middleofsomewhere | Enemy Unknown: Conclusion

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Enemy Unknown: Conclusion

The third night is as long and creepy as the others...

It might be that they found the engine room, solved the puzzles and found themselves in the hangar bay with no way out. It might be that they were still in the station hiding from the invisible monsters. Or it might be that they had been plucked from the mission and were waiting in their holding room.

Either way morning dawns on the fourth day...

ENEMY: UNKNOWN

DAY FOUR

the trapped. THOSE WHO SOLVED THE ENGINE ROOM SPENT THE NIGHT IN A LARGE HANGAR THAT DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE ANY DOORS. Their SCA's are working, so they can still communicate with those in the station, perhaps talk them through the engine room puzzles or tell them to stay clear. As morning comes all the lights in the hangar come on. Brighter than any lights so far in the station, harsh white light after the eerie red of the rest of the mission.

Everyone still in the station wakes where they fell asleep - if they slept at all. It's not long after most people are up and about that they will hear a high-pitched beep from their SCA, and then a blue light will envelop them and those around them. It might be they spot their friends vanishing before they too disappear.

They arrive in the hangar, reunited with those who spent the night there. All their gear is with them at least, but that doesn't solve the problem of being in a hangar with no obvious way out. Nor are any of those who vanished during the last three days here, their SCA's still go unanswered.

the vanished. FOR THOSE IN THE HOLDING ROOM, THEIR NIGHT HAS PROCEEDED MUCH LIKE THE NIGHTS BEFORE. One of the screens showed the hangar, and those that had succeeded in completing the engine room task. The lights had dimmed for sleeping and turned on again bright in the morning. For those watching the screens they will see those in the station vanish in blue light and turn up in the hangar.

Around half an hour later a voice sounds in the room. "Please gather your belongings and prepare for release."

It's another ten minutes, allowing them to make sure they have all their things before their SCA's beep. They are then surrounded by a blue light, taking them from the room they had spent the last few days in.

REUNITED

reunion. AN HOUR PASSES AFTER FIRST ARRIVALS PASS IN THE HANGAR. Suddenly, there is another flash of blue light, and the missing eighteen Voidtreckers appear with the rest of their crew. They will find they had all their gear as well, including their missing weapons.

They are left to their own devices for a small while, a time for reuniting with friends, but not long enough to exchange stories before a voice rings out in the hangar:

"THANK YOU CREW OF THE VOIDTRECKER EXPRESS FOR YOUR COMPLIANCE. YOU MAY RETURN TO YOUR CRAFT."
There is a loud mass of beeping as everyone's SCA's flashes at the same time, holographic messages popping up too fast to be able to read them in their entirety.

Voidtreckers come in.

All Voidtreckers return to the Voidtrecker Express
Voidtreckers evacuate now

Voidtreckers do you read?

Layers of holographic messages pile on top of each other but a moment later everyone's SCA's glow gold and everyone vanishes from the hangar...

LUGGAGE CARRIAGE

return. EVERYONE ARRIVES INSIDE THE LUGGAGE CARRIAGE, PACKED LIKE SARDINES BETWEEN SUITCASES AND TRUNKS. There is no announcement, no warning of returning to the void; just a lurch that is likely to throw anyone on the train unaware of what has just happened off their feet, no matter the carriage they're in.

They return to the void at what feels like breakneck speed. Colours fly past the windows, and it is a good few hours before they seem to slow to their normal travel speed.

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Elidibus had left in peace after speaking with Tidus about his interview. Of course this had been with a certain tacit understanding that not everyone was going to be asked permission.

Perhaps it's really no surprise the Ascian has come in search of the youth again. Still in his aetherial form but not as intent on privacy. He's here to make a more public request.

"I'm sorry to disturb you again, Tidus. Are you currently free?"

Edited 2021-10-24 05:54 (UTC)

At least Tidus didn't have any big plans for the day of their return. Nothing except musing over the recent events, what was to happen next; just ending up with a blank mind, thoughts leading nowhere. He told Ryo he was going to rest, and he's made his way to the room he shares with Inigo.

So enjoy the inside of that, Elidibus. They have nice bedsheets. Hopefully the appearance might come with a knock, and if not, Tidus will be startled from his laying down position, a puzzled - and slightly miffed - look on his face.

"Eh? What now?"

The response is the same, regardless of knocks.

Elidibus doesn't knock and doesn't ask permission for looking at (most) people's experiences. He is just not a polite person for the important things.

Teleport. Right into the cabin. The train apparently doesn't prevent this sort of intrusion.

"I would like to ask you to speak to Lan Jingyi. He seemed unusually burdened by the awareness of viewing his experience with our recent captors. His state when we last spoke was concerning. Yet I don't think my presence would be welcome."

To say the least.

[Also those are really nice bedsheets.]

You bet those are nice bedsheets.

Good thing Tidus wasn't up to no good in here! He's got a quizzical brow - not one half-asleep, but still a guy coming to terms to a very very old man showing up unannounced in his bedroom with...the request he does.

