Neo Machina

I was scrolling through a Second Life social media feed yesterday when something yellow jumped out at me. It was a post about a location called Neo Machina that was no longer going to be closing. Now I’d not heard of this place, but it seemed to be an urban cyberpunk setting, which just happened to feature yellow neon. Long term readers will get the relevance of this, but not new readers. My long running sci-fi/ cyberpunk roleplay character is a courier for a fictional company by the name of All Mars Zone Interplanetary Shipping (AMZ for short) and their company colours are black & yellow. So I just had to go check the place out.

This Neo Machina is an interpretation by the owner of a much older location of the same name that disappeared a few years ago, in the way Second Life venues sadly tend to.

I had a good wander around this place and it definitely gives you the vibe of the city description below.

NEO MACHINA was once a sprawling and thriving industrial city, ruled by corporate dominance under supervision of the ruthless Authority. In the year 3285 humanity realized their vision in creating engines that could take them to the furthest reaches of the stars, and beyond. What they failed to avoid, and create proper fail-safes for, was the complete degradation of time and space due to the manner of which they travel: Through the synthesis and ignition of dark matter.

Left in the wake of one thousand Life vessels carrying billions of people in Ark Cores off to find new planets and new homes, is a deteriorating planet, and an exploding star. In the atmosphere hangs a wormhole, left behind by the corporations that abandoned the planet under threat of certain doom. All who remain struggle to keep hold of some normalcy of life one hundred years later as the continued threat of total collapse looms above.

Can they rebuild? Will those that remain find a way to survive?

Welcome point notecard

Given the references to long distance travel and struggling for survival, I’m sure there might be a place for AMZ in there somewhere to supply the crumbling planet.

Outfit Credits:

  • Pants:[ContraptioN] Arva Tech Pants – at FaMESHed
  • Boots:[ContraptioN] Arva Boots – at The Warehouse
  • Jacket: Meva Tiz Jacket – Mainstore
  • Eye (Left): Astara – Cyber Eye Augment by ASTRA –Marketplace
  • Backpack: [ContraptioN] Hard Shell Backpack – Contraption Sci-Fi
  • Chin guard: [ContraptioN] x TURB – Jaw Protector – Contraption Sci-Fi
  • Body tattoo: HIATUS – Hive Tattoo – Store link (via Silvia Antorian profile unable to find item)

Arrival Point: https://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Neo%20Machina/12/122/1501

Featured on Second Life Community Blog 6th March 2024

Fandom Con is Here!

The new Mega Event to benefit the American Cancer Society is here! It’s been long-awaited after a schedule change, the doors open at 9am SLT today and runs until 31st July.

There’s lots of activities going on over the 10 day event across the 8 regions, you can find the details on the Events Schedule page of the Fandom Website.

You will find a number of portals at the Welcome Hub that will take you to each of the different regions, I’d suggest creating a Landmark there.

Outfit Credits:

I’m wearing the Silver (with Black options) version of this suit but there’s an Event Exclusive Blue one at the Mindgarden Creations Booth that is a 100% Donation vendor.

The poster says “can be worn with other body types”, which is the case in my photo I’m wearing my regular Maireya body. The outfit parts can be worn sepeartely from the suit, if you wanted a more skimpy look and pasties are provided in the box, if you chose to do so.

Photo Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society2/131/129/67

Welcome Hub Teleporters: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/American%20Cancer%20Society2/110/210/66

Featured on the Second Life Community Blog on the day of publication.

80 Days of Star Wars

Camilla Runo has created a new build for us to explore once again. This one is a little different though, it’s SciFi inspired, more specifically the planet Tatooine from Star Wars. 80 Days is the name of the group Camilla uses for all her builds and to let people know about what she’s building, so doesn’t reflect the time the installation will be open. The landing point is in a comfy SciFi styled lounge area, with a conveniently located TP pad to get you to where you need to go.

Here we land in a small courtyard mostly occupied by a small craft and possibly it’s owner and droid, I climb up onto a raised for a better look.

