over and over (though if a local is questioned about this, they’ll make no complaints about it; apparently classical music in Ndiera is Just Like That); and a performance from famous pop star Tula, singing her big hit, “Lunar Halo,” while accompanying herself on her musical ribs. Yes, her ribs.

On top of all that, there is a special performance involving masked or veiled dancers, who all flit among the crowd to coax bystanders to join them in their deeply evocative, sensual dance.

6.0   But if you find yourself more of a wallflower, there are plenty of refreshments available for sampling. Long buffet tables filled with foods both savory and sweet flank the front and back of the ballroom and round tables line the perimeter for guests to sit and eat or take a rest from all the dancing. Floating around the room is a seemingly never-ending chorus of waitstaff with trays filled with every kind of drink imaginable.

(CW: mind-altering alcohol) Be wary of one drink in particular, known by the locals as a Citali’s Revenge. While those local to Ndiera only feel the potency of its alcohol content, foreigners like all orbers will find themselves either extremely susceptible to suggestion or quick to aggression.

But the gala is not all drinking and merriment. At around the second hour mark, the ballroom will fall into a sudden hush as Commander Brennan of the Federation suddenly takes a stand in the middle of the stage.

CMDR. BRENNAN

Happy Foundation Day to all! It is always a pleasure to see so many gather here to celebrate the wealth of history behind our Federation. Throughout the centuries, it is thanks to the tireless work of every single member of every single of our branches that our Galaxy is thriving today, that our citizens on every single Complex can sleep their nights safely.

In order to make our Galaxy even safer, I have the great honour of announcing the Harvester Initiation Protocol — an initiative to protect all of our other Complexes from the dangers of ghost matter. Our scientists have found signs that ghost matter is migrating slowly outside of the Ndiera atmosphere, but we are prepared, and through this program, we will build harvesters in every Complex to prevent ghost matter from spreading, or at least slow it down.

There is a ripple of gasps among the crowd. Should any orbers be paying attention in that moment, they might notice a genuine look of alarm on both Kaeya's and Emerton’s faces.

CMDR. BRENNAN

However, so that we don’t spoil this special day with this news, I also have another announcement many have been waiting for: today, we will do what our citizens have asked of us, and apprehend the criminal Zandr once and for all. The man that has eluded us so long will do so no more, and our Interstellar Ops are gathering outside his base even as we speak.

As the crowd erupts into applause and Brennan reclaims his spot on the floor beside his Chief of Security and Science Department Head, you — and every other orber with access to the network — hear it loud and clear: the sirens in Zandr’s lab going off in warning.

TOP

// PART III.CALL THE CAVALRY  

The sirens are sharp and loud, shattering the initial tension of what had been a time crunch and quickly replacing it with panic. The alarms blaring through the sterile space behind Cymmera Falls are joined by blinking red lights that fill the lab as the regular power immediately shuts down and switches to the emergency back-up systems. It drowns out the sound of the falls just past the fortified concrete and steel structure. It might even drown out the sound of ship engines not far away, hovering just above the atmosphere as Federation ships move in to land.

7.0   Wherever you might have been stationed if you’ve decided to help to develop the anti-matter, you’ll be familiar by now with the layout of the lab, and the research developed here. You’ll also know that the Federation drawing near to this place could mean the end of anti-matter, the wrongful arrest of a scientist deemed a dangerous criminal, and the possible doom of the Zeta Alatheia galaxy. Before you can be buried in your panicked thoughts, or you decide to do something rash, you hear Zandr’s voice breaking through the cacophony.

ZANDR

Don’t panic! That’s what they want from us — to scare all of us into compliance, but we’re not going to fall for that! We’ve made great progress, and we can’t let it end here. We won’t know if we really succeeded until we try, so gather what you can and head to Deumia. We need to take over the harvesters — if our anti-matter is a success, then we’ll know… and if not, at least we can destroy the harvesters so they can’t make more weapons. For that, we need the access codes, so if any of you have an in, let me know! Now — the Federation’s not far behind, so go!

He can be seen moving between rooms, gathering what he can from shelves and drawers, nothing big, nothing that seems to have any value — aside from a blaster gun he hooks onto his hip — and saves data files into chip-sized drives.

At this point, you’ll have no choice but to do as Zandr suggested. Through your communications devices and signals sent between other members of your team, you’ll want to call for help — and execute your exit strategy from the lab too. Whether that’s concluding the work you’ve done here with a hike past the falls to some safe shelter on Nuhiri, finding a flight off the planet entirely, or more importantly: continuing your task on Deumia for the harvester codes, you won’t be able to do it on your own.

8.0   Perhaps you get the call from Nuhiri to come to your fellow orbers’ aid. As it turns out, it isn’t as easy as flying by and picking up your teammate like a space-taxi. Those of you with piloting skills and access to a flight-craft of some sort will find your skills and abilities have become invaluable. Better yet if you’re familiar with space and battle, your ability to yield weapons and defend your ship and others will help keep some of the Federation ships at bay. And with the way they’re starting to surround the planet of Nuhiri, your teammates will need all the help they can get.

