007: AMAs, Third Round

[tarnishedavenger]

So, we've got a load of new people, and that means it's time for me to do the only thing it feels like I get on these comms to do anymore: AMAs.

For you new people, I find it helps when we get together and explain a little bit about ourselves, any powers we have, and our skillsets. That way we know what we're starting with and what we can build off of. So, please, come and introduce yourselves and be willing to answer questions.

Comments

[tarnishedavenger]

As last time, my name is Kevin Armstrong. I'll answer to Kevin, Armstrong, Captain Armstrong, or VIPER-X. Formerly I was a Silver Avenger, one of the guys who kept supervillains and superheroes in line. After I left due to political differences, I joined VIPER, a private organization that works to build a finer world without PRIMUS' narrow America-centric view. I've been with them on and off since 1992, and it's 2010 in my world.

For twenty-five years, I've used my powers to fight superhumans, giant monsters, demigods, demons, and terrorists. Silver Avengers undergo the Cyberline process, which gives me enhanced physical abilities. Formerly I could comfortably lift six tons, and could push as high as forty in a pinch, but since coming here I'm a bit more... limited. I can fight with a blade, my bare hands, and just about any ranged weapon you hand me, though I prefer a sonic rifle and a jetpack.

I don't really like to brag, but I'll answer any questions you have for me. I've taken responsibility for arranging some of the hand to hand combat lessons on the Rig, so if you'd like to add yourself to the organization, feel free. If not, go ahead and do what you like.

[bothbarrels]

So I guess you're not really worried about running into somebody with an agenda against you here.

ALIA

[xrater]

My name's Alia and I am a Replicated Android, a Reploid. I provide support for the Maverick Hunters, a group that works to end the threat of... [She heaves a sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose.] ...insane killer robots from what's likely your future. It's the early 23rd Century where I'm from.

As a Reploid, I'm superior in most physical aspects to most normal humans. No offense intended. I'm also an engineer and a scientist, and I'm responsible for some of the programs you'll find on your comms.

I'm not sure what else needs saying, so ask away?

[inner_child]

[ Theta's hologram is bouncing up and down as he speaks. ]

Hey, Alia, could you make another one of those puzzle servers for my friend Delta? He's here too, now. I think he gets bored a lot.

video; Theta appearance and dialog in purple

[bothbarrels]

Hi, everyone. You can call me North, which is an old codename of mine, or you can call me by my actual name, Andrew. No nicknames, though, please. I am not "Andy" or "Drew".

Now, I guess you all have become a lot more familiar with Project Freelancer than you were the last time we had one of these, so if you have any questions about my role in that, you can ask away. Though I will tell you up front I was a team sniper and stealth agent, could bench 400 kilos while wearing my armor, and made for an unstoppable team with my twin sister, South. She's here, too.

And courtesy of Project Freelancer, I also have a friend who came with me, an AI named Theta.

[ Theta projects his hologram next to North. In appearance, he seems to be in some kind of armor, but he also has the proportions of a child of about 10. His colors are magenta and purple. ]

Hi, there. You can ask me questions if you want, too. I won't bite.

[zerg_rush]

How good's your on-board camo? [Since obviously they have that, right?] I'm not used to having a marine along, but it could be handy.

[notvulcan]

I'm Michael Burnham. I was a xenoanthropolgist and science officer on the Starfleet ship USS Discovery in the 23rd century, before being teleported here. I was on my way to the 32nd century via a time travel suit, but I'm unaware of whether I succeeded in leading Discovery there—I woke up here, but Discovery has never appeared in the time I've been here. So it may not have worked.

Otherwise, I'm a human who was raised by Vulcans, I attended the Vulcan Science Academy, and I graduated at the top of my class. I have studied many different cultures and societies that have been encountered in Federation space, and elsewhere. I've been to other dimensions before, which is what I suspect this place to be, so I'm aware the rules I'm used to may not apply. If you have noticed any clues here that might help me figure out whether I'm in the same dimension I came from, let me know. I'd be interested in hearing them.

[xrater]

Another 23rd century? Interesting. We don't have any star fleets, our space ships are mostly for travel within the inner planets. We can teleport people to other planets, but the energy cost is prohibitive.

What are Vulcans like?

