synfluxmods: (Default)
πš‚πš’πš—πšπš•πšžπš‘ π™Όπš˜πšπšœ ([personal profile] synfluxmods) wrote in [community profile] synflux2025-04-01 10:56 pm

TRAVEL LOG #5

TRAVEL LOG #5


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

β–Ά 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 KAIJUβ„’ 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.

β–Ά 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!)

β–Ά 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.

β–Ά 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.

β–Ά 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.

photosympathies: (xci.)

πŸ«‚

[personal profile] photosympathies 2025-04-11 12:15 pm (UTC)(link)
( Vash is scrambling the last distance between them easy, the memory fading in favour of the very real, current problem. His hands lift to curl around the younger boy's shoulders, fingertips digging in. He doesn't try shaking him or anything like that, he knows panic attacks fairly well. Instead he just crouches before Hunter, voice low. )

Hey buddy, buddy, it's Vash. Can you hear me?

( The hallway is pretty empty, at least. He doesn't want to try and move Hunter if he can help it. That might do more harm than good. )

We're in Egypt right now. ( Low and steady, pointing out the obvious to try and bring his friend back from the edge. ) And you're with me, and you're safe. There's no one else around. We're okay. I just need you to breathe for me.
photosympathies: (cxiv.)

[personal profile] photosympathies 2025-04-11 12:26 pm (UTC)(link)
( Know-It-All? Vash has no idea who that is, but he'll trust Bakugo and his assessment on other people. Maybe he could offer his help? But for now, the desert. ) You're probably right. Jeeze, they really are getting worse, huh?

( Each one, some different kind of phsychological effect. But are the kaiju getting stronger? Or are they just moving further into discovering more about the creatures they're fighting? Have they proven their mettle to LILITH and are now being sent up against worse kinds? Is there any real meaning to it all? )

Well, if you need to nap you should tell me. So I can keep watch.
photosympathies: (lxxxviii.)

[personal profile] photosympathies 2025-04-11 12:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Ahahah.

I'm probably better suited for small talk if I'm honest. Not that I know much about different weathers. It was mostly just hot, hot, and more hot where I'm from. I do know I hate rain though. Not all rains. But the heavy sheet ones.
photosympathies: (cvii.)

[personal profile] photosympathies 2025-04-11 12:52 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, man underground to this? Wild difference.

( It does not matter that Silco has had the entire time in Neo Tokyo to adjust, Vash will be as sympathetic about it as he likes, thank you! But he watches the other man with a vaguely blank expression, blinking a little. )

Ye - oh. Yeah, that one's water.

( And he's patting down his pockets for a smaller metal flask. ) I can give you this but I do have to warn you it's not uh ... fancy. ( Silco seems fancy. ) And I'm gonna need you to drink water at the same time. Believe me, as a guy who has been drunk in the desert way too often, the hangover might kill you. ( Laughter, easy, another step closer to pass Silco his very cheap whiskey. ) Also, we don't want you to get got by the sleep demon, so.

( Call him Mr. Two Flasks, the People Pleaser. )
photosympathies: (lxxvi.)

me, googling shooting tips ~

[personal profile] photosympathies 2025-04-11 01:13 pm (UTC)(link)
If you're looking for a target that moves you want to keep moving your gun for the most part. Keeping it static means you'll have to do too sharp a movement when it does surface. But also, don't overthink it? I'm pretty sure you'll be fine.

( He has faith in his friend! Transferable fighting skills! )

They seem to want to be sneaky either way.
photosympathies: (xiii.)

[personal profile] photosympathies 2025-04-11 01:14 pm (UTC)(link)
All desert!

We don't have anything but sand. It was a hell of a culture shock here.
asafepairofhands: (hands)

[personal profile] asafepairofhands 2025-04-11 01:20 pm (UTC)(link)
All right. I'll come over.

Are you doing all right?
asafepairofhands: (me too kid)

[personal profile] asafepairofhands 2025-04-11 01:23 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ratchet transforms into an ambulance, complete with fat little sand tires, and pops the passenger-side door. Cool air filters out.]

I've got the AC on, it'll help keep you alert. Where are we going?
asafepairofhands: (me too kid)

[personal profile] asafepairofhands 2025-04-11 01:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Help with keeping people awake, I mean. Though you seem to be doing just fine kicking people's shins.

[Ratchet eyes him right back.]

Is there anything you need?
asafepairofhands: (me too kid)

[personal profile] asafepairofhands 2025-04-11 01:30 pm (UTC)(link)
It just comes naturally to some people, I guess. It's not the most important thing, though

[He thinks of Drift, who cultivated an ability to be social almost desperately, ravenous to be able to get along with people after so long being alone.]

