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

[iminthebook]

"Nice to meet you, Wanda. I'm called Harry Dresden." He said it with that sideways way of his, and nodded to her.

"That's... a long time. Sounds rough. Just from what I've seen since I've been here. reminds me of home." he nodded again.

"Which city do they have you in?"

[divaricate]

"'Rough' sums it pretty well. I moved to Maurtia Falls about a year ago. But I've also lived in Nonah and De Chima. How's this place like your home, exactly?"

[iminthebook]

"Sounds like you're doing the rounds." He cocks his head, examining her but never quite meeting her eyes for long. Neither of them needs a soulgaze right now. Even if he is not sure that is working right now.

"Crazy shit happening, weirdness abounding, and always something coming along to make things less quiet and less cozy." He spread his hands.

"I'm a wizard, which, in addition to magic, means I go and deal with the shit that comes up." He smiled a little, eyes distant for a moment. "I stand between." The words fall heavy in the moment, meaning drenching them, like an oath.

[divaricate]

"Sounds like someone else I know here somewhere around five lifetimes ago." If he'd told her that before he said his name, she might have assumed he was John Constantine stuck in some body switch scenario.

"I'm more of the ... weird alien space shit type in my world. Outfitted superhero types. Not that I do much there anymore, and not just because I'm here -- but that is a whoooooole other story."

[iminthebook]

"Oh yes? Seems like this place attracts people with trouble."

He canted his head to the side and nodded.

"Sounds like way too much fun." Harry grinned at her, and nodded. "Buy you a cup of coffee at the landing pad?"

[divaricate]

"Thrives off of it, I think." Which is probably yet still an understatement.

"Sure, I practically live off caffeine now anyway."

[iminthebook]

"Yeah? Do you think this place is sentient?" Harry rubbed his hands, and nodded.

"I do too. Being a wizard pretty much is like being a private detective. Little sleep, and strange hours." He smiled as he glanced out the window.

[divaricate]

"The Porter is essentially the baby of a fate goddess, so yes. If the Porter goes offline, we can die. Some imPorts a year ago decided to try to mess with it, they succeeded, and it shut off and imPorts got sick, some even died. My powers messed up my mind, so I can say that seizing for days until you die isn't a great time."

[iminthebook]

Harry stared at her and blinked. "Well, hells bells." He reached out to her, gently touching her shoulder.

"It sounds like a hellish time. Are you okay, now?" There was concern in his tone and his eyes.

[divaricate]

"Physically, sure. As far as anything else is concerned, I haven't been okay in a long while. Coming to this kind of thing was probably the worst choice I've made this week, but there's always next week to make up for it."

Or something.

[iminthebook]

Harry nodded. "Then I'll do anything I can to help. Coffee, tea, weird friend events, whatever you need."

Harry rubbed his face. "I know what its like to deal with a shit ton of stuff. With a lot of pain. And to be alone, doing it."

[divaricate]

"Thanks, but I mean, you don't have to feel like you need to or anything. Alone is...kind of where I end up more often than not." Didn't make it fun, but maybe it needs to be her problem.

[iminthebook]

"I know, and if you don't want me to help, I won't. But I meant... friends help friends, right?" He tapped her knee.

[divaricate]

"Iiii... guess I can't argue with that." She gives a small soft laugh.

[iminthebook]

"I mean, you can if you want. I don't want you to do something you're not comfortable doing." He grins lopsidedly. "Unless that makes you happy."

Was he flirting? He hadn't a clue. What was his life.

[divaricate]

"I think I'm way past that in my life." She laughs so she doesn't facepalm.

[iminthebook]

"Oh, really? Now that sounds like a story." And he leans forward a little, one eyebrow lifting.

"Sounds like my life, too, if I admit it."

[divaricate]

"Messy, isn't it?" Lives like that, she means.

[iminthebook]

"Usually. But... I don't think I would know what to do with a regular life. How do people, you know, just
live, and stuff?" What is regular life?

"Besides, making a mess can be fun, sometimes."

[divaricate]

"Sounds boring." Ha.

"But the mess part sounds fun."

[iminthebook]

"Yep. It really does." Of course, he's never lived it, so... which knows?

He chuckles and nods to her. "It does. Sometimes a pain in the ass, sometimes deadly, but sometimes... very fun." He grins wider.

[divaricate]

"And what kinds of fun has that taken you to?"

[iminthebook]

"A little bad, a little good. Sometimes war, sometimes paintball fights, sometimes DUngeons and Dragons, and sometimes... sometimes a little fun with a special person or two." he grins a little, shaking his head.

it is startlingly easy to talk to her. "And a lot of magic."

[divaricate]

"You'll get pretty much all of that here too, yeah." She smiles slightly again. "Just, uh, try not to get too attached to those special people here, because then you just wind up lonelier than you were before when they eventually port out. And sometimes 'eventually' comes pretty quickly, and then you wonder if there's even a point in salvaging your happiness in this world, or just wait until the day you port out to go back home, because why even give a fuck?"

A beat, then: "Or you know, so I've heard." Yep, no first hand experience here with that hahah why do you ask.

[iminthebook]

Harry listens, and nods. "Sounds kind of like living in a war zone." He wonders what it will be like to live here.

He reaches out gently, then, and squeezes her shoulder. "And it was like that for me, too, back home. Lots of tension, but expected to live life, even while so much was out of control that you never knew... when might be the end."

He gives her a lopsided smile in turn. "Sometimes, all you can do is hold on tight, and live for the day."