subnautica | March Intro: Head First

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Arrival!

It was supposed to be a routine mission. Maybe you think you’ve been here for a bit or maybe you just arrived. Either way, you know there was supposed to be a completely normal underwater mission, probably just gathering resources, unless you just arrived, in which case welcome!

Unfortunately, somehow you’ve been dumped somewhere you shouldn’t be. A woman’s voice can be heard, robotic in tone with hints of emotion. That emotion mostly seems to be mild surprise.

"Life signs detected. Life forms are non-native to this planet. They... oh. Oh dear, I wasn’t prepared after all. Please refrain from dying for a moment. Your things are incoming."

Your eyes open underwater. At least you're near the surface. But the moment you break through you'll notice one thing: the ocean, stretching out for miles around you in all directions with no end in sight and only a very distant gleaming metal structure in the far distance. You're not alone but this surely isn't what you expected. In fact, you really can't understand how you managed to get from where you were to underwater so fast.

None of your belongings are with you save the clothing on your body. And the depths below you offer no comfort, the light engulfed before it can reach wherever the sea bottom is.

Somewhere, you hear a sound shaking through the water, like something between a whale and a foghorn.

No turning back now.

Prompts!

A: WHALE OF A TALE
As it turns out, there is hope for those who can't swim or get help from someone who can. Something emerges from the depths, a massive bed of coral that makes that strange sound, allowing people to climb on top of it. Of course, that bed of coral is actually the back of a massive creature that moves how it pleases and occasionally dives back down underwater.

There is a pod of them around the area calling to each other. They're friendly, or at least they don't seem to mind any poking or hangers on. But one of their long tendrils may still give you a good whack on accident.

If you’re really lucky you can probably ride one all the way back to the base. Wouldn’t that be a fantastic entrance?

B: HELP ARRIVES
At least, some assistance arrives. Strange little robots on propellers arrive fifteen or so minutes later, rushing to the scene carrying a floating bin of some sort. They drop it into the ocean and buzz excitedly around it in the hopes of luring people over.

Inside the bin are goggles, breathing devices and knives enough for the new arrivals. The knives have a compass on the hilt that has a marker for the direction of the base. One robot will play a helpful recording from the robotic woman for those getting their gear:

"Please deposit any articles of clothing getting in the way of swimming in the bin. We will be sure they arrive safely at the base. Do not try to swim in anything that will bog you down."

A pause.

"Swimming nude is not recommended. There can be... unpleasant issues. For future reference, please consult me before going on missions like this."

C: UNDER THE SEA
Of course, there's no reason to rush right to the base. This place is certainly beautiful in its own right and has a few caves to explore - watch those stingers hanging from the ceilings - with an abundance of strange and wonderful fish eager to either play with you or dart away as fast as possible. Of course there's plenty of Reefbacks still calling to each other and a large amount of floating rocks with Floaters attached.

D: MATING SEASON
On second thought, maybe heading to the base is a good idea. Occasionally you might see plumes of dust near the ocean floor. Exploring these is a very bad idea. The moment you get close, a Sand Shark will explode out of the sand, ready to attack. They range from five to eight feet in length and will pursue you without mercy. At least they give up if you get near the surface or hide in the right caves.

Unfortunately, it's mating season. That means dozens of them can appear at any time trying to court a female with acts of aggression and skill. And you really don't want to be in the middle of that.

E: HOME SWEET HOME
You did it! You made it to the base. You are probably dead tired by now having swam quite a long distance—or somehow riding a Reefback all the way here—and the sun is beginning to set. Upon arrival, URSULA will welcome you and give you a quick rundown of the lockers (where your personal items can be found, as safe as if you stored them there yourself) and the base's layout if you’re new. She will also recommend that you put on your communication device and settling in. She will then just as quickly apologise by saying that she must finish preparing the base for the others.

"Please give me a few days to finish retooling the base. Oh, I'm so excited. We're going to make a great team, I promise. And don't go back to that biome yet until mating season is over. Sand Sharks are... troublesome."

F: WILDCARD
The ocean is yours to explore! Maybe your characters will find places to take breaks. Maybe they'll start gathering things. Maybe they'll murder fish! Or maybe they'll get lost in the dark and take a rather long time to find the base. Or just crash the kitchen for some of that delicious fish, more fish and seaweed! It's all up to you!

See the Biomes page for the currently accessible areas or details on current wildlife and the Base page for all your base needs. Direct any questions and plotting to the OOC post and have fun!

BASED ON CODE BY TESSISAMESS AND SUPERSUITS

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Well, she doesn't have a lizard head, she's not in the form of a dog or a cat, she's pretty human-shaped, the green skin is out of place, but otherwise--

Okay, maybe he shouldn't be having species debates with total strangers.]

No one's throwing anyone out the airlock, all right? Human or not. I just wanted some answers; that's all.

What has to be done, anyway? You seem like you do know your way around here, at least.

Is everyone here terrible at listening?

[ To be fair, most of them haven't been told anything, but Peridot expects everyone to keep up with her, especially when she knows more than they do. ]

We're supposed to alter the planet to make it more suitable for human habitation. I don't know why.

I got that part just fine! I mean, what's the task list here--? Are we supposed to expand this place, or bring up some islands, or get rid of some of those monsters, or what?

[What the priorities are here should provide more clues as to what the situation is like overall -- he hopes.]

No one's told me that.

[ Clearly he should've figured that out on his own, without asking her. Her life would be easier. ]

Look, I'm sure you're very confused and everything, but can't you find someone else to ask?

[That...was not an answer he expected, actually, given how the conversation's been going. He takes a deep breath, counts to five, and lets it out.]

All right, I will.

[Be friendly, be friendly...if she doesn't actually have a clue either, that puts a different spin on things.]

If I find out, do you want me to let you know?

Of course I want to know. You think I want to stay in the dark?

[ She rolls her eyes and mutters. ]

Humans.

[ Rude, Peridot. ]

I'm probably better than you are for this kind of work, anyway.

[be nice be nice be nice-- okay, he can't quite resist.]

Even if you' don't know what it is?

I know more than you, apparently.

[ Peridot retorts with more than a little bit of venom and irritation. Bring it on! ]

Not that much more. ...but all right, I'll pass it on if I find any more out.

The name's Mikleo, by the way.

Peridot. I guess we're going to have to work together.

[ She sounds thrilled. She takes a deep breath and then runs her hands down her face. Why this? Why anything? ]

Now what?

I don't know about you, but I'm going to have a look around the building and get the layout straight in my head, and...try to get used to it. I've never been somewhere completely underwater like this before.

Neither have I.

[ Peridot admits this lack of experience with a muted grumble. She wrinkles her nose, considering. She really should get the lay of the facility down but she also would like to take a break. ]

I think I'm going to get dry before I do anything else.

Sounds like a good idea.

[He does briefly consider offering to get the water off her, but that seems like a weird segue to get into with a stranger.]

I'll see you around later, then, Peridot. I look forward to working with you.

[ Peridot could say the same thing, but it would mostly be a lie. She squints and then reluctantly offers a little wave. ]

I suppose we will be working together. I'll see you later.

March Intro: Head First

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