[IC] Myriad Reality

[Legend]

@Legend
*The smile reappears on my face, beaming and exhilarated. I unbuckle myself from my seat, floating free around the cockpit, transceiver in hand, idly making preparations for landing while I speak. The enthusiasm is evident in my voice.*

I see. I apologize for not understanding your local customs of responding to hails with bursts of apparently meaningless radiation. My name is Hymn of Predestination, aboard the corvette Eschatologue: the enthalpy of this planet might be important to my Pilgrimage, do you know who those two people are?

*The hiss of gas release is audible as I don a thin, durable suit, skintight and sturdy, meant for exploration, a tenor burst atop the dull roar of the dormant engines.*

@PentagonWhite

They were encoded in order to test your decryption algorithms. The latter signal was a single burst, equal to a one in binary to signal in the affirmative. Please clarify the scenario before I provide additional information.

[PentagonWhite]

@Legend

*A dry chuckle comes through the microphone, a sharp exhalation as I continue to collect my scattered, partially-floating, belongings for the inevitable descent.*

You know, my governess always told me that was the best way to greet new people. If only I had listened. Decrypting now, give me a moment.

*I go quiet for an unflatteringly long time as I fight with the computers aboard the Eschatologue, running through every decryption protocol I have stored. A few minutes later, a light blinks yellow, and I key the mic. My voice is celebratory, flush with the thrill of petty victories.*

Cracked it. I’m on Pilgrimage, for clarification: I’ve come to see all there is to see, out here so far from home. It’s one of the divine Sacraments, where I come from.

[Legend]

@Legend

*A dry chuckle comes through the microphone, a sharp exhalation as I continue to collect my scattered, partially-floating, belongings for the inevitable descent.*

You know, my governess always told me that was the best way to greet new people. If only I had listened. Decrypting now, give me a moment.

*I go quiet for an unflatteringly long time as I fight with the computers aboard the Eschatologue, running through every decryption protocol I have stored. A few minutes later, a light blinks yellow, and I key the mic. My voice is celebratory, flush with the thrill of petty victories.*

Cracked it. I’m on Pilgrimage, for clarification: I’ve come to see all there is to see, out here so far from home. It’s one of the divine Sacraments, where I come from.

@PentagonWhite

This planet specifically is one of the divine Sacraments?

[PentagonWhite]

*I raise a single eyebrow, confused for a moment, then quickly clarify with another sonorous chuckle*
No! No, of course not. The Pilgrimage is one of the Sacraments, along with Crusade, Genuflection and Scholarship, and all the rest. I’m just interested in the free energy on display: I could, ah, ‘hear’?

*I pause, unsure how exactly to phrase the sensation without sounding insane. A swallow gives me the correct amount of bravery*

Detect it parsecs away. And so I came!

[Legend]

*I raise a single eyebrow, confused for a moment, then quickly clarify with another sonorous chuckle*
No! No, of course not. The Pilgrimage is one of the Sacraments, along with Crusade, Genuflection and Scholarship, and all the rest. I’m just interested in the free energy on display: I could, ah, ‘hear’?

*I pause, unsure how exactly to phrase the sensation without sounding insane. A swallow gives me the correct amount of bravery*

Detect it parsecs away. And so I came!

@PentagonWhite

Mhm. I recommend you stay a safe distance back and not take any of the energy being produced.

[PentagonWhite]

@Legend

That's my intention. There's a reason I'm in high orbit and not down there, after all.

*I finally pull up the decrypted spectrogram, looking at it curiously, leaning in towards the softly-glowing screen*

[Legend]

@Legend

That's my intention. There's a reason I'm in high orbit and not down there, after all.

*I finally pull up the decrypted spectrogram, looking at it curiously, leaning in towards the softly-glowing screen*

@PentagonWhite

*The spectrogram reads "Hello World"*
Very well. Please do explain your intents further.

[PentagonWhite]

*I finally complete my preparations, suit donned and levels normal. The Eschatologue’s warm deck is no longer felt beneath thick boots when I make contact bouncing to and fro, and the minor changes due to lack of gravity on my physiology have been rectified thanks to the form-hugging suit.*

My intent? I’ve come to see all there is to see! And learn all there is to learn, of course. It’s the duty of all Pilgrims. I assume you’re not the type to answer questions and help me on my way?

