FROM DUST TO DUST - Plot Post 1

[goneawaymod]

FROM DUST TO DUST

"Dust is only a name for what happens when matter begins to understand itself."
LINKS
WORLD INFO/WORKSHOPPING

BRIEFING
They're briefed on the situation. It's a full-scale incursion, where it's not a section overlapping the Gone-Away worl, the incursion zone allows access to an entire alternate universe. Full-scale incursions like this need to be resolved before reality breaks down entirely due to the two worlds overlapping.

They're told that Jorgmund has determined the objective is to gain something useful from this world, and that a simple diplomatic mission will procure it. They must make contact with the upper crust and some members of the clergy, who are fascinated by the prospect of their world folding into another. These aristocrats have a relationship with the Church, who has a powerful artifact in their possession. The New Hires will receive a special knife in exchange for some mingling, one that might be able to close up some of the holes in the reality of the Gone-Away World.

Their sponsors in this world are going to give them a few nights in a very classy hotel, and take them on a shopping trip to treat them to glamorous clothes and finery for the gala they're expected to go to.

That's it, that's the mission. Or so they've been tol.

The New Hires are also told about daemons. That everyone in this world has one. That there are different interpretations of what they are: the human soul externalized, or maybe something else, something alien and bad. Jorgmund tells them that they'll likely stick out, due to not having daemons.

This is a lie, of course. They suspect that the mechanics of this universe will rectify the lack of daemons the second they enter.

EQUIPMENT

• The New Hires will be sent over wearing clothing appropriate to the world they're entering, though for now it's plain and casual. (They'll be taken shopping later by their guides for their formal evening wear.)


• They'll only be allowed weapons and gear appropriate to the world, so most of their technology will be gone. The only guns they'll be allowed are revolvers and bolt-action rifles. They'll all have been given substitute weapons, for those that carry them.


• They'll be allowed a more stealthy version of their comms, that look like bracelets or leather cuffs. These have all the functions of normal comms. They project small holographic screens and holographic keyboards, instead of having physical ones.


• They will still have their powers, but will be warned to keep them under wraps, as no one in this world has any.


• Non-humans or people with other-than-baseline physical traits will get holographic image inducers styled as discreet world-appropriate jewelry. Or other accessories to hide what makes them look different.

CROSSING THE BARRIER

They cross over the shimmering barrier between worlds, and walk into a small park that's been cleared of people by their sponsors. All the buildings nearby are in an Edwardian style, with light brick, slightly baroque masonry, and arched openings. In the distance, they can see a college that seems to have even older architecture.

For a half second after they walk through the shimmering barrier they seem fine.

And then there is pain, like an iron hand gripping their insides and pulling something out between their ribs. For a moment, it feels like something vital is spilling out of them, like a big enough hole as been made for their heart and lungs and organs to spill onto the ground. It feels like something secret and private is being dragged into the open, where it doesn't want to be.

And yet, there is a sense of relief, like they've all suddenly had a splinter deep in their bodies that's worked itself out. There is no sense of emptiness left behind. It's not that they've lost something, it's that it's separated out - but remained connected. By some kind of invisible umbilical cord.

It's been externalized, not ripped away.

They're suddenly all there beside them, forming out of the ether. Daemons. Each New Hire can immediately sense which is their own. When they start talking, the daemons are sure in their knowledge that they were always there all along, just hidden away, and are delighted to interact with their other halves more directly.

Comments

[tr1xx]

If she wasn’t already laughing... “Oh, god, he would. But like, worse, probably!”

She’s not exactly interacted with the guy herself, but if you’re on the rig long enough some things are just known.

“Y’know I woulda joked one of my squad would be real bad at controllin’ his but in comparison to Mac that’d be just mean. Kazu’s actually got some sense.”

[beetlebutt]

"I'd hope so if he's piloting a giant mind robot to save humanity."

They're mind robots, okay.

"I don't think people could do the stuff you're doing without at least some smarts and actually caring about people." The corner of his mouth quirks just a little. "The dumbest hero I ever knew still got it right once in a while. I don't think you last doing the kinds of stuff we do if you don't."

[tr1xx]

“Aye, true. He definitely has somethin’ going on in that head of his, shared the guy’s mind, seen him kick all sorts ass, help all sorts of folks, rescue a cow... and also leap through a wall like the kool-aid man, just because he could. And play the guitar to try an’ wake up a Deaf person.”

He’s a bit impulsive, but he’s got the same dedication as any of them. He’s a bit like the big brother she’s never had, honestly.

[beetlebutt]

"He kind of sounds like my best friend Paco," Jaime says with a smile. "He and my other best friend Brenda declared themselves my sidekicks, even with how dangerous everything was. They always help me with like the support stuff. Paco is so good and also so weird and sometimes so ridiculous, but it all balances out to something great."

Kreb had stopped with the grass on Jaime's head, so now he comes over and starts trying to pick flower petals and drop them on Cammie's head.

"I HAVE NO HUMAN SENSE OF AESTHETICS BUT I WILL MAKE YOU PRETTY NOW," says Kreb.

He also starts picking up random leaves and trying to drop them in her hair.

[tr1xx]

"He sounds like a great dude. I think ye gotta have a bit of that fun kinda weird and ridiculous in ye life, makes everythin' better."

Especially in worlds like theirs. Always a good idea to surround yourself with good people.

She bows her head with a little laugh as Kreb starts 'making her pretty'.

"Thank ye, Kreb," she says, making absolutely no move to discourage him. "I'm sure the bitsa plant-life I'll be findin' even days later will go nicely with whatever fancy-schmancy dress I end up in at the gala."