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It hardly works that way.
[He comments, leaning against one of the walls in his temple.]
You're thinking of it like a portal that can blink to other worlds at will. The true function of it is simply to seek out chaos and emotion and bring it to us. I can reverse the process, but anything more complex than that is...
[Sorrow trails off for a moment, considering.]
I won't say it's impossible. But it's a function that has never been attempted before.
[He comments, leaning against one of the walls in his temple.]
You're thinking of it like a portal that can blink to other worlds at will. The true function of it is simply to seek out chaos and emotion and bring it to us. I can reverse the process, but anything more complex than that is...
[Sorrow trails off for a moment, considering.]
I won't say it's impossible. But it's a function that has never been attempted before.
Their weapons?
[It's an... interesting thought, and Sorrow purses his lips for a moment.]
I can't see what use we'd have for them. They're tailored to kill us- they'd likely have little effect if reversed on the Null, and we lack the technology to reverse engineer and figure out how to protect ourselves from them.
[It's an... interesting thought, and Sorrow purses his lips for a moment.]
I can't see what use we'd have for them. They're tailored to kill us- they'd likely have little effect if reversed on the Null, and we lack the technology to reverse engineer and figure out how to protect ourselves from them.
I know it works.
[But Nick has a point, as brutal as his point may be.]
We've been unkind. But we've been desperate- there is only so much to be gained by compromise. I'm sure that doesn't matter to those who would turn against us... I suppose it's time we start taking countermeasures to protect ourselves from you.
[But Nick has a point, as brutal as his point may be.]
We've been unkind. But we've been desperate- there is only so much to be gained by compromise. I'm sure that doesn't matter to those who would turn against us... I suppose it's time we start taking countermeasures to protect ourselves from you.
In a manner of speaking.
[Kinda-sorta... Sorrow's brows furrow a little as he tries to explain it.]
But they lack the capacity for emotion. They are separate entities, but because they share a core logic and moral code, they all possess very similar, if not identical, personalities.
[It's a bit difficult to explain, but she'd probably understand him. Kate is a smart cookie and Sorrow can be patient when the time calls for it.]
They all want us dead. Even if some of them don't desire our deaths, they still agree with the logic that we pose a threat to their core function and thus, we must be eliminated.
[Kinda-sorta... Sorrow's brows furrow a little as he tries to explain it.]
But they lack the capacity for emotion. They are separate entities, but because they share a core logic and moral code, they all possess very similar, if not identical, personalities.
[It's a bit difficult to explain, but she'd probably understand him. Kate is a smart cookie and Sorrow can be patient when the time calls for it.]
They all want us dead. Even if some of them don't desire our deaths, they still agree with the logic that we pose a threat to their core function and thus, we must be eliminated.
[She considers that for a moment. Perhaps not a portal at will, but it still serves some of the functions of pulling a person through dimensional space.]
Most people who want to go to another world will want to go to the world of another person here. Someone who has become important to them. Perhaps their emotional ties could be used to form a tether of sorts?
[She shrugs. It's just a theory, but since everything the gods do is tied to emotion one way or another, it's something that perhaps the gods might be willing to explore when they're not struggling just to survive.]
Was the Door invented by one of your people?
Most people who want to go to another world will want to go to the world of another person here. Someone who has become important to them. Perhaps their emotional ties could be used to form a tether of sorts?
[She shrugs. It's just a theory, but since everything the gods do is tied to emotion one way or another, it's something that perhaps the gods might be willing to explore when they're not struggling just to survive.]
Was the Door invented by one of your people?
( At the very least, she's accustomed to this sort of existence. It's one she hates, one that sparks some mix of anger, frustration and upset in the very deepest recesses of her mind, but it's inevitable. Maybe she's just meant to fight, to do the things she hates.
She thought this a long time ago, but it keeps proving itself true. )
Great.
( There's no attempt to conceal the annoyance at that explanation. For a moment she'd hoped, thought there might be some ability to convince some of them. Have double agents. Not need to kill all of them - she doesn't want to, wants to be better than the black and white thinking that led The Agency to the place it was ten years ago. But logic is a tricky beast, one that convinces beings more fully than anything else. She doesn't see a way around it. )
Just have to find out where they reproduce and burn it.
( WHAT SARCASM THAT'S NO BIG TASK AT ALL.
... Where's Faith and her firepower when Kate needs it jfc. )
She thought this a long time ago, but it keeps proving itself true. )
Great.
( There's no attempt to conceal the annoyance at that explanation. For a moment she'd hoped, thought there might be some ability to convince some of them. Have double agents. Not need to kill all of them - she doesn't want to, wants to be better than the black and white thinking that led The Agency to the place it was ten years ago. But logic is a tricky beast, one that convinces beings more fully than anything else. She doesn't see a way around it. )
Just have to find out where they reproduce and burn it.
( WHAT SARCASM THAT'S NO BIG TASK AT ALL.
... Where's Faith and her firepower when Kate needs it jfc. )
[She raises a brow.]
How can a weapon that's tailored to kill a god not also be used to kill other things?
