interest check & test drive #001.

[nebulamods]

welcome to nebula station. At some point approximately three to four months ago in your recent past, you were approached by a recruiter for Galactic Exploration, offering a paid position aboard the Nebula Station for a one-year minimum term after successful completion of a short training program. For a reason known only to you, you accepted this offer. Perhaps you were short on cash. Perhaps you were manipulated into it — did the recruiter know about your seventeen unpaid parking tickets, or the interplanetary bounty on your head, or the fact that your ex-spouse is hounding you for alimony that you decidedly don't want to pay? Regardless of the reason, your acceptance of the offer, enrollment in training, and subsequent successful completion has led you here: to a transport shuttle, and to your new life. After a flight of unknown length, you wake to the sounds of people moving around you, the familiar rustling of hands against fabric as your fellow travelers begin to jostle their bags and straighten their clothes after a long flight. Even in space, the urge to be the first one off the plane is still alive and well, and many people are clearly anxious to get moving. As if on cue, a polite, almost cheerful three-tone chime can be heard through the speakers in the wall and above each passenger. "Welcome," the voice that follows intones, all warm vowels and the kind of enthusiasm that can only be paid for, "to Nebula Station. We're glad you're here, and we look forward to helping you get settled. Please take a moment to gather your personal belongings, and when the captain gives the all-clear, head out in an orderly fashion to the gangway, where a member of our senior staff will be glad to welcome you to your new home-away-from-home."

getting settled. Upon first entry to the Station, you'll be greeted by a small group of bright-eyed, wide smiling crew members. These are Circle members — veterans aboard the Nebula Station who've opted to continue on for longer than their initial one-year commitment. They can be easily identified by the faintly glowing purple circle pinned onto their uniforms. Circle members have one primary job today: to activate crew IDs and issue welcome materials, within which you'll find a wide range of pertinent information. Of course, being that the Station is in space and supplies are limited, these materials come in a decidedly modern flavor. First: your ID. Less issuing and more activating, the Circle member assisting you will ask for you to roll up your right sleeve. Why? Because there, in a small purple square on your forearm, is your ID code. Much like a modern-day QR code, the randomized pattern of squares and shading identifies you to any appliance, door, or other feature of the Nebula Station as an active crew member. It also identifies you as someone with (or without) clearance to enter certain areas, such as your own bunk, the captains' quarters, or the brig. The code is a semi-permanent tattoo, intended to last three months' time, after which point you'll be issued a new one by ship medical staff. Please don't try to wash it off. Your arrival guide — along with your housing assignment, working schedule, and any other noteworthy pieces of information — can be found in your Galactic Exploration-issued tablet. Approximately 20 cms by 13 cms of aluminum alloy and hologlass, the tablet is admittedly not the most exciting thing to hold. However, it is extremely useful — and extremely pricey to replace. So don't lose it! Or break it! ("Or spill coffee on it," one Circle member might guiltily add. Odds are good it's happened before.) Once you've received your tablet, you're free to roam the ship. There's a lot to see ... where will you go? ◆ The Housing Bay is a popular first-stop for many new arrivals. As many new faces come in alone and without any connections aboard, it's Nebula tradition for new arrivals to be assigned an empty bunk in one of the Quad Rooms aboard. Like the name suggests, these rooms feature two full-size bunk beds and a small closet space per person, offering adequate sleeping space for four people ... but not much else. You might want to introduce yourself to your new roommates, or at the very least, you might want to claim your bunk. Not feeling the shared spaces vibe? There are a limited number of single, double, and triple rooms available aboard the Nebula, and if you're particularly charming, you might be able to convince the Circle staff to help you change your assignment! ◆ Not in the mood to catch any more Z's? That's okay! The Mess Hall is available for you any time of day, with a wide variety of dining options on-hand to suit your needs. There aren't any chefs, and no one will be around to bus your table, but you'll probably find you don't need them... much. • For those that prefer an easy approach, consider the replicators on the eastern wall of the hall! These can recreate (to... mostly successful ends) any food or drink you can think of. It might not be exactly what you had in mind, but is McDonald's coffee really that different from some single origin Nicaraguan dark roast? Probably not... right? • For those that like to get their hands dirty, the western wall features a small number of system kitchens, where adventurous chefs or the very bored can whip up dishes to their hearts' content. Just like your own personal episode of Chopped, there are both fridges and pantry shelves available with staple ingredients, as well as some strange intergalactic flavors to experiment with, but anything specific might require you to try your luck with the replicators. Have fun! Try not to catch anything on fire! ◆ In the mood for something a little more adventurous? No problem. There's always the Holodeck. Here, you can try your hands at a variety of programmed entertainment. Need to brush up on your skills? Try VR combat training, with options to practice in your choice of atmosphere and gravitational pull, or a more traditional shooting range with an AI coach to provide feedback after each shot. Looking for escape, not effort? Consider a fully-immersive holo travel session, with destinations from Alcatraz to Zulu available to visit for as long as you'd like to stay. The smallest holodeck stations can be utilized by solo visitors, with larger conference room-style stations available for groups up to 10.

