here they talked of revolution, here it was they lit the flame

[initiates]

Date: October 1st
Location: The Observatory.
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports arrive and are shuffled into the Observatory for the show of the year. Initial briefings are very brief this time around, and that Greeter just won't stop crying.
Warnings: new confused people and old sad people??

Your arrival here has been very unceremonious. One second you were somewhere else, and now, very suddenly, your feet hit the glowing white of the Transporter pad, and you're here. You aren't alone, either. There's a crowd of others around you, each seeming just as bewildered, angry, or confused as you might feel. At the head of the group is a woman in purple robes, with eyes red as if she'd just finished crying. She hurries over a quick overview of your intended purpose here, and gives direct answers when asked for them, but to most things she simply shows you how to access the tablet you've just been given. There, you can find the history of this place and a record of what your new cohorts have experienced — although it won't have Network access for another 8 hours. Someone stands on hand to give you a weapon, and though the armory is now greatly reduced, you should be able to find something to suit you.

You're shepherded down a walkway tunnel and into the Observatory, where you will find screens mounted on three sides of the wide room. The only lighting comes from dull red emergency lights, and the scenes of a dreary, rainy city from various cameras up on the screens; the largest of the screens opens up to a view of Earth from a good distance away -- this one isn't a screen at all, you might realize, but a window. As you watch, all screens in the room fill with light, impossibly bright. It consumes the buildings, the people, everything. There is no sound played, perhaps mercifully, only that white light -- and then nothing.

Through the large window, there's a pinprick of light over one of the landmasses on the blue planet. It grows to a tiny blossom and then dies away, but a cloud begins to mushroom outward in the same spot. It pushes the natural clouds out of the way, claiming that small portion of the world and wrapping it in a uniform gray.

Strings of numbers begin to fill the blanked out screens as the base's AI begins collecting data and calculations, but the show seems to be over. You're free to explore the base, visit and use any of the VR rooms, or discover your new room and roommates, but try not to step out of any airlocks if oxygen is a requirement for your system.

Welcome to the moon base, with front row seats to the grave of Exsilium.

[[ooc; reminder! The Network will be down for 8 hours after the wave of new Transports.]]

Comments

[outway]

[ gaius was still rather uncomfortable with this place. he had only been here a month now, and it had hardly been an easy month. he had perhaps been pushing himself too hard during the past weeks as well, neglecting his appearance somewhat... he looked tired and haggard, but didn't seem to have any intention of slowing down.

there was hardly any time for rest. ]

Can I help you?

[ he isn't really used to people approaching him directly to speak... probably because he exudes a somewhat intimidating aura. but if this woman has something to say, then he'll gladly speak with her. ]

[rittersjuwel]

[He does seem a little intimidating, but those are the sorts of people you might want to have fighting on your side during a war. She smiles, distant but polite, and nods her head.]

If you don't mind. I'm Satella Harvenheit, one of the new arrivals. I thought I should look for information. Do you mind if I ask you some questions?

[outway]

Feel free. Though I may not be the best suited for providing answers.

[ despite his time here, he still felt like he knew little more than those who had just arrived... everything still felt mostly knew to him. ]

My name is Erston. Though it probably means little, you have my condolences for arriving at such an... inconvenient time.

[rittersjuwel]

Mm. Well...I've had the situation explained to me a little, so I can understand their desperation for soldiers. Even if their methods for recruitment are...well...

[She frowns.]

...Actually, I think that's something I'd like to ask you about. How do you feel about the organization that brought us here? Do you trust them?

[outway]

Even good men will resort to terrible measures if the times are desperate enough.

[ her question gives him pause though. trust? no, he has little trust for the initiative. but why? it probably has to do with how they were brought here, but... ]

I trust that their words are true about the United Earth. Their enemy is truly one that must be defeated. But I cannot say the Initiative is entirely noble either. I would not say I trust them, though I am resigned to cooperating with them for now. [ sigh. ] Such is the price of stolen soldiers.

[rittersjuwel]

Mm. True enough. [She nods.] I think that might be what I'm leaning toward, for now. Although I don't like fighting other's battles unless I choose to take on a job.

[outway]

It seems to be the stance that most have taken. None are all too eager to fight when forced to, but we have little choice in the matter. Not against a foe capable of what our's is.

Job? [ he pauses, thinking for a second. ] Are you a mercenary then?

[rittersjuwel]

Not quite. I'm a bounty hunter that specializes in eliminating the supernatural.

[outway]

I see. I doubt there will be any shortage of work for you here.

[rittersjuwel]

Probably not. [She shrugs.] Although I suppose I should be generous and not charge anyone for my services until the current situation is under control.

[outway]

I believe the Initiative does offer payment for certain services. [ he hasn't really looked into that. ] But at the moment, that may be on hold.

[rittersjuwel]

At least we get payment under different circumstances. Money doesn't seem like it'd be much use right now, anyway.

[outway]

Though the city below was hardly extravagant, it could at least provide some conveniences. Here, it's a struggle to merely secure basic supplies.

If there's anything you need, you'll likely have to go find it yourself.

[rittersjuwel]

On the moon?

[outway]

There are areas of this base that haven't been completely secured yet.

[rittersjuwel]

Hm. That might be the first order of business.

[outway]

[ a nod. ] It may take some more time, but the Initiative forces are slowly making progress. And once that's finished... I imagine work to reclaim land on the planet will begin.

[rittersjuwel]

[She pauses, looking out a nearby window to the Earth below.]

Are there any plans yet on how they'll manage that? We don't have that weapon where I'm from, but it sounds pretty devastating...

[outway]

Warfare here is different than in my own world as well.

I'm uncertain how you can prepare for such an assault, or how you can counter that. Tactically, you would at least need an equivalent weapon, but... the devastation such an exchange would cause is unthinkable.

[rittersjuwel]

That wouldn't be a good choice. I'd hope that they would want to find a way to lessen the destruction, not spread it to other areas and more civilians.

[outway]

Defending a position is far more difficult than striking back.

Though if their goal is to save this world, and not just destroy their enemy, then that may be the only choice.