His brow dips deeper.

"Did you do that...memory thing-" he waves a hand by his head "-you were talking about earlier?"

Wait.

"Did you ask?"

Important detail.

Hopefully Elidibus would have been more discreet if Tidus was really in need of privacy. He does have boundaries and if Tidus had been say, in the toilet, probably wouldn't have popped in there.

Well fortunately, no harm. So no foul?

"Yes. And no. As you seem to surmise, that is the crux of the matter." The Ascian doesn't seem particularly remorseful at having not asked. But under the mask there is a small frown that might be concern.

"His reaction seemed particularly strong. In addition he was able to relive some of the memory through the same talent which caused him to realize I had been observing the event."

This time there is a touch of regret. Elidibus hadn't intended to draw Jingyi into reliving the moment. A failing on his part.

He sighs, shaking his head.

"Why didn't you just ask him? I get you're tired and annoyed about all this, but we're on the same side, you know? If everyone knows you're going around reading their memories without asking, no one's going to want to work with you. That's a big deal to people."

There is some frustration to his voice, lessened by his exhaustion as it already is. He's worried too about Jingyi, wants to see him, but this is a problem he hadn't spoke about with Elidibus before. Should now, at least to get the guy to chill on the mind peeking.

"The last time I asked for information on an incident of this level, I waited several days and found little return," Elidibus answers. Yes, Tidus and a number of others did show up but it was hardly what anyone would call a representative sample of what the train's passengers experienced on the false Diagad.

"I am not simply annoyed by what happened. I am angered. But also aware of the very real threat we face. Regardless of what people would think of me, finding any information on our most recent captors is vital and should not wait."

Of course that doesn't cover why he'd asked some people and not others. Even respected Tidus's decision to simply tell him of events. True, Tidus had been quick to attend the Diagad report request and that could have factored in. Still...

"So are you doing this for us, or for you?" In this moment, who is the information for? Tidus motions out his hands, spreading them out. "People here... I get you want to figure out what's going on, we have as much to get from that, but think about it: How many of us knew anything special about Diagad to share? A lot of us didn't see that Chaos guy 'til he made his big appearance at the end of the mission before he pulled that stunt. Most of us were stuck in those false lives. You can say I'm guessing and I am, but I don't think I'm that far off either. If there was anything really important, I'm sure they would have shared it, with the train."

He's pretty sure, about that much. To the train, even if they didn't Elidibus directly. But there's only a short pause before he continues, an actual important point he wants to make.

"But that's the only thing, you know? How many people want to sit and have an interview with a guy they don't know? Even if it'll help, not everyone's like that. Not everyone's like this-" He makes another gesture, out towards the cubby-holes, of plants and a few pictures, magazines and books made to fit. "Dealing with dangerous events, plotting and tryin' to unravel whatever's going on. Yeah, it doesn't help get you the kind of results you want, but - you've gotta chill out. Give people a while. We can all talk about this - it's important."

He's set his hands on his legs, lips thin as they're pulled and brows knitted close.

"But this isn't the way to do this."

The question of whom he sought the information for might seem reasonable and honestly is. Yet when Tidus asks, the Ascian's lips pull into a frown. His manner seems to darken and his voice expresses a hint of real anger. "Since near the beginning of my journey here I decided to use my talents to aid the passengers of this train. I don't blame you for disagreeing with my methods. But do not question my commitment."

Elidibus seems sincerely bothered the suggestion that he took action for purely selfish reasons. It remains in his voice a little longer, though gradually fades back to his normal calm, along with his manner. It seems robes and masks can't hide everything.

"You may be correct that people didn't think they had much to offer. Yet remember your own words when I came to you when we were released. You proclaimed they asked the same questions as everyone else. I would counter that many of those trapped within their routines on the false Diagad may have simply felt they had nothing to offer because that is all they experienced. Perhaps that would be true once examined. But it is worth seeing the different perspectives simply because no two encounters of similar nature will be witnessed the same."

Behind the mask, the Ascian closes his eyes. "Pray tell me what should I wait for, Tidus," Elidibus begins quietly. "The Voidtrecker Express will not or cannot deviate from its purpose. It will consign each one of us to missions regardless of what we are used to. Our latest captivity at the hand of these Inspectors is but one more instance of the fallacies of this system. Believe me when I tell you I'm all too aware of what it is to be so driven by one's purpose. It's only a matter of time before we are exposed again."

As Elidibus speaks, there are signs that he's... earnest. He wants to have Tidus understand his stance. At the very least, try to impress on the youth just what level of gravity this situation has.

"There was no guarantee that with all else shown by our recent tormentors, we are not actively followed. If captured again, we will be at their mercy. If this was but an 'investigation of victims', how then will they treat us should they find cause to fault our actions under their laws? What could we expect as survivors 'rescued' from the Voidtrecker Express after such treatment?"

The Ascian shakes his head. "We currently do not have the luxury of time. For that peace to return, to save as many as can be saved, I would take on the burden of blame for violating the privacy of individuals than the accusation that I did nothing for all my ability to do otherwise." Quietly, Elidibus finishes. "I take no pleasure in it. But pray inform me if you can think of a better course. For I cannot and so I have acted."

