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[nooniensingh]

[A deep, British voice begins broadcasting on the network, no video attached. There is a slight bit of noise in the background, nothing loud, but white noise, indistinguishable and generic. He could be broadcasting from anywhere.]

Good evening. My name is John Harrison. I'm a traveler, brought to this place by what appears to be an error. I have no memory of this place on Earth, and I'm quite well-traveled.

Tell me, is this Network of devices always on? Is there always a listener, some warm body on the other end, ready to give and receive advice and succor? I do find that remarkable.

Is there anywhere that isn't suffering from this...illness that's literally plaguing this place?

Comments

[Video]

[doeswhathewants]

Hi John! Might I call you John? [He tips his head, putting on his most charming smile.]

Yes. And possibly? But you made it sound very weird. In a bad touch sort of way.

I am hale and hearty, but the cause of the affliction is most likely a curse, they happen every few days here and last a day, two at the most.

[nooniensingh]

John is perfectly acceptable. Of course, now you have me at a disadvantage, sir. Your name?

...A curse. Interesting. Implying the use of so-called "magic."

[doeswhathewants]

Serrure. Hail and well met.

You say as though magic is not real. Or perhaps it is not in your realm. Have you any knowledge of the multiverse theory? Or the guide floating about somewhere?

[nooniensingh]

It's nice to meet you, Serrure.

Magic is not real, where I'm from. Or, if it is, it has not been labeled as such. "Any technology, sufficiently advanced, is indistinguishable from magic." I try to keep an open mind.

I'm quite well-versed in multiversal theory, and I've encountered at least one example of such in my life. Is this one such pocket universe?

[doeswhathewants]

That is a rather good quality. And oh! Such a pleasure speaking to one whom I need not explain things to overmuch.

Yes, this appears to be a pocket dimension controlled by- well. The ones formerly controlling it have just been forcibly divested of power. But the mechanisms appear to remain working since none of us have gone home and more have arrived. It is also likely the vast majority of us are from universes not your own.

So! What was your world like, Stranger-John?

[nooniensingh]

At risk of sounding like a cliche - fascinating. I would be very interested in more information on those who controlled this place, if it's available.

As for my world, it is the typical sort of human world, with its endless bickering, warring, et cetera.

[doeswhathewants]

I'm sure it is. Or was. They used to have office hours and appointments. But now- well, the revolution sounds a bit sketchy if you ask me.

How do you know it is typical? It is typical, in my world. Only with more aliens and gods and devils and the super hero team ups- likely for merchandizing purposes.

[nooniensingh]

Revolution? That's quite a word. How many others are there, like us? Those brought here by error? A revolution would imply a great many.

I say it is typical in that human nature never changes, across worlds and across reality.

[doeswhathewants]

All of us were brought here by error, Mister. None of us chose to vacation here permanently. As to the revolution- I am not sure. A handful led it, a handful that until the revolution began were known to none here at all. Others joined in, then. And now in their triumph, we wait to see if the intend to be merciful or if absolute power has corrupted absolutely.

Rather pessimistic, but sure, why not. I'm only a child, yet to understand the finer points of human nature.

[unflagging]

That's probably because, hey, you're not on Earth anymore.

Hey, hi. Welcome.

[nooniensingh]

Hmph. I get the impression that, child you may be, you understand more than the average adult. Of course, I could be wrong.

Absolute power needn't corrupt. Of course, those without power also have a distressing tendency to misinterpret power's use. I do have to wonder, however, at your use of the word "superhero." Define that for me in the context of your world.

[nooniensingh]

I did gather as much.

Thank you. I'm not certain what my next step is. Any advice for a stranger in a strange land?

[doeswhathewants]

I'm a charming, Parisian orphan. We see quite a bit. Of course, that does blow my cover if ever I needed to scam on you.

A superhero usually involves lots of spandex, and some sort of superhuman ability. Usually some kind of trademarked logo with merchandising rights attached. Like Thor! He's here. Thor and his hammer. Though he seems less spandex and more leather.

[nooniensingh]

[He chuckles at that. It's not a happy sound.]

I think you'll find that I'm not your average mark. But I'll promise to pretend to be suitably impressed by your attempts.

[And...he doesn't comment on the whole "Thor" thing. That will take a bit of pondering, best not done on the network.]

[doeswhathewants]

I think you'll find that this city is populated solely with 'not your average marks.' Not to say I intend to challenge you, I'm sure you could thwart it if you liked and why would I ruin a perfectly amiable first meeting with someone so intelligent?

[The most angelic of smiles, really. Truly. He promises.]

[rianofski]

I'd welcome you, but it would seem almost rude, somehow, considering that most people don't want to be here.

[A pause.]

There are those of us who aren't ill, yes, though we seem to be in the minority.

[ not here ]

[medicos]

[ oh, he knows that voice, alright, and it takes every effort in him not to do something incredibly stupid, like reveal himself to the enemy. no one needs to know that he's shaking with anger, that every part of his body is cursing his messed up city and the fucked up situation that they've landed themselves in.

you're supposed to be dead, khan, and yet you're not.

fuck. ]

[mortemscintilla]

I'm not sure how much, um, 'advice and succor' I can offer. But I'll try my best.

[ No comment on the warm body bit because. Well. Kind of creepy. ]

As for the plague: almost half the City's infected. But the Anonymous group are working on a solution. ... I think.

[not here]

[hischair]

[ It's as if his own breathing just became deafening to his own ears. Hunched over, ill and weakened, Jim stares at the wall as that voice oils its way over the network. Not you. Not you, not here. Out-gunned, out-matched and at a loss for how to have his people defend themselves when Khan is clearly spiking at full health with a curiosity to poke around for answers, Jim makes the split-second decision not to get in contact with him. It's tactical, deciding to remain in retreat for the time being. His voice would be a stirring call to their own personal war against this man if he uses it and he doesn't want to draw his attention to the names listed in the directory.

Coughing up blood as his panic rises (and Jim finds himself defeated by a door, unable to stand long enough to open it) he closes the communication device and opts to rally information for his people; temporal problems aside, 'John Harrison' and his arrival just broke the need to keep anyone in the dark as far as he's concerned. ]

voice;

[subecho]

Well met, traveller. Bide time and take your rest, and keep from the sick. We do not yet know what illness this is, or how it journeys from one man to the next.

[not a reply]

[nooniensingh]

[Oh, come now, Bones. Can't we just let bygones be bygones? Can't we forget that you aided in kidnapping my people in cryostasis, and can't you forget that I opened fire on a room of unarmed people?]

[nooniensingh]

Anonymous group? That sounds sufficiently spooky. Are the people in charge of this city truly anonymous?

[not a reply]

[nooniensingh]

[Oh, Kirk, you big baby. He hasn't even made a single threatening remark. He hasn't done anything except ask questions. Get your Starfleet brand knickers out of that twist they're in, and relax.]

[nooniensingh]

A welcome in an unfamiliar place is still appreciated.

...Has there been no quarantine? No attempt by the authorities to contain this? I find that the most distressing symptom of all, in all honesty.

[not a reply]

[hischair]

[ Not in this lifetime, Mr. I Crush Skulls And Snap Legs For Fun. Welp. ]