ataraxion | [Video]

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[ Bonjour, salut, ciao members of the Tranquility. Today you’re in for a special treat: France has finished his metaphysical contemplation regarding his presence amongst others on the ship and he’s in the mood to share. ]

[ To all who may be viewing, the screen flashes on to reveal France, sitting amongst the gardens, stroking his chin lightly as he smiles at the device before him. He seems to have finally found a way out of that awful jumpsuit without ditching the idea of clothing altogether. Currently he’s sporting a beret, a black v-neck sweater and a pair of glasses that if you look closely, have no lenses. Fucking hipsters. ]

Hello, my dear friends. We have all been together for some time now, have we not? And in this time imprisoned aboard this vessel, what is it that we have learned? We have all asked many questions, most pertaining as to of why we are here, how many of us are here, how is it that we discover a way to return to the worlds we truly inhabit. A few of us have even toyed with what will be my conclusion in broadcasting this message, but I have heard none of you ask another very important question: how are we supposed to live aboard this ship?

Ah, so—[ He clears his throat, pushing a few strands of hair out of his eyes, only to chuckle as they fall back to their original position. ] I am not posing a question of survival. [ A dramatic pause. ] I am posing a question of philosophical intent.

How are we to live? Is this not a common question, regardless of your origin? What morals should dictate our existence, what integrity should we cling to and what must we forgo to acheive the good? I speak of the good as what is good for the individual, the subjective good. For a nation who has long considered himself a faithful Catholic, I could propose that in order to lead a good, moral life, one must restrain themselves in their desires, one must try to avoid inflicting pain upon others and one should love he who has created us. But even in the world I come from, these principles that define a ‘good’ life are not universal. Some believe giving into our carnal interests and seeking pleasure is what defines a good life. Some feel that in order to protect the people closest to them, inflicting pain on others will ultimately acheive the ‘good’ they so seek.

[ Yes, he’s more than aware of his raging hypocrisy. He wears it like a badge of honour, really. ] Once againt, I repeat the question of “how are we to live?” For some of us, what we consider to be moral goes against the very birthright of another. How are we to exist as creatures no longer familiar with their own universe, but many others? How has this changed our perspective, and how will we live with this new enlightenment? What can we gather from it? [ A wave of the hand and he smiles. ] I do not intend any of those questions to be rhetorical. I am interested in your varying perspectives. As an existentialist, while I reach for a subjective good, it is included in my subjective good to ensure that the acheivement of the subjective good of others is not interrupted. Hence why I found the need to pose these questions to you all, in the very least to make you aware of why our differences might be keeping us apart.

That being said, the subjective good of course leads to a conflict of interests in many cases. Let me propose something to you, my friends, even if it is but a fleeting thing: right now, I believe there is a path that leads to an objective good being accomplished, at least for this situation. [ He leans back, reaching over to play with a flowering plant before plucking it from the stem, inhaling deeply before setting it in his lap. ]

I have long since came to accept the fact the reason we are here is because life is absurd, and we can currently only assign subjective rational as to of why we all currently reside here. But it is not an opinion, rather fact that we do not belong here, and I think with that conclusion you will all agree. So to what ends do I wish to acheive from this pleasant afternoon conversation with you all?

[ He sets the device down for a moment, staring up at the technology-laced ceilings hanging above him. It’s a few moments before he decides to pick up to device again, smiling evenly with the slightest fires and screams of rebellious women ready to defy their king glinting in his eyes. ]

I wish to incite a revolution, and to free us from these walls we’ve been confined to.

[ The video feed cuts out. ]

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[Stats listens, and starts to see a point in all this. Until France mentions a revolution.]

And... how are we supposed to do it? Doesn't it involve people being harmed at some point? Could we find another way to do it without harming anyone? I mean, I like it as little as the next person in here, but... what should we do?

Change never comes without cost. [ He bows his head a little bit, then glances up at smiles at the communicator. ]

We rid ourselves of anyone who wishes to stop us in our quest to overtake this vessel. Though I myself do not know how use the technology, I am sure there are some among us who may be able to figure it out.

I know the people you're talking about, and I don't think they'll want to participate, or appreciate being forced into it.

Whose lives are you going to save by killing people?

So do you appreciate being forced into the life you currently lead? They are allowed to commit tyrannies against us, whilst we lie back and do nothing?

[ Evenly: ] I would hope it would not have to come to that. But if it must, it must. And our own. Unless that holds no value to you and you enjoy your captivity.

Believe me, I don't like it a bit. But I think it would be better to get the crew to discuss.

