The World Assembly Strangers' Bar

[Ferret Civilization]

(Ari stops. He slowly puts his finger down. He sits in the nearest booth and buries his head in his hands.)

Furettium looked at the two Wads, and then Helen, and back again. With everyone being so busy and involved in all this chaos, it must have been getting on some of their nerves. He got up taking his milk with him, and walked over to were Ari was, taking a seat across from him and not saying anything. For anything Ari could just get up and walk away, or say nothing, maybe one of the others would talk to him. He just wanted to get away from the others near the bar himself since he wasn't being helpful himself and they've been trying to keep things secret with varying degrees of success.

[Wallenburg]

"Excuse me, Ari," Helen says, "but how on Earth does execution constitute rehabilitation?"

(Ari freezes, slowly turns around and points at Helen.)

ARI: WHAT did you say? No one gets executed in Wrapper. Ever!

AHUME: Ari, please--

ARI: Shut up, Ahume! Is that what she told you? Execution? No. Her fate would be a lifetime in a rehabilitation center, with the finest judicial doctors in the world, guiding her to enlightment until--

AHUME: Until she commits suicide.

ARI: --UNTIL she comes to the realization that what she's done deserves justice! Let me ask you this, Miss Trevanyika. Let's say you found out that Gerald supplied weapons to your, your enemies in the most recent war. Yes, I know, he would never do that, he's an honorable man, but let's say he did. Let's say that you, as a representative of Wallenburg, found out about it. Would you do your duty? Would you turn your father in? Or would you turn against your country? And when he was sentenced, would you... would you....

(Ari stops. He slowly puts his finger down. He sits in the nearest booth and buries his head in his hands.)

Helen's eyes widen with surprise and sympathy as Ari tried to cope with his internal struggle. She looks at Ahume, "Is her 'rehabilitation' not subversive execution, Ahume? Is it not--in forcing criminals to override their basic drive to live--torture?" She looks back at Ari and sighs. Walking over to him, she puts her arms around him and hugs him. "I understand. Your love of country and love of family are both too strong to decide which one to hold above the other. I'm so sorry, Ari. I wish--I wish none of this had happened."

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

Ilya had removed Albert's SK field and was lecturing him on his irresponsibility in his attempt to help Kay Haces when Helen says,

"Excuse me, but how on Earth does execution constitute rehabilitation?"

(Ari freezes, slowly turns around and points at Helen.)

ARI: WHAT did you say? No one gets executed in Wrapper. Ever!

AHUME: Ari, please--

ARI: Shut up, Ahume! Is that what she told you? Execution? No. Her fate would be a lifetime in a rehabilitation center, with the finest judicial doctors in the world, guiding her to enlightment until--

AHUME: Until she commits suicide.

ARI: --UNTIL she comes to the realization that what she's done deserves justice! Let me ask you this, Miss Trevanyika. Let's say you found out that Gerald supplied weapons to your, your enemies in the most recent war. Yes, I know, he would never do that, he's an honorable man, but let's say he did. Let's say that you, as a representative of Wallenburg, found out about it. Would you do your duty? Would you turn your father in? Or would you turn against your country? And when he was sentenced, would you... would you....

(Ari stops. He slowly puts his finger down. He sits in the nearest booth and buries his head in his hands.)

"I... I did.... I fulfilled my duty to my country Ambassadors and killed my Uncle for my Country... And... it was... the worst mistake I've ever... ever made in my life!" Albert said somberly as he walked out of the bar unable to keep his composure any longer.

Shaking her head as she sighed, "I'm sorry Wad Ari, Ambassador Helen, but Ambassador Nakiri has experienced something similar to what you are experiencing Wad Ari. You see Al... was orphaned as a child and raised by his Uncle, Sir Dai Invein. He loved Sir Invein like the father he never knew, and was devastated when he found out Sir Invein had disobeyed the previous president Leiv Palpatine's orders not to intervene in a foreign conflict without a mercenary contract even though a genocide was occurring right in front of Sir Dai Invein. Unfortunately as you now know, Al was forced to kill his own uncle to fulfill his duties to the IFF because Sir Invein was labeled a traitor and was to be shot and killed on sight. Unfortunately for Albert, Sir Dai Invein was pardoned by our current leader Sir Reyvan Kensei after determining that Sir Invein was not a traitor as he acted with just cause in trying to save an entire race of people from a scourge that appears to be multidimensional, and timed the pardon to commemorate of the start of a mutually beneficial relationship between the Isle of New Hope, the very people Sir Invein had saved, and the IFF. But by then 5 Frost years, or rather 25 standard years I guess for humans had passed where Al's uncle was assumed to be a traitor... During those 25 long miserable years Al had attempted cope through a variety of means from drinking himself stupid drunk to trying to take his own life on multiple occasions. (Ilya takes a deep breath letting what she said sink in before continuing) Ambassador Ari, can you live with yourself after you've fulfilled your duties or will you try to at least hold onto the hope that there may be some chance, no matter how slim it might be, to save Wad Arya's life?"

