epidemiology | EVENT ★ THE FRACKING FIELDS

EVENT ★ THE FRACKING FIELDS

THE EARTHQUAKE

One day, early in the morning before the mechanical rooster at Amos Zephyr's farm even crows, there's a sudden rumble in the distance. Perdition's Rest shakes and the ground roils, knocking things off shelves and startling the mechanical horses in their pen. Look out the window and you'll see Qorral locals blearily stepping out into the street, murmuring anxiously amongst themselves: Earthquake.

Ever since the argecite mines started to dry up, the Qorral colonists have been turning to fracking in order to pull all available argecite out of the planet as quickly as possible. The technique has caused more and more earthquakes to shake the planet, though the fracking fields are far enough away from the town that damage is minimal.

However, the fields and mines aren't as lucky. The mayor rushes out into the street, his assistant and Sheriff Holladay flanking him, and asks for any willing heroes and adventurers (that means you!) to venture out to the fracking fields and assess the damages. Though the tunnels aren't being actively mined, there were likely miners and other workmen inside, so there will be rescue needed as well. Get your provisions ready and hop on the train: you're going to work.

THE FRACKING FIELDS

The fracking fields are a wide open swath of land peppered with looming, iron machines going on for miles. These machines are the Qorral's final attempt at scraping the last remnants of argecite from the planet before abandoning the colony and moving on for good. This destructive practice is causing obvious instability to the planet, but they don't seem to care. This is what their species does: seeks out argecite, mines it, and moves on.

The fields are dry and dead, with no plants around -- and now, after the earthquake, there are sinkholes. The iron machines are falling into the sinkholes, slowly being swallowed by the planet, with desperate workers trying to pull them back out. They could use the help -- but be sure not to fall in yourself.

Grotesque alien birds circle overhead, searching for the dead or the dying, workers caught in the collapsing earth. Save them before they're swallowed by the earth or swallowed by carrion birds -- and if you're too late, the locals would be happy to have their loved ones returned to them intact.

Also found in the fields is the Argecite Refinery, a massive factory filled with machinery meant for the refining of the crystal before it is to be shipped back to the Qorral home planet. The outside of the factory is surrounded by a 610cm (20 ft) tall electric perimeter fence, whose energy shorts out sporadically after the earthquake cracked the service box. If you're quick enough to make it through one of the gaps in electricity, don't relax quite yet -- there are malfunctioning guard drones throughout the facility, the earthquake rattling their sensors and making it impossible for them to tell friend from foe. The drones resemble dogs, though they are capable of folding their legs in for aerodynamic superiority when they take flight. They are equipped with energy lasers to destroy, sticky glue to slow trespassers, and a thin blade in the tail to poison attackers. The poison is quick-acting, causing hallucinations and fever, but it is not deadly.

Inside the factory, the machinery has collapsed in on itself from the earthquake; electricity sparks from damaged wires, dangerously nearby spilled oil drums or pools of standing water. Fire can start at any second. There are factory workers here that need rescuing, but also a variety of inanimate objects, including barrels of argecite, machinery parts, files, computers, etc. Anything that isn't bolted down needs to be moved outside of the factory before it explodes. Of course, no one is really keeping track of what's inside...

THE MINES

The Qorral have been digging in the mines since arriving on this planet 30 years ago, but recent efforts have shifted to fracking after the argecite veins slowly became depleted. The mines are still maintained by a skeleton crew of workers, making sure there is no build-up of dangerously flammable gas and patrolling the tunnels to look out for cave-ins -- which, after the earthquake, have happened in spades.

The tunnels are winding and deep, turning in on each other and ending in dead ends or sudden, steep drop-offs into the dark. There are workers trapped within, and some at Perdition's Rest have said that their thrill-seeking relatives -- typically teenagers -- have gone missing. It's possible that they have found themselves trapped in the mine, so it may be a good idea to look out for them as well.

And even deeper in the mine, there is a writhing, pale danger: sand worms, blind and hungry, wait in the dark. The earthquake has begun to drive them further up the tunnel, their tooth-lined maws open as they slither through toward the surface. Those focusing on the fields above may find a straggling sand worm or two, thrashing wildly in pain from the unfamiliar heat of the sun. This will definitely put a damper in the rescue and recovery efforts, so take them out as quickly as you can -- with as little damage to the fracking equipment, please.

