Author |
Message |
weatherwax
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:01 am |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2003 12:00 am Posts: 2825
WLM: [email protected]
Location: Wishing I was not in Kansas anymore
|
There is a noticable pause from the Codex, as if it seems confused:
I detect multiple questions, most not referencing the "search for Jason" request. Do you wish me to answer these questions?
As for the Companion Jason Dubois -- it appears that he was in the fleet, but is now is marked as 'deceased' on all official records.
***
The rectangular door slides open in front of Richard. An alien stands in the doorframe, suit matching his, skin a pale blue.
"I am so very sorry it took so long for me to arrive," the alien says, stepping forward and stretching out a hand as Richard stumbles back. "All of the new arrivals are waking, and we've been making preperations. This will take just a moment."
There is a moment of silence as Richard feels the alien gently probe his mind.
"Oh dear, oh dear," the alien tsks. "They HAVE turned you in circles, haven't they? Oh, this is the part that I hate." It seems to sigh inwardly. "You may be, shall we say, in pain when I am finished. All emotional, I'm afraid. The very worst kind. I am very sorry."
Richard feels a gentle massaging in his brain that slowly grows to the feeling of tiny pinpricks in his mind, like a limb that's fallen to sleep. It fills him, growing more and more intense until he begins to whimper. Suddenly, the pricks stop, and Richard is empty. The link he had with his 'masters' is gone. He is alone with his thoughts, and his thoughts are his own.
"Do you wish to come with me, or do you need time alone?"
Last edited by weatherwax on Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:11 am, edited 1 time in total.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CCC
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:22 am |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Wed May 15, 2002 12:00 am Posts: 11381
|
Not just yet thinks Cecil, trying to quiet down his mind a little. I'm... not used to this mental interface yet.
He puts the Codex down, and looks around the room. He takes a few moments to carefully consider what he wants to know, ordering it by importance.
...official records, it said. Cecil knows how little official records and reality often have to do with each other. And does that mean...
Cecil picks up the codex again. With a deep breath, he temporarily suppresses the rest of his question in order to ask the most important one:
Codex! Are your inputs and/or responses recorded in some manner?
|
|
|
|
|
Stan Cold
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 10:55 am |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:13 am Posts: 2604
AOL: [email protected]
Location: Somewhere doing something.
|
Richard begins feeling a plethora of emotions. Rage manifests.
"Great! I'm out of the control of a group of aliens and am now in the custody of another group of aliens. No, don't tell me, you're the good guys, r-right? Because the other guys gave off that impression t-too."
Then sadness. "Thirty years of my life, it's 'get g-good grades, get a nice job, you'll be happy'. Then fffffor four days, it's 'enslave people, k-k-kill the rest, then you'll be happy'. It's always sssssociety's happiness, t-t-terrestrial or otherwise, thhhat comes first. Wh-why is it never Richard's happiness, hm?"
Then, in a calm, solemn voice, he asks, "I-is there a ch-chance thhhhey have have her?"
|
|
|
|
|
weatherwax
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:30 am |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2003 12:00 am Posts: 2825
WLM: [email protected]
Location: Wishing I was not in Kansas anymore
|
The Codex replies cheerfully:
My information is uploaded by a team specially created to provide all human Companions with the knowledge they need to understand and enjoy their new society and life! It is regularly updated every day, tweaked and pinched and pulled so that the information I provide you is as current as is possible! So I suppose I am indeed a 'record.' Do you know the human encyclopedia? Think of me as this noble, though lacking, attempt to house knowledge. Of course my knowledge is more vast and accurate than what mere humans could collect!
***
The alien mulls over what Richard says.
"By 'she,' and from the memories I've gleaned -- please forgive my intrusion, but they sometimes float to the surface when Controlled are released -- I believe you are talking about a woman named Bonnie? Hmmm."
The alien exudes discomfort.
"You -- you're head was quite turned by them -- you must realize that your Bonnie was most likely Culled at the beginning of the experiment you took part in. The same night that you were Controlled. If she was not among the Marked -- she wasn't, was she -- than she was Culled. The Researchers you see, they tell the Controlled things that they -- well, Controlled have more, ah, control of their own minds than the Researchers wish to admit, and without the happy lies..."
The alien seems to shuffle his feet.
"Can I -- provide something nourishing for you? I can also give physical comfort in the form of a 'hug' or a 'shoulder to cry on' if this is your wish."
|
|
|
|
|
CCC
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:13 pm |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Wed May 15, 2002 12:00 am Posts: 11381
|
This time, Cecil puts the Codex down before thinking over the answer.
Avoided the question. Right. So the answer is almost certainly 'yes'. Must be careful what I ask, then.
He thinks this over for a bit.
On the other hand, I'm totally out of my element at the moment.
