( Cue one video post with Mr. Casey, looking a couple years older. The thin grey sweater covers up all the major markers of change in terms of more tattoos and more scars, save for a thin one running across his throat. Maybe the light obscures it - maybe it doesn't. The real thing is that he looks calmer, less uncomfortable with himself, even doing a video post. More steady, less haggard. Like he actually might sleep instead of being constantly run down. )

Uh, hey. I just-- thought I should um, let p-people-- know I'm back.

( Actually he got a little while ago, as those living with Max probably know, but he's sort of been sticking around her pretty constantly all that time. Not being around when she returned to the house seemed like a bad idea, all things considered. )

Or if you knew uh, a guy c-called-- called Atlas. That was me, too. I don't um, don't really do the secret identity thing anymore. Just if anyone wanted to uh, track him d-down.

( he takes a couple more pauses when he speaks, goes through more slowly, less of the urgent need to jsut spit it out from before.

Well. There's... not much more to say. Really he needs to go and catch up with people one on one, talk to the clinic, find his friends, see how things are. This just felt necessary.

A little nod to the camera, a slight smile, and the feed cuts. )

[ vanozza is no less beautiful in the darkest gown she owns, a grey so dark it is almost black, with her dark hair plaited over her shoulder. there is no pearly hairnet today, no jewelry present. though her smile is steady and her manner never falters, she seems to have aged years in the space of a few days—and it is immediately apparent why. ]

My son, His Eminence, Cardinal Cesare Borgia, and my daughter, the Lady Lucrezia Borgia have returned to Rome.

[ they had played it too safe too long. let any snakes in the grass reveal themselves now. vanozza could trample one underfoot. ]

I wish to extend my most heartfelt thanks to those who showed my children kindness while they were here. A mother could ask for little more.

As well, if you came to an agreement with my children that would go unfulfilled due to the abrupt nature of their departure, I give my word I will honor it to the best of my ability.

[ she takes her time to breathe and look down at the simple wooden horse in her lap. her fingers run over its finely carved head. she smiles, a mother's smile, loving and warm and tinged with loss. ]

Tomorrow is the Feast of the Epiphany. When a star, brighter than any other, shone in the sky to announce the birth of Jesus Christ, and three wise kings followed the star to Bethlehem, bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh.

When my children were young, they would polish their shoes and leave them out in preparation for the Three Magi to arrive and leave them their presents. My youngest, Gioffre, would insist upon leaving out water for their camels, as well, and his brother Juan would laugh and tell him they needed grass too and so they would collect it together. [ she laughs quietly at the memory. her hand splays over the horse. ]

I would ask a gift of a kindly Magi here: I require an escort into our frozen world. A walk tomorrow would suit me well.

[ no one will say they saw vanozza cattaneo grieve. ]

[Today, the message is brief - and Sonya's back to her usual excessive brightness, a deep contrast to the last time she sent out a message.]

So what are everyone's New Year's resolutions? I'm a big proponent of publicly announcing what you intend to do so that later, people can publicly shame you if you don't keep to it. And yeah, okay, no one bust in with "We've been chatting about them elsewhere on the network," I don't stalk you, you shameless egotists, so I haven't heard, and I totally want to know.

Anyway, my number one resolution this year is to quit smoking. Again. And to learn how to cook something - anyone have any suggestions as to where you should start when you're learning to cook?

[There's something different about Saul today.

He's seated in front of the camera, as usual, and he's in a suit, also as usual, but —

Oh, maybe it's the fact that Stephanie's leaning against his shoulders as he speaks, which takes away all possibility of him being his usual, businesslike self.

It might be that.]

Hey, everyone. As some of you've noticed, Jesse Pinkman went home a couple of weeks ago. Since there was some concern over the cookie situation last month, we — [With a brief nod upward, toward Steph — ] Figured that we'd harness some of the holiday spirit that's been goin' around and make sure this month's newbies are fed and clothed. Feferi will be taking care of handing out jackets and whatnot on the first, and Steph and I will be manning the cookie table alongside anyone else who decides to join us.

