arca_siderium | Will - 001

Entry tags:

will arrowsmith

Will - 001 - OPEN POST

Oh. Oh! Wow.

[the speaker is a young man, probably in his early twenties, with messy black hair and a white shirt under a leather jacket. when he speaks, his accent is unmistakably British--and quite posh, to boot. but his voice is also very nasal, and that combined with his way of speaking lend a rather dorky quality to him overall, though his appearance is nothing like the stereotype]

This is amazing! Is this...could I be inside the TARDIS' Star Chamber?

[he is standing on a floor--or perhaps ground--of polished black metal. if he is inside a building, though, there is no sign of walls anywhere. all that he can see is a huge, bright expanse of stars above and black metal floor stretching as far as the eye can see]

It's...a bit like it. But it couldn't be, could it? [he taps a foot on the ground] He never mentioned another viewing platform, and this isn't even what it looked like wh--oh! Isn't that Orion? [he points at the constellation, as though he's showing it to someone else] But where is Taurus? And what is Ursa Major doing there? [he pauses, frowning] If that even is Ursa Major...

[he starts forward, his expression filled with wonder and his gaze focused on the stars since they appear to be the only changing part of the landscape] Whatever this is, it's really quite fascinating! I should be recording this... [he fishes in the pocket of his jacket, producing a dictaphone of the sort one might find in the late 80's or early 90's--portable casette tape and all--and presses to begin recording] Will Arrowsmith here. I seem to have lost my way in the TARDIS again. I'm in a room similar to the Star Chamber, though rather than observing the galaxy through glass, I appear to be...walking across within it. Not to mention, several of the constellations around me are familiar, so I can only assume this must be a simulation of some sort, perhaps using aspects of multiple galaxies including our own. I seem to be walk--ahh!

[he cuts off abruptly with a yelp as the floor drops beneath him and he falls over backwards at the top of what seems to be a flight of stairs, leading down through the metal floor into darkness below]

Oh my...

[ooc: Meet Will Arrowsmith! He's a bit eccentric but generally a nice guy. The basic premise here is an inexplicable starry landscape (not actually in the TARDIS) with a stairway that can go anywhere you'd like it to go. If you'd rather play something else, just comment with a new prompt. Come one, come all!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[There's something about this place that puts Felix a little on edge, but if asked why, he wouldn't be able to put it to words in a quick and easy explanation. Maybe it was the lack of knowledge in regards to where he is--actually, that really is part of it. This place reminds him of one of those giant planetariums he went to as a kid, hundreds--maybe thousands--times bigger than that. It's not that he feels small; being what he is, he's more than aware of his relative size compared to those involved with the grand schemes of governments and those trying to overthrow their corrupt asses.

No, he just feels exposed out here and trapped at the same time. He hasn't even been here all that long and it's already bugging him like that. He can't see a window or door, or anything remotely resembling an exit. Plus he's stuck in here with a really talkative guy from the past. And that's another thing. Time travel. That's really damn new and weird, and kinda annoying too since he can't change anything in his personal timeline. Part of him wonders what the point is in traveling in time--but the other part tells the first to shut up because seeing alien civilizations is really damn cool. Not that he's gotten to do much of it, though.

From the sounds of it, Will's done some traveling, or maybe the guy just doesn't react to new places and situations the same way he does. He'd rather scout the place and assess the situation for hostiles and the like, but Will just...goes right on in, babbling away on that ancient device of his. Felix is also pretty damn surprised that Will isn't a doctor of some kind. Seems smart enough to be one, even if the guy calling himself "the Doctor"--please, he doesn't buy that as a name for a second--seems much smarter. (That's about as much as he's been able to surmise about his mysterious employer aside from an interesting choice in attire.)

He hangs back, giving Will enough space to wander and listening to him chat away to his thing all he wants (and so he stays out of the range of being drawn into conversation about all the wondrous and cool things Will sees that Felix doesn't quite care about to the same degree.) That is, until Will suddenly lets out a yelp and Felix springs to action. He's glad he wasn't too far away, and can grab Will's wrist before he can fall much further.]