Sir Dai Invein is pronounced like Die in vain

[Wrapper]

Helen's eyes widen with surprise and sympathy as Ari tried to cope with his internal struggle. She looks at Ahume, "Is her 'rehabilitation' not subversive execution, Ahume? Is it not--in forcing criminals to override their basic drive to live--torture?"

AHUME: (stoically) Can you not say the same thing when you put a traitor to death in your nation? Aren't you forcing a criminal to override her basic drive to live? More so than in a rehabilitation center. Ari is not explaining it well; let me try. You have to realize, we have so few noncitizens in our nation -- criminals you would call them -- it is not like prisons we've seen in other nations. It's more like medical care for the mentally ill. Some people can rehabilitate, some cannot. Those that can, can be released back into society, unless they get an AS sentence. In which case, the choice is theirs, to continue their rehabilitation for the rest of their lives, or submit to assisted suicide. It is their choice. And it is humane. No one is being forced to do anything against their will.

She looks back at Ari and sighs. Walking over to him, she puts her arms around him and hugs him. "I understand. Your love of country and love of family are both too strong to decide which one to hold above the other. I'm so sorry, Ari. I wish--I wish none of this had happened."

ARI: As do we all. But she made a choice. And she's willing to live with the consequences. The rest of us... don't have a choice.

[Wrapper]

So Ambassador Ari, can you live with yourself after you've fulfilled your duties or will you try to at least hold onto the hope that there may be some chance, no matter how slim it might be, to save Wad Arya's life?"

(Ari, for the first time, smiles.)

ARI: She is very resourceful. I suspect there's a good chance, she'll be fine. (He frowns again.) If there is still a Tollana.

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

So Ambassador Ari, can you live with yourself after you've fulfilled your duties or will you try to at least hold onto the hope that there may be some chance, no matter how slim it might be, to save Wad Arya's life?"

(Ari, for the first time, smiles.)

ARI: She is very resourceful. I suspect there's a good chance, she'll be fine. (He frowns again.) If there is still a Tollana.

Ilya smiled slightly, "perhaps there may be a way to confirm That Tollana is still there or not. Tell me Ambassador what do you know of Dimensional rifts or Wormholes to be precise?"

[Wallenburg]

Helen's eyes widen with surprise and sympathy as Ari tried to cope with his internal struggle. She looks at Ahume, "Is her 'rehabilitation' not subversive execution, Ahume? Is it not--in forcing criminals to override their basic drive to live--torture?"

AHUME: (stoically) Can you not say the same thing when you put a traitor to death in your nation? Aren't you forcing a criminal to override her basic drive to live?

"Actually, no. The criminal doesn't have to resist his drive to preserve himself at all. We still kill him, but we do not make him kill himself. We do not take away that last shred of honor by driving him to suicide."

More so than in a rehabilitation center. Ari is not explaining it well; let me try. You have to realize, we have so few noncitizens in our nation -- criminals you would call them -- it is not like prisons we've seen in other nations. It's more like medical care for the mentally ill. Some people can rehabilitate, some cannot. Those that can, can be released back into society, unless they get an AS sentence. In which case, the choice is theirs, to continue their rehabilitation for the rest of their lives, or submit to assisted suicide. It is their choice. And it is humane. No one is being forced to do anything against their will.

Helen sighs, still holding to Ari, trying to console him. "But you heard what they did. They changed her sentence to assisted suicide. Do not take me for a fool, Ahume. I know what that means in the context of your 'rehabilitation' program."

She looks back at Ari and sighs. Walking over to him, she puts her arms around him and hugs him. "I understand. Your love of country and love of family are both too strong to decide which one to hold above the other. I'm so sorry, Ari. I wish--I wish none of this had happened."

ARI: As do we all. But she made a choice. And she's willing to live with the consequences. The rest of us... don't have a choice.[/quote]
Helen nods and pats Ari's back. Then she pulls herself away and stands. "Ari, hope is not lost. I'm working toward a solution."

