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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)
Rodney McKay | Stargate: Atlantis | ota
[Rodney doesn't even want to stop at the stupid booth.
Really, what's so great about it? It's a boring concept, nothing innovative about it, probably some AI that changes your video feed in real time, how groundbreaking. But then he watches it from afar and he can't quite figure out how exactly it works. Which is galling. So he steps closer and he gives it a try and soon gets caught up in it like he would in the character creation window of a new RPG. Meaning he fiddles with the controls and tweaks and sculpts meticulously until all the proportions are to his liking.
Taller. Leaner. His broad shoulders can stay, they actually work nicely once the rest is-- well, not fixed, he wouldn't consciously admit to thinking anything needs fixing, but... improved. So much improved. There's muscles that are more toned, there's a slimmer, more athletic frame, there's an improved posture. His hair, he definitely does something about that, too, fixing that receding hairline until it falls into his face in a messy-yet-fashionable way.
Oh man.
He stares at the image, baffled by the results. While he tried to act and proclaim that he was a fairly attractive man that is mostly posing because he really doesn't think of himself as such - how could you when you traveld with people who looked like Sheppard, Teyla and Ronon and be the fourth member to their weird existence as both models and superheroes?
And then he feels uncomfortable, self-conscious, embarrassed that he's even wasting his time on this stupid program. Except he can't stop looking at himself, turning left and right, imagining what it would be like going on a mission like this, vaulting over stones and nimbly moving between trees, shooting at Wraith with one hand while fixing a console with the other, hair mussed up from the wind and heat of battle...
He winces when he realizes he's not alone and quickly clears his throat, trying to be casual about it.]
Nice gimmick but overall just a, a really a boring concept, like, there's nothing innovative about it, just some AI that changes your video feed in real time, I could write a program like that...
ii. Wired - Server Room
Oh, come on!
[Rodney throws his hands up in frustration when he sees the rows and rows and rows of the server maze.]
Seriously? Just once, can any of this follow some sort of logic? I feel there should be laws to this? Just saying that it's magic shouldn't make it a free for all and either it's magic or it's technology, don't make it technology when you don't plan on adhering to technology's rules.
Where's the electricity coming from, huh? Is it magic electricity? If it's magic electricity, why make it look like it runs on regular electricity when clearly, it doesn't? I'm sorry, did you fail basic physics in school and now you have to compensate by making it magic physics and pretend you know what you're doing with your magic circuits and your magic coding?
[Bicker, bicker, bicker.
He yelps when one of the copper snakes attacks him, flailing, jumping, managing to slip off his backpack and smashing it down on it again and again and again until he's sure it stopped moving.]
See! That's what I'm talking about! What is that! Why is that! That is a perfectly good copper connection wasted on a carnival scare!
[He's so scared. And the more scared he gets the louder and the faster he talks.
Just wait until he sees the first bodies.]
iii. Enter the matrix
[He studied this.
All his life, this is what his mind was directed at. Space and its vastness and all the things about the universe they didn't understand. It's why he went to Atlantis, exploring, venturing out, experimenting, observing, inventing.
He's in a space suit, floating, and the stars and the universe, it all stretches out around him. There is so much he already understands in a theoretical frame and his mind races, calculates, equations pressing down on him as they attack him with bodily, visceral experience. It's Dogtown's Stars all over again and it's too much, his mind can't keep up but it tries, it almost feels like Ascending again, that place where near absolute knowledge had filled his head, where he had started to invent new Mathematics.
He's so close to understanding and some part of him wants to, needs to, almost wants to hurl himself into that deep nothingness just so that he can see, that he can comprehend, that he can push past the limits of his mind-- We love you, Elizabeth tells him and it makes him stop, like it made him stop once before from becoming pure energy, from reaching that next plane of existence.
Others.
There are others.
This is what he does, he figures things out for others because they need him because he is smart and because they love him--
I've come to realize that, because the people here have become a sort of a-a surrogate family to me. Now, I know what you're thinking. I've never really been the poster child for that kind of sentiment...
He closes his eyes, trying to pry himself away from the big picture. Trying to imagine the others in it. Clearly they're lost without him. Just look at this giant universe, how can he expect them to navigate it without his expertise, without his insight? They need him, obviously.
In the real world, his hand moves to tear at one of the cables and the universe in the machine spins, shifts, fades away to a different metaphor, someone else's metaphor. He looks around, puzzled, pulled back in before he can fully break free.
But maybe he can help?]
