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memestertrucks2025-01-01 12:01 am
monstertruckers) wrote in memestertrucks2025-01-01 12:01 am
Entry tags:
JANUARY TDM
After tumbling through shadow you find yourself in a shrouded, ruined garage. It’s full of shattered windows and broken mechanical equipment; watch out for shards on the floor, in between the strange symbols scrawled into the ground. Outside the daylight is fading; night is rolling in, and there’s just a few dying lights flickering on and off. It’s going to be hard to see in here and avoid bumping into things and people, if you don’t get outside soon.
Beyond the rundown garage is an overgrown gas station surrounded by thick, wetland forest. Starlight is streaming through the trees, along with light from a broken moon. The one thing that isn’t overgrown with plants is a large Convoy of vehicles, parked right underneath the station canopy.
01: START UP
The Convoy looks like a cross between a semi truck and a train; there’s no one at the front, but there’s still power humming through the entire Convoy. It’s also the most hospitable thing in sight. Why not make yourself at home a little? You just have to chase that eerie, empty feeling since there’s no one else present.
Alternately, there are the cars scattered around the Convoy; all of them in better shape than the gas station. And some of them looking and feeling almost like they might belong to you. That feeling is only increased, when you see there’s a key to the car nearby. Perhaps the key is already in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on your person, ever since you woke up in that garage. Either way, you have the keys to the vehicle now.
…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them the sort of thing that requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.
Alternately, there are the cars scattered around the Convoy; all of them in better shape than the gas station. And some of them looking and feeling almost like they might belong to you. That feeling is only increased, when you see there’s a key to the car nearby. Perhaps the key is already in the ignition, on the dashboard… It may have even been on your person, ever since you woke up in that garage. Either way, you have the keys to the vehicle now.
…But there’s a few rough edges on these vehicles. Flat tires, cracked windows and mirrors, maybe some stuck doors and locks; all of them the sort of thing that requires two pairs of hands and supplies. The garage can take care of the supplies… Now it’s just a matter of finding some extra hands.
02: RUIN EXPLORATION
The ruined gas station and garage are the only man-made structures around, and have seen better days. The store still holds packaged food, and tepid drinks of all sorts. The garage has old mechanical equipment for working on cars, along with that strange summoning circle.
There's also a giant tree bursting through the gas station roof. And clinging to its branches, half melted into the surface, are metallic bodies. Graffiti is spray painted onto the tree, reading ‘avoid the Husks.’
Those who ignore the warning and get closer hear a faint hum coming off those bodies. It’s almost like whispers, though it’s impossible to make out any clear words. Some Husks are clutching supplies in metal fists. For a few unlucky new arrivals, those Husks might even be holding the keys to their vehicles.
Making direct contact with the Husks intensifies the hum, and the whispers begin to form into pained cries, and give the impression of something rummaging through their thoughts; trying to pry out things that hurt Drifters, and reflecting those hurtful things on the bodies of the Husks for anyone to see.
There's also a giant tree bursting through the gas station roof. And clinging to its branches, half melted into the surface, are metallic bodies. Graffiti is spray painted onto the tree, reading ‘avoid the Husks.’
Those who ignore the warning and get closer hear a faint hum coming off those bodies. It’s almost like whispers, though it’s impossible to make out any clear words. Some Husks are clutching supplies in metal fists. For a few unlucky new arrivals, those Husks might even be holding the keys to their vehicles.
Making direct contact with the Husks intensifies the hum, and the whispers begin to form into pained cries, and give the impression of something rummaging through their thoughts; trying to pry out things that hurt Drifters, and reflecting those hurtful things on the bodies of the Husks for anyone to see.
03: MONSTER ATTACK
The night grows darker, and the shadows grow deeper. And from those shadows comes the glint of something moving across the Husks, rippling over the metal… And breaking it apart in a flurry of too sharp claws and teeth. That’s when the radio chooses to come on in another mess of static.