If you’re coming in from Naephus, there are many ways to acquire a spacecraft. Being a Federation employee is the easiest, of course, but knowing one is an option as well. It might be best now to go as pairs or small groups to hijack as many ships as you can while the chaos and adrenaline from the alarms has most of the Federation distracted from the excitement.

Even before you’ve made your way past Naephus’ atmosphere and crested above it, you may already have noticed the exchange happening across the Federation’s comms systems. Shouts between commanders and pilots, captains and traffic control indicate that they’ve caught on to the Ximilia crew’s sudden shift in alliance. Words such as ‘traitor’ and ‘arrest’ and ‘Zandr’ can be picked out through the anger and orders to bring you down. Blooms of red and bright white fill the sky amongst specks of stars and the backdrop of the magnificent blue and green planet of Nuhiri as Federation soldiers in their fighter jets begin their pursuit. Their mission is to stop you from entering Nuhiri’s atmosphere — and yours: well, what will you do now?

It becomes clear that the only way to stop the ghost matter from dooming the galaxy is to put an end to it at its source — and Zandr’s access codes for the harvesters in Deumia will be key in doing so. If you happen to be one of the last ones to leave the lab, its sirens still blaring their alarms, you may come across Bracken who determinedly heads towards the main space.

BRACKEN

Yeah. Headed to him now. We’ll be there in a second. Over.

He may meet your eyes without any expression as you pass by but he doesn’t stop to chat. And if you decide at the last minute to follow him back into the main room, you may catch a glimpse of Zandr and Bracken as they seem to fade out of existence, particle by particle. Zandr glances at you, offers a salute, and the two of them teleport away.

You have your orders. It’s time to put an end to this.

TOP

F Y I

• The events in this log take place during the month of May.

• If you have questions about any of the prompts or the mission in general, please direct them HERE.

• A voting post regarding the conclusion will go up on May 23. The voting will include for example the access codes, the harvesters, gala distraction, anti-matter.

• And finally, your soundtrack for this log: ♪ ♪ ♪

TOP

▶ NAV

Comments

QUESTIONS.

[ximilian]

For any questions regarding the events or information on this log, ask them here.

[walkingtrigger]

Following up on Tim’s search request result from log one. Is this a good time for him to trade on the good will he’s been collecting with B’Nin or should he maintain his pro-Federation cover until the voting log?

ETA: Is there room for less space fight fight minded characters to try to make mischief on Naephus? Or is this an all hands to a space craft, get orbers to Deumia at all costs, situation?

[coordination]

Curious about the spacecraft! Is it just ~spaceships~ and jets or are there any more humanoid-shaped sort of fighters? I ask for obvious reasons as a gundam character.

And what are variations on weapons they can use? If it's just jets is it more pew pew lasers and bombs? Or if there ARE other shaped things can there be swords/laser swords/etc

[softshoes]

Hi mods! Just to clarify, is everything happening during Part III on Nuhiri occurring over the course of the gala? Is there any visible movement from Federation members at the gala in reaction to what's happening at the Nuhiri lab?

[cruelyethuman]

Would it be possible for a character to be both at the gala and in the space battle?

Also - if in the space battle, can the Darkling shape the darkness of space in to a Cut and slam Federation starships (once)?

[rootlessly]

Is it possible for a character at the gala posing as waitstaff to pickpocket a key to a fighter jet from Federation soldiers, possibly by "accidentally" spilling a tray of drinks on one of them?

If not, could characters potentially stow away on one and try to hijack it to try to distract the other pilots who are going after the Orbers trying to land on Nuhiri?

NPC THREADS.

[ximilian]

ZANDR — CLOSED TO IVY (@greenpower)

[ximilian]

This thread is meant to be a continuation of the log. As we want to give you the freedom to choose how and when to speak to Zandr, you are encouraged to write your own starter.

Please make sure to respond to this thread within 48 hours and tag it consistently. The thread should be finished by May 22.

Yzak Jule | Gundam SEED

[coordination]

Open and closed starters under here! As always, hit more than one up if you're undecided. If you want to wildcard OR want something more specific I'm open to that too. Contact me for that and any additional plotting/idea flinging/questions/etc at gaignun / Tara#1768 (◡‿◡)

OPEN

[coordination]

He's an Arm-y Man (pre-gala ; wherever)

[ It's a low, thoughtful mutter to himself that catches your character's attention and draws it to Yzak. Whether it's outdoors at a park with him sitting at a bench beneath the shade of a tree or at a mellow little bar with soft music playing as he occasionally sips at a drink on a stool; wherever your character happens to come across him, his focus is on a small notebook in front of him that he scribbles in occasionally. The pauses in his writing is due to the fact that he'll lift his left arm and take some time to thoughtfully inspect it. A twist of the wrist, a bend of the elbow, as if mapping out something in his mind before that hand drops back down to write again.

