Launch of The Enterprise

[emet_sulk]

Type: Video
Sender ID: emet_sulk
To: Public
Subject: Launch of The Enterprise
Warnings: None

[ Another video by Emet-Selch, but this one is purposeful. The video shows a brand new ship in the dock of the Adamantine Forge. Unlike the first, this one has been built to accommodate its magitech engine from the very beginning. While it mostly resembles a sailing ship, it has elements of more advanced ship design to it: more metal joints and fixtures than usual towards the base where the engine sits, and a sail with the ability to drawn in latent aether and keep the ship powered.

On its side is its name painted boldly: THE ENTERPRISE.

There's a large turn-out for this launch. More than the test-run of its prototype. All the people who worked to build this thing in such a short time, the investor who funded the project, and whoever else decided to sticky-beak when they saw the commotion - it would be difficult for the shellphone to capture if it wasn't somehow floating above the crowd.

And it IS certainly floating on its own: because Emet-Selch is at the rear of the ship to officially send it off into the open sea. For once, the elder mage actually looks every inch a dignitary as he speaks into a hovering, magical orb which magnifies the volume of his voice to those listening. ]

Thank you all for coming together to celebrate the launch of The Enterprise. 'Twas truly a magnificent effort from all of our artisans and engineers over the past few moons. Today marks what I hope will be a significant leap forward in the field of magitech development and research. I won't bore you with some grandiose speech about dreams or aspirations - I shall simply say that anything is possible when like-minded individuals work together. I hope those of you who choose to remain affiliated with the Forge - and even those of you who do not - keep that ethos in your hearts.

[ With that, he waves the orb away. Because this ship can sail under its own power, what better way to demonstrate its prowess than to eschew the traditional bottle shattering and let it start on its own? Emet-Selch raises a finger and shoots magical sparks into the air, which is the signal for the captain and his crew to set sail.

There are cheers as the magitech engine quietly roars into life. The ship slowly eases out of the dock into the open ocean, crew members waving to those left on dry land. For those physically present, The Enterprise will sail around Eltrut before making its way to Atnam, where its new home will be with RAY, the free traders.

The video, however, ends once the ship is out of sight. ]


(ooc: Responders are welcome to reply via network or by ACTION.)

Comments

probably actually there tbh

[makoglow]

[ That almost sounds like an enthusiastic speech from the creaky old man. Cloud does his best not to look too amused at the sight of it.

But he's not doing a very good job of that at all. ]

"Like-minded," huh?

[ Cloud had just been interested in the engines, lbr. ]

[emet_sulk]

[ With eyes no longer on him and his phone recording the ship's circuit as it leaves the dock rather than himself, Emet-Selch shrugs. All that energy and congenial attitude faded fast, away from the spotlight. ]

'Tis the least one can hope for. Knowledge, once spread, cannot be so easily contained. It falls to those who have it to use it wisely.

[makoglow]

So you're just going to set things up for people to just figure out if they're going to use it wisely.

[ He's mostly just curious. Seems a little irresponsible. ]

What if they aren't actually ready for it?

[emet_sulk]

[ He shoots the younger man a tired, vaguely irritable look. ]

Shall I become a dictator then? Shall I throttle their creativity and innovation and direct it in the way I see fit? I could, you know - and it wouldn't even have to be with an iron fist. I could make these people worship me and they would fall over themselves to follow my guidance.

[ Massaging his temple with the knuckle of one thumb, he mutters: ]

I'm tired of meddling. Why should it be my responsibility to correct man's course when it errs?

[makoglow]

Not exactly what I'm saying. Personally, you don't strike me as someone who wants to be worshiped or anything like that.

[ Cloud gives a shrug. Emet-Selch can look irritable all he wants. Not going to bother Cloud at all. ]

I just think it's everyone's responsibility to correct our course. Whether you like it or not, right now you're one of us.

[emet_sulk]

[ A resigned yet exasperated sigh. ]

My dear boy: in my many long years, I have found that man is often unrepentingly, inescapably stupid when it comes to acting in humanity's best interests.

[ Turning his gaze tiredly to the ship. ]

Even if they are not ready for this technology, 'tis too late. They have tasted this marvel and they will hunger for more. Man will always...always look to the stars and yearn to fly.

[makoglow]

[ Wow. Has he graduated from "boy" to dear boy? Cloud has no words. And, honestly? It's not like he disagrees. People are incredibly stupid. But that doesn't change what he believes either - that all people should be able to take responsibility and make a change. ]

Not saying you're wrong. There's always going to be people that won't think to push the limits beyond what will help everyone else. Then there's going to be those that do. Sometimes they think they're doing the right thing. Other times it's for selfish reasons.

[ He thinks of Cid and his wanting to touch the stars. Of Shinra who only wanted control and power, but pressed the narrative that many believed - that they were bettering lives. And then Hojo - who did things only because he COULD. ]

Still doesn't mean that there shouldn't also be people that hold each other accountable.

