TEST DRIVE #002

[reveriemod]

TEST DRIVE #002

( 0 0 1 ) » WAKE UP

Were you asleep or were you unconscious? It doesn't matter: when you come to, there's an odd taste in your mouth and there's a low-level mechanical hum in the air. Your head hurts and you feel nauseous. You aren't anywhere you know: everything around you is metal, from the floor you lie on all the way to the ceiling. You are dressed in a jumpsuit you definitely weren't wearing before.

"We tried to save the world. I think— I think we did the opposite."

The message repeats on a loop. If you look for its source, you find a comms device on the floor next to you. The logo on its wallpaper says REVERIE TERMINAL. Upon closer inspection, you find the same logo on your jumpsuit.

Welcome to your new home. What choice do you have but to explore your surroundings?

( 0 0 1 . 1 ) » WAKE UP WHERE?

When you wake up, you find that you're not alone. But more importantly, you find that you're in a closet. An empty closet, bar you and your new companion. It's small, cramped, and there is no door that you can see. The ceiling is low, there is barely any lights, only some coming from the tiny flashlight clipped to your suit's shoulder. You cannot be sure that there is any air coming in to the room.

Are these grooves in the wall supposed to mean something?

( 0 0 2 ) » OBSERVATION DECK

There were no windows in the corridor you woke up in and no windows in any of the crew quarters you might have checked for occupants — but there are plenty of windows on the uppermost level of the station, deck 1. In fact, there are windows from floor to ceiling all along the circumference of the station's circular deck, and it's possible to walk along it all. What it shows is a strange solar system you've never seen before and a planet that might resemble one you know, but certainly isn't the same.

You're in space. You don't know where you are. Neither does anyone else.

( 0 0 3 ) » BAR

On deck 3, you find the bar. Tucked away from the crew quarters, it's dimly lit, there are bar stools thrown down on the floor and what looks like some very old drink spills, crusty and dark against the bar top. But there is alcohol here, or at least, what you think is alcohol, in bottles with faded labels, most of them indecipherable. Take a drink, get drunk, start a fight, or start a party? You're stuck on this station, might as well make the most of it, right?

( 0 0 4 ) » SPACEQUAKES

One second, you are is walking. Magnetic boots are on, the ground feels solid enough, for a metal deck in a space station. Everything is perfectly fine, or at least as fine as it can be, given that you still don't know where you are or how you came to be here.

The next moment, it's like everything explodes around you. You're thrown against the wall as sparks erupts from electrical panels, as the whole station rumbles and shakes around you. You fall to the deck, earning yourself scratches from the grating. When you look up, it's like nothing has happened. No wires hanging from open panels, no flickering lights, no more shaking. Like an earthquake in space.

( 0 0 5 ) » NETWORK

The comms device you found next to you when waking up connects to a station-wide network, REVERIE NET. You have the option to post video, voice or text messages.

What will you share?

( 0 0 6 ) » WILDCARD

The station features a variety of locations, from sleeping quarters free for the claiming to a dirty swimming pool and a bar that still holds alcohol (though some of the bottles seem to have been opened a while ago).

Go wild, but don't wreck the place. It's your home for the foreseeable future, after all.

Comments

[rk800connor]

Connor tilts his head, looking down at the handshake for maybe a moment too long before reaching out to shake the man's hand with a polite smile.

When the handshake ended, Connor focused on Alucard's watch, the LED circle churning blue with activity as he transmitted his user manual How to Care for Your Connor. It was a start, at least, and would cover Connor's basic functions, maintenance and included a catalog for replacement parts, which was mostly useless, but at least it would give Alucard an idea of all of his pieces. He'd also be able to read about the meaning behind the various LED colors.

[reposing]

Well. That's certainly useful with how prepared he is to send that kind of information. Alucard looks at his watch, scrolling through the information. He'll have a proper read later while he's in the clinic.

"Thank you, Connor." Alucard smiles faintly. "I won't keep you waiting for too long while I inspect this. No more than a few days at most, then I'll feel prepared."

Now, for the other question. "You appeared... perhaps distressed when I insisted. Does it bother you that I asked to do this?"

[raverie]

[ What he says makes sense. She doesn't know enough about telepathy anyway, the kind of control it would take to subdue multiple targets.

He asks and she looks briefly rueful, shaking her head. ]

If there are guards stationed I might be able to do something. [ One on one, that's her strength. ] I breathe this...smoke. And if someone breathes it in, I can see their memories. Take them away or create new ones.

[ If she has to. ]

I can make someone forget they've seen us, but I'm not bulletproof. [ Like some people she knows. Not exactly the most combat-ready. ] You?

[raverie]

You're a writer?

[ That's different than what she might have imagined. ]

No, more like refugees. People whose families have been killed or imprisoned.

You can write with your communicator, can't you? Might as well record your ideas somewhere while we figure out how to get out of here.

[raverie]

[ She's relieved when he doesn't dismiss her, preferring not to dig in for an argument. Her powers can be useful, but they're more for stealth than combat.

