This is the start of something bigger.

[ceoqueen]

who. Everyone on Omega.

what. The station finds out about the state of Thessia - in that it is now being taken over by the Reapers.

where. Various places all over the station.

when. Immediately. Right now.

warnings. None as of yet, other than general panic and chaos.

It begins like any other day on the station. The sun isn't shining, the grass isn't green - there are vorcha sleeping in back alleys and krogans still drunk on ryncol trying to start fights with anyone passing by, but that's just another day in the life of a patron of Omega.

Except today, there is something different. It's not in the air, at least not yet.

During Cerberus' occupation of the station, handy little devices known as quantum entanglement communicators were installed to allow communication with The Illusive Man, and though Cerberus is no longer on Omega, their devices remain. It was likely that this was the only way Aria could maintain contact during her exile, and thus the only reason they remain now that she's back - but that's neither here nor there.

Today, there's something different coming through. Not the usual galactic noise, the static that bleeds into everything else where the station is concerned. Today, it's something completely different.

The Reapers have invaded Thessia. Asari commandos have held them off for as long as they possibly can, but there is only so much they can do with limited resources. And as the news makes its way around the station, everyone seems to react differently, but the song remains the same: ultimately, chaos will ensue. It's only a matter of time.

Why all the worry? The asari are the most advanced race in the galaxy. If they don't have the means to hold the Reapers off, no one does. It's hopeless.

We encourage you, as players, to plot and thread as you see fit - how your characters will react to the news, how they will be affected, etc. There will be some starter threads below, but you are more than welcome to start your own.

Comments

Market District

[ceoqueen]

[it doesn't take very long for the news to reach the business district of the station. given the fact that there are many, many asari on omega, the news of their homeworld falling under siege has them all panicking. shops are closing in haste, there are asari running around rampantly trying to make sense of things. mass hysteria will ensue.]

Re: Market District

[dowhatittakes]

[Liara knew the news, as bleak as it was, she also knew the outcome that would fall Thessia. Her home had been claimed by the reapers, again, it was like watching a horror movie and already knowing the ending, anticipating the very worst.

Even then, watching asari stores, like the asari grocery she shopped at close was starting to make Liara feel panicked. She needed to be on Thessia, but she couldn't, no one here could, even if they wanted to be. She was on the other side of the galaxy from her home and it was in flames. But there wasn't much Liara could do, she knew there wasn't, so she just continued her grocery shopping.]

Re: Market District

[squanderlust]

[leave it to Severa to choose to go shopping at what seemed to be the least appropriate time. so many of these blue-skinned aliens—Asari, she'd learned—were freaking out for what didn't seem to be any good reason. something about Reapers and some... planet, she supposed. sure, Severa had heard some of these words before, but none of them had ever really held any weight.]

[so she was thrilled to be coming up behind an Asari who didn't seem to be taking this whole thing quite so seriously. without introducing herself or even really indicating she was there, she started talking in an attempt to get the alien's attention. just in case she did turn around, though, Severa affected the least threatening expression and tone she could muster.]

Excuse me. You're being awfully calm about whatever's going on. Would you mind explaining what everyone's freaking out about?

Re: Market District

[dowhatittakes]

Calm, Liara was anything but calm about this but wasn't about to outwardly show it to a stranger. Turning around she gave a small if fleeting smile.]

The asari are panicked because our homeworld, Thessia, has fallen under attack to the Reapers. We're seen as the most advanced race in the galaxy, so if the reapers can take our homeworld then what hope to the other races have of defending themselves against such a force? It's why everyone is so panicked and sadly there is nothing that can be done while the Mass Relay is broken.

It's not a very comforting situation for most right now.

Re: Market District

[squanderlust]

[well, that sounds a little more serious, even to someone who's taken down a god before. Severa's false front shakes for a second, but only a little.]

But aren't there people from other galaxies here? [she's reluctant to out herself as one, but her massively antiquated clothing might give that one away.] Wouldn't there be someone more advanced? It's some kind of... law of averages, or whatever.

