( 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

[bloodbiter]

[She smiles, glad to have a topic to pursue.]

Where did you travel? It sounds exciting.

[hyanaimne]

[this is a nice, safe topic, yes]

All over my country. Though I avoided the north. [she looks wry] I do not do well in the cold.

[bloodbiter]

What country did you reside in?

[hyanaimne]

Daear. It . . . somewhat resembles this "England" that I have seen maps of.

[bloodbiter]

I have never heard of this Daear. Would you tell me more of the place?

[hyanaimne]

[she nods, though it never makes it easier to explain, no matter how many times she's asked about it]

It is an island country, filled with many different races. The capital is in the center; it was once a kingdom, long before I was born, but when the king fell ill, his council took over, and it became more a large city than anything. There are trees as far as the eye can see, though, beyond that, and villages hidden within them and along the roads that lead to outposts and other, smaller cities.

[bloodbiter]

It sounds lovely. Was sickness common there?

[She shouldn't be asking this; it hits much too close to home. Still, she's curious.]

[hyanaimne]

Sickness? [she tilts her head, thoughtful for a moment] In the poor district of the city, yes. And in the poorer villages who were not fortunate to have a healer or physician.

[bloodbiter]

I see. The capitol, then, what was that like?

[hyanaimne]

I . . . cannot speak of the richer districts, as I did not go there. I have been to the castle, though - and for a kingdom that has not been one for quite a while, the castle is still as beautiful as the stories say it was. They have kept it in good condition.

The poor district . . . [she shrugs] It is not as bad as it sounds, really. There were a few streets full of vendors and inns and whatnot, and the houses beyond that. It was dangerous at times, but those who lived there were happy.

[bloodbiter]

Did the king not have a queen to take over his duties? No sons or daughters?

It is good to hear that they were happy despite their hardship.

[hyanaimne]

The prince was far too young at the time to take over. And because the capital has seen itself prosper despite that, he has made no move to claim the throne.

[bloodbiter]

I'm sure it's as you say. It simply seems odd to me that a kingdom could stand strong when the royalty passes on.

[hyanaimne]

[she tilts her head, honestly curious]

Does it? Is there royalty where you are from?

[bloodbiter]

[A pause. She does not want to appear self important, but there isn't a point in lying when she's already mentioned the truth to others.]

My father is the king.

[A horrible king, but a king nonetheless.]

[hyanaimne]

Oh.

[well. That wasn't expected at all] A princess, then.

[bloodbiter]

Yes. It seems to have no use in this place, though. I must say that I'm grateful for the break. My sister was always better equipped for it than I.

[hyanaimne]

What must one have to be . . . ah, "equipped" to be a princess, if I may ask?

[bloodbiter]

Social grace is a good deal of it. She's braver than I am, too, and more thoughtful towards others. I've always been more timid and shy.

[hyanaimne]

But is that not . . . something one learns, as one grows into their role, so to speak?

[bloodbiter]

[Weeks ago, she would have disagreed. Now she's not so sure.]

Perhaps. It doesn't matter much, however. Meryl is older, so she will surely inherit the throne.

[If she lives.]

[hyanaimne]

Mm . . .

Though I must say, for someone who claims to be timid and shy, we have had two lovely conversations so far.

[bloodbiter]

[She bows her head, humble, though she's certain if this woman could meet her sister she would understand immediately what she meant. As it is, though, she looks down and mumbles.]

Thank you. It's kind of you to say so.

[hyanaimne]

[she shakes her head at the thanks, and turns her attention back to the window]

You are welcome. [she still says as much, because it's polite]

[bloodbiter]

[She looks back as well, unsure of what to say next. She'll leave it to Tempest to break the silence if she so chooses.]