Luministi

[The moment the countdown ceases, many things happen at once: the second computer terminal goes black while the first one returns to the main desktop, with several various icons on the side and across the screen in random places; Ferran spins away from everyone, completely ignoring everyone, and what they're currently doing, his movement frought with panic as he frantically shoves aside John and tries to restart the transfer process and mutters under his breath while he does so; and door appears--or rather, reappears in the place it used to be--on the wall, opens, and in steps Nathan.]

I think you'll find that this is all over, Ferran. We already have your anchor in our custody, and officers have already been dispatched to the site of your next experiment. And I've locked you out of the system. Everyone, please don't attack him. You're all safe now.

[Ferran doesn't turn around, but his voice is low and shaking with anger when he finally speaks.] ...How did you find it?

[Nathan starts motioning for Sophie, Kon, and the others to step away from Ferran and the boxes of equipment while he continues walking towards Ferran.] You need to be more careful of how you treat your associates. Don't make promises you don't intend on keeping, and definitely don't kill their fathers. You'd think you'd know better, since this all started here because your anchor wanted to bring his own father back to life.

Ahhh, so you figured it out at last? Good on you, Marshal Thanial, very good. Shame you did not put two and two together earlier. Imagine all the overtime you would have missed out on. [Ferran continues to try to access the terminal, but only gets denied access.] Damn it all...

[Nathan removes his CAT device from his pocket, pressing a button on-screen every time Ferran tries to enter a password.] I wouldn't bother with that either. Already locked you out of the system permanently. None of your old tricks will kick us back out this time, no matter how hard you try.

[For a moment, all Ferran does is hang his head, fists clenched so tightly his knuckles have turned white, but soon, he adjusts his hat over his scratched, injured face, and turns to face Nathan and the otherworlders.] You have no idea how close I have come to completing my work, nor how important it truly is. Their suffering is never permanent! None have died for good--

Except for Mr. Proctor and Ernesto Resarci, you mean.

They were of no further use to me. [He shrugs.] I could not merely send them home in the same manner as the rest. The process does not work the same if it is used in the same universe!

Save it, Ferran. You're only earning yourself a longer jail sentence. [Nathan types something into his CAT, the device soon changing shape into something akin to a pair of bulky handcuffs.] Hands.

[Reluctantly, Ferran holds his hands out.] There will be others. I am not the only one who wishes to continue this kind of research.

...What? [Nathan stares at him, a chill running up his spine at those words.]

[A chuckle escapes his lips, the hint of a victorious grin lingering in his expression.] Oh yes, my dear Marshal. You did not think I was the sole perpetrator of such curiosities? I know not who or what the others are, nor their reasons and means for the theft of the various otherworlders--but I am, indeed, not alone. You only found me because of the technology, and even then, I had been at this for well over twenty years just for my work to culminate in these past three years. Had I not become...overly ambitious, you may have never discovered the location of my experiments. That said...I have known of these others for a while now. Some of my test subjects were even taken from me before I could retrieve them for study. [He lets out a sigh.]

You're lying. There can't be others doing this!

Oh, certainly not others doing it in the exact manner as I have done, but the multiverse is a far more vast and plentiful place than our people have ever realized. If I were you, I would suggest drumming up a whole hell of a lot of recruits. I suspect you will be busy for centuries to come.

[Several different emotions flicker across Nathan's face but soon settle on something neutral. He isn't going to be baited now. He'll have to investigate these claims later.] I'll make a note of that in your arrest report. [He finally secures Ferran's hands in the handcuffs. The moment he does, Ferran freezes in place, a slight smirk still on his face.] Enough of that bullshit for now. [Something in his tone says that he's still bothered by the other man's words.] Don't worry, he's not going anywhere. Statis cuffs. Keeps suspects from spontaneously traveling to other dimensions and locations in the same universe, and makes it rather quiet since they can't move a damned inch either.

Now...there is something you all have to see. Two somethings, in fact. I know a few of you already saw this, but the rest of you need to see. Knowing the face of your captor will break that wall around a small, but crucial part of your memory. [Nathan gently removes Ferran's hat and sets it aside. For those who hadn't seen his face yet, they'll remember a small moment in time just before they were taken when Ferran, in his dark suit, hat, and camera, stood in front of them with a smile on his face and took their picture. This is true for those who later died.] That was just one thing.

