outer_divide | [Video]

[Michiru only hesitates a moment before coaxing a finger over what she hopes will be the switch that turns this on to broadcast -- though broadcast to whom, she's not entirely sure. Still, they're in the dark. And they need answers, even if she's not sure how well she'll be able to trust any of the answers that come.

But there wasn't much choice.]

I'm not sure who is out there and hearing this, but we're looking for... answers. Any answers. Where is this place. Why are we here?

[All business, a plainly guarded expression on her features, blue eyes fixed steadily on the video screen.]

And how did we even get here? Who kidnapped us and who do we need to defeat to get home?

[The deeper voice comes from somewhere off screen, and a dusty blonde head looks briefly over Michiru's shoulder to frown at the screen, too. Then it's gone again, as Haruka pulls back and gets back to finishing getting her things together.]

If we were brought here, there's a way to get back where we came from. There has to be.

[Michiru's gaze flickers back only briefly towards her partner. Who do they need to defeat. It's crossed her mind too; if this is another battle they need to face to fulfill their duty, she's willing to face it.]

We'd appreciate any answers anyone has. That's all. Thank you.

You're too nice, Michiru, you should have--

[And that's all of Haruka's growled complaint that the feed gets before it shuts off.]

((OOC: All dialogue is in Japanese! Replies may come from either Michiru or Haruka or both.))

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[And that, that earns a quiet laugh.] Actually, you were doing very well. [Obviously not her most comfortable language, but understandable anyway -- better than many of her friends' attempts at English. ~~CoughUsagiCough~~]

Different worlds? If you speak English and Japanese, you must be from Earth at least. So... we've been in stasis? Is there anyway to tell what year it is here? Relative to Earth?

Unfortunately... no.

[Pepper sounds mildly apologetic at having to break this news, as if the inability to prestidigitate an astronomical constant for time and location is a personal failing.]

There's a theory going around that we may not even be in the same galaxy as Earth, so the passage of time... well, it's complicated. I'm from the early 21st century, myself. 2012, to be exact.

[Michiru's expression doesn't reveal too much at that, just a faint tightening at that.] More than a decade after my time then.

Things get stranger and stranger.

[There's some sympathy in Pepper's expression, or perhaps 'empathy' would be more precise. She knows this feeling quite intimately, it seems.]

There's unfortunately more. The planet, Verdana, was involved in a war with its sister planet Antiqua some time in the past. Or perhaps even presently, we don't know. What we do know is that, at some point in the past, some of the residents of Verdana retreated behind large force domes, and they've remained there ever since. They're pretty paranoid, and prone to attacking anyone who comes too close to their domes.

Domes? [This all sounds like a sci-fi movie to Michiru. But she's listening closely.]

Attacking? They're violent then? Do they attack unprovoked?

Domes. [Pepper's confirmation is one part matter of fact to one part mildly bemused. Because yes, it does sound like science fiction.]

And they are indeed violent. As for unprovoked... questionable. The last raid they conducted was in response to someone directly challenging their rule, which they would no doubt have interpreted as a threat to them, for all we're ill-equipped to carry any threats out.

[A hand lifts to rub at her temple. All right. Domes. She can work with this. Maybe.]

Are you ill-equipped? No one here is a major threat on their own?

People awake on the ship with only their immediate personal possessions, although there are a number of talented individuals with some fairly unique skills. Some of them are already putting them to work, and if you have any talents of your own you'd like to share, I can definitely help you find a place for them.

[Perhaps indicating where Pepper's unique skills lie. She catches her lower lip briefly between her teeth in a moment's thought.]

I'd say it's more a matter of trying to make sure the community's basic needs and security are met and assured before trying anything. I'd prefer not to discuss details on an open network like this, although I'd be happy to put you in touch with people off of it.

[An apologetic smile, a shake of her head, and a lie by omission.] I'm a musician, I'm afraid. I doubt it would be very useful in a place like this.

Fair enough. How open is this network? Do those inside the city have access to it?

Don't underestimate the importance of music and the arts to morale -- a little beauty can remind people that they're trying to build a future, not just survive the present.

[But, for all that little bit of philosophy, Pepper's mien is quite practical, shifting gears to answer the question posed with a brisk nod and a lift of one hand to smooth back a lock of hair.]

The network is open to anyone with a communication device capable of accessing it. Messages or broadcasts can be filtered to specific recipients, but it's best to keep anything you want to absolutely keep quiet from the Authorities to, um, other channels of communication.

That's true, isn't it?

[She appreciates the sentiment, Pepper. But she hesitates here, more than a little curious.]

Authorities?

The Outer Authorities. The dome that the city here edges up against is controlled by them, and they're both paranoid and violent regarding anything they perceive as a threat to the dome. This can include stray large animals or simply walking too close to it, but they've also conducted punitive raids on the population here, if they think there's even a hint of them organizing resistance.

The last one was after someone made an, um, unguarded suggestion on a public post on the network.

Hmm. I see. Something to be looked out for then...

[Even a hint of a resistance, huh? Well. Nothing to say on the network about that. Michiru was catching on quickly and Pepper was communicating fabulously in things both said and unsaid.]

Then... I suppose I have a lot to learn about this place.

I've been here for a couple months now, and I still find that I'm learning. That said, if there's anything I can do to help you get oriented here, I'm happy to do so.

Has anyone let you know about housing, food, the local economy, that sort of thing?

I appreciate the offer. Very much.

[A little ducking of her head here in a little bow.]

No, no one has.

Well, in that case consider me your welcoming committee. You'll want a place to stay first. While some of us, myself included, have taken apartments in the town, they do tend to require a little -- or a lot -- of fixing up first. For the immediate future, you'll probably want to stay at the 'Flop' -- it's group housing that Nem, the local leader, has set up for people awakening on the ship. Dormitory housing, simple food... but it will do. Here.

[A moment of purse-lipped concentration later, and Pepper's sent a city map to Michiru's communicator.]

As for the economy, it's based on barter for goods and labour. If you want anything beyond the bare necessities, Edmund is our master of trade.

[Michiru listens closely, glancing down when the map pops up. Her eyes narrow a bit as she studies it before nodding just a little.]

That's extremely helpful, thank you.

What technology is there here? The ship seems... advanced. And run down.

The technology is... fragmented. You'll see the remnants of things that are about on the level of 20th century Earth. You'll also encounter remnants of much more advanced or just simply alien technology.

The planet was in one half of an interplanetary war, which led to some of the inhabitants vanishing behind the dome, so they have the ability to generate energy barriers far in excess of what I'd consider our own society's technology.

Well, mostly in excess, that is.

[Please refer to entry for one Stark, Tony.]

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