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

[ontheline]

Hey, it's not surprising. People have a hell of a time when a podium is involved — fifty million questions, all that uncertainty from the public, all that hostility in the midst of potential wartime. It's tiring. And that pressure of knowing your words are what unifies or divides a nation! Phew.

[HUGHES IS THAT EVEN HELPFUL TO COMPARE THIS TO

Yes, he thinks. Yes it is.]

Maes Hughes.

Formerly Lt. colonel, though I guess it's not exactly a surviving title in another universe. Let's imagine we're shaking hands.

[treasonista]

[ No pressure or anything, right? Yikes. ]

So imagined.

[ That's a shaky smile. It may take more to rock Odessa's foundations than that, but it certainly didn't help. ]

It's nice to meet you. I hope we can actually shake hands soon.

[ontheline]

I'd hope so, too. It's hard when we as a whole appear to be pretty divided, isn't it?

[He pushes up on his glasses, somber.]

Have you ever been behind the scenes of war, Ms. Knutson? Or on the front lines?

[treasonista]

Yes, sir, I have.

[ Perhaps not in any formal military organizational structure, but she's seen the beginning of what she's certain would be called the third World War. ]

I'm afraid I'm more skilled there than I am with my words.

[ontheline]

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.

[treasonista]

[ There's an instinct to make a glib comment like I would rather go back to the Tranquility than let this become routine, but can't even joke about that. The idea of being forced to return to the ship is a recurring nightmare she's forever thankful to wake up from. ]

I can't help but feel your next sentence begins with "but..."

1/2

[ontheline]

Smart, miss! Nothing getting passed you. I could start it with a different word if you'd like?

[ontheline]

[... But really, Odessa.

He grows a bit more serious.]

I'd considered that my country had me and my family's best interests at heart before I was shipped off to war. Idealism only gets you so far, though, and I learned that the hard way... Especially when the people above you have been lying to you. Fabricating information, telling you their intentions when those intentions are actually quite the contrary.

I served men like the man you're serving now. We surrounded people with our canons and foot soldiers and State Alchemists.

We thought we were doing what was right.

And that's where I'd hate to see you and I relate.

1/2

[treasonista]

[ There is no light of mirth or amusement in Odessa's eyes, even as her smile stays fixed. She crosses her arms under her chest and shifts her weight, leaning slightly to one side. Deceptively casual. ]

Let's propose for a moment that you're right. That I'm being lied to and used...

I'm among their fleet. [ The tremor doesn't sound in her voice so much as show at the corner of her eyes, like it's suddenly difficult to keep focus on the image on the screen. It doesn't last. ] Having a change of heart right now wouldn't serve me very well, would it? And given the chilly reception, I have my doubts that any one of you would attempt to retrieve me should it become clear that my presence here is no longer desired.

2/2

[treasonista]

[ Then, Odessa claps her hands together in front of her, cheerful as you please. Oh look, she can do the abrupt demeanor change in reverse! ]

It's a good thing that we're speaking strictly hypothetically! I'm in no danger here. In fact, I'm among friends. I hope that you'll elect to join me.

[ontheline]

I'll have to elect not to, unfortunately. I've already sinned enough when my country sent me to help perform a genocide.

I don't intend to help with another.

[He pushes up on his glasses, considering her for a moment.]

I suppose if you're on the battlefield at all, we might just have to cross paths.

Perhaps you'll fall into more hospitable enemy hands.

[He hopes either way, you get out in one piece, whichever side you choose.]

[treasonista]

Nobody's asking anything like that of you. If you stay there...

Why would you want to?

[ No, really. Help her understand that. ]

[ontheline]

Because if I joined you, your people would inevitably do what my people did in the war.

A general word of experience — nobody brings their attack ships without full-well meaning to attack. They already know your word against the gathered intel and suspicion on the ship wouldn't amount to much. They merely hoped that they could spare some of their battle ships, should you be able to actually convince us.

That is one thing I can credit your new people for — they are careful with their resources.

[treasonista]

Have you heard the stories of what happens to those who encounter this ship? They're wiped out. This is only a precaution. It helps them to feel safe against an enemy they know precious little about.

If they wanted to wipe you all out, they could have done it by now. If they wanted to intimidate you, I wouldn't be engaging in friendly discourse.

[ontheline]

I've heard plenty. Enough to know nobody would come within an arm's reach of this ship unless they want what is inside it. Not us, of course — we're just prisoners. To who, I'm still trying to figure out. But I don't have high hopes for a leader who flashes a generic speech before while he passes the reigns.

[He shakes his head.]

Using one ex-resident of the ship in the midst of an entire fleet of ships doesn't change the meaning of intimidation, Ms. Knutson. Where is your leader? We should be getting briefed on the full history behind this ship. From them.

They've burdened you with an insurmountable task of appeasing the suffering and paranoia of an entire group who've heard nothing but horrible things about the history of this ship.

[treasonista]

Maybe distance and time have made me softer. Maybe I'd forgotten just how intense the distrust had been. I had hoped that if you all could see that I've thrived here, that you might realize it's safe to leave that place...

I don't want to fail you all.

[ontheline]

I'm glad it worked out for you — but with what we know right now, and with how little we've heard from their government, we can't be sure the same will apply to the rest of us. We just can't. I may be new to this ship, but I can see as much. [He heaves a sigh through his nose.] For what it's worth — I am sorry, Ms. Knutson.

You shouldn't be in this predicament at all.