[Good morning, Exsilium, today your screens are being graced by three young ladies, one of whom looks like a perfectly boring human, while the other two very much don’t. They’re all smiling, though, and being filmed in a way that suggests they have help, and that the whole thing was pre-recorded.

Steph is the first to speak, giving the camera a little salute before she starts.]

Hi again, Exsilium, oldies and newbies alike. For those who don’t know us, I’m Steph Brown, and this is Feferi Peixes and Kanaya Maryam. [She gestures to each girl as she says their name, just so everyone knows who’s who.] And we all work with the DITR, which was the Department of Initiative-Transport Relations, but we’re here today to let everyone know that we’re moving towards focusing more on the Transport part of that. With the current situation the way it is, we thought our time and resources would be best spent helping out Transports in whatever ways we can, so me, Feferi and Kanaya are gonna let you know what that means.

[Which is her first bit done, so she turns her attention towards Feferi, ready for her to start talking.

Feferi straightens and her fins perk up, now that it's her turn to talk. ]

But first, before you can do anything else, you need to get set up here! You're going to need some supplies and if you're not a human, you're going to have to learn how to play it safe! That's where we come in. If you need help learning how to survive the winter weather, or just how to pass as human if you aren't already, we will hook you up with everything you need to know!

And through the generous donations of Transports, we have a stockpile of winter gear for anyone who needs it. Let one of us know what you need, and we'll make sure it gets to you. We have jackets, blanket, boots, mittens, hats, and lots more. It's cold out there so bundle up!

You are probably also going to need somewhere to stay...

[ She gives an expectant look back Steph's way. ]

And we can help with that, too. We don’t have any officially designated Transport housing, but if you need a place, we’ll help you find somewhere to rent and give you a hand setting up wherevere you want to go. Which does mean you’ll still need to be able to pay rent - we can’t do that for you, unfortunately - so we’ll also be helping anyone get themselves a job. I can’t promise it’ll be glamorous, especially if you don’t have any in-demand skills, but it’ll be enough to pay rent and keep food on the table while we’re all learning how to survive out here.

For those of you that are more interested in running missions...

[Steph gestures at Kanaya.

The glowing girl leans forward at this point. She's kept her black lips in a tight smile until now, a moment demanding she slightly reveal her fangs.]

If you do want to work for the Initiative’s cause and don’t know how, in response to popular demand the Department has allocated some of its staff to mission coordination. In accordance with recent standard operating procedure, the AI designs these missions, their locations and their times. We aren’t proposing strategic goals here; this is an offer of organizational assistance. On request, we’ll facilitate the recruitment of interested parties and the procurement of any necessary resources. The members of the department available for these purposes include myself and Mr. Gold.

[Steph looks back at the camera, and starts talking against to wrap things up.]

I hope that’s all clear, but feel free to toss any questions you might have our way, though I’ve just a couple more things to go over before we’re done. We’re offering our services to other Transport run organizations, including the clinic, so if you need help getting in touch with those organizations, or if you’re in one and need extra hands for whatever reason, all you have to do is ask.

[There’s an apologetic smile, a sort of I know this is long, we’re almost done expression.]

And as for anyone interested on working with the DITR, unfortunately we’re not taking on any more official employees right now, while we’re still working out the kinks after all the changes, but if you would like to help out, again, please get in touch so we can get in touch once we find our feet. Though do keep in mind this isn’t a paid job; while we will be working on gathering funds for our various projects, we don’t have a payroll and that’s not likely to change soon.

[Just, you know, in case people think offering to work for the DITR is a way to get a cushy job.]

That’s it from us, though. So now you can ask your questions, all three of us will be keeping an eye on this post, or you can contact one of us privately if you’d prefer. To the newbies, welcome to Exsilium, sorry about the weather, and remember that we’re here to help in any way we can.

[And with smiles from all three, the video ends.]


[[OOC: We know, we know, endgame and all that, but this was already mostly written and we wanted to get it up! Originally there were gonna be fancy pages and forms and stuff but... hopefully no one's holding it against us for not worrying about that anymore.

