InfamousGuy101

Fallout: South the Mason (Contains PCs as well as Factions!)

Good. I'll get my character done.

Fallout: South the Mason (Contains PCs as well as Factions!)

Supppp

Something Beyond The Abyss, a Lovecraftian Horror RP.

I like me some lovecraft. I'll make a character ASAP.

No Turning Back - Surving the Abyss

Matthew Lopez

---

Entering the Admirals quarters, Lopez followed his military instinct to salute the admiral with the respect he deserved. A soldier to a soldier, but two different brands of them. Lopez fully armored and lacking in anything that would set him apart from the usual grunt other than a pair of insignias on both shoulder pieces, and Locke displaying a more casual attire which despite the lack of proper wear still bode the essence of a commander. Locke didn’t reiterate the salute with Lopez, rather just nonchalantly asking him to sit down and be watchful of damaging the chair with his armor. The marine commander did as he was told, with stiff face and rough complexion he waited alongside the admiral for a few seconds, both men had coffee on the side of the table, though Lopez barely touched it.

“I’ll make sure not to sir.” Lopez answered to Locke’s comments about damaging the seat, with a light tone to his voice.

As they waited for Elijah, Locked had something to discuss with the marine commander. Lopez heard the words of the admiral with care, only lightly ever touching his coffee and not even drinking it, just lightly pressing it on his lips and simulating like he was drinking it.

Locke’s words of opening up civilian election took Lopez by surprise, he didn’t expect an announcement like that, part of him saw sense in it but the other part didn’t. Why open elections? Why now? They haven’t even confirmed of any habitable planets, couldn’t they wait until then? It could be chaotic, it could lead to many problems. They’ve been able to keep things relatively mellow thanks to the non bureaucratic military rule, sure it wasn’t perfect but what was? Surely not some civilians making up rules they themselves don’t understand. Still, Lopez showed control as the Admiral kept talking, but within himself he had many doubts with these new plans.

The Admiral slid a datapad to Lopez, he picked it up with his armored hands and skimmed through all the details and graphics of the pad, still listening to the words of the Admiral. At least the military would be in control OF THE MILITARY, not some stuck up civ Fed or Conglomerate who would surely get them all killed in less than a week. But there was still so many thin layers, and so many eyebrow raisers for Lopez, still he couldn’t protest, at least not outloud. He respected Locke and respected the fact that new changes would come, still that didn’t mean he had to like it one bit at all.

Then it came to the situation with one of the lieutenants, Lowry, he had been apprehended by security. This was a bit of a shocker for Lopez, much more than the previous news. He had not been informed at all of it until now and he didn’t know what the crime was, had this been anyone else he would’ve stumped his fist on the table and demand an explanation but his better judgment dictated else when realizing who he was talking with.

“I understand sir. I’ll make sure of it, but like you said, he will face military justice. Anything else you’d like to tell me?” Lopez asked, some roughness in his voice this time.

---

Lieutenant Julian Harrison

Harrison's impression of Cavill's unit had turned from neutral to feeling somewhat disappointed, he had been present since the simulation had started, wearing the same outfit as everyone in the unit but casually walking about. At times the blue rays of energy from the opposing force would go right through him, unharmed by it. It was like he was an omnipotent being who saw it all and felt none of it. He himself had been in these simulations in actual leader roles, he hand't earned the trust of the commander just because. He knew these were difficult, but they were nothing like real war, the real thing.

Harrison looked towards the soldier who had been shot, bleeding like if the wound was real and he probably felt it too. It wasn't pretty, but the simulation on the level they were in was programmed to run every single aspect of battle like it was real, no matter how gruesome. Of course the pain received by anyone getting a hit was probably nothing like actually getting shot, but it was close, damn close.

Harrison looked towards Cavill, frustration in her expression as he single words were "Fuck." Harrison could relate to that feeling.

No Turning Back - Surving the Abyss

Matthew Lopez

---

"Yes, Sir." Was the response given by the master sergeant, the Captain gave a brief smirk at the response, the tone of over confidence and resilience made him raise his eyebrows as he looked at Harrison for a bit. His look bode the attitude of a man that could only be impressed by action rather than face value words.

"Very well Master Sergeant, your unit is next on training dome 3. The level of realism of the simulation will be on maximum and I expect to witness only the best. Effectiveness, conduct, and courage." Matthew kept an expressionless face as he spoke each word, expecting the same from each and every one of the people in front of him, Cavill and Harrison included.

