Epocheia

[FoxTrott]

Vince, who had been standing up, stumbled to keep his balance. Ericken frowned at the interruption. The directors of the zeroes knew how to make entertaining television. Vince walked over to the window, and saw the torrent.

"... I hate water," Vince mumbled. Ericken smirked.

"Let's go, then!" exclaimed Ericken, "Full speed ahead!"

[Sparrow]

“...” appears on the orb one dot at a time.
“Full speed? Very well then.” pops up soon after.
A blue band appears around the Orb, following soon after distinct clicks are heard outside the ship.
A count down from ten ticks on the Orb in red text.
The Orb float down and lands on a seat not to far away; two flimsy looking wires pop out and then wrap around a pipe behind the seat.
“1... Good luck buddy...” pops up, but seconds later the ship enters the torrent.
The speed of the ship goes from 25mph to 245mph almost simultaneously.

[FoxTrott]

Ericken cheered when the countdown began. Vince turned white at the clicks. He turned around to see the countdown, and it suddenly struck him what was happening. With a steady stream of curses a sailor would blush at, Vince jumped into a seat, and fumbled with the safety restraints.

Ericken hooted and hollered, having a wonderful time going at high speeds. Vince would have strangled Ericken if physics had let him.

[Sparrow]

After two minuets the ship breaks out of the torrent.
“Please remain in your seats. This is a momentary stop to ensure no one will pass out.” after about twenty seconds the ship reenters the torrent.

Three minuets later the ship exits the torrent and begins to float up to the surface.
The Orb retracts the wires and hovers upward to an overhead compartment.
After a second it hovers over to them, carrying a red shoebox sized container in its wires. “Please put these on, and keep them on at all times.” pops up on the Orb.
A wire opens the lid to the box, inside are two respirators.
The ship reaches the surface and breaches. The windows look out to a red haze and in the far distance is a darkly shadowed island.

[FoxTrott]

Vince staggered towards the Orb, leaning on the wall for support. His previous occupation acclimated him to high speeds, but not underwater. He shut his eyes tightly, trying not to retch out of anxiety.

"Good ride, huh, Vince?" Ericken slapped his friend on the back. Vince glared up at him. Biting his lip, Ericken handed him his handgun, and went to put a respirator on. "What're they for?" he asked, taking one and slipping it on. Vince held down his lunch and also put one on, but not before putting his gun back in his pocket.

[Sparrow]

“These will enable you to roam Eon without becoming infected.” pops up.
The ship slowly snakes its way towards the island, then dips under again.
“This will ensure that you may leave if you find that you wish to go back.” pops up.
After several minuets of going through a netted maze underwater the ship surfaces again.
“If in the case one of you contacts the virus you will be supplied medicine for it.” comes up.
The ship beaches itself but the door remains locked.
Outside the ship the screen scans the area; this can be seen through the windows.

[FoxTrott]

Ericken and Vince nodded in response.

"Could we have the details of the virus?" Ericken asked, the respirator slightly muffling his voice, "How it's contracted, how it's spread, the basics."

"On the way to wherever it is we're going, though," added Vince. He was obviously eager to go.

[Sparrow]

“Sorry about the wait, the area is being checked for rogues.” pops up quickly.
After a moment several clicks are heard, soon the door falls open making a ramp.
Outside the temperature is in the mid 60s, and the air is mildly humid.
The same red haze is everywhere and gathers as a thin powder on the ship. Bird songs and various other sounds can be heard. The sand of the beach is red with the same powder. The sky is dark with scarlet cloud cover.
Soon the Orb hovers out of the ship and peers around with its eye.
“I will tell you what there is to know.” pops up as soon as they exit the ship.
It hovers forward to a trail,
“The virus is called Psychosynthesis, or PS for short.” pops up.
Several birds fly overhead.
“It is caused by the pollen of the Psychith weed. This plant here.” pops up, the Orb floats down to a red lily-like plant on the trail.
“You contact it by inhalation.” blinks on after a few seconds.
“Its symptoms are: Confusion, fits of rage, memory loss, mind deadness, complete or partial insanity, and....” the Orb does not show the last symptom.

[FoxTrott]

Vince was glad to be on solid land, regardless of the environmental hazards. He bent down next to the psychith weed, and examined it. While Vince was busy looking at the flower, Ericken read the Orb's text aloud.

"... and death, it sounds like," Ericken said. He shifted his weight from side to side, uncomfortable in these new surroundings. Vince stood up, and nodded towards the Orb to lead the way.

[Sparrow]

“Death would be a better outcome.” pops up before the Orb hovers back to their eye level.
“We will reach the check point shortly.” comes up soon after.
After several minuets the forest opens up to an open area, benches are placed by a wide path. The Orb glides over and lands on a pedestal, after a second the pedestal lights up and the Orb flies off.
“A transfer vehicle will arrive shortly.” pops up on the Orb.
Some rustling in the trees is heard, soon several oddly colored peacocks walk out of the forest. They are red in color, dyed from the pollen. One tilts its head at the group before following the others across the path.
“If you have any questions, now is a good time to ask.” pops up on the Orb soon after the peacocks disappear.

[FoxTrott]

Ericken watched the Orb, curiosity plain on his face. At the rustle, Vince instinctively drew his pistol, and pointed at the noise. As the peacocks wandered by, he remembered he had emptied it before tossing it at Ericken and nailing the back of his head. Slightly embarrassed, Vince pocketed it.

"So," began Ericken, his eyes following the fowl, "what does Sparrow want us for, anyway?"

[Sparrow]

“?” pops up on the Orb.
After a few seconds of being blank new text pops up,
“I never told you?” pops up.
“She is seeking outside advice on several problems, and well... I don’t really know all that much more. She just instructed us to find people of interest.” pops up soon after.
“Is there anything else you wish to ask?” pops up.
Several rather large dragonflies, about the size of the previously seen peacocks, zip past causing the Orb’s eye to reappear; it watches the insects’ cautiously. The dragonflies hover in place changing places every few minuets, but keeping themselves facing the group.

[FoxTrott]

Ericken thought about the question, watching the insects with curiosity. Forlian insects barely reached the size of a fist, let alone a peacock. "Not really," he responded. Vince shook his head. He figured Sparrow would have more answers.

[Sparrow]

The Orb continues to watch the dragonflies. Suddenly the dragonflies dart upward in formation before diving down at them. The Orb reacts by immediately causing a flash that causes the insects to break formation. One quickly flies behind Vince and darts to tackle him.

[FoxTrott]

Ericken was the first to react, as he was already watching the dragonflies. He dived out of the way with a shout, and clasped his hands atop his head. Vince glanced back at Ericken, wondering what he was shouting about. He saw the darting dragonfly and dropped to the ground. Being tackled by a bug was not on his to-do list.

"What the hell?!" Vince exclaimed.

"Homicidal insects!" Ericken responded.