(CLOSED) My hands are tied, for all I've seen has changed my mind

[alittlesweptup]

Date & Time: Forward-dated to Nov. 16 0300hrs through Nov.19th ~0230hrs
Location: Observatory, East Loading Bay, Transporter Room, Various (read: everywhere)
Characters: Pro-Initiative and Mutineer action teams
Summary: With mutineers occupying the transporter room and vital base systems hamstrung, Pro-Initiative forces work against mutineer teams to bring those systems back online and reach the transporter room.
Warnings: None yet (will update as necessary...because lbr ‘none yet’ isn’t going to last long)
Notes: All threads, with the exception of the Transporter Room B, are open for posting beginning now. Transporter Room B will kick off on Nov.16th proper in order to incorporate decision making from earlier action team’s choices and to maintain tonal cohesion. Community wide mingle log for the mutiny will go up on Nov. 16th.

[At 0300hrs on November 16th, things suddenly go wrong. The network cuts out, lighting abruptly goes from artificially sterile to the unsettling flickering of red emergency lighting. Furniture, supplies and even Transports suddenly find themselves untethered from the ground as the base’s gravity regulation abruptly shuts down; moreover, it isn’t long before Transports begin to realize they’ve been locked off from anything but the housing(/restrooms), vr and cafeteria sections of the base. Not long after:

Click-HHHSSSHK-click!

A woman’s voice speaks over the moon base’s PA system, echoing through the dark corridors and off the odds and ends gently floating through them thanks to the lack of gravity regulation. The voice is rich and accented, with a certain practiced ease to it - one that sharpens to a point the longer she talks:]

Testing. Testing-- are we good? Christ, I'm not echoing, am I? No?

All right good. Listen up, fellow transports. As you might have noticed, some of the base's general systems have gone offline: this, I assure you, is absolutely intentional. There's no need to panic.

So moving on from the understandably frustrating to the even more frustrating, I'm sure you all have also noticed the fact that we're currently all stuck-- starving and defenseless-- on the bloody moon. In a base that was, up until a few days ago, overrun with zombies. And before that, thousands of lives were bombed right out of existence, and before that, an entire world-- and before that we were all still being thrown at the United Earth for the sake of dying off repeatedly in a war we never stood a chance or had a say in. Transports have been treated like pawns since day one, and I'm sorry, but we don't deserve it.

If we're giving up our lives and our freedom, I'd say it's about time we earned ourselves a little equality.

We deserve a say in what goes on in this fight, and with that in mind, a few of us have decided to hold onto the transporter for a while. Just until the Initiative agrees to treat us like people instead of ammunition. Trust me, we’re not here to hurt anyone; none of this has to end badly. But it does need to end. Things have got to change. And if this is what it takes? This is what it’s going to be.

We need your help; please don’t make it any harder for us.

[The PA clicks off, pitching the base once more into complete radio silence.

Over the course of the next four days, pro-Initiative transports gather their resources and individuals form impromptu (or well planned) teams to bring these systems back online and out of the hands of mutineers so they can ultimately reach the transporter room and set things to right -- whatever that “right” may be.]

Comments

[controlledvariable]

[She winces, the expression a little apologetic. Usually she's a bit better about the whole sneaking and appearing-behind-people thing, but her thoughts are a little distracted.]

Sorry.

[That's all she say on it, moving to kneel down beside him.]

Slow is better than nothing. What can I do to help?

[khajidont]

If you're good with wiring, it looks like the most they've done is cut the wires and stuff some crap in the gears for a few of the doors. You just gotta twist together the right ones, and you're good.

[He moves over to a second panel and begins unscrewing it to check on the state of the gears.] You just missed Batwoman. She's looking to see if she can figure out where the main control panel is.

[controlledvariable]

Jesus christ.

[That's all she has to say for a long moment, because how fucking stupid are these people?

Hacking into the door systems and taking control would be one thing, but damaging the doors is just a bad idea she doesn't even know where to start. It takes her a second to get past her annoyance and move to another panel, pulling out a screwdriver and pair of wirestrippers from her belt.

So apparently she can handle the technical part.]

You sure she's on our side?

[just... checking]

[gevurah]

[ She can hear two voices from down the corridor as she makes her way back to Beetle, now spotting the familiar streaks of purple and the blond hair on the figure ahead. ]

You could always ask me.

[ Which is her way of saying, "Yes." She turns the flashlight from Batgirl to Beetle, shaking her head. ]

No go. They's managed to lock enough doors.

