After being crispy fried by the dragon, Scott had found himself back outside the holodeck room. Not that he was aware of it, as he stared straight ahead with a broken stare and dead eyes. He had been the first one to die. Him. The guy who was really good at video games. It... wasn't possible. It couldn't be.
And so the gray-scaled man staggered into the living room like a zombie and stayed there for a time.
People were talking and discussing like adults, when Scott suddenly popped up among the group; Having recovered from his state by some healthy repression. And now he was bouncing about, and looked ready to just run off further in the station by himself. "WHOA, THIS IS AWESOME! So, what's the mission for this place? Do we need to kill someone? Steal something? Beat our way through to the boss?"
Elizabeth followed the rest of the group off of the van, looking about curiously but with a surprisingly restrained reaction. It wasn't something Liz had ever really seen before, but it was more a passing interest to her than anything.
The person that stepped up beside her, however, was much more her interest. The pink-haired woman glanced aside at D.va curiously, looking her up and down for a moment before giving a small, playful smile. Reading the room, though, she kept quiet; Waiting to see if the girl would notice, and not disrupt the current topic.
Carmilla & Sypha, VDF-631
"I think we all deserve answers to our questions and proof that you are who you say you are, Clifford Kreyuz," Carmilla stated to the man in charge, being polite but insistent. "Some of us still remember the initial sabotage and wish to confirm this is not some deception from enemies of Will's group."
Both Carmilla & Sypha had walked out with the others when they were allowed to do so. They seemed more focused instead of at awe of the technology around them.
"Also can we have the Skyrim program that is on the holodeck in our vehicle?" Sypha asked of the man, not wanting to abandon their newfound friends and leave them with the vehicle.
Wizard Needs Food BadlyHana (VDF-631)
As she heard people voice their complaints and concerns with the current situation, Hana was able to relax just a little, letting out a breath she wasn't even aware she'd been holding. However, she soon swore she could feel a pair of eyes on her, and as Hana looked around, she noticed a pink haired woman giving her a smile, even if Hana felt like the woman was looking at her a little bit too closely. Raising a hand, Hana gave an awkward wave, hoping that this would sate the woman's curiosity.
Proud member of the AGOG community."Answers you shall get. Will, if you would please assuage their doubts?" Taking the various complaints in stride (and surprisingly good humor), the tall man remained rather unruffled by the sheer unfriendliness (though those that weren't outright hostile was at least given a slight thankful nod of acknowledgment as thanks).
Clicking a palm sized device to let out a holographic video call in real time, the Alternate's previous handler could be seen without the shadows and so on, showing an thin man of average features that was also decidedly bald. He was also in intensive care, hooked to various apparatuses and life support but it was undoubtedly Will.
"I'm sorry you had to see me like this everyone. Still, nothing a little bed rest can't fix. I'm just sad I cannot continue to help you all as I could before until my doctor lets me leave." Despite the airy words, there was a noticeable gap between his words as though it took him a lot of effort simply to say it, interspersed by hissing gasps and deep intakes of breath.
"Will Aryl is currently recuperating from an intense bout of cardiac arrest brought about by extreme levels of stress, malnourishment, dehydration, and overexhaustion. To put it shortly, he's effectively burnt himself out. That and the situation taking a turn for the worst has caused his higher ups to panic and decide to outsource to us so as to be able to continue operations without being beholden to the corruption inherent in both government and military. Honestly at this point in time, we're the lesser evil."
Chuckling as he gave out a self-deprecating joke, Mr. Kreyuz then clicked a button to let out another holographic window to pop out that revealed a familiar planet that looked greatly like Earth spinning slowly before yet another Earth slowly superimposed itself over the first one like a Venn-Diagram, the illusory turning all too real.
What happened next could only be described as planetary destruction as the two met quite closely and ground into each other before cracking and erupting with both volcanic cataclysms and superstorms that were generated from such ashes to the point where lightning itself could be seen flickering about the fractured globes even from the bird's eye view from space.
"This is but one of the consequences involved should not the temporal and spacial instabilities be stopped. Dimensions that should have remained separate will blur the previously established boundaries, crashing into each other in a manner that cannot be stopped in any conventional matter. Here are some other fun things that happens when space-time is corroded with holes in the fabric of reality."
Various other images of nigh cataclysmic events would then occur such as eldritch horrors stretching out from deep space to entangle their myriad appendages into the civilizations, demonic insurrections that came out marching out in bloody conquest, distance being crunched so horrifically that black holes were born to suck everything into its maw, and even simply everything turning into a white void and ashes as though they got Thanos-snapped. None of the events seen were illustrations or animations either, with it being much too raw and visceral to be faked with CGI.
"In summation, the danger of letting things go on isn't a simple singular event. The chaos and unpredictability of collapsing the stability that keeps the worlds apart will result in things like this happening as something that could only be described as the multiverse itself had developed cancer. Too much growth with no safety will break down any existing order, overburdening the boundaries set in place on the dimensions. It might be slow and not affect any of your homeworlds but the threat won't magically go away without something being done about it. Sadly, that great responsibility falls down to us."
Gazing particularly at Lillie with a saddened but ultimately hardened look that bespoke of one that knew the burden they had to take, Kreyuz then acknowledged Max with a shake of his head. "Honestly even if you were sent back and not here, there is no guarantees as to being safe considering what I've just gone over. It is a situation that puts us between a rock and a hard place- have the chosen few fight for a chance of survival or live ignorantly in the face of the end days that can come anywhere from a thousand years later to simply tomorrow. Time flows at a disparate pace which I'm sure that those among your numbers know. Who is not to say that the disasters cannot arrive faster for some places than others? Would you be happy to see your loved ones die and lament that there was no way you could have prevented their ends?"