[Without missing a beat, Steph adds:]

Might even see if I can get one of those big urns to put hot cocoa in, to help warm the newbies up, and us, if we're hanging around there for a while. Any chance you can help out with that, Ella?

[She gives the camera a bright smile, which is mostly for Ella's sake. Sorry about abusing your powers.]

What we're not gonna do is make a party of it. I know that kinda sucks, but we just don't have the space, so the plan is that everyone who wants to can bake a couple batches in their own ovens, then bring them to our place sometime on the thirty first. If you don't know the address already and you're planning to help out, I'll give it to you here. [But she's not - just giving it out on the network openly.] If you need ingredients, let me know; I went on a mission and made sure we had plenty of stuff so I can give you flour or sugar or choc chips. Same goes for the recipe. Annnnd if you need help getting cookies to us, speak up, and we'll work something out.

[For a second, it looks like she's about to wrap it up, but then something else occurs to her.]

Speaking of parties, I dunno if anyone's doing anything for New Year's Eve, but if they are, can everyone try to get the cookies to me before like - seven, so I can still go out. Thanks.

[At which point Saul looks up and over at her, feigning a pout.]

Sorry, so we can go out.

[And then he's all smiles.

Before the feed clicks off, he adds another "thanks," and away they go.]

( Then, a private text to Sonya from Steph, sent only moments later: )

Hi, I'm Kate Bishop, and I'm a superhero. [There's a pause before she goes on.] There's a chance that doesn't mean much to many of you. There may even be some of you questioning the legality of vigilantes, but I'm not the type that goes too far. There's a reason why we kind of prefer "superhero" over "vigilante" anyway. For those of you who do know them, I'm an Avenger. But that's meaningless here. And I'm not really here to ... brag, either.

[Her voice is warm either way. There's a reason why she's here.]

Back home, I've got a like-minded group that tends to go on missions like the ones here. I was hoping to form something like that. It won't be the same, but I've got a couple teammates and not the whole set. We'd do pretty well for ourselves, but we need a couple more helping hands. So that's why I'm here. Well, partly.

[There is a question she has about this whole alternate earth business, but she'll get to it. She really wants a cohesive unit working together, as that seems to be the best way to proceed forward.]

The other goal I'd like for our group is to mobilize and help people in need. I can do this myself, and I'm planning on it, but more hands at the deck might help out. We don't just need this in missions, and from what I've read, we don't know what's gonna come next. I know it's risky to put together a group like this with how people come and go, but I'm prepared to deal with that. Plus, I don't just back down from something. I'm kind of stubborn that way.

If you've already got something like this going and wouldn't mind a few more people, I'd love to chat with you. I'm an archer mostly, but I have other gifts. One member is a ... [a trickster? How does one even sell Loki?] ... well, I'm sure he's good at something. And the final is an alien with advanced knowledge of technology that he might share. He's also got bug DNA and is extremely flexible. [That last bit. She really had to add that last bit.] So let me know.

The other question is: in the annals of this world, have people of Earth found evidence that they existed? Back home, alternate Earths like this usually mean ... alternate versions of us, which can either be a good thing, or a very, very bad thing. I'm thinking bad, considering the state of things. I was just wondering.

The reports seem to be mixed. Have those of you who have returned found yourselves safe places and warm clothing? Some have offered already; I should hope the message has reached those in need.

I'm not certain of what remaining here could be of use to you Earthside, but it can be brought when I join you. But not just yet.

[a beat.]

The people...

What are they like now?

Hello again, Esilium. Long time no talk-- [Chloe's looking under the weather in terms of wear and tear only; her bright eyes actually bright today for a change. For the first time in months, as a matter of fact.] good god does it feel good to be free again. Never thought I'd be saying those words, but there you have it.

And don't worry, no more lectures on this end. No more daily mutineering announcements: I can catch up on what I missed in lock up by scrolling though the network on my own and I've got a more important issue that needs addressing first. [There's a brief pause before she adds, gently as possible:] Obviously anyone that wants to talk shop about what went down is welcome to, of course. Just-- you know. We're on the fast track to recovery around here from what it looks like, so I'm not about to force anything else down anyone's throats as long as that remains the case.

