A Phone Call Is Made

[velesdonnersen]

Open Phone Call

 [He's suspicious and well past grumpy, now, and a little worried...but he's also noticed that he's not alone. There are people who seem not to fit, like him. So he's going to try to figure this out...]

Hello?  Hello?

Is anyone else out there? Anyone else stuck from someplace else, like me?

The clothes are strange, the houses filled with ugly furniture, the locals all seem to be Muses... slow, dull Muses.  I can't remember how I got here, and I  have no idea what this is all about.

 

My "wife" says we have a car, but every time I try to figure it out I get a headache...and my spark seems to be gone.  Which is... disturbing.

 

I'm Tarvek.  Tarvek Sturmvoraus.  "Prince," if it matters to anyone.

 

And I'd really like a few answers.

 

[Anyone listening can hear him grumbling and muttering under his breath, huffing, "I feel like such an idiot talking into this thing...."]

 

Comments

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

Spark. This word is familiar, in passing. Tell me more of yourself and your world, I may be able to help.

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[Interesting. No one seems to have any trouble accepting the idea that there are many worlds. That alone tells so much!]

[Having encountered one Princess-Captain already, and almost certainly Klaus Wulfenbach, Tarvek wants to go very cautiously here. No telling what version of "reality" anyone is expecting. Best stick with absolute truth, but stay clear of politics if possible. It's not like Tarvek's got any personal desire to carry on Europan feuds here in this strange land. As far as he's concerned, it's truce "for the duration."]

I come from a place called Europa, on Earth. Europa's a portion of one continent, and constitutes a rough political block with shared cultural, religious, and linguistic history. The majority of our cultures look back to Rome, a single conquering and unifying nation, for our historic root identity. We speak variations of that nation's language or draw from that language in many ways, and share many of the religious and cultural assumptions of Rome or its offshoots.

Spark is a form of hyper-science talent: the ability to take science beyond pure logic and accomplish more than logic would suggest possible. Under ordinary circumstances I am a spark, with talent in the areas of medicine and the creation of mechanical people. Here I suspect I'm a passable doctor and engineer...it's a bit hard to assess. I get wanking great headaches whenever I try to think about science right now. I am quite sure I can't access my spark at the moment, but think I am making progress thinking about science so long as I don't access the spark. That's... difficult.

I'm Prince of Sturmhalten -- a minor principality in the far East of Europa. My domain constitutes little more than a town and surrounding farmland, though my family would insist that our heritage was grand in inverse proportion to our property. At home that meant I was enmeshed in a complicated and fiercely competitive network of loyalties, factions, alliances and enemies.

Here, I suspect it means that I can squabble with any number of other kidnap victims for who goes in to dinner first... if I wanted to bother with that. It seems pointless: I've already met one other "royal" and I have no idea where we'd even draw the lines regarding who took precedence over whom. Perhaps on the basis of who was kidnapped first?

And you? Who are you, where do you come from -- and, please, can you tell me more about this place? It's very peculiar. I've met a few of the other captives, and they seem quite varied.

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

You are from Terra, though probably before, after, or during the Dark Ages of Technology. I believe I may well be from your future.

I am from the 30th Millennium of Mankind. Mankind walks the stars with the Astartes like myself at their side as protectors.

My name is Garviel Loken. I am a Captain of the 10th Company of Luna Wolves, 16th Legio Astartes, 63rd Expeditionary fleet.

If you would like detailed information on Mayfield itself, I can provide you with a pamphlet.

It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Ser.

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

And a pleasure to meet you also, Captain Loken.

Yes, my world has been called "Terra," though from what little I've already learned it seems possible that my Terra and yours are on different time-tracks. Certainly if you're from the 30th Millenium, though, the odds are very good you're from something ahead of me, in some sense.

I would appreciate your information very much, thank you. And -- if it's not too invasive, could you explain how an "Astarte" differs from "Mankind"? In my time and place the way you have used the term would indicate that the Astartes are in some sense separate from humanity as a whole... unlike Sparks, who constitute a distinct group within humanity, but who remain human: often the children of ordinary humans, or the parents of ordinary humans, and able to marry ordinary humans and produce families. The Spark distinction may run in families, but in no sense differently than, for example, my red hair or nearsightedness.