So, I get that you like to narrate to yourself and all, but do you think you can do it while watching where you put your feet?

[Will gapes at Felix] You!? You came too!?

[with Felix's help, he scrambles back to his feet at the top of the staircase, but he's still looking at Felix in surprise] Thanks. But why did you get in the transmat beam? I thought this was my mission. [he might sound a little pouty about that]

[Felix just sighs and makes sure Will's steady on his feet again before he lets him go.] Yeah, I'm here, too. [How can he have missed a guy in armor? Felix just shakes his head.] Have been for a while, but you were all absorbed with this place. And don't worry, it's still your mission. The Doc just wanted to make sure you came back from it in one piece. I'm just here to watch your back. [He smiles behind his helmet visor and pats Will on the back.]

[He kneels down at the top of the stairs, peering down them and using his helmet sensors to pick up any malicious traces of whatever.] What do you think's down here?

[let's just say Will is more observant in the micro-universe than the macro one...]

Oh. [his voice goes up a few notches] Does he think it'll be very dangerous? I mean, I suppose there's always an element of that in exploring the unknown, but...

Um... [Will leans forward, peering past Felix] Well, it's hard to say. It's quite dark, and there aren't really any items to go by in this area. But assuming this is some sort of observatory, perhaps we'll find a room for data collection of some sort? Or a museum or educational center. Perhaps just offices as part of the complex... I would say those are my only guesses. Can you see anything?

[Felix just shrugs, unhelpful with his response. It's usually dangerous wherever he goes, so it's kind of just...normal for him.] Probably. Better to cover your ass than be sorry for getting it shot later.

[Goodness, this guy is optimistic and naive. Felix just can't get over that. How hasn't Will been killed yet?] I...can't tell. Just a shit ton of stairs, but I think there's a landing down there eventually. So, do you want to go down there? Or do you want to keep exploring the great nothing that's up here?

Erm...yes. [he looks a bit sheepish] I suppose you have a point.

[but at the prospect of exploring that stairway, a twinkle comes into his eye] I should think that's rather obvious. Don't you? [and he steps carefully onto the stairs, starting to head down them]

Damn right I do. [He's seen enough of his friends and allies go down.]

I--[Sigh. Really, what did he just get done talking about? He grumbles under his breath and quickly follows after Will, and soon flanks him. He peers down the stairs and casually--actually, he's almost bored--taps his fingers along the side of his rifle.]

So... This sure is a long stairwell. They just keep going, and going...and going... You'd think there would've been a turn by now, but nope! Just one continuous set. Kinda makes me think of being a kid and sliding down the stairs on a rug and slamming into the front door one I hit the landing. Hey, did you ever do that? Too bad we don't have one now, or a sled!

Actually, no. I suppose it would make this a bit easier. Then again, depending on the exact length and angle of the stairway, the momentum we would gather could ultimately turn out rather dangerous. Particularly if there we something hard to crash into...

[he frowns as he peers thoughtfully into the darkness below them] Felix, can you see anything down there yet?

Aww, but the crashing is the fun part! [He smiles teasingly behind his visor.] Shame you don't have armor like mine. Then again... It may be too heavy for you. [Shrug.] Ah well.

[He peers down the stairs, falling silent for a moment, then gasps and puts a hand out to stop Will.] Whoa!

Well, it would need to be tailored for someone of a smaller mass... [because Will is scrawny compared to Felix]

[Will hisses] What!? What do you see? [he stops obediently, but he peers into the darkness, straining his human eyes that have no aid from a helmet with sensors]

Not...really that, but we're different heights. [Pause.] Okay, and the weight factor's a thing too. Not to brag or anything, but you're kinda scrawny compared to me, man.

I--I see...a whole lot of nothing. [He can't help laughing.] Seriously, there's just nothing but darkness down there!

[And of course, that's when a light actually switches on down there.]

