maskormenacelogs | JANUARY SWEAR-IN: DEATH ISLAND

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JANUARY SWEAR-IN: DEATH ISLAND

WHO: Everyone!
WHERE: ~~Death~~ Sacrifice Island, New Zealand
WHEN: 13th January
WHAT: SWEARING-IN TIME, on the beautiful Island of New Zealand, Sacrifice Island.
WARNINGS: None so far

Welcome everyone to Sacrifice Island, once known as “Death Island” (and still called so by many). Located in the beautiful country of New Zealand, and under their government’s jurisdiction, Sacrifice Island is a place where investigation and scientific development happens: it’s the headquarters for Onward Research Station, laboratories that hope to learn how to neutralize the effects on humans/animals of chemical/biological weapons.

But this island holds dark history as well. It was in this very same place that seven young imPorts permanently lost their lives on October 3rd 2008. This tragedy deeply marked the history of United States and all Heroes of the nation, and is remembered with heavy heart. With hopes to never forget these painful events but to also look for a brighter future, United States of America and New Zealand both joined their hands and decided to raise a memorial for the lives lost at the island.

This memorial will be inaugurated on the 13th January along with the Swearing-In ceremony for the new heroes who have arrived this month. Media has been invited as well as this is too a political event to strengthen relationships between New Zealand and USA. Old and new imPorts are all welcome to come and pay their respects to the Heroes who are gone, swear their allegiance to the US government (or not), forge relations with a foreign country or simply show their presences during this event. Whatever reason one has, they will be welcomed.

TRAVEL

Thanks to the interest of many, an airbus has been generously loaned for free in order to fly the imPorts to ~~Death~~ Sacrifice Island. The airbus includes a dining area and each imPort has their own little cubicle, with chairs that can be converted into a bed. The trip will take a while for sure, so the travelers are welcome to mingle while they are on air, meet the new faces, and try some delicious airplane food. Or they can try sleeping, if other imPorts are quiet enough.

Because it's a long flight, there will be many movies to choose from: there is a strangely big collection of Adam Sandler movies, and apparently the big hit has both Adam Sandler AND Jerry Seinfeld and tells the story of a Wasp that falls in love with a Human, while it leads a rebellion against the humankind. If you aren't into Wasp movies, well- good luck picking something else that isn't as amazing.

ISLAND

Miss the hot summer weather? Well, New Zealand certainly has a lot of it to offer. The weather is the kind that would invite anyone for a swim, even though it’s not one of the activities offered during the Swear-In; in fact, the island has no beaches as it’s surrounded by cliffs. The island itself is beautiful, with a lot of greenery indigenous to the country, forming large forests through the island’s surface and surrounding the research center. There are no animals roaming around, with the exception of some birds (do not expect Kiwis, though), but imPorts are warned not to go too deep into the island’s forests or they might get lost.

At the east area of the island, stands the top of the art Onward Research Station, near the only beach the island offers. The airbus will land not too far away, in a small flight track that crosses the green forest, and imPorts will be directed to the center where they will be greeted by scientists, politicians and, of course, a lot of media.

Onward Research Station is white, clean, and shiny. Everything looks like it has been double or triple sterilized and visitors can almost see their reflections on every surface. The technology is probably the best you’d find in the entire nation: quick silent hoover carts that transport people and objects from a section to another, trays that hoover with food, snacks and drinks, and holograms of several scientists that made a difference while working at the Research Station can be found on specific marked areas. ImPorts that wish to know a bit more about the place will have the chance to press a button for a holographic guide who will tell them the story of the Center, their researches and hopes for the future.

However, since Onward focus on chemical and biological weapon studies, much of the area is very much Off Limits to prevent accidental contamination. There will be security (physical and electronically) to stop people from snooping around and causing huge accidents.

The center has allowed local tourism to be part of this. New Zealand certainly wishes to show their own culture, and thus there will be many who are eager to share it with the new comers. Talks of their fauna and flora, their national bird as well, history of Maori who voyaged across the Pacific, good old Rugby, and of course mentions of certain really popular fantasy movies that have been filmed there – one can certainly become immerse in this lovely world. Not so far away, there is also a buffet area with a lot of variety, all typical New Zealand dishes, including Maori dishes naturally. Try Hangi, or lamb, or delicious sea food, and end your meal with good wine and cheese.

