dun_moch | IC Contact post for Mask or Menace

[The Soviets really did a number on a lot of people's minds. Manolo doesn't blame him for the delay, but he's relieved when he finally does hear back.]

its about registration

im not sure whether i should
stay unsettled or not

so i want to hear
what other people have to say
about their status
and how they feel toward
where theyre at right now

you are a very smart,
very experienced man
and i thought i should
also ask you

through the communicators
or in person
whichever is best for you
either is fine with me

Edited 2016-03-03 03:08 (UTC)

[There's a pause while Dooku considers, and then he makes an audio call to Manolo's communicator. He does not wish to risk exposing weakness by meeting in person, not in his current state, but his voice feels strong, and the sound of his deep, rich speech carries influence far better than text ever could.]

We will talk through this means, if that is agreeable to you.

[If nothing else, it is good to know Manolo has the wit to recognize Dooku's intelligence and sophistication. Unless he is simply flattering him- a common hazard, in the Count's experience.]

[Manolo generally prefers texting over anything else, but he still readily answers Dooku's call. He's taking time out of his day, after all, so the least he can do is accommodate the man's preferences.]

Yes, of course. Thank you...for agreeing to talk to me. I know you are busy.

It is no trouble at all, I can assure you. These are important questions you are considering.

Let me answer with a question of my own. Would you feel safe if you unregistered? There are many signs that the government is becoming less... tolerant of those who show different views, especially in a time of war.

Well, for what it's worth, I've actually been unsettled ever since I came here. I have never felt unsafe before now. [A beat.] Well...not because of the U.S. government, anyway.

[The concerned frown is evident in his voice.] Do you believe that will change?

I believe it is a serious risk. The government has been hurt and embarrassed by this Soviet attack. No one in authority enjoys having power taken away from them. And a government's support rests on whether it can convince its people that it can protect them.

[Dooku lowers his voice, amping up the ominousness in his tone.]

We have already seen what steps they are willing to take to rectify the situation. Who knows what they may do next?

[Though Dooku can't see it, Manolo frowns at those words. At this point, he has no desire to outright antagonize the government. Would something passive like staying unsettled really invite the same wrath they showed to their enemies?

He bites his lip for a moment before asking:]

Is that why you decided to register?

[Dooku affects a thoughtful tone.]

I registered on the advice of Ambassador Francis Urquhart. He made a persuasive case for the decision soon after my arrival. A 'harmless gesture', he called it. Needless to say, I am now considering alternative options. And it is good that you too are giving thought to these matters.

[Convenience is a valid reason for other people to register, especially since this world is so vastly different from what so many are used to. Manolo generally gives his feelings more weight when making decisions, though, and he’s not about to stop now. He doesn’t blame the Count for rethinking some of his choices.]

what do you mean?
like telling the government
you no longer want to be
listed as registered?

[Are there other alternatives he hasn't considered?]

That is among the options I am considering. But I am afraid it may be an empty gesture. They have power over us, no matter what our tattoos read. The decision may become meaningless, if they decide to coerce the Unsettled into fighting their wars. As long as they control our nanites, the Porter, and nullifier weapons, there is little we could do to stop them.

What I would like to do is to change these circumstances. To make certain the choices of imPorts in this world have meaning.

[He will not be conscripted or controlled again. The Soviets made sure of that.]

[Dooku has a point. As long as the balance of power is stacked so heavily in the US government's favor, then they live under the possibility of the US stripping them of their choices the same way the Soviets did. Will the war really warp policies toward imPorts that dramatically, though?]

Change the circumstances? Do you mean petitioning the government for different laws?

Yes- to begin with. I am a politician, after all. I have always believed that if one does not like the game that is being played, it should always be possible to simply change the rules. And the rules we are under now are hardly fair.

But back to yourself. Why are you considering Registering, under these circumstances?

[Manolo nods to himself as he listens to Dooku's answer. Changing the rules through legitimate means is usually the ideal option, but the Mexican Revolution serves as proof that this isn't always possible. Still, Dooku is a smart man, and he must believe there's at least some chance at changing these policies with a little negotiation and outside pressure.]

For imPorts and our Mexican friends, mostly. If more of us are taken overseas, I don't want to just stand back and watch the rescue teams leave without me. And since the Mexican government has decided to stand with imPorts, there is a chance the Soviets will attack them someday. I'd like to help my people if that ever happens.

Hm, yes. Those are wise reasons to consider a change. Especially the thought of Mexico: your country earned great gratitude from our community during the occupation. And I did promise them we would reward any assistance.

[A promise Dooku intends to keep so long as it suits his interests- both in terms of the Mexicans being useful, and in terms of impressing his fellow imPorts with how trustworthy he is.]

For the moment, Registering may be the only option available to you. But consider: this is only the case because the government has made it this way. The day may come where imPorts are free to help others anywhere in the world, with or without the permission of any authority. A fine goal to work towards, don't you think?

That is true. I just want to help people without having to pledge myself to any military. My best friend is a soldier who registered, and that's fine for him. But I'm not a soldier, and it would be nice if we at least had a couple of other ways to legally help if our friends and allies are attacked.

It would be 'nice' indeed. But in the eyes of the current laws, your desire would make you a criminal if you ever acted on it. Most distasteful.

[Dooku puts a controlled note of disgust and righteous indignation in his voice, the better to encourage similar feelings in Manolo.]

This soldier friend of yours. Do I know him?

Edited 2016-03-12 01:17 (UTC)

[Manolo pauses, mulling over the man's words. Showing a blatant disregard for the law is pretty disrespectful toward the natives, and it's admittedly one reason why he hesitates to go into conflicts with his Unsettled status...]

Yes. His name is Joaquin Mondragon. He came with us to Mexico, actually.

Ah, yes. I recall him now. A man with a covered eye, and two swords. He appeared formidable.

He started training to become a soldier when he was very young.

IC Contact post for Mask or Menace

Re: text;

text --> Voice

Voice

Re: Voice

Voice

Voice

Voice

Voice

Re: Voice

Voice

Voice (Oh my god, pretend that last tag wasn't a text)

Text? What is a text? I see no text.

yes good

no subject

no subject

now from right account

Re: now from right account

no subject

no subject