WEEK ZERO: ARRIVAL - OVERFLOW

[gatonina]

ARRIVAL

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PASSENGERS: 41 You know how the story goes by now. One minute you’re somewhere familiar, and the next you’re suddenly somewhere else. Unlike previous times before, the source of your rude awakening isn’t a mystery. A harsh jostle causes your body to lunge forward as a tire jumps over a pot hole in the road. Try as you might, it’s hard to ignore the steady thrumming of an engine and the gentle sway beneath you. The faint scent of gasoline seems to waft from the outside, but as you look around you’ll notice that the windows are locked, tinted, and impossible to see through. Likewise, the door ahead of you appears to be locked as well. Perhaps the scent is your imagination…? Regardless, though the lighting is a tad dim, it becomes apparent that you’re inside a large bus dotted with the occasional seat and amid a jumble of other bodies. The people you were last with may be among your fellow passengers. Perhaps they are not. But worry not; there’s plenty of time to look around and get to know one another on this long, strange trip. It may even be wise to examine the staircase at the other end of the bus. Who knows what awaits you on the other floors? Ah, but before you move too far it may be best to assess the situation. On the bright side, any injuries you incurred have been healed! Isn't it nice to have your limbs in place again? Miracles happen. But...what happened to your clothes? You’re fairly certain you weren't wearing this t-shirt before...and what's with the denim shorts? Maybe you were fortunate enough to get the knee-length version, but for those of you waking up in bootyshorts...well, we're sure you look great! And what better way to tie the whole look together than white socks and tan sandals? At least you'll be comfortable for the ride. Lucky for you, your new threads aren't the only gift you'll receive upon waking up. Attached to your waist is a high-quality bag filled with some fun goodies for every passenger! For those of you who unzip your bag to check its contents, you will find: -Dry shampoo -Wet wipes -Deodorant -Travel pack of toilet paper -Travel toothbrush + toothpaste -Poncho -A stylish travel guide No other items are on your person at this time, even if you were holding onto it as you began your previous departure. That's a bit troublesome, isn't it? Not really; it's still a bus. Be grateful for the extra elbow room, alright? Oh, and one last thing...on the wrist of every passenger is a small, equally fashionable white scrunchie. Not your style? Perhaps it's a good idea to give the travel guide another read. Searching the bus from top to bottom will net zero results in the way of an escape. All of the windows are similarly tinted and locked, and the only exit door appears to be the one on the first level that can't be opened at this time. But hey. You're all old pros at this, right? You know what to do next! Get to know the people around you, trade stories with your fellow passengers, and...well. Buckle up for the bumpy ride ahead.

Comments

[voidbreaker]

Large places, complicated politics, tendency towards civil wars and just straight up wars... sure.

[ there’s a pause. ]


Yeah. That’ll be the place.

[machinetranslation]

Oh, dear. It seems a somewhat fraught situation to be returning to. Although if your previous experiences were anything like mine perhaps it'll be comparatively calm.

What will you do when you return, sir?

[voidbreaker]

[ ..... there’s a pause. ]

Don’t know.

[ hm ]

Bad experiences with Empires where you’re from, then?

[machinetranslation]

[There's a long pause—well, long compared to his near endless chattering—where he seems to be considering his words.]

I suppose you could say as much, sir. Actually [he leans in somewhat] during the war I was serving as part of the Rebellion against the Empire. Thankfully, they've been more-or-less defeated at this point, so I'm very much looking forward to helping establish a new system of government alongside the Princess and admirals.

[voidbreaker]

A little rebellion's good for you. [ Damn, the robot is a rebel. who knew? ]

Huh. How long d'ya think tearing the government apart and rebuilding it from scratch is gonna take you?

[machinetranslation]

Ohm years if not decades, I should imagine, sir. These things must be carefully considered, and will undoubtedly involve a great number of meetings, conferences, and discussions. [unlike probably anyone else in the rebellion, Threepio seems positively bursting with anticipation at the prospect of all this bureaucratic talking]

Strange when you think of it; how much damage the Empire was able to do to a system that'd been in place for thousands of years in so short a time. [he shakes his head sadly, but perhaps more at the loss of civility and order than anything]

[voidbreaker]

[ sheesh... decades...... ] Or you just strongarm your way into it. But I guess that'd make you just as bad, huh?

If it crumbled that quickly, maybe it wasn't exactly right to begin with. Not that whatever took it over has to have been any better. If something's that sturdy, then it shouldn't buckle that fast.

dunno what that "ohm" up there is! sorry!

[machinetranslation]

It has certainly been a chaotic time, with the various changes in regime and the conflict that comes with such. I do hope your own experiences at home have been a good deal less exciting.

i am 100% assuming that 3pio is now meditating

[voidbreaker]

[ hm. ]</small Well. They've been exciting in their own way.

he'd prob be chiller if he did

[machinetranslation]

Oh? If I may ask, what was it you were doing before winding up in the situation that led you here, sir? You seem quite aware of political happenings.

[voidbreaker]

[ ....... ]

I'm in a military academy. We kinda get involved with political happenings whether we want to or not.

sorry for delay!!

[machinetranslation]

That does seem to be the case, sir. Was entry into the academy something you chose? Or is such enrolment mandatory in the Erebonian Empire?

picks up iki and twirls — which is impressive given i am v smol

[voidbreaker]

Nah, I chose it. Nothing’s mandatory unless they force-change the rules for enlistment.

love 2 be picked up

[machinetranslation]

Well that's good to hear at least. Forced conscription seems quite disagreeable for those made to participate.

So you'll be returning to complete your courses in the academy, sir?

spins!!

[voidbreaker]

[ laughs hollowly in cold steel 4 ]

... Something like that, yeah. Still got a year and a half to go before I'm let loose on the big wide world again.

wheeeeeeeee

[machinetranslation]

Are there different branches of military service on your planet, Master Carbide? Do you have something you're specializing in?

[voidbreaker]

Yeah. Or, you can graduate into them.

Or not, if you don't want. Thors looks pretty good on a resume whether you graduate into a division or decide not to.

[machinetranslation]

So it's quite a prestigious academy? You must be rather accomplished, sir. Although I should say I'm not surprised.

[Complimentbot 3000 over here]

[voidbreaker]

[ hollow laughter ]

It's the only military academy. Or, there's a main and branch campus but they're both Thors.

[ compliment



ash's head ]

[machinetranslation]

Well, that certainly doesn't lessen the accomplishment, I'd imagine. Will you enter into a military career once you've graduated Thors, sir? If the empire is expanding as you say there should be ample opportunity.

[Threepio is...surprisingly supportive considering his earlier views on an empire??]

[voidbreaker]

[ Threepio is playing 20 questions and Ash did not sign up for this. ]

Dunno. I've got... time to figure it out, I guess. I know like none of the past Class VII went into the actual military for their long term career.

[machinetranslation]

[It's too late, he's entered what droid historians call The Small Talk Zone]

Regardless, an education is of utmost importance, so hopefully you can return home straight away. I'm sure your friends and classmates are worried about you.

[voidbreaker]

[ hmm. ]

Maybe.

What about you -- if you're some bigshot diplomacy bot, you're gonna be missed, right?

[machinetranslation]

Oh, I'd imagine so! Princess Leia and the generals often said my contributions were quite important.

In fact, before being spirited away to the island, we had been preparing for a crucial dinner with the Ithorian delegation on their home planet of Takobo. Their dual mouths can make for rather challenging interpretation of subtones. I do hope I haven't missed it!

[voidbreaker]

[ he's about to ask about this Princess, and what an Ithorian is but--

hold up-- ]

Dual mouths?