ninth. voice (when the system's wrong, you gotta tear it down).

[torrefied]

[Mello is all business today - it's Door day, which means new arrivals are likely scanning the network looking for answers, and those who have been here may be looking for signs of those they know who have just arrived. No time like now to make his appeal to his fellow captives.]

We need better documentation. I know this isn't the first time I've said this, and it's maybe even more true now than before - the Null's recent contact with us and the information we've been able to glean from them makes a compelling argument for this, I think.

[He pauses, collecting the words for the rest of what he has to say.]

Frankly, we're not very well organized. We can do better than we have been. What I'm proposing is this: I want to assemble a team to collect and maintain information about our circumstances here - the entities responsible for bringing and keeping us here, their enemies, this war in which we've found ourselves caught in the crossfire. It's not an exaggeration to say that our survival could very well depend on these efforts. Now, I don't care if you have special qualifications or prior experience with this sort of thing - all I ask is that you agree to work as a team, and that if you say you'll do the work, you follow through reliably. If you're new here, familiarize yourselves with the introductory guide and the historical record. Ask questions. Bring us your ideas. If you uncover relevant information, you can contact me, Mello. I'm in the directory, under M.

Comments

Video

[fracturedbeauty]

I see.

How interesting, Mello-chan. I suppose I could offer my services to help in such a critical time. A little teamwork never hurt.

voice.

[torrefied]

[If you could only see the Look Mello is giving the screen over being called Mello-chan.]

Just "Mello" is fine. [Please don't call him that again.] I'd appreciate the help. I suspect a number of us are documenting the same things on our own. Working together should streamline our efforts.

Video

[fracturedbeauty]

Yes, it does make quite a bit of sense. I suppose I should be thankful for your organisation in this endeavour. So, you have my appreciation.

[hearthebell]

There's always been a compelling argument, but more so now, I think.

Something seems off to me about them. Nevertheless a line of questioning to determine more about their motives is of particular interest to me.

voice.

[torrefied]

Something's definitely off about them. Have you ever heard of something inorganic with the ability to be affected by emotion?

voice.

[hearthebell]

Only in science fiction. That being said, I know that advanced artificial intelligence can very convincingly imitate emotions, so I'm proceeding assuming that they're lying.

As much as I dislike this place and being a prisoner here, the gods seem genuine to me. They're idiots, but their intentions probably aren't malicious.

video;

[nonscriptum]

[Nate isn't really a "teamwork" kind of guy unless the definition of teamwork is "three people standing around watching Nate do all the work, honestly, come on," but he can see the validity of the claim even if his stake in this place feels exceptionally shallow.

He still hasn't recovered from ghosts and candidly, he's not sure he will. But he needs the busy work.

When he replies to the network-wide message he looks like shit, but he's sincere. Nate wants to help, but he doesn't know where to start and whenever he encountered civil wars on the job he usually just skirted around them. If a bunch of gods don't conscript them into an army they're all going to be collateral damage.]

I'm in. Not really sure how to investigate a thing that's only reached out to everyone once, though.

[And what happens if a god doesn't want to answer your text message?]

just voice for this paranoid dude 8|

[torrefied]

[If Mello weren't already disinclined toward broadcasting his face (too many years of training for a life of secrecy, too many years as a criminal and a fugitive after that), he certainly would be after this most recent event. Of all the people to have show up here, his long-dead mother is by far the most painful, and losing her all over again, real or not, ripped open scars on his heart that are taking longer than he'd like to heal up again.

So yeah, he's throwing himself into his work - what he's chosen as his work in this place. It's not the work he trained for since he was a boy, and it's not the work he chose when he set out on his own as a teen, but it's work that gives him a sense of purpose all the same.]

They said they'd be in contact with us again. I don't see any reason to doubt that - it's clearly within their capabilities.

[Nate picked up on patterns, before, in the city's architecture - ways Mello never considered. Perhaps he's done the same here. That's one benefit of teamwork, after all - multiple sets of eyes, multiple minds, multiple points of view.]

You didn't speak with them, right? Did you read over all the responses they gave out?

FINE YOU PARANOID JERK HERE'S A VOICE RIGHT BACK

[nonscriptum]

[Nathan Drake, who is also (technically) a criminal, has no issues with showing his face because he usually flies so low beneath the radar that he's under the ocean. And the government doesn't use sonar to find guys like him, check and mate.]

Read through the messages, sure, but I wasn't about to hold a conversation with what looked like a computer program.

[He doesn't know shit about computers beyond basic Word processing, The Google, and and using GIS maps for triangulation, so Nate wasn't exactly keen on opening up a dialogue unless it was going to tell him where to find the best Chinese takeout.

He shifts uncomfortably, even though Mello can't see it, and adds:]

...I don't really get why they'd call themselves - itself? - Null, though. Null means nothing. Or...zero. It cancels out opposing force. It sounds like something you'd name a bottle of weed-killer.

[Parasites, they'd said. With such definition. With decisiveness.]

Maybe we're the weeds.

[audio]

[synthedick]

I'll do what I can.

[Nick's aware Mello is probably never thrilled to hear his voice, but when it comes to keeping people safe from both the gods and the Null, Nick is all for it.]

[audio]

[torrefied]

[It's not that Mello doesn't appreciate the offer - he's just a child and holds grudges forever. Still, he manages to be less combative and more interrogative when he asks:]

What can you do? Specifically.

[einselective]

Will this information be public as well, or only available to parasite sympathizers?

