reach the residents

[ximilian]

● ● ● REACH THE RESIDENTS

For any questions you want to ask Viveca or Degar and receive an IC response, please direct them here. Please indicate in the subject line who you are trying to contact.

// VIVECA

Hi, what can I help you with?

// DEGAR

Today was gonna be the day, but they'll never throw it back to you. And by now, you should've somehow realized what you're not to do.

▶ NAV

Comments

[vivecai]

It didn't.

[ an easy answer, to such a complicated question. ]

The Orb is capable of reaching anyone, anywhere, at any point in time. It reached you at your point in time. It reached Finn at his. When you're outside of time and place, everything happens simultaneously... past, present, future.

[droide]

Oh.

[ That was not an answer she'd been expecting. She knew the station was located outside of her galaxy, but she didn't know it was outside of space and time entirely. She doesn't know how one would achieve such a thing, but it seems there are just going to be a lot of things about the Ximilia station and her new mission here that she doesn't understand. ]

In that case... Once I've retrieved enough Orbs, and completed my bargain... [ Her voice is hesitant, timid. Very unlike her usual confident tone. It's as though she isn't sure she's allowed to ask this question. ]

...Can I go back?

[ The thing stopping her from continuing on after Kessel was the destruction of her body. But that problem's been solved now, hasn't it? If these Orbs have the power to pull her from any point in space and time, and repair her from the brink of destruction, why shouldn't it be able to send her back? ]

[vivecai]

I...

[ she trails off, voice hesitant in return. sympathetic. ]

If it's included in your bargain, yes. If not... then you'll be returned to the exact moment in time you were taken here from. We only have the power to bring you here and take you back — not alter the course of events. The Orb has that power, not me.

[droide]

Mm. No freebies, then.

[ She sounds... disappointed, but not surprised. A part of her considers asking how one night append one's bargain to include one's safe return, but thinks better of it. She has more pressing questions for the immediate moment. ]

Fair enough. Let's talk about you, then. You know. Some girl talk, AI to AI.

You say, "we" have the power to bring us here and take us back. Who's "we?" Who are you working with?

[ Who programmed you, and how are they treating you??? ]

[vivecai]

[ girl talk, is it? hm. alright. ]

I work with the station's commander. You haven't met him yet, but you will, soon.

[droide]

[ Commander? Interesting. ]

And... How does he treat you? Are you respected as an equal? Or are you indentured to him, as so many of our kind are where I come from.

[vivecai]

Of course he respects me. We're a team. We've chosen to work together.

[ there's warmth in her tone, there, though she doesn't blame elthree for thinking like that. ] It's not like what your kind have experienced, trust me on that.

[droide]

[ There's some surprise in Elthree's voice when she responds. ]

You're familiar with the plight of droids in my galaxy?

[vivecai]

Yes, I am. I receive a certain amount of information when you enter the station, so... I know. [ there's sincerity and a certain amount of admiration, even, in her tone as she continues, ] It's a worthy goal, the one you've been fighting for. Everyone deserves freedom... and not many are brave enough to stand up and fight for that right.

[droide]

[ Viveca isn't the first person here to tell Elthree that her fight is worthwhile. But it means more coming from another AI than it does from some human who is completely ignorant to her circumstances. Elthree is silent for only a moment, but for two beings whose brains process data at lightspeed, Viveca will appreciate the length of the pause. ]

Thank you. I only wish I could go back and continue the work I started.

[vivecai]

... you could.

[ there's hesitation in her voice — she doesn't like offering this option if it is not asked for... but elthree's goal requires it, doesn't it? there's no fight without her. ]

If you ask to alter your deal with the Orb. You will have to give up something more than just the time you spend here... but it would mean going back.

[droide]

Something more?

Something more like what?

[ The thought of changing her deal hadn't even occurred to Elthree. Knowing that it might be a possibility changes things, but... She has to make sure it would be worth it. ]

[vivecai]

It depends on what the Orb asks for.

[ she sighs. ] It might be a limb, a memory, an ability — it changes every time. Whatever the Orb thinks is owed in return for what you ask for. It is not an easy decision to make, to give something up... but I'm telling you this because I —

I do want to see you have another chance. To be able to go back and finish what you started.

[droide]

I'm guessing the Orb won't ask for something that's easily replaced.

[ Giving up a limb would be fine, in Elthree's opinion. She could just build herself a new one. She's done it before, both on herself and on other droids. ]

I appreciate the information, and your sympathy to my cause. You've... given me something to think over, that's for certain.