Cecil picks the Codex up again, and thinks, as clearly as he can, Codex! Can you describe this new society? Is there a suitable standard introductory text?
|
|
|
|
|
Stan Cold
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 12:36 pm |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:13 am Posts: 2604
AOL: [email protected]
Location: Somewhere doing something.
|
Richard stands still for a moment, then quickly wraps his arms around the man. A few seconds pass and Richard releases. "That d-d-doesn't leave this rrroom." Richard wipes off some tears and asks, "So, uh, was thhhere annnnything else you n-needed to t-tell me?"
|
|
|
|
|
weatherwax
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 2:03 pm |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2003 12:00 am Posts: 2825
WLM: [email protected]
Location: Wishing I was not in Kansas anymore
|
The blue alien hugs Richard tightly until the human man lets him go.
It will stay between us, don't worry he says.
As for more to say, we plan on gathering all new members of our organisation in the canteen once everyone awakens. A little nourishment and a quick explanation of where you are and what, exactly, is going on, and then we will go from there.
Until then, please feel free to use the Codex he points to the pallet Or watch the monitor. Oh, and I apologize about the Codex. We use the Board sanctioned version because it is the most thorough in general information, but it is edited with a certain -- hmmm, superiority slant, and some information is censored or modified. Please feel free to ask if you think something you read on there is suspect.
The alien heads for the door.
Oh! Ah, also, my name is feelingyouhavewhenyourheartisfullandthesunsareshiningandtheskyisdeepblueandgreenand purpleandcolorfillsyoursoul
(pause, retranslate)
Gil.
Last edited by weatherwax on Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:17 pm, edited 1 time in total.
|
|
|
|
|
Ruan
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:10 pm |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Wed Sep 01, 2004 12:00 am Posts: 6868
AOL: RuanalHallen
Location: What matter wounds? For each time he falls, he shall rise again and woe to the wicked!
|
Feeling refreshed, Tom heads over to the little pallet device sitting on the table. After turning it in his hands for a moment, his hands brush against the screen. He relaxes on his bed and starts reading. Topics of interest include alien species such as those he has seen, factions within them, and the reason behind the 'werewolf' game on Earth.
|
|
|
|
|
weatherwax
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:21 pm |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2003 12:00 am Posts: 2825
WLM: [email protected]
Location: Wishing I was not in Kansas anymore
|
The Codex pauses, then a thrumming beat fills Cecil's head. He rather gets the feeling that some sweeping, epic score should be playing, but there is no music. Just the thrumming beat as the Codex begins, bright, colorful pictures accompanying the British voice:
Pictures flash on the screen: a flower-like space station; a space station with tentacle-like protrusions; many, many ships of all shapes and sises.
Welcome new Companion to our humble community RESEARCH AND RAW MATERIAL AQUISITION SITE 319! RARMAS 319 is a long term research and raw material acquisition colony settled by thosewhoareintellectuallysuperiortootherspeciesofthehomeplanet (retranslate) Patiae, a race of beings that evolved on and call home the planet (translate) Axel.
A blue and green and brown planet melts into a small, triangular ship.
Many cycles ago, 647 Earth years to be precise, 300 researchers on one lonely ship (Questa) set up shop at the edge of the Sol System. They built the first six levels of Main Station and prepared it just in time for the first colonists. Over the centuries RARMAS grew...and grew...and GREW! From humble beginnings, we are now a self-sustaining colony.
The Iris-head shaped station appears, flashing with images of shops, clean walkways, a great domed ceiling showing the stars, a stern Board of aliens.
Main Station is our central hub: cosmopolitan; chic. The Research Board is housed there, as are the Central Commerce District, the Main Research Labs, the University of Science and Technology, the Codex archives and a population of 35,268.
The tentacled station appears, followed by images of colorful parks, statues, humans mingling with Patiae.
Perhaps the bohemian lifestyle is more your fancy. Station Two is the local for you! This is the home of the Arts District, the Monitor Studios, the University of Arts, Education, Philosophy and Anthropology and a population of 15,891.
The many, many ships appear on screen again, with images of fields, machinery in factories, hard-hatted Patiae.
Is it a slower life you wish to lead? One filled with fulfilling work? Then perhaps you wish to become part of the Fleet! Home of the agriculture ships, the extraction ships, the mining ships, the rendering ships and the production ships. Our fleet of 56 ships holds a population of 49, 759 busy, hard-working Patiae.
A picture of a shining, silver Patia gazing from the bridge of a ship at Axel merges with a swirl of color.
Three hundred years after the colony was established, our First Researcher made the bold move of breaking from the home planet. Axel welcomed RARMAS 319's independence, and we are now a shining beacon of self-sustainability in the far reaches of space!
Many humans of all races flash on the screen.
