video.

[selfequipped]

[Kate actually knows she shouldn't do this. She knows she shouldn't, but she goes ahead and does it anyway.]

A year ago, I made a post on here. I talked about a different world, and I talked about a different registration act. In my world, good people who refused to register were assaulted, brought down, and meant to be delivered to a dangerous and terrible prison until they submitted. My friends and I were among the first to refuse to register, and we were lucky enough to be rescued. I never registered, and it turned out that everything associated with the act was ... bad.

For that reason, among others, I've refused to register here. We don't belong in this world, and our hands are being forced on the matter. The government has used us without divulging information openly, and they've even put us into psychological games. Just last April, everyone was asked to play a game. Did you feel like a rat in a cage? And last June, people were asked to play a war game without being told of the very real consequences: that with every shot, we'd feel what it was like to have a real bullet tearing into us. And at the end of the game, you either won or you experienced true death before you woke up.

[Her voice here intensifies in its anger.]

And now ... now, a year later, we're in another game. We're in the reality of that paintball game. See, it was imPort versus imPort, and here we are again. We're having our hands forced because even if we've been helping one another, and helping the citizens of the world, we should be brought in. None of the vigilantes I know kill. We all help, doing what we can, and it's the government who defines our behavior, and who decides that we should adhere to their laws. And why? Is there any reason that we should? We didn't consent to these tattoos. We've been going along with what they've wanted for ages.

So, this is what I'm asking the government to do. You have the list of vigilantes. Why don't you bring us in yourself? Why use other imPorts? You can capture us, right?

Because honestly, that's what I'd like to know. Obviously, you want something for this, so everyone, let's guess! Because it looks like they want a Civil War among us. I guess they really didn't think it through, even with cautionary tales already ready in their midst.

[When she cuts the feed, it switches to text, providing a link to her previous words on the matter. Cautionary tales are even sourced!]

Comments

[selfequipped]

We haven't been given a big head's up on why we're here. The previous imPorts had a better idea. Lachesis, the being in the machine, interacted a lot more. She liked to hear herself "speak" on occasion. Here, you have a whole different story. We just have the government saying they don't intend to have us fight, but who knows? Maybe she wants us to fight this war. Maybe she doesn't.

[desequilibre]

I've heard much about this being. [ He tried to argue with most of them. A machine that could think for itself was not something Athos was happy to believe in. ]

So does she no longer talk with the imPorts?

[selfequipped]

Last I heard, she hasn't spoken to anyone in this world since December 2013. And no, the Secretary of Defense, despite having a rather ... suspicious name, doesn't seem to be related to her at all.

That would be too easy.

[desequilibre]

Then how do you know she is still alive?

[ #PESSIMISM. ]

[selfequipped]

Previously, they were able to turn the Porter on and off. Since she arrived, they've been unable to control it. That actually strains their resources, especially since we can't be predicted once we arrive.

Simply put: the fact that we're still here in such high numbers seems to say it plainly.

[desequilibre]

[ Both of his eyebrows lift a little in surprise. ]

So she's mute and cannot be controlled. Was there something that set about these changes? An occurrence? An attack? Anything that might explain it.

[selfequipped]

A change over from her previous universe? The death of her sisters? Those seem to be the most likely possibilities. Or maybe she's acting differently here. We do have quite the interestingly named politicians here. I outlined it on the FAQ, but they are funny coincidences.

[desequilibre]

[ He's so sorry, Kate. ]

What is a FAQ? [ God, it even sounds weird inside of his mouth. This place is never not going to give him a headache. ]

[selfequipped]

Oh, sorry, it was among Thomas' notes. It's a frequently asked questions guide.

[desequilibre]

[ It sounds very useful. ]

Thomas. I believe Grey mentioned him. [ A pause. ] Did he publish this guide? [ Because it would be wonderful if he could stop feeling so ignorant all of the time. ]

[selfequipped]

They're a little out of date, but here they are ... [After a beat, she switches to text to supply this: here. And she specifically links the FAQ as well. She switches back after a moment.]

Click on both of those. They'll come up on their own. Some of Thomas' information is out of date, but it's the most thorough overview.

[desequilibre]

[ There's the quiet sound of fumbling as Athos finally locates the text feature. He's been doing his best to avoid it, but at least with Kate's link it is actually something helpful. ]

It looks very informative. [ And he's glad for that. He'll share it with d'Artagnan as soon as possible. The more they know, the better they might be able to act. ] I will examine these immediately, thank you.

[selfequipped]

No problem. If you have any questions, just ask. I'm always available, like I said. [She's just reiterating the point!]

always with the accidental subscription gid.

[desequilibre]

I will keep that in mind. And if you are ever in need of any assistance with your troubles, Mademoiselle, please do call on me.

[ He's very interested in knowing more about the government's mistakes. ]