Photographers, journalists, paparazzi will be everywhere. Not just for US ImPort Heroes, but due to the political connotations this meeting has as well. It’s no surprise that apart from “who are you wearing”, heavier and much more serious questions will be asked, involving politics, past events, current political feelings, where and for whom imPorts stand for.

The nearby beach isn’t amazing, but they worked really hard to change that. The whole area was cleaned as well, with new, white and shiny pavement that leads visitors to a special area: the memorial. There is a huge marble wall with the names of those imPorts who’ve lost their lives; there is a screen as well, and whenever someone touches one of the names said screen will activate show a video of the selected imPort while a voice tells the visitors a little about their life and death. Nearly, there is another holographic guide who, when activated, will tell the story of Death Island.

MEMORIAL

Anyone can access this history by checking out the Memorial, but in the afternoon, everyone will be invited to the beach. Here, imPorts and everyone else will be taught the dark history of the island by a spokeswoman dressed in white, while the screen on the Memorial Marble wall shows the lost imPorts.

“A scientist who held hatred for the imPorts used this island as his private base of operations, where he built a deadly ray and threatened to use this weapon against the United States. Seven imPorts heroically followed to investigate, only to find this ray permanently end their lives. These heroes and their tragic deaths are today remembered by us all, a memory of a dark and sad past – but we too hold on to hope, hope their deaths were not in vain, and hope we can rebuild and move forward.”

The speech is met with solemn nods and soft applause, while the names of the Heroes show on the screen:
DAVID GREEN; Chosen, age 19
MAGENTA MOVELLO; Mauve Avenger, age 17
IRA BRAUNSTEIN; Power Prince, age 21
JUDE BYEON; Bludgeon, age 17
CAROL "CARRIE" KING; Reign, age 18
MASON LOCKLEAR; Entropy, age 16
MALIK ISAIAH MARCHETTI; Journey, age 40

After, the woman will give stand to few more people who will give their own words about the memorial and the events of Death Island, including a New Zealand Minister and also an imPort: Tohru Adachi.

Once speeches have been spoken, people are welcomed to leave white flowers near the marble wall and learn more about the personal lives of each lost hero by touching their names and watching the movie about each. For those who don’t wish to stick around, the buffet area is always open, and people are more than welcome to return to their activities.

RETURN

The event will be over late night, and all imPorts will be brought back to the airbus. Since there are records who came on the airbus, it’s better not to try to stay behind – as welcoming as they were, those who work at Sacrifice Island have no plans to accommodate everyone more than necessary.

Media will be the first to leave, followed by imPorts and finally every politician involved. Once up in the air, the airplane lights will be turned to minimum, to allow imPorts some well needed rest. That is, if they want. Sorry if your neighbor is noisy.

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[Ezra's bored. He's already watched all of the Adam Sandler movies somehow and he's starting to get the urge to kick the back of the seat in front of him. Which he knows he probably shouldn't do, but eh. Usually on a long trip, he'd have the Ghost crew to hang out with, but considering how things with him and Kanan are right now... That's not happening. Sabine's probably the person he misses the most at the moment, so obviously he's gotta bug another Mandalorian.

When he first noticed the blanket fort, he didn't think much of it. Someone's trying to get some peace and quiet and they figured out a cool way of doing it. Except now that he's out of movies...

Still seated in his own cubicle, Ezra lifts a hand and begins to move the blankets with the Force. The first few times are just slight, small movements. The sorta thing you might feel as if you imagined. Then it's more like the wind is blowing them. And finally, it looks like someone is outside Boba's cubicle, trying to pull them down.]

[At first, the disturbances to the blankets are easy enough to ignore. Boba assumes the slight movements are just caused by people passing by and nothing more. When those movements escalate, Boba starts to become annoyed. And when it looks like someone is trying to straight-up rip down the blankets, that calls for action.

Boba takes hold of one of the billowing corners of the blanket and yanks upwards, expecting it to reveal some angry figure caught in the act of trying to sabotage his fortifications. But to his surprise, there’s nothing but an empty aisle outside his seat.

Only then does Boba finally lean out the side of his cubicle, trying to identify a culprit. There’s nobody nearby who looks like they could’ve done it—though he does notice a boy his own age looking in his direction. He looks too far away to have been responsible but Boba narrows his eyes at him anyway. Maybe he’d seen something?

Or maybe there’d been nothing to see. After a few moment, Boba turns away and drapes the blanket over his cubicle again—though this time, he leaves one of the corners folded up, the better to see if anyone is next to the cubicle if it starts moving again.]

