14 [Written]

[4000excuses]

Even after all this time it is strange to me that Luceti has no economy. It is unthinkable in my country to have a country or city, or rather a commune as I believe we could be classified, without a system of economy. I suppose it would mean less colds, but-First, let me thank all of those who participated in my call for autographs in my last

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[semper_cogitans]

[The filtering is mostly precautionary, though the question itself might be a little embarrassing. Still, Robert is certainly curious.]

The economic state of Luceti affects your health, Mr. Japan?

Also, in terms of obtaining electronics - unfortunately, it is mostly true. Sometimes the Malnosso are cooperative - for example, I was allowed to obtain my nanocomputer from home - but more often than not, it is likely that they would refuse such a request. You could attempt to ask, though.

Or I could ask for you, if you had anything in mind. [It'd give him an excuse to talk to Molly...]

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[4000excuses]

Ah not here, no. Only the economic state of my own country.

[He has a hard time remembering who he has told and who he hasn't, but Robert is easy to remember.]

I appreciate the offer, Hastings-sensei, but I was merely looking for something to do. Electronics are one of my country's most famous products and they are rather easy for me to make as long as I can find the parts.

Do you often speak with the Malnosso?

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[semper_cogitans]

And your country [- self? -] was suffering somehow, economically, before you were taken here?

I recall the work you did on the one television for Mr. Poland. [Whom Robert still has no idea was sent home.] Perhaps it would be easier for you to build robotics here - and I know someone who might be interested in your help eventually. [Even if he wouldn't say as much aloud.]

Admittedly, not often. But there is one member of the Malnosso - Ms. Molly - whom has been rather pleasant to converse with. [... As stupid as it is to be sentimental towards their kidnappers, Robert can't help but like Molly a little...]

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[4000excuses]

Yes, it was. We are in the middle of a very long economic depression and we are the mercy of the government and world politics.

[HNNNGH POLAND]

Oh? Who might that be?

I try not to speak with the Malnosso unless absolutely necessary. [8( THEY'RE LIKE RUSSIA]

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[semper_cogitans]

And this causes physical effects for you? How unfortunate. Are they easing or worsening here? [Could a doctor even help?]

Ah - his name is Doctor Robotnik. [Robert, uh, still doesn't know his history. But Japan certainly might.] He is apparently a skillful roboticist, as much as that can be done in Luceti. [Don might appreciate Japan's help, too...]

That would likely be the most rational thing to do, though I confess I hold out hope for an eventual constructive discussion with them. [As... impossible as it seems now.]

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[4000excuses]

As I'm disconnected from my country at the moment, they have been easing. [Even if his worries have only increased.]

[And here Japan drops his pen. Give him a minute.] I will consider it.

It is difficult to have constructive discussions with one's kidnappers.

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[semper_cogitans]

I hope that continues to be the case, then - though being ill is certainly unpleasant.

[The unnatural pause doesn't get Robert's attention. Mostly because he pauses himself a lot.]

Certainly, that is true - though I suppose that it is marginally more helpful than ignoring them entirely, but then again I do wish that they were at least willing to be collaborative with us instead of exploitative.

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[4000excuses]

Sometimes I wonder if I wouldn't prefer the stomach troubles.

They are our kidnappers, Hastings-sensei. One cannot expect much from them.

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[semper_cogitans]

To having colds? I suppose it is easier to deal with stomach troubles here. [This is getting added to the mental database of Health Problems of Anthropomorphic Countries... he never thought he'd have a mental database of that.]

One would think that they would be at least marginally more willing to cooperate, though. We cannot be easy to obtain data from under duress, and data obtained from stressed specimens tend to be significantly flawed.

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[4000excuses]

To having lost the connection with my country. It is an uncomfortable sensation. [Meaning he hates it. He hates it so. /sob]

Perhaps that is their aim, however. To test the effects of stress upon different species.

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[semper_cogitans]

[Robert would be sympathetic if he understood exactly how it felt.] Ah - you have a physical connection to your country? [Now he's all curious about the properties, of that...]

And if that is true, it would run counter to their stated aims. But then again, the Malnosso's motivations are frustratingly vague as it is.

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[4000excuses]

[Give him a minute, he has to think about this.] It isn't physical. It's something intangible, but it has been severed here. Or at least severely dulled. As I can't meet with my bosses either, it means I am removed from the current political flow as well.

I would call them monsters, but that is a term reserved for Russia-san.

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[semper_cogitans]

That seems distressing at the least - certainly it must be bothersome to lose access to an ability here. Do you think it may be related to the power-dampening abilities this place seems to have?

["Russia"...? Robert has begun to slowly and... vaguely learn the names of countries, so that name pings him, but...] How could anybody be more monstrous than the Malnosso? What they do is the most egregrious abuse of sapient rights I have ever seen.

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[4000excuses]

It is possible, yes. I would not think of it as a power, but I suppose it might be.

[Oh, and you just set Japan off. He starts writing, but halfway through, he switches to voice by accident.]

You have not met Russia-san. He has gotten better in recent years, but he is [voice] still a nuclear monster. He can destroy entire cities. Entire countries!! He breathes fire and can curse you just by looking at you!! I nearly dissolved my government to get away from him! He's horrifying! Nothing can compare to the monster!!

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[semper_cogitans]

[Robert listens in silence for a few moments. Holy crap.

Finally he gets the presence of mind to write something.]

I remember hearing that pre-Terran worlds still have nuclear weapons. [He also knows that... well, they were... used... on Japan.

... Oh. That... that might explain some things...]

It is terrifying that those weapons would still exist.

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[4000excuses]

He is a creature beyond imagination. Thus the Malnosso, while unpleasant, do not compare.

[HNNNNNNNNGH RAEG.]

Are such weapons no longer in use in the future?