Mission 1.3: Black Party Clean Up

The man that greeted was confused for a moment, until another worker in the drain poked his head out and spoke.

"The air filters for our base? Yeah, I heard a buddy of mine mentioned something about it before. He was responsible for installing a few of them. They had new experimental components, and the scientists were anxious to ensure that the machines were handled carefully. From what I heard, the science folks had conflicts with it being used, but the issue was settled in that it works and is safe. Beyond that, I haven't heard of complaints about the air being poisonous. If that is the case, then our doctors should be aware of that problem too. Sure, we can look into it, but upper management or the developers of the filter system may be unhappy if we start an unauthorised maintainence inspection."

To Nikolai: "Um... Ok. We have heard of nightmares being a frequent thing among our colleagues. But for the air, nothing seems to be bad enough to complain about. In fact, we are grateful for technology to be developed enough to allow for breathing Darst's air without coughing, or needing to use up oxygen tanks. Anyone who starts coughing is probably not doing so because of the particles in the air outside.

But I do have something else that is unusual. A buddy of mine occasionally complains of sleeplessness and having hallucinations while at work. But recently that issue changed when he went to a group called the Visage Conversation Club. He now not only says he is cured but he is now protected by someone called the Watcher. He kept smiling the whole day, a sharp contrast to a fortnight ago. Whatever is going on, that does sound unusual to you right? Though if there is something I want upper management to help with, is giving us more pay, or at least more psychological support. If things grow worse around here... then I guess a revolution may happen. And not by people who are stable, if you get what I am saying."

To Matsuki: "I don't have one with me, but I know if you really want to find any, it could be troublesome. Each dome and corridor have at least one installed. If we help you... it might cost you to make it worth our trouble. But if you want to try to look at one yourself, I know a section of the place that unlikely to have people passing by to catch you messing with the equipment. To the north, the base extension is still under construction, but some completed chambers, such as the utility room, are there with machines installed but not in use. I believe there, you can have a peek, but don't get caught by any of the workers or they will ask for your authorisation and kick you out.

Another option is to look at the science labs. The prototype locker room should have some filters and parts the creator of the filter still keeps. The question is, how will you get the keys to it? Good luck convincing him to let you study his prized project."

Matsuki goes to look for a hot cup of coffee. She chooses one with a strong name from the drinks stall costing 1 Credit, drinks it down, and hurries back to the park hub with new energy.

A small procession comes into the park. The leader of this group of 9 people wears a dirty hoodie and sunglasses as if trying to hide his face. His hands are very wrinkled as they swayed about as he walked with confidence. The 8 others are dressed in either work or casual clothes. Those in uniform seem to be technicians and construction workers. Gabrien, the man in grey, stands up and shakes the hand of the hooded man.

"Greetings, Mister Petrov! I have some poor colleagues in need of the enlightenment that you offer. It is the usual; nightmares of darkness or watching eyes. I hope they too can be a member of your club."

Petrov offers a filthy grin as his head slowly turns to face everyone that is new. When he speaks, his voice is coarse but has a presence of power too.
"I am glad. I am glad for more sheep to come into my fold. Our Watcher blesses us with more lost souls to salvage. Come, help me up to allow my voice to reach all who will listen..."

Gabrien and another member support Petrov as he climbs onto a table facing the wide pathway of the park...

As Petrov begins to speak, a few security guards approach the gathering. They kept their distance as a couple of the fitter-looking members act like bodyguards by sternly glaring at the officers and forming a circle around the makeshift stage. Seeing how the officers remain at the corners of the park shows that they are powerless to stop this event from happening.

"Greetings, my dear children. I am excited to share good news of our recent developments, but first things first, allow me to introduce myself to our new listeners. I know I just called you children, even if some of you may be about my age or even older too. But I consider myself as a father figure, considering that I am the creator of this blossoming club. Now, you may have heard all sorts of rumours about what this club is, but the truth is that it have never strayed from its original mission; to create a welcoming space to discuss the true nature of The Face. Unfortunately, our club activities are not welcomed, but now that we are well-grown, we too have grown unafraid of hiding our voice. We mean no harm to the status quo, but just to share the news that the secrets our overlords have been hiding from us may not remain as secrets much longer."
He says this last point while looking directly at the displeased guards.

The hooded prophet continues.
"I shall share of my humble beginnings again. I was once Petrov, a nobody janitor that hopes for a better pay by being stranded in this glass cage on a dark and dusty rock. One day, I received news that my wife passed away back on Darst, and I fell into a terrible grief. I had nightmares of my wife coming to visit me on this station, complaining to me that I have failed to be with her for the past decade. One night, when I have burnt my salary on the over-charged alcohol, I think I was about to take my life, but I was saved at the last minute by a vision. I saw the ghost of a man in a vacsuit, and he told me he have chosen me for an important mission. He told me that aliens exist, and that they are like that of benevolent angels. Their only desire for Mankind is to ascend us, to make us join them in their heavenly choirs amongst the stars. He appointed me to be the speaker for these aliens, a prophet for the angels, if you will. He then gave me proof that what he say is true because he himself have ascended, and now offers me a part of his mortal body that he no longer needs so that we may continue to be in contact.

Children. This is a miracle that I had been forced to keep a secret about for a month now, and it is now revealed for you listeners to know. With this knowledge, I too can explain why you have been having nightmares. They are the divine visions sent to you by the aliens. Ones that show hints of their glorious forms. Be not afraid of the darkness, or the eyes, or the skulls, for they are the faces the Watchers present to us mortals. They are a simplified form of the bigger truth of what they are..."

A wave of fear creeps out amongst the listeners, hallucinations start to form at the corners of their eyes. Nikolai and Matsuki sensed it too. Unfortunately for the electrician, he also saw the shapes of unnatural smiles.

As Nikolai asks this, he will notice that Matsuki is already moving. By now the hallucinations should die down as Petrov transitions his topic.

"The Watchers is what we call them, for they watch everything we do. Their eyes are upon all, and their touch is felt through our sleep visions. I see some of you are starting to see them too. Isn't it amazing? They are not physically here, but they communicate their will through our minds in this way for the uninitiated. If you want to stop seeing their basic forms, we can train you to understand their truth more privately..."

A few listeners seem to be having a breakdown, while others including the security personnel, just fidget in their place, clearly uncomfortable but trying to remain cool. As for Matsuki walking away, she seems to have witnessed something from her memory. Something that she wants to take a moment to reflect on by leaving the indoor park section.