Video

[tergiversant]

[The video feed this morning has multiple purposes. Initially it was a simple test, to see if the illusion he'd cast broadcast to the network. It failed, instead, showing a young looking man sitting in the Observation Deck on the moon, face half obscured by his fan. But mostly, this is for information. His tone is arrogant and movements slow and measured.]

I wish to pose two queries to thee.

Firstly, I wish to know what of the enemy thou hast unearthed below. I hath read accounts of war and organization, accounts of those of less human appearance treated within the tenants of fear. Leaving aside such debates upon the validity and consequence of tampering with what hath passed in the mires of one's regret and defeat, tis a great number of conversations upon the future and past, but a dearth of those of the present. I assume such, that thine situation remains bleak, and that the project vile and untoward may have continued... But little of the new face of our enemy.

This world, which hath changed so wild and bitterly from the squalor and civilization it had boasted... do we still have a capable enemy who still strikes at our worlds afar? What sayeth the people below?

Tis true, to attack boldly is suicide. Tis true, spying without knowledge as a guard is suicide. However tis true, to jab wildly at the past at an enemy we dost not understand ... tis foolishness and absurdity. Tis possible we may not have a war that concerns us.

Corrections of this, these assumptions, art most welcome.

[He pauses, folding his fan to tap it at his chin.]

Secondly, tis thus: I desire to speak with one most practiced in the art or pedagogy of science. I hath researched soundly the foundational elements and request to employ an expert in 'chemistry' and 'genetics.'


(OOC NOTE: Rufus Barma is a ridiculous creature who speaks in deliberately archaic mannerisms! BUT, if OOCLY you'd like a plain English version, just mention it in the subject line!)

Comments

[totallytrustworthy]

So you never had the chance to see Exsilium as it was. [There's no maliciousness or snobbery involved. It's a simple question while she tries to get an idea of who he is and why he might maintain the stance that he does. ]

[tergiversant]

From what I hath read and understood, the world gone were not particularly idyllic, either in condition, state nor governance.

[There's little emotion as he says it, merely stating the facts as he sees them, though he watches her with some degree of attentiveness.]

[totallytrustworthy]

No. A bloody nightmare might summarize it accurately, though newfound freedom without some sort of structure might prove to be equally as horrid.

[tergiversant]

Indeed. I hath, after long consideration, deemed the most appealing end to this affair twould to be dissolve both organizations, and their knowledge at its roots. And as the last of us leaves, to remove even thy machine from this world.

[Of course, removing their knowledge would mean ample time for him to study it himself. But details.]

[totallytrustworthy]

Erasing both entirely would mean erasing lives-- you do know that, right?

[tergiversant]

How many hath ye already birthed and killed? Even in thy penance of mutinous acts, such little steps move what had been not before. Even so, beyond such a simple scope of the city which doth or at times, doth not, reside below.

Upon a world wide scale, each time ye place thine foot upon the wire of time, ye shake off some and make room for others more. Those who would not have met before do, and those who make some happiness now shalt be torn asunder by even the tiniest movement.

Nay, when one plays chess, one must not pity the pawn.

Nor underestimate him.

[totallytrustworthy]

We're all pawns, mate. Just because the transporter doesn't outright affect us doesn't mean we've got a right to go bushing off the shit decisions that we go about making.

[Still, she can't deny the knowledge that eventually they're going to need to unravel just about every last original strand this world has to offer. And if their Initiative staff last long enough to see that through-- if they actually make it that far without being erased-- they can't be left alone with that sort of power. It'd drive the poor bastards mad in a heartbeat.]

[tergiversant]

Ye were taking measure of mine resolve, not posing a question of morality. Let us not play upon it.

Tis true, decisions made without thought and understanding shall sow disaster behind it at worst, and mediocrity at best. In this, we have an accord.

[totallytrustworthy]

Good. [Call it her first priority, making sure they're on the same page in that respect. ]

So as for the rest of it, there are no guarantees. We don't know what the United Earth is up to, but assuming they're less than what they once were-- well, it'd be a sure fire way to get ourselves wiped off the map faster than we can blink.