The second is that even if, on the slim chance he manages to break loose and gets away? He can't use you ever again. With you all knowing his face, that bond between you and him is broken, and therefore, he can't sense your emotions in the same way any longer. [Nathan puts the hat back on Ferran.] That's one part of the research that he never talked about, but surely, he must've feared it happening. He'd have to start from scratch.

[A second later, he sighs and pushes Ferran back down into the computer chair, spins it around, and pushes him over to the wall before he faces everyone again.]

So! After I get this all taken into evidence, let's see about getting you all home! And this time, for real. I've got everything I need. The photos, the negatives, even the terminals and programs he used to manipulate your photographic images and subject you to so many things. If you can, give me an hour to do everything I need to, and then I'll get you on your way. [Nathan smiles, a relaxed and relieved look washing over him for the first time in a long while.] See you soon. [He puts a hand on Ferran's handcuffs, and in a blink of an eye, both men disappear.]

( OOC: Plot Details - The End )

[A soft rhythmical chiming can be heard from Filippo's pocket. All conversations halt as he holds up a hand to pull out his CAT device, switching an alarm off.]

Ahh, time's up. [He turns to everyone, clapping his hands once in front of him.] Well. This has been lovely, and I believe everyone who is willing to let bygones be bygones is ready. [All of like...one person] You know...I'm glad we had this chat. We should have had it sooner.

Oh well. Can't live in the past.

[All of a sudden, there is a flash of light and those who weren't by Lab #4 or had left will suddenly find themselves with the others--but no one is by Lab #4 anymore. Filippo stares for a moment before stamping his foot and shouting] No! No, this isn't how it was supposed to go! Ferran? Ferran! [He glowers, but his expression quickly turns to fear again as he hastily pulls out the yellow device to teleport away--but it falls from his hand, clattering to the ground. Before him stands Nathan, who has simply reappeared again--and he looks pissed.] Look...it's nothing personal, okay? [He starts to back away, stumbling into the lab.] I had to knock you out somehow and he's never told me if tranquilizers work on your kind! I would have used those inste--

Where are they, Resarci? I'm not in the mood for any of your doubletalk or lies. I've had to listen to enough of your shit and his for far too long!

[Color flares in Filippo's cheeks] I don't know either! If I did, I wouldn't have been yelling at him.

[Nathan lunges forward, grabbing Filippo's suit lapels.] What were you planning to do before, then? Don't think for a second that they believed you were going to send them home.

[Filippo tries to pry his suit away, but the grip on it is too tight] If they did, then I have some tubs of elbowgrease I can sell them too.

Where were they going?! [Nathan's hold shifts closer to Filippo's neck, cutting his air supply.]

[Filippo's face slowly starts to change colors, his voice hoarse as he tries to speak] F-Ferran's been preparing to move everyone to a different universe to continue his playtime with them. All I had to do was lure them to this lab and open the way to Lab #5.

[Nathan relaxes his grip a little.] We were trying to find that lab anyway! All you had to do was just wait for us to get there on our own. Why interfere?

Because he needed to discredit you even more. Why should they trust you implicitly when you still haven't told them everything? When you've failed to save them so many times? When--

Enough! I'm taking you into custody and you're coming with me right now. We need to find them.

And you think I'm going to just help you?

Yes. [He removes a pair of special handcuffs from his pocket, cuffing one over Filippo's wrist--and then his own.] Yes, I do.

[As for what happened to the otherworlders...]

( OOC: Plot Details )

[At the end of his discussion with everyone in the White Rabbit Pub, Nathan stands, feeling somewhat tired but absolved of what information he's been able to give everyone. His burden feels...less like one now.]

All right. Like I said, we need to find the missing lab. Find the schematics--they may be in Caligin's lab office or in that mansion of his here in town, and that should narrow down where that lab was before things changed around here.

Now, I suggest--[He doesn't get to say what he suggests, not after a red spot suddenly appears on his forehead. A nanosecond later, blood starts to trickle out of the wound and Nathan collapses to the ground. The very moment the bullethole appears, a shot rings out from the door of the pub and in the doorway stands none other than Filippo Resarci, a literal smoking gun in his hand.]

Yes, I agree with that suggestion. Do sit down and shut up for a while. [Resarci puts the gun away in the inside of his jacket pocket, then looks at everyone expectantly.] Oh yes, don't all clap at once! I only just saved you from a pack of bullshit. But I will warn you...[He pulls something else out of his pocket.] Try to do anything to me or get within five feet of me, and you'll get a nasty shock from mister zapper here. [He wiggles a little yellow device, looking them all in the face.]

