Although you’ve studied and experienced it before, traveling through dimensions tends to leave you feeling a bit pulled in one direction from the inside up. If fades quickly after the large conveyor reappears on the projector dock...
A conveyor (This model being a group type.) is a transport craft, a kin to the looks of a star trek shuttle craft without the engines. It’s hull can generally carry anywhere up to 1 ton of ‘extra’ cargo and has comfy seating room for six. At the cockpit, the operations console hums, supporting several suits for Comms, atmospherics and GPS.
Conveyors access dimensions of a single Quantra in which it was sent.
The craft is a silver solor with a red stripe along the center of the exterior. It’s cockpit windows are heavily tinted and possess a metal shield covering that slides open and closed with a push of a button.
The Hatch door exists only the right side of the craft and opens vertically. An electronic keypad acts as keys for locking the door.
Generally the size of a large dock or even a city block, Projectors are what send conveyor craft to different Quantra, up to 2 away from Homeline if conditions allow. (Q3-Q7). These possess several large “Oz Particle” manipulators that surround the deck, a Control tower to allow operation at safe distances, and general maintainance supplies to make quick repairs and alter manipulators and other functions.
Quantra Represent an energy reading. An entire dimensional string.
Worlds are Dimensions of varying intensity within the Quantum Strings.
----w1----w2----w3----w4----w5---so on---- <--Quantra 4
Hope that helps.
...The operator, a patrolman named Jeremy Tithe, spins around in his seat to face the group in the main portion of the vessel.
A thin man by any standard, Jeremy possess a kind smile with a darkened shadow along his jawline. His hair has a mild bit of peppering to match the beginnings of weathering upon his face.
Folding his arms over his chest loosely, the pilot lets out a sigh then speaks.
”We’re here. Mummut. Before I open the door, We have to go through the decontamination process, takes about 10 minutes. If you have any questions, now would be a good time to ask, just in case you need some quick refreshers.”
A small hum seems to generate from outside as a thick white cloud of some substances blankets itself around the hull, the cockpit’s window seal automatically as the process begins.
Sir Gavin raised his hand.
"Beg your pardon sir, but will we be met? And if so by whom?" He said in a soft french accent.
"Be met? Oh. Commandant al-Wahid. She's waiting outside, I imagine."
Jeremy shifts in his seat. The mention of this woman seems to have stirred a tension. His shoulders have raised slightly, though his voice seems calm and controlled. His soft smile still remains.
Aurora looks around the cabin with her limited human senses. She felt that this shape would probably be best to meet their new...Owner?... General?...Handler?
Looking at the human who brought them here she holds out her hand. On her palm a series of shapes slowly progresses. Each shape represents an animal shape she can take, with a question make after each.
She waits for the human to understand and answer her.
Looking over the entity that had placed a hand before him, Jeremy gave a nod, tapping the human form with a light pressing of his index finger.
"That one, best look human on your first impression to avoid any instant resentments."
Jeremy looks over the rest of the crew with a tilt of his head.
"I'd advise the same to you all. There arn't an abundance of people here at the moment, but that doesn't mean they wont start belittling you right off the bat with things most "Weird" that you can do."
Nodding once, Aurora adjusts her clothing to make he more appropriate to the cool climate. She then sits and waits, with a stillness that borders on being dead.
Flynn just nods, and stands from his seat, unable to think of any particular questions.
After a moment or two the sterilization process comes to an end. The white cloud that can be seen outside the cockpit window dissipates as a loud buzzer sounds off from the outside.
A green light pulses slowly from the interior console behind Jeremy's seat, taking his attention to look. He turns back tot he group and nods, motioning toward the hatch that is now unlocked.
"Best of luck, all three of you."
Climbing out of the vessel is a simple step down from its hatch to the large metallic dock.
A small crew of 5 people wearing patrolman blue jumpsuits rush around the Conveyor, opening small doors and latches to access key components and run routine repairs and general maintenance.
The Projector on which you stand is mostly covered save for the large Hanger-like door that is currently open, looking into a massive snow covered plain. Beyond that is a tree line leading into mountains. The hanger is easily the size of a city block standing roughly 15 meters tall.
Standing on a scaffolding directly ac across the platform from where you look about, a with crew-cut short, white hair peers down at you. Her deep red armor seems to be a custom Tactical suit. A cloak flows over her right side, covering her arm from the shoulder to her ankle.
The crew of workers about you try to avoid eye contact. A sense of intended distancing is apparent.
A smaller man seems to join the commandant's side, speaking to her only briefly before excusing himself.
The commandant moves with a highly refined and controlled grace born of years of experience. Her left arm rests on the pommel of her sword as she approaches. Walking down a ramp on her way to you.
Upon closer inspection, her face is covered in large scars, her neck bares similar marks which likely continue around her body. She aged, seemingly in her late 40s or early 50s. Her eyes possess a heavy fade in their once green color.
"Welcome to Mummut."
She speaks directly, with very little flux in her strong, projected voice.
"Are you ready to begin or do you need a moment to gather yourselves?"
Aurora extends her hand. On her palm flashes what looks like a traffic light with the green light flashing.