But where do YOU come in, Companion? Well, it all began when the Researchers sent the first probe to what we came to know as Earth 550 years ago. Imagine our surprise to find YOU there, Companion! Beautiful and child-like, we came to love the Humans, wishing to know more, to study, to learn, and of course to teach. We observed your kind in the wild, discovered who among your people were worthy to come among ours and brought those worthy souls to the Stations and Fleet to be our Companions! We now have 4,674 Companions being nurtured on RARMAS 319 as we speak. They are your peers, your compatriots, your fellow students on this journey that ends with the elevation of all of Humanity.
The Iris-shaped Main station appears on the screen again.
So welcome to RARMAS, Companion! Welcome to your new home, and welcome to your new life!
Last edited by weatherwax on Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
|
|
|
|
|
weatherwax
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 3:25 pm |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Fri Apr 04, 2003 12:00 am Posts: 2825
WLM: [email protected]
Location: Wishing I was not in Kansas anymore
|
Tom receives the same shpeel as Cecil. When Tom asks about the experiment on Earth, his Codex pauses, then replies:
There is no such experiment on Earth. All Earth experiments are preformed with the utmost civility and the elevation of humanity in mind.
|
|
|
|
|
balthazar
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:13 pm |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:57 pm Posts: 4102
Location: Currently on expedition.
|
Jason's voice once more fills Cecil's head.
This is all very interesting, but we have bigger issues at hand. Like where we are, what we're doing here, and how to get out.
|
|
|
|
|
AlternateTorg
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:31 pm |
|
Member of the Fraternal Order of the Emergency Pants |
|
Offline |
Joined: Mon Dec 15, 2003 12:00 am Posts: 2994
|
The light slowly creeps into the young woman's eyes. María rakes the hair out of her face, rubs her eyes groggily, and pushes herself up to a sitting position. She is around 24 years old, 5'4", with dark eyes and dark ringlets of hair cascading around her face, which is paler than one expect from her bloodline. She squints her eyes as her vision begins to clear.
Where am I? How did I get here? she ponders. She struggles to remember: dashing home from the bodega in the rain, backpack slung over her shoulder, then seeing... lights? Lights in the sky? She thought it was a plane at first, but then saw it move in ways that planes don't. She was so distracted that she got clipped by a guy on a bike, cutting her forearm. She peels back the sleeve to look at it. The cut is gone. Did I dream it? But that wouldn't explain how I got here, unless I'm still dreaming...
She stands and looks down at the rest of her clothing, and frowns in dismay. It's very tight-fitting and accentuates, well, everything, good and bad. James would say I have no bad features, she thinks, smiling fondly. He'd love this thing.
The thought of her husband snaps her brain back into focus. How long have I been out? James is probably worried sick about me. She shakes her head. THINK, she commands herself. REMEMBER. What happened next? After the bike, I looked back up, and... She struggled past the fog still clearing from her mind. The light was... brighter? Bigger? No, closer. Then suddenly it was everywhere, then... nothing. That's all she can remember before waking up here. She looks around the room, which seems right out of a sci-fi movie... or an insane asylum. Ay, por favor, she pleads internally, let me not be crazy. The sounds in her head--no, voices--are not reassuring in that regard. She does her best to filter them out for the moment and focus on her surroundings. Her eyes fall on the monitor above the table. She examines it, looking for controls.
|
|
|
|
|
CCC
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 4:54 pm |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Wed May 15, 2002 12:00 am Posts: 11381
|
Jason. thinks Cecil, putting the Codex down so that it does not try to respond. Is that really you, or is that my memory of you speaking in my head? Am I just unable to accept that you are dead? Am I experiencing some sort of mental hallucination?
I looked you up, by the way. Official records say you are dead. So surely this must be some sort of hallucination that I am experiencing here.
Threaded faintly through these thoughts are a few undercurrents that Cecil cannot yet keep out of his thoughts. Undercurrents of unsecured communication. Undercurrents of the walls have ears. Of secrecy and subterfuge, of care taken and of a great, overwhelming caution. Even more so after what he'd just heard from the Codex.
|
|
|
|
|
Stan Cold
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:01 pm |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Sun Jun 14, 2009 10:13 am Posts: 2604
AOL: [email protected]
Location: Somewhere doing something.
|
"Rrrrichard. Richard Rrrroberts. Reporter. W-well, used to b-be anyway."
|
|
|
|
|
balthazar
|
Post Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 5:12 pm |
|
|
Offline |
Joined: Wed Feb 25, 2009 10:57 pm Posts: 4102
Location: Currently on expedition.
|
It's really me, and I'm am reasonably confident that I'm not dead. We both know how accurate official records are. Open your mind if you don't believe me. I'm in a room similar to yours, but I don't know where I am relative to you.
|
|
|
|
|
|