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gotosleep_idiot2010-11-30 10:36 pm
crawfordsands.livejournal.com) wrote in gotosleep_idiot2010-11-30 10:36 pm
Entry tags:
It's All About Big Brother!
(Inspired by recent events in Nautilus and Alba's Dark Future memes.)
Dystopian Future
Change is a thing of the past
What is this?
Those shouting "Conspiracy!" were actually right in the end. Unopposed but by a few, the government continued to grow. In the end, they won.
How did that happen?
Despite the best efforts of Crawford, Leslie, V and anyone else who disagreed with the government, they were swiped aside as more and more laws were enacted. Soon, there were restrictions and regulations placed on Bending. But laws are difficult to enforce when everyone can shape reality. With time, they were able to regulate it. How they managed to lock down the Heart, no one could say. It took time. At first, Bending just took more effort. But over the course of a year, it grew harder and harder. New regulations came out. With special permissions, Bending was possible, but getting the permissions proved difficult. Because of this, a proper economy began to blossom. But stricter and stricter regulations were enacted, making it more difficult for people to live the way they'd grown accustomed to in Nautilus.
Where do we stand, now?
Fifteen years have passed since the government was first set up. Corruption and a thirst for power led to Bending being completely abolished, save for those in the highest levels of government and those of the special enforcement teams. And even then, it is limited. They were able to lock it down even to the point of preventing those deceased from returning. The only thing they could not prevent is people from other worlds answering the call sent out so long ago. Propaganda began to spread, using the name of Nautilus as some sort of great leader, reminding everyone that the city was watching them. Anyone found trying to Bend or using canon powers would be captured and re-educated. There were rumors that even a mere thought against the government could earn someone a stay in the facility at the center of the city. Kalliste is a wasteland, housing a handful of refugees. Helix remains the only last strong-hold against Nautilus. But the gate between the two cities has been sealed for years. Propaganda suggests that those left in Helix are nothing but brutal savages and should be avoided at all costs and that Kalliste is an uninhabitable wasteland.
Where does this leave us?
The forces in Helix have been decimated. Whether captured and re-educated, executed or killed in battle. Resources are scarce. In the city, resources have always been scarce. People are allowed the bare minimum, the entire city reduced to little better than poverty. There are jobs now. Most jobs are at the Ministry, but some are in shops, providing people their meager needs in exchange for their meager income.
What can we do?
That is entirely up to you, Wakened! Where do you stand?
1. Tag with your character explaining their current status. Note in the subject what city they are in.
2. People tag you and you start to threading either action posts or network posts.
3. The Government is watching. Especially the network.
4. Bending is unavailable to everyone except those on the special task force or high up in the government.
5. Canon powers are on, unless you're caught using them.
Note: This is styled after the book 1984, so drawn any inspiration you would like from that. The "Thought Police" for this really can read thoughts. So anyone on the task force have gained that ability.
Change is a thing of the past
What is this?
Those shouting "Conspiracy!" were actually right in the end. Unopposed but by a few, the government continued to grow. In the end, they won.
Despite the best efforts of Crawford, Leslie, V and anyone else who disagreed with the government, they were swiped aside as more and more laws were enacted. Soon, there were restrictions and regulations placed on Bending. But laws are difficult to enforce when everyone can shape reality. With time, they were able to regulate it. How they managed to lock down the Heart, no one could say. It took time. At first, Bending just took more effort. But over the course of a year, it grew harder and harder. New regulations came out. With special permissions, Bending was possible, but getting the permissions proved difficult. Because of this, a proper economy began to blossom. But stricter and stricter regulations were enacted, making it more difficult for people to live the way they'd grown accustomed to in Nautilus.
Fifteen years have passed since the government was first set up. Corruption and a thirst for power led to Bending being completely abolished, save for those in the highest levels of government and those of the special enforcement teams. And even then, it is limited. They were able to lock it down even to the point of preventing those deceased from returning. The only thing they could not prevent is people from other worlds answering the call sent out so long ago. Propaganda began to spread, using the name of Nautilus as some sort of great leader, reminding everyone that the city was watching them. Anyone found trying to Bend or using canon powers would be captured and re-educated. There were rumors that even a mere thought against the government could earn someone a stay in the facility at the center of the city. Kalliste is a wasteland, housing a handful of refugees. Helix remains the only last strong-hold against Nautilus. But the gate between the two cities has been sealed for years. Propaganda suggests that those left in Helix are nothing but brutal savages and should be avoided at all costs and that Kalliste is an uninhabitable wasteland.
