[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 membersCollapse )

[Like last time, Xion is searching out her friends. Anyone and everyone she talked to, all the people she met here -- She wants to meet with them, talk to them, find out if they're staying or leaving, say good-bye if it's the latter. Unlike last time, though, her spirits are higher. She can stay. She can stay and still be helpful, still search for the answers they've been looking for, stay and live, really live.

She's also searching for one person in particular. She has something to ask him -- to ask of him, to inform him of something, and she... Part of her is hopeful. Part of her is nervous. Another part of her... feels like she can't ask this of him. She shouldn't ask him to stay for her. She knows she's asking for Nathan, but that's what it feels like. She feels like she doesn't have the right to ask that of him. If he has something important to do at home, then she has no right at all. (If he has something important to do at home, and says no, then...) Xion takes a deep breath and lets it out. At the same time, she has to ask. She has to know. She has to find out for herself.

So, Luministi. How about one last conversation with Xion?]

[Before taking up Nathan on his offer to send him home, Jamie heads back to his townhouse. There's a few things that were left behind that he needs to fetch, like his claymore. And maybe a few other small things that he's kept as mementos of his trip here. He doesn't know if they'll come with him or not, but he wants to try. However, once he steps through the door, he finds himself wandering through the different rooms, rather than immediately collecting his things. It's funny, he thinks. When he had come here, everything was unknown to him. The technology, the people - the man calling himself the Doctor, who didn't look a thing like the funny little man he had just said goodbye to on the moors of Scotland. None of it made any sense. And when the dreams had started, it had made everything even more strange. All those bits of a life he no longer remembered living...for a bit, he thought he was going mad.

He remembers it now, though. Or, well, most of it. Enough that he can recall his adventures with the Doctor easily. All the beasties they fought, all the times they had to live on their wits, and all the people he had come to meet as well. Ben and Polly, who thought of him a bit like a little brother that was always getting into trouble. Beautiful Victoria, who had broken his heart when she left. And clever Zoe, with her head for figures and an impulsive streak to rival his own. Zoe, who was now back home, like he was supposed to be, and without her memories too. What would happen to his memories, when he left? Would Sophie's socks survive the journey and help them stay put? Or would they slip away from him again, leaving him like he was before?

Standing in front of the viewscreen in his living room, he looks at it, or more accurately, through it. He's not really seeing it. Instead, he's thinking about Nathan's offer. The man needs help, and what does he have to go back to? A life on the run, captured or killed by the English? A life without the Doctor? Without realizing it, the CAT's flickered to life during his trip through the townhouse, and if anyone's actually watching, they might see the indecision on his face as he tries to figure out what to do - and when he finally does speak.]

Maybe it'd not be so bad, if I stayed here instead.

((OOC note: For reference, the thread with the Doctor is occurring last, chronologically.))

[After Xion succeeds in unlocking the door to Lab #3--and once Filippo leaves them all with an ominous warning (as well as taking his office scheme with him)--the door to Lab #3 opens to reveal...the interior of Lab #3, a silver, cylindrical room with a small observation room on the other side of the central cylinder chamber. The observation room is walled off with glass. But unlike the last time a number of residents saw this room, Dr. Caligin is not inside waiting for them. The room is quite empty, actually.

On the other side of the room, Nathan suddenly appears again, donning a dark suit. Like before, he sounds slightly strained, like he's exerting a great deal of energy to keep moving but is trying to keep that fact hidden. He greets them with a small smile before immediately heading over to pick up the picture frames that had fallen onto the ground.]

Sorry, I just need...hold on. [he takes a moment to finish picking them up, clutching the frames to his chest] Sorry about that. These are--never mind. [he adjusts his hold on them] Anyway, you found the lab! I had a feeling it was here, and boy, I'm glad you were able to find that key. Audrey had left it in my care when--oh, I need to get her once I get you home. She should be okay resting in the clinic for a while longer...

[he hurries over to the messy desk, carefully depositing the frames and hastily arranging them somewhat neatly. but then he looks up, a somewhat grave look in his tired, dark eyes] But there is a problem. I need to find Filippo Resarci. He's my only connection to finding the person ultimately responsible for everything you've gone through. If I don't find either of them, there's a possibility you will be pulled from your homes yet again. I know many of you wish to go home, but with Audrey in her current state, I can't risk using her again for the time being and... I guess what I'm trying to say is that I need someone to stay behind. It'll be temporary, and I promise I will get you home, just...not as soon as the others.