OOC NOTES

Please direct all questions pertaining to the mission to the dossier page to keep questions and responses in one place for easy player reference. General game questions should be directed to the FAQ.

If you haven't already, make sure you check out the Bounty Board for side missions! Remember you can also request bounty missions or submit player plots at any time.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

( jay, it's me bij...

but, fracking... refinery prompt maybe!? idk, i just wanted to touch you, even if i'm late. )

( biiiij RUNS TOWARDS!! also lemme know if this is okay! )

[ The crackling is unsettling.

Lucina, hailing from ye olden medieval times, has no idea what electricity even is. But the combination of some burning smell and the occasional crackling she hears makes her think twice before climbing the fence, posture wary. Her sword remains unsheathed in her hand ( as if that'll do anything against a charged fence ), just in case. ]

... Perhaps there's another way around? [ Luckily, she possesses just enough self-preservation to not jump it right away. A look around the surrounding area provides her with another individual who seems to share a mutual goal. ] Oh, er— excuse me. [ Maybe she's just being paranoid, and there's actually nothing wrong with the fence at all. But just in case: ]

Do you know of a way to get inside this enclosure?

( it's perfect and beautiful, as are you!! ♥!!

perhaps, at a time earlier than his initial summoning, he wouldn't have been able to piece apart concepts like electricity or tech— it's why he's been relatively sympathetic for those who appear out of touch with it.. hence, when she turns to inquire about the fence, he almost seems all too ready to provide answers. or well, an alternative that was close enough to one, maybe?? ) I'm not certain of another way around it, however—

If you require assistance.... ( he stands beside her, as if this were a part of his suggestion. ) I would not be opposed to help you. A fence of this height should be simple to conquer. ( it's almost too simple of a solution. also, he seems perfectly comfortable with the idea of... carrying her over? )

( whoa!! blushes... )

[ At his words, Lucina naturally looks up. The fence is easily 3 times her height, if not more — she's confident in her abilities to jump, certainly, but she's not sure how far she can go.

Or if he can, either. Pardon her apprehension, but her eyebrows knit together, looking back towards the stranger ( who's certainly a lot closer than before ) and the fence. ] ... It is? [ It's not exactly the most eloquent thing she's said, but close enough. ] The fence is... rather tall.

( ah...

he supposes it's only natural for him to be doubted in a case like this. or rather, without someone having seen his abilities straight on, he supposed it would seem a bit far-fetched. but, still, he holds his hand out to her. ) As a comrade put in the same bind— will you entrust yourself to me?

( this probably sounds... more questionable than he intended, but look.

from one person who wears blue to another.... )

[ It's definitely not doubting his abilities, but more a commentary on how tall this fence is — which might just be doubting Arjuna's super jumping skills, maybe?

Anyway. There's a pause as she looks at the hand, then considers his words. He doesn't seem like a bad person ( though rarely will Lucina be apprehensive of a stranger ); and with that, she takes his hand, giving a small nod. ]

As a comrade. [ She repeats, voice certain. Her expression hasn't quite relaxed yet, but... well, maybe that'll come once they get over this fence. ]

Naturally. ( he fills in those gaps. or more like, he confirms his previous assertions. considering that she seemed so keen on making that matter clear, he supposed he was required to proffer her the same level of commitment. with that, he holds her fingers tightly. )

Excuse me. ( before pulling her closer. it's almost sudden, the way he shifts his hold over her. he's .... basically princess carrying her, one hand still holding her fingers, the other cradled beneath her, before he jumps into the air.

he makes it over the fence quite easily, fortunately without any hitch in electricity, and he simply lands on the other side. a part of him wonders if he should have proffered an explanation of sorts, but he supposed... urgency could easily blur those lines. or is it convenience? either way. )

[ Well, at least he excused himself?? The confusion in her face is unmistakable, eyebrows furrowing together at his words. Her mind, even in that brief second, runs a mile a minute, trying to piece together just what was being said.

And then it makes a lot more sense, but in ways that she definitely didn't expect. She's shifted forward, until her body is suddenly lifted into the air. It's definitely not a sensation she's familiar with, and the only thing she's in contact with in the air is ... another person? ] Huh—?! [ Her body tenses, but at least she makes no moves to try and... shove Arjuna away, or anything like that.

