one ☓ cutting teeth

[shamanism]

[audio --> video]

Attention, [intones the deep, rough, and rich voice of a newcomer.] I was told that I could contact other-- [the barest pause] -- transports with this device. This is a test signal. If you are able to hear me, please respond.

Or perhaps there is another way—?

[Without any warning, the video feed switches on, showing a green blur at first. At last it evens out, centering on a wrinkled green face possessing two startlingly blue eyes... strangely gentle, despite his otherwise beastly appearance. His hair is black and braided in front, and some of it leaks out of his beige hood. His expression is grave, concerned with recent events and things yet to come.]

I appreciate any information you can give me regarding the nature of missions and the history of this center. If I am to fight for my freedom, so be it, but I will not fight blindly.

[Another pause.] Thank you for your help. [He fiddles with the netbook for a second, then the transmission ends.]

Comments

[wrexy]

Hah. Only if you're stupid about it.

[shamanism]

I'm sure they are watching, friend.

[wrexy]

Is this how you solve your problems at home?

[shamanism]

[His eyes narrow slightly.]

You make it sound easy, as if it were neither dangerous nor irresponsible to lash out without information and without the kind of weaponry we would need. We know very little of the world outside. Where one enemy falters, something much worse could take its place.

There is more at stake than your world or mine. These people are desperate. They believe they cannot earn their freedom any other way than to have us fight for them.

[Thrall, you goddamn bleeding heart.]

I have no sympathy for slavers or cowards, but we must not act carelessly. I refuse to pave the way to freedom with the blood of the innocent civilians-- ordinary men and women and children who happened to be living here at the time of a revolt.

They wanted a war, and they shall HAVE it. But it will not be today.

[wrexy]

[He lets out a deep belly laugh, and quite suddenly.] You've got a quad. Fighting for people that don't owe you a damn thing. I don't know if that's smart, but it's something.

What did you say you were?

[shamanism]

[Thrall has been taking this conversation completely seriously, and now he looks a little embarrassed. For all his words and toughness, he's still somewhat young, and he feels a little like Wrex did that just to see a reaction.]

I am a shaman, [he states, as if he didn't just go on a huge warchief tirade.]

[wrexy]

Shaman. Hrm! [Though he knows the word is probably different to an alien, hearing it definitely inspires a certain respect.] And what does that mean to your people?

[shamanism]

They look to shaman for guidance. [It's something he's... still coming to terms with. Sometimes he loses himself.] A shaman's duty is to keep the balance of the elements, heal the gaping wounds in the world, and seek answers from the ancestors if needed.

[wrexy]

High order. [A gruff laugh. It's a manly 'you're all right, kid' type of laugh] Sounds about right, though. Okay, Shaman. You'll do fine.