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Futuristic Forsaken: The Neutral Zone

Intro
  • Infab

    The Demon Fanatic
    Roleplay Availability
    I am not looking for any roleplays currently.
    Roleplay Type(s)
    1. Group
    2. Dice
    Hey, you. You might want to wake up now. You don't have much time.

    Your eyes flutter open, revealing a mostly blurred view of your surroundings. A few more blinks helped to clear your vision, and would allow you to see that you were inside someone's small personal quarters. You were laying on your side on the floor, just at the foot of a wall mounted sink. You could hear a series of loud clangs nearby. Metal smacking hard against metal. Someone was beating on the door to the room you were in, and from the sound of things, they weren't happy.

    Get up. Carefully. You took a nasty blow to the head. You did what you could to fix the damage, like I instructed, but passed out afterwards. You have some temporary memory loss, but you should be good for now while things heal.

    You roll over onto your back, your hand reaching up to clutch the side of your head. A dull, throbbing pain coursed through your skull. What hit you? A brick? You carefully look around, taking note of things about the cabin. A small cot, clad in green sheets which hung off the side haphazardly. A few shelves on the walls to your left above the cot, with various trinkets and personal items sitting on them. There was a blood trail leading away from you, across the metal floor to the narrow door. It was likely your own blood. A long, dull yellow fluorescent tube bulb was fitted to the ceiling, long past needing replacement. At least it was providing SOME light to the room. A small TV sat at the foot of the cot on an end table, atop a video cassette player. A single word sat on the black screen in the top left corner. 'STOP'. Whoever was here before you must have been watching a movie and simply paused it.

    You shake your head, before reaching up and grabbing onto the corner of the metal sink. With a tug, you pull yourself up to your feet. The water was running in the sink, which had blood stains and bits of gauze, threading, and a used needle. A bloody towel hung off the side of it, at risk of falling onto the floor. It seemed as though you did manage to fix your injury.

    You rub the side of your head, eventually finding a row of stitches along the back of your head. A job well done. Eventually, you force yourself to look into the mirror. There was enough light that you could see your reflection, though the mirror did need a little cleaning.


    Do you remember who you are? Where you're from?

    1. "My name is Scott."
    2. "My name is Felicia."


    A. "I'm from the planet Cordia, in the Commonwealth. I'm a technician." (Grants Technical/Electronics Skillset, Basic Weapons Knowledge)


    The Commonwealth of Free Worlds, commonly known as simply the Commonwealth, is a union of independent star systems and planets. Each features their own unique governments, ranging from democratic republics to corporate conglomerates to classical monarchies, but all share a common economic system: Capitalism. They also share a common goal: the spread of 'true freedom' and capitalism throughout the galaxy, and the downfall of both of its rival factions. The Commonwealth finds its governmental capital on the core world of Asoria, a garden world which most also consider among the wealthiest in the Commonwealth due to its ideal location and ownership of larger material production worlds nearby.

    B. "I'm from the planet Sieliv, in the Union. I'm an engineer." (Grants Mechanical Skillset, Basic Weapons Knowledge)


    The Union of Xistrovian Socialist Systems (known more commonly as the Union) is a collective of socialist star systems and worlds, which were formerly part of the Commonwealth until their rebellion over one millennia ago. Each world features a socialist government based off the governmental model of its ideological origin world, Xistrov, which instigated and lead the revolution against the Commonwealth. Collective goal is to achieve a communist utopia that spans the galaxy (and potentially the universe), and to free neighboring worlds from the clutches of the money hungry Commonwealth and tyrannical vice-grip of the Kamoran Imperium.

    C. "I'm from the planet Cozeron, in the Imperium. I'm a soldier." (Grants Survival Skillset, Advanced Weapons Knowledge)

    The Kamoran Imperium, known simply as the Imperium, is a vast interstellar empire comprised of several hundred systems and planets ruled from the core world of Kamora. Originally a more democratic government, the democracy slowly eroded over the years and shifted into an autocracy due to varying crises that appeared born from the Imperium's rapid expansion into space and the death of its true origin world (Etheron) from man-made destructive environmental changes. Eventually, a civil war would erupt and, after a devastating loss, result in the birth of the Commonwealth. The Imperium would see a major shift in rule after this major loss of territory and life, resulting in a more hardline approach to governance. The Imperial family would involve themselves more directly in the running of the empire, pushing to strengthen the unity of its people and direct them toward securing a brighter future for themselves and the empire as a whole in the face of a universe that 'sought their division and destruction'. The Imperium's goals are expansion and growth, self-improvement and unity using any means necessary, and to regain their lost territory (the Commonwealth and the Union.)

