text;

[suicidemission]

[ Chuck's incredibly jittery and doing anything beyond texting is something he cannot even fathom at the moment. He'd ignored the device, at first. It was not his, and he didn't want it or need it and he damn sure didn't trust it. The person who'd found him in the pool had to explain what it was and what it was for.

That said, he is far too shaken to use it properly. It takes several tries to get out what little he manages to type. ]

This is Ranger Charles Hansen R-CHAN_512.66-D reporting in. Can anyone hear me?


[ For the moment, that's enough. It's all he can fucking manage right now and there's a distinct pause between this typed segment and the rest of what he wants - what he WILL - to say.

he's alive, he's alive, this isn't possible, he pushed the button, heard the explosion, felt the fires, heard it, smelled it --

fuck fuck fuck -- ]

I repeat, this is Ranger Charles Hansen. I am requesting information on Rangers Raleigh Becket and Mako Mori, location and status. Please advise: Was the mission a success?

Comments

[rosswood]

seriously
how many of you guys are there

[suicidemission]

im part of the pitfall four

what is the mission status?

[rosswood]

mission status FAILURE
everythings gone to shit
god is dead, ragnarok is upon us, cats and dogs are living together
and its all your fault

[Welcome to Wonderland. Alex will be of little to no help in acclimatizing you to your current situation.]

lmfao omg

[suicidemission]

[ ..:| :| :| :| ]

....

[ >8||| ]

go fuck yourself, mate

[ disconnect u lil shit. chuck has found a spirit animal ]

i'm so sorry alex is awful

[rosswood]

nah i'm just joshin ya

[Wait, did he just get disconnected?

Oh come on.]

lol I busted out laughing at work

[suicidemission]

[ you did.

But.

a bit later-- ]big>

what did u mean 'you guys'

[rosswood]

[just couldn't stay away could you]

second time this has happened
blah blah official talk
blah blah string of numbers
guess your not the first one of yours to come through ranger rick

[suicidemission]

[ negative ghostrider ]

there's another ranger here?

[rosswood]

if we're talking about the same guy sure
spacesuit-type deal
escape pod in the ocean
it was a whole thing

[suicidemission]

escape pod-

[ sjdhfk ffff holy shit ]

he got a name

[rosswood]

idk

[SO HELPFUL.

To be fair Alex didn't ask his name.

In fact he was equally helpful in that situation as he's being now. So points for consistency?]

said it was a drivesuit or some shit
military blah blah blah

[suicidemission]

[ omfg u r so useless.

ish. at least chuck knows there's someone here. he's got a feeling who and it's just his fucking luck but maybe it's stacker. mmmmaybe their pods somehow got through the bomb strapped to strikers back...

nah. still. hope! ]

yeah. alright. thanks mate

[rosswood]

no problem
good luck rick

[suicidemission]

it's chuck

[rosswood]

as in how much wood could a woodchuck

[suicidemission]

[ uh ]

sure

[rosswood]

neat
i'm alex

[suicidemission]

a real pleasure

[rosswood]

i try
go find your spaceman buddy

text;

[righthemisphere]

[This can't be happening. No way no how. Just a few moments ago-- A few moments before Raleigh had-- And Striker-- It gets jumbled in his head too fast. The thoughts race, his heart jumps into his throat and pounds. He makes a noise of surprise when he finally finally comes across the post (so there is a good reason to read this thing after all!).

Chuck Hansen. Chuck Hansen who self destructed to let Gipsy finish the mission. Alive. Alive and in Wonderland.

For the first time since he got here, and it has been a few days now, he feels something. Go figure it would be this guy who made him feel. Gave him hope. Mako would be laughing and say come on, he isn't all terrible but not isn't the time nor the place and in his haste he slams reply without changing function.]

Chuck this is Raleigh! I'm here, where are you?!

text;

[suicidemission]

[ Well that's -- quite the welcome. Chuck pauses for longer than is comfortable, staring down at the device as he taps his thumb against the side.

Figures. Figures.

Not that he hadn't had assumptions based on the brief conversation with Alex, but still.

Why Becket?

Also, answer his goddamn question. ]

Did you finish the mission?

text;

[righthemisphere]

[Well what else did you want him to do, Chuck. Roll out a ticker-tape parade? Nothing is good enough for you, is it.]

We detonated.

[Whether or not it worked.. that's a good question. So he's not going to answer it. Because.. rightfully.. he can't.]

Where are you??

text;

[suicidemission]

did you close the breach?

[ well it was just...enthusiastic. he didn't know what to do with okay, jesus. ]

lost.

text;

[righthemisphere]

[Well gee, you're helpful.]

What's around you? I'm on the 2nd floor.

text;

[suicidemission]

[ about as helpful as you're being. ]

theres a lot of stairs.

text;

[righthemisphere]

This building has like ten floors, that doesn't mean much. Is there anything near you like a library or a bar or gym?

text;

[suicidemission]

books

text;

[righthemisphere]

[Oh my fuck are you for serious right now]

Come all the down to the ground floor. There's a kitchen here. I'll meet you in the great hall and debrief.

text;

[suicidemission]

[ see how annoying it is to NOT GET THE INFO YOU WANT ]

fine

text;

[nascensibility]

[The desperation is palpable and she hates to leave people in the lurch, particularly when they appear to have come from something nigh-catastrophic.]

