text @advictoriam [open]

[bleedingsteel]

[Multiple test posts happened before this one, only to be deleted shortly after. Now he has the hang of this.]

Good afternoon.

This technology is new to me, though I have perused the remainder of the network to assume the correct format and protocol. I apologize for any mistakes or violations of etiquette I've made in the course of this message.

[Good grief.]

I'm a recent arrival. My name is Danse. I have taken up residence in what appears to be an abandoned fueling station and garage, located near the village.

I have what some might call a knack for machines. My time thus far has been spent tinkering with what's available at the garage, but I have also mounted several small expeditions around the area in search of scrap. I am interested in acquiring any "junk" you may have, to provide me with parts and components. I would also like to learn more about the technology present here, and I would like to study any pieces you may have. In exchange for the opportunity, I will do my best to repair or restore it for you.

I am also a capable soldier, if you are in need of a reliable backup for an expedition.

In any case, I wish to prove an asset to the community, and hope that my utility outweighs any inconvenience or discomfort my presence will cause. Please contact me if you have any need of my services, or any junk you kindly wish to donate.

Thank you for your time.

Comments

[bleedingsteel]

[OMG A COMMIE]

I beg your pardon, what does "styled Zihuan" mean?

[pure_havoc]

[that's emperor to you!]

It is my style name. I am accustomed to introducing myself that way, forgive me if it seems awkward. You may refer to me as Cao Pi, though my title is King of Wei.

[bleedingsteel]

[Yeah, emperor of the commies.]

I'm unfamiliar with the concept of a style name.

Would you prefer your name, or your title?

[pure_havoc]

[the difference 1900 years makes?]

Well, the title would be customary, but I do recognize that in a place like this, we don't always have the luxury of adhering to proper protocols. I can hardly raise an eyebrow if someone wishes to be more familiar.

[bleedingsteel]

I'm a soldier, sir. I'm very comfortable with protocol. [To a slightly worrying degree, even.] I will call you whatever your preference is.

[pure_havoc]

[honestly it says a lot that even after a year he still hasn't dropped formalities with all but maybe two people]

Very well, then. Lord Cao Pi it is. Have you a rank, Master Danse? Courtesy for courtesy.

[bleedingsteel]

[Any pause between that last message and this one is definitely not caused by Danse staring at a wall in complete misery for an unknown length of time.]

Unfortunately, I don't. Not anymore. The courtesy is noted and appreciated, however.

[pure_havoc]

[oho, touched on a tragic backstory, have we? Noted.]

Courtesies and protocols kept up even the in the face of unspeakable horrors and long odds are what separates us from the beasts. It will be a long time before I forget how to deal with other people.

[bleedingsteel]

[Ask in person and watch his soul get destroyed. If only filthy machines had souls...]

Well said, Lord Cao Pi. I agree on all counts.

Can you tell me a little about your previous excursion to this station? What manner of hostiles you encountered, if any? I'd like to be prepared well in advance of your mission.

[pure_havoc]

I can do one better. I have a document compiled by Lady Lorem which covers the briefings we all gave at a meeting earlier this month. She was kind enough to send it to me afterward, I will pass it along.

[the document will be auto-translated by the tablet and thank god for that because he already translated into Han Chinese for himself. Lorem's original copy should suffice and covers everything Javert, Matt, Soldat, Rosinante and Cao Pi reported]

[bleedingsteel]

Outstanding.

I will review the material and prepare accordingly. Please let me know about any planning or preparation you'd like to do before your mission.

[pure_havoc]

Be up to date on what we have termed 'green-eyed spirits' and what they can do, as they are the most likely foe to face down there. That said, what weapon do you favor?

[bleedingsteel]

I am specially trained in the use of power armor and laser rifles. I have my rifle, but unfortunately only two fusion cells to reload it with. My search for more conventional firearms turned up fruitless.

I will make do with what's available, but I would vastly prefer a firearm.

[pure_havoc]

[W H A T

okay no thankfully he knows full well what firearms are, and then some; watching the Date rifles and cannons was one thing, but seeing all the fun stuff they raided from the armory was quite another]

You are in luck, we have conventional firearms aplenty, though ammunition may be harder to come by. I will ask Commander Rosinante and Inspector Javert what they have on hand. There may also be a few still down below at the station.

What luck. I do prefer the sword myself but I can hardly argue against the usefulness of firearms. They are so very convenient and fast.

[bleedingsteel]

That would be greatly appreciated. I am making do with a modified swatter, but up close and personal is not my preferred position in a fight.

It would be ideal if I could find more fusion cells, but they don't seem to exist here. Nor does power armor. I was told it may be possible to fetch them from the place I came from, somehow, but the mechanics of that are beyond my understanding.

[pure_havoc]

It is, I have yet to fully test it myself but at the very least, there is a way to make requests. My request for wine came through perfectly fine, so it seems to work. I have decided to leave the 'how' to those in the know and simply accept that it does.