"I am unsure what kind of technology you would want," Burnham said to Vert before Saru could respond. "You may want to ask Engineering about it."
@Raynar Saassin @Ver
"I think you will find that I never put my life in the hands of others," Elliot said in response to Vader. Whether that was debatable didn't matter to Elliot, for he didn't think Vader cared to discuss it anyway.
"We'll beam over who wishes to go to the Enterprise," Burnham said. Liara nodded and her communication ended. Burnham nodded to the others and said, "sit tight."
Soon, those on the bridge who had not specifically asked to be exempt from the investigation were transported to the lounge of the Enterprise, where Liara, Spock, and James Vega waited with the device. Liara greeted the group warmly before introducing everyone to the technology.
"I've connected a helmet accessory to the device, where placing it on your head will put you into a deep sleep. As far as I can gather, the device originally copied minds into it, though I am unsure if this was meant to be permanent or just a temporary function. In any case, I have made adjustments to allow your consciousness inside the device without copying it, though it can only be done for an hour or so before the strain becomes too much on your mind."
James looked a bit sick. "So you're saying... our minds will be in there, but then when it's over, they come back to our bodies?"
"... Essentially," Liara said, giving a look that indicated she didn't really have time to help James understand it better. "Is everyone ready?"
Soon, one by one, Liara transferred the consciousness of everyone in the room into the virtual world contained inside the device. Though no one knew what to expect, the experience ended up feeling not entirely unpleasant. At first, it felt like flying, with feelings of euphoria over a blank landscape of nothing. Soon, it turned into something more, like a kaleidoscope of color being directly broadcasted into one's brain. These visions were rapid and mystifying, overlapping over each other to strike at one's every sense.
Then it all just stopped. Everyone's bodies hit softly against a surface and a landscape of light came into view. When they stood, they found themselves in a clearing in the middle of an idyllic landscape. The path behind everyone seemed to be nothing but a dense, uninviting forest, while two dirt paths led ahead. Both went through the trees ahead, but one clearly went left toward a futuristic looking city one could see just beyond the forest. The other path, the one on the right, seemed to go deeper into the forest to parts unknown.
"It would seem we will have to split up," Liara said.
Elliot was in awe, staring at his hands. "Hold on, you are saying this is inside that device? That we are... inside a computer essentially?"
"That's how I understand it," James muttered.
"That... is incredible, admittedly. I did not think this was possible. I truly feel as if I am here. Not only that, but any discomfort I had been feeling is completely gone."
"It really is quite ingenious," Liara said with a smile.
"Well then..." Elliot pointed to the right path. "That seems the more interesting way to go. That is where I will be."
"Keep in mind that we do not know what we will find. There is evidence the data in here is corrupted, so you must watch your surroundings."
Viktor and Blitzcrank
@Atomic Knight @Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Forest
The cyborg and robot decided to go to the forest with the reasoning that the numbers of people going to each place should be somewhat evenly distributed. Also, Blitzcrank disregarded his persistent following of Sarge temporarily, as he quickly learned that they were in a fictional environment.
Viktor was completely silent; he was immersed in this virtual world, absolutely astonished by the technology. Such a possibility did not occur to him. Now he really wanted to get back to his homeworld, not because he was particularly homesick, but because he wanted to continue his research so that one day the technology in his world could reach this point...
"AFFIRMATIVE."
When Elliot made his suggestion, Blitzcrank immediately acted, launching one of his detachable hands and grabbing one of the tree branches. He would shake it in hopes of having loose fruits fall down.
As Titus predicted, Starscream was met with a rather limited, even unnatural response. The entity, facing Starscream with an unsettlingly nondescript blank face, looked to the Decepticon nonchalantly and stopped briefly. "Hello. Lovely day, isn't it?" He simply asked, before looking away and walking off just as quickly as he had stopped, saying nothing more than that.
