The high and the low

[srwu_npc3]

[1]

"Greetings, citizens of the world."

The nature behind Lowen General's ominous statement now reveals itself. Major news sites and channels are all simultaneously hijacked by a video feed showing a woman - no, not just any woman. The Chimera leader.

"My name is Edel Bernal, an ex-Major in the ESUN military. Currently I am the leader of a small group known as Chimera - but with these very words, that group is no more! No, from now on Chimera becomes an independent, political entity. We are not a country, but something greater than one. A country is determined by territory it holds. We live in an era of information, and this is what Chimera controls - information!"

"Every bit of information available online, every bit that has passed through online networks, is known by us, thanks to the power of the UN Servers. I must say, there is quite a lot of it, including important military secrets and dirty mysteries some corrupt politicians would prefer not to come to light... but bane be to them. We announce a new world order! An order where the corrupt and selfish no longer hold the population in an iron hand, an order that won't repeat mistakes and internal, self-centered politicking of ESUN. An order dedicated to truth, and good of all of mankind."

"We humbly ask you only to recognize Chimera's sovereignity. Even if stuffy officials disagree, you know the truth within your heart. As soon as time comes and nations of the world become ready, we will approach them for closer cooperation. Let us move towards a brighter future, together."

The hijack ends as abruptly as it started.
(This is a reaction/mingle prompt)

[2]

"Well. That was awkward."


"I can't believe it! He played us like a fiddle."

Toby and Denzel - or rather, their alternate versions, are angry, beaten up, and their machines are wrecked. But they're alive.


"Asakim Dowen's one piece of a shitty guy. And with everything that happened, the two of us have no choice now but to apologize. This is still a strange world to us, a lot is familiar but so much is different. But one thing for sure. We'll find a way to make up for everything."


"Yeah! It's a promise. I swear on my status as a Glory Star member. I mean, our side's Glory Stars. Looks like you had your own set, too..."

Comments

[totallyhonest]

Oh man, so you're like, from alternate earth, who is similar with this earth, but also different?

So... what difference do you notice between our earth and yours? Do people eat spiders but consider lobsters pest there? Do you put coffee as dangerous and addictive substance and criminalize its possession? Is public nudity legal and common?

[glorystargo]

"Yeah, nothing like that... but politically the place is much different. A lot of insurgencies and rogue factions fighting each other."

1

[prismphantom]

... Well played Edel. Well played.

[Selena is brooding in front of a television screen, looking mighty scowl-y.]

You have to get up fairly early in the morning to pull a fast one on me, but your womanhater certainly knew how to keep up an act for a long time.

1

[dignity_kept]

That is rather more ambitious a doublecross than I had expected.

[The voices sound rather deapan]

2

[actuallyselfish]

"'Sup, Denzel?" A beaten-up, puffy-haired Dido says.

Re: 2

[actuallyselfish]

"No. Sorry, Sorry," Dido says, glancing away from Denzel and Toby. "You're completely different peoplel I shouldn't be projecting our former friends onto you."

[totallyhonest]

Really? That doesn't sounds like a difference. We also have a lot of insurgencies and rogue factions fighting each other.

So, what factions are fighting against what there? IS the United Soviets fighting American Union? Is the New Revolutionary Earth fighting Space United Nations Army? Is the Martian Federation fighting Unknown Enemy that turned to be failed colonizer who call themselves Carnavors?

2

[a_centered_mind]

Glad to see that you're both safe.

I know you're not the same two that this group knew, but things would've gotten worse for Setsuko if something happened to you.

2

[cloningblues]

Well, it's good you two saw reason. We really aren't each other's enemy's here.

...So, in your world... Setsuko doesn't exist?

[glorystargo]

"There's that special anti-insurrection force, but once you get to know them they're kinda..."


"No need to bore her with the details Toby. Before you start talking, do some basic research... looks like out of the two, this one is the weirder world."

[glorystargo]

"Afraid so. Sorry, but we've never met until the fight."


"You sure, Chief? Maybe you just don't remember it, after a drunken binge..."


"Just like you won't remember anything after I give you a concussion, you low-pay jester?"

[glorystargo]

"Trust me, I'm glad I'm safe too."


"Setsuko - who is she, really? Dowen didn't paint a good picture but I know he was lying now."

[glorystargo]

"Nope. It's just the the two of us."

"..."

Both the Glory Stars are awkwardly silent. But finally Denzel admits...


"There used to be a third guy. Used to. Not Setsuko - I'd notice."

[a_centered_mind]

I wasn't in this group when your counterparts of this world were around, so I didn't get to meet them in person. But over here, Setsuko's the third member of the Glory Stars.

That's why she didn't want to fight you if she could help it.

[glorystargo]

"That's one thing that's different. It's obvious by now, but there wasn't a Setsuko on our side. How long was she a member?"

[a_centered_mind]

Unfortunately, I don't know when she became a part of the Glory Stars. But according to a friend of mine, she was around with this world's version of the both of you since they joined the Unity Group.

That was slightly more than a year ago.

2

[a_linear_mind]

If you don't mind, I'd like to ask what exactly happened when you first arrived on our crazy world here.

[glorystargo]

"Chief and I, the two of us came under attack almost immediately. Some kind of giant crystal monsters - and they were tough too."


"It pains to admit but if that black bastard didn't show up to help us, we'd be goners."

[glorystargo]

"A year ago..."


"Another thing that's different in this world, eh Chief?"

[actuallyselfish]

Dido snorts. "Okay, talk like that is what makes it difficult to tell apart from Mirror-Denzel and Mirror-Toby."

Her smile fades. "Is it the same for you?" She asked. "Are there mirror-versions of people in your universe showing up here at the UG?"

[a_linear_mind]

I don't suppose they looked like this did they?

[Willis pulls up a photo of the Crystal Chimaera on his cellphone to show the the Alternate Glory Stars.]

Re: 1

[majestic_keiki]

Or maybe insane. What kind of person thinks you can take over the world just using blackmail on politicians like that?

[glorystargo]

"Afraid not. I don't recognize anyone I saw today. But then, there's no UG on our side to begin with."

[glorystargo]

"How did you know?"

[a_centered_mind]

It looks like you two have quite a lot to take in. So, I'll leave you to it for now.

[Pause.]

Ah, that friend of mine may come around to speak to you, too. He knew this world's version of you, after all.