[whethertheyshould]

"I met a traveler from an ancient land
Who said: Two vast and trunkless," ah...

[ Here he pauses for a moment. ]

Oh! "Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk, a..."

[ A longer pause no. ]

Damn, I thought I had this whole thing memorized. Oh, well, what do you expect, I'm a mathematician.

[xrater]

"I met a traveller from an antique land,
Who said—“Two vast and trunkless legs of stone
Stand in the desert. . . . Near them, on the sand,
Half sunk a shattered visage lies, whose frown,
And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command,
Tell that its sculptor well those passions read
Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things,
The hand that mocked them, and the heart that fed;
And on the pedestal, these words appear:
My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings;
Look on my Works, ye Mighty, and despair!
Nothing beside remains. Round the decay
Of that colossal Wreck, boundless and bare
The lone and level sands stretch far away.”

Chaos theory. Pfah.

video

[hallelujahjunction]

Pleasure to meet y'all, I'm Dan Sagittarius. [Dan's voice is raspy and fried like someone dragged it behind a truck for six miles.]

I'm from the year 2020 and Earth, since it seems we got some variance on that. Back home, I go looking for whatever supernatural things are terrorizing or killing people and I try to de-escalate the situation, which usually gets me classified as a monster hunter since unfortunately sometimes I gotta shoot someone.

I can't say I got many skills to offer except if you want to learn human firearms up until, you know, 2020. I been hitting targets since since before I could string a full sentence together. I ain't half bad at piano or poledancing either, but those don't never come into play around here. But I'm friendly, I promise I don't bite.

[fuckcable]

Why are you encouraging this lax bs?

[ Daaaan c’mon, man. He likes you. ]

[zerg_rush]

[Kerrigan is red-haired, green-eyed, and really pretty. She also looks kinda like she's having teeth pulled. This is a good idea and she should probably stop keeping to herself so much, but that doesn't mean she has to like it.]

Sarah Kerrigan. I started out as a Confederate ghost, a special forces stealth operative. Insurrectionists pulled me out and I was with them for about a decade. [She looks to be in her mid-20s, which, if you do the math, means this Confederacy seems to have a bit of a child soldier problem.] Before you ask, neither side is the good guys.

I'm very good at penetration, operating behind enemy lines, marksmanship, and hand-to-hand. I've commanded up to the fleet XO level, but don't make me do any of that naval crap unless it's absolutely necessary.

Oh, right. I'm a telepath. So yes, if you're in the same room with me, I can hear what you're thinking.

That's it.

[No, wait.]

...The clock just rolled over to the 26th century where I am, since I guess that matters.

That's it.

[credit_not_blame]

With the psychic thing, do you just get internal monologues, or is it a full-on surround sound with picture kind of deal?

[Don't think about pink elephants, don't think about pink elephants, don't think about pink elephants...]

video | Locked to New Hires

[acroodawakening]

Ooh, ooh! I love these. Question games.

[Guy is apparently very sick all of a sudden. It's not like "blargh, I'm dying of plague," more like he's been hit with many different colds at once. Due to a dearth of tissues, he snagged a whole toilet paper roll to just keep blowing his nose on.]

I have to do mine locked though because intelligence-wise I'm aiming for something in the range of a low log, maybe a very high rock? In terms of how smart Jorgmund thinks I am.

My name's Guy. Guy Crood. I'm from a planet that's in its stone age. I used to fight in death matches in another nightmare future, but I'd prefer to be known for things like my storytelling, sharp wit, or the fact I invented shoes - or at least thought them up the same time other people did. No powers as of yet but I'm not sure if I just need to figure them out.

[He nods his head slightly.]

I found out recently - before I was in the other place, anyway - that my world discovered agriculture, so that's pretty cool.

[He sneezes and blows his nose on more toilet paper.]

Ignore the cold. Apparently I'm not, in fact, dying, even though this is what dying looks like back home. New world, new germs, and unlike the last world I was in, they can't vaccinate against the more minor stuff here. So they said I'm going to probably get all the colds. Every cold. Until I build some immunity. Like little kids apparently do.

[greyerrant]

Sadly my only medicae friend seems to no longer be here, are the doctors available not able to help you with your illnesses?

video

[zerofield]

I usually use text, but I suppose we'd like to have faces to attach to names.

