"Never regret thy fall, O Icarus of the fearless flight, For the greatest tragedy of them all, Is never to feel the burning light." ~Oscar Wilde
Flashing green on the glass dashboard. Whirring red lights. A haunting siren.
"Captain, you're gonna wanna see this."
"What is it, lieutenant?"
"It's everything we could hope for... Everything we could fear. A dark energy signal."
It's the year 2035.
The advancements in artificial intelligence have propelled science to search out new energy sources to combat the growing global energy crisis.
Recently, a new machine called T.R.U.M.P.E.T (Trans-Rudimentary Uptake Monolith of Permanent Erasure Tracking) started picking up energy signals previously out of reach for humans as a technological society.
Due to an incident regarding [REDACTED], general access is off-limits to any of these energy sources. From that tragic incident, it was discovered that dark energy can devour. The energy source has an erasing tendency and creates pockets of a new mineral nicknamed ‘condensed dark energy’ that many have speculated could solve the world’s energy crisis. However, if left untouched, these pockets slowly widen, where everything is erased or converted into this mineral.
On top of this, footage from [REDACTED] showed deposits of other specimens, such as emeralds, rubies, gold, and carved artifacts of unknown origin. Some global players held on to old curiosities, not entirely motivated by money when looking at fuzzy photos of the artifacts in particular.
The research wings from the world's prominent museums and research centers have speculated that these artifacts could be traces of an ancient civilization and are pressing for more explorations of these energy sources.
Due to [REDACTED], exploration is red-taped behind a convoluted bureaucratic loop, with only the wealthiest or most influential researchers getting the permits required to dive deep into the next dark energy source discovered in the Mediterranean Sea.
This is where our fated explorers come in. Hired by HiveMind, the most influential research facility in the United States, our explorers will travel to the coordinates of the dark energy source. They will be equipped to explore and bring home the loot of a lifetime. In the process, they could very well save the planet.
But be warned. Many naysayers believe these dark energy sources are not what they seem.
World
Let’s talk about the drawbacks first.
The world is in a state of crisis. Overusing gasoline-based products and dirty, coal-based electricity has caused smog in almost every major city. Going outside with a mask is almost second nature to residents, and complaining about the cost of energy prices is fairly common.
However, let’s talk about some plus points.
Almost all cars are electric and self-driving. Hovor technology has out-phased tires and legs of stools. For the folks who haven’t upgraded, their phone is a handheld bit of bendable glass. For those who have, their phone comes in the form of a chip inserted in the side of their cortex, where their AR vision connects them to the web and their contacts, all at a thought or flick of the eyes.
Currently, the world is desperate for a new energy source to combat poor air quality, hence the creation of TRUMPET.
From what scientists have gathered, the nuggets and slivers of condensed dark energy acquired from dark energy sites are exactly what the world needs. It's a shiny, heavy metal that changes color like it's reacting to an unknown substance, perhaps the air. When heated to 520 degrees Fahrenheit (271 degrees Celsius), it will begin giving off energy that can be harnessed, similar to when coal is burned. However, the key difference that is driving the global players to find more is that this fuel lasts over 910 years, and has no harmful byproducts. It could solve the world's energy crisis a thousand times over.
It just can't be too good to be true, right?
A technological firm, first and foremost, with an interest in ancient technology second. Once they saw the scrawled tablets and artifacts from the shoddy footage of [REDACTED], they knew they needed to send in their own contractors. Not just anyone, though. Only the best of the best would do.
Arming their contractors with the best of their AI technology and make-shift devices for controlling and containing everything related to dark energy, they are prepared to stop at nothing to get what they want: answers.
The Ethereum is a secret society that's been around for millennia. Some have even gone as far as to say they were the original discoverers of dark energy, using it to prolong their lives. Not many meet The Ethereum and live to tell the tale. They are very selective with who they share their secrets with.
It's unsure how secrets of dark energy got into the hands of HiveMind, but it's a definite case that The Ethereum is not too pleased with with the global handling of this mysterious resource.
Events Thus Far
Nick was captured and put under medical examination and operation for several months, changing his mind and giving him augments to be more of an unfeeling super soldier. His programming caused him to attack Thierry, his husband. The doctor attending to Nick (Subject #4) was secretly part of the Louvre, who was shot by Von Galloes' men upon suspicion of having ulterior motives.
Stella and Subject #3 hid in the maintenance section of HiveMind's underwater facility, waiting for the right opportunity to strike. Stella freed Nick while Subject #3 got caught, and the entire facility was evacuated as dark beasts were released in the halls.
