Video;

[subject223]

[ The video turns on to a view of a man’s face, and those observant enough to notice nitpicky details might realize that this is a man who’s familiar with and comfortable using strange bits of technology. There’s no fear in his eyes, no outward confusion or panic. He looks calm and in control, and when he speaks, he sounds like it, too. ]

Hello. My name’s Steve Rogers and I just recently arrived from a city called New York. I was debriefed about the situation and I wanted to offer my help to anyone who needs it.

[ He pauses for a moment as he collects his thoughts. These days, it’s not often that he goes somewhere that people aren’t at least slightly familiar with who he is. Providing a brief resume is a somewhat novel experience. ]

I’ve been a soldier for a long time, but I’m also good with my hands. Construction, farming, hunting, good old-fashioned heavy lifting, I can help with that. I can speak a number of languages, too, if anyone needs translations done. I know I’m new, but I want to pull my weight. So if you know anyone who might need a hand with something, let me know.

[ Offering a faint smile, he gives the camera a short nod. ]

Thanks for your time.

Comments

[trainwrecked]

[... that last part? Makes Bucky laugh a laugh that's not very merry. In fact, it's rather darkish.]

I'd point out that not everybody has a place to go, from here, but I'm sure you know that part if you think of it.

[Rikki.]

And it's not just her.

[subject223]

I didn't say that. I said get where they want to go.

[ He's not entirely sure who her is, but he knows enough people here who might not want to go back to what they left behind. ]

I'm not leaving anyone behind. And I'm not sending anyone home to die. If they don't have a home, I'll help them find one.

[trainwrecked]

[... Jeez, Rogers, can you be more, uh, yourself? If you tried? Bucky blinks in the privacy of just sound connection, because that is so much like what his Steve talked about, first when he was drunk, that his throat clenches briefly.]

Right. Let's deal with this place first, then we'll go on to going home and such.

[And those who have gone home. But now when he speaks, a bit of the tension is absent from his voice.]

Oh, and watch out for the kedan when they're hostile. Their strength and speed are likely to be a closer match to yours than to baseline humans'.

[Fair warning, right? Just because he's not sure anyone else would have thought to give it to this Steve, yet.]

[subject223]

[ This is news to Steve. And also confirmation that the man on the other end of the line knows him. But he won't press. ]

Do they have any other powers? Or is it just speed and strength?

[ If the natives' hostility poses a problem to the foreign populace, maybe he'll be able to help do more than just protect them. Maybe he'll be able to teach them to fight a super-soldier, too. ]

[trainwrecked]

[He can ask. It's just that, after the other Bucky's reaction to it all, Bucky's not sure how much a new arrival will be willing to take in. That's all.]

Shapeshifting, but that's sorta difficult to miss, right?

There's likely magic here, too, but it don't seem to be the kedan's doing. Probably the Emperor's. Like, everybody can understand what everyone else is sayin' - but the writing? Well, it still reads in the language it's supposed to.

[subject223]

[ He takes a deep, centering breath. Then another for good measure. ]

If they shapeshift into someone who's got powers ordinary folks don't, do they get the powers too?

[ Because that's Skrull territory and that's Bad News. For all of them. ]

Isn't the Emperor one of the kedan?

[trainwrecked]

No. Just the outer shape.

[Hey, the kedan are only a little bit that thing. Bad news, that is.]

They're also not very fond of looking like people. At least they haven't been, so far.

And again, no. The Emperor is not. Not human, either.

[subject223]

Do you know what they really look like? When they're not human?

[ If they don't have powers, that means they're not Skrulls. Unless they're hiding the fact that they can replicate powers. ]

Any idea or speculation what the Emperor is?

[trainwrecked]

[Bucky thinks that over for a moment, then.]

No. Sorry, Cap. You might have some luck figuring it out if we get another tropical vacation. The kedan went back to friendly for a bit - over a week - for that. If it happens again, you could probably ask 'em.

[It's odd. He almost never calls his Steve Cap - sometimes to tease him, sure, but usually it's Steve, or Rogers. So those two names are out of the question. Steven... doesn't really work. And that leaves Cap.]

And again no. But I think I heard a rumor that she might've lived way longer than a person's supposed to, ice naps aside.

[subject223]

The tropics make the kedan friendlier?

[ That's new. He runs a few possibilities through his mind. An intolerance to colder temperatures that makes them uncomfortable and thus more aggressive? Some kind of genetic abnormality triggered in cooler climes? Something else? He's a soldier, not a scientist, and he knows that this one is beyond is ability to figure out. ]

I'll see if I can track down the rumor. See if anyone knows anything more. Maybe it's nothing, but it could also be the key to figuring this mess out and I don't want to overlook anything.