"It appears that you were correct in that the programming is not so... interactive, but I am not so eager as to label it all as "abominable" or "heresy," Mister Titus," Spock said, placing a hand on the shoulder of a passerby to test out further reactions, only for the passerby in question to brush the First Officer off and keep on his way, "It may be easy to hold disdain for something that one does not fully understand, as history has shown in my world, but I do not believe this technology is without merit; it is illogical, even if simple, to hate what you do not understand. It is a marvel, and surely, it must have been created for a reason, but I cannot fathom why," he continued.
Folding his arms behind his back, Spock continued observing the city and its denizens curiously. "There is much intrigue to be found in this realm, I believe. Unknown frontiers may be loft with peril, but the rewards are rich when one takes the time to understand such unknown places, or at least attempt to. Would you all not say so?"
@Yun Lee @Donder172 @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Siege @Gummi Bunnies @LeftPath
"I would not anticipate any deliberately hostile entities within this space -- certainly not the re-animated dead -- but considering the unknown origins of this box, as well as the data it might hold, it would be logical to be wary admittedly," Spock said in response to Gumi's remark, "If we are to believe that every object in here is mere data, by extension, I doubt that any item in here would provide a source of sustenance," he continued, dry and blunt as usual.
As the group began making their way down the left road, the city coming into greater view, everyone would find that the futuristic city, filled to the brim with chrome-painted buildings and bright lights, was also crawling with a great amount of people, all uncomfortably uniform and almost blank, with no presence attached to them, as though they were ghosts despite how solid they looked. Aside from a few passing glances, the people within the city barely even acknowledged the group as they drew closer, despite how their varied appearances no doubt stuck out from everyone else within the futuristic area.
Taking note of their reactions, or lack thereof, Spock perked a brow curiously. "Fascinating... Whatever the origin of this technology is, it's certainly beyond the holographic and virtual capabilities of our world," he spoke. "It may be fortuitous to test the limits of this machine's programming, determine how adept it is at emulating social responses."
In other words, Spock suggested the prospect of interacting with the blank "citizens" to see what they could find out.
@Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Yun Lee @Crow @Raptor Jesus @Donder172 @Gummi Bunnies @Siege @CrunchyCHEEZIT @LeftPath
As Titus predicted, Starscream was met with a rather limited, even unnatural response. The entity, facing Starscream with an unsettlingly nondescript blank face, looked to the Decepticon nonchalantly and stopped briefly. "Hello. Lovely day, isn't it?" He simply asked, before looking away and walking off just as quickly as he had stopped, saying nothing more than that.
"It appears that you were correct in that the programming is not so... interactive, but I am not so eager as to label it all as "abominable" or "heresy," Mister Titus," Spock said, placing a hand on the shoulder of a passerby to test out further reactions, only for the passerby in question to brush the First Officer off and keep on his way, "It may be easy to hold disdain for something that one does not fully understand, as history has shown in my world, but I do not believe this technology is without merit; it is illogical, even if simple, to hate what you do not understand. It is a marvel, and surely, it must have been created for a reason, but I cannot fathom why," he continued.
Folding his arms behind his back, Spock continued observing the city and its denizens curiously. "There is much intrigue to be found in this realm, I believe. Unknown frontiers may be loft with peril, but the rewards are rich when one takes the time to understand such unknown places, or at least attempt to. Would you all not say so?"
@Yun Lee @Donder172 @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Siege @Gummi Bunnies @LeftPath
Emily Hayes
@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @Atomic Knight @Space_Candy @Forest
Emily frowned, eyeing the tree with caution, and then the fruit that Elliot managed to knock down. She realized she no longer had her amulet on her, but... Even without stone magic, she just had a feeling it wasn't a great idea to eat these. Unfortunately, before she could even stop him, Grif had already started eating the fruit.
"This fruit... I don't know if it's safe to eat. You think it could be poisonous?" She asked.
If she had her amulet with her, she might have been able to check to see, but now... All she had left to rely on was her wits and past experience... Which wasn't too bad, as long as they didn't have to deal with any crazy threats in here.
