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

Diana's brows raise with interest. "How could you be expected to? There is so much of it." Perhaps an obvious observation, but it simply makes sense to Diana. Amazonian texts theorized about outer space, but it wasn't as if any Amazon had ever set to explore it. "I cannot even imagine how vast it is. It is amazing that you've been up there." Each word she says holds nothing but honesty.

"You'd be surprised how often people ask." It comes out easily. Comfortably. There's something about her that makes her easy to talk with. Maybe it's the honesty -- or the eagerness. Either way, his shoulders relax, and he grins back at her.

"It's... endless. Literally." And then, adding: "If this situation ever blows over, and you've got some spare time, I wouldn't mind taking you up here."

There is no mistaking the absolute delight on her face. Even though she's seen the worst of mankind, she'll always be thrilled to find these small nuggets of amazement among their ranks. She reaches out to place her hand upon his shoulder. "I would be honored if you would."

Boy, he remembers that. When the idea of seeing space up close and personal was something to look forward to. Something incredible. It's good to see that look on someone's face again.

"Any time." And then, an embarrassed laugh. "You know, when the Ingress isn't falling apart."

Her arm falls, and her gaze shifts in the general direction of the Ingress complex. "Yes, there is that. I am still not entirely sure how it is happening, but I do know it is disturbing the people and that it is my duty to aid them." She looks to him again, and smiles once more. "Should you join me, your company would not be unwelcome."

"It's the Ingress."

He knows it's not enough of an explanation. But it feels like it should be said, regardless. "The technology that brings us here -- somehow, they use it to maintain climate and power for the whole planet. So when it fails..."

His words trail off there. Looking toward the complex himself. He's known her for all of ten minutes, but she seems like the type to figure out how to fill in the blanks.

"I'm free," he adds, when she looks back to him. "To help, I mean. Free to help."

Even though the technology on Themyscira was not the same as that used by mankind, Diana has still read every volume in the Amazonian library and can, indeed, fill in the blanks. Her time in London and on the front had been short, but she had seen wondrous machines that she couldn't have imagined on the island. After that, it isn't too much of a stretch for her to believe that someone could build something like an artificial sun that could control the clime of an entire planet.

"I understand." The response is simple, but completely accepting. Shiro does not seem to have a reason to lie to her, and the thought of a machine such as that is absolutely wondrous.

The smile stays on her face, and she turns to look down the street. There doesn't seem to be trouble brewing yet, but it's only a matter of time. "Then let's go."

He nods, happy she picks up on it without further details. Details he's not sure he can provide, since he wasn't the member of their team studying it. If she'd asked technical questions, he'd have to call Pidge.

"Far as I know, there are people trying to fix it now, but... I haven't heard any details on how that's going." Or if it's even remotely successful. They should probably check in. Just in case there's anything to be done to help.

His head turns with hers. Smirking slightly to answer her smile.

"Ladies first?"

His chivalry does not go unnoticed--it's something she had noticed and learned of during her time on the front. Diana nods, crouching and shifting her arms into a better starting position. "Follow me."

She takes a mighty leaps forward, leaving small cracks in the concrete where her feet used to be.

"Yes--"

And then she's gone. Like someone installed springs in her legs. He has to stop and stare after her for a heartbeat or two while his brain restarts.

"-- ma'am."

Time to catch up for real, only not nearly as dramatically as she left.

(no subject)

nerds save the world

the land below

the coming days

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject