truths, untruths, & what's in between

ØØØ2

2009-06-24T02:25:53Z

private archive :: not connected to the Network :: heavily encrypted :: in Cardassian

Must we reopen old wounds so? Enabran Tain is a discarded corpse in a Dominion prison halfway across the galaxy from home, and who knows how far from here. So the City can recall the dead, and those from the past; that's no excuse to taunt me with a man who brought me nothing but misery. I've been free of him for years now.

...he was only an illusion. His approval would have meant nothing here, even had he given it.

And he didn't give it.

end private archive

private to the deities :: unhackable

A word with one of you, if I may.

end private

The City is certainly interesting, I'll grant it that. I fear it may grow tiresome as I become accustomed to this cycle of curses...but that's a matter for another day, as are many of the other questions I've accumulated in my few weeks here.

For now, I must confess that I've been following the reactions to the most recent curse. They may be the most intriguing sequence of posts I've yet seen on the Network--although I do wish there'd been less distress involved. It's a shame that for so many of you, a meeting with your father is not an occasion to appreciate.

I will never cease to be...somewhat puzzled, though, at this business of assigning a single day to honor one's fathers. I am given to understand that there's a similar day for mothers as well. What of the other three-hundred and sixty-three days of your year? I should hope you honor your parents then. And what about siblings, and children, and all the other relations who form the family at the heart of society?

It isn't really my business, of course. But as curiosity is one of the best traits I've found among humans, I thought I would reciprocate in kind.

ØØØ1

2009-05-30T23:05:51Z

private archive :: not connected to the Network :: heavily encrypted :: in Cardassian

§ communication status §
To all appearances, completely isolated. That doesn't mean I'll give up. I will begin submitting a properly encrypted distress signal as soon as I can locate the proper secure channel.

§ other Cardassians §
None.

§ theories §
Elaborate simulation seems likely, but the computer power required would be immense--and the other "citizens" seem genuine. If I couldn't tell a liar from an honest man or a construct from a sentient being, I would have been dead many years ago. Irritating, though, that this Network renders it so easy to pass even the most amateurish of lies...

Intervention by more powerful entities remains a viable option; records exist of such beings. A relationship to the wormhole aliens worshipped by the Bajorans is possible. At this scale, it is unlikely to be a trap laid for me alone, regardless of how many of Cardassia's secrets I might harbor.

The question remains: how to explain those citizens insisting that they hail from alternate and entirely absurd universes? It's prudent for the time being to believe them. A better explanation may offer itself later. I can always change my mind as the situation requires.

§ home universe §
Data. The android. One of Starfleet's most salutary discoveries. The closest to my own time; behind by only a few years. Seek details.

James T. Kirk. Human. He is his own introduction. I have heard humans tell their tales of him enough.

Spock. Half-human, half-Vulcan. Another who needs no introduction. He claims to be twenty-eight years old--which means he has no idea of what he will accomplish in his future.

Montgomery Scott. Human. An engineer of some renown for his work on transportation. Unlikely to be pliable enough for my needs.

Leonard McCoy, referred to by the charming nickname of "Bones." Human. A doctor; the name has turned up in previous research on Starfleet history. Not nearly as charming as some doctors I have known. Of course, that's not particularly significant here.

Nyota Uhura. Human. Her skills are undoubtedly the most dangerous of the lot. But she is correspondingly more intriguing.

Pavel Andreievich Chekov. Human. Unimportant on the larger scale of things, but possibly more useful than Scott for his technological adeptness and accompanying naiveté. Potentially amusing.

§ others of interest §
Tony Stark. Human. Of questionable sanity, if this "Iron Man" business is any indication. Although that seems to be a custom of his universe. May have access to useful technology.

Kaidan Alenko. Human, "enhanced." May be of use in relation to this technology.

Most assuredly not my twenty-fourth century. Still, they could be watched.

"Carl." Human. A religious figure of some sort, although fortuitously, he seems more interested in science. Do thank him for his notes.

Those claiming "magical" powers may be investigated later. They don't appear to be consciously lying.

end private archive

I must say that the transition provided by this location leaves something to be desired. One moment I'm enjoying a pleasant walk home from work on my own world; the next I'm on the verge of falling into a fountain in the middle of a miniature world full of humans. Well, mostly humans. I understand that some of you consider yourselves slightly different, and I'll try to remember that, but it might slip my mind occasionally. You all look human to me.

As you may have surmised, I've studied the guides already. They're quite useful. However, I find that they're lacking in information about the ways one may depart from this City. Would anyone care to share their experiences? I've gathered that it may not be a quick or easy matter, but you'll find that I am a patient and diligent man.

[OOC: Late intro post is late. Meanwhile, my HMD thread is here, and I'm still open to suggestions there!]

ØØØ4

2008-05-27T02:10:11Z

[voice post]

I had every intention of continuing my quest for employment today, but I've found that...

...I'm not quite feeling well.

I was hoping it would pass by evening, but I'm afraid it's only gotten...worse. I don't suppose that there's some illness going around the City? Normally I would suggest that it m-might be spread by all these...animals, but...from what I've read on the Network, they are apparently people's s-souls.

I've never felt...quite like this before coming here. It's not any sickness I'm f...familiar with.

