reveriance | TEST DRIVE #002

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test drive

TEST DRIVE #002

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.

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Likewise. [A hint of a smile remained firmly in place as he reached out to shake the young man's hand.

It was Connor's turn to be quietly curious about his new acquaintance. He wasn't sure what it meant to be a mutated human, but he wanted to know.] If you don't mind me asking, what are you a Doctor of, Doctor McCoy?

[He was fairly sure that enough skin cells would have been transferred through the handshake to possibly be able to analyze Hank's DNA. All he had to do was 'taste' the sample and he'd be able to do a forensic analysis on the spot, but Hank (his Hank) had made it very clear that randomly licking things in public was an inappropriate behavior, so he refrained.] You said you were a mutated human. Your DNA is affected, I would assume? Is the cause of the mutation known? What are the side effects? [Just from a visual assessment Hank looked to be in perfect health.]

I'll do as I please, but thank you for your concern. [The last thing she wants it Charles drunk mothering her, so her irritation flares yet again.]

That makes one of us. I need to be back in Paris. [And figuring out Trask's next move. She doesn't want to be here on some strange space station, stuck with Charles, Hank, and Erik. That sounds like torture, were she being honest.]

[ He doesn't know. That's what strikes Sonya first. Whoever this stranger man is, he hasn't heard. ]

I've seen it. [ She follows his gaze to the door, then back. ] Someone who was our friend working with Sentinel Services.

[ They thought he was dead. Anyway! You don't have to tell her twice. ]

I'm right behind you.

[under any other situation, the touch would earn a reaction. would have him cycling through the millions of different ways that contact could be turned against him. his own counter-reactions to them all. it's something he fought long and hard against, trying to train the computer in to seeing apollo as anything other than a threat. and it'd worked, for a while. had let him see him rather than a target.

(of course, that'd all gotten shot to hell the moment bendix managed to sink his claws back in to him again. but the less he thinks about that, the better.)

here though, on this station, it doesn't seem to matter whether those crosshairs are there or not. doesn't matter whether the touch is a friendly one or a threat. at least not as far as the computer is concerned.

if only he could just...reboot it.

his gaze moves to the opposite wall as he tries to focus on the touch. on the knowledge that it is apollo stood there. that he doesn't need to look. to see a target he has no hopes of ever wanting to counter.]

Only half an hour? [yep. just act like nothing is wrong. everything is fine.] Think it might be best to say you're going AWOL for the rest of the night.

[ Hank isn't about to stop Connor from licking his hand if he wants to lick his hand. Not that Hank knows he wants to lick his hand... ]

Yes. Technically speaking, mutants are a different species than humans. We possess a gene-- we call it the X-gene-- which manifests in different ways, either through physical mutations, or extra-human abilities.

[ He wouldn't normally be so forthcoming about all the details of mutantkind, but Connor's manner has him relaxed and open to sharing. ]

He's still experimenting on us?

[ Makes sense, he wouldn't be satisfied once he had his hands on Raven's blood. Hank shakes his head sadly. ]

I'm sorry that we couldn't stop it. For... whatever that's worth.

It's not your fault.

[ How could it be? ]

Trask Industries did shut down, about ten years ago. And the guy himself is definitely dead.

[ But research has a way of being found and people keep on hating mutants, so maybe it shouldn't have come as such a surprise. ]

I guess - they started it back up again.

[ Hank shakes his head sadly. ]

Humans will be humans, I guess.

[ The hallway they're in has several doors on either side. Hank palms open one of the doors, leading them into an empty apartment. Hank heads for the closet, rifling through the identical jumpsuits. Luckily, one of them is a larger size. ]

Finally. [ He turns to Sonya. ] Um... Give me a minute?

[ It kills her that she doesn't have a good response to that. Humans are the same as they ever were.The X-Men said a war was coming. Let's not get into that! ]

And we just keep on being mutants.

[ Which the humans are not hyped about, at all. Sonya follows Hank in through the door he's opened, not wanting to lose sight of the only other real tether she has to reality in this place. But of course, once she snaps back to what they're doing here, she immediately does a helpful u-turn. ]

Of course. I'll be in the hall.

[Raven's blood runs cold. What kind of mutant would do such a thing? Who would hate themselves that much?] Tell me about them.