No obvious sign of any Imperial forces yet,so I head on through the archway to see who or what may be seen on this dusty rock of a planet.

As darkness draws near it might be good to get off the street.

Come sunrise it’s time to have an explore of the surrounding area outside the town.

Now just to wait for the Imperials to land and watch as the locals just ignore them.

Outfit Credits:

Landing Point: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Infinite%20Spirit/146/158/1001

Scars

Standing at the entrance to the transport portal she contemplates the consequences of her intentions. The gang that gave her the Chelsea Grin really do deserve some payback for what they did to her. The damage to their own portal gateway and surrounding area when her orb detonates on arrival there, is nothing compared to her lost arm and facial scars that will never completely heal. She now has to keep a straight face all the time to avoid pain, yes they definitely deserve it. Before she can change her mind, she activates the device and tosses it into the portal and walks away before anyone sees her.

 

Inspired by purchases and sights at SciFi Expo. The outfit made me feel rebellious and I wanted a story that explained the rather gruesome but very well made tattoo of a Chelsea Grin.

Outfit Credits:

Photo location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Meridian%20Point/220/32/4001

The 2022 SciFi Expo is bringing the science fiction community together to benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the American Cancer Society in Second Life. From Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 23 come join us on a Voyage Through The Stars, featuring the biggest sci fi designers and shops, live performances, roleplaying events, and so much more, as the community comes together to support finding a cure.
Are you or a loved one battling cancer? Find out how many ways the American Cancer Society is there to help. Visit cancer.org or call (US) 800-ACS-2345.

SciFi Expo Opening Ceremony (Party) NOW!

So “Ceremony” is perhaps a little formal for what is essentially a party, but that’s what they put on the Calendar..

When I hit Publish, there was still 1 Hour and 50 Minutes remaining, since it is from 10am til 1pm SLT, so if you happen to read this before then, come on down!

Party Venue: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/The%20Nexus/144/101/4001

The 2022 SciFi Expo is bringing the science fiction community together to benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the American Cancer Society in Second Life. From Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 23 come join us on a Voyage Through The Stars, featuring the biggest sci fi designers and shops, live performances, roleplaying events, and so much more, as the community comes together to support finding a cure.
Are you or a loved one battling cancer? Find out how many ways the American Cancer Society is there to help. Visit cancer.org or call (US) 800-ACS-2345.

Event Organiser Links:

SciFi Expo is open!

Today the long-awaited SciFi Expo opened it’s doors to the public. It covers four regions adjacent to the American Cancer Society regions. The stores are arranged around the edge of a circular space station, all along one side making shopping so much easier! Remember it’s a chatity event, in aid of Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, so don’t be tight with those Lindens!

Yesterday I was able to take a sneak peek at what they had to offer you all and put this outfit together to show you some of it.

The 2022 SciFi Expo is bringing the science fiction community together to benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the American Cancer Society in Second Life. From Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 23 come join us on a Voyage Through The Stars, featuring the biggest sci fi designers and shops, live performances, roleplaying events, and so much more, as the community comes together to support finding a cure.

Are you or a loved one battling cancer? Find out how many ways the American Cancer Society is there to help. Visit cancer.org or call (US) 800-ACS-2345.

Event Organiser Links:

Arrival Point: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/2022%20SciFi%20Expo/120/136/4002

Outfit Credits:

SciFi Expo Teaser

The SciFi Expo 2022 is opening this Friday, a Strides Against Breast Cancer and American Cancer Society fundraiser event. They’ve just released a promotional video, so check it out:

Expect more from me on this when it opens and throughout the event!

This post was featured on the SecondLife Community Blog on 13th October 2022.

Roleplay: The Statues Secrets

Ava logged into her AMZ terminal and brings up the Thor Mining Corp business account details. The hideous statue was likely made somewhere on Mars, it was too big to ship cheaply, but any suspect tech that might be inside it would have to be imported. In which case there would be a trace here.

While AMZ had a policy of shipping anything without the customer having to declare its contents, corporate customers were encouraged to optionally give a vague indication of what’s inside for safety purposes.

