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

[video]

[yardbird]

[Murphy's initial reaction is "TWO YEARS WHAT" before he remembers how much the jumps mess with time.]

If goin' home was an option, why're you still here?

[He's worried about you, Odessa. You're looking a little... Stockholm syndrome-y.]

[treasonista]

[ Stockholm... what? No! That's just her face! Gosh, Murph. ]

Because there's nothing for me there. I've made my home here, with these people. I'm finally happy. I'd forgotten what that felt like, Murphy.

[cabins]

Ms. Knutson.

[Laura and Odessa never knew each other other than that wild night and there was karaoke involved and a lot of shots. But she's curious. It felt like months since Odessa had taken the shuttle and left. But it was months.

Frak time and space.

She doesn't trust this woman. Or, for that matter, Van Rijn.]

Prime Minister.

[She nods at each of them as best she can over the video screen.]

Two years for you, I'm afraid to report. I've been here, by my count, for a year now. Some of those who have been on this ship claim it's three years since they were abducted.

[She presses her lips together for a moment before continuing.]

What is it exactly that the Miraxians have been working on? Obviously it's more of a priority than finding their rogue ship. [She could understand that. But if he'd heard of the horrors... There was something fishy going on. There was more than just malfunctions and unforseen issues going on here. On this ship.]

I understand how large star systems can be, and while Tranquility is by far the largest ship I have ever been on, I wish to know how for three years- by our terms, baring in mind, clearly far longer by yours- there has been nothing to show for any form of rescue. I understand better than most the need to cut the losses, and recognize that perhaps that was what Tranquility was to you- a loss. Write it off and mount a commemorative plaque on the wall. But to ask us, good people who have been subjected to more than just malfunctions to return to a man, and a Triad that we have no loyalty to, no reason to believe aside from Ms. Knutson's glowing appearance...

I know I'm not alone when I say thank you- [Laura pauses for a moment to take off her glasses.]- but I'm afraid it's far too little, far too late.

[yardbird]

[COME ON ODESSA RLY?]

I'm just havin' a hard time buyin' that we're not gonna be forced to drink the Kool-aid first thing we hand ourselves over.

[This all sounds way too good to be true, yo.]

[voice]

[ryuuzaki]

Prime Minister. How do you intend to find the cause?

[They have a pretty good idea of the cause themselves, and much of it doesn't look good for this government, although it would be weird if nothing had changed in the time that's passed... the question is, how? He remembers what he interpreted as Lina's veiled threats.]

[video]

[tongueamok]

I don't mean to sound rude in regards to all of this, but what if we'd rather just go back to the home we were taken from in the first place?

[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.

[treasonista]

[ YA RLY! ]

I had the same worry. I thought for sure I was going to be locked up and experimented on, given the things that certain individuals have said. And I'm not going to say that it's all wine and roses, but these people actually want to help us. No one's ever interrogated me about my time on the Tranquility. I was given space, and asked only to advise in a capacity that I felt comfortable in.

[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]

[ Even after time away, Odessa recognizes the voice of Comms' CO. It helps that he doesn't switch on his video feed. ]

Hello, Ryuuzaki. I'm afraid the Prime Minister has stepped away, but I'm happy to answer your question.

The loss of the Tranquility has been a terrible blow to the Miraxian Triad. I'm sure you can appreciate efforts made to ensure survival. When that best hope simply vanishes... Sometimes people act rashly.

I'm hoping we can avoid that here.

[ That could sound like a threat, but Odessa's tone is light. They're problem solving together here. ]

[treasonista]

[ Odessa's smile is broad, cheerful. ]

That's what we're expecting! I'm certainly in the minority about not wanting to return home. I've opted not to. The rest of you? Can have your wish.

[voice]

[sorrycharles]

Why don't you come aboard. Our doctors can examine the veracity of your claims.

[ preferably via autopsy. ]

[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?

[forgodssake]

Dr Knutson. It's been a long time for us as well.

[ His tone is measured, not totally devoid of warmth, but cautious. Stress makes shadows in his eyes. Two years in apparent luxury is one thing. She knows well what a few months on the Tranquility is like in contrast. ]

Where are you now?

[tongueamok]

I see.

[He smiles too, though his is definitely laced with some private concern.]

I don't mean to doubt you, miss, but is there some way that they'll be able to prove that? That they're not just spiriting us somewhere else that's equally as terrible as this ship has been?

[treasonista]

[ What a coincidence! That happens to be Odessa's favorite method of examination. Just not self-examination. ]

I'm personally unavailable, but you will be joined by the rescue team. [ It's a little difficult to remain cheerful, and it shows in a faint narrowing of her eyes. ] Very, very soon.

[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.

[video]

[circumitus]

Sounds like you're expecting us to put a lot of stock into a government we know so little about, except for mostly negative hearsay.

[She's not being accusatory, or even irritated. Rey is approaching this as a calm and collected individual who just wants to collect information, for however much it's worth.]

[treasonista]

Charles!

[ Surprise, bitch. I bet you thought you'd seen the last of me. ]

I'm with the fleet. Not far at all. It's good to see you again, and it will be even better to see you properly, in person.

The nightmare is over, my friend.

[sorrycharles]

More's the pity.

I'm rolling out the red carpet as we speak.

[forgodssake]

We're not out of the woods just yet.

[ He glances aside at something, and once he looks back, the corner of his mouth hints at a smile in return. ]

You'll recall the last time van Rijn's people tried to board us. It was a bloody nightmare for everyone involved. Can you spare any details about how they intend to greet us, so as to avoid a repeat?

[treasonista]

I know, that's why I'm here. This message would never be received by the government if they'd sent it themselves.

Please remember, I openly supported fighting these people in my time on the ship. I'd have been happy to cut them all down.

[ A glance is shot off camera, a little shrug and a shake of her head. What? Presumably someone facilitating this communication is a little off-put by her admission. ]

I'm here because I was a strong opponent, and I am telling you I was wrong.

[kutte]

Well shit. Isn't that a sweet offer. You gonna tell us what the catch is?

[ and then-- ]

Or why you and your dirtbag friend over there showed up with a whole fucking army?

[yardbird]

So you're sayin' they seriously gave you a nice cushiony place in their society, no questions asked?

What is it they have you doin' there?

[wiped]

Who are the Miraxians?