     
    Chapter One




  • - + - CHAPTER ONE: WAKING THE FALLEN - + -




    Thirteen days prior...

    ---

    December 14th, Year 734 of Galactic Era 4
    Lethe, Hades, Aidoneus System, The Neutral Zone
    Sub-Cavern Alpha of Auxiliary Tunnel 247B

    Research Facility 'Basilisk' (Classified Status)
    ---


    "Identification confirmed. Welcome to the the Basilisk facility, gentlemen." stated a feminine voice through the intercom, speaking to the group of black clad individuals inside the small white room. They had been sealed in, both bulkheads in front and behind them locked until their ID cards could be processed. A necessary precaution, especially as this facility wasn't supposed to exist. Neither was this cavern or tunnel, for that matter.

    "Finally." muttered one of the men, moving away from the wall he had propped against. He rested his hand on the stock of the rifle dangling from his torso, as he glanced to his superior nearby. "Hope this doesn't take too long."

    "...It won't. Just a short chat with the eggheads, then we escort the package out of here." responded his commander, without looking in his direction.

    "Nice. There's a chicken alfredo dinner with my name on it back on the Rickenbacker." responded the last of the three men in the room. A shotgun hung from his side, as he rubbed his hands together. He blew into them after a moment, then rubbed them rapidly together once more. "Is it always this cold down here?"

    "Supposedly. They did tell us to dress for the cold. You're the idiot that didn't listen." responded the one with the rifle, glancing in the direction of his comrade.

    Their commander suddenly spoke again. "Button it. We've got a job to do." he stated, soon turning around and kneeling down. He pulled his backpack off, unzipping it slightly and reaching inside. As he fiddled around with its contents, he gave an order to his subordinates. "Stack up on the door."

    The two soldiers moved into position, taking their weapons in hand and standing on either side of the large bulkhead door. The bulkhead made a hiss, preparing to open. "I'll do the talking. Just stand there and look like the soldiers you are." stated the commander again, as he finished with whatever was in his backpack. He zipped it closed, then slung the pack onto his back as he stood.

    He turned to face his subordinates, just as the bulkhead opened up. On the other side stood a woman with tanned skin, glasses, and short brown hair. She was clad in a white labcoat, with a simple blue dress shirt and black slacks beneath. She looked between the soldiers, then to the commander in the center.

    "You must be Commander Winters. I'm Doctor Esther Chapman, lead researcher here at the Basilisk Facility." she stated, as the three soldiers emerged from the room.

    Head Researcher.png Black Ops Lead.png

    "A pleasure, Dr. Chapman." stated Winters, "You know why we're here."

    "Of course. The people up top want our project moved to a new location. Away from the more nosey types in the colonies."

    "Yep. So, shall we get to it?"

    "Right this way." she said, motioning for the trio to follow. Winters' two subordinates glanced to one another, before following behind their commander as he walked after Chapman. It was a bit warmer in the facility than it was outside in the tunnels, thankfully. Central heating systems to keep the scientists inside comfortable as they worked.

    "So far, we've yet to identify exactly what this dormant creature is. It doesn't match any known lifeforms that humanity has encountered over the centuries, and its also proving difficult to study." said Chapman, as the four walked through the metal halls of the facility.

    "Why's that?" asked Winters.

    "Because if anyone human looks directly upon the creature, either in person or through various cameras or imaging systems... they develop immediate and irreversible psychosis."

    "So in other words, don't look at it."

    "Precisely. We'll have the synths on hand secure it in a containment unit, before we allow for you to transport it."

    They would pass by other scientists moving about, along with a few synths clad in jumpsuits. Workers, meant to do the jobs the human ones couldn't. Particularly useful in the realm of science and engineering.

    As they rounded a corner, entering what was marked on the steel tiled wall as the 'Observation Deck', Chapman spoke again. "We've decided to name the entity 'Hypnos'. Its only fitting, given the name of this moon, and the others moons and planets here in the system."

    "I'll never understand the deal with naming things after ancient mythological things." responded Winters, shaking his head.

    "Well, its easier on the brain and mouth than naming it, say, 'Entity #34752187-BRAVO', isn't it?" she responded, cutting Winters a look.

    "...You have a point." he muttered.

