exsilium | video;

[ 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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

They could at least stand to be a little more discerning. It doesn't serve their purpose - or image - well to bring in children, for instance.

I agree with you there. There's no reason to have child soldiers, regardless of their power or experience. [You haven't been here long, bro, but some of these kids are hardcore.]

[ He's used to superpowered kids from home - hell, he was one - but any young heroes became so of their own volition ok 8( ]

For that matter, they've proven to be remarkably disorganized, even if the situation is as dire as they say. If anything, that should be all the more reason to act carefully.

I could understand a few slip ups here and there if this so-called war of theirs was raging on, but... [Just shaking her head.] It's a disgrace.

'If' it was raging on?

The only attacks on the city have been from their own civilians, or the Initiative's stupidity. We fight by being sent into the past to change events.

I know war; this isn't quite it.

[ Whoa hold up. ]

Time travel?

[A smirk.] Time travel.

[ After this apparent dimension travel, it's not totally unbelievable, but still. ]

A war to change the present by changing the past. [ He...can't say he likes the sound of that. ] Presumptuous.

If it works... [Of course there's that whole moral argument about changing the past, but if she could do it back home, you bet she would have.] We've already begun changing things.

Well in any case, it'd be foolish of me to comment on their methods when I don't know enough about their situation as of yet.

[ Hnn. ]

You mentioned that the civilians have previously attacked?

They rioted after they started getting sick. [A humorless chuckle.] And blamed us and the Initiative for it.

[ Oh. Of course. ]

There's discrimination against transports?

There was. [She pauses, because this is really odd to explain, but:] After our mission back in time, which was successful, things changed. The civilians have no idea about the riots because... They didn't happen to them.

[ He's going to have to brush up on his physics, isn't he. ]

Was that the only change?

[Yup. Enjoy that.]

New stores were added, I got several movies made and books written about me. [Seriously. She did. It's kind of rad.] A ruined garden appeared outside of the city. Small things, really.

[ THAT SOUNDS KIND OF RAD maybe there's hope to rebuild his reputation after all. ]

That doesn't sound very small. I can imagine how your newfound fame might've worked to improve sentiment towards us transports.

[A grin.] I've had fame before; all it gets you is someone else coming to your doorstep and telling you to fix their problems, please, or they'll withhold something important that you might need or want.