[ He doesn't actually really like text; he's not great with technology and there's bound to be some spelling/grammar errors, but right now he trusts typing more than his ability to keep a professional tone. So be it. ]

Hi.

First things first this isnt going to be a lecture. Tensions are high enough and Ive barely been here long enough to have the whole history down yet. (Working on it) Besides, you've already herd plenty of it. So this isnt about that.

[ Not overtly, anyway. He's trying to do the "subtlety" thing. He's not taking notes or anything. ]

I'm Doug by the way. Mostly I'm trying to figure everything out still, you know. That sort of thing. I'm a curious and openminded sort of person wich is why I have some questions:

1. Whats your favorite thing about being here?
2. And least favorite thing?
3. If you had to make up 1 rule what would it be?
4. Why's the coffee so bad & Are there vending machines (where)?

Thank you thats all.

Hi! Hi again, to people I know already, hello for the first time, to anyone I haven't met yet. I'm Ashraf Salib, one of the heads of the clinic, high priest, snazzy dresser… [ He waves a hand. ] General things like that.

So, I'll get straight to the point. In the wake of the mutiny, I've seen a lot of talk on the network that I haven't seen before. Establishing a code of conduct, uniting… there was even some discussion of who you personally look to as a leader. Whatever your opinion of the mutiny may be, you have to admit that it's sparked some new subjects for us. And I'd say they're things we've been needing to talk about.

It isn't just a matter of wresting control from the Initiative, I think that was overly hasty and shortsighted. I think what we should be looking at is how to take control of ourselves. We're a really big group up here, with over three-hundred of us. That's a lot of voices to be heard at once, especially when none of them have much in the way of a recognized authority.

So, I think that should change.

My suggestion would be a council, voted on by the entire Transport body from a number of nominations. The people that we most trust are the ones we should have speaking for us — deciding for us. Because someone needs to. That we're still locked in this base after over two months up here should be evidence enough that it's difficult to achieve much of anything with no one calling the shots.

I've got some specific ideas about the organization of this council, which I wrote down and can attach here, but I want to hear from you. How should we organize ourselves? How can we decide who to listen to? This won't work if we don't all agree to it, and we need to agree on something. We're in a precarious position up here that frankly can't last, and it's past time that we take it into our own hands to change that.

( Council Specifics )

( When she speaks, Collette aims to sound warm. She's tired, keyed up, and confused as well as trying to understand what's gone on since the mutiny began, and what's continuing in the aftermath. She brings a question she'd talked to Ros about, in her own way; something she wants to know very simply because she doesn't, and it's all the more important now.

Out of respect for that same woman, she keep's Ros's name out of this. )

When it comes down to do or die, who do you trust here to make decisions to pull people through, and not leave people stranded high and dry, or freeze up and fall into inaction? People who keep their temper in heated circumstances. Ones who maybe aren't going to forget the bigger picture, even if that doesn't make it easy on the smaller scale.

I've got a few names myself! Blue, Kate Kane, Nathan Summers, Caesar Silverberg, Lenalee Lee, Xerxes Break, Gilbert Nightray, Jaime Reyes, Ashraf, Kang, Peter Quill, Donny, Armin Arlert, Chrono and Rosette, even Dick Grayson and Ahiru and Vanadi, of all people, would stand by you figuring things out.

Those are some of mine. What're yours?

( I'm going to keep talking, though, so you might want to tune out if you don't want to hear me ramble about a few maybe important, maybe not things! )

[ When the video clicks on Roslyn looks a little tired but primarily determinedly mad, someone who's been running on coffee and protein bars for too long and is in no mood for anyone's games. Her voice is brisk, no nonsense and cuttingly sharp. ]

As of this moment, all identified mutineers are in the custody of the police. Should anyone wish to provide help with guard duty it will be appreciated. Visits to them will be allowed only under supervision. Should anyone attempt to injure them, that person will find themselves in cuffs faster than they can blink.

My patience with having to repeat myself on this matter is wearing thin.

[ Her tone softens a little, almost an appeal. ]

While there will be consequences for their actions, we have enough war and bloodshed on our doorstep without killing each other. Nothing will be gained and much could be lost. We do not execute people, and I will not tolerate it as a suggestion.

