text; un:thunderbird

[tanker]

hey, everyone

I'm thinking of going outside the walls for a bit of a look around. Anyone interested in going out? Fair warning, it could get hairy, as we don't always know what to expect out there. I'm trained in combat, could always do with good navigators, maybe someone who knows a bit more about the lay of the land, too, but everyone's welcome to join.

I know I'm not the only one wondering about what's out there.



And, completely unrelated... I just moved out of the communal housing and would like to build some furniture for our new place. Simple stuff - shelves, to start with - but I don't have much experience in this. Anyone willing to lend a hand?
Alternatively, if you have any old stuff you'd like to get rid of, I might be interested.

Comments

text | un: w.west

[otherflash]

I'm sure you already have plenty of volunteers, but I've spent quite a bit of time outside the walls and could help out if there's any trouble.

[tanker]

what kind of trouble should we expect? is there always trouble?

i'm up for anyone wanting to come along to do so. we could always split into two groups, go into different directions

[otherflash]

All kinds, really. It feels like I run into something new every time I go out there. The safe thing to do is to expect there to be trouble but how much usually depends on where and how far you go.

I could do some scouting beforehand if you want since my powers make traveling pretty easy for me.

[tanker]

what kind of powers do you have? clarice, who's coming with us, can make portals, but she needs to know where she's going. Is your traveling something that you can take someone with you on?

[otherflash]

I'm a speedster. So assuming someone doesn't mind being carried, I could give them a lift.

[tanker]

I'll... approach the subject

[ Not exactly that she minds, if John's experience is correct, but it's more. Context. ]

it'd definitely be a bonus, though. We could backtrack, in case of danger, more easily.

Some scouting is also definitely a plus. Being prepared is one of my favorite things in life.

[otherflash]

Just let me know what she decides. Being able to portal people out of harm's way would be a big advantage.

[ It would be more ideal than Wally having to speed everyone out of danger individually. ]

I can't say being prepared is always a strong suit of mine, but I am a big fan of not being dumb. Is there anything specific you are looking for or is this just a general exploration thing?

[tanker]

I will. I'm sure she'll be fine with it, if the greater good is on the cards.

[ He knows Clarice, and what she stands for these days. ]

mainly, an exploration thing. If we found, I don't know, another abandoned city with tons of places to live in, it'd be grand, but to start with, I'm pretty set on just looking around.

[otherflash]

I should mention it's perfectly safe. Just a really smooth ride at a few hundred miles per hour.

[ Though a few hundred mph is essentially a slow stroll through the park for Wally if he's being honest. ]

Gotcha. Before we set out, I'll see if I can pinpoint some possible places of interest. I actually should have done something like that long before now.

[tanker]

good, I'd rather if no harm came to her.

[ He has a vested interest in the matter and he might go ballistics if something did happen... ]

that'd be great! I'm hoping maybe these kind of expeditions can be a repeat thing, not just to the expansion project but towards new places, too

[otherflash]

I could always give you a ride first if you want to see what it's like.

[ He know trusting a stranger and their powers with the potential safety of a friend could be a little worrisome. ]

It would be nice if that were to happen. I think this place has a lot of secrets left to be uncovered. But lets just hope this one goes well.

[tanker]

I don't know how big you are, but you might struggle to carry me anywhere

[ He's a dense kind of guy. Not that he weighs more than he looks, but he's just. Big. ]

i agree. at least, putting together a team of people like us is a good step to start strong. quick travel and combat skills are pretty key

[otherflash]

That could be an issue. I've carried big people before, but super strength isn't exactly one of my abilities.

[ Still, he can carry the likes of Superman pretty easily. ]

So if you don't mind me asking, what exactly is it you can do?

[tanker]

Clarice would definitely be easier for you to carry around than me

[ He'd be fine, then. ]

oh, I'm pretty much indestructible. And I've got enhanced senses, and strength too.

[otherflash]

Then it looks like she gets to be the one that has all the fun.

[ Unless she gets like motion sickness which would make it the opposite of fun. ]

Sounds like you hit the metahuman power lottery. I mean, the indestructible thing has to come in handy.

[tanker]

[ Ah! John can only hope she does. ]

yeah, I guess I did.

metahuman - you guys got your powers via circumstance, right? We - Mutants - were born with the gene

[otherflash]

While metahuman is a generic term for anyone with powers, there actually is a metagene. A few people are simply born with abilities.

[ Then there are others who have their metagene activated through circumstances. ]

I've heard a little bit about mutants. About how things are difficult for them back home.

[tanker]

so we're not different at all, then, huh

yeah, it's not always easy. we've got to fight for what our rights, which... feels unfair, sometimes.

[otherflash]

Well, more similar than different, I think.

Totally unfair. It's not like you guys chose to have the gene.

[tanker]

and it's not like most of us are dangerous. what are kids going to do? but people are scared, because we look different, or kids have trouble controlling themselves. but instead of training them, the government wants to put them away.

[ Can you tell he's passionate about it? ]

[otherflash]

[ Oh, he can tell. He also believes the unfairness of it all is something people should be passionate about. ]

Damn, man. That's seriously messed up. Things aren't like that at all for us back home.

[ People just crowd them for autographs and build museums honoring them. ]

[tanker]

that's good. I don't wish that kind of thing on anyone. I often wish we'd stayed hidden. Maybe it was easier when no one knew about Mutants, but then, it wouldn't make life any easier for those of us who have physical mutations.

[otherflash]

So what do you guys do? I can't believe sitting back and taking it is an option.

[ Of course, a war of any kind isn't going to make things better, either. ]

[tanker]

there's this network of safe houses and way stations throughout the country - we call it the underground. We smuggle mutants out of the country, provide safe haven for those with nowhere else to go, and we try to fight back, with what little we have. Keep our own safe from detention centers and labs, try to find loopholes in the system that we can exploit.

but mainly, we try to stay safe, and fight back in whatever legal ways we have, because if we turn to violence, we're no better than what they say we are.

[otherflash]

That's admirable of you guys. I can't even begin to imagine having to live like that.