As Titus predicted, Starscream was met with a rather limited, even unnatural response. The entity, facing Starscream with an unsettlingly nondescript blank face, looked to the Decepticon nonchalantly and stopped briefly. "Hello. Lovely day, isn't it?" He simply asked, before looking away and walking off just as quickly as he had stopped, saying nothing more than that.
"It appears that you were correct in that the programming is not so... interactive, but I am not so eager as to label it all as "abominable" or "heresy," Mister Titus," Spock said, placing a hand on the shoulder of a passerby to test out further reactions, only for the passerby in question to brush the First Officer off and keep on his way, "It may be easy to hold disdain for something that one does not fully understand, as history has shown in my world, but I do not believe this technology is without merit; it is illogical, even if simple, to hate what you do not understand. It is a marvel, and surely, it must have been created for a reason, but I cannot fathom why," he continued.
Folding his arms behind his back, Spock continued observing the city and its denizens curiously. "There is much intrigue to be found in this realm, I believe. Unknown frontiers may be loft with peril, but the rewards are rich when one takes the time to understand such unknown places, or at least attempt to. Would you all not say so?"
@Yun Lee @Donder172 @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Siege @Gummi Bunnies @LeftPath
The fruit at first tasted amazing, equalling just about any of the greatest meals Grif had ever eaten. However, after a moment, the taste turned bitter and gruesome, enough to cause one to vomit. Some of the strange fruit in the trees suddenly rotted before everyone's eyes and some phased completely out of existence.
"Mierda!" James exclaimed. "Was it a trick?"
"I have a feeling it would have done that regardless if one of us tried eating the fruit," Elliot said, looking at Grif with an unimpressed look. "But some of us lack the mental capacity to not eat the first thing we see." Elliot looked at some of the fruit that had dropped to the ground, examining it closely. "We were told there was corrupted data in here. Feels like the sort of thing that would follow such a theory." He flashed the group a tired look, though it wasn't for reason of physical exhaustion. "Hmm..."
Continuing on the path, the group eventually came to a small bridge overtop a stream. Birds chirped in the distance, though no wildlife could be seen.
Elliot paused for a moment to observe the water but was quickly off to cross the bridge first. However, he was stopped short by an invisible wall in the middle of the bridge. He grunted and tapped at the wall, causing visual disturbances where he touched. He was about ready to try blasting at the wall when a small poodle jumped out of the forest and landed on the bridge. It barked at the group from the other side of the wall.
@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Forest
Viktor and Blitzcrank
@Atomic Knight @Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Forest
The cyborg and robot decided to go to the forest with the reasoning that the numbers of people going to each place should be somewhat evenly distributed. Also, Blitzcrank disregarded his persistent following of Sarge temporarily, as he quickly learned that they were in a fictional environment.
Viktor was completely silent; he was immersed in this virtual world, absolutely astonished by the technology. Such a possibility did not occur to him. Now he really wanted to get back to his homeworld, not because he was particularly homesick, but because he wanted to continue his research so that one day the technology in his world could reach this point. Humanity had a lot of work to do.
"AFFIRMATIVE."
When Elliot made his suggestion, Blitzcrank immediately acted, launching one of his detachable hands and grabbing one of the tree branches. He would shake it in hopes of having loose fruits fall down.
The fruit at first tasted amazing, equalling just about any of the greatest meals Grif had ever eaten. However, after a moment, the taste turned bitter and gruesome, enough to cause one to vomit. Some of the strange fruit in the trees suddenly rotted before everyone's eyes and some phased completely out of existence.
"Mierda!" James exclaimed. "Was it a trick?"
"I have a feeling it would have done that regardless if one of us tried eating the fruit," Elliot said, looking at Grif with an unimpressed look. "But some of us lack the mental capacity to not eat the first thing we see." Elliot looked at some of the fruit that had dropped to the ground, examining it closely. "We were told there was corrupted data in here. Feels like the sort of thing that would follow such a theory." He flashed the group a tired look, though it wasn't for reason of physical exhaustion. "Hmm..."