He's very polite, when he asks. It takes some of the edge off the question. ]

Last I checked, it was 2016. [ The look she gives him is wary, almost bracing herself for the worst. Then, remembering her own manners, ] I'm Sonya, by the way.

[rk800connor]

"Not at all," Connor didn't hesitate to lie with a smile, "The information is publicly available. User manuals are available for all of CyberLife's models. You will most likely have additional questions or be required to look for yourself. Repairs that require more than a simple replacement of parts are performed by certified CyberLife technicians."

And now that he was done with his practically pre-recorded spiel, he glanced to the side, "I will ask over the network, but it seems improbable that a CyberLife technician is present on board, but there is a chance. It is just as probable as being here myself."

He looked back up at Alucard with genuine sincerity, voice soft, "Thank you. I would prefer not to ... deactivate." Especially not slowly.

He knew it wasn't right for him to be worrying about deactivation, flickers of yellow were intermixing with the blue as he thought about it, about the conversation he'd had with Hank by the bridge and about feeling that deviant, his name had been Simon, feeling him die.

"I still do not understand why you want me to wait to test the products of the food replicator," He stated, feeling strangely confident. Adamant.

[reposing]

"I agree with you. I find it doubtful that a technician from your home will be here. However, I also know that does not mean you are alone. I will learn what I can, in case you ever do need me to help you."

The more genuine expression that Connor has does soften Alucard. The android has been exceptionally polite and friendly; aspects that, alas, are such a rarity to Alucard. He wants to protect that, even if it's a selfish motivation.

"I protect those that I can on this station," Alucard tells him sincerely. "No matter how they feel about me. You are included in that, Connor. I don't doubt your capabilities, I doubt the safety of this place. Unusual things, unpredictable things happen frequently."

He sighs and closes his eyes a moment. "I know how you may feel. That you would not get sick. Much in the way I am confident in my own durability in many ways. However, I still would feel more secure in knowing I can be prepared to help you in case the replicator does harm you in some way. Even if it turns out I worry for nothing, then I am still prepared for the future. Does that make sense?"

1

[foolishjourney]

[Minato was walking by on his way to somewhere or another, but he was drawn in by the sound of a communicator calling out that tell-tale pre recorded message. Time to help someone out, he guessed?? But then Jun calls out, and Minato's quite confused, hands stuck in his pockets and head tilting slightly. Why was this complete stranger calling the names of his and his online friend's MMO characters??]

...Yes?

[H...i...?]

[rk800connor]

Given Connor's self-sacrificing nature, he would likely come knocking on Alucard's door eventually.

Something in what Alucard says resonates in Connor, trying to help people regardless of how they feel about you. He could understand that. He did understand it, quite well. But he was an android. Even if Alucard wasn't entirely human, he was certainly more human than a machine, which meant he was more important than Connor.

He bows his head, reluctantly agreeing with Alucard. Regardless of whether he personally disagreed, he still felt compelled to submit.

"Yes. That makes sense," It didn't, not really. In Connor's mind it was an impossibility that biological threats could harm him. Even after seeing the unexplainable events on board the station, he still couldn't quite grasp them. His programming simply wouldn't allow him to enter them in as potential factors into his probability calculations. It would be on par with adding in a percent chance that a unicorn would jump out in the middle of Detroit and trample a deviant he was chasing down. It just wasn't in the realm of possibilities.

"I am curious to see if the machine can produce thirium. That would be very convenient."

[reposing]

It doesn't quite connect for Alucard yet, but for now he assumes that Connor is being honest with him. So, he smiles faintly. "I'm glad you understand."

Thirium. Connor did mention that before. Though he's uncertain what that is, he's certain that must be in the manual. Alucard takes a moment to perform a search on the document that was sent to him, frowning thoughtfully to himself.

"Thirium, also known as blue blood. It's what helps you function?" Alucard glances at the replicator. "I suppose it would produce it if you used the machine. I would genuinely prefer to wait, but I won't stop you if you want to test it, Connor."

[rk800connor]

"Androids require it to function," He corrects Alucard. It's a small difference, but an important one, "I don't require any right now. Barring unexpected damage, I can operate at optimum proficiency without additional thirium for... 46 days, 18 hours and 3 minutes. Beyond that I will still function, but less than optimally."

He actually wasn't completely sure what that would mean. Slower processing perhaps? Less mobility? Both seemed likely.

"I would like to try the machine, if only to test the quality of the thirium it can produce. I do not need to fully ingest any," It would be nice to know if it was even a possibility at least, "Do you know with certainty that the replicator can produce blood? If it can replicate various kinds of protein, I see no reason why it wouldn't be able to, but have you actually tested it?

I'm curious to see how such a machine functions. There is nothing like that where I am from."

[oorah]

Yep. [ he lifts his eyebrows and shakes his head. ] Any other questions I can try to answer about this fucked up place?

[oorah]

[ he just grunts noncommittally. he wouldn't pick up on the flirtation even if it was there. and as it is, he can't find fault with the assessment. ]

The currency is survival. [ it's a pretty effective motivator too ]

[reposing]

The difference is noted, and he nods, following along. Such a precise time to narrow down how long he can function for, but it's good to note.