Re: Market District

[dowhatittakes]

Perhaps here on Omega due to the strange events that have been happening with the relay. But there isn't a race more advanced here than the asari in the galaxy.

[Liara's trying to explain, mostly she's still upset that she has to live through this again without any way of getting to or contacting anyone on Thessia.]

Re: Market District

[motivationalspeaker]

[Of all days for Kirrahe to decide to go out and try to find a house plant, it had to be this one (what, don't make fun). Well, the good news was that he managed to find a shop that sold plants. Expensive as hell, but whatever. The bad news was everything else. The news about Thessia had hit while he was out, and he'd found himself dodging panicked asari shortly after. It was almost a relief when he stumbled across one he was at least somewhat familiar with. Not that he was particularly close to Shepard's crew, but at least Liara wasn't running around in a panic like most everyone else.

With his tiny potted fern tucked securely under one arm, he approached Liara. Almost cautiously, it didn't hurt to be careful.]

Doctor T'soni?

Re: Market District

[dowhatittakes]

[Looking over from the odd squishy purple fruit she had been inspecting, it wasn't Kirrahe that she had expected to be standing there.]

Captain Kirrahe, nice to see you.

[She's probably the most calm asari you're going to see on the station for a while.]

Re: Market District

[motivationalspeaker]

Likewise.

[Upon his arrival, Liara had been the one that had told Kirrahe about Thessia's fate, and here it was happening all over again. It made sense that she would be prepared for it, but he was sure that it didn't make matters any easier for her. Words of encouragement always worked for his own soldiers, but he wasn't sure how to approach this situation. She knew what was going to happen far better than he did.]

You'll have to forgive me for stating the obvious, but this isn't the safest time for a shopping trip. [Not that he really had room to talk, but hey.] Are you all right, doctor?

Re: Market District

[dowhatittakes]

I'm...I don't know. [It was the truth, she knew what was going to happen, but it only distressed her more that this time she was trapped on the other side of the galaxy from Thessia and had no way to help anyone on her homeworld.]

Perhaps for the sake of sanity a shopping trip was what I needed.

[Weird purple space-fruit included.]

Questions, But No Answers

[ceoqueen]

[there are always going to be those on the station that don't take kindly to the outsiders' presence. in the event of this crisis, those native to omega know what this means. they know what it means when the reapers move in, know it's only a matter of time before things are taken over - but if you think they're going to clue in the newcomers? you're dead wrong. any questions asked around here will be ignored - and likely those asking them will, as well.]

Panic (But Not at the Disco)

[ceoqueen]

[what was that about mass hysteria? once news gets around the station that thessia has fallen, those who know what it means don't waste any time panicking. they know what the reapers are capable of, they know what they are going to do if they manage to get what they want - and it doesn't mean anything good for the galaxy as a whole. cue those that can't manage to hold themselves together to be the ones running around rampant, like the proverbial chicken with its head cut off. if you want chaos, you'll find it here.]

Re: Panic (But Not at the Disco)

[motivationalspeaker]

[It was times like this when Kirrahe was especially thankful for his STG training. Avoiding panicked asari on his way out of the market district hadn't been too difficult. Not that he was too concerned that they would have made him a target to vent their frustrations on or something, but one could never play it too safe on Omega. Especially considering current events. It was very likely that some pissed off asari merc would probably be out for blood, and there was a good chance that they wouldn't care whose it was. Once he was mostly clear of the crazed mobs and panicked aliens, he uncloaked. The random street corner he'd stopped on probably wasn't the most secure place on Omega, but secure places were pretty hard to come by.

Thanks to what Kirrahe had heard from Shepard's crew when he'd first arrived, he had a decent idea of what was going on. However, hearing about it and experiencing it like this were two completely different things. He hadn't been in denial or anything before, but this whole situation sure as hell made the Reapers more real to him. They were a big fucking deal, and frankly the fact that there was absolutely nothing Kirrahe could do about anything was really goddamn frustrating.

