Verdant Refuge [Semi-Open roleplay, Revamped]

[Rakawan]

1 hour ago, Teloch said:

"It appears that our dear Felicity left us no time for primping. Shall we make haste?" Therese commented after looking to her message

"Of course." Melanie says. Her Seraph suit spreads its qings and the jets begin to fire.

"Call your ship." She says. "I will meet you there."

She crouches and then leaps up into the air, the trails from her jets twisting around themselves as she flies. 

[Unus]

1 hour ago, Rakawan said:

"Moving lights?" Jas asks. "Sentient?"

You can see the outline of Dixon on your HUD, he is looking intently at the body, scratching his chin.

"Yeah, been thinking about that one to."

The Operator tugs on the Chroma's membrane tail twice and the Chroma pulls it's dust covered visage out of the hole to scoop the Operator up and put it back into the harness.

"The body doesn't appear to be Infested or the nanites would have reactively dissolved the host to survive. Doesn't seem all to alien either though. The fused leg bones in the tail, the unaltered skull (sorry about that), the five fingered hands, it adds up to to many convergent features. Either that thing was human once, or. . . . ."

The Operator eyes the rock protrusion thoughtfully.

". . . alright, that's it, I'm way to curious about this to let it go, you folks ready?"

[Teloch]

38 minutes ago, Rakawan said:

"Of course." Melanie says. Her Seraph suit spreads its qings and the jets begin to fire.

"Call your ship." She says. "I will meet you there."

She crouches and then leaps up into the air, the trails from her jets twisting around themselves as she flies. 

 

Therese entered her modified heavy fighter after about three minutes of wait. The interior of the ship was as tidy and punctual as its owner, which is absolutely logical. Still, she smirked slightly at the thought that the last time she was sitting at this very control panel was more than two days ago. The feeling was pretty much new, considering that the luxury of not interacting with the drop ships is available only to those of her clanmates who simply can't perform the active duty due to such reasons like post-injury recovery or other forms of necessary recuperation, which was definitely not her case.

She glanced over the interiors while in flight, spotting nothing unusual or something that required intervention: the interior was free of all those decorations that freelance tenno like so much, the usually active radio comm was quiet since she was far away from the comm channels of her fellow men, the modification bench peacefully hummed like a sleeping buffalo, and the personal armory was absolutely static in its vigil for Therese's deadly instruments. She could almost feel the domestic peace... of sorts.

About ten minutes after the message arrival, Bloom was already standing at one of the monastery docking platforms, waiting.

[Rakawan]

1 hour ago, Teloch said:

Therese entered her modified heavy fighter after about three minutes of wait. The interior of the ship was as tidy and punctual as its owner, which is absolutely logical. Still, she smirked slightly at the thought that the last time she was sitting at this very control panel was more than two days ago. The feeling was pretty much new, considering that the luxury of not interacting with the drop ships is available only to those of her clanmates who simply can't perform the active duty due to such reasons like post-injury recovery or other forms of necessary recuperation, which was definitely not her case.

She glanced over the interiors while in flight, spotting nothing unusual or something that required intervention: the interior was free of all those decorations that freelance tenno like so much, the usually active radio comm was quiet since she was far away from the comm channels of her fellow men, the modification bench peacefully hummed like a sleeping buffalo, and the personal armory was absolutely static in its vigil for Therese's deadly instruments. She could almost feel the domestic peace... of sorts.

About ten minutes after the message arrival, Bloom was already standing at one of the monastery docking platforms, waiting.

Melanie lands, sinking to her knees to absorb the shock of the impact. She dusts herself off as she rises and turns to you.

"Well." She says, her voice growing somber. "Let us hope this does not goes as badly as last time."

Several Tenno in robes are streaming towards the center of the monastary, along with several humans, each in extremely simple robes.

Edited September 27, 2016 by Rakawan

[kyrozon]

20 hours ago, Rakawan said:

Felicity follows you, pausing to pet the Kavat, which then trots after her.

The proxy lies down infront of Seerena and she pushes open a plate on its neck, pulling out a small device and tossing it to Felicity. "That should have the blueprints on it."

[Teloch]

2 hours ago, Rakawan said:

Melanie lands, sinking to her knees to absorb the shock of the impact. She dusts herself off as she rises and turns to you.

"Well." She says, her voice growing somber. "Let us hope this does not goes as badly as last time."

Several Tenno in robes are streaming towards the center of the monastary, along with several humans, each in extremely simple robes.

 

Even though it would probably be polite to say something in return, there was no real necessity doing so. The question about the batch size and participants profile could be either taken down via arriving the place and seeing the whole process with very own eyes or after the survivors would be known. 

