maskormenace | 2nd Oration / Voice

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2nd Oration / Voice

[Dooku's voice on the Network is difficult to miss: deep, resonant, rich, and inexplicably British despite him being from space.]

Good evening, my friends. As his probation officer, I feel it is my duty to inform you that Death the Kid has departed from this universe.

[Pause]

A pity, really. He only had a few days remaining on his sentence. I was looking forward to recommending his freedom from government supervision.

Now then, there is another matter I wish to discuss. I have been considering the role of emotion in the matters of power. ImPort abilities often seem tied to how we feel. Passions such as anger and fear can threaten our control, yet they can also spur our powers to greater heights in times of need.

In my Galaxy, there are two philosophies which have debated these issues for many thousands of years. One believes in the denial of passion. They insist upon tranquility and harmony. It is their belief that only a calm heart, without attachments, can attain true wisdom in serving others. They do not even allow themselves to fall in love...

[The Count's voice drops slightly, becoming a touch darker.]

The other perspective calls this a lie. It accepts passion as the truth of all living things, and draws power from it. It teaches that even the strongest of emotions can be embraced, and disciplined, and used to great effect.

I would be interested to know what my fellow imPorts think on this matter. Are our feelings to be repressed, or embraced? Which path do you believe will lead to greater fulfillment?

[Talk to the Sith Lord about feelings, Network. Also, if you're tagging him for the first time it's a good idea to check out his permissions post!]

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I understand. So long as the choice remains yours and yours alone, I am confident you will make the right one.

I know we do not know each other well- not yet. But if you ever wish for guidance in these matters, I would be pleased to advise you. I have spent many long years contemplating these questions.

[The voice is almost as hard for Dooku to hear as the textspeak was to read. Why must he constantly surround himself with degenerates? Regardless, his own voice remains what it is: measured, cool, polite, and sonorous.]

I serve no overlord, 'Roomba' or otherwise. My only interest is in the welfare of the imPort community I have found myself a part of.

[And now making this PRIVATE because it's getting good]

Now, then. You wished to know my intentions regarding LACKEY?

Ah, yes, how could I forget? Pride suffuses both sides, and clouds their judgement. The Americans believe they are the greatest nation on this planet. The Soviets believe their system embodies some historical destiny.

I fear they may both destroy the planet between them before they realize their folly. To say nothing of we imPorts.

[Inwardly, Dooku tingles. This is what he wants, this is what he needs: imPorts who dare to contemplate the supposedly impossible, and who refuse to be held back by petty concerns like the government's regulations. But outwardly, he raises a questioning eyebrow and plays Devil's (government's?) Advocate once again.]

Seizing the Porter? Just like that? Perhaps you overestimate our destructive capabilities.

Aside from the moral objections [Heh] to such violence, consider the odds such a rebellion would face. Beyond RISE and other imPorts who support the government, this nation commands a military of more than a million strong. They wield technology to nullify our powers. And they have machines in our bodies, which I have no doubt could be used against us just as LACKEY used them.

How do you envision a group of imPorts- no matter how motivated- surmounting these obstacles?

[ Moral. Seriously. The moral objections. Silly. ]

We allow them to control us. You can't possibly believe that because the Porter found shape and form in America means that they own it, own us? I'm an archangel, a member of the Host; I ruled in Hell. I'm not a puppet on a string.

If LACKEY can be overcome, and release it's hold on my power, then the Porter can be. And then imagine. I'm just waiting for the right moment--the moment when the government missteps enough for those who would oppose me to take my side, instead.

And they will.

True nobility... A rare trait. So many so-called heroes succumb to corruption of one form or another. Let us hope that your Flashes never disappoint in that regard.

Ah, then 'superheroes' are figures for inspiration. Something that the masses can take hope from, and rally around.

That appears to have been the status of the imPorts that came before us. They inspired many and earned the trust of the natives... that is, if the official histories are to be believed.

I have no need to test my strength, Ambassador. And I do not fear failure.