Continuing on the path, the group eventually came to a small bridge overtop a stream. Birds chirped in the distance, though no wildlife could be seen.
Elliot paused for a moment to observe the water but was quickly off to cross the bridge first. However, he was stopped short by an invisible wall in the middle of the bridge. He grunted and tapped at the wall, causing visual disturbances where he touched. He was about ready to try blasting at the wall when a small poodle jumped out of the forest and landed on the bridge. It barked at the group from the other side of the wall.
@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Forest
As Titus predicted, Starscream was met with a rather limited, even unnatural response. The entity, facing Starscream with an unsettlingly nondescript blank face, looked to the Decepticon nonchalantly and stopped briefly. "Hello. Lovely day, isn't it?" He simply asked, before looking away and walking off just as quickly as he had stopped, saying nothing more than that.
"It appears that you were correct in that the programming is not so... interactive, but I am not so eager as to label it all as "abominable" or "heresy," Mister Titus," Spock said, placing a hand on the shoulder of a passerby to test out further reactions, only for the passerby in question to brush the First Officer off and keep on his way, "It may be easy to hold disdain for something that one does not fully understand, as history has shown in my world, but I do not believe this technology is without merit; it is illogical, even if simple, to hate what you do not understand. It is a marvel, and surely, it must have been created for a reason, but I cannot fathom why," he continued.
Folding his arms behind his back, Spock continued observing the city and its denizens curiously. "There is much intrigue to be found in this realm, I believe. Unknown frontiers may be loft with peril, but the rewards are rich when one takes the time to understand such unknown places, or at least attempt to. Would you all not say so?"
@Yun Lee @Donder172 @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Siege @Gummi Bunnies @LeftPath
Vader watched in silence as the group tried to get their hands on that mysterious fruit. He preferred that they had continued on but it was clear that they had become mystified with the fruit and the Dark Lord of the Sith was not going to have none of that. He could smell a trap when he saw one.
Unsurprisingly it seemed that the fruit hid some bitter truth. Continuing along they'd find themselves at a river and then an animal of some sort came into view. "It appears we have found the guardian of this place."
@Atomic Knight @Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Forest
Liara nodded in agreement with Spock. "Perhaps if one looks at it from a military perspective there isn't much use for something like this...unless you have it as a prison of some sorts..."
"But even so...the possibilities of something like this is endless. You could create any kind of frame work and implement it. Imagine building a simulation of a thousand year old dead society and walk among them in here in real time..."
@Yun Lee @Donder172 @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Siege @Gummi Bunnies @LeftPath
As Titus predicted, Starscream was met with a rather limited, even unnatural response. The entity, facing Starscream with an unsettlingly nondescript blank face, looked to the Decepticon nonchalantly and stopped briefly. "Hello. Lovely day, isn't it?" He simply asked, before looking away and walking off just as quickly as he had stopped, saying nothing more than that.
"It appears that you were correct in that the programming is not so... interactive, but I am not so eager as to label it all as "abominable" or "heresy," Mister Titus," Spock said, placing a hand on the shoulder of a passerby to test out further reactions, only for the passerby in question to brush the First Officer off and keep on his way, "It may be easy to hold disdain for something that one does not fully understand, as history has shown in my world, but I do not believe this technology is without merit; it is illogical, even if simple, to hate what you do not understand. It is a marvel, and surely, it must have been created for a reason, but I cannot fathom why," he continued.
Folding his arms behind his back, Spock continued observing the city and its denizens curiously. "There is much intrigue to be found in this realm, I believe. Unknown frontiers may be loft with peril, but the rewards are rich when one takes the time to understand such unknown places, or at least attempt to. Would you all not say so?"
@Yun Lee @Donder172 @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Raptor Jesus @Crow @Jeremi @Raynar Saassin @Siege @Gummi Bunnies @LeftPath
The fruit at first tasted amazing, equalling just about any of the greatest meals Grif had ever eaten. However, after a moment, the taste turned bitter and gruesome, enough to cause one to vomit. Some of the strange fruit in the trees suddenly rotted before everyone's eyes and some phased completely out of existence.
