Nebula, day 14, voice

[voidtreckermods]

Some Voidtreckers have provided feedback and suggestions. One question that occurs often is about them. The old crew, the voidtreckers who came before.

It is difficult to answer such questions. There were many and they were varied. They are gone. Find them. FIND THEM.

[There seems to be some static, all the ICPs flicker. But it's only a moment and then...]

Much of the data from before is incomplete, scrambled. Some was salvageable. The best people to learn about voidtreckers from are voidtreckers themselves.

[A series of voice clips and video clips play, one after another in a random order. Though they remain, on the train log, for people to watch later.

Vian Tail
Xela Istrola
Ave Sill
Kiel Tretin]

(OOC: This entry is reply-able to though it is tag amongst yourselves if your characters wish to react.)

Comments

[wewillwewill]

I would like to hear everyone's thoughts on what I have to say, particularly those who have interacted with Anan or those related to this Void Ministry. But I have one piece of advice to offer.

Until we are more certain of matters, we do not speak of the depth of our knowledge to outsiders, particularly what was learned today.

Especially to other Voidtreckers, no matter how trusted. Make your inquiries but be discreet.

[namethattune]

Agreed.

That said, I believe it is past time we started leveraging the connections we have instead of hoping to find fellow void travelers on our next mission. Perhaps we could devise a way to connect with Anan and her crew.

[wewillwewill]

I've had thoughts on this matter myself. It would be beneficial if we were able to leave or send messages, though not at the expense of being traced. I suppose this would be a matter for the Orange Team and other scientists.

[Not to say Elidibus can't find a way to help, but when it comes to inventions and experiments...]

[blitzcheer]

[ He looks to the side, his vidoe feed on, but- ]

Long as we don't stop trying to find a way off this train, or getting a better deal about our situation. But how quiet are we supposed to be about what happened with the train and its old crew? Anan already knows.

[ Far as he can recall. ]

[wewillwewill]

I'm interested in hearing more of what Anan may already know. And more about Anan or her own companions in general.

[There is a small pause. He's studying Tidus... well, the Tidus that appears on the video screen anyway.]

I don't suggest this lightly. It may be Anan is a trusted confidant; I have met her but once. But whom she may trust or those she may be compelled to pass the details of this train onto remain a mystery to me. The powers that govern oft react differently to circumstances such as are. There may well be those that seek to aid us or unravel the mystery. But there will be many who seek to exploit us, this train and its power. Or through us, seek to possess the knowledge of the Voidtrecker Express's previous crew.

We can't gain knowledge by being silent. But we can control how much we show our cards. At the top of this list, I recommend no mention of the names tied to these videos, particularly if they've not come up in conversation before.

[blitzcheer]

[ Tidus doesn't keep his eyes on the video feed the entire time; looking sideways now and then, his arms folded across his stomach. Not looking entirely happy, but more thoughtful in a less patient way.

But even so- ]

Fine, I don't mind keeping names secret. But if there's a chance we can speak to anyone about what's going on, Ministry or whoever, I don't wanna pass that up. Trust me, I haven't had the best time with higher-ups either, but we're still on a train that picks people up and does what it wants - and so far, all it's been doing is taking us on missions, and nothing else!

I don't wanna hold back 'cause of what ifs.

[wewillwewill]

[Elidibus smiles faintly.]

I would be pleased to place my considerable skill to the task of speaking with the Ministry and others. Rest assured, I want to know this story's origins as well. I will not be remiss in my efforts.

[blitzcheer]

Cool. I'm over being worried about what'll happen if we leave a trail or get found, you know? People know we're out here. If there's a real problem, well - let's find it out.

But we've got no way of doing anything, the way things are. And I'm not putting my trust in this train and what it says, or - acting like it isn't what it is, and it's a better option than anything else out there.

[ There's annoyance to that, a small flick of his chin. The train's a dumb!! ]

[wewillwewill]

[Was that amusement? Elidibus seems to express some sense of humor over Tidus's response but it also shows a sense of approval.]

A fair assessment. The train may not act with malice and it may not truly possess sentience, but I imagine it knows full well what it's doing on some level. Whatever a person's stake in this matter, no one should forget we were brought here against out wills.

[He sobers.]

I understand the impatience. But I caution you to think before each action no matter how eager. If for no more reason than there are worse prisons. Anyone capable of holding this train may well be capable of containing most of us. What you do, what any of us does may have consequences for us all.

[blitzcheer]

[ It's nice to hear that acknowledgement, as obvious of one as it may be. His expression still holds a serious edge to it, but softer in some ways. Not relenting, but a more sympathetic nature coming through as he brings a fist near his chest. ]

I know. But I've been here a long time, you know? Anything we do's got a risk to it, but seeing the way the train works... we can't be afraid and sit on our hands, even if that means coming face to face with the Void Ministry. I've heard the bad stuff - that it'll take apart the train, or they're stiff, not everyone likes them - but then, let's learn more about them, right? Let's find out what we can! Let's find out their deal too!

