EVENT ★ THE FRACKING FIELDS

[futurologists]

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.

Comments

[arcane]

( a part of his wonders about the relevance in all of this. not that it doesn't pique his vested interests, or garner his spirit of inquiry, but that it strikes him as being fairly out of the norm. at least of the norm haise has established with him thus far. he even deliberates if he's committed to the correct course of action, or if he's inevitably made a misstep somewhere. miscommunication was... something unavoidable at times, or so he's come to realize.

but, then haise continues. it seems this was some sort of comparative exercise? he tilts his head slightly. ) Is that right? ( he asks as he tries to search for some other answer from haise. was his response close to one or the other...? ) The other party sounds quite unique.

But, if I had to guess. Perhaps, they extended a hand to help you or receive help in turn. Though, I'm not quite sure how that adds up. ( almost to prove his point, he cautiously connects their hands. then, he continues with a small. ) No... ( that doesn't seem right. or at least, it doesn't add the point up in his head. hence, he then allows his fingers slip from the other's palms. ) What was your verdict?

[ex_adept136]

[Following that glancing touch, Haise lets his hand drop back to his side. It's enough to conclude that it can't be anything to do with shared culture. While Arjuna has among his guesses touched on the correct motivation, according to the fellow recruit he'd met at that time, it's clear that it doesn't stand out as being familiar reasoning. That much cements it as an individual thought process rather than one borne of one's background.

It only makes Karna's strange kindness all the more curious as he looks back on it, but then as now, Haise appreciates the sentiment that was behind it. This still leaves him unsure whether the two are related, literally and figuratively, so it seems there may be no subtle way to approach that question.

He shrugs, helpless in the face of this result]

You seem as puzzled as I was, though you caught on more quickly.

[Karna had to more or less state his intention for Haise to realize it wasn't some strange iteration of a greeting he'd been offered at the time]

I think he intended it to be for my benefit, given the circumstances. [Lost underground without direction or information regarding how to get out, not to mention their strengths being sapped from them. And here his pause is more significant, knowing the story as he does, yet aware that his explanation is incomplete] At the time, he introduced himself as Karna.

[Back then, he hadn't thought to connect that name to any work of literature. Now though, he looks back on that meeting and has to wonder]

1/2

[arcane]

( hearing that the other's reaction was akin to his own is relieving in a sense. it meant that haise was a reasonable of a individual as he's previously surmised. though, in retrospect, it makes him wonder what value there is in attempting to decipher the other's (unbeknownst to him, karna's) nonsensical actions. this breed of thought or this callous notion is probably notable in the way, he gives a soft, inaudible exhale. it's almost as if he believed that other person to somehow be pitiable in their sheer lack of social graces. ) ... really. That seems more troubling than beneficial.

( or well, he takes the evidence as their mutual confusion. though, as haise continues speaking, it becomes unbelievably clear to him that.... none of that probably mattered. especially, not in light of that one name. ) K...arna? ( he repeats it slowly.

it's here... he almost has to feel grateful towards the dark. for concealing everything. even his own emotions. his gloved fingers twitch before they eventually tighten into a fist. immediately, a surge of questions resound in his head. he's almost afraid that one of them will slip by mistake. that one of them would reveal him all too openly. instead, he harshly swallows them all down; the sound in his throat hard and louder than even he suspects. )

.... ( he's trying desperately to calm himself down and keep his "face' perfectly in check. after a few moments, he continues. there's no way to say it was the same karna. even if fate and everything seems to dictate otherwise. )

[arcane]

( after what feels like an eternity of silence on his end...

he starts once more. ) .... did he say anything else?

( about him??? maybe?? is probably... where he's trying to go with this, but arjuna, flat-out refuses to word it in such a manner. )

[ex_adept136]

[The long silence that follows leaves Haise to wonder if he shouldn't have brought it up. He can't be completely sure whether the Karna he'd met is the one from Arjuna's past, and that knowledge might come at the expense of his associate's peace of mind. Their story might be old in his time, but that doesn't make it any less real for someone who lived it, and the two had been on opposing sides...

Haise thinks to apologize for his lack of forethought, but Arjuna speaks first. He shifts has weight as he considers that question, folding his arms with a quiet hum. What had Karna said back then? It all seemed rather general and mundane, the things that he recalls]

Nothing all that unusual...aside from thinking I'd feel better if he held my hand.

[As they've established, this was a puzzling sort of notion. Haise had appreciated the kindness behind the gesture once he understood the intent, but coming from his cultural background, it wasn't common for anyone to simply reach out to him in that way]

But we were able to confirm that we'd both been weakened in some manner and were both new recruits. [He pauses then, mentally reviewing] And he suggested we work together, with those factors in mind. I don't know if he's the one you knew... But I'd thought maybe I could prove or disprove it without troubling you with the question.