The Thor shipping history had a mixture of detail on the descriptions, evidently depending on which member of staff placed the order. One item caught her eye “portable radio” vague but possibly what she was looking for. Opening the shipping order details she sees it was shipped in one of their largest shipping drones, which suggested either a very large radio, or a large number of small ones.

A few minutes of scrolling and she finds an order placed for several off the shelf, AMZ branded antennas. Presumably someone was trying to save money somewhere, but leaving a trail in the process. The dates all match pretty well, the statues clearly are transmitting something, but what and why? You don’t buy a load of 2 metre long antennas just to listen to the local hobby radio station.

She knew exactly what was called for and started browsing the Industrial section of the AMZ Hardware catalogue. Hopefully the Faraday cage parts wouldn’t take too long to arrive,it’ll protect the residents from the statues transmissions and also protect the Thor statue from the residents, which should please that idiot Bart from Thor.

Out of curiosity at the thought of Bart she pulls up the list of Thor employees personal AMZ accounts to see if there was anything interesting there.  On his repeat orders she finds Luxury Quilted toilet paper, the amount of precious resources used to produce that stuff, he really doesn’t deserve it. A couple of clicks and a product search later, the order reads “Budget TP”, another account search and order modification and the Hellas bar would be getting something much softer to wipe with.

Roleplay: The Statue at Hellas

Continuing my SciFi Cyberpunk roleplay set on Mars. A large statue has been placed in the middle of the Mars crater town. The residents are not at all pleased with it’s arrival.

[13:48:24] Ava: That's one damn ugly statue out there

[13:49:52] Jadz wiping the counter. "Understatement of the century. Hate that thing. Ready to see it topple but you didn't hear that from me!"

[13:52:13] Ava: How'd they even get that hideous thing here?

[13:54:51] Jadz standing up tall. "I'm not sure where it was manufactured -- probably some factory just churning them out and putting htem in every small town across Mars. I was out there when they dropped it with the crane though -- and flooded the floor with pamphlets extolling the virtures of our Founding Fathers and talking of Martian unification and solidary blah blah blah. I just want a house that isn't a shipping container and to not have to take cold showers anymore. Is that too much to ask? Fuck that statue."

[13:58:32] Ava nods "Maybe it needs to be distributed, in pieces
[13:59:41] Ava: would have to be careful not to damage peoples property around it though
[14:00:27] Ava: what's the betting it's bugged or something?
[14:02:55] Jadz tilts her head. "It does have that big old pair of glowing VR glasses -- nod to vintage colonialism. Gross. But wouldn't surprise me if that had some spyware in it, you're absolutely right. I hadn't thought of that. A trojan horse."

[14:07:50] Ava taps her eye gadget "Maybe I'll give it a once over and see if my tech can find out anything"
[14:08:25] Ava: Being company made I might be able to hack it
[14:09:08] Ava coughs "analyze"

[14:10:17] Jadz holds her hands up innocently. "Mums the word. I'd really like to know. I do find the whole thing odd and the timing to be weird."
[14:14:01] Ava: It's not like they don't monitor enough of everything
[14:15:08] Jadz leaning over and whispering. "But you may want to be careful with what you do out there. I have seen some of the security guards being a little extra hard on folks trying to deface it. Someone got a pretty vicious head stomp two days ago. Whatever the reason, Thor seems to want to make sure it's well guarded."

[14:16:40] Ava: I'll have to check on the company feeds and see if anyone knows anything else too
[14:17:02] Doc walks in as he sits at the bar he drp[s a data disk on the bar as looks up as says " Whiskey please

[14:19:33] Ava looks over at the guy entering "Hi" and turns back to Jadz "I reckon there's defitely some tech in it"

[14:20:52] Bart enters the bar, scowling, pacing behind the chairs and looking over the patrons. "Any one of your mutts know who took a shit on the statue outside. Was it you blondy?" He flicks her nose towards her, and lifts his utility belt up high.

