video; un: ratchet (post attack on palace)

[neveroutwrenched]

[It's midday a few days after the battle when the feed comes to life. Ratchet is settled in the forest on the outskirts of the city, blaster pistol laid in the grass by his feet. Behind him, the trees are covered in scorch marks from his target practice... though truthfully, Ratchet was more interested in blowing off steam than working on his aim.

The race for a cure, the political intrigue, organizing a breakout... it was a lot of hurry up and wait while plans were worked out by those Orbers who'd proven themselves essential. The energy inside the palace walls was the taut, nervous kind that made Ratchet want to disappear into the middle of nowhere and shoot stuff until he got his head on straight.

He was still riding that adrenaline when he begins to speak, tail swishing involuntarily. Addressing a crowd -- even an invisible one -- wasn't in his comfort zone.]

Hey. Hi. [He waves.] Everyone's got a lot on their plates right now, so let me just say right off the bat: that this doesn't have to do with any of that. I promise, this is like... negative important. So if you're looking for the latest news on what's going on at the palace or in Yuryeong or whatever, you can probably skip this one.

[ There goes his tail, swishing harder. Yep, he was nailing this. ]

Anyway... We're dealing with a multiverse spanning AI here, right? Like, I get that part. But... isn't it a little crazy how many people here can straight up do magic? Like, is that a condition of admission? Because if it is, I think there was some kind of mistake when it picked me up. [It's a joke, but maybe not as much of one as he tries to make it sound.] I'm a great mechanic, don't get me wrong. I guess you could say I'm a wizard with engines, but I don't think that really counts when there are... actual wizards around.

[That wasn't offensive, right? "Wizard"? Sitting up a little straighter, Ratchet figures it's time to get to the point.]

So, I guess I'm trying to figure that part out. What did everyone on this team do, back on your worlds? Doctor? Culinary auteur? Unpaid intern? What do you think made the AI pick you for this?

... And if there's anyone else out there feeling a little powerless right now, you're welcome to come fire off a few rounds with me. [He holds up the gun with a lopsided grin.] It's not a magic wand or anything, but y'know. Still fun.

Comments

[neveroutwrenched]

Yeah, they, uh...are about as likely to help as they are to drive a serious wedge between people.

[You could never tell how ugly a game of three truths or a trust fall was going to get. And that wasn't even touching mandatory corporate retreats.]

So, no games...what do you do in your world? When you're trying to build up a good team.

[neveroutwrenched]

Not the least of all, the one we're in right now.

[chronosynthesis]

Well, most of my experience with pre-established teams has been with military organizations. Training and strong leadership was the backbone of a cohesive unit.

[Though, Syrlya can recognize that's not terribly applicable to their ragtag group.]

Bringing together discordant groups however... it took a bit of trust, to convince them all to try to cooperate once in order to achieve a goal that mattered to all of them. Once they saw the power putting their skills together brought, we were able to take it farther.

[scarcastically]

Sure, but that has the added layer of monarchy which I was never fond of.

[ this is a partial lie. erik enjoyed being king but he wasn't foolish enough to think it was good for the long-term. he just needed it to spearhead his campaign. ]

[longoverdue]

[Richie’s quiet for a long moment. Then he sighs, and nods.]

We, uh. There was an eldritch serial killer clown in the sewers where we lived. There’s none now. [He scratches over the back of his neck.] I made it out. He—didn’t.

[There’s a heaviness to his voice that wasn’t there before, a grief that Richie can barely look at. Indeed, he seems to pause for a moment, breathe in then out, then reassume his usual facade. At all costs, do not be Seen.]

That shit’s depressing, right? If I got picked for morale then I’m doing a fucking shit job.

[testgasm]

Upper management, yes, that sounds right. Perfectly normal, I assure you. We mostly did science.

audio; un: renfri

[retributioning]

If you're looking for someone who can do magic, you can count me out. It's the opposite. Magic doesn't work on me — too bad for all the "actual wizards".

[ is it possible to make quotation marks audible in just a voice message? well, renfri sure seems to manage just fine. as well as sound somewhat derisive about the whole wizard part. clearly she's not too fond of the profession. ]

[thevalley]

There's not many of us left where I'm from either. Okay, so. Not a cat. Just an alien that's like a cat. Cool. We're all aliens here.

[She can roll with that. Besides, it makes as much sense as anything else.]

All of the above, yeah.

[bindsthedead]

I don't know. All I know is that- what happened wasn't fair, so I'm going to do what I can to undo it and bring them back.