first mission. Getting settled — and getting acquainted — is only the beginning. By the beginning of your second week aboard the Nebula, you'll begin to notice the atmosphere (figuratively speaking; the air's still perfectly breathable) begin to shift. No longer in welcome mode, the staff is instead resuming preparations for the next Station Mission. As a neutral party in galactic politics, the Exploration's various ships and manned stations can be hired for a wide variety of purposes. Some are admittedly fairly monotonous or even boring — requests from distant ruling bodies to collect materials and supplies from their satellite planets or to deliver goods to colonies on the far end of an asteroid belt, for example. Others are exciting, but unfortunately poorly paying — such as a request from a well-known galactic events planner for warm bodies to fill up their next big outdoor festival, where having fun is part of the job but a paycheck might not be. And then there are the morally grey jobs, the ones that seem almost too straightforward upon first glance. The one coming up is a perfect example: a request from a small, but fairly well-off planet to provide hired security for a local mining organization. While not all aboard the Nebula are required to participate in a Station Mission, the main station will be docked in orbit above planet for as long as it takes to complete (or completely fail) the job. Those that volunteer to take part are promised to be paid handsomely for their time and attention. Mission Debrief: ◆ According to the ruling body, a band of guerrilla fighters from a recently independent former colony has arrived within the last few weeks, and their presence has created conflict that makes many of the workers feel unsafe traveling to their posts. While the local police force and government representatives have tried to resolve the situation, it has only led to increasing violence and bloodshed against the planet's own citizens. It's an unfortunate reality that the guerrilla fighters will need to be escorted off-planet — and while the ruling body certainly hopes this can be done without bloodshed, they've offered full immunity for any unfortunate fallout. ◆ But is it that straightforward? Can it be? It won't take any prospective attendees long to research the political atmosphere of the planet — or to discover that the mining organization and its employees are often rumored to be a polite front for a history of enslavement, with everyone from political prisoners to captured enemy forces and even debtors and petty criminals put to work in dangerous conditions. The recent independence of the local colony can be researched too, and those that choose to look into it will find evidence of a battle-weary but determined group that fought tooth and nail to evict unjust slaveowners from their homes. ◆ Those that opt to head down to the surface will have a few choices. Do you obey the request of your employer, the local government, despite the rumors and evidence that might paint them in an unjust light? Do you disobey it entirely, choosing to lend your body and mind to the guerilla forces fighting back against enslavement and cruelty? Or do you opt for something else altogether, a truly neutral third party simply taking advantage of the conflict for your own personal gain? Officially speaking, the Exploration only recognizes actions taken as authorized by the mission brief, but so long as you can find your way back to the shuttle at the end of it all, no one's likely to be any the wiser...