"I doubt I will need 46 days to under your manual," Alucard says wryly. "No more than a few days, then we can safely perform some testing. But it's good to know how efficient you are."

And he will definitely need to ask questions. Honestly, he's glad that Connor is willing to cooperate. More than sating his own curiosity, Alucard wants to be prepared, just in case the worst would happen.

"It does produce blood, but before I would have any that was when I witnessed others who had gotten ill from using it. So I did not have it. If it can give me what I need, I'm certain it should help you." He shakes his head. "But I do not know how it works. Nothing like it exists where I'm from as well, by science or otherwise. If you are so determined, let us see if thirium is produced."

[holdensteady]

[ Such rules don't apply to Alex, though, it's probably not the weirdest turn of phrase he's ever uttered in Holden's presence. ]

Apollo? [ isn't that the name of an ancient Earth diety? It's hardly the most important detail but nothing that Alex says otherwise provides him with much positivity. There's certainly an uncomfortable lack of control here, of even the most basic things. ]

No one has been able to make any progress in gaining access?

[weaponize]

Guess that means I'm going to have my work cut out trying to entertain you instead.

[and if his expression turns a little dirtier at that, it's only because it's to be expected. their team may not be around to mess with, but that doesn't mean he's going pass up and opportunity to lighten the mood a little more.

of course, that attempt doesn't last long, and midnighter turns his attention back to the door again. to the faint dent apollo managed to make in the metal. a literal sun god, capable of decimating mountains and smashing buildings to pieces. and yet somehow, it's a sheet of metal that holds him back. whatever's going on here, they need to get to the bottom of it. they need to find out what is being so carefully hidden.]

So most of the doors are like this? Have you managed to get through any of them yet?

[floriographys]

[Well, that was a strange answer to that. Jun just stares at Minato for a moment, searching his face. He could sense that he had a Persona, and he had just answered 'Yes?' to him calling for Tatsuya and Maya.]

...Where... [Give him a moment to actually think on what he needs to ask. What he should ask.]

...Where are the other Persona users...?

[foolishjourney]

[Well, you just continue to confuse him, Jun. He's unsure what to make of it, unsure what to make of him — he figures he must be like Fuuka though, if he's able to sense something like that. Part of him grows protective, unwilling to just reveal the others to this stranger, as he didn't know what his intentions were, or who he was. But, it wasn't like he hadn't taken a chance with Ryuji, right? In this strange place in the middle of nowhere, other Persona users ought to stick together, really. This guy certainly needed a hand, at the very least.]

There's no one named Maya here, or Tatsuya.

[There, that's where he'd start, while he thinks up a course of action.]

[floriographys]

[There is no hiding the disappointment on his face when he hears that Tatsuya and Maya are not here. He visibly deflates before going to get up from his spot on the floor. It takes him a moment to think about what he should do then. He had at least decided 'not sit on the floor and try not to cry'.]

...Eikichi or Lisa... maybe? [Sorry guys, Jun definitely had a preference. Honestly, he'd be happy to see any of them, but he had his preferences.]

Do you know them?

[foolishjourney]

No. Sorry.

[He sticks his hands in his pockets, scuffing his shoe against the floor a bit. Minato felt kind of genuinely sorry, since this guy actually looked pretty upset about the whole thing. What was his story, Minato wondered? Especially if he was a Persona user...]

It's possible I might've missed them, but none of the Persona users here go by those names.

[floriographys]

[That was really disappointing, and did nothing to ease his anxiety at the situation. They had just been there. This was supposed to fix everything. They were not supposed to remember, but be okay now.]

Were we tricked? [Again?! He's torn between being angry and blaming himself again. This was his fault. He had been too easy to manipulate, had done terrible things because of it.]

Wh-Where are we, anyway?

[foolishjourney]

Reverie Terminal.

[God, he'd been here just over a week himself, he wasn't prepared or qualified to do a welcoming tour. If anyone should be responsible for taking care of another Persona user, though, he figured it might as well be him.]

It's a space station in uncharted space orbiting a planet none of us know the name of. If you don't believe me, I'll take you to a window.

[floriographys]

[Oh cool. A space station orbiting some planet no one has heard of. Nice. As if he hadn't already been all over the damn place. This had better not be another rumor coming true.]

Mmmhh. Thank you.

[He wasn't sure if he wanted to stick around, though. Being alone was... not great.]

I don't think... I want a window though.

[foolishjourney]

Fair enough. Space isn't for everyone.

[Minato shrugs a little.]

I can... show you around. If you want.

[floriographys]

I just don't think I'm up to look at the stars right now.

[Since the last thing he remembers was being in the room with Philemon and Nyarlathotep, surrounded by 'stars'. He wasn't feeling up to it at all.]

...Sure. I guess there is nothing better to do.

[He did look dejected, even so. He didn't like this option, but he didn't know what better to do other than look around, maybe see if he can't find anything good.]