Mission # 2 - Desert Survey

[lucetimods]

Who: Daisy, Haruhi Suzumiya, Mega Man, Cho Hakkai, Aether, Amelia, Ginia, and Saber
What: MISSION # 2 - Desert Survey
When: February 21st to 25th
Where: Unexplored Desert Region
Summary: An eight-man team has been selected to explore a desert regions on the outskirts of controlled Malnosso and cultist territory.

Eight Luceti volunteers arrive on the outskirts of the desert at approximately nine in the morning. Starting out at a security outpost, the place look antiquated compared to usual Malnosso technology. Dusty and quiet, the place seemed lax on security. However the overworked and ragged looking scientist that met them informed them that it would be unwise to try and escape. A new kind of 'Shift Tracking Satellite' had recently been launched. It possessed the ability to pinpoint marked individuals with artificial Shifts. "In the desert," he added coldly. "That would be very, very bad."

They were provided with a map of the outskirts of the area and the instructions on how they hoped to have it filled in. Mega Man in particular was outfitted with electronic equipment that could be tracked by the satellite. "Why can't the satellite track it?" the supplier asked out loud, before anyone else could. "Something about this place futzes with the photographs. All we get is static." The device, at least, would give them an idea of where they were compared to where they started. As long as they didn't lose it, they shouldn't get lost. "After all," the supplier added grimly. "All you've got out there is the sun."

Supplied to them were two jeeps, both of which looked like they had seen better days. Extra gas cans were provided for them, as well as ample water and food. They were cautioned that they would need to ration it and to make sure that wild animals didn't find their way into it at night. Other supplies, such as tents, desert-appropriate clothing, medical supplies, cooking gear, and so on were also included in the rear of the jeeps. They were finally instructed to return to this spot before the twenty-fifth was over. The scientist, finally returning to see them off, warned them that they did not want to be caught out in the desert once the Natural Shifts returned.

--

- No notable destinations will be found within the first day, though if they remain on a consistent path, they may reach a canyon like area, which will require them finding a way across.
- The first night will be jarring. The sky will be completely black, save for the Moon itself. There is not a single star, nor any indication of cloud cover suggesting that they might be veiled. At best, they might spot the faint light of the satellite mentioned before.
- At night, some solitary Shift Hunters might come across them. These vicious beasts are difficult to kill and absolutely vicious. The only way to kill them is to behead them. They stink of burnt, rotting flesh.
- A sandstorm will blow through during the second day, lasting roughly thirty minutes. They'll need to find a way to wait it out.
- They have the option of finding one of three locations during the time span:

1. TO THE NORTH - A clear open horizon awaits the north, the path is seemingly easy, but the sandy terrain may prove difficult for the vehicles.
WHAT'S THERE? The ruins of a lost temple. It is long abandoned and half buried by now, but they will come across symbols that are cultist in origin. The writing is not in their usual metaphorical language and provides some insight into their past.

2. TO THE EAST - Requires crossing a rocky canyon, which may limit how far they can survey. It will take an estimated extra six hours just to find a crossing.
WHAT'S THERE? A Malnosso fortress set up roughly fifty years ago. It's buried in the sand, but the inside remains mostly untouched. Inside the fortress includes notes collected about the region, discussion of Natural Shifts, and some insight on the development and limitations of the droids.

3. TO THE SOUTH - Following along the canyon on a rocky terrain is an easy bet, but the ground is unstable and often narrow, making the trip dangerous.
WHAT'S THERE? A cultist camp, located roughly fifty miles out of their usual territory. There's no use reasoning with them and the only option is to either try to avoid their notice or just fight them off. There is roughly two dozen among their numbers, with two Elites and one Shifter among that number. There's not any information to be found, but they do have hostages waiting to be sacrificed.

If your character is on the mission, vote for a direction that the party will ultimately reach using that character's journal. Remember, they have no IC way of knowing what they'll find! It's more a matter of what sort of path they would choose for themselves. Only the eight characters in this log may vote. Once an option has been picked, I'll reveal what they discover.

EDIT: IT'S RIGHT HERE

Poll #9595 Where to?

Open to: Registered Users, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 6

View Respondents

Choose Thy Direction

View Answers

Go ye north
2 (33.3%)

Go ye east
4 (66.7%)

Go ye south
0 (0.0%)

(ooc: You can continue to use this post to plot and discuss anything you need to!)

Comments

First Day and First Night is a thing now

[godbent]

[Day]

[Haruhi's on one the jeeps. The one she's on probably has somewhat more supplies, possibly at the expense of one member of the party or something being crammed in the other one. To her credit, the main thing she is watching is the state of everyone in her jeep as well as using some comm unit to keep tabs on the other one. She's paying much more attention to her crewmates than the scenery, as much as that pains her, because it's her job to make sure they're fed and hydrated.

At given points it'll probably be her or Daisy to gives the order for a pause to break if needed, and she'll whip up something simple then.. She'll probably hum too]

[Night]

[Okay so she doesn't have a lot of supplies, but she does have enough to try to whip up an actually good dinner. Which is her intention here at night camp.

