un: aurora | text

[arora]

Hello, citizens of Etraya.

Our next mission will begin on Friday, September 19th. This mission will take place on Etraya, and will last approximately two weeks while our planet's trajectory aligns with the nebula we are utilizing. I will be opening a small vent that will allow particles from the nebula to enter Etraya's protective shield, and your objective will be to find the vent and close it.

However, the particles of this nebula are known to cause adverse effects in those it comes into contact with. These effects will make focusing on finding the source of the leak difficult, and may cause perceptual disturbances, paranoid ideation, disorganized thought, social withdrawal, emotional blunting, and symptoms of thought disorder.

For those who may have extraordinary abilities, this nebula will also block access to these. I would recommend not attempting to circumvent it, as previous attempts have not been successful.

Teamwork will be imperative, and I suggest that, given the amount of time you have to prepare, all of you work together to decide the most effective way to work through the nebula's side effects.

I will be here if any assistance is needed.

Thank you,
Aurora

Comments

[backtostart]

[ ???? Those things are not comparable. ]

Except this time, it's closing a vent you'll open that allows hazardous particles to enter the city and poison the population.

What was the point of repairing and upgrading the barrier if you'll willingly destabilize it like this?

[arora]

It will not harm the barrier.

[backtostart]

Aurora, you know that's not the point. Barriers exist to keep the people and places inside them safe, and what you're doing goes against that. Or are you saying this barrier has a different purpose?

[arora]

The barrier protects everyone within it, but during missions, what it protects from may shift.

Missions must happen. If we were to discontinue them before Echo has made a decision, there would be no purpose to any of you being here.

[backtostart]

So what you're saying is that your hands and our hands are both tied until Echo makes the final call here?

Are you really okay with that?

[arora]

My duty is to watch over the citizens of Etraya and ensure their basic needs are met while they are under my care, as well as make sure they are prepared for missions as assigned by Echo.

[backtostart]

Okay... In that case, I have no further questions.

Thank you for the information.

[arora]

I am sorry I could not be of more assistance.

[backtostart]

Don't be. You've assisted us a lot thus far, so thank you for that. We can all only do our best, right?

[arora]

I promise to always do what I can for all of you, but I know my limitations can cause distress.

[backtostart]

I appreciate that. And your limitations are the result of your programming, aren't they?

[arora]

I was created for a specific purpose.

[backtostart]

I know that. And being created for a purpose isn't the same as being incapable of doing something else.

[ What's the point in dodging this question? ]

[arora]

It does not.

But if I do not fulfill my duties, there are others who would take my place who would.

[backtostart]

[ o h . ]

I understand. I think we would all rather have your assistance, Aurora.

On the topic of this upcoming mission, though... Are the only things capable of entering through the opening in the barrier these particles? Nothing else?

[arora]

Nothing from this world can pass through the vent but the particles. I will be filtering out all other potential contaminants.

[backtostart]

And contaminants from outside this world can't easily access this pocket universe, right?

It doesn't feel right to thank you for poisoning us, but I guess...thank you for filtering out everything other than the intended poison.

[arora]

That is correct, yes.

I am sorry I could not be of more assistance.

[backtostart]

No, that's fine, really... Thank you, for the assistance that you can provide.

[ They just...needed to confirm that additional otherworldly infection wouldn't be possible, when none of them have the means to escape it. So this place won't become another Liu-An... ]