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[ironsights]

[ filtered to JAMES T. KIRK, SPOCK, ROBERT CAPA, RE-I MAYER | 70% security ]

[ whoops sorry, lucky recipients of this filter -- you've been chosen because you were mentioned in that anonymous information post a while back. ]

Have there ever been any fights on this ship caused by an individual's national or military association?

[ END FILTER ]

I've heard people here come from differing versions of reality. To those from Earth, I'd like to ask of any ongoing international military conflicts. It seems the conflict I'm familiar with, between the United States and Republic of Greater Asia, is not one shared with many "versions" of Earth.

[ pause. it looks like that's the end for a moment, and then there's a small addendum: ]

I'd also like to ask if the words Battle Royale have any meaning to anyone.

Comments

[handelaar]

[It's almost comical how his brows knit further and further, the more he reads, both in confusion and worry over people who likely don't exist in such a universe. And then a blink, because an important country is missing.]

...what about Russia.

[ironsights]

[ a small frown, and this response is slightly slower. he's spent so much of his life in former-japan, involved in the republic's fights, that his knowledge spreads thinner when out of that area. ]

Heavily weakened after World War II and still struggling, but independent as far as I know. I haven't heard of any conflicts in that region.

[handelaar]

[There's a snort.] Figures. [And then he looks back up.]

Hn, he's here. The one from my world. Don't punch him, too.

[A vague jab and a vague warning all at once.]

[ironsights]

[ have a long pause. and then, slowly: ]

You have an ally here named Russia. Is that what you mean?

[ if text could properly convey emotion, this would be dripping with doubt. it sounds ludicrous. especially since this is a guy who apparently goes by 'netherlands.' ]

[handelaar]

[...ally. Now there's a loaded word, but what really constitutes an ally in all of this. Treaties don't exist on the Tranquility. So he spends a few moments debating, doubt and worry flickering across his face.]

No. I mean Russia is here.

[ironsights]

An entire landmass cannot be present on the ship. Specify what you mean.

[ if this is some manner of poorly-told joke, he will be so unimpressed. ]

[handelaar]

Liechtenstein might fit.

[DETAILS.]

I mean - he's like me. Personification, I guess.

[ironsights]

[ okay another person might have laughed at that but sorry ned, you are dealing with a guy who has the sense of humor of a sack of potatoes. ]

You said you were Netherlands. You're saying you're the personification of a specific country.

[ not buying it. ]

[handelaar]

[That's okay he didn't mean it as a joke. She would probably fit.]

Yeah. I am.

[ironsights]

You're delusional.

[ B| ]

[handelaar]

Then there are two-a us. Were about a dozen of us, before.

[ironsights]

[ have a long pause. he's still not really believing any of this. but -- hypothetically speaking, if this guy were telling the truth -- ]

Are there personifications of all countries?

[handelaar]

Yes.

[Huff.]

If y'dont believe me, go back on the network - two of the Japans were here.

[ironsights]

I hadn't looked that far back. Even if I had, it's hard to believe.

[ a pause. he doesn't buy any of this, but he can't help being curious. because it sounds like the war ended much differently in this guy's reality. so maybe the nations would have also been different. ]

What are Japan and the United States like?

[handelaar]

Just do it.

[Huff.]

They're - they were both here, so go look. A few months back... Four, maybe. Or five.

[ironsights]

[ another long pause while he does so. it's still kinda hard to buy -- he's so used to japan being an oppressive totalitarian nightmare, and america being a warmongering nation to fear, that he can't make any connection between these idiots and the nations he's used to.

best not to think about it. ]

What happened to them.

[handelaar]

They...

[He doesn't know, and he huffs over it before answering, terse.]

They're not here now.

[ironsights]

[ it's obvious enough that this guy doesn't know the truth, if he's just repeating what's obvious. a small pause, and then: ]

I see.

Thank you for the information.

[ he still won't apologize, but he's at least trying to show the bare minimum of manners. for the moment. ]

ffff what a conversation

[handelaar]

[Well, it's not like he owes this kid a damn thing.

So he cuts the feed. Fuck you too, man.]