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

[blondtactician]

[This young man's in a uniform as well, albeit a far less flashy one. The straps are interesting, though - it's not like he'll be using his maneuver gear to get around in this enclosed space, but somehow he can't bear to change things up.]

There's food enough for a time, but we'll have to go on missions to re-supply, or we'll run out quickly.

[infiltrative]

[ The straps are definitely an interesting fashion choice, but it's not like he's one to talk. So, beyond a curious glance, they go unmentioned. He's far more interested in what's being said anyway. Food's important, of course it is, but to him more so than usual. ]

Aye, but how much is enough? Do they take into account the people with crazy metabolisms?

[blondtactician]

I think they must have done some estimations to that end, considering there are people here who are not human at all, and others who are humans with some sort of special ability.

They say food will run out in a few months if we don't find a way to remedy the situation. But once you learn how everything works here, I'm sure you'll be happy to help with that, right? Everyone can contribute in their own way.

[As far as Armin knows about the ones with strange costumes, they consistently seem to be into justice and/or altruism. Besides, nothing like a little guilt to obligate someone into their duty.]

[infiltrative]

[ If only Rush was a more proper hero, it might have worked. As it stands, he just ends up scoffing by the end of that explanation, looking mighty unimpressed. ]

Oh yeah, I'll be so happy to help out the people who kidnapped me to the goddamn moon to apparently starve to death. I'll get right on that, eh?

Do they seriously expect us to jus' go along with this crap?

[blondtactician]

It does seem ridiculous, but they won't send you home. They say that they can't. So in in the interest of everyone's survival - as we're in a tiny box on the surface of the moon, with limited air and supplies - they do hope for cooperation.

Back when we lived on the island they didn't really punish people for not contributing, but I'd wager that will change, especially as rations start getting low.

[infiltrative]

[ He shifts his weight from one foot to the other, unease and impatience creeping into his body language. ]

That's bullshit, if they can take us here and supposedly also back in time, they most certainly can send us home. I bet they're lyin'.

And punishing isn't going to make anyone want to fight for 'em any more than the kidnapping does.

[blondtactician]

Why would they lie about something like that, and waste all of the effort and supplies getting us here instead of our own people instead of just sending us home?

[A pause.] I don't doubt they're lying in some regards, but while we are safe from the bombs here, we will starve or otherwise die in a few months if we do not work together. Does that seem like a logical position to deliberately put themselves in?

[infiltrative]

[ He snorts. ]

Easy, because they're desperate and desperate people do stupid things. Like say, kidnap people more capable than them and keep 'em here to fight their fight for them.

From what I've heard this whole Moon thing happened because they screwed up so now they're using us to fix their mistakes.