As for text color, Steph is black, Feferi is purple, and Kanaya is green.]]

( 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. )

I don't think I've ever - actually posted anything to the network before. [ a small, amused smile creeps up on her face and wow, belle, really? you've been here almost half a year by this point. ] For those I haven't had the pleasure of meeting, my name is Belle. [ the smile grows wider; she waves at the camera. ]

Actually, I have a question concerning the - um - the monsters in the woods. The yetis? I ran into one on the original scouting mission, but I'm afraid I never actually made contact. Does anybody have any information about them? Maybe some safety precautions if one actually intended to study them? I know there are similar creatures in different worlds, but I don't know if things like temperament are consistent between them all.

[ after a week of constantly bumping into shit and having to get people to lead him around from place to place, karkat vantas has to resort to desperate measures. it's a struggle even getting the tablet to work for him, and at first, he doesn't seem to notice it's recording, continuing to frown and fiddle with it for a little while, before he begins to speak. ]

So. [ one might notice that his pupils are unusually dilated, only the faintest ring of grey iris visible around the edges. ] I'm going to make this brief, if just because I'm only half convinced this thing is actually recording and I'm not just yodeling into the void, but thanks to the astonishingly warm welcome one of your residents gave me, I'm blind. And as I'm not the resident No Eyes Mcgee among my social circle, and I've walked into enough door frames over the past week that I'll be very surprised if I haven't sustained permanent brain injury, I'm requesting that one of you make yourself some vague parody of useful and fix it.

[ there is a pause, before, reluctantly; ]

It was a dragon, if that makes any difference.

[The voice is that of a young woman speaking in a crisp English accent. She sounds entirely unamused, though not necessarily resigned to her situation.]

If the circumstances here are truly as they've been presented to me, it would seem that my travel plans will need to be revised and that I shan't be leaving for Paris in the morning after all. More pressing, however, is the lack of access to my own finances. I find this irritating, to say the least.

[A girl's gotta have some cash. Real money, too, not this fake stuff they're touting. This is absolutely ridiculous. She sighs, voice taking on a slightly more sympathetic tone.]

As I said, if I can't go to Paris tomorrow, I shall have to alter my plans. I am in dire need of a tailor. Someone skilled. Not a dressmaker. I shall impart the details of my commission to said tailor, if and when we are introduced.

At present I have nothing to barter with aside from my good name and promise of repayment at a future date. And with all these witnesses, that ought to be enough. My name is a very good one, if that matters to anyone at all.

[There's a deliberate pause before she speaks again.]

Though if anyone should have pertinent information on how one might go about securing passage away from this this... settlement, I should be much obliged for your assistance.

[ Feferi is just so excited to be on camera today, just so excited. Anyone who's been there might recognize the background as DITR's makeshift office. She needed somewhere to prop her tablet up, as both her hands are holding a binder, face down at the moment. ]

While everyone is talking about laws and councils and punishments and all that, I have been thinking about something else: we don't have any really good way of sharing information we find on missions! There is the network, yes, but who wants to go back through every single network post to find out what happened? Plus, if someone withholds information, it's really hard to blame them, since there's no good way to share it.

So the idea I had was this!

[ She holds up the binder. In glittery sparkle pen, the cover reads MISSION LOG and she flips it open to show off the inside. ]

A mission log book! ( OOC cut for length )

[ There's a little bit of fiddling around with his tablet. In fact he's not even looking at the screen for a good fifteen seconds as the video records his dumb face, before he finally looks up and gives it a bright and cheery grin! Gonna keep positive despite all the recent going ons of this place. ]

Well hello there, folks! It's been some time since I made one of these public announcements. Er, do they count as announcements? I suppose they are announcements of sorts. Can't say I've had much of a reason to, but it's been--

[ Looking back down at the tablet for another few quiet seconds. ]

Egads! Has it really been that long? I see it was with Miss Lalonde. What I wouldn't do to see that gal again. She'd know how to liven up the moment.