[Marian's response is not exactly the most calm or friendly. She doesn't forget old conversations.]

voice.

[torrefied]

[To Mello's credit, he manages to get his loud sighing over with before turning on the feed to respond.]

Unlike them, I haven't withheld any pertinent information, and I don't plan on it, either. When I say that our survival could depend on collecting and assembling information, I'm talking about our survival, those of us who've been brought here against our wills. I'm not pledging allegiance to the gods or the Null, and I'll throw in my lot with either of them if it can guarantee our survival, but I'll just as soon fight both of them if there's no benefit for us.

[Voice]

[thechoiceisyours]

[He's only using voice because he knows it's pointless to try video with Mello. >:c]

Count me in, though uh, there are a few things I think we should go over in person before we write them down.

[It should probably be easy enough to guess why, with the Null potentially observing the network.]

[Voice]

[torrefied]

[You can probably hear him grinning, though, even if his face can't be seen.]

I'm glad to hear it, Chris. We can use a good mind like yours.

[And he's right - it's smart to keep certain pieces of information in a more secure location than on a hackable network.]

And of course. I'm willing to meet with everyone in person - no, actually, I think it's a good idea.

[Hear that? You had a good idea, Chris. Enjoy it.]

text - july 12 - with my deepest apologies

[notimpervious]

[So guess who is restless without a case to solve and bored after so long (two whole days) taking it slow after being stung upon arriving here. This may turn out to be an extremely elaborate and coherent coma dream yet, but for now, Brennan will play along.]

I have read your documentation and find the historical record in particular significantly lacking.

As far as the emotional effects of these "events" -- what metrics are you utilizing to quantify the extent of the effects? "Fucking pissed" is evocative but nonspecific and highly subjective.

What are the effects of these "energy shots" provided by Delight upon her resurrection? What do they taste like? Again, "good" is nonspecific and subjective.

My questions lie along those lines for most of the record. The latter half is less subjectively written, but I still am left unsatisfied by the descriptions of the events. It is enough to allow me and other newcomers to form a timeline in our minds and to know what to expect of this place; however, it provides fewer answers than any logical person would prefer. Perhaps there is an oral component to the historical record here? If so, that must be added to the introductory guide and the historical record.

As I am a recent arrival, I will be unable to provide any assistance regarding prior events, but I am well suited to this type of work and would enjoy involving myself in such a project. There is very little here in the way of mentally stimulating activity that I find satisfying.

text; i'm equally sorry for him. /o\ a++ brennaning tho.

[torrefied]

[Well. OK, he. He kind of expected resistance and criticism of his ideas, because not everyone here seems to be on the same page when it comes to this approach. What Mello wasn't expecting was a dissertation on how his methods and the work he has put a good deal of effort into are insufficient. His face flushes hot when he reads over the words of this message, and it takes him a good ten minutes to calm down enough to type out a response. It's both short and pointed.]

And just who the hell are you, exactly?

[Voice -- Private]

[lifetothefullest]

I'd like to help how I can, and I have some information I've been given on the monsters in the caves that might be useful.

[Although he also has something else that he'd like to speak with Mello about, which is not entirely on topic.]

I also wanted to ask you opinion on something, if you don't mind.

[Voice -- Private]

[torrefied]

I'd appreciate whatever information you have. We are pretty sorely lacking in documentation about the creatures who also inhabit this city and its outskirts, so that would be a very useful addition.

[That it's a private message catches his notice, and the request for his opinion is especially interesting. People here don't typically ask for his opinion so much as tell him his opinions are wrong.]

I don't mind at all, actually. My opinion about what?

[closerift]

As I've already shown you, I have a good amount of information gathered by myself and others, some no longer with us. I'd like to continue working on this alongside you and the others.

[ She functions better with a purpose, and this is important, so... ]

We should speak about the Null, too.

[torrefied]

You have. I'd like that very much - your contributions are certainly valuable. And I agree - there's much to talk about concerning the Null.

Text

[kingoftheloonybin]

Why would special qualifications or prior experience not have any relevance to this sort of team? Wouldn’t it be better to have those who have experience with gathering and collecting concise and accurate information for everyone to use? If it is available for everyone to edit then you’re more likely to have errors as well as those with more experience having to redo efforts that have already been made.

Those who don't hold the intellect to assist in such a role should find other ways to ensure survival such as combat and foraging. In any society there are roles for everyone to take. Working outside those roles will disrupt a functioning system.

I'll review the other information and issue feed bad when I've learned enough to fill in the holes and inaccuracies that I believe your notes currently possess.

Text; i'm sorry about him

[torrefied]

[Great, another smarty-pants with Opinions.]

Maybe I should've been more clear. What I meant when I said "bring us your ideas" was to bring ideas IF you have something worthwhile to contribute. I assumed I was dealing with an audience where making that delineation wasn't necessary. My mistake.

[audio]

[onlyanautomaton]

Good day, sir.

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my overdue thanks to you--and Ms. Sharon--for the information you have so dutifully compiled. It made my previous time here marginally less confusing and has allowed me to become updated in the events that occurred during my absence. I'm sure many others have benefited from your efforts, too.

Should I become privy to new information during the course of my stay, you will be the first person I'll call. Please tell me if there is anything I can do to help.

My name is Oscar. You have my gratitude.

[audio]

[torrefied]

[Well, this is ... unexpected. Pleasantly so, but also strange in that it's uncommon for anyone here to express gratitude for the work he's put into these documents.]

You're welcome. I'd be happy to collaborate if you do happen to acquire any new information. You said you were here before?