01 | Voice | Let me sing you the song of my people

[assumed]

[ It's a risk. It's a trouble. And yet, Alias feels desperate to try. If it's been captured, perhaps James has been too. If it's in space, perhaps more like it will be here. Counsel is needed. ]

[ The network will receive an odd message indeed. It sounds like... singing? No words, just tones, humming slowly, repeating. One voice, soprano, then a second voice, bass, joins. A mournful note. It takes the nanites and communicator a second to translate it. ]

Are you there? Are you there?

I apologize...

I request consultation.

Are you there? Are you there?

[ Even still, the translation sound melodic, overlaying the quiet song. ]


(( OOC: This is the day of the jump. ))

Comments

Audio.

[fly_like_pie]

[...

Whatishedoingwhatishedoingwhatishedoingwhatishedoing—]

Hello?

Audio.

[assumed]

[ There's a soft sound like an inhale.

Hummmm. ]

Do you comprehend?

[ It doesn't know that it's being translated, so to it... it sounds like Ned is singing right back to it. One can't understand the level of anxiety, intrigue, hope, and fear surging through it right now.

Anything, that's what James had said, anything would be better than one of its species. This isn't its parent, that much it can tell, but it may be one of it's own... Which makes it scared of what's to come. ]

Audio.

[fly_like_pie]

[Very much the same, but not quite reaching that complexity. The fear of the unknown, although his mind battles with the idea that this is some kind of creature? But with met communication, his curiosity gets the best of him.

Only because this is the network. He's safe.]

I... I can. [He swallows.] Are you alright?






[AOEKGOSJEOHW what sort of question is that????!]

Audio.

[assumed]

I am uninjured.

[ A pause. ]

There are organisms within me made of metal. Thus far they are not hostile, but they make me... upset.

[ 'Upset', as it turns out, is the only word implying emotion that the Esarian language has. ]

...

What are we?

[ Not where. What. ]

Audio.

[fly_like_pie]

[There's silence. A little confused, maybe. Yeah, he's pretty confused.]

Uh... well... [Made of metal? Upset? What does it mean?]

Alive? But I don't 'we' really works, since you might—I mean— Are you not... human—I'm sorry if that's insensitive? I'm just curious.

Audio.

[assumed]

[ Alive. They are called Alive?

Admittedly, due to the nature of its inherent ability, Alias does find this name apropos. It's beginning to begrudgingly appreciate this when...

The being it's just revealed itself to...

Claims to be human. ]

I'm human.

[ It insists quickly, and there's a shuffle of cloth as the Esarian writhes on the floor of the small apartment. ]

I'm human.

[ And yet, the song, it breaks for this word, not inherent in its language. "Huu-nan", it says, because it has no lips for 'm'. ]

What are you hearing?

audio;

[firstofficer]

[ it is- the first time Spock has encountered a transmission even remotely like this. instead of eagerness or hesitation however, his reply is measured and even. ]

Your transmission has been received, however, I do not believe we are the party you had intended to contact.

audio;

[assumed]

[ There is a momentary pause. Excuse it, Spock, it is freaking the fuck out.

The melody is quick, and it's done before the translator follows it. ]

What are you?

audio;

[firstofficer]

I am a Vulcan.

An alien race presently co-habitating against my will, with other passengers in identical circumstances. You have been similarly abducted. You have my condolences.

[ oh right. he's forgotten he's bad at comforting things. oh well. he has more important questions. ]

Are you injured, or presently in danger?

audio;

[assumed]

[ There are other non-human individuals here. The voice does not tremble with a lie. It accepts this truth.

It is not sad to be here. It's actually very interesting. It's more distressed that it's been seen.

It should stop speaking now, but the Vulcan is asking after its health, not its identity. It could be deception. Lull it into security, ask the hard questions. That's the tactic it would go for, were the roles reversed. ]

My body has been compromised by many metallic organisms. They have done no malicious damage, but I am upset that they may be parasitic.

audio;

[firstofficer]

They are nanites. It is a technology that has been injected into our systems presumably during stasis. They are not parasitic, and instead function as translators and keys- a means of identification specific to each individual.

[ off screen, his hands are moving, attention set to a debriefing document, as well as a map. they aren't sent, not yet, but he wants the information to be as complete as possible. there are few things he finds as comforting as fact and understanding, in grappling with the unfamiliar. ]

They have also been known to assist in the recovery of one's body, should injury be sustained.

May I assist you in any way?

audio;

[assumed]

[ Nanites. Translators. Identification.

This tone is not of a liar.

Maybe the Vulcan only means the numbers, though.

It will take a while for a response, as Alias is trying and failing to see if the nanites are transmitting signals outside of itself. ]

Yes.

...

Delete this exchange from your memory.

[re_imagining]

You're new. I don't recognize your voice.

[assumed]

What are you?

[re_imagining]

[...This actually startles Caprica. No one on this ship has out and out asked her what she is.

She thinks, then responds.]

Alive. Are you?

[assumed]

I do not understand the inquiry.

This answer seems, to me, obvious.

Are you being facetious?

[re_imagining]

[A quick shake of her head, not that it's visible.]

No. [Her first encounter with humans had her asking this question.]

[counselling]

There are others here. [ But unlikely the ones that they wanted to hear from ] Do you know where you are?

[assumed]

...

No.

[counselling]

You're aboard a ship called Tranquility. Unfortunately I don't know how you arrived, nor any of us.

[assumed]

I wish to know why. The rest is irrelevant.

Who is responsible? What do they want from... us?

[counselling]

We don't know a purpose, and I'm not certain if anyone is responsible for this. [ Even if it being accidental is... grand ]

[statsraaden]

[Strange new species. Stats is curious.]

Hello. You need help? I can call a doctor for you, if you need it. What's the matter?

[assumed]

[ English now. Possibly Tate Langdon, if you've ever heard him. ]

Nevermind.

[statsraaden]

[The voice sounded somewhat familiar now. Someone on the ship, but not someone Stats talked to. Strange, that the alien could change its voice.]

I was under the impression that you really needed help. What's the matter?