Mr. Hansen:

It is with great regret that I admit I cannot reassure you of the well-being of your comrades-in-arms.
If either of them are currently in residence, I have yet to meet them.

You are currently in Wonderland, a world thematically based on the same place constructed by author
Lewis Carroll. If you are unfamiliar with the fictional work or require an introduction to this place, I
should be more than happy to assist.

Evelyn O'Connell

Re: text;

[suicidemission]

[ well -- okay. That is a response. it's a good one though, because she cuts right through any bullshit and instead just lays it out there which...is good. He needs directness. ]

Have you got a map?

text;

[nascensibility]

[She grimaces apologetically, even if he cannot see it.]

The nature of this place prohibits accurate cartography, unfortunately. Perception is often
bent in Wonderland, skewing attempts at reliable direction. It is not uncommon for rooms to
change on their own.

However, some little order is maintained. The following is a list of rooms that remain
constants:

1st Floor
- Kitchen
- Ballroom
- Library
- 020: Training Centre
- 021: Fitness Centre
- 024: Magic Study/Training Room

2nd Floor
- Dining Room
- Library

3rd Floor
- Gallery
- Library

4th Floor
- 112/114: Cinema

5th Floor
- 005: Bar

6th Floor
- 020: Therapy Office

7th Floor
- N/A

8th Floor
- 001: Diner

The ninth and tenth floors are primarily residential and private rooms. I tend to work
in the west wing of the library, should you require a less perfunctory approach.

Re: text;

[suicidemission]

[ wow that's exceedingly helpful. He likes this chick. You can stay Evelyn. ]

Be there in a tick.

text; -> action;

[nascensibility]

[joke's on you she's never leaving this place]

I'll see you shortly.

[No stranger to new residents with reams of questions, Evelyn is often rolling out the Wonderland welcome wagon so as to keep people informed, having appointed herself with the duty of maintaining some semblance of order with regards to record-keeping.

Chuck will find her precisely where she said she would be: in the west wing of the library, sorting files in a small area that looks like a makeshift office. Two desks are arranged in the space, facing each other, although one looks considerably more dusty. Tottering spires of manuscripts cover half of its area - more of them fill the cabinets lining the wall.]

action;

[suicidemission]

[ The library is pretty overwhelming as he picks his way through.

He's pleased to have someone so willing to offer help - and answers. He raps lightly on the wall, announcing his presence. ]

Ma'am?

action;

[nascensibility]

[It's not uncommon for people who have been in residence for months, let alone several hours, to be intimidated by the library. He needn't worry.

Turning away from her work abruptly, Evelyn looks him over for a moment.]

...Charles Hansen, I presume.

[Approaching him with a smile she extends a hand.]

I see you found your way.

action;

[suicidemission]

In the flesh.

[ He sticks his hand right out to give her a solid shake. ]

Chuck. [ Ugh not Charles no one calls him Charles anymore. ]

[nascensibility]

Evie.

[Her smile attains an amused bent at catching his accent, releasing his hand. Australian. That's new.]

It's not every day I meet someone from one of the colonies. Has anyone briefed you yet?

[suicidemission]

'S a pleasure.

[ Evie. He can remember that. ]

I've had a bit of a rundown. Having trouble actually believing it's true and not...just me dreaming this up while I lie in a bloody coma somewhere.

[nascensibility]

[It's a pleasure. She didn't want to say as much to him when he might be unsettled by and sore about being present in Wonderland, but he's taking a great deal of it in stride.]

It isn't an uncommon assumption to make, [she assures him, folding her arms over her chest.] But I've been here long enough to know this place is as genuine as anything else.

[suicidemission]

[ Well, you know. He's being polite and all. He's totally capable of it when he wants to be. ]

How long is that?

[nascensibility]

[Here Evelyn falters, aware of the mounting horror new arrivals can gather to them as soon as they learn how long she's been in residence. She fidgets.]

In three days it will be four and a half years. [Quickly, she adds,] I should assure you, of course, that this is by no means an average time, I'm...something of an anomaly.

[suicidemission]

Jesus shitting Christ. [ He's gaping and blurting out the swear before he can think about it, and now he's stuck hastily trying to recover. ]

Sorry. But -- Four years?

[nascensibility]

[Evelyn visibly bristles at the overuse of expletives, but quietly reminds herself that it would be both impolite and judgmental to presume that Australians are naturally predisposed to cursing.]

...yes, [she replies gingerly.] Believe me, no one is more upset about that fact than I.

[suicidemission]

So what--how--

[ He doesn't even know what questions to ask, really. What to say.

(her assumptions about this particular australian wouldn't be terribly inaccurate, though he tries to watch his mouth around those that aren't soldiers. ])