Second Report - Necessity Is The...

[lessabrasive]

[ The communicator clicks on, revealing the sunlit decore of Twilight Town. Sunset Hill, specifically, for those familiar with the location.

What should also be familiar is the statue in view of the camera. Not so familiar? The portal set at the base, the glow pulsing brightly. Invitingly, even. A pricklemane bounces towards it, then stops, tilting its head from left to right and waggling its ears in a show of interest. ]


This wasn't here when I passed by this morning. But it looks like the wait for something new to happen is over.


[ After 10 seconds or so of focus, the camera swings around until the firm frown of Lin Beifong is visible. ]


We don't know what might be through here, and securing a safe point on the other side is a priority. I plan on crossing over shortly. Anyone in Twilight Town is welcome to join me, but I recommend being ready for combat.


[ooc: this post is action/prose friendly! feel free to reply to Lin, or go ahead and do your own thing in a seperate thread. :D ]

Comments

[raisethemoon]

[Luna enters quite calmly, but as she looks around her ears flatten. She spreads her wings defensively as she glances over her shoulder for anyone else, anyone who shouldn't come back here.]

Neigh. I know this place.

[lessabrasive]

[ Edge gets a blink, before Lin gives him a Look over her shoulder. ]

...A what?

[ Then, the other way, attention switching to Luna as the mare speaks, and Lin's stances shifts slightly, to something a little more aggressively prepared: ]

..How so. This doesn't precisely strike me as somewhere from Equestria.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

This specific one, or Lunar Whales in general?

[This conversation cannot possibly go in a weird or bad direction. Also, a strange creature is talking to him. There are no horses on his world, only chocobos, so he hasn't the slightest idea that this creature shouldn't be talking... and let's face it, after the moogles, why should it be weird?]

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[York stares around blankly. He never thought he'd see this place again. He sure as hell never thought he'd see this place again intact; they weren't exactly designed to land on planets.]

It's a space ship. It's called the Mother of Invention. But what the hell is it doing here?

[Delta is having a quiet meltdown in the back of his head and York abruptly sits, which is bad because there are no chairs. What the fuck.]

[raisethemoon]

Not in Equestria, but in nightmares.

[Her answer to Lin is quite terse, as she moves instead to York's side.] Wouldst thou like me to send thee back through?

[allfunandgamesuntil]

No, I...no. I can do this.

[They can't see how much he's shaking inside the armor because of all the things he expected to see, this was not one of them. York manages to get to his feet; though the world tilts oddly, and he hangs onto one of the consoles.]

FILSS? FILSS, are you here?

[He pokes at the computer console, but even though it appears to be on, it doesn't respond.]

There should be a...a thing. With a woman's voice, she was in charge of the ship but I guess in a dream she doesn't have to be...or maybe she's just not talking to me I don't know...

[lessabrasive]

[ A space ship. That sounds almost as fantastic as a moon whale.

Given York's rather abrupt loss of locomotion there, Luna's comments on nightmares seem to have some merit. The Pricklemane immediately returns back the way he came, making worried noises at York.

The stagger is concerning. Green eyes narrow, even as Lin moves closer - to assist, if need be, though she glances across to Luna. Perhaps they'll have to have that teleport ready after all. ]


A 'thing'? A spirit? [what kind of name is FILSS anyway. Her voice is firm:] If this is another dream world, she may also be sleeping. Hence why you're not getting any response.

Should we be worried about this place?

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[Sparky and Max are cuddling close to York; he barely noticed either of them a moment before. He takes a steadying breath; he's going to have to go somewhere and sit for...a while soon, but he's been through worse than a shock like this.]

FILSS is an artificial intelligence. AIs are...thinking machines. Some of them are people, some of them are...I don't know, they're specialized enough that they don't really think, they just sound like they're thinking.

Other than the nightmares that are probably here, there shouldn't be anything more dangerous than anywhere else.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

[Lunar Whales, spaceships, they're all the same thing... literally. Edge steps past the collapsed man with a dramatic toss of his cape.]

'Shouldn't'. Let's not leave that to chance. I'll go on ahead; you all stay here, keep watch on him.

[raisethemoon]

[Luna has a wing still half-spread to help support York if he falls, though considering the weight of that armor she may just grab him with her magic as well if that happens. Sun and Moon...she needs to find Agent Washington once she's done here.]

If she was one of the...less advanced ones, 'tis possible she was not capable of dreaming? [It's definitely a question; while she knows the AIs here, or at least Theta, can have dreams, she doesn't really know all that much about artificial intelligence in general.]

[allfunandgamesuntil]

It's...possible, it's not like it really came up much before.

[Delta has gone quiet, but it's not a comforting sort of quiet. Maybe Luna's right; maybe he should go and just try to process this instead of going on.]

Just be careful not to punch through any walls. I don't know if it's actually outer space outside or if the world ends at the walls of the ship, but if it's the first one, breaching the hull would be deadly.

[dork_of_keys]

[Sora's been quiet to this point, looking around, noticing they were in space, seeing York's response, the chatter about other AIs that are supposed to be aboard this ship.

