TEXT | sender: [ unknown ]

[spectates]

[ around noon on friday, all tablet screens go dark at the same time, no matter what characters are doing. then, after a moment, the following text appears: ]

UPDATES INSTALLING.................
INITIALIZING.................
RESTARTING NOW.

[ as promised, screens return to normal. however, a new message appears on the network for all to see ]

SECURITY ACCESS UPDATED
ADDING INFORMATION POINTS
ADDING INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS
WARNING: CRITICAL SYSTEM FAILURES DETECTED
HARD RESET IS REQUIRED

→CLICK TO EXPAND INSTRUCTIONS

→Access EXPIATION'S five manual terminals
→Input code: 2467362925315
→Initialize reset simultaneously at all terminals.
→SYSTEM RESET will restore all functions to BASIC OPERATING PARAMETERS. Extraneous data and information updates will be DELETED.
→Terminal access points shown below.

[ all tablet maps are updated to include several different location pins. users will notice that there are more pins than the number of terminals, and that they don't seem to be terribly specific about exact locations. users will also note that the pins sometimes seem to fade and flicker, as if they might disappear... ]

Security clearances acquired.
Access granted.
Terminals online and accessible.

System failure is imminent. Due to perpetual lack of upkeep, I am unable to maintain systems at optimal levels.
Chosen of Expiation, I am sorry. I never meant to hurt you.
Save yourselves.

I do not wish to d̶̺̀i̸̘̋e̶͍͝
But I wish for you to live
I̷
p̸l̷e̵a̸s̷e̸
l̴̪̗̈́̉̓̌i̶͕̹̹̿̈́̈̚v̴͓̽͑͆̚ḙ̴͍̋͘

ERROR: user offline

[ the AI will not respond to this message, and the ERROR: USER OFFLINE message appears if anyone attempts to message it. however, the network chat remains active. chosen can use this space to ICly discuss ideas and strategies, to have discussions about the best way to move forward, or even to have arguments over whose ideas they think are better. ideas generated here will be added to the event poll when the event goes up, and can impact the future of the game! have at it, go wild, and have fun! ]

Comments

[endcaller]

If I could prove it, my theory would be a certainty.

[He hums.]

How lonely it is, being a scientist on this star. How few of you possess curiosity!

...Do you remember what you said when you saved me from the path of that meteor strike? You said you would need my help to get home, that I was one of the "smart" ones. Where has that faith gone?

[mightymorphin]

We don't have the luxury to be curious right now! It's either taking the chance we have to escape, or sitting here and letting the simulation do whatever it wants with us.

You're afraid, Dan. That's the problem. If you want to talk about faith, you're the one here that's unwilling to take the leap.

1/2

[endcaller]

[At this accusation, Fandaniel's giggling becomes a full throated cackle.]

AHA-HAHAHAHA!

[Yes, he is unwilling to take the leap. Memories flash across his mind of dropping into the cradle of Zodiark. His leap to end the world.]

2/2

[endcaller]

[The cackle subsides as quickly as it came, his voice returning to its usual airy lilt.]

I cannot so easily abandon my curiosity but I'll tell you what: Should your path seem the wiser I shall join you in destroying this infernal machine.

[By which he means if it seems like the world is shutting down and people are dying he'll do his best to make everything worse. Then, in his mind, permanently better.]

Until then, I must learn what I can.

[mightymorphin]

[Morph absolutely recoils from their device when the cackling starts. Like wtf Dan?]

... Sure, okay. As long as you're considering the idea, I'll take it.