eripui: (Default)
▓▓▒░ ([personal profile] eripui) wrote in [community profile] ataraxion2015-07-21 12:46 am

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

[ 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. ]]
treasonista: (you're so cruel and shameless)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 04:22 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Odessa's expression stays neutral, simply inclining her head to one side slightly. She does not narrow her eyes or grit her teeth. That only happens mentally. ]

Doctor Odessa Knutson, formerly of XenoGen. And you?
treasonista: (you've got my attention; got it all)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 04:26 pm (UTC)(link)
Good. I'm very relieved to hear it.

[ Finally, a voice of (what seems to be) reason. Odessa smiles in a way that doesn't reach her eyes. Whether this is a sign that she isn't as benevolent as she's trying (and mostly failing) to seem, or that there's some disappointment in this answer is uncertain.

And, of course, prepared doesn't necessarily mean prepared to leave. It could mean prepared to fight. ]


You have one hour.
treasonista: (but who will know)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 05:13 pm (UTC)(link)
[ Why is she even shocked to hear that? Mostly she's shocked to hear it from someone she doesn't know. ]

I'm sorry you feel that way.
treasonista: (i don't wanna walk rather swing and miss)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 05:17 pm (UTC)(link)
By all means, if you want to volunteer to stay with the ship and help in the efforts to find out exactly what went wrong here, I'm sure you would be a welcome addition to the team.

You can choose not to trust me. I can't say that I even blame you for that. But believing or not believing in what I have to say is not going to deter me from attempting to see you all off this ship safely.
treasonista: (if you want your soul)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 05:19 pm (UTC)(link)
[ It's as if a light goes out in Odessa's eyes. ]

I've considered that. The appearance of the Tranquility didn't seem to be a happy accident. It's like she returned home by design. I don't know what that means, but I know an opportunity to mount a rescue when I see it. Won't you let us try?
treasonista: (lie lie to my face)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
It wasn't supposed to happen like that. None of this was meant to happen. I can't change that, but I can help break the cycle.
treasonista: (if you busted them they'd just cover it)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
No, it hasn't. Something went wrong, and we aren't sure what. I don't know if there are multiple forces at play within the Tranquility, or no. All I knew while I was there was that place was terrifying, and no one deserves that hell. That's why I'm here to try and bring you all to Alexandria. I've built a life here. It's not a bad place to wait for your trip home.
treasonista: (and i never feel the worst)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 05:51 pm (UTC)(link)
If I had to hazard a guess? You're here because the ship wants you to be here. All this time, the ship - or some force within it - has seemed to call the shots. Why should that change now?

[ The fuck if she knows, to be honest. ]
treasonista: (why can't this be killing you)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 06:07 pm (UTC)(link)
[ At first, Odessa smiles fondly. Yes, it would be in keeping with Professor Snape's character to be taciturn in all things related to van Rijn. She had thought he would make an appearance - even a vocal one - and the reason is what she feared.

The smile runs away from Odessa's face. She had genuinely liked Severus. ]


Ah... I was afraid of that. I hope that he is well. How terrible of us to leave you to the department yourself. I apologize for my part.
ontheline: (pic#9367450)

[personal profile] ontheline 2015-07-21 06:17 pm (UTC)(link)
You wouldn't want to be too skilled with your words. Then days like this will become a routine for you.

[He nods pleasantly.]

I've been in a pretty ugly war myself. Saw a few people like you - heart in the right place. And yours is, isn't it? Feels like looking into a mirror, I think. We both have the same thing in mind, same hopeful goals. Peace and unity, right? You have the best intentions. I can tell that about you. Would bet my life on it.
fullmoon: (pic#8488108)

[personal profile] fullmoon 2015-07-21 06:24 pm (UTC)(link)
That's hardly up to me. [ He smiles, tightly. Extinguishing eye lights wasn't the goal. ] But I would feel better about the possibility if we had some assurance that anyone at all knew what they were doing. There's nothing on this ship that can be beaten into submission.
tongueamok: (➣ that was entirely unexpected)

[personal profile] tongueamok 2015-07-21 06:53 pm (UTC)(link)
What's it like? This place that you're living in now.
dreamcrutcher: (pic#9155524)

[personal profile] dreamcrutcher 2015-07-21 07:42 pm (UTC)(link)
you know how you sound
ready to invade us and take us?

you aren't taking anyoe home
you're taking us prisoner
puppydogeyes: (ʙʟᴀᴄᴋ | ᴅᴏʙᴇʀᴍᴀɴ ᴘɪɴsᴄʜᴇʀ)

[personal profile] puppydogeyes 2015-07-21 07:53 pm (UTC)(link)
[She nods, the fast, clipped gesture of understood.]