To a keen and nosy eye, some choice things written down are:
Uncomplicated design
Weight balance
Easy detachment
Built-in weapons:
- blade blade (easy detachment)
- firearm too many risks

... though if you're not nosy you can always just ask him what he's doing and he'll courteously elaborate. ]

---

Anthony Lockwood | Lockwood and Co

[recklessenough]

[ There will be open starters below! If you want something specific feel free to hit me up at the plotting post, hit me up in DM, or send me a plurk laekhund ]

Gala Time | OTA

[recklessenough]

I. Arrival / Before Brennan's announcements

An opportunity to forge an invitation and sneak into a posh party? How could he resist?

Lockwood was a simple young man, arriving in a suit of black trousers, white button down shirt, black jacket and tie. It wasn't flashy in the least unless or until one studied the cut of the trousers and the coat. Every stitch of cloth on the youth's slim form was bespoke and tailored to within an inch of it's life. How had he managed it? The criminal life had been good to him!

Speaking of which, if he was concerned about being recognized by the Security types lurking at the edges of the party, Lockwood didn't show it. He had developed enough of a persona for the Black Market that it was easy for him to shed that skin and inhabit his more political façade for this event. As Flo would say, it helped to be born minted, it was easy for him to pick up the manners and charm of his posh station and rather than try to hide, Lockwood put himself right out there.

If adults eyed him with judgement for his youth Lockwood merely smiled all the brighter. He could be found flitting from conversation to conversation as if he'd been moving in their circles this entire time.

"Didn't I see you at the hospital fundraiser last month?"

"Oh, I'm sure you must be remembering me from the charity dinner that was .. yes, yes that's the one."

"Ms. Wormer! What a delight to see you again..." no he had no idea who Ms. Wormer was, he'd just overheard someone else call her by name and slid right in behind them.

Eventually even Lockwood's charm required some lubrication and he ended up close to the buffet table. Plucking a glass of a champagne like beverage off a tray, he stood just off to the side, taking a read of the room. Without looking away from the press of people, he could be heard advising...

"Be careful with that hors d'oeuvre. It's got horseradish and onion."


II. Brennan drops his bomb

"In order to make our Galaxy even safer, I have the great honour of announcing the Harvester Initiation Protocol — an initiative to protect all of our other Complexes from the dangers of ghost matter."

When Brennan started to speak Lockwood was still wearing his best, charming smile. As the man continued to speak, that smile became more rigid and fixed upon his face, while his dark eyes grew colder and more calculating.

"The man that has eluded us so long will do so no more, and our Interstellar Ops are gathering outside his base even as we speak."

As the sounds of sirens began to wail just beneath the cheering from the majority of the crowd around him, Lockwood glanced towards the nearest familiar face.

"I think it might be time to ditch this scene. Any exit look particularly promising?" In other words; which doors had the fewest Federation Security forces lurking about.

Natasha Romanoff | MCU

[deaddrop]

[Open starters, or closed if people are interested in them! Hit me up at sarosaron to plan.]

open | gala

[deaddrop]

a. [Natasha isn't sure what to expect of the gala, but she turns up dressed to standout after months of flying under the radar working in the payroll department. The change isn't just her clothes either or her hair, which is styled slicked back impeccably—it's also her bearing. She stands taller, aided by high, high heels, her chin high and her expression confident.

If she catches someone's eye, they'll get a nod both of acknowledgement and silent communication, usually followed by a glance cut toward the entertainment or the dance floor, or some other point of interest. As if to ask if you can believe that woman is playing her own ribs, or how shameless some of the performers are. Or how embarrassed some of the audience is at the performances. That last one could go either way.

It could also be an invitation, silent but unambiguous, to join her on the dancefloor.

They're here to mingle, aren't they?]


b. [The drink, lifted smoothly off the tray of a passing surver, balanced lightly between three of .]

Probably ought to go easy on it, hm?

[She murmurs over the rim of her glass before taking a sip.]

It looks like it'll be a long night, and they aren't skimping on the refreshments.

Poison Ivy | Harley Quinn Animated Series

[greenpower]

[Same as above! Open starters, or closed if people are interested in them! Hit me up at sarosaron to plan.]

open | the science gets done

[greenpower]

[So Ivy isn't complaining about the lab. It seems very well outfitted and she absolutely cannot say anything negative about the location itself aside from the whole capitalist hellscape things which aren't really Zandr's fault.

She's here to help, and even if she's outside of her primary discipline, she is game to come up with ways to do that. She is still convinced her skillset isn't irrelevant.

Ivy's skillset is never irrelevant.

Buuuuuuut...]

Is it just me or does it feel like we're not quite as close to fixing this as advertised.

Shuntaro Chishiya | Alice in Borderland

[dispassioned]

[Gala related open starters below. If anyone wants a post-gala or closed starter hit me up in PM or @ etceteras. Chishiya will be available for medical support if necessary. Wildcards also welcome!]

OPEN — Gala

[dispassioned]

A.

