Recent searches
Search options
Administered by:
#IntoTheBlackPbP Story 1 Post 1
After spending almost 9 days aboard a passenger shuttle in economy class, it became very clear why everyone said to spring for a cabin. I'd been sleeping mostly upright propped against the bulkhead. It wasn't particularly comfortable but it was certainly better than being stuck in a middle seat. The last two days of the voyage were filled with grumbling and short tempers. The attendants' smiles barely hid the relief in knowing the trip the was almost over as they made their way through the compartment. When the captain announced the shuttle was on approach to Port Wells, the oppressive atmosphere dissipated and a ripple of excitement spread through everyone aboard in for no other reason than knowing they would soon be free of the 900 sq ft economy accommodations we each shared with the other 29 passengers.
Upon arrival I grabbed my carry-on, the only luggage I brought, and exited the shuttle as quickly as possible. The air was fresh and crisp; not at all as I had been expecting. Verne's air had been more like that of the shuttle, scrubbed and sterile. I then noticed the trees and plants lining the walkways. The moon colony had an arboretum, but nothing like this. Glowing arrows direct passengers to set of large doors at one end of the hanger. The brightly lit corridor beyond is filled with scanners and agents checking cargo, luggage, and travel documents much like any busy terminal. Passing beyond the final set of doors, Port Wells looms before travelers like any metropolis of Earth with the distinct difference of the translucent dome arching overhead. The soft, orange glow from the dome slowly gives way to the brighter lights and electronic billboards closer to street level giving the city the dusk-like shroud.
Given the number of vehicles, businesses, and apartment complexes within the urban sector, it's hard to imagine that beyond it lies tracts of farmland and forests that make up the majority of the 30-mile diameter complex. A large console outside the terminal displays an interactive map of the colony showing each of the carefully planned sectors: Urban, Industrial, Agricultural, and Recreation.
I've been couped up too long. Where to first?
#IntoTheBlack #IntoTheBlackPbp_Story1
#SciFi #ScienceFiction
#PlayByPoll #ChooseYourOwnAdventure #TTRPG
I will plan to have the next section and poll up this evening or tomorrow morning.
#IntoTheBlackPbP Story 1 Post 2
I stood in awe for a moment looking at the nearby buildings and then up at the glowing dome criss-crossed with titanium beams as far as the eye could see. I checked my watch to confirm it was only 10 am because of the dim reddish-orange light the permeated colony. Despite the lighting, it is truly a marvel compared to cramped hallways and series of habitats that form Verne. Several people bumped past me muttering before I realized I was blocking the main walk and began moving with the crowd shuffling along while taking in the city.
The crowd thinned as I moved farther from the port. Traffic hummed past me; trucks and cars skimming just over the polished, grey road accompanied by the whine of hoverbikes. A bit overwhelmed by the sights and sounds, I step to the side of a small kiosk to get out of the flow of pedestrians. It was darker in the shadows of the buildings with only the dim lights from the stalls that lined the sidewalk. I didn’t notice the antennae poking over the counter but saw the triangular head, multifaceted eyes, and clicking mandibles out of the corner of my eye and jumped away as the cockroach-like creature rose and fixed it gaze on me.
It made a rhythmic series of clicking noises that sounded almost like laughter. The sounds changed and were soon followed by a synthetic voice, “Didn’t mean to scare you. First time in Port Wells?”. My heart raced as I looked closer at the clerk who I now saw was wearing a blue apron with the “Grthyk’s Goods” written on it in several languages. He must be a Gret, I thought to myself while trying to find the words to respond. “Yes. First time I’ve been farther than Luna to be honest.”
“Earth? I’ve considered a holiday there, but I’m just not sure I could deal with walking around without a dome over my head. I’m a born and bred Martian. What brings you Mars?”
First Story Post: https://beige.party/@wulfric/113607042407475474
#IntoTheBlack #IntoTheBlackPbp_Story1
#SciFi #ScienceFiction
#PlayByPoll #ChooseYourOwnAdventure #TTRPG
Due to difficulties with using replies to thread the posts, I'm trying something else. Each installment will be a new post that I will then link into the thread. Each new post will also link back to the first post.
Story 1, Post 3: https://beige.party/@wulfric/113624880203976913
@wulfric Just a quick note that I almost missed this post, as it was a comment, and didn't seem to show up in my feed, where I have replies turned off. I see that not many people voted, so I wonder if the same is true for others? Maybe each post should be new, instead of a reply?
@anakin78z
I was wondering what happened with this one. I wanted to keep the story threaded to make it easier to catch up if someone finds it in the middle.
I'm going to have to experiment a bit. Maybe use links to the first post and one to the previous rather than threading them.
Thank you for letting me know.
@wulfric yea, makes total sense. Maybe start each post with the story title and a number?
@anakin78z
The Hashtags should work as well now that I think about it.