They land just as quickly as they ... jumped? Flew? Lucina's eyes are wide even after her feet touch the floor, looking almost comical as she looks from the fence back to Arjuna. Though she recovers quickly enough, clearing her throat, once, twice— ] ... Thank you.

I ... admit, I didn't expect this. [ At least she's honest?? ]

( in a variety of ways, it's a comfort to see that she isn't entirely daunted b y the prospect of being plucked up by a stranger. in another sense, it's great that she grasps the situation easily enough not to try and escape, either. it isn't like he hasn't considered that as an option, no matter how brief or fleeting in his head. still, he decides not to mull over it. the fact that it worked and yielded the result(s) they desired— was enough.

still, he can't deny a brief humorous exhale that seems to follow soon after. despite lessons in modesty, at times, his tone betrayed such sentiments. there's a confident inflection to his words. or maybe, it was more accurate to state he simply had no doubts in them. ) I don't require any gratitude. After all, I merely did what was expected me.

( he gives a brief smile. serving others was a pleasure of a hero and all of that, after all. still, he finally steps a respectful distance from her. ) But, are you all right? It seems I have handled you quite roughly.

Ah— I'm alright. [ She waves a hand, brushing away the concern. It's less the treatment that bothered her ( in fact, it was perfectly fine ), but just the surprise of it all. But now that she's recovered from it all, she can straighten her back, completing the point with a small shake of her head. ] There's no need for concern.

I had... just been surprised. [ But that's neither here or there, and they've managed to make it over the fence — so... success? That, and they've both found each other to explore the factory with ( or she presumes ), which is also a nice bonus.

Speaking of: ] ... Shall we look around, then? [ They did come over the fence for a reason. ]

( as if confirming her secondary verification— he gives a small nod. it's barely a dip of his chin, as he seems to settle himself on fixing the position of his gloves. the thing about dressing the part was... that it was still a bit foreign. uncomfortable, if he had to be truthful, regardless it's a fact he ignores, if just to keep his attention focused back on her. ) If that's the case, I'm relieved. It wouldn't do to have affronted you. ( as always, his tone is polite to a fault. it could have easily been mistaken as being sarcastic or derisive were... someone to envision it from that angle.

still, he does seem like he's putting in a fair amount of effort in his social graces and etiquette. he gives the place a gentle sweep over with his eyes. ) Mm. I'd say that'd be a start... ( he seems almost eager as he takes the first successive steps. still, he turns back briefly. )

But, I presume it may be best to practice some caution. ( another pause, before... )

Archer— Arjuna, at your service.

[ Luckily, Lucina's a master at taking words for what they are, rather than whatever hidden meanings they may ( or may not ) have. So his words seem genuine enough, and that's enough to have her nod, effectively taking the words for what they are. Nothing else would make much sense, anyway. ] Not at all.

[ Though, caution... she wonders what he means by that, exactly, when the area seems to be flat for the most part — caution is difficult to practice when they're out in the open. She won't question it, but there's a small tilt of her head.

No matter, though. There are introductions to be had. ] Lucina. It's a pleasure to meet you, Arjuna.

( admittedly, visibility (or being visible in this case) never struck him as a negative. as a hero, he was accustomed to laying himself bold and brazen on the battlefield; ready to take on opponents head on. so speaking about taking things easy or careful was... more of a practiced courtesy than anything else. it's something, he ... comprehends, perhaps, but it's nothing he lets visible on his features. instead, he seems to be studying lucina...

but, even that lasts but a brief second. ) Lucina. ( he repeats the name before giving a soft hum. ) It's a name of noble bearing. It suits you. ( he walks forward a few steps, before turning back to her. )

Have you seen anything like this place?

— Oh. [ Is it that she's not used to hearing compliments, or something else? While her face is luckily free of any sudden pink, her expression does soften. Something about the sentimentality of a stranger complimenting a name given to you by the man you idolize. ] Thank you.

[ But that's a story for another time, and she eventually looks away again, studying the factory.

She quickly catches up to him however, and from there — it'd almost be like a stroll in the park, except they're in a desert and there's sandworms rampaging in the background. ] ... I admit, I have not. Are you unfamiliar with it as well?

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EVENT ★ THE FRACKING FIELDS

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