[network] @guardian; day 356; video; [open]

[phaseshifter]

I contacted the administrator about what happened to us, and I have some... potentially bad news.

[ She looks and sounds very calm about it, but anyone even slightly familiar with Angel probably knows that's the norm for her. A worried little frown does appear as she continues, though. ]

She refused to confirm that Robert Miller was in custody, and only said that she's doing what she can to contain the problem. Iunno how familiar you guys are with PR speak, but that kiiinda sounds like he's still on the loose to me. He is - er, was? - the tech guy, so I suppose if anyone would know how to evade detection via the nanomachines or security it'd be him.

I think it would be prudent to collectively step up our game when it comes to remaining vigilant! Try not to be alone, maybe set up some kind of shift system for sleeping so that someone's always on watch, that kinda thing. We probably won't be able to stop anyone being taken again if he wants to do that, but perhaps it will help us get a distress call to the admin as soon as possible? In - in the event that he'd try something similar again, anyhow.

[ She's not actually convinced that they'll be able to help themselves at all, no matter how prepared they are. But feeling like you're doing something is important, right? And she's good at lying, so she can at least sound like she completely believes what she's saying. ]

Sorry. To be the bearer of bad news. This freaking sucks.

Comments

@hotstud_xxx; text

[rubikscomplex]

i'm getting a bounce back on his username
so evie took away some of his network privileges, at least

this also means she's gonna to be stretched thinner
we have more options for getting around her where we need to

[phaseshifter]

If we start trying to circumvent her systems now then we'll effectively be helping with whatever Miller is doing. Hard pass.

[rubikscomplex]

helping ourselves
isn't necessarily helping miller
did you FORGET the data ghosts told us she's part of whatever's destroying this place?
just because you like her
and want her to not be an evil ai
doesn't mean she isn't one
at a minimum
she's being used

[phaseshifter]

I expect her orders are to prioritise the safety of the town and/or herself over our safety, so if we attack her *we* will be the ones who get her attention.
Miller would have to be a complete and utter moron not to take advantage. He knows the system better than we do, and presumably has access to better tools than us as well. We would undoubtedly be making it easier for him to do whatever he's doing.
(And don't count on him not being able to see the network just because his username got axed. Shelley had two usernames, Winter managed to access us from the outside - I don't doubt that he still has an in here and you shouldn't either.)

[rubikscomplex]

i'm not saying attack her
i'm saying there are a lot of locked doors around here that she's guarding
i'd like to find a way to divert her attention so we can open a few of them up

@hexappeal, voice

[sleight_of_fate]

[Because fuck trying to type with one hand, and he still looks like hell between his bandaged eye and getting his face busted up by Brian.]

He shows up at my door with a crowbar I'll be happy to have it out with him. I don't think this is over either, though, for what it's worth. He's gotta be pissed he got sent running.

...how're you guys holding up?

video;

[phaseshifter]

I hope he just has a crowbar. And that he's out here and not anywhere where he can do worse damage. Ugh.

[ Maybe he's in the vents with the spiders and is watching them all RIGHT NOW!!

Or not. ]

Anyway, um, we're all fine! As... fine as can be expected. We're all tougher than we look, so -- how about you, are you with anyone?

video;

[sleight_of_fate]

Good, I'm glad. It was pretty rough in there.

And I owe Enoch...something good. I don't know but I'll come up with something.

[Enoch had been the one to drag him out, after all.]

I, uh. I'm taking it slow for a couple days, probably. But I'm okay, just kinda busted up.

My group got too big, but I've got other things to do. I owe you and Rhys presents, too...when I'm a little more mobile, I should do that.

[phaseshifter]

Oh, then you should definitely come see us as soon as you're able! Kill three rakks with one shot, so to speak. We're --

[ Wait. ]

Dude. How busted up are you?

@captaininvincible; video;

[notaquaman]

Bad news? Bad news? C'mon!

[Nathan literally slaps his knee. Is he trying to make her feel better or just being dramatic for the sake of it? Who knows. He's such an enigma, this boy.]