Faster's better. Gives the ship less time to work up a defence. [A beat.] You told them enough they're ready to handle it?
yardbird: Man, I hit him with a 12-gauge and I didn't give him a chance to reload. (why did the dickhead cross the road?)

[personal profile] yardbird 2015-07-21 08:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Then what was supposed to happen, huh? Did they happen to tell you anything 'bout that? Judgin' by what was goin' on here well before things went to shit, these people didn't exactly come off smellin' like roses.
circumitus: Otherwise you'd be a dad by now. (thank god you're gay)

[personal profile] circumitus 2015-07-21 08:47 pm (UTC)(link)
It just seems strange that it would suddenly decide to change its mind and turn back after all these years of trying to avoid its pursuers. Though, suppose it's a bit much to assume exactly who -- or what -- has been "calling the shots" when it comes to where this ship has been jumping towards.

[Don't mind Rey, she's just thinking out loud.]
altercate: (pic#7998640)

private.

[personal profile] altercate 2015-07-21 08:49 pm (UTC)(link)
Tyke.
theroadwarrior: (Default)

Voice; private.

[personal profile] theroadwarrior 2015-07-21 09:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Is that the plan?

[He sounds very grave, prepared utterly to fight the people on this ship tooth and nail to escape if he needs to. But he also wants to hear it from Tyke -- though he worries that the network isn't a good place to ask what the real gameplan is. So he tries to at least be vague, let her tell him what they're even going to do. Because he wants to actually get them all the fuck away from that clear and present danger.]

Need to know which side I'm fighting here.

[is he fighting you, too?]
judex: (5)

not here.

[personal profile] judex 2015-07-21 09:20 pm (UTC)(link)
[ He doesn't like the comms and he also isn't quite stupid enough to interrupt her conversation by barging in with background action, but there are definitely some scowls and grave threats to die before cooperating in Tyke's near future. ]
axeyou: (interest - everything i want gotta wait)

voice;

[personal profile] axeyou 2015-07-21 10:04 pm (UTC)(link)
They didn't give you very nice clothes.

[Cool and disdainful.]

Can you bring van Rijn back for a second? Please?
treasonista: (but i don't ask permission)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
[ There is no amount of desire to play it cool that can keep the delight entirely off of Odessa's face when she hears Johanna Mason's voice. ]

You can't expect me to be so ostentatious at a time like this, can you? It's good to hear from you, Johanna. I wish that I could, but the Prime Minister's a very busy man, with many pressing matters to attend to, and is otherwise engaged. I'd be happy to pass on a message.

[ Does it involve an axe? Please say yes. ]
treasonista: (i come here every night to work)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 10:54 pm (UTC)(link)
You're projecting your fears onto the situation. That isn't what this is. You're not being taken prisoner, you're being rescued. I've seen the technology. They can send you all home.

[ You know. Eventually. Experimental tech and all. ]
treasonista: (and i never feel the worst)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 11:09 pm (UTC)(link)
[ omg rude don't judge. a hot bath is the best. ]

They seemed interested in me. They asked about where I come from, what my world is like. They asked me what I would need in order to feel comfortable in this system. They gave me training. I'm practicing medicine and surgery again.

They also told me about this universe and the challenges it's facing. It's not great. There's overpopulation and depleted natural resources, but there's still time to save people's lives. That's why I'm here.
treasonista: (but i don't ask permission)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 11:23 pm (UTC)(link)
The ship? Certainly.

[ If Tyke reads between the lines, that means Odessa's left out a few critical details about what to expect from her once-fellow passengers. ]

Do you think you'll be able to gather them all on such short notice?
treasonista: (tell me it ain't no thing)

[personal profile] treasonista 2015-07-21 11:38 pm (UTC)(link)
They want the ship for many reasons. It's possible something here holds the key to finishing this project, yes.

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