Which reminds me why I booted up this old computer in the first place. In light of recent incidents it might seem rather inappropriate to ask such a questions, but I do feel rather chagrin even bringing the whole thing up! But I'm looking to procure myself a cake, and possibly a few party goers if anyone's interested. You see today's date happens to be a personally big one for yours truly. Seems today I've not only made it to the ripe old age of seventeen, but I've reached my first full year here in this particular universe. Like a grim anniversary of sorts, but just because the occasions grim doesn't mean it can't be treated as an occasion to celebrate!

[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) )

[Why looks, it's the last face you want to see right now! Elmer's beaming smile graces your video screen, pleasant as ever.]

Are we all glad that ordeal is over with? Well, I suppose one part of it is over with for now. The offenders have been detained, yes? I'm not sure they can hear this, but someone pass along to them that I do hope they keep their chins up. Tough times are head for all of us, especially them, so staying positive is our key to diplomacy! [Yes sure okay Elmer]

Speaking of, exactly how do we deal with this now? I'm curious. We've been lucky until this point that there's never been much major crime. And if someone was killed, the Initiative could resurrect them, and the victim could tell on their murderer! But we don't have that luxury anymore. Mm, it's a lot to worry about with everything else is going on. Maybe we ought to have some sort of group meeting on how this could be settled. We may have to take it off-base in order to fit everyone, but do I think at this point that it's important that everyone's voice is properly heard, yeah? [It's times like this that you wonder if that smile is genuine or patronizing. The mysteries of Elmer C. Albatross.]

I'm also wondering how it goes trying to get us off this base. The moon has its charms, but I'm sure we all miss Earth by now. I know we've had a few snafus, but it's time to get back on track! After all, last times zombies attacked in Exsilium, it was a lot easier to fight them on the ground than in here. If anyone is willing to share information with me, I'd be very grateful! Because I want to help with missions or research or the like to get us back on the ground, and all the citizens alive and smiling again. Let's work hard, Transports!

( 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! )

[ As soon as the transporter is back up, Feferi comes back from her mission and after getting caught up on things, is not very happy. She's been given the run down, she's skimmed all the posts and comments. Even her fins are all puffed out, it's that serious. Even though most of the known mutineers have been captured now, she still feels the need to say her own piece.

Sollux is somewhere in the background making faces and being generally disgruntled. ]

So, the next time anyone wants to try and take over, maybe they should stop and think it through a little more! Maybe don't strand people on missions, or try to think about those of us do not have anywhere to go back to except being dead, or worse! Try to think about everyone else's worlds that need protecting!

If you really want change, you should try helping us! The Department of Initiative-Transport Relations exists for a reason, and when we opened, I asked everyone for their thoughts, and barely got any. Why didn't you come to us?

[ So this is nothing that hasn't been said before, but... hey, she was stranded and she's mad. ]

I really hope you're happy now, because we are right back where we started! And I am going to go right back to what I was doing, except now we have even more work to do and I do not even know who I can trust to not want to ruin the one good thing some people have here.

[ She looks like she wants to say something witty or cutting to end her commentary, but she comes up with nothing and ends the feed with a little huff, before hitting the off button. ]

[I.D. simply reads "Martin" now. and a Martin surely is at-hand! long time no see, network. only six-plus months long, nbd.

he looks fairly pleased and...relieved after a beat. because he's pretty sure he's figured this out.]

Hello... [his eyes wince. doubt.] Hello? [the screen tilts a little while he inspects something.]

I think this is right. It's been a long time since I've used one of these... [his stare trails away.] I took one of the new ones. I think that's alright, since mine's been gone for a long time...

[a beat. he looks back.]

Is everyone alright? Now that they're gone...

Hello, everyone!

If everything keeps going as it is, the Agriculture Wing--[There might be an excited sing-song trill in the way she says Agriculture Wing.]--will soon be open, so I was just wondering if there was anyone who wanted to get together outside of it, just a little while before it does. It won't be anything like a party, though I would be happy to put some tea and cookies or the like together if anyone wanted them. It's really just to talk about all the things we might or could want to do there, and maybe just to talk about about plants in general. Oh, and some fungi, too!