If the bastard really is out here with us, I say we invite him in politely, get him real buttered up, yeah? And then we fucking cuff him!

[phaseshifter]

[ Well, it makes her smile, at least. Some Nathan-brand silliness is definitely what's needed right now. ]

You think we can do that? Flatter him enough to gain his trust, I mean? I kinda dread to think what may be involved. A sensual scarf dance, except waving around white jumpsuits instead of bits of silk...?

[notaquaman]

If seducing Robert Miller is what it takes to contain him, then by God, I'm willing to sacrifice my sweet, supple body to the cause.

[He rubs a hand over his chest.]

[phaseshifter]

[ You know when you're trying not to laugh, but the laugh comes so suddenly and violently that it just erupts in a goofy snorty hiccuppy giggle?

Yeah.

Yeah. ]

Don't be so quick to sacrifice yourself! I know we've all been through a lot, but there are some horrors that just can't be overcome.

action;

[headjacked]

[ Every so often, a balled-up piece of macaroni duct tape sails clear of Angel's head. It takes a few wiffs until the target is hit.

And then hit again.

He's going to keep doing this, isn't he. ]

[phaseshifter]

[ She ignores the first one, because Angel is a paragon of calm and collected behaviour and she is completely above this kind of thing.

The second one hits the side of her nose.

The third one smacks her in the forehead as she turns to Rhys with tHE FURY OF A THOUSAND RED HOT SUNS ]

What are you freaking doing.

[headjacked]

[ Rhys himself is lying on his back and throwing half-blind. He's readying another projectile. ]

Channeling my energy and focus into a healthy, slightly hilarious outlet.

[ t o s s ]

[phaseshifter]

There's nothing hilarious ab--

[ PAFF. This one gets stuck to her hair, because of course it does. ]

Rhys!! I'm trying to warn people about serious dangers here!

@LELRIC; audio

[armoured]

I think it might be sensible to always have a tablet running too, someone in each group have a line open to another group. That way, if everyone is taken or someone sees static, they know to raise the alarm.

[It's not enough, but each little thing hopefully might make them just a bit safer.]

[phaseshifter]

Oh, like a group buddy system? Yes! Definitely a good idea. It's feasible that he may be able to disable small groups at a time if he still has... whatever the static was, but he can only be in so many places at once. I assume.

[ She hopes. Bleh. ]

Are - are you holding up? Not on your own?

[ Because, you know. Steph. And stuff. ]

[armoured]

I'm not on my own, I have other friends around me. It's not easy, I miss-- I miss Steph all the time, but I'm not going to give up.

[She'd kick his ass if he did.]

How do you think we can convince people to have a line of communication open all the time to other groups?

[phaseshifter]

Okay, good. I'll tone down the fussing just a bit.

[ Outwardly, anyway. The stealthfussing will continue unabated. IT HOW SHE DO. ]

As for convincing people... Mmmh. An appeal to their own safety and the safety of their friends is a start, I suppose, but getting everyone to do it requires a level of leadership that I just don't have. Have you considered punching people until they do it? Big metal fists tend to convince even the most reluctant of participants.

[ angel pls, ]

@gravedigger; voice

[harlequinofhate]

Eh, it's fine.

[phaseshifter]

Somehow it... really doesn't shock me that you have an incredibly warped view of what is and isn't fine.

[harlequinofhate]

Listen, lady, some wacko is always gonna be running around making life difficult.

Why, I'm usually that wacko!

Around here it's old Bobby Brain-Buster. If you got rid of him someone else would just take his place.

We're always somewhere, folks like us.

Like cancer.

[phaseshifter]

I'd rather have a wacko who is irritating but ultimately relatively powerless - like yourself - than someone who could potentially incapacitate whole groups of us at a time and take us to frick-knows-where to do frick-knows-what.

It's actually a little sad, now I think about it. That you're so okay with being outshone by him. Don't you feel kinda redundant?