[14:22:03] Jadz gets quiet when Bart enters and just fills the glass for Doc, handing it over the bar and hoping Ava decides to quit her planning. "Haven't seen anyone claiming to have defecated on the statue outside Bart, no. Thanks for asking."
[14:24:40] Doc he picks up the glass as he sips it . Then Looks top Bart as says in a raspy voice " Maybe it was a bird. Hell even one those vacationers coming threw" He shrugs
[14:24:42] Ava glances over her shoulder as two others enter the bar and addreses the one that apparently called her Blondie "Why would I do that?"
[14:25:52] Ava notices Jadz reaction to the guys arrival

[14:30:40] Ava notes the guys beret and vaguely military equipment belt "You planning on cleanig it then?"

[14:31:11] Bart would lean close to Ava's back, sniffing at her hair, whispering aggressively. "I saw you out there looking at e statue for quite a while. So why don't YOU tell me why you decided to ruin Thor Property, little missy, huh" He almost looks like he's going to bite her face.

[14:32:46] Jadz points at Red like that was a good solution. "Right, probably just a big bird. Get a hose and spray it down Bart.. Not a big deal ... now can I get you a drink for the road?"
[14:34:18] Ava refrains from responding to the guys tants..for now

[14:35:01] Ava turns to jadz "yeah, give him a drink, something really strong, to freshen his breath

[14:36:14] Doc as he hears barts reply he laughs hard trying not to fall off his chair as says " Come on leave the girl alone . You want to know why was looking at it so long. Come on she was wondering if that how men where build here on mars . And if so she was not getting lucky ." he laughs even harder

[14:36:55] Bart would attempt to throw a flat palm into Ava's back, abrupt and sharp and overly rude. "Hey blonde bitch, I asked you a question."
[14:37:52] Jadz would drop a glass and hear it shatter on the ground when she heard Bart starting to get violent.

[14:40:19] Ava leans on the bar her crossed arm having prevented the bar higging her in the belly hard and turns her head "Really?"

