expiationnet | 013. 💥 VIDEO; ANONYMOUS ⏩ FAST-FOWARD TO A DAY AFTER THE EVENT

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013. 💥 VIDEO; ANONYMOUS ⏩ FAST-FOWARD TO A DAY AFTER THE EVENT

[ the video is out of focus when it starts, and whoever is holding the phone from the other side is trying to adjust its settings. but in time, the feed sharpens, and it displays an ominous graffitied exclusive room. leaning on each side of a wall are two masked mysterious figures. one on the left in a male build and wearing a gas mask, and a female figure on the right wearing an interesting (familiar to no one but a very selective few) designed disguise. the female one, with her arms cross over her chest, turns her head to the camera when a voice from behind the webcam (robotic and disjointed) says: ]

It's ready for you, Boss.

[ she shoves herself off the wall and stalks closer to view, saying nothing even after her body stills in position. and like the camera person, whenever this mystery individual chooses to speak, her voice is also filtered in a mechanical pitch. ]

Chosen of Aldrip, we are the Inx. In simple terms, we are just a small group of thieves from the docks. And I'm sure many of you think our thievery around this city is cruel. Wrong. And unethical. Some of you may even call us criminals.

[ the speaker stops briefly, cocking her head to one side to mimic a crow's curiosity. ]

But who are the real criminals of Aldrip? Is it us, or is it the ones who are stopping us from tearing down this corrupted city?

[ she paces steadily from one direction and back again, the cameraman following along carefully and doing a pretty good job at it for being an amateur with devices. ]

Time and time again, the Council have used us as lab rats for their entertainment, promising us freedom if we just did our time and our sentences. We do good for them, and what do we get in return? Mazes where the dead and the past haunts us, pinning ourselves against the people we love and care for, warped memories, bringing deadly infections, heartache, loneliness, and death. Jerry told me once we must go through these trials to be better ourselves. To learn how to behave.

[ the spokeswoman halts to face the camera again and yet in spite of wearing a mask to shield her identity, the fury is raging and tensing on her shoulders — her hands balling tight into boulders. ]

But this is not improving our spirits...! It's breaking us down, and ripping our minds apart to their satisfaction, to be in their image! Tell me, Chosen, do you feel in charge of your own life? Do you feel... independent?

You might be asking me now, so what we do about it? How do we break free when fighting and starting a war is not an option? When we can't see our enemy? ... I....

[ she stops for a moment as she fishes out for her next robust words, but can only hang her head in defeat, and says the truth of their dire circumstances: ]

I can't... give you that answer.

[ the entire room goes eerily quiet after that, but the male figure who had been in the background during this whole speech steps forward. he approaches the small chest behind her, and then drums his fists in a rhythm flow.

the feed wavers slightly, too, the cameraperson stomping their foot to beat along with their comrade. this brings the spokeswoman out of her beaten stance, and her head shifts to the associate behind her and then to the camera. feeling powerful again, her spine straightens, and she raises her chin to help her speak in clear volume: ]

But what I, the Inx and the eye of Zaun, can give you is a nation, support, care, and loyalty. You may see us as thieves who rob from the Councils' system, but we are a family. And family sticks together.... even if families say things that they don't mean out of hurt, frustration, and make mistakes because they are scared of change, loss, or being abandoned.

[ ... ]

But together, we will power through every hardship that the Council will throw at us, because we don't swim, or sink, we float. Be my Zaunite, be my people, and you'll be protected. We will be there through your hard times, hand in hand, and wipe away any tear that were caused by them. We will feed the hunger, heal the sick, and when you can move again, you'll be like an earthquake rumble. You will never ever fall alone, or stand alone. You'll break down walls, just like when the City Hall crumbled.

[ quietly, her comrades chant while continuously beating their fists and feet in rhythm: ]

City Hall, City Hall, Walls come down. City Hall, City Hall, Walls come down. Walls come down, like City Hall. Walls come down, like City Hall.