Thanks, by the way, for not unanimously voting for throwing us all out the airlock. [Nice to know not everyone wants them done in or worse.]


Right, though, to the point. I need someone willing and capable of doing tattoo work. Good tattoo work.

In this case I'm even willing to consider the magical sort so long as nothing additional goes along with it. Not really a fan of curses and poisoned apple nonsense.


Additional text addressed to Vanozza:

not sure if I should be thanking you for this or asking why you of all people are signing up to look after someone like me right now

[The voice that addresses the network is deep. An adult male. The way that he speaks indicates he might've been a professor of some sort, once. There's the intent to impart knowledge, but also to invite debate. Engage, please. This old man in the button down and lumpy sweater and thick glasses wants to know what you think.]

Good afternoon. I'm Mr. Walter White, and I'm new here. Until today, I've been an observer. But it seems like things are getting a little out of hand. Some information might help to clear this up.

Let's start by addressing the concern of the legal system here. It seems that there wasn't a need for one until recently. Before that time, people hadn't been caught harming one another. The need for regulation and intermediaries was so infrequent that people generally handled things between themselves.

That's beginning to change now, and that's alright. It's a universal fact that throwing strangers together without direction as a cohesive unit will cause some friction. The debate we're having here recently, is whether we are able to punish these outliers or not, with no established system of law.

The good news is, the very act of separating and detaining them is the first step in the process. The system that's being established here will be familiar to those who, like me, come from North America, including Canada. Anyone from the British empire, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Sri Lanka, and a handful of other countries should be aware of this system. For those who aren't, let's explain briefly.

Common law is a set of rules which are determined over time by precedent. Unlike civil law, which requires a set of codifers to be established first, [ie the list of rules such "murder shall be punished by death" that were suggested] common law allows us to examine every case individually, present it to a jury if randomly selected peers before an elected official, and allow the punishment to fit the crime. This is the form of law that tends to crop up in societies which are ruled by the people. Civil law is usually seen under the rule of a select, wealthy few, as in oligarchies.

So the question is, do we continue establishing this common law, or do we throw that out and go for civil law instead? If we decide on civil law, we must establish a ruler. While this is usually done by force or birthright claim, that system might need some work here. Then, a strict set of codifers will be needed, which will be provided by the rulers.

To establish a common law, an impartial judge must be chosen to preside over a trial, and a jury must be selected randomly, of the population without a major bias. Legal representatives aren't necessary to establish standing precedents of law here where there are none. The job of the judge and jury would be to determine fairly what sort of punishment best fits each individual, and why.

The most important factor in a common law is a fair trial by a jury of unbiased peers, to clearly establish guilt and the need for a reasonable punishment to be set by a publicly appointed judge. It's similar to what Ms. Roslyn proposed, but it doesn't require anyone to step up and claim authority without public assent.

Of course, law isn't about making everyone happy. It's about establishing order. But stable systems usually are that way because the population largely considers them just. Systems considered to be unjust by the general population usually fall into the trap of anarchy, breaking and remaking themselves repeatedly from within.

[ Roslyn is behind the camera again, face stern, Vennett & Lowell seated just behind her. She’s looking as calm and professional as she can, though traces of exhaustion are seeping through regardless of her best efforts. ]

I’m going to make this as brief as possible. We do not have laws governing the actions undertaken recently by people currently in custody. While hopefully there will shortly be a fuller code of conduct, we cannot apply it retroactively. I do not have the resources to keep anyone locked up indefinitely, nor can I provide a fair trial, and it would be morally suspect to do either in the current environment.

I believe there is a solution to this, one that several others agree with, including Lowell Orwin and Vennett here with me, both of whom were held hostage by these people and have a fair amount of insight into their mindset. However, given that you will all have to live with it as well, I’m going to bring this solution to general consensus.

Under this arrangement, as a first part all current prisoners will be released into the custody of someone who will agree to monitor their actions and ensure that they are not able to plan anything further. These parole officers will either be volunteers from the general population or police officers if necessary, and all will be very carefully vetted. If it is necessary we will ask them to submit to a brief telepathic scan.

