➔ initiative announcement 011;

[initiatesnpc]

➔ INITIATIVE ANNOUNCEMENT

[ Throughout Exsilium, all of the communicators will beep several times before the video feed activates to show a stern woman. A purple Initiative banner hangs behind her. ]

Good evening, Transports. My name is Mera Vestus. I am a member of the Initiative Consulate. Jointly, we head the Initiative. I have elected to speak on behalf of the Consulate today, and hope to address some of your concerns.

I would like to begin by apologizing for our lack of communication with the Transport population. Organizing our endeavours is no simple task, and has occupied the entirety of our attentions. That is no excuse. We have brought you here, and it is our obligation to be as forthcoming as possible with you. From this moment on, we wish to seek out a greater degree of transparency with the Transport population as a whole. No Transport should be afraid to voice his or her concerns, nor should they feel that they are falling upon deaf ears.

I also wish to apologize once more for interrupting your lives by bringing you here. If there were any other option, we would not have resorted to such measures. As it stands, you are the last hope not only for our world, but for many.

As some of you have already been made aware, it is not merely the fate of this universe that is at stake in our ongoing struggle against the United Earth. Many of this world's natural resources have been depleted, with only stockpiles remaining for the United Earth to rely upon. These stockpiles are running low. They have been forced to resort to extreme measures. They have begun to utilize their own version of the transporter technology to drain resources from other worlds in hope of supporting their own regime. One by one, they are leaving other worlds as barren as this one. Each of your homes is a likely target. The United Earth is indiscriminate with their targets, and consumes without temperance or remorse.

We wish that it had not come to this. We wish that we could send those of you home who do not desire anything to do with our ongoing battle. But this is unfortunately beyond our control. We cannot control who the transporter selects, or when it chooses to send individuals back to their own worlds. We will do anything in our power to make your stay here as comfortable as possible in gratitude for your cooperation.

I will now be receiving questions. I will answer to the best of my ability, and look forward to engaging in civil conversation with all of you.

Comments

[whatsupcroc]

When have you seen those other worlds?

[initiatesnpc]

We have several contacts within the United Earth who have witnessed these-- activities first-hand.

[breakablegirl]

Yeah, that's great and all, but we really have no other way of knowing if any of what you say is true, do we.

[:||||]

I don't believe that. How does the transporter choose? Is it completely random?

[initiatesnpc]

There are psychics among your numbers. Telepaths, empaths, all manner of human lie-detector. You may confer with them, if you should choose to trust anyone.

We attempted to program the transporter to choose individuals of merit-- those of heroic deeds, or who hold the potential for them. However, its standards for such things are out of our hand. I suppose you may as well choose to call it "random", yes.

[commentboxtroll]

I had heard that, but...

It'd be nicer to see some proof of that. Have they always had the machinery to do that? Is that where your transporter came from or is it the other way around?

[initiatesnpc]

We are working on delivering proof as we speak, but you must understand that it is not our highest priority at this time.

Our transporter was created from incomplete schematics that were smuggled from the United Earth and reverse engineered. They are not aware that we have this technology.

[misplacedxsheath]

Why use technology so far out of your own control?

[initiatesnpc]

It was our last resort.

[No comment | Open to roomies?]

[ghostling]

[Ghost simply snorts and tosses her tablet aside after watching this before making her way into the kitchen area. Coffee at the wee hours of the morning sounds great, right?]

[crymoore]

[ Finally, some diplomacy. It's her time to shine, but where should she begin? With questions that she wanted the answers to or questions that everyone else needs answered? ]

Well met, Mera Vestus. [ With the confirmation that they can't choose is brought here, she opts for the smart line of questioning first. ] There have been individuals welcomed here that have nothing but wickedness in their heart. Knowing that you cannot return them, what will you have us do? Relying on a group of people who have different cultures and views will only cause more problems amongst us. How can law be maintained in this place?

[initiatesnpc]

[ Her expression remains mostly neutral, though seems to lighten a bit. The politeness is not lost on her. She gives a small nod in response to the greeting. ]

It would be unjust of us to punish any Transports for alleged crimes committed in other worlds. That is very much outside of our jurisdiction, even if one managed to provide proof. Should any Transports commit crimes here, however, we do have holding cells, and will imprison the criminal should they be deemed guilty in a fair trial.

[ She hesitates for a moment. ]

Should our holding cells be... insufficient for imprisoning the individual, we are currently in the process of weighing alternative solutions.

