interstellar5555 | ☆TRACK VI: THE NEW AMERICANA

Who: All the rescuers...and DAFT PUNK.
What: The rescuers enter Vista City for the first time.
When: January 20th, 2055
Where: The ship, the coast, and outer Vista City.
Warnings: Could basically be anything.

“Viral mess turned dreams into an empire.
Self-made success now she rolls with Rockefellers.
Survival of the richest, the city's ours until the fall.
But we don't feel like outsiders at all.”

☆THE NEW AMERICANA

Your arrival on Tera doesn’t exactly happen with a bang – though maybe that’s a good thing, given that this is supposedly a stealth operation. The ship firsts touches down somewhere in the ocean, at which point it hovers above the waves for a few hours while Shep “touches base” with some “contacts.”

This is your time to get ready, to collect any gear you’ve been assigned, and to talk over initial plans with your new teammates. You’ve been given a rough outline of what to expect upon reaching actual land. You’re going to be dropped off in the ring of forested land outside of the city, at which point you are to access a hidden stash of supplies that has been planted there for you and head into the city, where a second stash of supplies will be waiting for you in the outer ring of the city.

It will probably be a long walk. From the onboard supplies everyone will be given the following:

ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING: if your character doesn’t already speak English, they will be given some time with a crown like technological device that seems the be able to psychically teach people languages at a rapid pace. Whatever has been enabling communication so far won’t cover you once you enter the city, so it’s important that you’re prepared. How easily a person’s brain accepts this information will vary based on unseen neurological factors, and can range from perfect fluency to an uneasy second language. (On an OOC level, whether or not your character struggles with picking up English is completely up to you.) Most of this training will be done on the trip to Tera.
THEIR DESIGNATED TOOLS: any items your character was designated on your application will be given to them now. They’ll have some degree of choice in what they get, but everything is limited in supply. There are manuals for everything, but how much you can be fucked to read them will vary. Also, some of them aren’t in English or anything else even remotely recognizable.
COMMUNICATION DEVICES: Everybody will get a communicator, which are worn around the back of your ear and project a holographic field over your eyes when activated. The device itself must be manually switched on with your fingers, and from there on out your exact method of controlling it depends on the settings. Some of the more basic functions can be manipulated with “brain waves” (though nothing very complicated) and the rest is mostly voice or touch activated, though you can also set it up to be controlled with blinking and eye movement if you are a “pro”. Its functions include voice, voice-to-text, and a sort of janky manual text mode that you have to touch the screen to use. Video chat is not available, though it is capable of recording video from your POV to be shared manually after the fact. It can also share still images. Various channels can be set up and accessed, both private and public, much like a Teamspeak server is used in gaming.
HOLO EMITTERS (LIMITED): The amount of these available are limited by “plot convenience.” Do you want your character to have to struggle with their alien appearance to get by constantly? Then imagine there wasn’t enough of them to go around and your character was unlikely or benevolent enough to not receive one. Would you rather they have access to one? Then you can have one. A holo emitter is capable of projecting a holographic image around your character and disguising their appearance, the complexity of which is entirely up to you. The major problems with it are that 1) it can’t conceal things that the hologram doesn’t actually touch – cow horns could be covered in a hologram to look like a hat, but it couldn’t make them look as if there is nothing there at all, and 2) the holograms have no mass, and so if anyone tries to touch them they’ll realize they are just light projections. Also, like most of the equipment, they only work for a few hours before running out of power.

☆STASH NUMBER ONE: THE FOREST

Once Shep has made sure things are prepared and everyone has their stuff, the ship will very briefly skirt close enough to the shore for people to disembark. The beach seems totally free of witnesses, and once you’ve hit land it’s a short run to the tree line. A few random people will have map information uploaded into their communicators (Usagi, Saitama, Reborn, Pearl, and Sparks Nevada are the lucky winners) and will be put in charge of making sure everyone navigates to the first stash correctly, and then into the outskirts of the city where a meet-up point and a second stash of equipment is located. The directions are not complicated, but it’s a lot of people to shepherd around incognito. How everybody handles this is completely up to the characters.

Meanwhile, Shep is piloting the ship back off into the ocean to hide it somewhere. He says he’ll meet you in the city at some point, and that he’ll keep in contact via the communicators. Stay safe, and good luck!