[Rakawan]

1 hour ago, Teloch said:

Even though it would probably be polite to say something in return, there was no real necessity doing so. The question about the batch size and participants profile could be either taken down via arriving the place and seeing the whole process with very own eyes or after the survivors would be known. 

Melanie leads you through the monastery's winding halls, and finally into a large room. All five of the Oro-keepers stand before a strange glass chamber. The applicants stand facing them, radiating a variety of emotions from nervousness to smug confidence.

"Welcome applicants." Ryoko says, his voice solemn. "You have completed your training and now stand poised to take the final step."

He looks around and his tone softens.

"Understand that no one can make this decision for you." He says. "Nor is there any shame in turning back now. The next step is perilous, despite our best efforts, and many of you who attempt it may not survive."

He pauses and waits.

One applicant fidgets for a moment, then whispers something to his friend. As one the group of sixteen turn to him...

And congratulate him. Several pat him on the back, while others simple nod respectfully. After a few moments of this the applicant hands one of the attending Tenno a simple badge and walks past you out of the room. 

Ryoko smiles sadly.

"Anyone else?" He asks. "There is no shame in leaving."

No one moves, the remaining applicants stare at the chamber with renewed determination.

"Seth Lokir." Ryoko says. "Step forward."

A young man in simple robes steps forwards and hands the Arbiter a badge.

The chamber opens and he steps inside.

"The green button will open the void lense." Ryoko says. "The red one will open the chamber and allow you to leave. The choice is yours, take as long as you need."

Once inside the chamber Seth hesitates. He licks his lips and reaches for the button, lightly touching it with his finger, then halts. He licks his lips again and tenses. 

"You don't have to do this." Ryoko says. "Whatever you choose you have more than earned our respect."

Seth says something, too low for you to hear, and then jabs at the button. Blinding light fills the chamber and you hear him scream out, though whether from pain or shock you cannot tell. 

The world seems to hold it's breath.

[Denny2669]

8 hours ago, Teloch said:

"The benefit of liberating grineer defectors from warlords possessed by the reality show format: Meridian buys you food" Ulf commented jokingly after getting into the building and clapping engineer's shoulder.

"Hey, missy, make me a submarine sandwich with bacon, ham, sweet pepper, and cream cheese" 

The Mirage beamed when the first two customers ordered the food straight away. She could swear that almost everyone significant who entered this building so far had to talk and talk in an attempt to bore her to sleep till they actually ordered.

"Sure thing boys! Take a seat and it'll be done in a stabby!"

She ordered the Ospreys around and started working herself, beginning with the hamburger.

[Rakawan]

4 hours ago, kyrozon said:

The proxy lies down infront of Seerena and she pushes open a plate on its neck, pulling out a small device and tossing it to Felicity. "That should have the blueprints on it."

Felicity takes the data chip and looks at it. Then she checks her watch and starts.

"Oh dear." She says. "I'm late for the Ascension ceremony."

[Rakawan]

1 hour ago, Denny2669 said:

The Mirage beamed when the first two customers ordered the food straight away. She could swear that almost everyone significant who entered this building so far had to talk and talk in an attempt to bore her to sleep till they actually ordered.

"Sure thing boys! Take a seat and it'll be done in a stabby!"

She ordered the Ospreys around and started working herself, beginning with the hamburger.

"So about half a mauling then?" Grok asks, looking rather pleased at the joke.

[Rakawan]

4 hours ago, Unus said:

"Yeah, been thinking about that one to."

The Operator tugs on the Chroma's membrane tail twice and the Chroma pulls it's dust covered visage out of the hole to scoop the Operator up and put it back into the harness.

"The body doesn't appear to be Infested or the nanites would have reactively dissolved the host to survive. Doesn't seem all to alien either though. The fused leg bones in the tail, the unaltered skull (sorry about that), the five fingered hands, it adds up to to many convergent features. Either that thing was human once, or. . . . ."

The Operator eyes the rock protrusion thoughtfully.

". . . alright, that's it, I'm way to curious about this to let it go, you folks ready?"

Dixon nods, looking one last time at the dead body, before following you.

Jas takes up position slightly ahead of you, his shield raised for extra defense. His other hand swirls with energy instead of a blade.

[Teloch]

11 minutes ago, Rakawan said:

snoop

 

"Back in the times I was in their place, most of those who underwent their exposure were either reckless, desperate, or simply had nothing to lose. The expected survival rate was also higher compared to the odds of these volunteers. So I honestly don't envy them" Therese whispered to Melanie quietly.