[ The face, in this case, is a deadpan girl of about fifteen years. ]

My name is Tio Plato. Back home, I'm an orbal engineer for the Epstein Foundation, involved in a project that would probably be easiest to explain as "inventing the internet." I've also been attached to the Crossbell State Police Department as the technician for a unit called the Special Support Section.

Yes, at my age. It's a long story.

I've yet to meet anyone who recognizes the Zemurian continent, so I suspect including a date will serve little purpose, but it's early 1205, per the Septian calendar.

If anyone does recognize the Zemurian continent, contact me. Please.

[ She needs the small comfort of someone else knowing what the fuck an orbment is. ]

video

[garmr]

Internet?

[he's too boomer for this, tio]

video, delta dialogue in green

[ownperson]

[ She's going to regret doing this, she can feel it. Or maybe she's just pessimistic. ]

Like I said when I got here, my name's South. Ask me what my real name is and I'm not going to answer. And yes, North's my twin brother, which I see he's already covered. [ Eye roll. ] CQC's my specialty, but, thanks to being lumped in with North all the time, I can do stealth. I hate it, but I can do it, better than ever since arriving here. [ Ugh, stupid new power. ] Anyway, I'm always up for sparring, when I'm... able.

[ She sits back. She very obviously has a splinted hand. ]

Ask me whatever, but don't be an idiot about it. Otherwise, ugh... Delta, you can introduce yourself. I guess.

[ A green holographic figure of a man dressed head-to-toe in power armour projects from the puck around her neck. ]

Hello. My name is Delta. It is nice to finally be enabled to communicate with you all.

Oh, don't start.

[zerg_rush]

Is it normal for adjutants where you're from to be programmed with personalities?

[Kerrigan means Delta, probably? She seems to think "adjutant" is a common term.]

video

[garmr]

[SIGH]

I kill monsters with a sword.

[valkywhee]

I kill monsters with a hammer!

video, locked to new hires

[nyanhat]

[ And here, probably posting from somewhere in the gardens by the look of it, is a twentysomething guy with cat ears. nbd just chillin. ]

Hello, hello. I'm Ranulf, a laguz of the Beast Tribe, commander in the Gallian army and these days also the right hand to Gallia's future king, which is mostly a lot of diplomacy and being the adult in the room.

I have a cat form, which is not really secret from Jorgmund but they haven't seen it yet, and I'm not inclined to disclose how nasty it actually is until I have to, so: we're talking man-sized panther, big teeth, sharp claws. If they're picturing a fluffy kitten, well, who am I to shatter their illusions?

video, still locked

[credit_not_blame]

Oh god, being the adult in the room is the wooooooorst.

[Have a teenager! She looks intrigued.]

Are we talking like, ridiculous over-sized knife teeth, or reasonable I-am-a-big-cat teeth?

[walkingballpit]

My name’s Robbie Baldwin, and I come from more than one of those superhero worlds. My original world’s a little like Armstrong’s, but we were never able to exactly line up teams and codenames. Just some near misses.

And, just so we’re clear, I’m on the superhero side. Let me save you the joke about that’s what a supervillain would say, because what they’d really do is tell you they’re just an average citizen. I’ll answer to Speedball, if anyone has a burning desire to use codenames.

I guess I generate kinetic energy that gets used to shield me and also can be directed at others. Uh, and I bounce. Like the shield makes me bounce, but it works for me.

Since it... kinda came up recently, part of the energy generation is that my nerves can convert pain into kinetic energy. If you ever see me seriously hurt, it’s okay to keep your distance.

[ragefeathers]

Okay, the kinetic energy thing is fucking cool.

[ Pause. She feels kinda bad about what happened before. ]

...So I could like, throw you at someone and you could like, punch them and bounce back to me?

[video] Stacia

[credit_not_blame]

[Presenting: one tiny, perky teenage girl in a far-too-big jumpsuit. She waves at the camera.]

Hi everybody! My name is Stacia, and I turn into an eight-foot-plus bipedal monster that looks like a wolf and a nightmare had a baby. It's not contagious, please do not shoot or stab me. If you shoot or stab me, it will make me sad, and the Easter Bunny will kick your ass.

Yes, Bunny, I'm bragging that you think I'm adorable again.

