week 1

[airlockedmods]

Week 1

[After the initial introduction of the Overseers on Sunday, the Champions were left to their own devices in investigating the part of the ship they have access to to their hearts' content. However, the doors that Jamie and Bolton came through are locked tight and cannot be unlocked via PIP.

On Monday morning, the same voice that awakened them the previous morning chirps at them again from their PIPs at 7 am on the dot. There's also a pop-up message waiting for them: a notice announcing "office hours" for Bolton in the library and Jamie in the art room every day from here on out.

Enjoy your week, Champions.]

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday

Comments

[misplacedxsheath]

I can think of an easy way to fake that view, but it's no less disturbing than us being isolated in an abandoned reach of space.

[kininaru]

Oh?! This is the first I'm hearing of a way! Even if it's not exactly comforting, it certainly doesn't hurt to look over all of the options! Please, go ahead!

[misplacedxsheath]

They could have us plugged into an environmental simulator or an Encephalon. To put it simply, it's possible to place one's consciousness inside an area of virtual space either created by a programmer or representing the landscape of a person's subconscious.

[kininaru]

A virtual space..oh! Kind of like Sburb, then!

[ Maybe..? She doesn't really know how that whole thing works, but... ]

So, does that mean our real bodies aren't actually in this place?

[ At least she gets the idea... ]

[misplacedxsheath]

It's a distinct possibility, yes. But don't think that means we aren't in true danger. Death within virtual spaxe, with the consciousness so thoroughly immersed in that world, leads to brain death in the victim. To the person within the simulator, it might as well be reality.

[kininaru]

So, we're in just as much danger then, even if that's the case...

[ Well, that's reassuring. Not. ]

But what would be the point of putting us through something like that?

[misplacedxsheath]

An environment strictly under their control, and the ability to leave and return at will. On top of that, our true location could easily be a small research bunker deep underground, far cheaper than building and maintaining a space station.

[kininaru]

Oooh! I suppose you're right; and if that's the case, they wouldn't have to worry about cleaning it, or supplying us with food! If it's actually a program or something, they could just clean it up with a few little clicks...

[ It...seems out of her depth, but, that does sound more efficient, if that technology exists... ]

[misplacedxsheath]

Exactly. They'd still need to nourish our bodies, but that could be accomplished easily enough through intravenous nutrition.

[kininaru]

But, then, why would some of us have changes in our bodies? There's no need for that, if this is a simulation, right?

[misplacedxsheath]

If Twiright is correct, then the changes represent effects of events we don't remember. An EVS system would scan our bodies as they are.

[kininaru]

Oh goodness...this is all just conjecture, though, isn't it? If we really were in a virtual world, is there any way we could prove it? Any sort of signs, or things that would be out of place?

[misplacedxsheath]

Not unless the system were to glitch. It's a very thorough illusion, aside from allowing situations not possible in reality.

[kininaru]

Hmmmph...

[ If there's no way to prove it, then, they just have to either wait for it to glitch, or see if they can cause one themselves... ]

This is just frustrating...one step further, two steps back...

[misplacedxsheath]

It's to be expected at this early stage. We may have to accept that our escape will take some time.

[kininaru]

I think we just need to get more information! It's good to assemble all of the possibilities, but, too many ideas and things can get a little muddy, right? For now, we should keep this virtual thing in mind, but, there must be some way to confirm it...

[misplacedxsheath]

Patience. If they make a mistake, or if something occurs that none of us can explain otherwise, we'll have solid reason to suspect. For now, we need to be stubborn and make them the desperate ones.

[kininaru]

Stubborn...o-okay! I can do that! I'm more stubborn than most, you can count on me!

[misplacedxsheath]

I doubt anyone here is particularly weak of conviction. We'll have to see how long it takes for them to grow weary of us not playing along with their script.