For the time being, he was going to search his omni-tool for information or extranet reports, just hanging out on this street corner like every other salarian NPC hanging out on street corners with their omni-tools.]

[cosmosic]

[--Plus one blonde ninja, who was also getting shoved around more than she'd like and was really close to shouting at the next person that barely brushed her arm. What the heck was even going on? There was always something on this station it seemed like and she's getting to the point where she's really sick and tired of all the issues.

Except this time? It's much more serious. Ino had been in the middle of buying lunch when the chaos started, a break from the clinic as it were. One thing in particular stood out among the shouting and general clusterfuck of bodies and feeling of fear.

Reapers. It's said over and over and the name is familiar. Liara had told her about them once, didn't she? It was during the time the adjutants had tried to gain control. But they could be stopped! Why was everyone running around for? And it was on the different planet altogether? They were fine...

Right?

She looks around once she finds the street corner away from rushing bodies and spots someone familiar who's on his omni-tool.]

Kirrahe! [She walks over quickly. He could answer her questions.]

What's going on? Why is everyone going berserk?

[motivationalspeaker]

[His hand instinctively went for his pistol, but he stopped himself once he'd recognized the human. Not a threat, that was always nice. Normally he didn't like to talk about sensitive matters like this in public, but it wasn't likely to be an issue with everyone panicking and focusing on their own shit.]

The asari homeworld has fallen to the Reapers.

[He hadn't intended to be so short about it, but hey, that's what had happened. The more he thought about it, the more it troubled him. Not much that could be done about it though, was there?]

[cosmosic]

[EXCUSE U

There's a frustrated sound in the back of her throat.]

I know that!

[Hell, the whole station knew that. It's been on repeat on every part of the station for a while now. But asari? Liara? Her home? She would have to check on her later...

Liara had been the one other person that tried to comfort her with the loss of her father. But she better not think of that.]

I can understand why the asari would be agitated like this but they aren't the only ones. Everyone I've run into is freaking out.

Just who are these Reapers?

[motivationalspeaker]

Given the circumstances, your question was pretty vague.

[Again, not intending to be short with her, but the situation was a little stressful. Still, the least he could do was explain things to her the best he could.]

I'm surprised you haven't heard of them. The Reapers are a race of sentient machines. To my knowledge, their only goal is the complete annihilation of every sapient species in the galaxy. If they've taken Thessia, they can take any of our planets.

[fun_police]

[Attempting to keep order during total panic wasn't new to Prowl, that but that didn't make it any less difficult. He'd been at his post in Mordin's clinic when the news hit the station. As one could imagine, attempting to return it to total calm with the other guards was an exercise in futility.]

[Nonetheless, some physical struggle and one or two biotic incidents later, relative order had returned. Naturally, people would still get injured in the hysteria outside, which kept a steady flow of new patients with injuries coming in. But overall, the reception area was kept steady and relatively calm, if a bit tense.]

[Prowl positioned himself near the entrance to catch any problems as soon as they entered. He kept a little distance as to not intimidate anyone who might be entering, but you can bet your bippies that he had an impressive frown on his face from his corner of the room. He was alert and not in the mood for any lollygagging.]

[tradecraftdude]

[ Eclipse hadn't been taking the news about Thessia well; given the number of asari in their ranks, stupid weird internal drama that Marco really didn't want to care about happened. Long story short, he's stuck doing a lot more dirty work for the gang than he really thought he'd signed up for.

There was a job gone wrong, and though the standard operating procedure was cut your losses and disappear, Marco didn't want to leave his partner bleeding out in the streets. They weren't far from Mordin's clinic, which he's hoping is a safe place to dump his injured partner before running off. Maybe no one will even recognize him so long as he keeps his helmet on. It's a pain in the ass to drag the unconscious mercenary along, since he's a man about five times Marco's size, but sheer stubbornness and adrenaline got him within spitting distance of the door.

Of course, nothing ever works out perfectly in Marco's world, and it's about then that a pair of Talons decide that going to kick someone while they're down is totally cool. Especially when it's a couple of unprepared-looking mercs in full Eclipse armor.

