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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)
no subject
"Ooh, my very own stalker. Too bad I had you running in circles with the rest of the pack. Have a good time in Buffalo?"
It retreats again, echoing all around her, down the slopes of the Knee. "I Know the deep truth you don't want to see. All the specifics are just window dressing, but you ADI people have the most fascinating windows."
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"Had worse." Which is true, but given that turning into a big weasel was pretty bad, that might say more about her life than anything.
She glances around, even though she knows she's unlikely to spot anywhere the voice is coming from. Still, she doesn't like how the voice is moving, it makes her uneasy.
"You're not the first guy to claim you know some big truth," she points out, "and I'll bet anything you won't be the last either." Because his little apocalypse isn't going to work, or at least she's firmly telling herself that.
no subject
The voice drifts further away, seeming to echo more softly over the landscape, like it's taking in the whole of the great skeleton in contemplation.
"I really was going to send you all on such a nice retreat," Zyrian muses. "As a thank you. A nice little send-off. I know it's been hard being my attack dogs."
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"I don't need your thanks," she says, dryly. The part about attack dogs does seem to make her bristle a bit. "And I don't trust you to plan a decent vacation." Okay, that wasn't her best insult. Whatever, moving on.
"What do you get out of showing everyone anyway? Just the satisfaction? Or do you think the thing you work for is gonna be any nicer to you than anyone else in the long run?"
no subject
The voice drifts further away. A dull glow lights deep in the eye sockets of the Titan, turning to gaze at Eda across the distance, though the head itself does not move.
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"If we always were, then what's even the point of all this? I still don't get the appeal."
Eda narrows her eyes when the glow begins. This may not be her real home, but she still doesn't want him messing with it. He shouldn't have power here.
"I mean, personally I'd aim higher than being someone else's foot, but that's just me," she adds, dryly. After a moment she pointedly looks away from the skull.
no subject
It isn't her real home, is it? It's just a vision of the Vast, after all, a conjured image. Perhaps such a conjured image can, after all, fall under Zyrian's control. There's a crack like thunder and a rumble that runs through the ground beneath Eda's feet, but no movement she'll be able to see unless she chooses to turn and Look.
no subject
"So I'm pretty sure it's not the same. I've never wanted to be the only person left to gloat. Sounds pretty lonely if you ask me."
And, for now, Eda sticks with her attempt to refuse to engage. She focuses on the snow-covered ground under her feet. On how solid it feels. So long as she pointedly ignores the shudder that ran through it.
no subject
Would the ground fall away were the titan to unbend his knee, or would she simply be crushed as everything built upon it cracked apart? How would she and everything around her tumble if he were to stand?
He's looking at her. She's being watched; surely the skull has turned to gaze in her direction. And if he can turn the skull, he can unbend the knee.
"Anyway," Steel continues, sounding for all the world like he's gritting his teeth in effort and frustration even in this bodiless world. "Conversation is boring when the other person just. doesn't. get it."
The ground trembles with each emphasized word, but as long as she keeps her gaze upon it and believes in its solidity, that's all that it does.
no subject
"Yeah, it is." Perhaps not Eda's best comeback, but she's busy being deeply uncomfortable.
The Eye may not be one of her biggest fears, but she doesn't enjoy the way it feels like Steel is looking at her. She tries not to shiver as she plants her staff in the snow beside her for extra stability. If nothing else, she's stubborn. This is her land. Real or not.
"And I'm surprised you're admitting no one else has managed to sink that low."
There, that one was better. Somewhat, anyway.
no subject
Never mind that he sounds hurt. Or maybe it's just that he's struggling, hard, with the effort to move the Titan. As long as Eda has her gaze, feet, and staff planted firmly on the snow, it seems he isn't able to force the issue here within a vision of home.
The trembling of the ground quiets and subsides, and there's a stretch of silence, long enough to be disquieting.
no subject
"Still better than any of your jokes."
Which... also wasn't very good, but whatever. She's taking the fact he sounded hurt as a victory, rightfully or not.
She's not sure she feels any better when the landscape quiets, though. She's tempted to turn around, but that still feels like a bad idea. The silence feels like a trap. So, for the moment, she simply keeps focusing on how much this place is hers.
It's not Steel's, any more than it is the Emperor's. She's tired of terrible little human men thinking they have power here. Any version of here.
no subject
At last, Zyrian breaks the silence. "Hey. It's rude to look away when someone's talking to you."
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"Then it's lucky I've never claimed to have manners," Eda says. She grits her teeth and her ears flatten. She's increasingly uncomfortable, but she's not inclined to back down even on something minor; maybe especially on something minor.
"It's also rude to trap people in an evil computer. Or do the rules only apply to people with less money than you?" To be honest, she's not sure if there's any point in keeping him talking. But it feels better than letting him have his way.
no subject
That's all the warning she'll have before the world tugs sideways, trying to tip over into a new place, a new metaphor in which she won't have the home advantage. The question is, how tightly can Eda hold onto this vision of home?
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And she tries—she really does. But maybe her focus is too narrowly on not letting him change this particular scene, or maybe she's just... tired. Maybe it's some of both. Even before being here, her nerves have been frayed this week. Instantly experiencing several months of a timeline you weren't there for will do that, apparently.
One way or the other, she lets out a startled yelp as everything lurches. For a moment whatever she sees is dizzying enough to make her reflexively close her eyes; and as she tries to get ahold of herself, she's not sure if she should look at where she is now.
no subject