nebula network. Is there Facebook in space? Tinder? Instagram? Likely not, given the wide variety of species and cultures to be found amidst the stars, but where there is man (or humanoid creatures), there's communication. Aboard the Nebula, that communication can be found via the shipnet, or the local network. You'll have the opportunity to select a username of your choice — anything from @apple to @zenon.the.zequel is welcome. Just keep in mind you won't be able to change it without approval from a Station Master, so try to pick something at least somewhat understandable! As for content? The starry sky's the limit! Text, still picture, video, and audio are all supported.

notes & information Zetus Lapetus, y'all! Welcome to our interest check and tentative first test drive. As you'll probably notice if you opt to navigate your way around this comm or the posting journal, this is very much a work in progress. As such, everything is very much in a state of flux — so we're open to your questions, suggestions, comments, concerns, generalized thoughts, and everything else you might want to share with us! We've got a top level below for questions, and we absolutely look forward to answering them for you. If the answer we give doesn't jive with you, let's talk about it! Come back with alternatives, and who knows, we might take you up on them.

Comments

1/2

[semicharmed]

haha, you got a deal 😊

Hi Janus. I'm Matt, nice to be paying off my student loans with you.

2/2

[semicharmed]

That's the name of a god on my planet--Janus. Of doorways, beginnings, time.

[goons]

[From the looks of it, Cloud doesn't appear to have any inclination of leaving, and as much as he'd like to throw the guy out of the room right now he doesn't have it in him to stir up trouble when he's only just gotten aboard. Shinra is his only alternative to this, and he can't go back.]

Among other things. Like I said before, sometimes I have to do bad things.

[He sighs, loosing his tie and unbuttoning his shirt as he pulls it out of his slacks. It was such a hassle that he's unsure why he's even bothering to clear his name when Cloud wasn't going to trust him anyway. Eventually he pulls his arm out of one sleeve to show him the temporary marking that gave him access to the room and uses it to lock the door. Additional proof that the ex-SOLDIER doesn't deserve.]

I don't have anything for you to take. Just the clothes on my back, and they're a little tall for you.

[wingsofhonor]

[ Angeal gives Cloud a look of approval once he falls into a more relaxed pace. The last thing they want is to tip-off anyone on the surface. There's no doubt that the guerrilla fighters will be expecting the government to take action against them sooner than later. They'll be on the lookout for anyone who's remotely suspicious looking down there. ]

Not much but there are a few rumors going around about this mining colony being a hotbed for human trafficking.

[ He comments as they make their way towards the shuttles. They'll have to keep the conversation to a minimum since they're not the only ones thinking of paying the surface a visit. There are other operatives planning on heading down there after all. ]

Of course, this is just a rumor at best.

[collimation]

oh yeah?

[ he... has actually not heard that. ]

maybe my parents had bigger hopes for me than what happened.
which planet you from?

[ pause ]

and like which solar system.

action

[goons]

[Don't keep him waiting? Just who in the world did that guy think he was?

Rude shrugs off the message, not unused to that sort of bluntness considering his job and the partners he's had in the past. Once he arrived at their arranged meeting place, he couldn't be sure which of the people preparing to train was his guy. He hadn't stopped wearing his signature Turks look so his black suit, tie, gloves dress shoes, and shades glasses were soundly in place as he approaches Angeal to ask if he's the one that agreed to meet.

Unfortunately he's able to get a good look at his face and it triggers his memories. They hadn't officially met, but he's seen files about the man. He was a SOLDIER and maybe sparring with him wasn't going to be the best option. Hopefully it was someone else he was looking for, but for now he can make small talk with a former Shinra associate.]

I thought I left Shinra behind me, but there are two too many SOLDIERS on this ship.

[evolved_not_extinct]

Viashino are my folk! We descend from dragons, but the cobble roaches call us dinosaurs. I like to think I'm a few steps above a slavering beast... outside of the bedroom, at any rate.

[The briefest sweep of claws through the feathers. Very cocky.]