Good. I'm glad we seem to have an understanding. [And if they don't? Oh well, he's going to talk anyway!] Oh, and don't worry about him there. He won't die from that, unfortunately. Neither will any of you, come to think of it, but I'm not in a killing mood right now.

I'm here to give you all a counter offer. He wants you all to waste time searching for something that he isn't even sure is around here. However, I ran things here last year. I know this place like the back of my hand--and more importantly, I know where to go.

So you have a choice: stay here and do your little fruitless search with a man who could have escaped at any time and only chose now to appear--or come with me. I escaped here once and I can do so again, and let me tell you something else. I am sick and tired of the games these people play. I have been all over the damn galaxy looking for people and hiding from others. I haven't had a single goddamn home-cooked meal in over a year. I'm done with it. And once I'm rid of you, I'm rid of my problems.

Now, I know this might be a little much to think about. Yes, I'm the guy who tortured you all last year, blah blah blah. [He waves a dismissive hand.] I'm over it--and you should be too. No need to live in the past.

[His eyes flicker to a watch on the hand that's still holding the yellow device.] Hmm, time's almost up. He'll be up and about soon. So, make your minds up soon! I won't steal you all away just yet. You'll want to get everything in order because once we leave, you're never coming back. Take your time. After a certain amount of time has passed, I'll contact you all again with a location. Be ready.

And if I were you? I'd think twice about that guy. He waited this long to tell you things. What else hasn't he told you? [He shrugs, a small smile on his face.] Food for thought. See you soon. [His fingers flip open the yellow device, presses a button--and disappears in a flash of shimmering light.]

[Once Filippo leaves, Nathan groans, wipes the blood away from his forehead (the wound has healed itself), and sits up long enough to retrieve his CAT from the table before he too disappears. But he doesn't get any flashy lights. He's just gone--and he's very angry.]

[And elsewhere...the man in black grins at all he sees.]

( OOC: Plot Details )

[While people are battling with their new powers and those townspeople who've decided to go on crime sprees, there are two people watching everything play out from a safe place. One...has no choice. The other?

The other relishes and delights in what he sees.

A pleased smile naturally graces the other's features.] You have no idea how long I have waited for this moment. Finally, finally after observing them for so long and poking them in the right directions, they are perfect. There have been some who just couldn't quite make it, ones I had hopes for but ultimately have given up upon. I will not be recalling them ever again.

And I have you to thank for that, my dear Marshal. If it were not for your continual interference these past years, they all might have still been stuck in that fool's experiment to bring his loved ones back to life. The otherworlders learning of that experiment's truth only fueled the flames of my own. The young businessman's ideas of entertainment were far more useful than the drivel the scientist ever gave me.

Speaking of him, you were never able to locate him, were you? Your teams of otherworlders failed in their tasks and returned empty-handed. They were meant to, you know, and yet you were so certain you could use their skills and fame to help them in their hunt for him while you searched for me.

[Slowly] ...What did you do to Filippo Resarci?

He was hiding away but now...he is right where I need him to be. [The other's smile widens after a moment.] Ahhh, I see. You think he's my anchor here.

It's a possibility.

You think...if you got to my anchor, then you could have reeled me in? Shame the fish reeled in the fisherman and now, you have left your worms completely unattended. I do wonder who yours is.

[Lets out a dismissive noise.] Like I'm going to tell you.

It does not matter. They will blame you in the end. Once they have figured it all out, they will hold you accountable. Might take them a while to piece everything together, though. I even tried to share with them the truth, warn them of what was to come--and yet they thought I was merely taunting them. They did not understand--

--Weren't you?

[The other shrugs nonchalantly.] Eh, yes, but one can mock with the truth. It is one hell of a weapon, as you have seen.

[Somewhat victoriously] Yes, it is...isn't it? [There's a soft click from somewhere nearby.]

[The other's expression rapidly changes from smugness to suspicion because of that tone.] What have you done?

You'll see soon enough.

[And then the one seemingly without a choice uses his one trump card to escape--but the other doesn't yell or pitch a fit at this disappearing act. No, the other merely pulls out something, enters a sentence followed by a few keystrokes, then slips it back into his pocket.]

Two can play at this game.

[Seconds before the other's keystrokes were entered, Nathan suddenly appears somewhere in the vicinity of the town hall, but before he can even take a step forward or pull out his own CAT to call people to him, the town hall explodes, showering him and most of the town square in huge chunks and layers of debris. Rubble and shrapnel fly into air, crashing through store fronts, trees, the library, and crushing nearby townspeople. Not even the fountain is spared and the Sheriff's office has taken severe damage.

But what caused the explosion to begin with? Whatever it is, it's gone now, most likely lost in the blast.]

( OOC: Plot Supplement Details - **Quick-time Event** )

[One by one, the visitors disappear, going back home just as mysteriously as they first arrived. When the final one is gone, there is a change...and then, music begins to play on everyone's CATs as it accompanies a montage video tour of the town until it winds up in the Mayor's office once more. Mayor Caligin smiles warmly before speaking.]

Greetings, citizens of Luministi! As you may know, the 702nd Luministi Founder's Day Festival will take place in less than a week! However, this year's festivities will begin early with a cooking contest held here in the town hall, food and wine tasting in the botanical gardens, and 24-hour film festivals for all ages in our very own Janus Theatre! Throughout the week, there will be various game stations and vendors around the town square, with various rides set up in the park. For those of you with music on the brain, all kinds of musical acts can be found around in and around the gardens.

As always, a health and safety booth will be set up near the park for those who get a little too excited, aren't feeling well, or simply can't make the trek to the clinic.

And this is only the beginning! [Caligin's grin grows broader, his excitement practically oozing out of his pores.] Last-minute volunteers are always welcome to help finish setting up booths and decorations, so direct all queries to Miss Osculia as soon as possible if you're interested.

That's all from me today. Have a wonderful day, Luministi!

[The video feed cuts off then. Bird song can be heard outside. The sun is shining brightly with nary a cloud in the sky, but there is a gentle breeze in the air carrying the sweet floral scents from the botanical gardens.]

( OOC: Plot Details )

[With everyone's efforts, the life support systems start back up again, and all flashing red lights go away to warn another day. Soon, the air levels return to normal, breathable levels, and the food replicators begin bringing in fresh foods once more to the spacestation kitchens and all the restaurants in town. And yes, there is hot water for everyone now!]

[In the maintenance area, Proctor lets out a loud sigh of relief and turns on his CAT while he checks over the read-outs on the terminals before him]

Very, very good! I...had my doubts we'd be able to do this in time. But--[he smiles faintly for the first]--you did it. You all did. I'm seeing more and more why Filippo failed so badly last--

[But he cuts off right then, his face going pale.] What is...how was that system activated?! It was turned off months ago! [He turns suddenly when he hears a groaning, shuffling noise behind him. If possible, his face goes even more pale.]

No...NO, you get away from m--

[Proctor accidentally shuts his CAT off. What happens to him...who knows.]

( OOC: Plot Details )

[Listen close; on the tail ends of a faint breeze running through the town, one can hear voices. They sound varied, some are just having regular conversations, but others might be full-out arguing and bickering. There might even be the sounds of laughter as showers of coins come out of a chiming machine. All these sounds are new. They are soft at first, but as one walks around town and encounters the strange sights that stand out amongst the usual hodge-podge of buildings, the voices and sounds become louder and clearer. It's almost as if those people are there--but sadly, they are not. Some will find the voices familiar, but others won't.

But there is one thing for certain: they do not belong there.

And neither do the new structures and buildings that have cropped up around town...

There are still no signs of the townspeople, and the Mayor has even gone silent. None of his trademark music accompaniment will cover up those voices this time. However, there is a new noise that only those with the keenest ears may be able to pick up on--and it is not good. Not from the way whatever is making it sounds...overworked and stressed, the mechanical systems ready to break at any given moment.]


( OOC: Plot Details )

[Someone has been in the Luministi Research Labs.

To the untrained eye, everything is still in its place despite the undetected intrusion. Not a paper has stirred. No chairs have been pushed out of their original positions in the slightest. Not even a single blade of grass in the town square has bent or crushed. Yet something has changed.

Perhaps it's a slightly different tang in the air. One check of the life support systems, however, will tell one that the oxygen mix is the same as ever. The strange objects and rooms from the old citizens are still there as well, so still and untouched as the rest of the things in the town generally are. Even the remnants of the old Neptune sundial outside the library and the stone sundial in the park have been left alone.

