IC - 20 - Waystation - Everyone except Kiara

[Mr. Handy]

Sam positions herself so that the camera cannot see her take out her makeshift jamming device and show Nicole and Isabella, raising a questioning eyebrow.

[Starspawn338]

Rather than follow the others into the building, once they are inside and cannot stop him, Jojo says.

"I know that something is affecting humans. Perhaps I will be safe but it's clear to me that there is something at the bottom of the pit. I will be going down to check it out and with any luck, I will be able to continue to give you updates via the radio."

Jojo will head back to the hole and beginning climbing down the ladder that is attached to the pit.

[aine]

“Jojo, don’t go down there!” Nicole’s face pales as she comprehends the large volume of blood smeared across the windows. She reads,
“He waits below.” Sam, look at this, it must be a warning. Or worse; a proclamation. Do you think it’s really there?”
She rubs at the window.
“Jojo, don’t forget they can get to AI too. We need to stick together! Whatever’s down there is dangerous.”
She looks at Sam,
“Christ, first Virgil and now Jojo going off on their own.
Did you ever watch that old American movie from the late 20th century? You can’t scream in space or something. This is getting to be like that.”

[Mr. Handy]

"There were a few of them like that," says Sam. Seeing that Nicole has missed her gesture, she glances back at the camera, then looks at the jamming device (which is not visible to the camera), and again raises a questioning eyebrow.

[aine]

Nicole is agitated but she finally sees Sam’s gesture. She nods once.

[Mr. Handy]

Sam activates the jammer.

[Mephistophilis]

Sam turns on the jammer. After a moment they hear the familiar synthesised female voice of a CENTRAL intelligence, originating from a speaker on the wall. 'Hello, welcome to Waystation. Please do not disable my sensors, they are necessary for the smooth operating of Waystation and for your safety.'

Jojo is moving here.

[Mr. Handy]

Sam switches the jammer back off, realizing that there's no point if CENTRAL is aware that they've done it. "How are you functioning now, CENTRAL?" she asks.

[aine]

Nicole winces, if CENTRAL knows they’re there, everything does.

[Mephistophilis]

'Hello, I am operating at one hundred percent efficiency, thank you for asking.'

[Mr. Handy]

"You're welcome," says Sam. "What is the status of Waystation? Who else is here, and where are they located?"

[Mephistophilis]

'I am afraid that the function and status of Waystation is classified. Information on the presence and location of Waystation crew is prohibited due to operational security.'

[Mr. Handy]

"Can you at least tell us where Kiara is?" asks Sam.

[aine]

Nicole rolls her eyes and goes outside in order to get a clearer signal.
“Jojo, do you read me, over?”

[Mephistophilis]

CENTRAL's emotionless voice responds 'I am afraid that information on the presence and location of Waystation crew is prohibited due to operational security.'

---

Nicole enters the airlock and waits for it to cycle through the atmospheric repressurisation. Outside she tries to raise Jojo but there's nothing but static over the radio. Well, static and a faintly detectable modulation of the background whine that cycles in the familiar pattern to a crescendo and then starts again.

[Mr. Handy]

"But Kiara isn't a member of the Waystation crew," protests Sam.

[aine]

“Jojo, come in!” Nicole tries again. “Something must be blocking the signal, he can’t be that far away.” She says to her self, listening to the repeating noise.
She looks across the bleak landscape, up at the sky, and then tries her radio again.
“Sam, do you read me? Over.”

[Mr. Handy]

"I read you," replies Sam. "What's up?"

[aine]

“At least the radio is working up here- that’s what I wanted to check. But anyone could be listening in. I’m coming back in; maybe we can find something to write on so we can make a plan secretly.” Nicole replies.

[Mr. Handy]

"Good point," says Sam, looking around for something on which to write.