WORTH NOTING: because Haruhi naturally produces something akin to Shifting as her canon superpower, Shift Hunters are attracted to her. Not that she'll be mentioning this, but if anyone wants to play with it, yep]

First Night

[shadedsunlight]

[Ginia comes by the cook site to grab some food and sit down for a bit before heading back out on patrol.]

Smells great. What are you making?

First Night

[godbent]

I was trying to go for something more special than beans for this first night, so I threw on some meat this time. [And apparently some vegetables (not leafy ones, of course). almonds in there too. Just a basic stir fry really. She brought some spices with her personally to make it better but given that she ended up with less means to preserve things than she was expecting, she figured she might as well knock the meat out while she's confident it'll hold (there's nuts and seeds enough for the next few days anyway. Plus beans, obviously)] Oh, and tea, of course.

[Notice the second hot plate for those kettles. Night watch, they'll probably want that.

Water's a given but everyone brought that (though she did bring extras for that too to force down someone's throat if needed)]

[shadedsunlight]

[Ginia takes a seat and stretches out, popping several of her joints.] Good you're around. It's been a boring day, but a good meal is just what we need to keep us going for tomorrow. [She pulls her canteen off her belt and takes a long swig.]

Think I could get a bit of tea?

[godbent]

Oh! Of course, no-, please

[This one should be done... so let's get to one of the cups here, and, pouring. And she'll hand it back over]

[shadedsunlight]

[Ginia bows her head as she reaches out to take the cup.] Thank you. [A hot drink might be weird out in the desert, but she'll never turn down tea. It's soothing.]

What do you think we'll find out there?

[godbent]

I don't know. [And she looks up at the night sky. Frowning a bit]

If we're out here, there has to be something to find though.

[shadedsunlight]

I can't imagine they'd send us out to a place where nothing could be found, even if we bring back a nice map for them.

[She glances up at the sky as well, also frowning.] Eerie, isn't it.

[godbent]

No. [It's not eerie. Okay, maybe it is, but she's staring right at the moon] It's odd.

[shadedsunlight]

How about odd and eerie? And that moon, I wonder what it may be? This world's own moon? One shifted in from another world? A projection?

[godbent]

A projection doesn't really make sense. At least, I don't think so.

First Night

[daisy023]

She notices this. Daisy moves towards Haruhi... But she doesn't stop her from cooking. She instead sits. It's been a hard day.

"We'd better sleep someplace else if we're eating."

[godbent]

[Still working, she doesn't look up as much as question-]

Did you see or sense anything else out here?

[daisy023]

"It's a caution measure. The food and heat will attract wildlife."

She states as-matter-of-factly, but her eyes stay locked on the pot. She is still hungry.

"I saw a Shift Hunter on the road here. I don't hear much at the moment, but we better be cautious, and keep magic use to a minimum."

Oh posh surprose it is

[godbent]

There is an awkward sort of pause after that. Lower magic use... huh. She wonders, actually, if she can do anything about her own ability... Oh well.

"Alright, that seems fair."

Sorry! I didn't notice until now!

[daisy023]

Daisy does not notice the reason. Outside of the filial magic kept to a minimum after spotting Shift Hunters, she didn't see much else being performed. She pays little heed to it.

"What is it? It smells great."

[godbent]

"It's a stir fry. It just decided to go with something flaired a bit more than practical for the first night. I'll pick up with the proper diet tomorrow" - and early today she did that too "but I figured some meat and vegetables would be sound for now. A little morale boost."

[daisy023]

"Good idea."

Again, an idea she does not oppose. Less so with the idea of more meat for her.

With the way she continues to watch, it's clear she's waiting half-patiently for the meal to be finished. Fortunately, the Chief seems to realize this, and instead sits with her sight only close to he fire. She offers Haruhi a portion of water.

[godbent]

Nah, she'll refuse that. Instead, she'll just keep up her word - spices and more importantly, some salt there. Katara's suggestion. toss, toss. She's actually got some tea on the other ones, but.

[daisy023]

She retreats it. Daisy drinks from her canteem before also letting go of a few drops into a pair of socks, and coloured scarf to wear over her face. One of the wet socks is wrapped around her canteem.

And patiently, she waits. Every so often, she'd hear a howl many kilometers away and hover her hand around her pistol, but they're too far away for now. It's a moment to rest for Daisy, but not enough to lower her guard for now.

[godbent]

And give her... Oh this isn't even a long process. It's maybe only ten minutes at best before she considers at least this pan done enough to serve. And, as will be indicative of the rest of the week, she's going to give Daisy a large portion to aide with her large size. On the plate and... offering.

First day

[arturian]

[Saber is the jeep driver and she is more or less keeping her eyes on the open path. Though sometimes she uses the mirrors to glance toward Haruhi.]

Are you doing alright, Haruhi?

First day

[godbent]

Are you that bored that you're asking?

[arturian]

There is not much to be seen on the road, but I don't ask out of boredom. I only want to make sure you're well.

[godbent]

[Haruhi blushes a bit at that, but nods]

Y-yeah. I'm fine.