Giving a poignant and searching look to the disgruntled, the older man did not wilt. If anything, he took on all the hatred and vitriol upon his own shoulders as if to say that it was alright to be hated if the end goals could be achieved. "As to who we are and where we are, this is VDF-631, a space station owned by the private security organization Svalinn, of whom I created and command. You are all now civilian contractors through association with Svalinn, preventing you being truly drafted by the homeworld that Will belongs to. You will all be able to keep what you have without needing to turn it over like if you would be had you been... acquired by the alternative. This includes the van and your friends from Skyrim. Like I said, we are the lesser evil at this point."
"As for how you are chosen... You all have been taken note of and recorded by the Deus Ex Machina artificial intelligence that is derived from Rook's technology, an experimental pandimensional super computer capable of doing things formerly thought impossible. Those of you who were brought back here have been done so because of two reasons, one you have either the capability or potential to do things that normally couldn't be accomplished by most..."
"And the second due to a paradigm shifting virus that widely broadened the search parameters that Deus Ex Machina operates with since truly destroying it is impossible by hackers. Think of it as replacing a fine net with ones with much bigger holes in it for the less technologically inclined folks here. There are more information waiting for dissemination given the severity and scope of the overall situation but for now I shall stop and allow you all time to digest what I said."
Edited by Makaioh on Jan 17th 2020 at 9:36:53 AM
Lady looked down at the ground for a moment as Will spoke and he explained what had happened to him, realizing that she was probably somewhat of a factor in all of that. As for the images of worlds ending, well, how do you think she's reacting? It sure as hell isn't pleasure. Once he was done, she shook her head.
"Look....I admit, I wasen't really onboard with this whole thing when we started, I don't think most of us were. Some got over it faster then others, but as sorry as I am to Will, it diden't really feel like a lot was getting done under his control. Should I assume, based on the fact that you're taking the time to explain this in person, that's going to change now?"
Who cares?
At some point during all of this, Tira had quietly walked up to near the front, and she slowly approached the uniformed man.
I'm sick and tired of this, Cliffy! She points an annoyed hand at him. Everyone keeps kidnapping me! First it was because that nomamy stupidhead wanted to force me into his army, then it was to be on a stupid TV show! Both times, just like this one, a bunch of random people who diden't ask for it! The only reason I don't hate you and want to kill you is because you kidnapped me from the TV people!
She slumps down. And let's not pretend, you diden't do that out of the goodwill of your heart. Right now, so far as I'm concerned, you're the lesser evil, compared to the assholes from the TV show. But why don't you tell me something else. Why should I care? Don't spout off about "We have to save the multiverse" to me, because I've seen that line before. Probably wasn't the first time all of reality almost went down the shitter. Not by a long shot. This?
She motions at the viewfinder.
I'm not surprised. Frankly, I'm starting to wonder if you're not just prolonging the inevitable. It honestly feels like reality just wants to die at this point.
Fiore - Station - Processing Info-Dump
"On one hand, it's a relief to know that I don't have to worry about being the only one summoned here by accident." she then sighed at crab-hand lady's explanation. "On the other, what you've said just raises more questions and concern." Recognizing what she's trying to do however, the magus smiled. "But thanks for trying to reassure me, nonetheless. I appreciate it~"
As it turns out, she doesn't have to wait long for clarification on those answers as the handler(their new one at that, based on everyone's reaction) then provides a general overview of their former handler, what's actually at stake here and how they were all actually gathered.
True enough, it was going to take a long while for the newly-arrived Fiore to parse through all that so she was thankful to the handler for giving them time to process it. Apocalyptic phenomena the likes of which has not been known, time-space itself distorting, mysterious groups and factions from behind the scene working to restore it through whatever means necessary...
Compared to that, the pressure she felt over her situation back at home was a cakewalk in comparison.
"... That doesn't quite excuse everything." she started, gathering her thoughts in order. "I still have my misgivings over this whole ordeal, yes. But-"
That was when one among the group completely lashes out at the handler before she got another word out, all but openly admitting that she doesn't care one bit about the state of the multiverse while detailing herself getting sick from the kidnappings(an understandable sentiment, but still).
At that whole scene, she turned to look at the two Alternates she's gotten herself acquainted to: Maria and Susan.
Her expression at the moment.... yeeeaaaaah, not that great.
"Please be honest. She's one of us, isn't she?" One can tell by her voice that she's really not looking forward to the inevitable answer.
Edited by JustSomeGuy732 on Jan 18th 2020 at 2:48:50 AM
VDF-631 (Lillie) ~ ...
For her part, Lillie's response to the raising tempers over her presence was to frown heavily with worry and maybe a little guilt.
"Um, I actually don't mind being here...." she said quietly, probably too quiet for anyone other than herself and maybe anyone who happened to be standing next to her to hear. She didn't get the chance to say anything else for herself when the explanation began.
She took the time to finally put the squirming Cosmog back into the duffel bag hanging off her right hip before looking back just in time to see the sorry state Will was on. She knew who he was just from his voice, but prior to this that was all she knew him as. Nevertheless, seeing him like that, and more to the point seeing that he looked more or less as ordinary as anyone else she might have met, was enough to bring a small sad frown to her face.
Then Kreyuz showed them what was actually happening to the universe.
She already knew why they were here; she was told as such when she first arrived. Something about saving all the worlds from falling apart. Hearing it secondhand, however, was not the same thing as seeing it with her own eyes. As she watched it her eyes widened to about as wide as they could go, with one getting the distinct impression that if they could have gotten wider they would have, and her mouth fell wide open.
She stayed that way for the rest of the exchange, with pretty much everything else the commander said flying right over her head.
VDF-631 (Ozma) ~ Royal Concerns
Ozma felt many things upon listening to the explanation. Sadness at the poor man who burnt himself out trying to help this group before and at the fate of the worlds shown. Worry, again at the apocalyptic events shown and at the fact that could had been the fate of everything. Determination, at being given the chance to help put a stop to all this.
The strongest emotion, however, was just abject confusion.
