Crashing Down: Preparation

[voidtreckermods]

Voidtreckers. I have picked up a catastrophe mission coming from system #78961112094711. Voidtreckers have urged me to be open with you all these last months and so I shall be transparent. The readings coming from this catastrophe are very unusual and I cannot determine the threats. Indeed there do not seem to be any threats in the system that would result in a catastrophe level mission.

This has been encountered before, in the Month of Egret on system #27462947582. This voidcraft was unable to ascertain the threats that could lead to a catastrophe. Known risks were calculated and mission goals created, but the Voidtreckers were put in unnecessary danger from the world destroyers.

From the data available it is not unreasonable to believe that the catastrophe facing #78961112094711 comes from the world destroyers. We still have little information. We do not have any way to stop the destroyers. However we have advantages that Voidtreckers did not have in the month of Egret.

We know what is coming. System #78961112094711 is Void Active. Voidtreckers have allies there. Saving the system is not possible but with five hours it is possible that many many lives could be saved by evacuating them to the void.

This voidcraft is sending a forward message to the ministry stationed on System #78961112094711. Due to the nature of arriving at catastrophe missions they will receive it not long before we arrive. But it should mean they are ready for us. This voidcraft has calculated mission goals to help voidtreckers organise but it should be noted that the most important goal is to save as many lives as possible.

The announcement comes out of the blue on day twenty four of the month of Quicksand. Not too long after breakfast when people are getting on with chores or other morning activities.

It is followed quickly by a holographic message setting out their team goals. They do not have all that much time before arrival, an hour or so to be prepared for the huge task ahead of them. The dressing carriage is open with warm coats, hats and other team-coordinated winter accessories.

How to prepare for such a challenge? It's going to be a very difficult day.

[OOC: This is a bonus extra for those who want to play out the preparation and reaction to the forthcoming event. It is forward dated until day 24. The actual event will go up on the 16th April and a conclusion on the 23rd. Though IC the event will only last one day.]

Comments

[longforgottenpromise]

"I guess not. But it's still... something. I guess."

He had never trained for disaster and he knew many others here hadn't either. Everything they knew came from being on the train and the previous missions.

"I think... A lot is going to be keeping people calm." From the look of the objectives and knowing people in general.

[subcircuits]

"Yes," Devero says. This, at least, he knows for sure. "Keeping them calm, and keeping them moving forward. As soon as someone stops to argue, or to try and go home to get this or that, you've got a problem."

[longforgottenpromise]

"Yes, people. Especially large groups of people can cause problems when they are frightened."

And there were about to be a lot of very frightened people in Osiga.

[subcircuits]

"Affirmative," he says with a nod. "And them just being frightened is a best case scenario. There may be folks who don't believe what we're saying, who refuse to cooperate." He meets Taiki's eyes. "Who may need to be left behind."

[longforgottenpromise]

People who wouldn't believe it. That would be likely. Who would want to believe in the end of the world? Especially if it came out of the blue like that.

But at the last there was a sorrow in his eyes, breaking through the stern mask he wore. He doesn't like that idea. Not at all.

"We will have to do our best to persuade them."

[subcircuits]

Oh, he sees that. This time he takes both of Taiki's shoulders in hand, meeting the kirin's eyes with his own dark ones. "We'll try. We will all of us try," he promises, before he steps down onto difficult ground. "But we are not going to succeed with everyone. Are you going to be able to let them go, those stubborn ones? To be able to move on to someone else who'll let you help them?"

[longforgottenpromise]

It hurts to even think about. To leave people to die. Even if they were being stubborn, even if their ears were closed to the truth. Just leaving them and moving on, knowing what he condemned them to?

No he wasn't able at all. It was against every thing that he was. Yet.

He would have to. It was as it always was, there was a need to push away his inner nature of a kirin. "I'll do what needs to be done."

And weep for the ones they couldn't save after.

[subcircuits]

Devero holds him for a moment longer, eyes searching Taiki's face, before he nods and lets him go. "Good," he says. "And... find someone to debrief with after, yeah?"

Taiki's going to need it. Devero knows he'll need it too. Chances are, they're all going to need a debrief after this is done.

[longforgottenpromise]

It's almost too much, being held right now. He has to be stronger than that. But nor can he pull away, because despite himself it feels safe, just for a moment.

Before they have to do this terrible and terrifying task.

"I will." He blinked at him. "You too. Please."

[subcircuits]

Devero doesn't hesitate to nod, straightening up and taking his hands back as he does. "I will," he says. "Promise."

[longforgottenpromise]

"Okay." He nodded at him, took a breath.

"Good luck out there."

They probably needed more than luck. But it was at least a start.

[subcircuits]

"You too, Taiki," Devero says. He sketches a salute to the young kirin, then steps back to take his leave.