[This query brought to you by a pretty handful of missing puzzle pieces, not that you'd know, since Lenalee has no intent to justify or explain that imagery, nor to keep picking at scabs until they fester.]

We've already seen how the smallest change made can rewrite the entire history of this world. People are unborn, warheads are undropped... because we've cut out the circumstances which led to their happening.

How do you think that it might be the same for us? Transports come and go so often here and no one knows why. Whatever we do, we are always altering chances, there is no reason not to consider they could also be our own. That someone arrived on a day no longer existing may suddenly leave, or return by new circumstance, or forget they were ever here before.

It may be that we don't "go home", just. "Never arrive".

[ about ten minutes after broadcast, through careful squinting and experimentation, the feed is locked from Gilbert Nightray ]

[ it had been a just one night since oz's departure and alice had more or less kept quiet. after spending a night searching fruitlessly, she spent the rest of the dark hours sulking with (1) gilbert nightray until they eventually fall asleep, buried in the sheets like sad children who have lost the dearest thing they held at night.

in the morning alice wakes up and her first instinct is to cry, but the second is something more violent... and of course she goes with that instead.

THERE'S A LOUD BANG. something appears to have fallen and shattered, although it's hard to say when things are happening off-screen. and before anyone can attempt to understand what just happened, they get an earful from one angry looking young girl shouting into the tablet. she never did care for this thing, but at least she knows now that someone will be able to hear her. ]

THEY TOOK OZ AWAY! I WON'T FORGIVE THEM. [ her head's clear but it's hard to stop yelling when you're so upset. if someone could hear her, feel threatened by her,

help her

then she might actually have time to think and calm down. ] How dare they take him away without my permission? Don't they know its the master's job to take care of their servant? How am I suppose to do that when he's not here? Huh? SOMEONE GIVE HIM BACK! NOW! I'm waiting!

[ don't be fooled by her tough exterior, she's gonna burst into tears any minute now.

oh. there you go. the tears roll down. ]

This is all your fault, idiot! [ blames the ne..twork... ] Bring him back... useless! Useless....

[Unless you've met this kid in person, you've probably never seen him. He's not a video post kind of guy. But this is important, and it's hard to summarize in a text post. So here he is, the face to a name that's been around for 6 months now.

He's pale, maybe a little shaken. And for some reason, he's wearing a new coat.]

Uh...

Listen. I-

[He takes a breath, realizing that he's stuttering a bit, and tries again. No, really. It's important.]

If anyone here met Richard Lawson...he's gone. And I'm sure. I-

I saw it. He- I don't know. He disappeared. He just raved about us and then disappeared. Um. He used to be on the UE council, so he knew some stuff about them. And he told me that they're still out there and that-

[Stanley swallows, and glances away from the camera for a moment. It sucks, to watch someone disappear. Fade away. But he can't think about that yet. Right now, he has to pass the message along. So he looks back, right at the camera lens this time.]

He said we have to make sure they don't find us.

(OoC: Derp, forgot to give you guys the relevant link.)

Hello. Lowell here.

[Oh hey, it's that Initiative tech guy. The not-nice one. Well now he's not-nice and kind of gross looking too. Seriously, when did he last bathe? Be glad you aren't in the same room as him right now. Unfortunately, Vennett and Trish are. Pity them.]

Giving a note here. I found a way to make the Transporter run on a little less power than it had before. Which, given our situation here and however long this may last, is pretty important. However, it means now all new Transports will arrive on the 8th from this point on. And no, I don't know how to "make it stop bringing people in." I've tried. I've begged. I've prayed. It won't stop. Don't even ask, please.

[He scratches his head, and then rubs at his eye.]

Think that's about it. Vennett, you got anything to say?

[At that, Vennett squints at the screen, actually thinking about what to say this time, as the fallout from their original network posts had the rolling consequence of mutiny.]

Nah. Y'got questions on it, we'll field em. Got an hour or so a time.

[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: )

[Preaching is something Kevin can do blindfolded, but socializing is not by far his specialty. In fact, right now he wishes he was blindfolded. And yet he is braving the terrifying audience of strangers to deliver his very important invitation. It is that time of the year, after all.]

G-good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Please allow me to apologize for infringing on your time. However, I wonder if any of you would be interested in joining a little amateur choir? The city seems odd without proper Christmas carols, wouldn’t you agree? Fortunately, I have had the honor of directing a few church choirs in the past, and happened to find a place that seems just right. [He casts an uncertain glance over his shoulder, revealing a dark and creepy museum hall.] …As long as one refrain from feeding the penguins, I suppose. [He redirects his attention to the tablet with a self-conscious cough.] Perfect acoustics, I tell you!