As for your other concerns, several Transports have approached us about the matter of law enforcement. There is an ongoing effort to create something of a police force comprised of Transports and representatives of the Initiative working together, and I am certain we will all see the fruits of it soon.

video; filtered from meg and lucifer

[gained_a_level]

[ Finally, this is what he was waiting for. ]

What were you thinking bringing Lucifer here?!

[ The question comes out with the full brunt of Castiel's exasperation, bringing with it the frustration and disappointment of having lost a close friend -- Sam Winchester -- and another important figure to Dean -- his father, John.

Apologies for inconveniences come too late and seem woefully inadequate to the dire consequences he now faces. Why bring them, only to snatch them away a moment later and bring Lucifer in their midst, the most dangerous being in their world? Are the Initiative truly that desperate? ]

[initiatesnpc]

[ There is a very fleeting look of confusion, before she is sceptically raising an eyebrow at him. ]

Your preaching is wasted here.

[transgressed]

And I guess we're supposed to just take your word for it, huh? Give me a break, lady.

You know, I've seen this song and dance before — buncha talking heads telling people they've got all our best interests at heart. Sounds real nice on paper, but it was a crock then, and it's the same now.

[initiatesnpc]

We aim to prove what we are able. Regardless of whether you choose to believe us, whether you choose cooperation, the fact still stands that we are unable to send you home.

[medusalith]

What proof do you have of your claims? It is a lot to take on faith alone, and transparency does not necessarily mean complete honesty.

Furthermore, how do you intend on sustaining an open channel of communication between the unorganized Transports and your own government?

[initiatesnpc]

We are in the process of devising a manner in which you may all see the proof for yourselves. However, it will take time.

My fellow Consulate members and myself are very busy with our work. However, we will soon be setting up an open inbox where any Transport may contact us at any point in time with questions are concerns, and we will get back to them on the matter as soon as we are able.

[lovesgod]

Have you ever thought you might accidentally pull someone who would defect to the United Earth or murder all of you?

Desperate times and desperate measures, I guess.

[initiatesnpc]

We have ways of defending ourselves.

[fintastic]

I have a question! What really happened to the nice VR guy? Also when the war is done, you can work on the transporter and send me back to New Mexico, right?

[initiatesnpc]

Dr. Sponde has been disciplined for his misconduct, but he is otherwise quite alright. I am certain he will be touched by your concern.

The transporter's original directive was to return all Transports to their own worlds once our mission is accomplished.

[vaudevil]

If I may.

[Lee lifts his hand as he speaks.]

The concern is a drain on resources, correct? Has anyone considered creating a hydroponics garden in a protected area? On a small scale, it could provide some information to growing foods on a larger scale should the soil be proved contaminated. I would like to lend my services in some research, if it is possible.

Taking into consideration what you had said that other worlds could be a potential target, is there a pattern they are using to enact their raids? I surmise that if one can be discovered, we could potentially intercept them, yes?

[initiatesnpc]

Scientists within the Initiative have been making efforts to utilize hydroponics for the population of Exsilium, and they would welcome your aid. However, our breakthroughs will mean little to the United Earth. Their population numbers over eleven billion. They require not only food, but fuel, minerals, clean water.

We have not discerned any pattern, save for the fact that worlds from which Transports originate are the most likely targets. Our scientists surmise that there is some sort of... signature that is left when a Transport is brought here, and the United Earth's technology picks up on that when selecting its targets.

[uncalled_for]

And why exactly should we believe anything you have to say?

[initiatesnpc]

You may turn to the mind-readers among the Transport population to verify our words, should you trust them. We work to provide proof of the United Earth's actions. Beyond that, I ask what would it take to convince you?

audio

[kingside]

How do you plan to address the disorganized state of your Transport recruits? Many have sought to form their own armies with the aim of overthrowing the Initiative itself. Do you intend to ignore these threats, intervene directly, or delegate the task of restoring order to Transports you deem loyal to your cause?

[initiatesnpc]

We have not seen issue with organization thusfar. All we ask is participation in missions. Transports are free to do as they please in their free time, so long as their activities do not draw the attention of the United Earth.

We do, however, wish to attempt to regain the trust of the Transport population. We intend to make an ongoing effort to improve communication, and we hope this will alleviate some of the issues that have led to this unfortunate trend.

As for these "threats", we will only intervene directly if any of these individuals should choose to actively strike out against us.

[noble_nate]

This communication is long overdue, but I appreciate that you're acknowledging your failures and at least somewhat willing to make changes.

