12th Transmission: A Homecoming and a proposal [Action/Voice]

[thefinaljedi]

[After returning to the Draft, Luke had immediately seen to making sure that Ami was able to recover, setting aside his own aches and pains for a time and putting her into a Force Trance so that she could rest without needing to fear nightmares. When that was finished, the Jedi started taking care of his own affairs.

First he went out and gathered bandages and other supplies to tend to minor scrapes and injuries, as well as picking up various forms of comfort food. He walked with his hood up to shut out the cool breeze, and because he didn't really want anyone to see just how exhausted he was. He also drops off his notes on the cure and virus with Trafalgar Law. Interested parties could find the Jedi between his home, the clinic and various shops around town, laden with groceries and various first aid supplies.

After returning home, housemates will find him meditating out in the main living area, putting himself into a trance to commune with the Force and try to recenter himself after the ordeal he'd been through. What he'd seen and done, the things he'd had to face were the stuff of nightmares in his world and it would be a long time before he felt he could come to grips with everything. Don't worry about interrupting his meditations, he won't be able to really center himself for a while and it's all an exercise in futility.

After giving up, Luke opens his journal and starts a Voice recording, his words tired and strained, but genuine and grateful]

Good afternoon. This is Luke Skywalker, returned from the draft. I'd like to say a few words, if anyone's willing to listen.

First, I would like to thank the others that worked with me to produce a solution for what we saw there. Professor Mordin, Mia, Daisy, Ami, and Loki all really came through in the end. If you run into them, please offer your thanks. They did us all a big favor, and I only wish I'd been able to contribute more than I did. It was a situation we never want repeated, and hopefully the Malnosso learned from their mistake of sending draftees in so unprepared and uninformed.

Second, I want to extend condolences to anyone who lost someone. I don't really have any idea what happened out there, but you have my sincerest hope that...[He chokes on his words for a moment, remembering Steve] they return soon and as whole as they can be. If there's something I can do, please ask and I'll do what I can to help.

[He pauses to collect himself, his voice very nearly breaking towards the end. He's just being as earnest as he can, trying to help how he can, because that's how Luke copes. He helps.]

Finally, there's a bit of business I'd like to propose. It isn't urgent, but since the Kin'corran refugees came I've been thinking that we should consider putting together some sort of disaster shelter. The tornado, and the events of the last few days have further cemented the idea that this might be wise. I don't know how feasible it is in the immediate future, but it's an idea I'd like to at least discuss. If anyone is willing, I feel this would be a worthwhile project in case we have more refugees, a power outage, or any number of other disasters.

[By the end, he's hoarse, but his voice sounds firmer.]

May the Force be with all of you.

[And the feed cuts]

Comments

[Action]

[risingshepard]

[...Ah, another name she was familiar with coming home.

This sounds like as good a time as any to have a seat nearby, and just watch him for now...he looks pretty tense.]

[Action]

[thefinaljedi]

[Luke kept trying for a while before gradually giving up and looking at Shepard. He's extremely tense. Tense doesn't even begin to describe Luke right now]

Afternoon Alia.

[Action]

[risingshepard]

Afternoon.

[On edge would probably be a better description once she gets a good look at him, yeah...the draft must have been frazzling in more than the usual way.]

...Too much on your mind?

[Video]

[justicereigns]

Barracks and tunnels.

We used the tunnels when the moon crashed, and the barracks are most fortifiable in case the Third Party does ever break through the barrier like they did in Kin'Corra.

It's not fool-proof, the earthquake showed how dangerous the tunnels can be, and in a flood they'd be a death trap, but I can't think of anyplace better unless we try to build something in the mountains and that'd be logistically difficult to evacuate people to.

[Video]

[thefinaljedi]

I was thinking somewhere higher up, the area near the farm and Nami's orchard. It's on a hill, but not as far off as the mountains.

I'm not really talking about a fortress. Just somewhere people can go if things go sour.

Voice

[spohkh]

[Spock can hear the tiredness from Mister Skywalker... this does not alleviate the guilt of leaving the group earlier than planned. However, it was well they they were able to procure positive results.]

Mister Skywalker... It is agreeable that I should hear from you. How is your current well-being and that of your companions?

Voice

[thefinaljedi]

Good to hear you too, Spock.

[Luke's voice is tired, but glad]

I'm alright. Obi-Wan and Ami are too. [Physically at least] Just resting. Mordin's been holed up in his room since we got back. Are you alright?

action

[redjacketthief]

[The chill of the night was less troublesome or bothersome for Lupin as he trekked through the plaza. The gloves and scarf he had donned with his ever familiar red jacket would be enough for another few weeks, before the snow of winter settled in, and the fragmented ideas he picked up from Eferin helped him learn how to generate enough heat to keep his hands warm in a pinch. Though he wanted to stay for the draftees, to make sure that his friends returned to the village alive and mostly unharmed, he had another pressing factor to deal with. It was something that he didn't want his room mates, both temporary and permanent, getting too heavily involved with.

He stopped by the fountain for a brief moment and stubbed out his cigarette on the ruined marble of it's facade. It would be chipped off, he vowed. It would be chipped off after he floated it away from the village...someday. Not now and maybe not for a while.

It was a plan for the future. He always needed a plan.

Lupin barely paid attention to the man in the hooded cloak that passed him through the night until he actually saw who it was. The gait was familiar--the carriage wasn't. He breathed deeply, recalling the other names that had been listed among the draftees.

