I'm not saying that it's aliens - TAKE A LOAD OFF, LOG 2

[libraryassistants]

Who: Readers and Actors
What: Beta Story final log
When: November 28 - December 11
Where: Woodhurst (UK) and the SS Radiance (in space!), 2019
Content warnings: Please tag warnings in comment headers!

In Woodhurst:

There is quite a bit of confusion in the village as the weeks pass by- by now it is clear that some people are very much not themselves, and there are multiple theories as to why. Aliens, obviously- the really weird bit is that it’s not just certain edgy teens purporting this theory, but since there’s been some (alleged) activity previously, maybe they’ve come back! Some tourists (and perhaps some locals) have made signs of the ‘Take me with you!’ variety, mostly loitering in the town square or in the park, whenever they get chased out of one or the other.

Suffice it to say, those people aren’t being taken seriously by those in charge- though even they have to admit that something strange is going on. Prevailing theories amongst officials are ‘gas leakage’ and ‘water contamination,’ neither of which are suitable explanations but no one seems to want to think too hard on it. As a result, the friends and families of those acting out of sorts are in a strange position. Do they try to seek medical help? Wait and hope it sorts itself out? Or do they join the crowds bidding welcome to their potential alien guests, demanding their real loved ones return?

Visitors of all stripes might find themselves a bit more scrutinized, as a result. Didn’t a bunch of weird people show up just as people seemed to start changing? Readers and aliens alike had best be on their most normal behavior, or it’s possible they’ll get cornered by someone asking what’s happening, or… a fanatic who wants to be taken up into their spaceship. Some of whom have some weird questions about probes. Good luck figuring out what that’s about.

On the IMW Group Supply Ship: Radiance

Things are not all well further up in the atmosphere, either. The staff have had to deal with much more pushback than they were expecting, including some people who seemed to not enough understand the concept of mental health (which was not in the briefing- shouldn’t they have at least heard of it before?). A few cases also seem to be quite severe, involving a level of intervention that they weren’t really prepared for- but of course, they’re here, so they’re going to do the very best they can to get all the humans the help they need! Hopefully legally.

Most alarmingly, however, it seems there have been some kidnapping attempts! …Kidnapping attempts that didn’t involve them! Someone, or multiple someones, have managed to get the patients off the ship without first filling out their discharge paperwork, and that simply will not do. As a result, security is ramped up on the ship… sort of. There’s very little in the way of a security crew, after all, and it’s not like they can call in reinforcements. So mostly this means that there are some very tired counselors who have been put on hallway shifts, and everyone has been assigned a little name badge that they MUST wear at ALL TIMES.

(There are actual people guarding the shuttles now, but again… there’s only so much security. The real question is, do you really want to beat up the aliens who are just trying to help?)

To their credit, the various Group members are trying to listen to the concerns of the patients who are here… less than willingly, and are beginning to filter some cases back to the planet by request. But they are going to do it properly, which means the proper forms. A wrap up visit with their counselor, a form agreeing to be finished with treatment, a politely worded request to maybe not tell people about the aliens (it’s not an NDA, because the Group has never needed those, it’s really just a form asking if they’re going to talk about it so management can figure out how badly this is going to go). Oh, and would you mind filling out this survey about your experience?

Of course, not everyone is in a hurry to leave- or at least needs something to do while waiting for bits of paperwork to approve. All the regular classes and sessions are still going, and they even retrofitted one of the spas to have water instead of… whatever it was before. Now certified safe for humans!


[Information on what's available on the ship is in the first log; info post is here.]

Comments

[starandhope]

"The why of it is pretty simple," Min'a says. She's explained this quite often, to a number of people over the past weeks. She's not tired of it, necessarily, just that she's done it enough that it's become kind of rote.

"Everyone needs help sometimes, and we're here to provide it. It's a pilot program for your planet."

Of course, she doesn't know that he's an android - all of their patients were supposed to be human!

[obeir]

It's too bad the Interstellar Mindfulness & Wellness Group chose to bring him up to their ship instead of an actual human in need of help. But he figures it's likely safer to not draw too much attention to his true identity, which means going along with the yoga classes, the therapy sessions, and all the rest. So far it hasn't even been unpleasant; it's the closest thing to a vacation that he's ever had.

"Why do you want to help?" he wonders. "I mean you, personally."

Altruism like this is practically unheard of where he's from. It seems like the only thing humans there hate more than each other are androids.

[starandhope]

Min'a has been surprised by a lot of things on this mission. One of those things has been the number of people who don't seem to understand a desire to just... help people.

"I've always wanted to help others," she says simply. "Maybe it's just my calling. I like feeling useful, and I want to make life better where I can."

[obeir]

Liking feeling useful... that definitely strikes a chord. But whether it's his personality or due to his programming is anyone's guess — they may be one and the same.

"That's kind of you." There's a fair hint of surprise in his voice. "Is this what you normally do, then? Provide therapy? I admit I don't know how it works or what I'm supposed to do."

