MISSION OVERVIEW: WAYPOINT SHRIL

[onemind]

3, 2, 1, LET'S JAM

On Day :25, the Hosts will sense a sudden disturbance in the Force Station. Something shifts - loosens - becomes somehow unstuck. Anyone who cares to might follow the sensation to that small, featureless circular room known as the Bridge. They'll find Cathaway and Prince there working on something unseen but tangible. It triggers some kind of adrenaline rush, the pounding in the ears and the thud of a heartbeat in your throat as you rise from some deep, dark watery place toward the glint of sunlight on the surface high above. It's frightening and nerve wracking and liberated. Something is changing in the Station and there's nothing any of the young Hosts can do to stop or alter it.

And finally with a wrench, a gut hooked feeling, the Station comes unmoored. It slams out of the void between universes and into real space above Waypoint Shril.

MISSION OVERVIEW

DAY :25 - :39 (March 18 - April 30)
WAYPOINT SHRIL [AKA THE PIT STOP]

PLANET: N/A
LOCATION: Noravan System, Shau-Shen Galaxy, Universe Sigma-Eta-98221.05
DESCRIPTION: Sigma-Eta-98221.05 is a universe with several flourishing Galactic civilizations, however inter-galactic travel is still rare, so most of these civilizations are sequestered. Such is the case in Shau-Shen’s case. The civilizations themselves have largely intermingled, with a couple of dozen distinct sentient species having settled into relatively peaceful coexistence several hundred years ago. There is no single dominant race. The majority of the beings are upright if not bipedal. They range between 3-feet to 8-feet in height; as such most structures and items are suited to people somewhere between those two extremes. The technology is advanced enough to accomplish regular inter-system travel, but has reached a sort of plateau. Very few significant advances have been made in the past hundred years to publicly accessible tech and transportation, and the result is a people who are comfortable with their technology but typically not individually technically savvy. There are only rudimentary artificial intelligence, however computer systems can be found in even the most mundane items (including most food packaging).

Waypoint Shril itself was once little more than a homely little collection of debris floating in a strip of dead space, the site of some tragic and long forgotten destruction of a starship fleet. The remains of those ships have been re-purposed in the centuries since, transforming what might have remained as so-much space trash into something that is at the very least vast, if not grand. Waypoint Shril sits at the very outermost edges of the Noravan system, and over the centuries it's been home to all kinds - pirates and smugglers, insurgent forces and perfectly legitimate miniature governments, public trusts and private corporations. However for the last fifty years or so, Waypoint Shril has been a pit stop for anyone who need to refuel and resupply before forging out into the vast unknown of the Shau-Shen Galaxy. The station is as piecemeal as it’s origins would suggest and is inhabited by dozens of different species, each bringing their own unique aesthetics and lifestyles to the station. The people that call the place home are primarily traders and merchants. Otherwise, Waypoint Shril’s population is made up of entrepreneurial mechanics and freelancers looking for a ship to hitch their wagon to, and very few people stay for much longer than a few years. Out of all the people- and even the Waypoint's structure- only the owner - an eccentric Dragoran with only one good arm - seems to be a permanent fixture.

--Or rather, the Waypoint's previous owner. While Waypoint Shril has been the System’s Last Pit Stop for as long as most people can remember, it’s recently come under new management. Very recently (five minutes ago). And very temporarily (as long as no one blows it up before the rights revert - no promises!). The new owner of Waypoint Shril isn’t a person. It isn’t even a corporation. It’s the Galaxy’s Most Exciting Competition: the Aurora Blue Arena!!

