Video, 10 AM on the 21st

[initiatesnpc]

[ When the feed turns on, there's a poorly-shaven and generally scruffy guy in a labcoat peering critically into the lens. He might not look familiar, but when he speaks, Transports who have been around for a while may recognize the voice. ]

This thing on? Hey, looks like we're broadcasting. I'm a genius, as usual.

[ The view shifts as he tucks whatever is broadcasting into the front pocket of his shirt, showing a hallway within the Hold. His voice drifts in from off-screen: ] We got the best of the best having a powwow in here. You know, the fate of all of Exsilium, and stuff like that. They're gonna tell you guys when they're done, but I say we pick up the pace a little. We're on a tight schedule, you know? [ The view strides forward as he makes for a closed door. ] Just our little secret, alright? I'm not even supposed to be on your fancy network — like they could ever actually kick me off.

[ His voice drops with the last part as he pushes open the door. Inside are ten Initiative employees, and Saul and Medusa, seated at a table and looking terse. Someone shoots a frown toward our loyal broadcaster, who mutters an apology for his bladder and slides into the only empty seat. ]

[ The conversation is already in progress, but context can be picked up on quickly. The Initiative has received Transport reports about "Black Code", along with the meaning — nuclear strike, aimed for Exsilium on October 1st. They have already looked into disabling the bombs via time travel, and found there are too many nuclear plants and resource sites to hit in time. And so these are the heads of each department, debating in strained voices and all looking very generally stressed.

The word "moonbase" keeps popping up, along with things like the catacombs won't withstand the blast, and border patrols are already in place, evacuation is suicide. It's also generally associated with extremely limited life support — the head of the base restoration project insists that it can't possibly sustain over 500, even all of the Transports will be pushing its limits. The conversation is headed toward the inevitable conclusion of abandoning Exsilium for the moonbase, but no one wants to say it. Finally it's the broadcaster himself who clears his throat and speaks. "Look, alright, we're fucked if we stay, and the only way off is our little outer space treehouse. We fit all the Transports and enough people to make sure they don't kill themselves up there, and just… sit back. They're supposed to be saving us anyway, right?"

No one looks happy with it, but no one disagrees. Silence sets in for a moment, until the quiet voice from elsewhere at the table, "We can't let word get out to the Exile population." That raises another round of loud debates, things like you're seriously suggesting we not tell anyone they're about to get wiped off the map? and it will be mass panic if we do, they'll make Transport evacuation impossible! Although there are some very obviously unhappy with it, the debate leans toward the logic of the latter, and a vote passing it is cast. Once it's confirmed that the moonbase is ready to begin supporting a population influx, it's decided that Transport relocation and supply shipments will begin immediately — and the decisions as to which Initiative employees will go with them are to be made at a later time. ]

[ The talk winds down, and someone near Saul and Medusa mutters to them, something along the lines of, I don't envy your job, telling everyone. Saul, already pissed and definitely having been on the "no" side of the voting, lunges for the guy — but is restrained by Medusa's hair. The view shifts again as the broadcaster lifts the camera from his pocket, turns it around to grin weakly into it. ]

Done and done, pals. It was the pen all along! Ha, told you I was a genius, noooo one feels like listening to poor old Sponde…

[ There's a quick raising of angry voices, but the feed ends and cuts them off. ]

[[ooc; Saul, Medusa, anyone else in DITR, and possibly the NPC will be responding to questions here, but also feel free to use this as a general IC discussion space!]]

Comments

[beingmegucaissuffering]

[Fluffy Kyubey is fluffy.]

You won't need any training - once you try to use them, your new powers should come to you instinctively.

It seems that you've become quite the powerful magical girl.

[taijiya]

[This hasn't sunk in yet for Sango. It's almost as if she doesn't dare believe that she just saved hundreds of thousands of people with a couple of words and a promise. Shounen protagonist or not, that sort of thing has always been beyond her scope of ability.

Can't make any guarantees about what happens after that, it had said. She tries to keep that in mind as the soul gem glows briefly and transforms itself into a ring that, she finds with little surprise, fits perfectly on her finger. Sango eyes it for a brief moment before trying to pacify Kirara with her now-free hand, feeling giddy despite her best efforts.

Magical girl. The name itself is at once both ridiculous and exciting. She's never been able to have anything to do with magic. And for all she can strengthen herself in other ways, that lack of skill has always undermined her; doubly so in Exsilium. But now...]

Isn't that the point?

[beingmegucaissuffering]

Yes.

[Kyubey tilts its head, as if listening for some distant sound.]

Your wish has been granted, too. The nuclear strike from United Earth is guaranteed to fail.

[taijiya]

You're sure of that? The city is safe?

[beingmegucaissuffering]

The entire world is our enemy. Unless UE can be defeated, the city will never be safe.

This particular attack, though, will fail. I'm sure of it.

[taijiya]

Alright. Thank you, Kyubey.

[She's not stupid--she knows this isn't the end. The United Earth wants its revenge. But even if this only delays a few days, it'll be long enough to figure out something. It has to be.]

So... am I the only one here? [That's probably something she should've asked beforehand, now that she thinks about it.]

[beingmegucaissuffering]

You are the first girl I've made a contract with since I came here. There are, however, a handful of girls here from my world.

[taijiya]

Really? Maybe I should speak with them...

[beingmegucaissuffering]

You're free to do so, of course.

[taijiya]

[A faint frown.]

That's a strange way to phrase it.

[beingmegucaissuffering]

Is it? It's not like there's any particular training or insights you need, but if you want to talk to them, that's fine as well.

[taijiya]

Of course I need insights and training, don't I? I thought fighting was what this was supposed to be about.

[beingmegucaissuffering]

You're already a warrior, aren't you? Using your newfound powers should come to you naturally, so between that and your already-existing instincts, you should be fine.

[taijiya]

[Magic powers that also require no training to get the hang of. You've got to be kidding.]

Mm... I suppose. But still.