Hello?
i. Wired - Magic Mirror
[John comes running up next to him, excited chattering over all the cool stuff from the tech booths. But he skids to a stop when he sees what Rodney is doing. For a moment he thinks it's some cool VR tech thing, and maybe that's what it's supposed to be, but...
He stares at the mirror.
It's Rodney. Not just an avatar, not just a character, but actually him, but with like...changes. He's taller, more muscular, slimmer, and his hair...
Suddenly John feels like he's watching something he isn't supposed to be seeing. Like a secret someone told you not to tell and you accidentally told.
Did he...did Rodney make that?
Was that what he wanted to look like?]
Uh...sure.
Did you...uh, did you do that?
no subject
Suddenly there's John next to him and Rodney stares at the options, wondering if there was one for becoming so small you disappear into the ground. He's frozen on the spot, feeling terribly exposed while his hair falls perfectly into his eyes.]
No?
... I mean, I-- obviously it was the mirror who administered the changes, I didn't-- I just, I was testing its functions. To, to, for science. To make sure it was safe for other people attending the... the fair and... utilize this device.
no subject
[John can’t look away.
He just stares. He almost feels guilty, like a betrayal, for finding Rodney looking like that attractive, but it’s objective, like he would acknowledge any other random person’s beauty. There was no emotional context to it. Like the beauty of a stranger.
This man looked like a stranger.
What he was worried most about is that there was something more to this. And obviously there was something more to this.]
…you know, this thing’s probably cursed, Dorian Gray.
no subject
He crosses his arms, self-conscious, defensive (man, they look amazing in the mirror, his biceps under the shirt just right, like he works out four times a week and can go on a run without turning into a sweaty, panting mess and can climb a rocky terrain with ease), not knowing where to look.]
Yes? I, yes, obviously, I know that. Which is why I am testing it. Isn't this why we're here? ... Next to the whole apocalypse business but last I checked it was our job to... to find these artefacts and figure out what to do with them...
no subject
[He gives him a look. Which means he sees right through you. Into the mirror.
Which means he knows you were playing around with it to make yourself look like this.
He’s about to crack another joke but Rodney seemed unhappy, maybe even more so, and he’s realizing he’s struck a nerve.
And that he’s looking at Rodney’s insecurities all on display.
He’s not a very touchy person but he’s been doing it more and more around Rodney, and it was starting to become second nature. He puts a hand on his shoulder, getting closer.]
Look, it’s—I’m just worried about you. I don’t want you to get hurt cause of this thing. And that guy…
[He gestures at the mirror.]
…I like you the way you are. And if you wanna work out more, maybe, I could work out with you. But if you don’t wanna, you don’t have to, either. I mean—what I’m trying to say is…
…I think you look great no matter what.
no subject
[It comes out sharper than he wants to, harsher than he wants to and he looks away, feeling exposed and called out and ridiculous.
He doesn't pull away but he stiffens under the touch, color creeping up his neck. John says all the right things, all these wonderful things and he wishes he could just believe them and he wishes he could play it all off with a joke and he wishes John hadn't seen the stupid mirror.]
Look, you don't-- you don't have to be all nice about it, all right? I don't need a pep talk, I don't need a confidence boost, I'm fine. I was just trying it out for the fun of it, is that a crime? I don't think that's a crime? It's just a booth. Nothing's happening. I'm not gonna end up looking like that. Ever.
[Suddenly he's angry and he doesn't know why or at what. At the mirror? At himself? He doesn't know but his face is burning.]
And even if I did, would that be so bad? Isn't that your whole deal? Anything that helps us fight these Entities? What, you're the only one who gets to have cool new skills and super strength? Maybe I want super strength too, what about it?
no subject
[Somehow it stings, being a compliment and an insult all at once.
This is deeper than he expected, worse than he expected. He can see the look on Rodney’s face, practically feel the emotions against his hand.]
Look, I…I know, it’s just for fun, and that’s great, I just—I just wanted you to know that!
[That’s a great point, but…]
Okay. Okay, yeah, there’s nothing wrong with that! If you want super strength, go right ahead. But there’s a price. There’s always a price and we don’t know how that works right now, we don’t know what it is. My superpowers come with a price and you know what they’ve done to you already. Are you willing to pay that price?
no subject
Why not? Everybody's doing it. We just collectively decided to work for the Hunt, nobody seems to have an issue with that. Why don't you want me to have this?
[It's stupid, he knows, and petulant and it's not what John is saying. Part of him wishes he could just shut up and there's another part that wants to double down just because.]
