[Totally unlocked so the whole crew can see, after the clones are dumped at the hotel]

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

Nightwing, they branded us! They freaking branded us!

[ooc: warning for swearing in comments. Please read this post for the plot timeline before commenting.]

Comments

[ruffntumblenut.livejournal.com]

Branded? Like...as in livestock?

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

Like freakin' cattle! Goddamn holographic whatevers on our foreheads.

[not-edd.livejournal.com]

Well, then! We know who to eat when we run out of food!

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

You'll get to eat my fist the next time I see you.

[itsaboutaction.livejournal.com]

Wait, branded?!

Kon, what happened?

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

To be precise, Kanner led us away from the group, insinuating that there was something vitally important he needed to share with us discreetly. We were taken to the Central Processing Center, during which time all of our questions about where we were going or what the Center was for were either deflected or ignored, and then told that this society runs on the labor of cloned individuals manufactured solely for the purpose of being slaves, and that what he wanted from us was our assistance in putting down the resistance movement formed by those clones to protest their lot.

Then he had all our powers nullified and our communications devices blocked out, tied us down, and branded us with holographic markers. He refused our requests to be taken to the Captain rather than branding us, claiming that our presence here was implicit consent to this treatment.

Apparently, we are also not permitted to wander anywhere except for specially designated areas without escort.

[light swearing]

[moms-temperment.livejournal.com]

Branded? Like... Branded branded?

What the crap man!? Who did it!?

Re: [light swearing]

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

Kanner. The Councilman giving us our "tour."

[changelingdude.livejournal.com]

Dude...what? Was that part of your mission?

...wait, how would someone even brand you? You've got like, superdude skin. That stuff doesn't mark that easy does it?

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

No! They freakin' tricked us. And they had a way of making me weak. They probably knew from the scans they took of us at the beginning.

[goddamnwingman]

[It's probably a good thing that these don't do voice, because Dick is INCENSED.]

Where are you at, Kon?

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

The hotel. Kanner teleported us here right after before we could beat his face in.

[8wings.livejournal.com]

Hellsrot! This is one of THOSE planets.

Someone needs to review everything we know about Galilee laws, to make sure the law doesn't say they get to KEEP any clones who visit.

How could Stacy not warn us?!

[carrieswar.livejournal.com]

They've got another thing coming if they think they're keeping anyone.

[i-saw-myself.livejournal.com]

As much as I hate saying this in the face of what you've been through, everyone here needs to calm down. We can't go punching foreign dignitaries in the face. We're already in one war, we don't need to start another.

Beyond that, we have an opportunity here. They treated our crew members badly. That means that we have some leverage for political maneuvering. We might be able to wrangle getting some of their technology from them sheerly on the basis that they seriously messed up the diplomatic process by infringing on the rights of our crew.

This isn't directed at you or the other clones, Superboy--you have every right in the world to be furious--but I think everyone in general needs to take a deep breath and start looking at all our options rather than wanting to storm in and knock some heads around. We need to deal with this calmly and very, very carefully.

[ruffntumblenut.livejournal.com]

...Odin's ass why did they send me down here? You're the one who should be down here! Being all smart sounding and talky.

[thewunderkind]

[Oh doesn't this bring back good memories.]

Right on the forehead? Ouch. Although they would want it viewable and not someplace where it could be hidden by a piece of clothing...

This does explains the unusual amount of twins we saw in the streets. Nice how they kept this clone 'detail' out when we were sight-seeing.

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

They skirted around it the entire time... up until they had us right where they wanted us. That's not the behavior of someone who supposedly believes we already knew what they did to 'clones'.

[GDIT ZOUICHI IS NOT EVEN A CLONE]

[vissernone.livejournal.com]

That. Is. Sickening.

And also revolting politics. But mostly sickening.

so pissed right now

[zouichi.livejournal.com]

You're telling me.

They branded a little boy.

[badassfreakingoverlord]

You know, when we get their sweet medical technology, we can undo that. So take one for the team. Is your forehead having a mark on it for a while really more important than saving the lives of the crew if we have a bad run-in with something nasty?

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

It's not just about the freakin' mark, you moron, it's about the fact they don't see us people. And we're from a party of foreign dignitaries. They do this to their own people, and apparently Nightwing says they want us to help put down the rebellion of clones trying to fight that?

Screw that. We should be helping them.

No, there's nothing coherent here at first, Alastirra dropped her omnicomm.

[alastirra.livejournal.com]

[alastirra.livejournal.com]

Are you at least all physically well? Despite--everything?

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

They didn't hurt us beyond that. It's only the whole dehumanizing and denigrating us thing that's a problem.

