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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
Perhaps he has developed some fondness for his fellow otherworldly travelers. But also it could simply be a result of so long in the maze and finding only squirming and succumbed victims to the machine.
"I too have been here for some time. If indeed I may trust my sense of its passage."
The space itself is strange and vast and might well be liminal in some respects. Who knows how much time truly passes in the 'real world'. Elidibus doesn't stop striking at their foes. Many of the snakes are a risk during their death as much as 'alive'.
"I am searching for the path through. Though I fear my skills are impeded by the constant efforts of the enemy to ensnare me." After a second's pause he adds a pointed.
"One approaches to your left."
It is not at all visible, this particular snake. At least until there's just a sliver of coppery wiggle under the camouflage of wires that may have been missed had Elidibus not drawn attention to it.
With his back turned. There are certain advantages to having even some of his potential returned and it is a mercy, if you excuse the pun, that Mercy is pragmatic about it.
"Have you attempted to free anyone from the machines' embrace?"
no subject
"Don't know there is a path through. Or even back. Not unless we can figure out some trick they got here." Mercy shakes her head and lashes out at another snake she sees trying to sneak in from some of the higher servers. "Tried pulling a few folk out of the wires, but all of 'em are... it's like their bodies is there, but their souls is fled. Corpses who ain't died. I don't know what to do with that."
Kill them to end the misery? It would seem a kindness, but Mercy hadn't been able to bring herself to do that without verifying there was no coming back.
no subject
"There is a way forward and one to return, for now." Elidibus is at least confident he can trace his way back and that he has made progress even if he can't see more than a little of the way at the time. And with the added difficulty of being fettered by combat and cost of power...
Well a step by step. If he were to rush, then he would fall and lose all he had gained. Patience is more than a virtue; it's a downright necessity.
"Then it would be best to leave them be for now," Elidibus offers. "If their souls have been drawn elsewhere, what path remains for their simplest return may lie in those wires."
The timbre of his deep voice suggests a confidence that matches his knowledge of where that snake was underneath the tangle of wires. He has seen souls pulled to other worlds while still attached to their physical bodies.
He has aided souls travelling to other realities. But the method he knows is not easily applied to bringing these captive souls... ahem souls back home for a lot of reasons. Even if it would work at all.
So it's best they remain 'connected' to the same path that was probably used to remove their awareness to another place if they can come back at all.
"I do not have the resources to divert my attention to confirming they remain tethered. But so long as the body functions, the souls should may have some chance. Is there aught else you have discovered worth mentioning?"
At least that wouldn't be exceedingly obvious two minutes upon entry to the server maze.
no subject
Elidibus speaks of tethers, and Mercy can't help but imagine the souls themselves bound to the copper wires. Are the snakes they're fighting confused and terrified people? It won't stop her parrying one and then slicing it in half, but it makes things rather more grim.
"It feels like I'm getting farther when I crush those little..." She looks quickly over her shoulder to check what's in his sight line. "There! See 'em tucked away down the lane?" There are small, silver baubles amongst the wires. "Fewer snakes turn up. And it just feels like I'm doing something right once I've crushed 'em. Don't know if that's true or just a feeling, though."