[Being a Federation employee who has been active at previous fundraisers means that Chishiya has no issue procuring an invite for himself. He shows up at the gala wearing a rather unconventional suit, complete with heeled boots to add an inch or two of height, his hair pulled back but still blond and a subtle hint of eyeliner.

In spite of the seemingly provocative nature of his outfit, he actually does very little mingling with the local wealthy attendees beyond the occasional polite hello to people he recognizes from other fundraisers. He’s had enough of that for now, and with things falling into place with the mission it seems wiser to spend tonight doing a little people watching and eavesdropping.

He finds a comfortable place to wallflower and keep an eye on the comings and goings at the gala. He seems mostly content to keep to himself, but if he sees a fellow orber he recognizes he’ll give them a little wave.]

B.

[Eventually he gets sick of listening in on drunk rich people talk about rich people things and wanders over to the refreshment table. He glances over the selection and is just putting what appears to be a spring roll on his plate when the orchestra starts playing again. He pauses, looking around, vaguely exasperated.]

I think this is the fifth time they’ve played this.

[Or maybe sixth? Seventh? Hard to say.]

C.

[When Brennan interrupts the festivities to make his announcement, Chishiya’s body language doesn’t change much. He remains casually leaned against a wall near the refreshment table, raising an eyebrow as Brennan speaks. And when the alarms of Zandr’s lab blares through the earpiece Chishiya sighs and pushes away from the wall, grabbing one more spring roll before he starts heading toward an exit. All perfectly relaxed and casual.]

Seems like the other shoe is dropping.

[He mutters to himself as he heads out.]

vash the stampede | trigun stampede

[rootlessly]

[Open and closed starters below! If you'd like to plot something, please hit me up @ goodluckmodes]

open | gala

[rootlessly]

i. ✗ citali's revenge

[Joining the gala as part of the waitstaff had seemed easier than trying to acquire a proper invitation, even if he's nominally associated with the Federation as an orphanage employee. It's easier, too, to simply blend into the background, unnoticed in the merriment as he offers various plates of refreshments to the partygoers (and maybe he samples a few various snacks along the way, alright, but it's hungry work to wander around a huge party hall for hours!) than it would be to dress up all flashy and schmooze.

All goes well enough at first, until he makes the mistake of accidentally bumping into someone who maaaaay have had a certain mind-altering drink, and all at once he's, uh, dodging a couple swings directly at his face? Which is a bit of an acrobatic feat, considering he's still holding a tray, which is currently loaded with a bunch of (full) champagne flutes?]

Can't we talk about this?? I'm very sorry! I promise I'll be more careful!

[The Federation employee does not appear to be moved. Maybe give him a hand? Or maybe it's your foot he's stepped on, and this is about to get very awkward?]

ii. ♞ post-announcement

[Shortly after Brennon's announcement, he excuses himself to the "restroom", ditches the server uniform for his usual red jacket, and quietly follows an Interstellar Ops member to the hangar bay, searching for the jet that matches a recently filched key and tampering with any locks he can in the meantime. It's a bit of slow going, though, since he needs to keep himself hidden from the various soldiers filtering in as he goes. So should another Orber happen to be nearby, they'll get a mental text with a picture of the key attached: want to make some mischief? 😉]

Wei Wuxian

[singlelogbridge]

[Open and closed starters to follow!]

Open

[singlelogbridge]

The Party Line

[After attending so many of the fundraisers, Wei Wuxian had expected the gala to be more of the same and he finds himself genuinely impressed with just how all out they’ve gone with the celebration. He’s dressed appropriately for the event with his hair and makeup done with the skills he’d learned from Gwen and Rosinante, and after a short musical performance with the musicians he’s been working with as his cover for the mission, he takes to the floor to mingle. Feel free to wander up to him shortly after playing his flute alongside a wind instrument performance.

He isn’t always alone, often wandering with his arm twined around Aleksander’s. They separate at times to converse or dance with others and he can be found eating or be coaxed into dancing with a friendly face easily enough.]

5.0a

[Suave as he may look in his tailored suit, all of his charm appears to flee the moment one of the masked dancers approaches him and begins tugging gently on his wrist to get him to join her in her evocative dance. When a nervous laugh accompanying a sudden furious blush doesn’t work to convince her to move onto someone else, his eyes flash quickly around his vicinity, searching eagerly for anyone who can help extract him from the situation without insulting the dancer.

Please someone help him.]

5.0b

[When Wei Wuxian isn’t accompanying Aleksander or being flustered by beautiful dancers, he can be found flirting and charming his way around the dance floor, or sampling any number of the foreign dishes being passed around by the waitstaff. When he spots a familiar friendly face, he’s quick to grin and offer his hand with a meaningful glance towards the dancers.]

It would be a shame not to take advantage of the festivities don’t you think?

6.0

[After General Brennon's speech has concluded and the sirens go off loud and clear in the earpieces, Wei Wuxian’s smile flickers for just a moment before a pale imitation of it returns to conceal his worry. With all of the action happening on an entirely different planet and the worst of it bound to be over by the time anyone at the gala can do anything about it, he searches the crowd again for a familiar face, and once spotted beelines his way over. If the familiar face is familiar enough, he offers them a forced smile and messages them immediately over the earpiece.]