[emet_sulk]

Well... That will be up to the people of this star to decide, then. This forge creates; it doesn't adjudicate. They will have to make some governing body to monitor the proper use of magitech if they truly care about its exploitation.

[ Neither he nor the Forge has time to be doing it themselves. And it feels wrong besides. ]

The Paladins may consider themselves lawkeepers of this world but I have little faith in their integrity. Not a few will bend the law to suit their own purposes.

[makoglow]

[ Cloud hums. Honestly, not a bad idea for there to be some kind of regulatory body. Naturally they aren't prepared right now. How could they have anticipated it all, right? That new technologies would have other, staggering uses.

But it is up to this world to decide. People might return home any moment or it might take ages. Who knows. This world is built on riftfarers right? ]

I might be one but yeah. Some of them here are just as bad as the people they claim are garbage.

[emet_sulk]

[ A soft huff. ]

Well, since you've brought it up... How do you think such a neutral body should be set up? I'm curious to hear your thoughts.

[makoglow]

Me? What makes you think that I'd know how to do anything like that? I'm either just hired muscle or a delivery boy.

[ No, really. Cloud just thinks of all this stuff is better suited to a man like Reeve. He's the one that has had a huge hand in helping the world recover. Not Cloud. ]

All I can think is to put someone in charge that has the skills and can't be easily corrupted.

[emet_sulk]

[ He shrugs and crosses his arms. ]

Whilst it is true that the masses can often be foolish and easily swayed by those with malicious intent, I find that the average, level-headed individual will oft have more reasonable takeaways.

[ And it is especially important to seek opinions from those who otherwise wouldn't care, he thinks. ]

So, you believe a single, incorruptible representative to be sufficient?

[makoglow]

And you're calling me an average, level-headed individual?

[ Cloud might be a little more down to earth. But the quick, subtle grin he flashes says that he is just. Sort of teasing. Because that could almost sound like a complement.

As for a single person... ]

If you had met Reeve, you wouldn't be surprised. The guy was around the worst of the worst and somehow he's still just. A genuinely good guy.

[emet_sulk]

[ Cloud, at least, isn't a reckless, bullheaded muscleman! ]

Interesting. But how many good men of such caliber have you met? And of those, how many would desire a position of leadership?

[makoglow]

Reeve didn't really go looking for it. He just kind of stepped in when our world really needed someone to.

[ So, no. He wouldn't say that Reeve desired a leadership position. Reeve just. Had been the person to step up. ]

I think that's the type of person that is best for it. Not the one who would actually want the leadership role or looks for it. But I don't know that I've met that many people out there that are like Reeve.

[emet_sulk]

[ He shrugs a shoulder as if to say, "See?". ]

As you say, such capable individuals are few and far between. In my opinion, a council is better. Several heads are less corruptible than one, and any foolish ideas will be cut down before they can implemented.

'Tis not perfect, but I've yet to find a better solution.

[makoglow]

What happens when the council only cares about their own agendas? When they play politics with one another to the point where they lose sight of the important things?

[ Just asking! ]

[emet_sulk]

Then the people depose them.

[ He says it frankly, brutally. ]

They aren't kings. Their terms aren't lifelong. Have the people pick a representative from every social strata with the knowledge that they are expected to act in their best interests.

[makoglow]

And if the people don't have the power to?

[ Since that is sort of what happened on his end... People really didn't have much choice but to go along with what Shinra wanted. ]

Though maybe it might be different here...

[emet_sulk]

[ He laughs softly, shaking his head. ]

The people always have power. 'Tis only a matter of whether they've been made to believe otherwise.

[ If every man, woman, and child got it into their heads to overturn the existing system of government, no force on the star could stop them. No, the only thing stopping them is their own self. Emet-Selch, for all his disdain of the mortal races, knows this is a fundamental truth: that a collective will can trump even the most depraved despot. ]

[makoglow]

[ Cloud hums. Thoughtful. Given what he's seen? Yeah, there's definitely some truth to that. Not sure how he feels about it being told to him by this guy. But it is what it is. ]

Well. If you need help around the place you know where to find me.

[emet_sulk]

Aye. My thanks again for the help you offered throughout the project. I haven't forgotten about your suggestion.

[ Goodness gracious though, he's gone from having no goals to suddenly having several requests...

He will wave Cloud off though if the man is leaving. There are still people Emet-Selch has to flatter before the launch party winds down. ]

Text / un; Enterprise

[lucky_e]

[Sir... hello? Sir...???]

Aha, I had no clue that name was so popular!

[She's in full lmfao mode. This makes... three(?) Enty's here now?

She's spreading. God help you all.]

[emet_sulk]

This is the Forge's first significant enterprise. It seemed an appropriate name.

