002 ✪ audio + action

[redactions]

Who: Jim Barnes
Broadcast: Fleetwide audio.
Action: On the moon.
When: Sept. 20th.

Good morning. This is Captain James Barnes. By now we've assessed the damage to the ships — seems like it only slowed us down some, and whoever the enemy was they don't seem to have followed us. That's not why I'm here.

[ a half-beat of pause, then, ]

We can't guarantee there'll always be shields or weapons aboard our ships at any given time. That doesn't mean we can't work out a system to make sure we're covering for each other in a fight. If we can form groups of two or three ships, at least one with weapons, and coordinate a few flying formations, we stand a much better chance.

As for communications, if they're taken offline like that again we are going to need a solution. We used manual signalling in my War; I'm open to options that don't have us scrambling blind during a crisis like that.

[ a beat ]

We got lucky, this time. We might not be again.

Barnes out.




→ shooting range

[ You know. This is simple. The pistols take getting used to, but it's a matter of practice. Assembly. Disassembly. Ready, aim, fire. One end of the shooting range is devoted entirely to Jim trying out all the variants he can get his hands on. They are laid on the table in front of him neatly. ]

[ All the shots hit the centre ring of the target, if not, damned closed. He's not concentrating too hard or scowling, just seems perfectly placid, and steady. When he feels eyes on him, ]

Sorry, did you want [ gesturing to the row of pistols ] one a'these?

→ some seedy bar

[ This alcohol is completely algae-free and that might be the entire reason he's even bothering with it. This place doesn't look quite as ripe for sudden violence either; but there's still murmuring in the background and a card game that looks like it might be heating up. ]

[ He's sitting alone, in the corner, nursing a glass. Another one sits beside him, completely untouched. It's always been for Steve. ]

Comments

Action: → shooting range

[takeabow]

[ Nova looks between him and the pistols ]

It might not hurt to practice.

[redactions]

Definitely wouldn't hurt at all to learn the weight.

[ He hands her one, and stands away, giving her space. ]

Try this.

action (range)

[mucked]

[ -- she suppresses the urge to offer up slow applause. such congratulations are crass in the face of all that's happened and all that's yet to come. instead, she wraps her anxious fingers around the stock of a pistol: one slightly smaller than the rest, and with a pleasing set of proportions. ]

I can't imagine I'll be allowed to keep it no matter how much I do -- [ want one. peggy has been missing that sensation of being armed with more than her muscle. she draws back the firing device and approves of the hard sound each moving part makes. ] Shockingly well-cleaned, given all the dust. Is that your work?

[redactions]

[ A pistol that happens to be approximately the same weight as her famed Walther. Jim smiles at her. ]

I dunno; I bet you could charm the owner.

[ a beat ]

Yeah, he said I could use the range for free if I got these things workin'. They just needed some vigorous cleaning, s'all.

Action; shooting range

[save_the_souls]

[Hawke's departure from the fleet didn't go unnoticed. With him and Aang gone, they were without a security person - and a lot of power for protection. Sure, there was still others in the ship, including himself, that could hold themselves in a fight- but the weakening of their defenses put Allen on edge. And so he finds himself heading to the shooting range, where he spots Jim and his...many, many pistols. He can't help but watch, a bit fascinated.]

Only if you don't need them all at once.

[redactions]

[ He smiles, and hands over one to Allen. ]

Even I've got limits. Here, try this.

[reconstitution]

[ As always, he doesn't want to interrupt Jim's solitude- especially after the commotion aboard the ship. The captain is allowed to have his time at peace, but his counterpart's expression is worrying enough for him to approach. Winter watches him from the distance for a few minutes before making the trip across the bar to the corner that Jim has taken up.

He doesn't miss the empty glass, nor the way Jim's eyes scan everyone in the room. It's not any different than what he does. ]

Permission t--

[ A shake of his head. ]

..Can I join you?

[redactions]

[ The corners of his eyes crinkle; the mouth doesn't follow. ]

Sure, buddy. You want my seat?

[ It's the better position in the room, which he'd be sorry to lose, but it'd hurt Winter more not to have. ]

Audio

[iamawaited]

War parties.

Audio

[redactions]

Yeah — something like that.