Aurora Blue Arena! (ABA! - yes, the exclamation mark seems to be important) is something of an oddity itself. It's a semi-yearly competition run by an unknown coalition of people dedicated to bringing a little excitement to the galaxy by broadcasting the most exciting feats of strength, skill, and determination into every signal set in the known universe. It's a competition geared towards finding the best of the best - and then making them prove it. The ABA! competition itself is a series of challenges for teams of 2-4 industrious individuals, and it is the most difficult - and questionably legal - competition in the known galaxy. It never happens in the same place or time, but when word does get out the competitors come from far and wide - as do the spectators. ABA! transforms wherever the competition is being hosted to suit its needs. It builds courses and arenas, jury-rigs temporary housing, and sets up an audio-visual extravaganza to thrill the senses. Of course, the crown jewels of the competition are the fabulous prizes. Much like the rest of the competition, the prizes are never the same but they are always priceless and always very secret until they're bestowed on the winning team of the ABA! (no prizes for second place or below). But don't worry. They're definitely worth fighting for.

As a result of being commandeered by the ABA!, life aboard Waypoint Shril is rapidly changing. Those desperate to get clear of the high profile, not quite legal and definitely dangerous competition are leaving the Waypoint in droves. Spectators and tourists are arriving by the spacebus full. The minimalist corridors and stacked housing compartments are rapidly being festooned and transformed by the ABA!'s workforce; vendors are flocking to set up temporary storefronts; tourists jam the metal streets and every pneumatic tube from one side of the pit stop to the next. For those willing to hang on to their stakes, it seems like it will provide a simply stunning opportunity to make a ton of profit very quickly. As for what will happen to the Waypoint after the competition ends? Nobody seems to know and very few seem to care.

     MISSION OBJECTIVES, KIT & EQUIPMENT POOL

MISSION OBJECTIVES

• TROPHY HUNTER
  (Hosts are tasked with getting their hands on the mysterious, fabulous prize pool of the ABA!. How it's acquired is completely optional, but it must be obtained before mission end for this mission to be considered a success.)
  
• DON'T GET KILLED
  (Sure participation in the competition is dangerous, but Waypoint Shril is now not only populated by a bunch of weirdos but it's also the site of an extremely glamorous and fabulously fatal exciting competition! There's probably a reason the housing units closest to the ABA! Stadium Zone are rapidly emptying.)
  
• KEEP YOUR COVER IDENTITY
  (A rainbow of major and minor species flocks to the Waypoint. The space above it is literally packed with every size, shape and color of ship imaginable. The Station isn't cloaked above the Waypoint - it's a massive, beehive like structure floating alongside a cadre of other Super Ships of equally ridiculous designs (yes, at least one of them seems to be overtly phallic). Suffice to say, no one cares who you are here or what weird alien hivemind you come from. ...Right?)

PERSONAL MISSION KIT

• Databank
  (Loaded with mapping information, market reference records, a slightly out of date Encylopedia Universica detailing a bonafide cornucopia of major and minor alien species, customs and pop culture references, a live translation application (necessary for talking to most locals), and profiles of roughly six hundred competitors currently listed in the competition; once the competition starts, the list provides live updates as competitors are disqualified or killed or incapacitated - they are frequent and come with an annoying push notification.)
  
• Taser
  (The taser is roughly the size of a beeper and has an advanced sensor that delivers only enough of a jolt to knock out the intended target and no more. Those of you who went to Avera 9 will recognize the make and model; please be responsible with it this time!)
  
• 657 Shen
  (The popular local currency, but by no means the only one (WARNING: the exchange rate heavily favors the Shen so watch out who you trade currency with). 657 Shen should cover room and board...or the entry fee into the competition which includes both for as long as you last in the contest. Shen are thin plastic cards in denominations of .50, 1, 3, 9 and 30. You'll notice that the math doesn't quite add up, which is probably why locals tend to carry literal stacks of low denomination Shen around.)

SHARED EQUIPMENT POOL

• One Compact Shuttle-craft
  (A very cozy craft normally designed to seat fifteen, including the pilot. You can either go down in two groups or squeeze tight for one trip. Please be careful to lock the shuttle once you've parked it. Don't forget the access code sequence because there is no spare key system. All hosts may be authorized to drive in an emergency, but Pidge, Shiro, Shepard, Sam Alexander, and Bruce Wayne are the Hosts with default piloting privileges.)
  