    The Observation Deck was, really, just a room full of large and bulky computer terminals. A few scientists were scattered around, looking at screens, imputing data via keyboard and datapad, or reading through the long strings of paper that were unfurling from some of the consoles. There were three large windows at the end of the room, overlooking the central chamber that held 'Hypnos' in its dormant state. They were blacked out, with large metal sheets pulled over them to prevent someone from peering down at it. It looked as though they were beginning to close up shop here.

    Chapman turned to Winters after a moment, before speaking once again. "We'll monitor the creature from here, while you, your friends, and the synths move it. Afterwards, we'll finish packing up and start shipping the equipment and relevant data to the new facility." she stated, folding her hands behind her.

    She then noticed Winters sigh, and raised an eyebrow. "What? What is it?" she asked, tilting her head slightly.

    "There's been a few changes." he responded. A moment later, he drew his pistol from his holster and leveled it at Chapman's head. "No one is leaving this facility. Not even the entity."

    As soon as the last word left his mouth, he pulled the trigger. There was a scream from elsewhere in the room, a scientist having saw Winters execute Chapman. The scream was quickly silenced by a burst of assault rifle fire, and soon enough, the rest of the scientists would follow Chapman's lead into death.

    Now...

    ---

    December 27th, Year 734 of Galactic Era 4
    Your Mind

    ---

    Do you often dream of home?


    "...Huh?"

    I asked if you often dream of home? You know, Sieliv. Back in the Union?

    Your eyes flutter open, and you find yourself sitting in the living room of your old colonial home on Sieliv. It was just as you had remembered it, from when you were a child. Tan and white wallpaper, an old brown couch and chair. A coffee table, with a few Union approved magazines laid out atop it. An old oval-shaped tan rug beneath you on the dark wood floor. A TV was on, across from the couch and chair, but only displayed white noise. Pictures of you and your family adorned the wall, along with a single poster related to the Union and patriotism.

    You are standing in the corner, looking over the room as if you had just entered it from the hallway to your left. As you glance down, you notice that you're dressed in normal clothing now. A red polo shirt, khaki pants, brown leather shoes. You were dressed almost like your dad used to, when he wasn't working. You look to your right, to the window as the voice gently continues.

    It seems like a beautiful place. Rolling plains, covered in golden wheat fields. Bright green trees. Quaint little colonial houses. A rugged people, mostly miners and farmers. All working together to further the goals of the Union, and their own lives. An idealic Union world, really.

    1. Yes

    "Yes." you say, "I do dream of it a lot." You're honestly homesick, wishing to return to the simpler life that Sieliv offered. It was a much better place than Lethe, especially right now.

    2. No

    "No, I don't." you bluntly say. You don't miss the place. You moved away for a reason. Too many bad memories of your childhood, and of your father. Being dressed like him disgusts you, especially with the way he acted to both your mother as well as you when he came in from the fields.

    3. Ignore

    Why would you humor this mysterious voice? Why did it choose this place of all things to conjure up? "Show yourself." you finally state aloud, "I'm already sick of this. If you're going to talk to me, do it."

     
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    Chapter Two






  • - + - CHAPTER TWO: A SIGNAL IN THE NOISE - + -




    Three days prior...

    ---

    December 24th, Year 734 of Galactic Era 4
    Lethe, Hades, Aidoneus System, The Neutral Zone
    Lethe's Surface

    Surface Level Communications Station 'Songbird'
    ---


    The massive communications dishes shifted slowly, turning and aligning themselves with the orbital station above. Most of them, anyway. Others were pointed towards the planet itself, or off into space. The dishes had been through their monthly cleaning, maintenance crews from the Conglomerate making sure that dust from the surface was thoroughly cleaned from the dishes as well as the smaller instruments around their base. The dust seemed to interfere with broadcasts, resulting in garbled transmissions or transmissions not going out at all. Sometimes, it even interfered with incoming transmissions.

    "Careful now. Even a few degrees off, and we're going to sending transmissions to some random ship out in the black instead of the station."

    The grizzled voice crackled through Kenneth's headset, forcing him to roll his eyes. He had done this dozens of times. This was a pretty regular thing, and near impossible to fuck up, given the PDA's they were given to plug into the dishes' systems.

    "Rick, this isn't some manual job. The tech does it for us." responded Kenneth, lifting the PDA up slightly and wiggling it around in his hand so that the elder technician could see from where he was standing. "Its been that way for the past two years."

    "I don't trust that corpo crap." was the response. "Computers can fuck up. Its why these things still have manual cranks on them."

    Kenneth chuckled, before glancing back down to the large PDA in his hands. The readings seemed to be correct, with a strong signal coming in from the orbital station above. "Alright. That's the Commonwealth dishes all aligned. Now, on to the Union dishes."