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

I have no contemporaries here, save one. As far as how Astartes are different from Mankind, we are genehanced, cyber-augmented warriors armored in the best war-plate, and armed with the best weapons mankind can make.

We stand apart from humanity as we protect it, giants amongst men.

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

In my world and time, such a race would have been the crowning life-achievement of a great Spark with a biological talent, greater even than the Muses.

You are designed and governed so that your great abilities can't be abused?

[He's really quite interested, as both a spark and someone trained to govern. And he's seen both the benefits of a well-planned system for promoting The Greater Good (Muses) and the drawbacks of a badly planned system (too many to be counted.) He's diplomatic, though, and working hard to avoid giving any sign that he himself would be a bit worried at Great Big People With Guns And Superior Genes as the guardians of humanity....]

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

That was the intent. We were created by the greatest Genius mankind had ever known. We brought peace and compliance in our wake, and we almost had the greatest peace that was ever known.

Almost. Chaos infiltrated our ranks and turned some of us traitor, slaves to old gods that the new light of secularism had mostly burned away. My Warmaster, my Primarch, Horus, fell in battle, then rose up again to challenge the Emperor. I stood against him, and paid the ultimate price.

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[Ah. Yes. Unfortunate, but hardly unexpected if Tarvek's education is to be believed. He suspects that Humanity stood there shouting, "Stop, I am your creator! You must obey me!" the whole time, too -- and was probably lucky if the worst that came of it was a kick in the shins from a well-armored Astarte foot.]

My condolences, Captain Loken, and my honor to you for your faithfulness. I'm descended of a line that has remained faithful to a fallen ideal.

Though, between ourselves, I must say I think the majority of my ancestors were primarily faithful to the cause as an excuse for monthly meetings with their fellows, complete with superb meals and plentiful toasts afterward. But then, dinner and drinks seems a small price to pay to keep a dream of righteous government alive over the generations.

Which is to say, perhaps your cause is not so lost as you may fear. If even one remains to pursue justice, there is hope.

[Which is sometimes the best Tarvek can cling to... That, and good planning. Tarvek is very fond of good planning.}

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

It would appear we are of a similar mindset, ser Tarvek. I am glad to know I am not alone in my beliefs.

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

Alike in our hopes, certainly.

[A bit wearily, and with resignation.]

As for deeper beliefs, I suggest we each wait and judge on actions over time. Indeed...

People tend to assume they know my beliefs without so much as asking. And at least one of my family's rivals is here ahead of me. A man who's never held me or my line in very high esteem -- sometimes with very good cause, I'm afraid. Between mutual ignorance, diverging philosophies regarding "good government," and a certain level of pig-headed blindness on both sides I suspect Herr Baron Wulfenbach will have little good to say of me.

It would be... pleasant... if he and others would resist leaping to conclusions and wait for complete data.

[quiet grumble] Granted, that would probably be a first time in Europan history. But I'd be happy enough to leave Europan politics in Europa if he would...

In any case,Captain Loken, as one man of honor to another I can only wish you further honor in future. And know that I am pleased to have made your acquaintance here in Mayfield, where it would appear we are all alike in dignity -- and in the lack thereof.

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

That is indeed unfortunate. Klaus is a good friend of mine, but I understand people can have disagreements from time to time while still having the greater good firmly in their hearts. If you would like I can speak to him and make sure that you keep the peace here. There is clearly a foe that is quite willing to make us all puppets in their damnable game, so I'll make the case to him for an understanding between you two, at least for the moment.

[regarding the question of acquaintance.]

I am also pleased, to hear from another man of honor. There are several such, here in mayfield, and I will happily introduce you.

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[Whoa! How unusual! A rational, intelligent response!]

Red lighting! If you're any example of the caliber of captive here, I could actually come to like Mayfield!

[Ponders.]

I have no difficulty agreeing to keep the peace with Herr Wulfenbach, provided he will make similar compact with me. The differences between his family and mine are real in Europa, though I suspect less substantial than he believes -- but here in Mayfield they would appear to be entirely irrelevant and obsolete. Fighting each other here over old rivalries would be like two jackals fighting over prey a lion has already eaten. If I can peacefully ally with Klaus' son in the face of common dangers, in spite of the fact that we both long to marry the same woman, and play the same role in Europa's future, I don't see why I can't ally with the Baron when we have nothing at stake between us here. He is a dangerous, and often impetuous and arrogant enemy, but he's also a man of skill, talent, and ability -- and among the better conquering dictators I'm aware of in history.

That said, I'd also like to meet other men of honor. [Chuckles, softly.] If only so we may squabble in good fellowship over the precise definition and obligations of "honor" over a bottle of wine and a good roast fowl. Like "love," "justice," and the rules of football, "honor" makes for good debate between men and women of good will.

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

I suspect you would have liked the party I just threw. I will throw another in due time, perhaps with more help from others. It has been... a significant financial expenditure for me. But, at any rate, there are many people worth liking in Mayfield. I have been pleasantly surprised by my sojourn here.

[regarding Klaus and the other stuff.]

As for his son... I was unaware he had one aside from the fellow provided by the town. I shall ask him about his son from his own time, I think. Though I cannot understand the nature of your rivalry with the fellow. Astartes don't... really dally with anyone, you see. We stand apart from humanity as protectors, our bonds are simply of honor and brotherhood with one another and our wards.

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

Serving as host does tend to require deep pockets -- or scant hospitality. It sounds like you favored generosity over frugality.

[Snort] I will admit, I like that in a host... But perhaps in future I'll be able to contribute to any social efforts.

I'd tread warily when mentioning Gil to the Baron, if he hasn't shared that aspect of his life. He kept his son secret for many years -- during some of which I can state with certainty Gil himself wasn't aware of the relationship. After presenting his son to Europa as his heir, things have become complex, and depending on what he remembers, there may be some resentment regarding Gil's current divided loyalties.

Of which I can mainly say that you're probably lucky you don't "dally." [Sighs profoundly.] As complicated as I find my own affection for Agatha, Gil's puts him in direct conflict with his father. [Sighs again] Agatha's wonderful, but I have to admit her very existence complicates everything in some ways....

In any case, be aware it's a complex subject, and one about which the Baron may have strong feelings.

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

I will be diplomatic. [Among Luna Wolves, diplomatic means not punching your host in the face.]

I happen to know several women here who manage to complicate my life significantly, despite the nature of my own existence. I find there is a great compensation in the pleasure I derive from being around them, though. To have someone to mentor and protect is important, and to try to solve someone's intriguing mysteries is also... enjoyable.

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[Admiration at the perception diplayed!]

Yes! [Chuckles] Though I must confess, I seem to land in more trouble, between the protecting and the mysteries.

[Wistful.]
I wish... I wish I knew where I stand with Agatha, thanks to Mayfield. So far the general impression I get is that I shouldn't expect to see her again -- and to hope for her sake I never do.

It's difficult to know what love and honor require, under the circumstances.

[Slightly shocky, as an entire lost life is suddenly reckoned with.]

It's all gone, isn't it? Barring people like the Baron? There's nothing left from my real life, and not much chance of return...

[lunawolves10th.livejournal.com]

No, you can regain it in time. And eventually, we will fight our way free. You have my oath on that.

[he considers the question of love and honor and says.] I can only speak of love and honor in the sense of devotion between brothers, but this is what I will say: Endure and wait in her name. Never give up hope, even when it is all you have to cling to. If you give in to despair, this town has won.

[velesdonnersen.livejournal.com]

[Considers quietly.]

I -- will hope for that, at least for all of the rest of you.

I must admit, as divided as my heart is, part of me welcomes this change. I've never been free, before.

It's not easy being born to a role that's probably beyond you, and tied beyond escape to allies you'd rather avoid at all costs, with no clear route out but "through." Especially when "through" might mean through Klaus Wulfenbach.

As odd as it may sound, Captain, the past two days are the first time I've ever known what it was to be free of an extremely weighty "destiny." I'm afraid I could learn to love the feeling.

I -- I miss them. Friends. People I love.

But, red-fire and hail, I don't miss the destiny. It's amazing to be in a place where that simply doesn't matter.