veilbreak | SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT

ANNOUNCEMENT
Broadcast over speakers onboard, Doss speaks:

This is a CODE RED ALERT and all hands are required.

Earlier this evening, Bone intercepted a directive from the Architects to initiate a Sterilisation Event in Xitang, China on 01/29/2026 at 1600. There's no information about what is triggering this, but we have a unique chance to save 50,000 souls from eradication.

Evacuation is our primary goal here. We know the blast radius is 15.5 miles (25 km for our non-Americans). We need to get as many people as possible out of the radius as quickly and as efficiently as we can. St James has a suggested approach here. Espionage, consult with your chain of command for assignments.

Ground Forces will be on site getting as many people to safety as possible. Your primary directive is evacuation. Utilize any resources at your disposal.

These people are Veiled. This makes things easier and trickier at the same time. We won't have widespread panic: you're fighting against complacency.

Pilots, your primary directive is drone destruction You're the hail Mary: as long as the drones are targeting you, they can't execute their orders. We need to give people on the ground as much time as we can. You'll be against the big boys, not just the standard drones. They're powerful, but they're slow. Take advantage of your maneuverability.

Strategists, you'll be manning Command with Science. Let them run point on ground communication and stick to what you know best: how to keep our pilots alive.

Remember the mission. Let's go be big damn heroes.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

There are a million thoughts running through Delilah's head as she powerwalks through the ship. All of the things that could go wrong on this mission— for her, for Bobby, for Casper and Apollo, for Mav and Sefi. All the ways this could go right and how proud and accomplished she would feel.

And, okay, she's also thinking about where the hell is her hair tie and why isn't it on her wrist like it should be—

She stops dead in her tracks. Standing before her is a boy around her age who she's never seen before— and she's very good at locating fellow youths in order to try to win them over through aggressive friendliness. "Wait, hi, wow, you're so tall, are you new?"

A normal way to greet a stranger.

The tall, dark stranger of a million futures foretold looks up from his phone, slightly startled at the question and any chance of recovery to seem in control is just as futile as he registers the cute blonde that was asking said question.

"Oh yeah. You know, genes or something…" Demarcus says, trying to play it cool and laugh it off but failing utterly.

There's a short pause before he remembers to introduce himself and he runs his hand through his hair (hopefully impressively), "I'm Demarcus Rojo. Hi."

"Congrats on being genetically blessed!" she answers, bright and bubbly. Now is really not the time to stop and chat with her new handsome coworker— she has a mission to prep for— but well. She is easily distracted by a pretty face. "Delilah!" She wiggles her fingers in a wave. "Welcome to Mnemosyne! I hope you aren't claustrophobic."

Delilah, Demarcus repeats to himself. He is going to remember that.

“Um, thanks.“ he starts and frowns, waving a hand around, "Are you late for something? Is everyone late for something?" Because he hasn't failed to notice all the people rushing around in such a state.

"Oh wow, so you're like brand new brand new." Is that rude to point out? Hopefully not. "Most of us are headed out to evacuate a town before the Architects can destroy it and everyone in it. They picked a hell of a day to onboard you." Delilah fishes through her pocket and— aha, a scrunchie. "Promise, we're not running from you." She smiles sweetly as she smooths her hair and ties it into a ponytail. "What cell are you with?"

"Dreamscape," he admits, with just a hint of pride. There are only four of them up here, he'd read. That meant he's real impressive (or so he hopes). "Maybe they really need me here, for whatever comes next, yeah?"

"Ohhhh, impressive!" Delilah exclaims, as if reading his mind. She doesn't fully understand the technology, but she assumes anyone involved in that field must be incredibly smart. "That's above my paygrade, but they must have really wanted you asap!" Or someone forgot to reschedule his start date once they found out about the sterilization plan, but she is choosing to believe it wasn't an oversight.

"I need to get going, but if I catch you later, I can show you around."

"Oh—" You're leaving. Of course, Delilah had somewhere to be. Just like everyone else.

Demarcus cleared his throat and smiled, flashing his sparkly whites, "I'll take you up on that then."

And then as an afterthought, he added, "Good luck."

SPEAKER ANNOUNCEMENT

Demarcus & Delilah