A long way away, a long time from now.
Far From Home, Adventure Archaeology: IN SPACE
- Thread starter BiopunkOtrera
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Adventure Archaeology In Space!
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Chapter 1: Old Friend
- Pronouns
- She/Her
When you give a lecture there's a moment of excitement before the first slide, a moment of dread that you might mess it up. It's strange to think that in a world where many skills can be uploaded directly into a person's brain, or new neural paths stimulated by direct brain interface that such a format as this still exists. Or perhaps it's not strange, not to the sea of eager young women looking at you from the lecture theatres tiered seating. That is, after all, why you give lectures. Why you collect slides and expose yourself to the social awkwardness of public speaking. Why this lecture theatre, a tall, tiered space with white walls and curling black designs on the ceiling, the crystal projection screen behind you dominating one end still exists.
You can sit in a DNI to learn how to recognize glass carver runes or make sense of the layout of a middle colonial structure. You can slot a chip that'll teach you how to properly dig and behave around a trench. But to teach the conscious mind about the strangeness of the past, to give them the perspective to see their own present as a foreign place, you need to teach them like this.
You spend a moment deciding if you got it right. You've adopted a look that will contrast heavily with the room, then dressed down so you aren't too distracting. You're aware that you're pretty eyecatching, void black skin with intricate silver and platinum tattoos. It's one of your favorite looks but combined with a confident figure you always worry it'll distract the listener. For that reason, you've picked a robe that's about as concealing as fashion and the summer heat allows, which isn't all that much.
"Why do we study the past?" Your amplified voice cuts through the lecture theatre, the words flickering up on the projector behind you. The students look up, not sure they're supposed to answer. "It's a serious question. Why do we do history or archeology at all?"
Some hands go up. You pick on a young woman in a short blue dress and shorts who's modeled herself rather like an Alfari, or one of the ancient myths of elves. Dark skin, pointed ears, svelt and willowy. "Is it to learn lessons from history?"
"Certainly that's part of it." You put it up on the board, switch to someone else.
A slightly older student, perhaps deferred entry with a purely human appearance and skin a few shades liker than the first.
"To discover the relics of past civilizations and to regain lost knowledge and technology."
You put it up on the board as well. "That's certainly the most glamorous reason. Paradisian is only just regaining the heights it enjoyed at several points since the great exile, and foreign civilizations all the way back to the precursors may offer us knowledge, science, technology that we currently have no knowledge of. Also it makes great stories." A little laughter at that. "Anyone else?"
There are a few other answers, but you're coming to the point of the first part of your answer, you shift to the next slide. "The reason that everyone misses is that in order to understand the present we have, in order to understand it, we need to understand the past, how strange it was, and in a way how strange we are now. There's still a lot we don't know, about where we came from. About the homeworld, even about why the exile occurred. In the past, everything was different. For instance, Humans had two biological sexes, which the ancients believed were distinct. In the cases of other species of paradise, things are even more different now than they were. Historical evidence suggests tzeen were engineered whole cloth, not simply modified as humans are." You look around the hall at the mass of faces. "The way we live is not natural. We have engineered our society in the same way we have engineered our bodies. If you study history you will learn that there are many possible configurations of society that have been tried. Ours is only the latest."
"We must try to understand the past, as it's the only way to understand the future."
That breaks the ice enough for you to give the rest of your lecture. You think it goes quite well, at least you keep their attention. Eventually, it's done. You field some questions, people approaching you mostly to ask administrative matters, then you're out. The lecture theatre is fairly high up in one of the university's towers, and you take a moment to admire the view out over the silver towers, shopping arcades and gleaming green parks that spread out below. Even if you find lecturing a little dull and difficult at times, you're sure you picked the right university. Elysium is an incredibly beautiful planet, and its capital is an incredibly beautiful city.
Aircars and larger transports pass the window in computer-controlled intervals, mathematically perfect safety intervals between each craft. In the distance, you can see the massive domes of the great posthuman dome, empty now, but the original source of this vast university.
It's time for lunch, and you head off-campus, taking a lift down to a skywalk twenty levels below, and then over to a cafe you like to use, a place you can at least temporarily get away from the younger students.