[on_errantry]

I agree with Hiccup - it's important that we use this. Be angry, refuse to meet or negotiate for a day or so. Make it very clear to them that what they did to our crew is unacceptable. By the time we meet with them again, they'll be desperate to give us what we want.

They put the claws out first, but they don't have the power in this situation.

[hit-girl-mindy.livejournal.com]

Pfft. Knew they were hiding something. Shit that's too good to be true probably IS.

So what does being "branded" entail?

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

They restrained us, depowered us through various ways, tattooed our foreheads with needles, and now we have some kind of holographic projection on our foreheads that we can't cover up. We'll probably need surgery to get rid of them to remove whatever's doing it.

[kandrakar-heart.livejournal.com]

What do you mean they branded you?

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

See here (http://trans-channel.livejournal.com/357401.html?thread=6886681#t6886681).

[thewunderkind]

Okay then genius, suppose that we did help the clones and they got liberated. What's going to stop them from taking over the world and enslaving the others, repeating the cycle?

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

Nothing. But if we don't help enslave them, at least they have a chance and we're not helping continue the cycle of enslavement ourselves by helping the government.

[radiantcourage.livejournal.com]

After reading through the general comments, what I think people need to do is calm down and take a moment to breathe. Shouting at each other and causing conflict in areas that don't currently need it is wasting energy and time that we can use to plan at least something that will help us out in the long run.

Now, I'm not saying that enslaving people is right. In fact, personally, I think that it's hideous to do that to someone, but that's beside the point now. Perhaps what's needed is to give the clones the idea that they can fight back against their oppressors and that they have a mind of their own so that they can survive well enough on their own, therefore making it a small victory for the crew themselves. That, and also instill in them that the cycle of violence and misery doesn't need to continue, and they can work towards a better future.

As far as the branding goes, that's also something that's not right to happen, but what we can do is grin and bare it for now, and work towards a solution to ensure that those who were selected on the mission get out with their lives intact.

I'll reiterate my first statement again: Take a deep breath and work with what you have in order to hopefully make the best of the situation you're in. I know it sucks, but we just have to keep moving forward or else, nothing's going to be solved.

[Locked to Hoshi]

[badassfreakingoverlord]

You get free refuge in my fortress when I have to repel the 'sanctions' they're gonna hit me with.

[starlightace]

...what?

[thunder-ace.livejournal.com]

It's like the others said. They showed us where they created clones, told us their purpose, and forced us down so they could brand us. Apparently it's 'for our own safety'.

I just... I don't know what to say. Even after all the things I've seen while I was out on missions back home, I never would have thought something like this was possible...

[encourage]

Kon, can you see if everyone with you right now is okay for being checked over as soon as the rest of us from medical are back?

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

I'll ask.

[Locked to Kon]

[stupidnecklace.livejournal.com]

What?

How is that even legal? Not only did we not hear anything of it (I imagine this is on the GIA's part) you're a living, breathing, sentient being!

First thing's first, Kid. Aside from the branding, are you okay? I know you're like a mack truck now, but if they were able to hold you down... I guess I'm just worried.

Two, I'm marching down there.

[Locked to Tana]

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

It's legal according to their laws. We have no rights down here. We even need "guardians" and crap to even walk around.

And I'm okay. Pissed off, but okay.

And three, no you're not. This whole situation's a mess and you guys are still far off from us anyhow, right? Even when you get back to Galilee, stay on the ship. This situation is already looking like it's going to get dangerous as is.

[theboywhowaits]

poHWNROgjak [Nothing coherent as he rushes to write back as quick as possible WHAT?! Where are you?! Where are the others?!

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

At the hotel. We're okay. Pissed off, but okay.

[futureisclear.livejournal.com]

After scanning the comments, I must echo calls for calm and clear thinking. Options must be examined properly.

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

We're not going to fly off and do anything stupid, but we are going to yell and be pissed.

[seasindorei.livejournal.com]

I suggest you calm down. This technology we can gain is vastly more important than any crew member's personal feelings or fragile ego being damaged. It is only a temporary measure.

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

Oh my god, you people are Grade-A morons. It's not just about what they did to us, it's about the fact they want us to help perpetuate slavery.

Are you people all dense?

[noboothneeded.livejournal.com]

Okay, those of you who're telling the folks who got branded to just suck it up and aren't looking beyond the shiny and admittedly useful technology? You're the ones sent to negotiate? Even if there hadn't been clone slavery, I wouldn't even trust you with haggling for a car.

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

We're not foreign dignitaries, so they don't have to kiss our butts is what it basically comes down to.