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

[digthefuzz]

Because it's more than just a computer. It's like it's alive. I'm sorry, I don't have the kind of experiences you've had with AIs. I've only really dealt with one mutant-hunting robot before, and this feels real different than that. Just like with us mutants, there's got to be different kinds of AIs, right? ...Basically, I have no way of knowing if it's a trick, but I still want to give the benefit of the doubt. Helping someone in need, even if they're not exactly a person, that feels more like the X-Men way to mel.

[southernchere]

[ there is stillness on the other side of the call, and the only way kurt is able to know she is still on the line is the sound of the faint breeze whistling through her phone. ]

... Right. More like the X-Men way.

[ when she repeats his words, there's a gloomy aura lingering within. and when rogue decides to speak again, her voice is small and meek. ]

I'll let ya go, Honey. I'm sure you got plenty of folks yammerin' your ear off already.

[digthefuzz]

[Something about that does feel unsettling to Kurt. But it doesn't feel like the time to press on it. They do only have so much time - and it's starting to feel like neither can change the other's mind. While it doesn't sit well with Kurt to be at odds with his sister, it ultimately feels best to stop before this gets heated.]

S-sure. I've got a few talks going on and not much time. ...B-but stay in touch, yeah?

🎀

[southernchere]

[ she doesn't want to say, "okay" and then not later, because right now, she can't trust herself that she will. and just saying, "good-bye" is too final, given the current circumstances. ]

Good-night, Kurt.

[ still a weird placement, but better than just hanging up. ]