The afternoon is looking bad. You have about a hundred sheets of alien squiggles to classify as writing or as natural results of water and minerals. It's tiresome work,
[ ] (Student +Action -Knowledge) And, as a mere postgraduate student, all be it one with a storied history, you get all of the bad jobs.
[ ] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
[ ] (Professor +Knowledge - Action) And, as one of the more senior people in the departments, it falls on you to fix things when they get messed up, as they most assuredly have.
You're just thinking about that, distracted from the tall trees and green grass of the park below when you hear someone shout your name.
"Melinta!"
You haven't quite got to the cafe when you're turned around by the shout. Just the name and the tone of voice tugs your mouth up into a smile. Samanth Colen is an old good friend. She has light skin, green hair and is wearing a skin-suit folded back into a maillot. Her hair is done long right now, not the shorter cut she has in the field.
"Samanth!" You pull her into a hug. "I didn't know you were on world, why didn't you contact me?"
You've known Samanth a while. Ever since:
[ ] She was part of the security team who got you out of a bad situation with a rival dig crew back in the day.
[ ] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[ ] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[ ] You met in university and became an item. Once you thought about getting married, but your careers didn't mesh.
"I'm on a job. Bit covert. Could be combat archeology." She smiles. "I was wondering if you could help me out actually. We need a proper archeologist for the crew. My patron asked if anyone knew anyone, and I thought of you."
"Why me? There must be a lot of professionals you can hire who haven't been riding a desk for a while.
"You know why."
You do.
[ ] Survivor: On a dig a year ago, your ship was brought down by an ancient defense system. In the aftermath, you found yourself in an extreme survival situation, up against hostile alien life and the ancient defenses. Only you walked out of the jungle alive, carrying your companion's memory crystals for resurrection.
[ ] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[ ] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
"I suppose I do."
"My patron has quite a bit of influence. We can easily get you out of your work at the university for a while. Come with us. Get back in the field a while."
It's tempting. Too tempting.
"I'll do it." You feel your smile break back out and the weight of the slight tension you've been feeling ever since you fitted yourself in as an academic lift. The truth is, you've never wanted a proper job. "So when do we leave?"
"My boss is due in in a few hours. You can meet her then. In the meantime, I suppose you have preparations to make."
What to do?
[ ] Go assemble your own equipment to make sure you have everything you might need.
[ ] Press Melinta for some more details so you can start your research into the suspect before you leave
[ ] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, show Samanth around.
[ ] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
You can sit in a DNI to learn how to recognize glass carver runes or make sense of the layout of a middle colonial structure. You can slot a chip that'll teach you how to properly dig and behave around a trench. But to teach the conscious mind about the strangeness of the past, to give them the perspective to see their own present as a foreign place, you need to teach them like this.
You spend a moment deciding if you got it right. You've adopted a look that will contrast heavily with the room, then dressed down so you aren't too distracting. You're aware that you're pretty eyecatching, void black skin with intricate silver and platinum tattoos. It's one of your favorite looks but combined with a confident figure you always worry it'll distract the listener. For that reason, you've picked a robe that's about as concealing as fashion and the summer heat allows, which isn't all that much.
"Why do we study the past?" Your amplified voice cuts through the lecture theatre, the words flickering up on the projector behind you. The students look up, not sure they're supposed to answer. "It's a serious question. Why do we do history or archeology at all?"
Some hands go up. You pick on a young woman in a short blue dress and shorts who's modeled herself rather like an Alfari, or one of the ancient myths of elves. Dark skin, pointed ears, svelt and willowy. "Is it to learn lessons from history?"
"Certainly that's part of it." You put it up on the board, switch to someone else.
A slightly older student, perhaps deferred entry with a purely human appearance and skin a few shades liker than the first.
"To discover the relics of past civilizations and to regain lost knowledge and technology."
You put it up on the board as well. "That's certainly the most glamorous reason. Paradisian is only just regaining the heights it enjoyed at several points since the great exile, and foreign civilizations all the way back to the precursors may offer us knowledge, science, technology that we currently have no knowledge of. Also it makes great stories." A little laughter at that. "Anyone else?"