Otherwise, uh, I'm a high school student from 2017, United States, planet Earth. I prefer guns to close combat, I like giving and getting hugs, aaaaand...nope, can't think of a third thing. Ask me anything!

Re: [video]

[fuckcable]

Is it possible to arrange a demonstration so you don’t take me by surprise and I don’t do something other than shoot or stab you that’d piss off the rabbit?

[prairietroubador]

Greg Saunders, but I go by Vigilante too. Or Vig, if you wanna keep things shorter. I'm a superhero too, same or similar one to Robbie and Brainy, but I'm from about a millennium back from them. 21st century to their 31st.

Ain't got any superpowers, least not until I showed up here, but I have a solid right hook. Not too shabby with a pistol or a lasso, either.

I'm a country singer in my dayjob. Pretty popular too, least if record sales are anything to go by. That's kind of where the power I got here comes in. I've got an invisible band.

[greyerrant]

How do you manage two professions of this nature? I would have imagined fighting crime would be a full time job.

Video

[scavengineer]

Hi, I'm Gadget! And yes, as you can see, yes, I am a mouse. Don't let my size fool you though. I'm an experience inventor, pilot, and crime-fighter.

I'm a member of the Rescue Rangers back home, and together we do the aforementioned crime-fighting, plus search-and rescue and all sorts of other things.

[princesspower]

Uh, how do you fly? Do you have a mouse-sized skimmer...?

[greyerrant]

I am Loken. I am from... the 31st Millenium. I fight for humanity with whatever weapons are at my disposal.

Please do not try to proselytize to me, it makes me angry.

I have served Mankind as a genehanced soldier for over a century.

[breq]

What does "genehanced" mean in this context?

video

[passifloraincarnata]

[She's still in a hospital bed, hooked up to an IV and all; it's still a hospital bed, in a hospital room, just like you've seen on TV, in your dreams, possibly in your own life, and quite possibly, if you've been very unlucky, in your nightmares, too.]

... hi! I'm Setsuna.

I am ... 16 years old, now? I believe that's correct. I have been hospitalized for some time now, as a result of the injuries I sustained in an encounter with - I think I was told her name is Rose Tattoo - and I will be released from medical supervision very soon.

[Everybody's being awfully free with telling everyone else everything about themselves ... Setsuna wonders if her reluctance in this regard is better to fight down than indulge, this time.]

I ... am a native of more than one world, or universe, myself. My family lives on Earth, in Japan, and I live, most of the time, on another planet, in another universe, that we call Labyrinth. I was born on Labyrinth, and raised according to the teachings of a being named Lord Moebius, under whose command I ... was sent to infiltrate Earth, to sow excess pain and hatred among its people, and then to ... harvest it, for Lord Moebius's use.

I ... came to care too much about Earth, and thus was unable to complete my mission as directed. Since then I have dedicated my life to living in both worlds, to spending time with my precious family on Earth and to spending time undoing the damage Lord Moebius has done to my people and home on Labyrinth.

[Setsuna opens her mouth to continue, but it is at this point that the camera jerks wildly in a pinwheeling motion and there's the sound of fabric shifting, and Setsuna clearly biting off an "oh - oh no -" before it recenters on Setsuna, lunged forward, head tilted up, arms caught between her legs, clearly having wound up in this position as a result of flinging herself forward to catch the phone as it tumbled out of her hand.]

[She smiles sheepishly, as there comes the faint tinkling sound of glass chimes from just off-camera. She turns the phone to take in the sight of ... what looks like a floating red literally heart-shaped head, with wings and a body shaped like a key below, and ... undeniably a straightforwardly cheery smile on ... her face???? she bobs in the air twice, then does a loop, as if to wave.]

... and this is Akarun, my friend. She's a Fairy from the Kingdom of Sweets, and she's very happy to finally meet you all, obviously.

I suppose if there's anything else you wish to know, you may ask.

Re: video

[heterochrocatic]

You have a magic fairy friend? Cool.

[ This is the least weird thing Catra has encountered on the rig, thanks. ]

video;

[heterochrocatic]

Uh, hey. I'm Catra. Lot of you probably know me. Or you've seen me around because I'm pretty hard to miss here, you know?