• Four two-seater hovering speeder bikes
  
• Two low-altitude hoverboards
  (One in brushed gunmetal, one painted with a cool alien cat. WARNING: DESIGNED TO FLY AT A MAXIMUM OF TWO FEET OFF ANY SOLID SURFACE. NOT DESIGNED TO TAKE OR SOFTEN LONG DISTANCE FALLS. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK.)
  
• Two Tool Kits
  (Includes a basic assortment of futuristic mechanical tools. These are very much tools meant for modifying and repairing equipment and gear, not for overriding and interfacing with electrical or computer systems.)

NOTE: Hosts are welcome to supplement their mission kit with their own belongings. Cathaway recommends at least one warm jacket ("You never know."). Prince advises all hosts to not to lose any of their assigned equipment. Do not get robbed.

     NOTABLE LOCATIONS & FIXTURES

THE GATES AND PLATFORM ALFA - The space above Waypoint Shril is regulated by use of a hyperspace gate system. Typically these three gates are utilized for cargo shipping and long, boring transport ships. Now they're crammed with long lines of ships trying to disembark into Waypoint Shril space. The designated landing platform for Waypoint Shril, a huge extension jutting from the Waypoint itself which is designed to moor ships and transport passengers and crew to Waypoint Station via a giant series of pneumatic tubes, has been converted into strictly a temporary loading and unloading zone only, with parking only available for the smallest away crew landing craft and shuttle pods. All Class Bret through Zall ships must be left idle in black space. It's strongly encouraged to use your own small craft to access the landing platform, however there's a veritable army of ABA! shuttles at your disposal should you be without (BE ADVISED: WE ARE EXPERIENCING LONGER THAN TYPICAL WAIT TIMES. THE NEXT SHUTTLE WILL BE AVAILABLE IN THREE HOURS.) The space around the platform is a riot of ships of every make, model, design and color -- including Station Seventy-Two meaning…

THE STATION - Is accessible at any time, as long as you're willing to wait through the line at the landing platform to get to the shuttle or have time to wait for a lift from ABA! crew. Wait times are long though, so if you're going back for a forgotten toothbrush it might just be better to pick one up on Waypoint Shril. Yes, that does mean anyone interested with the right space-faring equipment might be able to repeat Sam Alexander's exploration excursion to inspect the exterior of the Station.

THE AVENUE - While the landing platform has been kept to some semblance of professionalism by necessity, you'll find a different story the moment you disembark from the pneumatic tube transport on the main body of Waypoint Shril. A long, more or less straight avenue stretches from the lift through the guts of the Waypoint and leads in an arrow straight line toward the ABA! Stadium Zone. There's evidence of cut bulkheads that would suggest that five minutes ago, this massive thoroughfare hadn't been a, uh, particularly integral part of Waypoint Shril but it sure is here now. Whatever device was used to hack through the Waypoint has also colored the floor, meaning from the long walkway (roughly 20 kilometers) from the tubes to the Stadium Zone has been painted bright blue. Shops and vendors, temporary hotels and anything-to-make-a-buck-off-tourists traps are rapidly assembling along the Avenue before your eyes. It's swamped with beings. This might be a good place to get something hot to eat, to shop for some overpriced galaxy-wide fashions, or to get pick pocketed.

THE STADIUM ZONE - The jewel of the ABA!, the Stadium Zone is a massive super structure that's been carved into and out of Waypoint Shril. The Stadium Zone consists of both the arena domes proper, the surrounding spectator seating - unofficially, if self-motivated evacuations are any indication - the area within two kilometers of the domes. There are three egg-shaped arena domes in total, ranging in size from a six story basketball court up to a double wide football stadium. The domes are walled, but ultimately open air - particularly industrious and very cheap spectators might throng along the struts and supports of the Waypoint's ceiling to get a bird's eye view of the competition once it gets underway. It's difficult to tell exactly what events are being planned (ABA!'s events are always kept secret from both the audience and competitors until they're underway), but there seem to be a lot of spikes and lasers going into the stadium zone construction.

