Welcome to the Program

[airlockedmods]

Good Morning, Champions. In the interest of maintaining healthy sleep patterns, a day/night cycle is in effect. Your presence is expected in the cafeteria in exactly one hour.

[The voice comes through not a large speaker, but through the device that's attached to each Champion's arm. Further investigation of the features of the device will reveal a list of profiles, a mini-map, and a list of rules. The hallways are shiny white and silver, with running lights along the floor and lights on the ceiling, and at the junction of the hallways is a sign with a knife and fork icon and an arrow pointing down the hall.

Welcome to the Excellence Program, Champions. Time to get to know your teammates.]

Comments

[kingshaming]

[...that actually makes him smile, even though it's a small one. And while his face is still kinda scary, the smile lightens it up by a lot]

I see. Then I'm sure he's searching frantically for you.

[ratherdoweddings]

He'd better! I don't know what they're going to do back there without me... Oh, I almost forgot! My name is Misumaru Yurika. I'm the captain of the Nadesico, but this thing on my arm called me a "Champion Peacekeeper." Do you know anything about that?

[kingshaming]

It is a pleasure to meet you, Misumaru Yurika. [What a mouthful!]

I am Xander, Crown Prince of Nohr- and I apologize, but I don't. My own claimed I have a title as well.

[ratherdoweddings]

Oh, you can just call me Yurika! As long as we're here, we should all get along! Come to think of it, what kind of place is Nohr? I don't remember hearing about it.

[kingshaming]

Yurika. Understood.

And you haven't? I'm surprised, you must be from very far then.

[He tilts his head in thought]

It is one of the largest countries on the continent. But I have read of nations across the sea that are complete separated from us, so I suppose it's not impossible.

[ratherdoweddings]

That doesn't make sense. If it's that large, we should have learned about it... Lightning-san was talking about "worlds" like it means something different from "planets," but I don't get that, either!

[kingshaming]

Planet...?

[Look his people probably haven't even circled the globe yet]

Ah! You mean Deeprealms? That would explain some things.

[ratherdoweddings]

Deep realms? What are those?

[kingshaming]

Other realms. 'Worlds'. Places separate from your own that follow different rules- you can only travel to them with a portal or the correct spell.

[ratherdoweddings]

And that's the thing she was talking about, too? Wow... I guess a lot of strange things have been going on lately, so this must be something like that.

[kingshaming]

I wouldn't know until I compared notes with her, but I wouldn't be shocked if it was.

[ratherdoweddings]

And you've been to another dimension like that?

[kingshaming]

Only once, years ago with my father. But I know it is much more common for some.

[ratherdoweddings]

This doesn't sound like anything I know from back home, but maybe Fressange-san would know. When we were on Mars, she was the one who figured out how the Jovians weren't using Chulips as aircraft carriers, but as teleporting machines.

[kingshaming]

[It's all Greek to him, but he can tell that Deeprealms are this to her- so best to just accept it]

Hopefully we'll have the chance to ask- being left in the dark like this is just asking for trouble.

[ratherdoweddings]

I know! Well, they did call us here for a meeting, so...

[kingshaming]

One can hope it will unravel some of this.

[He has his doubts though, and it shows on his face]

[ratherdoweddings]

Even if it doesn't solve the whole mystery, everything is better than being completely lost, right?

[kingshaming]

Of course.

[he half smiles]

Shall we head to the mess hall and prepare then?

[ratherdoweddings]

Sure! We'll figure more out in no time!