video; open to action

[candothat]

[Chekov knows that he shouldn't be surprised when his failed attempts to contact Captain Kirk lead him to the Hall of the Missing and, ultimately, the realization that the majority of the remaining crew of the Enterprise is no longer in the City. Disappearances frequently happen in groups. Spock, Kirk, McCoy, Uhura... most of them had come and gone before this, too. Chekov really should know better than to be surprised. Kirk might be able to bend the rules at home, but it was foolish to hope, even for a moment, that he would be capable of doing the same in the City.

It's tempting to stay off of the network and immerse himself in a project, but his crewmates were well-liked and it's only right to keep the friends they have made informed.]

Captain Kirk, Doctor McCoy, and Lieutenant Uhura are no longer in the City.

[Brief, formal, to-the-point. Unfortunately, one other party needs to be contacted.]


[Starfleet Comm Frequency // Unhackable]

Lieutenant Sulu and I are now the only officers of the Enterprise in the City.

[In other words: your orders, Captain Janeway?]


[ooc: The great Trexodus is upon us. Open to action in any of the places Chekov might usually be found--the cottage, the laboratories, you name it.]

Comments

[candothat]

One of my friends is from a time prior to humanity's first moon landing. I cannot imagine such a time.

Genestealers? [The word piques his curiosity. His own world has had considerable problems with genetic modification. The Eugenics War of two-hundred and fifty years ago--and Khan--had been the result of genetic tampering.] What are these?

[Chekov smiles at the idea of being old enough to have lived in the age of the Tsars.] No, sir. Imperial Russia has not existed for several generations, although there were a hundred years of conflict after the last Tsar was disposed of in 1917. What came of that is good. The same may be true in your universe.

Peace in your world does not sound so peaceful. The Federation attempts to include the needs of all of its members, and humans have the same say as any other species. We reach peace through diplomacy, tolerance, and mutual understanding, not violence.

[Chekov believes every word he says and, in theory, he's absolutely right. In actuality, he's still somewhat naive. Starfleet is becoming more militarized at a rapid pace and Admiral Marcus was not, as the ensign believes, the only one who thinks that an all-out war with the Klingons that would lead to their annihilation is the best path to peace.]

[herooftheimperium]

I can certainly relate with you on that Mr. Chekov. Just thinking of some of the things that people have told me about is enough to make my head spin. One man even told me that, in his time, they overthrew The Emperor. Just imagining it would be tantamount to blasphemy back in my world, let alone voicing it. Come to think of it, I believe he's from that dark time in Russian history that you were telling me about. An odd fellow for sure. So desperate for attention... [Cain chuckles to himself]

Genestealers are one of the nastiest forms of the Xenos species called "Tyrannids". They looks rather brutish, but are amongst the foulest creatures we face. [Cain fishes through the pockets of his greatcoat and draws out a device that looks like an industrial, rivet-encrusted, ipad] I actually have an image of one of the filthy basdacks on my data-slate. [He messes with the device for a moment, and then raises the screen to the camera. OOC: This is the image Cain shows to the camera] The monstrous things carry a "geneseed" that, once injected, corrupts the descendants of the host. Within a few generations there will be an army of hive-minded half-Tyrannid mutants sowing insurrection and spreading their vile genes acrossed entire planet. Even a few of these things can lead to the loss of a system if left unchecked. That's an... unpleasant topic, though, Mr. Chekov. I've faced too many of those things for them to be good conversation so, if it's all the same to you, I'd rather talk about something else. [And with that Cain quickly and happily changes the subject]

You sound very passionate about the goals of the Federation, and I envy that. I caution you, though. I don't mean to overstep my bounds, but I advise you to keep a close eye on the political climate of your world. As admirable a goal as peace and equality for all may be, in my experience it more often ends with discontentment and widespread civil unrest. [Cain stops abruptly, realising that he may well be raining on Chekov's parade. Not wanting to come off like a dick, he backpeddles] Not to say that your belief in your government is misplaced. There are those who doubt the goals of The Empire, but the Guard still soldiers on. Never lose your faith, but don't blind yourself with it either.

