Void Missions (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
voidmissions) wrote2021-09-30 06:48 pm
voidmissions) wrote2021-09-30 06:48 pm
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[M15] ENEMY: UNKNOWN - THE INTERVIEW
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 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.
ENEMY: UNKNOWN
no subject
The answer is rapid, and they move on. "Your own system had multiple worlds within it? Or are you saying you were familiar with the void before arriving on the voidcraft designation Voidtrecker Express. Even if you are not ministry trained."
no subject
"I am very familiar with the Void," Elidibus answers. The faint smile- a polite and courteous poker face- doesn't change. And like before when the figures neglected to answer a question, he doesn't speak about the nature of his world's system.
"And yes, this is before my journey on the Voidtrecker Express began."
In the strictest since, Elidibus is telling the truth; there would be no lie here. Even if there were, the Ascian is exceedingly good at lying. It's just that the lies that are also true are often the most effective.
no subject
"Please confirm. Was your universe a void active universe. By void active we mean that it has knowledge and understanding of the void and had the ability for its people to travel out of your system through the void to other systems and survive the journey?"
no subject
Underneath the calm facade, the physiological effects of the enforced sense of dread are keeping his body tense. Willpower is sustaining him. Though his fingers come up to his chin in a gesture of thought, the Ascian doesn't appear to need long to assemble an answer.
"We are an insular people, preferring to focus on the vast troubles inflicting our world and thus we do not travel much. However we do occasionally receive visitors."
Utterly true; Omega. Midgardsormr who brought the Greatwyrms in their eggs. The crash of YorHa into the stratus of the First. Even the occasional lone visitor has been pulled from outside the reflections of his beloved Star.
Elidibus offers an apologetic smile, though it hardly reaches his eyes. "Few stay long. Whether their own purpose calls them back to their worlds or because they are encouraged to leave, lest the troubles of our world embroil them too deeply."
The smile begins to fade. The Ascian's expression becomes one of mild disapproval; a grown adult having reached the limits of patience with a petulant child's persistence.
"Your unending effort to cow me to obedience is, after the past three days, wearing even on my good nature. If this is to be an interview and not an interrogation of a prisoner, I would appreciate that you show good faith by removing the inhibitors and... shall we call them disciplinary tactics?"
no subject
At the end though a sense of calm enters the room, masking the dread and bringing a feeling of reassurance, the feeling that everything was going to be alright.
no subject
"From punishment to manipulation, is it? If we weren't to consider that the case before, it might be construed as following part of my request to the letter. But you have not removed the inhibitors that suppress my abilities."
He isn't exactly expecting them to comply. But it would be interesting to see whether it goads another reaction from his captors.
no subject
A pause. "We repeat that this interview may be terminated at any time by your withdrawal of consent."
no subject
"You have, without our consent, nor the consent of our leadership, lured us into a false rescue mission. You have undoubtedly strived to manipulated every one of us since then, both in experiments," the event is not graced with a word like 'exercise', "and by isolating and separating us from both the remaining crew and each other. You seek to drive me to do what you desire through induced emotions while also binding our power. Pray tell me what this is if not manipulation? Because it is most certainly not an investigation that will net you anything less than tainted results skewed toward your desired outcome."
no subject
"We have learned a lot. We do not consider the data gathered during this exercise tainted. However, perhaps it is better we end this talk with you here if you believe yourself manipulated and this interview of no use to the investigation."
no subject
"If your claim is true, the unfortunate nature of your presence and the effort to mask it will impact your investigation of most you encounter, however altruistic your intentions. It's simply the nature of such things." He seems to speak from experience.
"Allow me my birthright... my powers returned. I will use it to verify the truth of your words. If you cannot make that decision, then speak to your superiors. The more facts I can verify, the more I would be willing to offer. I care not what precautions you would take to make sure I do not escape or otherwise incapacitate your people."
He then inclines his head.
"If this cannot be arranged, then I believe we should end the interview here. I mislike being fettered and blinded like a criminal with no recourse but to comply with your demands and hollow promises." After a pause, he allows, "Perhaps a fitting environment for your exercise, but hardly a situation if it simply continues and we are tucked away to be returned... or not, at your convenience."
no subject
Eventually one of them spoke. "Very well. You may leave." They gestured for Elidibus to turn around and once he did he would find a door had opened. Stepping through would lead him to a holding room. The door slides closed behind him.
no subject