TRAVEL LOG #5

[synfluxmods]

TRAVEL LOG #5

CONTENT WARNINGS: death, nightmares, gun violence, survival scenario

▶ 001. EYES WIDE OPEN.

"Angels of Lilith, report for duty in the DISPATCH."

The day starts off with alarms blaring and oculars shining bright lights in the Outsiders' heads, waking them up early for an emergency dispatch. Although the current Rift at Mt. Fuji needs to be explored and examined, the Rifts continue to appear in different parts of the world, and this Rift is no different. Captain Yamakawa continues,

"We have received a distress call from EGYPT. Much of the region fell during the first kaiju crisis. Now it is a desolate land that survives with the help of a generator called an ESSENCE which is currently malfunctioning. We assume the cause is Rift energy—according to our radar, there is a heavy amount of Rift energy coming from that area. We will move out immediately. Pack all the things you may need, but each Outsider will be supplied with a care package of their own containing essentials."

Even though it is 4:00 AM Tokyo time, LILITH hopes you all have slept well. It could be the very last good sleep in awhile. While the dataportal to Egypt is operational on Japan's end, because of the malfunctioning generator, Outsiders are unable to come out on the other side. The old method of using the flying cruiser will be used once again.

There will not be assigned seating for this other than by teams. Everlights will sit with Everlights, Brimstones with Brimstones, and so on. The Outsiders will be encouraged to rest on the flight, and a few hours before landing, an in-flight meal will be provided. The meal is surprisingly delicious and consists of chicken or pork katsu cutlet, but with the warning that all Outsiders will know about: it contains high amount of cyber caffeine. This sort of newly innovative caffeine can keep Outsiders awake for several days, but sometimes it may cause restlessness or hyperactivity, causing characters to have a jittery amount of energy but razor sharp focus. Other times, it simply keeps characters awake and they feel no different. The cutlet will be served with KAIJU™ Energy Drink. Any Outsiders that require a different diet will be provided with what they need, and the cyber caffeine will be added to it if they would like.

Yamakawa gives instructions again:

"We have received more information about the kaiju. Civilians have died in their sleep from horrible nightmares, and we are encouraging Outsiders to sleep together in pairs or groups, or disregard sleeping at all until we obtain more information. We are still receiving facts about this monster, but this meal will help with keeping everyone awake as a safety measure."

Those who do not want to have the highly caffeinated meal can have everyone's favorite: a ration bar that isn't spiked with any energy, but it doesn't taste good at all. Outsiders may be more likely to fall asleep and be in danger by choosing this meal. The balance of a dystopian society.

▶ 002. ARRIVAL IN EGYPT.

When they finally arrive, the air is temperate and dry in Alexandria. The Outsiders might have to check their clocks once more to make sure everything is right; everyone is expected to land in the late afternoon and every clock says it should be close to evening, but the city is already growing dark with the sun setting quite early. Because of the ESSENCE disruption, Alexandria is running on back up energy, which makes for spotty lighting and loss of basic power.

LILITH will be greeted by a small group of researchers at the airport and they will help take the Outsiders to their base: the Alexandria Institute which was once the University of Alexandria. They will give the Outsiders a quick run down of the situation and some background.

1. LILITH does not have a strong defense branch in the region any more. Instead, the branch here seems more focused on research, especially on the origin of kaiju and rifts.
2. This region is extremely prone to spontaneous Rifts. Many of them are small and pass quickly but this most recent one is unprecedented.
3. One evening, in the final week of March, the Alexandria Institute received a corrupt file from their fellow researchers in Greece. It shut down much of their research facility (including their warp portal) and all they have been able to recover so far are the words, "Do Not Go To Sleep."
4. The next morning, they awoke to find the sun rising later and setting earlier. It feels like the days are getting significantly shorter.
5. Many locals developed a fear of the dark and going to sleep. They would then die in their sleep within the next few days.
6. The autopsy of these victims have shown no cause of death, puzzling coroners.

Progress has been slow because the corrupt file shut down many of their facilities. They have not been able to track the source of the Rift or identify the kaiju responsible for it. They believe the answers may be within the corrupt file and will be happy to receive any help they can get from the Outsiders.

When they arrive at the Institute, Outsiders will be set up in the old student dormitories. Each room has 2-4 beds depending on the room, with a common shared area on each floor. Given the current threat, there is also a supply of energy drinks and bars boosted with cyber caffeine. Outsiders have two options:

1. OPTION ONE: Stay in Alexandria and help the researchers with the generators, while keeping themselves and teammates awake during the night by playing games.
2. OPTION TWO: Go out into the Egyptian desert on camel-back, spending time getting to know their camel before heading out.

