( broadcast ) stand up and be counted

[mmnpcs]

[ At 8 PM, a gruff, nicotine-hardened voice can be heard broadcasting over the intercom system hung up a little halfhazardly -- clearly meant as a temporary function -- around downtown.

It's a man's voice, not one imPorts have yet been subject to. ]

Attention imPorts. My name is Captain Holiday. I've been assigned to be your liaison for matters of communication between you and the government; you need something, you come to me and I'll see about making it happen.

You probably have a lot of questions. [ There's a pause as he takes an unseen but possibly heard puff on his cigarette. ] And we want to do our best to answer them. If you'll allow us to escort you to the seashore we'll get started and then you can all go on to your new homes and sleep in your new beds. Been through a lot, we know. We won't keep you long.

[ And at 8:30 PM, at the Canaveral National Seashore, imPorts will see them: a stern looking man leaning on a cane and smoking a cigarette, and the soldier -- Lt. Ananke -- who drove them here. Holiday puts out his cigarette and immediately lights another. ]

This won't take long. We know you're all probably tired. Don't want to hear a lot of bullshit, am I right? Me either. Luckily this is pretty simple.

We know what you've been through. We want to help you. And we'd like it if you'd help us, too. It's not easy being displaced in another world and another time -- hell no. In exchange for helping us keep the peace around here -- there's trouble wherever you go, figure I don't even have to tell you that -- we're offering you all free housing, healthcare, and job placement. If you don't like your job you can come to us and we'll give you another one, we can't get it right all the time. Same with your house. We've got plenty of places to put you.

This ain't a draft, and you don't have to put on a costume to work with us as a hero. People serve their country in all kinds of ways, you don't have to be a fighter. Help us out when we ask you to, we'll help you out, it's that simple. If you don't like it, you don't have to take it, but you'll have to forgive us for not putting you up in that case. The benefits have conditions like benefits always do, but we're not asking you anything unreasonable.

Think about it. Are you with us?

( NOTE: This post will default to action for the sake of ease. Captain Holiday will reply to all questions, but other NPCs will also be tagging around at random unless a player requests one in specific in their subject header. Please do so if you'd like! Please also note REGISTERED or UNSETTLED in your subject line to indicate your character's choice, or UNDECIDED if they're still mulling it over. If the latter, they will be contacted by Holiday within the week for a decision if they don't contact him first. )

Comments

[breakyou]

If you were not hung up on semantics, you would heed some advice.

But I have said my piece. I am sure you will find the help you seek, as well as the source of more peril.

I hope you may tell the difference.

[mmnpcs]

Peril. Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

[breakyou]

It will take more than hope.

That is your decision.

[mmnpcs]

I believe in the good of imPorts.

Now, is there anything I can assist you with?

[breakyou]

You should be more selective with your faith.

[ He considers the offer for a moment, before he shakes his head. ]

I will see for myself.

[mmnpcs]

Are you sure? I'm more than happy to assist you, if you need it.

[breakyou]

Without offense, I would wager that in time you will be the one requiring my help.

[mmnpcs]

None taken.

[ She remains as professional and pleasant as ever. She digs into her pocket and retrieves a card, holding it out toward him. ]

Please have my card anyway.

[breakyou]

[ Bane accepts the card, examining it, and as she did not formally introduce herself, this is his first reading of her name. ] Lieutenant.

[ He pockets the card and offers her his hand. ]

Given the arrangements of this place, I suspect you will know where I am keeping myself.

[ For the time being at least. ]

[mmnpcs]

Lt. Aisha Ananke, at your service.

[ The widest of smiles. ]

Of course.

[breakyou]

Of course. [ His own smile is more like a slight quirk of his lips. ]

Thank you, Lieutenant. I have appreciated our conversation.

I will not forget your offer.