Pandora's Box

[ns-6]

[Closed RP with XR-8 and GrinningOwl]

[grinningowl]

The silence had indeed made Blake suspicious, watching the two bots with a close eye. The nudge helps with his suspicion. They were on the tips of their toes now and to hide it, they imitated the hoot of an owl and chuckled, pleased with themselves. Behind closed curtains, as a spy would put it, the symbiote was being Blake’s second pair of eyes and looked around while Blake himself continued to wait ‘patiently’.

[ns-6]

NS-6 sends XR-8 a gif of him nodding, since doing so physically would be suspicious. He also maintains the other conversation and makes it branch into old topics that the two have discussed - complete with previous voice recordings.

The lifter-bot smiles at Blake reciprocating the sound. If only they could communicate with owl noises…

[“I think he’s noticed our silence and shares the suspicion. That said, I don’t know how to even begin interfacing with a human. I mean we could plug directly into his brain but - moral issues aside - that would probably be more suspicious than sign language. Perhaps our answer lies with Sym? I really wish we had looked into this now.”]

[rp-gm]

There wasn't anything particularly suspicious for Sym or either of the robots to notice; in fact, if anything, their surroundings were suspiciously... clean. There was the sound of the engines running, yet no other staff could be heard - surely it didn't take just a single person to run an entire spaceship? It didn't matter much, either way. Their guide gives them a brief, oddly forced smile, and hits the switch on the transporter. A strange sensation of being sucked through a tube and a brief flash of light, and the three companions find themselves on a platform down on the planet. More accurately, it was a pedestal; a stage adorned with golden flowers and tributes. There's a crowd in front of them, looking up in awe. A welcome parade, it seemed, though the welcoming party was simply staring - and... waiting? They stood in a perfect grid, almost as though they were well-practiced in whatever ritual this was considered to be. Another flash of light and a microphone stand appearing out of the air makes this clear - As gods, they were supposed to make some form of welcome speech. The silent message that's sent to both of the robots also helps to clarify this.

[ns-6]

[Closed RP with XR-8 and GrinningOwl]

[grinningowl]

When they heard the message they eagerly sprung up on their feet, the chair dissolving into tendrils and going into Blake’s ‘clothes’. Blake followed after the bots, looking around the station feeling almost disappointed by the size of the place, but forgot about that when they jumped slightly at the robed man’s loud voice.

They continued to follow after the bots, feeling like a third (and forth) wheel when they saw the arms. Oh well.

The scanner was a bit intimidating to Blake, a paranoid fear that it would beep at him no matter what. Nevertheless, he walked through it with a little nervousness.

[xr-8-blog]

XR-8 frowns. Something felt off - something was off, though he hadn’t yet put a word to it. This wasn’t standard procedure, surely? That, or they were far more efficient than they realised. …Better safe than sorry. He discreetly detaches his nanites, instructing them to crawl around the scanner and rejoin with him after. Then he walks through (after Blake, and gesturing for NS-6 to take his arm instead with a bit of a scowly face).

[rp-gm]

Thankfully, no one seems to notice. Once past the hangar, the station opens up into a much wider area - though it's still smaller than might be expected. Given it's only really meant to hold one party of people at a time, that was to be expected. There weren't any shops - there wasn't any profit to be had in opening a shop in a place with so little traffic - but there were plenty of vending machines selling all sorts of goods. Well, mainly alien food. There's an entire vending machine dedicated to what appeared to be tentacles. They're still wriggling inside the machine. "You're done," the guide speaks up. He's walking in front, leading the way, hands held behind his back. "Scans are good. Four of you, yes?" His eyes flicker over them briefly. "The teleporter pad is over in the center. Just step onto it together and I'll activate the pad."

[ns-6]

[Closed RP with XR-8 and GrinningOwl]

[xr-8-blog]

XR-8 just rolls his eyes. Sheesh.

[grinningowl]

"Thanks, we suppose." they shrugged, beginning to form a- Yeah, no. Don’t do that. However far he got into making that thing it wouldn’t be noticed soon enough to actually know what it was before it “melted” away.

"I tried to do science once. I got a white flame from it. And detention."

[xr-8-blog]

XR-8 watches Blake curiously. “Well, try not to do that on the ship, then,” he comments with a dry chuckle. “We should be approaching now. Just need to wait for the signal.”

[rp-gm]

“You're cleared for docking.” The message is sent through the ship's speakers. The space station's hangar opens up – it's surprisingly small, all things considered. A man waits for them once Blake and the robots exit the ship. His clothing is bright and oddly garish – loose. “New gods!” he exclaims upon seeing them, smiling brightly. “This way, please. Your paperwork has been cleared and you'll be able to head down straight away – we just need you to step through our scanners first.”

[ns-6]

[Closed RP with XR-8 and GrinningOwl]

[ns-6]

"Have no fear, Blake!" NS-6 returns from his minor, unannounced run to the future-printer. He strikes a thrusting post akin to fencing, brandishing the papers as his blade. On it is a list of fairly safe planets. "Even if there is something that wants to eat you, you got Sym and the coolest bots in the galaxy! Nothing will get to you."

All of the planets are weird, pseudo-Earths. 

[rp-gm]

>Parameter Selection >Threat Level: Safe >Atmosphere: Non-corrosive, breathable for Homo sapiens >Temperature: Average 20°C-40°C, no extremes >Civilisation: Yes ...Loading list of planets within ~20 light years... ...Loading done. Planet: A-6331552 Description: This planet has been engineered as a tourist attraction. It is currently one of very few existing planets that were formed outside of natural means; nearly the entire planet is mechanical, though the surface simulates an Earth-like atmosphere and environment. Because of the underlying mechanical structure, the surface of the planet is mobile. A-6331552 has been known to rearrange itself entirely under a team of engineers. The entire planet is a theme park, with many of the rides and attractions expected on modern-day Earth, though scaled up. Food is available for many different species, notably of a rather unhealthy variety. Planet: A-6331557 Description: This planet houses a developing civilisation still within its Medieval Ages. Against galactic law, a group of refugees landed on this planet, intending to use their superior technology to take it over. Council forces intervened, but not before they had already presented their technology to the people. Analysts have determined that culture has been too severely impacted to entirely withdraw alien presence. A controversial law has been put into place while the debate rages on about what to do; visitors to the planet are both allowed and will be treated as gods by the locals, in order to maintain the illusion currently perceived. Because of the nature of the situation, visitors are strictly limited by the Council. Planet: A-6331574 Description: This planet is entirely underwater; the people it houses live in domes under the water. Though capable of interplanetary flight, civilisation is surprisingly primitive. Technology and civilians are kept apart; technology is rarely used in day-to-day life. Only the people in the highest positions in society have access to computers and long-distance communication. Non-privileged common folk are allowed access only to light and heating. They may leave the planet, but are not allowed to return once they have left. While visitors are allowed, they are looked down upon and led on a very strict tour through the city – people still visit only for the exceptionally beautiful sights in the waters. The rest of the list contains largely inconsequential planets – civilisations already much like Earth.