Can we get there in time to do anything?

James T. Kirk // Star Trek (AOS)

[winscenario]

(( ooc: this is going to be mostly for closed starters! Jim will be attending the gala at first, and then head out with Bones, taking a fast ship to Nuhiri. He's a skilled pilot but he would welcome some help with navigation/weaponry/etc. If you'd like to do something with any of those prompts, please PM or ping me on plurk @ extreminator and I will happily throw a starter your way! ))

closed to Bones

[winscenario]

[ Throughout the gala, Jim had that strange, uncomfortable feeling at the back of his neck that something was off. As the night progressed, he picked up on a few people leaving, exchanging a few looks occasionally with Bones. He'd noticed too, Jim was sure; and when the announcement came around, he was both surprised and not. Now they knew why some officers had slipped away quietly.

Leaving was the most complicated task, since they had to do it in a way that wasn't too conspicuous, but at least once they were outside, the ride to a Federation port was quick. He got easy enough access to a ship, hopefully fast enough to get to Nuhiri on time to stop the Federation ships, particularly since Jim immediately pushed it to top speed.

Just as they're approaching the planet, a warning pops up on the sensor, and Jim straightens, leaning in. ]

Ships ahead. [ He looks over at Bones. ] You're alright?

Daisy Johnson | OTA

[morethan084]

4.0

[It was all too easy for Daisy to obtain a forged invitation to the Gala. Standing at the entrance to where the Gala is being held, Daisy fixes the neckline of her dress before entering the room. It was much more extravagant than the Fundraiser she had attended. She stands off to the side until she spots someone familiar, a fellow Orber, and moves over to them.]

Hey. This is way more extravagant than I was expecting.

5.0

I can safely say I’ve never seen something like this before.

[Daisy admits to the person next to her, staring at Tula while plays a song her ribs. Her expression is a mix of disgust and curiosity, unable to take her eyes off of her.]

6.0

[This, accidentally, is the first time Daisy has eaten all day. Which is why she’s already going up for seconds, grabbing a new plate to pile up food on. She accidentally bumps into someone next to her, some of her food falling off the plate and onto the floor between them.]

Shoot. Did I get any on your clothes?

[Looking up, she visibly relaxes when she sees it’s another orber and not some annoying rich local.]

8.0

We need to get a ship out of here! I need to help get those codes!

[Daisy shouts, running along side a fellow orber. Absolute chaos has broken out, and she’s regretting wearing such high heels now. She really should’ve learned how to pilot a plane.

Dodging people, Daisy makes the mistake of looking behind her to see if they’re being followed and is about two inches from colliding into a pole.]

Wildcard

[Got something else in mind? Feel free to write something below or send me a PM/message me on morethan084!]

8.0

[drawsblood]

Codes?

[ He's still a little lost as to all that, but he's going with her in the hopes that he can get to where the fighting is since he can neither stay here playing at being a good citizen nor fly a spaceship himself. He managed to take that space course back on the station, but that taught things like how to put on a spacesuit, not how to fly one. Somehow, he gets the sense it's a bit more complicated than riding a horse.

He's about the say more but then he sees what Daisy does not and he grabs her arm to yank her towards him with a shout of her name. It's only once she's clear that he lets go of her with a sigh. ]

What can I do to aid you?

stephen strange / mcu

[rehandle]

( open and closed starters below! Stephen's going to be going from the gala to doing Whatever He Can Without Dying, if anybody would like to plan out anything closed please do hit me up at miscreates! )

OPEN - gala, before the shit hits.

[rehandle]

[ As soon as he enters the room Stephen's in the swing of it. He greets acquaintances warmly, asks after their families by names they've given him during past encounters, enquires about the prosperity of their businesses. Some remember him from previous fundraisers, others do not - mostly in the case of those who've never actually met him. In the absence of a job he's had plenty of time to do his research, and he's never lacked in the confidence to greet a stranger like an old friend. All seem to respond to him well, this well-curated man who adjusts himself just so to best suit each wealthy gala-goer he greets.

He looks the part: black to red ombre suit with matching footwear, a somewhat inexplicable blue butterfly bowtie and a flowing overcoat in red that is swiftly abandoned to the back of a chair. ]



A. - timely rescue / shall we dance?

[ But there comes a time where even a semi-professional (technically his fellow Orbers have paid him to be here... if he squints) party-goer needs to take a break from play-acting. Seeking out another Orber who may or may not be in a similar situation, he finds someone either caught up in conversation or a dance and crosses his way to them, waiting to make the final approach until their captor is the first who'll see him head over. Then, when he's near enough to earn a slight hesitation, he announces himself with a careful hand on or hovering near the shoulder or elbow of the Orber he intends to steal away and - ]

Mind if I borrow this one?