If you wish to go home, I've turned the life support back on in the town so you can go get your belongings. Well, I guess that goes for those who wish to stay, too. And I think I've finally got things reconfigured so the proper layout of the lab is back in place. [he looks at the lab door; a bit sheepishly] Er, with one exception, but I'll fix that later. You just need to go out these door and all the way down the hallway to the elevator. It'll bring you back to the observation deck and you can go back into town the normal way.

Just to warn you, though...I did encounter some problems in town, too. For some reason, certain things are still in town and around the spacestation, like this giant windmill and a temple. I don't exactly know why they're still there, but I think if you go home, they should go with you. I think. That's my theory, anyway...

But yes. [he shifts, wincing a bit] Um, I'll give you some time to think about things amongst yourselves. We have some time. Come back here once you're ready to go home or if you want to stay. I'll be waiting.

( OOC: Plot DetailsCollapse )

[the first thing people will hear when they arrive in the room with Croix and Wash is loud classical music from the same composer Caligin used to listen to (though that detail may only strike a few.) but the music is a small detail in this room. many will recognise the cold, forbidding room as one they've seen in secret transmissions sent to them via CAT. all lavishness has left it, however. none of the refinery remains except for individual pictures of each and every resident (past and current) left hanging on the wall opposite the collective of screens. all chairs--the two set in front of the screens and the one behind the desk--are empty.

the person of interest is sadly missing.

however, set in the corner of the room behind the desk is a door that stands out from the rest of the room, mostly because its decoration doesn't match the room. but it does with the other labs--and its name "LAB #3" can be seen. congratulations! the lab awaits you!

or does it? if anyone tries the door, they'll find that it's locked. at least this door has a doorknob, even though it doesn't turn.

but suddenly, the music cuts out and the screens flickering into life. the sneering face of the young man in charge of things looms across the many screens set alongside the office wall. there isn't much to see behind him, unfortunately; just a black, leather-like cushion. clearly, he's not entirely amused by this turn of events.]

So, I see you've all made it. [his lips twitch] I was promised quite the show, but overall, I'd have to give your performance a B-. None of you even died! Now that doesn't make good entertainment, now does it? We came close, though. How fitting two of you nearly died for a second time. And we did have some incidents of people disappearing for a time... No matter!

But oh, I can see from your faces that you just want to go home. "Boo hoo! I want to go home to mommy! I just want to see Insert-Loved-One-Or-Pet-Here again. Boo hoo hoo hoo..." [he pouts, wiping fake tears from his eyes. a split second later, his expression is cold and filled with contempt] I think not. You are far too valuable to be allowed to leave. Besides, an entire galaxy is enamored with you! And--[he lets out a little laugh]--you've all made me a lovely bunch of cash as well.

Now you must be wondering, "My goodness, why is he saying all of this?! Aren't the viewers going to hear and write in nasty comments and boycott the sponsors?" Well, the answer's fairly simple: the cameras don't always have to run. The moment you all entered the room, we ended "the season". Talk about a cliffhanger, eh? Mystery and intrigue, and ohh, you all are so damn fascinating! That trick with the things from your worlds coming here? So, so very surprising and we've had lots of requests to manufacture playsets of them, though I do feel that some won't be as marketable as others. No one would want to buy a stupid blue box, after all, unless you wanted one as a shed. But I have plans for you all.

[he leans forward, a smirk slowly spreading across his lips] Would you like to hear them? Or are you too busy trying to figure out how to open that door? Tell you what. Let's have a little chat--you and me. Who's first? Keep in mind I have a busy schedule, so I'll have to keep this brief. And if I tire of you, well, I have ways of quieting you. I'm not above cutting your air supply! And I can, too, if you keep me waiting. [but really, he's doing it for his own entertainment.]

( OOC: Plot DetailsCollapse )

[surprisingly, a private text message is sent not to the device Nathan left behind but to all of the residents' CATs. it reads:]

Get to the nearest door and wait. When the alarm sounds, immediately go through the door and await the next signal.

[surely such a text is confusing, but the sender hopes those words are heeded. ten minutes after it's sent, all vidscreens in the town begin to flash red, and a wailing siren breaks the din. the only word that flashes on screen is:]

EVACUATE

[similarly, back in the spacestation, red flashing lights drop down from the ceiling and a constant, beeping alarm begins to ring. over this, a pleasant and feminine automated voice says:]

Please find the nearest exit and evacuate the station via escape pod. A distress signal has been sent to the closest galactic space authority. Those with small children are asked to--[but this message is interrupted with another]

Life support systems in sectors A through L are at 80%--65%--50%. Life support failure in sectors A through L is imminent. Warning, please evacuate sectors A through L immediately. Warning...