[14:41:27] Bart would stand up tall, bobbing left and right, snarling. He obviously was getting satisfication out of fucking with Ava and feeling invincible. [14:46:29] Ava turns slowly and lets the man acting like a gorilla see her properly, the black and yellow should really be a clue "take a look, what do you see?" doesn't wait for a response before contiuing " An AMZ uniform, you know the AMZ that ship a your shit to and from Mars. Being a corpo you should be well aware of the political and corporate shit you'll end up in by messing with me?"
[14:47:47] Kom'rk (Rorschach0369): ((That was good))
[14:48:03] Ava: You think you're untouchable because of *your* corporate affiliation? So am I for the same reason. [14:48:51] Ava reaches to pinchs the guys cheak like a little child "now be a good boy and have a peaceful drink" [14:49:11] Jadz would start to sweep up the glass, keeping an eye on the situation... [14:50:14] Doc he finishes his shodleuy as he sits his glass down he rolls his eyes and shakes his head [14:51:18] Bart would swat at Ava's hand, not allowing the patronizing tone, but after seeing the logo would change his demeanor towards her slightly. Narrowing his eyes. "My mistake." You can tell he hates saying it. "Just doing my job -- us white collars have to ask the tough questions." He visibly disturbed that he has to quit his line of harassment. [14:52:38] Ava just turns her attention back to her drink [14:56:54] Doc he crosses his arms and watches
[14:57:07] Bart would reach around Ava and grabs for her drink from her hand. He was obviously a bit impulsive and a sore loser. "Still doesn't explain what you were doing out there." If he can take the glass, he makes a freshing 'ahhh' sound as he finishes it up. "you may be AMZ, but this is a Thor company town. I've got jurisdiction ...." [15:00:03] Ava nudges the guys arm with her elbow as she turns around again, making the drink spill "Oops..how clumsy. You really want to play the juristiction game?" [15:01:32] Ava glances over at Doc and rolls her eyes [15:03:23] Jadz watches as the room suddenly fills with Thor security personnel. [15:05:26] Bart looks up as a second in command brings in a small troop and notifies Bart that they've found the rogue pooper and have him detained. Bart cracks his knuckles and nods along, listening to everything in his ear, but not taking his eyes off Ava. "Well looks like this time you got lucky and I didn't catch you in the act Blondy... but you better believe that Thor's got their eye on you." he backs up out the door with the rest of the guards, continuing to stare her down. [15:06:07] Doc He shakes his head as think all these guys for one girl he says " Dam did not know there was a Mall here in South Hellas never seen so many renta a cops before . Or Boy Scouts all those guy for one girl a sad day in mars history" [15:08:56] Ava taps a couple of buttons on her wrist as the goons arrive "you see gentlemen..one of the things about being an AMZ employee is that you get snooped on even more than our customers"..taps another button and a an electronic voice reports *transmission sent* [15:10:08] Ava watches the goons leave [15:10:33] Bart steps out the door with the rest of his crew. "Well I look forward to doing more business to business negotiation." Bart makes his fingers into a 'V' shape and holds it up to his mouth, sticking his tongue through in the age old gesture of cunnilingus. The door slams shut and they vanish [15:13:22] Ava looks at jadz "I wasn't joking, about being monitored can be real handy sometimes "I just submitted that little chat back to head office, complete with video from my eyepeice. He can bring it on, each threat will just stack up evidence against him" [15:16:42] Ava takes a beer out of the box on the bar and swigs it [15:17:10] Jadz would finish cleaning up the shards, and drumping them into a wastebin. Wiping sweat off her forehead. "You think something will get done about that? God I would really like to see Bart go... he makes me start sweating and I just shut down whenever I have to deal with him. What. An. asshole." [15:17:11] Ava: "Why do goons always have such bad breath? Is it a cloning defect or somethig?" [15:19:32] Jadz would set out free drinks for both Doc and Ava. "Thanks for not escalating the situation, either of you. You're so right Doc Red -- why do they have so many security guards running around. It's not like the actually make the place any safer." [15:19:35] Ava: You misunderstand, if he causes sufficient, I can shut off their deliveries, could make life *real* awkward without confrontation [15:21:17] Ava: You remember that dodgy crate I turned up with Jadz, all that time ago jadz? You think they'd send a green delivery person to drop that off? [15:23:08] Ava looks over at doc to clarify "It was a package with top of the range anti-tamper tech built in and they supplied me with an emergency survival capsule with it, so the contents can't have been pleasant" [15:24:48] Jadz nods. "I do remember that. Whatever came of it?" She keeps checking the door, obviously experiencing some PTSD from the encounter. "If they cut off supplies here -- wont' that impact the rest of the colony? I'm gonna have to find some alternate sources and ..." she groans a little. [15:25:50] Ava: The *Thor* supplies jadz, don't fret [15:27:58] Ava: The box? Oh after you used it to electrocute that troublesome gang leader, I just put back in my place, inside the nuke-safe capsule [15:29:20] Ava looks at jadz .."Oh..that's an idea..." [15:29:33] Jadz puts her hand across her throat and tries to get Ava to shush about the whole electrocution thing in front of the guy she's kinda dating. [15:29:48] Ava promptly stops talking and swigs her beer [15:30:05] Doc he nods as he sips his drink as says " Well i tried but he completely ignored me" He shrugs then replies " That maybe be true but there are other routes to gain information. [15:30:38] Ava notices Jadz's discomfort and can't stop herself from laughing [15:32:09] Jadz looks at Doc. "Yes, I know. I was joking about the esclation thing -- because they *really* hate when you call them Mall cops. I am so glad he didn't hear you... wouldn't want something bad to happen." She pats his hand tenderly. [15:32:23] Jadz looking over at Ava, still gripping Doc's hand. "What's an idea, Ava?" [15:33:59] Ava looks from one to the other "sure you wanna hear this?" [15:34:29] Ava: Wouldn't want to cause trouble [15:35:19] Ava: We give Bart the box [15:35:28] Doc he nods as he looks at Jadz as says " I know but it my bature i am sorry" he then nods to Ava as he listens [15:36:10] Doc: nature [15:39:56] ViçṮФЯiâ RФşє (0VickyRose0): smiles siting quietly at the bar [15:40:26] Ava switches into a tone that's like a mock sales pitch in case anyone was listening "You see the shipping crate I mentioned is AMZ's top of the range in anti-tamper tech. It has a handprint scanner on the top, if the same palm, that isn't the intended recipient, touches it touches it twice in a row the defence mechanisms kick in, which includes sending a very large..terminal..shock into said palm and releasing gas that will knock out anyone else in the room, or about 5 metres radius. [15:40:45] Ava swigs her bear [15:41:48] Ava: We never found out who's palm would open it.. [15:43:13] Doc: "hey Vic" He looks back to Ava as says " Yes seem very tough to crack . But in all honesty there not a system around that can not be hacked. Just plaining on getting the job done and getting the information to do so" [15:44:23] Ava: I was just thinking of letting him to try to open it and be done with it [15:44:44] Ava: Hey vic [15:45:46] Ava: Sure at some point people will try to hack AMZ systems, it's inevitable, but not in anyones interest [15:46:26] Jadz hmmms. "But how do we convince him he should take a peek and also get him to do it in a place where there won't be innocent bystanders?" [15:48:46] Ava: We don't care who our clients are or what we ship, so long as htey pay. So it's as much as in the criminal worlds interest to keep amz in business [15:49:12] Ava: We can work on that jadz, just putting it out there [15:50:10] Doc: "Well if i where to guess . slap two stamps pn the side of the box .One says top secret. The other maybe one their competitors seals . Usually cautious over comes folks" [15:52:44] Ava: Well Jadz, you know where the box is now, and I've no doubt you memorised the access code to my pod, so what you decide to do now, is upto you.. [15:53:26] ViçṮФЯiâ: oh jadz i finished the sample of 4 grams of my weed [15:53:50] ViçṮФЯiâ: i put it in theback room on the card table [15:54:35] Jadz points at herself. "Me Ava? Oh that doesn't seem like my business. But ... maybe you can recruit someone a little more daring. I certainly wouldn't be sad to see that shithead go."
Bart and his goons

