LOADING...

[recollecters]

[ At 9PM on the 1st, all phones or Retrospec-enabled devices will show flickering screens, until a static-filled image appears. It seems to be a security camera shot, in black and white from a high angle, of a simple computer room. Inside is Joanne Wiseman who many of the users may recognize - she looks young, blonde curls loose around her shoulders, and she also looks tired still. A young man who looks only slightly older than her comes in. He's dark-haired with a sweater and glasses, but a white labcoat that matches hers as well. Maurice comes over to stand nearby, watching the screen Joanne is looking at. Neither of them seem to realize they're being recorded. Joanne looks up, and speaks first. ] Did R and D know anything? [ Maurice shakes his head, says: ] No. They can't track them down either - it's almost as if... [ Joanne: ] They have to be somewhere. [ Maurice: ] Jim's trying to figure it out. You know we don't have anyone better at...ah, "creative" solutions? [ Joanne: ] No, I know, just...what if their souls are just, just - [ Maurice: ] I don't think they're gone. I mean - well, they're gone, but I don't think they're gone? You remember August, the one before last. They're, uh, pretty tough? [ Joanne: ] We're usually able to at least try to help them when we can, though! [ Maurice: ] Jo - look, we're doing everything we can. We'll find them. [ Joanne: ] Before they do? [ Maurice: ] Right. I mean...we have to, don't we? [ They both look worried. Before they do was said with a certain inflection - and hey, Retrospec. It looks like the employees have lost track of you for the month. How do you feel about that one? ] As of this post, character usernames are back to being their own names - or rather, characters will be prompted to put in their name as a boot screen loads. Now's your chance to change your preferred name, Retrospecters - but it appears whatever you put in will be locked in as your choice. Hope you didn't put in something ridiculous! Please feel free to use this post as a network mingle. Every toplevel can be considered a new post, and threadjacking is permitted. No NPC response will be given. As a friendly reminder, you may also claim one of this month's freebie by submitting a thread from this mod post. This thread must be 10 comments from you and submitted before AC closes.

Comments

[incandescentfaith]

That's not comforting.

Is this farce to be a monthly broadcast then?

[liberal_arts]

Every month we are given a glimpse into the situation, intentional or otherwise, but this is the first time in my recollection that it was visual. Or that they weren't even aware the message was being sent.

[incandescentfaith]

Lovely. so incompetent as well as unsettling.

[liberal_arts]

As you can see from the feed, they're very young. Possibly even teenagers.

I used to feel the same as you, frustrated by incompetence, but the more I learn of the situation, the more it becomes obvious these are folks who have had responsibility they were not ready for thrust upon them by outside forces.

[incandescentfaith]

That's an unfortunate problem and they have my sympathy.

But they could also be more forthcoming.

[liberal_arts]

I don't disagree. But I wonder how much they actually can be forthcoming with, not from a desire to withhold information, but out of ignorance entirely.

[incandescentfaith]

You think they're just as in the dark as we are?

[liberal_arts]

A comparable amount, at least. Our enemy has taken great lengths to obfuscate their efforts.

[incandescentfaith]

Enemy?

[liberal_arts]

Yes?

Do you have a problem with that word?

[incandescentfaith]

I don't, particularly? But does it really apply to Retrospec?

[liberal_arts]

If you think I'm referring to Retrospec in those terms, you are mistaken. There is a third party, beyond ourselves and Retrospec.

[incandescentfaith]

I did not know this.

Tell me about them.

[liberal_arts]

Our primary suspect is a man named Vanderweele. He was one of the founders of the company, but as his interests and the interests of other Retrospec founders diverged, it became clear to them he was an exceptionally dangerous individual. He apparently orchestrated the deaths of many of them, and their families.

[incandescentfaith]

And he's been behind these bizarre attacks on us?

[liberal_arts]

He's the strongest possibility.

Ostensibly, he's in prison, but no one can seem to actually find him. We think he's using similar technology to Retrospec to alter the world around us, to interfere with it.

[incandescentfaith]

Oh. Lovely.

I'll just have to remember that.

[liberal_arts]

Many of us are actively trying to track him down, but he hasn't made it easy for us by any stretch. And these regular incidents obfuscate his location further.

[incandescentfaith]

Then I'll keep my ear to the ground and my notes detailed. maybe I can help.

[liberal_arts]

Any effort is appreciated. Information in general is lacking, and we could always use more.