[ Smile all charm, tinged with whatever he thinks might win the day: apology, assumption, good humor or command. ]



B. - time out

[ If you're on your feet for long enough they're going to need a break. Catch him settled in a chair on the outer fringes of the room, one leg crossed over the other and sipping from a glass of something that is most certainly not Citali's Revenge as he gazes out over the gala.

Any native guest or waiter who approaches him he waves away with an amicable word or a grateful shake of his head, but Orbers he'll leave to approach without dissuasion. ]

How's it treating you?



C. - wildcard

( Feel free to hit him up with a pre-announcement gala wildcard! something chill, something relating to suspicions about federation movements, you got it I want it. )

Felix | Red vs Blue | OTA

[swordandshield]

I. Escort Duty

1.0
[Felix wasn't a scientist or any sort of genius. His intelligence was high but it wasn't orientated for that sort of tedious work. Instead, it was trained for combat, infiltration, the details in a physical job done well or the nuances of blending into the surroundings. What he was good at right now was keeping an eye out as the meager group traversed the wilderness and memorizing the path they took in case it was needed again, in reserve or otherwise.

His powered armor made this an easy endeavor for him even when the path got a little precarious in places. His hand snapped out like a cobra's strike as someone stumbled on the uneven trail and caught them by the arm to steady them.]

Easy goes it.

[He said softly, not quite encouraging, not quite admonishing either. He wasn't here to have fun right now but to offer support and be on guard duty. That was something he could do.

Alternatively, start a conversation with him as he played escort the scientists to the secret laboratory. Or later while he chilled outside near the waterfall and kept an eye on his motion tracker and other read-outs if someone needed a break from all the science-y stuff. Or were also playing babysitter at the moment.]

II. Space Fight

8.0
[Now this was what he was made for!

Felix held no hesitation as he reacted to the alarm going off. His first priority was ensuring the scientists made it off the premises intact, safe and sound, preferably with their work because otherwise it was all for naught. And he hated losing what he was expected to gain.

His second priority was to get into space and give 'em hell. As someone intimately familiar with both space and combat (and space combat!) he had a distinct advantage to what was happening here. That meant he needed to get his ass into position and take the fight to the enemy so that his teammates could do their jobs.

He raced to his spaceship, a small but agile little thing that managed to get him between planets without too much trouble--and because he'd purchased it on the black market he'd naturally taken the initiative to get it armed with whatever he could fit on it without too much trouble. It was technically illegal without the proper licenses but since when did he care about doing the lawful thing. It certainly wouldn't have done him any favors right now.

Getting to his ship and taking off was the easy part. Blasting his way through the first arrivals of the Federation enemy to get out into the atmosphere wasn't that hard either. Meeting the enemy out in space, well, that was the fun part.

He was a decent pilot, fully capable in atmospheric and space flight, dodging and weaving and performing dogfight maneuvers like it was second nature. He was an excellent shot. The fact that he was using computer targeting and turrets didn't seem to make a difference; he was as good a shot with the ship's weaponry as he was with a pistol or rifle in hand. And he was a damn good sharpshooter with a personal gun. He could do both or focus on one or the other as the situation called for it.]

Incoming enemy formation from these coordinates. [insert coordinates here] Someone get on my tail to intercept them. Come on, it's time for a little fun!

[Now was the time for exceptional piloting while in dogfights with a fellow orber wingman. Or co-piloting witty banter with whoever hopped on board with him. Or showing off his exceptional aiming skills with heavy weaponry. Or any combination or all three at once!]

III. Wildcard!

[[ Anything else you'd like? Go for it! Hit me with a PM or AisuYoukai for discussion or request a starter. o7 ]]

Escort Duty

[greenpower]

[So Ivy may have been a little distracted as they walked. For the first time since she joined the crew, she's in an actual functional ecosystem, surrounded by old growth trees. She can finally breathe. The sun feels reinvigorating when it doesn't filter through a layer of pollution.

Also she probably shouldn't have worn heels.

That doesn't stop her from being huffy when Felix steadies her.]

Excuse me, I think I can handle it.

[She holds back the edge of her temper, because, hey, they're on a beautiful planet and also she's surrounded by forest. In her element. And also she's trying not to go full supervillain.]

I've been walking on my own for a pretty long time now.

Dana Scully | The X-Files | open

[faithfulskeptic]

i

Getting an invitation isn't the easiest thing she's done since getting here, but being able to listen to tedious research reports can win you some points with minorly influential (and deeply tedious) people. This system really does love its bureaucracy, and she knows how to deal with red tape.

Her dress is not her usual style, with a hint of bare midriff and its fussy, dangling tassels; her heels are higher than usual, her red hair in loose, shining curls.

She pauses to let her gaze sweep the room, maybe looking for a familiar face; maybe just quietly gawking at, well, everything.

ii

The classical band is... a little disappointing; she doesn't stick around to listen long, though she watches the pop star's set with quiet fascination.