[When Boba looks out of his blanket fortress, Ezra gives a little wave before plopping in some earbuds and pretending to watch another movie.

Makes sense that a kid set that up so maybe he shouldn't bug him? He looks a little younger than him, after all.

About five minutes after Boba's returned to his hidey hole, he raises his hand again and this time, pulls the whole structure down.

Whoops!]

[Boba watches the space beside his seat intently for the next few minutes. He’s so focused on what’s happening outside his cubicle that he’s not at all expecting it when the blanket above him suddenly collapses inward. Ezra will witness some brief flailing and muffled noises of protest before Boba realizes once again that there’s nobody nearby to have brought the blanket down.

Now fed up, Boba bundles up the blanket and puts it under his chair, before turning around and kneeling on his seat to get a better view of his surroundings, arms folded on the headrest in front of him. This definitely isn’t the case of someone physically pulling down the blanket using their hands. Whoever’s doing this must be able to move objects without touching them. Unfortunately, in a plane full of super-powered imPorts, that doesn’t really help narrow things down at all.

So instead, Boba watches, looking for anyone who appears to be watching him in turn—and paying special attention to the boy who’d waved at him earlier.]

[Ezra only turns to look once he's heard Boba make a little noise because come on, it's gotta be a natural reaction! He raises an eyebrow at the kid who's now surveying the area. He definitely notices the special attention too.]

You okay?

[Boba stares back at the boy, gaze suspicious. He could have had something to do with the sabotage—but it’s also possible he’s just an observer. Either way, he might know something.]

Someone keeps moving my things, [Boba says, in a tone that makes it clear that that "someone" could be Ezra.] You know anything about that?

Well, I haven't seen anything.

[He gestures to the movie he's not watching, but is still pretending to watch. Then it's like a lightbulb goes off in his head. A fake lightbulb, but a lightbulb nonetheless.]

You think it's one of those Jedi? I heard they can do stuff like that. Or maybe one's controlling you to make you think someone's messing with you, but the whole time it's actually you doing everything!

[Boba’s eyes widen at the other boy’s suggestion and then he shakes his head fiercely.] Their mind tricks wouldn’t work on me, [he says, voice defiant. And then his eyes dart furtively around the cabin, wary of who could be listening. It’s not necessarily a Jedi responsible—with such a wide range of abilities among imPorts, it could just be someone who has similar powers of telekinesis. But neither can Boba ignore the possibility.

His gaze settles on the other boy again, suspicion giving way to curiosity.] How much do you know about the Jedi?

Not much. [he says, sounding a little disappointed] They're more of a legend where I'm from. I know the Empire wants them all gone, but it's not like I've ever seen one.

What about you? And how do you know it wouldn't work?

[Is he genuinely curious about that? Yeah. Of course he knows it only works on the weak-minded, but this kid seems very sure of himself.]

[“The Empire,” again. Boba’s heard references to the regime before, but he’s still not sure what—or when it is. But if they want to get rid of the Jedi, then they must be on the right track.]

You’re lucky, [Boba says with a grimace.] In my time, they’re everywhere.

[Kamino, Geonosis, Raxus Prime… At least he hadn’t run into any of them on Tatooine. Yet.

The boy’s question actually gets a flash of a smile out of him. Boba’s immunity to mind control isn’t the most spectacular ability, but it sure is useful when he needs it.]

It’s one of my powers. Mind tricks, mind control, things like that—none of it works on me.

Yeah... lucky.

[Ezra tries to maintain his casual tone, but he's clearly faltering a little at that. Acting like a naive citizen of the Empire is one thing, and this is something else.]

Oh. Cool.

[That's good to keep in mind, at least.]

But you don't like the Jedi? I know what I said about the Empire, but I don't think they're all that bad? I mean, I've never met one so how could I judge! Yeah.

[Boba’s gaze chills slightly at the boy’s disagreement. How would he know whether the Jedi are good or bad? He’s only heard stories. Boba’s seen the real thing. He’d say as much—but then his expression grows uncertain and he glances around the cabin once again.]

We shouldn’t talk about it like this, [he says. If there is a Jedi here with them, then he’s already said too much.] We don’t know who might be listening.

[He's about to play along, whisper and ask where they should go if they wanna speak about this privately. But... this kid seems really paranoid. Except for the fact a Jedi is actually talking to him right now so maybe he's not that paranoid? Maybe, maybe all the Jedi stuff is a big misunderstanding!]