The forces in Helix have been decimated. Whether captured and re-educated, executed or killed in battle. Resources are scarce. In the city, resources have always been scarce. People are allowed the bare minimum, the entire city reduced to little better than poverty. There are jobs now. Most jobs are at the Ministry, but some are in shops, providing people their meager needs in exchange for their meager income.
That is entirely up to you, Wakened! Where do you stand?
1. Tag with your character explaining their current status. Note in the subject what city they are in.
2. People tag you and you start to threading either action posts or network posts.
3. The Government is watching. Especially the network.
4. Bending is unavailable to everyone except those on the special task force or high up in the government.
5. Canon powers are on, unless you're caught using them.
Note: This is styled after the book 1984, so drawn any inspiration you would like from that. The "Thought Police" for this really can read thoughts. So anyone on the task force have gained that ability.
It is! XD
[Damon looks vaguely amused by that.] You wouldn't be the first, you know. With all of the injuries people have taken on over the years, it's one of the best means of healing we have. Not that I'm much of a fan of people drinking my blood. I prefer to be the one doing the drinking.
You can come to my place, unless you've got something better in mind. Lexie and Stefan may be in the house, but there is plenty of privacy to be had there.
/goes to sketch DystopianFuture!Rex...
[He hasn't tried to have friends in a long time. The lack of info on other people in his comm device is evidence enough of that. What's the point? He'll only hurt them by forgetting them in the long run. ...yet he knows at that moment he misses company.]
Your place then. [Even though I don't know those names, either.] And...thanks for the offer, even if it doesn't work. [And is really pretty gross.] Not like you've got an unlimited supply of blood to give out.
I can't wait to see that!
Follow me.
[Damon starts leading the way to his place. Fortunately, it's not too far from here. He shrugs again at Rex's thanks.] No, I don't. But there are few enough friendly faces left around here as it is. So, it's worth a shot if it stands a chance of helping you get back to normal.
You happen to be pretty good in a fight.
no subject
[He starts to follow as Damon takes the lead, pulling his hood up again.]
Yeah, tell me about it. I've got zero doubts that every time I come to without my memories again, I have to relearn that there are too many scumbags and backstabbers around here. At least I've got data on an old device that reminds me which sectors to steer clear of.
Good in a fight, huh? Still am. I swing a mean left hook.
no subject
[Damon smirks at that, leading Rex down a path to the house that he currently inhabits with Stefan and Lexi. For Lexi's sake, they have to keep the sunlight out completely by day, especially in Helix. It's safer that way anyway, so no one can see movement inside.]
Well, this is the place. [For a moment, Damon listens. That supernaturally good hearing comes in handy when people are hunting you.] Doesn't look like we'll have much company in there. [He opens the door and leads the way over to their living room. They've scavenged what furniture they can over time. It's not too new, but the room is not too sparse.]
no subject
When we've got sentient machines on this side of the gate with way more personality than a lot of people in Nautilus, there's a real problem.
[With some hesitation, Rex follows Damon into the house, glancing around to get an idea of the layout. It pays to know exit routes in any situation.]
[Once in the living room, he removes the cloak, putting it over the back of a nearby chair. Underneath are a short-sleeved shirt and the tool belt, the latter of which he removes and lays over the cloak so it's not clinking around as he moves. He still has his old pair of goggles, which hang down around his neck, one lens cracked. What look almost like a pair of small wings are now visible on his back. They're little more than flat pieces of metal, hardly broader than his shoulders...remains of his lost flight ability, which look ironically like the tipped wings of a certain Seeker the young man has long forgotten.]
You have it pretty good... [Another glance around.] Better than a lot of people.
no subject
[Damon watches Rex prepare himself, getting a good look at him without his cloak. Those wing-like extensions are new. Damon has not seen them before.]
Yeah, we do. [With three vampires living here, it is a decent stronghold. Of course, there is always some wear and tear on things over time, no matter what.]
So, are you ready to do this?
no subject
[Rex takes a moment to look down at his mechanical hand before answering, feeling his stomach churn a little at the thought of drinking blood. But he can't go on like this. It's...degrading. And it make him feel useless and lost.]
Honestly? No. [He glances up at Damon, expression nothing but serious.] But we've all had to do things before that were necessary. I figure it's how I ended up like this. So... let's do this thing.
no subject
[Damon waits for Rex to process things. He nods at his words.] Probably so. Let's give fixing it a shot. [He moves closer to Rex as his face changes, veins appearing around his eyes as some blood flows to them. His fangs emerge. He brings his own wrist up to his mouth and tears it open before offering it to Rex.]
...my muse is hating me SO MUCH right now...FFFFF
[He wasn't sure what he was expecting. For the blood to somehow be put into a container of some sort, first? Just to make the situation seem even half-way normal?]