She spends more time mingling, and slowly circling the room to see the menagerie of strange creatures, lingering here and there to try and puzzle out what sort of environment they've been taken from.

iii

Eventually she does make her way to the buffet, carefully trying to avoid anything that looks likely to stain her pale gown; it's a good excuse to take a little time off her feet at one of the tables.

She's happy to share her spot though, if you're also looking for a break.

iv

[ bring - your - own prompt? ]


[ooc; if new cr is interested in using the suggestibility-drink to get her in her feelings, Scully's personal goal is to be vulnerable with someone she doesn't know! feel free to wildcard, I'm just not doing that as a general prompt as I'd prefer to limit it to that and not general suggestibility. Feel free to wildcard it tho! errantpastor if you have questions / wanna plot stuff! ]

ii

[recklessenough]

You look about as excited to be here as they do.

[ Good news is he definitely looks better this time than the last time she saw him. Though his naturally fair skin is still striking against his dark hair and eyes, there isn't the feverish gleam in the latter or a sheen of sweat on the former. The twinkle in his eyes is from a place of pure mischief now, which may be worse.

Dressed in a simple black suit, tailored to within an inch of its life, with white button down shirt, Lockwood has helped himself to a flute of champagne, which he is carefully nursing as he makes some rounds. So far everything had been dreadfully posh and dull, which just means he's all that much happier to see a familiar face. ]

The Darkling / Aleksander Morozova | Shadow and Bone

[cruelyethuman]

[Open and closed starters.

I'm always open for plotting on either PM or ireth or wildcard me something if you want a little darkness in your inbox.]

closed - Wei Wuxian. Gala

[cruelyethuman]

[The music is slow. A gentle tempo even the oldest of the bejeweled heirs and heiresses can sway to, and Aleksander's hand tighten around Wuxian's waist as he turns them deeper on to the dance floor.

Until they're firmly lodged between other dancing couples, falling in with the backdrop of pairings and lovers. Everyone feeling that sense of purpose, of being good, even if all they did was throw money at a problem that shouldn't even exist in the first place.

Dark matter.

With Viveca's tonic, he doesn't feel it, the drain that comes from not using his Small Science, but he misses it. A longing that cannot be fulfilled, it sizzles in his blood and it makes his hands shakes in the quiet evenings when there are no deals to be made and no one to threaten in to compliance.

That it happens when he slowly turns Wuxian in a dance, is just unlucky.

The flash of unhealthy association and the warmth of his body pressed closed to his own, as shivers rake down Aleksander's spine.]

You look lovely.

itachi uchiha | naruto (closed)

[blackfire]

（ toss me a dm if you'd like a starter!

caveat: itachi used up one of his power uses on-world to transform himself into a blonde chick for plot related reasons so he's just out here being Not Himself just in case releasing the transformation uses the second of his power slots. he'll reveal himself to closer CR, but would be 100 percent acting his part with others so threads may run short! ）

yennefer;

[blackfire]

（ his eyes track yennefer throughout the gala. she stands out — and in some respects, it is difficult to look away. elegant, poised, the sharpened knife of her wit leaving many an ill-mannered would-be suitor in her wake the way her magic can split a tide.

he has spoken to no one directly since choosing the form he presently wears beyond the small circle of those aware of his having done it and why — mccoy and finn, primarily. their gambit paid off, and finn was remanded to his and mccoy's shared parental custody — but he has been cautious about playing his hand with others. most barely know he has abilities beyond human at all, and those that know tend to have a limited scope of just where those capabilities lie. but yennefer is one of the few he has not minded being open with, and perhaps that is what drives him to her side. he chances into the conversation at the exact moment one of her conversational companions says blithely, i just think we'd all be better off without powers, anyway — and itachi puts a hand at her elbow as if they are old friends, giving the man a charming smile.

Yennefer. It's Itachi.

but aloud, he says only, ）

That's a curious viewpoint, Mr...?

（ ventwold, the man clarifies with a polite nod, and itachi repeats the name, putting an appropriate amount of flirtatious emphasis on it as he holds out his hand and introductions are properly made. no one important, or necessary to their mission. just one more fool.

Would you prefer to leave? ）

andromache | the old guard | closed starters

[oiorpata]

[ ooc; pls feel free to hit me up via pm or communism if you want anything or want me to hit you up! i'm on hiatus this month, so trying to take it easy. ]

closed | yennefer

[oiorpata]

[ sometimes a girl just simply appreciates the sci-fi aesthetic and picks the fun gala option, even if it's a little outside andy's usual style. she goes for heels that boost her over six feet too, though her hair isn't particularly styled outside the norm (and there's no hat to speak of either). ]

[ she mostly roams the gala on a forged invite because there's not much else she's particularly equipped for at this stage of the mission. she's once again considering the merits of trying some citali's revenge when she spies yennefer a little ways away, currently solo, and decides for now that's probably the smarter option. the downside to her dress this evening is it does make it a little harder to smuggle things like alcohol back to the station, where citali's revenge might be safer to consume. ]

