the stars, like dust @perfected-visitor-fn - Tumblr Blog

[Posts for context -> "An apple a day does keep the doctor away" - Geno + "Oh No Evie Your Mans In Trouble" - The Force] [ @heroic-hope ]

WHAT!?

*Triage and Jones in danger!? And by Visitor's doing!? What was that fucker doing!? Who did he think he was!?

An hallucination of Vigneron frantically pulling on Venge's arm moved his eyes away from being able to see Ripp shooting from his seat to help Evie recover from her supposed Force vision*

"We need to go!"

But...Evie--!

"NOW!!"

...okay. Ripp. Make sure she's okay and follow me when she's ready.

*Seeing Ripp nod prompted Venge to begin sprinting down hallways at speeds he wasn't aware he could hit, as he did so he rustled inside his pocket, taking out his RW card and pinging a general emergency ping*

To any member online. Jones' tank room. Medic is injured and Commander's in danger. It's Visitor. Need backup stat.

[ The second she saw the ping, Hope found herself running to where Jones' tank was. She had a terrible feeling about this. ]

[ Her visions had been telling her one thing lately: something bad was on the horizon, and "Visitor" was connected to it, somehow. This, whatever it is, had to be it - this is what the visions were warning her of. ]

" I'm.. here. "

[ Hope said, trying to at least seem calm. ]

[ @long-live-evie @perfected-visitor-fn ]

Good. Glad to have you here.

*His eyes scanned the group, confirming Ripp and Evie had also arrived as they were now standing right infront of him, Ripp on high allert and Evie...not quite in perfect shape but at least she was standing upright.*

Stay right behind me. If he dares to do anything he's gonna attack me first. You'll have time to attack.

*Vengeance took a deep breath and stepped into view of the Visitor, eyes glaring in an eerie purple-reddish glow he had not noticed.*

You. Think you could stab us in the back and go unnoticed for any longer?

[Visitor looked up from the panel, noting the assembled people in front of him. He looked down and Triage on the ground, then at the panel, then back at them.]

Well. I could give a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of this.

... But why should I? There would be no point, after all. The average intelligence in this room borders on the lower median, yet even a child could infer that something is amiss.

[He turned to face then, hand still near the panel.]

So, since this charade has gone on for an embarrassingly long time, I think it is time I introduce myself.

[Lifting his other hand, he pulled his helmet off, and Geno breathed deeply.]

And thank the Point, that helmet is so incredibly uncomfortable.

[He tossed his helmet aside, and gave a dramatic bow.]

I am Geno. A distinct pleasure to meet... well, most of you.

No introduction necessary.

*Evie was very unwell. The Ascender from the Blimp had done numbers on her already swimming stomach and head. But nobody would know by looking at her. This wasn't the first time she'd forced herself forward under similar conditions, and pure adrenaline and rage had erased all fog and even hints of exhaustion. She was alert, and she was furious.

Now that she could actually see Geno's face, it was no wonder the Ageless was as reclusive and skittish as he was. They were nearly identical... except this monster that demanded perfection had ironically been marred. The sight of that scar and the visible age that had set in set a spark of defiant hope burning in Evie, despite everything.

The invulnerable could be hurt. They just needed to find out how.

If she had known, Evie would never have revealed her Force abilities to him. But that ship had long since sailed, so she saw no point in pretense. With a sharp pull of her hand, the pistol on Geno's hip and the knife in his boot flew to her, coming to a stop in front of her hand, and with a flick of her wrist both shattered, the shrapnel hovering in place still. Probably not his only weapons, but it narrowed his options.*

We both know how a fight here would go, and I'm not interested in pointless sacrifices, so let's dispense with the games.

Step away from my husband and Triage. Now.

[Geno gasped in mock offense.]

Ah, but the games have just begun, Miss Evelynn! After months of you people not even putting up token resistance to my moves, you have FINALLY made one of your own!

[He scoffed, pulling at his his braces.]

For all I expected, living in the headquarters of the Heroes of Reality, you are a dull and sullen lot. Some of you barely pretend you are not children play acting at heroics, while others act as though a single year and a half can make up for the mistakes that span a lifetime.

[Geno's face twisted into a sneer as he jabbed a finger at Vengeance.]

And if I had not had to put up with it enough for several years, that snapshot is constantly moping about trauma that was conjured into his mind wholesale by the Zero Point. A past that does not even exist, let alone matter!

[He let the bracers clatter to the floor, before moving on to the chestplate straps.]

So before you all act so smug and sanctimonious, recall that I am the one who has spent the past few months making sure that anything happened, so that the Zero Point was reformed and Reality did not collapse.

Now then, I suppose you all want an account of the various circumstances that led to your current predicament? It would certainly aid you if you wish to stop me from fixing reality.

*He was goading them, and Evie had seen that far too many times for it to have the desired effect. All anger, all emotion, vanished from her face, the only thing remaining being pure disdain.*

You don't have the right to call me by my name.

Furthermore, the one doing the majority of the work on the Zero Point has been the Innovation. If anything, this situation is your fault, and in fixing it you've been doing nothing but riding her coattails. And you did nothing to help the people you hurt, but of course you wouldn't, because you don't care, so all this talk of acting sanctimonious really is rich coming from you.

*She turned her hand, the shards repositioning into a grid of tiny razors.*

One more time. Step. Away. From my husband.

And none of the rest of you are the slightest bit curious? No?

[He shrugged, the motion letting the chestplate drop to the ground.]

Ah well. It was not as though I was going to reveal anything, but to not even make an attempt?

[He tssked and shook his head back and forth.]

Poor strategy, but alas.