All systems should be restored. The base should now be fully operational again and you can return to your daily lives, if that is what you wish. Alternatively, you can consider what was said on both sides and determine if what we are doing is truly enough, or if we have become complacent.

[ Just saying. Small out. ]

( an array of private texts )

[ ooc: all mutineers can now be considered to be locked up in empty rooms in the West Wing for the immediate future! I will keep all arrested mutineers updated as further consequence type developments occur, feel free to let me know if you have preferences that we could maybe work out. log for mutineer & visitor shenanigans can be found here. ]

Are we truly on the moon?

[ She sounds curious, curious enough to ask again but this time to the network now that she's been given proper instruction on how to work it and the device given to her. Lucrezia's already asked both her mother and her brother, but asking network-wide means making friends. ]

Has it always been this bleak? We see it high up in the sky, unable to ever touch it. It shines down light should we happen to lose our way—and this is how it really is? What a lonely place to be.

And space—God’s light must not reach far.

[ It doesn’t make sense. It shouldn’t be possible. Yet here they all are. And she'll put behind her the chaotic welcome she had been greeted with, monsters and carnage, death littering the corridors a week ago. ]

I cannot help but think that space is a far darker world than that of Rome.

[ But how could such a thing even be possible? ]

[ He makes the bother to speak in Basic (which is really English except maybe accented weirdly, who knows) but cuts right to it and doesn't betray his own thoughts on the matter. ]

How are we certain the Initiative is the right side to fight for?

((ooc: oh, also. permissions))

[ she begins without preamble, speaking clearly and surely. ]

I have things to trade in the cafeteria. There's hams and cheeses, doughnuts, and juices. Socks too, and wet wipes, toys and jewelry. I've got books too for those who want them and markers in lots of colors. There's a lot more too. I'll be here all day or until it's all gone.

[ she took over a section of the cafeteria for her use. her direwolf lies beside her, guarding both her and the cart.

her wheeled cart ( commandeered from the clinic ) is full of items: the top has a tray of finger food from the promised cold hams and cheeses to oysters and shrimp packed in ice with sauces alongside, even cooked mini pizzas. below are assorted vending machine goods in their wrappers, sacks of ground coffee and hot chocolate, and a dozen fresh doughnuts. she has a pitcher of lemonade and a half-gallon of fruit punch.

in the drawers are assorted items such as wipes, hand sanitizers, socks and scarves, toys including a stuffed bear that moves and talks when you press its stomach, a few books and papers and markers.

hidden inside a bag at the girl's feet are a few cartons of cigarettes and small bottles of whiskey and wine for those who can pay a little extra. ]

[When Walter’s voice first comes in, it is loud despite his actually speaking in a normal tone; microphones were not so advanced in his day, and he has followed the example of his day in holding the microphone close to him when he speaks.]

I’ve been told we’re to use these things when we want to get in contact with each other. Frankly, I don’t see much of a point to it in a location like this. We’re all grouped so close together that a public announcement system would be a more efficient use of resources. If you want to talk to someone, you can just walk to their door and knock.

[There is a pause in the recording in which he frowns, though it cannot be seen on the screen of whoever it is that happens to be listening in due to Walter’s electing to make the recording audio-only. But if the listener is patient enough to endure the two-second pause, the young voice with the King’s English accent returns.]

I’ve been told to give this a try either way, so here it is. If you’re feeling at all helpful, you can respond in whatever way you want to let me know I’m actually doing it right. No small talk required. I just want to be able to use this thing in case of an emergency.

[And with that, the recording ends, the listener left to respond or disregard the message at will.]




( [Speaking of going to someone's door, whoever walks into Housing Unit 131 will find a note posted to the inside of their door. It's written by hand, in cursive largely typical of the 1930s-40s era, though with a few unusual flourishes here and there on some of the letters.] )

Venite da me tutti voi che lavorate sotto un pesante giogo; io vi darò riposo.

