VIDEO ▒ OPEN BROADCAST ▒ FORWARD DATED JULY 30 ░▒▓█▛▟▛▙▚▞▗ ▘

[eripui]

[ The feed begins with a single tone, low, as if testing the audio capabilities of the devices. On the screen is an older man, white haired with bright blue eyes, standing in front of a deep blue banner emblazoned in gold with a circular symbol containing three five-pointed stars. Though his face now is solemn, there are laughter lines soft at corners of his eyes, the set of his mouth one clearly used to the curve of a smile. He only waits a moment before beginning to speak, voice level, carrying an assured authority, a confidence borne from experience. ]

Residents of the Tranquility, I greet you today after many, many years of waiting. My name is Hendrik van Rijn, Prime Minister of the Miraxian Triad, the people who built and launched the ship you've been trapped on. You may not have heard of me, but I have heard of you, and all the terrible events you've been forced to endure as a result of the unprecedented malfunction which took the Tranquility so far from her intended path. I offer you the deepest sympathies of my people, and myself. Mistakes have been made, and I give you every assurance that now, with your return to us, we will find the cause of this tragedy and set things right.

I know you may have heard promises before, and met with the unfortunate souls in our society who prefer to cheat and steal than offer a helping hand. I know you have no reason to trust me; if I'd been through as much as you have, I wouldn't trust me either. But we have someone else here to speak to you, and I hope hearing from her will help to show the truth of our intentions, and allow us to begin the forging of a strong partnership as we move into the future.

[ With a last look to the camera, he steps back, turning his attention to the side and holding out a hand to greet and guide the woman joining him to take center. The woman's face is one known to many aboard the ship. She's gracious as she steps into view, appearing to squeeze the man's hand before she lets go and takes her place.

Odessa Knutson. ]

Thank you, Prime Minister.

[ Her attention turns to the camera then, head tilting to one side as a wide smile spreads across her familiar features. She has a look of health to her. A better diet, some proper sunlight, and time will do that. ]

Hello, Tranquility. [ Spoken in the same way one might ask, did you miss me? ] It's been a long time. Too long. For all of us. [ That smile turns a little sad. They've been through some horrors, haven't they? Time and distance has allowed much of it to become a distant memory. ]

The time has come to stop running. When I left the ship, I didn't know what to expect. We received so many conflicting stories, didn't we? I expected all the worst ones to be true, but it was a risk I was willing to take. I'm sure many of you can understand why. Still, I was afraid that I would find monsters. That I would be thrown in a dark cell and never see the light of day again. Now, I don't say this often, but... [ Her hands spread out to her sides, palms up in a gesture that says just look at me. ] I was wrong. After my escape two years ago, Prime Minister van Rijn's people found me. They gave me food, clothing, shelter, a new life and a new purpose...

To find all of you, and help you to be rescued as I had been rescued. I know most of you aren't like me; I'm starting over here, and I'm happier than I've ever been, but many of you have lives you want to return to. [ The delight she has in sharing this good news seems genuine enough, especially (or even) to those who know her well. She clasps her hands in front of her, a light in her eyes. ] I've seen what the Miraxians have been working on myself. There's hope, so much hope.

Pack your bags, my friends. We're coming to take you home.

[[ OOC: van Rijn exited stage left once off camera, and responses will come from Odessa Knutson only. ]]

Comments

[sorrycharles]

For a start.

[ :U ]

[circumitus]

Something truthful would be nice. "He's a politician" is a rather broad answer considering we know next to nothing about their government, their political views, or what the state of their society is.

Plus, have met quite a few politicians before. They were usually assholes.

What great and terrible problem could this ship possibly have offered?

[treasonista]

You might have more luck getting an audience with him in person if you wait too long.

[ The smile she wears might be pleasant, but it's also reminiscent of a person in customer service who's had to deal with a lot of difficult people lately. ]

The answers are with the ship. We can't find out how it's done what it's done if we can't access it. Being as how none of you - excepting a small handful - are actually from this universe, and I presume the experts are being kept away from anything that even resembles a control panel, I don't expect you and your fellow passengers are equipped to fix things.

Look at how long we wandered aimlessly, unable to control where each jump took us. Being as you are where you are, I'm going to guess that not much has changed in the past two years.

He intends to set things right by returning home those of you who wish to return home. And those of you like me, who wish to remain, will be given every advantage to start a new life in the Miraxian Triad. Did that answer your question?

[treasonista]

There's a reason for everything. Recovering this ship is the best chance of survival for all of us, not just those of you trapped on it.

[ She'll see that squint and raise you a brow! ]

I understand your misgivings, but you should not want to send us away. We're here to help. Please. Let us do that.