A man that had lived twice the years as many of the soldiers present Matthew had no time to concern himself with what nationalities was who and who had done what to anybody else, throughout his time as commander of the contingent he had made sure to go down on anyone that would dare risk unit cohesion over some nationalistic pretexts. Even his fellow Martians were not immune to the Captain's harsh attitude towards anything that would harm the contingent's ability to effective and coordinately fight, anyone that spew bullshit or looked down upon anyone for any reason was personally punished by Matthew, again humanity had no time for that. He himself didn't trust Feds or Conglomerates, but he knew that it didn't matter and all of them had to keep their eyes forwards as a single people, of course deep within Matthew was glad it was mostly Martians running the show over bureaucratic Feds or corrupt Conglomerates, of the lawless Fleeters. But he didn't dwell on any of those thoughts, he had an army to command.

"So I expect everyone here to put the best and work effectively as a unit. Unit cohesion is important ladies and gentlemen, without coordination a unit cannot expect to succeed in the simulation, much less so in the field. Master sergeant, I expect only the best." With that, the Captain dismissed the men and women in front of him, proceeding to go up the stairs to the platform. Harrison followed, letting him know of recent news.

"Sir, Admiral Locke is waiting up on the COQ, it's an urgent meeting sir." Harrison kept walking behind Lopez.

"Yes Lieutenant I'm aware." The Captain stopped abruptly on his path, turning to face the young lieutenant.

"Oversee the simulation, record it and send it to me when it's done. Also, I want you to be present inside the dome when the simulation is on, use the observer mode to more effectively see what they do, this is am Away Mission Scenario, so I want them to know the proper procedures. I need to get going, lieutenant, dismissed." With that the Captain gave a brief salute and made his way up the stairs to the elevator, leaving Harrison to keep tabs on Cavill's unit. The lieutenant seemed confused and bewildered for a few seconds, but he quickly got on to doing what the Captain expected of him.

The lieutenant made his way back down to the main deck of the complex and followed behind towards Cavill's unit, catching up the master sergeant.

"Get your men ready sergeant, you're up on Training Dome 3." With that, Harrison made his way to the observation deck next to the dome, he would join the Unit in the simulation soon.

---

Matthew was on his way to Locke's office, as the elevator moved up he could see the hub area from above, his expression the same monotone one as before. Thousands of people going about their business, trying to live life normally, as if anyone could say what was normal and what wasn't anymore. As he kept looking through the glass that covered the elevator the lens flares of the moving elevator combine with the shinning lights above the hub made him feel dizzy, uneven and afflicted. Then he began to remember, remember the sounds of war and the screams from that dreadful day, the smoke pilling in his cockpit as he thought they had lost the battle and he would die in the cold vacuum of space.

Closing his eyes shut in panic, Matthew turned away from the glass, standing right on the middle of the elevator trying to think things through, clear his mind which was an ocean filled with memories of pain and worried thoughts that only made him more and more anxious and tense. His neck stretched with a feeling of unbearable stress. It was hard to breath, he took one deep inhale and exhale trying to ease off the pain in his chest.

He moved off from the middle of the elevator again near the window, pressing himself against the hard glass trying to calm himself. Breathing faster and looking down on the floor trying to calm himself, he began to try and divert his thoughts from the memories of war to the ones of past times with his son, parties and barbecues on Sundays, it made him ease his chest pain as he began to catch his breath to normality. The attacks were getting worse as time went by.

Soon the elevator stopped at the bridge, the entire placed filled with activity as dozens of men and women attended to terminals, controls and screens. All of them made sure the Vitae functioned well and directed it towards unknown places that could hopefully serve as Humanity's home.

Matthew entered the bridge and quickly began making his way towards Locke's office, following through the big hallways leading to the closed door, Peter, Locke's aide, was out on his desk right outside the room. Matthew simply gave a nod and waited for the door to open as it did Peter then said.

"Admiral Locke, Lopez is here."

No Turning Back - Surving the Abyss

@13org

Oof you can't even imagine

No Turning Back - Surving the Abyss

Matthew Lopez

---

The day was like any usual one, with all platoon lieutenants and master sergeants waking up their units, many already marching towards the training complex. The military head quarters of the Vitae were quite impressive, sizable and professional enough that Matthew eve felt at home at times, Martian tech offered nothing but the best after all. As the captain walked through the hallways of the military complex several rows of soldiers passed by him, chanting the usual morning song as they saluted their commander with respect. Matthew liked to keep discipline even with ranks, at the beginning years there had been some issues with Fed soldiers who were not very keen on saluting a Martian, but Matthew had made his command clear since then. Personally confronting anyone that questioned his command or Locke's for that matter, there would be no insubordination in this vessel, no matter what nation any soldier came from. Most soldiers already knew Lopez was of a take no bullshit mentality and though it was clear some resented him most kept the same level of respect expected in any regular military force.