They're good names.
asafepairofhands: (???)

001 A

[personal profile] asafepairofhands 2025-04-11 01:37 pm (UTC)(link)
[Ratchet watches Yzak work from afar for a minute before he goes up, trying to see into the cockpit from his paltry ten-foot height.]

Mind if I observe? I'm still learning how these things work, even if I was able to repair Shinn's.
asagami: Set in to see us and closer I fear (This isn't why you're scared)

[personal profile] asagami 2025-04-11 02:55 pm (UTC)(link)
[There's an indescribable jumpiness in her heart, different from the one she's felt back home- heavier, dreadful, settling in the pit of her gut as she feels the tremors under her feet. Too close for comfort, though part of her does feel slightly relieved that she managed to avoid getting crushed. Still...she should run. Has to, and get somewhere safe. But, where to?! So far as she's concerned, none of the other buildings look close enough to reach. Hell, she isn't even skilled enough to jump that far!

Yet, as she looks up at Godzilla's stance...she shakes her head and sets that logic aside. Didn't she give her word that she wouldn't be a burden to everyone, promising that she'll do her best? Even if she falls short, she has to try...!

Taking another glance around her, she settles on a house to the left and makes a sprint towards it. Well, not before she manages to shout, at least.
]

Godzilla! What's happened? Why did we get transported out of Egypt??
nutkick: (pic#16649696)

[personal profile] nutkick 2025-04-11 04:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[ ...

a question that confused denji more than anything, and the reaction that followed was even more frustrating as it wavers between utter dismissal and brushing off this experience like another monday. denji, finally, relaxed his arms, gently placing the other boy down on the mattress, allowing him to rest at his own pace, no longer clinging to him. if he had any doubts that they're still under the influence of a strange, unknown ability β€” it's somewhat gone now. he feels a bit more confident that once they wake up, they'll be able to function as normal once more. who the fuck knows what would've happened if they were still stuck in that mindset? one thing for sure, denji doesn't plan to sleep if this is the outcome. guess he'll end up fighting this fucker just running high on caffinated drinks and blood.

back to his boyfriend, who is adamant to β€” well, not talk about it. he insists it's just a nightmare, nothing to address, he's fine, and a near-death experience will not break him. which is ... what denji thought he wanted to hear, if he's honest. yeah, that would be great, wouldn't it? he'd like nothing more than to skip the part where they're both human and this kinda shit stick to your conscious and soul until your last breath on this earth, maybe deal with it as a fun story to share that starts with 'wanna guess how i got this scar?', but why would this kaiju pick this specific memory if it didn't know it can fuck with katsuki's head? fuck it. he doesn't even know anymore.

he shifts back on his side of the bed, crossing his legs as one hand slipped away to rake through his hair, tugging at the strands like he was trying to compose himself. his chest rose in a long, steady breath, held it, then let it out hard through his nose. something about bakugou saying it doesn't matter really gets to him in a way denji didn't expect. he almost fucking died, and if he's expecting the guy he's dating not to give a shit about it and talk about what they can do to pass the time β€” then he's up for a treat. ]


Okay, you're fine. Why do you think this Kaiju chose to give us both a fucking VIP viewing of you almost dying?
the_fourteenth: (125)

[personal profile] the_fourteenth 2025-04-11 04:31 pm (UTC)(link)
[He makes a face that suggests he doesn't agree with the sentiment that he'd be missed, wrinkling his nose.]

... But when I come back with a better demon, they-- [Even at this age, Raidou is powerful, and the Kuzunohas know it. A lot of expectation is weighing on his little shoulders.]

I-It'll be good.

[The elders will be impressed, he'll get more praise, more attention. Right?

Is he going to find one though? The dark has settled in faster, operating on dream logic, suggesting that he probably tried all evening to try and catch a fish. The rain has started to pick up, going from a misty drizzle to a little more steady. He looks up with dismay, and without a word, sets his pole down and darts over to his little campsite. The small fire he had going is starting to go out. He won't just be cold tonight without it, but if he manages to catch dinner, he won't be able to cook it. Unsure of what else to do, he grabs one of the poles keeping is tent up to drape his haori over, holding out the end to shield it.]


You should-- If you go back, don't tell them where I am.

[As Ratio must know the Kuzunohas, or maybe is from another village relatively close by?