[Correct classification is important!]

But absolutely anyone would be welcome, even if you don't know as much about the subject, and, if anyone has any ideas or suggestions about anything at all, please feel free to contribute!

For that matter, though, seeing as how we'll have only so much space, it might be a good idea to take stock of the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and other plants people might want or need? It's a free area, of course, but if there are higher demands for certain things, it might be a good idea to keep some kind of record. That way, anyone who wants to do work there will know what others might want or need, if that's what they would like to do. It would also help in terms of supplies and organisation, since different plants have different needs, and while a lot of species can be quite versatile and hardy, and their needs very multi-purpose, some things can be very limiting and specific, and it wouldn't be very productive to stock up on things that might not be used terribly often if there are better alternatives. For example, flowers of the viol--[Flora no. By the grace of some deity or other she manages to catch herself, in time.]

Ah, I'm sorry, I probably shouldn't get carried away. [She looks apologetic, if only mildly because EXCITE THIS GON BE SO GREAT U GAIZ!!

Ahem, though.]

So, what would you all like to see?

Halloween's all about spooky things, right? So let's tell scary stories.

Okay. So when I was a kid, I would go near the fence separating us from the wilderness and look out there. Never did I dare to go past that- I wasn't even supposed to be there- but one night, I heard something odd. There are these things called mockingjays in my world, right? I'll tell you all about them if you want. Anyway, the important thing to know is that mockingjays can replicate both bird whistles and human melodies.

I heard this haunting melody, and I could tell it was coming from a mockingjay. But I saw this woman in a white nightgown, walking around past the fence. I saw her meld into the trees and disappear. I saw her every night I went there, and she always did the same thing. Until one night, when I called out to her. She looked at me and screamed a blood-curdling scream.

I ran for it. And I never went back. [He makes a ghostly 'oooOOOooo' sound. Is he making it up? Or did it really happen? Who knows?]

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.]

The more I talk to other people here, the more it sounds like the UE's genetech is what we have to watch out for. While there are ways of shifting things in the past to lessen the effect, we have more pressing concerns right now. [like, oh, that nuclear missile strike]

Out of the other people who were taken, what innate powers do you have? We need to know just how much the UE got from us - and more importantly, what they couldn't get, because those powers represent our best offense and defense right now.

May as well start myself.

[Text]
high-level telepathy and telekinesis

[Gently:] Good morning, Exsilium.

[It almost sounds like a reminder.

Saul's looking just as businesslike as he did in his last network post, this time broadcasting from the Observatory. Elbows on his knees, hands clasped in front of him, he leans in and addresses the camera with an expression that's a little too somber to pass for neutral:]

As of last night, Medusa's gone home.

[He hopes that's where she's gone, anyway. He's never sure what happens to people after they disappear.

After a moment, the look on his face softens.]

For the time being, I've assumed the role of Director of the Department of Initiative-Transport Relations. Medusa and I started this together back in May, when its purpose was to foster trust between us and the Initiative by way of hiring liaisons to make announcements on the Initiative's behalf. Friendly faces, right?

But it's clear to me now that there's no use for that in our current predicament, so the Department's getting a bit of a makeover.

( First of all... )

[There's a pause, then, as he runs a hand through his hair to move onto other business.]

( As far as supply runs are concerned... )

[And the feed cuts.]

Once, a really long time ago, I made a guide for new people coming to Exsilium, but I think it's a little out of date. It still says we're on Earth.

[ She's sitting in one of the hallways around the base, and purposefully points the camera out a nearby window to look at the moon's surface with her, then back to her face. ]

Definitely not Earth. So I think it's time to update it! [ She holds up some paper with notes scribbled on it, though it's mostly illegible. ] Look, I have all this to add! But I could still use more, and there is some specific information I am looking for right now.