For his part, Matthew respected each soldier according to their abilities. He personally had good ties with Harrison, sure he could come off a bit soft, but he was of a much more even mannerism and most soldiers would follow him under command of Lopez, and Locke by extension. Still, it was clear to Lopez that five years inside a ship floating through space ever so infinite could take a toll on anyone, including himself. He was not surprised that there was a clear lack of morale, he couldn't blame the men and women serving in the Vitae to feel frustrated after so long drifting aimlessly in the emptiness of space, even with away missions to planets it was hard to keep all soldiers on a day to day active basis other than training, marching, patrolling, sleeping, repeat. They all still had leave time, but still years with the same casino, hub, and overall the same monotone environment was bound to get tiresome on anybody despite the convictions they might posses. At least it was better than fighting... them. In some away missions the teams had encountered hostile creatures, but that compared nothing to what was out there, hunting them, wanting their complete destruction, even Matt shivered at the thought.

Matthew came back from his dozing off as he arrived to the training complex, a massive room with several dome like structures, each structure was a modular combat and environment simulation system. Once going into one of these domes, a very real simulation would commence, either planetary surface combat, away exploration, or even space operations such as raiding an enemy ship or rescue operations. The MCESS were formidable for training any military force, though a bit ironic given that Lopez would prefer training that was more hands on and less of a video game, but Harrison had been able to convince him that this was the next best thing rather than putting the men and women that were supposed to protect the Vitae in active danger. Matthew could see the sense in that, at least in these domes his soldiers could still have the exercise and preparedness for battle they needed.

Matthew entered the Training Complex, revealing himself up on the platform overlooking the domes, several units and teams were already on deck, either awaiting their turn in their domes or doing the obstacle course that surrounded the four massive domes.

The captain smirked a bit, it seemed like old times back on Mars. The blue somewhat greenish sky and the combination of green formatted earth with red rock were the only things absent. The captain made his ways down the stairs leading down on deck, lieutenant Harrison was already present, soldiers formed up near him.

"ATTENTION! CAPTAIN ON DECK!" Harrison said out loud as Lopez stood in front of the row of soldier who quickly straightened and the sound of their feet hitting the floor all together was indicative of their discipline as Marines of the Vitae.

"At ease people." Lopez said, subsequently the soldiers went into a more relaxed mannerism.

"Who's in command of this team lieutenant?" Lopez asked Harrison, who was standing right besides him, fully armored already, same for all the soldiers.

"That would be Master Sergeant Riley Cavill, sir." Harrison answered.

"They seem like a well kept unit. Best you could find, right?" Lopez added.

Harrison made a bit of a smile, "Yes sir. Cavill and her team have been scoring high on the latest simulations. I think her team would be adequate for any operation that is incoming sir."

"That is for me to judge lieutenant." Lopez said with a strong and firm voice, he then called for the master sergeant herself.

"Master Sergeant Cavill. Do you believe in your team's ability to perform in potentially hazardous or hostile environment at the best of their abilities?" The captain waited for an answer, looking directly at the sergeant.

No Turning Back - Surving the Abyss

@Rawk
Oi thank you :3

No Turning Back - Surving the Abyss

Another Day

---

It was dark, very dark, an empty void with nothing for the eye to see. The emptiness made his body shiver with a cold feeling in his back, Matthew didn't know where he was, he never did. He looked around for a few seconds, circling around like a maniac in a locked room trying to find his way out. Nothing still, just darkness that covered his vision to the point that he couldn't even see his own body. Then a figure down in the distance, a light shinning up above the figure making it some sort of silhouette.

Matthew approached the silhouette with caution, who was it, or what was it? He began to hustle up as he began to get closer to the silhouette he could make out a female figure. He finally got to it, with tiresome eyes and losing his breath he approached the figure.

As he got closer to it, he could see the familiar face of a women. It was hard to tell as the light was over the shadow, the figure was still much of a silhouette that he could barely make out.

"Matthew, my love." She said.

Matthew was taken aback by the voice of Crystal. The women he had loved for years, she was there in front of him and he didn't know what to do.

Raising his hand to touch her face, Matthew said "C-Crystal..."