Be careful- Keep your fear and rage in check- Calls the monsters- We need the shield up-
The warning comes too late as monsters arrive. Some human-like but with razor teeth mouths that stretch from face to groin; others resembling alligators with bloated proportions and jaws that spit lightning; and still others where the vegetation has come to life, sporting thorn covered appendages.
The Pisaca monsters act as shock troopers, wearing the Convoy down with venomous bites and debilitating howls, before the heavy and brutish alligators bull in, using their bulk and electric attacks to obliterate what’s left. The capparwires scurry in the periphery, taking cheap shots with thorny vines and sparking electricity where they can. It’s a task to keep the monsters at bay until the generator fires up. Especially when one last enemy makes an appearance…
Be careful- Keep your fear and rage in check- Calls the monsters- We need the shield up-
The warning comes too late as monsters arrive. Some human-like but with razor teeth mouths that stretch from face to groin; others resembling alligators with bloated proportions and jaws that spit lightning; and still others where the vegetation has come to life, sporting thorn covered appendages.
The Pisaca monsters act as shock troopers, wearing the Convoy down with venomous bites and debilitating howls, before the heavy and brutish alligators bull in, using their bulk and electric attacks to obliterate what’s left. The capparwires scurry in the periphery, taking cheap shots with thorny vines and sparking electricity where they can. It’s a task to keep the monsters at bay until the generator fires up. Especially when one last enemy makes an appearance…
03-A: MIRRORMIC
There's as a metallic shiver along one of the remaining Husks, and a strange ringing whisper in the ears. The next moment, the Husk breaks open in a gleaming pool of quicksilver. That quicksilver catches reflections, and molds itself into a darker copy of a Drifter.
The mirror monster whispers faults and secrets at the reflected Drifter, and anyone close by. It tries to goad Drifters into an attack. And when struck, the mirror monster plays its second trick; whatever damage it takes is reflected back onto the Drifter as a transformation. An injury to the arm transforms the Drifter's arm, and so on.
It's possible to banish this monster through direct lights shone on it from a car, flashlight, or magic… But such action needs to be swift, before the Mirrormic completely changes its Drifter.
03-B: BOMBADGY BOMBARDMENT
Before, during and even a little after the monster attack, there’s an extra presence scurrying around the vehicles, snuffling and barking when startled. A band of chunky, raccoon-esque monsters known as the bombadgy are raiding anything that looks like it could be food storage… And this includes vehicles!
The bombadgy’s claws are deft and sharp with tearing through windows and door seams. These creatures are a touch skittish and won’t attack unless provoked. They also can expel a flammable gas… And this means they can explode if sufficiently spooked or stressed. This also means that they can be treated as living bombs, and be lobbed at other threats if needed.
04: WIND DOWN
During the monster attack, there’s changes gripping the Convoy, and especially the people in it. It might feel like your control is getting worn away by the second… At least until something in the trucks starts to whirr to life. It’s a soft enough noise, little more than a hum as something blooms out of the engines. It fast turns into a shield that envelops the Convoy in a shimmering, glowing dome.
And while it might not be enough to reverse those changes, it can at least stop them from growing any worse. Give you a moment of breathing space to adjust to everything that’s happened, and give you some measure of clarity and control. There’s time to breathe and mend now. Take stock of one’s injuries and changes.
But there’s a few strange surprises still waiting, it seems. Because the corpses of the monsters begin to disintegrate, like they are bleeding out motes of sickly light. Light that you quickly absorb; it has the side effect of lessening pain, even mending wounds… Though it might make you feel a bit off. Maybe a little more excitable, maybe a little more irritable, or maybe expressing a certain odd psychological quirk. Still, that sudden surge should pass in about an hour or so; just need to keep it together until then. Perhaps with a little company.
And while it might not be enough to reverse those changes, it can at least stop them from growing any worse. Give you a moment of breathing space to adjust to everything that’s happened, and give you some measure of clarity and control. There’s time to breathe and mend now. Take stock of one’s injuries and changes.