The second part of this arrangement would be undertaking a set amount of missions under the supervision of Orwin and Vennett with the goal of putting forth effort into our return to Earth. I am assured that they will be doing real work that will benefit us all.

This is the solution that I and others hope will work best for everyone involved, as well as free up resources to continue working towards getting off of this base and setting up an actual system of leadership.

While Jesse Pinkman was not a member of this, as he has given back all powers taken he would be released under the same conditions.

This is being presented to you all as, essentially, a poll. That is the first option. The second option is ‘other’, and if that is your answer I must insist you provide a fully thought through and careful plan that does not simply consist of ‘strand them somewhere’ or ‘airlock them’. Should enough support be shown for a provided 'other' plan over parole, it will be considered as an option. 

Thank you all for your time. I hope this will be resolved very shortly.

[ And cut. ]


[ ooc: this is an ic poll of the population! you may vote once with each character you have in game. roslyn and others are available for question answering and so forth. ]

[He's so bored, he can't take it anymore. Asking for trouble, maybe, but there's all kinds of excitement he's missing with the new arrivals, and he's not used to missing out on it. He keeps the video feed off, unlike usual, because both his cell and he himself are a mess. His voice is only slightly hoarse, recovering from a first week in custody that was spent screaming.]

So what's the deal with all you new guys? Usually I do this in person but I'm, uh, a little tied up right now. Anyway, lemme hear it. Where you from? Whatcha usually get up to? How you feeling about being in this skanky shithole up on the moon?

Hope the rest of you guys didn't leave 'em starving.

Remember when I asked if anyone could cut hair? Well now that everyone has stopped being a little shit, I'd like to get my hair cut and dyed.

Anyone want to join? Bring booze.

[ 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.

Hey, Jesse Pinkman.

I don't know who you are but you suck.

[Sonya appears on the screen without her usual preambles or cheerful introductions. Her manner is very, very controlled. The casual Bronx vowels that occasionally creep into her speech are gone. The profanities are gone. Every once in a while, she glances down; this is a prepared statement.]

Earlier today, Jesse Pinkman snuck into one of the prisoner cells under false pretenses. He’d been friends with one of the mutineers before all of this happened, so he claimed to merely want to visit.

While he was in there, he mutilated this prisoner in spirit and soul. He ripped from her her ability, her inborn gift, to cast spells. He tore away from her something as vital to her as eyesight or touch might be for you. And did he did this to defend someone? To stop an attack or a threatened attack? No: he did it to punish her. To make her suffer. And then he said to her that this is how things are running now.

( fuzzy drama funny drama drama drama fuuuck (ps not an ic cut) )

[Fenris so rarely uses the tablet, even less so to publicly speak to everyone. It's pointless, as far as he's concerned. Sharing words on a machine when they could be shared face to face. This time, though, is different. He feels this is important enough to share. Not one for chatting purposelessly, he gets right to the point]

Today, I awoke with a message on this contraption. It appears to be one of the memoirs that have been brought up of late. I suppose it might be important to some of you, so listen.

[And he'll play the file, the tablet giving out the automated text-reader of the file (because Maker knows, Fenris can neither read nor write it onto the tablet himself, the electronic voice crackling out the message. Perhaps it detracts from the emotion of the message, or perhaps hearing the words from a voice, albeit a robotic one does the exact opposite. However people may feel about it, the message plays on:]

The "E" in my name is for "Elaine", so my name is Joyce Elaine--which means "Joyful Light". Well, let me tell you, I don't feel like a happy ray of sunshine at the moment. I feel angry. And scared.

But mostly scared.

I don't want to die. I don't care what anyone says. No one can be prepared for death--not even those who have lived a long time. There's got to be some final struggle involved; some sense of staying on this blasted world for one moment longer...

And this is my struggle. This is me. My final thoughts and my final fight against the reaper. As long as this survives--I'll always be. Just do me a favor and don't erase this, okay?

Thanks.