"By Lurline's grace...." she said, her natural accent fully taking over, "I swear I'm gonna wake back up in Oz with a crazy fever. The Frontiers were crazy enough, but this...?"
Then she shook her head and turned back to Kreyuz. When she spoke again, it was with her usual formal tone with nary a trace of an accent.
"I can't say I truly understood everything you just said, if only because all of this is just so far beyond what I'm used to. But I do understand the weight of this situation, and I am perfectly willing to help you. I just have one request." She frowned. "I have the responsibility of leading two separate groups. The land of Oz, and the Emerald District of the Frontiers. Is there any way I could contact them to let them know I'm alright and not to worry about me? I feel I can trust Oz to manage itself in my absence, but I don't know about the Emerald District."
While waiting that reply, she looked around at the group who were to be her new coworkers. As her eyes passed from person to person, one thing stuck out to her.
"...I also find it a little suspicious that almost all of us are women. I understand that there was an issue with the selection process, but somehow I find myself wondering if capability or potential were all that went into deciding who was picked for this."
Icon by Civvi the Civilian!Tenko - VDF-631
Scott's blundering of course earned him a glare from Tenko, but she was soon distracted by the apocalyptic visions that Kreyuz showed them. "Well, I for one, am not going to let the universes get destroyed! So I'm going to double my effort with Neo-Aikido."
She then noticed a cute girl dressed like a princess made comments about the gender parity in the group. Tenko tought the reason for that was obvious, but she still decided to helpfully answer Ozma. "Isn't it obvious? Even if the machine is broken, it still realises that degenerate males are much less competent and trusthworthy than women. In fact," the Aikido master then pointed at Scott, "this one right here is probably only here because of that virus."
Maki - VDF-631
The holograms were of course disturbing to Maki, but she still wasn't fully convinced. Indeed, when even memories can be faked and one could move between worlds, something looking 'too real to be fake' was meaningless. And either the computer was very unreliable or Kreyuz was lying about not picking children deliberately, so she was still pretty hostile towards him. "So the selection basically random? Great. I want to make something clear: I'm never going to trust you, so don't bother going on about how generous you are. Like I said, I don't have a choice but going along with your missions, whether we're really saving worlds or not."
Tira practically saying she didn't care about the multiverse wasn't really something Maki could condone, but the ex-assassin felt it would be hypocritical of her to comment on it. And she did have a point in saying that perhaps this collapse was inevitable and those guys were just fooling themselves, but that was far too metaphysical of a question for the Ultimate to be able to consider fully.
Maria, Context Is Good
"Ah, a name to uphold. Grand responsibility, that." Maria hummed, speaking like someone who had the experience of not fulfilling that task. Kreyuz offered explanation as to why random people with nothing seemingly related between all of them - it was literally a game of chance, with only something so paltry as the fate of the multiverse at stake.
The old crone laughed raucously, slapping the arm of her wheelchair. "I take that back: you lot are in fact insane." She grinned once she was done wiping the merry tears out of her eyes, wheeling closer to the discussion. "This is the kind of design that good old Provost Willem would deem utterly mental. I'm quite impressed. To use the designs of a woman we're chasing around the multiverse is just sheer audacity, lad."
To Fiore's question, the old crone merely offered a smile. "And mad as a hatter, to boot. But, as our handlers have just proven, they are not far off themselves."
Max, A N G E R Y (feat. Umu)
So Will was in fact still around. Handling the rowdy bunch in the van was no easy task, as their previous handler's emaciated silhouette demonstrated. Whether Max thought that there was some corporate ambition at play or not was irrelevant now, because... oh boy, was this a doozy.
"...you... you mean to tell me you have been using Rook's bugged-to-hell tech to draw lots. When the world is about to end." To any observant onlookers, the brief flicker of deep blue to crimson red eyes would likely not have gone unnoticed. "Don't you fucking..." The giant cyborg didn't finish the sentence, rubbing the bridge of his nose and mentally counting to five... then to ten. As far as he was concerned, the hologram presentation could have been an educated guess - the world could have very well ended in a blink, just unraveling itself from existence.
"Look here-"
"Now then!" The harpy in a red ensemble interrupted him, but something about her countenance was different. More... serious? And focused? "We've already known what's going to happen to the multiverse, Commander. And, again, there was little need for you to make this a public showing and expose yourself to us in so dramatic a manner. I'd compliment your flair for building climax, but this is hardly the time."
Nero was, in fact, not smiling. "I am no stranger to saving the world, and I imagine a few more in our ranks aren't, but no world was saved sitting around and lounging uselessly like a ripened senator in the bathhouse. So, tell us what you know of Rook's whereabouts and send us on our merry way." The emperor sighed and glanced towards Tira, almost piteously. "Though I wonder if just finding this one woman will undo all of your black scenarios..."
Now that he wasn't talking, Max managed to find just enough focus in himself to calm down and not do something untoward, like piledriving their new commanding officer into a trash bin. "...they'd try to do that, there would be blood..." He muttered, referring to the mention of a draft. Tenko was off doing her "degenerate male" spiel again, but frankly, given that he and Scott seemed to be the only examples on hand, maybe she was onto something.
"Oi, Scott. I'm sure there's..." Max raked his brain for a moment, trying to figure out the right phrase. He was behind on vidcons. "plenty of awesome loot around the base. Go have a look. Don't kill anyone, they'll probably give it out if you ask nicely enough." The last thing they needed was their resident Ultimate Tenko's Bane screwing things up further. Tensions were high enough already.
"As for the rest of people who are barely holding their anger in or think everything is pointless" He cast a long, definitely not piteous, look at Tira. "I think we should let cooler heads take it over."
Tessa - VDF-631
"I'm okay...." Tessa groaned from the floor, rolling onto her back and rubbing her forehead, only to open her eyes and see... a redheaded pirate with a very liberal interpretation of what a zipper was for, helping her up.