Would it be incorrect to assume, then, that you all would be willing to hear me out? Form an alliance against the Voyager, and the collapse of everything that he represents? As... eccentric a group as you all are, it is not strictly necessary for me to threaten and eliminate the lot of you...

theorderfn

" An alliance... with YOU? "

" I know what game you're playing, father. You and I both know that your threats mean nothing- "

[ She paused for a brief second, overcome with an anger - no, a rage - that she hadn't felt in a long, long time. ]

" Because either way, when you're done with us, all of us, "

[ She glanced at the others, then back at him. ]

" You'll throw us away, like you did to my sister and I, all those years ago. "

[Geno sighed.]

My daughter, I... I never intended for your replacements to be permenant. Snapshots are, and always have been unstable, and I simply wished to see how long they could last living your lives!

[He shook his head.]

We both want the same thing-- the reassembly of the Zero Point. It is only like this because of the actions of your little group, the Seven. Did I not warn you this would happen? Did I not ask you, time and again, to refrain from fighting me lest you hurt yourself?

[His eyes flashed.]

... Like your sister hurt herself, all over your mutual hatred of me?

Scientist mentioned to me, shortly after we all met, that you had built a life for yourself... a family. Do you truly wish to endanger them like you did her?

theorderfn

" You want the Zero Point stable so you can control it. We fought for its freedom once, and we will do it again. "

" And... don't pretend like you ever cared about me, or my sister. I saw through that act a long time ago. "

[ Hearing the mention of her family made her stop in her tracks. Instantly, her anger was overshadowed with fear - knowing that her family, the one precious thing she had, wasn't safe from him. ]

" Don't you dare mention my family. My husband, my daughter - they have NOTHING to do with this. "

[ She was on the verge of crying - though she'd been fighting back tears as soon as she saw his face. She stared down at the floor - her first instinct was to leave, to run from him, but she couldn't at a time like this. ]

*This was unbearable. Evie had seen a lot of men who acted like this, but not on this sheer scale. Her first instinct, brought on by years of protecting other women from abusive men, was to step between the Order and Geno, her free arm held out to the side protectively.*

I think you've done enough. If you want to even pretend you care about her, you'll stop that thread right there.

*Evie glanced at Jones, still helpless in the tank. She had an idea, but she prayed that he would forgive her for it. What they needed was time.

With a swift motion of her hand, Evie buried the shrapnel in the wall.*

You desperately want a chance to prove yourself so vital to this place's continued existence? Then leave. Leave and let us prove whether or not we need you.

I need not prove anything. Events thus far have proven all they need. An eon of peace, followed by a half decade of struggle and strife. Who oversaw the Point while it was at rest? And who threw it, and this island, into a state of unrest through freeing it?

[He shook his head.]

Ah, but no matter. You shall all see. And if you will not? You shall see instead the strength of my determination.

So stay here and spin your wheels in the mud of your own inadequacy. See how far you get, leaderless as you are. And, leaderless as you shall remain. For I have made one critical mistake in the entirety of my time on this team, and it was not finishing properly that which I started.

[Geno pressed the button on the screen. Warning lights began moments later.]

I gave Jones this long life he has enjoyed, after all, as payment for his service. Since he is no longer employed under me, he has no need of the benefits.

[He smirked.]

Farewell.

[And in a flash, a rift enveloped him, carrying him away to somewhere else.]

[Posts for context -> "An apple a day does keep the doctor away" - Geno + "Oh No Evie Your Mans In Trouble" - The Force] [ @heroic-hope ]

WHAT!?

*Triage and Jones in danger!? And by Visitor's doing!? What was that fucker doing!? Who did he think he was!?

An hallucination of Vigneron frantically pulling on Venge's arm moved his eyes away from being able to see Ripp shooting from his seat to help Evie recover from her supposed Force vision*

"We need to go!"

But...Evie--!

"NOW!!"

...okay. Ripp. Make sure she's okay and follow me when she's ready.

*Seeing Ripp nod prompted Venge to begin sprinting down hallways at speeds he wasn't aware he could hit, as he did so he rustled inside his pocket, taking out his RW card and pinging a general emergency ping*

To any member online. Jones' tank room. Medic is injured and Commander's in danger. It's Visitor. Need backup stat.

[ The second she saw the ping, Hope found herself running to where Jones' tank was. She had a terrible feeling about this. ]

[ Her visions had been telling her one thing lately: something bad was on the horizon, and "Visitor" was connected to it, somehow. This, whatever it is, had to be it - this is what the visions were warning her of. ]

" I'm.. here. "

[ Hope said, trying to at least seem calm. ]

[ @long-live-evie @perfected-visitor-fn ]

Good. Glad to have you here.

*His eyes scanned the group, confirming Ripp and Evie had also arrived as they were now standing right infront of him, Ripp on high allert and Evie...not quite in perfect shape but at least she was standing upright.*

Stay right behind me. If he dares to do anything he's gonna attack me first. You'll have time to attack.

*Vengeance took a deep breath and stepped into view of the Visitor, eyes glaring in an eerie purple-reddish glow he had not noticed.*

You. Think you could stab us in the back and go unnoticed for any longer?

[Visitor looked up from the panel, noting the assembled people in front of him. He looked down and Triage on the ground, then at the panel, then back at them.]

Well. I could give a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of this.

... But why should I? There would be no point, after all. The average intelligence in this room borders on the lower median, yet even a child could infer that something is amiss.

[He turned to face then, hand still near the panel.]

So, since this charade has gone on for an embarrassingly long time, I think it is time I introduce myself.

[Lifting his other hand, he pulled his helmet off, and Geno breathed deeply.]

And thank the Point, that helmet is so incredibly uncomfortable.

[He tossed his helmet aside, and gave a dramatic bow.]

I am Geno. A distinct pleasure to meet... well, most of you.

