[Video]

[weapabilities]

[ Ahh yes, here he is again, your resident robot. ]

Since there seems to be an influx of new people suddenly, I'd like to extend my invitation for a free living space to all. My name is Drift. I've been fixing up this old building, I assume it was a factory of some kind. I find myself at a surplus of empty rooms.

Anyone is welcome to stay here long term or short term, you will have a room of your own, privacy and my protection as you are under my roof.

I only ask that you are peaceful and do not disturb the others living here.

That said, if anyone would like to donate any human-sized beds or furnishings, I would be very grateful, as I am not asking money of anyone who stays.

If you have any questions or would like to come stay here, don't hesitate to ask. I don't bite.

Comments

[weapabilities]

Well, I won't say no to that. I am kind of proud of it. Maybe I have a future in home repair.

Please... don't apologize. You've been out two weeks. Besides, where did you go? Or do you not remember?

[oncearanger]

I can't remember a thing.

It bothers me.

But everyone's disappearance bothers me even more, so I'm on my way.

[Sure enough, he's soon there, waiting at the entrance.]

[weapabilities]

I... I'm not sure how to help that, but maybe we can find someone who can?

Okay. See you soon.

[ Drift emerges and opens the main garage door. ]

Come on in and we'll sit for a while before we take off, okay?

[oncearanger]

Right.

[Billy is there a short while later. He slips inside, plopping on one of the few things on the ground he's tall enough to reach.]

Has anyone accepted the offer yet?

[weapabilities]

Anything to drink?

Oh uhm, yeah, just a couple so far. Quiet people.

[oncearanger]

Is that how you like it?

[Billy nods gratefully]

Just some water, please.

[weapabilities]

You know, a few months ago I would have said yes, but there is some comfort in a little chaos.

[ He calls up his holomatter to fetch a glass of water. ]

[oncearanger]

[Huh. Billy leans forward, interested]

Is the quiet too eerie now?

[weapabilities]

I don't know about eerie. I guess perhaps I would like to be of use to someone.

[ His avatar returns to hand off a glass of water. ]

This place has a way of making you feel helpless no matter how strong you are.

[oncearanger]

Or how inventive you can be. No matter what you do, or think, or plan...it seems that we'll never have the power to make our circumstances better.

[He drops his head in his hands for a moment, sighing quietly.]

But we never stop trying.

[weapabilities]

[ Drift gives a firm nod. ]

No matter the odds.

The moment we stop trying is the moment we truly lose.

[oncearanger]

Right.

I just wonder why an unusually large number of people have disappeared. Do you think the Initiative is losing the resources they need to hold us here, and they're going home?

[weapabilities]

If they are, they're doing a damn good job of hiding it. Otherwise...

Could be outside forces at work. I don't really trust the competence of the Initiative to begin with, so a goof on this scale I doubt would go hidden for long.

[oncearanger]

You think it could be the UE? But why?