[ He hopes Mid doesn't mind him using it. He has seen a lot of Enterprises. ]

[lucky_e]

[She is so dang flattered at all the Enterprise's now. Gosh.]

What made you choose it?

[It must be because that (read: her) name's reputation precedes it!

[emet_sulk]

Nostalgia, I suppose. I had a few names to choose from but I felt like 'The Invincible' would be asking for it to be sabotaged within its first moon of operation.

[lucky_e]

Usually calling something invincible or unsinkable invites the complete opposite of the ship's namesake, yes. Nostalgia though, did you have another ship with that name?

[YET ANOTHER ENTERPRISE!? Goodness, here she thought the world might only be able to handle one of her!]

[emet_sulk]

Not mine. It was one of the favoured names of an inventor I knew across several lifetimes. Considering this recent 'endeavour', shall we say, I decided to name it thus in their memory.

[ She'd be ecstatic to meet the other Cids and their ships. ]

[lucky_e]

For a friend then. I can understand that. But I am still surprised to see it being used here repeatedly!

[She just finds it funny is all.]

Synchronicity is a little odd sometimes.

[emet_sulk]

It isn't so strange when a soul reincarnates over the ages. Core ideas and memories linger even beyond death, though the soul may not realise it.

action!!

[gruffier]

[ Hearing talks of this ship from both Cid and Mid had Clive curious through the entire process, though with his severe lack of knowledge in anything pertaining to magitech, he thought it best to let the experts handle it.

Still, standing here gazing at its completion not only filled him with a sense of awe, but remembrance, as well. It didn't look quite like the one Mid had designed at home, but the similarities did cause him to smile. ]

It's a fine ship. You should be proud of the milestone you accomplished today.

[emet_sulk]

[ Once all eyes have turned away from him, much of the congenial charm Emet-Selch used to make his speech seems to fade. He nods politely to Clive - he remembers the man who allowed him to adopt a chocobo hatchling. ]

It occurred to me afterwards that the young lady, Mid, may not appreciate me using 'The Enterprise' for a name. It quite slipped my mind since 'tis a common name for an inaugral airship where I come from.

[ That's one way of putting it. ]

[gruffier]

[ Oh boy... did he get in argument with Mid? That's one battle Clive always seems to lose at. ]

Mid means well, however passionate she may be. She built a ship too with the same name, being her first along with her father's unfinished work.

[emet_sulk]

Aye, she mentioned that briefly in our collaborations. I intended it to be an homage to another inventor I once knew but I suppose it lingered in the back of my mind.

[ He glances out amongst the crowd, wondering if she's hear to watch the launch as well. ]

Well... She doesn't seem the type to hold a grudge, but I shall apologise for appropriating the name when next I see her. And if she follows through with her aspirations of building an airship...

[ He'll just have to help her think of an even better name, right? ]

[gruffier]

Another inventor? You must all be of the same mind, coming up with a name like that together.

[ Or maybe it was just popular? Clive had never heard of it before Mid mention the name before. ]

She won't hold a grudge. Just don't test her temper. [ Because that's when you'll really get it. ] But I've no doubt she will one day make one, and I'm sure she would appreciate the help from someone already so experienced.

[emet_sulk]

[ He chuckles dryly. Oh, this man has no idea... ]

I'll be sure to remain on her good side. Air travel would be quite the pleasant alternative for those who are easily seasick, but will require quite a bit of work to establish.

[gruffier]

Quite the length you're willing to take to ail a bit of sickness. I'm sure they would thank you regardless.

[emet_sulk]

Indeed. And once it happens, they can also thank me when they fall out of the sky instead.

[ That was a joke. Maybe. ]

But I do have other, more practical reasons for wanting to see the advent of air travel. I'm sure even you can imagine how much quicker freight travels when terrain does not impede its progress.

[gruffier]

[ Jokes? Clive is almost surprised. A good surprise, nonetheless! ]

I can see the benefits, sure, but would much rather keep my feet to the ground. Though flying for the first time was an experience I shouldn't soon forget.

[ Which makes him wonder... ] You've spoken as if you've flown before.

[emet_sulk]

The people of my star have discovered and rediscovered airships over the centuries. At their peak, one civilisation even managed to breach the atmosphere of our own star.

That said, I'm capable of flying on my own. I need no man-made airship.

[gruffier]

[ The look of surprise is very evident on Clive's face, and it scrunches even attempting to envision as world like that. ]

Might be harder to ferry seasick rafters on your own. [ Jokes. He also has them. ] But I've come to realize there are stars far more advanced than my own here. Yours notably being one of them.

[emet_sulk]

[ The attempt at a joke earns another light chuckle and a sidelong look. ]

My star has a...complicated history. I suppose you could say it is advanced. One could also say that it has regressed. Mid mentioned something about 'Fallen' - a precursor civilisation of some sort, I presume? I didn't question her too deeply as we had other matters of import to discuss at the time.