No introduction necessary.

*Evie was very unwell. The Ascender from the Blimp had done numbers on her already swimming stomach and head. But nobody would know by looking at her. This wasn't the first time she'd forced herself forward under similar conditions, and pure adrenaline and rage had erased all fog and even hints of exhaustion. She was alert, and she was furious.

Now that she could actually see Geno's face, it was no wonder the Ageless was as reclusive and skittish as he was. They were nearly identical... except this monster that demanded perfection had ironically been marred. The sight of that scar and the visible age that had set in set a spark of defiant hope burning in Evie, despite everything.

The invulnerable could be hurt. They just needed to find out how.

If she had known, Evie would never have revealed her Force abilities to him. But that ship had long since sailed, so she saw no point in pretense. With a sharp pull of her hand, the pistol on Geno's hip and the knife in his boot flew to her, coming to a stop in front of her hand, and with a flick of her wrist both shattered, the shrapnel hovering in place still. Probably not his only weapons, but it narrowed his options.*

We both know how a fight here would go, and I'm not interested in pointless sacrifices, so let's dispense with the games.

Step away from my husband and Triage. Now.

[Geno gasped in mock offense.]

Ah, but the games have just begun, Miss Evelynn! After months of you people not even putting up token resistance to my moves, you have FINALLY made one of your own!

[He scoffed, pulling at his his braces.]

For all I expected, living in the headquarters of the Heroes of Reality, you are a dull and sullen lot. Some of you barely pretend you are not children play acting at heroics, while others act as though a single year and a half can make up for the mistakes that span a lifetime.

[Geno's face twisted into a sneer as he jabbed a finger at Vengeance.]

And if I had not had to put up with it enough for several years, that snapshot is constantly moping about trauma that was conjured into his mind wholesale by the Zero Point. A past that does not even exist, let alone matter!

[He let the bracers clatter to the floor, before moving on to the chestplate straps.]

So before you all act so smug and sanctimonious, recall that I am the one who has spent the past few months making sure that anything happened, so that the Zero Point was reformed and Reality did not collapse.

Now then, I suppose you all want an account of the various circumstances that led to your current predicament? It would certainly aid you if you wish to stop me from fixing reality.

*He was goading them, and Evie had seen that far too many times for it to have the desired effect. All anger, all emotion, vanished from her face, the only thing remaining being pure disdain.*

You don't have the right to call me by my name.

Furthermore, the one doing the majority of the work on the Zero Point has been the Innovation. If anything, this situation is your fault, and in fixing it you've been doing nothing but riding her coattails. And you did nothing to help the people you hurt, but of course you wouldn't, because you don't care, so all this talk of acting sanctimonious really is rich coming from you.

*She turned her hand, the shards repositioning into a grid of tiny razors.*

One more time. Step. Away. From my husband.

And none of the rest of you are the slightest bit curious? No?

[He shrugged, the motion letting the chestplate drop to the ground.]

Ah well. It was not as though I was going to reveal anything, but to not even make an attempt?

[He tssked and shook his head back and forth.]

Poor strategy, but alas.

Would it be incorrect to assume, then, that you all would be willing to hear me out? Form an alliance against the Voyager, and the collapse of everything that he represents? As... eccentric a group as you all are, it is not strictly necessary for me to threaten and eliminate the lot of you...

theorderfn

" An alliance... with YOU? "

" I know what game you're playing, father. You and I both know that your threats mean nothing- "

[ She paused for a brief second, overcome with an anger - no, a rage - that she hadn't felt in a long, long time. ]

" Because either way, when you're done with us, all of us, "

[ She glanced at the others, then back at him. ]

" You'll throw us away, like you did to my sister and I, all those years ago. "

[Geno sighed.]

My daughter, I... I never intended for your replacements to be permenant. Snapshots are, and always have been unstable, and I simply wished to see how long they could last living your lives!

[He shook his head.]

We both want the same thing-- the reassembly of the Zero Point. It is only like this because of the actions of your little group, the Seven. Did I not warn you this would happen? Did I not ask you, time and again, to refrain from fighting me lest you hurt yourself?

[His eyes flashed.]

... Like your sister hurt herself, all over your mutual hatred of me?

Scientist mentioned to me, shortly after we all met, that you had built a life for yourself... a family. Do you truly wish to endanger them like you did her?

[Posts for context -> "An apple a day does keep the doctor away" - Geno + "Oh No Evie Your Mans In Trouble" - The Force] [ @heroic-hope ]

WHAT!?

*Triage and Jones in danger!? And by Visitor's doing!? What was that fucker doing!? Who did he think he was!?

An hallucination of Vigneron frantically pulling on Venge's arm moved his eyes away from being able to see Ripp shooting from his seat to help Evie recover from her supposed Force vision*

"We need to go!"

But...Evie--!

"NOW!!"

...okay. Ripp. Make sure she's okay and follow me when she's ready.

*Seeing Ripp nod prompted Venge to begin sprinting down hallways at speeds he wasn't aware he could hit, as he did so he rustled inside his pocket, taking out his RW card and pinging a general emergency ping*

To any member online. Jones' tank room. Medic is injured and Commander's in danger. It's Visitor. Need backup stat.

[ The second she saw the ping, Hope found herself running to where Jones' tank was. She had a terrible feeling about this. ]

[ Her visions had been telling her one thing lately: something bad was on the horizon, and "Visitor" was connected to it, somehow. This, whatever it is, had to be it - this is what the visions were warning her of. ]

" I'm.. here. "

[ Hope said, trying to at least seem calm. ]

[ @long-live-evie @perfected-visitor-fn ]

Good. Glad to have you here.

