TEST DRIVE MEME #1

[space_aces]

WHERE ANGELS FEAR TO TREAD

Your journey only happened because of your benefactor, so it begets that it starts at your benefactor as well. SUPERBIA, which is as much of a location as it is an entity, is where everyone's search for Fortuna begins.

There's not much of a welcome party: shortly after their fateful encounter with SUPERBIA, in which they swore to join the quest to find Fortuna, the new Privateers will find themselves afflicted by a sudden change in perspective. See, teleportation is a tricky process, so from SUPERBIA's point of view, why not make the target destination none other than itself? One highly disconcerting moment later, and the Privateers find themselves inside the belly of the beast.

The vast mega-structure is shockingly lonely, void of anyone other than the Privateers. Those who look off the metal satellite and to The Network for intelligence (or take a skim at the Space Wikipedia article) will find out that the surrounding space is clear for lightyears; rumors have it that the place is cursed. It won't take long to understand why.

1

Overclocked

The innards of SUPERBIA are that of an impossibly scaled up computer, and the Privateers start right in the middle of it. You are the spider living in the dusty PS4. Literal rivers of coolant, transistors the size of mountains, landscapes made entirely of circuitry. The sky, bounded by a distant metal ceiling, is constantly alight with coursing electricity that cracks the sky with lightning storms. It can be assumed that the Privateers are the first living things to set foot here, because such a place is not ever meant to be traversed by delicate, organic, mortals that worry about things such as "temperature" or "voltage". SUPERBIA needs not lifeforms to continue its operations; why design for them? Traversal itself is difficult: unscalable walls and perilous drops are common to encounter. The only company the Privateers will find are oddly adorable maintenance robots, which sadly seem too occupied by their directives of maintaining the massive machine to offer any assistance (or even acknowledgement of their new guests).

It is immediately clear that the most urgent priority is to get the hell out of here. Before your adventure ends at the starting line.

2

Skeletons In The Closet

If one stays inside SUPERBIA, either by getting horribly lost or losing all common sense, one will notice a peculiar pattern emerge as one gets deeper into the bowels of the mega-structure. Passages shrink and become more level, and the incredible hostility and danger of the surroundings fade away, until one comes across areas which were definitely intended for humanoid organisms to use at one point.

The construction of these areas is cramped, unfurnished, and dreary; they are reminiscent of artificial environments meant to handle harsh external conditions like a submarine or bunker, but they are entirely livable. One can eventually find distinct rooms, but everything in them has crumbled to dust and their original purpose is nigh impossible to discern. Deeper investigation may reveal the few items that have stood the test of time. While it is more plausible for life to have existed here, that doesn't seem to be the case now. What happened here?

3

The Shipyard

In the opposite direction, when one finally reaches the outer edges of SUPERBIA, they will be rewarded with the place to pick up a spaceship and a stunningly beautiful view of outer space. The outside of SUPERBIA has no atmosphere to get between you and the stars, and they shine brightly, like a beacon calling one out into the first steps of adventure.

The shipyard is already filled with countless space ships of every size, form, and function, all autonomously constructed by SUPERBIA's factories over the countless years. What's the harm in taking one or twenty out for a spin? Even if one has no intentions of permanent ownership of the vehicle, it's not like SUPERBIA will miss it. For a Privateer with a more specific vision, however, there are kiosks around the yard which will allow one to design their very own space ship down to their exact specifications. When the process is done SUPERBIA's matter printers will have it out and space-ready right before your very eyes.

If a Privateer has a ship, vehicle, or large item that they intended to bring with them, they will also find them here, neatly parked in the Shipyard. Why didn't SUPERBIA extend this courtesy to the pilot's themselves? The answer is revealed as soon as the owner makes a closer inspection: the inner contents have been rearranged, like a whirlwind was unleashed inside and assorted loose items thrown around. Now aren't you glad your transportation was given special attention, and the same didn't happen to your innards?