    Another voice crackled through the headset. A female one. "Can we just call it a day? The Union and Imperials can send their own out here." she said.

    Kenneth glanced over to his left towards the woman, whom had folded her arms as best she could in her protective space suit.

    "Do you want to cause an incident? They're all on edge already with the shit in the mines." he responded, "Besides, Brit, we know how to work this stuff. They don't."

    The woman visibly shrugged. "Still think they should do it. Its their dishes." she stated, before looking around. "What do you think, Leon? Should we fuck off and get some beers?"

    There was a few moments of silence, which made the woman look around more. "...Leon? You still out here?" she said, unfolding her arms and walking around.

    "Maybe he went back to the airlock. You know how he is about sticking around on the surface too long." stated Kenneth, looking back down at his PDA as he moved towards the Union dishes nearby.

    "The rover is still here."

    This made Kenneth glance up and around. Sure enough, she was right. The rover was still parked just where they had left it, and Leon was nowhere to be found. He stopped walking, and began to look around himself. "Leon? You still out here, buddy?"

    More silence.

    A minute later, Kenneth went to speak again. However, a loud pop interrupted him. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Brittney go down. She fell face first into the dirt, her suit hissing as oxygen was being visibly released through a hole which had been punched into the side of her suit's helmet. Two more pops followed, Kenneth snapping around quickly to see Rick fall into the dirt as well.

    Then, a soft voice came through the headset. Leon's voice. He sounded rattled, breathing heavily.

    "...I-I'm sorry about this, Kenny. The d-dishes have to be destroyed. No one c-can know."

    "L-Leon? Why are you doing this?"

    "T-They told me to. They... T-They said that w-we can't wake them up... W-We're not supposed t-to be here."

    "Leon, who's 'they'? Talk to me, buddy."

    "...I've a-already said t-too much."

    There was an audible click a moment later, transmitted through Leon's mic and into Kenneth's headset. A moment later, several massive blasts engulfed the area. Consuming both the dishes as well as Kenneth.

    Now...

    ---
    December 28th, Year 734 of Galactic Era 4
    Your Mind

    ---



    Most of the remainder of the day, after your arrival back at the Union colony, was spent on damage control. The debris from the orbital station's destruction had rained down onto Lethe's surface, striking several parts of the colony and causing significant damage. There was relatively little loss of life, but it had left parts of the colony on lockdown. A good quarter of the living quarters area was vented of its oxygen by a chunk of the station, forcing its occupants to be evacuated and made to live in the market district of the colony.

    You had assisted in dealing with some of the damage, helping to seal off affected areas and sometimes helping to mend the damage itself. Meanwhile, Reyna and Lola had helped to set up the radio equipment so that the Union would have some form of communications with the Commonwealth colony. Once the day was over, you retired to a room you had been granted to rest. Shuteye couldn't come fast enough, after the day you've had.

    However, as soon as you drift off to sleep, you find yourself sitting on the same chair you had been while you were unconcious before. Surrounded by an all black space, and sitting across from the female jester known as Hypnos.

    "Finally, we're together again." she states with a smile, "...At least, in your head."

    She shifts in her seat, before eventually standing. As she moves, the bells on her outfit gently jingle. "So! You've managed to not only find working radio equipment, but you've also recruited a synth! That's something I didn't expect, especially with Reyna around." she says, as she walks over towards you. "Sadly, the orbital station was destroyed... A fairly large setback. You couldn't stop it anyway, so that's not your fault."

    She stops before you, bending over to look you in the face. "Let's walk, shall we?" she says, smiling again and offering her hand to you.


    1. Walk

    You reach up and gently take her hand. You stand up, Hypnos gently giving you a tug to assist, and soon the two of you walk away from your chairs into the black.

    2. Refuse

    You fold your arms, giving Hypnos a look. You'd much rather remain here, avoiding whatever shenanigans they have planned.

     
    Accept the Training New
  • 1. Accept the Training
    You will be given a crash course in Advanced Weaponry. This will allow you to use Carbines, Assault Rifles, Battle Rifles, Light Machine Guns, and Marksman's Rifles. You will also be able to handle two-handed melee weapons more efficiently, such as pickaxes and fireaxes, pipes, and so on. This is a straight upgrade to your Basic Weapons Knowledge, and is mostly a step on the way to higher skill levels.

    You think on it for a few moments, eyeing the large rifle, before nodding. Lola holds out the rifle with a smile, before removing the dead soldier's bandolier of magazines. Then, she hands that to you as well. Once she strips the other bandolier off the other soldier, she picks up his gun and secures her own personal rifle onto her back. You do the same with your shotgun.

