Act 1 | text

[poisoninmypocket]

Who: Monty Navarro
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: SS Heron
When: September 16th

[Monty isn't a complete stranger to being one place and then suddenly being another. This typically has some element of delusion or other magic involved, though. Suddenly finding himself aboard a random ship in the fleet is disconcerting. But Renart's given him a basic rundown of what's going on, and he's glanced through this latest communications network. There's far too much to take in. But there is one matter he's been wondering about.]

To All Souls Present,

My name is Lord Montague D'Ysquith Navarro, most recently of the Fortress Between. I should extend my apologies if this is a query that has been answered before, but is there, perhaps, a list of persons who once were held within the confines of this fleet who have since departed? And is it known where these disappeared persons might go?

Regards,
Navarro

ACTION - SS Heron

[Monty's not entirely sure how much he should go just wandering about a strange ship when he's just arrived, really. He probably ought to introduce himself to the captain, find out if there's some place for him to actually sleep, where the food Renart mentioned might be... But, well, a man does get distracted. Specifically, he's been distracted by the Med/Science Lab. Everything in it should, by rights, be absolutely foreign, but his hands seem to know what they're doing when he picks up devices, and he knows what the different medicines he finds are and what they do.

It's unnerving, disturbing, whatever had he done to be so deserving of such an augment? And how in god's name is this possible? He's really trying to take it in stride, but he's back to being a no one, stranded away from all the people he's known for more than a year, except Renart, whom he hasn't even found, yet.

Anyone stepping into the medical lab will find a young gentleman dressed to the nines in a suit from a bygone era, moving around and trying desperately to keep himself distracted from... everything by mucking about with the equipment.]

Comments

[cephalon]

Of course Ordis speaks on behalf of Ordis, though he will admit that the designation of 'mister' is not necessarily one that he is accustomed to. You do speak on behalf of yourself, do you not Lord Navarro? Ordis assures you that Ordis does the same.

[Really, he's always found it such a strange thing that people don't understand.]

Oh, but as Ordis has said. Typed. Said. Unfortunately the accessibility of higher language is something that not all possess. And shame shame, such poetry and usage is undoubtedly cheeky, though admittedly not along the same salacious lines as a good equation. Still, Ordis commends you. Excellent writing.

[poisoninmypocket]

[He's... speaking in the third person like Tachibana. Well. All right, then.]

One does typically employ pronouns when speaking of oneself, sir. Undoubtedly your means of reference is, far and away, the least ambiguous on its face, but it leaves one wondering if there might not be another gentleman you're referring to. If I were to say:

'Lord Navarro is most appreciative of your compliments upon his writing.'

I should sound as though I were talking about another person, perhaps my employer.

Might I inquire whence you hail from, Mr. Ordis, that you should find an equation 'salacious,' though? There is beauty and symmetry in mathematics, but I have yet to divine some prurient nature inherent in equations.

[cephalon]

Ordis does see where confusion could arise, but alas it is not in his nature or programming to do so. Ordis is Ordis, Ordis speaks for Ordis. It has been such for many a year.

However, your questions is a peculiar one. It is not often that others are interested in the backgrounds of their fellow fleet members. How novel. Ordis may simply answer that he is merely a lover of good math, and he derives many simple pleasures from its eloquence.

Such is, of course, not the common sentiment of all from Ordis' home, he assures you. It is a bit sad, really.

[poisoninmypocket]

Programming? You're a robotic person, then, sir? Or a golem, perhaps?

[Clay, Sigma, and the Transformers are the extent of his experience here.]

I beg your pardon, though, people aren't interested? That seems a rather basic thing to ascertain with the men and women we're meant to be sharing this fleet with. I was a stockbroker back in my own world, so I can well appreciate the eloquence of numbers and calculations. I don't believe I've met anyone with your particular vivacity regarding them. It's quite charming, really.

Whether or not it's a sentiment held among your people or not. Are you a unique being where you hail from, then?

[cephalon]

Cephalon. Ordis is a cephalon. Ordis is a ship.

[Because of course, that makes sense.]

Unfortunately, yes. Ordis has seen people inquire as to customs or entertainment back home, but not necessarily the background or physiology or culture of those that currently reside here. Ordis has learned somewhat about the crewmembers of his ship, mostly regarding swamps, 'action vids', and the apparent desire for strippers identifying as male amongst some of the ranking officers, but he has found that people are not...as open as one would hope? Ah well, secrets to be hidden.

You do flatter Ordis though.

[And it's a lovely stroke to his ego, all things considered.]

He is glad to hear of another that can share in a love of numbers, he has been told this is not common as well, and so this is delightful! Ordis is pleased to make your acquaintance, Lord Navarro, and does hope that he may engage in many a titillating discussion in future times.

To answer the question though, no, Ordis is not unique. There are many cephalon, each with their own role. Ordis, however, has the utmost pleasure of serving his Operator though, and to be quite frank, he's fairly certain he has the best job in the known system.

[poisoninmypocket]

[He's talking to a ship. Well, then. He's grateful for the text when the man - ship - person... when Ordis mentions not only male strippers, but 'titillating discussion' with him. Is mathematics really erotic for Ordis? Can a ship experience any sort of sexual- right. He's just not going to think about that for the moment. Like how he tried not to think about how the Transformers were getting by early on.]

Perhaps I'm misunderstanding, Mr. Ordis, but are you the ship that your crew resides on, or are you a crewmember aboard a ship?