*His eyes scanned the group, confirming Ripp and Evie had also arrived as they were now standing right infront of him, Ripp on high allert and Evie...not quite in perfect shape but at least she was standing upright.*

Stay right behind me. If he dares to do anything he's gonna attack me first. You'll have time to attack.

*Vengeance took a deep breath and stepped into view of the Visitor, eyes glaring in an eerie purple-reddish glow he had not noticed.*

You. Think you could stab us in the back and go unnoticed for any longer?

[Visitor looked up from the panel, noting the assembled people in front of him. He looked down and Triage on the ground, then at the panel, then back at them.]

Well. I could give a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of this.

... But why should I? There would be no point, after all. The average intelligence in this room borders on the lower median, yet even a child could infer that something is amiss.

[He turned to face then, hand still near the panel.]

So, since this charade has gone on for an embarrassingly long time, I think it is time I introduce myself.

[Lifting his other hand, he pulled his helmet off, and Geno breathed deeply.]

And thank the Point, that helmet is so incredibly uncomfortable.

[He tossed his helmet aside, and gave a dramatic bow.]

I am Geno. A distinct pleasure to meet... well, most of you.

No introduction necessary.

*Evie was very unwell. The Ascender from the Blimp had done numbers on her already swimming stomach and head. But nobody would know by looking at her. This wasn't the first time she'd forced herself forward under similar conditions, and pure adrenaline and rage had erased all fog and even hints of exhaustion. She was alert, and she was furious.

Now that she could actually see Geno's face, it was no wonder the Ageless was as reclusive and skittish as he was. They were nearly identical... except this monster that demanded perfection had ironically been marred. The sight of that scar and the visible age that had set in set a spark of defiant hope burning in Evie, despite everything.

The invulnerable could be hurt. They just needed to find out how.

If she had known, Evie would never have revealed her Force abilities to him. But that ship had long since sailed, so she saw no point in pretense. With a sharp pull of her hand, the pistol on Geno's hip and the knife in his boot flew to her, coming to a stop in front of her hand, and with a flick of her wrist both shattered, the shrapnel hovering in place still. Probably not his only weapons, but it narrowed his options.*

We both know how a fight here would go, and I'm not interested in pointless sacrifices, so let's dispense with the games.

Step away from my husband and Triage. Now.

[Geno gasped in mock offense.]

Ah, but the games have just begun, Miss Evelynn! After months of you people not even putting up token resistance to my moves, you have FINALLY made one of your own!

[He scoffed, pulling at his his braces.]

For all I expected, living in the headquarters of the Heroes of Reality, you are a dull and sullen lot. Some of you barely pretend you are not children play acting at heroics, while others act as though a single year and a half can make up for the mistakes that span a lifetime.

[Geno's face twisted into a sneer as he jabbed a finger at Vengeance.]

And if I had not had to put up with it enough for several years, that snapshot is constantly moping about trauma that was conjured into his mind wholesale by the Zero Point. A past that does not even exist, let alone matter!

[He let the bracers clatter to the floor, before moving on to the chestplate straps.]

So before you all act so smug and sanctimonious, recall that I am the one who has spent the past few months making sure that anything happened, so that the Zero Point was reformed and Reality did not collapse.

Now then, I suppose you all want an account of the various circumstances that led to your current predicament? It would certainly aid you if you wish to stop me from fixing reality.

*He was goading them, and Evie had seen that far too many times for it to have the desired effect. All anger, all emotion, vanished from her face, the only thing remaining being pure disdain.*

You don't have the right to call me by my name.

Furthermore, the one doing the majority of the work on the Zero Point has been the Innovation. If anything, this situation is your fault, and in fixing it you've been doing nothing but riding her coattails. And you did nothing to help the people you hurt, but of course you wouldn't, because you don't care, so all this talk of acting sanctimonious really is rich coming from you.

*She turned her hand, the shards repositioning into a grid of tiny razors.*

One more time. Step. Away. From my husband.

And none of the rest of you are the slightest bit curious? No?

[He shrugged, the motion letting the chestplate drop to the ground.]

Ah well. It was not as though I was going to reveal anything, but to not even make an attempt?

[He tssked and shook his head back and forth.]

Poor strategy, but alas.

Would it be incorrect to assume, then, that you all would be willing to hear me out? Form an alliance against the Voyager, and the collapse of everything that he represents? As... eccentric a group as you all are, it is not strictly necessary for me to threaten and eliminate the lot of you...

[Posts for context -> "An apple a day does keep the doctor away" - Geno + "Oh No Evie Your Mans In Trouble" - The Force] [ @heroic-hope ]

WHAT!?

*Triage and Jones in danger!? And by Visitor's doing!? What was that fucker doing!? Who did he think he was!?

An hallucination of Vigneron frantically pulling on Venge's arm moved his eyes away from being able to see Ripp shooting from his seat to help Evie recover from her supposed Force vision*

"We need to go!"

But...Evie--!

"NOW!!"

...okay. Ripp. Make sure she's okay and follow me when she's ready.

*Seeing Ripp nod prompted Venge to begin sprinting down hallways at speeds he wasn't aware he could hit, as he did so he rustled inside his pocket, taking out his RW card and pinging a general emergency ping*

To any member online. Jones' tank room. Medic is injured and Commander's in danger. It's Visitor. Need backup stat.

[ The second she saw the ping, Hope found herself running to where Jones' tank was. She had a terrible feeling about this. ]

[ Her visions had been telling her one thing lately: something bad was on the horizon, and "Visitor" was connected to it, somehow. This, whatever it is, had to be it - this is what the visions were warning her of. ]

" I'm.. here. "

[ Hope said, trying to at least seem calm. ]

[ @long-live-evie @perfected-visitor-fn ]

Good. Glad to have you here.