One is that we have so many more transport-run services now, and I want to make sure new people know all about those. Like DITR didn't exist at the time! So if you are part of a group like this, could you tell me who you are, what you do, and how to contact the group?

And two is that I don't have anyone to help answer questions anymore! I don't mind answering questions, but I think it'd be great to have some help, and to help spread the word. And help write, if you really want to! Who wants to volunteer?

[ ooc: Anyone who wants to help write, I'll be putting up a Google Doc later, to help with coordinating edits and additions! ]

[Nate sounds exhausted, drained of all emotion when he speaks]
I've walked a future destroyed to try and kill a single girl. Australia was nuked. South America was burned to completely to ash. In Europe, most of the key water supplies were poisoned. The resulting riots and wars took care of most of the rest of the population. Africa and Asia, bioweapons and chemical agents. Many of the people left in North America were... converted. Humanoid cockroach. The self-declared President of America bled green. An attempt to destroy them wiped out most of the rest of the human population as well

To my knowledge, that future no longer exists. Reset, by stopping the man who perpetuated the atrocities - I hope. Only three people remember it - the three who lived it and came back to the past - or the present, to the perspective of everyone I knew.

[There's a long silence - that hadn't really been meant as an argument either way. Just. Food for thought. When he finally speaks again, he sounds marginally more himself.]

I've got a harddrive from the UE compound - almost certainly heavily encrypted, and without proper hook-ups. And some samples of animal blood from the Outlands for toxin and DNA testing. Anyone have the resources to handle them?

And for those who knew him, Charles Xavier [there's a pause because no he is not going to let his voice crack in a public post] is no longer in Exsilium. He has an important future ahead of him, in his world, and... I'm glad he's not here to see this. [Because he knows Charles and he knows this would have crushed the young man's idealism, totally and completely]

[ A very eager young face pops into full view on the screen, the second the video comes on, and she doesn't hesitate getting right down to business. ]

So this is kind of a different question than usual, but...

Does anyone know how to get married, and where to do it? Thank you in advance!

[ If human movies and soap operas are any indication, getting married is like going on a date but also having a party at the same time, right? Yes, that must be accurate, but they were never quite clear on the specifics... ]

[The tablet has been carefully propped on a library table against some books in order to capture video of Charles from the mid-chest up. Or, initially a close up of his face all frowny and concentrating and then he pushes away to lean back again.]

Hello. I'm Professor Charles Xavier, something of a recent arrival, although, it seems as if I've been here previously. If you happen to remember me from before the beginning of this month, I'm afraid I don't remember you, but I'd be fascinated to know anything you can tell me, if you don't mind.

I'll return to that in just one moment, but there's a rather important thing I have to get to first. The locals, those who have been living in Exsilium long before we were ever summoned here, are not happy with the current state of affairs. And can you really blame them? They've been told we're here to help, but they've no proof of it, not when it involves time travel and reality modification. All they can see is the negative attention we draw from the United Earth, and the preference given to Transports over them. So, this is my proposal: we form a team to protect them. A team that visibly makes an effort to prevent harm from coming to the Exiles, that protects them where the Initiative might not. It won't be easy, especially right now, at the beginning. They don't trust, or like us. But with time, if we demonstrate our willingness to coexist and use our resources to help them, there is no reason for us to remain at odds. Now! What is a volunteer service without volunteers--which is where you lot come in. If any of you are inclined to help, or even if you only want to ask questions, do speak up. The more of us there are, the better use we'll be.

As for my previous self, it seems as if he'd, or, I'd managed to secure funding, and a building of some sort for the purposes of, well, creating a school. I've really no idea if any of his arrangements carried over to me, but before I go looking into that, I'd prefer to know how far he managed to get. Did any renovations occur? Where is the building to begin with?! If any of you know anything about this school, I'd be terribly grateful for your help.

[He smiles, and then leans forward again, to switch it off.]