[Somehow. A smaller ship within a ship? Like those shuttles Renart had mentioned.]

And was your Operator the captain or pilot of you when you were in your home world?

[cephalon]

Of course not. Ordis is not within the Windrose. ...well, no, he is currently within the Windrose, but is not within the Windrose.

Ordis has been unceremoniously shoved into a stinking flesh suit more suited form for the time being, though ultimately he is unsure as to why or how.

[Some things were perhaps better left unexplored.]

Ordis is, was, the cephalon for the Operator's Orbiter and liset. It is Ordis' duty to keep the Operator's craft in tip top shape, and to provide support wherever the Operator may need.

[poisoninmypocket]

[So, he's been turned human. That makes this much easier to visualize, even if Ordis doesn't care for his new form.]

I did know a gentleman in another reality who was a program, himself, who found himself placed into a human form. He seemed to relish something of the new experience and sensations he had in that form. I hope it's not too unpleasant for you as you are now. Have you made inquiries to our hosts in your true form might be restored at some point?

It sounds as though you had an extremely important job, and developed the skills to be very useful in your natural form.

[cephalon]

Unfortunately it does not seem to be the case that our captors, the Atroma, are willing to speak to any fleet members. Ordis is unsure of the how or why of why he has been altered so, but does not get his hopes up for that question to be answered in any timely fashion.

Really, it is a bit of a mystery as to whom has so rudely snatched any of us out of our homes to begin with.

[poisoninmypocket]

Might I inquire, Mr. Ordis, what methods have been employed to gain the attention of our hosts? Some attack on the Marsiva? Efforts to board her from outside? Some effort to transport ourselves back aboard as we were transported to these ships?

[cephalon]

Ah. Ordis wishes he could have a more in-depth and helpful answer to this question, but unfortunately it feels as though it is not possible to do unto the Marsiva. At least from what Ordis has heard. And our captors, benefactors, do not choose to reveal themselves to us, perhaps for risk of bodily harm. Ordis sees many wishing them bodily harm.

[poisoninmypocket]

[That doesn't surprise Monty with as large as the fleet seems to be from what he's seen of the rosters. There will always be people wanting to attack those with power who seem to be their captors. He'd wanted to hurt the Hedonists, himself. The Atroma haven't personally offended him... yet. He'll reserve judgement on what he wants to conspire to do to them.]

I've heard from someone else that they have once revealed themselves--just one. Were you here for that, Mr. Ordis?

[cephalon]

Unfortunately not, Lord Navarro. Ordis has been confined here for...using the standard form of measurement of time common to this place, half a year? A bit longer, in truth, but Ordis will reserve his calculations for a more appropriate time.

In the time that he has been here, there has only been one point of reaching out by our benefactors, but it was completely over a network system and frankly very condescending if he can be honest. He would suggest finding someone who has been about for a very, very long time for such inquiries. He apologizes for being so unhelpful!

[poisoninmypocket]

Thank you for the suggestion, Mr. Ordis. I would say half a year is quite a long time, but perhaps the days pass swiftly here. I shall have to discover that for myself, I think.

In the meanwhile, you have been helpful. There is one other inquiry, if I might: Have you any idea how long it's been since people like ourselves have been turning up here? Six months you call a short time. Has it been years?

[cephalon]

Ordis is always glad to be of help, Lord Navarro. But that is a very peculiar question indeed. Admittedly, Ordis has not paid proper attention to the historical logs of the fleet, an oversight that he will admit with some embarrassment, however he does note that there have been individuals that have celebrated anniversaries of sorts of their time here, so such would indicate at least over a year's time.

Well, a year if measured in standard units anyways.

[poisoninmypocket]

Does one measure time in non-standard units for any particular reason?

[cephalon]

Surely as a man of education, you do understand that there are places where unfortunately the general rules and laws of the world are taken and bent into everywhichway.

It is both amusing and frustrating to encounter. Really, the system should just pick a standard set of rules and stick to it.

[poisoninmypocket]

[A man of education. Right.]

I beg your pardon, but you mean to say rules and laws as in fundamental principles, not the standards man should bring to bear on the universe?

[cephalon]

Exactly! Frankly, the rules and laws of those with conscious thought rarely make sense, especially where matters of great importance are concerned. Base scientific laws are much, much cleaner, until they decide to just wander off and make a mess in their absence.

[poisoninmypocket]

Well, quite! Man has his flaws, but we do try at least. I'm sorry to hear base scientific laws have taken a holiday on occasion. It must be frustrating for a man like yourself. At least there's some comfort in knowing that they might well reassert themselves in the proper order eventually?

[cephalon]

Man learns, though. It is an interesting thing to watch, and Ordis must say that it is always a curious thing to see new discoveries made by your kind!

[poisoninmypocket]

[It's a little disconcerting to be referred to in such a way. It reminds him of some of the other species in Between who looked down a bit on the normal humans without powers.]

Quite. I think it a magnificent thing for discovery to happen for any race, though. Is your kind not capable of learning? You seem very intelligent.

[cephalon]

Oh. Ordis is capable of learning, yes. But, cephalons are programmed in their functions. We observe, we have curiosities, but Ordis' primary function is to learn for the sake of protecting his Operator.

[poisoninmypocket]

You're without your Operator and in a new, human body now, though. Have you considered simply... learning things for yourself and your own interests?