( february intro log )

[hownkai]

Who: Everyone
When: February 1st and on
Where: The Moira + Emiri
What: The crew finds themselves on the planet of Emiri
Warnings: Mentions of a corpse. Please label your content!

I N T R O L O G

famed & framed "There will be no prison which can hold our movement down." The Ingress has pulled you in. Your body experiences several sensations at once: being pushed forward as if a hand is resting on your back, momentary and startling blindness, a gentle ringing in your head. You have difficulty discerning whether it is hot or cold, but where you have been prodded is noticeably warmer than the rest of you. Some may suffer from dizziness while others are perfectly fine. Once equilibrium has been reestablished, you will notice you are standing on a long platform and that the room is filled with a soft cerulean light. It's slightly humid and dark despite the glow around you, and nothing is familiar. Yet, unlike most new crew arrivals, this one is in the middle of chaos. Despite more recent events, the planet of Emiri is not as peaceful as it once was. Frederick Link is still missing, and the authorities of Emiri have yet to lift the interplanetary ban they have placed on all space crafts docked at the aerospace. The captains previous held a meeting asking crew for any and all information that might help them locate the Komai, a mysterious group determined to undermine Link'd Inc's work providing flourishing matches across the universe by causing random acts of violence and protest across the three main cities: Harashan, Avelle, and St. Murtel. These things have led to mass arrests as well as an unsettling atmosphere spreading across the planet, and since a previous broadcast, things are beginning to escalate. A downward spiral of these events begins as soon as new arrivals start to leave the Ingress—an unmarked box arrives in the cargo bay addressed to the inhabitants of the Moira. As per his job, Niko Bellic is the one to discover this box and open it. For some, the contents may be particularly gruesome. Link’s body is inside, clothed in a simple white button-down and pants (no shoes), and it looks as if letters have begun to bleed through the material. Anyone with expert knowledge of torture may note that Link was, in fact, tortured for information, and those letters? The writing itself spells out the name St. Murtel. The captains, having been alerted of this, make an attempt to contact those at Link’d Inc. Unfortunately, the damage has already been done. ☄ First: MISCOMMUNICATION Somehow, whether intentional or not, the Komai have once again hacked public systems and networks to brand those of the Moira as the ones behind these terroristic acts. They still use their own name, but the images are different, focusing on familiar faces wearing the ship’s uniforms and traveling to the Aerospace to return to the Moira. Not only that, there are short recordings of Link’s final words that mention a very recognizable name: Captain Thán. The Komai have redirected the blame to the Moira and its crew for their own means, and in response, any and all crew who are captured by authorities will immediately be detained and shipped out to unknown locations. The Captains send a message via MID and request everyone return to the ship to prevent this from happening. Yet, not all messages will be delivered depending on how far away they are. With everyone’s safety hanging in the balance, the Captains have decided to take things into their own hands and find a way to lift the block on the Moira so they can leave Emiri’s orbit and avoid further repercussions regardless of whether or not any one of the crew wants to stay. ☄ Second: DECOY & DISTRACT After learning that Benjamin Link, son of recently deceased Frederick Link, knows how to unlock the ship so they can leave, the captains ask for volunteers to act as decoys on a mission to the Aerospace in Harashan. Their job is to distract guards and Emiri citizens, leaving the path clear for Benjamin to get to the computers. The captains reiterate that they are to use nonfatal methods as they don’t want a repeat of the events on Caducus Primary. Without his help, the ship won’t be able to leave, making this mission critical and extremely time sensitive. ☄ Third: RESCUE During the mission, Benjamin informs the crew that the Komai aren’t incorrect in their claims that Link’d Inc uses unforgivable means to obtain information in order to make their matches perfect. The children the crew dreamed about are just two of many—the offspring of Emirian citizens who had gone missing. It has long been suspected that Link’d Inc was involved in their disappearances, but only recently has the Komai done anything to shed light on these gruesome rumors. Benjamin, after successfully unlocking the ship, disables the security systems in St. Murtel, which will allow the children a chance to escape. They’ll need assistance in getting out of St. Murtel and to a pre-designated area in Avelle where a group of Komai and Emirians will be waiting for them. But be careful. If anyone is recognized as part of the crew, they will be placed under arrest for treason and possibly never heard from again. ☄ Fourth: BREAKING OUT Now that the computer systems in Harashan’s Aerospace have been used to release the Moira, the entire crew are being called back via MID for an expedient exit from Emiri. Crew will be asked to assist other Moirans in getting back to the ship as quickly as possible via transporters or other small crafts as leaving is their only option at this point. In the escape, Emiri launches an attack on the Moira in an attempt to stop them. The ship’s previously unused defense systems activate, and those assigned to those positions are required to man their posts. Perhaps even those who don’t have the clearance are needed. Either way, it’s time to leave. ☄ Fifth: REFUGEES Now that the ship has finally escaped Emiri’s orbit, the crew will notice a group of stragglers in the main hall. During the crew’s quick exit, about fifty Emirians have taken refuge aboard the Moira, and the captains have agreed to take them to the closest planet so they may start again or live a life free of Link’d Inc “rule”. The captains ask the crew to help get them clothes and food for their short stay, no longer than a day at most, and to occupy them as best they can. Tell jokes, sing songs, bring up the kittens so that everyone can attempt to wind down after this series of unfortunate events. Light entertainment won’t be provided, but on request, some crew members may do just that.