[khajidont]

[Jaime just shrugs in Batwoman's direction, as if to say there you go to Steph. The question of her trustworthiness hadn't especially occurred to him after his initial question, truth be told, and he is vaguely aware that he's really not suited to in-fighting on the sly. If you can't trust anyone, then how are you supposed to get anything done?]

Yeah... that's what I figured, but it was worth a shot. [He opens one panel, and begins to tease a rag from out of the gears. He's glad to see that they didn't stuff anything in there that will truly harm the system, that it will just make sure that it's out of commission for a while.] Maybe we can get in touch with the AI. It'll know for sure.

[controlledvariable]

[Steph looks at Batwoman for a long moment, not hiding the assessment in her gaze.]

And you could always lie.

[It's just a statement of fact, maybe a little cold, but there's no anger. Not that Batwoman couldn't lie to Jaime, either, but he might've seen more of her in the past few days than Steph has.

Still, she listens to the exchange, not exactly surprised by the fact they can't find the main controls.]

We could try contacting it over the network.

they's... what the hell was i writing

[gevurah]

I'm hurt.

[ She brushes past the mistrust she doesn't bother to get to the bottom to. While trust is important in these situations, time is also of the essence. She's not wasting her breath squabbling over loyalties when they both wear the same insignia. ]

Even if they've seized control of the main power, the AI's necessary systems are supposed to remain operative.

[ In the light cat's own words. She hopes it's true. ]

...I did not even notice! we all have those slip-ups

[khajidont]

[The distrust Steph has for Batwoman is downright odd, considering they both wear the Bat on their chest. If nothing else, Jaime would consider that grounds for trust, but he's not about to get into the middle of it when Batwoman seems perfectly content to let it simply roll off her shoulders. Instead, he straightens from his work and hits his forehead lightly with the heel of one hand, muttering,] I should've thought of that a while ago.

[A long while ago, considering he'd been working on the doors before either of the Bats came along.]

Scarab, you heard them. Do your thing.

[He closes his eyes, nodding as the Scarab feeds him the configuration of the moonbase.] Looks like we're in luck.

~it is a mystery~

[controlledvariable]

[Steph does want to actually ask, but she can understand the way Batwoman shrugs the whole thing off, so she keeps her mouth shut about it. That doesn't mean she won't keep being wary, but there's no point poking at Batwoman about it; Steph doesn't know her well enough to tell if she's lying, anyway.

Instead, she gets to work on the panel she's set herself in front of, stripping wires and reconnecting them.]

It's been a long few days.

[It's meant to reassure Jaime for not having thought of it yet; she might beat herself up over slip ups like that, but she doesn't want anyone else doing it.]

[gevurah]

[ Too many unknown variables. She loathes it. What are they hoping to accomplish with this mutiny? Unless they hope to create a proper chain of command and lead a poorly constructed army to victory, she doubts the mutineers have a solid idea what they really need to do.

She keeps the lights pointed for the two as they work, keeping an eye out for unusual movement in the shadows. ]

What did you find, Beetle?

[khajidont]

[He shakes his head minutely at Steph's reassurance - should've thought of it earlier, having a long day doesn't have to make him slow - but there are more important things to deal with.

His voice is more focused when he speaks next, fingertips glowing and a holographic map in blue appearing just above them.]

A map. That square right now, those are the controls we need to get to. Maybe the direct pathway is blocked off, but all we have to do is - [what is it that Ted is always saying in his notes, again?] - think sideways.

[controlledvariable]

[She looks at the map, then at Jaime, not quite grinning, but there's something pleased in her expression.]

You mean this kinda sideways?

[And she disappears, popping back into sight barely a second later, just six feet to her right.]

[gevurah]

[ She blinks behind her mask, surprised at what just happened before her eyes.

Really, lots of unknown variables. ]

Chances are they're monitoring the doors. [ If they're smart enough. ] How much time do we have before they pick up on the doors unlocking?

[khajidont]

[As Batwoman merely blinks her surprise, Jaime is a little more vocal with an amazed:] Whoa, no way. You got powers? That is so cool.

[What he really wants to do is ask her to do it again (and then maybe a few more times) just so he can see it, but Batwoman's question makes him tamp down on that impulse. He shuts his mouth.]

Probably not much time, but once we're in, we're in. Unless they've got an AI too, they won't have anyone better than me working their controls.

[controlledvariable]

Just a couple. [and since it came up:] If you've got any injuries you need fixing up, I can help with that, too.