[candothat]

Who was it who told you this? Russia--the one that I am familiar with--never had an emperor. [And desperate for attention... that could describe a lot of people.]

So they are a sub-species? [One quick look at the image is quite enough. Thank whatever powers exist that the Enterprise has never encountered one of those.] No, answering that is unnecessary. I will not mention these things again.

Surely you know what it is like to be passionate about a goal. You would not fight if you didn't. [Cain would not be the first to check Chekov's faith in the United Federation of Planets and Starfleet. Fortunately, he is aware of his tendency to be too loyal, even if that awareness seldom translates itself into actual caution.] I will believe in the Federation until there are reasons to abandon that belief. It is far from perfect, but it improves as its collective members improve understanding and communication between one another.

This is good advice, however. It sounds like something that my father would say, but he is not so fond of any governing force outside of our country.

[herooftheimperium]

The man who told me was a fellow named Raikov. He says he's a Major in the "Soviet Union" or something. You said that, after the Tzar [Cain mispronounces it again to sound like "sar" instead of "tzar"] was overthrown was when the dark times came about right? He may have been referring to that, but he certainly didn't phrase it that way. Then again, considering the whiny cuss he is, he may have just been trying to push my buttons. [The notion irritates Cain greatly and, without realizing it, he begins to grind his teeth]

After seeing a creature like that I can imagine many questions come to mind so, despite myself, I'll answer. Throne only knows that, should your world come into their path, I wouldn't want you being unprepared. The brood that the Genestealers bring about are little more than mutant abominations that long-since ceased to be human. They are slaves to the Tyrannid hive-mind and, as such, exist only to pass on their perverted geneseed and sow whatever unrest they can before a Tyrannid fleet arrives to finish the job. The sheer, disgusting, fact that a Tyrannid will eat all the brood upon the invasion of a world and use the biomass to create more "purebred" Genestealers brings to mind an image of the sort to make me become reacquainted with what I had for dinner.

I have faith in The Emperor, yes. However if I'm honest with you [Which Cain rarely is with anyone] it's not the fervent, all-consuming, comforting faith that so many others have. I believe that mankind's mission is sacred and that, through the sacrifice of the Guard and it's affiliates, they continue to thrive. However most are of the faith that they feel The Emperor would defend them in the face of terrifying foes and the threat of Chaos. I believe that The Emperor defends us by giving us the ability to defend ourselves. He holds the demons of the Warp at bay every day, guides the trillions of ships of The Empire with his psychic ability alone, and grants wisdom and clairvoyance to the leaders of his "Angels of Death". We owe him the debt of using the gifts he's given us to fulfill his will. It's a jaded kind of faith but, yes, I do have it. [I... I don't think I've ever actually put that into words... wow.]

However you "keep the faith" with your belief in The Federation is something that's entirely in your hands. I can't know what the government of your world is but, if you're a product of it, then I'd expect it to be every bit as good as what you say. [Cain inclines his head respectfully towards the camera] Whatever the times bring, however changes happen, don't let them change the things that you value in your Federation. Hold true to them as I hold true to mine, and you'll make it through your career just fine.

Our conversations have piqued my curiosity, though, Mr. Chekov as to what the other Starfleet personnel in the City are like? I saw a video of someone in a uniform somewhat similar to yours and they were making, what looked like, a Void Portal. That's a seriously awe-inspiring [And equally terrifying] accomplishment. Starfleet must have some impressive facilities here in the City to make that come about.

[candothat]

[Chekov certainly isn't going to call Cain out on a mispronunciation when he himself is always getting flak for saying things incorrectly.]

Ah, Raikov, yes. He is from what was Russia in the past and what will be Russia again when, in his time, the Soviet Union is disbanded. Even he is from several decades after the fall of Imperial Russia. ["Whiny cuss" is one way to describe Raikov without being wrong.] I doubt that he was annoying you or misleading you intentionally.

These Tyrannids sound similar to the Borg in my world. They operate as a single mind, also, and destroy races as they add them and their knowledge to the collective. I know very little about them--I have only heard of them from Starfleet members who exist in what is, relative to me, the future--but I would not want to encounter them, Borg or Genestealers.

