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

[photosympathies]

Take bigger steps!

( Says Vash, who is 90% limb. But he hates to see someone struggle, especially when they're clearly out of their element, racking his brain for anything he might have learnt one hundred and fifty years ago adjusting to the desert instead of space. ) And um, when you're stepping try and not push off through your toes. It gives your feet too little of a contact point and pushes it all around, makes the sand all slippery.

( He jogs a little closer, not showing off, just on hand. )

Did yours try to bite you?

[zauneyete]

[ Not showing off, but Silco sees it as that. His eye narrowed, but Vash probably can't see it from the shade of his sunglasses covering his eyes. His lips curl into a little downturned fashion as he got closer. He tried again, begrudgingly taking his advice, and his foot moves a little easier on the sand.

He doesn't sink quite so much.

It's still the opposite of what he is used to. ]

No. My — associate took it.

[ Tezca has gone off on another of his little searches. Silco is left to hang around the oasis until he's back. But then the crocodiles came in. He's looking every bit like he wishes he could just kill them all off, and half like he wants to just. Scare them into leaving. ]

A temporary diversion.

[photosympathies]

Oh. They're coming back though, right? I can stay with you until they do!

( Bubbly, as per. He sidles up to Silco's side with a bright, boyish smile, coat flapping in the wind as they stand side by side. ) You're not too hot, are you? Places like this can be a real killer when you're not used to all the sand. Or the heat. Luckily we only have one sun here. I think if we had the two a whole bunch of Outsiders would be really sick.

( It's balmy! )

I'm Vash, by the way.

[zauneyete]

Silco.

[ He says. It's probably his name, since it's not a real word.

He asks if Silco is hot.

Up close, underneath the desert attire he's used his style implant to put on, the man is clearly sweating, burned, and dehydrated. He looks him up and down with a squint of one eye, obscured by his sunglasses.

He breathed out, annoyed.

He's probably Everlight, right? ]

Yes, they're coming back. My associate knows where to find me. [ Ok, Tezca would leave him out here and expect him to make it back as one of his "trials", probably, but that wasn't the case right now.

Most likely. ]

You always volunteer to just... stick around random outsiders in the desert?

[photosympathies]

Oh, Silco.

( Here is what Vash knows about Silco - that he won a prize once ( he thinks ) and also that he's good at lying. It makes him peer the man's way again, still smiling but curious, hopefully hidden by the tint in his glasses. He does not look like he's having a good time, either way, and so Vash roots through his pockets to pull free his canteen, offering it up. )

It's water. It might help? ( Even if he just wants to dunk it over his head or something. But Vash moves on in conversation as easy as breathing either way, bright and cheerful. ) Sure I do. It's hard out in a place like this if you've never been in it before. I used to find travellers all the time stuck out in the sand. You can be the most prepared and it still blindsides you! ( Just in case Silco thinks he's being judged for it! ) Also I come from a planet exactly like this. Just desert as far as you can go. I'm used to it.

[zauneyete]

[ He sees that look from him, but hey. At least some suspicion feels natural.

He very hesitantly takes the canteen.

He sniffs at it after opening.

Wait. Where's his canteen, did he — ]

Where I'm from, I lived underground.

[ So. You know. Not the arid dessert. Or the sun. In fact, Zaun was mostly damp and cold and miserable. Well. The miserable holds across locations. ]

And you are used to going without... [ Another sniff. ] Is this just water?

[ DO NOT ASK WHAT HE PUT IN HIS CANTEEN ]

[photosympathies]

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. )

[zauneyete]

[ Another flask. With — alcohol.

He takes it, and sniffs. It's an acrid sting that smells more like back-alley hooch, and his lips curl into a little smile. ]

What makes you think I'm interested in fancy? I was drinking swill made in a back alley since I was able to.

[ Earlier than he should have. Certainly if it was that bad.

He takes a drink. He doesn't drink the water, but after a long moment, he concedes. He doesn't need a hangover. ]

I would also prefer not to be taken by the sleep creature, you know. Don't worry. I know my limits.

[ Another drink. It burns. Now if he could be cool for five minutes, he might make it. ]

[photosympathies]

Oh, well. You just seem like a guy who might be.

( Like the seedy mayors he comes across from time to time, or the city slickers who stray too far into the desert without care for what might be out there. Vash has had to transport a few - it's usually easy money - but he's aware he shouldn't make assumptions. )

It was the cheapest whiskey they had, honestly? Nobody makes moonshine you can trade for here, so I just have to go into the liquor store and hope for the best. ( Laughter. ) I guess since it's coming from a business and not a bathtub it has to be reasonably good for you. Less likely to burn a hole through your gut, right? Not as fun though.