There are a few other answers, but you're coming to the point of the first part of your answer, you shift to the next slide. "The reason that everyone misses is that in order to understand the present we have, in order to understand it, we need to understand the past, how strange it was, and in a way how strange we are now. There's still a lot we don't know, about where we came from. About the homeworld, even about why the exile occurred. In the past, everything was different. For instance, Humans had two biological sexes, which the ancients believed were distinct. In the cases of other species of paradise, things are even more different now than they were. Historical evidence suggests tzeen were engineered whole cloth, not simply modified as humans are." You look around the hall at the mass of faces. "The way we live is not natural. We have engineered our society in the same way we have engineered our bodies. If you study history you will learn that there are many possible configurations of society that have been tried. Ours is only the latest."
"We must try to understand the past, as it's the only way to understand the future."
That breaks the ice enough for you to give the rest of your lecture. You think it goes quite well, at least you keep their attention. Eventually, it's done. You field some questions, people approaching you mostly to ask administrative matters, then you're out. The lecture theatre is fairly high up in one of the university's towers, and you take a moment to admire the view out over the silver towers, shopping arcades and gleaming green parks that spread out below. Even if you find lecturing a little dull and difficult at times, you're sure you picked the right university. Elysium is an incredibly beautiful planet, and its capital is an incredibly beautiful city.
Aircars and larger transports pass the window in computer-controlled intervals, mathematically perfect safety intervals between each craft. In the distance, you can see the massive domes of the great posthuman dome, empty now, but the original source of this vast university.
It's time for lunch, and you head off-campus, taking a lift down to a skywalk twenty levels below, and then over to a cafe you like to use, a place you can at least temporarily get away from the younger students.
The afternoon is looking bad. You have about a hundred sheets of alien squiggles to classify as writing or as natural results of water and minerals. It's tiresome work,
[ ] (Student +Action -Knowledge) And, as a mere postgraduate student, all be it one with a storied history, you get all of the bad jobs.
[ ] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
[ ] (Professor +Knowledge - Action) And, as one of the more senior people in the departments, it falls on you to fix things when they get messed up, as they most assuredly have.
You're just thinking about that, distracted from the tall trees and green grass of the park below when you hear someone shout your name.
"Melinta!"
You haven't quite got to the cafe when you're turned around by the shout. Just the name and the tone of voice tugs your mouth up into a smile. Samanth Colen is an old good friend. She has light skin, green hair and is wearing a skin-suit folded back into a maillot. Her hair is done long right now, not the shorter cut she has in the field.
"Samanth!" You pull her into a hug. "I didn't know you were on world, why didn't you contact me?"
You've known Samanth a while. Ever since:
[ ] She was part of the security team who got you out of a bad situation with a rival dig crew back in the day.
[ ] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[ ] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[ ] You met in university and became an item. Once you thought about getting married, but your careers didn't mesh.
"I'm on a job. Bit covert. Could be combat archeology." She smiles. "I was wondering if you could help me out actually. We need a proper archeologist for the crew. My patron asked if anyone knew anyone, and I thought of you."
"Why me? There must be a lot of professionals you can hire who haven't been riding a desk for a while.
"You know why."
You do.
[ ] Survivor: On a dig a year ago, your ship was brought down by an ancient defense system. In the aftermath, you found yourself in an extreme survival situation, up against hostile alien life and the ancient defenses. Only you walked out of the jungle alive, carrying your companion's memory crystals for resurrection.
[ ] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[ ] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
"I suppose I do."
"My patron has quite a bit of influence. We can easily get you out of your work at the university for a while. Come with us. Get back in the field a while."
It's tempting. Too tempting.
"I'll do it." You feel your smile break back out and the weight of the slight tension you've been feeling ever since you fitted yourself in as an academic lift. The truth is, you've never wanted a proper job. "So when do we leave?"
"My boss is due in in a few hours. You can meet her then. In the meantime, I suppose you have preparations to make."
What to do?
[ ] Go assemble your own equipment to make sure you have everything you might need.
[ ] Press Melinta for some more details so you can start your research into the suspect before you leave
[ ] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, show Samanth around.
[ ] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
Last edited:
Character Sheet
- Pronouns
- She/Her
Character Sheet here.