[She can still fight in her current state, but she's significantly hobbled. Each steps is a struggle, but she can't let that distract her now. Once they get to door, it's getting hard to maintain her shape. The stress is catching up with her. There's a ripple of blue scales but she manages to get herself back in check quickly.]

[The curiosity was overwhelming, especially when it was confirmed it was a gene. Starting a small database of DNA could be beneficial for many reasons onboard the station and it wasn't like he really felt things like shame or embarrassment. So, he promptly lifted his hand to his mouth to lick his finger.

DNA ANALYSIS... FAILED.

The sample size was likely too small.]

May I have some of your spit, Doctor McCoy? [He then extended his hand, palm up, like he... expected Hank to just spit on his hand? A new low. And he was oblivious.] I have forensic capabilities. I would very much like to perform an analysis of your DNA.

I apologize if this is too personal, but you do not look different to me. [There's some kind of irony in all of this.]

"A map?" Connor jumped on that, "Of the surrounding star systems? What prompted the decision to break down the door? Were there any additional security measures in place to stop you as you entered?"

Everything. Tell him everything.

Back to the subject of rooms, however, Connor tilts his head to the side. He took a moment to do an extensive search of his programming, LED flickering yellow as he did so.

"I do not require those things," He finally reported, "But I can recognize the benefits of a... 'personal' space. Still. The concept... The concept related to me seems strange. Wrong."

The amount of questions is a little endearing. Though he's certain that Connor was made to ask, it comes off as curious. Something that Alucard can appreciate.

"The map was for the rest of this station, as far as I could tell. Unfortunately, we've no map of where in the universe we are. I hope that will change." Though admittedly, it's difficult for Alucard to be optimistic. "If I'm not mistaken, it was Apollo who suggested we use our respective strengths to attack the door. Many of us are stronger than humans, myself included. It took about eight hours for us to be successful. Fortunately, there were no other security measures preventing us, but..."

He glances down thoughtfully. "We all began to feel unusually drained the longer we attacked it. For me, I thought it was due to an ongoing issue I've been struggling with. But I noticed it to be true for others as well. I do not know the cause of it yet."

The topic of having a personal room seems to bother Connor. An interesting reaction.

"You may not require it, but it can be pleasant to have a space for yourself. Do you know why it feels wrong to have it?"

( He visibly winces, leaning back on his stool. It's been years since he's been able to talk to Raven without stumbling, he can recognise now that it started even before Cuba. But he still hates that he can't find a way. )

Well, unless you know how to commandeer a shuttle - if there even is a shuttle - I believe Trask will have to wait.

( He doesn't like it, but they're fairly stuck here. )

Have you seen anyone else around? Anyone we know?

Metal?

( The change that comes over him is sudden, like a shiver of concern. He looks at her, mind working a mile a minute. But she said she. Unless Erik has had some kind of dramatic accident ... )

Yes, that's it. I can't get into it myself.

( A frown. )

Sorry, your friend who controls metal, can you tell me her name?

( He's following, he's just taking his time. There's gravity, so it's not all that difficult, but he still feels a little off. )

Lived in? I'd say the opposite. The dust makes it seem almost abandoned.

( But they're not the only ones on the station, and there was the recording. )

Surely something like this must be manned?

( The corridors are empty though. )

[ His reaction doesn't surprise her. Maybe because there's a super famous mutant terrorist who also controls metal out there, but it's not the first time someone's had a twitchy reaction to that mutation. ]

Polaris?

[ Perhaps a little telling that she doesn't just say Lorna, but they're wanted fugitives, and all. ]

I helped her and Thunderbird run the Mutant Underground out of Atlanta.

[ That much everyone knows, so she doesn't feel like it's giving anything away. ]

A puzzle had been set in front of Connor. There was a lack of evidence and a witness. Unfortunately, Alucard had unintentionally put himself into the position of witness and was now being interrogated. Connor likely wouldn't see the parallels unless they were pointed out to him but, honestly, the entire situation mirrored the situations he was programmed to handle very closely. Unlike a crime, however, this puzzle might not have a rational solution. Or at least not a solution that fit within the parameters of his programming.

"A map of the station? Well, that's not completely useless," He said with a disappointed, forced hint of a smile. The side effect you're describing is very strange however. Could there have been a substance on the door or particles released as it was being broken?"

He definitely wanted to do an inspection of the room.

