exsilium | ONE ⚠ video

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[ The video feed opens in a rather mundane fashion: an expressionless man sitting within the library in the Initiative Hold, his tablet on a desk in front of him as he pages through a book--a somewhat battered old volume of history. ]

I have two questions. I would appreciate some answers, if you could.

[ His voice is deep and serious, but also remarkably flat and toneless. ]

I understand that the other "Transports" here represent a wide variety of worlds. How many come from one with similar components to this one? A ruined Earth, or one near ruin, and a repressive absolute government guiding humanity in the wake of that disaster.

[ He closes the book and sets it down on the desk just out of the screen's frame. ]

The second question is simple. Can anyone recommend somewhere I can find decent coffee?

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I don't believe you can be certain of that.

That kind of system is the very thing this community is fighting against. I assume you know that much already, no matter how recently you've arrived.

Yes. I'm not speaking of assignments from the Initiative, Soldier Blue.

Nor am I. This Initiative isn't going to be seeking out the system you serve, or any other like it. [say it like a fact to make it a fact:] Superior Domination will not touch this place.

The likelihood is that you're right.

This world will fall and die of its own corruption.

This world can redeem itself, Keith Anyan. There is the desire to make it better. To make it freer.

Yeah.

The way the Mu did, in our world?

We were barely given that chance. We made an effort to separate ourselves, to live on our own–

[CLICK. He enters the code for privacy even as Blue speaks and only cuts him off when he's finished doing so.]

To ravage the minds of passersby. To torture. To send your smallest children to kill.

Is that the better world you believed your people would make, Soldier Blue?

Children–? [a flicker of confusion; that's an absurd thing to accuse on any level--]

It is not. [a fast, heavy breath.] Keith Anyan, all we have ever wanted was our chance to live freely, with dignity. No matter what we did, where we went, those chances were taken from us without any chance for protest, for compromise.

That last thing I want for anyone is more pain.

But what it led to was this. That's the nature of the Mu. No matter what, you are a threat to Superior Domination and all of humanity.

[Was that some anger flickering in his eyes for a moment? It's gone now. He goes back to looking disinterested.]

Your people may have escaped thanks to your noble efforts, but they won't last much longer.

[leaning forward a bit, as though that'll make that flicker resurface, make it more than a blip on a screen.

his brow knits, searching, trying to put that into context.

Keith. Physis. the child – that child was unconscious, not a threat to anyone...a black bird, the barrel of a gun...things get muddled the further he goes.

..."noble efforts?"]

I won't let you harm them. Our Solider – Jomy Marcus Shin – won't let you harm them. Let us be, Keith...The humans abandoned that planet a long time ago!

[It's gone, and Keith says no more of what drives his own pain and anger. He merely speaks as if discussing the ever-rainy weather.]

You're talking about the past. Your people's time on Silvester 7 is done.

You're familiar with the Megiddo?

Megiddo? [confusion, mixed in with a rising outrage over this deadpan delivery of threats and...

Megiddo. wait–]

...Keith, what have you done? Y–[he bites off the sound, trying to grasp at a fragmented, hazy thought. Megiddo. a tree. a stranger – Mu stranger – in agony.]

You wouldn't know the name. It's a weapon that has been used on the Mu once before, I believe.

What have I done? I've carried out Mother's will. I'll continue when I return. Some Mu may have escaped their planet's destruction, but that won't last.

Keith, no. [hand to his temple, trying to press the images out or into focus.

fire and the barrel of a gun. Keith. and Physis.]

Do you think to stop me with words, Soldier Blue?

[The smallest smile.]

[looking up with that SINGLE PERFECT TEAR because shojo mangaka.]

It won't be my words, will it? It won't be me at all. But you will stop. [Jomy.]

Think that if you like. The dead should be allowed their delusions.

[well, that's the black bird. but Keith isn't part of that, is he?]

Both of us are still breathing, Keith.

A side effect of the Initiative's meddling. Unfortunate. They seem not to realize: the Mu will cause them more trouble than they're worth.

[dammit Keith.]

You'll never be so certain of that.

I am as certain of my view as you are of yours, Soldier Blue. You sacrificed your life for it; I would do the same for mine. There can be no peace between us.

The same is true of humanity and the Mu.

[an unsteady stare for a length.]

...My time here has shown otherwise. I can only hope there is time for you, too, to see it as well.

Hope is meaningless.

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