I would like to know what happened to the members of your Initiative who took it upon themselves to poison our food and water. And what steps you have taken to make sure that that sort of internal rebellion will not happen again.

[initiatesnpc]

The individual responsible was assassinated.

Following the incident, we did some thorough analysis of our ranks to ensure that there was no one else present with similar predilections.

[video]

[selfloyalty]

Perhaps it would be in your better interests to assign roles amongst the Transports in an attempt to garner better organization and dissuade dissent.

You have also drawn in a relatively large crowd of nobility and political leaders alike, myself included. Why not put our skills to use? Surely we can assist in organization and more immediate means of leadership which the Initiative so desperately needs.

[initiatesnpc]

In what endeavours do you wish to lead your fellow transports?

[accidentalrebellion]

[But this is unfortunately beyond our control.

No. This is not beyond their control. This is by design. It's always by design. Everything a Gamemaker creates is carefully crafted and deliberate. Every rose that Snow leaves for her to find is a message with a purpose.

In her world, nothing is an accident. The odds are never in anyone's favor, because, really, there are no such things as odds. She knows that now more than ever.

So why should she believe a word of this? It wouldn't even be worth a fraction of a second it'd take to consider believing it.

But, oh, she has questions, all right. No, she has a million questions; every passing day has only led to the emergence of more and more. But most of them start to blend and bleed into one another, becoming lost in an indecipherable haze before she can even think of attempting to parse. All except one.

Just one.]

Why him?

[initiatesnpc]

I am afraid you will have to elaborate.

[symmachy]

Can you prove that our home worlds are being targeted, or is that just a way to get us to comply.

[this is not actually a question]

[initiatesnpc]

You can expect proof in the near future.

[life_binder]

You say this world is devoid of resources, and I can see the devastation that's been has upon the land itself... But you have many resources right here waiting upon nothing more than your word. So many of us have the skills and abilities to assist you in ways beyond battle. Why, then, do you opt not to utilize those resources?

[initiatesnpc]

We will not turn away those among you with abilities to help heal our earth by other means. But the United Earth's needs are vast, and they are stubbornly set in their ways. They will not trust any improvements wrought by magic or other powers that do not occur in this world.

[priad]

Very well. I need to know several things.

First: How large a force do they number? If they were to attempt this in the Imperium of man, and populate only as much as are what I can extrapolate on Terra, they'll be swiftly defeated.

The second: I'm willing to fight for you, as I suspect you have gathered if you monitor our communications. I need to know your plan in detail, or if you intend to delegate it to one of the Transports you have brought in. I am a sergeant, and while you haven't seen fit to bring my squad in, I can do the most good for you if we have a clear idea of what we're fighting for, and how much we can expect of one another.

The third: Is a list of battle-ready transports of use to you? I am making an effort to compile it, and will keep it as up to date as possible. Information is victory, and knowing who knows the business end of a blade and an auto-gun from the butt or hilt is probably wise.

[thornwishes]

[And then this catches his attention. Excuse the mild surprise at discovering someone else from the Imperium, Priad.]

You hail from the Imperium?

[inafadingcrown]

[She'll be interested to see how some of the questions asked by others are answered. She'd been wondering about a few of them herself, but since there's no use repeating the same questions...]

I thank you for this opportunity, Mistress Vestus. I agree, more open communication can only serve to benefit all involved.

While I am not unsympathetic toward your struggles, you must understand that my first duty lies with the people of my realm and of my world. You say that our homes are at risk from the United Earth. You also say that you have no means of controlling when we will be returned to our worlds. I know I am not alone in coming from a time of great struggles. I doubt I alone worry that my departure may have weakened defenses of an ongoing war.

What assurances can you offer that we will have homes to which we might return? If the war my people face is not won, it matters little what the United Earth might consume.

[She suspects "time travel" will be her answer, but she'd like to hear it from an official source, all the same.]

[trickstermentor]

Would it be too outlandish to suggest, Vestus-san, that were it not for the Initiative's practice of abducting denizens of other worlds, the United Earth would not have been made aware of this technology and as a result, our home worlds would not now be in the state of jeopardy that you have just described?

[defending]

[ All this does is raise more questions and evoke more skepticism from Buffy. She continues to be entirely unamused. ] So if resources are depleted, how about you explain the advanced tech and magical weapons with brains? I'm not buying what you're selling here, lady. Try again.

[thornwishes]

Would they seek to do this on alien worlds if they came across them in their search for supplies?

[onemoredeath]

Ah, and they all start crawling out of the woodwork...

You do realize that your machine may need some fine tuning, yes?