How can a weapon that's tailored to kill a god not also be used to kill other things?
What it's time you start doing is working with us.
[He sighs, something a machine like him ought not do. It lends to his humanity, as does his softer tone as he continues.]
I know there's only so much to be gained by compromise, but if we keep going the way we are, we're all going to be in a lot of trouble.
[He sighs, something a machine like him ought not do. It lends to his humanity, as does his softer tone as he continues.]
I know there's only so much to be gained by compromise, but if we keep going the way we are, we're all going to be in a lot of trouble.
Hm.
[That sounds a little far fetched, but.]
I can look into it, but I doubt it.
[As far as the question, he nods.]
It was, by our ancestors. They're ancient artifacts- not something that most members of our species knows about anymore. [A pause, and then he corrects himself.] -knew about.
[That sounds a little far fetched, but.]
I can look into it, but I doubt it.
[As far as the question, he nods.]
It was, by our ancestors. They're ancient artifacts- not something that most members of our species knows about anymore. [A pause, and then he corrects himself.] -knew about.
You're aware that we're technically energy beings, correct?
[He tilts his head.]
Our forms here aren't physical. It's possible that these weapons could kill you as well, but likely for different reasons. As for the Null themselves... doubtful, though I don't know enough about them to be sure.
[He tilts his head.]
Our forms here aren't physical. It's possible that these weapons could kill you as well, but likely for different reasons. As for the Null themselves... doubtful, though I don't know enough about them to be sure.
I was under the assumption that we had been.
[Bluntly.]
It's not like we can listen to the direction of a hundred of you at once. At best, we can have you help us agree on a course of action- which is what we've been trying to do.
[Bluntly.]
It's not like we can listen to the direction of a hundred of you at once. At best, we can have you help us agree on a course of action- which is what we've been trying to do.
It's not likely to be any one location.
[Just to make matters more complicated.]
Their civilization has spread across worlds and solar systems.
[Just to make matters more complicated.]
Their civilization has spread across worlds and solar systems.
( Long. Fucking. Pause. Feat. Blinking before eventually...
Kate sighs and rubs her temples with a hand as she takes the information in. It's one thing to topple The Agency, and they didn't even do that well. (Well would have not involved ten years of trying to fix it only to end up with an uneasy truce.) To try and stop invading robots who've apparently travelled lightyears further than her version of humanity has managed is another thing entirely.
She sort of sees why running has been the only option up until now. But it can't be the continued option. It isn't feasible. And they can't just give up and keep letting the gods run the show without any input. )
Yours didn't?
( It's out of left field, but she has no answers to the problem of the Null right now. Only frustration. )
Kate sighs and rubs her temples with a hand as she takes the information in. It's one thing to topple The Agency, and they didn't even do that well. (Well would have not involved ten years of trying to fix it only to end up with an uneasy truce.) To try and stop invading robots who've apparently travelled lightyears further than her version of humanity has managed is another thing entirely.
She sort of sees why running has been the only option up until now. But it can't be the continued option. It isn't feasible. And they can't just give up and keep letting the gods run the show without any input. )
Yours didn't?
( It's out of left field, but she has no answers to the problem of the Null right now. Only frustration. )
Trying.
[He says that single word with just a hint of doubt. It's hard for him to keep his temper and fight the melancholy starting to edge into his mind. After all he's been through lately, especially with the ghosts and what he had to do Rey's mother just to keep his family safe, he's got a lot weighing on his conscience.
But hell, at least he's got one. That's more than he can say for the Null.]
Look, I know it's hard for us to get on the same page, but we have to with this. The Null are getting a lot of attention,and now they're talking about getting people home with the Door the second they get their hands on it. That's real tempting for some people, especially those who don't think about the greater consequences of all this.
[He says that single word with just a hint of doubt. It's hard for him to keep his temper and fight the melancholy starting to edge into his mind. After all he's been through lately, especially with the ghosts and what he had to do Rey's mother just to keep his family safe, he's got a lot weighing on his conscience.
But hell, at least he's got one. That's more than he can say for the Null.]
Look, I know it's hard for us to get on the same page, but we have to with this. The Null are getting a lot of attention,and now they're talking about getting people home with the Door the second they get their hands on it. That's real tempting for some people, especially those who don't think about the greater consequences of all this.
That much is obvious by now, yes.
[But that fact clearly doesn't deter her.]
Have studied synthetic beings of various types. Some with organic components, as well as mostly mechanical. The more we know about what they are, the most possible it might be to figure out their weaknesses.
Was made for this. For the most part.
[But that fact clearly doesn't deter her.]
Have studied synthetic beings of various types. Some with organic components, as well as mostly mechanical. The more we know about what they are, the most possible it might be to figure out their weaknesses.
Was made for this. For the most part.
It is a pity the Door does not function more like a portal. I imagine people would be more amenable to helping you get the emotion you need if it was a matter of directing you to places where you could feed off of a larger population who would already be feeling the necessary emotions. There is a country on my world where slavery is legal. You would be well fed there.
