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

[drugsnotclubs]

I wouldn't go that far. But thanks.

I never went back, but there was some other version of me here before I showed up, so.... That had me start wondering early on. Also it makes way more sense than thinking this place can bring back the dead.

[computation]

I would. I appreciate the undramatic acceptance of facts as they are presented.

It really doesn't make any sense that something could bring back the dead, does it? Someone told me a credible theory that we're all from different versions of reality, essentially dimensions, but I'm not sure I buy that yet. Maybe we were all in simulations in the first place and this is just the test environment.

[drugsnotclubs]

yeah I thought the different dimensions and times at first, but then this place started falling apart.

Anyway my understanding is picking between the computer having a personality and this place being stable. People have been going off about way more shit, though. What's your take?

[computation]

Proving the nature of existence at the subatomic level is actually really difficult!

I don't like those options so I'm making a third. I'm going to do a backup before we do the reset, take a look at the code and make sure there isn't anything fishy, and then offer her a chance to restore some parts of her memory if it seems safe.

I'm looking for some more people to help with the attempt. Want in?

[drugsnotclubs]

you think it'd be more stable that way?

Yeah, seems fine to me. I'm mostly sick of my hands getting stuck in walls and the stupid weather so whatever makes that stop I'm good with. If we don't gotta turn off the thing forever, even better.

I'm not really good with tech, though. I helped some of the guys get parts when they were making their own network, but that's about it.

What d'you need?

[computation]

Yes. She asked to be reset for a reason. She believes it will restore a stable environment and prevent further harm.

I have tech people, but we still have to find all five terminals and trigger them simultaneously. I don't know if you noticed, but that map doesn't look all that helpful. We'll need teams to be out there looking for them.

[drugsnotclubs]

yeah but the labels help

I've been to rumpitur and close to kestora. And that island is probably where me and some people got dragged one time months ago. I could probably find those places again as long as they're in the same spot.

There's a road to rumpitur through the woods that takes like 2 days, then kestora like half a day out from there. We'd need someone to sail to the island, though. It's a rough trek and I dunno if the locals would be up to help us.

A guy named Tsuna lead some people out to a desert recently, so that might be the one on the map.

The farms got horses and chocobos of people need em, too.

[computation]

Shinji-kun, you are so capable and exactly what we need. An experienced local guide!

You should talk to Miller, he's going to be organizing the teams. Please respond here: https://expiationnet.dreamwidth.org/61682.html?thread=8976370#cmt8976370

[drugsnotclubs]

did you really have to skip right over aragaki-kun? Or shinjiro-kun....?

[she's an Adult so ok but WOW??]

millers reliable. Glad he's on board. I'll talk to him.

[computation]

We're stuck in computer purgatory together, I think we can skip a few steps, don't you? ✌

Thank you.

[drugsnotclubs]

[is this what Kotone grows up to be]

rather not but it's not like I can stop you.

Anyway here's hoping no one tries anything stupid about all this.

[computation]

[ Kind of but with a lot more murder. ]

True, you can't.

Oh they definitely will. That's why the scouting teams need to go with guards. What about you, more the scout type or the guard type?

Smfh there's a scouting mechanic in p3R you know

[drugsnotclubs]

I can do either, but fighting is pretty much my main thing. Close quarters, heavy hitting.

sounds fake don't they just get tired and leave

[computation]

Perfect, we need more muscle. Miller will be in touch when we're ready.

Not anymore now they, idk, pound energy drinks or smth

[drugsnotclubs]

cool, I'll look for it.