THE ABA! ORGANIZATIONAL FIELD OFFICE - The on-site headquarters for the ABA! is a building that seems to have been transplanted into Waypoint Shril. It's sleek, it's clean, it's unquestionably beautiful and absolutely glamorous. Should you desire to register for the competition, you'll do so here. All entrants must submit to a full body scan, the implant of a temporary tracking chip, and entry into the competition database. Please bring all team members (remember, two to four beings make a team! Solo entrants and groups of five or more or not eligible!) when you choose to register.

THE JUMP - Ten minutes ago, the jump was a loading and unloading zone for potentially volatile cargo. Now it's a tourist attraction! The open air platform is exposed to the vacuum of space, sealed by an atmospheric matrix bubble. There's no gravity within the platform space, meaning it's the perfect place to have some fun or practice feats of zero-G athleticism. CAUTION: Matter can pass through the atmospheric bubble, so either wait in (a very long) line for a safety harness or just...don't stray too close to the edge. On the plus side, if you have vacuum-approved equipment and need a quick getaway from Waypoint Shril, this might be a great way to go zooming out of the side of the station without taking the pneumatic system up to the landing platform!

ROSCO’S BAR AND EATERY - A popular multi-tiered bar and grill that's seeing major updates in the last, oh, two hours. Don't worry though - they're open during renovation! Rosco's is family friendly, relatively clean, and serves food and drink that meets an array of dietary restrictions. Each tier has its own kitchen and bar, serviced by a colorful staff of beings. Most of the staff is wearing ill-fitting, obviously recently acquired electric blue uniforms as a clear nod to ABA!'s branding in an effort to maximize profits for the duration of the competition.

BLUNT FORCE - A club (ha ha ha). Located not too close and not too far from the Stadium Zone, the Blunt Force is a pleasant combination of both grimy and glittery. Right now, it's primarily overrun by beings who have come to Waypoint Shril to compete. Expect the usual array of snobs, jocks, egotistical masterminds, and scrappy underdogs.

THE CATACOMB HOTEL - A sprawling hotel/living complex that's still being built. It's built horizontally instead of vertically and covers most of one of the Waypoint's lower levels. The central rooms are cheap, small, dark and extremely oppressive. The exterior rooms are ludicrously palatial, have massive windows to the vacuum of space and are out of your price range unless you get creative.

PLAS-SCUM - A dive bar well removed from the Stadium Zone named after the junk that collects around engine ports. A collection of ship debris hangs "artistically" from the ceiling and is bolted to the walls. It's extremely shady and all of its window frames have been filled with a concrete-like substance. "People kept getting thrown through them," explains the eight foot tall insect tending the bar.

THE GRAVEYARD - At the opposite end of the Waypoint from The Jump is The Graveyard: a belt of scrap and debris which is maintained within a designated zone of the vacuum of space by a magnetic field. The graveyard is filled with pieces of junk, derelict ships - the salvageable and unsalvageable. Need some scrap metal or want some components to repair? This might be a good place to go digging, though of course anything you want to take will cost you. Nothing is free on Waypoint Shril.

PETCETERA - A pet store/animal shelter run by Vuaff Plima. He collects exotic animals from all over the galaxy (none of them even remotely resemble earth animals), mostly pets or trophy animals abandoned on Waypoint when their owners found a ship to hitch themselves to, were surprised at how big their new best friend grew, or were otherwise taken out of the picture. His gruff attitude with anyone who isn't one of his charges is softened for those who take him up on his constant need for someone to help take care of the animals: either for a day to pick up some quick money (which may or may not be Shen) or on a longer basis in exchange for room and board. --Of course you'll be rooming with the animals. Hopefully none of them are big enough to nibble too hard.

