Conversation On the Via

"ryuk,

there is a thing called informed consent. If Via would perfer that i not cut her, then i will not. But a percise and careful action is probably better than what those outisde will do to enter. the can not see where the internal bulkheads are, can not see if a section in closed off or if they will depresserize a large section of the station. they will probably knowing the tensions they are under just blow a hole in the station and then collect the corpse afterwards.

I would think that Via would be more agreable to a 'surgical cut' as to someone shooting a hole in her.

and as to my calling you a child, I 'call it as i see it' as they say. you were sitting there crying like someone broke your favorite toy because you were caught trying to 'rape' her mind. You commit a crime and then when caught break down in a hissy fit like a 3 year old who got caught with a hand in the cookie jar.

You use your 'so called fame' as a war criminal to promote your casino. How do you think that makes you not a liar. you say you are not guilty of war crimes but humanitarian actions, and yet you go around proclaiming that you are this 'big bad gangster'. knida odd for a innocent person

Ragman,

Of course I use the fact that I am declared as a war criminal as publicity for my casino, that is just good business. Using "declared a war criminal by the Iron Republic" is completely true, Because Captain Alice Clegg, had me declared a war criminal, by Palomedes If I remember correctly.

You may be right that Via would like a precision cut, you may be right. You just said "I don't want to hurt you but i may have to cut a hole in your skin to exit." This as a choice? I am still not seeing it.

As for my little breakdown earlier, I would rather have a breakdown do to stress from time to time, than be an unfeeling hypocrite like you. Why do I get the feeling you are trying to manipulate everyone into battle? Once you realized Via can or would not help you, you decide to leave, by cutting her. This is your offer to her to get out, while Prime and I are not done talking to via.

Ryuk

Via has studied the questions asked

Ryuk has asked Will Sephir mekanoids reciting the grand litany work?

The Via Sisters Stations have conferred and no only a true energy being like the Sephir once were could unlock the system in that way. Only 1 Sephir is know to be in this dimension at this time. He is known as the Quiet. He would have to willingly recite the grand litany.

Ragman, Ryuk has compared truthfulness to being a Goodly Being who is true of Heart. The Sephir had standardized a range of good and evil before their passing. Their scanners have advised the Via network of all who come onboard. According to Scanners, Ryuk has caused final death to multiple sentients. Ragman has sections of his body which are actually demonic in origin, this precludes Goodly Being. Unity Prime has the guilt of the crimes of the entire Unity etched across his brow according to our scanners.

Ryuk, Via Sister-stations disagree with posited idea that there are no innocents. All Sephir Energyforms are innocent. Sephir Energyforms are connected to definition of Innocents in the Via Databases.

The first of the tests is a choice

Test 1: Pick one of the following

A) 100 Sephir Space Superiority Mekanoids

B) Sephir Planet Healer

C) Via Sister Station

D) A Field of Grain

E) Star

And explain why

But there is no question?

Star! Ryuk exclaimed! The giant big balls of fire! not only do they give heat to support most life, the death of stars create the elements needed for life to begin.

and VIa, you said that your energy beings are innocent because they are connected to the definition of innocent, Prime and I are also connected to a definition of innocent through our unity connections, how does this differ?

Prime gave the question some thought. After all, the worthiness of any of these items could be judged as useful. Its a matter of worthiness...but what would the Sephir value?

"Of these, I pick the Via station, for the following reasons;

1) A field of grain can be the beginning of all life, but without knowledge of harvesting techniques and farming, it will lie fallow.

2) 100 space superiority mekanoids may defeat many foes, but how is it that they will know which to attack? What legacy will be left when there is no more fighting to be done?

3) A Planet healer is capable of incredible feats, but is not the heart of the Via network, and does not carry sufficient knowledge.

4) The sun is raw undirected power. Above all, I seek understanding, which brings me to my final point.

5) The Via station is a being of power, but moreover the Via station is connected to all sister stations, and this network carries all of the knowledge of the Sephir race in their structures.

The knowledge locked in a Via station can allow one to command space superiority mekanoids, pilot a planet healer, harass the raw power of the sun, and harvest the life giving power of grain. You, Via, are the key to this puzzle.

