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

[slightlyoffchilt]

I think that I, ah -- [A moment of hesitation, and he glances at his communicator. It isn't bugged, of course, but surely one can forgive his paranoia...]

I might lose funding for the hospital. If I change my Registered status.

[solarcharged]

[ He raises a hand, almost beseechingly, against Chilton's hesitant reply. He doesn't need to explain. ]

It's okay. [ Then, repeating the doctor's words back at him: ] I won't take it personally.

[slightlyoffchilt]

But my offer still stands. [He tried to reassure, and quickly.] If you'll have it. We would keep it off any official paperwork, of course, wouldn't want to leave a trail.

[solarcharged]

Good thinking. I have no idea what the government would think of you helping us out but wee wouldn't want to risk incriminating you, either.

[ And evidently Chilton has apparently thought about this more than Apollo has, because this video is like the opposite of 'off the record'. Apollo raises a hand to rub at the back of his neck in a rare moment of sheepishness, admitting as much: ]

Although my video has probably already put me a little beyond a prosecutor needing a papertrail to pin me down...

[slightlyoffchilt]

I have faith in some of the legal types in our number. [There was that Foggy Nelson, he seemed competent.] I imagine if, in fact, if we encountered trouble, a case could be made for privacy.

[After the fact? Well, Chilton wasn't legally inclined -- in many ways, but certainly not scholarly. He was making a few assumptions along the way.]

But you raise a fair point. We should, perhaps, meet up again.

[Now he was suggestion conspiracy, but it seemed low risk compared to his hospital getting audited. Sometimes Chilton could be an optimistic man.]

[solarcharged]

Funnily enough, I've already been told I should look in to getting some legal support for all this. I suppose it's not a bad idea, considering.

[ 'Funnily enough' says Apollo, and yet he looks distinctly unamused by the idea. It's an annoyingly practical piece of advice that Apollo absolutely does not want to take.

At the suggestion of a meeting, Apollo lifts his eyebrows. He would like to get to know the doctor better. ]

Where do you suggest?

[slightlyoffchilt]

I've had good conversation with a man named Foggy. Ah -- Foggy Nelson? I think of him as a competent individual. Someone really worth taking a look at, I mean.

[Chilton cleared his throat, fretting that he was fumbling over his delivery.]

He hasn't taken any cases for me, mind. Nor have I sought his legal advice. But I find him to be of sound logic.

For as much as that observation is worth.

[Foggy was nice to Chilton once, and therein rests the basis of his bias.]

[solarcharged]

[ He listens, initially with some confusion. But as it becomes increasingly clear what he'd accidentally done, the confusion gives way to a slowly dawning smile. ]

Well, that's all very good to know... [ He leans in a little and drops his voice conspiratorially. ] But actually, I meant you and I.

[ He hadn't made that clear and the confusion's on him. But it's still amusing nonetheless. ]