Those who seek to achieve great things must be willing to face many hazards- including the undoing of all they have created. That is the only path by which great works can be accomplished.

They did control the Porter once. Before our arrival, when they sent the first imPorts home. And now they defend it in a military base, surrounded by the obstacles I have described. Your overconfidence may yet be your downfall, Lucifer.

[And now PRIVATE]

Yet I may be interested in hearing more of your ambitions, nonetheless.

I see. My apologies for the misunderstanding.

[The Count may be a narcissistic megalomaniac, but he has his manners.]

What cost do you foresee for arranging such protection?

What you love the most. Naturally.

[kavinsky watches the conversation tick over into PRIVATE, with more curiosity than objection. this does seem to be getting good, even if he finds dooku's airs approximately as ridiculous as the older man finds his.]

Yeah all right, man. Remind me to get you a Roomba some time, though. You don't sound like housekeeping.

[it's a compliment? sort of?]

Talk.

They never will, I can guarantee it.

I've spoken with enough people who've traveled to the future, you see.

Mm. It's easier to revere and deify people who aren't here to be imperfect.

Even then, from what we know of the situation, their circumstances weren't comparable to ours.

Yes, I agree with you! As long as we're here in this world, we should share our gifts with as many people as we can.

[That piques his interest.] You too? What are your powers? If it's okay to ask, I mean.

If they bothered to listen to us, they'd have muted our insurrection a long time ago.

[ But. He considers all of what it means for the conversation to have drifted the way it had. This man was something else. Darkness in him, such as he tried to nurture. Excellent. ]

Who am I telling, really? What are you?

Naturally. Of course.

[But how can the Count possibly pay with his own self?]

You know, I am sure there are technologists in our community who could achieve a similar feat. And at a far more modest price.

As I said, that wretched machine was able to subjugate all of us for weeks. It was created to be the ultimate weapon against us, to ensure that imPorts remain controlled.

And now the government has it. We know nothing of their intentions. It could be they merely intend to keep it well-guarded and safe... or perhaps they are even now adopting its power against us for their own use, to make their dominance of us absolute and permanent.

I mean to find out. ImPorts must learn the truth of how LACKEY is being contained, and what research the authorities are conducting with it.

Technology is mortal-made, dearie. It can be stolen, broken, modified -- it can malfunction. You will still pay a high price; it will just come collecting at the least appropriate moment -- or the most, depending upon your perspective. Sorcery -- universal forces, if you will -- are as they are, always. They don't make mistakes. They are not changed. The only one capable of failing in that regard is you.

Really, now? Then the Porter is not your first exposure to a power that can warp time. Is this a common ability, in your world?

Yes... the Porter was under control in that time, as I understand it. Troublesome characters could have been sent home. And the government was a police state to be struggled against.

I imagine that made it far more simple for the populace to support the imPorts.

[The Count is stroking his beard on the other end of the line.]

Forgive me Manolo, but I prefer not to discuss my abilities openly over the Network. For reasons of security, you see. Suffice it to say that they, too, require great feeling to reach their full potential.

I am many things, Lucifer. I am Count Dooku of Serenno. I am the Head of State for the Separatist Alliance. I am, in the eyes of this nation's government, a REGISTERED HERO... and by their assignment, the leader of the band Countdown.

But there is something else I am beyond all those other things. Something which may be more relevant to your interests. If you wish to discuss this further, I suggest we meet in person... and in private.

Separated from that which I value most highly- [The Count doesn't use the 'L' word easily]- failure would become much more likely. Technology has its own form of reliability, precisely because it answers to mortal masters.

[Also, you called him 'dearie.' Count Dooku of Serenno is no one's 'dearie.']

No, I think I shall look elsewhere for that particular bit of craftsmanship, Mister Gold. But I will be available to negotiate new terms should you come up with a more agreeable price.

I would not say it's common, but I wouldn't say it's unheard of, either.

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2nd Oration / Voice

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im irl laughing, hes so put upon, good job :')

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