THE FRACTURED WORLD: ARRIVAL

[modormenace]

 

A

rrival for some goes all but unnoticed. It's a sudden shiver, the sensation of being watched... and then nothing at all. Life continues serenely as it always has. The only indication of any change comes with sleep, wrapped in dreams: vague and distant echo imagery of another life, melting away in the morning.

 

F

or others, arrival is a sharp jolt. In the space of a single blink, they find themselves in an unfamiliar world, surrounded by the trappings of a life they have not lived. They are replacements, spirits taking possession of bodies belonging to people very much like themselves...

 

A

nd for the rest, arrival is a procedure. Routine. Those ported in to the Fractured World wake hazily in the comfortably dim light of the Porter room, laid out on an exam table. Their wounds, if they remember having any, have been healed— and even those who remember their own deaths find themselves miraculously restored. As they regain consciousness, an automatic audio-visual presentation is triggered. Regardless of their backgrounds or physiology, all imPorts 'see' and 'hear' this message as if in their own language:

"Greetings, imPort."

The voice is calm and gently authoritative, almost certainly selected by committee.

"On behalf of the Synod and all imPorts it represents, we welcome you to the planet Earth."

A decidedly non-humanoid robotic arm holds out a palm-sized device and rather insistently demands the new arrival take it. This is the imPort's comm, used for accessing the Porter's database of information, as well as the communications Network— though it won't receive communications from outside the Porter building until carried through one of the many Gates set up in a long, crescent-shaped array on the far side of the room.

As each Gate is approached, information about the faction it leads to flashes up on the comm device's screen. Which will you choose?

THE WHITE TOWER SANCTUM AURORAE KRAKOA HOUSE OF M EMPIRE OF LIGHT EQUALITY BEFORE LAW THE TWIN CITIES OLIN VALE EDEN SEEKERS OF THE NEW DAWN NORTHWESTERN IMPERIUM GREEN PIECE MAD BURNISH LUMINARY

Comments

[reydacted]

You're too kind. [ She offers a well practiced smile. ] But I keep quite busy in Parliament when I'm not on diplomatic visits.

[ Stars, what a code name for intimidation and assassination. ]

I trust you've been keeping busy?

[dun_moch]

[The Count nods and affects an expression of good-natured weariness. His glass no longer interests him, and he sets it aside on a conveniently-offered tray to free up both his hands.]

The work of the Tower never ceases, as we both know. I have been taking an interest in the activities of the Northwestern Imperium of late. Their advancements have become most impressive.

[And they haven't aligned themselves with the Tower's interests. Which, by default, makes them a threat.]

But as always, the greatest concern are dangers closer to home.

[He means the Resistance, of course. Obviously. Not the writhing viper pit that is White Tower politics.]

[reydacted]

[ Rey quirks a brow at his first statement. Here she had thought they'd just be content to keep themselves as a thorn in our side for the rest of eternity, not worth counting among their enemies. But if Dooku has his eyes on it then she'll trust his judgement.

And his ability to take care of it, signaled with a quick nod. ]

Of course. We've been working hard to ensure a safe an orderly lead up to the Synod, though, just as the High Chancellor wishes. And I believe our efforts will come to fruition soon.

[dun_moch]

[Dooku smiles with well-practiced warmth.]

I eagerly await the culmination of your work, then. The Synod is always such an exciting event. A fine chance to make new connections and learn new things.

I only hope the imPort community recognizes the painstaking care you've put into this event for them all.