Edited 2021-10-26 02:47 (UTC)

"Waited. You should have waited." It doesn't take more than a moment for Tidus to say it, for his position on that not to change; voice firm and his eyes on the mask that hides where Elidibus's would be, if he has any in this form. "All we needed was to give people a day, even just a couple of hours - ask them about what happened, ask if they'd be okay with you doing what you did. Try 'n' hold a meeting, get people to help you talk to the people that got stuck in there. You asked me if I was okay with you poking around - what makes them different?"

It's not a question that he sits on, a pause before he continues, a breath taken in and exhaled. "I don't think you're doing this just for you, but either you went for this 'cause you're mad at those inspectors for what they did, or you gave everyone one chance, and now you don't trust anyone to give you answers. And you're not the only guy on this train," Tidus says as he shakes on his head. "You want more details? Then I'll help and talk to friends about Diagad. I'll help talk to people about the interviews. But we've gotta ask. Give people that - give them a choice. That's all I'm asking."

His plea is earnest, from one friend to another - one from trapped passenger to another.

"We work together. I know those guys could cause problems, and I know what this train is like too. I've been here for months, and I hate it. You know about me-" About what he is. "--but I care about more than us dealing with this train and figuring out what's going on than if I stick around. But if they wanted to do something to us? They wouldn't have let us go when they did. We have the time to sort our heads and then get together."

What is different? The answer is given but had also been carefully considered before being spoken. "Time. And knowledge of you and some few others," Elidibus finally says.

"Without access to the location, I would have to rely on the people involved to glean the information. Besides the concern for our safety, the event I wished to witness oft requires the person to be thinking about it. The matter so fresh on their minds, I would not have to ask them to relive the ordeal later."

Which he most certainly would have done if he had decided it better to wait at the time. But that's beside the point. The Ascian shifts his stance, bringing up his hand to chin in a gesture of thought before letting it drop again.

"No. I am confident I would have made the same decision even if I hadn't been directly affected. Though I will admit I experienced anger. As for giving everyone one chance, that is only if you consider the span of my experience confined to this voyage. It is not."

Elidibus does have a storied experience with the nature of mortal kind and their habits that spans millennia. For better or worse it has shaped him.

"I understand our captors releasing us may be benign in nature. Yet their actions have suggested it would be unwise to believe it the only reason." There is a slight shake of his head.

"One thing I have learned from those I've witnessed, this is an investigation and they gave no indication that we have been cleared to continue on our journey. And so I must take into consideration it is a sign of their confidence. That they do not consider us a threat and can detain us at any time now they have some measure of us. And while some of us may be able to develop a countermeasure against their ability to seal our powers in time, could you really say that extends to every passenger on this voyage? Or that it could be done quickly, with our limited knowledge?"

Elidibus may not express much emotion, but he seems dedicated to what he perceives as his duty.

For all the mask blocks his gaze, there is the feeling that the Ascian's regard intensifies, as he was not one to miss the meaning implied in Tidus's words. After a brief hesitation, the man finally speaks in a quiet voice.

"While I laud you the willingness to sacrifice your existence for the sake of others, you need not fear it while I'm a passenger on this train. Should you have need, I will help to stabilize your existence without the SCA's dependence."

Not 'can'. Will. Though there's enough respect for Tidus's request for choice in the matter that he doesn't imply that he'll do it right now or even out of the blue.

While time will be given to speak of matters already spoken of, Elidibus lets out a sigh. Does he even need to breathe in that form? Well that's not important right now.

"If it is what you suggest, then so be it. I will endeavor to give a choice to the passengers of this train in the future should I have need to use my ability again. I pray it will not be a mistake."

He will make no such promise for those beyond the train's roster.

His shoulders slump some, his whole posture a contradiction between a stiff back and exhaustion.

"I don't care about that right now -- me," he explains, with the offer given. Instead he shifts, bringing in his legs so he can turn them, hang them off the side of the bed in the process of standing up. "I'll go find Jingyi and talk to him. Just... ask if you can use your mind thing. Even if you don't know them, let them have the chance. We can talk about this later if you want. The Ministry, or-"

He waves a hand, sighing. "--Whatever."

Elidibus nods. He's promised not to look without asking and this is just affirmation. As well, Tidus is preparing to go to Jingyi and that shouldn't be delayed any further. That was the reason why he came to intrude on the youth in the first place.

"You've no need to worry I will not keep my promise. Pray see to Jingyi's condition. I will be available to speak again later."

There is a short pause. Normally Elidibus would have simply left through his shadowy mode of teleportation. "I'm sorry I could not give you a response you would have liked better, Tidus. I pray you will not think too poorly of me for it."

Then he'll leave, without waiting for an answer. That much, at least, is typical.

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Enemy Unknown: Conclusion

Train Encourages Social Interaction :(

train is a suck

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Sorry for Elidibus being an Elidibus. :|