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thegreatspacerace2022-09-28 07:29 pm
space_aces) wrote in thegreatspacerace2022-09-28 07:29 pm
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TEST DRIVE MEME #1
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.
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.
1Overclocked
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.
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.
2Skeletons 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?
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?
3The 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?
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?
4Hot 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.
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.
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.
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.
Dr. Ivo "Eggman" Robotnik | Sonic the Hedgehog (Game Canon)
[Time may be of the essence in escaping this flaming metal death pit, but the good doctor is no fool. Speed has always been that annoying blue rodent's prerogative, not his own. All things in due time. After all, this entire structure provided him with a near infinite supply of metal and the means with which to utilize it effectively. That was the one true way to get out of here alive, at least for a man like himself. Though more physical fit than his rotund form gave him credit for, such physical traits might not be enough. Though that hardly mattered when he had his notorious IQ and unrelenting will.
As one goes a little deeper into the innards of SUPERBIA, they may very well notice some strange occurrences. Those oddly adorable maintenance bots? Instead of repairing or maintaining the areas around them, they seem to be stripping it for parts and carrying them off somewhere. Maybe you choose to follow. Or perhaps you happen upon a strange man in the middle of his work. The figure is tall, with a pair of goggles atop his bald head. His attire consists of a red coat with yellow cuffs, white gloves, and black trousers that flow seamlessly into a set of boots. But the most outstanding thing of all has to be that, frankly massive mustache on his face.
Initially it doesn't seem like he's noticed the fact that he has some company. Indeed, it seems like he's completely absorbed in what he's doing. And what he's doing is building...something. It's difficult to tell, with his large frame hunched over it. But it's obvious that he's building something, alongside the robots he seems to have reprogramed.]
Here to admire the craftsmanship of a true genius? [He says aloud, not even bothering to look up from his work.]
The Shipyard
[With all that unpleasantness, what with the humidity and physical labor beyond him, Eggman is more than happy to enjoy the simple things. Like geeking out about the various ships lining the yard. Oh sure, he's build armadas of his very own, but this is a veritable legion of varying designs and focuses made by, presumably, other lifeforms. Arrogant though he may be, even the good doctor can acknowledge what can be gleamed from seeing another's work.
Currently he's standing in front of a panel, looking over the schematics of what appears to be a massive flagship.]
Though I've always been a fan of the consistency a full forcefield provides, I must admit, a customizable laser shield capable of being positioned anywhere at a moment's notice does have its merits. Especially with a weaker, though still potent forcefield as a backup.
[It's hard to tell if he's trying to make conversation or if he's just thinking out loud.]
Hot Crewmates in Your Area
Tell me a little about yourself.
Ivo Robotnik, but my friends call me Dr. Eggman. I'm an engineer and a scientist by trade, though I admit to having a fondness for geology in my spare time.
Are you a LEADER or a FOLLOWER?
A LEADER, certainly! It might be a bit presumptuous of me to say, but things tend to work smoothly when I'm in charge of an operation.
What is your best feature?
Not to brag, but I'd have to say my wits! It's certainly gotten me out of a few tricky situations.
Shipyard
I gotta say, that looks as badass as an Admiral, though the color scheme is waaaay off for a Poseidon ship. I also like the redundant shield idea! But how fast is it gonna be able to go?
no subject
A fair point. This is a race, after all. Though the mobile shield projector, when not in use, could have its power rerouted into the main thrusters and engines. [One hand goes to the Doctor's side while the other strokes his chin.] But I suppose other sacrifices would have to be made for such a design.
no subject
I'm sure whatever you do, you'll likely stand a chance against everyone here in the real world.
[Hermes glances at the blueprints again. That shield projector does look very nice... but he'd rather not modify the work of the computer game dev team that worked on him. It would seem rude.]