[treasonista]

The Tranquility is something of a legend. It was a beacon of hope, and now it's a symbol of tragedy. I'm sure the DUPRR crew can speak on this subject better than I could. We're known because of the brief moments of contact the Miraxians have been able to establish, and the ghost stories that follow each stop we've made.

[circumitus]

Wonder when they were planning to explain that one on their agenda.

[treasonista]

[ Odessa's eyes scan over Kate's message. There's hints that she also finds the implication unsettling in the way that she holds her breath for a moment. Perhaps she was hoping no one would make that leap. ]

Only in theory so far. The best way to find out is to be here.

[ She flashes a quick smile. See? Still one hundred percent on board with all of this. ]

[kutte]

Doubt that they were. It got left out of the grandiose sales pitch the first time around.

[kutte]

I'd say it looks like you're doing a pretty good job of surviving on your own. Isn't that what you were claiming? How's this ship gonna help with that?

Why shouldn't I? He hasn't sent you home yet.

[treasonista]

Nor I you. I see the ship is still taking new arrivals. [ Sorry, bro. ] I used to be one of you. It's been two years since I escaped the ship. I'm not sure how long it's been for all of you. Considerably less time, I imagine.

I can understand why you don't trust the Prime Minister's intentions. But know this: I'm here to save you.

[treasonista]

[ That's a surprisingly reasonable question. And also exceedingly cute, coming from him. ]

I left. [ Odessa's voice is gentle as she gives confirmation. ] And these people found me. They gave me a home, and kept me safe.

I don't know how I can prove to you I'm not a monster. Is there a way you can think of?

[treasonista]

They're the rescue party.

[theroadwarrior]

No, I don't know you. You haven't earned my trust. You're just one person I've never met, trying to convince me he — [Max motions with a swat of his hand, as if to say the asshole offscreen] — meets well. The man who has more answers than you.

Explain how this proves your good intentions.

[throwsdown]

[He shakes his head.]

I don't know... I don't want to talk to you like you're a monster. In case you're not.

But you could be one.

[do you see his trouble]

[alsohawkeye]

So they can't send us home.

[kutte]

Then humor me. What happens if we tell you to turn all those boats around?

anon text

[alsohawkeye]

Yeah, because a lack of guys with guns has been our problem this whole time. It sounds to me like you either forgot to tell them what the real enemy is or you convinced them it was us.

[treasonista]

And what do you think happens if you all disembark and there's no one else aboard to keep it from jumping off to who knows where again? And what if the ship attempts to actively bar you from leaving? These people are coming to protect you.

[ Also maybe possibly to arrest Ward and Resnik or something. Who even knows? ]

[treasonista]

It certainly is. They're certainly better prepared now than they were.

[treasonista]

[ Odessa relaxes visibly, her hackles lowered. Relieved. ]

Their deaths are regrettable. More fighting won't bring them back, or make it right.

[treasonista]

I was prepared to fight to my last breath against van Rijn. I was a vocal supporter of striking first before they could take us.

I can tell you that staying in that place is terrible. What you are proposing - refusing rescue - is what I would propose if I had never left. But now I know better. These people want to help us. In return, they get their ship back. They get their hope back.

speech number 2

[cabins]

No.

But it will make sure that those who lost their lives have not died in vain. They were killed by something on this ship. Something that an oversight by the Triad allowed to live and fester.

An oversight, Ms. Knutson, can mean something as simple as only bringing black shoes on a trip with only blue suits. Or it can mean the tragic, and preventable deaths, the abduction and torture of myself, the others, and yourself. And not just ours, either. Those of citizens of the Triad.

I, personally, hold Van Rijn's government accountable. And I will not yield to allow his victims, like it or not, our people, into government custody! I will not yield!

[And she knows she's not alone.]

[treasonista]

And what else? I open my heart up on the carpet?

[ They speak a similar language. It is not civil discourse. ]

[treasonista]

You want something true? These people want this ship back. They would rather rescue you all in the process of retrieving it. In all truthfulness, it is in your best interests to help them do this, not hinder them.

This ship has done nothing but leave ghost stories, because there's no one left in any place where we have docked to tell the tale. These people are frightened of you.

[ Frightened people aren't notorious for making the most rational decisions. ]

[treasonista]

Our time is finite. Ask your prisoners about the significance of this ship. It's their story to tell, not mine. I'm here to help you all see reason.

I don't want to go home. There's nothing for me there except a life of oppression and persecution. Here? I'm respected. I have a good life. I have a good purpose. I will never go back where I came from. That shouldn't stop others from pursuing that avenue, though.