Where Angels Dare to Trod

[unfallen]

Islington is walking along the ship.  It is a steady pace.  But slow.  If people didn't know better, It would like like It was floating or gliding.  If you run, It will walk.  If you stop, It will continue Its pace.  Never changing, never pausing.  As if by walking, it can change something about this place.

It's garments seem to be made of light itself.  As It goes along, It is humming an ancient tune: The Lyke Wake Dirge (As sung by Benedict Cumberbatch)

And that's the interesting thing about this particular Angel: It seeks neither to offer help nor the counsel of others. It is simply walking.  Perhaps It is measuring the ship, perhaps It is weighing the integrity of the people gathered.  Whatever the reason, It continues on Its journey.  Simply walking....

Comments

[unfallen]

"Help? Not in so many words."

It gestures to the crystal.

"What is that object and what is it for?"

Because shiny. It likes shiny.

[ancientstalker]

"It's a data crystal. It's used to store information."

It doesn't look Federation-standard, whatever it is. He continues his work as he responds, fingers dancing over the LCARS display.

[unfallen]

"What sort of information does it store?"

Because, interesting. It has been more or less avoiding technology. Not because It wouldn't understand, but because It's a bit old school when it comes to such things. It would rather depend on Itself.

[ancientstalker]

"Anything I can get the base code for." For example? This one stores a holodeck program. "It's a rather simple data conversion algorithim.

[unfallen]

The Angel smiles, somewhat sheepishly. "I apologise. While I am aware of different technologies that exist, I am unsure of their intricate workings. I prefer a quill and scroll myself."

And simple telephones. It does know how those work.

[ancientstalker]

"Whatever, as people say, floats your boat." He turns back to the screen. "I, however, am using this for research."

[unfallen]

"You are not native to this vessel either, I take it. Are you trying to figure out how it works?"

Seeking a way home? If It weren't so glad to not be destroyed, It might be more bothered to have found Itself here.

[ancientstalker]

"The technology, whilst impressive, is primitive compared to what I'm used to. I figured out this vessel months ago."

A bit of superiority in his tone? Likely.

[unfallen]

It offers a small smile at the arrogance. It's an angel. And rather indulgent of humans. "I see. Then what are you trying to understand now?"

[ancientstalker]

"The nature of this universe. It requires this simulation to be perfect."

Which is why he's blithely working on it, not even facing Islington as he talks.

[unfallen]

"Something natural requires something synthetic to be perfect?"

Cue a very confused Angel.

[ancientstalker]

"I've often found it's better to save assumptions until one knows more about the subject matter." Yes, he's mocking your stab in the dark, Islington. "The simulation is of Atlantis."

[unfallen]

The Angel grins at the mention of his former charge. "It was lost over thirty thousand years ago. I have yet to find anyone who has interpreted the clues left behind."

It tilts Its head. "You think a simulation will be an adequate representation of such a glorious civilization?"

Interesting. "Have you ever wondered what happened to it? Or more importantly, why?"

[ancientstalker]

"Yes, because we were the ones who took Atlantis to the Pegasus Galaxy in the first place." Orlin pauses, turning to look at Islington.

"It's incredibly likely that my Atlantis and your Atlantis are different. The multiverse often calls on things that are similar when creating divergent paths."

[unfallen]

It raises an eyebrow at the fact that they took Atlantis away. "Was your Atlantis an small Island on a planet called Earth?"

[ancientstalker]

"It was a city that we built on Earth, yes."

[unfallen]

"Then how can you be so certain it is not the same one as the one I know?"

[ancientstalker]

"Because we were the ones who spread the rumours of Atlantis' fall when we returned to Earth." Orlin replies, simply.

[unfallen]

Now the Angel looks sorrowful.

"'Rumours'. I was there, so what rumours did you spread?"

[ancientstalker]

"Further proof that my Atlantis is not the same. I don't recall you."

[unfallen]

"Some knew me there. The vast majority did not. Humans are quite funny when it comes to what their minds will or won't accept as fact."

]

[ancientstalker]

"Yes, they are, but..." A frown. "You are not one of the Others."

[unfallen]

"To my knowledge, I was the only Guardian of that city."

So, probably not an 'Other'.

"I am Islington."

[ancientstalker]

"The Lanteans guarded that city until the decision was made to submerge it, to protect it from the Wraith." He turns back to his work. "Atlantis was one of the greatest products of our race, but we had to abandon it."

[unfallen]

Its face falls further at that. It was the only guardian. It let it be submerged because they deserved it. That's why It had been imprisoned for so very long.

"I believe we are talking at cross-paths. I am an Angel. So when I say I was the city's guardian, I mean it quite literally."

This could turn very bad. Sure he allowed it to be submerged, but if this had been someone's plan the entire time... well.