Nick, Stella, Thierry, Aaron and Ramses found Subject #3 tied in the maintenance area with a bomb strapped to her neck. Upon trying to help her, they realized it was a trap. Von Galloes appeared in a hologram, suggesting something peculiar to Stella. Could he in fact be her real father? Von Galloes also egged Thieery on, resulting in Nick revealing that HiveMind was built over the remnants of the Louvre's facility.
After an explosive battle, Stella got the bomb off Subject#3 and saved her. Nick and his group took care of the remaining drones and caused damage to Von Galloes' hologram, thus ending the battle.
Spots available:
0/3 spots available.
Posts will go in a rotation after the GM's post. If it is your turn, you must post within 48 hours of a previous person's post. Failure to do so will require that you be skipped, which may result in a removal from the roleplay.
The CS
(Maximum 1 character per player.)
Name: Age: Gender: Appearance:(An anime-styled picture or thorough description will do.) Augmentation:(Though expensive, minor augmentations are becoming more mainstream. Do they have cybernetics that allow them to see in the dark? A chip implant that gives them AR vision? A smart earpiece that’s connected to the eyes that allows an AI companion to provide real-time directions and advice? Get creative here. (Optional.)) Personality:(How does your character act in any given situation?) Defining Trait:(In one word, describe how your character is. Are they stubborn? Placid?) Backstory:(How have the sky-high energy bills affected them? Have they hoped on the train like so many to ‘hamster-wheel’ energy for a price, or have they devoted their life to pursuing the unknown?) Skills:(What can they do, whether physically or mentally, that is of merit?) Inventory:(What are they bringing with them on this exploration?)
@Estylwen Finally finished! @__@;;;; Just let me know if you need more or want something changed.
Name: Nicholas James Claude Bergman Age: 23 Gender: cis male
Appearance: Dirty blonde, bright blue eyes, heart shaped face, caucasian, 5'9", 150lbs, medium build, active slim, three 3' long claw mark on right hip that's often mistaken for a tattoo Augmentation: N/A
Personality: Relatively calm. Stays to himself and prefers to work alone (or that's what he'll tell you). Can come across as cranky, bitchy, or overbearing... particularly if angered. Does not work well with others. May come across as Bipolar.
Defining Trait: Reliable
Backstory: Lives paycheck to paycheck. Nick prefers to be affected the same as everybody else, regarding economic inflation and lack of stable work. Despite spouse making 6 figures a year. Has previously stayed with facilities and companies his spouse (A Louvre Museum on-the-field Archeologist, Monsieur Thierry Claude James de Villiers, turned Administrative Assistant) has ties to, but has since formed a desire to prove his own self-worth, despite spouse's slight disapproval.
Skills: Nick is an on-the-field Archeologist and has been since [redacted]. Specializes in Ruin Exploration (off grid survival) that often requires self protection from [redacted]. While he can, Urban Exploration is only on the table if pay is good. He's well versed in MMA, weaponry, parkour and endurance training, therefore doubling as a bodyguard for any artifacts he collects. He has decent knowledge of vehicular mechanics and can stand in as an IT technician, but has limited knowledge in computer science. Able to speak French, but not fluent.
Inventory: Utility Watch made from a Pequignet wrist watch: ROYALE SAPHIR PHANTOM. It holds 20 individual physical objects, but has byte size and physical size limitation. Meant for smaller usage items ex: guns, ammo, rations and temp storage for artifacts. It was his spouse's first Utility Watch, granted for field work from The Louvre Museum. It's considered archaic by today's storage standards. Has an engraved inscription, Toujours on the inside of the strap. Any other gear is facility given.
While we wait for Cao's CS, I've added a bit more lore to the first post on 'condensed dark energy' and how it can shape the world. Hopefully we can start soon, I'm quite excited. :)
It looks like Cao may need a bit more time for their CS. I've decided to start the IC now, Cao and anyone else who wishes may join us at their leisure. :)
@Estylwen "if Nick chose that route" Yeaaaah, not normally his first train of thought. He's more of a 'last resort' sorta guy. js xD
But uh, I will have another post up tonight sometime! annnnd Are you sure you don't want a character beyond just being the facility? I mean, is fine either way, but just wondering.
Duly noted! And yes, I will introduce a character separate from the facility, likely in my next post. They will be linked to the 'explosions' that took place previously.
Love the post and the pace! I'll have another response up tomorrow!
I bet you thought he was gonna be all scared and shoot haphazardly at the dragon!! I've had time to uh.... make him see some shit. xD //shot I am super curious about your CS now!
Lovely CS, approved! Feel free to post in the IC when you're ready. It's up to you how you want to end up in the underwater cave, but most likely another research center, maybe even the one she's associated with, sends her down to the site. Or, whatever idea you have works.
