( 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

[maddeninghatter]

[ A twitch of a smile - a real one. ]

Exactly for that reason. You ought to know better than anyone: it lifts a person's spirits, to feel useful - and needed.

[retraced]

[...Damn it all, now Break is just playing dirty.

He doesn't reply to that because he can't think of a single thing to say. Except 'you're right' and he definitely isn't going to say that. The sound of cracker eating fills the silence in the meanwhile.]

[maddeninghatter]

Not only that, but....

[ He trails off. When he speaks again, his voice is grave. ]

But I think it's going to be a bit more difficult, up here. For everyone.

[retraced]

[He stays silent another moment, but he also stops eating. It isn't their world down there, but the loss of life is sure to be felt by everyone; not just the ones who had called it their 'home'. There were nothing but innocent people left behind to feel the damage inflicted by the UE.]

Mm. This can't be easy on anyone.

[Even more reasons, though, why Gilbert doesn't have time to let others fuss over him when there are so many others who need it more.]

[maddeninghatter]

[ Limitations on air, water, food, and space.... the ever-looming threat of the United Earth (which is sure to have noticed them by now)... not to mention the threat from other Transports, particularly if supplies run low or some problem crops up with the time-travel technology. ]

That's why we need to help each other.

[ He forces himself to sound upbeat. If he betrays his worries, Gilbert will... ]

A mutually beneficial arrangement, just like always~!

[retraced]

[He quirks one eyebrow and turns to look over at his boss. It might be an innocent statement from the outside, but Gilbert knows better than that.]

And what would you want in return?

[maddeninghatter]

[ There's a little silence; a silence that's not filled by the sounds of chewing. ]

Did you eat the whole box? Want another? I'm sure there's more.

[retraced]

[He frowns and rattles the box so that Break can hear that there's still a good amount left.]

That doesn't answer my question...

[maddeninghatter]

Fine, fine. Eat the rest of it, go on. And then there's that, ah, "ginger ale," I believe it's called. Then why don't you lie down, have a bit of beauty sleep~! ♥

[ He lifts up, lightly, from his seat next to Gilbert. ]

I think I'll go and stretch my legs. Explore this place.

[retraced]

[Eating and drinking he's more than happy to do. Sleeping, however...]

I shouldn't sleep yet. More people arrived; they probably need help finding their way around. Are you sure you'll be able to find the room again?

1/2

[maddeninghatter]

[ ... ]

2/2

[maddeninghatter]

[ He's about to reply to Gilbert by way of his stick, however...

It never did anybody any good, his pretending to be able to see, when he can't; nor denying that it affects his ability to do things, when it does. His own stupid vanity. It had been disastrous that night at Isla Yura's mansion; and also at Vanadi's party. People tried to rescue him when they discovered, unexpectedly, his blindness. If that Chronotis fellow hadn't abducted him out of danger, he might have been able to save Oz and Collette from... ]

I'll call you if I need anything.

[retraced]

I'll keep my tablet on me.

[And he'll answer it quickly unless he really does fall asleep. The food settling in his stomach is starting to make him feel drowsy, which is probably apparent in his voice. Exhaustion, embarrassment and defeat. In other words, practically back to normal.]

Try not to cause any trouble.

[maddeninghatter]

[ Gilbert sounds for all the world like a sleepy child, protesting his bedtime. Break turns away, hiding his smile. ]

You know me~.

[ And he's out the door. Get some rest, Gilbert. ]

[retraced]

[YOU'RE NOT MY REAL DAD.]