[ no one will ever know how long it took her to type that.

the video clicks on after the message. vanozza set aside the red silks for today in favor of a simple apricot gown.

a show of humility is becoming with her topic. when she addresses the network, her smile is quiet and kind. ]

Idleness is a dreadful labor it is said, but rest is blessed. I have set aside a room to serve as a chapel. A place for peace and meditation. [ there are some simple directions here. ] I would be grateful for any assistance you, kind listener, may provide and would be glad for company besides. Those not of the Catholic faith are welcome as well. We are all but children in the eyes of the Lord; now is a time for togetherness.

[ the walls and floor have been washed and a few chairs appropriated from elsewhere. several pillows from the unoccupied rooms now sit on the floor for use of the supplicant. vanozza sacrificed one of her gowns to create a runner for the table upon which to set a cross. two unlit candles sit before it. the room is sparse, but clean and, as promised, peaceful. ]

[Look who's smoking and no one was surprised. However, she's down to her last pack.]

This certainly puts a wrench into my project. I guess I could use the break, though. You can only look at binary numbers for so long before you start to get cross-eyed.

Also, I'm willing to set up a deal with anyone who can... trim my hair. [Only she can cut it.]

[There's another pause.]

And lastly, I'll begin a trade for tobacco products. Any.

[Being on the moon felt like her first day in Exsilium]

Ah!

[ her little exclamation of surprise has all the delight of a child discovering something new. vanozza looks off-camera for a moment to someone who remains unseen as if to say, "Look! I did it!" her broad smile settles into something more controlled when she returns to the tablet.

vanozza has her dark hair plaited back. she wears her red silks again, dry now, for she knew she was to address the network. a rosary lies around her neck, the cross tucked into the bosom of her gown. ]

What a curious toy! It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Vanozza. [ her family name she withholds. she knows not who may be listening. ]

As I am sure we are all occupied, I will make this brief: I require a seamstress from whom to commission several gowns. I have one with me that may serve as a template.

A maid, too, to assist me with daily chores. Nothing difficult, I assure you. Matter of payment can be arranged after meeting.

[ her son will be vetting applicants fyi. ]

Lastly, directions to a church. A chapel will be as welcome. [ she only seeks the peace of one. her son is a cardinal; her sins are forgiven. ]

So many youths gathered here. [ she had again looked off-camera, her smile fond, before speaking. as she returns her attention to the tablet, the smile adopts a wry turn. ] Perhaps I should be honored to be an exception.

[It's getting to be nighttime when Aradia films this. She's sitting on a sofa a little ways back from the camera, with a small stack of papers on the coffee table in front of her, and waves once she's sure it's recording.]

Hello, everybody. My name is Aradia Megido, Maid of Time. As you might guess from my title I have a great deal of experience with time travel. But while I have been here I've noticed a major flaw in the Initiative's overall plan; namely, that they don't seem to have any idea how time travel works.

[She reaches over and picks up the first paper, showing it to the camera:]

( Image below cut )

As you can see, the basic idea is that, by traveling back in time and altering certain events, we can sabotage the United Earth and improve our situation in the present.

[She pulls up a second diagram, holding the two side by side:]

( Another image below cut )

In reality it is a little more complicated than that. Let's say, here, that the red timeline is one in which the desired result is achieved, whether that's the United Earth losing power or never achieving dominance in the first place, whatever. We'll call this "Timeline Alpha". The blue timeline is ours, in which a result occurs which we want to prevent. Let's say, the UE dominating the planet and everybody else dying.

As you can see, the time traveler does change the targeted key event. However, all this does is link two separate timelines, contingent upon how that event happened. Timeline Alpha continues with the alteration in place, but the offshoot timeline that caused the alteration continues without it. Because obviously, if no timeline existed where the event needed to be changed, no one would have gone back in time to change it.

[She puts down those two and picks up a third diagram instead:]

( Yup another image )

This leads us to the fundamental paradox of time travel, which is: the alpha timeline simultaneously must be changed, and cannot be changed. It is the final result when all temporal meddling is taken into account, as well as the only viable version of the timeline. All alternate timelines are, by their nature, doomed. Think of it as paradox space's way of cleaning up before things get too messy.

[Switching pictures again!]