[Fenris considers leaving it there, his job done. But he feels maybe it would be wrong to the memory of this Elaine to do so. As much as he disliked the Initiative as a whole, he understood the words she spoke. There was some common ground, here]

Her words are wise ones. Perhaps it would do some of you good to learn from them.

Kya-HAschyuu!

[That pleasant sound is accompanied by some sniffling, and throat clearing. You're welcome, fellow space cases.]

Sorry. I...my brain is all stuffed up.

[By the sound of it, the croaky teenager addressing you right now probably means his sinuses are stuffed up.]

It's cold. Anyway some of you said you could help with some stuff before...Don't say it, okay? Just -hyaaaSCHOO!

[Sniiiiiffff, cough. Really attractive, right?]

Show of hands?

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? ]

Um, hi. [Even though you can't see her. She gives a nervous sort of hum.] I'm Skyler. I'm new, just came aboard this month. I've been helping out with the clinic data, but I made a post about possibly starting a school or a day care.

It's not much, but someone made a run for me, and there's a few laptops, some games like Oregon Trail-- my son really liked that one, books, puzzles, and a few things for smaller children. This isn't any sort of forced thing. But if anyone wants to come and learn, spend some time away from the war, play a few games, whatever.

You don't have to worry about food or anything. It's all covered. [Here. Have a location.]

And Anne, I think was her name? You are more than welcome to come. [There may be a hymnal or a devotional book.]

Okay first off, before y'all start yelling at me, I been assured that we got plenty of supplies for this and I ain't cutting into our rations. Everybody's been doing a good job going on missions and bringing us stuff, so thanks for that. You guys are awesome.

So most of you know what I'm gonna say next: it's almost time to bake cookies. New guys, the deal is that we usually do this every month. It's a little something to help new arrivals feel better about being stuck here. We get together, we bake cookies, and then we pass 'em out on the first of the month and talk for a while with anybody who's got questions or needs a shoulder to cry on or whatever. It's just a nice thing we try to do.

Last month sucked but we're picking it back up again now, so anybody who wants to help out, we'll be having ourselves a little Halloween party in the cafeteria and baking all night. It's fun. You don't gotta be no master chef or nothing, I'll help you out.

And speaking of that, too - I heard some people ain't been eating right 'cause they don't know how to cook. That's messed up, yo. Don't stay quiet about something like that, okay. Ask for help. Nobody wants you starving and getting sick up here. If you can't cook for yourself, just come and find me. I'll make you something. You won't be bothering me 'cause I'm bored outta my mind anyway. I'm in 144 right now, so you can stop by or leave a message. Jesse Pinkman. It says right there on your screen.

Aight, I'm done.

[ Celestia isn't much up for speaking to any of the people here if she doesn't have to. She's already been forced to deal with roommates, so getting out of her room and finding a place to call her own space has been helpful in the past few days she's been here so far.

Still, she finds herself incredibly bored, now that she's caught up on all the information she needed to properly have an opinion on everything going on in this crazy place.

But Celes moves at her own pace, and her pace has pretty much nothing to do with helping anyone but herself. So: ]

Might anyone be willing to participate in a game of some kind? Chess/shogi/mahjong ... maybe even poker?

( PRIVATE to LILY )

( PRIVATE to ELLIE & DICK )

[ Her voice, while somewhat tired, is leveled as she speaks. ]

For the time being, the clinic should be stocked with some personal hygienic products anyone might have been wondering about. There's shampoos, soaps, sanitary napkins, and pads and tampons for the ladies. There's also patches for smokers. Anything else you're looking for, like medicine or bandages, you'll have to check with someone at the clinic.

Anyway, I asked the AI the decrypt a couple of drives belonging to the UE. There were various analytical notes specializing in robotics, specifically robotic spacecraft — rovers. For those unfamiliar: a rover is a vehicle used in space explorations. Depending on the design, they can either be partially or completely operated on their own, or they can transport crews.

There's a couple of bad ideas that come to mind knowing this information: one being they may have plans to come up here eventually and if they aren't fully aware how many of us are here, they'll find out.

Research also indicated "interdimensional colonization". We've been well aware for a while they're able to access portals into other worlds.