Edited September 27, 2016 by Teloch

[Teloch]

12 minutes ago, Denny2669 said:

The Mirage beamed when the first two customers ordered the food straight away. She could swear that almost everyone significant who entered this building so far had to talk and talk in an attempt to bore her to sleep till they actually ordered.

"Sure thing boys! Take a seat and it'll be done in a stabby!"

She ordered the Ospreys around and started working herself, beginning with the hamburger.

 

Ulf squinted a bit. "Heeeey, aren't you one of the Voidwalkers?" he questioned suspiciously after noticing her badge.

[kyrozon]

22 minutes ago, Rakawan said:

Felicity takes the data chip and looks at it. Then she checks her watch and starts.

"Oh dear." She says. "I'm late for the Ascension ceremony."

"Ascension?"

[Rakawan]

1 hour ago, Teloch said:

"Back in the times I was in their place, most of those who underwent their exposure were either reckless, desperate, or simply had nothing to lose. The expected survival rate was also higher compared to the odds of these volunteers. So I honestly don't envy them" Therese whispered to Melanie

The light fades and you see Seth on his hands and knees, breathing heavily, but in short bursts. IT reminds you of someone trying to hold back tears, or vomit. He body heaves and her throws his shoulders back. A wave of energy washes over the assembled individuals, coating them in golden light. Seth rises to his feet. His actions seem shaky, but strong, as if he is unused to his own body. He staggers through the now open chamber and to a crystalline obelisk. The obelisk flares as he touches it, before staggering a few more feet to kneel before an unidentified Tenno. He says something and the Tenno responds twice.

Ryoko seems visibly relieved, as does everyone present.

Another volunteer strides confidently into the chamber and, after a moment of staged apprehension, jabs at the button.

His scream leaves no doubt that something has gone wrong.

This time the light fades to revealing him grasping desperately at his limbs as blue fire races across it. The moment the lens closes Ryoko and Darrin dart over. Darrin knees by the figure, placing two fingers on its neck, then looks up to Ryoko, whose hands glow with energy, and shakes his head.

Several of the applicants recoil in horror as the body is removed. Several minutes pass with no volunteers. One applicant turns to leave, then another. 

Another comes forward. The light fades to reveal an intact body. Then a green gas begins to vent from his pores and his skin begins to flake away. 

The second success comes after two more failures, one burning and another simply vanishing. This one, a young woman, steps from the chamber with a literal spring in her step. Her first leap towards the obelisk propels her into the air and she flails as she comes back to earth. Her next step is more cautious, and this time she remains on the ground.

 

[Rakawan]

1 hour ago, kyrozon said:

"Ascension?"

Felicity grabs your hand and pulls you to a teleport pad. 

The light fades to reveal an ornate room.

((See the description of the chamber I gave Teloch.))

"This is the hall of Ascension." Felicity says. "Where new Tenno are made."

You can see two figures, a young man and woman, kneeling before a Tenno. Five Tenno in ornate robes stand before a chamber, while several others stand watch. Several humans in robes stand facing the chamber, which is emitting a bright light.

As the light fades you see a person in a robe looking rather please with themselves. They extend their hand and a small glowing orb floats above it. The orb weaves back and forth, before the person tosses it up and grabs it. An explosion rattles the chamber and they vanish in a flash of light.

Felicity is already typing into a holo-pad, and pulling data from several sensors.

"Next Volunteer." A voice calls. "When you are ready."

[kyrozon]

3 minutes ago, Rakawan said:

Felicity grabs your hand and pulls you to a teleport pad. 

The light fades to reveal an ornate room.

((See the description of the chamber I gave Teloch.))

"This is the hall of Ascension." Felicity says. "Where new Tenno are made."

You can see two figures, a young man and woman, kneeling before a Tenno. Five Tenno in ornate robes stand before a chamber, while several others stand watch. Several humans in robes stand facing the chamber, which is emitting a bright light.

As the light fades you see a person in a robe looking rather please with themselves. They extend their hand and a small glowing orb floats above it. The orb weaves back and forth, before the person tosses it up and grabs it. An explosion rattles the chamber and they vanish in a flash of light.

Felicity is already typing into a holo-pad, and pulling data from several sensors.

"Next Volunteer." A voice calls. "When you are ready."

Seerena took a look over her shoulder to see that Diablo thankfully was still behind the,

"So... You are using the void to create more tenno?" She lifts one arm infront of her eyes to block some of the bright light.