[Thus the confusion related to offered hands here]

[arcane]

( truly. there was no doubt. that would be karna.

not to comprehend a point. not ... properly speaking of their fate.

genuinely looking at others and being able to accept things precisely as they are. nobly progressing onwards, despite being incapable of reading into actual social element of it all. while karna could discern the deepest depths of one heart, he couldn't always decipher their behaviors. perhaps, the same could be stated for himself. where was arjuna's place in the grand scheme of things? he wonders briefly.

part of him knows his malicious considerations come from a place that wasn't actually logical or rational. if anything, he desired to vanquish karna from the start. being on opposing sides or belonging to separate families was only there to validate him. to act as justifiable means to all the destruction he desired.

but, even if these ideas are running rampant through his head, he can't deny the reverse. something that could only be labeled closely to "regret" or "remorse." no, actually, it was such a specific word, he couldn't find a means to properly translate it.

still, this time... silently, he reaches out his hand once more. it's done unceremoniously, as if it were just a simple whim, or that's he's just changed his mind. honestly, it's almost completely out of spite. out of the petty idea he could somehow best karna in this activity, no more matter how... inconsequential or insignificant it could have been seen in the long-run. with his hand, he offers some words. ) I see. But, maybe this is some sort of fate at work, as well.

I assume you didn't end up accepting him, but... ( ... ) You want an answer, do you not? ( a part of him would feel grateful if haise wouldn't look too deep into his words, but he debates if that's even possible at this point. he knows... this is ridiculous, but.

look, )

[ex_adept136]

[This isn't the first time that Arjuna has mentioned fate. Haise can imagine that's tied to strong belief, as they had once discussed the notion before. While he remains unconvinced that these forces may act on them, especially where they're employed to change the fates of worlds and those inhabiting them, he can't exactly deny it either. One could argue that such an influence is the very reason why they're here to begin with.

Arjuna offering his hand comes as a surprise to him, and for some long moments he simply looks to it, waiting as it is. He thinks just for that gesture and the long silences between them already provide the answer to his question, as best anything may.

But still he knows Arjuna as a man who doesn't do anything without some thought or purpose behind it]

...I accepted his help, as we were lost [And Karna seemed quite inclined to accept his new teammates with an ease that at the time was quite surprising to Haise] but not the gesture, no.

[He'd expressed his appreciation of course. The kindness was itself a striking thing, one that had caught him off-guard when he was used to so many looking upon him with suspicion or worse. Not all, of course. Not those who had no idea what he was. But even so, to have someone simply accept that they were allies and show concern for him apropos of nothing but wearing the same uniform (if that) had been strange.

Warming in its way, but most certainly confusing.

He and Karna had been strangers, well-meaning though they were. Haise thinks, in contrast (though he questions whether it may be presumptuous on his part) that he can regard Arjuna as a friend. Months have passed working together and fighting for similar causes.

So, for that reason...



Arjuna gets a handshake]

I'd like to think I know you a little better.

[Words that have two potential meanings, both of which he intends]

1/2

[arcane]

( haise mentioned upon exchanging names that he was familiar with his title. was ... aware of his existence. while arjuna hasn't debated in what form, he certainly has considered the depths of his knowledge. how much he knew. how accurate was the narration of his tale was or is. karna is a hefty reminder of this dark principle, and he wonders if he's already been discovered from the start. regardless, he decisively opts not to dwell on it. the further he considered it, the more evident it became. the more the emotions resparked and resurfaced and played onwards viciously.

as the existence of samsara and its symbolism, it was a cycle that's plagued him for lifetimes. or more accurately, for summonings. he's been to countless periods of time, and even then, he's managed to meet karna. in america, within the realm of chaldea, and now... with alastair. he's so busy wondering how much of himself was made transparent before haise's discerning eye, that he nearly misses haise's words. "but not the gesture, no." )

[arcane]

( as he feels haise's hand coming closer, he's about to take that as a sign for something. of superiority, perhaps. or maybe, something even far more trivial. only, then... haise shakes his hand? his grip is appropriately firm and... he finds himself genuinely surprised.

as he thought, haise was as much the considerate and open-minded individual as he's always suspected. it's unfortunate as he can't even entirely consider this a complete victory, and yet... he doesn't find himself too opposed to these terms. maybe in this universe, he wouldn't be able to do battle with karna (nor develop his own standards for... some sort of far-fetched sense of retribution for his underhanded methods), but... he believed in the next opportunity. perhaps, just as much as he was coming to place some faith into some of his fellow recruits.

starting with haise, he supposes. he finally gives haise's hand a brief squeeze in return. a polite amount. not too much power, and yet nowhere near modest. but, maybe that suited arjuna just fine. ) Yes. Though, I've stated it previously, permit me to state it again.

I will continue to be in your care, Haise. ( while karna got the hand holding thing all wrong, maybe the right amount of contact was good for establishing something. not that... arjuna would ever dare to vocalize this, though!? )