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1 | | [Video]

[The video switches on, most of the screen blocked by the concerned, pale face of Jarael, the rest revealing the crashed ship behind her.]

Perero? Can you hear me, where are you?

[She sighs.]

Look, I don't know if this is an open frequency, but if it is, is anyone out there? Or has anyone seen a man you might know of as 'Camper'?

[She glances off into the distance, though still speaking to any recipients of the message.]

I'm not sure where to look, I can see a town and a shielded city. Any directions would be... appreciated.

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Right.

[Uh-huh. A droid-knight.]

So you're built for combat then? Why would I not want to go there?

[Perero might be there.]

[She doesn't sound like she believes him...]

My kind....[Uncomfortable expression. He really doesn't like thinking about that whole 'form dictates function' thing.] My kind has been fighting for millions of years. The Circle of Light, we only fight to protect others.

Because the last one of us who went there nearly died. They are our enemies, even though we're not theirs.

[She looks a little confused, but also slowly agitated.]

I've never heard of you. But I suppose that's very noble if you've been fighting for so long.

I don't really understand - why are they trying to hurt you exactly? My friend might be in there, is there any way of finding out?

We've been in hiding. From the others who started the war.

[He looks thoughtful. How to explain...?] All of us were brought here by them, long ago, when this place was a battlefield. Now their war is over and they fear us.

I don't think your friend is there. They haven't come out for any of us recently.

[She looks utterly confused now.]

I never fought in any war... I think you might be mistaking me for someone else.

[Frowning.]

Look, fine, is there a way to find out or not? If he is in there is he at least protected?

[That was what mattered the most.]

None of us fought in this war. We've been kidnapped, brought here against our will to be...weapons, somehow.

Which is why they fear us, I think.

There is no way to contact the domed city that I know of. You might contact Edmund in the Old City. If anyone knows a way, he would.

What!? Kidnapped?

[That takes a moment to sink in. And a very sinking feeling it is.]

So we're stuck here, being forced to fight until they free us and send us home. Though it seems unlikely they ever will... It does explain why they fear us, though, and why they might attack us...

I suppose I could ask him. How do I find him?

It seems so, yes.

[He gives a nervous sort of grimace. Sorry to be the bearer of bad tidings.]

Thus far, they haven't made us do anything other than fight them for our survival.

Edmund? I imagine they'd know in the Flop the best way to contact him.

[Now she looks downright angry.]

That's sick. But I'm glad people are still fighting. Where are you?

What's 'the Flop'?

It is. But we must fight if we are to survive and have hope.

I'm on the mountain by the ship. It's not far.

[He smiles. Questions are good. Better than suspicion and fear.] It's a place in the Old City where many of the refugees--like us--live. You can guess by the name it's a bit, well, short on luxury.

Are there other people on this mountain too?

[But then perhaps not, if this droid was supposed to act as some kind of warrior or protector, maybe it was a good vantage point.]

I suppose it seems like as good a place as any to start looking for my friend.

Not generally. I go there to get away from the ship. But not too far.

And it gives me cover when I take off.

[The last thing he wants is to bring the Authorities to assault the ship again.]

If your friend is here, you will find him. Can you find the way to the Old City?

[It doesn't seem to bother her that he can fly, she simply nods in acknowledgement. And is maybe a little privately impressed.]

I'm sure I'll manage, I can see it from here.

All right. It's not a far walk, I think. And it's reasonably safe right now.

If you need anything--ever--please ask.

[She nods, then pauses, looking slightly surprised.]

Thank you... that's very generous of you.

[Usually combat droids aren't also programmed to be so nice.]

It's not generous, so much as knowing we're all trying to survive here. We all stand a better chance if we depend on each other.

[Unfortunately, she doesn't like depending on other people.]

If you say so. I suppose it's time I headed to the city, perhaps we will speak again later.

[He would hope she doesn't have to learn to the hard way, as Drift did.]

Safe travels.

[She simply nods.]

You too.

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