WARM SUBJECT - Alien Hot Topic. Originally a shop for legitimate alien punks, now for edgelords and alien fandom shit. You want a shirt for a band you've heard of but never listened to, but the art speaks to your black soul? They've got it. A Parry Hotter necklace? Come on in. Hair dye? What color are you looking for? Warm Subject, the shop for alien edgelords everywhere. Most fashions are geared toward lifeforms with multiple limbs, but hey! The extra sleeves can double for a great on the go straight jacket. Also apparently neon is the new black in interversal goth #looks.

TRANSPORTATION - There's a wide array of transport available on the Waypoint proper. While it's possible to walk places, the Waypoint is roughly 40 kilometers in length so you may want to do more than hoof it everywhere. Pneumatic tubes are a popular and affordable form of public transit (thing subway, except not underground). There are avenues to ride hoverbikes and hovercars through. There is also a sprawling transit system composed of automated open air flying cars which can be accessed from certain stops. This mode of transit is faster and more expensive than the pneumatic tubes, but stops at fewer locations. CAUTION: Do not walk in front of oncoming automated cars or drive in their lanes. They do not stop except at designated locations.

TEMPORARY EMPLOYMENT - Looking to better your financial standing or fill your day? You're in luck! The ABA! and many small businesses offer a multitude of part-time employment for the duration of the competition! Anyone looking for temporary employment is encouraged to stop it to the ABA! Organizational Field Office where they'll be greeted by a cadre of busy (but smiling!!) ABA! agents! Every employment candidate is matched with a job that perfectly suits their unique talents, ranging from space corndog vendor to shuttle pilot to the very prestigious role of arena janitor! Every employee gets a badge, a shirt and a hat! You are welcome and encouraged to have more than one job! You will definitely be compensated for your hours! Work is at will and at your own risk!

OTHER STUFF - Have an idea for something that isn't here? Give us a suggestion in the worldbuilding thread below. If it's approved, we'll add it to this list.

AESTHETIC SPARKNOTES
The Fifth Element, Redline, Every Anime Tournament Arc Ever, A Garbage Heap Covered In Glitter

OOC NOTES

Welcome to Waypoint Shril! This mission is a short-term mission and will only last fourteen in character days. Right now we have this specced to run from March 18th through April 30th. While we have room for flexibility depending on play pace, we want to be clear from the offset that there is a deadline to your primary objective goal.

Hosts have from now until the end of the competition to get their hands on the ABA! prize pool. How they choose to do it is up to you - while it's perfectly possible to enter the competition, there may be other ways to approach the situation. Means and method are up to you.

The competition proper will begin ICly at the beginning of the Host's second week at Waypoint Shril (April 8th). No competition events will be ICly revealed until they've begun, however we'll be posting information a week in advance to allow for plotting and planning. Again, hosts are not required to join the competition. There are likely other ways to access and obtain the prize cache.

A log will be posted for arrival on Waypoint Shril, but players are welcome to make their own posts during the duration of the mission. Characters are welcome to speak and interact with members of the native population; feel free to create and write minor NPC interactions, though be prepared for the possibility of threadjacking by mod-controlled mission NPCs should certain conditions be met.

We also wanted to give everyone a heads up of two non-mission specific notes: First, Breq and Philip have been retconned from the game. This means anyone who shared a brood with them may expect those slots to be filled with new characters in the future, however it does mean we have to pretend they were never in the game to begin with. We hope this affords more long-term opportunities for the players of their broodmates and, of course, thanks so much to the players of those characters for their time and interest in the game. Y'all are gems.

Secondly, we're soon going to be posting an OOC Discussion and Updates post to address some game changes (cough second characters cough) and a few play reminders. Please keep your eyes peeled for that as well. In the mean time: get ready to roll out. If you have any questions, please direction them to the questions thread below.

NAVIGATION • PREMISE • FAQ • RULES • GLOSSARY • RESERVES • SYMBIOTIC SKILLS • ABILITY POINTS

( CODE BY WHAMBAM )