[voice - backdated to just after the SOS]

[synthedick]

[It's only a handful of minutes after Henry's desperate transmission that Nick comes on the network with one of his own. He might not like this one bit, but he's got a job to do, and he'll be damned if he lets Henry -- or his family, or the Guard, or even the town -- down.]

This is Nick Valentine. Percy is down, and I'm assuming the head of the Guard for the time being.

[A slight pause; he's holding back a sigh.]

You heard the man. If you're on the Guard, report in. If you need help, send word. And if you see someone who needs a hand, lend it. It's up to us to make sure we get out of this alive, so let's get to it.

[Click.]

Comments

voice;

[claritatis]

Ignis Scientia reporting. I'm on my way to the temple.

[No need to say which one, is there?]

If you have need of me, Nick, just say the word.

[voice]

[synthedick]

I will, Ignis. Thanks. For now, keep heading there. They're going to need all the help they can get.

[voice]

[claritatis]

That was the idea. [He sounds like he's running, though not yet out of breath.]

Do you have any more details on the situation?

[disconnect]

[synthedick]

Only what we heard from Henry's transmission. We need—

[He pauses, and there's the sound of his feet crossing the headquarters lobby. Then a quiet The hell is that? Another pause of realization, then glass breaking, metal scraping and banging against the walls. Nick has company.

He'll call you back, Ignis.]

video;

[survivorsguilt]

[She's not in the guard, and she has no interest in being. Ellie knows where she wants to be right now. All the same, she has a message for Nick.]

Be careful. Don't fucking get yourself killed. Please.

[voice]

[synthedick]

[She's not in the Guard, no, but Ellie's voice is welcome all the same.]

You too, kid.

[He means that with every ounce of his mechanical heart. No use telling her to stay out of trouble in a time like this. The best he can do is hope she makes it through it all in one piece. He's not sure he'll be able to say the same about himself.]

[survivorsguilt]

Promise. Had enough of it to last me till I'm wrinkly.

[She's not expecting another reply, but she is going to check up on him when this is all over.]

[synthedick]

[Same here, Ellie. Same here. Expect Dadbot Nick to be checking in.]

voice

[so_dark_a_road]

I'm at Hope's temple now! [ You can tell from his voice that he's been running flat out. And then there's the sound of the great double doors being slammed open, and then the metallic whisper of an Elvish blade being swiftly unsheathed. ]

[voice]

[synthedick]

[Leave it to Curufin to have run there as though his life depended on it. Frankly, it just might.]

Godspeed.

[He'll leave it at that so Curufin can take care of business -- and hopefully, come back alive.]

Voice;

[occupiesvitalregions]

[From the sounds of things, Prussia is rushing to the scene with a sword in one hand and his phone in the other.]

What the hell is going on!?

[voice]

[synthedick]

[If there's one thing Nick can respect, it's Prussia's unwillingness to let anything keep him down.]

Looks like the Null finally made good on all those threats they've been throwing around, and they had help from Delight to do it.