(no subject)

[axiomed]

Who: Charles Xavier + You
Broadcast: Video
Action: SS Heron
When: Right now!

[ The video starts with Charles sitting on his wheelchair, his hands neatly folded on his lap. He rubs faint circles on his legs for a few seconds, the only real sign of tension. ]

Hello. My names is Charles Xavier. I am a geneticist graduated from Oxford. I -- [ ran ] -- run a school in Westchester for the Gifted. Mutants. People with abilities. My focus is the training and control of abilities we do not always fully understand, abilities that are gifts but can often run amok.

[ He pauses, catching his second wind before continuing on, poised. ]

I am also a telepath with a full set of abilities in aiding the mind and extremely . . . proficient. I do not read minds without permission, because honestly, I really don't care.

[ Charles pauses again, wondering if he should say more and dismisses it. People can ask him if they need details - which they will. ]

If anyone would like to make use of my abilities and skills, they are certainly most welcome to. Confidentiality, of course, is key and you need not make anything public if you do not wish to. If you have any questions for me, the floor is open for you.

Comments

[resnipstance]

Ugh, I know! It makes me so mad! Profiting off other people's personal problems... it's sick!

[axiomed]

And yet, oddly popular.

[ He pauses. ] Has no one seen the Atroma?

[resnipstance]

They've spoken to us a couple times. But never in person. Cowards.

[axiomed]

[ Odd. But unsurprising. ]

So they're not near the Fleet. Technically.

[resnipstance]

Well. That's the logical assumption. But they could easily be on the Marsiva. That thing's huge after all, and I don't think any of us have ever seen more than five percent of it.

... Though between you and me, I kinda doubt it.

[axiomed]

I certainly didn't sense anyone else there.

[ He rubs his beard. ] But they could have shielded. They've also altered the limits of my powers. Normally, reading people between ships shouldn't be an issue.

[resnipstance]

What?! ... Wow. That's rude.

[axiomed]

More likely they were covering their tracks. No one can be too powerful on the Fleet.

[ Unless it benefited the Atroma. ]

[resnipstance]

Ugh. Probably the same reason they took away out lightsabers.

I don't know why they don't just get volunteers for this stuff! If it's really a holo, people would be climbing all over each other to get on!

[axiomed]

But it wouldn't be authentic.

At least, that is what I assume they are going for.

[ We don't have reality TV. ]

[resnipstance]

It would still be authentic. It just means that the people want to be there! Instead of being locked up against their will. I swear this has to be breaking at least a dozen intergalactic laws.

[axiomed]

Depends on the galaxy. Who is to say it's not allowed in this one?

[resnipstance]

I guess...but what kind of intergalactic society doesn't care about things like basic sentient rights?

[axiomed]

It depends. If the Atroma control this galaxy . . . would anyone try to stop them?

[resnipstance]

[ Ahsoka stops for a second, like that particular train of thought hadn't occurred to her before. "If the Atroma controlled this galaxy..."

She shudders. ]

I really hope that isn't the case...

[axiomed]

So do I.

[ But it would make a certain amount of sense. ]

[resnipstance]

[ It would, that's the terrifying thing. In retrospect, Ahsoka can't believe she's never thought of it before. She takes a moment to swallow her unease and square her jaw. ]

... Well. It doesn't matter. Either way, we have to stop them.

[axiomed]

And we will.

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka nods once, satisfied to be on the same page.]

... Good.

[axiomed]

I'm sure that's a common point of view.

[resnipstance]

... It is. And yet, we never seem to get anywhere.

[axiomed]

Not from a lack of trying, I imagine.

[ It's always tough to find a loophole. But he doesn't doubt they exist. ]

[resnipstance]

[Frustration showing through:]

It's like they've thought of everything! Every time I think I've found a way to out-wit them, I come up against another dead end! And they're always watching everything, so you can't even discuss anything out loud or collaborate with other people without them hearing it!

[axiomed]

Then maybe we need a new method of collaboration. Telepathy might work.

[resnipstance]

[Ahsoka practically lights up.]

Oh! Of course!

Do you know if you can act as a conduit? What I mean is-- could you open a channel? Make it so that multiple people in a room could speak to each other at once? Or would you have to be the go-between?