Crimson Flight
华裔机甲迷
- Location
- Victoria, Australia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
Space Indiana, let's go. Also I guess leaving work undone means colleagues won't be too funky with us. Might not be great in the future.
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
Space Indiana, let's go. Also I guess leaving work undone means colleagues won't be too funky with us. Might not be great in the future.
InterstellarHobo
Cosmic Vagrant
- Location
- No Fixed Planetary System
Hmm, why does the Professor have reduced actions if they're getting out of Uni responsibilities?
Age catching up?
[X] Plan Can't Retire from Adventure
-[X] (Professor +Knowledge - Action) And, as one of the more senior people in the departments, it falls on you to fix things when they get messed up, as they most assuredly have.
-[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
-[X] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
-[X] Go assemble your own equipment to make sure you have everything you might need.
Variations on a Space Indiana, let's go.
And yeah leaving work undone may not be prudent but nor is haring off on adventure in the first place.
Upset colleagues are a tomorrow problem
Age catching up?
[X] Plan Can't Retire from Adventure
-[X] (Professor +Knowledge - Action) And, as one of the more senior people in the departments, it falls on you to fix things when they get messed up, as they most assuredly have.
-[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
-[X] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
-[X] Go assemble your own equipment to make sure you have everything you might need.
Variations on a Space Indiana, let's go.
And yeah leaving work undone may not be prudent but nor is haring off on adventure in the first place.
Upset colleagues are a tomorrow problem
InterstellarHobo
Cosmic Vagrant
- Location
- No Fixed Planetary System
- Pronouns
- She/Her
I was going to do it by line.
- Location
- Diamond City
[X] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
Feels like a good balance.
[X] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
This is absolutely adorable.
[X] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
I love the family background and I love how much of a nerd she is.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
Best to be kind to our colleagues.
Feels like a good balance.
[X] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
This is absolutely adorable.
[X] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
I love the family background and I love how much of a nerd she is.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
Best to be kind to our colleagues.
Random Member
Gardener of Human Happiness
- Location
- Behind You
[X] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
[X] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
[X] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] (Professor +Knowledge - Action) And, as one of the more senior people in the departments, it falls on you to fix things when they get messed up, as they most assuredly have.
[X] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
[X] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
- Location
- The City of Big Shoulders
[X] (Professor +Knowledge - Action) And, as one of the more senior people in the departments, it falls on you to fix things when they get messed up, as they most assuredly have.
[X] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
[X] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
[x] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
[x] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[x] Survivor: On a dig a year ago, your ship was brought down by an ancient defense system. In the aftermath, you found yourself in an extreme survival situation, up against hostile alien life and the ancient defenses. Only you walked out of the jungle alive, carrying your companion's memory crystals for resurrection.
[x] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, show Samanth around.
[x] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[x] Survivor: On a dig a year ago, your ship was brought down by an ancient defense system. In the aftermath, you found yourself in an extreme survival situation, up against hostile alien life and the ancient defenses. Only you walked out of the jungle alive, carrying your companion's memory crystals for resurrection.
[x] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, show Samanth around.
- Location
- Southampton, Great Britain
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
[X] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[X] Survivor: On a dig a year ago, your ship was brought down by an ancient defense system. In the aftermath, you found yourself in an extreme survival situation, up against hostile alien life and the ancient defenses. Only you walked out of the jungle alive, carrying your companion's memory crystals for resurrection.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
[X] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[X] Survivor: On a dig a year ago, your ship was brought down by an ancient defense system. In the aftermath, you found yourself in an extreme survival situation, up against hostile alien life and the ancient defenses. Only you walked out of the jungle alive, carrying your companion's memory crystals for resurrection.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
[x] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
[x] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
[x] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
Exhack
We Won't Build The Plane!
- Location
- Montreal, Canada
[x] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
[x] You met in university and became an item. Once you thought about getting married, but your careers didn't mesh.
[x] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
[x] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, show Samanth around.
Real wife material over here.
[x] You met in university and became an item. Once you thought about getting married, but your careers didn't mesh.
[x] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
[x] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, show Samanth around.
Real wife material over here.
- Location
- Earth
[X] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
[X] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[X] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, show Samanth around.