4

Hot Crewmates in Your Area

But how will a single Privateer man an entire space ship? No worries: when one steps into a ship, the strangely endearing maintenance robots will suddenly take acute interest. The robots will follow inside and immediately start assuming the duties of a spacefarer, eliminating the need for extra hands on deck.

Even still, there's just no eliminating the want for a human touch, though. Thankfully even that dilemma has a contingency plotted by SUPERBIA.

Communication devices are easily available on every space ship. They come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from huge stationary consoles to portable smartphone-like screens. But whenever a Privateer attempts to access the Network, a pop-up will appear, obscuring the whole screen.

Tell me a little about yourself. Are you a LEADER or a FOLLOWER? What is your best feature?
The device will be rendered unusable until one relents to the pop-up's demands and provides answers to its questions. What will these be used for? The mystery will be solved when a social media app mysteriously installs itself on the same device, with profiles preemptively made for every Privateer. Each Privateer's profile consists of their given answers, paired with embarrassingly candid photographs. SUPERBIA has eyes in many places it seems.

Comments

[statictunedintoreason]

There was a smile, and a spark in her eyes like forgelight, a half-feral glee that bubbled up as she listened. Posh or no, he got it. "Elemental engine's more or less a bound elemental- big dumb animals, like, made'f planar energy. Once bound, they can be made t'do work for you- bloody powerful, but expensive. So much so it's only posh folk as can afford anythin' what uses it. No offense meant."

[transcutation]

[Why whatever would make you think she isn't the absolutest of cinnamon rollest?]

An Overlord! Oh, whatever will Cagliostro do! [Cue her pretending to be shocked and oh so frightened of him. But it seems she'll be spared having to show him who's boss around here any more criminal acts, so she'll answer his questions]

Well, I don't think this is any Netherworld? In fact, I'm told it's a giant machine called Superbia that's in outer space?

[sleepfan]

"I understand. Because you 'wear' it? Yes?"

"What is the difference between deep space and shallow space?" To Linhardt, all space is equally inaccessible and inhospitable. Why is the mobile suit suitable for shallow space but not deep space? Should he be considering that difference in his own vehicle?

"Weird stuff in what way? How would your targeting system function? Do you target based on heat? Life energy?" He might be able to help with the targeting system: Linhardt is a military mage despite his displeasure over it, and it's relatively easy to target magic based on non-visual information.

Names. Yes. Most people consider those important, don't they? Linhardt holds out a hand, "I'm Linhardt."

IV

[statictunedintoreason]

That's all well and good but I have a question

what's a pokemon when it's at home

[sleepfan]

Linhardt matches her energy easily - nobody from Fodlan likes talking about these subjects. His father is always focused on what is practical, traditional, and they know to work. 'Be practical with our country's resources, Linhardt.' And the Church, allies or not, are deeply uncomfortable with Linhardt's love of forbidden and heretical knowledge.

(He doesn't understand why knowledge would be forbidden, but they can argue about that after they keep from being subjugated.)

"Can you explain planar energy to me? I'm not familiar with the term."

Linhardt waves off the idea that he would be offended. He is wealthy, and that does mean he can afford things others can't. Tok is simply describing the state of the world.

There is something about Tok's explanation that doesn't sit well with him, however: "Is it right to bind other creatures to your will that way? That is slavery, isn't it?"

Re: IV

[sinnohcoordinated]

My friends! I wouldn’t put them aside just because I’m not battling or in contests! I let them out, let them roam, feed them well and make sure they’re all well.

[machina_ex_luna]

One moment, please.

[The Doctor knows very little about EDI's capabilities. Her mobile platform is still wandering the rusted, industrial residency halls while Normandy lies in prominent place amongst the shipyard, but her self is code and quantum bits. She reaches out through the air itself, touching system after system in the ships around her. All of them, or nearly all, have cybersecurity measures of some sort in place; where the resistance is significant, she reroutes, taking the path of least resistance, her signal bridging from ship to ship, system to system. EDI was built for cybersecurity, in every regard, and even now carries within her technology stolen from the Reapers themselves; in this, she is an apex predator. Everywhere she touches, she accesses the eyes, sensors, and exterior cameras, building a ready map and looking for— ah.