( Mournful for the dangers of homebrew. )

Which way were you going? I can come with. Keep an eye out for our crocodile friends.

[zauneyete]

Oh no, those all have regulations.

[ He shook the flask, and took another drink. Sure, Silco liked nice whiskey, but he was still a kid from the alleys of Zaun in his heart, and he refused to let comfort make him forget. His lips curled, and he tipped his head toward Vash, almost conspiratorially. ]

I know a few in Neo Tokyo. [ He confides. ] It's sake instead of a proper moonshine, but you can find back-alley producers anywhere.

[ Vash you found the way to get something not super negative with Silco: just... be rough and tumble a little bit.

Then he offers to come with, and he says: ]

In thanks for the help, perhaps. I was heading that direction — [ He points, towards something in the distance that dances in the heat. ] — Where we set up a temporary camp.

[photosympathies]

( Who's been out here saying Silco is not a perfectly good guy to know? He's being real chill and the more time passes the more Vash's smile gets genuinely bright, peering into the distance. )

I've never had sake. But it's a wine, right? I tried that at Callisto's party and while he's a real great guy and I liked him a lot, that was not the kind of drink I enjoyed. But maybe I should give it another go, you know? Maybe it can't all be terrible.

( When you're raised on moonshine and terrible whiskey it's kind of hard to shift your palate. And there's been better foods to eat, so he's mostly been sticking to that. He falls in line with Silco either way, because the man looks hot, and Vash doesn't mind conversing with someone new. )

You must have found a place like Neo Tokyo as strange as I did. ( Underground, to this. ) What's the weirdest part? Mine's all the holidays. Don't get me wrong, I like them! But there's so many.

[zauneyete]

I suppose it is technically a wine, but different.

[ Ok, so he knew Callisto. Silco missed that little guy. He was nasty, too. He liked verbally sparring with him from time to time, and it's a shame he seemed to vanish.

Ah, well. Either he would come back, or he wouldn't. He wondered what the man would he do, were he to return? ]

I did find it rather odd. For me it is the technology. [ A shrug. ] Where I'm from, most of this is unthinkable.

[ They had their own types of technology, of course. Their augmented limbs, hextech... but nothing like what they had here, as a whole. He does scoff, though. ]

I have never seen so many holidays, however, in my life.

[photosympathies]

Oh yeah, same. Having messages beamed right into my brain is super weird. And like, there's tech on No Man's Land! I've seen it. But a lot of the stuff I come across his homespun. LILITH's is sleek. Nothing falls off if you move too quickly or steams at you if you ask too much of it.

( Does Vash seem nostalgic for all the rusty, ill-fitting technology of his own planet? Yes, but it's fine. He wishes things would shock him a little just for the zest of home. )

Also, there's no way people need this many cards. ( Back on the holiday thing as they rant. ) I'm a trinket guy. I love trinkets. What do you do with all the paper? It's really hard to re-use! And I thought there was a shortage but it just keeps being in shops. Buy our stuff with big hearts on it! Or Christmas trees! Forget the actual trees.

( He has big feelings about this, gesticulating a little wildly. )

[zauneyete]

[ There's a soft chuff that could be considered a laugh. Almost. ] Correct. Technology isn't worth the investment, if it isn't made out of spare parts and cobbled together using only ingenuity and scrap. You should talk to one of the other Outsiders. She's... quite good at technology like that.

[ That's... That's probably something he told Jinx in the early days. And anyway, Jinx could make him feel right at home. ]

Honestly, I throw the cards away. And most of the gifts. [ The real advantage of the flooding in the main base? Silco hadn't felt too bad about throwing away that monstrosity of a giant teddy bear someone had gotten him. He'd hidden it away, but he'd still known it was there.

Annoying! ]

[photosympathies]

Oh? Who? Because I'm actually super worried one day I'm going to start thinking something embarrassing and then, boom! All over the network.

( Or, you know, one of his many, many buried down traumatic thoughts. He's already had LILITH's AI telling people he's a murderer and that was pretty not fun of it. Still, Silco throwing away his gifts makes him laugh a little. )

Not a present guy? Or just nobody giving you the stuff you like?

[zauneyete]

Her name is Jinx. Look her up. Just... [ He waved a hand. ] Don't be so friendly.