The drives also contained some notes on Project Chimera and talks of previous genetic projects the UE's researched. I'll forward anyone who wants a copy of these notes to look over.

[ For those who ask and receive: here. ]

Has anyone begun to compile the information we have together to make it more streamlined? I imagine the AI can likely do it if you ask.

[The last time Saul was seen on the network, he was about to choke out a member of the Initiative.

He's calmed down since then.

In fact, the look with which he greets the network is positively cheerful, thought not so much that it takes away from the businesslike atmosphere he's trying to cultivate with this post — he's got work to do, damn it, so he's in the most official-looking room he could find, seated in front of the camera with folded hands. Suit: check, tie: check, pocket square: check.]

This isn't how the story goes, but: good morning, Moon.

For those of you who don't know me, the name's Saul Goodman. I work for the Department of Initiative-Transport Relations with the lovely Queen Medusalith Amaquelin-Boltagon — [He pauses to smirk. What a mouthful, right?] — and a whole slew of other equally lovely folks. We're here to help you in matters concerning Initiative-Transport goings on. Now, here I'd usually take the opportunity to ask you all to lay whatever questions you might have on me, but because things are so crazy right now, the best answer I can give to any question will probably be a confident "I don't know."

We'll update you as we're updated.

Anyway, I'm coming to you today with a request. Lots of people are gearing up to go on supply runs, which is great. Go team. If those of you who've gone on runs already or plan to go could check in with me here and let me know what it is you're bringing back, that'd be super helpful. I'll make a list that everyone can refer back to, so no one has to double-up on fetching supplies that might not be necessary.

[So he might be a little bit worried about the lack of resurrection technology. That might be a thing. He just doesn't want anyone taking unnecessary risks for the sake of DVDs or... or whatever.]

Thanks.

[Feel lucky, Elliot's roommates. He's finally taking his complaining to the full network! =D

He's standing in one of the rooms, specifically his, but he doubts anyone can tell.]

I've had as much of this nonsense as I can stand! How are these ever supposed to be livable conditions?! The last place was bad enough, but I doubt any amount of possible improvements could ever make this place even come close to that! YOU DON'T EVEN HAVE REAL BEDS HERE!

[To make his point, he turns to focus on the shot on one of the bunk beds before going back to himself.]

Is there even a point in trying to do anything with this place?! The Initiative has made it more than obvious that their response to a real problem is to run like cowards!

[So this hasn't been a traumatic last few days at all. Still Sky assumes it's better to at least find something to do than sit around and think about how she isn't home. Or about how people were just killed on earth. What she's supposed to do? She doesn't know. She amusingly assumes to herself that at least no one will need her to cook any books here.]

Ugh, hi. I'm Skyler. [Because while only a handful here are associated with her husband, she would rather leave him out of this.]

I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do. [And this is already starting to sound like an AA introduction or something.] I'm a mom back home. It's the one thing I'm really good at.

[It's not entirely true, but she doesn't really know what else to say, and who needs an accountant in space?]

I like to write, and I don't really have powers. Or know how to fight. Well. [She doesn't want to think about the fight with the kitchen knife, so instead she just breathes and nods.]

I'm not sure what I could really do here, but I'm good with children. I have two of my own, and I'd like to help if I can.

Hi, this is Donny Casey. This is mostly about coordinating some of the ideas that have come up lately.

Ashraf and I are working on trying to getting a clinic functioning, inventory lists and everything like that. Probably figuring out a steady roster for collecting supplies to make sure we can keep up with demand and never get to low, maybe build up stores for emergencies and everything. When things go bad here they tend to go really, really bad so having a maximum capacity clinic that's really well stocked is really critical. If you have any suggestions or ideas they'd be really appreciated.

The better prepared we are with the basics, the more time and energy we'll have to focus on saving Exsilium. I think having all the basic stuff sorted out up here and having what we need on hand will make working out the details and tactics for helping Exsilium, and it means that if anyone disappears then the system can keep going because everyone knows how it works?
If anyone has any ideas about the best way to do this, I'd really appreciate any help. I know a few people have posted ideas since we got here about different areas to focus on, so it would be worth meeting up or something? It could be worth brainstorming.

