001 | Estranged Arrival | Voice Post

[ectoplasicious]

My, this certainly isn’t Northern Ireland anymore. It would be interesting to know how exactly one gets from there to… here, ever so instantaneously. Judging from the architecture I would guess… Russia? Or one of the nearby former states of the USSR. Interesting

Comments

[finitevus]

So. You haven't been briefed by the Warden?

[ectoplasicious]

Warden?

No, I believe not.

[finitevus]

Allow me to welcome you to Econtra.

Econtra is in another world, an alternate reality amongst countless others. In my own world, and many others, these differing realities are called 'zones'. In this world, the planet we reside upon is called Earth, and holds, historically, commonality with other people's recollections of their own Earth, as I understand.

This Earth was invaded by creatures called Entropi, an energy based life that subsists on the energy present within biological life. That is my supposition based upon the lack of any animal life in this area. I do know they feed upon energy from secondhand reports.

Econtra itself is a compound, and this is the second one. The first was destroyed, so I'm told, when the slain Entropi raised up toxic poisons from the soil and destroyed any habitability of the previous installation. This new center of operations is sometimes referred to as Neocontra.

Shall I explain more?

[ectoplasicious]

...

You seem to be doing a good job. You may go on.

[finitevus]

You are wearing a cuff unfamiliar to you somewhere on your person. The cuff is a unique object to this compound. It prevents you from using lethal force on other residents of the facility, and prevents you from achieving a certain altitude (if you can fly), or of leaving beyond the compound walls.

If you attempt to violate any of these restrictions, there are three measures the cuff can take. First and most common is a basic electric shock to your system, a warning, one may say. Second is a powerful, instantaneous sedative, knocking you unconscious for a period of time. Third, and apparently most drastic, is a reprogramming, removing your free will and conscious abilities, turning you into a mindless drone in this army you have been drafted into.

Would you like to hear more, or do you require time to acclimate?

[ectoplasicious]

I am going to assume that this 'cuff' is also the reason that my form is... different than usual. Considering it is a restrictive device, I can understand why. But this is quite an annoyance. Yet, very intriguing. I have never experienced this before. Not without obscene circumstances. Perhaps not quite entirely an annoyance? To have a physical form once again...

You may continue. I will take it all in now, and if need be replay the messages again later to soak up what I miss during this round. I am not unfamiliar with similar devices where I am from.

[strikes are muttered to himself, but one does suppose you could just turn the volume way up to here it on a replay]

[finitevus]

There is a system called the Indigeo. You may make requisitions from it. It will provide almost anything you desire posthaste, save for several options. You may not requisition technology from it, any weapons will be rendered nonlethal, and from what I understand, requests of alcohol or other narcotic substances will not be granted.

[ectoplasicious]

I suppose it's for the best that I do not require anything in the way of food or drink, much less alcoholic beverages. Why is technology forbidden?

And you have not yet answered the largest question: Why are 'we' here, and how?

[finitevus]

I do not know yet. Likely because there would be the possibility of someone using the technology to remove the cuff.

As for why we are here, that should be obvious. A walled compound, cuffs, alien invaders?

We're draftees in a war.

We've been brought here by a machine called the Consulo.

[ectoplasicious]

Of course.

All these restrictions seem ill-pressed for a drafted society to fight a war for another. But I suppose that it 'their' concern.

How does this 'Consulo' work? You said it was technology--but I am uncertain even that could do what you say. Magic I can see the possibility. Perhaps a machine combined with magic? Those are very potent indeed.

[finitevus]

No explanation is fully given. The Warden is most irritatingly silent about the true nature of the technology bringing us here, or indeed just how we are to be effective as anything more than cannon fodder against beings composed of energy.

[ectoplasicious]

How unfortunate.

Vielen dank, mein freund. I appreciate you taking the time to explain these things to me.

[finitevus]

I'm afraid I do not understand the language you speak.

I am Dr. Finitevus, an Echidna and Mobian resident of Econtra.

[ectoplasicious]

It is a Germanic dialect. The words from before were simply "thank you, my friend."

Dr. Johann Krauss, ectoplasmic being and paranormal researcher. Ein vergnügen. A pleasure.

...Forgive my bluntness--but you say echidna. Is this related in any way with the Terran creature of the same name?

[finitevus]

Terran creature?

[ectoplasicious]

Terra--Earth. "Earthian" just doesn't have the proper "ring" to it. And is technically incorrect.