video | a finer world, part 2

[solarcharged]

[ Does this guy ever broadcast to the network from ground level?? APPARENTLY NOT because here's Apollo with yet another video message from somewhere dizzyingly high, this time sat on top of a brightly lit neon encrusted building in the heart of Jeopardy. Over his shoulder the sun sets over the desert in a picture perfect background landscape of bright pinks and oranges, but Apollo looks pensive despite the dreamy setting. He's been keeping an eye out for the so-called ghosts, you see, and maybe remembering a few ghosts of his own in the process. ]

An old friend once told me that saving the world is no good if we leave it the way we found it. She said 'saving the day shouldn't be the same as preserving the status quo'. Because what's the point in saving the world if you make no effort to change it? To make it better than it was?

That's why I joined her team, back home. I wanted to save the world and change it for the better. None of us could have done it alone but as a group... [ He trails off, turning a little wistful. ] As a group we were formidable.

But I know most of the teams currently operating here - [ you know who you are ] - are all pretty much Registered-only affairs. And that's fine if you're the Registering type...

[ Apollo's expression turns grim. Or as grim as you can look when surrounded by neon pink signage. ]

Personally? I've got no intention of swearing my loyalty to the government just because they want tame superheroes. But I still want to make a difference and if being a so-called vigilante is what it takes, then... I guess we'll see what happens next.

So consider this an open call. Is there anyone else out there who's Unsettled and wants to do their bit to save the world?

[ And yeah, maybe change it a little bit too. He hopes you're happy, Jenny Sparks. ]

Comments

video

[knaval]

Weren't you that weirdo who was sulking on the moon a couple of weeks back?

[hi, again.]

video

[solarcharged]

Weren't you that robot trying to do kickflips?

[ he remembers. ]

You fell over. In seventeen percent gravity.

[VIDEO]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

So...do you mind if I ask why you wouldn't want to work with the government?

Not looking to judge, I'm just...honestly curious.

[Because he's been having some second thoughts recently.]

[solarcharged]

Because I've seen state-sponsored heroes in action. It gets ugly. [ with a faint smile: ] And maybe I also kind of resent the idea that you have to be government Registered to be considered heroic around here. Government doesn't always mean good. I'd rather be independent.

video

[queenofseers]

Are you setting up the video this way on purpose? Trying to make yourself look a bit more cinematic?

[ Cassandra knows how to set up a video, but she thinks he looks a little dramatic that way. ]

In any case- I don't think superheroics are anything I'm interested in, but I'd rather you reach out than not. Frankly, I'm not sure why the fuck people weren't doing this before.

[solarcharged]

I don't know what you're talking about.

[ He lied, like a liar. Dramatic sunsets are on brand! Personal branding is a thing, Cassandra!! ]

And you can't fool me. All that Atropos-hunting stuff? You're a superhero through and through.

text;

[therewillbeorder]

I would be surprised if every ImPort who registered is truly loyal to the government in any sense.

What kind of a difference on this planet were you hoping to make?

[solarcharged]

Oh no, I'm not under any illusion otherwise. And honestly, I wouldn't blame people for signing up just for the secure housing and steady income. Being homeless is awful.

And I'm not sure yet. If it was that easy to answer I'm sure someone would have beaten me to it...

video;

[kanyounot]

I totally understand your hesitation about registering - I don't exactly have any reason to be trusting of or loyal to any government, either. But I did make that jump, and in my experience there hasn't been any pressure to do anything in particular, certainly not to be an errand boy for the government or anything like that. It just gives me more freedom to help when I'm needed.

[solarcharged]

That's good to hear. Really, it is.

[ Because if it were otherwise then this wouldn't be an open call. It would be a call to arms. ]

But what you said about having more freedom to help... that's the thing, isn't it? You've got to wonder why a government would make it harder for imPorts to help if they're not Registered. If they really wanted us to help out, why brand Unsettled heroes 'vigilantes'? Why not just let everyone help as they were needed, Registered and Unsettled alike?

Audio|Locked

[lootsnshoots]

[Cayde relays his feed through his Ghost, securing it through private Vanguard encryption. Hey, he's not above going behind official channels back home, he's not about to change out here.]

I like what your friend had to say. Sounds like a lady after my own heart. Anyway I'm just chimin' in to say—you don't necessarily have to be "good" to do good. So comin' from one of those Registered in-a-team types? I'm wishin' you luck and sure as hell won't stand in your way.

Audio|Locked

[solarcharged]

[ oh hey that's a fancy encryption ]

Yeah, she had a knack for hitting the nail on the head when it comes to these things. Always knew what to say, even if people didn't want to hear it.

Thanks, by the way. Which team are you in, Aegis or Justice League?

video;

[minorgod]

Yeah, Registering doesn't work for all of us.

[ Yato is someone who's been stymied by the lack of options open to Unsettled with regards to "officially" joining up with anything, so Apollo's message has his attention for sure. ]

What'd you have in mind?

video;

[solarcharged]

I'm not entirely sure yet. And considering that it's not going to be considered entirely legal by the powers that be, I'm not sure if it's up for public discussion. Right now I'm just putting the word out there and seeing who else feels the same way.

[ with mixed results so far!! ]

I'm Apollo, by the way. Hi.

encrypted video; id: batman

[cassassin]

It's a good idea.

[ her hands have been tied on this, so. ]

encrypted video

[solarcharged]

[ Apollo gives the encrypted feed a private, shared smile. ]

Sure I can't tempt you?

[heliophilic]

Jeez, and people call me dramatic.

[If M knew such words, he'd be waiting for Apollo to tell the camera to "like and subscribe" and "smash that bell for new content."]

[solarcharged]

[ He grins softly at that. ]

Hey, what did I say about you throwing stones?

video.

[youresovein]

[ it's a bit after sunset when lestat gets around to responding. ]

Ah, so no interest in maintaining the current world order, then?

video.

[solarcharged]

[ It sure is nighttime but backdrop is no less gay bright, thanks to the RIDICULOUS neon lights everywhere. Thanks, Jeopardy!! ]

Well, if nothing good ever stays the same then I'm sure as hell not letting the bad stuff stay either.

text; un: ^Graff; private

[justlittle]

[ Bean isn't so much a "team player," but he realizes the benefit of having a group dedicated to similar goals. He knows that none of Ender's jeesh could have won the war acting alone. Still, he knows that not many people are willing to work with someone of Bean's age. ]

Do you have any limitations on who you'll accept on your team?

text / private

[solarcharged]

Good question. Hopefully we're going to be pretty inclusive, to an extent. Maybe let's say it's a case-by-case thing.

Why do you ask?

[choosetruth]

...we have very different views on what being Registered means.

[Georgia raises an eyebrow behind sunglasses.]

Are you also opposed to drivers' licenses and gun control?

[solarcharged]

No. I'd destroy every firearm in the world if I had it my way.

[ icon face!! ]

And why the fuck would I be opposed to drivers licenses?

[slightlyoffchilt]

Would, ah, any auxiliary aid be required to be Unsettled?

[solarcharged]

What kind of aid are you thinking, doctor?