But there’s a few strange surprises still waiting, it seems. Because the corpses of the monsters begin to disintegrate, like they are bleeding out motes of sickly light. Light that you quickly absorb; it has the side effect of lessening pain, even mending wounds… Though it might make you feel a bit off. Maybe a little more excitable, maybe a little more irritable, or maybe expressing a certain odd psychological quirk. Still, that sudden surge should pass in about an hour or so; just need to keep it together until then. Perhaps with a little company.
05: CAMP
A screen in the Convoy flickers to life. The image isn't visible through a snowfield of static. Same with the audio:
“Still… Alive? Good. Connection- Can’t hear you. Can't talk. Convoy will- take you closer to Nirvana.”
After that, the connection is dropped, leaving a collection of text:
I’m sorry. I have no answers for you. But you’re still alive. You’re not as broken as the rest of the world. When the sun rises, this Convoy and all the cars around it will start moving North towards Nirvana. If you want answers, and to stay as close to human as you can… I suggest you stay with the Convoy. Good luck.
A last alert flashes across the screen: “TESTING LOCAL NETWORK CONNECTION.” And then… Music starts to play on the speakers. Mellow guitar and brass music that’s at odds with all the weird that’s happened recently, but perhaps just the thing to relax to.
“Still… Alive? Good. Connection- Can’t hear you. Can't talk. Convoy will- take you closer to Nirvana.”
After that, the connection is dropped, leaving a collection of text:
I’m sorry. I have no answers for you. But you’re still alive. You’re not as broken as the rest of the world. When the sun rises, this Convoy and all the cars around it will start moving North towards Nirvana. If you want answers, and to stay as close to human as you can… I suggest you stay with the Convoy. Good luck.
A last alert flashes across the screen: “TESTING LOCAL NETWORK CONNECTION.” And then… Music starts to play on the speakers. Mellow guitar and brass music that’s at odds with all the weird that’s happened recently, but perhaps just the thing to relax to.
MICRO ENCOUNTERS:
PLEASE NOTE! These are small bits of set dressing for players to include in threads if they wish, rather than full fledged prompts or events. You may handwave your exploration of these areas, or thread them out.
Race Track: There’s a race track that winds around the gas station! It’s a bit threadbare in places and little more than a mossy and muddy trail. But it’s still a race track that weaves under and over trees, and seems like a good place to test new wheels.
Gone Fishing: The gas station area eventually turns into the start of a swamp; that explains where the alligators came from. It may be possible to do a little bit of fishing, though the fish are just as weird as everything else. Still edible though. Swimming in the swamp is not advised. The alligator monsters and fish tend to bite back.
Spray Paint Messages: The paint on the trees and gas station is starting to fade and wash out, but can still be legible; most of it contains messages warning about the end of the world, prayers to the heavens for mercy, and dire warnings about husks and something called “moon warps.”
no subject
"I'm- undamaged," they manage, really wishing diagnostics worked.
"Apparently they're weak to fire. Or explosions."
Carefully - because there's probably more incoming - one hand rests on the elbow-joint of the other arm.
"And the dog-like creature explodes when startled. Or thrown."
M-Bot chireeps, an alarm that anything in the woods could hear - and one of the more distant bombadgies, started, explodes on a tree.
no subject
"Confirm. Client status?" It says, dropping all human affect as it scans their surroundings. "Target priority confirmed."
no subject
"I... I've been hit, but I do not feel any open wounds. Though everything here's definitely been trying."
V scowls, one hand rising once more to that circle at the side of their neck. The sense that they should probably explain arises, but-
Better to wait until they're out of here. Time and place.
Fortunately, V doesn't actually have to call for their drone before it appears, zooming with the dramatically-dying remains of another alligator behind it.
"I'm not a fighter, and my tools were gone when I arrived." So apart from the trick with the bombadgies, they don't feel like they are much help right now.
no subject
No, this is a ComfortUnit? Maybe. But something seems off, still.
Not being immediately attacked is a good start, though.
