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[doghasitsday]

The technology in this place has given me much pause and so much to think about. I wouldn't consider myself a techie by any stretch of the imagination; I've got a more literary mind, I think. Still, perhaps things would have been different if I had come from a later generation. These journal devices alone are advanced far beyond anything I could find in the year I before the back home. The ship itself is a marvel. Since I've been up and about I've taken time to explore when I could, and I know there's rooms here that are a lot bigger than should be physically possible, given the space allotted. The way the ship moves: it looks like we're in space, but there's nothing really separating us from the open air. Does the barge produce its own atmosphere? There's things about the system here that I'd like to better understand, too. Nobody really explained the last time I asked. I think I'm an Inmate. No one's really told me. And I know that guy...the Admiral, assigned a bunch of people together. Inmates with Wardens. Is that what I'm waiting for? A Warden? How long does that usually take? I'd appreciate whatever answers can be given me. --Harold Emory Lauder

Comments

[requiresssacrifice]

Finally, a newcomer who asks intelligent questions. [NERD FISTBUMP.]

As for your questions about the system, you're an inmate. Wardens tend to be aware of their status. The time it takes to be assigned is variable, depending on the presence of a warden who's an appropriate "match"-- by whatever standards the Admiral employs.

[doghasitsday]

Is there any visible pattern that might suggest he has standards?

[requiresssacrifice]

Not exactly. Pairings range from compatible to utterly non-constructive.

[doghasitsday]

So this is like...prison? [THANKFULLY THE PLAGUE TOOK OUT HBO BEFORE 'OZ' HAPPENED, so he's only heard rumors, really.] Is it as bad?

[requiresssacrifice]

Essentially, yes. Less restrictive in some capacities, but more inhumane in others.

[doghasitsday]

Can I ask how it's more inhumane?

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[requiresssacrifice]

Most wardens will ignore your problems or regard them with apathy, so if somebody harasses or harms you and your own warden isn't available? You're probably out of luck.

You can't die permanently, which is something of a blessing, except it means you can be killed over and over again.

And there are periodic anomalies that alter your perceptions, your body, your sense of self, your memories... And there's no way to prevent them-- or, rather, none that anybody's uncovered yet.

Essentially, you'll be mindfucked, sometimes literally fucked, and everybody will treat it as business as usual.

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[doghasitsday]

I see. When you talk about anomalies I guess you're not talking about drugs, are you? In the journals -- people talked about changing in port. It's like that, right?

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[requiresssacrifice]

Precisely. Sometimes it's more subtle. You may not even be aware of it.

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[doghasitsday]

Unsettling. I'd say it's rare to find a person who wants to be directed and manipulated, that's completely untrue. But I know I for one don't much relish the idea.

[allusionsahoy]

As if we didn't already have enough pretentious douchebags on this ship.

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[requiresssacrifice]

Let's be honest: most people do.

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[doghasitsday]

It's easier for a lot of people not to have to think or really make their own decisions. They'd die without it.

[doghasitsday]

Sorry sir, but I don't believe we've met. (I assume you're a 'sir' -- my apologies if you're not.) Have I done something to offend you?

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[lifeafterhope.livejournal.com]

Still so many questions. Have you found any acceptable answers yet?

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[requiresssacrifice]

Yes. Of course, on the Barge we have a slightly different sampling, but there are followers all the same.

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[doghasitsday]

Harold Lauder. Good to meet you.

...If this even counts as meeting.

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[doghasitsday]

Didn't get a lot of answers last time.

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[requiresssacrifice]

Dr. Rex Lewis. A pleasure.

It counts on the Barge.

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[lifeafterhope.livejournal.com]

None you wanted to believe, anyway.

[most_feared]

There are several possibilities as to why the ship can maintain an atmosphere without any visible barriers between the vessel and space. Most of the ones I'm familiar with involve magnetosphere generated forcefields, but the ship is equipped to maintain a variety of physical laws so any one universal theory might prove inaccurate.

Wardens are matched at the middle and end of each month, though may be postponed in the event of a shipwide incident. Criteria for matching are uncertain but all wardens are provided with a file of relevant information pertaining to their inmate. Many inmates ask permission to see their file.

[acid_rayne]

Paragraphs are your friend.

[doghasitsday]

There is nothing wrong with the way I write.

[acid_rayne]

Aside from being difficult to read, you mean?

[doghasitsday]

If you have trouble reading, I'm afraid that's your failing, not mine. Do yourself a favor and look for something less strenuous to do.