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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
And yet, Emet-Selch knows full well that they will need what little power they have managed to scrape together for other matters. Even should he yet wish it were not the case.]
Were this our own star, perhaps.
[Yet it is not, and though he prods gently at the space that should be dedicated to either exerting some measure of control over the limb or simply banishing it outright, it comes to little effect in the end.]
But I have found things of this nature are not so easily rid of, here.
[He does not address the glimpse he spots of the Elidibus-who-was. Though the curiosity is indeed a welcome sight, he cannot imagine dragging either or both of them into reminiscence on the past will prove useful at the moment.]
no subject
My brief glimpse into the mirror of possibilities yielded no lingering effect. But perhaps I was fortunate or a problem simply has not had sufficient time to arise.
[ He brings curled fingers to rest against his chin with a gesture of contemplation. ]
I will keep you informed. And perhaps it would be best to remain away from the technologies here after all. Shall we inform the others?
no subject
[He knows the strange phantom sensation hadn't started before he'd tried to see what he could do with the artificial hand on display. And if that should be the case, it's certainly not impossible that the mirrors might also require something more. Even if Emet-Selch himself should not be particularly interested in testing that theory.]
Yes. Even if this particular side effect is little more than an annoyance, far better that all present be made at least reasonably aware.
[There's a pause, and then he continues, under his breath and low enough that only Elidibus will be able to hear:]
It doesn't even have the courtesy to be functional.
no subject
Emet-Selch may even be aware of the rare moments of discomfort his colleague experiences when he holds back too much. Volunteering to be a therapist for the wayward souls turned into as much a necessity as an opportunity. ]
I shall pray for swift recovery. [ Catching that muttered complaint, Elidibus almost smiles. But it is a dry one. ] Mayhap such discomforts intend to lead one to seeing what it might be like in the mirror.
[ Almost a joke, since Elidibus is not generally one for offhand theories given at a whimsy. But it has a vein of seriousness too. If the mirror reshapes one's image, might it not in this cursed venue possibly 'supply' a functional appendage. ]
The events of Buffalo, New York come to mind.
no subject
(The demands of his role as emperor, for the most part.)]
I doubt they would go so far as truly allowing one additional appendages.
[Though that also raises the question of whether or not many people would choose to alter themselves in such a manner, and given that he knows so little of what might be common on other worlds, he has no real way to judge what people might see as normal. Or even within the general bounds of the expected. Even if he knows full well that additional hands are thoroughly useful - when they are not incorporeal echoes lingering past their welcome.]
Though I agree. It is possible that a similar force was at play there, if it had not instead been a first attempt at that which we now mean to stop.
no subject
[ Really Emet-Selch, think of Snap-chat.
Think of how glad you are that Hythlodaeus is not here to show you how you look with snap-chat filters.]It is but a passing theory. The machine may do nothing at all. Or leave you with little more than a phantom feeling.
[ Or perhaps even the delusion that the changes are real. Elidibus has not observed long enough to know the truth of it. Though speaking of being able to observe on a particular level... ]
How much have you been able to truly see?
[ Neither had come here without taking time to stockpile the lifeline to their power on this world. Elidibus's gaze briefly slides to Emet-Selch. He is once again serious. ]
no subject
[He's not about to rule out the possibility of the mirror being able to cause permanent change in the rest of someone's form. Especially given that it would hardly be the first time something had caused physical alterations. But he has yet to see anything capable of adding to the number of limbs one has in total.
Still, given that he has no intention of trying it for himself and the same appears to hold true for Elidibus as well, the point appears to be moot at best.]
Less than I would like. Much is as one might expect, given the nature of the events are occurring, but the source of the power is not here. If anything, it merely serves as a means by which to entice people into the range of what is yet to come.
[Admittedly, he also no direct dealings with Zyrian to speak of, which does not much help matters, in the long run. At least in so far as direct identification is concerned.]