[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]

[ Feferi appears on screen backed by a brightly-lit room that looks something like an office, happily smiling with her hands behind her back, with a big, knowing grin plastered across her face. ]

Hi Transports! Okay, so I have an announcement on behalf of the Department of Initiative-Transport Relations. Yesterday you heard all about the space ship mission! I hope a lot of you volunteered. There's also going to be another mission...

[ She pulls her hands from behind her back and holds up a pair of flip-flops and goggles. ]

We're going to the beach! For a beach party! We are going all the way back to when there were dinosaurs, but don't worry, we'll be safe, so everyone can relax and have a good time.

[ Setting the goggles and sandals aside, she sets her hands in her lap. ]

There is some actual work too, but it's not hard. Now that we have the space shuttle, there are some new opportunities, like... the chance to get ourselves a secret moon base! Like a secret moon clubhouse, and all we need to do is collect some rocks and sand to help get it back up and running. Just in case anyone was wondering, the moon base is only there because of us. Who remembers going to New Mexico? That's what the mission was all about!

Besides all of that, the only other objective is to get some rest and relaxation. Oh yeah, and we'll be leaving tomorrow, on Thursday, so get excited and get ready!

[ She reaches over to turn off the feed, but stops before she actually hits the button. ]

And just between us, I think this is their way of saying sorry for all that we have been going through lately. And also I'm sorry too, for saying some bad stuff about them the other day. I wasn't feeling like myself, in case that was not obvious.

Oh right, and let me or anyone else in the Department know if you have a question!

[ ooc: the OOC mission post is here. ]

[ Feferi looks worried-- frowning, braiding and unbraiding a lock of her hair ad nauseum. She doesn't speak at first, distracted by something offscreen as soon as she turns the feed on. She brings her attention back to the tablet after a few seconds. ]

I have been thinking a lot lately, and I think I understand now what other people have been saying the whole time.

We should leave here. I mean it, just leave the Hold! They cannot do anything about it if we do. I know they can't send us back, and they're probably not going to kill us because they need us, and even if they tried, I bet we could take them on! We fight and win against the UE, why couldn't we fight and win against the Initiative? We have magicians, scientists, doctors... everything! We could make it on our own if we wanted to!

[ She gets herself all worked up the more, the finally sighs and deflates a little, her shoulders sagging. ]

I don't want to be here anymore, I am tired of being the scapegoat for something we didn't do.

[ And, quieter: ] I wish my lusus was here...

[[ ooc: Feferi is currently falling victim to the runeblade shadow demon thingies from this plot here. ]]

[The video feed opens on an alien teenager who some of you may never have seen before, dressed all in red and grinning widely. Most notably, though, she is wearing two eye patches, one over each eye. She gets right down to business.]

Is this working? Yes? It beeped, so I think so. Okay.

People of the internet, I have a quick question. [She points to the eyepatches.] On a scale of one to ten, how silly do these look?

[There's been a tremendous spike in patients recently, and the influx is only worsening as the days pass. The clinic doesn't have a robust staff as it is, so Adrasteius--and probably anyone else on the roster--is more than a little overworked. His expression over the feed is harried, haggard, and more than a little frustrated. Normally, diseases wither into nothing under the influence of the Light, but this illness has proved alarmingly resistant. He can treat the symptoms well enough, but the sickness itself keeps surviving. It would drive him to drink, if he even had time.]

This situation is getting out of hand. If you're still able, and you have the skill, the clinic needs you. I don't just mean healing skill, either--we need people to run supplies, prepare food, organize files, maintain records, all that sort of thing. Just tell me what you're able to do and I'll find you a place.

[Adrasteius runs a hand over his tired face, but his eyes are as bright and steady as ever. They might be bogged down, but he's damn sure not going to turn anyone away--not until taking in more people becomes unsafe.]

And if you think whatever this damn thing is has gotten hold of you, come see us. Not just because we aren't the Initiative--but because even their hospital is probably overflowing. We're busy, but we've still got clean beds and I'm still going to take care of you. I can't eliminate the disease, but I can mitigate whatever pain you're feeling, at least.