"Mierda!" James exclaimed. "Was it a trick?"
"I have a feeling it would have done that regardless if one of us tried eating the fruit," Elliot said, looking at Grif with an unimpressed look. "But some of us lack the mental capacity to not eat the first thing we see." Elliot looked at some of the fruit that had dropped to the ground, examining it closely. "We were told there was corrupted data in here. Feels like the sort of thing that would follow such a theory." He flashed the group a tired look, though it wasn't for reason of physical exhaustion. "Hmm..."
Continuing on the path, the group eventually came to a small bridge overtop a stream. Birds chirped in the distance, though no wildlife could be seen.
Elliot paused for a moment to observe the water but was quickly off to cross the bridge first. However, he was stopped short by an invisible wall in the middle of the bridge. He grunted and tapped at the wall, causing visual disturbances where he touched. He was about ready to try blasting at the wall when a small poodle jumped out of the forest and landed on the bridge. It barked at the group from the other side of the wall.
@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Forest
“Finally! It’s about time that someone around here began making some damn sense!” Sarge exclaimed with a hearty laugh before giving Krystal a rather rough pat on the back.
"It's certainly fascinating, I agree with that." Meceliss said to Spock "Perhaps that might work, though it is possible they won't respond at all or respond hostile. So I do suggest to interact with caution."
"I would not anticipate any deliberately hostile entities within this space -- certainly not the re-animated dead -- but considering the unknown origins of this box, as well as the data it might hold, it would be logical to be wary admittedly," Spock said in response to Gumi's remark, "If we are to believe that every object in here is mere data, by extension, I doubt that any item in here would provide a source of sustenance," he continued, dry and blunt as usual.
As the group began making their way down the left road, the city coming into greater view, everyone would find that the futuristic city, filled to the brim with chrome-painted buildings and bright lights, was also crawling with a great number of people, all uncomfortably uniform and almost blank, with no presence attached to them, as though they were ghosts despite how solid they looked. Aside from a few passing glances, the people within the city barely even acknowledged the group as they drew closer, despite how their varied appearances no doubt stuck out from everyone else within the futuristic area.
Taking note of their reactions, or lack thereof, Spock perked a brow curiously. "Fascinating... Whatever the origin of this technology is, it's certainly beyond the holographic and virtual capabilities of our world," he spoke. "It may be fortuitous to test the limits of this machine's programming, determine how adept it is at emulating social responses."
In other words, Spock suggested the prospect of interacting with the blank "citizens" to see what they could find out.
"Tech-heresy?" Meceliss said with confusionTitus glanced around, looking down at the civilians as they passed by. He immediately picked up on their unnatural uniformity and presence, . He furrowing his brow, and looking up at Starscream. The most mechanical-looking being here, and it's more emotive and 'human' than these virtual clones.
"Don't bother, Starscream. They aren't real. I am no scientist, but I don't believe these entities were 'programmed' to think very hard," Titus commented, looking back at Spock and nodding. "The scions of Mars would purge this facade immediately. Abominable intelligence. It must be the highest form of tech-heresy possible."
Of course, Titus said that, not accounting for the androids and synthetics in the group. Titus didn't seem as vehement as the individuals he described, though the virtual people most certainly disturbed him to some extent.
"I agree, labeling this as 'abominable' or 'heresy' is just... crazy." Meceliss said in response to spock.As Titus predicted, Starscream was met with a rather limited, even unnatural response. The entity, facing Starscream with an unsettlingly nondescript blank face, looked to the Decepticon nonchalantly and stopped briefly. "Hello. Lovely day, isn't it?" He simply asked, before looking away and walking off just as quickly as he had stopped, saying nothing more than that.