[starandhope]

"Of course, this is my profession," Min'a says with a smile that she hopes is welcoming and encouraging. "Usually, we start with you telling me a bit about yourself. Whatever you think would be good for me to know. And, please be aware, that everything you say in this room, stays here. You have my word."

[obeir]

Talking about himself even under normal circumstances would be daunting, but having to also filter everything through the lens of a world that has never had androids requires a level of creativity he isn't sure he possesses. It's comforting, though, that assurance of privacy. It's a luxury he hasn't been afforded before.

"I work in law enforcement," he says after a few moments of thought. Not by choice, but because he'd been literally designed for that vocation. "I guess you could say my job is my life." Due to being the property of the agency which employs him; he isn't allowed much of a life outside of it. He's always on the clock. Or was, before being brought to the Library, and now this place.

It feels strange to no longer have a clear directive. No orders to obey.

"I understand the need to feel useful."

[starandhope]

"I've always needed to feel useful to the people I care about," Min'a admits, agreeing with him. "Do you have people you care about in your life?"

[obeir]

The question has him glancing downward with a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Yes. Or I did... I'm not sure if I'll see her again."

And there's the people he's met at the Library, budding connections that might deepen with time. He'd like to have people in his life to care about, despite the danger that such attachments pose.

[starandhope]

"I have faith that you will," Min'a says - and she means it. She is nothing if not earnest in her convictions.

[obeir]

Would he be so lucky? The odds have never favoured him before and he's in completely uncharted territory now, traversing the multiverse like this with no obvious home. But the support is nonetheless comforting.

"I appreciate that. But how can you be so sure?"

[starandhope]

Min'a considers that for a moment. "Faith is about belief. Belief that we can all do whatever we want, or need, if we put our minds to it."

[obeir]

It's an intriguing concept that he's never heard framed in quite this way before. Could the power of belief even bypass programmed obedience? A dangerous thought... but he can't help wondering.

"Anything is achievable if one just believes with enough conviction? That makes it sound..." He tilts his head in a shrugging motion. "Almost like magic."

[starandhope]

"That's not entirely what I meant," Min'a says with a faint laugh. "I just mean that we are all capable of doing things if we put the effort into it. And part of putting in the effort is believing we can in the first place."

[obeir]

"Oh. That makes more sense." Maybe he should feel silly for misunderstanding, but he's too preoccupied still thinking about the more magical sounding version of belief. It's a nice thought, even if unrealistic. It brings to mind Viktor's startling transformation courtesy of the Group, which also seems almost like inexplicable magic.

"Having advanced technology doesn't hurt either," he adds. "I saw someone I know here, and your group has healed what seemed to be genetic damage. That's impressive. And kind."

[starandhope]

"Oh, well, we'd hardly let someone suffer if we could do anything to assist," Min'a says with a huff. Like that's self-evident. Which it's not, but it is to her.

[obeir]

It really isn't. Especially for someone who comes from the kind of dystopian world that K does.

"I've never encountered that kind of altruism before. Healing, therapy..." But before she gets the wrong idea: "It's— nice. But strange. Being shown kindness without anything being expected of me."

He seems to be considering something for a long moment.

"I'm surprised you'd want to help humans," he says at length. Maybe the humans from this version of 2019 Earth aren't as bad as the ones he's more familiar with.

[starandhope]

"I want to help everyone," Min'a says simply. "And humans - well, they're not having a very good time of it at the moment. Arguably, they need help more than most."

And she never shies away from a challenge.

[obeir]

"You can say that again," he replies wearily. They require more assistance than anyone could ever hope to provide, he thinks. "Doesn't help that their self-destructive tendencies seem to be innate."

'Their' and not 'our'; he's unable to actually lie about his identity, by design, but so far no one has noticed his little slips like that.

[starandhope]

"That seems relatively common across organic species, so far as I can tell," Min'a says thoughtfully. "Humans don't seem especially better or worse than many others. They just need to learn a bit more, hopefully, and they'll come around."

Ever the optimist.

"So, you've also been observing them. Can I ask why?"

Because he's clearly not human.

[obeir]

Ah. So she has noticed... It makes him a bit anxious, but it's nice to not have to pretend here.

"Part of the job. It often involves protecting them from themselves." Protecting them from their own mistreated creations when they inevitably rebel. "And anticipating their needs. Bit different from what your group is attempting, but probably about as effective."

Meaning it's hard to help a species that won't help themselves. But maybe she has a point about learning.

"First they need to be willing to learn, I think."

[starandhope]

"Yes, they do," she agrees. "And I think some of them are willing. If given the chance. But they have to have the opportunity as well."

[obeir]

"And that's where you come in. After everyone's returned to Earth, do you think your group'll keep helping them?"

He's guessing this wasn't a one-time intervention, judging by how the people in Woodhurst talk about 'aliens' and visitations. Then there's the strange talk about probing, but he's yet to understand what any of that's about.