OOC NOTE: While players may write prompts for both options, we ask that you submit for a clue only once per player (not per character, as we have a lot of characters in game now!)

▶ 003. LEARN & EXPLORE. (ALEXANDRIA RESEARCH.)

Times are hard in Alexandria right now with their generators malfunctioning and efforts being split. The researchers are trying to get the generators back up and uncorrupt the data they received from Greece. LILITH will instruct the Outsiders to help with the research but also warn that they cannot afford to just sit around and wait to crack codes. The researchers also agree. Sometimes the best way to get research data is to go out into the field, but they haven't been able to do it due to not having much protection. The desert is vast, and there have been sightings of other small kaiju lurking beneath the sand and in some smaller cities.

Outsiders can decide to stay in the city of Alexandria to help crack the codes, or they can opt to go out into the field. For the latter, they can choose to stay close to home and investigate within Alexandria.

Those who wish to help with the ESSENCE generators and researchers will stay in Alexandria, using any downtime when not investigating to try and stay awake, slumber-party style. Two Truths and a Lie? Maybe Spin The Bottle? Perhaps some games can keep Outsiders enticed so they don't doze off.

▶ 004. FEELING SANDY (DESERT EXPLORATION.)

For those who wish to explore the desert and smaller cities, Alexandria Institute will supply what they need, such as water, food, essential tools for digging, sleeping bags (no sleeping, but maybe for resting!) and anything else. To conserve energy, the researchers supply camels for the Outsiders to use. The camels are mostly tame, but have their own distinct personalities, so they may need a little more handling and can be coaxed to behave with treats like artificial carrots and bananas. Outsiders can spend time getting to know their camel if they are going to explore the desert or cities. A camel can seat two people on its back comfortably, but also carry any essentials that travelers need to bring along.

In the distant small cities and across the desert, Outsiders will come across Sand Crocodiles, one of the smaller kaiju that have been inhabiting the desert. These monsters are basically crocodiles but with a twist: they can spit fire if angered and they can camouflage in the sand. They hide strategically, and one wrong step will cause them to push their jaws out of the ground, harming a person or camel. The stubby quills along their backs or rounds of their horns aren't entirely covered while hiding, so watch carefully. Fortunately, Outsiders will be supplied with a shotgun. Aiming between the eyes or in the mouth will kill it, but also beating it with the back of the shotgun will also do the trick. And yes, they also taste like crocodile too, if anyone is hungry.

After exploring, Outsiders are requested to report their findings back in Alexandria.

▶ 005. AFTERWORD.

Welcome to our fourth travel log!

Welcome to the new and improved Travel Log! Below, you will see the link to the MONSTER DEBRIEF SHEET post that has information about the kaiju below along with RIFT EFFECTS. Fill out the form for RNG Attacks and whether you would like to receive a RIFT EFFECT. This should give characters some ideas for the status of their character in the next log, which will have more action and monsters in it. Outsiders may use the CHAT to report and discuss any findings.

We thank you in advance for your patience as we try out this new format!

All tags on this log are worth 2 points and will count towards April AC.

EVENT BREAKDOWN/RECAP (CLICK TO EXPAND)

1. EYES WIDE OPEN: Outsiders travel to Egypt after receiving reports of their power generator, ESSENCE, being unstable and malfunctioning, leaving citizens in peril. They are instructed to "stay awake." They are supplied cyberpunk caffeine and told to try not to sleep or stay in pairs to be watchful of any danger.

2. ARRIVING IN EGYPT: Arriving in Alexandria, the Outsiders are confirmed that citizens have been dying in their sleep, with coroners unable to determine the cause. The days are mysteriously getting shorter and people are unable to stay awake.

3. LEARN & EXPLORE: Outsiders are given options to stay in Alexandria to help with the generator or find clues to assist the research team. Between researching, they are asked to continue to stay awake by any means possible. Those who will be exploring the desert and smaller cities for clues are given a camel for transportation. Outsiders are encouraged to get to know their camel before traveling.

4. FEELING SANDY: While looking for any clues out in the desert, Outsiders encounter smaller kaiju known as Sand Crocodiles. They hide in the sand and attack at the opportune time, snapping jaws and spitting fire. Shooting them between the eyes or in the mouth will K.O. them.

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Comments

[blastedass]

aa. even if this thing's not aware it's killing, it's our job to stop it. but every kaiju we've comes across has been malicious.

[Especially the last two. The Imugi deliberately plotted revenge while the Romanian wolf was a fucking sicko. One Bakugo was pretty damn sure was capable of conscious thought and even speech...]

