Conversation · Sunday Friend

"Cool. I guess we'll handle it from here."

"Very good. Now was there anything else you'd like to discuss?"

"Actually, I think it was way worse than that. Like, corporate espionage."

"...hypothetically speaking."

"I'm trying to form a committee to assign la responsabilité."

"My friend, if it's la responsabilité you're after, I have good news for you: There's no need to form such a committee, because it already exists!"

"The Comité de Responsabilité de Revachol. It acts as a sort-of clearinghouse for Coalition activities. To put it simply, they are the ultimate arbiters of la responsabilité in this part of the world."

Yes, this is just the sort of reasonable authority you're looking for!

"I would offer to connect you with the committee myself, but alas, I am not actually in Martinaise."

What? Where is he, then?

You knew there was something strange about this one! He's an astral projection, a phantasm!

He's speaking figuratively. He means he's not in Martinaise in his official capacity.

"I got it. You're only here on personal business."

"Précisément. Officially I am still in La Delta, preparing for an upcoming conference on fuel oil derivatives..."

"That's why it would be extremely irregular, or potentially even inappropriate for me to intercede with the Committee concerning a district I'm not officially in."

"Are you saying I should just give up?"

"I don't mean to discourage you, of course, just to say that it won't be easy to reach the Committee."

Not exactly a model of accessible and accountable governance...

"But if you have information of a vital interest, they might be willing to entertain an exception. In which case, I would advise you to contact them via Coalition Warship Archer."

"So how does one go about contacting a Coalition warship?" (Proceed.)

"This is quite the problem, very tricky. Of course, the Archer has orders to fire on any unidentified aerostatics that might approach it, so it might be safer to get in touch from the ground..."

"But in that case, you would require a radio transmitter capable of broadcasting on Coalition frequencies. And that kind of technology naturally isn't typically available for non-Coalition use. Yes, it is a bit of a conundrum."

"I suppose there might be some way to circuit-bend your way onto those frequencies, but you'd have to be one of those techno-tinkerers to do it."

"Do you know any of these tinkerers?"

"Unfortunately not, no, I don't have the pleasure. I am merely a representative of the Coalition Government, not very well-versed in technology..."

"Hmmm, sounds like something that programmer we met in the church might be able to help with..."

"Let me just say that I have complete confidence in the RCM. I'm sure you'll figure something out."

This sounds like something that programmer you met in the church might help with...

"Hmmm, perhaps your young friends in the tent might be of assistance?"

Perhaps your new friends in the tent might be able to help you?

"Oh, good: 'Techno-tinkerers.' Just what this side task was missing..."

You will figure it out. Something tells you the person you're looking for is already on this coast...

"So what am I supposed to do?"

"That, my friend, is your responsabilité. I cannot take it from you, nor can you delegate it to someone else..."

"Is that... legal?"

"Unauthorised circuit-bending is a very serious matter with grave security implications, but as of the moment there is no specific law forbidding it, in Revachol at least..."

"Why do I need to go through Archer to speak to the Committee?"

"You see, in addition to being an airborne artillery platform, Coalition Warship Archer is also the linchpin of the Coalition's surveillance and communications infrastructure in Revachol."

"Hold on, it's watching us, too?"

"And listening! It has the most objective vantage point in the entire city. Not to mention a vast array of radio, photographic, and meteorological monitoring instruments."

"I find it a great comfort to know there are benevolent powers watching over all, in strict accordance with the Wayfarer Act and the Bristelmüne Conventions."

The Bristelmüne Conventions are a series of international agreements governing the treatment of military personnel and civilians in theatres of war as well as occupied territories. In practice, they are more talked about than observed.

"Wait, what's Coalition Warship Archer?"

"Officer? You mean to say you haven't noticed the giant Coalition aerostatic peacefully patrolling the skies over Revachol?"

You look out the window toward the north. There, hanging some distance above the horison, you can just make out a strange silhouette...

It looks, to your eye, like some kind of long, metallic fish, suspended beneath a number of ceiling fans...

Not just any fish, it moves like some ancient bottom-feeder gliding over the ocean floor in search of prey...

Don't let the paintjob fool you, it's a goddamn killing machine, and there's nothing you can do to stop it!

It's about four-and-a-half kilometres from your position, you estimate.

"It's amazing. An inspiring symbol."

"Isn't it? A triumph of both technical ingenuity and international cooperation. I, for one, feel much safer knowing it's up there, watching all of us."

"It looks like a killing machine."

"Well, of course it is a heavily armed and armoured warship with a full complement. But I assure you its purpose in Revachol is to keep the peace, not disturb it."

"It looks like a fish."

"Fascinating. I always thought it was more like a dragonfly. But isn't it interesting how humanity always finds inspiration in nature?"

"Huh. Can't believe I never noticed it before."

"That is part of the idea, of course. The Coalition doesn't want the people of Revachol to feel that they are under a military occupation. That is why the Archer is always careful to maintain a constant, discreet distance."

You look around, but you don't see anything unusual. Then again, your eyes aren't the sharpest...

"Oh, right. The Archer. I thought you said... something else."

"Ah, well, I'm glad to hear that at least. It would really be quite unusual for you to have never noticed it before..."