Jaded faith is still faith. But this Emperor, psychic ability, Chaos, sacredness... I am a scientist, and what you say would be considered religious, I think, in my world, rather than scientific. I find it difficult to comprehend. [The ensign dabbles in metaphysics on occasion, but religion and the supernatural are utterly lost on him. He doesn't doubt that these things are all very real for the Commissar; that doesn't make it any easier to comprehend a world where a psychic, entombed emperor protects a race against Chaos.]

[The compliment, on the other hand, is readily understood.] I do believe that it is good, Commissar Cain, sir. Thank you. [He would salute, but that sort of thing is difficult via handheld camera.] I will remember your advice, sir.

Not all other Starfleet officers will be so willing to discuss anything of importance, but they are good people. [Void portal. The phrase means nothing to him, and he can't identify what it would refer to. B'Elanna's transporter, perhaps?] The captains have modified the laboratories here to better suit them, and we have been attempting to replicate technology from our times using what the City provides.

[herooftheimperium]

From what you say he almost sounds like a revolutionary. Regardless of the nature of this "Soviet Union", though, the good Major has been making quite an irritant of himself to me. Between him and his foppish companion it makes it quite difficult to tend to the things I need to in the day-to-day without crossing verbal swords with them. Their rampant exhibitionism is something that, apparently, they are completely blind to and it's something the network shouldn't have to deal with. [Cain finds himself getting worked up, but catches himself] Still... It's not something that's your problem though, Mr. Chekov.

From the sounds of your Borg they are a damnsight more along the lines of the scum we encounter in my universe. I hope for the sake of your Federation that, when the time comes, you exterminate them without mercy. When it comes to Xenos like that, the only sure way to deal with them is complete obliteration. Just the sound of adding an entire race to "The Collective" makes my skin crawl.
[And, for once, Cain means it too. Between his battles with Tyranids and his utter-fear of Necrons he's come to have a healthy belief in a judicious application of "overkill"]

Our belief in The Emperor is religion. We worship him as our God-Emperor and the Ecclesiarchy, for all their uselessness, oversees the management of the Imperial Faith. Some of the other intelligent races we've interacted with had a hard time understanding the concept of a Divine Ruler too, so I can understand all-too-well if that hits "outside the mark" of your area of expertise. You have a fine head on your shoulders though so I'm sure that, strange or not, you'll be able to see things from different perspectives and work it all out.

[At Chekov's response to Cain's compliment he can't help but beam. Valhallan or not, Chekov reminds Cain immensely of his old unit his friendly mannerisms only help to compound him as such in Cain's mind.] Glad to hear it Mr Chekov! I'd rustle that frizzy headcap of hair you've got there if this weren't over a camera but, it is, so I'll hold off. [He grins] We've still got to get that drink sometime, though.

As to your other Starfleet officers, I understand what you're talking about. Like you said earlier: Senior member of the Junior Staff? That would mean that, most if not all, of the other officers would be your uppers right? While I can see how parading some Officer from a parallel universe might not be in the best of interests you did say that Starfleet was an exploratory force. I'd be more than willing to fill your superiors in on nearly anything they'd like to know about the Imperium, in exchange for getting a closer look at some of their projects. Do you think they'd be overly against that?

[candothat]

"Rampant exhibitionism"? They are not blind to it, and you will only find them more difficult to tolerate if you antagonize them. They mean no harm.

I dislike thinking about the Borg. If I live to see a future where they threaten the Federation, I will think about them then. [Who knows how likely it is that the Borg will appear in his timeline, since it's a deviation from that of the other crew's. And considering how many times his life has been in peril? Chekov has every reason to suspect that there are many things he won't be alive to see.] The Federation will do what it must.

Perhaps, if I learn more about your world, I will come to understand this concept of yours. Maybe over a drink, sir, although I would ask that you not do anything to my hair. [It's embarrassing, even coming from a soldier.]

Yes, sir, all of the officers are my superiors. [Even Harry, his fellow ensign.] The future that they come from is more... militarized, I believe, than mine. More secretive. Captain Janeway may not agree to an exchange of information.