[X] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[X] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, show Samanth around.
- Pronouns
- They/Them
[x] (Student +Action -Knowledge) And, as a mere postgraduate student, all be it one with a storied history, you get all of the bad jobs.
[x] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[x] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
[x] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, show Samanth around.
[x] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[x] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
[x] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, show Samanth around.
- Location
- Spain
[X] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
[X] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning
[X] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
[X] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning
[X] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
[X] (Student +Action -Knowledge) And, as a mere postgraduate student, all be it one with a storied history, you get all of the bad jobs.
[X] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
[X] She was a friend of yours since childhood but went into the military, and eventually became a contract soldier
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
- Location
- Meycauayan, Bulacan, Philippines
[X] (Professor +Knowledge - Action) And, as one of the more senior people in the departments, it falls on you to fix things when they get messed up, as they most assuredly have.
[X] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
[X] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
- Location
- Academy City
- Pronouns
- They
[X] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
[X] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[X] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
[X] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[X] Scholar: Since a young age, your parent's polycule educated you in the finer points of precursor lore. There are perhaps a hundred people across all the many world's of Paradise as expert as you in the Precursor civilizations that existed in the sector. You are a singular authority on language, culture, and technology.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
Chapter 2: New Boss
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] (Doctor (No bonus or penalty)) And, as the newest doctorate in the department, you have it dumped on you from above, while feeling close enough to the grad-students below not to want to increase their workload.
[X] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
"Actually, I have some stuff to finish first. Do you mind meeting up later for a full brief?"
Samanth smirks. "So responsible now. It's almost like you're a real academic or something."
"Everyone has to grow up sometime Samanth." You smile but inside you feel kind of down. The most exciting part of your life is, you know, now over. Nothing could ever beat that one great adventure. The pursuit from one gate to another or the simple joy of recovering what you had found.
"Yeah yeah." She laughs. "We're going by spacecraft, so you can finish up your work and whatever before you meet the boss. I'll call you in the evening with a location and you can meet the team."
"Alright, thanks."
You head back to your office, already thinking of all the things you'll need to do in order to be ready to leave and then notice one of your students loitering at the door. Yasmin Falls is a thin, toned woman of about nineteen, with black hair and skin tone several shades lighter than yours. In the summer heat she wears a short white two piece.
"Yasmin, how are you doing?"
"Ah. I was wondering if you could look over one of my essays?"
"Sure, come in." You open up your office and take a seat, bringing up the essay on your shared augmented reality display and start to read through it. She's one of your best graduate students, having completed her undergraduate course very early, but early university entry has left her with some serious confidence issues.
"You're going to do it now?"
"Yes. I'm actually about to arrange some leave. I'm going on a dig."
"Oh."
"I was invited on an expedition by an old friend." You smile. "It'll be fine though. Professor Adilm will probably be the cover."
"Right." She looks down, obviously not liking this.
You decide to change the subject: "So how about you, going on a date?"
"Ah. No. I've just been swimming." She waves.
"Your essay looks good. I've made some changes." She still looks pretty sad, and she could use some dig experience.
[ ] Message Samanth and ask if you can invite her along.
[ ] She's still pretty young, maybe don't do that.
"Alright." Yasmin says. "I'll go and edit it. Good luck with the dig."
"Sure. See you." You sit back as she leaves. Okay, time to finish your actual work.
By the time you've sorted all the images, informed the university you're taking leave and the other administrative work you've been doing it's getting on to evening, the humid heat of the summer pooling up against your window. Even this high up it'd be uncomfortably hot out on the skywalks. You stretch, then get up. Time to meet Samanth.
<<I'm all done. Can I meet you somewhere?>>
<<Not rusty enough that I can't take you down.>>
You get a locational ping for the self-defense gym. The truth is Samanth probably can beat you in a fight given that's all she does. That said, you like to think you're not half bad. You collect your bag and then head down to the monorail. It's pretty crowded at this time of night, the press and warmth of the bodies around you slightly unpleasant. The gym is about halfway across town, the train snaking down the towers to a gleaming starscape of ground-level buildings. The streets are crowded when you detrain, humans, tzee and other aliens mixing in the usual after work parties, food stalls distributing beer and dinner to crowds of people, loud music spilling out of clubs and bars. You watch as a huge augmented reality battle starts overhead, re-creations of old-style jet aircraft dueling it out in the sky above in a loud, rapid dogfight.
You pass underneath this and head to the gym, a bulky, thick-walled building with a cafe on the front where various freshly showered people of different designs are drinking and eating. The inside the building is loud with the sound of hand to hand combat and the muffled crash of gunfire. AR display boards show scores, fitness rhythms and the like.
In the middle, Samanth is in a gravity cage, fighting a much taller woman with features that throwback to eastasia on Ancient earth. The pair are fighting a fierce zero-G combat, a series of holds and strikes almost too rapid to follow. The tall one is, if you're not mistaken, a valkyrie, a pure combat form that's pretty uncommon here outside of certain specialist army units. A woman who seems to be an almost perfect mix of every one of the natural human ethnicities stands by the ring, watching the match. It's obvious just looking at her that she's someone special, with genetic engineering even heavier than the valkyrie she's watching.
You can guess what she is, if not who. A member of the Chrysanthemum organization. The Chrysanthemum, one of the two great meta-organizations that has existed in Paradise since the first colonization. The Chrysanthemum, who dominate local affairs believe in the advancement and amplification of humanity. Their rivals, the rose, believe it must be surpassed.
You're not too surprised when she steps over as you approach. "Melinta?" She asks.
"That's me. Who are you?"
"Artemis. Artemis Vion. I'm Samanth's employer." Up close it's obvious that Artemis is something quite special. Perhaps a Chrysanthemum Liaison or other high-ranking member of that meta-organization.
She's almost inhumanly beautiful and moves with fluid grace. "She's told me a lot about you."
"Is the Valkyrie yours too?"
"Yes. Becca, one of my agents." She smiles as Samanth is bounced off the side of the ring, but bounces back into a sweeping kick. "So how about you? Samanth tells me you're pretty good at fighting yourself."
How do you like to defend yourself?
[ ] You tend to use guns. Everything else is just play really.
[ ] You prefer to fight up close. Using your hands or a blade
[ ] You combine hand to hand fighting and guns, maybe you're not quite as good as a specialist at either but you can hold your own.
[ ] You're actually a telekinetic, and can use that in combat.
[X] You had a one night stand after a big find, and then ended up becoming friends in the morning.
[X] Adventurer: A few years ago you were involved in excavating a piece of alien technology from the whispering vaults below a frozen alien world. When the item, which you learned was a key to a new part of the gate network that links Paradise together, was stolen, you set out in pursuit and managed to take it back from the thieves.
[X] Prep can wait till after you meet this Patron and find out full details. Instead, finish your work for today so you don't dump it all on your colleges
"Actually, I have some stuff to finish first. Do you mind meeting up later for a full brief?"
Samanth smirks. "So responsible now. It's almost like you're a real academic or something."
"Everyone has to grow up sometime Samanth." You smile but inside you feel kind of down. The most exciting part of your life is, you know, now over. Nothing could ever beat that one great adventure. The pursuit from one gate to another or the simple joy of recovering what you had found.
"Yeah yeah." She laughs. "We're going by spacecraft, so you can finish up your work and whatever before you meet the boss. I'll call you in the evening with a location and you can meet the team."
"Alright, thanks."
You head back to your office, already thinking of all the things you'll need to do in order to be ready to leave and then notice one of your students loitering at the door. Yasmin Falls is a thin, toned woman of about nineteen, with black hair and skin tone several shades lighter than yours. In the summer heat she wears a short white two piece.
"Yasmin, how are you doing?"
"Ah. I was wondering if you could look over one of my essays?"
"Sure, come in." You open up your office and take a seat, bringing up the essay on your shared augmented reality display and start to read through it. She's one of your best graduate students, having completed her undergraduate course very early, but early university entry has left her with some serious confidence issues.
"You're going to do it now?"
"Yes. I'm actually about to arrange some leave. I'm going on a dig."
"Oh."
"I was invited on an expedition by an old friend." You smile. "It'll be fine though. Professor Adilm will probably be the cover."
