trans_9 | There are worse things out tonight than vampires

Entry tags:

There are worse things out tonight than vampires

Taking some friendly advice, Zouichi had come down to visit the Media Library and get a rundown on some advanced human interaction. He should probably have asked which movies would be best suited for the task, however, because there were quite a few available in the pod room.

He picked a title at random, instead -- an action movie about a half-vampire marauding about with bladed weapons fighting other vampires.

Well, there seemed to be plenty of magical or mythical beings aboard the ship -- maybe this would make good research material.

He kicked back and began to watch.

[Doing this mainly to meet up with Kanaya, but feel free to come in if you feel the need to watch cheesy vampire flicks.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I just fall into it by reflex, actually. I meant no offense," she said. "Members of the same species might use the signs as well. Remember, I was raised to divide the universe into my own species and Other, and young habits grow old with you, as they say."

"Awkward might not be the right word. Let's say the urban legend you related, about the smiling woman with the scissors, was so powerful that there were multiple representations of it in the ship's media, that people had seen. When someone of my species arrived, those people's first association would be of that person being a monster. And no matter what happened to change their opinion, that first impression would be there at the base of all their memories, like a foundation."

She really hoped that when Stacy repodded people, she didn't automatically re-release the media about them back into the Library. Then the person wakes back up and finds out that everyone knows their worst side.

He nodded. "No offense taken; I was just curious as to whether I'd be considered my own 'species'. I don't believe I was considered one on Earth."

"Assuming, of course, that none of the representations of that person as anything other than a monster were included in the library. However, I have found that the crew, despite their prejudices toward various species on their homeworlds, have been remarkably open to the idea of similar species that are not quite as ill-behaved. For example, some people regard me with initial distrust when told I am synthetic, but they generally understand that I am not necessarily the kind of synthetic being they are familiar with."

Well, that would be unfortunate. And short-sighted on the part of the ship.

"Well, with the Vizsnunishne it would have been your own choice if you wanted to present as human, or as a distinct subspecies, or entirely unique. So long as your medical data was accurate, the rest would be considered your own business. I imagine that if your Earth was like the one I visited, 'human' and 'sentient' were used interchangeably, so the word tended to get very emotionally charged. To say someone was non-human would be an insult, implying that they were an animal or something."

"I find it reassuring that the crew is getting along together so well, and adapting so quickly. Especially since their common cause - fighting the Ohm - was something that was thrust upon them, not something they chose en masse."

"No, I believe things were similar on my version of Earth; I was not considered human, and I'm sure there were those who would view someone like Fuyu and I to be little more than glorified toasters." This was all said with no emotional inflection of any kind -- he wasn't angry about it; it was simply a fact.

He nodded. "Although apparently there's still some friction between certain species. I understand Merlin kidnapped another crew member because of this."

"Their loss," Anwei said stiffly, her chin up and the muscles in her neck tensing for an instant. "I can count a fair number of AI and synthetic people who are my friends, and who joined the mercenaries because we treated them as people."

Some of those people she had helped recruit herself, as it happened.

That was puzzling. "I don't quite follow that. How can you kidnap someone because of their species? Was he trying to hold the other one hostage for information, or something?" She had read a posting on the omnicomm channel, but she hadn't quite figured out what had happened.

He shrugged. "I don't require that a person recognize me as a sentient being to help them; perhaps that's also a factor?"

"I don't know all of the details, but apparently there is a species aboard the crew that uses other sentient beings as a host of sorts, controlling their bodies. I believe it was a member of this species that was kidnapped."

"I suppose it's a bit much to expect you to interrogate the people you are fighting to save as to what they believe your status is. You also would probably get whatever answer you asked for, under the circumstances." Surely someone who was about to be overrun by monsters, unless Zouichi and Fuyu saved them, would be less than inclined to call them 'toasters.'

"Hm. All of the co-joined species I'm familiar with, off the top of my head, evolved together and share themselves of their own free will. But a species that can use other sentient species against their will...that's pretty disturbing. This Merlin must be very talented."

He smiled. "Maybe, maybe not; human beings can be pretty stubborn about their prejudices.

"Yes. I'm sure they're not alone in the universe -- there were terrestrial species on my planet capable of modifying animal behavior to suit their needs, for instance -- but that level of fine control is something I've never heard of before."

"I'd like to know how he did it, actually. I don't relish the idea of my body falling into the wrong hands." Or his weapons. Actually, he wasn't sure if such a species would be able to control an artificially created host like his own, but if it could adapt itself to alien biologies...

"The tribe impulse, yes: the urge to belong to a group, and to exclude all who are not in it. It's very powerful, among many species. Many people live and die within their tribe, and never reach for anything greater...."

Anwei pondered. She probably could get access to the medical databases here easily enough, but that seemed a little dishonest - probably because it was. "I wonder if it - the abducted alien - is sentient outside of a host? Some aren't, you know."

Anwei sounded like she was speaking from experience again, but it probably was best not to mention it. Her people didn't sound very pleasant.

He shook his head. "I do not know. He certainly sounded sentient and irate when he was returned, though. I assume he was aware, at least of his surroundings and the identity of his captor."

