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[ex_bandai157]

[ Hello, fellow transports. Tonight when you check your networks, enjoy a look at one of your newest, a serious-looking man (flippy blond hair notwithstanding) with a politely neutral expression. ]

If it isn't too much trouble, I'd like to ask a few questions. While the woman providing the introductions was enthusiastic enough, her explanations were somewhat lacking. For instance, how many people are here in Exsilium right now, and how many are fellow transports? I understand there's a war going on - in that case, what kind of organized armed forces exist in this city? I'd assume there's a system in place to protect civilians or those unwilling to fight, but [ a bit of that politeness slips out of his tone ] please correct me if something so obvious hasn't been attended to.

[ He reaches to turn off the feed, but pauses as if remembering something, and straightens again with a friendlier look and a half self-deprecating sort of tone (all affected of course, with the ease of someone used to putting on a public face). ]

My apologies, it's rude to ask questions without giving any answers. My name is Barnaby Brooks Jr. Additionally, I'd like to hear from anyone familiar with me, whether personally or from Hero TV.

Comments

[whatsupcroc]

Hero TV? What kind of network is that?

[ex_bandai157]

[ Oh, it's you. MISSING THE POINT AS USUAL gosh. ]

It's a television program about heroes.

[whatsupcroc]

You're on it?

[ Pause; ]

You're a hero?!

[ex_bandai157]

That's right. In fact, until my recent retirement, I was the King of Heroes.

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[fortissimos]

I don't think there is a system. At least, I haven't heard about one. [ While she hasn't been here for long, it's still kind of concerning. Not everyone can fight well enough to protect themselves.

A pause. ] What's Hero TV?

[ It sounds cool :c ]

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[ex_bandai157]

I see. Thank you for your help.

[ Seriously, the number of children here is just as concerning, and it really doesn't endear the Initiative to him. ]

It's a TV program taped and aired in my city. [ A little bit ruefully ] It's very popular there, though it'd seem that it's not as well-known amongst my fellow transports. It's a little disappointing, I have to admit.

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[fortissimos]

[ Bringing dumb teenagers into a warzone is never a good idea, but alas. ]

It sounds kind of cool, though. [ Like one of those things where the heroes always win with flair and style, instead of surviving by the skin of their teeth every time. ] You're on it, right? What's it like?

[ She's assuming he's probably some kind of big star if people would recognize him from it. ]

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[ex_bandai157]

[ He doesn't quite say it is cool, and he's a little divorced from the time when he might have, but he's happy to explain it anyway to someone curious. ]

That's right, I am. It's a show that follows the heroes of Sternbild City as they fight crime, with each episode typically being about a particular operation - for instance, a bank robbery. The heroes are scored based on the quality of their participation, and at the end of the season, the hero with the most points is declared the King of Heroes.

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[onemoredeath]

I believe there are over a hundred transports now in this city. The citizens number in around fifty thousand, more or less. There is no standing army besides us, no real protections in place outside of a few guards and us, and those unwilling or unable to fight were given weapons to balance out their lack of skills.

[ A tight smile; he looks like he's sitting some where outside among some dense vegetation. ]

Welcome to the end of Earth, where those willing to fight are left to die while the rest of the world turns mindless.

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[ex_bandai157]

[ Answers, excellent. Don't mind him as he takes a moment to note that down, near expressionless. ]

Thank you.

[ Even just knowing that the woman had been telling the truth, potentially, is good information to have. ]

It sounds like you have information on our apparent enemy, as well. What do you mean by turning mindless?

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[onemoredeath]

The United Earth is a totalitarian government that have a select few in power while the rest of the world remains locked in drudgery. From what I have heard and read, it seems that they have little entertainment and far too many laws to actually be allowed to breathe even in their sleep.

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[ex_bandai157]

Ah. So what we're meant to be fighting is a dictatorship.

[ He says this dispassionately, just assessing it as yet another factor to their situation, and writes it down before pausing with his pen poised just above the page.

It makes a good fairy tale, doesn't it, swearing to be the good ones while forcibly drafting unrelated people while talking about the evil oppressors they're just trying to fight. It could, conceivably, be enough to convince some or even many people to go along with the situation, especially if there's a promise to be sent home - if they win, of course. Even if it is true, he has no intention of taking it at face value.

He glances back at the camera, tilting his head to the side a little. ]

The Initiative has been very forthcoming with details about our situation, it would seem.

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[beingrepressed]

Hello Barnaby! I'm Merlin, and I'd welcome you to Exsilium but I don't think most people are terribly happy about being here. You seem to be handling it rather well, though.

I, ah... don't think there are any armed forces except for us transports here. Or I haven't seen any, at least. [He gives a sheepish smile.] Haven't seen any safe houses or the like, either.

You're a hero, then? Like a knight?

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[ex_bandai157]

That's alright. [ A little ruefully, like 'what can you do?' ] I appreciate the sentiment.

[ A hero needs to be prepared for any situation is what he finds himself thinking even now, if with a hint of real wryness. ]

Then the situation would appear to be as dire as was impressed upon us. [ That or this Initiative is just all kinds of unprepared, which he'd believe too at this point. ] Forgive the personal question, but how long have you been here?

[ He pauses, not having thought of that comparison before, but nods after a moment. ]

Yes, and I suppose it's similar in principle.

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[beingrepressed]

It's no trouble, really.

Seems that way, yes. Most of the people here are of the opinion that they're merely incompetent but I haven't seen any forces to imply that they have enough men to even take care of their own. [He's not sure what to think, here. Maybe a combination of both?] Ah, not very long, I'm afraid. Just over a week.

[That gets an excited grin out of him.]

Glad to hear it. We could always use less pompous gits in our midst.

video; MERLIN NO......

[ex_bandai157]

[ AWKWARD...LY....LAUGHS? ]

I'm sure that's always a benefit no matter where you are.

[perfectionisms]

They sent a TV star? [ Pardon the skepticism... or not. ]

[ex_bandai157]

[ Do you want a trading card of him, Franziska? ]

So it would seem. But considering they limited themselves to bringing just one person from my city here, they made the right choice.

[ Does he really think that? Well, he certainly sounds like it. ]

[perfectionisms]

[ No, thank you. If you play a samurai, please send it to my little brother. ]

Why? Because you had more awards than that other guy?

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[twiceadays]

Armed forces? [Shepard chuckles.] You've just joined them, but good luck on the organization part. [A pause.] One of us, another transport, has tried to get us to be more organized, but she... Wasn't exactly what you would call "inspiring". [Which is the truth. Too abrasive.]

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[ex_bandai157]

[ That is not very promising. ]

Inspiring or not - that doesn't matter as much as effectiveness. Is she still here now?

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[twiceadays]

[Not at all.]

She's still here. [A beat and then a smirk plants itself on her face.] I don't know about you, but I don't tend to think that anyone who can't inspire as a leader can really be all that effective. People didn't respond to her. I'd say it wasn't effective. [She goes quiet for a moment.] The Initiative isn't all that inspiring either.

[video]

[chisonooggi]

What's Hero TV? Is that something from the Coliseum? [Oh man she cannot get more excited.]

[video]

[ex_bandai157]

It's probably not what you're thinking of, judging from the fact that most of the people here don't seem familiar with it. Anyway, I'm not familiar with any Coliseums, sorry.

[video]

[chisonooggi]

There's not a lot of people here from the same worlds, so I guess you're right. I thought it was with the Olympus Coliseum. It's where the fight to be heroes!