*His eyes scanned the group, confirming Ripp and Evie had also arrived as they were now standing right infront of him, Ripp on high allert and Evie...not quite in perfect shape but at least she was standing upright.*

Stay right behind me. If he dares to do anything he's gonna attack me first. You'll have time to attack.

*Vengeance took a deep breath and stepped into view of the Visitor, eyes glaring in an eerie purple-reddish glow he had not noticed.*

You. Think you could stab us in the back and go unnoticed for any longer?

[Visitor looked up from the panel, noting the assembled people in front of him. He looked down and Triage on the ground, then at the panel, then back at them.]

Well. I could give a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of this.

... But why should I? There would be no point, after all. The average intelligence in this room borders on the lower median, yet even a child could infer that something is amiss.

[He turned to face then, hand still near the panel.]

So, since this charade has gone on for an embarrassingly long time, I think it is time I introduce myself.

[Lifting his other hand, he pulled his helmet off, and Geno breathed deeply.]

And thank the Point, that helmet is so incredibly uncomfortable.

[He tossed his helmet aside, and gave a dramatic bow.]

I am Geno. A distinct pleasure to meet... well, most of you.

No introduction necessary.

*Evie was very unwell. The Ascender from the Blimp had done numbers on her already swimming stomach and head. But nobody would know by looking at her. This wasn't the first time she'd forced herself forward under similar conditions, and pure adrenaline and rage had erased all fog and even hints of exhaustion. She was alert, and she was furious.

Now that she could actually see Geno's face, it was no wonder the Ageless was as reclusive and skittish as he was. They were nearly identical... except this monster that demanded perfection had ironically been marred. The sight of that scar and the visible age that had set in set a spark of defiant hope burning in Evie, despite everything.

The invulnerable could be hurt. They just needed to find out how.

If she had known, Evie would never have revealed her Force abilities to him. But that ship had long since sailed, so she saw no point in pretense. With a sharp pull of her hand, the pistol on Geno's hip and the knife in his boot flew to her, coming to a stop in front of her hand, and with a flick of her wrist both shattered, the shrapnel hovering in place still. Probably not his only weapons, but it narrowed his options.*

We both know how a fight here would go, and I'm not interested in pointless sacrifices, so let's dispense with the games.

Step away from my husband and Triage. Now.

[Geno gasped in mock offense.]

Ah, but the games have just begun, Miss Evelynn! After months of you people not even putting up token resistance to my moves, you have FINALLY made one of your own!

[He scoffed, pulling at his his braces.]

For all I expected, living in the headquarters of the Heroes of Reality, you are a dull and sullen lot. Some of you barely pretend you are not children play acting at heroics, while others act as though a single year and a half can make up for the mistakes that span a lifetime.

[Geno's face twisted into a sneer as he jabbed a finger at Vengeance.]

And if I had not had to put up with it enough for several years, that snapshot is constantly moping about trauma that was conjured into his mind wholesale by the Zero Point. A past that does not even exist, let alone matter!

[He let the bracers clatter to the floor, before moving on to the chestplate straps.]

So before you all act so smug and sanctimonious, recall that I am the one who has spent the past few months making sure that anything happened, so that the Zero Point was reformed and Reality did not collapse.

Now then, I suppose you all want an account of the various circumstances that led to your current predicament? It would certainly aid you if you wish to stop me from fixing reality.

[Posts for context -> "An apple a day does keep the doctor away" - Geno + "Oh No Evie Your Mans In Trouble" - The Force] [ @heroic-hope ]

WHAT!?

*Triage and Jones in danger!? And by Visitor's doing!? What was that fucker doing!? Who did he think he was!?

An hallucination of Vigneron frantically pulling on Venge's arm moved his eyes away from being able to see Ripp shooting from his seat to help Evie recover from her supposed Force vision*

"We need to go!"

But...Evie--!

"NOW!!"

...okay. Ripp. Make sure she's okay and follow me when she's ready.

*Seeing Ripp nod prompted Venge to begin sprinting down hallways at speeds he wasn't aware he could hit, as he did so he rustled inside his pocket, taking out his RW card and pinging a general emergency ping*

To any member online. Jones' tank room. Medic is injured and Commander's in danger. It's Visitor. Need backup stat.

[ The second she saw the ping, Hope found herself running to where Jones' tank was. She had a terrible feeling about this. ]

[ Her visions had been telling her one thing lately: something bad was on the horizon, and "Visitor" was connected to it, somehow. This, whatever it is, had to be it - this is what the visions were warning her of. ]

" I'm.. here. "

[ Hope said, trying to at least seem calm. ]

[ @long-live-evie @perfected-visitor-fn ]

Good. Glad to have you here.

*His eyes scanned the group, confirming Ripp and Evie had also arrived as they were now standing right infront of him, Ripp on high allert and Evie...not quite in perfect shape but at least she was standing upright.*

Stay right behind me. If he dares to do anything he's gonna attack me first. You'll have time to attack.

*Vengeance took a deep breath and stepped into view of the Visitor, eyes glaring in an eerie purple-reddish glow he had not noticed.*

You. Think you could stab us in the back and go unnoticed for any longer?

[Visitor looked up from the panel, noting the assembled people in front of him. He looked down and Triage on the ground, then at the panel, then back at them.]

Well. I could give a perfectly reasonable explanation for all of this.

... But why should I? There would be no point, after all. The average intelligence in this room borders on the lower median, yet even a child could infer that something is amiss.

[He turned to face then, hand still near the panel.]

So, since this charade has gone on for an embarrassingly long time, I think it is time I introduce myself.

[Lifting his other hand, he pulled his helmet off, and Geno breathed deeply.]

And thank the Point, that helmet is so incredibly uncomfortable.