What would you be then, friend Izzy, if not kindred scalefolk?

[chimermaid]

Yes I know. I've seen that protective gear, too. I'm well aware. But wouldn't you rather be able to survive in space without it?

Though it definitely sounds like some serious overhauls may be in order. Perhaps some sort of carapace.

A

[evolved_not_extinct]

[Dreadful. They demanded such specifics, and he was already frustrated with the computer asking him to pick one of over 400 types of sharks. How was he supposed to know damn near everything to make the stupid thing work?

He did, however, have a workaround.]

The names of meals work, too, Doctor. Ask for hasperat. It is very tasty.

[lizardtits]

[Red flag. Red flag. R e d f l a g!]

I think I would prefer something I can take off when not in space. A big carapace would really limit mobility, I'd think.

[chimermaid]

Good point. Whatever we do, it shouldn't interfere with one's ability to live inside the station.

Just as well. I was never fond of carapaces. They're always such a

brutish solution.

[chimermaid]

If there's a name for a serving of fresh, live snails, then I've yet to learn it.

[Another thoughtful crunch or two as she ruminated. The corners of her mouth turned down slightly.]

...not that these do particularly well in passing for 'live'. I can't imagine you would be too satisfied with anything this could make.

[evolved_not_extinct]

It's like someone is in another room calling out, "fatback of boar!"

So all I say is I'll be glad for this place to settle on a planet with something I can hunt. I'm not sure I like simply being fed by a machine.

[chimermaid]

[Ping. The machine picks up on his 'request' and spits out a rather sad-looking mass that looks more like dyed tofu than roasted meat.

At least the snails aren't that terrible.]

...So I see. Have you found anything that this machine can make well?

[evolved_not_extinct]

[Oh what the flying fuck was that gob? Durant, perhaps foolishly rather than for a moment of hope, decided to snatch a piece of it and toss it into his mouth. He chewed, paused, chewed again... his feathers fanned out briefly as he swallowed.]

...Not this, clearly. The drinks are decent, at least. All they need to do is make alcohol, and any fool can make that.

un: medicalmodifier

[chimermaid]

Untrustworthy? I'd thought the illusions were its stated purpose.

But from what I gather, it's advertised as some sort of recreational activity.

Re: QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS

[forthespiders]

What sort of currency is available and how much do people start with? -:;)

[wingsofhonor]

[ Angeal glances up the second he hears someone approaching only to be met with a blast from the past. His eyes narrow the second he lays eyes on the Turk, those bright blue eyes narrowing in contempt. For three whole months, Angeal managed to avoid Shinra and their goons only to accidentally screw up in the end and invite one of the fucking Turks to a spar. A disgruntle scoff escapes Angeal as he glares at the bald-headed turk with a look of pure disgust. ]

Shit. [ The ex-SOLDIER sighs as he pushes off the wall. ] Here I thought I was finally free of you bastards.

[ Despite still having a bone to pick with Shinra, he doesn't immediately go for the kill. Instead, the former soldier circles around his opponent like a hawk stalking its prey. ]

I should've known my luck would run out sooner than later.

Muffet | Undertale

[forthespiders]

A. The Spider's Nest - Housing Bay

[Though should someone be unlucky enough to be assigned a room with the spider lady would find one of the top bunks unusually darkened. Long stretchy cobwebs appear to have entirely blanketed one corner and dangles perilously close to the bunk below. The quiet is broken by the shuffling of a figure creeping within the dark, the light catching the glisten of sharp protruding fangs and multiple glistening eyes.

[In a quick turn of of her wrist a quaint purple lamp is flicked on with a faint purple light. Her bunk, now illuminated, appears to be in an antiquated style with many French flourishes. Scuttling about one side of her bed a team of spiders appear busy working on a quilt while the larger of them hangs the lantern in the corner above a very nice throw-pillow. In her mind, just because the accommodations were spartan did not mean that the people had to live like cave men.]