Then as he touched her face, he could feel her skin wasn't the soft and smooth canopy he knew, in fact it felt rough. It had a harsh but also delicate feel, like sand. He pressed his hand on her cheek, taking out a massive chunk of ash. Crystal's figure began to fall apart into ash, down on the floor making a mound. Matthew was completely aghast by this, with tears in his eyes as he crumbled on the floor and tried to gather the ashes like if he could do anything with them, a strong wind then took them away from him and his hands.

"Why didn't you come back?" A voice said.

"Why did you leave?" Another one said.

"You promised to fight with us!" One angered voice yelled.

Matthew began to run away from the shinning light on the sky, as the voices grew in intensity and loudness that he couldn't make out what they were saying. He tried to cover his ears but it was as if they pierced right through them.

"YOU LEFT US TO DIE!"

"YOU'RE A COWARD!"

"COWARD"

"WE TRUSTED YOU!"

"TRUSTED YOU!"

"YOU WERE SUPPOSED TO FIGHT WITH US!"

"FIGHT WITH US!"

"WHY DID YOU RUN AWAY!"

"WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY, WHY,"

Matthew then screamed, he let out a scream of pain as he felt his head getting crushed by the noise, so many voices that he heard, all well too familiar.

"STOP!!!" He pleaded.

Then he opened his eyes, rising from bed with sweat covering his face and bloodshot eyes. His breath was uncontrollable as he looked around his bed and around the room, it was nothing but the same room he had been sleeping on for the past 5 years. He looked out the window into the multicolored vacuum of space, a sight to behold indeed, if it wasn't the same fucking sight for 5 years straight. Matthew rubbed his face as he went over to the bathroom. The nightmares were getting progressively worse, but this one was different, it felt real, maybe too real. He didn't know what to make of them at all.

The light turned on automatically and heading to the mirror, same face as always, he was still him like always and that reassured him on some level, he didn't know why. First thing he did was wash his face, undress and jump into the cold shower. Stepping out of the shower, Matthew noticed it was 4:30 AM lights on was about to begin in half an hour for the rest of the contingent. He was right on time as he dressed up in his uniform.

As he readied himself for the day, the Captain called out the AI of the ship. As much as he disliked the thing it had it's little perks.

"Noah." He said.

The hologram of the AI appeared at the middle of the room "Yes Captain Lopez?"

"Call Harrison." Matthew requested as he walked right through the hologram up to his drawers.

"Of course sir. Requesting Lieutenant Harrison. Anything else sir?" Noah said.

"Leave." Was the only thing the Martian said.

"Of course sir. I hope you have a fantastic day." The hologram disappeared and then the voice of Harrison was connected to the intercom of the room.

"Yes sir?" the lieutenant asked. He was always a quick to answer, dependent for whatever one asked him. A good assistant to have, and Martian like Matthew, he wouldn't trust anyone from any nation with being his right hand man. That's why he could relatively tolerate being in the Ark for so many years. The military was what he was used to and the men who were his commanders and fellow soldiers were of his planet. It was better that way, Feds would've killed them with bureaucracy and the Cons would most likely had tried to make the ship a moving company in space. The Fleeters were not so bad, but they were still a nuisance from time to time. Martians understood how this whole thing had to be, how to keep order while out here looking for a new home. It may seem harsh but it's a necessity and to fuck around is not an option at all. That's what many don't understand.

"Make sure the Companies are ready for a new exercise. Also make sure the patrols at the Hangar and the armories are properly relieved by 0600 hours. Locke wants me to ready an Operations team, probably an away mission coming up soon or just another joint exercise with Ark Sec. Either way I want a team ready for tomorrow." The Captain finished up getting ready.

"Yes Captain. I'll make sure its all ready sir." Harrison answered over the line.

"Hopefully today goes without a hitch, I'm getting really fucking tired of the recent protests calling for 'Elections'. Yeah, my ass, they want elections like we're some sort of nation state, inside a ship in the middle of space. Uhummm, I know that shit Drobov has something to do with it, always yapping about the little man and shit." Matthew was ready to head out the door.

"Yeah, I've seen that during leave. Protest and calls for elections, I don't really care about politics. I never did, but I feel like what we have is working. I don't get the the fuzz." Harrison answered.

"Me neither... well I'll get to you in a moment lieutenant. Gotta get off now." Matthew opened the door out of his quarters.

"Yes sir."

"Call Ended." The voice of Noah said as Matthew closed the door behind him into the large hall of the Officer's quarters, his room at the very end of the large hallway. He was ready for another day of routine.

No Turning Back - Surving the Abyss

@Fuzzybootz

discord.gg/FT4tJw