Are you jealous, is that it? Because for once I'd be the hot one and not you, because for once they'd look at me and not you?
no subject
[This is really petulant and honestly he expects it, he’s used to it, but what he doesn’t expect is—
—that.
John looks stricken and lets go of his shoulder, going stiff.
For a second he looks hurt, and then the hurt turns to anger.]
You think this is—you think this is jealousy?!
Is that what you think of me? That I would be—that’s all I care about—
[He’s so frustrated he can’t get it out. The idea that Rodney thinks that he’s shallow is making him angry enough to almost leave. But not quite yet.]
You wanna do this? Fine! But don’t come crying to me when it all goes horribly wrong, cause I’m just an idiot who only cares about looks anyway!
no subject
[John lets go of his shoulder and it feels awful. So does the look on his face. How did it even get to this? Everything happened so fast, he was so embarrassed and annoyed and now everything is a mess, this is a disaster and he never wanted to stop at this stupid booth in the first place--
Rodney looks away with a scowl. The guilt eats at him all the while his reflection is mocking him, tall and lean and perfect.]
And you know what, fine. I won't! I get it, it's only okay when John Sheppard does it. Me, we have to prevent that at all costs, that can only end in disaster. I can't turn hot or strong or tall, that's so unnatural, that must be evil! Thanks a lot for that, I'll keep it in mind!
no subject
[And then it gets worse. Because of course it does.]
I didn’t say that—when did I say that?!
For one thing—it always ends in disaster for me anyway, so why shouldn’t it end in disaster for you?
And two—you’re already hot! Being taller, while nice, doesn’t really give you that much of an advantage, and you can work on being strong, if you want! But if you use an Entity to get those things? Someone is gonna pay in fear. That’s how this works.
[He sets his jaw. He’s so, so pissed at him right now but he’s also getting Doranda flashbacks. He’s afraid that Rodney’s gonna get so focused on this it’s gonna end badly.]
You want this that badly? Fine. I’ll pay the price for you. If it’s that important to you.
no subject
Oh, so now I'm being selfish, too?! It's just a booth! I'm not the only person using the booth!
[John calls him hot and that almost stops him, that almost gets to him, that almost cuts through the anger - but then he waves off everything else, like being tall is not that great or special, like some exercise was gonna make him look like Ronon. Like Rodney can just eat his veggies and go on a run and somehow still get to that result staring back at him from the Mirror. It brings another wave of hot, irrational, resentful, jealous anger. Of course John would think that, looking like he does.]
I don't have to explain myself to you! And I don't have to justify this to you! And you know what, if I want a hot body I can get it all by myself! I don't need your help and I don't need your charity!
no subject
[It’s not stopping. He can’t stop, either. He’s getting more and more worked up and it’s like Rodney knows exactly what to say to get him worked up.]
I don’t believe this! I never said you had to explain or justify yourself to me, I was just—I was just trying to help!
[He wants to shake him, to make him see what he sees when he looks at him, but he can’t. It just hurts to think of Rodney dealing with something he can’t ever help him with, can’t ever protect him from. And he doesn’t think he ever could. This is deep, he can tell, old hurts and insecurities and he is not prepared to unpack it all, nor is he skilled with anything resembling feelings and the analysis of said feelings.
He just stops, and stares at him. He’s not good at navigating this. Not good at relationships, and even if he and Rodney hadn’t been together he probably would have reacted the exact same way. What would he want, if he was in Rodney’s shoes? There wasn’t anything wrong with wanting to change his appearance, and if that’s what he really wanted, he’d support him? It’s just hard to think that way when he’s angry and his maturity levels in this aren’t so great, either. He wants to walk away and let him deal with it. But he also can’t walk away, so instead he throws his arms up.]
Yeah. You’re right. That’s exactly it. I am so very graciously giving you the benefit of my charity, and not at all because I care about you and am terrified that something bad will happen to you!
no subject
He scrambles to shut down the program, feeling a sense of loss when his perfect self disappears from view. It's like it's mocking him one last time, like it's leaning forward with its perfect body and its perfect hair, whispering see, you'll never have that and it hurts because he knows, why is everyone so insistent on letting him know that?]
There! Happy now?! You did it! Saved me from myself, congratulations!
[His head is pounding and his face is red and he stomps past John, away from the booth, he needs to get away. John makes a good point, he knows that, he's not an idiot but he's too upset to be rational about this or communicate his anger in a different way.]
no subject
It’s like he can’t get this right. He never gets it right. He remembers the disappointment in Nancy’s face until there was no more disappointment, just resentment. Resignation.
Then Rodney shuts it down and storms away—]
Rodney!
