deernet | Video; un: darkness

[The video turns on and it's everyone's not-so-favorite Sith Lord. He looks better than he did upon arrival though he wears the usual expression of just barely contained fury he's known for. Sitting next to him is a creature that might be the stuff of human nightmares given how they're all teeth. They could have easily been mistaken for a monster in this place were it not for the fact they're remaining perfectly still, Maul's right hand resting along their back.

If you're all done fooling around with these devices like the children half of you are, perhaps we can turn our attention to more serious matters. Oh, and for those of you who had hoped I wouldn't find my way here, so sorry to disappoint.

[Though he sounds anything but.]

For one, I recall a lot of bleating about organizing a government and such during your charming little witch hunt of me. I assume for most you that was all talk but surely there has to be a few enterprising souls that were serious. If so, let us talk more. I am most curious given I have some experience with running an entire planet. [Venge, the Maalraas sitting by Maul, paws him gently.] Oh and has anyone else found themselves suddenly with an animal companion?

[Then, having blithely insulted a good three-fourths of the population, the video is turned off.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[The Omni appears to be propped on a corner table, showing a view of what looks like a a parlor hearth as Wesker, still clad in the piratical garb he'd stolen off some fellows who'd appeared to have escaped from Davy Jones's locker, endeavors to light the wood piled for a fire, using a flint and steel.]

I think it's presumptive for us the Sleepers to even consider forming our own government in this place, when most of us have recently arrived and the natives might already have their own form of government.

[He tries again - crack-crack-crack- sparks flicking among the tinder. No luck yet, but he's trying.]

For all we know, the Pthumerians who dwell here might be the rulers of this world.

[Crack-crack-crack - finally a spark hits the tinder and a tiny plume of smoke curls up. He leans down and blows on the tinder, which slowly starts to smolder.]

And while I'm on it, in my experience, governments, at least the democratic form of it, tend to lead to politics and I can't think of another more useless human activity. I may be biased: I worked in law enforcement under a police chief who was better at politics than enforcing the law. He couldn't govern his own behavior or enforce the law on himself. And I say this as a man who's unafraid to shed blood, if it serves a greater purpose.

[He leans down and blows on the tinder again. Speaking of hot air...]

Better to get a start on things than wait for all the little shaaks to start bleating the next time something happens they're powerless to stop.

[He watches with amusement as Wesker attempts to light the fire. Venge lets out a light sound that might be a laugh though it's hard to tell.]

The Pthumerians have always seemed to see us as little ants. I doubt they're much interested in the petty day to day affairs that govern our little minds.

Then perhaps we should just do the least complicated form of government: a dictatorship and be done with it.

[And no, he is not joking.]

I take it shaaks are your world's answer to a wooly-coated herbivore known as sheep in my world of origin?

I suppose at times, I overstudy the board, but I've seen what happens when I act on impulse.

[More work with the flint and steel, on a different bundle of tinder, resulting in more smoldering and smoke. A small brown weasel with a faint white radiance about its eyes scurries into view. Despite its size, the critter tries puffing on the smoldering tinder.]

I can't vouch for other species since I haven't a large enough sample to observe. But humans, in my experience, are such chaotic and willful creatures, they need to be watched over by living gods. If they could allow themselves to evolve, perhaps they wouldn't run their own civilizations into ruin. Perhaps my opinion will change, but the Pthumerians or something like them might seem the ideal keepers for them.

[He leans down again to blow on the smoldering tinder. Finally some small flames start to flick up from the tinder, startling the weasel, which skitters back. He sits back on his heels, fetching some bits pf kindling to slide into the flames.]

Yes, very much so. Shaaks are large round herbivores bred for their hide and meat. They don't have much in the way of intelligence and stay together in herds.

[So it definitely wasn't a compliment Maul was paying people when he compared the populace to them.]

Assuming the Pthumerians actually want to rule with equanimity and a just hand. Most of those in Deerington didn't exactly show themselves to be the benevolent sort of rulers.