[Legend]

*I finally complete my preparations, suit donned and levels normal. The Eschatologue’s warm deck is no longer felt beneath thick boots when I make contact bouncing to and fro, and the minor changes due to lack of gravity on my physiology have been rectified thanks to the form-hugging suit.*

My intent? I’ve come to see all there is to see! And learn all there is to learn, of course. It’s the duty of all Pilgrims. I assume you’re not the type to answer questions and help me on my way?

@PentagonWhite

I answer a plethora of questions. However, gauging the intent of those I interact with is necessary.

[PentagonWhite]

Well, if you're willing, I'd love to meet face to face. Radio is so impersonal, I can feel myself missing important details. If you're down on that planet, I assume you've got some way to not get killed by all the energy being thrown around: is there room for two?

[Legend]

Well, if you're willing, I'd love to meet face to face. Radio is so impersonal, I can feel myself missing important details. If you're down on that planet, I assume you've got some way to not get killed by all the energy being thrown around: is there room for two?

@PentagonWhite

Several more than two. I would rather you prove your identity before we accept the risk.

[Heroic]

<Snipped quote by Heroic>

You are quite puzzling.

@Legend

I prefer the term "stunning".

[Legend]

<Snipped quote by Legend>

I prefer the term "stunning".

@Heroic

You are an enigma.

[PentagonWhite]

@Legend

*My eyes roll in puerile frustration, a scoff of disappointment slipping from pale rose lips.*

I'll provide whatever proof you want. Anyone so standoffish near something so interesting must be worth some effort. What do you need from me?

[Legend]

@Legend

*My eyes roll in puerile frustration, a scoff of disappointment slipping from pale rose lips.*

I'll provide whatever proof you want. Anyone so standoffish near something so interesting must be worth some effort. What do you need from me?

@PentagonWhite

A reason to believe you.

[PentagonWhite]

@Legend

*A full bodied laugh this time, ringing from my lips, fills the small cockpit with mirth. The cheshire smile on my lips inherits the joy.*

I only have one problem with that. We've only just met, but you seem like the type that wouldn't much like proof that I give. Surely, any proof that I have of my own intentions could have been prepared in advance, some sort of misdirection for whatever it is you think I might be scheming. Surely it would be better if you asked for some piece of proof I couldn't predict, then showed it to you: if my story is accurate, any evidence would reflect its veracity, no?

[Stabby]

*listens in on the radio through my phone*

[Legend]

@Legend

*A full bodied laugh this time, ringing from my lips, fills the small cockpit with mirth. The cheshire smile on my lips inherits the joy.*

I only have one problem with that. We've only just met, but you seem like the type that wouldn't much like proof that I give. Surely, any proof that I have of my own intentions could have been prepared in advance, some sort of misdirection for whatever it is you think I might be scheming. Surely it would be better if you asked for some piece of proof I couldn't predict, then showed it to you: if my story is accurate, any evidence would reflect its veracity, no?

@PentagonWhite

Perhaps. But asking you to generate your own provides additional insight into who you are as an individual.

[PentagonWhite]

@Legend

*The grin grows even wider*

If we keep this up we'll be at this forever, Whoever-you-are. 'The insights could be fabricated', 'Those fabrications would be detectable and thus provide further information', 'Impromptu decision making might inform more of my baseline character', 'You might be prepared for a myriad of questions and thus only use the perceived lack of preparation as a means of disguise'.

*I clear my throat, more for emphasis than any perceptible change in vocal timbre*

Anyways: I have more knowledge of scripture than anyone in this Galaxy. I have the Eschatologue's record of the cosmic microwave background for the last few years, in addition to the initial coordinates of every FTL leap. I can send pictures or a video feed that can be proven live, or...

*I pause, to think. A handful of seconds passing alongside even breaths.*

I could call a referral for my good character and piety?

[Legend]

@Legend

*The grin grows even wider*

If we keep this up we'll be at this forever, Whoever-you-are. 'The insights could be fabricated', 'Those fabrications would be detectable and thus provide further information', 'Impromptu decision making might inform more of my baseline character', 'You might be prepared for a myriad of questions and thus only use the perceived lack of preparation as a means of disguise'.

*I clear my throat, more for emphasis than any perceptible change in vocal timbre*

Anyways: I have more knowledge of scripture than anyone in this Galaxy. I have the Eschatologue's record of the cosmic microwave background for the last few years, in addition to the initial coordinates of every FTL leap. I can send pictures or a video feed that can be proven live, or...

*I pause, to think. A handful of seconds passing alongside even breaths.*

I could call a referral for my good character and piety?

@PentagonWhite

Certainly. I would also like this information from them as well.