transport log » ❝ welcome to Exsilium ❞

[initiates]

Date & Time: Oct. 24th
Location: The Initiative Hold
Characters: Everyone.
Summary: New Transports have all arrived and have been led to a banquet room within the Hold.
Warnings: None.

NOTE: This takes place during this plot, though the plot log will not be posted until tomorrow. The Transports already in game have returned from their mission to find the island overrun with monsters. The log is set within the safety of the Initiative Hold, however, so while characters will be aware of what is going on outside, they can otherwise go about their business as usual if they choose.

--

You've just been hustled and bustled through mazes of information and literal, wide corridors of the Initiative Hold and you've been equipped with your weapon—be it a gun, a sword, or even your existing powers. They've handed you this light netbook and a small pouch of coins (or a debit card, if you're more inclined), and there are several Transports before and after you going through the very same motions. You can hear the Greeter's voice as she walks alongside large groups, telling them all about the history of this place and sharing with you your purpose here in a hurried and urgent tone. She looks worse for wear, pale and gaunt, though is putting a great deal of effort into maintaining her energy and professionalism for the new Transports. "I am truly sorry that you came at such a bad time. That wasn't intentional, I assure you."

She leads the way through the Initiative Hold. The walls bear the occasional claw mark as a sign of the misfortune that has plagued the island, but it hardly seems deserted anymore due to the other Transports recently returning from their mission. After turning several corners, you arrive in a large room that has been transformed into a makeshift banquet hall. The food presented is perhaps not as luxurious or bountiful as one would hope, but it is certainly enough to go around, and isn't inedible by any means.

"We wanted to try and make this up to you," she explains. "It's meagre, but we did not have much time to prepare." There are a number of Transports already present, some looking over the long banquet table, others seated throughout the room at large, round tables meant to each seat eight people. The mood is grim, despite the Initiative's efforts to raise morale.

Before the Greeter turns to leave, she is reminding you that it will be perfectly safe to explore the Hold, the courtyard, the housing building, and even a several block radius around it. "Hopefully things will be back to normal soon."

Welcome to the banquet. Welcome to the Initiative Hold—and most importantly, welcome to Exsilium.

Comments

[payback]

[She stands there, bearing the inspection, even allowing him to touch although that strikes her as weirdly - personal. She sheaths her sword with a vague sense of relief, and doesn't ask about the laughing. She's reverting into "safe" defensive politeness.]

No. I've been here for... a few months now, I guess. [Manners:] Was everything explained to you well enough?

[lovesgod]

A few months? I guess being pressed into an army means more than cannon fodder after all. I figured they teleported us here with the expectation that we'd die for us. Gotta win us over first, though. That's what the food and weapons are for. But a few months...

[He taps his chin, considering this for a few long moments. Of course he has time, it's just that he figured they went through mortals at a good rate. Doesn't seem to be the case.]

Yeah, it was good. You've seen one world war, you've seen 'em all, after all.

[payback]

[Um...

She smiles at him politely.]

What was good?

[lovesgod]

The explanation was good. Sorry if I got a little tangled up in my words there. Sometimes sentence structure can get the best of me.

[He considers the banquet over his shoulder for a moment, then turns back to Rin.]

So, is this like a permanent banquet to all of us non-natives, and if not, is there some other food somewhere? Is it like war rations and dried beef?

[payback]

There's places that sell food around here. You know they gave you money right out? That'll hold you for a while buying stuff, and you'll get paid per mission. You can volunteer for missions too. There's different things. It's not fancy but it's, you know, better than war rations. [Or at least different.]

[lovesgod]

[He reaches into his pocket and feels the coins. Coins are always safer than some kind of electric currency - like it's not there at all. These, he can tell. Can count he's got. He pulls one out and studies it a little bit, running over the design with his the pad of this thumb.]

Oh, I see. So they do have a little fledging economy here. Well, war is good for business, so I've always heard.

[payback]

Most of the people here don't have much to do with the war I think. [Besides it directing the course of their whole lives - they have no influence, how's that?] But they still have to make a living.

[lovesgod]

Really?

[That's curious. He crosses his hands across his head and considers this. Thoughtful face.]

So then what do you do on the missions?

[payback]

We get sent back in time to do different things that change the future, and then we come back here.

[lovesgod]

Oh. That's interesting.

[Interesting enough to give him pause. He needs to think about this for a while. If they can yank people from one dimension to another, time travel should definitely be possible. It's certainly a new way to fight a war....]

I assume this has already been brought up, but what don't they just go back in time and strangle the opposing faction's leader in his crib?

[payback]

The leader is actually a computer I guess. Or something.

[Computers. How do you what.]

[lovesgod]

Well, in that case, go back in time and shoot the person who made it.

[payback]

I don't know. If you see one of those scientists around on the network you should ask him. There is one who talks sometimes.

[lovesgod]

Probably a better idea than wandering around here. I imagine these attendants barely know more than we do right now.

[He sighs and stuffs his hands in his pockets.]

So in between missions, what's there to do?

[payback]

Eh... [Her frown fades away to neutral again.] They always want us to train, so there's that. And you can find a job... and there's a city out there, you know...

[lovesgod]

Hmm.

Thanks. You've been really helpful.

[payback]

Good luck.