Perhaps...the City has its own maladies.

[OOC: Okay, so...what happens when an extreme claustrophobe locks his soul in a box to avoid having to deal with his own issues?

...I'm not actually sure, but I expect he won't make it to midnight sane if someone doesn't get him to take it out. Unfortunately if you simply ask him if he has a daemon he'll just lie and tell you no, so it's going to be kind of complicated. :( There may need to be Action.

This is a voicepost despite how shaky his voice is at the moment because...he's shaking too hard to type. All replies will likewise be voiced.]

ØØØ3

2008-05-26T00:30:37Z

Well, it seems I am here for some time, for better or for worse. I haven't given up hope yet that it will be "for better," at least. Keeping a positive outlook never hurt.

The unfortunate fact of the matter is this: I can no longer get by on odd jobs and the charity of others. I require employment.

Luckily for everyone here, I have a number of job skills. It's the sort of thing you learn in a world where interstellar wars break out at a moment's notice. I may not be able to defend myself very well physically, but I can make myself too useful to kill.

I have been a gardener and a tailor before; I have some small amount of technical and engineering skills, although I am uncertain if they'd be enough to hold down a job. My domestic skills in general are quite acceptable, and I'm not too proud to reduce myself to paperwork.

Now, how about it, City? Is there employment for me here?

private archive :: not connected to the Network :: heavily encrypted :: in Cardassian

In exile again, in practice if not in intent.

Wasn't once more than bad enough?

[OOC: For those playing along at home: the HMD thread for Garak, Azula, Omar, and John Constantine can be found here, and my personal criticism post, with anonymous commenting turned on and IP logging disabled, is here.]

ØØØ2

2008-05-21T04:22:37Z

I gather from the reactions around me that this past week is not typical of life in the City. But I must confess, it really doesn't give a newcomer a very good impression. The beings in charge here can't even handle the metaphysical machinery? Most disappointing. It's a wonder this place is still standing.

The variety of people here is really quite remarkable, though.

private to the deities // unhackable

A word with you, if you don't mind.

ØØØ1

2008-05-16T00:30:24Z

private archive :: not connected to the Network :: heavily encrypted :: in Cardassian

Humans, by the looks of it, or at least human-led. The more likely motive lies with the Maquis, but I can't imagine they have the technology for this kind of abduction...which leaves the Federation, or someone trying to implicate them. But why the use of this pseudo-archaic backdrop--twenty-first or early twenty-second century? Earth history is not my strong point--and this Network? None of this makes sense, not even as much as humans usually do.

I don't need this. Not now. Cardassia needs me.

end private archive.

I have to say, I find my sudden presence here very rude. If whoever wanted my presence had simply asked, I would have considered the offer, and I can assure you I would have been in a much better mood upon my arrival if I did take it up.

Although I would still be entirely unimpressed by the decor. That carousel. I haven't seen anything so tacky since...well, for a very long time. If this place wasn't designed by the more tasteless kind of humans, it's certainly meant to look like it.

OOC: Information post

2008-05-12T12:24:47Z

Some aspects of Garak's character should probably be addressed before I start playing.

1. He's a Star Trek character.
2. He's a spy.
3. He's really good at what he does.

1: Give My Regards to the Fourth Wall
I do not expect characters from a world similar to our own not to have heard of Star Trek. Abuse and batter the fourth wall to your heart's content. However...

...keep in mind that Garak is a minor Star Trek character from one of the lesser-known spinoffs. If your character is not a big geek or into geeky things, they probably won't know him. Depending on their relative geekiness, they may not even know his species. Or they may know them as "that bad guy race that tortured Captain Picard," or they may know them as "one of the bad guy races on DS9."

I figure that most modern-Earth characters he talks to will blink at mentions of Klingons and Starfleet. Some will go, "Hey! That's a Cardassian, like in the one spinoff set on the space station!" A few will say, "It's Garak, that alien guy with the mysterious past! Now I wish I'd watched more episodes with him!" Even fewer will actually have watched and remembered all or most of the episodes that featured him.

I am okay with any and all variations of this! But do keep in mind that if Garak realizes that you know things about him that he never told you and, in fact, would never have willingly told anybody...you may be in danger. ♥ Obviously, feel free to contact me to work out the details of this. I have no desire to make things difficult for anyone, at least OOCly. IC trouble? Bring it on.

2: Trust Is a Bad Idea
Another thing to keep in mind: Garak will be putting together a persona in the City. It will likely be very different from who he really is. Please take this into account before you complain that I'm being OOC. Also try not to get too upset if he, uh, screws your characters over, or refuses to ever tell them the truth, or just in general is a mysterious pain in the ass. It's all part of who he is.

2 and 3: Information Doesn't Want to Be Free
This is an important one. Once he starts figuring out the ins and outs of the Network (which shouldn't take him too long), Garak will hack people's entries on a regular basis, if only to give himself something to do. If it's hackable, he will eventually be in there. If it's unhackable, he will keep a note about how he couldn't get into it. People who make lots of unhackable entries, especially if they do so at suspicious times, may or may not be watched closely.

That said...he is unlikely to act on any of this information any time soon. He can be a very patient man.

If you have any questions, feel free to comment here letting me know.