@tony.stark — via morningstar network

[voicelog]

[ the message comes through a day and a half after the simulation attack. ]

hi, i'm just going to cut right to the chase here.

i'm currently within new amsterdam surrounded by a whole lot of people who look to be in a state of suspended animation. it might have something to do with the simulation i just woke up from. [ more like the simulation he was booted from, but technicalities. ] from what i'm confirming via the post our new bff cassius made, this is judas' handiwork.

well, i want to put an end to his twisted little group experiment as much as the rest of you, so i'm here to help. can someone give me a sitrep on what's happening on the outside right now?

and is anyone working on opening up the gates?

Comments

@goro.akechi

[impede]

Why are you the sole party able to wake up from that nightmare? Enlighten us.

@loki.odinson

[selfimage]

[ of course it's Tony Stark ]

It had to be you, didn't it?

private, @annabeth.chase

[intellects]

If you came out, there's got to be a way back in.

I'm trying to find out how the gates were opened in the first place. My cousin had explained it and given me some of her notes, but it doesn't make a lot of sense.

( which is saying something, given annabeth's expertise in shenanigans. )

@goro.akechi

[impede]

Friend of yours?

[voicelog]

[ sigh

he knew that he was going to have to bring up his extremis-related capabilities the moment he started on this post, but he is still unhappy that he has to. ]

i guess judas didn't like me prodding his system

the simulation is currently being run via our neural implants, but i'm not reliant on mine. my physiology enables me to access it, along with other devices, externally, so when i tried to do just that, he kicked me out.

[ it's... a little embarrassing. he should have been more careful. ]

[selfimage]

More like a loud metal ass with a terrible beard.

[voicelog]

not now, loki

[ what a child. ]

[impede]

[Yes, it's vague, but there are some answers in there, too. Enough to work with, at least.]

I assume you attempted to sync up or engage with someone else before you reached out to us.

What can you tell us about the world "inside," so to speak?

Moreover, you may be the "inside man" that one of us was seeking, albeit far more equipped. After all, you're already there.

[impede]

Strange place to grow facial hair.

[selfimage]

It would be, if his whole self wasn't a butt.

[voicelog]

seriously, guys? i can read all of this

at least make this private ffs

[impede]

Would he agree with your characterization of his person?

[impede]

Welcome to our network, Tony. These things are commonplace!

private—

[voicelog]

i think i can find a way back inside, but i have no guarantee that i'll be able to come back out

[ meaning to say that he would rather avoid that route for the time being. ]

can i see the notes she left you?

[intellects]

I can get back out.

( she has no idea how yet. but she believes it, one hundred percent, and she's willing to die trying. )

I'll send you the notes if you'll help me get in.

[voicelog]

i'd like to go on the record that there is nothing wrong with my facial hair

[ IT'S PERFECT. ]

i also don't have any on my ass

[impede]

Thank you for that point of clarification.

Though I must admit ... I didn't need it.

[selfimage]

Don't let me ruin your groove.
But you do have me curious.

[selfimage]

I have my doubts.

[voicelog]

i did

[ he was inside for a while before he decided to tamper with the system, so he managed to get a good look around before he was promptly booted. ]

we woke up in cramp dormitories, escorted outside and shown our daily schedule by a building manager. it looks like judas intends to give everyone here a taste of the past because the date listed was april 16, 2100.

[ insert quick, detailed rundown on what the world looks: restricted spacing in a cave system with poor lighting and limited ventilation, what work was assigned and expected to be carried out, and talks of a war between humans and A.I.s that have been raging on for years. ]

we were also made to believe that our neural implants had been surgically removed, but obviously that isn't true

[...]

like i said, i'm here to help

[voicelog]

i was booted from the system

where are you anyway?

[voicelog]

i'm not making you any promises until you tell me how you think you can get back out

[intellects]

What do you know about Tartarus?

[voicelog]

it's a deity and/or location in the underworld
depending on whether you want to go with greek or roman mythology

[ don't tell him, another god. ]

[intellects]

"And" is more factually correct, though it's a little more complicated than that.

( more like tartarus the location is just dead souls walking around on the actual flesh of a nebulously defined cosmic entity... but details. )

The location itself is supposed to be impossible to escape. If you believe Cassius, so is the simulation. You've gotten out of one, I've gotten out of the other.