[M15] ENEMY: UNKNOWN - THE INTERVIEW

[voidmissions]

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On opening their eyes, Voidtreckers will feel a sense of disorientation, a dizziness to their vision and inside their head. Both clear quickly, letting them remember where they came from: in the midst of a mission, some unknown entity jumping them, and then —

They're here. Wherever here is.
They stand in an empty room. The lighting of the room stings their eyes after how dark the rest of the station has been. The walls, ceiling and floor are all bright white, tiles. There is no visible door, no windows.

After the disorientation comes fear. The hairs on the back of their neck stand up. For those with danger sense, these senses are going haywire, even though any other abilities are still not working. The feeling can be pushed down, it is similar to the air of expectation at the start of a horror film, the anticipation of fear rather than being in a truly dangerous situation. It might be that they have been on the train long enough to have felt it before.

Heavy footsteps sound, it is almost impossible to tell where they are coming from as the echo through the empty space. The feeling of dread grows until part of the far wall slides open with a mechanical hiss.

Filling the doorway are two huge figures, around seven foot tall and bulky. They are in large metal suits, almost like power armour, black with highlights of gold. They wear a mask that covers their whole face. It is impossible to see the figure inside at all. Their breathing comes through heavy and raspy and when they walk their footsteps are heavy. The door closes behind them and their presence makes the room feel smaller. One of them scans a green light over the voidtrecker.

"Do not be alarmed. Under sections ninety six of Inter-dimensional law and on behalf of the Void Ministry we have intercepted Voidcraft designation Voidtrecker Express as part of ongoing investigations. You have been taking part in a simulated excercise to gauge your skill and strength. No harm shall come to you or your crew, you are protected by inter dimensional law. You have been chosen for questioning and we ask that you comply. You have the right to refuse our interview but we have the right to hold you until our investigation is complete or one week in standard void time has passed, whichever is longest. Complying with us will ensure our investigation is more efficient."

The inspector talking pauses here, as if giving the voidtrecker time to take in that information.

"Do you accept our interview?"

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ENEMY: UNKNOWN

---

Comments

[voidtreckernpcs]

"Understood. The entity from all reports was extremely powerful. It is not a shameful thing to have fallen victim to it." The room feels a little more reassuring.

"We understand if your memories of that time are obscured. There were other worlds this entity had targeted. Were you part of missions to those worlds?"

[darknessinzero]

The reassurance is noticed...and provokes a frown. Then...it is deliberate? Some sort of projected empathy?...

"...there was another. Again, I am not certain how much information I can provide. Resistance to such powers is still something I am developing, and as of now I continue to experience the full force."

There is a certain dryness in his tone. He may or may not be implying that he is encountering such powers right now.

[voidtreckernpcs]

"Not many are skilled in resisting such powers." They reassured him. "Anything you can remember will be useful to us. We would appreciate a report of those missions."

[darknessinzero]

"The greater majority of my time was spent believing a fantasy." One he has no inclination to go over in detail, at least not to these people. "That the Voidtreckers were there to threaten my peaceful life, and those for whom I cared. I and many others were subsumed by this, until the others...fractured its hold."

A beat.

"You know of the entity behind such events."

It isn't a question. He is seeking confirmation, and looks from one to the other with a slight frown.

"If it your enemy, then we are allies."

[voidtreckernpcs]

"We received reports from the unnumbered system that the entity used to create its false world. It was sealed from the void." One spoke.

"We do not know of the entity beyond these reports and what your crew have spoken with. It would seem it is a danger to all."

[darknessinzero]

"Then I am certain that another means of gathering information would be more beneficial to us all. Sharing what we know, instead of being taken from our comrades and interviewed in such a way."

In truth, he doesn't know if he's the only one here; he might be. But habit has him speaking as though there are others involved.

"While I respect your caution, I must ask- what have you to fear from us?"

[voidtreckernpcs]

"We know little about you. Your existence as a voidcrew is unprecedented. But we do not fear you."

A pause. "You have the right to terminate the interview whenever you wish to."

[darknessinzero]

"You separate us and intimidate us." Matter-of-fact. "But I am willing to continue. Are you?"

[voidtreckernpcs]

"We are." They nodded. "As you struggle to recollect your time on Kamakan perhaps you can tell us of other missions. Do you remember which system you first visited?"

[darknessinzero]

Through the train, he assumes; no need to reveal that he had traveled worlds before that.

"Kamakan was, in fact, the first."

[voidtreckernpcs]

"Understood. Have you taken part on any missions since the false world inhabited by the unknown entity known colloquially as Chaos?"

[darknessinzero]

To that, he shakes his head. "I have no memory of such a being, before my boarding of the train." Simple enough to admit. "My only experiences with it have been those two events."

[voidtreckernpcs]

"We understand." They nodded. "Is there anything else you feel important to tell us about, of your time on the voidtrecker express or the worlds that you have visited?"

[darknessinzero]

"Only that I sincerely believe the train itself is benign - to the best of its own ability. While it has put us in danger, we are given a choice."

To stay behind, or to go forwards - with no repercussions should they seek shelter, instead.

"I am quite curious to know how it appears from your own point of view." To warrant such measures on their part.

[voidtreckernpcs]

A pause answers his words. "That is not how others of your crew see the train. From the very first inspection we held we heard that the crew of the voidtrecker express had no choice in being in the void or to go on missions. You claim otherwise?"

[darknessinzero]

"We do not have a choice on our initial arrival," Ansem clarifies. "There is no warning between from where we were, and the platform. But to go out and face danger- we could simply stay in its cabins and take no part."

[voidtreckernpcs]

"We understand. You have many who are young for their species. Are they the ones who remain on board your craft during these missions?"

[darknessinzero]

To that...his expression darkens. Not necessarily out of disapproval, but...something else.

"...there are those among them who insist on joining us nonetheless. Some, surprisingly capable. Still, I would keep them out of danger, were it my choice."

But it is not.

[voidtreckernpcs]

"Whose choice is it?" They asked him, watching him carefully. "Do you have a hierarchy upon your craft?"

[darknessinzero]

"It is not the decision of the train, if that is what you are asking." As for their hierarchy- that seems too much. They may target those based on what he says, and so he does not elaborate on such.

[voidtreckernpcs]

"That is not what we were asking." They clarify calmly. "Have the crew created hierarchies?"