returnjourneymemes | TEST DRIVE 001

Entry tags:

test drive meme

TEST DRIVE 001

RETURN JOURNEY: TEST DRIVE 001

Welcome to the Return Journey's test drive meme! We appreciate your interest. Our TDM features a small sample of events your character might encounter in game, which you're free to embellish or improvise with your own ideas as desired. Don't worry if you haven't read everything yet; while we recommend skimming our FAQ for relevant questions, critical information should be contained or linked within the prompts themselves!

TDM threads can be used as samples for applications. Players can mutually keep threads as game canon after being accepted into the game, though threads featuring non-canon squalls or events may need to be adjusted.

We suggest putting your character's name, canon, and potential role (warden or inmate) as the subject. If you're not sure which role you want to choose, feel free to try your hand at both!

If you have any questions about the TDM, please ask here.

1. Welcome Aboard!

Welcome aboard the SFS Peregrine, a ship in the Admiralty's Transformative and Penal Reparation Fleet. It is presently circling the outer perimeter of the Oos Ring Galaxy.

Wardens have been approached personally by the Navarch with a job offer: Come aboard the SFS Peregrine to assist in the redemption of an inmate, and receive a miracle known as a windfall as payment. Even if you don't ask as many questions as you should, every warden will be treated to a short Warden Orientation video explaining their expected duties and conduct.

Inmates have died and been placed aboard the SFS Peregrine as candidates for reformation. You may have come willingly, offered a choice between death or redemption, or you may have been collected against your will. Inmates are also treated to an Inmate Orientation; you'll find you have less privileges than a warden, but more motivation for...latitude. Violence? Chaos? Bribery? Blackmail? Well, no one said the path to redemption was without a few bumps along the way.

Given staff shortages, some wardens may be asked for a favor. Rather than leaving directly for the Peregrine, you've been asked to pick up an inmate from the limbo between death and redemption. During this mission, wardens will have clearance to enter a snapshot of sorts, where the inmate died (so devoid of other living beings). You either have to talk them into willingly coming along...or bring their unconscious, fresh-from-death not-corpse with you in the Avro provided. Better hope they don't wake up on the way!

Inmates, in this case, you'll be presented with the choice of death or redemption from a warden rather than the Navarch. Or possibly not provided with a choice at all, if death has rendered you unconscious. Good luck when you awaken to find yourself in a small ship, with someone you've never met. Try not to cause any trouble.

2. Pairings

Pairings are a critical aspect of the dynamic between warden and inmate. While interactions between wardens and inmates are not restricted to those in pairings, this relationship is a bit more...inescapable. Inmates test the limits of a warden, whether they take a more typical or unusual approach to matters; likewise, wardens learn what makes an inmate tick (and hopefully cooperate). Chances are, your values will clash.

A pairing of any sort is as varied as the individuals involved in them. And today, courtesy of the Navarch's monthly announcement, you and your sorry partner have been paired. Temporary or permanent, with a warden for an inmate or an inmate for a warden, it's your first day together — out of at least a month, so good luck setting some ground rules and figuring out each other's breaking points.

3. Accidents and Sabotage

A. Lights Out

As everyone knows, when it's lights out in a prison...interesting things can happen.

Whether a natural fluctuation from traveling through heavy space debris or something more unnatural (maybe it was you), the power has gone out. While life support continues to function, it's pitch black and any areas usually locked to wardens are left with doors open. It's the perfect setting for a riot, breaking and entering, thievery...your general crimes, petty and otherwise. Wardens, of course, are expected to stymie these efforts, but that doesn't necessarily mean they'll succeed. What's a little chaos between friends?

Our apologies if you happen to be in an elevator when the power dies.

B. Invasive Species

Being in space, sometimes space things happen.

Somehow (and hopefully you or someone you know isn't responsible for that "somehow"), a greater lunar tetacocien has gotten on board. Quite a feat, since they're the size of a rhino, but they have an impressive ability to squeeze through anything large enough to fit their beak. Unfortunately venomous, carnivorous, and native to the starstuff of Oos, the creature needs to be rounded up before it destroys anything (or anyone) aboard the ship. Please do not attempt to eat; the flesh is toxic.

The multi-legged predator can be immobilized with shots from an energy weapon... Too bad inmates can't carry them. Time to improvise! Or steal one, if you're canny enough.