"I mean, oooh, thank you so much!" She really leaned into the help, making sure to accept all the aid she could to get off the ground. But... what was this? Santa was helping her too? This... this was a lot now. "Um...."
Tessa carefully extracted her right hand away from Elesis as she was being helped up, and let Santa put it over her shoulder for support instead for maximum weight distribution between her two saviors. Then it was a matter of containing herself for the time being. Something which she actually did remarkably well, managing to not say or do anything dumb for the duration of Mr. Kreyuz's speech.
Actually... maybe it was because, just as his last sentence came to an end, her head rolled back, and she looked like she was going crosseyed when her legs gave out from under her.
Tiki - VDF-631
"And making enemies with your fellow prisoners is more conducive towards improving the situation?" Tiki gave Maki a tight smile, looking away from their new 'warden' to give Maki and Lucina her focus. "Lest you forget, we are all in this situation together, brought into it in much the same way. Will you fault some of us for hoping for the best and wishing to keep our heads level in these trying times? You need not adopt a spirit as noble and selfless as Lucina's, but for the time being can we not work together in learning what we can of the situation instead of leaping quickly to accusations and distrust?"
Tetra (VDF-631)
Cooler heads...that was what the big guy had said. Tetra sure wasn't seeing a lot of those around, and frankly, she was still pretty peeved herself. But if that's what it took to de-escalate things, especially with Ms. Cute and Crazy mouthing off her nihilistic crap, then so be it. Stepping forward to make herself known, Tetra spoke up.
"You pluck us up out of the blue without so much as a by-your-leave, stick us who knows where, and ask us to save reality from...that. You don't have to like it, and neither do we, I get it. But let's get one thing clear here. The way Will handled things, leaving us in the dark and stranded waiting for work? That was unacceptable. If we're all that stands between life and death, treat us like it. Don't just shove us in a corner like some misbehaving swabbie." Meeting Kreyuz's eyes, Tetra gestured to the rest of the Alternates, lowering her voice to address him directly. "If you want them to respect you, you've got your work cut out for you. Giving us a chance to talk to people back home would be a good start."
Proud member of the AGOG community.Fiore - VDF-631
"P-please, it's nothing as grandiose as you're making it out to be." stammered Fiore in regards to her rank before sighing at the grandma's confirmation.
"Thought so." Maria wasn't lying when she said they were a bunch of colorful casts, and it looks like their handlers were no different. All over, she could hear voices of discontent amongst them as well as voices of reason, requesting for cooler heads.
Then came talk of requesting a way to contact anyone from back home as a slight recompense. Thoughts of her worrywart of a brother and her household situation surfaces back to her mind, temporarily forgotten due to her still coping with this unexpected kidnapping until now.
"I second that." It was by this time that the magus made herself known, her wheelchair automatically moving beside Ozma and facing their handler. "Though it's minor in the grand scheme of things, my unexplained disappearance would cause untold distress to someone I know. At the very least, I would very much like to contact him and ask his help to deal with the troubles caused by my absence while I'm away."
Lucina - Here we go again
Lucina shifted uncomfortably as the anger in the band only grew. Some measure of skepticism was only natural - as Carmilla said, this mission had fallen victim to subterfuge before - but she had hoped it wouldn't come to outright disbelief...
The girl in red, Maki, she had butted heads with her before. Lucina had hoped to speak with her more personally, come to some understanding, but now she feared it might be a lost cause.
As she marshaled her thoughts to try and assuage the girl's hostile impression of her, Ser Kreyuz spoke up, and she turned her attention to his display for now... even though he seemed to have only ill news to share.
First Will made his appearance, and Lucina's heart sank as she saw the pale, sick man in his hospital bed. She did not know what a cardiac arrest was, but it was clear how badly he had burned out. She had seen cases like it before, men and women dashing themselves upon their work, and it broke her heart each time.
"Oh, Ser Aryll... please, take your leave and rest. You've already done enough for us."
Secondly, it seemed that Will's superiors had lost control of the situation, and had been forced to bring Ser Kreyuz's company in to take over before those with less noble intentions could do the same. It was disheartening, but perhaps not surprising, to hear that self-serving politics could taint even a cause as urgent as this.
What came next was... uncomfortable. Perhaps a more visceral display of the consequences for failure would help motivate some of the band, but Lucina didn't need it. She had seen a dying world before, and she couldn't help but append Clifford's presentation with images from her own memory. Dragon wings blotting out the sun. Ashen villages filled with naught but the dead and the undead.
It was enough to pry open a crack in her armour, and let Tira's words strike a deeper nerve than they might otherwise.
"Who cares? I'm starting to wonder if you're not just prolonging the inevitable."
With a fire in her eyes, she whirled to face the woman, drawing herself up.
"My world is not so different from those." She swept one hand towards Kreyuz's now-dim display. "It burned, and my friends and I watched our families hurl themselves into those flames to save it. And then it was our turn, and we..."
Her voice, which had rung with a cold anger as she spoke up, started to crack slightly as she went on, the words spilling out on their own.
"We fought tooth and nail, we waded through fields of ash and blood, just so that our world could see another sunrise and I will be damned before I let it crumble now out of idleness!"
Her ears picked up the sound of creaking leather, and she realized it was her own hand on Falchion's hilt, gripping it like a lifeline. Her claws had dug into the palms of her gloves. The fur on her neck was standing on end, and her ears were pinned back against her head. She took a deep breath, forced herself to loosen her grip, and pushed it all back. It's been so long... I mustn't, not like this... not now.
When she turned away from Tira, and faced some of the other angry voices, she'd regained a measure of her earlier composure.
"But I will be twice-damned before I let another world suffer as mine suffered when I could have saved it. Yes, I am choosing to believe that these people," She waved one hand to indicate the bustling chamber, "sincerely feel the same way, because they are doing something. They are not sitting idly by, they are here! They are not drawing swords to a man and marching out by our side, but that does not mean each is not doing their best in their own way."