The intruder smiles, knowing it is only the beginning. If the test goes as planned, then perhaps...

As quietly as the intruder came, the intruder now leaves without a trace. There are several observations to be done.

No sooner does the intruder leave, a video begins to play on all CAT units that shows a rather beautiful montage of the town while a kind gentleman's voice speaks. Some will recognize the voice as belonging to Mayor Caligin.]

Hello and good morning! It gives me great pleasure to be able to greet you and welcome you to the Town of Luministi. My name is Constantine Caligin, Mayor of Luministi. I am sorry I am unable to greet you in person, but there is always something to be done here in town hall! Surely you understand.

While I have a minute though, let me give you the highlights of our great and beautiful town.

Here in Luministi, we strive to maintain the integrity of our quiet small town life while slowly bringing in new blood and new technologies. One look at our fine, eclectic town square and you will see how well we are progressing! There are many new and exciting places in town for you to explore, like our fabulous restaurants, recently renovated cinema, and our famous library. We welcome any feedback about them, from convenience to pure aestheticism. Our latest additions are identical housing developments situated in the west and east of Luministi's town borders and we hope you enjoy the accommodations! They have been built with the ideas of comfort and ease in mind.

Unfortunately, that--[there is a slight disturbance in the audio, as if the original has been altered]--will be all for today. This has just been merely a test. Soon, you will see what joys your stay in Luministi will bring you. And it will bring you plenty of joy and happiness. So much so, you will never want to leave.

Not ever again.

[And on that note, the video ends on a rather ominous shot of the town hall, and unintelligible voices begin to whisper to fill the void the video broadcast has left...]


( OOC: Off-Season Plot Continues! **Fourth Wall Event** )

[Nathan paces in front of the many screens in Caligin's office, waiting for the remaining inhabitants to report to him. they'll note that none of the picture frames remain in the office. at all. once they all arrive, he immediately launches into his spiel. he doesn't seem to have the same vigor as he did when he first turned up to send the others home. in fact, he seems rather strained and tired but plows through everything anyway.]

By my calculations, his transmission was coming from this sector of nearby space. [he taps one of the screens, highlighting a cluster of a planets orbiting a sun about the same size and color as Earth's.] Thankfully, there aren't too many planets here in the Eta System--only five, and only four are habitable. [he points out which ones are, ignoring the one planet closest to the sun, Eta.] There are a couple neighboring solar systems around there that he might try to flee to, but chances are, uh, that he hasn't quite made it that far even if he has escaped from this particular system. No ships in this time period can possibly make a trip that quickly. The technology isn't advanced enough for such things.

[he pauses for a second, heading over to a printer which has been spitting out copies of the coordinates and other details about the planets in the Eta system. silence falls during that moment, but then he suddenly looks up as if he's forgotten something.] Oh! Uh, speaking of travel, everything should be all done with the transport I wanted to provide for you. So your, er, TARD-IS should be back together again and completely functional. [turns to the other group] And I've arranged for a vessel from one of your worlds to appear in the lower level's docking bay. The on-board AI is probably a bit confused about the change in venue, so insert this data and it'll get it up to speed about this galaxy. [holds a data chip out to Croix and Wash as he passes out the copies] And I have one for your ship as well if it needs it. [hands it off as he passes copies to Jamie, Xion, and the Doctor]

That should be it! The CATs should be able to work outside the lab, but do not, under any circumstances, lose them. They're my only means of contacting you--and you contacting each other and Ichijou here in the lab. And I'd advise not using them in public. The people in the Eta System... [sighs, shaking his head] Just trust me. I don't want you getting separated from each other in case the fans get too crazy. I think you've all seen the comments by now... [gestures to a stack of papers on Caligin's desk] All of you are galactic stars of varying degrees, especially to those in the Eta system. Their level of dedication can be...scary. So just be careful.

[he looks like he wants to take a seat, but settles for leaning against the desk] Ah, and one last thing! All of the planets should have atmosphere and gravity comparable to this station, so you won't have to worry about, you know, breathing. There are some space suits down in the docking bay if you want to bring one just in case. [though he doubts the guy in the armor has to worry about that]

Contact me if you need anything or get into trouble. Just...don't call to shoot the breeze or anything, though. I have a job to do too.

( OOC: Off-Season Plot Details + poll for all Luministi members )