4. Squalls

Occasionally, the ship passes through squalls, the equivalent of cosmic turbulence that can mess with little things like, say...the fabric of reality. These are shipwide effects, though who they hit is variable. Sometimes you might fall victim; other times you might be the one standing by, exasperated, as you deal with those affected.

(In other words, it's up to player discretion. And feel free to make up your own squalls!)

A. Truth Bomb

One week, those affected cannot tell a lie. Wardens and inmates alike can only speak the truth, though it varies whether they blurt out a response to any question asked or can keep mum.

B. Stuck Together

Another week, you're stuck together. Travel any farther than two meters from your buddy and you'll experience intense physical pain. There isn't anything visible to this connection; it isn't something you can sever (not that this means you can't try). So have fun with your group activities and try not to kill each other.

5. The Peregrine

The Peregrine's layout and protocols have been designed with its intended passengers in mind, who are primarily Earth humanoids and inclined towards certain social and cultural practices. If you're wondering why you are on a ship of Earth humanoids despite not being one yourself, please understand that all ships in the Admiralty have a population capacity. At times it may be necessary to assign other species to a ship of this type, based on availability.

As a warden, you have full run of the ship map. Inmates...less so, but that's nothing a little creativity can't fix, right? Just remember, if a warden catches an inmate somewhere that inmate shouldn't be, it falls on the warden to handle the matter. And if the warden turns a blind eye...well, let's hope neither of you get caught. While it won't result in anything as extreme as a demotion, wardens can expect to get a stern dressing down; inmates, meanwhile, will be reprimanded by the warden who found them.

6. Networking

Now that you've powered on your CommLink for the first time and sat through the short tutorial and appropriate orientation, you're ready to explore the wonders of messaging. Video, audio, or text, the world is your oyster and you surely have opinions on it.

There is no anonymous option and IDs must be some variation of your name. (IC, characters will have to try their luck and see what the communicator will or won't accept when they register; OOC, it's up to players to decide what name to use if the character has multiple names or aliases.)

Wardens have access to a group network filter, something that inmates lack, and can track inmates throughout the ship with their CommLink. Inmates, best avoid getting your device confiscated or monitored.

7. Wildcard

If it's in our game pages, you can use it as a prompt! The sky's the limit.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I was only provided your name and description," Data says, removing himself from Alex's space after completing his assessment - fortunately, this means it happens almost immediately.

"I have been assigned as your warden for the duration of our journey to the ship." He sits back down, apparently satisfied by his inspection. "I will answer any additional questions you have to the best of my ability."

"Physical description I'm guessing." Alex murmured, glad that the other had moved away. Data, huh? Advanced...cyborg? AI in a robot body? Something--but Alex couldn't tell what. He was incredibly lifelike though, and Alex wondered at that; honestly impressed.

"I doubt you can answer, but is all this for real? You honestly believe they can get us back and things fixed?" Alex had accepted on the hope that it was so; he already was better than his predecessor in having an actual conscience.

"Yes," Data says, the usual latency period he affects before his responses shortened considerably. "My analysis of the technological capacities of this civilization indicates they are capable of delivering on their promises, and the nature of their mission suggests they will keep them."

Despite the lack of feeling in his voice, there is an emphasis in his words not present prior to this. The android is apparently not entirely an automaton - or it's just a very, very good one.

"Did they make you?" It was the next logical question really. And so far all Alex really had to go on was 'capable of space flight and potential multiple-dimension traveling', and 'reconstructed him'. Which weren't anything to sneeze at mind you, and Alex WAS impressed. He just also was suspicious and paranoid. He hadn't seen too much in the way of kindness in his life.

"No." Data refrains from explaining who did. "I was recruited to join the warden complement of the ship by the Navarch. I am an autonomous individual."

Data would not usually clarify that, on the grounds that biological lifeforms would not, but he finds the idea of being mistaken for a robot created to serve as a prison guard...less preferable than the alternative.

"Cyborg or advanced Artificial Intelligence in an artificial body?" There's genuine curiosity in Alex's voice. "Technically, it's Doctor Mercer--doctorate in Genetics. So either field isn't exactly my specialty, but I'm curious. And will treat you like what you are--an individual." Alex seemed perfectly happy to treat Data as what he was...his own being.