Then, and only if it doesn't work, we try your method. And we don't harm anyone, or I'm out.

[ With a waving motion. ] Then go and find them and discuss with them. Discuss until they take us to a place we do not know, with weapons we cannot fight against, and then we can try my suggestion. Please, go and waste time.

Oh, I have a better idea. We go together.

But if we start a revolution, what will happen to us? This ship is supposed to bring us all home. Isn't it?

[Most of France's words and reasoning have eluded him completely, and he's not sure how to put into words the way he feels towards practices, customs, and species that are different from his own. Everything he's ever learned, from early childhood onwards, tells him he should rebel, denounce the other and establish the superiority--and isolation--of the Kira tribe. And yet, when he thinks of all the friendly faces he's come across here, he hesitates.]

I don't think it's good to... [How to say it? To rock the boat--or ship, as it were?] To do that. Here and now.

What will happen to anyone who allows their destiny to be in the hands of another? [ A raise of the brow. ] Is it? When rich men take money from the poor for 'their benefit of the people', is that really the truth? How can we trust those who have told us nothing?

[ He leans back, bringing the communications device up to eye level. ]

Then when is the time? When all of us have disappeared, perhaps been disposed of, and there is no one left to stand up to the tyranny being waged against us? [ He glances off to the side. ] I do not speak of the disposal of people. I refer to the forced ignorance the leaders of this ship have imposed upon us, and continue to imprison us in. Is that not a cause for worry?

Do we have any other choice? I don't know if anyone can pilot this ship.

[He's pretty good at obeying authority--even nonpresent, false authority. For the time being, he feels he has no choice but to trust Ward and Resnik. There's no one else.]

I am worried. But it's a strange situation for everyone, and... [His ears lower and he bites his lower lip. His head is starting to hurt.]

Then we must ask, instead of staying in a state of silent contemplation.

[ yeah no france isn't. he was for a pretty long time, until the pains of hunger set in. to him, this is just a different type of hunger. A hunger for knowledge, and enlightenment. ]

Do not be discouraged, my friend. We are all scared, but that fear is just another thing we must stay strong against.

Yeah. [[He hesitates just a moment when he says that. Now that he thinks of it, maybe there is someone here who could pilot this ship.]

Are you saying we should be trying to find a leader? Not Ward or Resnik. But between all of us?

And if you did incite revolution, if you did manage to overthrow the current leadership - who, might I add, are entirely familiar with this ship whilst we are not - what would you do next? Install yourself as the lord of a ship that you do not understand? Leave your own people derelict to satisfy your ideals?

You think that you understand this spacefaring life when you do not. Speak of your revolution no more - especially not on a public channel.

Absolutely not. [ A scoff. ] I know nothing of the technology this ship utilises, and I do not pretend to. But there are people here with a technological intelligence that far surpasses that of anyone from my world.

Derelict? Derelict? [ He manages to brush off the annoyed edge to his tone, once more retaining his easy smile. ] Do you not see the condition of which we are currently in? Has it occurred to you that people are disappearing without explanation, that we have been told next to nothing about anything relevant to the questions we continuously pose? How does it make you feel to be forced into a prison of ignorance?

[ A snort. ] On the contrary, I know nothing about it, and do not wish to know more about it until the current state of affairs where I come from is attended to. Which is why I intend to take destiny into my own hands instead of allowing it to rest in the hands of our captors.

[ He narrows his eyes, head bowing slightly as he stares back at the blank screen. ] What shall they do to us if they hear the plot? Take us somewhere we do not know? Make our friends and fellow captives alike disappear? I would rather die in control of my own life than live with it in the hands of another.

[No hiding behind a voice, then. The video displays an annoyed-looking Wraith from the chest up, all dressed in his best leathers. A human inciting mutiny when he claims to know nothing - that's more than enough reason to dig in a few jabs. He's been saving this speech for a while.]

Perhaps if you took a moment to stop talking, you would be able to think long enough to understand that mutiny is the worst possible course of action at this point.

I was born to this life. I have piloted ships large enough to carry fifty thousand men and more. I have spent more time at the helm of a hive than you have spent breathing. And yet I would not claim to understand this ship because it is not of Wraith design. I highly doubt that what few other spacefaring humans are aboard would make that claim as well, for the same reason. We have lived in outer space for most of our lives, yes, but that does not mean that the Tranquility is familiar to us.

Even if we could, I doubt that those humans would go along with your poorly-thought plan. I certainly would not. Your mutiny smacks of vigilantism, and it serves no purpose other than your own selfish whims. It will divide us even farther than we are divided. And as every spacefarer should know, division among the crew is the greatest danger of all.

