[BACKDATED TO WEEK 2] CALL OUT;

[squadgoals]

[The radio stutters to life, a crackling voice unfamiliar to the Library and Church inhabitants for sure. A woman's voice, lined with steel and the sort of absolute determination you could forge weapons on, breaks through, level and in control.]

All stations, all stations, all stations.

This is Shepard. My position is Bridgeville Mall, Bridgton, Maine.

We are currently relegated as a safe zone for the mist situation. If you are within the vicinity of the mall, or feel you can reach it without staying exposed for too long, we recommend traveling here. We are stocked with emergency rations, food and water, and have both to spare if you are able to make your way to us.

If you choose to make your way towards the mall, stay alert, and be careful. We're keeping the lights on for you, and we'll be ready to help when you arrive. Out.

Comments

[avengeme]

[Whoa, hey. Someone else IS out there. Nice.]

Roger that, Shepard. This is Coulson. I'm with Jason at the library. We have no ability to travel the distance required and the mist messes with our heads if we stay outside too long.

Have you guys been there this whole time?

[squadgoals]

Copy that, and we can confirm the mist works the same over here. Someone's got to have a vehicle in this--[stupid torturous situation designed to, apparently, make everyone suffer wholecloth]--place. We'll keep radio contact open and get back to you if we find something.

Depends on what you mean by "whole time". If you mean since the mist started, then yes. Personally, I'm from... out of town, so I've only been here a few weeks. [eat it, rules]

[avengeme]

Does the town consist of a tube with a disembodied voice? I think I'm familiar.

The library we're in is as good as empty. No cars parked outside. I heard the people in the church are heading your way though.

[squadgoals]

[There's a scoff mixed with a laugh.] Oh, yeah. Your typical run-of-the-mill small town.

[So there's others—and they have transport?] Hmm. In that case, maybe we can use their transport to get back out to you.

[arkproject]

We're considered a safe zone? Where is everyone else coming from?

[squadgoals]

[There's a delay in an immediate reply, as Shepard makes a face, wobbling her hand mid-air. Safe was, in this case, questionable, considering the set-up for this whole horrific charade, but roles were roles.]

Not sure. But we do have food, water, and areas contained from the mist. I imagine there's others out there without the same luxuries.

[arkproject]

I guess sticking together is about the only thing we can do at this point. We can't fight fog.

Maybe we should be trying to vacuum-seal some safe rooms for emergencies.

[squadgoals]

My thoughts exactly.

As for sealing, not sure how much we have, supplies-wise, but tape and plastic will do it in a pinch. It's not a long-term solution, but it's definitely something we can get a team moving together on.

[cheffeur]

Shepard- My name is Ignis Scientia.

I appreciate you putting this message out, but I do have concerns. The mall has a number of entrances on each side of it, as well as several within the larger stores. Are there people manning them or supplies there for any who may arrive physically or mentally injured?

If need be, I'd be happy to assist in organizing something to ensure we're prepared for any refugees who may arrive.

[squadgoals]

Copy that, Ignis. I can't personally speak to the current manpower at the entrances, but should a group radio us with their impending arrival, we could definitely scramble ourselves to assist, either physically or remotely with supply caches.

That said, there's no benefit to losing more people to the mist—organizing rotational shifts to manage exposure would be a good place to start. What did you have in mind? Likewise, I'd be more than happy to help you out.

[cheffeur]

Of course. Our numbers are limited enough, I'd hardly suggest anyone risking themselves to the mist outside. It's cruel, but going on a rescue or even trying to assist in the final stretch would likely only result in further casualties. Regardless, even just staying on the inside of the glass and keeping watch for the arrival of survivors at the most prominent entrances should be enough.

There are likely too many points of entrance for us to keep manned at all times, but putting together some sort of supply package with instructions to radio with their position immediately for assistance would likely be enough. Some non-perishable food, bottles of water, first-aid kits, blankets, something of the sort. Immediate supplies to assist in the short while it would take for us to respond.

I believe crossing the mall would take, at most, only a matter of minutes, so it doesn't need to be much.

[squadgoals]

[As Ignis speaks, she nods along, a silent, unseen approval. It was good to have people of many different skill sets working together on something as impending as this, but even better if they knew what they were doing, and had a good head on their shoulders. So far, he was ticking the boxes adeptly.]

Agreed, and the packets should be easy to put together, even just over the next few hours. Got a team in mind, or are you already at work on it?

However, should the situation change, we should be prepared to have one or two people on voluntary emergency extraction duty. [Mist exposure.] I'm happy to volunteer; I saw the effect first-hand on the radio retrieval crew, and I know what I'm in for, should it be required.

[cheffeur]

I'm not familiar enough with people here to have built teams, unfortunately. But I'm sure there's something that can be done by any and all volunteers, even if it's something as simple as a shift listening to the radio.

[A pause, though, as she volunteers going out to help the refugees. Certainly brave and commendable. Possibly foolhardy. He can't help but think of Noctis venturing out, only for the person beside him to be grotesquely rendered in half.]

You know the risks, so I'm sure all of us will respect your decision in regards to that, should you deem it necessary. But while I'm in support of opening our arms to accept those fleeing to here, if there is enough danger to warrant someone going out to physically assist, I believe it would only result in further lost.

Fleeing from the beasts out there is one thing- but trying to support an injured body while doing so is quite another.