"The latter. I am an android," Data says, and there is a subtle shift in inflection and posture as Data continues, an easing of accumulated bracing for defense, "It is my intention to treat you the same way, Dr. Mercer."

"I kind of figured you would, given how polite you've been so far." Alex murmured with a soft snort. "It's...definitely a change from how I've been treated before." Even if the Navarch didn't create him, Data was clearly advanced beyond what Alex had seen or heard of--and they were able to approach him, and get him to agree.

"Why?" A moment, before adding to his question. "Why agree to this?"

Trust, despite the emotional states often associated with it, is also a simple matter of reciprocal exchange, almost mathematical. Data does not feel trust, but he understands it, and therefore, he considers his answer carefully.

"There are several reasons. The first is professional. One of the primary goals of the fleet I serve in is the discovery of new life and new civilizations. I believe, as do my superiors, that this endeavor will be of great scientific value. The second reason is ethical. I wish to ensure that the mission being undertaken is conducted with respect for the rights of the inmates, and that they are effectively advocated for regardless of the nature of their crimes, a task I am qualified for in several respects." There is almost not a pause. "The third reason is personal. I require their expertise for a cybernetics project."

Huh--well that last statement most definitely caught his attention. It was even-odds whether Data would answer, considering it was personal, if Alex asked about it. All three of his reasons were interesting, when you got down to it. The second one in particular was what Alex decided to focus on.

"Why do you care? Why do you believe you're qualified?" Briefly, Alex wondered if Data was compliant with Asimov's laws--even if he wasn't a 'robot'.

Edited 2021-12-14 04:38 (UTC)

Data is aware of Asimov's laws of robotics, and is the author of an article on their limitations that is still a subject of frequent debate in the field of cybernetics despite having published several years prior. On one notable occasion, a scientist in the throws of heated inquiry stuck Data in an attempt to disprove his thesis that the laws of robotics are not required to prevent androids from harming human beings. It did prove that humans are perfectly capable of harming themselves on androids when the scientist, regrettably, broke several bones in his hand on Data's face. Data assisted him to the nearest medical facility.

"I am qualified due to my knowledge of legal argumentation and precedent from the collected jurisprudence systems of my civilization, as well as ethical philosophy, cultural anthropology, and psychology," Data says, "It is the moral responsibility of individuals capable of doing so to seek to assist others. I perceived an opportunity to assist here."

"I do not 'care' in the way you suggest." He's not critical of this - it's not unwelcome to be assumed to be able to feel, even if he does not. "I have arrived at this position through logical reasoning."

That was all oddly reassuring. Assuming Data was telling the truth. Alex just raised an eyebrow before asking. "How do I know you're telling the truth? About any of this." Because it was a fair question.

Data's open-ness, and actions so far, suggested he was--but that wasn't surety.

"You cannot," Data acknowledges, simply. "I have no additional evidence of my statements."

They are true, as far as Data can determine, but when he analyzes the situation he cannot persuasively make the case that Alex should trust or believe him on his word alone. Data would prefer if he did, but he cannot expect it.

"And probably no way you can prove to me you're telling the truth. I'd ask what's in it for you but you already answered that question." Alex considered this for a few moment's in silence. He still wasn't sure he trusted all this, but he didn't think Data was lying.

"Where're you from? This fleet of yours, that seeks out new life and new civilizations. They aren't just out to conquer or colonize? No sense of imperialism?"

"The guiding principles of our civilization are peace, the pursuit of knowledge, and the preservation of life and life's flourishing," Data says, and if an android can sound like it believes in something, it might sound like that, "Such actions would be incompatible with these goals."

You obviously believe in them...what about everyone else?

[Because Alex was extremely skeptical. But he was learning more about THIS warden. And so far--he liked Data. Or at least liked him enough to not be as grumpy as he could be otherwise.]

My beliefs are typical of wardens, although a diversity of perspectives have been selected from to ensure each inmate is appropriately paired.

[Data is encouraged by Alex's apparent concession to believing him, if nothing else.]

Hnn. Hope I get paired with someone as open-minded as you then. You make sense so far. Even I'm still waiting for the catch, so to speak.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

TEST DRIVE 001

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject