VIDEO

[biotically]

Hello? [ A beat. ] I'm not just...talking to myself, right?

I think I remember hearing about the Cold War in the history files they used to give us to read growing up. I don't think it was supposed to last this long though, if I remember right. So either I'm really that bad at my history, or something's wrong with this place. [ His tone seems to suggest that he knows it's not him that's wrong. ]

The problem is that I'm in the middle of my own war, and it doesn't seem that they really give much of a damn about that, no matter how many times I tried to tell them that I have someplace more important to be. [ A pause. ] There's no place to make my case, is there? To go home?

[ It's just wry enough that it's obviously a joke, but just serious enough that there's an edge to it, the desperate hope that maybe something will come out of it. ]

If I'm stuck here, though, I suppose this is where I'm going to go for company, right? No extranet message boards, no videos posted everywhere? [ A pause. ] It's almost the technological dark ages, isn't it? Or almost, although this is pretty close to doing it with letters and a pony express.

I don't know if this means anything, honestly, but this is Major Alenko of the Systems Alliance, and they told me that this was the place to go to talk to people. So since I'm assuming I'm going to get a response to this, and assuming that everyone else has been brought in like I was...

What kind of places are people being pulled from? Is anyone else kind of in the middle of something important? Or a war? What kind of people were they looking for with this kind of kidnapping?

Comments

[heartlessglitch]

Acknowledged.

What is the justification for their eradication of your species?
Or have they not presented you with one?

[biotically]

They haven't. Other than the fact that it's inevitable, and that they did this before over fifty thousand years ago, we don't know anything else.

Other than how... easy it is for them.

[heartlessglitch]

How insignificant humans must seem to such ancient and infinite beings.

[biotically]

Not just humans. The whole lot of us, honestly. We all are, when it comes to the Reapers.

Their name alone says everything.

[heartlessglitch]

A name can speak volumes.

Perhaps you should enjoy this reprieve from fighting for your survival then.

[biotically]

That's not possible.

I'd rather have a vacation after the whole thing is handled, not before. It's very important I get back.

[heartlessglitch]

There is no one here that can aid you with that particular goal, Major.

[biotically]

So I'm starting to notice. [ He doesn't sound as much disappointed as he does...resolute. He's not going to keep fighting it. ]

Which then means I'm going to have to reevaluate my goals, if that's the case. I'll...do something. But I can't just give up on that possibility either. That I could get home.

[heartlessglitch]

You will go home, eventually.
If the historical trend upholds itself.
There is simply no way to predict when that will be.
I suggest you devote your efforts to adapting here instead.

[biotically]

Yeah, so it would seem. Easier said than done, though.

[ A pause. Because, AI.

But also, AIs would have the best data on this sort of thing. It's not necessarily something he can ignore. ]

Any tips? One the adapting thing?

[heartlessglitch]

I find that going out and experiencing things for myself is the most effective way to acclimate to any new universe.

[biotically]

Yeah.

I should have guessed that answer, shouldn't I?

You have experience with this whole..."new universe" thing?

[heartlessglitch]

Some, yes.
I am a member of the imPort community that was previously in another foreign universe before this one.
There are a small number of us.

[biotically]

So you've been here a while?

How long, exactly? [ A pause. ] If you don't mind me asking.

[heartlessglitch]

[ she could tell him to the minute, but it seems easier to say: ]

Slightly over two years.

[biotically]

Oh.

[ Yeah, he doesn't need the minute, and that would freak him out. Which this had that effect as well. His eyes wide, his mouth open, he looks shocked. ]

I -- Two years? How do you handle that? Don't you have a home to go back to? Something important waiting for you?

[heartlessglitch]

I came here under unusual circumstances.
The person that mattered most to me had arrived before me.
Though he was sent home long ago, his presence at the time erased any urgency I felt to return home.

[biotically]

Ah. [ He almost sounded thoughtful at that. Like he suspected it could make a difference, but he didn't really have anyone like that.

There were people important to him, but... Well. They could either take care of themselves, or being back home wasn't going to make their situation better.

The look on his face said it all. That look that said someone was thinking too much, and saying too little, before he finally focused back on the screen. ]

I suppose that would make a difference. It's less pressing, then, to go home.

That was pretty lucky, wasn't it? It seems like it is.

[heartlessglitch]

Perhaps it would seem that way.
It would take a significant amount of time for me to correct you, so I will not.
Especially given that we are barely acquainted.

[biotically]

Well, you don't have to explain, I think I get the picture.

[ It's not necessarily huffy, but the tone of voice says it all, really. Just stiff enough to realize he probably went too far. ]

But, really, thank you for the information. [ Especially from an AI. Danger is literally the most helpful AI he's met, since he didn't really know EDI for more than 2 seconds. ]

You were very helpful.

[heartlessglitch]

My pleasure, Major.
I live to serve.

[ a pause, then a bit flatly: ]

That was a joke.

[biotically]

You almost had me going there.

[ His laugh is a bit dry, and nervous. ]

I was starting to wonder if I'd missed something. But thanks again.

[heartlessglitch]

You are welcome.
If you ever require my assistance, you have invitation to ask for me.
My name is Danger.

[biotically]

[ Despite the rocky start, Kaidan can already tell that this is a pretty big thing. ]

Thank you. I'm sure, if I need it, I'll ask. And the offer, ah, goes both ways. I can be pretty capable, promise.

[heartlessglitch]

Acknowledged, Major Alenko.
I am certain we will have some opportunities to find out precisely how capable you are.