"That's true; if he identified his captor he probably was sentient. I wonder if his species is anywhere in the Vizsnunishne medical databases? I suppose I'd have to ask for more information to do the match; it might be in there under a completely different name. And of course information doesn't mean useful information; some of the records are based on just one sample, which means we have no idea what the species as a whole is like."

"Perhaps the best person to ask would be the captive himself -- if he can be tracked down, that is. He may offer some information, at least, even if the database does not."

Of course, there was always the possibility he'd lie through his teeth, but that might be telling in itself.

"I'll probably let the medical personnel take information from the physicals and scan, just to maintain confidentiality. That is, if he goes in for a physical. If he feels vulnerable, he might not want to be analyzed in further depth."

He might not have teeth and still lie! A puzzle.

"I'm not too excited about the idea of a physical myself. But it is mandatory, is it not? I imagine that extends even to him."

He didn't like the idea of being poked and prodded. Not that he hadn't gone through plenty of it before, but it had at least been in familiar hands.

"Yes, but I'd still prefer to let him decide if his records should be matched against the database. What if the match pinpoints some vulnerability in his species that he didn't know about? Like, say, something that lets the crew inoculate themselves against him." That would be a pretty powerful weapon right there, and just the sort of thing the database was not meant for.

"This may be at odds with the official stance of the Security department, but... I did meet Merlin, if only briefly. If he saw fit to remove this person from his host, I can only assume he was aggravated into doing so. And I would be more than happy to obtain information about this species' vulnerabilities, considering what they are capable of."

Anwei pursed her lips meditatively, looking at Zouichi's earnest face.

"You said you met Merlin only briefly, and yet you think he must have been aggravated into this kidnapping. I get the impression that you think all people are as honest as you are - which would we wonderful if it were true. It's not always possible to form a true picture of someone's intentions quickly - although it may happen.

"I don't want people here to start mistrusting the medical department, fearing that information about themselves won't be held in confidence. That loss of trust could be dangerous. It should be up to each individual what they want to reveal. If I was suspicious of synthetic humanoids, and found there was some particular attack that could target them and spread that knowledge around, not only could other members of the crew use it against you - enemies might be able to tap into our data and find it out."

He looked a little annoyed at her comment, which sounded rather condescending. "I am aware that there are people whose intentions cannot be trusted. I simply do not believe that Merlin was one of those."

"I understand the Medical department's reasons for keeping their records under strict confidence. I also understand the Security department's stance on disregarding the past crimes of anyone on board. I will abide by both. However, my personal feelings are different."

As far as he was concerned, if Merlin had thought it best to remove that crew member from his host, he would have had good reason. Just as he would have had good reason to later return that crew member to his host.

"Your sense for these things may be better than mine. You've spent more time with humans than I have. I've just watched movies, and stayed in seclusion on Earth, trying to find a way to escape." And had there been a movie with Merlin in it? She wasn't sure.

"Actually," she dropped her voice a little, "I would not be surprised if Security did have records of the specific weaknesses of the crew members. You are likely to be at the front of it if someone falls ill, or is possessed or coerced, or just decides that they should be in charge and offers to punch everyone who disagrees."

Zouichi relaxed a little, but looked off into the distance. It was true that he'd met Merlin only briefly, and he had no real reason to trust someone he'd met once. In fact, if pressed, he'd be unable to explain why he was convinced there were no ill intentions involved.

It was another one of those odd things he found himself doing more and more often these days. It wasn't like him to contradict people, or rely on vague impressions. Yet here he was.

"If we do," he said, "No one has told me about it. Although it does appear there's been a change in command recently."

This was the first she'd heard about a change in command. She really needed to get out and talk to more people.

"There was a man posting on the omnicomm channel - a Mr. Kent I believe - who was talking about starting an on-ship newspaper. It seems more and more like a good idea. Letting important news spread by word of mouth is just not efficient."

Zouichi wasn't familiar with the man, but he had seen the message.

He nodded. "I agree. Too often this ship seems too large, and it is impossible to keep track of everything going on. Will you be volunteering in this effort, as well?"

"Creative writing isn't my strong suit, but I can probably fact-check and correct people's spelling. Maybe you could volunteer to be interviewed. You can explain where you came from, and what you're looking to do here. It would certainly be useful if someone else from your Earth came here."

"If anyone I know comes here," he said, "They will find me. That is true of allies and enemies both."

He didn't really like the idea of broadcasting his personal information to the rest of the crew. Not all of them were guaranteed to use this information judiciously, and gawking crew members would interfere with his job.

"Will the paper require creative writing? I thought it would be more of a factual publication."

"Based on the crew's current attitude, any enemies who arrive should be willing to put aside your past. Hopefully none of them will try and make a speech about it. 'I forgive you for your past heroics,' or something like that."

Anwei just wanted to make sure that her name was embedded multiple times in the ship's systems, for Horanckk to find. Someday perhaps, someone would recognize that name and speak of her past, but she would take that risk gladly.

"Creative writing is more common than you think in factual publications; people want to make sure that the right facts are emphasized, in an interesting way. Many members of the crew are young, and it might be a good learning experience for them to write articles and stories."

There are worse things out tonight than vampires

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)

(no subject)