[1] video/text; ⚔⚔ March Player Plot: Enter the Arena

[artifixx]

[the network dispatch starts with a video. one of the savrii appears in the view of the camera, something unmistakably formal about their posture and clothing, even though it will be hard for humans, at least, to read the expression behind tentacled mouth. for those of us who are accustomed to members of an identified race looking fairly similar, the diversity of savrii appearances probably continues to be confusing.] Hello, Moirans, [is the greeting.] I am Moksha, seeking your assistance on behalf of the Savrii and your fellow Ingress zone dwellers.

We have come into contact with a race of synthetic beings, the Artifixx. They possess a technology and resources that are critical to updating our defenses agains the dangerous, unstable energy output from the Ingress. I am uploading a datasheet. They have agreed to 'negotiate' over the opening of trade. However, they have one condition: they wish to speak with you, because you are the most recent newcomers and residents the Ingress proximate zone.

And to duel a champion among you. As is part of their warrior code of honor. [the tentacles sway at the bottom of the savrii's face, a riffle of motion... and emotion.]

The duel will take place at the Shock Box arena. I know there are many competent warriors among you, as well as spirits valiant and true-- and simply invested in our collective survival. If you have questions that cannot be answered by the uploaded file, you may lock a transmission to me. I will now open the transmission to their ambassadors. They have agreed to identify themselves with call signs. You may call them 'Red,' 'Blue' or 'Green.'

[with that, the video terminates; however, a discreet line remains available for those who need to consult.

in the meantime, the text transmission begins. words flow rapidly over the communications devices, swift as thought:]

hello! it is nice to meet you, peoples of moira. i am blue! i live on a spaceborne city too.

I am Red, Patriarch to the Lancers, Judge, and a veteran of the dueling art. The child draws false comparison. We were told of your ship. Our home is larger. However, some of your technology merits acknowledgment.

I am evidently green.

OOC Notes: If it wasn't clear, please use the OOC plotting Questions/Concerns/etc. thread for transmissions with the Savrii representative or background research/plotting with me, as necessary. We can discuss what OOC information should be taken IC. Thanks!

Comments

[artifixx]

[Green takes an unusually long time to respond to that one, especially if she can see the rate of reply from the other synthetics to her fellow diplomats. Usually, cogitation happens quickly for them.]

A positive yet persuasive description. I regret to hear that your people suffered such a betrayal. Such fiends are cowardly. I hope for your sake that they are no more, especially now, as you make measured exposures.

Will you seek vengeance, when your numbers are replenished as or your other alliances grow?

[patchricide]

[Slow and thoughtful works fine for her. She's taking time with her responses, not that her typing speed could compare in the first place.]

It pains me to say it, but the truth could not be further from that. Their empire has grown to span many galaxies and many races have been subjugated by their power. However, the Ingress has placed us here, beyond their reach, which gives us an opportunity to rebuild.

I desire vengeance, but more than that, I cannot stand the thought of how many have suffered and died at their hands. For that reason, yes, I plan to return to the fight.

[artifixx]

I see. You continue to have concern for the wellbeing of unknown nations and peoples, despite that you have been punished for it before. I understand that you have identified advantages to making allegiance and allowing for some vulnerability. I understand that you may share some common goals, with the Savrii, with the other peoples of your home universe left at your enemy's mercy. I understand measured exposure.

But you are a leader. How can you conscience diffusing your focus beyond your people?

[patchricide]

That's a hard question. For Alteans, it's no different than asking why someone would choose to help their people, and not focus on their own self.

[But that's not how they're going to see it. Or many races, for that matter. So how to explain something that's so self-evident to her?]

My kind are sensitive to energy and adept at channeling. Because of this, we understand the flow of planetary energy and how life subsists off it, and see the same cycles moving in the universe on a grand scale. Nothing can thrive in isolation -- survival is possible, but then, so can one survive for a time without air, or water, or food. This is a law of nature to us, but it also carries itself forward as an ideology.

Our benevolence towards other races may have allowed us to be betrayed. But it also brought the prosperity which carried us to that point. We weren't attacked because we opened up, but because we had grown too strong to be threatened into submission.

My grief is what pulls my focus inward. To let that blind me in our most desperate hour would be foolish.

[artifixx]

That is a sophisticated and elegant explanation for what I would describe, by lesser beings, to be mere naivete.

I suppose you cannot help yourself, or in doing so, it would change your nature in a way that would likely cause great harm. We understand something of this. Our code of honor has been exploited before. For centuries we have discussed hard code rewrites. But we cannot see a way to do so that would spell anything but disaster; a very violation of the most fundamental principles of our society.

And you would not wish to become more like this great enemy of yours.