Ah, and for those adventurous enough to give it a try, there will be cookies and hot cocoa after every rehearsal.

[Cookies and hot cocoa should not be viewed as a bribery for heaven. Not at all. Why, even the most prayerful can use a little nudge now and then.]

[Yuri turns on the feed, greeting everyone with a lopsided smile. Almost telling that he has a really smartass remark to make...]

Am I the only one waiting for something bad to happen? Not that I wish it, but it's actually kinda nice right now. The calm before the storm, right? We're all working together, almost as if forgetting there was a civil war among us on the moon about sides and everything. Now, suddenly everything's sunshine and rainbows. [The last part is overly sarcastic. Of course, he knows not everything's going well, but for him and the journey he was on in his world, this is pretty damn chill.]

Though, gotta thank the place for supplying monsters. Kinda missed fighting regularly, and they're strong too. Gets me excited to actually do stuff now here. [Instead of moping around in his room about how much he hates this damn place, but ah, well, beggars can't be choosers.]

If anyone ever cares to join me, I wouldn't mind. Maybe I could find a few sparring partners that way. Gets boring with Flynn all the time. [He chuckles once at the end before turning off the feed.]

[Lea's voice is quiet, strained. Anyone who knows him can tell there's something really wrong that he's trying not to let show--that's why this is audio only.]

So I have a question. Whenever we get back to earth and all... would, ah... would anyone be interested in making a memorial of some sort? I mean I know that the people who come and go here aren't necessarily dead, but. Well, enough of them don't come back that it kinda seems that way.

I just think it'd be kinda nice to have something to remember them by.

Memories are all some people have, after all.

[While Coby is lacking when it comes to fully understanding how private filters work despite their ease of use in most circumstances, his concerns about their necessity rarely ever overlap in that same vein. So, when he decides to orient a message towards a handful of people all at once for the sake of catching their attention, he doesn't realize how an already rude concept can get progressively worse when introduced to everyone else, especially those not particularly involved.

Particularly as he turns on his camera in starting a video post, sticks two fingers in his mouth and releases an inhuman, extremely loud and even more shrill whistle from his lips.]

I have an announcement for my few students among you.

[Was it mentioned that this was done at 2AM?]

In 0300 hours, I'll be commencing a Virtual Reality Session which will entail experiences from a war you may never have heard of in history. As we've experienced the United Earth gaining superhuman abilities well beyond our scope, I believe this time of turmoil may be put into perspective if you experience something very similar.

Ah. For clarification, I had been looking to catch the attention of... Johnny D'Amico, Saul Goodman, Sango and Korra.

[ 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.

( 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! )

[Saul would've come to the network sooner, but his earpiece picked something up not long after the network came back online.

So, he waited.

And waited.

And now, he thinks, is as good a time as any for this broadcast.

He's seated in DITR's office; the interior looks much the same as any other bedroom on the base, but in lieu of the beds, there's a medium-sized desk. This is where he's perched in his usual pose with elbows on his knees, hands folded, leaning forward just slightly and addressing the camera — which someone else is holding — with an expression so grim it somehow almost seems amused.]

This is not how you get what you want.

[A pause. He appears thoughtful for a moment, then waves a dismissive hand at nothing and smooths down his tie.]

I mean, sure, it must've sounded great in theory. And I'd bet any amount of money that you all thought you had your bases nice and covered, buuut —

[Tch.]

Looks like maybe not, if the network being back online is any indication. Hi, by the way. Are you having fun yet? Because that whole lack of gravity thing — man, that was a blast. I'm just wondering, you know, if this is gonna work in your favor the way you'd all hoped. Messing with the systems is all well and good and yeah, okay, we get your point: you're mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore. Fine.

But I think — and this is just my lawyerly opinion — you're gonna have a hell of a time dealing with the fallout from this. And I promise you, Charlie, there will be fallout. Civilized fallout, of course, assuming no one gets hurt. I'll keep my promise if you keep yours.

[He grins, then winks.]

Anyway, I dunno about everyone else, but I'm waiting with bated breath for your next move. And if you need anything from us —

[A quick sweep of his arm to indicate the entirety of the room and, with it, the entirety of DITR's staff. Whatever anger he's been keeping at bay finally seeps through, Saul's eyes narrowing for the split second it takes him to say:]

Good fucking luck.

[And off goes the video feed.]

( A few minutes later, a text message for the DITR staff: )

[The video snaps on showing an unusually contrite expression on Rosette's face. Or perhaps it's a bit more sheepish and nervous. EITHER WAY. It's not the normal bluster you may know her for.]

OKAY! So.

[A pause.]