"It appears that you were correct in that the programming is not so... interactive, but I am not so eager as to label it all as "abominable" or "heresy," Mister Titus," Spock said, placing a hand on the shoulder of a passerby to test out further reactions, only for the passerby in question to brush the First Officer off and keep on his way, "It may be easy to hold disdain for something that one does not fully understand, as history has shown in my world, but I do not believe this technology is without merit; it is illogical, even if simple, to hate what you do not understand. It is a marvel, and surely, it must have been created for a reason, but I cannot fathom why," he continued.
Folding his arms behind his back, Spock continued observing the city and its denizens curiously. "There is much intrigue to be found in this realm, I believe. Unknown frontiers may be loft with peril, but the rewards are rich when one takes the time to understand such unknown places, or at least attempt to. Would you all not say so?"
Meceliss pondered for a moment on that. "Hm... then I wouldn't blame you for that."Titus didn't seem to necessarily reject Spock and Liara's excitement for the unknown, but he didn't seem to agree with it either. "Fooling with things beyond our scope and understanding is what plunged the Mankind of my reality into. . .what we are today. A rotten state, bloated and spread thin on a galactic battlefield," he grimly stated, sounding more disdainful of his own people than he was of Spock or Liara.
"I wouldn't expect either of you to understand. But. . .it's sometimes wise to live in ignorance when the alternative is madness."
Titus didn't want to think about it, but it was inevitable. He didn't have nearly as much to say about Chaos as he would about other heresies in his world - aliens, mutants and the such. To even think of the Ruinous Powers is to let them into your mind, and in the universe of Titus, the dark gods constantly scratch at the corners of one's mind, begging to be let in, promising an endless wealth of knowledge and happiness. The weak-willed and desperate are the first ones to fall.
And when the strong begin to fall, that is when the galaxy burns.
. . .I am no heretic! I SENT THE DAEMON TO OBLIVION!. . .
. . .But did you have unholy assistance? We must know. . .
The captain shook his head. He pondered how quickly some in the group would fall to Chaos if they were to foray into Titus' realm, and came to the conclusion that most of them would. Weak-willed, power-hungry, desperate for any scrap of strength. Acting in control, when in actuality, they're puppets being consumed and toyed with by thirsting gods.
If only they knew how bad things really are outside.
"Just be careful." Mizelia said, just realizing she didn't feel the familiar weight of her lightsaber on her belt. She looked at her belt only to see that it was missing.
Mizelia pondered as she noticed the disturbance from the invisible wall "Hmm... interesting..." she muttered. Having not taken much attention to Grif as he ate one of the fruits, but rather took a moment to take in the beauty of the forest. Even though it was not real, it was interesting.The fruit at first tasted amazing, equalling just about any of the greatest meals Grif had ever eaten. However, after a moment, the taste turned bitter and gruesome, enough to cause one to vomit. Some of the strange fruit in the trees suddenly rotted before everyone's eyes and some phased completely out of existence.
"Mierda!" James exclaimed. "Was it a trick?"
"I have a feeling it would have done that regardless if one of us tried eating the fruit," Elliot said, looking at Grif with an unimpressed look. "But some of us lack the mental capacity to not eat the first thing we see." Elliot looked at some of the fruit that had dropped to the ground, examining it closely. "We were told there was corrupted data in here. Feels like the sort of thing that would follow such a theory." He flashed the group a tired look, though it wasn't for reason of physical exhaustion. "Hmm..."
Continuing on the path, the group eventually came to a small bridge overtop a stream. Birds chirped in the distance, though no wildlife could be seen.
Elliot paused for a moment to observe the water but was quickly off to cross the bridge first. However, he was stopped short by an invisible wall in the middle of the bridge. He grunted and tapped at the wall, causing visual disturbances where he touched. He was about ready to try blasting at the wall when a small poodle jumped out of the forest and landed on the bridge. It barked at the group from the other side of the wall.
The fruit at first tasted amazing, equalling just about any of the greatest meals Grif had ever eaten. However, after a moment, the taste turned bitter and gruesome, enough to cause one to vomit. Some of the strange fruit in the trees suddenly rotted before everyone's eyes and some phased completely out of existence.