It was also much simpler than trying to think about this situation with having to choose a room.

"Like my internal GPS and clock... there is nothing for my usual communications link to connect with. Usually, I have a direct link with incoming police reports and CyberLife. If I have no link to those on board, segregating myself would make it more difficult to be of assistance when needed. I should be available at anytime," He looked down at the watch, remembering the videos Alucard had sent him, "Does this allow communication in real time?"

Maybe he could find a way to integrate the watch with himself.

"At the very least, the map tells us which room we will want to focus on next, once we've all regained our strength. I believe there was another young man who discovered the map. His name is Asuka, if you wish to speak with him." Alucard hums thoughtfully at the suggestion. "It's possible, I suppose. I had not smelled or sensed anything unusual, but this is, admittedly, an odd place. What we all usually know does not fit in. If there was a substance or particles forcing us to be weak, I could not tell you what it was. You may wish to examine what remains of the door, if you think you can determine anything strange from it."

It seems odd and a little sad that Connor has no comfort in the idea of having a room to himself, but it isn't Alucard's place to tell him to behave otherwise. For him, he has not quiet understood the depth of complications of Connor, androids, and the meaning of it all.

"Then know you are at least welcome to visit should you need privacy for any reason," Alucard says. "My room is across from the clinic, level six room 24. Even if you never have need of it, know that it is at least there."

At the watch, he nods. "It does. There are mailboxes for messages, or immediate messaging. A network of sorts. People have access to audio, written, or video conversations."

[She knows she's stuck here too. Raven just doesn't want to accept it. His question lingers there in the air for a moment, so long that it seems like perhaps Raven doesn't intend to answer. Then finally-] Hank's here. And Erik.

[ It's like being faced by some vengeful Dickensian ghost. The ghost of cruelties past. How arrogant he was. How little faith he had in the people who loved him most.

She had still come to Cairo, risked her life, to stop him from his own spectacular attempt at self-destruction. She had convinced the rest of them to join her. Because of her faith in him. He thought he had appreciated the depth of that act but being confronted with just how much he had hurt her he realizes how little he would ever truly understand her. ]

We're in space. We've been... kidnapped or something, I don't know. I've been here for weeks. There's only a handful of mutants, most of them are something else. When I left Earth it was 1983.

[ He touches his jaw. Damn. That's going to bruise. ]

( His only reaction is the very slightest of twitches in his jaw. He's already had his showdown with Erik Lehnsherr, and the fact that the three of them are stuck in this god awful place together is doing quite a number on him.

But then he's smoothing his expression out, something bland and empty. )

You'll stay away from him?

( At the last minute he remembers to make it a question and not a command. Raven will always be his little sister, despite everything. He only wants to protect her. But he can't risk upsetting her more. )

( He makes a small noise of fondness as she gives up codenames. It makes him look a little younger, but it only lasts for a second. )

And here I thought it was only my sister who had a fondness for codenames.

( He can see why mutants might need them, and the idea had kept on long after Raven left him. He'd heard some of the children discussing what they'd liked to be called in the months before the school shut down. )

I know a man who can control metal. I just didn't know it was more common than just he.

( He wants to soothe her fears as much as he can without his power. He means her no harm. )

( He doesn't particularly like the sound of that first comment, but he keeps his reaction to himself. Erik would latch on to it if he showed any fear at being suddenly teetotal. He is though, he is afraid. Without the serum the pain will return eventually, the voices will grow louder, he won't be able to walk. The sheer dread of it makes him feel dizzy.

So he's glad when Erik changes the subject, even if it startles him. )

Well, that explains some things.

( The lines on his face, the grey making a subtle appearance in his hair, the scar on his neck. )

I want to say the years have been kind to you, but it doesn't look like they have. ( Using the glass to indicate his throat. His voice remains even, polite. It's the very same tone his mother used to use with people she didn't seem to care for, and the fact adds another level of sickness to Charles' stomach. ) Shaving accident?

[ it gets an actual smile. he'd tried to make the lil' green men joke to bobbie when she'd first got here but of course she hadn't gotten the reference. ]

Maybe don't do that to their faces. They're... normal, just tall and freakishly attractive.

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Page 48 of 99

TEST DRIVE #002

let him lick you >_>

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connor no

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licks anyway. ur not the boss of him >:|

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