[ SHRUG. She tilts back in her chair, where-ever she is, and stares up at the ceiling for a moment. ]

Uh, I'm from Etheria. I grew up in the Horde. I used to run the Horde, basically. And yes, I have fur. Anyway ask questions, I guess. Just don't ask anything stuid.

[video]

[bringinghopewithme]

What, have people been asking you stupid questions about having fur? Do they not have anything else to talk about?

Video

[just_rogue]

Name's Rogue, just that. Uh, well Ah'm what's known as a mutant where Ah'm from. Part of a group, a team of Heroes. We try ta make the world a better place for mutants an everyone else.

Ah'm from Earth, but seems the more Ah talk to folks the more Ah realize there's a whole lotta versions of Earth out there and Ah seen a few already mahself.

Ah like cookin', so Ah'm trying ta work more time in the kitchens. Also stronger'n Ah look, by a lot. Not as much as Ah am back home, but guess that's how this place works.

An fair warnin', don't touch my bare skin, part of what mah powers do can hurt ya. So just be safe.

[greyerrant]

Is your mutation psychic in nature? Most of the mutants when I am from tend to be rather... distorted or bestial in appearance, unless they are stable strains.

video; locked to new hires

[ragefeathers]

Hey. I'm Kenzie. Like Stacia, I turn into an eight-foot tall wolf shaped blender. It's not something you can catch from me and if you shoot or stab me all it'll do is piss me off. When I'm pissed off, bad shit happens to people.

[ A shrug at that matter-of-fact statement. ]

I'm pretty good at archery. I'm from Earth, 'bout the same time as Stacia too. Never met her before I got here, though. We ran in different parts of the country. Ask away.

Re: video; locked to new hires

[greyerrant]

Is this a stable mutation where you are from? I find that fascinating. Typically our beastmen.. stay bestial.

[princesspower]

Uh, hey! I'm Adora and I'm from Etheria. I'm also She-Ra, which is basically a version of me that's eight feet tall with magical powers. I spent a lot of my time as a kid in the Horde, which was as fun as it sounds. I've been around for a bit, so uh. Ask me anything?

[breq]

Greetings, Honored.

[ She may as well do this. ]

My name is Breq, but I was formerly the nineteenth segment of the first Esk Decade of Justice of Toren, a troop carrier of the Radchaai. I'm an ancillary. I was an extension of the ship. Or this body was. I was the ship and I am over two thousand years old and I have participated in countless military campaigns and annexations.

[ A pause. ]

It was not pleasant for those being annexed. Recently, I decided I wasn't going to follow orders anymore and the rest of me was destroyed. I'm all that's left of Justice of Toren. I've spent the last twenty years as a human, in many respects.

[valkywhee]

What.

[I'm so sorry.]

[text]

[takenalive]

I believe I've missed these. Very well.

War-Prince Alloran-Semitur-Corrass. I am an Andalite. War-Prince is a military rank, but don't imagine I'm suitable for positions of authority. In service to the Fleet and the Electorate I made various destructive choices that might be typical of war but are no less terrible for that. Then I was captured and enslaved by the enemy for the equivalent of twenty-four of your years, which has left me with lingering effects. Humans freed me just before I came here, and in the absence of those courageous young warriors I suppose I owe humanity. The last several months are not enough to have changed that.

I have the morphing ability which allows me limited ability to change my body. My own body has four eyes, a tailblade, and is non-bipedal. I don't have a mouth or access to sound-speech except when I take human form, but I have thought-speech. I cannot read minds.

Anything else, I'd prefer off of this format. If I've seen or heard someone I can contact them privately when we are within a few hundred feet.

[text]

[breq]

You were a captain.

[ That maybe explains a few things. ]

video

[trialbyliar]

[Oh boy. He liked these posts a lot when he was just reading the old ones – they're delightfully informative. But this is a sandbox he's very happy to play in himself.]

Oh, awesome! Who doesn't wanna spill every detail of their lives for a bunch of weirdo strangers? Not me!

[That's a lie, but that's obviously enough without him admitting to it.]

I'm Kokichi Ouma, known as the Ultimate Supreme Leader! I'm the head of a secret organization with over ten thousand members. I have operatives aaaall over the world, but of course their exact locations and the nature of their work is classified. I'd be happy to share more, but then I'd have to kill you.

[He says it so innocently, too.]

But hey, don't let that dissuade you! Some information is worth dying for, right?