video

[faderbroderson]

[The boy who appears on camera could be no more than sixteen, if one were to judge by physical appearance alone. At best, the sober expression and conservative haircut might cautiously elevate him to as old as twenty. It’s the eyes that reveal the lie in that assumption. The eyes and perhaps a quality to his presence, something still and weary and aged that he makes no effort to conceal.]

My name is Godric, and I am newly arrived here.

I do not doubt that many of you have heard every possible question that could be asked in regard to our arrival, so I will be brief.

[A faintly wry expression crosses his face as he says it, as if in apology. But it passes as he pauses for a few heartbeats, unhurried, taking the time to consider his words.]

I am not altogether comfortable being proclaimed a hero, nor am I necessarily comfortable with the hand the military has taken in all this. For those of you who chose to register, if you had doubts, what swayed your opinion? For those of you who chose to abstain, or indeed took any other path, what convinced you it was for the best?

[His eyes wander back to the camera then, his gaze steady, focused wholly at whoever he may be addressing on the other end.]

They say the Porter is sentient, but I wonder over the nature of its intelligence. Do you believe our presence here is as deliberate as they imagine? If so, is it punishment or providence? Or is all this merely chance?

[Another pause and he shifts, eyes going distant and unfocused, considering whether to ask more. Deciding against it, he smiles politely. There’s no real happiness in it.]

Thank you for your time.

Comments

video

[musclemothers]

I've been made to do nothing as a Registered imPort. I mean it, literally nothing. You get all the free shit, and none of the responsibility. What's the downside?

[faderbroderson]

They never make any demands of you, or ask that you hold up your end of the bargain, so to speak?

[musclemothers]

They certainly haven't yet. Any help I've provided is of my own free will, and nothing more. They're more worried about getting our bad sides than anything else.

[faderbroderson]

That, I can understand.

[It's possibly the only thing that makes absolute, predictably human sense around here.]

I suspected that was part of it, but I had thought they would do more to keep up some appearance of control over us. If not... That changes my considerations drastically.

[musclemothers]

Oh, no. We're pampered lapdogs of the State. And there's no reason not to take advantage of it, frankly, unless you've come in here raring to go against them. What are your considerations now?

[faderbroderson]

Now my primary consideration is how things might change. We are not pressed into service, and they haven't the power to force us... for now. But human beings are exceptionally clever when they want to be, and I have no doubt that the government does not like pampering us with so little return on their investment. It always serves to be cautious and consider the future - both the most likely outcomes and the extreme, but still possible ones.

[musclemothers]

Okay, so what exactly is your worry? We're not signing this shit in blood. Worst case scenario, they can sic some lawyers on us, and if we're hellbent on disobeying anyway, no amount of paperwork is going to stop us.

[ It would not be fair, it would not be noble, and it certainly wouldn't be abiding by one's word, but... well, Rusty doesn't care terribly much about that. ]

[faderbroderson]

No, you're correct, of course. It's only a formality, and if it's one they choose to hold against us in the future, I'm happy to tackle that when it comes to pass. So as concerns go, it's not so significant as to affect my immediate decision. Thank you.