I also have metal manipulation magic so if anyone needs help reinforcing things or anything like that, anything construction-wise, I'd be glad to help.

If anyone was close to Crystalia, Sweet Pea, Guinevere or Margaery Tyrell, it looks like they've all gone home. I kept looking for them in case there was an administrative error with the Initiative after everything or in case they just needed some time to themselves but it looks like they're really gone.

I'm really sorry.


( After Kang's response, he edits the post to add: )
special medical note:
For non-humans in particular, if you require specific medical care or there are differences in how your body functions from humans then it would be great if you could come by and talk to us so we know how to treat you. With the resurrection tech being down it's even more important that we get everyone the best medical care possible.

Even if you're human but have allergies or anything like that, get in touch so we can make sure our records are accurate.

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]

[ If he doesn't need this bad right now, come five to six days from now he's really going to need it. ]

Alcohol. They carry any of it here?

[ Robin’s sitting up on a leaning perch in some heavy darkness, heavy and dark enough that it’s probably a good bet that he's up on the roof somewhere, away from what usually passes for the light and noise of the city. His legs are curled up and his face is drawn and puffy. But the expression he’s putting on for the tablet is set and hard; there are Things to say and he’s here to say them.

Yep, it’s another one of these posts. ]

This ends one of two ways.

We cut our losses and take responsibility for the deaths of 500,000 people, just like we had to last time. Only now we get to cool our heels in some cozy safehouse where we never even have to see the damage. [ A huffed, angry breath. ]

Or we stay here and try to do what they brought us here to do.

Maybe there is no way to stop it. Maybe they’re right and all these people are doomed already. But I don’t want to spend the next- [ his voice catches, but he pushes right past it. ] -The next who knows how long wondering if I could’ve made a difference. If I could’ve stopped the bomb before it even fell and saved everyone when it really counted the most. [ He stops and swallows, but his face stays... pretty icily resolute. Just try and stop him world. ]

Evacuations need to happen too, but we have to make sure there’s an Exsilium to bring everybody back to when it’s all over. So that’s where we need to start. Wherever the bomb is. [ By we he mostly just means... himself. Right now. But. This is the important part, so he forges on ahead. ]

I can't do this myself. I need... I need anybody who knows more about nuclear warheads than I do. Which isn't much right now. [ his tone says that's a change that's probably immanent. ]

Bring the whole arsenal. Nothing’s off limits.

For a surprising change of pace, who is actually in favor of leaving the locals behind? Five hundred thousand odd lives, good as gone. Three hundred fifty of us in safety.

[because everyone who isn't is honestly an idiot.]

No lynching, please, ladies and gentlemen, let's have a civil discussion.

[She looks tired, a little strung out, like she's sure most people do right now, but this is important, and it's important that people listen, which means she's using video, in the hopes it'll help make this message stick.

When she speaks, it's steady enough, though there's hints of worry and desperation in her tone, at times. Indications of how serious she's taking this, how hard it's hitting her.]

I know everything's a mess right now, but if you're seeing this, I need you to take the time to sit and listen, please, because I'm trying to help all of us and that won't work if everyone ignores me. Some of are probably going to hate me for this, but that's okay, as long as you keep listening while you hate me.

[a beat; a breath]

We're not abandoning the Exiles.

( this got long winded )

[ 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. ]

( Cut for length and a transcript! Sort of. A prose transcript, because who really wants to read the word-for-word. )

[ 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!]]

When I was a kid, FDR would do these little— he'd come on the radio, and he'd sound cheery, and he could talk about all kinds of awful things. Poverty, and debt, and then war. [ His voice drifts off, for a second. ] And no matter how bad it all got, he could make you feel safe. I was always crap at that. I can't make you feel safe. But some stuff you've gotta know anyway, I figure.

I got a copy of one of the UE's field guides, and what it says is that the Black Code is the all-clear for a nuclear warhead drop, then carpet bombing. They have… fancier nukes now, I guess, with more than one point of impact on drop.

Now you know.