viii. video

[firstroar]

[he's in the process of tilting this device to its proper angle as this turns on, and only a beat passes before he stills, his expression drawn but placid.]

Should you find yourself, throughout all these wanderings in this world's time...standing at the very moment the United Earth's rule handed over to a computer, what do you believe you would do? If you know yourself well enough to know.

This precise moment is unknown to us. The chance is there. And it being so critical to everything about our current state... [a slight pause, mouth pressing into a thin line.]

I feel it something that needs consideration among us.

[another beat, and he shifts to turn the public feed off.]



[private filter to CABLE begins directly after that click, and Blue settles a moment to collect his thoughts and stifle some apprehension.]

Cable. We have not spoken for a time...with all that has happened, I believe you would not find it so strange.

But I hope, as we are...kindred, in a sense, that I could speak to you. Of something I believe you to be particularly knowledgeable...and capable of.



[a beat. he nods faintly, ending the message and switching the feed to a private filter to RAIDEN:]

Raiden. May I speak with you? In regards to your world...and this one.



[another pause, and that message is closed.

after a few minutes of thought, he turns on a private filter to SOFIYA:]

Sofiya... [a hesitation.] I would like to speak to you again, should you have time.

Comments

[Video]

[explodewiththerage]

[That kind of scenario has only one possible answer in Natsu's head.]

I'd blow it up so hard nothing but charred pieces and puddles of metal would be left.

Voice

[wilder]

At that precise moment?

[a pause]

Nothing, probably.

[firstroar]

[the precise kind of response he's braced himself for; Blue doesn't even blink.

mildly:] The people there, too?

[firstroar]

Utterly nothing?

[wilder]

Well yeah, what could I really do?

text.

[overclocking]

Are you asking what would become of the computer, or the people who handed it along?

That's two different things.

[firstroar]

Any number of things, all depending on who you are, what you believe, and what moves you to do anything.

[firstroar]

More than two. It's a great risk, with a lot at stake. But the question is what would anyone do, standing at that moment.

[wilder]

Not really, from where I'm sitting.

I mean, I could try to destroy the computer that'll take over- or maybe even the guys who made that choice. Buuut at that point? It's too late. Their minds are made up. Even if I was successful, they'd just do it again later.

[firstroar]

[a hesitation. he wants to smile, but does not.]

They would be dead. You mean to say others would pick up where others left off, then?

[explodewiththerage]

Huh? Why would I blow up the people when smashing that computer thing is all it takes?

[While he may be destructive in nature, he doesn't take life as a trifling matter. Which is why he doesn't kill any of his enemies. Usually they either get arrested or killed by other people without him even knowing.]

[text]

[legal_eagle]

[She debates a moment, but then decides text is the best way to go.]

You know, my friends call me Sonya.

[firstroar]

It may not be all that it takes. Machines can be rebuilt, should there be willing hands to build them.

[wilder]

Well yeah. No idea like that comes from a completely isolated situation. It had to come from somewhere. So I'm sure there were others who thought it was a good idea too.

[firstroar]

[a hesitation, reading that. feeeelings.

but he'll happily oblige text and turn that video off.]

May I as well, then?

[firstroar]

[the slightest of nods.]

From a lengthy history.

[explodewiththerage]

Then I smash the next one they build and the next one and the next one after that until they figure out that no matter how many of em they build I'll still smash it.

[He might knock a few heads against each other along the way so maybe the piling concussions will also remove that idea from their minds.]

[firstroar]

[a beat. shonen hero logic...]

No matter how long it took?

[wilder]

Right. A very lengthy history that made them decide that power should be taken out of the hands of man. Which says a lot, if you know anything about how much nobles and leaders like having power.

I mean, it'd be really nice if it was simple as taking out the bad machine and people who did that in a single moment, but...if it was? We wouldn't be here.

[firstroar]

[+5 affinity] Many may not know. The lengths at which people in power will go to keep their power, that is. We're all from many scattered worlds and lives, after all...we are rarely of one mind, even in strife.

[explodewiththerage]

[Excuse you, the BEST logic!]

Yeah. It's not like these things grow on trees anyway so it'd be a while till they build the next one anyway. People can get really fed up of doing the same thing over and over again if it also takes them a long time to do it. I know that's how it is for me.

[wilder]

Yeah, you got a point there. It does seem like we can't do anything without several rounds of debate first.

Why'd you ask this?

[legal_eagle]

I wouldn't be bringing it up if it weren't an invitation...I'm mean, but not that mean. ;)

[overclocking]

[ A long pause before another reply comes; opted for text in the first place because it allows him more time to think before owing anyone a response. ]

That's the case with everything we do, even when we're just doing supply runs. We're altering the past.

... Did something happen, or is this just food for thought?

[firstroar]

[the faintest of mouth twitches. he wants to smile, but.]

How would that impact this time we are in now, you think?