Who: Everyone
When: July 1 and onward. See this post for info.
Where: Kauto + Chioni + Ingress Complex
Warnings: Potential violence. Please label warn-worthy content in your subject headers.

There's a burst of light in the sky when the Ingress breaks, a final flare followed by a shuddering that only those in the facility can feel. A flurry of panicked activity in the complex follows, ushering new arrivals to where they need to go in a hurry, with little time to give them the needed information, much less answer questions. The lights remain on, but dimmer now, life functions still operating but little else. On Kauto and Chioni below, the sky fades into an early twilight, followed by night, and day does not come again.

nerds save the world

Before the end of the day, all TABs receive an emergency broadcast notification outlining the situation. The speaker, a lead Savriite Ingress technician, does not invite panic but nor does he mince words. The Ingress is broken; their best efforts have failed to restore it. The time has come to turn to anyone who can help: scientists, engineers, those who have worked with advanced technology on any world. Formal qualifications don't matter when it could be the end of everything.

"Help us. Before it is too late."

Those who come will have the run of the complex and full access to the Ingress, as well as whatever tools are available and as much coffee as they can drink. People are encouraged to work in groups and share ideas, and a small number of young and nervous technical assistants will be on hand.

the land below

As Thisavrou is denied light and warmth, the weather becomes brisk and descends into bitter cold. Chioni is evacuated due to the effects on the already-harsh weather cycles there, although a skeleton crew of scientists remain behind. On Kauto, the arboreal Region Three and pastoral Region Two suffer the most from the temperatures and the snow that eventually begins to fall. Many crops are frozen over, and refugee citizens are driven from their homes to the Regions One and Five, where stored energy will keep dwellings warm. Save for those who choose to leave the underwater facilities, Region Four remains largely unchanged, but there are unverified accounts of strange aquatic animal behavior near the surface.

Overcrowding, limited supplies and a pervasive fear presents the opportunity for both heroism and foul deeds. Many come together to share resources, supplies and fellowship in what could be the end of worlds, while others take what they can from the unwilling or exploit the desperate. Sentient evacuees are followed by fauna from Region Three and unsettled lands beyond, in search of warmth or food or merely confused by the change in habitat. Some are unthreatening herbivores, while tanglesnakes and clownbees are more troublesome. Others are poisonous hunters, while still others are small, but dangerous when faced as a pack.

Just when all seems lost, light returns to the sky. The Ingress begins to function once more.

the coming days

As the temperatures rise, many demand answers, but most turn to the rebuilding of their lives first. Damage has been done that isn't so easily fixed, and even in the least-affected areas, remnants of the crisis show in the lack of fresh food, in the increased signs of criminal activity. Those who can help others through their own efforts of by organizing assistance are needed, but those with impure intentions are more likely to go unnoticed.

Eavesdropping on the streets may reveal a desire for vengeance. "Those intruders from last week. They're responsible for this, aren't they? What's being done?" But don't listen too closely, or a suspicious eye may be turned on you. "Aren't you one of the refugees from the Midway Hub? You should return to where you came from! All the trouble began when your people showed up!"

Life goes on. But life does not go on unchanged.

[quick ooc note: the Region 4 search & retrieval mission/RNG fight will be posted in a separate log.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Yeah," she answers, though she herself has no roommate. She's used to being on her own, but at the same time, she isn't hiding herself away either. Not like he once did. He needs someone to be there for him. That said, Mei probably needs someone to be there for her too, after everything that's happened to her, but she doesn't see things that way.

"I never pictured a bunch of Overwatch agents being reunited on a completely different world. But it's nice."

"Trust me, this is the last thing I expected."

Especially considering he'd gone a not insubstantial amount of time lying to everyone here about his identity. It's nice, perhaps, to have his people back, but what he isn't saying is that it won't last. If and when they return home, he's going to have to disappear again and hope that they all have the sense not to go after him.

He'll just have to enjoy this while he can, and get back to work once it's all over. Try not to think about what he'll leave behind.

"But it's not so bad."

"I'm glad I get to see you again." Because, like the world, she thought he was dead. Their leader, their inspiration; the guy that made them proud to be a part of Overwatch and the work they were doing to save the world. He's quieter now. More gruff. But he's still Jack in her eyes, and she thinks this place would be a poorer place without him.

"So what sort of work do they have you doing around here? Surely more than just delivering coffee?"

“Delivering coffee is about all I’m good for.”

Jack seems a little relieved by the change of subject, shrugging a little and even managing a small grin—more of an upturn of his lips than anything else, but a positive expression all the same. He’s not complaining about delivering coffee, mostly because his ulterior motives mostly involve snooping. Trying to see what the Ingress might be hiding.

“You don’t want me to stick my hands in there, trust me.”

Mei's lips quirk up in a returning smile, though truth be told she's a little confused. Delivering coffee seems so... beneath him. Not that he's stuck up, but he's a man of many skills, and they seem wasted on coffee boy. "Well, that's really good of you. And it's good I don't have to shoo you away from the important stuff. Not that I've really been hands on with it myself. Mostly I've been sticking to my equations." An engineer, she is not. It's times like these she wishes MacReady were here. Now there was an engineering genius.

Her eyes find the equation she was working on and she sighs, taking a moment to sip her coffee. "Maybe I should get a second opinion on this, to make sure I'm on the right track."

"I'm here for moral support."

Jack isn't quite so good at that anymore, but it seems he can still put on a convincing enough face. The truth is that he's trying to reintegrate, somehow, and starting with his people is a good way to ease himself back into normal socialization. He sort of wishes it wasn't under these circumstances, but it's as good an excuse as any.

"So your second opinion might have to be from someone else."

It's the thought that counts, and Mei's grateful smile is genuine. There are times when she isn't the best suited person for a job, but she still wants to be a source of support if she can. It seems he's the same way. However, in this instance, she feels she can contribute in some small way, so she's going to get back to it.

"Good to know. Thanks, Jack. If I need someone to drag me away from this, you would be the one."

His eyebrows raise a little, because he's not entirely convinced that his company is any good, but she seems sincere, and he knows that Mei has no real reason to lie. Still, he coughs a little awkwardly and stands from the table, like he's not sure how to take what seems to be a compliment. Better to let her get to work.

"Well, keep me posted. Let me know if you need a refill."

"Will do!" She waves goodbye to him, not knowing how he's taking her compliment. But it's not like this will be the last time she'll say nice things about him. Maybe with time, he'll come to believe it.

"Bye!"

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nerds save the world

the land below

the coming days

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