[the automated voice continues with warnings about those sectors--but oddly enough, nothing is wrong in the spacestation itself. no one is evacuating, and in fact, no one can be seen fleeing from the town. the only people who should be in the station are the residents, if they all heeded the text message's warning and went through their respective doors at the right time. all doors brought everyone back to the observation deck, near the first hallway that used to lead to the Mayor's house.

suddenly, Nathan's device begins to chime and an audio message from him begins to play. (oddly enough, the automated voice's warning messages soften, like the volume's been turned down.]

Oh good, you made it out safe! I didn't think that person would...[he trails off] Anyway! I've had a bit of help and I think I can finally get you out of there. I'm sorry though, but I can't get you back into town. I had to shut off life support there to distract those in charge, but I also managed to open up access to the lower level. I can't find the staircases, but the elevator should be working now, so you'll have to use that. This is your chance, everyone! Find the one responsible for this mess and find Lab #3. Contact me if you need me.

[the audio transmission ends. a moment later, there's a soft "ding" as the elevator set behind the Maintenance door in the nearby hallway opens, ready for occupants to board it.

shame it won't be a simple elevator ride.]

( OOC: Plot DetailsCollapse )

( Plot Objectives ListCollapse )

[after hours and hours of searching for Lab #3 and Audrey, the Doctor has still had no luck whatsoever. and it's getting a bit tiresome. as are the waking, living and breathing dreams that seem to be following him in his trek through room after room, after room. for someone who is accustomed to strange events and spatial anomalies of all kinds, the Doctor has grown quite annoyed with it. as well as with the memories he keeps running into. at first, he was torn between guilt and surprise to see his old friends, but...in the end, they've just made his hearts ache that much more. he's almost grateful for the spatial anomaly since he can keep running away from them and know they can't follow.

except for one, which isn't surprising considering who it is.

by now, he's reached Lab #1 and...well, frankly he's tired of running. also, he doesn't notice his CAT has been switched on. the Doctor is currently pacing back and forth, and every now and then, the concerned yet serious face of a ginger-haired woman a hand propped on her hip can be seen.]

Enough! Enough! You can't be here right now. I know you're not here and even if you were, you wouldn't be staring at me and not saying a single thing. [runs a hand through his hair in frustration] It's very disquieting, you know that? Well, you being quiet and not interrupting me once, I mean, even though I've called you a fake, a fraud and a figment of my possibly questionably somewhat sane imagination, but really, you keep coming and going! Currently, you're stuck in the former since you keep on following me no matter where I go and it's so damn typical of you, isn't it?

[she starts walking towards him, her expression unchanging, and despite himself, he starts moving backwards to keep away from her]

And I know this isn't you. [points at her] The Donna I knew is gone and has been gone for a long time now. [his hand falls to his side] And as much as I want for her to be here now--for all of them to be here--it can't ever be. Not any more. It's not safe to be with me. Even though you're not real, you should go before anything happens to--

[his back bumps against the door leading into the oxygen farm section of the lab and he hits a button for the door to open. the moment he steps inside and takes a short breath in, however, the dream version of his friend simply vanishes mid-step]

--you. [his eyes open wide and he darts back into the main lab]

Donna? [he waves a hand where she was. he starts to look around frantically now.] Donna!

[We interrupt your normal day in Luministi for this accidental broadcast of Ichijou's dreams coming true. The locale is an impeccably clean room decorated with brilliant shades of golds, reds, and purples - his favorites. Of particular note, and probably the reason for the CAT broadcasting all of a sudden, is what Ichijou himself is doing, namely, tightly hugging a big guy in a suit while crying loudly.]

Murakami!! I knew it...! I knew you'd come for me!

But sir, I-

After that day I thought I'd never see you again. [He buries his face into the other man's chest, giving off muffled sobs. His companion reluctantly wraps an arm around his back and starts rubbing it in wide circular motions.] I've missed you so much, Murakami...

Boss, could you take off the pin that's on your jacket? It's grinding into me.

Pin? Ah...

[Ichijou pulls away and checks the CAT, noticing that it's been turned on. He wipes his face with his sleeve and addresses his audience.]

Everyone, I would like to introduce you to my dear friend and loyal guard, Murakami. He can be a little reckless and violent at times, but I can assure you that none of you have anything to worry about.

[With a sinister smile:] Except you, Mister Rider.