Within a few minutes, she has found it, and in several milliseconds more has routed a path from there to Normandy, triangulating with her mobile platform— and hence, a navpoint, a point of reference fixed in three-dimensional space.]

Doctor? I have located your ship. [She does not sound smug; this is merely her job.] If you are carrying a device capable of displaying a navigational reference point, I can transmit it to you now.

Ooh nifty! ♥ I've been tossing anything I don't know into google translate.

[retributing]

[ Speaking of the machine gun, Gaelio can only imagine this woman is quite strong. He's a little relieved his apology went over well enough.

He listens quietly and with a smile to the fond memories she shares. As for carne asada, Gaelio glances skyward thoughtfully. ] In space we primarily eat synthetic, as it has a much longer shelf life, but back home we have real meat, yes. I'm not sure I've had carne asada, though.

[ The Bauduins are technically a French family, but Vingólf, where Gaelio spent most of his time on Earth, is slap in the middle of the ocean, a mix of many cultures. Globalization, and the condensing of the world's geography into four economic blocs, led to further melding as well. Local cultures doubtlessly retain much of their cuisine and custom, but Gaelio has experienced very little of it. ]

[heeroics]

[ A beat of silence passes where Heero simply looks up at sentient monitor face. When it becomes apparent that Hermes isn't going to move, Heero looks back down the steel cliff's edge. ]

Good.

[ ...well? He isn't accustomed to asking for favors. People either do things to help him, or they don't. The fact that he even had the thought at all is a symbol of two years' worth of personal growth!

Heero crouches to lower himself over the edge, sliding down the burning hot metal until he can get a foothold into a crevice between panels. ]

[retributing]

[ The design of the Gundam in particular is a whole other beast than traditional mobile suits. Efficient or not, though, it is what Gaelio has grown up with.

Gaelio smiles for what Arilanna shares - it sounds troublesome. ]

I might trade having to strap everything down in exchange for faster travel, [ he admits, sounding just a tiny bit wistful. Visiting other stars and systems? His home is Earth and the Earth Sphere, but he can't deny it sounds fascinating. ]

Mm. In addition. [ Gaelio's gaze returns to the Gundam. ] The Ahab Reactor provides a great deal of power, but the other thrusters still require fuel for more precise maneuvering. Besides, the cockpit is in the chest, and there's room essentially only to get in and sit down. The rest is taken up by the systems and display. That would be a rather cramped journey.

[ He indicates the direction they came from. ] There's a little kiosk over there which apparently will build a ship to specification. That's what I was watching, when we met. I expected I would just be guided to something close already built. [ A slight shake of his head. ] Technology like nothing I've ever seen. [ An entire starship in hours, instead of months? ]

[mech_and_mutt]

"Oh my Dog, that's NOT an option!!" Red, meanwhile, has already started a hypothetical polyship involving this robot, an airlock, and a strong throwing arm.

"I don't even know who is gonna be on this thing with me, and even if I did--

seriously, do you have any idea what privacy is?!"

He gestured incredulously to the machine's form.

"You don't even wear clothes!!"

[funnylittleclown]

Really, that quickly?

[ Color him surprised! She just saved him hours of hunting around all by seemingly, closing her eyes and thinking about it for a moment. He suspected she had some kind of sensors that could detect and distinguish between the ships in the area but the reality would have been far more impressive!

At the question he patted around in his pockets, feebly, before giving her a little shrug. All he was carrying in regards to electronic devices was a sonic screwdriver which in his time was only useful against screws. ]

Maybe you could just point me in the right direction?

2

[heeroics]

[ Heero is aware that he hasn't caught Quatre unaware. He also knows that Quatre already knows Heero has been on the hunt for usable information from the very moment he'd arrived; he didn't need to ask. ]

Anything salvageable?