[ You understand. ]

shooting range

[deshabille]

[Guns don't come to her so naturally to Mal. She knows how to work a crossbow, but she's only just learned how to operate a firearm. Admittedly, though, she's learned from the best, and so she heads to the shooting range in an effort to contribute to her growing tendency towards perfectionism.]

[She recognizes Barnes immediately, smiles at his back as he hits the target over and over. At the question:]

At least one. I've never tried to shoot with both hands and one foot before.

[redactions]

[ She has a smile that shows teeth in the wrong places, which would be unnerving if he hadn't had a year back home to get used to it in Natasha. The familiarity of it wraps around him. ]

Getting ahead of yourself, Corporal.

[ But he still gives her two medium-weight pistols, and steps away so she can use the lane. ]

audio;

[got_it_memorized]

Not a bad idea--the Buddy System works for more than it's given credit. The Tourist has weapons, but we just lost our pilot, unfortunately, so while we could provide some cover, our maneuverability ain't what it used to be.

As for communication, we don't really have a lot of options, do we? I guess we could all learn Morse code and send messages with flashlights, but it's hardly efficient.

[With his Corridors, he can technically travel between the ships even when everything's down, but he's just one person--it'd be hard to relay a message to the whole fleet that way. Riku might still be able to use them, too, he's not sure, but that's still only two people, so he doesn't bother to bring it up.]

audio;

[redactions]

No, it's not ideal. If it keeps us safe we'll use what we can, seein' as none of us are trained to fight a war on this turf.

Sorry to hear about your pilot.

Video

[kill_switch]

Captain Furiosa, First Breath. I've already got allegiance with one ship besides my own. Wouldn't turn down any additions. [It's not a bad idea, and right up her alley.]

audio;

[redactions]

Pleased to meet you, Captain. What are you in need of?

Audio;

[thatwhichyields]

I don't suppose smoke signals work here.

[It didn't seem likely, and it was a rather weak joke. But dark humor had gotten soldiers through worse.]

Audio;

[redactions]

[ Unexpectedly, he laughs. ]

It'd be a valiant attempt, ma'am.

[Audio]

[misterprongs]

[James is of the opinion that this magical vacation in space now officially sucks and he's really not appreciative of the fact that he's been here for ~maybe a week and had to pilot his way out of an effing disaster so THAT'S GREAT and he's a bit sleep deprived at the moment and a bit overwhelmed.

So while James has a lot of great ideas -- he's a leader, he's clever, and chances are, James is going to go home to a war when he leaves this insanity, so he may as well get his shit together now -- the first thing that pops into that addled head of his is -- ]

Good name.

[Pause.]

James, that is, I'm a fan of it.

[Audio]

[redactions]

[ You know Potter, that's a really random thing to say to a serious announcement. ]

Thanks. It's — honestly very common where I'm from.

Video

[pain_train]

[Yep, she's got some bright pink hair going. But she looks very serious.]

Sir, before discharge I held the rank of Lieutenant in the Proles Army, mobile infantry, Ghost Wolf division. Small team, 3D tactics were our specialty.

I know there are people who can do stuff like. Um. Magic. That might be the key to keeping communications off. Can also flash running light patterns.

audio

[redactions]

[ Pink hair is not a problem, really. ]

Light's a good idea, in practice it'll be more difficult. [ ...] What kind of magic are we talking about here, Lieutenant? Do you mind if I call you that?

Voice

[tobeajedi]

Something like light signals, maybe? That sounds like a good idea.

Do we have any idea who they were?

Voice

[redactions]

Light or sound, one of those is our best bet.

I asked around; these people have attacked us before, but nobody knows where they're from or what they want. Seems weird that they'd just leave.

OKAY I'm crashing in here. Still want post bar brawl, but can't get this scene out of my head.

[touchofrogue]

[AT THE RANGE.

Rogue is on her way to the stables when activity at the shooting range catches at the corner of her peripheral vision. For all the say about curiosity and cats, Rogue has never cared much for proverbs. She peaks her head in to find Jim, standing with grace and calmly shooting bulls-eyes.]

[She shakes her head to his offer of the guns.] Nah. [Her mouth tugs up at the edges.] I'd clap, but I'd be afraid for the size of your head. Wanna make sure ya can fit back through the door.

wow you didn't even bring me flowers

[redactions]

[ Oh, Rogue. He has a special smile for her now, soft, and pleased. she's earned it. ]

Somehow I think I'll be fine. How're y'doin', sweetheart?