[No doubt Rex is looking more than a little pale right now. And his stomach has gone from churning a bit to feeling as though it's tied itself in a knot. Yet he knows that every drop of that blood could contain hundred, even thousands of nanites.]
[A couple of seconds tick by as he almost makes the decision to back away... Then-]
I hope you've got some water standing by, man. Something to keep me from puking when this is over!
[His mechanical hand clamps over Damon's lower arm, his other bracing behind the bleeding wrist as he brings it to his mouth. As the coppery taste of blood hits his tongue, Rex's eyes shut tightly, lips around the bleeding wound as he forces himself to swallow. He manages it twice before it becomes too much and his stomach lurches, forcing him to release Damon and fall to his knees. One hand immediately goes to his mouth as he wills himself not to vomit.]
LOL, poor Rex!
[He watched Rex drink. As the other does so, he takes in more than nanites. The blood of a vampire from Damon's world is a powerful healing agent for humans. It can allow a human to heal from an otherwise fatal injury. Damon is hoping that the two things combined might be enough to help Rex.]
[Before it can do so, however, Rex is falling to his knees and looking sick to his stomach. Damon shakes his head, watching as the skin of his wrist finishes knitting back together in a few seconds. He then moves unnaturally fast and returns with a bottle of water, holding it out to Rex.]
Here.
no subject
I'd say...not one of my better days. But I kinda lack a frame of reference, ya know?
[He manages a weak half smile at his own joke, then pulls the cap off the bottle and drinks half of it in a single go. With the taste of blood out of his mouth, the gag reflex fades somewhat.]
[He's still doubled over, however.]
I can feel... Oh god.
[Blue energy surges start to crackle over his body, the tell-tale circuit board patterns appearing here and there. Rex curls in on himself, as if hunkering down will help hold him together somehow...]
no subject
[Damon's voice breaks off as Rex doubles over.]
What is it?
[Before Rex can answer, that blue energy starts up. Damon takes a few steps back warily. He has no idea if this is good or really bad.]
no subject
Can hear them...can hear... Don't reject. Don't reject. Don't--
[Suddenly, he releases his midsection, head tilting back. He's only managing not to scream by keeping his teeth gritted tight, his hands shaking as metal starts to crawl over his flesh. He's changing...and not in a good way!]
Defense protocol activated. Foreign bodies detected. Attempting assimilation...
[Rex's eyes open to narrow slits. He looks pleadingly to Damon...]
Talk...to me... Anything...just... I can't... Who...who am I!?
[His voice suddenly breaks back into synthesized monotone.]
WARNING: Failure to complete assimilation will result in full SYSTEM RESET.
no subject
Your name is Rex. You're a good fighter, and you've got a pretty heroic personality. Even if you can be cocky at times. You've got a lot of nanites in your system, and you can use them to your benefit.
[Damon has no idea if this is helping or not, but he figures that talking cannot hurt. He only hopes the suffering Rex is going through is worth it.]
Sheesh, I always TL;DR this stuff...
[Slowly, Rex sags forward again, the neon blue surges starting to dissipate.]
Progress: 65% complete.
[The seconds tick by, Rex rattling off a higher number... And as the percentage climbs, the amount of metal covering him starts to lessen. Perhaps he's overcome the near lapse into defense mode himself with sheer will. Maybe it was the addition of vampire blood in his system that helped stabilize him. Possibly the familiar voice that kept him grounded. Or a culmination of all factors.]
Progress: 99%... 100%. Assimilation complete. Reset aborted. Stand by to stabilize...
[Rex flinches a little as his mechanical eye becomes human again, followed by his machine arm converting to flesh, bone and blood. As the last of it all falls into place, it becomes apparent that, on top of everything else, Rex has de-aged. Though he hadn't looked quite the proper age before, maybe only early twenties, he was still older than when he first arrived in Nautilus. Now...]
[He easily passes for a 15-16 year old again.]
[Breathing hard, he remains slumped down on the floor, working to recover.]
It is glorious!
[Best of all, Rex goes back to looking human again. That has to be a good thing, though the sudden change to his age is a bit disarming. Damon bends down beside Rex the process seems to come to its conclusion.]
How are you doing? If you need to rest, I can carry you over to the sofa.
no subject
[Eyes opening, he shakes his head and holds up one hand.]
Just...need a hand up. Maybe walk me over... [He forces what he hopes comes across as a smirk.] I already had to drink your blood, man. I don't think my ego can take it if you carry me.
[Rex will be shaky when he does stand, but with some help, he won't fall over between where he's gone down and the couch.]
no subject
[After helping the other, he sits down on the opposite side of the sofa himself.]
So, how are you feeling? You look better...