[He was thinking specifically of Mother Superior and the Pthumerian Queen, two that he would have loved to have gotten his hands on again if only to make their lives evermore miserable.]

Who is the little furry companion you have helping you there?

Odd thing about sheep: they might be wooly-headed creatures, yet they have enough intelligence to differentiate faces, even the faces of persons, making them stupidly loyal if one can earn their trust. Much like many people. It's a tricky flaw to exploit, but with patience and persistence, it can be done.

In time, perhaps our hosts will show their hands. Though humans in particular require a firm, perhaps even a harsh hand to keep them in line. My world of origin could have used something like them to keep humanity from continuing to misuse and abuse their planet's resources. But that's a moot point since I've left that place behind, albeit there's plenty of humans here.

[The fire has finally caught on. He slips a few larger sticks into the flames, glancing at the weasel.]

Ah, this little chap is my Omen, Cypher, a small weasel. As little as he is, his kind are fierce fighters and hunters, adept at hiding from their own predators and blitz-attacking their prey.

[The creature sits up and bows to the device. 'Hallo!' it calls to the device. It's master side-eyes it.]

Except this one is irritatingly cheerful, though polite. I suspect they project this behavior as a ruse.

Is that what you are suggesting I do? Gain the trust and loyalty of the populace here in order to gain power?

[It's food for thought at least. Maul has always been of the opinion that it's better to be feared than to be loved, but perhaps he should consider other paths as well.]

We shall see just what our hosts have in store for us. It wouldn't surprise me if they merely wanted more entertainment and were not done with us yet already.

[Maul doesn't trust the Pthumerians any farther than he could throw them.]

It looks like a furry noodle to my eyes.

[Venge lets out a chuff of laughter at the words, nodding their head towards the device by way of acknowledging the other Omen. They paw at Maul and glance towards the device.]

Oh yes. This is Venge, my Omen. They are a creature called a Maalraas from my own galaxy. Quite tough and Force-sensitive, called nighthunters on some planets.

[Not to mention very, very toothy.]

It's an idea, though it's for you to decide to utilize it or pass it by.

['Oi! I resemble that remark!' Cypher calls, tail bristling and whiskers twitching, but otherwise seems pleased with Maul's assessment. Wesker sighs soundlessly, shaking his head as if to say 'What am I going to do with this Omen?']

That noodle-like suppleness lends their kind the flexibility to twist out of an attacker's jaws. Also, they're known to hypnotize their prey by darting and twisting about in a mad war dance that leaves the creature stunned and confused until the predator lunges in for the kill. I've yet to see this little beggar in action, but so far, I've not had anything challenge me that I can't handle alone.

["Wouldn't want to go up against yer friend's pet, not when I'm only this size," the weasel comments, skittering back from the screen. Wesker, on the other hand, smirks dangerously.]

Your Omen is magnificent. [From the slight hush of awe in his voice, he's clearly impressed.] Force-sensitive: I take it that means they have some manner of what's sometimes called extra-sensory perception, in my world of origin?

I'll have to consider such an idea.

[Knowing Maul, he'll find a way to use it sooner or later. Despite his hot-headed and generally psychotic nature, he's got a brain and it works to. He hadn't had two of the cleverest people in the galaxy as his parents for nothing after all.]

What a fascinating creature. I am sure he will prove his usefulness soon if he hasn't already.

[He sounds like just the sort of creature Wesker needs to keep an eye on him and help watch his back.]

Yes. In the same way I can use the Force because I am Force-sensitive, Maalraas can use the Force as well in a limited capacity. In their case, they can use the Dark Side to cloud themselves in shadows and darkness until you can no longer see them.

[He nods to Venge who goes very still in concentration. As they focus, they seem to be getting harder and harder to see until they suddenly disappear from sight entirely. Though they are still right by Maul's side, they are invisible to the naked eye.]

Video; un: darkness

[Video][UN:A_Wesker013][CW: Police corruption discussed.]

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[CW: Misanthropy toward humans]

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((DW, you need to let people have their notifs.))

Kicks DW on your behalf!