1

[zerodissolver]

[As someone who is decidedly not keen on the ration bars and who likes growing things, Sophie takes an interest in the message Raidou sends out, reading the entire thing thoroughly before responding.]

I'd like to offer my help. I've been learning about plants and flowers from Ereshkigal and Tsurumaru, if you think that kind of knowledge might be of use. And I'm pretty strong, so I could help build the greenhouse as well. What sort of things are you trying to grow there?

[coordination]

For now.

As always, the mission might suddenly require sudden, drastic changes. And, once the mobile suits are hooked up, it's not as though we all need to remain with them. Dearka and I have access to the Duel and Buster, respectively.

Not that I'm exactly scrambling to go into the desert.

[blastedass]

[Which would be more insulting? To drop the carcass and expect the curse to come due carving duty without being told? Or to actually address him for his carving ability like a decent human being? Granted, Bakugo's a rude shit so the "only" comment has to come out. Look, he respects no one but those who hard earn it. Sukuna... he respects his power factually, but him? Phhht!

Okay, kinda. He's pretty chill in this place. Likely for lack of freedom to cut loose.]

Will that work?

[Bakugo gestures to the nearby stone slab. It's neither flat nor clean, but he can handle both of those.]

[intertwinedfates]

fair point. we can't just let it continue to kill everybody around here, including ourselves. though more information would've been nice, like, I dunno, a picture?! we're not even sure what we're up against this time. at least the Imugi was a big freaking target

[Maybe it's just him, but it seems like the kaiju are getting more and more hostile towards them the longer this war goes on. It's less like random monster attacks and more the things know they're being hunted.]

[blastedass]

che. we've never had a picture of the kaiju until it shows up. the first week or two's always dealing with however its presence is fucking up the surrounding areas.

[Bakugo's not sure he'd agree the hostility towards them is worse, but that the kaiju are getting... smarter about it. Though Yato's idea about being aware they're targets is a good point.]

[coordination]

[ Yzak's favorite blond today is Cagalli. ]

[30storieshigh]

Indeed? Pilot Yzak's dependability is a thing I am well used to 🦔👨‍✈️, Pilot Athrun I have yet to take a fulfilled measurement of 📏.

You are well used to his capacity?

[lostdestiny]

The commander really is great








[ Wait was there supposed to be another takeaway ]

[lostdestiny]

“Actually”?

silco | arcane | brimstone

[zauneyete]

o1. Full to the Brim(stone)

[ Clink...

Clink...

Clink...

There it goes. The lighter is out. This time he is very pointedly not smoking or causing a scene, although if Sukuna is doing it, there will be a derisive: ] Oh, it's only when I do it that people complain.

[ Yes, he's going to complain about that. Well, that and everything else. He doesn't sleep on the plane, he isn't the type — and surprisingly he doesn't refuse the caffeinated food, instead eating it with all the pleasure of a prisoner eating his last meal, which means, not at all.

Every now and then, he gets up, and walks around, mostly because he doesn't like flying. He's meant for the underground, and looking out one of the windows still draws a sneer and curl of his lip out of him. He doesn't freeze, or show fear, but he looks over at it occasionally. Just a little sign that he might not be as comfortable as he lets on. Or maybe it's the bounce of his leg, or the idle way when he is actually sitting that he's only tapping his pen against a blank book, instead of actually writing in it. ]

We should have landed by now. [ He says with zero knowledge or authority. Silco still hates flying, clearly. ]

o2. One Eye Open

[ It's dark way too early, but that doesn't really bother him. Silco's sleep cycle was never beholden to the rise and fall of the sun, and even now, the dark is little more than a time of day than a time to sleep. He always keeps one eye open, after all, and in the little common room where he's decided to stay, he seems to lurk like an odd little specter. His eye glows in dim light — if you've never seen it before, sorry — and he sits by a window puffing away on a cigar and looking every bit like he usually does.

He even has a drink in hand.

You know what's fun about rarely sleeping? The fact that this is actually better than usual with the addition of LILITH's new caffeine. Mind, he's still exhausted. Eventually, he will have to sleep, right? Eventually.

But right now, he looks out an open window while he smokes, and even the slightest of noises turns his head, to look at whoever decided to walk in. Well, the sleep-deprivation doesn't exactly do much about the general paranoia, in fact, it exacerbates it! He doesn't relax, even if he recognizes whoever it is in the room. He tipped his cigar, instead. Half in greeting, half to ash it. ]

Let me guess... [ he says, with a tone of voice that says, very clearly, he's about to make a joke: ] Can't sleep?

o3. Dry Run

[ The desert isn't much better. He's been forced for much of it (vaguely willingly) to sit behind Tezcatlipoca on his camel, a shotgun provided, though he barely does more than hold it. Silco isn't one to swing a weapon around, but also. It's the desert. He's hot, the sun is beating down. He's gotten sunburnt already, even with the desert attire provided in the style upgrade, but hey, at least out here his eyes are covered in sunglasses, so he at least looks a touch less eerie than usual.