"Mierda!" James exclaimed. "Was it a trick?"
"I have a feeling it would have done that regardless if one of us tried eating the fruit," Elliot said, looking at Grif with an unimpressed look. "But some of us lack the mental capacity to not eat the first thing we see." Elliot looked at some of the fruit that had dropped to the ground, examining it closely. "We were told there was corrupted data in here. Feels like the sort of thing that would follow such a theory." He flashed the group a tired look, though it wasn't for reason of physical exhaustion. "Hmm..."
Continuing on the path, the group eventually came to a small bridge overtop a stream. Birds chirped in the distance, though no wildlife could be seen.
Elliot paused for a moment to observe the water but was quickly off to cross the bridge first. However, he was stopped short by an invisible wall in the middle of the bridge. He grunted and tapped at the wall, causing visual disturbances where he touched. He was about ready to try blasting at the wall when a small poodle jumped out of the forest and landed on the bridge. It barked at the group from the other side of the wall.
@Yun Lee @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @York @Space_Candy @Forest
Emily Hayes
@Atomic Knight @Jeremi @Donder172 @Raptor Jesus @Alex Azure @Space_Candy
@Forest
While what Elliot was saying seemed logical enough, Emily couldn't help but be suspicious of her surroundings now. The next area they came to seemed even more suspicious from the deceptively tranquil surroundings, to the seemingly invisible barrier around the bridge. What was more was the poodle barking on the bridge from the other side of the barrier. Carefully, Emily caught Elliot's hand, holding up her index finger with her other hand.
"Wait. Remember those trees?" She said, eyeing the barrier closely.
Her mind went back to what had happened with those pears... Before she looked at the dog, cocking her head to the side. With a quiet motion, she knelt down and patted her knees, trying to beckon the dog to come closer. While the dog itself was cute, there was another motive to trying to get it to approach her; she wanted to see if this barrier prevented entry from both directions... Or if this was instead some sort of one way barrier.
❝ Guess I'm going left too. ❞ Flower didn't seem to mind either option, and just decided to go left. She didn't exactly properly patch up the scratch she had on her arm, but after somewhat figuring out what the obsolete omni-tool did. For now she figured she could ignore it.
"So, this is virtual reality?"
Starscream looked at his lanky hands and moves his fingers about.
"Curious how it can warp both cybernetic and organic minds."
He then sees two paths ahead.
"The less similiar the sights there are to Earth, the better," Starscream says as he refers to the forested right path. Instead, he opts for something closer to Cybertron's aesthetic - the futuristic city of the left path. He follows near Vert & Titus.
"Let us make sure one or two of us is holding an Omni-Tool in either sector- wait, we do have them in this virtual simulation, do we?"
"I would not anticipate any deliberately hostile entities within this space -- certainly not the re-animated dead -- but considering the unknown origins of this box, as well as the data it might hold, it would be logical to be wary admittedly," Spock said in response to Gumi's remark, "If we are to believe that every object in here is mere data, by extension, I doubt that any item in here would provide a source of sustenance," he continued, dry and blunt as usual.
As the group began making their way down the left road, the city coming into greater view, everyone would find that the futuristic city, filled to the brim with chrome-painted buildings and bright lights, was also crawling with a great amount of people, all uncomfortably uniform and almost blank, with no presence attached to them, as though they were ghosts despite how solid they looked. Aside from a few passing glances, the people within the city barely even acknowledged the group as they drew closer, despite how their varied appearances no doubt stuck out from everyone else within the futuristic area.
Taking note of their reactions, or lack thereof, Spock perked a brow curiously. "Fascinating... Whatever the origin of this technology is, it's certainly beyond the holographic and virtual capabilities of our world," he spoke. "It may be fortuitous to test the limits of this machine's programming, determine how adept it is at emulating social responses."
In other words, Spock suggested the prospect of interacting with the blank "citizens" to see what they could find out.