Oh, no offense taken! [sheepish] I have to admit, the more physical sides of UNIT aren't really my forte...

[when the lights come on, their conversation is forgotten, and Will draws in a sharp breath] Eep! [that sound is one of many reasons no one has ever accused him of being macho]

[as his eyes adjust to the brightness, however, he can make out a white room below them--completely white, with sleek, futuristic walls that remind him of a spaceship. the wall of the room directly across from them is completely lined with banks of computers--tall apparatuses full of flashing lights and small sensor displays. and in front of that is a sleek white table, similar in appearance to whatever material the walls are formed from. on that table is a metal device, roughly the size and shape of a shoebox, but with a dial on one side and the top covered in buttons and switches with a few wires arcing between components--and two small lights. one is glowing yellow and the other red]

Are we going down there? [Will hisses the question urgently. Felix is in the lead, so it's his decision, but Will finds he is feeling both nervous and excited about this strange development. he also wonders just how the lights happened to come on right then...] Do you think there's someone in that room?

[Felix, being the professional merc that he is, doesn't yelp or eep or scream--too loudly. He sure as hell is surprised and is kinda glad he stopped Will from going forward. Score 1 for him and foresight. It also helps that his helmet visor filters light for him a lot faster than naked eyes would do, so he can see the room below them a few seconds sooner than Will.]

That's what we came here for, right? [He hisses back just as urgently.] And I doubt anyone's there or else they'd've heard us coming down the stairs earlier. We weren't exactly quiet just now.

[Despite that, he readies his shield in case he has to activate it in a hurry, and motions to Will that he's moving forward.] Wait five seconds, then come after me. [And then he starts down the stairs and gets a better look at the room. It reminds him of many of the rooms he's seen on the various spaceships he's served on. (And been on for transport and...other things, too.) Nothing special really stands out to him, but then again, he's not there to look for anything like that. That's all Will.]

Hey, you can come in. The stupid lights are automated.

But the lights-- [Will cuts himself off, though, and nods at Felix's instructions. in some ways, it reminds him a little of working with Dr Klein] Just be careful--there could be anything down there!

[when Felix beckons him, he peeks his head forward, trying to get a better look at the room before he follows. but he soon joins Felix at the landing of the stairway] Automated? Oh, some sort of motion sensor. Yes, that would make sense. And... [he peers around the ceiling] Ah-hah! [he points at a small white box protruding from the white wall, which has a red light on it] Yes, that must be it just there. See how it lines up with the stairs?

[now that the mystery of the lights is solved, he turns his attention to the rest of the room. spotting the device on the table, he makes a beeline for it] Oh! Now this could be the sort of technology we're looking for... [without touching it, he leans and moves around the table, trying to see it from all sides]

Ah yep, there it is. Smart little box, doing its job. [He glares at it, wondering if that's its only function.]

Does it? [He glances back over at will and the device on the table and he's moving forward again because oh my god, is that guy really just going to touch everything?!] Oh hey--[But he cuts himself off, seeing that Will isn't touching everything.] ...Um. [Very brief pause while he tries to cover up his abrupt change of subject.] Uh, what...do you think that does? And do you need gloves to handle it? Or maybe it comes in a nice, safe box.

Uh-oh. [Will is leaning over the side of the box, and he points at the timer display that he's just spotted. he straightens, turning to Felix with a look of horror] Considering the timer, the wires, and the red light, I actually think it's maybe--no, probably a bomb. I-I'm almost positive it is, actually. Definitely a bomb. With ten minutes on the timer, no less!

"Uh oh"? What did you do--aw shit. Will, find me some screwdrivers and wire-cutters. We have ten minutes to diffuse this thing if we don't fuck something up and blow ourselves to bits before then. But. [He reaches for Will's arm, and pulls him to face him.] You have to promise me that you will run when I tell you to. Run up those stairs as fast as you can. Or you can leave right now. It might be safer.

