( open ) i'll fly you to the moon and back

[initiates]

Date & Time: September 21st - September 30th, 11:59 PM
Location: The Hold, the Moon Base
Characters: Any/all.
Summary: The Transports are evacuating to the Moon Base. Those on the Moon Base try to settle in and figure out their next move. Setting info can be found here.
Warnings: Talk of nuclear warheads and reference to immense loss of life. Please contact the mods should any individual thread get graphically violent or anything else of the sort.
Note: Use date and location tags in your subject headlines! Such as "On the moon, 23rd onward" or "On the spaceship, 25th" or "down at the Hold, 29th."

The Hold is a flurry of activity, grim faced members of the Initiative group directing supplies and people with the subdued air of people facing their own doom, and wondering at how to process the knowledge. None of the Initiative appears unaware of what will happen; their eyes linger on the Transports, expressions pleading, hopeful, doubtful, or immeasurably sad in turn.

Every eight hours, the space ship is sent back up with a load of people and supplies. The pilots are worked until they can't; the AI stolen ages ago by the Initiative greets and corrals people and supplies at both ends, and in the middle step between.

The network continues to broadcast on narrow channels between the Moon Base and Exsilium, up until the time that all connections are lost, with the carrier located en route to Exsilium. The first airship will pass by without dropping anything, but it's too early to celebrate. At a six hour delay from behind, the second airship arrives, and with it, the dark promise of the Black Code's nuclear weaponry.

The six hour window allows for time for those left behind, either by choice or circumstance, to be pulled to the Moon Base with the successful activation of the Transport Pad. New characters will ultimately arrive with the remainder of those not yet on the Moon Base, all in time to witness the explosive contact of the nuclear warhead with the ground of Exsilium live on satellite.

But until then, there's only the hurry, the silence, and the potential for full out rioting should the Transports spread word to the Exiles inevitably left behind to face this fate.

Comments

[Action]

[soul_sister]

[The Cathedral is a cavernous place, even in its ruin. There's something far more human about it now, with its gold stripped and tile cracked, more like the frayed robe of an apostle than the finery of a pope.

But it is, in its loss of luster and more than a few breaks in its walls, a false security of being alone.

So when Kevin hears footsteps on the shattered tile, heading towards the great altar, it seems a more profound question of who.]

Re: [Action]

[senseandcecilbility]

[Kevin would not disagree with her assessment, except that all the churches he has seen in Exsilium are always so, so empty. If this was his own Britain, his powers would be terribly compromised. Angels do not take the loss of their territory too well.

He has the ingrained habit of observing others, and so even as he prays his eyes turn to the altar. His first thought is: well, at least she still goes to church. Perhaps the demon has not completely corrupted her after all.]

[soul_sister]

[Unaware she's being watched, Rosette crosses herself solemnly before standing in front of the great altar. She's quiet a long moment, head down in reverence and contemplation ...

Before stomping a foot down on one of the velvet-stripped prayer benches. The sound echoes powerfully through the hall. She points a finger up at the ceiling.]

OKAY LISTEN UP!

This is a big prayer so I found the biggest church still standing so I better have your attention down here!

[senseandcecilbility]

...

[Oh.

My.

God.

Kevin looks up at the ceiling, out of sheer instinct. Then back at the fallen nun, his own prayer changing immediately to something along the lines of Father, please forgive her, she has problems.]

[soul_sister]

[She continues over his reverent pleas for her salvation and un-smited state.]

I don't know what the big plan is here, and I'm not going to pretend to understand what it would be even if I knew.

But there are a lot of lives here, a lot. I don't know what the point was to bring us some where like here if we can't DO anything when they need us most. I wont waste time with questions, but believe you mean I have a ton of them when I get up there.

... But right now, we could use a hint. Something, anything! A sign, an angel, set some talking bush on fire!

...

This isn't the way anything should end.

[senseandcecilbility]

[In spite of her irreverence, her thoughts mirror his own. Indeed, not getting direct replies is one of the worst parts of his punishment.

Again, he wonders how humans do it, though Rosette's answer is apparently: yelling a lot.

...Well, if she wishes an angel, this much he can provide.]

Rosette?

[soul_sister]

[She seems to jump out of her skin, arms windmilling to keep her balance. Flustered and confused, she looks between Kevin, the altar and the ceiling in rapid fire disbelief.]

Kevin! You... HOW....

THAT WORKED?!

[senseandcecilbility]

[It would be wrong to lie about this.]

W-well, in fact I was already here, though you know...mysterious ways?

[soul_sister]

...

I don't suppose you have that hint up your sleeve? Why do you need to pray anyway. Were you just dusting?

[senseandcecilbility]

[He sits back and crosses his arms. At least she is no longer yelling at God.]

Why, I pray for the same reason you do.

[soul_sister]

[Possibly not ALL the same reasons. Some of her debts are a little staggering.]

I think you get better reception. Can you tell him I've got a bone to pick about this one?

[senseandcecilbility]

[He touches his left shoulder, looking a tad embarrassed.]

I...do not...Hm, get better reception.

[Not anymore.]

[soul_sister]

[Between that and being "retired"..

She sits down on the prayer bench, facing him.]

What happened?

[senseandcecilbility]

[Well, it is time to look away.]

This is not relevant. But I...I know Him. He would not abandon us.

[soul_sister]

I know... and they've got a plan to fix it. Just I don't understand why this many people have to suffer and die first. This isn't fair.

[senseandcecilbility]

[Kevin doesn't trust "the plan".]

It is not about fairness. It is about freedom. While angels are bound by heavenly rules, humans were given free will as an entire species. You...you are bound to decide your own fate and face the consequences.

[Be it nukes or consorting with demons.]

[soul_sister]

[Her face clouds with a storm of conflicting emotions. Her hands are balled into fists at her side and teeth grit. She wants to shout at him. At the ceiling again. That maybe if she was just loud enough someone could see the reason in it.

But she knew the truth in what he was saying. It was a life she was living right now. No one can just fox anything. All you could do was pick up the pieces and try to make something better from there.

That sort of knowledge didn't keep the petulant tone out of her voice.]

I don't have to forgive them for it. Even if we prevent it, I won't forgive them at all.

[senseandcecilbility]

[He raises his right shoulder and looks away. His voice is barely a whisper.]

You may do as you please, sister. And may God inspire your actions.

[Isn't that the terrible point of this whole tragedy?]

[soul_sister]

[She simply remains there a long moment, silent.]

Is it easier, knowing what you're supposed to do all the time?

[senseandcecilbility]

[He touches his left shoulder, very briefly, and then lets his hand fall to his lap again.]

Not when you cannot do what you are supposed to.

[soul_sister]

[She pulls up her knees and wraps her arms around it. She banishes the gloom that had been settling around her on a long sigh, and angles a wry smile up at the angel.]

So I guess we're in this together then.

[senseandcecilbility]

[He gives her a look. Together, hm?]

You should be readying yourself to leave. I would wager Mister Chrono is waiting.

[soul_sister]

If you have time to yell at God, so do I. [She waves a hand in the air.]

[senseandcecilbility]

Now, now, I was not yelling.

[Technically.]

[soul_sister]

You should try it, it's cathartic.