WELCOME TO DREAMWIDTH, HERO...

This post is intended for all the newer ImPorts on the Network, and for everyone who has had some kind of encounter with Vulcanus. After what happened with New Vesuvius, I think it’s time we all shared some information.

My name’s Jack Bauer. I've been here for a few years, first with the police, now with the Department of Integration. I was around when Vulcanus first went public two years ago. If anyone wants to know more about this conflict- who they are, what they've done- I can help you.

This fight’s been going on for years, a lot has happened. There aren't many people left who have been involved since the beginning, and there's a lot of people here now who weren't present for the Skrulls or the plague. I know the information that’s publicly available doesn't have a lot of details.

I don’t have the full picture. I don’t know anyone who does. We need to fix that if we’re going to win this.

[Jack pauses and takes a breath.]

That’s why I’m calling for anyone who has any knowledge or experience with Vulcanus to come forward now, on this post. Whatever you’re willing to share with the Network, whatever questions you can answer, anything to help new arrivals get their bearings on this thing.

It’s important that every ImPort in the City knows about this, because the second you got Ported in here, you became a target. You’re part of this whether you like it or not, and it's in your best interests to learn about the people gunning for you.

Vulcanus doesn't flinch at going after innocent people or children. They’re willing to hurt anyone who’s an ImPort, as well as any native that’s in their way. They're a threat to the entire world, and other universes besides. The atrocities in New Vesuvius are just the latest proof that they have to be stopped.

[Video shows Jack's face as he holds up the camera in front of him. This is a rare moment, Network: he's smiling.]

I just wanted you all to see this.

[The camera view shifts and lurches as Jack re-positions the communicator. It settles on a three-storey building surrounded by gardens: the exterior of NOHoPE.]

I've been waiting a long time for the chance to look at this place from the outside again. [Jack pauses.] I know it probably doesn't look like much to you, but for me being able to see this... it means a lot.

[Jack turns the communicator again. The camera returns to his face. The smile's gone now, it's back to business.]

I've been discharged. If anyone wants to get back into contact and catch up, let me know. That goes especially for anyone who's with the Department of Integration. We're going to be working together from now on, and I want to get up to speed as soon as possible.

[The video is shaky, trembling. It whips across what looks like an office break room, giving a blurry impression of several terrified people kneeling on the floor with their hands behind their heads. The view comes to rest on Jack Bauer, standing in front of a wall with what looks like Spanish motivational slogans, wearing dirty jeans and a black jacket. There is a scowl on his face and a gun in his hand.]

Keep that camera steady, damn it! [He fires a shot into the ceiling for emphasis, accompanied by screams from his captives. Jack glares at them until they quiet down. It doesn't take long, the way he's acting. When he starts talking, his voice is a snarl.]

( cut for length )

This post is your last warning. If you're working for them, quit. If you're backing them in any way, pull your support now. As of right now, none of you are safe. I'm coming for all of you.

[Jack slashes a finger across his throat, and the hostage cuts the feed. Jack is very thoroughly under the infection's influence right now, and talking him down by getting him to reveal some of his secrets is the best way to save these hostages.]

[Jack is sitting somewhere dark, wearing a black jacket and blue jeans. Beside him is a shining, albeit somewhat dented silver trophy- the Stanley Cup of hockey. Behind him is a screen showing a news report about a series of murders, assaults, burglaries and arsons targeting organized crime both in the City and New Jersey. The acts have been attributed to rogue Import ex-cop Jack Bauer.]

This thing was stolen sometime in April. [Looks at Cup, back at camera] I got it back earlier this month. It will be heading off where it belongs soon.

Honestly, I don't even care about hockey. [shrug] And I know there are bigger priorities around here than recovering stolen property. I took this back because it was the right thing to do. I also did it to make a point.

[Jack leans forward a little, looking earnest.]

The point is there's more we could be doing here. We could be doing more about the murders, the acts of terrorism. About how the government has been corrupted and infiltrated, about how people are attacking us on the streets. We could be pushing more, going further, hitting harder.

[Behind Jack, the news is interviewing the tearful widow of someone he's supposed to have killed. If Jack notices, he doesn't show it.]

In order to get this Cup, I broke into a man's home based on information I got off the street. I held him at gunpoint when he came home with groceries. Then I broke his window and destroyed a car to get myself out alive. Now, I can live with that because I know worse things happen in the City every week, and that something has to be done about them. And because I know it worked.

If you think you can live with that too, contact me privately. I've got information.

[Jack faces the camera and clears his throat. He's sitting on the bench in his sterile white Superjail cell, wearing the appropriate jumpsuit. He looks serious and thoughtful.]

I've been thinking a lot about why I'm here. About the things that happened, the things that I did. About this City and what happens here.

[He looks down for a second to choose his next words, then back up at the camera. His stare is level, intense, focused, which is why he doesn't notice that he's started to glow.]

I've decided-

[The flash is bright enough to completely white out the video for a moment, and when it fades, he's gone. After more than two years, Jack Bauer has finally gone home. Somewhere offscreen, alarms begin to blare. A prisoner has just gone missing.]