[Chasing after him would probably just make things worse. He knows if he wanted space, he’d want Rodney to respect that.
…so he just stands there, watching him leave, feeling…so many terrible things all at once.
He storms away too, wondering how much trouble would he be in if he came back and smashed the mirror.]
Sup, heard you wanted to talk about MAGIC ELECTRICITY (ii)
Wearing robes of white.
Wielding a rather hi-spec fantasy looking sword and shield against the snakes and wires.
In the dim server room's light, the blue glow of his eyes is even more stand-out.]
This construct seems built on the manifest will of the Avatar. Or perhaps it has been molded from something once real. Yet in a world so devoid of magic, does it not make sense to parody what one is more accustomed to knowing?
[He takes a sweep of his sword through snakes, which spark and fizzle alarmingly but at least they seem to die in a satisfactory way.]
Pray forgive my manners. I overheard your complaint.
If by talk you mean bicker and complain YOU'VE COME TO THE RIGHT PLACE
[Sorry, it's just. Technology was his bastion and he's pretty salty it's been taken over by all this mumbo jumbo as well.
And hey, yeah. That's a funny thing indeed. Here's Mr. Therapist looking like some techno version of the Ancients. The eyes are new, all right, and so is the sword and Rodney looks at him weirdly. Seriously?
He's not ungrateful for the slaying of the snakes but he scowls all the same. Then again, he scowls at so many things, it's probably not personal.]
Okay, so what is that?
[He just stops to gesture at his... everything. The robes. The eyes.]
Is everyone an Avatar these days? Did you all join the 'magic club' [actual airquotes are happening] at some undetermined point, was there a secret meeting where you all went oh you know what would be great, selling my soul to the Eldritch concepts for some powers? Because I am detecting a theme here.
[And maybe he's a bit salty he doesn't have any powers, sue him.]
Who are you feeding?
I mean Elidibus is kind of inclined to see Rodney's point here.
[ Which means you have a very good point here Rodney. Also, about that Ancient thing? There's a funny irony in those thoughts. Though techno is a little strong, there are plenty of modern folk in his world that label his kind an Ancient.
Really such a small multiverse when you think about it.
But even Elidibus seems a little surprised when Rodney accuses him of being an Avatar over a little bit of swordwork, glowing eyes and robes. ]
Though I have, as they call it, fed the Fear who patrons my existence on this star to reclaim some of my power for this mission, this is naught more than my normal appearance.
[ Sorry Rodney he's just going to brush over the 'which one' question. And also stab a snake that was trying to creep under the wires to nibble at the scientist's toes. ]
I believe this is the first time we've met. In person anyway. I am Elidibus.
[ In person yes. There is a certain familiarity to the flavor of Rodney's complaints that stirs a memory. ]
no subject
[That rings a bell, he thinks, but he's so bad with names. Honestly, he doesn't even know the names of his own science team, how is he supposed to remember the people he fights the apocalypse with? Except...
He suddenly frowns, rapidly snapping his fingers at his face.]
Oh wait, wait, you're the zombie planet guy, aren't you. Do their eyes glow, too, like, is that just a thing where you're from, or...
[Snake!
He jumps away from it and the decisive stab of his companion.]
no subject
We discussed the presence of zombies on my world, yes.
[Literally not a whole planet of zombies, Rodney. Zombies aren't even the worst of beasts there. Sword stabs and is drawn back. It's good the scientist jumped away though; they spit sparks wildly in the semblance of death throes. ]
Is there aught of importance you've discovered about this space?
[ The thing about glowing eyes and his world is complicated. So he's going to try to smooth his way on by making use of the startled reaction and their current predicament. ]
no subject
Other than that it sucks and shouldn't be physically possible?
[He scowls, looking down the endless rows of servers.]
If this things simulates technology in a way that it should work? Then all these servers are connected to each other. They're all serving - hah - the same purpose and use their computing power for a common goal. I don't know what, but it's definitely big.
[Could you even say... Vast, hardy har.]
no subject
[ Yeah that's right Rodney. Elidibus is talking like this is reasonably possible to pull off with the right 'skill'. ]
I would not have expected such a feat possible in a short period of time on this world. But as you observe, these computers have an abundance of potential power.
[ Surely a small portion could dedicate itself to bringing spaces together. Elidibus studies Rodney momentarily. ]
I would operate under the assumption the system gains strength with each new victim in its thrall.
[ It would certainly be convenient if it became more bogged down right? So operating with the worst case scenario in mind it is! ]
Have you attempted to free those trapped?