apocalypsehowcomm | Network - Is This Thing On?

Is This Thing On?

(cw: reference to skin-related body horror)

The message that pops up on off-worlders' ADI-issued phones phones likely comes as a surprise given that the network has been down since May 25, along with all of ADI's other fancy tech. It's similar to other network notifications at first glance and looks like an official notification from the higher-ups saying that the network has been restored, but anyone who clicks it will find their phone redirected to automatically download a new app from a shady-looking URL that ends in the phrase "its-ya-boy-pyre".

Upon loading, the app turns out to be a private chat program with most of the same features as the ADI network, though the user interface is much, much less polished. It immediately shows a longer, less deceptive message from a user named "thecolepackage":

Sorry for the trick guys but I don't know if I can get the old network to do like back and forth and I wanted to send something you'd all click open on the first shot. And like if you know someone who's better at cyber security than you and didn't open the message maybe let them know it's okay? It's ya boy Pyre and I figured out how to get this app linked up with your phones, it should be private and safe and all that stuff. I only sent it to you offworlders for now, I'm still not so sure ADI'scool with the whole ex-desolation monster thing. But I thought maybe you could use this ~~and also maybe I was getting lonely~~ because it sounds like y'all have a lot going on right now

And Bonnie's telling me there's all kinds of arguments about what to do?? That's rough man I know what it's like to find out you're kind of doing the wrong thing and maybe feeding something that's going to end the world. And maybe it'll be good if you can all talk about that and figure out what YOU want to do without your bosses telling you since Bonnie says none of your bosses are agreeing on anything and it seems to me like its maybe important to figure out if you're still going to be in the apocalypse disruption gig. Youre in a tough spot and I'd say I don't envy you but also I miss having skin so I do envy you a little bit.

Anyway like I said have at and let your friends know this isn't a virus. Or it's a friendly virus I guess. Also I kind of want to go by my name Cole now instead of Pyre? So if you could call me Cole now I'd like that.

Peace.

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[There's something about what she says, the way she says it: Do you know what it's like to degrade over months, over years, she asks.]

Yes, Cortana. I do know what it's like. And we had nothing - not that all the money in the world could fix it. If all it takes is money, we'll get money. We'll get supplies. We'll find a way.

But if you don't want help, then I have to admit, you're going to pretty extreme lengths to stay in a place that's keeping you going.

(I don't believe you, she almost says, but no. That would be irrational.

...Even if this entire conversation feels like he's claiming to be part of and speaking for something he has no goddamn right to.

Is there some common ground there? Or is he that unable to wrap his head around what she's trying to describe?

Sadly, right now her mind is leaning toward the latter.)

Really? Because I'm pretty sure in the early 21st century most people needed to work two full-time jobs just to afford to share a studio apartment with a roommate and the only way to get money if you weren't born to it or the CEO of some super rich company was to get really lucky while gambling or to steal it. And the latter seems like a great way to get us all in prison or invite the Eye into our lives.

But let me guess: you're just going to keep going on how about it'll be alright, Cortana and that it's not over yet and you'll find a way to save me. And then, when it turns out it really is that bad and you really can't do anything and it might be dangerous to keep trying you'll jump ship, won't you?

Also in the mid-20th century. In fact, it was worse then. And Bucky - Winter - and I survived that, and I was frankly only as good as about a quarter of a roommate, most of the time.

I know what it's like to have next to nothing. And it's not great, but I know how to make it work. And if we have to gamble or steal? Then maybe that's what we do. Hell. I'll forge van Goghs or Warhols or some shit if I have to. We will find a way to help you, Cortana.

But I can't help you if you don't want to be helped. I won't take away your choice to stay if you really feel you have to. If you really want to. All I can offer is the promise that if you want a way out, I will do everything in my power to give it to you, because I think you deserve the same freedom to walk away as the rest of us have.

We all deserve that freedom, Steve. And the freedom of existing in peace in general. But at least you're trying.

(Seriously. But she's not interested in arguing anymore, because:)

You can forge art? I wanna see.

Of course we do. No one signed up to appear here. I know that.

[But you know what, he'll take the out:] Yeah, I'm sure I can. [Not perfectly, for a demonstration, but he'll give her one.] Who do you want me to do?

Network - Is This Thing On?

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