In the periods between travel, Silco can be found struggling with walking, trying to look at a ruin or oasis, or generally grumbling under his breath '— was so fond of sand and what good does it do? —'

And maybe, if he's being particularly aware, he'll be sneaking around one of those crocodile kaiju. Surely that won't lead to anything bad. Surely!

His feet are silent on the sand, but it's so easy for someone who's unaccustomed to walking on it to slip, or lose his balance, or even just have to fight to stay up and yelp a bit loudly. Oops! ]

o4. Wildcard!

[ Want something different? hmu for a closed starter! If you'd like bad memshare, also feel free to just tag me asking for one, or reach out and we can plot something! I'm on plurk at hundreds I'm always happy to plot or start things! ]

[lostdestiny]

I’m fixing one of this city’s biggest problems

[intertwinedfates]

well it's here alright! we've got enough dead bodies to prove that. maybe it's a baku or something similar, preying on people's dreams and stealing their souls in that way

[Even though baku are supposed to be benevolent, why couldn't there be a malicious kaiju one? Stands to reason it's possible with everything else they've seen.]

[30storieshigh]

[ Cagalli is very wise and has Yzak pegged, not Goji's fault that he recognizes how fitting it is. ]

Pilot Yzak, you are one I consider to be of sound mind and dependable nature 🦔👨‍✈️✅️🧠✅️.

However. An implication of the Whelp possessing sense is the statement of one given to be excessively interested in cocoa plant based grain meal to the point of madness 🤪.

[I...

I think he means cuckoo for cocoa puffs? ]

[rebelsamurai]

Be careful! These motherfuckers are trying to swarm us!

[He takes time to reload the shotgun, silently blaming himself for not owning a stronger weapon. This wouldn't be a problem if he still had access to V's cache, but the shotguns they were handed have a maximum capacity of ten shots. Because it's a double-barreled shotgun, it discharges two shots every time.

This is frustrating. It's like they're using BB guns to combat dragons but thankfully, that blond dude helping them clean up house.]

Whoa! [Johnny blinks, surprised, as he watches the guy fight. He had never seen such a weapon before. It's like a spear that can split into something similar to a monowire. That's gnarly.]

Keep it still!

[He yells before aiming the Malorian at the crocodile's belly and unloading several shots into the motherfucker. Chunks of flesh go flying as Johnny keeps shooting at the thing, literally turning it into Swiss cheese. If that son of a bitch isn't dead after that, then they're in trouble.]

C'mon, we aren't done yet!

that's an actual nightmare, NO...

[asagami]

[Gross. Horrid! At least wipe it off properly??

It's what she feels.

Is supposed to...but, something shifts in her, and a new, unfamiliar feeling sprouts as she takes his visceral visage; warm, but most certainly not pleasant and fuzzy. Far from it, with how her hands clasp together while she glares at him just a bit more compared to back in the Kyoto cafeteria.]

I'm not worried, I just thought you would know better, considering how you were quite aggressive and adamant about my cooking skills.

[squinting further, pressing x to doubt??]

What do you mean you can heal?

[boi are u srs]

[30storieshigh]

Ah. The removal of yourself from existence 📢🐕⚰️?

Sensible. If you require assistance I shall be glad to render it 👍.

[cosmarchy]

Are you even trying?

[coordination]

[ Yzak can't respond to the rest of this because, ]

WHAT does that even mean?

[lostdestiny]

Civilians dying from nightmares, yeah. But that makes even less sense.

[ The idea has him noticeably uncertain and off-kilter, a bit restlessly shifty. Shinn is used to fighting enemies he can see and chop up. But here they’re supposed to fight… bad dreams? A trick of the light (of the dark)? ]

[lionize]

A rotating basis seems to make the most sense. No more than two at once, anyway.

You've gotten better since Talbadiya, though, right? It's been too long for that to not be the case.

[30storieshigh]

🤔
Ah. A clarification then. Such insistence gives cause for one to believe you have misplaced your glass spheres of recreational trade.

[ Lost your marbles. Maybe. ]

[lostdestiny]

That’s all you do

Act like an oversized bully

[soft_shelled]

Understandable.

Ah, yes. I guess you could say I'm the battery in that case?

[30storieshigh]

???????

I am very much unlike an auroch 🐮. The lack of sleep has begun to hinder you, yes?

[ hE DOESN'T KNOW WHAT BULLY MEANS....]