[ Well, then. Right to business. Sorry Quatre, touching reunion scenes aren't really Yuy's forte. ]

[kid_devil_you_dont_know]

I never liked it when folks talked down to me, so I try not to do it myself, that's all.

[Eddie nods.] I guess that decision depends on whether you want a big crew or not. Or if you're thinking of taking one of the building-sized battle robots along. [He jerks a thumb to one side, indicating a row of mecha standing in between some of the larger pre-made spaceships.]

Personally, I'm used to being on my own, so I went for a smaller ship and kept it fast.

[mech_and_mutt]

His body?! ohhh no. No no no. He was not going to be joining the ranks of crumbled and forgotten remains left in the depths of some bizarre alien machine.

He turned towards Elle, ichorous black dripping ominously down from his fingers.

"D-don't say that!! It'll be fine, probably, just-- help me find some way of gettin' this off my hands!"

Ugh, and it smelled like burnt... sugary... artificially-flavored motor oil. And something told him they'd have a hard time finding a source of running water down here...

[fourhope]

[If Heero had even tried for a touching reunion scene, Quatre would be giving even the most harebrained theories Duo had for his supposed 'weirdness' for actual legitimacy.
No offense.]

Unfortunately, no. [Quatre leans back from where he'd been trying to per into an old chute.] Anything that might have been salvageable here looks like it degraded potentially centuries ago.

[Because things don't just break down this far in a few decades. It's... strange.]

It's good to see you, Heero.

[Business first and then pleasantries, because Quatre is still Quatre. But he'll forgo trying for a hug from this one.... for now.]

[shangrilady]

School wasn't free by that point anyways so it's not like I was gonna be getting anywhere.

I'm not a great cook but I can be a jack of all trades.

[shangrilady]

Mmhm. More people live in colonies than not now.

[nothing_can_stop_me]

Oooh, you’re from the future, then!

[fourhope]

"I hadn't considered the possibility, but it does seem like the most probable conclusion." Quatre agrees easily. "If you want something found, only trying once wouldn't be practical."

He glances around them, worrying his lower lip between his teeth absently as he considers things. "But we also can't assume this place exists solely because of Fortuna."

"On this we're agreed." Quatre's turns to look at the stranger then, taking in his features carefully but politely. One does not simply gawk, that would be crass. "A pleasure, Maul. My name is Quatre Raberba Winner."

[shangrilady]

"...roughly, I guess. I mean, it's a little big to call it something you wear." And she's not from G Gundam so she doesn't know about that mobile trace stuff.

"Deep space... you need a lot of propellant, a lot more supplies. We mostly operate close to a ship, and compared to the rest of space we're never all that far from a colony if we can line up and point ourselves at one. In between planets is scary... there's so much empty space." And people travel as far as Jupiter on a regular basis too.

"Anyways, we mostly use visual and heat, but we've got radar and laser range finders and stuff too." They just have magical space particle pollution that interferes with a lot of stuff, oops. "Nice to meet you, Linhardt. I'm not the best at answering all these questions, but you seem legit curious."

[nothing_can_stop_me]

Oh, I usually have a crew by my side, but… ooh, those machines…

Nope, head in the game, Della! Need something practical!

[shangrilady]

Elle dips a little further back. It's probably ACTUALLY just some supremely rotted soda, but she's not taking any chances in case it's full of freaky alien bacteria.

"Well I don't have any industrial solvents on me." Which would also, melt his flesh off his bones. "...how do you feel? Is it eating you alive?"

[astrogator]

No, I don't suppose anyone would teach for free. They have to make a living too.

You sound like a very resourceful person. I'm sure you'll do fine, even without much in the way of formal education.

[kid_devil_you_dont_know]

Della, is it? I'm Eddie.

Maybe you could gather a crew of people who already know how to use those battle robots. You offer them transport, they teach you how the big machines work... everyone benefits.