    "Alright. I'll run through the basics. These are Imperium M53Cs. Battle rifles, cut down to carbine length and used as assault rifles... because the Imperium likes to overcompensate." she says, slipping the rifle's stock under her arm. "They fire high-caliber ammunition. Stuff that punches through body armor and sometimes walls. So don't get shot, and make sure they don't shoot the outer walls of the colony."

    As she loads her weapon, she continues to explain the basics on the weapon among others like her own. She also shows you how to load yours, and prepare it for battle. "That should cover everything. With these kinds of rifles, be sure to brace yourself for the recoil. Its rough on full auto. Semi-auto is your best bet for ammo conservation, since these only have twenty round magazines."

    "Got it. Semi-auto only, unless I need full-auto. Brace for shots. Watch where I shoot. Don't get hit." you say back to her. She gives you a firm nod in response, and pats your shoulder.

    "I'll be right here to help out and back you up too." she then says, flashing you a smile before motioning towards the doors leading out of the cabin. "Let's get moving. We're a little pressed for time."

    You give her a nod, before moving quietly towards the doors. A peek through the glass allows for a view into the hallway beyond, but only a short distance in either direction left or right. More black-grey, yellow, and red. Imperial utilitarianism. Lola reaches over and touches the manual door control, forcing the doors to slide open. You both lean out carefully, looking down both directions with your rifles raised.

    Nothing. The hallway is empty. However, you do smell something terrible... Honestly, it was quite like the smell in the bathroom. Had more people suffered the same fate?

    Lola taps you on the shoulder before moving past you towards the right. "...Elevator down to the main section of Administration should be this way." she whispers as she moves by. You follow quietly along, checking behind you every so often to see if anyone might be moving down the other end of the hallway. Still nothing.

    The elevator is smaller than those of the Union and the Conglomerate, barely large enough for two people. Likely at the request of the head of the Imperial colony. You don't get many guests if only two people fit in the elevator at a time. The doors are a bright yellow, almost golden in sheen, and emblazoned with the emblem of the Imperium. They wouldn't be for shut for much longer, as Lola reaches over and taps the call button on the wall next to it.

    "Mmm..." she mutters under her breath, watching the light above the elevator move across the small black screen. Signifying its position. She glaces back to you after a moment. "...Where would you lock yourself if you wanted to send out messages to the Union and Commonwealth without alerting your allies? Especially in the Administration sector?"

    You shrug. "With the way the Imperium likes to do things, they're bound to have cameras and guards everywhere." you say.

    Lola nods in response. "I doubt the personal cabins would be a good location to set up. The doors don't lock, and there's a camera in each cabin..." She pauses, as the elevator arrives. The doors slide open, revealing a small bare space that the two of them could occupy shoulder to shoulder on the way down.

    She steps inside, before motioning for you to get in. You do as instructed, stepping inside and standing next to her as she taps a button on on the wall. Going down.

    The doors shut, locking the two of you inside, before the elevator shifts and begins its downward decent into the colony. As the light above the door moves, this time in the opposite direction as the one before, Lola soon turns to face you. Her bright blue eyes lock onto yours as you glance towards her, the synth peering through her white bangs at you. A moment later, she speaks.

    "I've some things to ask you, while we wait." she says quietly, "...And since its just me and you here, there's no distractions."

    You give her a confused look, as you turn to face her. Distractions?

    She smiles. "...Back at the Conglomerate facility, when you were looking at my old body... Who spoke to you?"

    You feel the color drain from your face, your eyes widening slightly. "What?" you ask. Oh fuck. She knows.

    "Your eyes glazed over for a few moments, when I looked up at you. I've seen that happen to a few other people, when they conversed with someone else telepathically... Your eyes did it again, in the bathroom back there, when we were looking at the message on the mirror. I could see your reflection in the mirror... I bet you even know what the message said, thanks to whoever spoke to you." she says, her tone never changing. Her eyes, however, shift downward towards your neck.

    Her free hand moves up to your jumpsuit's collar, before her fingers begin to smooth out wrinkles across your jumpsuit's chest. Then, they travel to the strap of your bandolier, giving it a gentle pull to tighten it to your body. Securing it. Her eyes then shift back up to meet yours again, her face still wearing the same smile she had when she first started talking.

    "So... who was it?" she asks again.


    1. Tell the Truth.
    2. Lie (Make up an answer.)


     
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