[He tossed his helmet aside, and gave a dramatic bow.]

I am Geno. A distinct pleasure to meet... well, most of you.

#closed #fortnite tumblrverse #fortnite rp #orderly arrangement #//geno makes his move...

[Visitor found it almost amusing how his custom had become to "check" on Jones every few hours. Amusing if not for how irritatingly well guarded he had always been.]

[This time, however, he had found an opening.]

[Triage, that good doctor, had seen fit to take over Evie's portion of the rotation while she was on bedrest. And unlike Hope and the banana, he had not seen Visitor come by to check on Jones multiple times a day.]

[And unlike the other two, he had no "odd" distrust of him. So when Triage turned his back while taking the diagnostics on his behalf, Visitor saw his chance to finally act.]

[Now, he could not dispose of Triage. That would be too obvious. By this point, his cover was wearing thin, but that was hardly a problem now. His plan was nearly complete.]

[And with Jones fully, finally gone... these foolish lambs would be scattered to the four winds.]

[So, what to do? A gunshot would be too obvious, especially this close to the tank. But he was still a bit too far away for a punch or stab...]

[He looked down at the gifts around the tank. Ah, that would do.]

[In a moment, he grabbed an item from one of the fruit baskets and threw it directly into Triage's lower back. After all, when you had this much accuracy and power, basically anything could be a weapon.]

[The effect was instant. Triage crumpled over backwards with a *crack* and a cry, and Visitor stepped over him and the apple he had thrown to go directly to the panel.]

Thank you for your efforts, doctor. But I am capable of taking it from here. You don't mind, do you?

[He had planned this part for the past two months. Fingers typing deftly, he began the process that would execute Jones... permenantly.]

And as for you... you have been a thorn in my side even in your current state. Your very existence, the people you have impacted... none of them understand me now. Because of you.

But, without you... perhaps they can be persuaded. Without you... I can truly begin the next phase of the plan.

[Jones stirred slightly, face scrunched up. Visitor smirked beneath the mask.]

It is almost as if you can hear me. A shame that no one can hear you...

And no one is coming to your rescue.

[Visitor had been coming by to check on Jones' vitals and redouts-- ostensibly, out of worry. Of course, the real reason was far more nefarious, but he had yet to implement any of his plans thanks to the fact that Jones' three most loyal companions (Evie, Hope, and Peely) were constantly guarding him.]

[Case in point, he entered the room with Jones' tank to find Evie sitting and watching, her eyes and posture screaming exhaustion. Perhaps, this was his opportunity...]

[He walked beside her, and leaned his back against the wall.]

Evie, it has been some time since you last slept... please, allow me to take a shift. If only to make up for the fact that I was supposed to watch him the last time...

*Evie cast an exhausted glare sideways at the Visitor.*

That is exactly why I haven't put you on the rotation.

*She sighed, staring back up at Jones. He'd been improving more lately. The pixelated bleeding had stopped, and his vitals were steadier. And yet still his eyes wouldn't open.

A wave of dizziness washed through her, settling as nausea in her stomach, and Evie leaned back with a groan.*

Ugh... You're right that I haven't really slept well, though... I'm exhausted, but I just can't seem to get to sleep. If I can't sleep, though, I might as well be useful.

Besides... this is the only time I get to spend with him. I don't want to lose that too...

[Visitor sighed and shook his head.]

I understand. Believe it or not, but I do feel as though his current condition is my fault... I simply wish there was more that I could do.

[He was fuming, but thankfully, his mask hid his face, and his thoughts were shielded from telepathy by the Seven's armor. Something he had only grown more thankful for after learning that Evie was in fact a force sensitive...]

[Walking up to the tank, he stared into Jones' face and laid a hand on the glass. The man's eyes were shut, and his breathing shallow, but even.]

[Just a bit more pressure on the glass... The tank would shatter, and the enduing physical trauma would render Jones permenantly catatonic, if not dead.]

[Alas, it would also reveal him as a traitor, and he would not jeapordize his plans further if he could help it.]

Since the Zero Point's reforging, the days have grown dark indeed... we have been able to do much, with the help of the Singularity and Dr. Slo-- that is, the Innovation. Jones' aid, however, remains dearly missed.

*"It was your fault."

Evie wanted to snipe back at him, but didn't. If he wasn't the one who shot Jones, then he really was likely dealing with a lot of guilt.

For the first time since these powers emerged, she actually wished she could read him. That armor repelled her attempts, and the Force skated over him like oil on glass.

Right now, though, she watched the Visitor as he laid a hand on the tank, and a hot blade of territorial jealousy cut through her heart. Stars, guilty or not, this man was ANNOYING. Evie despised him. All the visits, the watching. Even now he was trying to convince her to leave her husband alone with him. Who did he think he was?!

Evie took a breath, closing her eyes just for a moment. The Dark was pulling at her mind again. This wasn't a healthy train of thought--

-- A turn of phrase derailed her thoughts.

"...The Zero Point... the days have grown dark indeed..."

Ow. A pinging migraine broke through the dizziness, causing Evie to flinch. Something wasn't right...

She needed him to keep talking.*

After everything I'd heard about her, I admit I'm a little surprised that... the Innovation was inducted. Not like I have a say; it just seemed abnormal, I guess.

*Evie rubbed her eyes, suppressing the urge to yawn. Might as well play up the tiredness, not like it wouldn't be believable.*

If you're gonna stay, you might as well help me stay awake. How did the Seven happen in the first place? Why'd you join?

Hmm. Her goals have always been the containment of the Zero Point. This shall allow her to fulfill both then and her curiosity... and what the armor represents shall keep her in line with the Seven's morals

[Ah! Something interesting and not inane to talk about! He spun around, casually.]