My request stands, can you work with me to direct the other sister stations to stop the Quiet? If you cannot, can you alter me in such a way that I can stop his mad quest with your help?"

As they finish speaking the room shifts creating walls around both Ryuk and Prime. They can still hear each other and communicate through the uplink, but cannot see each other.
Two identical Via Voices speak to each of them, answering their questions and providing each of them their unique question.

To Ryuk they say, "A Star provides all life. You are correct, and we shall answer your question.
Ryuk and Prime may be defined in their own culture as innocent, just as Ryuk and Prime may be defined as goopy fleshy sacks filled with consciousness by our own sensors. Neither of these definitions hold the weight of the Sephir to the Via Sister Stations"
"Ryuk your next test is this. There is a temple build by the Shardrax of the Sephir. The Shardrax did not understand the Sephir were not Gods, but they mined deep into the mountains of the Comet of Parnos and created a temple.
The Comet and its temple will be slammed into a world populated by deeply devout heretic peoples for the Prophecy of the Shardrax to come to pass.
Whose faith is greater? The Faith of the Shardrax or the Faith of the Heretics, and why?"


To Prime they say, "A Via is the center of the network and we are the core of what remains of the Sephir's legacy. Therefore you are correct, and we shall answer your question. You already have all you need to track the Quiet, you need only listen.
You also have the potential to be a hard drive capable of storing the Quiet, since your flesh shows surviving extreme energy feedback from a corrupting energyform in the past. That we can accomplish, but the process is one way.
Prime your next test is this. On the Moon of Ili there is a pond which sees the future. However anyone who looks in it must do everything they see themselves doing in the pond. A Spider climbs over the pond and drops down until it hangs above the pond. Its reflection shows an exquisite web, yet the spider does not move and eventually dies, still hanging from the single strand.
Does the pond show the future? Whatever your answer also explain why."

The lights on the entire station dulls, as the Via wait for the interrogators to make their decisions.

Neither, at the time the comet comes, both groups have blind faith, which will lead to there downfall. Initially, it lead the one to great depths, but it wasn't blind faith, they actually have seen the Sephir. Later on, it became blind faith, there death This blind faith was a direct cause of their downfall, as if they didn't have this faith, they could have tried to save themselves. Faith leads solely to blind faith, which causes stagnation of a people, and eventually death of them.

The VIA glowed and the floor under Ryuk opened up lowering him deeper into the VIA's inner workings. He was shown projections of the exact situation that was discussed. Apparently after the Sephir went extinct a group of Shardrax did worship the Sephir and didn't understand what happened to the kind entities.
They wiped out a group of heretics using the Leyas to divert a comet and killing both groups.

The Via said sadly, "You are correct Ryuk, blind faith in all forms is dangerous. Having faith in the goodness of the Sephir was fine, but thinking them gods just foolish. We have prepared data on Sephir Condensers for your efforts."

The next question, "Were the VIA to grant you the use of a planet healer ship for 24 hours, what planet do you use it on? Describe how you would decide."

--

Alone in the room above the Via asks Prime, "Have you gone quiet, Prime? Are you listening in the right place? Because it is not in this room that the answers about the quiet can be obtained. They are out there. But many answers not about the quiet can be obtained. You have one week to deliver your answer or we shall consider your test done.

Determining who to heal is the same as determining who dies, no one can make good decisions in this case. In my case, I could only watch as people either died suffering, or save a few to there elation, and watch as the other have their hope crushed as they watched my ship leave the area. My other option was to give them all a quick death, which seemed to be the most merciful option at the time. Now, If I had a day to heal as many people as possible, and I knew the day before hand, I would arrange for the ship to be in a safe place, let everyone know, and heal people on a first come first serve basis. I would make exceptions for dire cases that need immediate attention. I also would try and enlist others to ferry people to and from the station, if they could not afford to come otherwise.

Prime gave the question careful thought. The Via seemed to thrive on questions given minimal background. Was it determining his thought patterns by evaluating how he responds to loosely bounded quandaries?

"Fascinating. The pond clearly has an effect on the spider. Assuming that it is of good health, it would under normal conditions be able to climb back up and gather food.

I consider the following then. The spider does not see itself doing anything in the pond. In fact, it is not in its own reflection at all. As such, the only option for the spider is to vanish without doing another thing, as the pond has dictated that it has no future. It may well be that the exquisite web already existed, made by this spider or another in the past."