So be silent. [There's something to his tone that suggests that he'll force France to be silent if he doesn't.]

[ To that he simply smiles. ] You speak as if people are incapable of learning. Perhaps your particular scope of intelligence is not enough to understand the workings of this ship, but I am sure there are others who will be able to decipher its commands.

[ yep france is gonna get killed running his mouth, what else is new ]

An idea is not a plan. The proposal of an idea is not a plan. A plan is something that will be devised after the support is gained. Is it selfish to wish for freedom and control in a situation where we know nothing, he have been guaranteed nothing, except to trust in those who have offered no explanation or apologies for our current condition?

[ He sets his jaw, frowning at the image on the screen. ] I will not.

[jesus christ will it ever end? Jim already knows the answer to this question, the same way he knows that this is France and of all countries... well it had one of the most famous revolutions, didn't it?

still, Jims sporting one hell of a headache when he comes across this particular conversation. it doesn't take much consideration; for as little (as much?) as he trusts the wraith, the guy knows what he's talking about.

the screen flickers to life and Jim is sitting there, the tips of his hair damp from his recent shower and clad in black.]

I understand what you're saying, France. Everyone is confused and to be honest, this place isn't doing anything but putting everyone on edge. People are disappearing, people have been attacked, and we don't have the answers. We only have theories.

But the fact of the matter is even those of us who know things about this ship [like me, he doesn't say] don't know the full scope of it's power. The systems are still locked down so we still don't know what this place is hiding. Even if we could take control of this ship, which we can't, what you're suggesting will only cause more fighting. Don't you think we should be trying to band together instead of trying to usurp the only people on this ship who have a hope of knowing what's going on?

We all want our freedom back. But I promise you, right now, this isn't the way to go about it. We're lost in space. We don't need any more reason to distrust the people around us than we already have.

[ no it shall never end ]

[ yes his revolution was particularly famous as it was known as the only war the french ever won ]

[ y'know ]

[ because it was against himself ]

Yes, we only have theories. [ A frown. ] Not at all. Do you so readily admit defeat, so easily give up your power to others just because they know more than you do? Why, because if you turn against them, you might die? You are dead already. Wherever you come from, whatever it is you do, as far as the people you know are concerned, you are dead. You have been gone for months now, and in the slight possibility they think you are alive, they are currently wasting time, precious time looking for you in a place you will not be found.

So you wish for a reason to distrust the people around you? [ Raising his voice a bit here: ] Look around you! Ask them where you are, ask them how you got here, and then ask for proof! What else do you need to distrust someone? You have been kidnapped, and you are asking me, a fellow captive, to consider my actions and rethink my proposal?

Again, I will not.

And when the revolution's done? Who leads? Who assumes responsibility for upholding our glorious new way of life? And if we find someone who we think can do it and they're willing to take that on, what happens when he starts to think he gets to decide what we should and shouldn't know? Stage another revolution? Seems to me that approach will only end with one person alone on this ship, sitting on a pile of corpses.

[she's not angry. More curious; they're the kind of ideas she's been turning over in her head since the attacks, but the only person she's really talked to about it is... less than verbose.]

Ah my dear, if there is such a thing, you ask all of the right questions. [ He steeples his fingers together. ] To that I propose we work as a collective, and propose a vote for actions that need to be taken after we have disposed of our obstacles.

[ He picks the flower up off his lap, pushing it into his hair. ~~Because he's french and he can.~~ ] I could suggest an entire form of government we could establish after the fact, but I do not think that you, nor I wish to stay here long enough to see that accomplished, no?

[disposed of our obstacles gets her attention. On the one hand, she's always worried about the kind of person who thinks they got to make that sort of call. On the other, there's at least one person on this ship she's sure will be a threat to everyone until they're... eliminated. But for now, she's just going to smile at the flower in his hair and try to enjoy the conversation.]

A collective? It's a great plan in theory. Only way that could possibly go wrong is if there were a bunch of scared, displaced people here to screw it up.

And you're right, I'd rather not stick around that long, but unless we find someone who can fly the ship or reverse whatever process brings us here, I think we need to prepare for that possibility.

[ Oh Heather, he rather likes you. He folds his hands together. ] I admit I rely on the ultimate result being some sort of orginisation amongst us, but I am also not entirely human, and I am accustomed to.... waiting out the storm? Yes, I believe that is the right phrase. It took many years for me to find a sense of stability after my own revolution, but it did happen eventually. As I can only rely on subjective experience, this is what I base my proposal on.