[ooc: No replies from Jack, obviously. He'll be back in a few days after his canon update.]

You accused Sherlock at the meeting. That means you're probably not one of them.

I've got something you're gonna want to see.

...with repairs to the damage in Battery Park well under way.

[The anchorwoman looks like she's having a bit of trouble keeping a straight face as she begins this next item, but gets much more serious as she reads on.]

In other news, consumer advocacy groups are demanding a product recall of the Roomba, following a series of bizarre accidents within the City involving the robotic vaccuum cleaner. Recent reports have claimed that some Roombas have started roaming homes well outside of their standard programming, sometimes sucking up valuable items like jewelry along with household dust or damaging other objects.

There have even been cases where the robots have apparently become hostile and attacked owners and pets, resulting in three dead cats, two hospitalized people, and one death.

[The view cuts to an external shot of a house in the Turtle Bay neighbourhood which seems to be surrounded by police tape.]

That's right, the owner of this home was found dead in his kitchen yesterday, his body seemingly mangled by a nearby Roomba. Police are investigating, and the robot has been taken into evidence under stringent precautions. The CPD is refusing to speculate on links between the death and other accidents, or on whether this is yet another inexplicable tragedy brought about by the Porter.

[Cut back to the anchor, who looks like she can't quite believe what she's just read.]

The Roomba's manufacturers have declined comment. We'll bring you more on this story as information becomes available.

[ooc: Part of a little plot involving Ned and the police; open to character comment!]

I’m getting reports that this... soul-sucking attack has been dealt with. Can anyone confirm whether the people affected have recovered?

[POLICE FILTER]

All right, listen up. Since we got caught flatfooted by the Crabhammers, the Commissioner wants us to increase our information-gathering capacity. A new comms filter has been set up between us and a number of Import informants that have been identified as reliable. So if you need more people keeping their eyes open for a case but can’t go public, that’s what they’re there for. Just make sure the names on it don’t get spread around.

We’ve also got a training exercise next weekend. Aaron and Seras are going to be teaching us anti-vampire tactics in case someone tries to build an army of them again. I expect you all to be there, because we’re going bowling afterwards. You can thank Zatanna for that, it was her idea. It’s a chance to relax, get to know each other a little better, maybe we’ll go out somewhere once we’re done. Bring your friends if you want.

[INFORMANT FILTER]

If you’re getting this message, than you’ve been identified as someone the police can trust to work with us in keeping this City safe. This filter will let you contact the Import officers on the force as a group whenever you have information to share. That means no more bottlenecks, no more talking to us one at a time. In return, we’re going to be contacting you whenever we need more ears to the ground for something. The goal is to streamline communication between the police and other investigators, hopefully make us both more effective.

For starters, someone dropped a load of nitroglycerin off on Friday with a note that didn’t explain much. I want to know where it came from, and what it was going to be used for. I especially want to know if there’s more out there.

There’s something else. There have been some disappearances that need to be looked into. We think they could have been going on since April, with maybe two people vanishing a week. Whoever it is, they’re mainly targeting the vulnerable- homeless people, escorts. No witnesses, no evidence, no ransom demands. Some watches have been left behind, so theft probably isn’t a motive.

Whatever is happening here, it needs to be stopped, now. Anything you’re able to dig up on this will be appreciated.

[ooc: Copcast training and bowling log on Saturday. BE THERE.]

[The video shows Jack sitting at his desk in plainclothes, looking dead tired and rumpled. He's been working for a long time.]

I know we've all been through a lot lately. The past several weeks have seen a string of violent incidents, and not all of them have been related to the Joker or the gas. The police force is trying to solve them, and we're asking for information, anything you can tell us.

First of all, this man- [Jack holds up a grainy picture of Dilandau, pulled from news footage]- is a known murderer and was involved in a destructive fight with an escaped prisoner almost a month ago. He's an ImPort and is believed to be very dangerous. We're still looking for him.

We are also investigating nine deaths that appear to be random. The bodies were found over the course of a week and we have no connections between the victims besides the fact that they were extremely mutilated. [Jack's face is taut and grim, visibly suppressing disgust and anger.] Their organs were missing, it looks like something ate them. Right now it seems that they were attacked by some kind of animal, or at least something like an animal. Maybe something brought in by the Porter.

There's also two unsolved shooting incidents, both of them involving apparent drug trafficking. In both cases the people involved were killed and their money was taken, but the drugs were left behind. It could be vigilante activity, could be something else. [Jack shrugs, not terribly concerned with dead heroin runners]

If anybody knows anything that could help us with these cases, or if there's anything else that you think needs our attention, please let me or another officer know, either through our communicators or our hotline. Whatever you can share could help in making this City safer.

[Jack pauses, looks off-camera at something, then lets out a short, bitter chuckle as he turns back.]

You know, I just realized. I've been here a year today.

( Filtered to Police )

( Private to Agatha Heterodyne )

( Private to Hiruma )

[ooc: Still on hiatus, so tags will be slow!]

[Jack's voice sounds strained and distracted]

I need to talk to someone here who has experience with... the supernatural.

[He takes a deep breath]

With ghosts, spirits, specifically.