[ she gives her people a moment to shine with their carol, then adds to her final statement: ]

You're stronger than you think, and what makes you different makes you strong. Don't let the Council's betrayal break you, but let it forge you into something greater. And if they want this to be our home, then let's make it our home. No longer Aldrip, but the Nation of Zaun.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Not if I use my monkey babies as bait. No one will find them suspicious when there's one at my vending machine, walking and talking.

And as for the ka-blewies? I haven't heard squat about anyone using them on him. I could have, buuuuuut my Jinxie instincts are telling me, it won't do us any good. I might know another way to get metal head to stay put, if bombs won't work.

Edited 2024-07-20 23:04 (UTC)

Chemicals could melt metals as well. This is common enough in our city. At worst, we use heat snd chemical to remove him from the game.

[Temporarily. He had no doubt Jerry will be back with enough time.]

And that is?

See, great minds think alike, Pops! Because that's exactly where I was getting at.

[ there's some shifting around on her side of the phone, sounding like she's getting comfortable or settling in. ]

It's a long game, but the long ones are the most fun! We somehow find more information about Jerry. Sure, he's mister Pipe man, but how does he operate? Does he eat, does he drink? Does he have a digestive system at all? Does he run on batteries? Arcane talent? Robot or not, everyone has to power down at some point, need to stock up on energy.

Whatever he uses, contaminate with my paralytic serum. I get from the creatures in from the forest. One juice from it, and you won't be able to move for several hours. Or longer, depending on the dosage.

It'll be super risky to swap whatever battery, drink, food, or whatever when he isn't looking, but it'll be exciting!!

Oh I see, you're playing a long game, are you? I have been waiting a long time to hear those words from you.

[There was a quiet but distinct undertone of pride in his voice. She was coming into her own, and he was pleased.]

I don't believe he consumes food or drink. There has to be a power source of some kind, as he disappears for the entire month between sentencings. We should try to find his primary location.

These... uh... programs? Can they be corrupted, do you think? If we can change Jerry, we could make him ours in time. I expect if you tinker with him long enough, you'll find his secrets.

[ she is practically beaming over the recognition. not that he hadn't shown his appreciation of her before, of course, but jinx will never get tired of it. ]

We'll need to find someone who has it good with Jerry. He never answers my calls or answer the door for me. So it'll need to be someone who he likes and maaaaaybe get him to spill the beans.

And of course they can be corrupted...! You can plant a virus in these bad boys and have them go crazy. My brain isn't that super, though.

I haven't been lead to believe anyone is goof with Jerry. He will allow you to exist without harassment if one does what he wants. Otherwise, he is by the book. Like the enforcer started.

There are those who seem to be from places particularly astute in such matters. They will need to be courted, convinced or bribed to assist with this illness we are considering.

Okay, maybe "good" is a stretch, let's saaaaaay: friendly. There's got to be somebody around here, right? And I think there's some kind of club that deals with science hoo-haa, I can join that...!

[ she had seen some of them trying to "break" the system too when that weird A.I. was speaking with them. but do they have the intelligence to come up with a virus?]

Edited 2024-07-21 15:34 (UTC)

Jerry and I are perfectly cordial. I will still find a way to eliminate him, but we are professional.

[The idea of Jinx joining a science club earned a soft sound of amusement from him. She was... ah, an independent thinker.]

Allow them to keep their egos intact if you do. It would be worthwhile to assess future trouble as well.

[ there's a brief delay until she replies to him, but when she says: ]

Right.

[ seems weirdly short, at first, but she adds on to her statement with a hint of disappointment in her voice. ]

Silco? ... I know I was a kid when you took over Zaun and all, but... was it this crushing in the beginning? I was confident at first, but now? Now, I don't think I did so well with this.

[It didn't take him long to find the source of potential questions. He had suspected there would be push-back even to well-meaning enthusiasm. This was hardly a group for rah-rah speeches, in his personal opinion and experience.]

It's your first time inspiring people, Jinx. Not everyone will agree with the tactic, and some will put up a fight too.

[There was a pause as he considered helpful advice so she wasn't discouraged.]

When I took over, things were different even in Zaun. There was resistance, but I had been planning for well over a decade my rise, so I had the resources to stamp out rebellion swiftly. But when I was much younger, it was... difficult. People saw me as weak because of what Vander had done to me, and it took me time to cultivate the necessary loyalty. This is not Zaun which is ripe for a fight on most days.