LeftenantRyuk wrote:Determining who to heal is the same as determining who dies, no one can make good decisions in this case. In my case, I could only watch as people either died suffering, or save a few to there elation, and watch as the other have their hope crushed as they watched my ship leave the area. My other option was to give them all a quick death, which seemed to be the most merciful option at the time. Now, If I had a day to heal as many people as possible, and I knew the day before hand, I would arrange for the ship to be in a safe place, let everyone know, and heal people on a first come first serve basis. I would make exceptions for dire cases that need immediate attention. I also would try and enlist others to ferry people to and from the station, if they could not afford to come otherwise.

The Via seemed to contemplate this for a long while. Then the floor moved and Ryuk found himself moving sideways down a corridor with schematics flashing across them.

"Planet Healers do not heal people," said Via, "They heal planets. They turn toxic planets habitable for creatures like your kind. They turn dead planets into eden. Like most sephir technology it ignores organics lifeforms."

Ryuk found himself standing in front of a door. It had symbols running up and down it.

The Via's voice could be heard, "You have reached your next test, Ryuk. Answer these three questions.
Who is your greatest enemy?

Why are they your greatest enemy?

What have you done to them that may contribute to them being your enemy?"

UnityPrime wrote:Prime gave the question careful thought. The Via seemed to thrive on questions given minimal background. Was it determining his thought patterns by evaluating how he responds to loosely bounded quandaries?

"Fascinating. The pond clearly has an effect on the spider. Assuming that it is of good health, it would under normal conditions be able to climb back up and gather food.

I consider the following then. The spider does not see itself doing anything in the pond. In fact, it is not in its own reflection at all. As such, the only option for the spider is to vanish without doing another thing, as the pond has dictated that it has no future. It may well be that the exquisite web already existed, made by this spider or another in the past."

The Via replied very quickly, "Most sentient creatures like Earthers see in the pond what they believe and want their own future to be. They look ahead and streaks off to do that.
However the spider upon seeing its web done, simply waited for her food to come to her and died."

With this cryptic message the floor began moving sideways and the wall slid away revealing an interesting chamber holding a Mekanoid butler who stepped out and began cleaning the chamber. Once the chamber was clean, Prime could feel his skin get sterilized by radiation. Then the room sealed. Medical cases began moving before his eyes. He could see Cybernetic brains inside the display case. The Sephir's idea of ancient cybernetics was beyond even the cutting edge of what the Unity was working on. Prime made sure to download as many images as possible and send them by uplink to the Unity researchers.

Finally the medical cases stopped revealing three cybernetic brains.
Via said, "Two of these brains hold the mekanoid mind of horrific criminals.
One holds a saintly mekanoid who was much loved by the Sephir.
If you could not know which was which, would you release any of them?
Please explain how you would discern which is which."

Alice Clegg, because she declared me a war criminal, and . . . .



This happened just after I ended the suffering of the IR members after the massive space battle. The biggest issue I seem to have with people, is that they put a large amount of value on life, and death is a horrible thing to them. But I look at death as just a different state, and with leyas or technology you can change that. In fact I have "died" many times, but am currently in the living state.

Ryuk

Prime was shocked when he saw the designs before him. They were elegant, simple. It took him a moment of simply staring at the technology, trying to understand the functionality, before a small voice in his mind reminded him there was a puzzle to solve.

There was one, and it was glorious.

Once again, it was open ended. He could use any method to determine which was the criminal and which was the saint, but there was a deeper question at hand. Should any of them be freed? To Prime, the question seemed obvious. However, these criminals could be crafty.

And so he would rely on a morality test. Prime spoke clearly.

"I would make all of the three an offer. They could either be trapped for all eternity as an energy being, compelled to keep sacred the histories and lessons of the past, or they could be given dominion over a new body with their freedom with the same directive to teach. The saintly one would understand that life in servitude as a definitional good being would be preferable to a chance to cause mischief. The criminals would choose a chance at escape, not caring for the chance to become the embodiment of good at the cost of servitude. Those who chose dominion over a body would be identified as criminals, and would be bound in their physical bodies, watched closely for treachery. The Saint would be given more freedom, and would still be asked to teach.