There might have been a freak accident involving a zombie tearing open one of the walls in the shower room and those are completely closed off right now. I guess you can't get in at all, but I wouldn't try either.






...




[After some thought.]

We... probably need some mechanics. With space suits. before everyone stinks


((OOC: So yes, Rosette used a grenade inside a space station. TOTALLY FREAK ACCIDENT, and there is now a hand sized hole in the outer wall of the showers. AI has already locked the area down so there's no way to get to it from the inside to preserve the rest of the base from damage.))

[The voice on the network may not technically be shouting, but there's a distinctly hard edge to the words that easily translates into 'Oh my god I can't even believe this right now.']

Oi! Anyone using fire to deal with this nonsense had better knock it right off! I don't care if your fire's made of magic, Harry Potter, it's still probably burning up oxygen when you use it to light these bastards up-- and I don't know if you've noticed, but we're in bloody space.

[There's a beat, a sharp intake of breath as Charlie wills himself to not flip the nearest table. Finally, in a low steely tone:] We need oxygen for other things. Like, oh, breathing. Figure out a different way of doing things.

[It's just Raiden's voice at first, low and rusty.]

....Some of you've probably seen those things by now. They aren't human.

Don't even seem to be alive.

[There's a blip then a shuffle and a sigh followed by a video. It shows an AR display of the Agricultural Wing, with Necromorphs visibly shuffling around behind walls and wires. They don't read as having any pulse or brain activity, but there seems to be something in them that is compelling them to move.]

Anyone got any ideas on what's going on here?

[OOC: For an idea on what is readable from Raiden's video, look here. He can't quite explain his readings, but people with a more scientific background might be able to.]

Hello.

[On screen is a pleasant looking young woman with short blonde hair and red eyes that might be dimly glowing, or is that a trick of the light? Something about the way she's speaking - in a clear English accent - has the air of someone who's practiced this speech beforehand.]

My name is Seras Victoria, it's my first time addressing the network here so nice to meet you all.

I'd like to talk about another particular issue of resources on the moon, though this resource is er... a little different from the others.

Some of you may be aware that werewolves aren't the only supernatural creatures living among you. Some of us are vampires.

[She won't name any names, respecting the privacy of those who would rather not publically announce what they are.]

I'm asking if anyone here would be willing to volunteer to donate blood specifically for the vampire population. There would be no biting involved Jan and it would never more than once a week, depending on how many people volunteer.

[Seras smiles hopefully.]

I know it's possible that we could make a supply run to a hospital or blood bank somewhere using the transport system but I'd rather not take it from where it might damage lives. We could do with getting the medical equipment to collect and store the blood however. Bags and a fridge for example. If anyone with medical knowledge could help that would be appreciated.

To any other vampires out there, I know a couple of you but if you'd like to contact me, privately if you wish, to have access to whatever we manage to organise, please do.

[Added on later to the post]

Erm, when I said once a week, it would really be a month. My mistake.

[When the video feed begins, it starts with Sollux leaning heavily on both his hands. Although it's video, it doesn't look like it's entirely intentional he meant for it to be a video broadcast, and he drags his hands away from his face and stares plainly at the communicator's camera. He looks a lot older right now than fifteen, his actual age. Like he hasn't slept in a week, (spoiler: He hasn't). On top of how tired he looks, his voice sounds hollow. ]

I can't believe I wath tho thtupid to think that thith place could be thomething worth trying to save. That we actually had a shot. It was all self-delusion, mostly. I should have known that it wath only a matter of time, before we would lose everything.

My bees are dead. Equius.

[A hard swallow.]

Equius is gone.

I can hear the screams of the Exiles and their future deaths. Every single one.

[He's in full Doom mode right now, it seems.]

Yo, listen up. I dunno how close you guys been paying attention to the intel coming in about where the U.E.'s holding our people, but there's something really important we gotta remember before we rush in there:

You can't go in there if you got superpowers or magic or anything. They got alarms and shit. The second you step in there, they're gonna know about it, and then we're totally blown.

Which sucks, right? 'cause if you're like me, you wanna be with the rest of the group busting in there to save your friends.

Okay, here's the thing though. I got a superpower. And it's one I ain't talked about before, but I'm talking about it now, 'cause it's important. 'cause we're gonna need as many people as we can get on that rescue mission.

[He takes a deep breath. This is hard for him, okay, coming out like this.]

I can, um... I can take away powers. And I can give 'em back. And it don't hurt or nothing. You just turn regular, okay, like a normal human. Norm is what we call it where I come from. Or "non-powered".

So... So if you need to rescue somebody and you can't because you're superhuman or whatever, I'll be there and I can take your power right before you go in. And then I'll give it back as soon as you come out. I swear to god, I will.