[his voice is shrill] A-as nice as your offer is, I do have some experience with defusing bombs, and certainly with finding materials. And we can't go back to the Doctor empty-handed! So...wire-cutters...screwdrivers...

[he bends down, quickly checking around the table for drawers, and there are several] Yes, storage! Let's hope they meant to do maintenance with tools in this room... [the first drawer he opens is full of circuitboards, however] No, not it. Next one... [but the second contains only paperwork] One more! [he throws Felix a nervous look, cringing as he opens it--but the third reveals an assortment of tools] Oh, thank goodness! Here! [he grabs a screwdriver and holds it eagerly out to Felix]

Wait, seriously? You have experience defusing bombs. [Who the hell in their right mind would allow this guy to touch a bomb?]

Thanks. I'm glad there weren't more bombs in there. [Really, what was with the cringing? Whatever. He carefully sets about opening up the casing, his movements cautious and not rushed. He knows better than to rush. When he gets the casing off, though, he just stares for a second and sets it down on the side.]

You know what, I think we should run. I've never seen anything like this before and we still have...eight minutes. I don't know what it is the Doc wanted but I'm pretty sure he doesn't want us dead. [And he can't leave Will behind either. He won't get paid if he leaves his charge to get blown up.]

[the Doctor, obviously. Will sounds rather defensive when he retorts:] I do!

Can I have a look? [he kneels beside Felix] I-I mean, running isn't a bad idea, but the Doctor will be disappointed if we come back with nothing. [and he starts to peer inside the casing himself] Hmm. You know, this seems a bit familiar. Well. I think it is, anyway...

[Felix thinks about it for a couple seconds (really, it's a second longer than he should have devoted to it).] All right, you can look. And I'll note right now that I'm doing this against my better judgement. And that I'm giving you three minutes to do it. We'll need that five to run up that giant fucking staircase.

[Waiting like this makes him a bit twitchy, but not because he doesn't know what to do with himself. No, it makes him twitchy because he's been in situations like this before: a good soldier defusing a bomb only for them to run out of time and it blowing that good soldier to little bits. No one should ever have to have that happen--or see it happen--again.]

Will, either it is or it isn't. I need to know now if you can do this, or so help me, I'll carry you out of here right now.

Okay! Three minutes. Yes. Erm... [Will makes a face, trying not to lose his cool under pressure] Well, it's worth giving it a go, isn't it? It's not the same as I've seen in the past, b-but I have seen something similar! So with that in mind... [and he starts to fiddle with the innards] If I can get to that set of wires...

[He can't help roll his eyes behind his visor.] Yeah, yeah, that's good. [He only half-listened to that.] Maybe a little less talking and more action? Time's-a-ticking, Will...

[But since he really can't do anything else with that bomb until those minutes have passed, he's looking around the room a bit more. Carefully, carefully...he pulls a couple drawers open, to see if there's anything interesting in there. Little trinkets, maybe. Something he can slip into his armor for later safer perusal. But it all seems pretty normal. Nothing stands out as "weird" to him.

"Weird" is this bomb that just so happened to be waiting for them. So there must be something in this room--or elsewhere--that's worth protecting.]

It helps me to focus! [a statement that really should not have come out as shrilly as it did, but he can't worry about that right now] Almost...yes! Okay, if I disconnect the right one of these, it should freeze the timer. And looking at how they're connected... [Will traces the wires, careful not to touch them] Okay, it must be one of these two. Definitely. Yes. But...which one...

Um, Felix? [he throws a nervous look at the other man] You might want to start back up the stairs. You know, just in case I get this wrong. Wh-which I'm sure I won't! But. Just in case?

[He tunes out Will's babbling to himself, or at least partially, anyway. He's listening for certain key words and phrases, like, "uh oh" and "oops". "Um", as it turns out, also works and gets his attention.

The look he gives Will certainly isn't one of nervousness.]

Will. William. You can do this. [A beat.] You...kinda have no choice. So just get it over with, okay? That's a good little bomb technician.

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

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject