[video]

[raisedbybirds]

[Terms like 'down time' and 'free time' were somewhat of a foreign concept to Samus up until only a few days ago. Between bombing and catacombing and Mongolian battling and Monster slaying, and then believing it some imperative duty to patrol around the Hold in-between those times like an armored guard dog set on (well justified) high alert, she's not given herself much of a moment to relax. Samus has, however, has made it a point to become in need of a good shower very acquainted with the tablet-formerly-netbook device, and especially appreciates the recent upgrade. Her technology is still far more advanced than the tiny little device, but it suits its purpose well enough.

Much the same, she's made it suit her purposes, if literally. The particularly astute will recognize this video feed is coming from the forearm of this person, fixed in place as if it's just another part of them.

"Person" is a generous term--what's being displayed could be more accurately described as a orange suit of armor from the torso up, heck, maybe even some kind of space robot with how distinctive it looks. (Though, there's also something very organic about the suit, like it were a second skin in some parts.) The voice is quite muffled under the helmet and opaque green visor--to the point of questionably androgyny.]

...

[It's a very talkative robot person. A damage report seems utterly moot.]

More Transports and more Exiles. It really is a testament to how miserable this place can be when the island population never seems to grow despite that. Some of the new arrivals seem... ill.

[Then again, if the last mission was any indication time can change anything, can't it...?]

I suppose an overdue introduction is in order. Here's my resume for what it's worth. Take it or leave it.

SAMUS ARAN
» Bounty Hunter (and for hire)
» Formerly employed with the Galactic Federation. Includes both military and police experience.
» Guns and fists, I'm skilled with both. I don't miss my mark, either.
» Piloting, with a preference for smaller ships.
» Also skilled with mech and tech, though mech is more my thing.
» Common sense is also an important skill to note.
» Not fond of dance parties.

[ACTION for el residentes of unit 406]
[KNOCK KNOCK. HONEY, I'M HOME. Actually Samus might have let herself in and out of here previously just to quickly use the shower, chances are when no one, or Maya was present so no time paradoxes happen and saying nothing more than 'hi' and 'bye' before leaving as quickly as she came.

But now, running ragged, Samus thinks she is ready to give this... roommate thing a real try. It couldn't be worse than the fiasco in Adam's place, or sleeping outside in the dirt another night, could it? Hopefully her roommates are ready to give the big armored person standing at the door a try too.]

[OPEN ACTION]
[When not needed Samus is an elusive creature, but the towering armored person can be found especially if your name is Mia patrolling around the Initiative Hold and in the city--there's still plenty for Samus to explore, being here only a little over a month now.]

Comments

[raisedbybirds]

[Nothing to indicate this is anything from the Federation, which is what her eyes naturally look for first. Either way, the style screams military to her.]

Your suit caught my eye.

[Not that that'd be a hard thing for him to do to anyone. She nods at the insignia.]

Is that your platoon?

[priad]

My war-plate is a rather notable bit of technology, I suppose. [ He catches her nod, and shakes his head. ]

No, that is my chapter, the Iron Snakes. I am Priad, Sergeant of Damocles Squad. [ He gestures with his huge claw for a moment. ] We are known by our banner and this claw, wielded over thousands of years in many wars.

[ He looks at her armor, and says. ]

You seem to have no indications of your allegiance at all. I am intrigued by this.

[raisedbybirds]

[She's very appreciative of his straightforwardness, and rolls her shoulders back, as if to subtly puff out her chest. She's not egocentric by any means, but her free spirit isn't one to be tamed.]

I have none, Sergeant. I'm a free agent.

[The tone carried as she calls him Sergeant is subtly flippant, but polite enough. Old habits die hard.]

Prior to that I spent several years under the Galactic Federation before [defecting] voluntarily leaving.