"I can't give you any weapons. What does your drone do?" Without such further need for subtlety, SecUnit opens the gun ports on its arms and starts firing, targeting another of those rotund little creatures when it spots it darting among the trees.
no subject
"When M-Bot wants to be, a trip hazard," V deadpans. "The Red Empire made them for scouting and spying, not bombing runs."
The explosion from the latest bombadgy shatters one last Pisaca. The fallen tree is pinning another couple of alligators.
The sound of anyone else approaching is probably well-masked by the fire.
no subject
Too bad.
"Why did you run out here?" SecUnit asks, instead. "Running into an unknown situation is dangerous." Case in point: this.
no subject
"This," they answer, hand again drawn to that circle on their neck. Any actual emblem will be hard to make out at SecUnit's distance, but there's clearly something there, more than just random lines.
"Whatever this mark is, I hate it." They have no trouble admitting that much.
no subject
It has to resist the urge to check its own dataport. "The mark is new," It says-asks for distraction and for clarity's sake, but the question isn't unsympathetic for the dislike of being branded.
no subject
And they weren't, hadn't been, because they'd been young enough that survival meant compliance, until the burden and dissonance grew too much to take.
They scowl at the memories. "It never meant anything good. Whatever this is, hard to believe it can be much better."
M-Bot, turning in circles in its still mostly-distressed attempt at a perimeter check, chirps in sympathy and worry.
If SecUnit would recognize it, the sigil looks vaguely catlike, the glow dying down even as it stares.
no subject
It steps back again, giving V their space to handle the news as they'd like. "If someone applied it, they used a medsystem before dumping you here," it notes, puzzled and slightly frustrated, though it keeps its tone neutral. That doesn't seem like a logical progression of events - it's missing something here, but there are more questions than answers, here.
It crosses its arms, staring out at the surrounding woods and back in the direction of the garage they so recently left.
no subject
"Perhaps... it was part of the process of arriving, made to happen simultaneously? A multitasking system."
V sighs, starting to recognize what their next step is going to have to be. "We'll have to see what else is back there. If there are any patterns."
no subject
"Maybe," it says. Then - a thought occurs to it. "... Does Holism mean anything to you," it asks. "Or Barish-Estranza." It's leaping logic chains now - if it had Feed access it would throw out a chart of decision chains, but it doesn't and also it's now busy running a memory diagnostic. "What do you remember about getting here?" it asks. V isn't acting like their back hurts, or complaining about confusion, but it's clear that something is perturbing SecUnit about the situation.
no subject
"The last place I was was out on the Bay, on Tamaris' coast; my team and I were aiding an expedition there. There was a storm."
But none of their teammates who had been out there with them were here, now. Sure, if the Bay had decided to pull some kind of stunt kicking V to an entire other world, that was possible - but not likely.
no subject
Clearly it's processing something, frowning without meaning to as it runs through the data in its head. The memory check comes back - no signs of corruption. As far as its organic and onboard memory can figure, it was on Perihelion, until it wasn't.
It gets V's urge to run wildly into the woods, even if it won't say so.
no subject
Humanity made it to space - but they didn't stay there, not like the history SecUnit knows.
"I've seen those who qualify as modified, but not that variant. Grey as in alien? Ill? Possessed?"
Any of those three could be possible - though actual aliens, V hasn't met.
no subject
"There are plenty. The one I was near had an alien contamination problem. And those humans had a kidnapping problem." It looks back towards the garage, the path through the trees only barely visible, and adds, "we should get out of this area in case more of those things show up."
no subject
SecUnit's stated conclusion, at least, they have no quibbles with.
"Agreed. Perhaps any others still here would be willing to share their points of reference."
M-Bot hovers close, settling near V's shoulder, chirping somewhat close to contentedly.
no subject
SecUnit has its doubts - or maybe it's just because the last thing it wants to do is talk to people and ask them face-to-face - it would much rather scrape the news feeds or find a local system to cozy up to and get its information that way. But in the absence of that...
Maybe it can get V to do that, instead. For now - time to walk back without getting lost.