Ah, now that is an interesting story, though how it occurred here may be... different than how it occured within my own reality.

[He pulled out a chair and sat down. This was always a fun story to tell.]

The Foundation was the first, you see. He had discovered Reality Zero, along with a close ally of his. Safeguarding this place was always his goal, though I suppose it went hand in hand with testing his strength against the might of those who came for it.

What he did not anticipate, however, was that his first challenger would be the very ally he discovered it with. Betrayed, defeated, and cast out, he determined to stop that man, and the goals of his new Order.

Thus, around him gathered the Seven, a group dedicated to retaking the Zero Point, and freeing it from the Imagined Order's grasp. Scientists, explorers, adventurers, it did not matter. They swore an oath to protect the Zero Point, and keep reality safe. But they all had their reasons.

[He saw the question in Evie's eyes, and anticipated it. It always helped to add this part, anyways.]

... For my own reason, I am, by all accounts, a refugee from my reality. It was destroyed, down to the man, by a madman of unfathomable power. A beautiful monster, some called him. He wished me dead, and for that, he wiped out the entirety of my home. I only survive due to the actions of the Seven, and I have fought beside them for that end.

[He shook his head.]

In the end, however, revenge was not mine to claim. The man was defeated by another, and has not been seen in the multiverse since. But I still have my duty, and so when I heard tell of another Seven in need of aid... I did not hesitate.

[Huh. That worked better than expected. Turned out the subject that got the humble Visitor in a chatting mood was himself.

Ironic.

Most of the story aligned with what Jones had told her about the Foundation. Evie let her eyes wander as he spoke, looking over the gifts left for Jones, watching the bubbles in the tank.

It was all pretty standard to what she'd heard of them, until it started to get sad. Evie almost started to feel bad for him...

-- "A beautiful monster..."

It took all of Evie's training to keep her expression from betraying the sudden icy grip that plunged her heart through the floor.

She knew that phrase. No odd brain fog could erase that from her mind, or its significance. The crazed Riftwarden and confrontation with the Ageless had carved it into her memory. There was only one reason the Visitor would be aware of that specific phrase.

He was Geno.

Everything fell into place. They had been betrayed and undermined from the start. She had handed her husband over to a perfect trap disguised in armor he trusted.

Swallowing a new wave of nausea, Evie looked up at Jones' closed eyes and prayed he could forgive her for having such a casual conversation with the man who had shot him... and for taking so long to figure it out.

To the man sitting across from her, though, she called upon her own escape from Asteria to conjure a sympathetic grief, and that was all that showed in her eyes.*

I'm sorry I stepped on such a rough memory. Losing everything like that to a mad monster... believe it or not, I know how it feels to be the lone survivor.

*A forced smile, though it didn't really matter that it was obviously forced. It just looked like smiling through the pain.*

Maybe a different topic, then, something easier. Like what exactly are we doing to do with the Zero Point once it's fixed?

[Something about Evie had just shifted.]

[Visitor had lived for a long, long, long time. And he had worked with people for that entire time. Evie was a master spy, but even she had tells, just like any other person.]

It is... isolating, isn't it. Knowing you are the last of a family is one thing, but the last of a culture? A people? An entire universe? Seeing those "what ifs" play out over and over, wondering if there is a version of your friends, your family, somewhere out there living happily...

[Something he had said had triggered some sort of recognition in her. Whether she knew, or she knew, she was now far more dangerous to his plans.]

[Oh well. This particular mask was soon to slip anyways. It would hold out for the time he needed. Though he needed to think of what caused her to suddenly figure something out...]

As for the Zero Point? Well, obviously we will need to fight Dark Voyager and whoever is pulling his strings, to keep them off of it. Then, we simply continue the mission. Protection, defense. It is clear we will have our hands full with that alone...

[He looked back at Jones.]

And what of the Reality Warriors? Will you stand by us? Or are there new adventures and exploits that await you all on the other side of this crisis?

Wondering if you deserved to be the one who made it out...

*Evie pinched the bridge of her nose. That old familiar rush of guilt needed a bit more effort to wash back off and into the Force.*

It is isolating. And you have the worse end of it. At least I managed to see an old friend living their best life... though they had never met me. I'm sorry you don't even get to have that.

*The persona of the Secret Weapon of the Peace Syndicate was settling back in place. She'd done this hundreds of times. She could do it again.

And now he was trying to feel her and the Reality Warriors out, trying to see if they would be a thorn in his side going forward. Evie allowed an expression of tired worry to overtake her features as she joined him in looking up at Jones.*

I'm glad to hear that our intentions are the same, at least. Protecting this place is all John ever wanted, and protecting the peace is my ultimate goal. For both of us, defending the Zero Point is the perfect solution, so we've done all we could together. It's great to finally have more allies with the same goal.

*A small smile, a signal of at least lessened hostility towards the Visitor, flickered over her face as Evie turned back to him.*

The Reality Warriors will stand with the Seven, as long as the Seven don't mind our ranks. I know Foundation didn't like most of us, but I'm glad he didn't stop us from helping. There's too many threats out there to let our pasts split us up.

*Her gaze drifted away again, eyes clouding in concern.*

Which one do you think might come after the Voyager? The Last Reality in force? The Nothing? Or something else?

Believe me, we are not in a position to be turning down allies. And you all held down the fort while we were... gone.

[He lowered his head. After a moment, he looked back up again.]

As for who controls the Dark Voyager... I would imagine that it has something to do with the Last Reality. They are the only ones known to work with Cubes in a manner such as this.

But it will not matter. All of us, we cannot afford to lose this fight a second time. Not when the Zero Point is in play again. If it comes under the control of the wrong group... it will take some time to rebuild enough force to free it once more.