If you got any questions about it, I can talk to you right now. So you're ready for it and everything.

[It's early Wednesday morning when a new video message turns up on the network. The nun seems to have none of her usual energy and the bags under her eyes are fairly pronounced. Flynn and Fluffy have likely put up with her pacing almost incessantly since dinner time last night, and even now she fidgets in her seat, fingers playing with an ornamental looking watch hanging at her neck.]

Has anyone seen Chrono? Short, grumpy, purple hair. He's usually with me.

... He might have been in some kind of fight, so I'll take anything. Or anyone to help me look.

[ Backdated to August SEPTEMBER (I can months) 4th / Visible to everyone but Rosette and Mary ]

[Chrono had very seriously considered doing this through video or audio, but in the end, he opts for the more cowardly way—he's less likely to give himself away when voices and faces aren't involved. So he hides behind the benefits of emotionless text, and pretends it's a question of curiosity and not terrible selfishness.]

I've heard talk about death not existing here. Or, at least, that the Initiative can bring people back to life. But so far, it's all just been talk.

I need to know for sure. Is there anyone here who's died and been brought back, or knows someone who has? I know something like this might be unpleasant to talk about. [Understatement, hah...] But, if you could... I'd really like to speak with you.

It's important.

[This video includes a slightly strange-looking woman. She has gray skin, gold eyes, and a line of small, black cross marks on her forehead— plus a super disapproving expression as she adjusts her tablet and sighs.]

So this is to be my new home? It's somewhat dirtier than I'd like. [And so many humans!]

I can't say I wholly approve of this communication method, either, though I will admit it is intriguing.

[A pause.] But I don't mean to complain endlessly, of course.

[She inclines her head slightly.] I am called Lulubell. It's a great pleasure to meet you... "Exsilium". [Maybe there's a tiny, tiny hint of sarcasm to that last sentence. Hard to tell with her mostly flat tone.]

[In 304, a nun in an ash stained provincial dress and a half elf from the Times of Yore are crowded around a tablet propped up at the table. By the expressions ranging from serious to annoyed, some sort of argument has just taken place between the two of them.

Rosette is the one to address the network, as if proving a point in the simple asking.]

So! Hypothetically, if someone were going on a mission and needed to blend into the turn of the millennium, average working class crowd... what would you wear?

[Somebody's looking grumpy today, and it's not even morning this time.]

Okay so I need some help [Yes, she's admitting it, don't get too excited.] and this is supposed to be the best way to get people listening.

Anybody here good at meditating? You know, all the peace and tranquility and inner focus mumbo jumbo. I kinda need some tips, 'cause the "relax and let your mind be free" thing? Not really working for me.

[Sorry, Tenzin. There's just too many thoughts going on in here.]

There's something else. I'm looking for another air element user to spar with. [Maybe she'll get lucky and everything will just click for her when she's under pressure again.] Any takers?

Ladies, gentlemen, a question: what do you look for in a significant other?

[he's grinning something fierce, like he's a host of a dating show or something. don't answer him, he's just going to use what you'll tell him against you when it suits him :c]

Looks, property, good with their hands, an excellent cook? Willing to die for you on missions? Takes a bath every week? I'm curious, this sort of thing isn't spoken about in my time!

In a sense, it's surprising that this sort of thing doesn't happen more often. Isn't that so?

The whole place being infested, I mean, with some kind of nightmare creature untouchable by normal means and whatnot. Think about it. All these dozens of people here, some of them have dreadful powers, I'm surprised more of them aren't... bursting the seams.

Too bad we can't turn these monsters against our enemies as easily as they got turned on us, eh?

Does anyone here do any tech stuff? Computers? Robots? Anything?

Because seriously, this network is kinda sad, and there's only so long I can entertain myself coming up with new visualizations for data traffic.

[Filtered from Seles]

[A rare video feed from Kaneis comes on, partly because one of his roommates had to turn on the tablet. It becomes quickly apparently why- it seems his hands and locks of his hair are tangled up with strips of brightly colored leopard print duct tape. Someone attempted to do home repairs when they knew absolutely nothing about home repair. The background shows one giant hole in the wall about six inches in diameter, just to give you an idea. Allen is next to him, trying to get some of the duct tape off]

Okay okay- I'll ask! Just get me outta this stuff!

[He gives a huff and looks at the camera. He looks rather disgruntled]

Say, does anyone out there know where a person can get a couch? Ours kinda...got wrecked the other day and we can't fix it.

Oh and, stuff to seal up holes in the wall? That'd be good too.

Thanks in- [And then he YELLS "OW" as Allen his roommate pulls a piece out of his hair not so gently]

ALLEN! THAT WAS MY HAIR!

[Transmission end!]