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

[laserguy]

If what she says is true, I wouldn't go easy on her.

[Not that he's asking his teammates to pummel someone to the ground, especially since Fauna agreed with them initially, but this is important.]

Less relevant information, but she mentioned something to me about wishes and a goddess and looked surprised that I was not only born with powers, but I didn't need to 'transform' to use them.

[southernchere]

Guess the girl's still thinkin' outside this simulation, we're on her Earth and everyone's the same. Took me 'till this whole get-together to piece we might be yonders away from our New York.

[mightymorphin]

Anyone think we're going to get lucky, and her goddess not being around will make a difference? No? Me either.

But if she doesn't know much about us, we can use that to our advantage. I still think she's going to be pretty surprised by what all the Chosen can do.

[laserguy]

[Nope, he doesn't think so either, Morph.]

I don't know where we are, honestly. I'm hoping the AI can explain that much once we're able to back it up and restore it. That and a possible way for people to escape this simulation.

[...] That's why those terminals can't be destroyed. Use whatever tactic you got to prevent that from happening.

[Even if it's taking advantage of someone being caught off guard.]

[southernchere]

Aye aye, Captain. Hear ya loud and clear!

[mightymorphin]

Got it, Cyke. You can count on us.

[laserguy]

[A part of him is dying again, hearing them call him 'captain' and 'cyke.' It feels so much, especially since he's taking this seriously. Okay, breathe, Summers.]

I... I know.

[Then a little more focused, confident.] I can always count on the X-Men.

[southernchere]

You mean your X-Men.

[mightymorphin]

Careful, [they joke,] Giving him a team at his age is a big responsibility. Maybe he oughta start with a puppy first.

[laserguy]

[He's glad that they can't see his face because he's definitely blushing now. Maybe Quentin wasn't making crap up when he mentioned the whole 'to me, my X-Men' thing. Does he say that now? Okay, maybe not yet.]

Might as well start off big. [Go big or go home--] No time for training wheels.

[southernchere]

[ she hums out a small laugh, and if only he can see her smile. but it's pretty audible in her voice. ]

Well, let's get crackin', ya'll! Sittin' here like a bump on a log ain't gonna calm this storm any.

[mightymorphin]

[Morph softly snickers before agreeing,]

Right, let's head out. If you have new orders for us later, just give us a call.