( ooc; This plot is spread out over the first half of the month of February, and follows the order of the prompts listed above. Feel free to take as much time as you need to with your characters and use the info above for posts/logs at your discretion. For questions, go here. Please comment to activity check to receive new ranks (if applicable)! )

Comments

[whynotgoonmyown]

[He listens as Oren speaks. Well, either the man is a very good liar, or he's a very good liar, because Tyler can't detect any deceit there. And really, no scenario is too unlikely, given their situation. He nods, conceding Oren's point.]

I can, sure. Although... Hiding the knife there is a little... The gardener will probably find it and there'll be questions. You should probably just wash it and stash it in your room. Less awkward for everyone.

[twocomplex]

[That's a suggestion he wasn't expecting. He inches closer to the knife again, gripping the handle to slip it out of the dirt. Dirt clumps around the blood, red still peaking through as he turns it over in his hand.]

Do you really expect I'll be safe all the way to some sort of water source here? [He honestly doesn't even know where he can find water. He's used to it being more rare. Holy.] I've heard of some sort of murder. Will I not be caught in the middle?

[whynotgoonmyown]

[Ah, he's guessing Oren is from somewhere where plumbing isn't a thing, or at least rare. Yeah, the Moira doesn't look like somewhere that has water right there for the picking, he supposes. He really can't blame Oren for being cautious with the murder around, too.]

Sure I do. It's actually pretty easy to find water here. As for the murder... You only just arrived, and the murder can only be as recent as last night at most, given that they snuck the body into our cargo hold. Odds are, you'll never even register in the list of suspects. Not anymore than anyone else here, at least.

[twocomplex]

Ah. There's some relief in that, I suppose.

[He brings the knife closer, touching his free hand to a cleaner edge. Shortly after, he pulls it back and raises his chin to view Tyler once more.]

I haven't introduced myself, have I? You'll have to forgive me. I'm a bit lost in all this... It's Oren. [He tests a step forward and bowing just slightly as he extends his free hand for a shake.]

Would you mind helping me find some water? I'd hate to clean it with a treasured source.

[whynotgoonmyown]

[Oooh, he's seeing some culture shock on the way, if he's taking about a water source being treasured. Still, first things first, introductions. He closes the distance between the two a little and shakes Oren's hand with an easy smile.]

Well, I didn't introduce myself either, so let's say we're even. I'm Tyler. It's nice to meet you.

[He then makes a mental note of the nearest bathroom before indicating Oren to follow him.] So, let's get that washed. Follow me.

[twocomplex]

The pleasure is mine.

[Things seem calm, for now. Enkythos was still present— it was hard to miss that. He could feel him regardless of all else, but most notably in the halls on the way here, he'd gotten more than a few reactions. Could there be smaller demons in this place? He's half wondering if some of the people here may have addictions to them, or be hosting them to cure their ailments.

Difficult to say when he couldn't figure a damn thing about what was happening. He keeps the knife at his side, still partially shielding it with his sleeve as they walk. Despite the reassurance that he won't be noticed, he'd rather not risk it.]

Tyler, is it? That's a rather unique name. [Read: weird as fuck name, but he's being nice.]

[whynotgoonmyown]

[He can't help but let out a chuckle.] Well, I suppose it's not the most common of names everywhere. [Read: anywhere were the English name doesn't exist.] It means doorkeeper. I'm not sure my parents put much thought into the meaning when they named me.

[twocomplex]

Doorkeeper. [He laughs along with him, raising a free hand to touch idly at his ear. He'd noticed some of his jewelry had vanished, and it seemed a second pair of earrings had fallen into that, as well.]

I take it that you keep no doors, then! Still, it may be better to have no thought than to have a predestined future in mind for you. A bit more freeing that way, isn't it?

[whynotgoonmyown]

Nope, no door keeping here. But it's true, it's pretty freeing. [Not that he ever really thought about it, but still. Oren has a point.] So how about yours? I know a name that sounds like yours that means ash or pine, but I have a feeling it's not quite the same for you.

[twocomplex]

My name? [He laughs again, shaking his head. By pine, he'd meant a type of tree, right? What an odd meaning to place to a name.] No, no, this is the first I've ever heard of a first name that carried a meaning. Only my last. Is that normal... wherever we are now?