"Right." She looks down, obviously not liking this.
You decide to change the subject: "So how about you, going on a date?"
"Ah. No. I've just been swimming." She waves.
"Your essay looks good. I've made some changes." She still looks pretty sad, and she could use some dig experience.
[ ] Message Samanth and ask if you can invite her along.
[ ] She's still pretty young, maybe don't do that.
"Alright." Yasmin says. "I'll go and edit it. Good luck with the dig."
"Sure. See you." You sit back as she leaves. Okay, time to finish your actual work.
By the time you've sorted all the images, informed the university you're taking leave and the other administrative work you've been doing it's getting on to evening, the humid heat of the summer pooling up against your window. Even this high up it'd be uncomfortably hot out on the skywalks. You stretch, then get up. Time to meet Samanth.
<<I'm all done. Can I meet you somewhere?>>
<<Sure, my boss just got in. Why don't we meet at a Gym? I want to see how rusty you've gotten.>>
<<Not rusty enough that I can't take you down.>>
<<We'll see.>>
You get a locational ping for the self-defense gym. The truth is Samanth probably can beat you in a fight given that's all she does. That said, you like to think you're not half bad. You collect your bag and then head down to the monorail. It's pretty crowded at this time of night, the press and warmth of the bodies around you slightly unpleasant. The gym is about halfway across town, the train snaking down the towers to a gleaming starscape of ground-level buildings. The streets are crowded when you detrain, humans, tzee and other aliens mixing in the usual after work parties, food stalls distributing beer and dinner to crowds of people, loud music spilling out of clubs and bars. You watch as a huge augmented reality battle starts overhead, re-creations of old-style jet aircraft dueling it out in the sky above in a loud, rapid dogfight.
You pass underneath this and head to the gym, a bulky, thick-walled building with a cafe on the front where various freshly showered people of different designs are drinking and eating. The inside the building is loud with the sound of hand to hand combat and the muffled crash of gunfire. AR display boards show scores, fitness rhythms and the like.
In the middle, Samanth is in a gravity cage, fighting a much taller woman with features that throwback to eastasia on Ancient earth. The pair are fighting a fierce zero-G combat, a series of holds and strikes almost too rapid to follow. The tall one is, if you're not mistaken, a valkyrie, a pure combat form that's pretty uncommon here outside of certain specialist army units. A woman who seems to be an almost perfect mix of every one of the natural human ethnicities stands by the ring, watching the match. It's obvious just looking at her that she's someone special, with genetic engineering even heavier than the valkyrie she's watching.
You can guess what she is, if not who. A member of the Chrysanthemum organization. The Chrysanthemum, one of the two great meta-organizations that has existed in Paradise since the first colonization. The Chrysanthemum, who dominate local affairs believe in the advancement and amplification of humanity. Their rivals, the rose, believe it must be surpassed.
You're not too surprised when she steps over as you approach. "Melinta?" She asks.
"That's me. Who are you?"
"Artemis. Artemis Vion. I'm Samanth's employer." Up close it's obvious that Artemis is something quite special. Perhaps a Chrysanthemum Liaison or other high-ranking member of that meta-organization.
She's almost inhumanly beautiful and moves with fluid grace. "She's told me a lot about you."
"Is the Valkyrie yours too?"
"Yes. Becca, one of my agents." She smiles as Samanth is bounced off the side of the ring, but bounces back into a sweeping kick. "So how about you? Samanth tells me you're pretty good at fighting yourself."
How do you like to defend yourself?
[ ] You tend to use guns. Everything else is just play really.
[ ] You prefer to fight up close. Using your hands or a blade
[ ] You combine hand to hand fighting and guns, maybe you're not quite as good as a specialist at either but you can hold your own.
[ ] You're actually a telekinetic, and can use that in combat.
Crimson Flight
华裔机甲迷
- Location
- Victoria, Australia
- Pronouns
- He/Him
[X] You're actually a telekinetic, and can use that in combat.
Space wizards, goooo.
Space wizards, goooo.
- Location
- Academy City
- Pronouns
- They
[X] You tend to use guns. Everything else is just play really.
- Pronouns
- She/Her
[X] Message Samanth and ask if you can invite her along.