[neveroutwrenched]

[Ratchet winces, taking a breath, unsurprised by her answer, for all that he had asked the question. But also maybe unprepared for how much hearing someone say it sent a strange jolt of anxiety through him.]

You're...what, eighteen? Nineteen?

[bindsthedead]

Eighteen. Some of them were younger.

[The youngest had been sixteen, and for all she and her classmates had pretended to be worldly young women, they were children.

Children Sabriel had put in danger because the alternative was even worse.]

[callada]

I... don't know. Maybe? The stuff that gets passed on from your parents that makes you who you are.

[Maybe that helps? "Genetics" isn't a word he's ever heard of.]

A long time ago, people used to think the fruits were inhabited by devils that took over the person who ate them. Things like that. We know better now, or at least, most people do. Not the microscopic details, but that it's a real part of nature, I mean, instead of devil curses and sea spirits.

[bossily]

Oh, I wouldn't be able to join something like that anymore. [Awkward.]

I'm able to do magic now. Sabriel's teaching me. I refuse to be inept.

[Pause.]

Especially magically.

[neveroutwrenched]

Actually, it's a relief to talk to more non-magic types...

[Something about the hostility of her tone however, makes him pause. It's clear that she must come from a world with magic, which placed her in a somewhat strange place amongst those he'd talked to. Not someone with no familiarity, nor someone who spoke of magic highly.

Something else.]

Are you...concerned about them trying to use magic on you?

[coordination]

Once there's a better understanding of its ins and out, I'm sure teaching a few extra people those details would be a useful backup, too..

[ At least for cases like power restoration or something so nobody is too afraid of touching the wrong thing and making it worse. But it is hopeful, if people like Ratchet are here now who can actually understand that technology better.

Yzak will not feel jabbed at all because him being called pretty good at something? Feels nice, and also is correct. So it's time for a bit of a brag - and since he's very self-assured he doesn't try to subdue himself. ]

I am a commanding officer. So understanding your team's abilities is a must if you intend to be a good one.

[neveroutwrenched]

[There's a brief moment, just a moment where Ratchet almost laughs when Richie says "serial killer clown in the sewers". The sheer uncanniness of it feels like an obvious joke - especially coming from someone who was a self-professed comedian.

They both dodge that discomfort, thankfully, because he does catch himself; Richie's sober tone washing away any hint of a joke in his words immediately.]

...it...must be strange. Seeing him again.

[neveroutwrenched]

Not you too, Clara!

[His exaggerated, wounded tone gives way to an easy laugh.]

Seriously though it's, probably not a bad idea. All these people with different skills...it can't hurt to pick up a few. [A small beat.] What kind of thing is she teaching you to do?

[neveroutwrenched]

Endangered species...see, we already have something in common. [that's not a funny joke, but then, maybe it wasn't meant to be.]

Lemme guess..."Earth", right?

[neveroutwrenched]

Well, maybe if things go well on this mission, people will see that! [A little learn by doing, team building through action. Not the worst strategy.] I've actually seen a lot of people here teaching each other and learning new stuff, so...maybe it's already happening.

[neveroutwrenched]

[Part of Ratchet wondered if there weren't a lot of things here that people called "magic" that weren't just some physical phenomenon they didn't have the understanding or language for yet. Like how you tell little kids fairytales about tiny technomites making technology work until they're old enough to understand it.

Not that he was going to say that to anyone's face any time soon.]

Yeah, that's what we would call it back home. But...what kind of changes are we talking about? Gene- er, lineage factor changes seems like they would be...pretty drastic?

[neveroutwrenched]

Can't say I'm very familiar with them, but it really doesn't seem to be working out for these people.

I'm...not sure what's gonna happen with that if we're here disrupting it though.

[neveroutwrenched]

Science.

[bossily]

Magic, mostly.

[Yeah, yeah. It's a crappy answer. But she isn't really sure the full of extent of what all she's going to learn, and doesn't feel like she knows enough yet to really describe it to him.]

You could learn too, if you wanted. It might be fun to learn together.

Audio. UN:Kirigan

[cruelyethuman]

[There are sounds of crying and rustling clothes in the background, and the Darkling's voice is strained.]

What are you?

[Before he answers the actual question.]

I'm a General, I lead an army.

[chronosynthesis]

[Maybe that was the real goal of dumping them here with no help or return until they figure it out.]

Sabriel and--Newt? [That's the dude from the other announcement, right.] Have already made progress on a cure far faster than I could have anticipated. It's because of their strength together we'll be able to properly help all of the infected.

And we will learn from that, too. Keep those things we accomplish together close at heart, Ratchet.