ximilia | text | un: goodvibes

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text | un: goodvibes | SEDORUM

Even in hell, workplace politics find a way.

Keeping this to text because I don't want any potential leads we've gathered being jeopardized if V'rizz or Entr'i figure out we've been spying on them.

Right now, there's an apparent schism between them that could work for or against depending on how deep it runs. Yelena and I managed to overhear their in-fighting, and it seems Entr'i wants to assassinate someone called 'the Highest One.'

She also doesn't seem to vibe with this mysterious Him that V'rizz is so devoted to.

My money's on either of these Vaguest Ones is our orb, and Entr'i is the horse to bet on to hop the fence.

Thoughts? I need us all sharing and caring with information before we go gatecrashing this gentrified heaven of theirs.

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It might be that both of 'Them' are the orb; or we're dealing with two orbs. At this point, nothing would surprise me.

Well, wouldn't that just be ironic. God and the Devil just being one ball in a trenchcoat.

It's a very yin and yang theory, but most people believe in some form of that. That everything has a good an a bad side, even people. Light even in darkness, that kind of thing. What if whatever event dragged the orb here made it break into two, and this is its way of putting itself whole again?

Yeah, I've brushed up on my share of that line of thinking in the past.

Well, I've heard of more convoluted ideas. Think it's talking to any of them?

I don't know. So far, I'd say both these entities are keeping themselves isolated, and I figure there's a good reason to keep their identity a mystery. It is interesting that they seem to inspire themselves in a concept similar to Earth's old notions of Heaven and Hell, though.

Yeah, the aforementioned assassination schemes would be a big one.

Not even a notion but a physical concept monetized and peddled to the masses. They mentioned reincarnation, how do you figure they handle that?

If they are indeed worried any of the people here could cause them real damage.

You might be asking the wrong guy, my knowledge of religion or anything even remotely related is generalized at best. I just try not to make assumptions or offend anyone. That said, I don't believe reincarnation to be possible, so I'd always try to go for a more scientific explanation. But as we have seen in the past, it's possible there's more to it than just science.

I wouldn't even call the question a theological one when we're standing amidst indisputable evidence that something happened after death, at least with the local populace.

Either this really is the afterlife for them or

I don't know

a program?

I hope not. We've had enough of that particular kind of messy scenario on our last mission, just you mentioning it is giving me goosebumps.

[ Not literally, but well, Drift gets his meaning. It wasn't a pleasant end of mission for either of them, certainly. ]

It's too early to tell yet. But I think we've gotten some good information, we should focus on getting comms back up and see what the other half of the team has found out and go from there.

Oh yes, this is a good point. It's something to keep in mind.

It's only a wild theory; it's still early, so I'm sure as more of us poke around, we'll learn more about this situation, get a clearer picture.

And let's not forget that the other half of the team might be finding interesting information of their own, which we won't know about until comms are back up.

[She is squinting a bit at all of this.]

Are you trying to talk yourself out of your own theory?

It is a valid possibility to keep in mind. The missions have been getting progressively weirder and harder. And don't forget the orbs have personalities and desires. We know at least one of them is willing to play head games with a sad old man for its own amusement. How wild is it, really, to think a couple of them would instigate a war between heaven and hell?

I am not saying it's definitely the answer, either. Just that your idea isn't a bad one.

Not at all. I do believe it to be a viable theory, I just don't want us to settle on it and not be able to think of anything else, that is all.

But yeah, it's important to keep in mind that these orbs have their own peculiarities, things they might want for themselves. The first few we encountered weren't necessarily 'bad', but the last one sure was different.

Yes. The commander did say the first few were some of the nicer ones. The last one certainly proved that to be true.

That's true. Makes you almost afraid of what we might find next, doesn't it? If Scorpion's Bend was just the beginning of the worst of them.

Right? I have worried about that, too. I guess it is possible that there are other "nice" ones out there, but I don’t really expect this to be one of them.

[Jusy, you know, based on what she’s seen so far. Things seem pretty grim here.]

Pitching two sides against each other in a war speaks for itself, whether it's one orb or two.

Yes, that is very true.

i feel like you might be right about this.

Not sure if all the people agreeing with me is a comfort, considering the potential complications. But at this point, I'll expect almost anything from these missions, especially when we've been told they're only bound to get trickier from here on out.

Just can't help worrying about what might happen when the first few of us start reaching the limits of what we're willing to do.

It would be hard to assassinate an orb. It could explain why she was denied the mission when she asked.

Be interesting to see her try.

Hah! That is true. She does seem very determined.

I don't want to admire her then find out she's planning to feed us all to the puppy and orphan crushing machine.

No, that would be very disappointing.

For once I'd like to be pleasantly surprised, but we are in hell.

At lest the bar can't get much lower.

Oh, no, don’t say that.

Isn’t that like tempting fate or something.

If V'rizz has a line to this "Him," then the order not to assassinate this "Highest One" likely comes from the top...

Which would lead me to think He has reasons for wanting the Highest One alive.

I hope we just didn't get embroiled in a cosmic-scale divorce.

Don't know why your mind went straight to divorce.

I was thinking tragic love affair.