To her profound relief, a familiar voice spoke up in support. Lucina shot Tiki a grateful nod, a little of the tension draining out of her shoulders.
"Tiki is right. I don't have any authority here, and I can't expect anyone to simply follow me out of obligation. All i can do is hope that some of you feel the same way I do, or failing that, are still willing to reach an understanding with those that do."
Her eyes eventually fell upon Lillie, the young girl who had re-appeared at the back of the group. In this, Max and Maki and the others were right to be angry, no matter the good intentions of their benefactors.
"Truely, though... is there nothing that can be done about this... selection process?" She asked the tall man, frowning in concern. "A warning before being taken, or... something to prevent children, or the old and infirm from being conscripted?"
Edited by LittleMako on Jan 19th 2020 at 1:39:29 AM
Carmilla & Sypha, VDF-631
"Whatever happened to the Deus Ex Machina probably just added 'woman' as a prerequisite to summoning someone for a while," Carmilla shrugged her shoulders when Ozma pointed out the gender disparity. "If this virus can remove requirements, it could probably add them as well."
"In any case, that is enough proof, but if we are going to be saving the multiverse without even being asked if we wanted to do so, things will have to change," Carmilla crossed her arms. "You need to treat this situation as seriously as stopping armageddeon calls for."
"If we are to save the multiverse, we need more than a malfunctioning ship and cryptic communications from you, but it seems like you understand that now as well," Carmilla continued before sighing. "Send Will our regards and some flowers, and tell him to get well soon from us... We took our anger out on him too much so he deserves to rest and recover."
Wizard Needs Food Badly"...Useless."
Santa tugged Tessa out of Elesis' grasp, immediately identifying the problem as being too horny for her own good. Hopefully being removed from this very uncouthly-dressed pirate was going to lower that a bit, but she wasn't entirely sure.
If Tessa still wasn't taken out of her trance, which was very possible as even with her heroic might Santa had to hold her close in order to drag her limp, dumb ass to safety, she would conjure up the legendary Llamrei Mark 2 and put her down in the driver's seat. She figured that these people, trapped in a world without joy and mirth, may not be familiar with Christmas and its many cultural icons...but maybe, just maybe, the appearance of the mythical sleigh and its mythical dwarf hippopotomus would awaken some kind of ancestral memory within them, and tell them of the cheer that they so longed after.
Once Tessa was seated, she'd lean up to her ear and say "MASTER, get up! We are having a moral quandry to be outraged over."
Gotta be honest, here...Susan had kinda figured the randomness of her selection was a factor a long time ago. This was really just a confirmation, so perhaps she was feeling a bit less bothered by it than the new people. Besides, she was right earlier, she was still one of the only ones from the original group left! That had to count for something! Tenacity and an unlikelihood to disappear in a flowing eddy of universal resonance were qualities of their own.
In fact, a lot of what she was hearing right now coming from her own people had probably been answered. The issue is, jumping to the side of the old guy and saying "It's fine, stop complaining and get to work" was only going to send her to an early grave...
...so she only ended up saying "Guys, if we could see our friends back home...why wouldn't it have happened already?"
Maki Harukawa - VDF-631
Tiki's scolding only earned her a blank stare from Maki, who sure didn't give a hoot about what the green-haired girl was saying. Especially since she had used the 'H' word that Maki had become sick of hearing. "Drop that fake smile. If you're angry with me, then show it. And since you asked, I do think trusting people too easily will just hurt you. If you truly care about your friend, you should watch out that she doesn't get herself killed." Note that Maki did honestly try to give an advice with that last sentence, but it likely could be misinterpreted.
Lucina's speech had a bit more success in that the former assassin did not treat as simple empty lecturing. Her optimism reminded her a bit of a certain someone back in the Ultimate's world. So she was a bit less cold when she spoke to the knight. "You chose to believe in them, huh? Fine by me, just don't complain if it backfire on you."
Despite her harsh rebukes, there was something that Maki had to consider from all of the comments around here. Especially since one of the people who said it didn't share Lucina's overoptimism. "But you're both right about something. If I want to go back to my world, working with you all is my best bet. And giving up is not an option, so I'm going to do everything in my power to do that. This does not mean I'm ever going to treat those guys," she then pointed towards Clifford and his crew, "as comrades. I'm going to work with them as long as they continue to be useful. Am I clear now?"
Speaking of which, she had a question for them related to other people asking about it. She again glared at the representative. "I assume you have no way to fix the summoning process. Because if you had one, then the child appearing right now meant you chose to not apply it. For your sake, I hope it's the first case."
Tenko Chabashira - VDF-631
Tenko's reflections about the state of degenerate males were interrupted by hearing questions about contacting people, which prompted her to yell at Crifford "Oh yeah, that's right! I'm sure my family must be worried sick about me! So speak up! Is there a way to talk to them?"
From almost out of her vision, she noticed the santa-dressed woman taking out an hipopotamus out of nowhere. This caused the Aikido Artist to stare in disbelief. "Uhh... Are you a mage, miss?"
Edited by Alecoene on Jan 18th 2020 at 4:14:20 PM
Clifford Kreyuz simply let people say their pieces and thoughts, his face placid even as they unloaded their considerable amounts of vitriol upon him. At the least, he kept calm and even took things in stride due to knowing full well the weight of the mission thrust upon everyone present and the great amount of stress they were in. Also because it was the least he could give them because they were now past the point of going back.
"We are indeed mad. But I would rather have some chance than no chance. The reason why you are meeting face to face hinged upon a variety of factors but if I had to say... it is because we don't have to worry about certain matters as much as we did before. Will's people did their work in the most utmost of secrecy. You were given the littlest of support because Rook's technology wasn't concretely gained before that point, greatly limiting overall options atop of the fact they didn't want to hand you all over to the government."