Looking to the nanite construct before her, The Commandant gives a simple nod then looks to Gavin and Flynn.
"The 'Aurora' Construct is seemingly ready. But I doubt it speaks for you two."
Sir Gavin snapped erect and gave a sharp salute.
"D'Monteforte is here and ready to begin, milord."
"As you were soldier."
Folding her exposed arm behind her back, the commandant begins to pace.
her expression never seems to falter from utterly stoic.
"Ser D'monteforte... According to the record your an adept duelist with precognitive abilities, is that accurate?"
Sir Gavin went to parade rest, but hesitated.
"Oui Madame. That is, mostly yes." He said after thinking a moment.
"Nobody on this shuttle seems a likely identity thief," Flynn adds, unsure of the direction this introduction is going.
A smirk briefly formed on al-Wahid's face. She gave a nod to Flynn, turning toward the Operations tower of the Projector.
"Let's begin then. Follow me."
It didn't take long despite the size of the projector deck. Once there she lead you a room where a metallic table with several seats is the only object within its white walls.
At it's center is a blue semi-sphere that projects light based images. The image currently in place is the conveyor vessel that you arrived in.
"I'll be to the point. Infinite frowns upon my actions here, today. They opposed the idea of any non-homeliners operating on their own. I don't care but only for results. I am confident you can achieve this without the full training I would normally run you through."
She begins to pace about the room as everyone takes their seats. She cycles around the table once as she spoke before sitting down her self.
"The shuttle you see before you is a proto-type. A variety of functions are simply upgrades, polish. However, there are a few top secret functions this craft has that no other does. For instance it has an invisibility field that can be activated. A stealth tech we recently acquired."
Leaning back in a chair in the corner of the room with his feet propped up on a nearby object, Aldith slowly wakes up to the multitude of voices now filling a nearby room.
"Oh, clouted batfowling..." He mumbled under his breath as he quickly stood and made his way toward the others to take a seat, if only to pretend he had any idea what was being said.
"My apologies, milady. I had not realized how much time had passed since my arrival." He said fighting a yawn. "Prithee, forgive my rudeness."
Do all homeliners speak like Shakespearean actors? Flynn thinks to himself, a bit worried about the implications of this.
The Commadant, now realizing that John was even in the room to begin with, lets out a tired some sigh.
"Everyone, this is John...John, these three will be joining the operation as well."
She disregards his apologies, seemingly used to his mannerisms.
"Moving on. I would normally insist on uniforms, however, since this operation is not typical, I wont enforce the thought. Regardless, I'd like you all ready yourselves. the Conveyor is being refitted for your four man group. I'm interested in your first field test."
Reaching into a pocket within her cloak, the woman retrieves a small data card. The card itself seems to be lined with crystalline matrices and based with a cold motherboard.
"This is the operations chip. It's another addition to the proto-typeing the engineers have begun to tinker with. Before I give this to you... I expect to know the order of leadership among you. It would be good to know your chain of command for When the proverbial shit hits the fan."
"Ten minutes on Mummut, and we're already shipping out? I guess the lack of bureaucracy here is pretty impressive." Flynn idly comments.
"I don't presume to speak for anyone here, and I don't have much interest in giving commands—but I do have more experience with timestreams and comm tech than anyone else hear, if you just need a radio officer to relay orders..."
Sir Gavin stepped forward.
"Mon Commandant, it would be an honor to act as the team Captain." He said smoothly.
"Don't misunderstand me, Flynn. You'll still need to prep the conveyor with supplies. It is currently being stripped of all standard equipment to make for an entirely fresh start. That could take some time. Besides, my boys have yet to find a reliable to jump for you to make yet."
She nods, noting Flynn's lack of desire to be in a lead role but smirks at Gavin's willingness to take the role.
"Well then, It would seem that D'Monteforte will be representing your crew as its lead. Aught to be interesting at the very least."{/b]
With that, she places the golden card upon the table, giving it small push to slide it toward Gavin.
[b]"This card goes into the operator's console. Once inserted, It will take a moment to load up. This little thing is one-of-a-kind, so please don't lose this. The entire model requires it function."
[spoiler=The Keycard]
Despite its unique make up, anyone with magery 1+ can sense mana permeating off of it. The crystalline matrices are holding the energy and binding to the digital data within.
The Commandant opens her mouth to speak, however, as she does a speaker booms to life in the meeting room. She's summoned to the operations tower.
With a roll of her eyes, she takes to her feet.
"Seems your dismissed for the moment. Here on the base there is a small, albeit heavily stocked, set of inventory warehouses. Since this isn't a typical mission, nor are you typical members of Infinite, one cannot simply requisition equipment. You'll have to make purchases. Your general Identifications have been set to the people who run the inventory to allow you to buy goods and equipment as you need it. There located on the other side of the compound, Large white building, attached to operations Hanger."
She dismisses herself with a small nod and makes her way out of the room.
Aurora looks around at her new team mates and smiles. She approaches Gavin and gives him a smile and "thumbs up". She then moves over to Flynn and, holding out her hand, shows an image of what looks like an open book, then some diagrams of animals.
Flynn, somewhat incredulously, quietly names all of the animals he recognizes.