[ He shakes his head, a small gesture. ] I'll take anyone, but at this point - the train isn't right either. We need to tell it that. If it wants help, it's got to start working with us.

[wewillwewill]

Then we shall learn more.

[Elidibus is hardly advocating for complete withdrawal. But finding out more is certainly in order and preferably in a way that doesn't stir a hornet's nest of problems for the passengers before they can get any real information.]

As for communication with the train, if you know examples of what's been tried, I'd like to hear them.

[blitzcheer]

Using the feedback post is the easy one. Some people've tried- [ he waves his hand at his head ] --magic- mind talking powers? But I never heard about it doing any better than just using the feedback post. And it never answered that way either.

[ He gives a small shrug. ] I can tell you some of the stuff I've talked to it about, but I'd say tell it everything you want to.

[wewillwewill]

I will.

[Seems simple enough! At least in execution.]

I need to look into matters. If there's anything else you think of, you know how to contact me.

[motherofresistance]

I agree. We need to make inquiries when we can, but we need to be careful. Especially with electronic searches. The Void Ministry may be on the lookout for sudden spikes in certain subjects being searched for.

Sorry about missing this! Been working through my inbox. D:

[wewillwewill]

Indeed. It also goes without saying we are being monitored for better or worse. I'm surprised at the lack of any visible effort to contact us. Either the train is considerably skilled in avoiding detection even when stopping at places such as the amusement park or the governments are surprisingly silent.

I would prefer to know which.

Sokay, it happens. X3 I've been guilty of slowtagging myself lately.

[motherofresistance]

As someone who spent years working as part of an expansive governing body similar in scope to what the Ministry seems to be? It's most likely the latter. There's always something going on and things that aren't actively causing trouble tend to be less of a priority.

However they feel about us, we're not actively causing a disruption, so there isn't any especially pressing need to pursue us. But if that should change, or if we attract too much attention, it could quickly become a different story.

[wewillwewill]

Yes.

[Elidibus seems to be in agreement with Leia's perspective.]

It would also be useful to know whether they act to keep other interested parties away. Or if they do not act to keep some form of status quo. If we were to pursue our freedom and it turned out this path would threaten their existence, I'm certain this would change.

[It is said somewhat dryly. He's clearly experienced or witnessed such matters before. And thanks to the roster, he has a name check.]

Leia Skywalker Organa Solo. I would like to speak with you later on such governments, when you've the time.

[motherofresistance]

I'd like to know those things too, among a number of others.

Just Leia is fine, or Leia Organa if you need to add a surname; that's generally what I go by. And I'd be perfectly willing to talk about them, if you're interested. When would be convenient for you?

[wewillwewill]

Very well, Leia. I am Elidibus, though you may already be aware. As far as time, while I'm on the rotation for kitchen duties this month and I spend time with a student for the sake of his training, I'm otherwise available.

If not this evening then perhaps sometime tomorrow afternoon? What of your plans?

[motherofresistance]

This evening would be fine. Would the Standard car be alright? Or would you prefer a cabin in the Quiet car for greater privacy?

[wewillwewill]

Standard would be fine. There's no reason the discussion need be kept private and maybe those who overhear will gain a better type of understanding for the scope of Void Ministry.

I will see you this evening, then.

And time skipping we go

[motherofresistance]

[She nods]

Until this evening then.

[She ends the feed there, but as promised, she's waiting in one of the booth seats in the Standard car later that evening, with two cups of tea, one for each of them.]

[wewillwewill]

[As may be expected of such a sensible man, he's prompt in his appearance. Graciously the tea is accepted and he settles down into the seat opposite Leia's. This is definitely the spitting image of that man calling himself 'Elliot Stiller' during the false Diagad incident. But that had been another reality's Elidibus.]

Good evening. I hope your day since we spoke earlier has been well.

[A bit of polite talk and a chance to sip the tea will be taken here though not likely to last long. The Ascian is ever a work-ethic type.]

[motherofresistance]

[She does take notice of the similarity, but given that the world was made up of illusions, she doesn't put a great deal of stock in most of what she saw there while still under Chaos' influence. Still, she gives him a small, polite smile as he greets her.]

Well enough, yes. Not terribly exciting, but that's true of most days on board. And the same was true for you, I hope?

[She took a sip of her own tea. She would be happy to get down to business whenever he was ready but a bit of small talk to start never hurt in situations like this.]

[wewillwewill]

[And so it stands. Diagad is not what they are here to talk about anyway.]

More study of the literature available, particularly in light of the new information. But I'm given more reason to wonder how much applies to whatever version of reality or history this may be.

[The trouble being there are obvious signs that much of the library may be from before whatever erased the system the train hails from while other edition may be after that event. But on to the subject that he requested to meetfor.]

I'm no stranger to the inner workings of government. But I admit they have never went beyond the scope of a single star. [With a pause he adds a qualifier.] At least ones aware and interacting with one another.

Still, I'd like to learn more about what you know or can speculate regarding the Void Ministry based on your experiences.