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apocalypsehowcomm2023-06-16 07:57 am
Event - The 25,000 Light Year View
The atmosphere in the lower level gym at ADI headquarters is… tense, to say the least. Nia, Neil, and Rae are present with the rest of those remaining at the organization (or willing to come when called by Neil and Rae for a final statement) seated in benches and chairs that have been dragged in. It's not the usual, orderly meetings that some might have gotten used to for mission briefings.
Neil speaks first. "Thank you, everyone, for coming in. Lot's been happening, but we've come to… an understanding about where we need to go. The artifacts that were in the Vault have all been accounted for or noted as destroyed in some manner with a few exceptions. We're still chasing- ADI is still chasing those down with help from anyone who might want to give it. Won't pretend this is going to be a kumbaya moment, so let's get down to brass tacks. There's an apocalypse on. Whatever this organizations stands for now, its original mission was to uncover and stop those. That's still my mission."
"Mine, too," Rae chimes in.
"It's one we all share," Nia adds.
Neil nods before continuing. "So, we stop this, and we go our separate ways. I'll be leaving ADI and starting my own organization. We've seen a large number of threats in the Appalachian region and a lot of folks heavily impacted by decisions ADI's made. I'll be taking my organization there. Already been in touch with our- with ADI's field agents in the region. Some will be joining me. Along with a certain newsperson who keeps sniffing around. We'll do what we can to do right by the people who've been hurt most. That's going to be our focus. Support and security. We're not feeding the Hunt anymore by running down threats."
Rae steps up next. "And I'll be going where I need to. Lot of threats out west. If you're looking to do some good that won't be working for the Hunt… maybe think about heading that way."
Nia is the last to speak. "And I'll be staying here in Gloucester. ADI will be staying. And I will be its final Warden. We're stopping Zyrian, then we're figuring out what the hell is going on with Dogtown to get all of you people from other worlds home. Or at least stop anyone else coming in. After that? I'm out. What happens after that is still in the works. But Neil's agreed to stay in touch to help with everything… once I'm gone." There's a flicker of emotion across Neil's stoic expression. Regret, frustration… grief. "But right now, we look to Wolf Trap. I-"
There's a pause, and Neil and Rae look to Nia in concern as she puts a hand to her temple. She recovers, though. "Huh… We look to Wolf Trap, Virginia. We'll have buses to get everyone down there. We'll be arriving just as Copernicus' launch of the New Horizon's project is underway. That's where Zyrian Steel's going to do his ritual. We need to find the server rooms at the event. Those are important."
Rae squints at Nia, "You sure?"
Nia nods. "Yeah. I'm real sure about that. It'll be dangerous, though, and that's not the- it's not the only threat that's gonna be there."
Neil's looking wary. "Nia?"
"There's something else. The Web? It's not just the Vast that's involved in this, I don't think. It would make sense, right?" She shakes her head. "We'll be facing multiple Entity threats down there, not just the Vast. And I'm sure Zyrian's gonna kick the ritual off on the last day, once he's had time for-for something… not sure what. But he's a dramatic bastard, if nothing else. And timing's everything."
Neil and Rae exchange uncertain looks before Neil speaks up again. "Coming is voluntary, like always, but we'll want boots on the ground to cover as much ground as possible. They'll be holding the biggest events and productions at the Filene Center stage. But we're expecting tech booths scattered all throughout the park. Be on your guard."
"And bring a gun," Rae advises.
(click the map for a larger version)
cw darkness
The dripping grows louder, each drop more frequent until there's the sound of water pouring down ahead of John.]
I'm the definition of cool. Hey, come look at this.
[It's a much more human voice now, like an actual person standing a few yards ahead.]
cw darkness
It's still dark, too dark, but the sounds are at least orienting, and he goes towards the sound of water, and the sound of Zyrian's voice.
John growls, a glint of something murdery in his feline eyes.]
Then I petition for a new definition of cool.
[But he's curious, even though a part of him knows it's probably a bad idea. Still, better than nasty wet carpet.]
cw heights
[There's a metallic click and the lights flicker on overhead. John is standing in a bland, empty, windowless office building with partitions and hallways that stretch away into the indiscernible distance--a meme that's perhaps a few years after his time. Beside him is a wet and unbothered Zyrian Steel, one hand stretched up to grasp a pull string attached to a light fixture from which streams dirty water. There's a hole in the floor at Steel's feet down which the water swirls like the drain of a tub.]
Whoa, kitty! Sorry, did I scare you?
no subject
[John says dryly, tail twitching, cat face expressive enough to display his displeasure.
It is a creepy place, that seems to go on forever, and maybe it’s trying to be the Matrix or something, but he’s seen all the Matrixes, too.
There is no spoon.
He tries to ignore the distance, and focus only what’s in front of him.
A target. Prey.
He just needs to focus on prey. And the chase.
He approaches Zyrian, slowly, his pupils widening.]
I’d like to ask when things changed for you, when you decided that the Vast was more important than your fellow human beings, but I guess that doesn’t really matter now. But you killed the previous Warden, Tawnya, didn’t you? Or at least ‘took care of the problem.’ What did she have on you?
no subject
Same as Nia's got on me: the truth of what I've been using you for. [He shrugs.] All of you now, unfortunately; that wasn't part of the plan. But it's been awfully convenient having a pack of dogs--sorry, dogs and cats--running interference. Wouldn't want someone else growing to power and pulling off a ritual while I was working on pulling this all together.
no subject
[John gets closer, but pauses just within pouncing distance.
Surely for no reason at all. And his tail flicking back and forth is also for no reason.]
See, I just don’t get people who wanna start apocalypses. Maybe it’s just the Hunt in me, but it just seems so…boring, in the end. Wow, the whole world has lost their minds, that’s it? Then what? You rule over it all? A big wide kingdom of nothing. I dunno, it just seems kinda lonely to me.
no subject
[Steel's stiff posture is also surely for nothing. They're just two guys, two good buds shooting the shit.]
I don't think it's lonely at all. I'm bringing you all into the fold, after all. I'm humanity's last great equalizer.
cw: violence
[Surely just standing around for no reason whatsoever.]
This whole thing is so stupid! How is anyone gonna enjoy someone else’s company when they’ve utterly lost themselves? You gonna enjoy this? The last man ruling over what used to be humanity?
[And then—John pounces. He aims to slam the pointy ends of his crab claw towards Zyrian’s stomach, in an attempt to stab and/or pin him down.]
cw: violence
[His protest, likely more of the same he's spouted before, cuts off into a yelp of surprise and what at least sounds like pain. He folds around John's pointy claw and goes down like a sack of potatoes, landing hard on his back next to the hole in the floor.
His wheezing gasps, however, sound suspiciously like laughter. The sound of falling water grows louder, the stream from above growing heavier and the hole in the floor widening. In a moment enough of it will fall away to dump Zyrian, and possibly John, down a growing waterfall into the pitch-black abyss below.]