[whynotgoonmyown]

[Yeah, Tyler doesn't always get the meanings of names either. He shrugs at the question.] I'm not sure, actually. I'm like you, kidnapped by the weird portal thing and thrown in. Most of the crew is, most from different places. Where I'm from, though. Sure, it's pretty common. Not everyone puts much stock to it, but it's a thing.

[twocomplex]

It's more than a little shocking. I would have liked to be prepped with such information with a little less urgency... But our comfort hardly matters in this situation.

[He's looking around the ship as they walk. Even now, it's all surprising. The longer he thinks on it, the heavier the weight in his chest gets. He can't be worrying about that right now.] I'm assured I'll be properly shown around in due time, however, so why don't we focus on lighter things?

Like pine. I like that. If you could pick a better meaning for your name, what would it be?

[whynotgoonmyown]

[He nods, perfectly willing to let the topic of the ship drop for now. He pauses at Oren's question, though.]

Now there's a question... I'm not sure, actually. Maybe something related to either wolves or knowledge. Two things I like. [Aka he's a werewolf and a nerd. Course a name like that would appeal to him.]

[twocomplex]

Wolves?

[The word hits his tongue foreign, and still he smiles as they walk. It was interesting enough working and traveling with the nomads and learning their culture, but here, it was wildly different. It wasn't just new names and freedom, it was completely different concepts.]

Is that the name for some type of mastery? [Grouped with knowledge, there are only so many things he can logically try to guess at here.]

[whynotgoonmyown]

[Different concepts indeed. Tyler allows himself half a second of mild surprise as he reigns himself in, remembering that wolves weren't always universally known even on earth.] Ah, no, not quite. A wolf is an animal from where I'm from.

[twocomplex]

An animal, really? That has me even more curious.

[He files the word away to consider later. There was so much information he'd have to look into, after all, but for now he's just hoping they'll be able to clean this knife soon. He'd swear some are staring as he passes.]

A fair meaning to assign. That would be my choice. Knowledge is too easily grasped, a simple concept.

[whynotgoonmyown]

Well, the ship has a library, I'm sure you'll be able to find something on them easily enough. Ah, here we are.

[And Oren can now breathe a sigh of relief, because they're now right in front of a bathroom. Tyler leads the other man in, and to the sink, where he turns on the tap.] Go ahead and wash it.

[twocomplex]

[Grateful, Oren steps forward to rinse the blood and dirt clean from the blade. They use water where he's from, of course they do, but this set up is still interesting. He doesn't comment on it, simply taking his time in making sure it gets cleaned.]

Thank you. I suppose I owe you a favor, then! Though I'm not sure what talents of mine could possibly be useful here, please let me know if there's any way I can help you.

[whynotgoonmyown]

[He leans against the counter where the sinks are, watching as Oren works.] Ash, it's really no trouble. But if you really feel like you owe me, I'm sure there'll be a lot of chances to make us even. It's an eventful ride we're in.

[twocomplex]

Do you prefer ash to pine, then? [He laughs, shaking the knife dry as he presses at the faucet to stop the water. It works! Great.]

A drink, at the very least, for keeping me from imprisonment over a misunderstanding.

[He slips the knife into place under the sash of his robes, leaning back against the sink as he looks to Tyler with a grin.] At least until our eventful ride gives me another chance to extend my help.

[whynotgoonmyown]

[He laughs at the little joke too, before nodding.] Sure, alright. Ship's bar, or do you want to wait until we're at the next planet?

[twocomplex]

The "ship" has a bar, then?

[His head tilts a bit at the thought. There's a lot he needs to investigate first, and he probably should find his room and stash this knife away. He doesn't even know what time it must be here. He hasn't seen a window at all.]

Why, then I see no reason to wait. At your earliest convenience! Perhaps after I've filed this away and gotten my bearings, though. It's all rather confusing. I don't suppose there's an easy source for directions? I've a room to find, and then that bar, if we're to meet up.

[whynotgoonmyown]

[He nods and raises the wrist where his MID is, tapping the wristband of the device.] Yeah, this device has a map of the ship. Do you know how to use it? I can teach you if you don't.

[twocomplex]

[Pushing up and away from the sink, he steps closer to Tyler, lifting his own wrist to investigate his MID.]

I was explained a few things briefly... [He taps and brings up the holographic screen before immediately and accidentally closing it.] If you direct me to the map, I should be able to manage from there.

[Until he finds an elevator, but it's fine. He'll figure it out eventually.]

[whynotgoonmyown]

Alright, here's how you get to it. [And he brings up his own MID's holographic screen, showing and explaining to Oren how to get to the map, and throwing in a basic explanation of the ship's layout while he's at it.] And that's it. Anything else you want to ask?