[priad]

[ The change in tone is noted, and he stiffens slightly, not offended, but clearly aware of it. ]

Galactic Federation? Not an Imperium? [ Sounds like heresy to him. Especially this part about being a free agent. It might be nearly... Chaotic. ]

[raisedbybirds]

[Chaotic Good, really! Maybe a touch Chaotic Neutral on her bad days.]

Imperium?

[She scours her memory to no avail--nothing she's familiar with in the Federation she knows bears such a name or division. The only thing remotely ringing a bell maybe being the Horus Rebellion...]

[priad]

The Imperium of man, yes. It spans the galaxy, protecting humanity from the ever-encroaching dangers that surround it.

[raisedbybirds]

It's a noble sentiment.

[She once thought of the Galactic Federation much the same way...]

One that I hope isn't ever misplaced.

[priad]

[ Priad is quiet for a moment, considering the 10,000 year civil war that even now is still fought in the darker regions of the Galaxy. ]

Hubris and pride have led men awry in the past.

[raisedbybirds]

[As do good intentions...]

...What would you do if it led your Imperium into hypocrisy? Secretly producing weapons they once deemed illegal, the same kind their enemies seek?

[There's undoubtedly bottled up feelings in her question, though she keeps them well restrained. It's a touchy subject for her, but an important one, one worth questioning someone else's resolve about it.]

[priad]

[ Priad shifts, as if he doesn't understand the question. After all, the Imperium uses virus bombs, planet-breaking torpedos, and void grenades somewhat regularly, though only for situations that require it. Arguably, his entire chapter is a weapon of mass destruction, as 100 men like him is enough to dominate a planet of several billion normal humans. ]

You mean tech-heresy? The Mechanicum would deal with that. If it were determined that such a thing was happening, my Chapter, or whatever chapter was closest, or whatever military formation of the Imperium can be summoned, would be activated to purge the offending developments, and those who made them.

The Imperium is vast. But if such hypocrisy came to my attention, I would destroy it. [ With brutal efficiency, no less. ]

[raisedbybirds]

The Mechanicum controls the Imperium? What if they were just as corrupt?

[priad]

No, they control the technology of the Imperium. The Master of Mankind, the God-Emperor, runs the Imperium, and he is eternal and incorruptible, as he has been for 10,000 years. For he is not a man as we understand it, though grandfather to all space marines as the father of our primarchs.

In order to deal with sector to sector corruption, we have the inquisition, which policies the planetary governors, and if need be, itself.

[raisedbybirds]

[Her pauldrons slouch slightly at hearing that as she begins to piece together his world a little more. It sounds like his universe is run like a well operated machine, all cogs in place and procedures well ironed out. Her rebellious spirit would probably find it a trite bit too confining, but it does sound very... efficient.]

So a well-established hierarchy and protocols for that.

The Federation I knew was... they were very altruistic. Unfortunately it's not very easy to regulate such a large governing body.

[priad]

[ It is a well operated machine, though decaying and renewing itself at the same time, hanging between ultimate victory and ultimate destruction forever, much like the Emperor himself, dead and alive, entombed on a Golden throne. ]

Yes, the Imperium is built around a very complex hierarchy. And indeed, you are correct. Governing the teeming mass of humanity is... taxing. Fortunately, I am charged with protecting it, not ruling it. It is best not to have Space Marines rule, as the Horus Heresy proved.

[raisedbybirds]

[The Horus Rebellion she is familiar with nags at the recesses of her mind again. Hm...]

That sounds like a story and a half.

[priad]

7 years of the darkest time that humanity has ever faced. And it still haunts us today. [ He shifts, not exactly depressed by the story, but saddened. ]

I can tell the story, but it will require some time.

[raisedbybirds]

Good things come with time.

[Most of the time. She is quite curious but...]

But maybe another time. I feel like I've taken enough of yours for a moment in passing.

[priad]

Good day to you, then.

[ He gestures with a claw, a sort of wave goodbye, and moves along, his armor whirring as he does so, a thousand servos struggling all at once. ]