[There's a pause with nothing but the sound of Jack breathing and muttering something]

Thank you.


[POLICE FILTER]

I've got a... situation here, I may not be able to do my regular work until I've cleared it up. I'll keep you all updated, but right now I think it would be best for me to stay away from the station until this is resolved.

In the meantime, I want everyone to welcome John Raimi, he's going to be joining STARS as our hazardous substances expert. STARS members, his file is available on the police servers. I want you all to familiarize yourselves and get to know him, introduce yourselves and... [Jack trails off for a few seconds] ...and share notes if you've got the time.

[Another pause. Jack can be heard whispering 'Oh my God' to himself.]

I'll- I'll be in contact.

I know we haven’t had the best luck with keeping a low profile so far, but it looks like our cover is still intact, for now. That thing in the bar might actually work to our advantage; no one would ever expect a team of operatives to do something like get into a brawl.

It’s been a few days, so I want to hear status reports. What have you been able to come up with so far? What have we found out, what do we have to work with? Let’s compare notes, see where we’re at.

I’m working on finding an opening on Ramon Arius, he’s the guy who set up the resort, which makes him our best lead for figuring out what’s really going on here. The meeting’s almost halfway over. We are running out of time.

This is Captain Jack Bauer of the police. We've had a difficult time over the last few weeks and have had to make some changes, but I want to make it clear to everyone here that despite everything that's been thrown at us, we are still here and we are still committed to serving the people of this City and protecting it from all threats. So if anyone has something they want to bring to our attention, any questions, anything they need help with, please tell me and we will deal with it.

Also, we are still pursuing the people responsible for last month's sleeper agent plot and the damage it did to so many of us. If anyone has any information on anyone still at large who may have been involved with this, I am asking you to tell me now. Thank you.

POLICE FILTER

I think I'm getting the hang of this new rank.

I want to know who we have heading up the investigation into the brainwashing. I'm thinking of talking to the informant who gave us the location on their base, see if I can get anything else from there.

S.T.A.R.S. members, I know we've all been through a lot lately, and I'm proud of you all for how you've held up. But right now we need to move past it and focus on the job. I need to know each of your statuses and what you're up to right now, and then we'll work out what our next move is from there.

This is Jack Bauer of the police. Listen to me very carefully. I want all of you to stay far away from Trowa Barton. Don't come near him, don't try to contact him, don't follow him, don't touch him. This is your only warning.

[POLICE FILTER]

Guys, I've got a situation here, I might need some help. Trowa Barton's being harassed by some kind of fanatical group, I think they may be about to get violent. I'm making this a priority. I'm in the chopper now, I'm going to try to take him to a safe place. It is imperative, repeat, absolutely imperative that I keep him safe. I cannot stress this enough, Trowa Barton must be protected at all costs.

It's important. He's important.

[ooc: part of this hideousness.]

I'd like some advice from people who have experience with this kind of thing. How can a normal person take down or defend themselves against a... metahuman, superhuman, whatever you call it. If the Porter gave me powers, they haven't manifested yet, and my job means that I may have to deal with people who have abilities I can't stand up to. If anyone knows of any particular tactics or equipment that can help even the odds, I'd appreciate the tip. Thanks.

PRIVATE TO CABLE

I need to talk to you.

PRIVATE TO OBI-WAN

Mister Kenobi, it's Jack Bauer, I need to talk to you about an assignment. We're considering an undercover operation to get someone inside the Cult of the Damned, and I think you'd be well-suited for it.

PRIVATE TO LAMONT CRANSTON

You wanted to meet me earlier, when I had time. Well I have time now. Give me the when and where and I'll be there.

PRIVATE TO SUPERMAN [except lol Ported out]

Superman, my name is Jack Bauer, I'm working with the police. I have information regarding the HIVE situation that I'd like to share with you and the group that you've been coordinating.

I need to talk to anyone who knew this woman, known as Shego. Associates, enemies, contacts, if you knew her, if you can give me any insight into her activities, or if you knew anyone who knew her, I want to hear from you, now. Don't make me find you.

POLICE FILTER

I assume you all saw this. Based on this statement and what we already know, it's looking like the Mayor of Los Angeles has been working with terrorists and is responsible for the blackout of the City and the theft of whatever it was the Porter AI wanted retrieved. If the government thinks the HIVE was behind the bombing of the museum, that means that attack and Shego's death were a part of this as well.

Now, before she died, Shego mentioned that she hid something, she implied that it was what the people who killed her were really after. I think that she was recruited by the Porter to get this thing back, and they killed her and a museum full of children to hold on to it. We need to find it before they do, or the Porter does. Whatever it is, it must be incredibly important to both of them.

The authorities in DC have been freezing everybody out on this, so right now I'm open to ideas on how we can put a stop to this before more people die. For now, I'm taking the helicopter up on a test flight tomorrow, we're probably going to need it soon.

PRIVATE TO JOHN MCCLANE

John, Agatha told me she gave you the codes for the helicopter's lethal weapon settings. I need them.

PRIVATE TO ALBERT WESKER

We might need S.T.A.R.S. operational sooner than we thought. Did your team ever handle anything on this level at home?