MISSION: GET TO ZE CHOPPA

[initiatesnpc]

Date & Time: August 23rd, 2753 (OOCly forward-dated to the 1st)
Location: Uruguay National Defense HQ
Characters: All transports!
Summary: All transports are sent back to Uruguay to download a self-aware AI before it gets bombed out of existence by an early incarnation of the UE. Time distortion effects will be set right either on the way there or on the way back, according to player choice.
Warnings: violence, action movie tension, 3 terabytes of foot fetish porn.

The Transporter drops the entire transport population into what will quickly be established as Home Base, a mile from the vast, sprawling facility that is Uruguay's National Defense HQ. The low roar of helidrones moving above is pervasive, but the black ships can only be glimpsed here and there through the thick cover of trees overhead. If you keep calm and quiet, it's likely you won't be spotted. It's the UND HQ their attention is on, after all.

The population is quickly sorted by attending Initiate employees according to who volunteers to fight and who volunteers to protect, along with those with enough skill to access the computers, and those with enough skill to get them there. The fighters move out first, off to intercept the early UE's ships and ground troops, and to draw the automated defense systems of the facility alike. They'll be in a crossfire, and neither side will be happy to see them there.

The techies and their escorts are sent out far more quietly, in groups of three. Their task is to sneak past the front lines and into the facility itself. There might be alarms and automated defense drones, so those escorts may well be called on to earn their keep. The Initiative can't give any information about which building will house the AI's mainframe, that information was long since lost to history. All they can do is send out enough people to hope that one of them manages to find it.

And remember — as soon as the UE troops withdraw, there will only be minutes until the bomb drops. Everyone would do well to work fast.



[[ Mission information is here, and the techie/escort teams, along with their hacking results, are here. Each techie/escort group will have their own established thread, but Team Distraction and Team We'll Stay Here, Thanks are welcome to thread where ever and however they like! The newbie log that goes up on the 1st will also encompass the arrival back in Exsilium, if you'd like to play that out as well. ]]

Comments

[salvagedsoul]

Ah... I think I finally understand, then. Perhaps I was intruding, but I'm happy you told me. I wouldn't want to have the wrong idea.

[He's smiling warmly as he says it, but as he continues, he looks back out at the sky again, letting the sun warm his face.]

You can find what you're looking for. Even if you never remember, as long as you can hear, and speak, and be with others, there is hope to lead a pleasant existence.

[inutile]

Yes...

[he knows Kaworu is right. before he could reach out to anyone, or even dare to use his voice -- there was nothing pleasant about the way he lived. it was nothing but a false and lonely world he'd made to protect himself from being hurt, and he can only be glad that he knows better now... maybe to move on from this world or the next, he'll have to let go of even his ability to be with the few people he can call friends, but at least he'll be doing it without regret.

he feels a little less heavy now, even if he's already known most of this before their conversation. still, Nageki supposes that even just talking to someone he doesn't mind sharing his thoughts with is comforting all by itself.]

Even if I never find the memories I'm looking for... maybe with time, I can make new ones, and that will be good enough.

[maybe a bit abruptly, he shifts in his spot, almost like he's suddenly a little uncomfortable. his eyes dart away for a second, but after they linger elsewhere they turn back as he half mumbles his words.]

...Thank you, Kaworu-san. Speaking with you is... a very calming experience.

[salvagedsoul]

Just "Kaworu" is fine.

[His own eyes dart back at him for a moment, but when Kaworu sees that he looks uncomfortable, they turn back to the sky. And instead, his fingertips seek Nageki's hand next to him, touching the side of his palm just enough to get his attention.]

I'm happy that talking to me helped you a little. I like talking to you, too. Let's be friends.

[inutile]

[there's so much to be caught off guard by in Kaworu's answer that Nageki doesn't do anything at all, watching Kaworu in a speechless and unmoving stupor. it's in moments like these that Nageki realizes most strongly that he still doesn't know how to react in a correct manner when it comes to forming new friendships; at best, they just sort of -- fall into his lap, whether he wants them to or not. more often than otherwise it tends to be the latter, but that was before Nageki understood that this is what he needs, and having friends that care about him is much more important than the bothers they might cause at the same time.

so. how does he go about trying to express that he wants to be friends with Kaworu as well, instead of brushing him off? his eyes dart towards Kaworu's fingers brushing his hand, but no matter how forcefully he tries to convince himself to do something back his hand stays completely and confusedly still. it's so strange to have anyone able to touch him even now, and to feel it so strongly... what is he meant to do back? is he supposed to do something back?

but he can't just stay silent, at the very least. it's a struggle not to sound cold out of pure nervousness, and his voice still comes out just a bit flimsy, but for Nageki it's enough of an attempt to be significant by itself.]

...Alright then, K-- Kaworu. I would like that.

[his eyes finally move away from their hands and back to Kaworu's face, wondering -- should he ask Kaworu to call him by his name, as well? he used to feel a hint of discomfort that so many of his friends did so so quickly, but... it's not a bother, he thinks. if anything, it's nice to know that he can consider himself mutually friendly enough with someone to do that.]

"Nageki" is just fine for me, as well.