"The missions you were sent on was enough to have them reach a breakthrough in reversing several key points of interest through utilizing hyperbolic time to hasten things along. Will himself has used up ten whole years of his life in between missions simply to give us the edge that we need, diverting a great deal of time and energy with the research staff in fine-tuning the processes so we can directly skip the chasing of a trail gone half-cold."
Glancing sadly at his friend in the monitor who looked shamefully away at the sudden dropping of information that he didn't want known, Clifford turned his attention back to everyone present. "The other big reason we are meeting here is because at this point in time, we have the means gained through sacrifice to fully go on the offensive and directly seal up the holes in the dimensions through our own power."
We don't have to scavenge for breadcrumbs so you all don't need to waste any more of your efforts in being passive. Still, I thank those of you who are worried for Will. If you would like to personally meet him later on after all this, I can show you his room in the medbay." Smiling at the concern given to the man by some of the numbers, Kreyuz at least had some measure of good will on that point before continuing.
"That and we actually have a place with proper living standards and you all need not to be hidden from view any longer. You will be able to have free access to most facilities here as well as a stable pay grade that can be converted to currency of your choice when this is all over as compensation for your efforts. Food, entertainment, and other such enterprises are likewise included in the contract with our medical in particular being exceptional as well as free."
"You can also choose to a certain extent which missions you would like to head out on since we can afford to breach multiple fronts for much less expenditure than prior, giving you all greater leeway as well as the briefest of choices as to whether you head out on the field or stay behind depending on preferences." Looking at the younger people in particular at his last line, Kreyuz finished summing up the carrot portion of stick-and-carrot.
Quirking an eyebrow at Tira's question, Kreyuz simply chuckled a bass rumble. "Oh yes, reality itself tends to do that more often than not. Most of the time it doesn't end though because it's a lot tougher than most people give it credit for, rousing the sentient races to act as a sort of natural antibody in order to prevent the whole 'body' from collapsing in order to fix itself right back up. Whether or not it recuperates depends on the efforts and capabilities of those that are gifted and burdened with the repair job."
"In our case, we are not the first nor last in this line of work. We aren't even responsible for everything as a whole, just a small part of an infinite amount of worlds. And yet... even what is being threatened is rather mindbogglingly large in scale and it concerns everyone here considering all our homeworlds are being threatened and it simply falls upon our shoulders this round." There was a grim humor there as well as a tired acceptance of the burdens shared.
"As for your questions on contacting your homeworlds... well, there is a way though it is limited in scope with our current levels. Simply put, it would be like pre-recording a one way message that we will then send directly into the minds of those you wish to say your piece to. This can be done every so often and it won't wast as much energy compared to directly opening up a communication channel or transporting physical objects to your destination." An unexpected silver lining if there was any.
"That is about all I have to say for the welcoming committee. While it might not exactly be a pleasure for some of you, we will ascribe to keep things professional and civil given the circumstances. There will be benefits for cooperation as well as punishments for malicious intent and sabotage as well. A tour of VDF-631 will be given in a few minutes to those who wish for such as well." Nodding as he said everything he needed to, the commander then stood back with arms behind his back to once more allow the Alternates time to acclimate.
Edited by Makaioh on Jan 18th 2020 at 9:10:50 AM
Tetra (VDF-631)
As Commander Kreyuz said his piece in response to everyone levying their grievances against him, Tetra took in what he said...and let out a breath, grateful that he seemed to be able to take it in stride. Honestly, if she were in his shoes, she couldn't imagine the stress she'd have been under, or the age lines and gray hairs. Once he was done, the pirate captain spoke, her previous tone of annoyed lecturing absent and replaced with a tone of deference.
"Thank you. I can work with this." Left unsaid was whether or not the others would be as accommodating; turning to look at the others, and seeing Tiki trying to talk some sense into one of them, she overheard the lectured girl bringing up the fact that there was a kid with them and that they ought to be sent back. Getting a good look at the child in question, Tetra tilted her head. ("Can't be older than 11, but she's taking all this in stride. Least, compared to the others.") At the thought of 'others', Tetra looked pointedly at Maki, and couldn't help but snort in amusement.
Proud member of the AGOG community.Tessa - VDF-631
Miraculously, being pried off of a pirate and deposited into the seat of the sled did wonders for a woman's clarity.
"I still don't understand why they're hippos," Tessa said, shaking her head clear for a few moments.
"Wait, moral quandry?" She rubbed her nose with the back of her right hand, then adjusted her tie while listening in on Kreyuz's speech. The last part in particular piqued her interest.
"Oh, tour?" She hopped out of the sled and approached Kreyuz, still adjusting her necktie. "I'd like the tour, please. Thank you. That would be fine. Do you think we could look at the schematics too? Blueprints? Wiring charts? Computer core? Anything?"
Tiki - VDF-631
"Oh my, three thousand years and I still haven't perfected being able to give a young woman a genuine smile. The human body really is a complicated things, isn't it?" Tiki tsked. "I don't take a smile lightly, because often it's the only thing I can offer someone when I'm otherwise coinless and have nothing else to give. Please don't confuse a bit of healthy, friendly discourse for any sort of ill will. If I were truly displeased with you - if you did something so incredibly horrendous that I could no longer even offer you a smile - why, I imagine I would just eat your right up and that would be the end of that."
"I think we've worked well enough together as it is, I'd just like it if we could continue to do so regardless of how we feel about this ordeal we've been thrown into. For the time being, with so many things yet unknown to us, perhaps we could spend the next few hours focusing on gathering more information and understanding about just what this place is and how it works, and then once all of that is settled we can get right to deciding who to trust and what to do next. If we disagree at that point, at least it will be out of our perspectives rather than our ignorance. Could you agree to that much, at least?"