[ The video feed opens to the outside, a downfall of raining hitting the tablet screen and blurring out the details of buildings and shop signs nearby. Not too long after the feed begins its run that a hand – evidently a woman’s – passes over the screen, wiping the excess water off. ]

They did say it was water proof. I hope they were right. [ Comes her voice. Eventually the tablet focuses on her – in a glistening, green bodysuit, with a golden crown-like ornament resting atop her head. She’s drenched in the cold rain yet appears unfazed by it. Her bright eyes gaze intently into the feed instead. ] My name is Mera, and... well, I was on a different Earth until today. Our greeter did not carry out her duties properly, I suspect. I’m hoping someone out there can answer my questions as she did not.

I’ve been in other dimensions before. I’ve heard them claim no one has been able to leave of their own volition until this Transporter allows it. [ She pauses, her eyebrows knitting closely together in vague irritation. ] Does this Initiative truly have no control over their machine?

I have also heard in passing about a recent battle in another dimension. [ Mera’s expression is grim, but genuinely concerned then. Resolutely: ] I’ve seen and fought in many myself, but it seems we aren’t often given much choice in the matter. I would like to hear about this battle from those who were there and what happened in this other world. What became of it? [ She strongly suspects nothing but bad news and braces herself as much she can for it. She has many more questions to ask. ]

I'm sorry to interrupt the, ah... that is, this isn't about any of — you know, the recent...

[ well this is a terrible start. A pause, an audible breath out, and he starts again. ]

I'm going to need... a programmer, I think. Anyone good with systems. That sort of thing.

[ LONG PAUSE. ]

Possibly Sollux. [ oh god kill him now. ]

[The user ID definitely says "Painwheel" but that has to be a mistake. She hardly ever actually shows her face on the network to begin with. And those that do know what she looks like will notice that something is definitely missing.]

U-Um... hi. It's me, Painwheel.

[The deep, raspy voice matches.]

My mask got ruined during the attack and... There wasn't much point in getting it fixed, so I decided to take it off.

[Seems like it was done forcefully, as she's got some serious scarring going on.]

I know usually talk with text, but I was thinking about getting away from that. For a while, actually.

[Painwheel looks really seems really nervous about this, given how she keeps looking away and back to the camera, and awkwardly scratching the back of her head.]

So here I am.

[ See Vriska Serket. See Vriska Serket furious. ]

What the hell was that?! Aren't we supposed to be the heroes here? Heroes don't just retreat when shit hits the whirling device! We could have taken those guys! Who cares if you died a couple times? That's what semi-immortality is for! They didn't create a way to bring us back because they were eight-hundred percent sure we would never die!

[ She'd had her own fair share of deaths thanks to her weapon being on the fritz, but you don't get any stronger from winning a fight with a weak foe. It still hurt her pride, sure, but she's positive she gained a lot more from her losses than she, well, lost. ]

Total bullshit. Buuuuuuuullshit. I bet they planned this all along to make us think that we're all weak! Too bad, because it didn't work on me! I know we had those other assholes backed into a corner! We could have taken them, easy.

If you ran right on back here with your tail between your legs at the first call of retreat, I hope the Initiative kicks you out for being a sorry excuse for a hero! We could have won, definitely. Nobody's ever won a war in a night! They threw in the towel way too early. What a pathetic excuse for a fight!

[ Like most people, Feferi is a little worn out by recent events and it show, but she gives the network her usual smile. ]

Sooo, not too long ago there was an announcement about a new group here in Exsilium that is working with transports and the Initiative, and I am helping them! So now seems like as good a time as any to ask a few questions, while a lot of people are thinking about stuff anyway. Your answers are totally secret, unless you want to add something.

( POLL ATTACHED )

[ She looks like she might go to turn the feed off, but then continues. ]

And also I want to say... just as me now, I know that some of you are very mad! You or someone you care about got hurt, or worse, or you could have been, and that is scary! And some of you are mad that the Initiative forced you here, even if you would have been okay with coming to save your world.

