video;

[keep_smiling]

[Exsilium might not be expecting to see a smiling face on their network so soon after the battle, but that's what you get with this guy being among your ranks. He gives the camera a little wave.]

Hello! Is everyone recovering from the battle? It's good that the Initiative can resurrect people, don't you think? Otherwise that would have turned out rather badly.

Anyway, I wanted to say thanks to the people who tried to come to the rescue of my world. If we've not met, I'm Elmer C. Albatross, the person who was sent back. After what happened, it might be hard to think about this positively. But there's a few things we can take to heart! Like the fact that people can be ressurrected, or that while one world may have been taken over, it probably wasn't your world, and you might still be able to return to your own someday!

As for mine, well... Not much can be done about that, now. I suppose Exsilium is my home, now. The friends I was travelling with are like me, so they'll survive no matter what. I just hope someday things will return to normal there, so the survivors can find reasons to smile again! You're all still here, fellow transports, so I hope you continue to smile on as well!

Comments

[curatesecrets]

Elmer--!

[it's more a gasp of surprise and relief than anything else. Artie grabs his tablet and drags it into view, so Elmer can see him sitting at a desk - but not what he's working on]

You're alright. I --

[he scrubs a hand over his face. he'd gone into that mess because Elmer was one of the first people to welcome him. because he felt obligated as a comrade. and he'd brought Claudia with him, and ...

how could he still be smiling after what happened?]

-- I'm so sorry we couldn't ...

[keep_smiling]

I am! Really, I'll survive anything. If you need to worry, worry about the other people who fought and lost. But you shouldn't worry anyway, you should smile to help them feel better sooner!

There wasn't much to be done. I don't think we realized how powerful the United Earth really is.

[curatesecrets]

You're right, we didn't. [he sighs, heavily. no, Elmer, he's not about to smile, not after everything that's happened. but at that last remark, all he can think of is how MacPherson brought chaos to his Warehouse, and nearly destroyed it]

... People can always surprise you, even if you don't think you're underestimating them at the time. We'll just have to learn more. And be more prepared next time.

[keep_smiling]

Exactly. Preparation, planning and teamwork are more important now than ever. We can't let this happen again!

[curatesecrets]

We absolutely can't. Are there ever any tactical meetings, gatherings to assess strengths and weaknesses, some sort of debriefing?

[keep_smiling]

I remember hearing about them in the past, but to be honest, I hadn't paid much attention to them. I'm not much of a soldier. However, now I'd really like to participate, so I need to find out!

[curatesecrets]

[now he'd like to participate? Artie raises one bushy eyebrow] Isn't that a little like closing the barn door after the horses are out?

[keep_smiling]

No. As I said, we need to prevent this from happening again. I also believe that if we help the Initiative refine their technology, maybe someday we can fix the past in my world like they're trying to do in this one. I need to work harder than ever, now!

[curatesecrets]

That's a good point, Elmer. And you're right. I was on board with this before, but having seen what these people are capable of... now I definitely am.

Are you gonna be okay?

[keep_smiling]

I'm glad to hear that! Now we just need to get as many other people on board as we can, too. People are dispirited now, so it might be difficult.

And yes, I will. Thanks.

[curatesecrets]

I've never been the biggest expert in morale, but! ... I'll do what I can.

Let me know if you need anything, okay? I'll, uh - I'll be around.