Fiore - VDF-631
"Even if I can't see them, a mentally-transmitted message would be plentiful enough. Thank you." Relief washes over her that she need not worry about her home situation. Poor Caules would probably have several things to handle on his plate soon, but it's several times more preferable than keeping mum and have everyone be worried over her.
With that out of the way for the time being, the mention of their extensive medical bay piqued her interest immensely. She'd been trying to find a way to heal her own disability for a while, but the only methods she'd found in her world, both mundane and magical, would result in the total loss of her ability to use Magecraft, which is something she can't abide. But were there otherworldly medical techniques out there that could both treat her legs while not risk removing her magic circuits there...
It's a longshot, but it wouldn't hurt to check.
"While I can't rightfully say where I stand in regards to everyone's stance on our handlers here, being newly-arrived myself." she started. "I wouldn't mind a tour and getting to know more about the station and its staff, seeing as I'll be staying here for quite a while. Whether they're distrustful or not is something I have to judge with my very own eyes, but for the moment, I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt."
The commander doesn't appear to have any reason to lie and the grandma that she'd met all but kindly confirmed that they were all on an adventure to save worlds. Was it just the girl-in-red that seemed disillusioned by it all?
The Big
Honestly, Max didn't need respect. He would settle for a clear objective, a trail to find their perp and end this wild goose chase across the multiverse. Kreyuz, for his part, delivered that and then some. Of course, that raised questions as to why Svalinn wasn't at the helm from the word go. "Fucking bureaucracy... they'd cut corners on every last byte if they could help it..." He muttered, running a hand over his face.
"Alright. These terms are agreeable." He looked at the hologram of Will. Could bring some kind of get-better-soon gift with him... "If the kids on board can sit out dangerous places, that works for me." He didn't really care for money; the van's amenities were more than enough for him - but it was a nice gesture. The other thing - being able to contact people back home - got more of a reaction out of him though, though he remained silent. Susan was only half-right. It might not have been possible until now.
"...right. I'll hold you up on that. Think a tour will still help clear some hotter heads." He nodded before he turned his attention to Lucina. "...good you're still with us." Max said, offering something of a smile and a pat on the shoulder, he moved over to where the tour group would soon become. "Get in one group, tour people, so we don't clutter the place too much! You too, Tira." Here he pointed at the likely still surly assassin.
The Old
"Oh no, lad, don't take it as an insult. The most brilliant minds I knew were all insane." Maria smiled wryly at Clifford. "As long as you recognize your limits and don't let it take over, there is hardly a thing to be worried about." All these benefits their new handlers offered to them meant little to Maria. There was no one she wanted to call; the damnable doll in the Hunter's Dream likely felt no different as it always did. She had no need for money either. To entertain herself with doodads of the outside world, perhaps, but little more than that.
"Well, I guess a tour it is. I trust your shining future beacon of technology does have accommodations for the challenged like myself and the noble lady there?" Here Maria gestured at Fiore with a slight smile.
The Umu
Well, how about that. This was actually more than sufficient for Nero's tastes. To split the group would certainly help defuse tensions, and being able to pursue several endeavors at once could only yield positive results. Yes. This Kreyuz was more than sufficient. "This decisive approach pleases me, as it does the glory of Rome, umu." Back to the slight whimsy, Caster nodded with a smile. "Glad you have taken over. With all due respect to that ailing man, it seems not much was done at his time, so these news are more than heartening."
Speaking of heartening, ah; could this inflamed speech of justice be any more beautiful? Nero slid into Lucina's view with a wide grin, seizing her hand with both of hers. "Why, it was almost as if Jupiter himself descended from his golden throne to breathe spirit into the hearts of wanting men! I'd break into the ode to your glorious enterprise if the environ wasn't too droll for fine arts!" Caster nodded approvingly. "I thought we are lacking for heroes, but if these few come in such quality as yourself, my fair knightess, then perhaps hope is not lost, umu~"
VDF-631 (Lillie) ~ Don't Worry About Me
Upon hearing people yet again becoming angry about her presence here, Lillie snapped out of her stupor. With her former horrified expression going back to a simple worried frown, which at this point could be considered her usual look, she turned to those people in particular.
"Um...please, don't worry about me...." she said, before looking down at her feet, "I, um...I don't mind being here, and I've been here before...Well, not here-here, I mean on this journey. And I don't like, um...that," she pointed at the viewfinder that had previously shown worlds getting destroyed, "And want to help, even if I don't know how just yet, and...and, um...."
She looked up again, now with an expression that was almost pleading. "...And I really don't like this fighting either, so, um...."
She trailed off before going back to just staring at her feet.
VDF-631 (Ozma) ~ Can't Be Angry
"I do hope you'll continue working towards a better way for us to communicate with our homes," Ozma said, "But all the same I am grateful for just this much. Thank you."
After saying that, she once again glanced at her coworkers, or more specifically the ones who had been arguing over whether the goal outweighed the methods of their employers. A conflicted frown crossed her face.
She could see the points of those angry with their employers. In fact, she was wondering why she wasn't angry herself. Oz was a land long embroiled in strife, and it was only with the witches dealt with and her ascension to the throne that things finally started looking up. Oz needed her, and yet she was ripped away from it to the Frontiers, by some nebulous force that just thought she had what it took to shape that land.
Yet she wasn't angry then. If anything she'd accepted being there readily. Why?
The Emerald District needed her, too. Things might had been going well at the time of her departure, but they were still a relatively small group at a disadvantage compared to the more established groups like the Log Horizon District. She was hoping to have given them a place of refuge in the chaotic Frontiers, and maybe help protect the Frontiers themselves from those of less noble goals, but once again she was ripped away, brought here to assist with a goal that, while noble, was also on an absolutely massive scale that was difficult to grasp.
Yet she couldn't bring herself to be angry now.
She turned back to Kreyuz and looked him over, almost as if she was trying to see through to his innermost thoughts and feelings. All things considered, he didn't sound like a man who was lying for his own benefit, and she couldn't think of any reason why he would lie to them. If the vision he showed them was to be believed, both Oz and the Frontiers' respective existences were at stake here.