[Anyway: she listens to Batwoman's question and Jaime's response, before nodding.]

Let's make it quick, then. I can take both of you.

[She holds her hands out; contact is a necessary part of this.]

[gevurah]

[ They'll likely put up a fight if they're dead serious about locking the base down until they've seized control of it entirely.

Thankfully, all three of them are equipped for the job.

She looks toward Batgirl's hand. She's never teleported before, but questions later. She takes her hand and her gaze settles on the doors before them. ]

We've got the element of surprise on our side.

[ Nobody expects the teleporting DC inquisition!! ]

[khajidont]

[Jaime reaches forward to take Steph's other hand in his own and nods, figuring that it can't feel too different from when Booster teleported him back to Earth.]

All right, let's do this.

[controlledvariable]

It's instantaneous, so be ready.

[Just in case there's someone guarding the main controls; surprise is only on their side if they're ready to act as soon as they appear.

And appear they do, once she's got hold of both Batwoman and Jaime, she focuses on where she wants to be and teleports them there, letting go as soon as her feet are on solid ground again, taking stock of their surroundings.

(It doesn't feel like anything, there's just a faint aura of purple, which is an amazing coincidence).]

[taggingwomprats]

[Luke is bent over the main console, face illuminated by the glow of the monitors as he pokes at the controls. His expression is set into a frown of concentration. He starts to straighten and something tugs at the edge of his perception, that little warning sense that's served him so well over the years and that he's learned to trust. He glances over his shoulder and then turns with a surprised blink. He has his lightsaber and blaster on his belt, but he doesn't make a move for them.]

Where'd you guys come from?

[Seriously, he didn't even hear the door open. He's seen weirder costumes, of course, so it's not their unorthodox appearance that really gets to him. And his mind is busily racing through a list of excuses as to why he's here.]

[gevurah]

[ It's only marginally dizzying, the sensation of being in one place and then another in a matter of milliseconds. She blinks and she thinks she's missed it.

Quickly, those thoughts about how strange teleportation is are shoved aside when they come face to face with Luke.

That's...

Right, this doesn't get any weirder.

Her eyes dart to the lightsaber and while Luke hasn't gone for them, she's instantly on the defense. ]

[khajidont]

[That is Luke Skywalker. This shouldn't be too weird considering he had roomed with Han Solo - and named his Ewok, for god's sake - but no, it's still plenty weird enough for him to stop and stare in dumb silence for longer than he would like.

Batwoman's got a leg-up on him here; his eyes are securely glued to Luke's face, not the weaponry on his belt. For once, he's glad that his mask can at least halfway obscure his expression, though he does end up looking sideways at Steph and Batwoman for some guidance here.]

Uh, [he says, all eloquence for a moment.] I didn't think anyone was in here.

[Which totally answers Luke's question.]

[controlledvariable]

[She takes in the situation as quickly as Kate does, noting the weapon and noting that Batwoman is watching it, so she leaves that part to her

Steph, meanwhile, makes a shooing gesture.]

Out of the way, please, we've got work to do.

[She figures there are two options, here:

Either he's the one who messed up the doors, in which case he should definitely get out of the way, and she should probably punch him.

Or he's trying to help, in which case he should still get out of the way, because unless he's a technopath, Jaime will be able to do the job more quickly.

At least she said please.]

[taggingwomprats]

[Luke hesitates for a moment and watches them, expression still somewhere between wary and surprised. He's weighing the benefits of a potential fight (three on one, not good odds) against Chloe's instructions to keep his head down. It flies against everything he wants to do, but after a few seconds he nods and slowly steps out of the way.]

Someone's locked the console down. I can't get around the encryption - I'm really not a good slicer.

[Here's hoping his poker face stays decent.]

[gevurah]

We've got it.

[ She's virtually on the same wave length as Batgirl; whoever he is, as generous as his offer may be, Beetle's going to be a lot faster at getting this done. ]

[khajidont]

[Jaime nods at Luke, a vague smile playing on his face, but he doesn't say anything more to him before stepping crisply forward and finding a place he can establish a direct connection. He holds one hand up and it quickly twists into a few plugs and cables - which is never not going to be weird, but he's learned not to think about it too hard.

He spares a glance behind him and directs his next question at the Bats:] Stick around, will you?

[He's not completely defenseless when he's getting this together, but he's certainly not entirely aware. In a situation where they're already willing to take hostages, he wants someone around to watch his back.

Without further ado, he plugs himself in, red pupils fading away only to be replaced with a faint yellow glow.]