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

[southernchere]

[ as scott elaborates through their playbook, the mutant hands her cellular device for morph to hold as she digs in her jacket for her gloves to fasten on. ]

So we're dealin' with phoney locations, too? [ a small sigh on her end as she fastens on her other mitten. ] — Will we ever get a mission that's just a straight in and out? Is the Colonel's team the only team we are aware of, or are there more helpin'?

[laserguy]

[Is it standard that everyone's first X-Men mission involves a world ending crisis? Scott sure hopes not laugh track]

He's organizing several teams together and I imagine that STEM club will also have teams. If there ends up being enough for each location, it might be best to have you go as support for one of the groups.

[.....] With both you and Morph being able to fly, I'm thinking the ruins might be best. I've been there before, once, so I'll tell you everything I know about it.

[southernchere]

Ruins... — That's the one out in the ocean, I reckon. With it being way over yonder, It'll be less for anyone to tamper with it. I haven't seen much of folks who can fly around here. 'Less they're being shy.

[mightymorphin]

[Morph chimes in again,]

That sounds good to me. We're best as escorts and muscle anyway. And evacuation, if something goes really wrong.

[laserguy]

There might be less people, but the area can still be dangerous. It was the last time I was there, although the monster that was around is gone now. [It should be, at least.] However, it doesn't mean there won't be something nasty out at the ruins and you two are most familiar with working with each other.

[So, best teamwork. Scott believes that they can handle themselves out at the ruins while helping those that may need it. Maybe even clear the area before others start arriving.]

...I know that you two will be able to handle it, while protecting others at the same time.

[southernchere]

It's kid's play, yeah. [ a beat. ] — Fauna's goin' on a buffalo stampede to all the terminals. Ain't no tellin' which she's going to first, but let's hope those training classes did these folks some good.

With the way she was steadyin' on, sounds like she ain't fooling around.

[mightymorphin]

[There's a brief pause before Morph speaks up again,]

There's a lot of people here who can fight, but it might still be a problem. These things are way too spread out to be running back and fourth if someone needs backup.

private;

[laserguy]

[He's switching this conversation to private, just so he can say this.]

I've met Fauna before, seen just a little of her skills in action. If she's still intending to destroy the terminals, I'll give you what available information I have about her powers.

[To hopefully help take her down easier and everything.]

Yeah, and you'll two will probably be in the most isolated of areas, since the ruins are located on an island. It's why I'm sending you two together out there.

private;

[southernchere]

All right, Sugah, lay it on us. Tell us what you know, no matter how little.

[laserguy]

I met her when she was holding back a meteor with a force field-- a type of shield. She was dressed in a type of fox suit with long sleeves.

[Guess he'll start with that. Scott stays quiet for a moment, mostly as he tries to recall everything he learned from that day.]

It's her magic, but more importantly, she can transform into different forms. I don't know how many or what those other transformations are like, but expect to face a variety of attacks. I'm assuming she'll switch between these forms based on who's she fighting and the situation.

[southernchere]

[ the mutant scowls gravely as her team leader explains the girl's ability, not necessarily thrilled with having to deal with someone who has magical abilities. they've always been more of a handful to deal with than a mutant inhabiting one (or two at the most) powers and navigating it that way. ]

So we're lookin' at a real hootenanny when we cross her.

[mightymorphin]

Holding back - oh! I ran into her doing that, too!

I don't have any real intel to add, other than she told me she's the second most powerful person on her world. Not sure if that was boasting or not, but she's not the only one that can switch up forms.

[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.