[ it's not the revenge drink, but andy does lift her glass in greeting when she approaches yennefer. she lets her gaze drop down over the woman's dress, because the fashion here is fascinating and yennefer is objectively beautiful. ]

Fancy seeing you here. I like the cape. [ it's genuine. if only capes didn't go out of style back home. ]

Leonard McCoy | Open & Closed Starters

[homeostatic]

( let me know if you want a closed starter! )

Gala

[homeostatic]

( Formal events were old hat to McCoy even before he joined Starfleet. Cotillion was his mother's idea, a way for her bright young son to make more friends and learn how to be a gentleman, just the thing a thirteen year old boy in the middle of college applications and a serious growth spurt would enjoy (not...quite...). He spent much of the time getting his feet stepped on and developing a half-dozen crushes he promptly forgot about when it was all over, but his mother was happy, and after eight weeks of mingling with his fellow hormone-wracked peers in all their over-dramatic glory (Leonard included), he never feared another public formal the rest of his life. The worst, he knew, had already happened.

Naephus' various fundraisers and charity events have been another square in the cultural patchwork of the planet, and he's at ease tonight, putting away some of the prickles to be the perfect 'husband'. He introduces his 'wife' to his eager coworkers, gossips politely with a couple surgeons he's grown close to, and schmoozes with the handful of patrons he met over the course of various past events.

Finding a fellow orber, he extends a hand. )

May I have this dance?

( To the repetitive music? Is this an invitation, or a dare? )

ESCAPE TIME | Closed to Vash

[groupiedrifter]

[Okay, so the emergency lights and warning noises aren't ideal.

Newt makes the stupid choice of sticking around until the last possible second anyway, because time is easy to lose track of for someone like him — even in the midst of chaos — but also because he's a stubborn idiot who says 'what's the worst that can happen'?

Which leads to him running from the sounds of guns blasting away as he trip-staggers down the hallways, as the worst that could happen proceeds to happen. He really shouldn't jinx himself with half the things he thinks, huh? Some shots zip around him, narrowly missing him, one attempt on his life singeing a few hairs on top of his head in the process. He mumbles breathlessly:]

Just get to the escape ships, you got this, you got this—!

[That's when someone heavy slams into him, leaving them rolling across the floor as it dances with red warning lights; the Federation officer hadn't even meant to run into him he's pretty sure, judging from the way the guy scrambles to get his gun back into his hands as he struggles on top of the gangly little man. Newt lunges up with his taser, trying to outrace the other's trained hands; almost, but not quite. The blaster fires, burning a painful arc across the top of his shoulder just as his taser goes off and jolts the soldier into a heap — on top of Newton, because of course he falls on him.

The thub-thub of pain is at least a little dimmed by adrenaline as Newt slowly tries to drag himself out from under the soldier, hissing between his teeth; he's pulling his leg free when the next wave of attackers come around the corner. Newt's hand feebly goes up the moment the barrels of their guns train on him, moments from firing.]

Shit — waitwaitwait!

[Whelp, I'm dead.

It's not a very heroic way to go. He'd kind of hoped if he died on a mission, it'd be a dramatic sacrifice to save the crew or something poetic. Not dying with one of his feet still wedged under the guy who had collapsed on him, while he's begging for his life.

Pretty fucking uncool, if you ask him.]

[rootlessly]

[For his own part, Vash is a bit late landing on-planet. It's what happens when you're dedicated enough to the idea of no killing meaning no killing, regardless of circumstance, and you need to not only protect your fellows from being killed but also protect the people trying to kill them from being killed in self-defense instead of turning a blind eye.

Eventually, though, the evacuation ships have made their way into Nuhiri's atmosphere, and Vash follows after them, to help herd in everyone he can en route to Deumia. Which is how he happens to hear Newt's predicament from some distance away, and just as the man is resigning himself to the end of the line, there's a tinny, metalic ping and clatter. Should he take a moment from trying to free himself to look, he'll spot three shells crumpled on the ground -- along with a single .22-caliber bullet.]

Can you move? I can buy you some time!

[If he can't...well, Vash can take a blast or two himself without a problem.]

mal oretsev (grishaverse) | closed

[tochnyy]

( ooc: feel free to reach out if you'd like a starter. for the most part, mal's lamenting that he's at the gala and once things turn sour high-tailing it out of there to help out in what ways he can.

he'd focus on the harvesters post-leaving! )

to yennefer (voice | un; mal)

[tochnyy]

( he's surprised that the network hasn't exploded with bickering over their decisions, what they should do. mal's tired of it and glad, though he has not been dealing with the happenings of this world for long.

three months missed has an impact. still, he sees how things are panning out amongst the orbers after zandr asks for assistance. it's different than how things played out on e23-b; they are wanted here and yet-- well. it doesn't sit well with him.

he thinks those that saw the aftermath there will agree. yennefer is amongst them, so as things grow closer to the vote he reaches out. ) So. What do you think?

( and then, if she's unsure what he's asking. ) I don't think our luck with hold with helping whatever planet suffers for it next. Even if we are welcomed here.