>>@SGT | TO: @ALL.

[byhand]

For the curious, we have finally found the source of the coolant shortages.

You may have noticed a certain oddity with your dreams as of late, and a greater and greater difficulty in waking from them. I can confirm that you have regrettably-- and entirely accidentally-- stumbled into the dreams of your neighbors and comrades. To those whose privacy has been invaded: we ask for your understanding and kindness. This was the fault of no member of COST.

A trans-dimensional creature known as the Oneiroi, the Telpharan, or more commonly, shapers, have invaded our ship. Colonies of the creature are known to invade ships and BASE models, consuming coolant while distracting their enemies with dreams and visions. These creatures currently live in our walls.

[Attached is an image of a rather exasperated Commander Grothia, flanked by several DACTYL droids, standing before a hole ripped in the wall of BASE's many hallways. She holds a shaper up to the camera, while several DACTYL droids chase more of the creatures escaping out of the walls behind her.]

I have been studying the creatures, and reading up on what histories and zoological studies have been written about them. Debate rages over their sentience-- some believe them to be pests. Others think them intelligent, sentient, sapient creatures who, while incapable of spoken language, communicate nonetheless through the language of dreaming. It is believed by some that the choices they make, of whose dreams to invade, whose to link, and how those connections are made, are an attempt to welcome other sentient creatures into their colonies, to make connections and be understood.

Debate has also continued amongst your command on how to best handle these creatures. Because their intelligence and self awareness is currently unknown, debated even now in scientific communities across the multiverse, we are ourselves unsure how to best deal with this problem. We leave it up to you.

In two days time, I shall put up a poll on the BCE network, and I encourage all to vote in favor of how these creatures should be dealt with: eradication, or (as my comrade has termed it) catch-and-release. Both posit their own risks: the possibility of a mass slaughter of sentient lifeforms, or the possibility of a resurgence of this infection. For myself, I shall not argue with the results, or argue either side. It is your choice to make, my poor fellow-soldiers.

For now: I ask you to consider the matter carefully. You may, of course, ask me any questions you like. I encourage you to debate this matter as thuroughly as you are able.

And in two days' time, I urge you: vote.

[ooc Yep, let's talk about the shaper infection. Characters can ICly debate here (threadjacking encouraged!); there will be an IC vote on the 19th, with results on the 21st. Ask any OOC questions you might have over here.]

Comments

[bloodings]

i know. but my father was the opposite. his rule was flawless, his judgment perfect, his ideals pure. and yet the people rebelled against him.

i want to be a good king, rider. but what that is, exactly... thats what i have to try and figure out.

[chariotry]

If your father's rule was perfect, wouldn't you want to emulate that?

Or do you want to be different than him and leave your own legacy?

[bloodings]

he still failed. his people betrayed him in the end, and his kingdom was ruined.

[ By her. But her sword carried the will of half of Britain behind it, who never truly understood their king. ]

so just emulating him is no good. i have to surpass him as well. i cant be suffocated by ideals like he was.

[chariotry]

So you blame his ruin on his own actions rather than the people who betrayed him.


You can't control those who have free will.

All you can do is hold onto your ideals and abide by them.

Surpassing your father would mean having different ideals, then.

[bloodings]

what utter dross. of course it was the people at fault. they followed someone like me, who despised all of them, instead of a man who gave his life to be their sword and shield. all because they could not understand a perfect king.

so yes, i care nothing for humans. but my father did, even as they stabbed him in the back. i dont particularly admire him, but his existence was beautiful.

[chariotry]

How can you not admire something that is beautiful?

Britain has a queen in the time we were summoned into, though. Do you plan to overthrow her?

[bloodings]

i just dont. its hatred i feel, not admiration. but my reasons are my own. no other person was justified feeling the same way.

dethroning her would serve no purpose. my wish is to pull the sword of selection like my father did and force him to acknowledge my superiority. overthrowing some entirely different queen would hardly accomplish that.

[chariotry]

Hatred... You're saying you hate your father?

Then why would you care if he acknowledged you?

[bloodings]

because he never did. that perfect king never looked back at me even once.

so ill overtake him and force him to see me.

[chariotry]

Is that your wish, Saber?

[bloodings]

no. ill accomplish that on my own.

my father didnt need the grail to become king. i just need the same chance he had, to pull the sword from the stone. theres no way i cant do it.

[chariotry]

You speak of Excalibur.

Where will you find the sword in the stone?


[ I want to help you achieve your dream. ]

[bloodings]

excalibur was a gift to my father from the lady of the lake. caliburn was the sword he pulled. its weaker, but that doesnt matter.

it no longer exists in this era, rider. it was destroyed. thats why i need the holy grail.

[chariotry]

Is that right? All I know about Arthur is of his legendary sword.

Maybe one day I'll have the chance to fight him.

That wish will be ours when we win the war.

[bloodings]

no. it will be mine.

such a wish is meaningless if it comes from anyone else. id rather lose than rely on that.

[chariotry]

You're willing to oppose your own team in order to attain your selfish desires?

[bloodings]

your team tried to kill my master. you are no allies of mine or his.

ill destroy every one of you to get to the grail if i have to. starting with that stinkbug woman.

[chariotry]

Stinkbug woman...


I'd rather not have to cut you down, Saber. I like you.

But I guess it's inevitable that we diverge at some point. Our dreams are conflicting.

[bloodings]

your vile assassin. neither my master nor i were fool enough to trust someone with the same stench as my mother.

but it doesnt matter. im the strongest, so its natural that the grail is mine. consider this your warning.

[chariotry]

Your mother, huh? I don't know of her. But I don't trust Assassin either, so I think your instincts are right.

If it should come to that, if we fight, I'll make sure you're granted an honourable and glorious death.

[bloodings]

and i promise to kick your ass.