At that moment, Ambassador Krein walks in, his face half-hidden by an old relic of a robe. "Madame Representative, the request has been approved. Asylum is secured by the Republics of Wallenburg."

[Wrapper]

Ilya smiled slightly, "perhaps there may be a way to confirm That Tollana is still there or not. Tell me Ambassador what do you know of Dimensional rifts or Wormholes to be precise?"

(Ari points to Ahume.)

AHUME: We know enough. Stargate travel is based on creating transdimensional artificial wormholes, but energy is required on both sides in order to establish a stable wormhole. So, something has happened on Tollana to prevent us from dialing in. The Stargate may have been destroyed, its power source compromised, or the Tollans may have disabled it to prevent incoming travelers for whatever reason. There are so many possibilities; we don't have the answers as of yet. The fact that their subspace communications are down as well is what's particularly troubling.

[Wrapper]

At that moment, Ambassador Krein walks in, his face half-hidden by an old relic of a robe. "Madame Representative, the request has been approved. Asylum is secured by the Republics of Wallenburg."

(Ari nods and reflects for a few moments.)

ARI: Wad Ahume. Please notify the president, and deliver the draft of official protest to be addressed to the leaders of Wallenburg and Herby, denouncing the recent actions of their representatives. Ambassador Krein, for the record, how dare you interfere with our apprehension of a... eh... I'm sure you've heard such puffy-chest nonsense before, you don't need to hear it from us. Off the record... thank you, sir, very much, for your help. And you, Miss Trevanyika. You have saved her life. (He nods towards Herby.) I'm sure you want to tell your sister -- or was it your niece? -- of the good news right away.

[Tinfect]

The fact that their subspace communications are down as well is what's particularly troubling.

"Ambassador, we were not aware of the Tollans' utilization of Subspace in communication. Would you happen to know the nature of these devices? The Imperium has, presumably, similar technology in the Hyperpulse Generator. It is possible these devices, if still present or functional, could be used to reestablish communication."

[Wallenburg]

At that moment, Ambassador Krein walks in, his face half-hidden by an old relic of a robe. "Madame Representative, the request has been approved. Asylum is secured by the Republics of Wallenburg."

(Ari nods and reflects for a few moments.)

ARI: Wad Ahume. Please notify the president, and deliver the draft of official protest to be addressed to the leaders of Wallenburg and Herby, denouncing the recent actions of their representatives. Ambassador Krein, for the record, how dare you interfere with our apprehension of a... eh... I'm sure you've heard such puffy-chest nonsense before, you don't need to hear it from us. Off the record... thank you, sir, very much, for your help. And you, Miss Trevanyika. You have saved her life. (He nods towards Herby.) I'm sure you want to tell your sister -- or was it your niece? -- of the good news right away.

Helen nods. "I am very happy to help her. I shall notify my 'niece' at once." She walks over to Herby and taps on the passenger window. "It's all right now, Arya. You are under our protection."

[Wrapper]

"Ambassador, we were not aware of the Tollans' utilization of Subspace in communication. Would you happen to know the nature of these devices? The Imperium has, presumably, similar technology in the Hyperpulse Generator. It is possible these devices, if still present or functional, could be used to reestablish communication."

(Ari points toward Ahume.)

AHUME: We do not. They have relay outposts that communicate directly with Tollana via subspace. The nearest outpost hadn't received any subspace communication from Tollana in days, and just recently, we lost contact with the outpost itself.

ARI: Right, they had been experiencing power issues; they were waiting for a shipment of maintenance parts and supplies from Tollana.

AHUME: Which, I believe, were to be delivered by the Bright Darkness on its return trip, Ambassador.

ARI: Oh. Well. Shit.

[Tinfect]

AHUME: We do not. They have relay outposts that communicate directly with Tollana via subspace. The nearest outpost hadn't received any subspace communication from Tollana in days, and just recently, we lost contact with the outpost itself.

ARI: Right, they had been experiencing power issues; they were waiting for a shipment of maintenance parts and supplies from Tollana.

AHUME: Which, I believe, were to be delivered by the Bright Darkness on its return trip, Ambassador.

ARI: Oh. Well. Shit.

"That, rather complicates matters. Still, it may be possible that the central government of Tollana is not yet destroyed, merely in hiding. If one of their Subspace communication devices can be reactivated, it may be possible to reestablish contact with the central government.
...
And, I will see about having temporary power systems sent to the Outpost."

[Wrapper]

"That, rather complicates matters. Still, it may be possible that the central government of Tollana is not yet destroyed, merely in hiding. If one of their Subspace communication devices can be reactivated, it may be possible to reestablish contact with the central government."