But the way I see it, they only just now got the ability to come to other people's worlds, and even then that is because of all the help we have been, with missions! So it is not like they could have asked if they wanted to, and now you have the chance to do something about the UE, that you would not even have known about until it is too late.

So try to look at the positive side of things! You are here, and you might not like it, but now you know what is at stake and you have a chance to make it right!

[Exsilium might not be expecting to see a smiling face on their network so soon after the battle, but that's what you get with this guy being among your ranks. He gives the camera a little wave.]

Hello! Is everyone recovering from the battle? It's good that the Initiative can resurrect people, don't you think? Otherwise that would have turned out rather badly.

Anyway, I wanted to say thanks to the people who tried to come to the rescue of my world. If we've not met, I'm Elmer C. Albatross, the person who was sent back. After what happened, it might be hard to think about this positively. But there's a few things we can take to heart! Like the fact that people can be ressurrected, or that while one world may have been taken over, it probably wasn't your world, and you might still be able to return to your own someday!

As for mine, well... Not much can be done about that, now. I suppose Exsilium is my home, now. The friends I was travelling with are like me, so they'll survive no matter what. I just hope someday things will return to normal there, so the survivors can find reasons to smile again! You're all still here, fellow transports, so I hope you continue to smile on as well!

[Oh no. It's Sollux-Grumpy-Hour again.]

You're all idiots.

[He's staring straight at the camera on his communicator as he says this.]

Doeth no one around here think? You're jumping at the wrong soundest, pissing yourselvesth at a purrbeast meowing, instead of at the sound of wastecansth being tipped over from someone breaking into your hive.

Everyone here is suspicious of the Initiative which sure ok you should be.

But not more than the other people you are stuck here with. What inherently makesth them more trustworthy? We've already had two deal with assholes who go around pulling more shit than the initiative does. Why do you trust them more?

Here let's have a test!!

1. Your neighbor that you don't know very well athks you if he can borrow your lethal laser gun and doesn't say why. Do you give it to him, yeth/no?

2. Your friend that you met here who has been very pleasant two you is suddenly behaving strangely and is running around murdering people. Do you really think they were nice all along or just trying to buy your trust?

3. Thomeone posts on the network about needing an excessive amount of (potentially dangerous) technology and doesn't say why. Do you specifically tell them where two get more and help them without asking any questions at all or say "uh fuck no."

4. A person who was royalty/an important person in their respective world continues two be under the delusion that they still have that same power here and intends two oppress it on the rest of the population. Do you, I don't know, fucking bow and go "Yeth your majesty" or go "who the fuck are you."

If you answered the first response two any of these questions:

( sparkletext under the cut )

Oh-! Oh, Exsilium! How wonderful to see you once again!

[The red-skinned, four eyed alien behind the camera looks utterly delighted, though by the looks of her surroundings she’s found herself in a very depressing and shabby-looking building. But still, all four of her eyes are crinkled in delight and her grin is wide, and toothy. She obviously couldn't wait long to post this; judging by the background of the video, she’s in the courtyard of the Initiative Hold, and is occasionally wiping droplets of water from her tablet with one hand.]

Wonderful, again! Has it been long since I was gone!? How is the Clinic? It is thrilling to have returned!

[She pauses for a handful of seconds, and looks away, her expression turning from bright to cheerful, to something more restrained, thoughtful.]

Ah. But. I suppose, I should ask. If my captain has returned. If my friends are still...still well. If the war is still present. Though I am certain it is. [She sighs, then grins once again, her slightly-somber mood apparently over.]

Of course, I am still eager to assist! As I have before! It is my duty as long as I am here!

Transports of Exsilium! I am Kinna Nananea! A doctor- a medical doctor, I understand this distinction is important for humans! Please address to me all your medical complaints!

[The video shows someone that may be familiar to a few, but who hasn't been seen for a while.

Also for some reason, she looks as though she is dressed like some sort of super hero or something.]

So.... I'm back here, apparently? Yay, I guess.

Anyone want to explain the spaceship? This is why you shouldn't drink and drive.