[Should an eye catch someone's presence she would address them while daintily sipping from one of her many cups of tea.] Oh, I do hope the light did not disturb you, dearie, the ambiance in this place was simply dreadful. But perhaps you would forgive me over a nice spot of tea?

B. Opening Day(?) -- System Kitchens

[If there was one thing that Muffet knew that the people wanted, it was food. Oh sure, you could go to the replicators for a variety of ready-made meals but where was the LOVE? Where was the SOUL? She had made a point to immediately be directed to the nearest kitchens and was star-struck by the variety of utensils, tools, and other resources that were available to everyone? Well, her, now.]

[The guide was befuddled when the offer to explore other parts of the station was politely rebuffed. Slamming her storage crate in one corner, Muffet opened it up and a swarm of spiders began marching out. They, too, were in awe of the new equipment.]

[Muffet smiled as she clapped her hands, immediately getting their attention. With a self-satisfied smile, she looked over the team who had assembled on one of the cutting boards.] Okay dearies! It is time to set up shop!! [There was a collective cheer as the spiders began to take out a host of their own tools and began to sift, stir, pour, and knead a host of batter and dough. Muffet for her part, was practically twirling as she moved from the cutting board, to the pantry, to the mixers, to the ovens. It isn't long before she has assembled a myriad of pastries, pies, cakes, cookies, croissants, donuts, muffins, and even a variety of non-baked things such as quiche, spaghetti, and soup!]

Welcome everyone to Boulangerie d'Araignée! As today is the opening day, everything will be discounted! Please have your credits ready and be prepared to the premier in intergalactic spider cuisine! All proceeds go towards interstellar spider exploration and settlement!

C. Spider's Web -- un:muffet.boulangeriedaraignee

It has come to our attention that the replicators have a tendency to backfire and create gastronomic monstrosities that have put several attendants in the medical bay.
Do you really want to risk food that materialized from who-knows-where?
Come visit Boulangerie d'Araignée, where we put our soul within ever meal!
Mention this add and get a free discount on your next spider cookie!
Boulangerie d'Araignée! Taste the difference! -::)

[chimermaid]

...or perhaps it's the opposite. It struggles with ingredients, not preparation...

[Durant knew that look she was starting to give to the food replicator. It had just become a puzzle to be solved...]

...Grenadine, creme de menthe, cherry cordial, orange spirits, botanical liqueur, and brandy, served layered in a tall glass.

[Ping. A perfectly-layered concoction formed in the replicator, which the doctor regarded with a studious- perhaps even somewhat impressed- eye.]

...Fascinating. Considerations on ingredient quality notwithstanding, even the best bartenders would struggle in making something like this.

[evolved_not_extinct]

[That was. A lot of words. And the machine made a rainbow!]

The Izzets would piss themselves to get their hands on technology such as this.

[He picked up smells of cherry, mint, and orange. The brandy was there, too. That... was not a lot of good smells to mix together.]

You can't drink this. It smells like death.

1/3

[chimermaid]

You can. Just not all at once; you sip one layer at a time, each progressively denser and sweeter.

[In demonstration, she tipped it to her lips, beginning at the top, going from the brandy to the botanical liqueur...]

2/3

[chimermaid]

[...and, grimacing, slowly tipped the cup back down, setting it back in the replicator to be dismantled with the push of a button.]

...even if the ingredients were better, I can't imagine why anyone would drink something like that.

3/3

[chimermaid]

But it gives us a start. This machine can make food with the utmost finesse, albeit with... very mediocre ingredient quality.

Do you know any dishes that use preparation to mask poor ingredients?

mess!

[forthespiders]

[As Muffet has made the kitchen her place, she is keenly aware of the comings and goings of other folks who are coming to this area.]

[She is also very distrustful of the replicator -- but more as competition than for any real distrust of technology. That and the boy's caution means that a potential sale may be on the horizon!]

That is a fascinating color! But... ah, is that how it is supposed to come out, dearie?