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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)
Robots
Last time they talked, she had quite a bit of fun trolling him, but Cortana's clearly not in the mood today. In fact she seems ...distressed? She's definitely cringing.
"Unfortunately, I don't think you did. I think whoever set this up ...designed them to be like that." She'll reach to pluck it from his hands, if he'll let her.
"Do you want to know what it's saying?"
no subject
That would explain the repeating patterns he heard. Though why and how is eluding him. It's just a toy, isn't it? He looks from the robot to Cortana, and considers the distress in her expression.
"Do I want to know?"
no subject
"That's what this is, by the way. So no, you're probably better off not knowing the details. To be honest, I'm really hoping this is someone's idea of a sick joke." And that these are pre programmed phrases and not beings sentient enough to feel pain and want it to stop.
A terrible thought occurs to her, then. What if this is what Zyrian wants to do to people? The Didact used the composer to break people down and transform them into his army of Prometheans: does Steel have a similar goal?
It might not be a correct guess, but it chills her to the bone.
no subject
"Maybe there's a way to stop it. O-or help it so it's not distressed."
no subject
"Other than breaking its speakers?" She sets the little robot down and taps out her own little Morse code sequence but the little robot doesn't respond, just repeating the same distress signals. "I've tried asking them questions and offering help in about a hundred or so languages but they don't respond. I can't find anything that seems broken either, and I've checked several times. I'm hoping that means that they're just toys programmed to mindlessly cry out in pain to mess with us..." but she doubts that's all there is to it.
no subject
It's only slightly less awful that someone would create something designed to cry in pain, rather than the toys actually being in pain. Either way, it's terrible. He doesn't have to ask what kind of person would do something like this: he already knows.
"People suck."
no subject
Cortana sighs. "What do you want to do with it?"
no subject
Feeling all kinds of sympathy for the toy, he picks it up with only the briefest hesitation. "I should take it home. I don't know how to help it, but...I can at least look after it."
no subject
"If you need help with repairs or maintenance I can show you some stuff." She bites her lip uncertainly as she considers what to say next, but finds herself mostly at a loss. "Are you... gonna be okay?"
no subject
His mouth works a moment as he searches for an answer. He looks at the robot in his hands and wonders if it can hear them, if it can feel itself being handled, if it is conscious at all. Is it really suffering or is it just a doll with as much awareness as a toaster?
"I don't know," he says finally. "Do you...ever regret being created?"
no subject
The question stops her cold. He can probably hear the little noise she makes, as though trying to stifle a gasp. She almost brushes it off, deflects it by calling out the rudeness of such an incredibly personal question, but the kid really seems to be struggling here: she supposes she can give him some sort of answer.
"No." Even though she knows she should. So many people would be better off if she'd never been born, and the few who wouldn't have other friends they can rely on.
Being born allowed her to meet John. She can't regret that.
"But I don't think my situation is the same as this little guy's... if that's what you're talking about."
no subject
Regardless, she answers the question. He's not sure what he was looking for, and he's glad her answer is "no" (even if her initial reaction cast some doubt on that), but it doesn't actually help.
"Sorry. I guess...I don't know what I'm talking about."
no subject
So she switches tactics.
"Hey, this has been pretty stressful. You wanna go get some icecream or something? My treat." Do witches have ice cream? Either way, it seems like a good idea to get the both of them out of this tent.
no subject
"Yeah, okay. That's...that's a good idea." That sounds like a much better idea than standing around here getting more depressed. He tucks the toy in one arm - maybe he can find a bag or basket or something for it later. "Can you eat ice cream?"
no subject
"At least people are usually happy when getting ice cream."