JANUARY SWEAR-IN: DEATH ISLAND

[ghoulking]

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.

Comments

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I-I mean...! I'm just saying that...

[Crap. Crapcracpcrapcrap.]

[AHA!]

Well, you don't want to draw attention to our relationship, right? So...having a big beach party like that might be a little telling!

[HAH! Now he doesn't look like a creep!]

[patchricide]

Really? Every time that someone organizes a big party, you think, "This must be an excuse for some alone time with one of the many invitees"?

[She's on to you, Darin. Don't deny it!]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I...well...

... ... ...

I mean, things would definitely be suspicious because I doubt I'd be able to keep my eyes off of you!

[patchricide]

All right, very well. No parties whatsoever.

... unless we could convince Aegis to organize one...

[She muses over the idea, briefly, but leaves it be. Aegis is (probably) a more serious organization than that!]

So, you would prefer we head off to the beach on our own, unannounced?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

... ... ...

I-I...

Yes. I'd prefer you all to myself, alright?? Happy??

[HE DOESN'T WANT ANYONE ELSE TO SEE OKAY?!]

[patchricide]

[She's chuckling at this.]

Of course I am. But that still doesn't help our beach problem, since the two of us being alone there is bound to be suspicious. Unless you can think of a place where they would never find us?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I can hunt the beach to see if I can find any secluded spots but...

...Looks like we really have to wait till things warm up, unless you want to model your swimsuit at home.

[Or, you know, just find a pool? Maybe?]

[patchricide]

Where would I model it at home? ... in the... bathtub...?

[Because what is the actual point of putting it on if water's not involved?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

J-Joking! Joking. It was a joke.

[Was it really?]

I'll figure something out. Worse comes to worse, we can find an indoor pool or something.

[patchricide]

When you think about it, isn't an indoor pool what a bath is?

[Well, no, there's some significant differences...]

Still, it really is a shame. Swimming outdoors seems so much nicer than indoors. Being out with the fresh air and the wildilife...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I...maybe? Except people don't get naked and clean themselves in pools.

...I don't think?

I haven't been to a pool in this world.

...And now I'm rethinking my idea of taking you.

[This got weird. He's trying not to let his mind wander.]

It's a shame I couldn't have worked up the courage to tell you my feelings sooner. We could have done all kinds of things in the summer.

[patchricide]

I haven't, either. But I don't think they are for cleaning, either?

I would think they would try to make it as close to outdoors as possible, but there's only so much you can do. How would you even replicate the breeze?

[that's not even close to the worst thing about indoor pools]

Look on the bright side! We have things to look forward to. There must be some fun things to do together in the winter.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

It's a little tricky in Heropa. It's kind of in that weird spot where it's not warm enough to go to the beach, but not cold enough for snow and the other stuff that makes winter fun.

Plus, I would think you would hate going out in the winter. For you, the fun part of winter seems to be swaddling yourself with as many blankets as you can find with a big mug of hot cocoa.

It's actually adorable.

[patchricide]

W... well, this planet gets to such freezing temperatures! How can I not?

[She looks away, blushing bashfully.]

Still, is the beach that bad at this time of year? If no one else is going, that means more privacy for us. And while the water might be too cold to swim in, we can still enjoy the sun, can't we?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

But you've gotta swim at the beach! It's like...a rule!

We could always explore though. See what secluded coves we could find.

...Actually, you know what I've always wanted? When you were a kid, did you ever have like...a special spot? Someplace where no adults or anyone could bother you?

...Dromas and I always wanted to find one of our own. The other kids in town had one, but they never told me where it was or let me join them. Maybe we could find one for ourselves...

[patchricide]

But we're at the beach now, and neither of us is swimming, and I don't see anyone coming to arrest us...?

[Not that this is a good example, because it's absolutely wrong that they're not swimming.]

I... had a few. Too often, though, I would find a hiding spot, and then... Coran would end up locating it before long. I suppose that's to be expected, though, considering his grandfather built the castle...

Typically, if I wanted privacy, I had to sneak out and run away from home for a short while.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You'd run away from the castle?

What would you get up to?

[patchricide]

I didn't go that far. I couldn't even explore around the city outside, since one glance of my face at the market would cause a stir...

But there were some nearby fields that I liked to spend time in.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Still, that sounds a whole lot better than being trapped in the palace all the time.

...The more I find out about you, the more I kinda wish I was born Altean. If I had someone like you growing up, I would have found all kinds of ways to sneak you out.

This Coran of yours would probably have hated me.

[patchricide]

I'm not so sure about that. After all, you're interested in engineering, aren't you? You might actually be interested in listening to some of his lectures, and that's the easiest way to his heart.

Although yes, you still would have been in deep trouble if he ever caught you sneaking off with me.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

What if he ends up getting ported in?

...We probably have a lot of explaining to do.

[patchricide]

... ... ...

You'll probably be worse off than I am.

[At least she's honest??]

You might have to get more lectures about what you can, cannot, and must do, but... I would like to hope that, if you already have my approval, he won't interfere otherwise.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

"Can, Cannot, and must do?"

I mean...I'm pretty sure I can figure out the first two. What "must" I do??

[patchricide]

There's... different expectations, a few rituals. Some clothes you're supposed to be wearing.

I'm not concerned about those things, but Coran... well, he's an old man. His expectations are far more traditional...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Oh, is that all? Really? I thought it was going to be a lot more serious or something. Like I'd have to swear something.

...Hell, if he'd been here, I would have asked for his blessing before I even thought to confess to you. I might do things my own way, but come on. You're a princess.

I'm not gonna sweep you off your feet without making sure I'm worthy enough.