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

[treasonista]

I spent over a year on the Tranquility, Ms Roslin. It was certainly no picnic. You should understand why fear of the unknown could not outweigh the fear of what would come next if I stayed put.

[ Odessa is first and foremost an opportunist and survivalist, after all. ]

The rescue effort has been on-going. Generations have lived and died in the time it's taken the Miraxians to find us. This ship is resourceful, but we've finally caught up to her. Yes, your rescue party is late, but... We're here now.

As to what they're working on... [ Odessa glances off camera briefly. ] It's jump technology. The hope is that it can be used to send people back to their home universes.

[cabins]

[It's Madame President, she wants to toss back at the younger woman, but she holds her tongue, folding her glasses in front of her.]

Of course I do. But there is something to be said for the company, to be amongst similarly unfortunate individuals such as ourselves.

However, I find myself suspicious. Has it been generations? It's been some time since van Rijn was mentioned- he has managed to stay in power for quite some time, and looks very pleasant for what I'm sure his age is.

[She's almost conversational in tone, if it weren't for the tone in her voice that many would recognize as a Teacher Tone.]

Can it? But can it account for the lives lost here? Can it send those people back to their home worlds? And what precisely was it that caused the malfunction to bring us all here in the first place? These are questions I'd like answers to, if you expect me and others to go along with this plan.

[treasonista]

Science is miraculous here.

[ And if you think Odessa isn't trying to figure out how she can manage to live forever, you're wrong. ]

I don't have those answers, I'm afraid. The answers are with that ship. Just ask your prisoners. -- Are they still your prisoners?

[ Something in Odessa's gut churns and it shows in her face in the form of concern. ] Is Mister Basher still aboard the vessel?

[cabins]

Of that I have no doubt.

[Science can create robots that look just like people. Frak science.

But if Odessa thinks she's getting the name of the prisoners...]

The identities of our prisoners are classified.

[treasonista]

[ Odessa swallows, and her mouth forms a hard line, a wall against a swell of emotion. ]

I am well and safe today because of that man. Is he alive?

[cabins]

He is alive.

[She doesn't even have to add for now on to the end of the sentence.]

It's a pity we can't say the same for so many of the others.

[treasonista]

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

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

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]

[ As much as Laura might like to insist she be referred to as Madame President, it is nothing compared to the tightness in Odessa's chest every time she has to resist the urge to correct her title. Doctor. ]

What are your options? Stay on that ship and continue to die? Hold him accountable if you wish, but you can't continue to do it while you're trapped there and waiting for the next horrific situation to unfold, wondering whether you'll live long enough to be driven out of your mind, or if you'll just die screaming.

You cannot stay there. It's madness.

[cabins]

There is always another way out, Ms. Knutson.

[Slowly, she puts her glasses back on.]

And I'm confident that the talented minds on board this ship will find it.

[A tight, forced smile.] That is all. Good day, Ms. Knutson.

[The feed ends.]