Outfit Credits:

Location: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Resembool/89/162/505

Roleplay: Hasty Departure

Ava wakes with a start in her bunk in the makeshift office. There’s no question of what’s woken her, it’s the roaring sound of thrusters loud and powerful enough the building is shaking.

She jumps down and runs to the doorway, it’s still night, but from the emergency lights on the surrounding buildings she can see what’s happening. Where the Helix soldiers camp had been is now bare earth except for a few empty crates and torn tents, the noise is a fleet of their transport ships taking off.

Time is going to be short, the civilian residents are going to panic when they realise what’s happened. Ducking back into her office she switches on her drone control terminal, it bleeps to indicate its running on battery power since the outposts generators had gone along with the soldiers. Logging into the system she brings up the list of nearby AMZ craft, now very glad she’d disguised the signature of the cargo ship as just another drone when she left it in orbit. The soldiers would only know if they actually saw it and right now it was fortunately on the other side of this miserable rock. Sending the command to wake up the droid pilot and initiate landing sequence as close as safely possible, she enters the data wipe command on her terminal and heads for the door.

Moving quickly she dashes from door to door of her friends that had also been woken and says to each of them “Get your shit together, we’re leaving. Clearing at the top of the hill in ten minutes if you want off this rock.”

Nine minutes, 37 seconds later…

Ava stands at the top of the loading ramp, one hand on the security forcefield control, the other holding a pistol. There’s only so many stasis pods on board and she’s being very selective who gets one.

She knew this day would come and had made provision, ordering more than just drones and office supplies from AMZ.

If they weren’t a resident of the community from the Hellas Crater, they weren’t getting onboard and there are already two bodies on the ground as testament to her resolve.

There were a fair few more would be freeloaders on the ground by the time the hatch was closed.

Once there are as many people as stasis pods she closes the ramp and presses an intercom panel on the wall to instruct the pilot. “Tinman, get us out of here, set course for Mars, the Southern end of the Hellas Crater”, she says before heading to the freighters minimal living space with the others.

Credits: