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

audio; un: spartan

[melnik]

[ The fortunate thing about being on board with the reset is that it can be accomplished without group consensus. No point in wasting any time convincing anyone who isn't, so he'll just skip right ahead. ]

Miller here. Let's get organized, people. We need to hit all of the terminals at once, so let's make sure we plan our routes accordingly and stay in contact. The more people in each squad, the better. Who's with me?

voice; un: Sugarlips

[southernchere]

Sorry, Sugah.

[ that's all she will say, and she doesn't need to explain what she means by that. ]

[melnik]

[ She doesn't. ]

Rogue... I hope you are thinking this through.

[southernchere]

I am. This could be our one and only shot, Colonel. — Having it breakin' can get us closer to home. If we keep pushin' it through, there might be an opening, and we can end all this hog wild mess, and get back to the people who need us.

voice; un:curtaincall

[endcaller]

I've yet to visit Ketsora or the Lorentia Caves. This seems like the perfect excuse!

If I am to attempt any system backup, however, it may take some time.

...I don't suppose anyone would like to accompany me as [a distraction] my bodyguard?

[melnik]

This isn't a sights seeing trip! [ At least try to take it seriously, man. Anyway... ]

I might offer my services, but I'm not sure I'm convinced that backing up the system is a worthwhile endeavor. What purpose will this serve in the long run?

un: (default)

[traumaticus]

My thoughts exactly, my friend. I believe it would be in our best interest to get organized, form units and spread out to these targets marked on this map.

Unfortunately, I have to admit that the matters regarding this A.I character are beyond my understanding.

[melnik]

Richard! Good to have you on board.

I wouldn't say it's my expertise either... but the task sounds simple enough. We'll need able hands more than anything. I suspect our biggest hurdle may come from our own ranks.

voice | un: levi

[solitarysoul]

I don't think I can help much, but I'm coming along.

[He doesn't know what he wants to do with the terminals, but he needs to see one.]

[melnik]

Not at all. I am expecting opposition, so we need all the help we can get.

Text; un: eyeofzaun

[conflictresolution]

I navigate well in the dark and am very familiar with the caves. I'm going there.

voice; un:curtaincall

[endcaller]

You're going to the caves?

I was thinking about heading there myself and what fortune that you are already familiar enough to be my guide!

Take me with you! Please? Please, please, please?

[There is a sense of a giddy child dancing in place. But feel free to say no.]

[melnik]

Excellent. Good to see you're already teaming up. Keep in touch and let me know if you need any assistance.

voice; un: shades

[laserguy]

You're aiming to reset, right?

I agree, but also, before we go through with it, can you give some of my friends the chance to talk with the AI? It might be a good idea to at least save it in some way before we reset this world.

[melnik]

Yes. Although I don't like putting my trust in this system, I see no other viable alternative.

[ Either they reset it, or they probably die. Simple as that. Anyway, he might not usually be so agreeable, but he trusts Scott's judgment at least enough to hear him out. ]

If you think talking to it will be valuable, I'm willing to help. My only concern is managing our time. I don't think the opposing side is going to make things easy.

audio; un: user010102

[computation]

Love the energy. I have a plan and I'm trying to get organized.

How do you feel about organizing the squads and I take care of the tricky technical parts?

[melnik]

[ This is a new voice, but hey, he likes the enthusiasm, too. And this is the time to put their skillsets where they're really needed. ]

Great idea. Those with technical knowledge like yourself will be the most vital part of this mission. I'm prepared to do whatever I can to get you where you need to be, so you can count on me.

[drugsnotclubs]

[root told him to report here, so here he is, reporting!]

I'm in.

I think I know how to get to some of these places, as long as they ain't been moved-- and that island the the ruins is one I got stuck on, once.

Let me know where you need me. And here's hoping the idiots who think blowing shit up would 'fix' anything when it hasn't the last four times don't get in our way.

[melnik]

Great! Couldn't have said it better myself.

[ If there's one thing he's sick of more than anything else here, it's the jump cut to everyone blowing things up at the drop of a hat. ]

The intel on that island is definitely valuable. I know we have some people who can fly in here, but I can't say I've heard much talk of travel as of late. Here's hoping things haven't changed too much since the big scenery change.

audio; un: deadboydetective

[incorrigibles]

[ well, he did promise root, so, ]

Right, uh, since a lovely lady asked me real nicely... I'm in. I'm a ghost, so I can phase through walls as long as they're not iron, no problem. Just — direct me somewhere, yeah?

[melnik]

Right, uh... [ A ghost, he said? ] This is a new one to me, but there's no point in dwelling on that now. I will take you at your word.

[ There's a curse demon in this place. Why wouldn't there be ghosts? ]

Thanks for your assistance. Your orders will follow shortly.

un: ushiromiya

[entreats]

.. I'm not sure if there's much I can do.

[ Look, Ange knows that her powers aren't all that much to write home about, and she's not exactly as strong or technologically smart as most people here. It's not self-deprecation when it's just true in her opinion. ]

But it's not like I just want to sit around and do nothing either.

[melnik]

[ Considering the amount of firepower some people here have, that's not saying too much to discredit her. After all, established trust is extremely valuable. ]

No need to undersell yourself. Your help is always appreciated.

voice- un:Sora

[valiantarms]

I'm not good at computers, but I want to help. I can fight if needed and I'm good at running.

[melnik]

That's alright. Our differences allow for a more well-rounded unit. As long as your goal is the same as the rest of us, I'd be glad to have you on board.