[ They're Zaunites. They're mean and nasty! And Silco is talking out of his ass a little bit but don't worry about it. ]

I don't enjoy presents. [ Oh boy. He moves awkwardly on the sand still, but he keeps going. ] Nothing is for free. Particularly not gifts. They come with an implied cost, even if it is not overt in the beginning. A favor later, a promise. They are not truly free.

[photosympathies]

Jinx! Oh wow, that's a cool name. Sounds very badass. ( Nod, nod, nod, like a little bubblehead. ) Not so friendly, I can do that.

( Absolutely zero convinction, he cannot and will not be able to manage it, which once again reminds him that Jinwoo had said Silco was good at lying. Maybe he can read Vash like a book. If so, does he have tips. How does he figure out how to ask for tips. Working on it.

He watches Silco's gait for a moment instead, ready and on hand, but the man seems to be getting the hang of it and he's been told not to bulldoze so many people before. So! Cheerful continuation. )

Oh. Okay, yeah. I can get that. I'm sure the people here aren't like that, but I've absolutely been tricked with that before. But friends don't do that to each other, right? And you seem like a nice guy. I bet you have a bunch.

[zauneyete]

Right.

[ He does not fucking believe that, Vash. His eyes roll, inadvertently upward, before he snaps them back down. Do not look up at the sun. He is a mole-man, he prefers the dark. ]

You think I have friends? [ He asked, his slurring speech a little surprised. Him? Then again... there are those that he spends time with willingly. More than just his daughter, more than even his... bodyguard. A few, he can think of, even. ] I think you are making a joke, aren't you?

The few people I choose to spend my time with are sufficient.

[ you know what this is? it's growth. ]

[photosympathies]

Well.

( Oh no. )

You have one now! ( Making a gun with his hand he points his index finger back at himself and then switches to a thumbs up. ) I wouldn't joke about that. I think everyone needs and deserves friends. And I like making new ones.

( Unfortunately Silco is stuck with him, apparently. )

No presents though! I'll keep that in mind. Unless you want to try the snacks I've been making.

[zauneyete]

[ Man what was it about some people here? Vash is just another in a long line of people, and Silco's annoyed gaze meets his sunglasses with a little curl of his lip. ]

I don't want them.

[ Says Silco, like that should answer it all.

Buddy??? ]

Let's just say I know precisely the cost of making... friends, and leave it at that, hm? [ He spreads his hands. ]

No offense, of course.

[photosympathies]

Sure, sure.

( THE MINUTE THEY'RE BACK AT BASE. Silco will be getting a delivery. Egg rolls, idk. )

I know some people like that. My best friend would rather bite off his own arm than admit he likes people, so. ( A bright yearning smile. ) I get it. It's real hard to trust people. Especially here. You're out of your comfort zone, right? It's rough.

( Earnestly sympathetic as he troops through the sand. )

[zauneyete]

I am in the damn sand.

[ He says, sourly. Congratulations Vash, you are one of two people who's heard him swear. (Barely.) He rarely does it, but he does hate sand a great deal. ]

I don't trust anyone at all. [ He finally adds, and gives him a roll of his eyes. ] Let's just say that I understand the folly in making friends. As I said, at best, I have those whom I don't mind speaking with.

[ Silco. Those are friends. ]

[photosympathies]

You're doing really well! You haven't sunk like, once.

( Maybe. )

And that's totally valid. I guess either way we're all part of the same thing here, so if you don't have friends you still have teammates you can rely on. You're Brimstone, right? There's some real fun people there.

( He's fought with a bunch of them. )

[zauneyete]

Ah, is that what doing well is?

[ He's getting there, ok? He's used to mines and fissures, if not cobbled streets. He's also old, but his implants are working overtime to keep him going. ]

Oh yes, all the delightful sorts in Brimstone are my teammates. [ A twitch of his lips. ]

One of whom was who abandoned me recently with our Camel.

[ Okay, he knew Tezcatlipoca would be back, but that wasn't the point. Also Silco you do have friends there you just don't call them that because you're stubborn. ]

[photosympathies]

I mean at least you know he's out there with it somewhere?

( Maybe it's a god thing. Tests. It's good that Vash does not know it was Tezcatlipoca that abandoned Silco though. They've had disagreements before. )

I kind of lost mine. I figured I'd tie it up and deal with the kaiju but I got turned around. That happens. Wolfwood used to say I needed a leash. But I'll find it again!

( Once he gets this nice old man to his shelter! )