A space ship... Fun. Not. Especially after York pointed out the possible dangers of breaching the hull.]

How big is this ship?

[lessabrasive]

We'll want to find or make a map of the accessable locations. I was told the Mansion wasn't accessable in Twilight Town for some time - we may run into areas like that here.

[ There's a slight nod at Sora's question; especially relevant, given York's warning. But there's a glower for Edge. She doesn't approve of that cocky attitude! ]

A group was formed for a reason. We don't know what sort of nightmares may lurk here, and straying too far might put you out of reach of aid. We don't need any heroics here.

Traveling in groups of two or three should be safest for now.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

I'm a ninja. Stealth's kind of a thing with us, and so is escape. Trust me, I know what I'm doing.

[lessabrasive]

..Tch. Fine. I don't seem to have much choice in the matter.

[ She's not your boss unfortunately(?) so she can hardly stop you. ]

If you're going to insist on a solo adventure, keep your communicator active. We don't know what we might find here.

[onehandsomeslickninja]

It's safer for everyone. And you've got your friend to worry about.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

Normally it's about a quarter mile long, five to six hundred feet wide, and four hundred feet high. Kind of small, built to maneuver. I don't know if it's different here.

[Ammunition. Guns. Equipment to fix his armor. All of that and more could be available here; he can't just leave.]

[the_mechanic]

[For better or worse, Tony shows up at this point, fully armored. It's looking better than he did upon arrival, and thanks entirely to Luna, he's got power in it again. To add to the miracles, Jarvis is online, though obviously disconnected from the home servers.

He takes a few seconds to survey, notices the others, and opens the mask. Jarvis is quietly scanning, now, for anything at all that might be of note. Tony has him muted, for the time being. Can't play all his cards at once.

Dingbat is unusually quiet, hovering behind Iron Man's head. Tony then notices York's current position, and the worried stances of everyone else.]

Okay. Where are we?

[Better late than never...]

[allfunandgamesuntil]

We're at the point were we say, "Let's split up gang."

[Okay, York, being off balance does not mean you have to be snarky at the new arrivals.]

It's a UNSC frigate called the Mother of Invention. We might be in space.

[raisethemoon]

W - I can survive in space. But it is hardly preferable...

[She casts the walls a very uneasy glance; that part of the equation hadn't quite hit her until right now. Space has never been the greatest experience for her.]

[dork_of_keys]

Then we really don't want to punch any holes in it.

[That is of course assuming that ending up in space unprotected is lethal. Being in a dream might cancel that, but Sora sure as hell doesn't want to find out the hard way.

There was something else, though...]

Hey, does anyone else feel like we're being watched?

[statisticallyterrible]

[Being quiet was a particular talent of Chell's, though she let out a quiet huff at that comment. Up until this point, she'd been satisfied to hold back and take in the information conveniently spilling from the guy in yellow. Verdict was still out on whether or not she was surprised by this place, namely on determining just how uncomfortably familiar it was.

The fact was, if there were AI involved, they were almost guaranteed being watched. They'd get nowhere sitting around talking about it, though. She takes a few steps out to separate herself from the rest; there, she started the first group. Who else is coming?]

[lessabrasive]

For the moment, we'll worry about what's inside the ship, not out.

[ A hand claps on York's shoulder; it isn't a scold, but is firm for the brief time it rests there. Reassurance, perhaps.

Then the metalbender's hand drops and Lin clasps both behind her. Her pricklemane nudges at Sparky and Max, a friendly rumble in his throat, before he bounces over to stand next to Lin, and puff up seriously. It's a rather comical immitation in its own fashion, although he's not doing it for fun - he's doing his best to be as stern as she is! (...it isn't working).

Lin ignores him. Instead, she has another frown for Edge (=n=!!), before she nods at Chell as the quietest of the recent arrivals seperates from the group. At least someone's taking the initiative.]


If it's like any other ship, there should be multiple decks, and access points on the port and starboard sides.

I'll remain here as point of contact for any latecomers, and keep us coordinated. If anything unwanted tries to come in through those doors, I should be able to handle it.

[ That, and she doesn't want to use her seismic sense in front of the group. Not just yet..

Did you have to say that out loud, Sora? There's a slight grimace as her reply. ]

[raisethemoon]

[Luna casts the ceiling a contemplative glance. It...must be this FILSS. The Alpha is gone now. Though she herself is from the past, relative to her own sister...]

Yes...possibly. We should speak with caution.

I believe the other Freelancers must be informed of this development as soon as possible. [Read: before one walks in here and has a total breakdown. Lookin' at you, Washington.]

[the_mechanic]

[...]

Fantastic. [just a general observation, said to no one in particular.]

[After some scanning, Jarvis has assessed that the tech present on this space-frigate is remarkably similar, if not the same era and make as the tech present in York's armor. That could likely explain the testiness and apparent emotional reaction if this is something from his waking home.

Interesting.

He's not picking up a definitive answer on another AI, however, which is disconcerting considering, yeah, it feels like the walls have eyes.

He steps off to the side as well, though it's unclear if he's planning to impose himself on Chell or just form another group.]

Are we expecting anyone else?