[Audio]

[heartofwar]

Uh, hey there. [Pretending this level of technology isn't new to him, like a pro.]

Can't say I enjoy jumping time like this and it looks like I need to catch up on some history again. Mind pointing me to the nearest library? Or if there are any experts on the subject, I'd like to hear from them. Recommendations if you got em.

Also looking for a Dr. Isaac Gilmore, if anyone knows him. It's very important.

One more thing: if any of you have heard an organization called Black Ghost, I'm gonna need all you've got. They could be tied directly to this war.

Comments

[ voice ]

[kicksomegrass]

I notice there's no mechanic on that list.

[ voice ]

[heartofwar]

Ah, it's you.

Well to be honest, I was hoping someone here knew Dr. Gilmore. He was my primary engineer back home.

[ voice ]

[kicksomegrass]

I got a name, y'know.

[ Rocket you never told him what it was... ] And I kinda figured that "some guy I know" stuff was total crap.

[ voice ]

[heartofwar]

Must have missed it.

Hah yeah. Stuff like this doesn't seem too out of the ordinary from what I've seen and heard so far. It'd have to come out sometime if I'm looking for a mechanic though.

[ voice ]

[kicksomegrass]

It's Rocket.

[ And don't you forget it. ]

Eh, fair enough. You a robot of some kind? Cyborg?

audio

[quaerit]

[ New people, already. That's depressing. ]

That was my first priority, too. I'm not sure which city you're resident in, but there are decent libraries in both Heropa and De Chima. I'll send you the addresses.

[ Two addresses, plus maps and general directions. ]

There's a good deal that's different, from my world anyway. Can I ask where you're from?

audio

[heartofwar]

Maurtia Falls? Should've mentioned that. But I can travel, thanks.

I'm from.. well, an alternative Earth I guess. Not sure what to call it, really.

audio

[quaerit]

That's a place I haven't been, quite yet. The internet might tell you if there's something more local.

Provided you know what that is, obviously, which leads me to my next question. What sort of time period are you from? Does this world seem futuristic, or anachronistic to you?

audio

[heartofwar]

Uh, futuristic I guess. I'm from 1989 this time. There wasn't a lot of hover technology then. The internet has something to do with computer systems, right?

audio

[quaerit]

That's right. It really comes into its own in the late nineties, so you're about a decade off.

If you imagine a computerised phone book, that's what the internet would do for you. Except that on top of giving you contact details, it'd give you information about whatever you're looking for, a street address, and probably a detailed map as well. In fact you'd probably find a lot of what you're looking for just by searching the internet, in the first place.

[ Which almost makes it sound like Gansey favors that sort of research, doesn't it? He's nothing of the sort. ]

No substitute for a good book, in my mind. But useful, all the same.

Audio

[lookingfordaddies]

Really! I know. Being dragged into the past like this is sooo annoying. I can't download at terabytes per millisecond anymore!

And I still have to do my own maintenance but I can't Google my model tips and tricks like I used to. Ughhh!! Like, what do they expect me to do?

Audio

[heartofwar]

[yeah most of that's over his head sorry bro, but-]

Your own maintenance? How do you manage that?

video;

[brushoff]

Past to future or future to past? [ said with a small little smile. ]

video;

[heartofwar]

[well hey there. there's a video function? huh. should've figured that out. now how to switch through them is the question]

Past to future. 1989. But if this is the same Cold War, it's still something of a strange reversal.

video;

[brushoff]

If it helps, the Cold War's over in most worlds by 2015. This is simply the exception to prove the rule.

video;

[heartofwar]

I guess that's comforting in a way. Any idea why it's not here?

video;

[brushoff]

[ to which, Dorian just shrugs. ]

Beats me.

text

[thelimitdoesnotexist]

I haven't heard of either.

but what do you know of this black ghost?

text

[heartofwar]

Well it's an organization made up of death merchants. They sell weapons to different countries around the world to sow the seeds of war. I can only guess that's why the Cold War has lasted this long here. If not Black Ghost, then maybe an organization like them.

text

[thelimitdoesnotexist]

from the start I've had suspicions about this conflict.

one person managed to undo a lot in one night here. it's not too much to think that a group could manage a whole war.

text

[heartofwar]

Not a pleasant thought, but we should find out who the real enemy is here before we go around fighting anyone.

( audio. )

[aberth]

There's a really good one in De Chima. A library I mean, I checked out a whole hoard of stuff on the history when I arrived.

[ Maybe he can get a copy of Gansey's notes. ]

Mostly it's easy if you've already had your own version of the Cold War, you just beef up the knowledge so it sounds like a B-Movie sequel. Communism: The Return.

( audio. )

[heartofwar]

Yeah, I'm good on World War II and Cold War history. Not thrilled about the dissolution of the peace talks, or whatever happened here.

[Trying not to make this personal, trying so hard. Nope]

They should have at least taken the Wall down.

( audio. )

[aberth]

[ Adam makes an understanding noise. This is strange even for him. ]

Are you from Germany? [ Because it's an educated guess. The Wall separated the two halves. Someone from there might see it as offensive. Probably no one from America would. ]

( audio. )

[heartofwar]

That obvious, huh. It was just coming down in my world. To hear it's still standing here is a slap in the face.