Guess I'm not the romantic you are

If I was really a romantic, I would have left off the "tragic" bit.

Entr'i also has quite a bit of intel about Taeum's army and what moves they're allegedly planning on taking in the battle ahead.

Of course, until we can communicate with our team on the other side to compare and confirm this information, we can't be sure if it's legitimate. But I'm in the process of trying to get more out of her. She's very determined to go to war against Taeum, though, even if her devotion to "Him" doesn't run too deep. If her priority is assassinating this "Highest One," she's probably planning to use the upcoming fight as an opportunity for that.

Do we know how she gets her intel? Information is scarce as it is without her playing everything so close to the chest.

Yeah? I've recently gotten into their little business. Working closely with them and I think they're appreciative. If you think Entr'i is the way to go, I'm good for whatever needs to be done.

What I think is that Entr'i has a personal stake in this and that makes her a liability depending on how personal. I'd say we wait until we can get in contact with the others before we start moving to the beat of those war drums she's so determined to hit.

Well, that's not what I expected but if that's what you think...

[He's not objecting. Just not what he read into at first glance.]

And how do we get in contact with the others exactly? Nothing gets through. I know we've all tried. I couldn't even tell you what's blocking it. Something natural or technological in place to keep the separation? No clue. Anyone got ideas?

Please, we're just spitballing theories at this point.

Not one anybody would like. My guess is people are turned into digital data or always have been. Wouldn't been the first time an 'entity' created an artificial afterlife.

Artificial afterlife... yeah, I guess that would explain ressurection without all the spiritual mumbo-jumbo. Your life is the Matrix until you die then they spit you into heaven or hell until you're reincarnated back into the mainframe. Makes you wonder what reason they'd need it...

Or maybe it's just a fun game to someone. Like the speculation it's the orbs creating this odd reality. Which also begs the question: how long have the orbs been separate and why are they only being gathered up now? Or how many other teams have failed to finish these missions.

Oh, this can either work in our favors or make things escalate into a bigger problem. Either way, good job guys.

The way V'rizz talks about this mysterious entity makes you think he wants to marry him or whatever.

I've been thinking about Viveca's reaction when she sent us out, and about what we have learned about the cities so far...Are we sure we're looking for ONE single orb? What if there are two of them, or one that's split into more than one part?

Thanks.

Religious devotion can come in many...intense forms.

I'm glad we're all on the same page that this reeks of Orb Shenanigans. I've heard is posited that Him and the Highest One are one in the same, but it's too earlier to tell.

Credit where credit is due.

Yeah, I know. Sadly, on Earth, we've fought plenty of wars over that sort of thing.

Could be, yes. I wouldn't put it past the orbs to start a war in the afterlife for their own amusement. They had been growing in power and nastiness. The more missions we go on, the less I think it's a good idea to keep them in one place while back at the station.

Orb shenanigans aside, how are you holding up? This place reminds me of the planets I visited when I was with the Ravagers while growing up, and it can be plenty stressful in general.

[ Peter knows the sort of life Drift had back in Cybertron, he saw it in that shared dream, so he worries. He is sure that Drift can handle himself, but he wants to check on his state of mind all the same, in case this mission brings back bad memories. ]

Oh trust me humans might have a flair for it but they don't own the market on religious warfare.

If this is even the afterlife. I'm still not convinced this isn't some elaborate simulation or the natives were even organic life to begin with. We've seen weirder.

Heh

This might as well be Dead End in miniature for me. Not exactly home sweet home but it's not the hardest adjustment for me.

You are right, It does happen all over the galaxy in my universe too, I should have known better. It sucks.

I have my doubts too, this place looks like a fraud. You can't buy your way into heaven, just like not having money doesn't make you a sinner. Maybe finding the orb will give us some real answers, it's still too early to tell. We really saw weirder, yup. Not sure if that's a big consolation.

I think I know what you mean. I visited plenty of planets that looked like this sorry city when I was growing up with the Ravagers. It's not good, but it's familiar in a 'I know what sort of terrible shit to expect' kinda way, right? But because of that, it can also be upsetting. If you ever need to talk...or not talk at all, and just need a distraction, feel free to contact me.

Do you guys have Karaokes in Cybertron?

Peter

You're a sweet, honest heart

You can talk to me anytime, too. It took me almost four million years to come to terms with my past, you don't need to rush it.

We had everything but strip clubs.

Because

Yknow

No clothes.

You're going to make me blush. [ For real this time. Compliments aren't seething he gets often, so he appreciates them. ]

We all must really look like babies to you, uh? Thanks, Drift, I'll keep it in mind, Sometimes one needs other people's perspective about stuff.

[ Stuff. feelings. Traumas...same thing. And that reply actually go a laugh out of him. ]

Right, of course. But that's a shame because lingerie is awesome. One of those times when wearing clothes might be better than getting naked.

But back to the other idea, one day we need to go somewhere and do karaoke.

The orbs do seem to enjoy a good measure of...devotion. Most religions provide that.

I agree they all seem to demand some measure of loyalty well after they've granted whatever 'wish' the poor soul asks for

That's often the way of those with power. They know if they ever stop taking, they lose their means of control.

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