uprisenheart: (heart)
the heart ([personal profile] uprisenheart) wrote in [community profile] dualislogs2019-09-22 01:10 pm

ever since you’ve been my ace of hearts -

WHO: Open to all Dualizens
WHAT: A heart-to-heart with the Heart
WHERE: A run-down warehouse on the outskirts of town.
WHEN: Sept. 21-22
WARNINGS: Please use these in comment subject lines if applicable!



Random text messages happen sometimes, though maybe not as often in Dualis as where you’re from. But there’s one today, and this one comes to your inbox from the number 432-78, which is definitely not a standard phone number. If you open it, there’s an image file, one you likely recognize - an anatomical heart. You’ll need to zoom in on the image a bit, because there’s a short message written along one of the veins, and it’s very small: LET’S TALK.

Below the image is a shortlink, and if you click it, you’ll be taken to a page that is blank except for one of those “Prove you’re not a robot!” messages with a box to check. Once checked, a series of six images appears - five are cartoon hearts, and the sixth is the same anatomical heart illustration that led you to this page. The instructions to pass through this virtual gate are to “Click on the Heart,” and choosing any image except the anatomical illustration redirects to an error message that bricks your phone until you perform a hard reboot.

Choosing the correct image takes you to a page of strange clusters of colored dots. If you look closely (and aren’t color blind), you’ll be able to read the real message: TOMORROW, AT SUNSET and a set of coordinates. A blinking banner scrolls along the top of the page and warns THIS MESSAGE WILL SELF-DESTRUCT IN 10 MINUTES, and the 10 counts down after one minute to 9, then 8, and so on. It’s probably a good idea to write this information down somewhere else!

The inbox message also deletes itself 10 minutes after it’s been opened. All unopened messages are auto-erased 12 hours after the original sent timestamp.

If you happen to be interested in following this rabbit down the rabbit hole, plug in those coordinates on your phone’s Dualis GPS app, and you’ll be directed to a run-down, empty warehouse on the outskirts of town. Be sure to take the time estimate to get there into consideration!

The warehouse is mostly dark inside, lit only by sparse flickering overhead lights; it’s dusty, empty except for the people gathered. When the sunlight outside has all but disappeared behind the horizon, a burst of loud electrical humming echoes through the warehouse, and the lights shut off. All electronic devices inside the perimeter of the warehouse have also been disabled, albeit temporarily.
orren: (9)

[personal profile] orren 2019-09-29 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
"Perhaps, then, you should tell us how are lives are in danger?"

"I don't think you'll find anyone among us that has any great love for the Head," Orren says, making a sweeping gesture back towards the assembled group of Dualis's abductees, "and I think we would all like to go home, but our introduction to you leaves quite a bit to be desired."

There's no hostility in Orren's words. No forceful demand.

"Sharing what you know, in no uncertain terms, would go a long way towards building trust and fostering cooperation."

It's almost a suggestion, really. As though he's trying to help them reach the crowd, rather than shoot holes in their position, because frankly? He believes them. He doesn't sense any dishonesty or ill-intent. He senses the wariness of frayed nerves, deeply held anxiety, frustration ... there might be more lurking under the surface, but at present, they seem to be speaking completely honestly -- if cryptically.

He doesn't doubt their motive, at least beyond a reasonable extent. It's how effective their strategy is, and the methods they aim to achieve it by, that leaves him a little more uncertain. Getting them to speak plainly might offer him some insight into that.
zwischenzugs: (all our needs put together)

[personal profile] zwischenzugs 2019-10-04 02:59 am (UTC)(link)
"Well, unfortunately, we left our five-point plan in our other secret meeting space." The voice comes not from the woman addressing the crowd but a young blond man who has taken a seat at the edge of the platform. He too wears a mask over his face, but from his tone, it's probably not difficult to imagine he's rolling his eyes underneath it.

"We don't have the time to share everything we know," he continues. "That EMP only lasts for a few minutes, and those minutes are almost up. We've told you what's important - your lives are in danger, and we need your help to stop it. How your lives are in danger is less clear - we don't have a line in to the Head's mainframe, and there are a number of possible methods to choose from, with no clear front-runner." He pauses, mouth pursed, as if recalling an unpleasant memory. "Do any of you have even the smallest bit of self-preservation instinct, or have you completely bought into these lies you've been sold?"