He was crazy. He knew it.

...but, like with Adele and her exhausted form wandering the halls of CH 1, he couldn't call himself a man unless he tried.]

You're back. [Stated simply, and mildly.] You're not hurt, are you?

action

[thefinaljedi]

[Before Lupin even spoke, the Jedi knew exactly who was watching him. For a few seconds he debated not answering, because who knew what the thief wanted. But he was too tired for that. And it was a simple enough question, so he stopped and turned to regard Lupin with his hood still drawn]

I'm fine. Tired, a few scratches, but nothing major.

[deathsdoctor]

[Law? For the record, looks ghastly. His insomnia is catching up with him, and last few nights of difficult sleep haven't much helped. But that's a common look now a days. His voice is mild, strong, and steady... and he has a pot of tea at the ready.

He's been keeping one made since the draftees started trickling in. Aside from medical issues, Law was finding a lot of draftees took comfort from something as simple as a hot drink.

He begins pouring one now.]

Mister Luke, come in. Here, I wish I had something stronger for you, but I think you might appreciate some tea.

[thefinaljedi]

[Luke enters and takes down his hood. He probably looks much the same, having barely slept in a week. From the time Ami had been infected until she'd been cured he'd had all of six hours of sleep, forcing himself to stay awake. Not to mention the strain of keeping nightmares away from them both.

He smiles weakly and walks over, setting down a folder on Law's desk and taking a seat]

It's just Luke, Law. And that would be wonderful.

[Voice]

[mountain_sage]

[Saleh is definitely pinged by this message. He sounds relieved, but still very shaken as he responds.]

Ah...so there was a solution to that infection after all? That is good to hear.

I do agree that a disaster shelter would be a wise idea. We already have New Feather stations in the forest, but they are small and designed more for new arrivals who are injured or otherwise too weak to reach the village. Where would you propose to build this shelter? it shouldn't be too close to the village, but it shouldn't be too far away either.

[Voice] Filtered 100%

[thefinaljedi]

[Luke tosses up a filter just in case. ]

Saleh, are you alright? I'm filtering the message, I'd rather avoid children hearing about the infection. But yes, we managed to cure it. Those people I spoke of and I worked it out.

As for the shelter I was actually thinking of having it near the farm. That area is rather hilly, so it's less likely to flood.

[Action, at the house]

[geniustheveil]

Luke?

[Ami probably shouldn't be up, but there she is, poking out of the room. She has a hundred excuses for this, really.

You'd never know she treats patients trying the same stunts.]

I'd like to help out at this shelter, if it's needed.

[Action, at the house]

[thefinaljedi]

[Luke's eyes snap open and he's across the room in less time than it takes to blink]

Ami-chan, you should be resting. Did you I wake you?

[His words are thick with concern and worry, and he reaches out to take her hand]

You should be resting...

[Voice]

[unseenspy]

[Jay listens to the message, and he just has to scoff at one particular part.]

Hmph. This isn't the first time the Malnosso have drafted us uninformed and unprepared, and I highly doubt this will be the last. Do you remember when I told you about the draft in the jungle, where you had your mission earlier this year? That was another example.

[Voice]

[thefinaljedi]

One can always hope, Jay, that they'll be more careful in the future.

[Luke's voice comes out tired, extremely stressed. He's not in the mood]

[voice]

[rashness]

Shelters are something we need, yeah. Maybe a church or maybe even a big 'ol center for people do it in. These houses are all sorts of full, so maybe some more've them too.

[voice]

[thefinaljedi]

That's what I was saying, Rin. Shelters. Since we arrived, I know you and I have seen an ice storm, snow, drought, power outages, and a tornado. It strikes me as good to have a place to go in case of emergencies.

[He hasn't forgotten that, Rin was one of the first people Luke met after all]

[Filtered, Private Voice]

[vulcanblazer]

Luke? What exactly happened out there, if you don't mind my asking? I've heard a lot of rumors but nothing concrete.

[He's been limiting his exposure to the network as of late, but around Halloween he kept trying. Truthfully, he was more prompted to ask about what the solution meant after seeing Mia so distant and exhausted.]

All I know is it sounded bad. Real bad.

[Filtered, Private Voice]

[thefinaljedi]

Hey Adell.

[For a moment, he considers refusing, but decides to the other deserves to know. He's a respectable guy, and Luke's regard for him is high.]

I don't mind, but would you mind coming by House 46? It's not something I'd want to talk about over the network. I'll tell you then.

[i_speak_softly]

[Don had always thought he couldn't really sense his brothers while meditating - not in a way that was more than just imagining them and feeling close to them - until there was no other Turtle-consciousness for him to reach out to. Since Leo went home, Donatello's emotional distress has been amplifying his spiritual presence whenever he meditates. He's not capable of making intentional psychic contact, but his desperate need to connect with someone may end up having surprising results...]

[thefinaljedi]

[While Luke is attempting to meditate, he feels another presence, just outside the edges of his mindscape. It seems to be reaching out, so he tries to pull it in and make contact]

Hello

[Voice]

[asthehawkflies]

I'm willing to help out with the shelter if you need it.

[Voice]

[thefinaljedi]

Thank you, Clint. It'd be really appreciated, and it's something I'm surprised isn't around yet.

[He's not sure what else to say...so he'll leave it to Barton to continue]