video | a finer world, part 1

[solarcharged]

To everyone I haven’t met: hi, my name’s Apollo.

[ ANOTHER APOLLO, yes, it’s true. He’s been here for a couple of weeks now, scouring the network and talking to locals as he slowly builds up a picture of what life is like in this brave new world. Today he’s addressing the video feed from somewhere above Nonah’s city skyline, faintly haloed in solar energy in the dusk of the evening as the sun sets somewhere on the horizon. Apollo fixes the video feed with a characteristically sunny smile. ]

Now, I tend not to trust government representatives. In fact I could say ‘I trust government representatives as far as I can throw them’ but that phrase doesn’t really work when you can throw them pretty damn far.

[ Weird flex, but he can and has. Mostly for the right reasons. ]

So, sorry America, but Registration really isn’t my thing and no amount of helpful pamphlets is going to change that. Still, that’s not going to stop me from wanting to help out, fight the good fight, make the world a finer place...

[ He tails off expectantly – those words are a test of sorts. If you know then you know. ]

So what I’d like to know is what teams are out there doing just that? I’ve heard all about Aegis Force but I'm wondering whether there are other groups out there, specifically for us firmly Unsettled types.

Comments

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[mortalweapon]

[ A curious blue machine is watching from her end of the feed. ]

Please define: "A finer place."

[solarcharged]

[ Huh. Interesting. ]

A finer world. A fairer one, if that helps explain it. The kind of world that people deserve.

[ He lifts one broad shoulder in a shrug. ]

I haven't seen enough of this world yet to know what that might look like here. But I have seen enough of other worlds to know that there's always room for improvement.

[mortalweapon]

A generally noble goal, but a rather subjective definition.

[solarcharged]

I know. And I'm not looking to redefine anyone's idea of 'better' - [ not YET, give him time ] - but if there's something I can do as an Unsettled import then I'd like to find out.

[ a pause, then: ]

What's your name, if you don't mind me asking?

[mortalweapon]

I do not mind you asking.
My name is Danger.
I am a female-identifying sentient codestruct.

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[ct_7567]

How exactly do you qualify fighting the good fight? There are ways of contributing beyond the established groups.

[solarcharged]

In exactly the way you think. [ He flashes a smile. ] I'm not that great at writing petitions.

[ all those muscles get in the way of holding a pen, you see!! ]

[ct_7567]

Why don't you humour me and tell me what exactly you think I'm thinking?

[solarcharged]

Fighting the good fight. Emphasis on the fighting.

[youresovein]

[ sundown means this guy just woke up a few minutes ago and is checking his social media. as you do. he's pale, well-dressed, and regarding this stranger with wary curiosity. ]

"Make the world a finer place." How captivatingly vague. And you're looking to join a club for that?

[solarcharged]

[ Joining a club. It kind of is like that, isn't it? Apollo didn't realise that he was so much of a team player, but if the shoe fits... ]

Just fact finding for now, I guess. I'm still learning a hell of a lot about this world.

[ You guys have been up to a lot okay ]

[youresovein]

And you can learn a lot about a man by the questions he chooses to ask.

By the way, love the halo.

[solarcharged]

Thanks. [ He smiles indulgently at the video feed. ] I made it myself.

[ But, yknow. Don't be fooled by it. ]

[exceptionalthief]

So you want to be a vigilante, basically.

[solarcharged]

Not my word of choice. [ But: ] I'm keeping my options open.

[exceptionalthief]

I believe that's what the government will label you, just so you know, whether you like the word or not.

[solarcharged]

[ Hm. He's silent for a moment, before finally offering the video feed a wry, resigned smile. ]

So be it. I've been called worse.

[ Because fuck it, it's only a word, right? ]

encrypted voice; id: batman

[cassassin]

[ the voice that comes through is deep and heavily processed. ]

Justice League keeps Unsettled imPorts out of the field. Plenty of support roles? But probably... not what you're after.

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[solarcharged]

Justice League? [ never heard of her ] What do they do?

[cassassin]

General missions. Disaster response. Crisis situations. It's not focused on other imPorts.

We help train... inexperienced imPorts, too.

[solarcharged]

They all seem like perfectly reasonable aims. So why not Unsettled imPorts?

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[heliophilic]

I think you're going to find yourself out of luck. It's frowned upon for people to exercise free will if they don't fall in line.

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[solarcharged]

[ Apollo lifts his eyebrows expectantly. ]

Speaking from experience? Don't try and tell me someone's slapped you on the wrist.

[ Because said wrist would probably end up broken, let's face it. ]

[heliophilic]

No one's dumb enough to come after me.

Besides, I'm playing incredibly nice for not toeing the party line, if I do say so myself.

[solarcharged]

[ Grinning and with absolutely zero accusation: ]

Sounds like someone's gone soft.