Text | username: detjoda

[axecop]

[So, one can hardly blame Joseph for being confused. Last thing he remembered, he was shlepping around in the graphic horror show of a serial killer's brain, and had just finished feeling ground beneath him crumble into nothing while struggling to breathe around a bullet in his lungs.

Then there was the smell of medicine. Shaky, rhythmic beeping. And he was wet. But that was hazy and he couldn't remember it as well. And it certainly doesn't explain how he got... well. Here.

He defaults to text because he trusts that not to betray how rattled he is.]

Good afternoon, [He's deduced that it's probably afternoon, though it's hard to tell with no sun.]

My name is Detective Joseph Oda. I gained consciousness a day or so ago and while they attempted to explain things to me then, I have to admit that I'm still very confused. If this is the usual recruiting process for this ALASTAIR group, I imagine this won't be the first time someone has had similar questions.

Barring the whole space travel and dimensional transport factor, which I'm going to have to wrestle with on my own time, I don't understand how we are expected to buy this. We're asked to follow orders and potentially risk our lives for a company that we've never heard of, didn't apply with, and have no understanding of the motives of-- and we're led to believe this is the only option?

Maybe someone else can reassure me that my cynicism isn't warranted. Or maybe someone could explain to me how exactly a star disappears without warning. Still don't really get that one.

In any case, I appreciate any help or information you could provide me. I will be taking notes of everything I see and hear in the hopes that something might end up making sense.

Thank you,

Det. J. Oda

Comments

text; un: melanblue

[ninmu]

The star has not disappeared. There is something in space blocking its light from reaching this planet. That's the theory.

[ here to be helpful, it's melan!! he has little to offer on the topic of ALASTAIR, but he can answer the other part. ]

[axecop]

That's a relief. And a much better theory than "it's gone out."

From the looks of things, I don't imagine the cultures here have the technology to look out and see what it is.

[ninmu]

One of our comrades was able to construct telescopes. However, they didn't provide more detailed information than that. The obstruction is probably too far away for me to fly to, as well.

[axecop]

[Oh, cool. First STEM, now he's in space, and now this guy can fly.

Oh well. Roll with the changes?]

You fly? Even outside of the atmosphere?

[ninmu]

[ that's the spirit, joda. ]

No. That is the problem. The pressure changes would damage my body. If it were within the troposphere, closer observation may have been possible.

[axecop]

[This is just an assumption, but given the style of writing, the discussion of "body damage" and the ability to fly...]

Are you a robot or a machine of some kind?

[ninmu]

I am a living weapon Monomakia.

[ ... is his standard answer, but he's learned that's not enough for 99.99% of people, so he adds: ]

I am artificial, but mostly organic.

[axecop]

[Oh, neat. just like my japanese animes]

Artificial, but mostly organic. So something like a created being augmented with machines?

[ninmu]

Yes. You are the first human that's understood.

[ thank you joseph... ]

[axecop]

[What, don't these other people watch sci-fi movies?]

That kind of technology doesn't exist yet where I'm from, but they make movies and television shows about it all the time. I'm afraid that's about the limit of my understanding on it.

[ninmu]

Understanding the details isn't important. In any case, my abilities aren't useful for the current situation.

[axecop]

Someone else said that her abilities had been "disabled." Is it the same for you?

[ninmu]

No, that's not it. I'm designed for battle. Fixing an ecological problem like this is beyond my skills.