It is worth it to free one, or even all three, from their solitary confinement as knowledge is critical to our survival. The perspective of criminals teaches us to be vigilant just as it shows the importance of morality. The Saint could use its knowledge and power to help all in desperate times, and so without question would be worth saving."

LeftenantRyuk wrote:Alice Clegg, because she declared me a war criminal, and . . . .



This happened just after I ended the suffering of the IR members after the massive space battle. The biggest issue I seem to have with people, is that they put a large amount of value on life, and death is a horrible thing to them. But I look at death as just a different state, and with leyas or technology you can change that. In fact I have "died" many times, but am currently in the living state.

Ryuk

As Ryuk answers the first question the lights on the door change to warm color, as he answers the second the lights begin to flash.

Yet as the answer to what he has done to contribute to his enemy being his enemy leaves his lips, the lights around the door go out, and the floor reverses movement taking him away from the door and across the Via to another chamber with a star chart.

The Via speaks "Ryuk since your arrival we have heard you equate destroying a star as mercy. Therefore we have prepared a test of mercy as you define it."


Three different solar systems winked on the screen.

"The first's star can explode killing the nearby Warrex a pest capable of spreading to nearby systems and wiping out all plant life including crops. Many billions would die if the Warrex can spread."

" the second star can explode killing of the people of Minos 12, they are slavers who are preparing conquest of peaceful planets. Their cruelty will be legendary."

" the third star can explode killing the people of Morning, a retirement planet where those in terminal comas are left to die. they are currently cared for by mekanoid nurses".

"explain which planets you choose to destroy and how it is merciful."

Via,

Destroying the star was the mechanizism that the mercy was acted out with, not the act of mercy itself. Mercy came with the quick death of the soldiers left behind. The ships where massively damaged, with the escape pods jammed or massive venting into space. Giving them a quick death, was in my opinion, the best thing I could do for them. I also assumed that they would be resurrected, as based off my experience with the EEF. Unfortunately, I found out that the IR refuses to use Leyas, and doesn't revive its soldiers from small pieces of them.

I will answer to the best of my ability.

The pest at Warrex is based on if it spreads. This is the key point, if you can stop it from spreading you won't have a problem. So I would talk to Garmin Fe, as he seem s very knowledgeable in this field, to either develop an antidote or a way to stop the spread.

Slavers, If anyone deserves to die, its them. But it wouldn't be fair to just kill them all, a show of force could stop them, or a coalition of forces. There are many ways to deal with this other than quickly killing them all.

People in a coma, this is the closest to what happened out in space, where there is a large amount of people that are injured. I am not sure if they are suffering, as they are unconscious, which tends to indicate they don't consciously feel anything. If this is the case, and they are taken care of, then

In fact here, I would try and avoid such drastic actions, because none of these necessitates quick action. If I did not act when I did, the people still would have died, it would have taken longer, and they would have suffered longer.

Ryuk

UnityPrime wrote:Prime was shocked when he saw the designs before him. They were elegant, simple. It took him a moment of simply staring at the technology, trying to understand the functionality, before a small voice in his mind reminded him there was a puzzle to solve.

There was one, and it was glorious.

Once again, it was open ended. He could use any method to determine which was the criminal and which was the saint, but there was a deeper question at hand. Should any of them be freed? To Prime, the question seemed obvious. However, these criminals could be crafty.

And so he would rely on a morality test. Prime spoke clearly.

"I would make all of the three an offer. They could either be trapped for all eternity as an energy being, compelled to keep sacred the histories and lessons of the past, or they could be given dominion over a new body with their freedom with the same directive to teach. The saintly one would understand that life in servitude as a definitional good being would be preferable to a chance to cause mischief. The criminals would choose a chance at escape, not caring for the chance to become the embodiment of good at the cost of servitude. Those who chose dominion over a body would be identified as criminals, and would be bound in their physical bodies, watched closely for treachery. The Saint would be given more freedom, and would still be asked to teach.

It is worth it to free one, or even all three, from their solitary confinement as knowledge is critical to our survival. The perspective of criminals teaches us to be vigilant just as it shows the importance of morality. The Saint could use its knowledge and power to help all in desperate times, and so without question would be worth saving."