[ she listens to his journey attentively, and for a small moment, jinx says nothing as she lets his tale sink in and seriously meditate over it. ]

I just figured if I say I'm here to help those who've been hurt by the Council, it'll rally more people on my side. Because who doesn't want that, y'know? If the Chosen are meant to be my future people, then I do want them to know I'll be here to pick them up.

[He was quiet as he contemplated her words, choosing his own with care. This was, after all, a lesson that she was going to learn from. He didn't want her to learn the wrong lesson nor dissuade future attempts like these.]

Some people don't want to be lead; they wish to believe they can do this on their own without someone claiming what is best for them. Some don't realize they want help until it is forced down their throats. Sometimes one has to pull them into the light kicking an screaming. My suggestion is that you find a way to use action to promote your call to unite; show them you are more than words.

[ another slight delay of her answer as she replies to others. ]

I have two recruits so far, one thinks I should show do that too. Show that I'm not miss scaredy pants, even though I super am, and won't be ashamed to show it.

[He wanted to warn her to tread carefully, that big shows were not the way to win this game. She had seen him in action, so he was hopeful that she would be able to understand when to employ either or tactic or something in between.]

And what is your idea for showing that you mean to welcome all Chosen into your fold and provide for them a future they can get behind?

Wwwelll...

[ she trails off in her speech, thinking it over as she nips at her lower lip carefully. ]

— The Inn gives the newbies a place to stay, and the apartments are free, right? But the food around here isn't. And I've had a peek inside those apartments, and it's... not much to work with. So, what if I help them out by starting them off here somehow? And for everyone whose been here, uh. Maybe... lend a hand during these whatevers?

[He said nothing as she talked out the plan that she was devising. The Inn was the one place he didn't yet make a go for, so this could be a good opportunity for her.]

Catching people when they arrive, that could create necessary alliances. Food is one thing that can be taken from us, and it is difficult to secure. If you had the resources to do that, you could rally those people at your new café.

How about instead of newbies get to eat for free for a month, it's two at my place? The Inn only lets you crash and stuff your face until they get sick of you.

[ she pauses, thinking more. ]

And I am trying to cook other stuff!! My famous crab meat salad sandwiches could be a big hit...! If... that's okay with you, anyway. I know that's my specialty dish to you.

Will it be consecutive after the first month? You will extend the ability to get on their feet to three months. You may also control some of the narrative of their opinion.

[He was curious of her future menu. In time, he would read it.]

You should share them with others. The ones that you make for me will always be special.

Landing a job and getting moolah isn't that easy around here, unless you just know someone. So three months should be super enough time to get anyone set up. If they want a job, they can take care of my café kitties.

[ becaus somebody has to feed those little monsters while she's baking, serving customers, cleaning, doing inventory, and everything else that comes with running a business. it makes her wonder just how silco is able to do it all. ]

Most also don't seem to be willing to work while they settle in, which is understandable. If they don't like cats, I can find them placement elsewhere.

[He had enough businesses at this point that there were opportunities should the café not be to the liking of others.]

But you're already so busy... I don't want to give you more crap to do.

Believe me, having people come work for me is the least arduous part of my tasks. However, your business comes first, especially if you plan on expanding in future.

[He would help wherever he could.]

Okay, only if you're sure. I'm not gonna have you go all wobbly-bobbly on me 'cause you don't know how to settle down. And if I see any more wrinkles, I'm grounding you for two weeks. No buts!

[ there's more shuffling on her end, sounding similar to someone either slipping off their clothes or fastening them on. ]

Settling has never been in the cards for me. That was shuffled out of the deck years ago. Wrinkles are a fact of life unfortunately.

[ she scoffs a tiny bit, and he can practically hear her eye rolling over his remark. ]

Pfffft. Well, if I can't settle you down, then I guess that's where your toy steps in. Since they're probably useless at everything else.

[ and before jinx even lets him utter a single response, she quickly yet casually drops: ]

— Ekko is my recruit.

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