The first stash is about a twenty minute walk into the forest, and should be found with relative ease. It is basically just a few large, plastic tubs buried beneath soil and moss, and has to be dug up like treasure. Inside of it lies the following:

AMERICANA DISGUISES: Clothing, make up, the works – everything the average joe needs to pass themselves off as a resident of Vista City. Outfits are perhaps a bit more eccentric and flashy than you’re used to...or maybe a bit less, depending where you come from. Either way, it’s a specific look, and there should be enough here to accommodate new outfits for all the humanoids. If you’re a horse, you’re sort of on your own. What your character ends up with is up to you, though “space rave” is a good way to describe common aesthetics. There are also a lot of hooded coats, hats, and other articles that would be good for hiding inhuman characteristics.
RATIONS: Enough food at water, tightly compact, to last everyone for a few days. It’s going to start to run out quickly, though, so the group is going to need some breadwinners sooner rather than later.
A WELCOME CARD: A welcome message from these two with their selfie printed on the front. Written inside are the following messages: “Glad you could make It! ♥ –Gold” and ”Welcome to hell. ☺ -Silver”. They are both in the same handwriting.

From there, the maps only lead further into the city.

☆STASH NUMBER TWO: CITY BOUND

You'll quickly notice that Vista City comes with multiple levels - the ground level, that actually touches the earth, and then a second level of streets and walkways that occurs halfway up the mountainous buildings. Cars streak down both sets of speedways, and the signs of life scatter every inch of the towers surrounding you. At the same time, though, a city of this magnitude leaves a lot of nooks and crannies left frequently unseen - something you'll definitely have to take advantage of. In the outer ring of the city the population is less dense than it gets towards the center, so at the least it gives you the opportunity to get your bearings.

You'll find that there is no shortage of people stalking around in the darkness, even as the sun sets and night totally takes hold. A lot of them are dressed pretty funny, too, and any insecurities you had about looking ridiculous can tentatively be put aside. The costumes you were left do allow you to blend in about as well as you could hope. If the navigation team holds true, you'll be able to make it to the next stash in good time. You've been advised to avoid talking to locals as much as possible, at least until you've figured things out better. There is a notable absence of homeless people on the streets, which could mean any number of things.

The place you end up at is, unsurprisingly, a warehouse. One of the few entirely flat buildings in the cityscape, the maps will lead into the center of the building. You try the door. It opens. When you go inside, you aren't alone.

The floor is littered in blankets and what passes for foam mattresses. Waiting with them is the silver helmeted figure from the welcome card earlier. They usher you in hastily and ask you some cursory questions about whether you've been followed. When they seem satisfied, they'll tell you that you can spend the night here.

"This is the first and last time you can stay here," they'll say, gesturing around. "This was Gold and I's launchpad for the last little while, and we're junking it after this. I recommend you follow our example. Don't stay any one place too long, and don't travel in one huge group. If you do that, one bad night will pin you all down."

Silver will pass out what is apparently enough fake IDs for everyone in the ship - complete with each individual's image (or a human approximation) and a made up name. It's enough info to get a job with, they'll explain, if you can manage it. Avoid pushing the forgery's limits, though, if you can. They made them themselves so they expect they are excellent quality, but you can never be too careful.

"...Most importantly," they'll finish. "Don't go looking for the prisoners right now, as much as you might want to. If you fuck that up, you'll fuck this up for everyone - and I'll tell you right now, other people have already invested a lot more blood and tears into this than you have. Respect that."

Silver will stay for a few more hours, and then Gold will appear to take over, bringing snacks and hot chocolate with them. Get a good sleep, you'll need it.

“We are the new Americana.
High on legal marijuana,
Raised on Biggie and Nirvana.
We are the new Americana.”

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Ah, maybe they didn't know how many people would say yes to helping? [Usagi wanted to give them all the benefit of the doubt.] And I don't think they knew who would said yes either. But it was really nice of them to help out this far right?

We'll just do everything we can to make this right so that no more are hurt.

[Pearl is trying so hard not to be impatient here. It's very stressful for her to be here alone, saving the very people she would want with her on a rescue mission.]

Well, of course it was nice of them to help us this far, but I don't know what they expect us to do until they do have a plan.

Well, I think they want us to come up with one? [Or that's how it seemed to Usagi.]

If they did and it were up to me, I'd get as close as I can and find out everything I know.

But... isn't that what they said not to do?

[Pearl throws up her hands in a brief moment of unbridled frustration.]

That's my point! How can we come up with a plan if we don't even know what we're dealing with!

Maybe they don't know what they're dealing with either, though? [Usagi can sympathize, half the time she and the other senshi are just improvising things, never knowing when or how the next enemy will attack.]

You sound like you're a very skilled warrior, miss.

[The compliment catches Pearl off guard, and she frowns sheepishly as she tries to figure out how to respond.]

I am, thank you for noticing.

[She crosses her arms.]

And I just don't like thinking about being here doing nothing while my friends are trapped!

Well, but we won't do nothing. We can gather info. We still have to eat and sleep and all that. [Leave it to Usagi to focus on that.]

I know it's hard, but I also know we can do it.

[Pearl doesn't need to eat and sleep, but she decides not to derail Usagi's positivity with that minor correction.]

[She frowns at her instead, trying to share her confidence. Without Garnet, she's just not sure, but with all these people here maybe they can get something done.]

You're right. We can do it. I'm just... frustrated.

I know, I understand. [Truly and really, she did. She would hug Pearl if she knew her better.] But just think about how relieved you'll be when we get them all home, safe and sound. Because we will. We're going to do this and we'll bring everyone home.

[Pearl sighs wistfully.] I hope so. With all these people here, I'm starting to wonder just how many they've kidnapped. There are three missing from my world...

[She looks at Usagi, sympathetic. She doesn't want to make the girl upset, but this is why they're here after all.]

Are there any from yours?

More than I think anyone would really like. Would you like to tell me about them?

[She bit her lip and nodded.]

One of my very best friends, her name is Rei Hino. She's absolutely wonderful, strong and confident and beautiful and so smart! Ah, she's got long raven black hair and bright purple eyes that are filled with warmth and fire. Rei... is so strong!

[Pearl smiles softly as Usagi describes Rei.]

She sounds very lovely. I hope you see her again soon.

You as well, what about your loved ones? What are their names? What are they like?

Oh, ah...

[Pearl's not really sure where to begin.]

Well, there's Garnet. She's a gem, like me - well, actually she's two gems fused together, but she's been fused so long we don't really think of her as Ruby and Sapphire anymore. She's very strong and she always knows what to do. She's been our leader ever since Rose Quartz gave up her light to make Steven.

He's missing too - he and his father Greg. Steven's young, but he's been with the Crystal Gems for a few years now, ever since he was old enough, and he's very strong too, but I'm very worried about him being here with these bad people, especially if Garnet and Greg don't know who he is. Greg is... well he's Steven's father and he cares about him very much.

[She quiets bashfully, not really able to come up with anything else to say about Greg. She likes him well enough, but complimenting him is still awkward.]

I'll let you know if I ever come across them. I don't know if their names remain the same like how ours changed, but I know we can do this. You know, even if they may not know who Steven is, we're still always drawn to our dearest loved ones.

[She placed a hand over her heart.] No matter what, their hearts will call to each other. [Just as, even when her loved ones were brainwashed and forced to fight her, they still felt the pull. She could believe in that bond even in death.]

But I hope it'll be a speedy rescue, I don't want anyone here anymore than they have been.

Ah- it occurs to me I've not introduced myself. My name is Usagi Tsukino. [She bowed in greeting.] Although here in Vista my name is Serena Lapin.

[Pearl watches her talk with wide eyes - this girl is such a romantic, and usually Pearl would dismiss those human feelings but they resonate with her and it leaves her feeling a little heartsick. Finally, Usagi changes the subject and she's shaken a little out of her stupor.]

Oh, I'm Pearl. [She bows in kind.] Well, June.

[She says the name with just a bit of disdain. She doesn't plan on using her alias unless it's absolutely necessary. Pearl is good enough for her.]

I'll keep an eye out for Garnet and the others. If I run across them I'll let you know, okay?

[Oh dear, she's almost getting emotional. Better just smile and nod and try to keep her voice from shaking.]

Oh, thank you. I'll do the same for Rei.

☆TRACK VI: THE NEW AMERICANA

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