[Despite Sorrow's explanation that it's not a portal, it seems to have similar enough effects to one that she suspects there might be avenues to explore.]
If the Null were no longer a threat, would you be willing to experiment more with the Door and look into sending us home?
[Despite Sorrow's explanation that it's not a portal, it seems to have similar enough effects to one that she suspects there might be avenues to explore.]
If the Null were no longer a threat, would you be willing to experiment more with the Door and look into sending us home?
[ Sometime during all the fuckery of the event when Rose can't sleep, she'll enter Sorrow's temple and leave a jar of potpourri next to Faith's candle that she keeps lit. A note is attached to it that reads: ]
Hope you get the energy you need from all this.
Finally managed to figure out how to put together potpourri from the flowers you gave me.
Thanks again,
Rosie
(P.S. Can you even smell it? I probably should've thought of that first I guess. If not, it's cool. Hopefully the thought counts.)
Hope you get the energy you need from all this.
Finally managed to figure out how to put together potpourri from the flowers you gave me.
Thanks again,
Rosie
(P.S. Can you even smell it? I probably should've thought of that first I guess. If not, it's cool. Hopefully the thought counts.)
I'm aware.
[Curtly.]
What would you suggest? And please, I'd like direct suggestions, not just a vague "work with us more" or "be nicer".
[Curtly.]
What would you suggest? And please, I'd like direct suggestions, not just a vague "work with us more" or "be nicer".
Not as expansive.
[He shakes his head.]
We expanded through our own solar system before we met the Null. They assisted us in traveling to others, but we did not reach as far as they did through the stars.
[He shakes his head.]
We expanded through our own solar system before we met the Null. They assisted us in traveling to others, but we did not reach as far as they did through the stars.
If the Null were no longer a threat, yes.
[He nods.]
If that were the case, then Hope would be able to safely revive our former hosts, who give us far more energy than you. You would no longer be needed.
[He nods.]
If that were the case, then Hope would be able to safely revive our former hosts, who give us far more energy than you. You would no longer be needed.
So you've mentioned.
[Which is extremely useful, but he can't figure out how yet.]
I believe that Tranquility knows more about them than the rest of us. He worked with them more closely than we did.
[Which is extremely useful, but he can't figure out how yet.]
I believe that Tranquility knows more about them than the rest of us. He worked with them more closely than we did.
[And that solution sounds even better than giving the gods access to other worlds. They can live with the beings who actually like living with them.]
There may be a few people here who would like to stay here, especially if your former hosts were supplying you with enough energy that you had no need to do the things that you've done to extract emotion from us. So long as they were willing to peacefully co-exist with you and your hosts, would you allow them to stay?
There may be a few people here who would like to stay here, especially if your former hosts were supplying you with enough energy that you had no need to do the things that you've done to extract emotion from us. So long as they were willing to peacefully co-exist with you and your hosts, would you allow them to stay?
Have you thought about letting us know what's coming before you go trying to force emotions out of us? Hell, some folks would volunteer to help if it meant keeping this place going. They already do when they make bargains with you, don't they?
More than humanity ever did.
( She isn't saying that for any real reason, it's just the observation that she can't ignore, a reminder of just how disparate her world is from theirs. Indeed, from many other worlds. Glacius' universe has species travelling across the solar systems, as well. There are many people who say that there's no such thing as magic or powers where they come from; whether that's because they've never come across the idea personally, or because there truly isn't, who knows. Things continue being so different that it's hard to get a grip on it all, and each time you think you do, something else happens.
But she promised Faith they'd help these beings out. Promised herself that she wasn't going back to being the person she was in The Agency - turning blind eyes, gritting her teeth, keeping herself safe at the expense of an entire Underground species.
She inhales through her teeth, nearly glowering at Sorrow for a minute. Nothing that's personal and everything that's just her face and how it works. )
Had easier missions.
( U n d e r s t a t e m e n t. )
Don't want to see you lot die, mind. Think Faith'd kill me if she remembered this place.
( And those are the only things that matter. )
( She isn't saying that for any real reason, it's just the observation that she can't ignore, a reminder of just how disparate her world is from theirs. Indeed, from many other worlds. Glacius' universe has species travelling across the solar systems, as well. There are many people who say that there's no such thing as magic or powers where they come from; whether that's because they've never come across the idea personally, or because there truly isn't, who knows. Things continue being so different that it's hard to get a grip on it all, and each time you think you do, something else happens.
But she promised Faith they'd help these beings out. Promised herself that she wasn't going back to being the person she was in The Agency - turning blind eyes, gritting her teeth, keeping herself safe at the expense of an entire Underground species.
She inhales through her teeth, nearly glowering at Sorrow for a minute. Nothing that's personal and everything that's just her face and how it works. )
Had easier missions.
( U n d e r s t a t e m e n t. )
Don't want to see you lot die, mind. Think Faith'd kill me if she remembered this place.
( And those are the only things that matter. )
That's good to know. Even the smallest info can be helpful in figuring out how to do this, because it's obvious that you guys can't keep running forever.
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