AHUME: I can help with subspace frequencies and other information on the nearest outpost -- that's where Monte has been stationed.

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

Ilya smiled slightly, "perhaps there may be a way to confirm That Tollana is still there or not. Tell me Ambassador what do you know of Dimensional rifts or Wormholes to be precise?"

(Ari points to Ahume.)

AHUME: We know enough. Stargate travel is based on creating transdimensional artificial wormholes, but energy is required on both sides in order to establish a stable wormhole. So, something has happened on Tollana to prevent us from dialing in. The Stargate may have been destroyed, its power source compromised, or the Tollans may have disabled it to prevent incoming travelers for whatever reason. There are so many possibilities; we don't have the answers as of yet. The fact that their subspace communications are down as well is what's particularly troubling.

Ilya: That is troubling indeed, but the IFF can help your government reach Tollana. The IFF also uses artificial wormholes to travel across the multiverse and unlike the Stargates that you've mentioned these wormholes are do not require multiple gates to keep them open. Noel, if you please.

(The watch on Ilya's right wrist whirred to life as a small purple hologram emerged revealing what appeared to be a teenage girl with a beret and the IFF’s uniform)

Noel: Hello Wad Ari, Wad Ahume, I am Noel, Short for National Operations Executive leadership-assistance program and Commander Ilyasviel Valkyrie's AI Partner, but please call me Noel. Ahem, now as Ilya was saying the IFF can reach Tollana by using the Horikoshi-Caproni engine that is installed on all IFF starships, civilian and military; and it can take any space vessel to any part of the multiverse, both known and unknown. The only caveat is that the destination must be in space and for obvious reasons should not lead to the exit being a black hole or a star for that matter. Also a slip space rupture on the surface of any planet is quite devastating to the local environment due to the amount of radiation that is released from the dimensional portal and will also fry all electronics regardless of tech. On the bright side, the Engine has enough power to travel from one end of the multiverse to the other in a matter of 3 days allowing any investigative team to reach Tollan space in a matter of minutes or hours, and does not require another power source at the end since the Engine itself mimics the properties of a natural wormhole. All that is required to reach Tollana is the orbital coordinates to ensure accuracy and prevent the ship from overshooting or exiting far too early.

[Wrapper]

Ahem, now as Ilya was saying the IFF can reach Tollana by using the Horikoshi-Caproni engine that is installed on all IFF starships, civilian and military; and it can take any space vessel to any part of the multiverse, both known and unknown. The only caveat is that the destination must be in space and for obvious reasons should not lead to the exit being a black hole or a star for that matter. Also a slip space rupture on the surface of any planet is quite devastating to the local environment due to the amount of radiation that is released from the dimensional portal and will also fry all electronics regardless of tech. On the bright side, the Engine has enough power to travel from one end of the multiverse to the other in a matter of 3 days allowing any investigative team to reach Tollan space in a matter of minutes or hours, and does not require another power source at the end since the Engine itself mimics the properties of a natural wormhole. All that is required to reach Tollana is the orbital coordinates to ensure accuracy and prevent the ship from overshooting or exiting far too early.

(Ari points to Ahume.)

AHUME: Uh. (shrugs)

[Herby]

Eh. Wads. I gotta say your sense of crime and punishment is pretty freakin' weird. So ehhh now that Kay is under Wally World's protection, you can't touch her. What if her momma croaks, you can't let her back? How about yer office, that eh that eh that eh whatchamacallit, sovereign territory right? She can't use that magic mirror in your closet that no one knows about to go nowhere, right?

[Herby]

"It's all right now, Arya. You are under our protection."

I eh I been instructed not to interrupt until she's done with Agent Dressler. They uh they been pretty quiet, wonder if they're makin' out or sumthin'.

ARI: Wad Ahume. Please notify the president, and deliver the draft of official protest to be addressed to the leaders of Wallenburg and Herby, denouncing the recent actions of their representatives.

Whoa whoa whoa seriously Ari, I just saved your girl's life and dat's the thanks I get? Really? Dude that's more messed up than last night's roadkill.

[Wrapper]

Eh. Wads. I gotta say your sense of crime and punishment is pretty freakin' weird. So ehhh now that Kay is under Wally World's protection, you can't touch her. What if her momma croaks, you can't let her back? How about yer office, that eh that eh that eh whatchamacallit, sovereign territory right? She can't use that magic mirror in your closet that no one knows about to go nowhere, right?