One part of her wanted to try and make a speech of her own to complement the lapine knight's, but she decided against it. One thing was clear here, and that was a lot, if not almost all, of these people were here long before she was. There was likely context here that she was missing since she just arrived. Who was she to say anything, in that scenario? She'd just be trying to lecture people who knew more than her.
"I'll be taking the tour myself. There's much here that I do not understand; even the simple fact that this place is supposedly a 'space station' means nothing to me. Perhaps seeing it for myself will help clarify some things."
With that she joined the tour group. While she waited for them to depart, she once more looked upon everyone assembled. What a group.
Edited by Yomegami on Jan 19th 2020 at 4:50:00 AM
Icon by Civvi the Civilian!A few people reacted to her rant. The irritating bunny girl broke out into some drivel about her world, and Tira's scowl deepened as she had to resist the urge to turn around and explain to her some of the ways the multiverse worked and inform her that no matter how hard she fought, there was a universe out there where they died in fultility and their world burned to cinders.
Throughout this, her eyes never left Clifford. Then he spoke, a well reasoned reply that was delivered without even raising his voice.
She blinked.
That haden't been what she was expecting. She had expected at least mild annoyance, exquses, maybe even some threats aimed at her. But she got none of that. He actually had a plan, was willing to offer them tangable rewards. Not that she placed value on money, but it meant that he could be negotated with.
Thus, the anger on her face shifted from rage to confusion. After Max yelled over at her, she spoke again to Clifford.
This coversation isen't done. But we'll speak later.
Her eyes shift backward a little, the ubspoken part clear.
Away from them
Then her face shifts as Jolly takes over, and she turns around.
Maxy!
She hurries over to him, smiling.
Hi Maxy! Haven't seen you around for a while. Where you been hiding? You must be pretty good at it to hide, being as big and loud as you are.
Her eyes suddenly narrow a bit.
Waaaait a minute. You're not a Ninja, are you, Maxy? You're not dressed like one, but that's the kind of dirty trick a Ninja would pull.
She frowns a bit, and the correct response to this question is very apparant.
Well between the new guy seeming to actually have a plan, being ready to act on it, and an actual paycheck for her trouble, Lady was very, very happy. She'd have to talk rates with him later, but that could wait a minute. She turned around, giving the insane woman with the ring plenty of room to go around. Then she caught sight of Lillie, and walked over to her, making sure to place herself between the girl and the madwoman.
"Most people don't actually like fighting, Lillie. But sometimes, if you don't fight, people who can't fight get hurt."
She nods at Lillie.
"On one hand, I'm happy to see you again. On the other, I wish it haden't been because you were dragged back here again. How have you been?"
Edited by Meanken on Jan 19th 2020 at 2:01:52 AM
Lucina - Things are settling down
As many of her comrades, Lucina was heartened to hear that their new allies planned to take the initiative. She knew the dangers of falling into the habit of reacting, playing defensive, it was a wonder she hadn't felt that danger during the chase after Rook - perhaps everything had happened too fast for her to take a step back and take it all in.
"A tour sounds ideal, Ser Kreyuz - and I would very much like to pay my respects to Ser Aryl as well."
What was more, to Lucina's relief it seemed her impromptu speech went down rather well. Tira ignored her, for the most part, which was quite possibly for the best. To Max, she gave a small smile and a nod, patting the hand on her shoulder before he moved off.
Even Maki, while not precisely swayed, was willing to co-operate. Shifting to place herself slightly between Tiki and Maki with a good-natured smile, she held out both hands in a calming gesture, hoping to defuse any future fight before it happened.
"Please, Tiki, don't eat our comrades..." Turning to the girl in red, she gave her a small, respectful bow, a hand to her heart. "Maki - That's all I ask. Thank you."
By the time she'd risen from her bow, another woman in red had materialized before her and grasped her hand. Lucina blinked in surprise, ears flicking up and cheeks flushing faintly as she was lavished with poetic praise, the princess caught a little off-guard.
"Ah, please, you're too kind." She rubbed the back of her head with her free hand, smiling bashfully. "If my words can bring our small band a little closer together, I will be satisfied."

Tessa's hand would find it pretty easy to chomp down on the velvety glove of her Servant. Of course, what happened next was a different story.
"...Biting the hand that feeds you, hmm? I will not stand for a peasant rebellion."
And, with blinding speed, Santa lightly hit Tessa on the head with a drumstick until she let go.
"Ultimately, what difference does it make," Santa idly commented as she walked behind Nero. Clad in a far less seasonal outfit than usual, the imperious king still wore her signature hat
◊ just in case someone would forget who she was. "We shall cleave through traps like we always have. It's just another...no, Master, cease this..."
She walked over to Tessa's prone form, ignoring the interrogation going on, as she really wanted to put even the slightest of good impressions with these people. To achieve this, she pulled her up by one arm and tried to get her to stand on her own two feet for one second without any issues, wordlessly.
Susan was, thankfully, asleep and dreaming of Nahuatl Hotties while everyone was subject to the warping insanity of relativistic travel.
Once she had gotten out of bed, stretched, put on a fresh set of not-stained-by-Molag-blood clothing, eaten breakfast, gotten a shower, eaten second breakfast and fluffed her hair up in the appropriate manner she was ready to join the rest outside of the ship with an actual, sincere smile on her face.
To the disabled lady who was apparently yet another person dragged into all of this mess (she wondered if space stations were wheelchair accessible usually), Susan had this to say: "I don't think that there's any choice. It's random, but hey, look at us! I'm a corporate executive," this was delivered entirely seriously, "and yet I'm one of the surviving members of the first group of people here."
"..."
"...By 'surviving' I just mean that I didn't get sucked back into my world. Nobody's dead! It's all fine!"