[Rakawan]

1 hour ago, kyrozon said:

Seerena took a look over her shoulder to see that Diablo thankfully was still behind the,

"So... You are using the void to create more tenno?" She lifts one arm infront of her eyes to block some of the bright light.

"Not just the void." Felicity says. "As you can see void energy is highly toxic to humans. There are several methods we are testing to reduce the fatality rates. This latest group underwent extensive training according to several different Tenno schools. The hope was that it would teach them to manipulate void energy. They also are exposed to small amounts of controlled void radiation to help build a resistance."

She looks at you.

"All of them are volunteers, of course." She says. "They decided whether to take the next step."

 

[Teloch]

15 minutes ago, Rakawan said:

snoop

 

"Thirty-three percent so far, but the control group is small. Now I get it why did they strap me and all my group to their places and exposed the whole batch to the void at once, as if we were meat carcasses waiting to be grilled..." Bloom whispered to Melanie again.

Edited September 27, 2016 by Teloch

[Rakawan]

2 hours ago, Teloch said:

"Thirty-three percent so far, but the control group is small. Now I get it why did they strap me and all my group to their places and exposed the whole batch to the void at once, as if we were meat carcasses waiting to be grilled..." Bloom whispered to Melanie again.

"That sounds horrible." Meanie says. "Here we try to be as humane as possible. Smaller groups were chosen to limit the casualties."

[Unus]

4 hours ago, Rakawan said:

Dixon nods, looking one last time at the dead body, before following you.

Jas takes up position slightly ahead of you, his shield raised for extra defense. His other hand swirls with energy instead of a blade.

The Chroma wipes some dust off the rough edges of the rough hole and gestures inside.

"Alright, all we need is the rope then and we should be good to go."

The Chroma reaches inside of the hole and tugs at the length of cable inside.

"Seems strong enough to hold the weight, just have to put a good knot in it and make sure to hold on tight then."

The Chroma steps out of the way.

[Teloch]

8 hours ago, Rakawan said:

"That sounds horrible." Meanie says. "Here we try to be as humane as possible. Smaller groups were chosen to limit the casualties."

"One man from the pre-cosmic era once said that a single death is a tragedy while a million of deaths is a statistic. Surely, the empire cared more about the statistic feedback on its scientific exercises than about staying humane. And the most unnerving part is that there was a cold logic behind their approach, especially in light of the circumstances of the period"

Edited September 28, 2016 by Teloch

[Denny2669]

10 hours ago, Teloch said:

Ulf squinted a bit. "Heeeey, aren't you one of the Voidwalkers?" he questioned suspiciously after noticing her badge.

"No, I'm the conductor of the poop train!" she said with a pause "But ye, I'm a Voidy-walker... or more of a Voidy-floater! Ahaha!" #crazybutsomewhatcutelaugh

An Osprey brought the very juicy hamburger to the table as Alice started working on the next magestic piece of consumable art, the submarine sandwich.

Edited September 28, 2016 by Denny2669

[kyrozon]

17 hours ago, Rakawan said:

"Not just the void." Felicity says. "As you can see void energy is highly toxic to humans. There are several methods we are testing to reduce the fatality rates. This latest group underwent extensive training according to several different Tenno schools. The hope was that it would teach them to manipulate void energy. They also are exposed to small amounts of controlled void radiation to help build a resistance."

She looks at you.

"All of them are volunteers, of course." She says. "They decided whether to take the next step."

"That's a very... interresting project. Now it surely is frustrating that the Orokin, atleast to my knowledge, didn't record much of their 'ascension' project. Not like they did much besides tossing people into the void." Seerena let's out a sigh. "Poor Rayo, he never survived his void trip."

Edited September 28, 2016 by kyrozon

[Rakawan]

7 hours ago, kyrozon said:

"That's a very... interresting project. Now it surely is frustrating that the Orokin, atleast to my knowledge, didn't record much of their 'ascension' project. Not like they did much besides tossing people into the void." Seerena let's out a sigh. "Poor Rayo, he never survived his void trip."

"Indeed." Felicity says. "I have a few notes from back then, and a few memories, but there are still gaps."

15 hours ago, Teloch said:

"One man from the pre-cosmic era once said that a single death is a tragedy while a million of deaths is a statistic. Surely, the empire cared more about the statistic feedback on its scientific exercises than about staying humane. And the most unnerving part is that there was a cold logic behind their approach, especially in light of the circumstances of the period"

A few more failures preceed the next success, bringing the total to 12 and 3, respectively. 

After the latest failure, a man whose body turned into pure metal, all but one of the remaining volunteers shakily leave the room. The last volunteer fingers the badge nervously.