Someone had to... I guess we were just the ones who were willing to try. It's good to not be alone in that anymore.

*A rueful smile flickered across Evie's lips, but her expression sobered quickly. Her eyes, unfocused but piercing, darted between the Visitor and a random spot on the wall behind the tank. Hesitant, as though she wasn't sure about saying something or not.

Finally, Evie let the mask down, her features now betraying anger and unsettled concern, her mind clearly made up. Leaning towards the Visitor in her seat, she lowered her voice a notch so only he would hear.*

Normally I wouldn't do this, but you and I have one thing in common, and that's what we've lost. I'd never forgive anyone, not even a close friend, if they held back a possible lead on that freak of nature, Kado, who killed everyone I loved. So I'm not going to do that to you, even if it turns out to be nothing. You can figure that part out yourself.

*She glanced up at Jones, then away, clearing a flash of guilt from her eyes.*

He wouldn't approve of personal revenge, especially after the Foundation, but...

... Your "beautiful monster". I know that phrase. We've had a lot of bad guys around this place, and I've read the files on the ones that came before my arrival. The Cube Queen. Geno. Doctor Doom. Heck, Slone counts. But on Asteria I heard of a different one mentioned with that exact phrasing, the "beautiful monster", and that one was called the Shapeless Man by the crazy Riftwarden.

*She leaned back a little bit, checking the door to be sure nobody was approaching.*

I know you said someone else defeated him, but if that's the same bad guy, and he was trying to get to the fourth Island, then he's probably not dead yet. Contact with anyone from that period is difficult at best as most just vanished after the Gate collapsed, but the twin Prince and Princess recently showed up with the Elites.

*Evie took a deep breath, leaning back fully with a somber expression and tapping a nail on the armrest of her chair. After a moment she settled, her voice darkening slightly.*

I got to see my friend living happily in another time, something you never got. Maybe you can get the closure I won't. And good riddance, if he's one of the ones after this place like the Last Reality.

[Under the helmet, Visitor grit his teeth. The Riftwarden. That spineless Stellan had blabbed, and Evie, at least, was aware of it. No wonder that River Guard Empress had been prepared, likely anyone who had had any contact at all with the man now knew something.]

[But wait... something Evie had said. She had mentioned his name in the list of previous adversaries... but seperate from "The Shapeless Man". Did she not know they were one and the same?]

... If the one known as the Shapeless Man yet lives, I fear a threat from my timeline has made the journey to yours, just as I did.

No wonder he would be referred to by such a name, his method of destruction was singularly extreme... though apparently temporary.

[He began to pace, thinking of what he now knew. When he hid among the loopers, to learn what had happened in the years since his dissolution, he had heard no one speak of Geno, or the Shapeless Man, or any such. Even the Oathbound remnants only spoke of the Ageless, and that was all old information. How many truly remembered Geno? How many suspected that he even could return?]

[His plan could be more untenable than he had hoped. A shame. He did so hate to get his hands dirty unnecessarily.]

I must speak to the rest of the Seven about this. I do not know well the history of the past not my own, but I am aware of the threat that particular being poses... and if he is attempting to get here, the Dark Voyager would be the least of our concerns.

[He would also have to locate and have words with Stellan... yet another loose end to be tied up and cut off. His imposed vacation had left him with nothing but messes to clean up...]

*Attention successfully diverted. Evie internally apologized to the mad Riftwarden, but to be perfectly fair, he'd likely been on Geno's list already.

Unfortunately, work could be messy like that.

She watched the Visitor pace in agitation, noting that at least some of his frustration seemed to be real enough. To her own irritation, she had no proof of his identity, just a lot of circumstantial evidence and a gut feeling. But in her line of work, that gut feeling was damning... though it would be very nice to be able to poke a hole or three in this façade of his if she needed to prove it.

Or was that all she had?...

Now, Evie would be the first to say that she was no scientist of any sort, save for her skill in chemistry concerning poison, if that could be counted. And yet, as Asteria died, every last remaining agent of the Syndicate had been forced to become quantum physicists overnight in order to find a way out.

She hadn't retained all that she had learned, obviously, most of it had been scoured from text files so dryly written she could barely focus, and any knowledge obtained was usually discarded as soon as it was used, shoved aside to make room for the next necessary information. But she had learned quite a lot that had stuck. Like the reason why this was happening to them.

Jones had taken a time machine from the vampire Kado Thorne, and had made off with the Zero Point back in time, creating a new branch of time and space itself around the Zero Point. A new Reality Zero. And so Asteria had begun to decay, dissolving into nothingness as the new Reality Zero moved forward, the old one simply incompatible with existence now that a new one had been established.

There could only be one Reality Zero.

And if the Seven had been built around Reality Zero for its defense... there could only ever be one Seven.

Evie was far too good an actress to let the smile that wanted to break through do so, but for the first time since she had lost Jones, she felt like she held an ace. Damning evidence that this Visitor was a liar. She couldn't use it, of course, not right now. But it felt good to have at all.

Naturally, all of these thoughts were entirely invisible to the Visitor, even if he had been looking at her. She wasn't stupid enough to think he completely bought her act - no agent worth their salt assumed that their act worked - but at least the results were satisfactory.

No, throughout all of his pacing and muttering, Evie only showed worry, and she leaned forward again, looking up at him.*

You would know best how to deal with this, if you survived the Shapeless Man. I wish I had more I could give you.

*She paused, a hint of fear beginning to build behind her eyes.*

... Another possibility is that the Voyager may be his new proxy... since that seems like his preferred method. I don't know how we'd go about figuring that out, though...

*Another wave of dizziness hit her, and she didn't need a mask for the painful nausea that followed, as she was forced to hold her head still in her hands for a minute.*

Ugh..... That's enough thinking for me...