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[housepartyprotocol]

Who: Tony Stark and anyone!
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Still on The Marsiva
When: Now

[ The video feed crackles to life, and on the screen is a man looking equal parts composed and annoyed. He settles into the frame and smiles wryly.]

I'm not going to waste time here asking where we are, since I'd like to think we can all recognize space, but fair warning: you've got about [ he looks at his watch ] 2 minutes before I start taking this place apart. Not a threat, just making you aware that without a pretty impressive explanation, I will cannibalize your lovely and expensive ship and fly myself home.

[ He smiles briefly and with no humor before sitting back in his chair and tapping his watch. ]

Comments

[housepartyprotocol]

So then what, we're all just supposed to hang around in space? Come on, someone has to have tried to leave.

[takeabow]

I don't know. I don't think anyone would get very far, and they promise there's a way for us to get home.

[housepartyprotocol]

[ Eye roll. ]

Do we collectively believe that? Because I'm not sure 'honesty' is a typical trait of most kidnappers.

[takeabow]

[ sarcastically ]

Yeah, of course, you're right. We were all too stupid to realize it before you got here, but it's a good thing you showed up. We never would've been able to do anything without you.

That was sarcasm.

[housepartyprotocol]

[ Unoffended. ]

Huh. I guess I can tell the difference.

So I assume we have some reason to believe they'll get us home? Proof?

[takeabow]

People come and go all the time.

[housepartyprotocol]

[Somewhat appeased. ]

That'll work.

How long are people generally stuck here?

[takeabow]

I don't know. It varies? I've been here for, I guess, four months now.

[housepartyprotocol]

Wonderful.

[takeabow]

Sorry.

Who are you, anyway?

[housepartyprotocol]

Guess we really aren't in Kansas anymore.

[ a beat ]

Tony Stark.

[takeabow]

I'm Nova.

You won't be staying there for long. You'll get assigned to another ship soon enough.

[housepartyprotocol]

Another one? Of how man? How many ships are there?

[takeabow]

Uh...

Around 20? I think? I didn't actually think to count.

[housepartyprotocol]

How many on a ship?

[takeabow]

It varies. 7 to 10?

[housepartyprotocol]

[ Clearly starting to believe all this - no reason not to. ]

And you said it was a TV show? Who the hell is supposed to be watching?

[takeabow]

The people who aren't us? For some reason, it seems to be a universal concept.

[housepartyprotocol]

[ He nods, somewhat resigned. ]

And here I am with not a stitch of makeup.

[takeabow]

Then let's hope the clarity is bad on their screens.

[housepartyprotocol]

So anyone here ever seen this show? Or are we just hoping we don't all look like trainwrecks from the Jersey Shore?

[takeabow]

[ what are you even on about ]

I don't know what that is, but I don't know. I haven't seen it.

[housepartyprotocol]

Has anyone?

[takeabow]

Do I look like I've talked to everyone?

[housepartyprotocol]

I have no idea. Yes?