The floor below Prime fell open and he found himself trapped in a tiny room barely large enough to fit his body.
The heat was incredible, and he felt woozy as he stood there.

The voice from the Via came from all sides. But it wasn't the voice of Via, it was a whisper that was as hollow as the grave.

"We see you Prime of Unity for what you are. You stand on the razor between what your cells demand of you and what the morality you were programmed with requires. Soon the universe will stand on the same precipice, on the razor between the desires of the rulers and the will of the masses. With the Demons of Unity on one side, and the Demons of the Creeping Darkness on the other. As they turn on each other only you will have the chance to stop them.
A Dragon begun this and a Dragon will end this."

There was a blast of blue light from all directions. To the rest of the Uplinked Prime was removed from the connection for a moment. Firewalls snapped up on all connections to him, severing the cord that led back to MorningStar Station and the secrets it held.

A blast of truly good light struck Prime from the depths of the station, wracking his body in pain. The final demonic link to the MorningStar Station was also severed.

Primes memories hadn't changed, but now his vision could be clear.

Then he felt something move within his spirit. It was a Sephir, a symbiotic energy being.
He was at a loss for words.

The Chamber opened at the bottom and dropped him at the Docking bays.

The Via spoke in its original sweet voice, "Prime of Unity. You said it is worth it to free one, or even all three, from their solitary confinement as knowledge is critical to our survival. The perspective of criminals teaches us to be vigilant just as it shows the importance of morality. The Saint could use its knowledge and power to help all in desperate times, and so without question would be worth saving.

If you return here again, you must answer that question for the Via Sister-Stations. Was the Sage worth saving, if it let the Criminals free?"

LeftenantRyuk wrote:Via,

Destroying the star was the mechanizism that the mercy was acted out with, not the act of mercy itself. Mercy came with the quick death of the soldiers left behind. The ships where massively damaged, with the escape pods jammed or massive venting into space. Giving them a quick death, was in my opinion, the best thing I could do for them. I also assumed that they would be resurrected, as based off my experience with the EEF. Unfortunately, I found out that the IR refuses to use Leyas, and doesn't revive its soldiers from small pieces of them.

I will answer to the best of my ability.

The pest at Warrex is based on if it spreads. This is the key point, if you can stop it from spreading you won't have a problem. So I would talk to Garmin Fe, as he seem s very knowledgeable in this field, to either develop an antidote or a way to stop the spread.

Slavers, If anyone deserves to die, its them. But it wouldn't be fair to just kill them all, a show of force could stop them, or a coalition of forces. There are many ways to deal with this other than quickly killing them all.

People in a coma, this is the closest to what happened out in space, where there is a large amount of people that are injured. I am not sure if they are suffering, as they are unconscious, which tends to indicate they don't consciously feel anything. If this is the case, and they are taken care of, then

In fact here, I would try and avoid such drastic actions, because none of these necessitates quick action. If I did not act when I did, the people still would have died, it would have taken longer, and they would have suffered longer.

Ryuk

Each of these locations has a Via Sister Station floating silently. They must be woken up.
You, Ryuk, have earned the right to be our messenger to the other three Via.

(The Three Stations will be added here. You can only visit 1 at any given week.)

Prime blinked. His personal retinue and his ship were there, waiting patiently for Prime to finish his trials. He grinned, genuinely happy to see the lot of them.

Prime knew he would never be good...well, not as most people saw good. The Sephir opened his eyes to the Morning Star station and the Dragon as it cut their blinders from him. For the first time in, well, ever, Prime was not a mockery of individuality and free will.

He relished in it.

Prime, and the Unity at large, belonged at the center of that swirling tempest caused by good and evil. He would fuel both, and be fueled by both. That was enough. He didn't need to unmake reality, or bend it to his whim. It would be enough to encourage balance, keep threats to reality at bay, and create.

Prime turned from his ship, addressing the station. "Via, I will return when I have an answer to your final riddle, and when the time comes that I must imprison the Quiet. I will do what I must with this body whilst I have it, lest my final test destroy me. Thank you for the insight you have granted. Let us see if I am worthy of it."

With that he turned, silver cloak billowing behind him as he walked aboard his private skiff. It lifted quickly and streaked into the Great Expanse.