(open) mission: hit the beach

[aithinkthereforeaiam]

Date & Time: July 18th-24th, Exsilium Time
Location: Sea Shore during the Late Cretaceous Period
Characters: All! Oh those pesky mandatory missions.
Summary: In lieu of the success of the space shuttle's test flight, all of the Transports have been sent back to the Cretaceous period to gather mineral supplies and volcanic rock, while doubling as a sort of 'vacation' and chance to get Transports out of the Initiative's hair. With well stocked supplies, camping gear, and more burlap sacks than anyone could possibly ever use, the Transports have been set under a protective dome and told to collect what they can... and to enjoy the sunshine.
Warnings: Shenanigans!

The overflow log can be found HERE!

It's almost surreal, the quality of color, of light, of oxygen saturation in the air once people arrive. It's so rich that the Initiative sent people back with respirators, to help ease the transition, and warned those who would listen about the effects of too much oxygen on a system.

What they don't warn for is the sheer alien familiarity of the landscape, the warmth, the roughness of the sand on the beaches. This is not the fine, sandy beaches out of vacation dreams, but a rougher, larger granule sort, with shells that might be recognizeable as ancestors to ones those from Earth would remember washing up on familiar beaches, millions of years later.

Most striking is the lack of abundant wildlife found among the fronds and leaves and foliage, or underneath the surface of the saltier, much warmer waters extending off the beach. While acting as a permeable membrane to oxygen and water, along with the sorts of phytoplankton that kept sea creatures alive, all the larger animals had been pushed out by the Initiative's installment of the safety dome. Along the transparent walls, curious creatures would come close, peer in, tap against the barrier and run off if frightened, but very few were found inside at any size larger than that of a house cat. It was for the better in the long run.

Too bad that the Initiative didn't have ultra-violet blocking technology in their shielding. For all the atmosphere is in much better shape millions of years in the past, the sun is as strong as ever, and the unwary will be burned through and through if they're not careful.

Comments

[chore_boy]

[Coby had never exactly been excited to get shirtless given how light he was, but it had grown to complete shame when it came to his scars. So, he wore a giant, baggy shirt and swimming trunks out in the sand, training by himself. He wasn't distanced from anybody--he just stood out in the sands, throwing punches and keeping his eyes on the water.]

[charming_jerk]

[Coby. Seriously. If this guy can manage to be half-naked in public, you've got nothing to worry about. Johnny was swimming around a bit when he spots Coby, and paddles over his way, yelling over to him from the water.]

Not even gonna take a break here?

[chore_boy]

[Coby made a face. A dumb face, as usual. Pursing his lips a moment, he reached up to adjust his glasses and made that face right at Johnny.]

A break? I don't see why I should be on one.

[Criminals would never rest. Neither would he. Unless he really needed to. Then, maybe he might.]

I'm perfectly wide awake and capable of continuing!

[charming_jerk]

[Johnny shakes his head, and swims closer to get out of the water.] Not a physical one. Mental. We ain't gonna get many of those. God knows what's waitin' for us back at the Hold this time. Better relax and take advantage of this while ya can.

[chore_boy]

We're on a prehistoric island. [Coby complained with ease, pushing up his glasses and tilting his head at Johnny. It was a true sign of friendship--the fact that he could be somewhat harsh with him. Coby's sense of comfort had been found.]

'Relaxation' is something impossible to feel in this situation, even with such a convenient barrier.

Besides--I'm already used to constant struggle.

[charming_jerk]

How haven't ya gone crazy yet? Before I got here, I spent over two years on the run for my life, only to get thrown into the middle of a fucking war. If they didn't do shit like this once in awhile, everyone'd be crazy, too.

[chore_boy]

Don't be so unreasonable. There are plenty of us that remain in war-torn areas much longer than this. It's not to say that we don't enjoy ourselves from time to time, but...

[He shrugged, lining himself up to throw another punch.]

'Relaxation' appears for us differently. If I'm used to my environment for three years, who's to say that your idea of fun would even really be the same as mine?

[charming_jerk]

I guess. Whatever floats your boat, man. I say enjoy the quiet while ya can. Before ya know it, we'll be back to rain and destruction and bombs in no time.

[chore_boy]

And for that reason, I can't stop. If I slack even for a short while, I may lose vital practice.

[He didn't want to say why. 'If I had been stronger' had been something coursing through his head endlessly since the last few fights.]

[charming_jerk]

Suit yourself. Don't overdo it. I'll go back to workin' myself till I fall over once we get back. [He had been doing that without fail, at least - practice and training every day.]

[chore_boy]

I won't interfere with you having fun, Johnny. Don't let my boring disposition do it, either.

[He said it with a little irritation, just knowing that Johnny was totally feeling sorry for him.]