AHUME: She can't legally come back. Ever. Nor can she ever enter our office legally, we consider it sovereign territory. And we don't have a magic mirror in our closet.

[Wrapper]

ARI: Wad Ahume. Please notify the president, and deliver the draft of official protest to be addressed to the leaders of Wallenburg and Herby, denouncing the recent actions of their representatives.

Whoa whoa whoa seriously Ari, I just saved your girl's life and dat's the thanks I get? Really? Dude that's more messed up than last night's roadkill.

ARI: Now, now, Herby, you have to admit that if you -- wait. Ewwww. That's it, come Ahume, time to call it a day.

[The Imperial Frost Federation]

"It's all right now, Arya. You are under our protection."

I eh I been instructed not to interrupt until she's done with Agent Dressler. They uh they been pretty quiet, wonder if they're makin' out or sumthin'.

ARI: Wad Ahume. Please notify the president, and deliver the draft of official protest to be addressed to the leaders of Wallenburg and Herby, denouncing the recent actions of their representatives.

Whoa whoa whoa seriously Ari, I just saved your girl's life and dat's the thanks I get? Really? Dude that's more messed up than last night's roadkill.

Ilya looks at Herby and says, "Relax Herby, Wad Ari is putting on airs since he's bound by his laws to denounce his 'foster-daughter' and those who harbor her. In any case, I can understand since Al went through something similar but more tragic. Still it's good that we can breathe a temporary sigh of relief for now at least until we can exonerate Ambassador Bell and get to the bottom of the tainted shipments."

Noel: "I believe he's talking about the star gate Wad Ahume. In any case what Ilya would like to propose, well finish what Lt. Nakiri started, is to allow a Wrapperian investigation team on board the IFFS exploration frigate the Regal Heart and send them to Tollana or the nearest Tollan Outpost."

[Herby]

Wad Ari is putting on airs since he's bound by his laws to denounce his 'foster-daughter' and those who harbor her

I don't care what he put on his ass and wait wait wait those who do what to her? I swear I never did nothin' like that to her, I never even touched her!

[Wallenburg]

So ehhh now that Kay is under Wally World's protection, you can't touch her.

[Separatist Peoples]

I don't know for sure what was in his packet. I thought he was blackmailing me with fake pictures of me and Bell in, ahem, compromising positions -- we'd found a few such photos earlier. Which is why I'd spread the rumor we were married and having a child together, to short-circuit that attempt. But what he said was that they were copies -- just copies, not the originals -- of shipping records and photographs, depicting... I believe he said "infected" humanitarian aid, which I took to mean booby-trapped with chemical or biological agents, tied to our weapons shipments. In retrospect Lupinski certainly could have been lying, but... but... I don't know how much you know about Donnaugh but I know the asshole well enough, it's something he's certainly capable and willing do. And whether or not my name is on that paperwork, if true, it does mean that I've been involved in... in....

(She cannot bring herself to complete the sentence.)

Well, maybe I can help you there. I may have made some not-so-smart decisions lately, but I was smart enough to realize I shouldn't bring my best evidence anywhere near a flamethrower like Lupinski. A few problems, though. It's in better shape than what you have there, no doubt, but there isn't a lot of it; it's still not in as pristine shape as the forgeries; they don't do much to exonerate Bell, they merely don't implicate him; they're inadmissable as direct evidence; and I can't get to them right now. Well. More than a few problems I suppose.

"Whatever you can give me is going to be more than a little helpful. Why aren't they admissible, exactly?"

His reaction puzzled me. I'd already pointed out to him that any evidence we had was useless, and yet when I told him I didn't have it anymore, he freaked out.

"I don't think he believes that your evidence is useless at all...this absolutely merits a much closer look, I think. Miss Haces, thank you for confirming a few things for me. I have a hunch that Lupinski had some fabricated lie ready. He isn't entirely an idiot, he must have heard you setting the groundwork for an exit and tried to get a step ahead of you. If I could see the paperwork I could confirm, but most importantly, no humanitarian aid was stolen from the C.D.S.P., so unless this ring is larger than we expect, which the investigation doesn't indicate, or they have been stealing from other organizations, which is possible, Lupinski tried a fast, dirty bluff."

OOC: sorry for the delay in posting. Tis the season for familial responsibility >.<

[The Doomed Planet of Tollana]

OOC: sorry for the delay in posting. Tis the season for familial responsibility >.<

OOC: No sweat. We kept missing each other so Herby came up with the idea of doing the interview this way so we wouldn't be interrupted mid-conversation and allow other stuff to go on. Like dogs peeing on cars, apparently.