[ He points to the camera. ] Yes, that is correct. Which is why in the process of gaining support, we must attempt to locate someone who believes they can perform this task. [ A hand sweeps through his hair. ] We have much work to do before this is at all plausible. But I am on the opinion it is what we must do to survive.

[she props her chin on her hand and grins.]

Hey, if there's one thing I'm good at, it's surviving.

[she's also got a neat line in bloody revenge, but that's beside the point.]

I gotta say, I'm interested. You're not the first person I've heard talking about pulling this kind of thing off, but you're definitely the first who doesn't seem to want to do it just so he can sit in the big chair himself.

Then you will go far.

[ don't worry heather, france is all about that revenge shit ]

Why should I care for power over people I do not know? This is not my country, these are not my people and this is not where I am to be. If we wish for any hope of escaping this situation, we must hang together, or else, we shall most assuredly hang separately

[ yes he had a huge crush on ben what of it ]

[Jack Sparrow grins. He knew he always liked the French.]

Now you're talkin' me language, mate.

On the contrary, I am speaking French, and I doubt you are doing the same.

[ He's smiling anyway. It's French sarcasm or something. ] But I am delighted by the prospect of your support, sir. But we must find others before we can continue, and we must devise a plan. Surely someone trapped amongst us knows something of the technology aboard this ship?

I'm afraid I don't know much french, mate. Just enough t'get by.

[Like parle.]

It ain't too hard t'find other, mate. I know of several people willin' t'do mutiny.

TL'DR.
Didn't listen*
Whatever.

O.K, Frenchie.
We're not going to live on this ship.

I'm not giving in that easily like the French might would.

HAHA.
So.

I've just been curious about law and how the judicial system should work here. I'm sure plenty of people have already committed crimes, and it makes me so mad. Like.. a really bad tummy ache. It's there and it's annoying and it's not satisfied until you take...

THE PEPTO BISMOL OF JUSTICE.

What do you think?

_{[ america what are you talking about. ]}

[ Confusion washes over his features for a moment (as it often does around America) before he smiles slightly. ]

I think that if you wish to propose a governing system which does not include your silly American Capitalism, then I am interested in hearing what you have to say. Otherwise, shoo, go, go run along then, Mérique: the adults are talking now.

[He likes it. But. To be contrary.]

That sounds like an awful lot of work.

Nothing worth living for comes without willing to die for it first.

[ he'll be done with his mysterious n'importe quoi at some point soon. ]

I wouldn't say that. I'd much rather have my loot and be alive with it, rather then going off to die for it.

[He is giving you a dumbfounded glare, France.]

So you're looking to add chaos to that which you already take to be absurd. What exactly are you planning to rebel against? What do you foresee to be the situation after your oppressor has been crushed?

We're trapped in space, in an environment where the technology is beyond our comprehension. We essentially do not know what we are dealing with.

At the risk of taking the situation off of a philosophical pedestal and, god forbid, applying logic, freeing us from the walls which confine us would quite literally suffocate us.

We. Are in. Space. Frankreich.

I am planning to rebel against ignorance, Autriche. We have been kept in the dark, unable to seek out any answers without being provided with more questions in return. [ A frown. ] I never denied that. [ With a small hand gesture: ] In fact, I readily admit I know nothing of the enemies that have trapped us here. But I know that we are not supposed to be here, and to lay our blind trust in people who have told us nothing is a mistake as well.

[ With an annoyed look: ] Yes, I have realised that. So you think because we are in a situation we know nothing about, that we should conform and lay silent while for all we know, we may be heading towards our certain oblivion anyway?

[ He sighs, running a hand through his hair. ] I am not oblivious to this logic you speak of, Roderich. I did not say we should start a revolution in the same way revolutions have been started in that past. But we must take this situation into our own hands, or risk never having that opportunity again.

[He calms a bit, still frowning.]

I'm fairly sure that most of us are trying to figure out what's going on. It seems to be entirely random, with the exception of the attacks on passengers and that terrible room. But even then, if they are looking to eliminate us, why not simply get it over with? We're all here, we've already been... "collected," if you will. So far there's only been non-fatal damage, and terrorizing. There's no reason to wait, that I can think of, if they're looking to kill.

[He blinks, then rolls his eyes, laughing quietly in spite of himself.] Unless they're expecting us to breed, in which case they've captured the wrong people. Really. Multiple species, [he raises his hand lazily] those of us who can't reproduce in the first place... children...

If you can find any sense in all of this, bravo.

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