As per a voice over a loud speaker, Departure will begin in 2.5 hours. The vessal's operator ahould assume the pilot's seat by that time and ready a Parachronic Operation/Engineering roll.
Smiling she shakes her head and mimes opening a book...then points back to the animal shapes on her hand...there are only 3. A bear, a killer whale and a raptor of some kind.
Catching the end of the briefing Teal appears in time to hear D'Montefort refered to as team captain and gives him a quick salute.
"I am ready for your orders sir, please accept my apology for being late." The tall muscular woman seems embarrassed.
Join the group is Teal Echo, a late arrival...who was also going through her own background check.
Two hours pass, the group is called to the Projector dock.
Each of your extra equipment packages are already placed within the cargo hatches.
Once inside, you all hear a com flip on. A male voice begins to speak through the device.
"Alright. As per the Commandant's orders, we are to jump you not one but two Quantra. This means that our ability to communicate in real time is cut off. To make things simple, we are giving you 3 days...that's 72 hours from projection, to analyze the new world, general information and yaddah-yaddah. Please make sure the Conveyor and all persons are in the READY by that click of the 72nd hour."
There's a pause followed by an irate sigh.
"To clarify, your 72 hours is to simply gather information, determine if the world your in is an echo or parallel. The year in which that world happens to be... and so on. the more information, the better.
Now, once your ready...Would the operator please set their Parachronic generator to 'ready".
"Generator functioning fine—not familiar with this model, but the controls are simple enough."
"Good to hear, showing all green on my console... Putting input now through projector...
...all is green! Good luck!
The generator spools to life, charging it's Oz particles. With a quick flare of a white haze, the Projector Deck vanishes from view. Not more then a second later, your view is blocked by massive evergreen trees.
A massive and relatively dense evergreen forest is before you. nothing other then deep woods in sight from the cockpit windshield.
The Conveyor's generator hums down, a small flashing orange light begins to blink with the large words "Standby" and "Charging" appearing to alternate per blinking.
Welcome to your first world.
Mission Objects are:
1)Assess type of world (Parallel, Echo, etc...)
2)Obtain point in time the world happens to be.
3)Gauge additional Variables if applicable.
Remind: The Commandments of the Patrol: Don't leave a man(Or tech) behind.
You have 72 hours...
"Right... well, that was quick," Flynn announces, a little dazed. "What can the rest of you actually do in terms of scouting? I'll test the local mana level while you puzzle it out."
And, muttering equations of motion, he pulls a C-cell battery out of his pocket and attempts to levitate it a few inches.
Despite your efficiency of Magic with this spell, it doesn't seem to function. You sense a void of mana when attempting to cast spells.
Flynn frowns, and rummages for his analog transistor radio, tuning through static with the volume low to see if he can pick out any local broadcasts.
Every Frequency you attempt to use, is simply static.
Peering out through the viewports, Sir Gavin could see nothing but trees.
"Well then, is anyone here exceptionally skilled at climbing? I have in mind someone to climb a tall tree and 'get the lay of the land' so to speak. Get a direction on any landmarks; such as mountains, rivers and such." He said, smiling ruefully. "I fear it is not a skill I have acquired."
"I'm a little preoccupied here," Flynn replies, "But there's a grapnel, climbing pitons and 60 feet of steel-core rope in my pack, for anyone willing to volunteer."
I'd not trust the lives of my team to it, but I can climb reasonably
climb skill at 11, sorry for short post, on phone
Looking around, Aurora takes a deep breath, then shifts. In the beautiful woman's place is a large Golden Eagle. It lifts off and flies over the treetops, exploring the area around the group.
The hatch opens with ease, allow Aurora to leave the vessel and lift into the air.
The Eagle flies upward to the see a vast sky and a landscape seemingly untouched by man. Trees go on for miles in all directions. Mountains rise up to the north while it seems plains begin to form in the east.
Aurora can see what looks like a small funnel of smoke rising up, roughly 5-10 miles eastward.
The air is crisp with a bit of a cold nip. aside from the scent of trees and soil, there is very little else. from what you can tell right off, it seems it may be in the middle of spring. and by the position of the sun, towards the evening time.
SHe will fly towards the smoke then head back to the others.
Dissapearing above the canopy of ancient trees, the Golden eagle soars off in a direction, out of sight.
Aurora, what are trying to observe? Upon reaching the location, only a few minutes for you, you see what look to skin covered, cone shaped structures, a large pit which is the source of the smoke, generated from moist wood.
There are roughly 12 of the the cone structures, each varied slightly in size.
Walking around are humanoids, a darker or tanned skin upon them. Their clothing is exceedingly simple to even barely existent.
Aurora, staying high in the sky, watches the figures and memorizes the number of structures so she can reproduce them when she returns to the others. A few moments later she is winging her way back to the others.
IQ:
The golden eagle returns, however doeant have a perfect layout or humanoid details. She rounds.
Having never been good with numbers, Aurora rounds the numbers to 10 or so huts and 20 to 30 humanoid creatures. She makes the shapes on the palms of her two hands.
"Ah...something nearby. Maybe people? 10 and 20 of something? Is it within a few hours' walk?"