[trainwrecked]

Well, not exactly. But a few weeks back, the turtle went into a really good spot. I think it was getting better or something. There was a festival, fireworks, all sortsa things. And the kedan were back to friendly, that's all.

... did anybody bring you up to speed about the turtle, yet?

[subject223]

About its illness? Yeah. Reports are conflicted though. It doesn't seem like anyone knows the cause. Or how to communicate with anyone that might know.

Haven't the kedan said anything?

[trainwrecked]

It's what happened to all the other turtles. The mainland is a waste. Scorching desert, monsters wandering. Deserted cities.

Some of the efforts to get the turtle better have helped some, but... not long-term. I think there were a few groups that tried to find out what's the matter and help formed. Uh... I think Nita, and Bruce Banner, were two people who talked about it.

[Bucky hesitates for a moment, then adds, quietly.]

Not sure if it's all true, but there seems to be another rumor, 'bout how the thing that's causing all this, the reason we've been brought here? It's name shouldn't be said out loud. So if you find out the name somewhere without the warning, keep it quiet, all right?

[subject223]

[ Nita. Namorita and Bruce Banner. He makes a mental note to speak with them about the turtle and what they've discovered. It's the rest that demands his immediate attention, because this is new. No one's mentioned whatever this thing is yet. ]

What is it? This thing with the name no one should be speaking? No one's mentioned it yet. Not even indirectly.

[trainwrecked]

Sorry, that part got encrypted better. And I'm only just startin' with really learning 'bout that sorta thing.

[Because Natasha.]

[subject223]

If we're supposed to fight this, I need to know what we're going to be up against. Who can tell me more? Do you know?

[trainwrecked]

I know, I know. Think everybody and their aunt've not been tryin' to get the information from the Emperor since the first time she got an audience?

The most I got was from the Commander, and that was that we'd get to fight it somewhere else. But even he wouldn't say what it's about. Just 'rest and be ready, you'll get called on' or some such crap.

[Bucky's been here for months, he might be getting a little frustrated about it.]

[subject223]

Is that who knows? The Commander of the Emperor's...

[ He doesn't know and can only assume that he's in charge of the military. Or possibly the guard. ]

You talked to him? This Commander? What was he like?

[trainwrecked]

I'd say the Emperor knows. Whatever knowledge she's shared with the Commander, she prob'ly knows more. And he's in charge of the law enforcement here.

[Yeah, he catches the question, there.]

He's... yeah, I've talked with him a few times. There've been times when he's called on the foreigners to help out. The gang war, first, and some during later occasions. But that was when he presided over the Emperor's audience that one month.

[subject223]

Then your advice is to speak with the Emperor directly?

[ That's probably the easiest way to do it, though he's dealt with heads of state before. It isn't always easy to get useful answers out of them. ]

Do you know what needs to be done to meet with her?

suddenly encrypted to the best of his ability, which might be about 60% now

[trainwrecked]

[Bucky's voice goes quieter.]

My advice is to try to get the information from her, yeah, but don't think she'll actually give it. Some people seem luckier getting crap out of her, others less so. She has open audiences every month or so, except when Evandau holds 'em for her.

But there may be other sources. So keep an ear to the ground, keep your eyes open. There's gotta be some information that'll make it possible to get through with this.

[subject223]

[ This is frustrating. That they would be brought here from their worlds to be tasked with something that no one will reveal to them. To only be told vague rumors of an adversary no one is willing to name. Steve wonders how they're meant to fight anyone or anything like this. ]

Makes me wonder why she even holds the audiences if she's not being forthcoming with the information. But okay. Audiences every month. Mostly with the Emperor. Sometimes with... What was the name you said? Evandau? Is that her Commander?

[trainwrecked]

[Tell Bucky about it, Steve. He's been here for TEN MONTHS.]

Like I said, some people get some stuff. Claim you can get more information if you ask the right questions or some such.

Evandau's the Commander. The Emperor's name is Eshai. The only other local who's been on the consoles is a merchant, Lieuen. Kinda the richest man in Keeliai.

[subject223]

I'll remember those names.

Thank you for the information. I know it can be tough trusting people, especially in a place like this, and I want you to know I appreciate the help.

[trainwrecked]

I know you will.

[Quietly. And then Bucky actually gives a short laugh.]

And sometimes it's real tough not trusting them, Cap. But I know you've observed that effect already.

Anyway. You're welcome, and, if you have more questions... I know you'll find me.