( The image pile doesnt stop from getting taller )

Of course, you can travel within the alpha timeline as well, but only within the context of stable time loops. That's where you cause an event to play out in the way it already did. This is the only way you can affect the past without creating a doomed timeline.

That leads me to the first point I wanted to make - I don't think I'll have time to make the second, since the timer is coming up on five minutes already and I do want people to actually watch this.

[She picks up the first image again, holding it next to the fourth.]

Basically, either A) our time travel missions are having or will have a tangible effect on the alpha timeline, but our timeline is a doomed offshoot and will die off sooner or later; or B) this is the alpha timeline, but our intervention is and will be the direct cause of the current circumstances.

[PHEW. That was way more than a hundred words! She puts down both pictures and folds her hands neatly in her lap.]

I think that explains it adequately. Let me know if you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them. Thank you for your time! [PUN VERY INTENDED 0u0]

[The tablet turns on with a steady feed, taking place somewhere near the main housing area. Huey's glancing at the screen with a friendly expression. There's no smile, but there's not a single of animosity either.]

Good day to all of you. My name is Huey Laforet, and I'm also one of the new arrivals. I'm assuming this happens quite often so I'm sorry if this introduction is a rehash of something you've heard already, but I appreciate you taking the time to watch this anyway. Hopefully, we'll be able to learn more about each other as time passes. To the other arrivals, it's nice to meet you as well despite the circumstances.

[He squints at the screen before adjusting it, making a slightly funny face as he does so.]

Is this working properly . . . ?

[He tries adjusting it again, making yet another face before finally giving up.]

Anyway, I'm trying to discover ways to pass my time here so advice on that subject matter would be appreciated. Can't waste time on this network like you can with the internet, unfortunately— Ah! But the library here is nice, isn't it? I think I'll probably spend a bit of time in there since I do enjoy reading quite a bit. Still, if you have other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. Hmmm . . .

My apologies, I don't really have much to say other than that. I suppose if you would like to contact me, you are welcome to leave a message. Otherwise, I'll see you all later.

[ the feed starts abruptly with the corner of what appears to be a book covering a small portion of the camera. it shows a slightly awkward angle of Riku and the Replica tucked in a corner of the library, deep in conversation: ]

These books are stupid. These names are stupid. [ the Replica sighs, throwing another book on the desk while Riku continues to flip through his book. ]

What d'you want me to break out, kid's books? There's got to be a name you like somewhere in here.

Probably wouldn't make a difference. I don't want to be called Chris, or Mark, or Lucifer? What do they even mean?

Uh, let's steer clear of Lucifer. I don't know. I know 'Riku' means land. 'Sora' means sky... I think. 'Kairi' has something to do with the ocean. There's got to be something that says what they mean somewhere in here.

[ there's a moment of brief silence before the Replica snickers. ]

... Land?

Land, or earth, I thi--... what?

Nothing. It kind of works... you're stubborn enough, I guess.

Wouldn't that mean the same for you?

I never said I wasn't.

Maybe we should name you 'Volcano'. You're always ready to explode.

[ no sooner had Riku said it before the Replica grabbed a book and threw it across the table at him, aiming for his head. Riku barely even glances up and merely leans his head to the right as the book goes sailing over his shoulder. the Replica scowls at him. ]

Once a jerk, always a jerk.

I don't hear you rejecting it.

It's dumb enough that it shouldn't even be suggested, let alone be rejected.

At least I'm suggesting things. What about 'Virgil'?

[ silence again. this time the Replica seems to be considering it, head lowered a little in thought. Riku looks up from his page and quietly waits for his opinion. after a moment: ]

.... Does it mean anything?

[ there's a wry smile from Riku ] Strong.

Okay.

[ as the Replica (now Virgil) stands to gather up the books, he finally notices the tablet and quickly turns off the feed with a resigned sigh and a quiet groan.

OOC: responses will come from either or both limitstorm and replicates! ]

Hello, everyone.

I have been in United Earth territory since June. I was released last week. Although I have been inspected and declared safe by the Initiative, I feel that it is my obligation to notify you all of what happened.

I am very eager to see some of you again. I am staying in my assigned housing at 502 while I continue to recover. Please come by at your convenience.


((feel free to use this post for both network conversations and action!))