No one's listening.

[Ezra sighs, still somehow split over his own decision to tell the truth.]

I moved your stuff. The only other Jedi here are probably Kanan and Luke, and if they're gonna get mad at anyone, it's gonna be me.

[The other boy’s admission gets a long, silent stare. Boba feels an instinctive flare of anger and fear but it’s laced through with uncertainty. He knows that the Jedi recruit young—he’s even met a Jedi padawan before. Is that what this boy is? Had he followed Boba here or was this encounter just coincidence? And, regardless, is he a threat?

Boba's voice is different when he replies, cold and terse.]

What do you want?

Nothing. I just- I was bored. Thought it'd be funny.

[Ezra scratches the back of his neck, not quite making eye contact with Boba. He doesn't have to be a Jedi to feel the mix of the emotions the kid's feeling about all this.]

Sorry. I'm Ezra, by the way. And a Jedi, one of the few who's luckily still around.

[Boba’s confusion—and apprehension—only grows as the boy continues. He’d called himself a Jedi. Not a padawan.

But is it true? From what little Boba has seen of him, Ezra doesn’t act like what Boba expects of a Jedi. Jedi don’t feel guilt, for one thing, and the boy—Ezra—is doing a very good impression of the emotion now.

...Maybe he’s not a full-fledged Jedi yet? The way he talked about Kanan and Luke, it hadn’t sounded like he’s their equal. More like they’re his dads, if anything. Boba's glare doesn't let up, but his brow furrows slightly as he regards the other boy, uncertainty starting to show on his face.]

Are you really a Jedi? Or just an apprentice?

I'm a Padawan. My master is Kanan Jarrus, but I'm still- I'm still a Jedi, you know. Just not a Jedi Master or anything like that.

[Which is probably obvious just by looking at him. Still, he's considered himself a Jedi for a while now, even if he's not knighted. Neither is Luke and Ezra's had way more training than him so he's more of a Jedi, of course.]

Also, uh, usually when someone tells you their name, you give them one back. I promise there's not like some Jedi magic thing where I use your name and control you, and even if there was, you said none of that would work anyways.

[He’s Kanan’s Padawan? That’s probably the worst thing he could be next to an actual Jedi. Kanan clearly already has suspicions about Boba and if Ezra reports their conversation back to his master, those suspicions will only grow.]

I don’t have to tell you anything! [Boba snaps, eyes darting as if expecting to see one of the older Jedi appear amidst the rows of seats. In truth, he’s already said too much. He should’ve shut up the second he’d learned Ezra was from the same galaxy, but the other boy’s age had caused him to let his guard down. He won’t make that mistake again.]

Just leave me alone. And I’ll do the same to you.

I'm not going to hurt you!

[He snaps back, feeling his own anger swell in response. Honestly, Ezra's not sure why the other boy is angry, or why he himself is angry. It's sorta just happening all at once. Sure, the kid didn't trust him before, but what had he said to make him respond like that? Maybe it was the mind trick joke?]

Look, you're like the only person here from our galaxy who's anywhere close to my age. And if you're not with the Empire, I don't have any problem with you. I don't know what you've got against the Jedi, but I think we should try to get along. Which is why I said sorry and why I'm trying to just meet you like a normal person now.

[Unfortunately for Ezra, the angrier and more insistent he gets, the more Boba digs his heels in. He doesn’t like being bossed around at the best of times, much less by a would-be Jedi acting like Boba owes him his friendship.]

You’re not a normal person, [Boba growls.] You’re a Jedi. I don’t want to meet you and I don’t want to be your friend. If you want to do me a favor, you can use the Force and make yourself forget we ever met.

[If Boba could, this is the point at which he’d turn around and refuse to face the Jedi again. Except that would mean putting his back to him, which he definitely isn’t willing to do. So he stays where he is, glaring as if he’s just daring the Jedi to take a parting shot—verbal or otherwise.]

That's not how the Force works.

[It's said as more of a grumble than an argument.]

But fine. I'll leave you alone.

[Ezra puts his hands up, and turns back to his movie. He very clearly doesn't think of Boba as a threat, just a kid who hates Jedi.

That still doesn't make sense to him. Weren't they heroes in the time of the Republic?

If Boba watches him, he might see Ezra trying to pretend he's still watching the movie, before giving up and switching to meditation.]

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JANUARY SWEAR-IN: DEATH ISLAND

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