exsilium | oo5 ⊗ video ⊗ fifth move ⟹ backdated to oct 5th.

[ charles is visibly distressed when he appears on the screen, this time. he's in what seems to be some underground facility, and there are other faces behind him—notably collette, emma, galadriel, raven, and others. his eyes remain closed for a second and you can hear him take a deep breath. then: ]

We have... borrowed a gentleman by the name of Richard Lawson...—from the United Earth. He is a cabinet member of the President's. Yes, the President of the United Earth. [ charles clears his throat, steels himself. ]

We've learnt a great many things about the United Earth from his head, and we feel it best to share that information with all of you, here on the Network.

[ charles states the next words with a heavy voice. ]

The President of the United Earth is not human. "He" is—artificial. Artificial Intelligence, or what you would call an A.I.. The United Earth... has never seen his face, as far as we have deduced.

We will try to answer questions about what we have learnt to the very best of our ability, but do be patient. Ah—[ he closes his eyes again, considering. then he nods as though he's made the right decision and he knows it. ]

That is all.

( note: wow i knew i forgot something like a winner. THIS TAKES PLACE DURING/AFTER these linked shenanigans: [ x ] [ x ] [ x ] [ x ] )

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

You never played strategy games. Not even Chess? I know you're kind of the definition of "never had fun because that wasn't in my dictionary growing up" but you have got to be kidding. It's the kind of thing you'd be great at!

I do play chess. But how is this relevant?

I was going to point out it's probably all part of someone's strategy but I'm kind of wowing at the fact you've played any game ever at all now.

[ Staring at him with wide eyes -- while breaking off into a giggle and shaking her head. ]

Anyway, I was thinking it could have been a confidence thing. Either a bluff, or the real deal. Like when you make a bold move in -- chess, I guess -- and you didn't spot the trap your opponent set up and so lost your knight because of a lack of foresight.

So you're saying that this Lawson is the knight, to use your analogy?

Or any of the other pieces on the board that's fancier than a pawn, yeah.

So he was left behind or otherwise unaccounted for?

I was going to go with he's strategically expendable in light of what we've learned, but sure.

[ Same thing. ~~stop being more eloquent than him, Collette~~ ] A man's sanity was worth knowing that the leader of the enemy we fight is actually a robot?

( She looks at him through the camera, much more serious seeming than normal. )

A man's freedom is worth almost anything.

[ Fine. His argument makes just as much sense when freedom is the quality under discussion. The removal of one may soon lead to the absence of the other, too.]

I know that he's one of our enemies, but who decides that, Collette?

Edited 2012-10-29 05:33 (UTC)

When he's detoxing, what would you have done instead?

Question him. [ he concedes ] Within reasonable limits.

The unreasonable part here to you is that this questioning didn't have to be verbal?

Of course. [ There are so many things wrong with telepathy or whatever they call what they did, although he is grateful for the information... ] Was verbal questioning at least attempted?

Yep. I think his first response was nothing, and the last time they tried he half-growled and then moaned.

[ what ]

He... growled?

He, um. Yeah? Kind of like...

( she attempts to gurgle-growl like he had. )

Was he sane? Or was he subjected to similar treatment as those of the Masked? [ he's... still not entirely sure how that was possible. ]

Um... Miles? Have you ever been around someone going through a detox?

No, I - what context are you using that in?

What do you mean?

( Really, she's not sure what he means by the context. )

A literal one?

Was... he poisoned?

Big Red... did you miss the part about daily drug injections?

[ Tersely: ] Enlighten me.

It's something they picked up when trying to get through to him. Part of his daily routine, and the routine of everyone he's aware of, is taking an injection. For his health.

Only there's a pattern to his memories, and it's a kind of drug. Take it a step further, imagine this is the whole of the UE, with the civilians at least, and there's an entire country filled with people who willingly drug themselves because they've been taught that's what helps to keep them healthy.

He's been detoxing since he hit the 24 hour mark.

video;

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