There's no time for him to follow up on that thought. As he stands there, vainly trying to protect his campfire, his head snaps up suddenly, towards the lake. Since this is Raidou's dream, Ratio can feel it too. A heavy presence, a strong aura of something in the direction of the far side of the lake, where water has started to bubble slightly. Is his luck finally turning around?]
likemybooks: Taryon leaning on his elbow (boastful)

[personal profile] likemybooks 2025-04-11 05:08 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, these old things? [A term better used for humbly calling attention to one's elegant clothing, and instead he holds a massive knuckle bone.] I'm crafting them into something useful. I've been told that kaiju parts can protect us from the rift, so I figured, why not make something from bone, instead of having to wear these drab leathers?
egraegis: (216)

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-04-11 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
Surprisingly well, provided we keep monitoring things as we have been.

[He pauses to check a report he's been compiling through his device, tracking usage and energy levels.]

The city was already used to rationing the generators, saving what little power they had for essentials only. As long as we keep limits in place and don't waste energy recklessly, and continue to rotate the mobile suits, we should be able to maintain the generators until they can be properly fixed.

[Or until their time is done here and LILITH forces them out, but he's trying to be optimistic, here. They'll fix things before they leave, surely.]
egraegis: (258)

005.4

[personal profile] egraegis 2025-04-11 05:28 pm (UTC)(link)
[ gimme some chaos ]
lovebombing: All icons except this one made by <lj user="broshuu">! (Default)

i

[personal profile] lovebombing 2025-04-11 05:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[Hi there is




someone blue-haired just picking up one of her bombs without ANY warning, hi!! Not even saying anything! Bomb connoisseur!!]
queenofkur: (fab 002)

[personal profile] queenofkur 2025-04-11 05:39 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Her optimism? She'd argue she's being pretty negative right now! ]

Well... I think LILITH's chain of command is problematic and inefficient. [She sighs.] Things would probably improve if Commander Shiro was removed and replaced with someone better.

[ She's tried getting an audience with him, and she wasn't even allowed! If they asked her, firing him would be her first order of business.

But alas, nobody is asking her. Maybe she's not assertive enough? She should try again in the future... ]
likemybooks: Taryon at a workbench (arcane crafting)

[personal profile] likemybooks 2025-04-11 06:38 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, that's right! I heard this city is full of history, no doubt of old relics! We could get something nice for our place. You know, help out the locals with our monetary...

[A pause.]

Right. We should focus on the mission first. Tourism comes later. [He wags a finger sharply and turns on his heel with Doty following. All sorts of LILITH-provided tools hang from his belt, including a set of headphones with cat ears. One never knows when it may come in handy.]

I'll prep one for you. In case we're split up, use it to get away. [He pinches the handmade coin between his thumb and forefinger: infusing a basic support spell doesn't take much time or effort.]
not_laurent: (068)

[personal profile] not_laurent 2025-04-11 06:42 pm (UTC)(link)
[Wait til Roland finds out the truth. In his world, vampires are fairly different in this respect.

Those wheels keep turning as he tries to logic out a technology he has almost no grasp of.]


You... could... have had heart failure? And the cyber stuff is keeping you alive through other means?

[He laughs it off lightly, with the wave of a hand.]

Sorry, it must be pretty obvious how I have no idea what I'm talking about!
soft_shelled: (406)

[personal profile] soft_shelled 2025-04-11 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
People certainly make it seem important though.

[He huffs and puffs out his cheeks a little as he does so. But that is short lived when Ratchet says the turtles' names are good ones.]

I guess, not like he uses them unless we're in trouble. It's normally "Purple" or "Blue" or "Red" or "Orange", depending on which of us he's talking to.

[And he's leaving out that even that Splinter doesn't get it right all the time.]
asafepairofhands: (i can tell)

[personal profile] asafepairofhands 2025-04-11 07:20 pm (UTC)(link)
It can be, sometimes. If you were a politician, it'd be different, but you're an engineer. Some of the best engineers I've known, you could pour all their people skills into a thimble. And they'd been alive for a few million years. I think you've got a leg up on them, at any rate.

[Ratchet laughs softly.]

Oh, you're color-coded too? That must be convenient.
asafepairofhands: (me too kid)

[personal profile] asafepairofhands 2025-04-11 07:22 pm (UTC)(link)
Protect us... how?

[Ratchet looks dubiously at the pile of organic remains.]

What are you making?
cosmarchy: (pic#17604545)

[personal profile] cosmarchy 2025-04-11 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
It'd make the most sense to keep everything intact, but who knows.

Maybe LILITH doesn't trust us at our full strength.


[ They're easier to control like this. ]