As soon as Marco spots them approaching, he drops his partner and backs up towards the door, hands up in the universal gesture of 'dear god please don't fucking shoot me'. ]

[fun_police]

[The yellow and black of Eclipse armor was easy to spot in the crowd outside, even with the pandemonium consuming the station. Were the confrontation a safer distance away from the clinic, he probably would have let the mercs just finish their business.]

[At the conflict reaching their door, and the sight of the injured member, he decided to interject. Eclipse or not, they weren't about to turn away someone who was hurt. Even if he personally could care less, rules were rules.]

[He slides an assault rifle out of a hidden compartment in his leg upon approach. It was basic - an Avenger model, but it would do. The doors slide open behind Marco, revealing Prowl with the gun in hand and quite the stern face.]

Unless you plan on helping bring in that injured man, I suggest you take your business elsewhere.

[A simple order for the Talon mercs. Unless they felt like rustling the jimmies of a robot with missiles attached to it.]

[By the way Marco you're so getting a stern talking to when this is done. And he's 99% sure that's you under the helmet, unless Eclipse makes a habit out of hiring teenagers.]

[tradecraftdude]

[ They took it more as a suggestion; since none of their actual orders involved messing with armed robots, they got lost pretty fast.

Meanwhile, Marco pales a little inside his helmet once he sees Prowl. Yep. Totally didn't want to see Prowl at this moment. He wishes he had a voice modulator, but failing that, maybe he'll just keep his mouth shut and hope Mr. Supercop doesn't put two and two together on this one; he gives Prowl a silent nod and then goes back to dragging his bloody bro towards the door. ]

[fun_police]

[The gun is holstered back in place as soon as they leave. No need to assert hostilities any more than needed. Prowl steps to the side as Marco the smaller Eclipse merc continues to drag his partner through.]

...

[Not going to say anything? Okay. He'll do it for you.]

I can carry him to the medical floor.

[The dragging's getting blood all over the clean floor.]

[shutupmarco]

[ Rachel doesn't really need to see a doctor -- lucky for her, morphing resets any physical injuries that she might get -- but that doesn't mean it isn't crazy out there. People are panicking, freaking out, and Rachel doesn't fully understand what's going on, but she knows it's bad. These Reapers, whatever they are -- from what Rachel's hear, they remind her uncomfortably of the Howlers -- they're making a dent in the galaxy in a bad way. And there isn't even any way to fight them.

Rachel can't accept that, though. Everything has a weakness you can exploit. Anything can be fought. But these mobs of panicked people, she can't do anything about them -- it's madness out there, and though she'd never say it out loud, it's freaking her out. She gets shoved around a bit by panicked asari, nothing more than a few scrapes and bruises by the time she manages to break out of the tangled mess of the crowd and duck inside the nearest building, breathing hard. It's relatively quiet in here, although she could cut the tension in the air with a knife. Rachel looks around, trying to catch her breath, and stands up a little straighter in an attempt to regain some of her composure. She's not sure what this place is, but it looks kind of like a doctor's office. Well, at least it's calm in here. ]

[fun_police]

[Hi Rachel, robot at 6 'o clock.]

[Prowl leaves his assorted corner to approach her as she regains her composure, recognizing the telltale signs of someone who'd mostly likely gotten lost in the chaos. He quickly spotted a few minor injuries, but nothing that required immediate medical attention. Most likely just someone looking for a temporary safe haven.]

[His tone of voice is far from what could be called "friendly", but it wasn't malicious. He's just a bit of a hardass.]

Do you need assistance?

[shutupmarco]

[ Man, for all the weird shit Rachel's seen, robots are still weird for her. The Chee are a lot friendlier than the robots around here. She's feeling a little flighty, and Prowl spooks her a little, but she tries to regain her composure as quickly as possible, giving Prowl a faint smile and hurriedly smoothing out her hair, which -- honestly, didn't really look like it needed smoothing out in the first place. ]

No, I'm -- I just needed to get out of the crowd. It's kind of crazy out there.