driftfleet | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Who: two nerds and you
Broadcast: fleetwide
Action: Marsiva
When: now!

[ The audio comes on sharply, but everything is still dark as two people discuss their situation.]

Is that the camera? Can you get it to work?

I - think so? Here, push this --

I am pushing it, Hank. I thought you knew about these from that show you keep watching. Space Trek?

It's Star Trek and that isn't exactly - you know, the same thing as this.

Right. . . . Wait, I think I see something on the side.

[ And the video flickers on, the red light glowing softly. It focuses on two men. One in a wheelchair and the other right next to him, peering curiously at the camera before they step back satisfied. ]

Well, that’s over and done with. Hello to anyone who might be out there. My name is Charles Xavier and this is Hank McCoy. Apparently we’ve been kidnapped again, by an unknown force again for some mysterious reason.

[muttered:] Again. [and louder] So if anyone would be kind enough to explain exactly what's going on, we'd appreciate it. You have our thanks in advance.

But do keep it pertinent.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mm. [he nods] Anything that would help me learn more about it.

The locals will probably have more information, definitely. They gave us a bit of an overview when we came but I wouldn't want to give you misremembered information.

[he grins a little] I wouldn't mind misremembered information - anything is worth hearing, but I'll keep that in mind if we do get down there.

You will! I've been down a few times. If you want, I can show you around sometime?

What I gathered is that they were working on terraforming the moon, but the machines kind of got out of control and just contaminated everything, even under the surface.

Oh - if you wouldn't mind, I'd love to. I've, er. Never been on a moon.

That's . . . huh. [he frowns a little, though there's a thoughtful twist to it] That's - interesting, er, not in a good way. Huh.

Then it's agreed. I'll show you around after you get assigned to a ship.

And you'll be able to get more information from the locals. Who frankly I can't believe still live there.

Thank you, Kara.

I can believe it. [he shrugs a shoulder] It's their home - unless it was completely uninhabitable, there's no reason to leave if they can adapt instead.

[ she blinks at him momentarily, this looks... probably more contrite than the situation calls for ]

...You're right. That was a careless thing to say.

—what? No, no! [he waves a hand frantically] It's normal to think the way you did too. It wasn't careless at all.

It kind of was.

I sort of... lost my home to something... somewhat similar. I just wasn't thinking. There's bravery in staying with it.

Oh. I'm . . . sorry to hear that.

There is, but . . . there's no less bravery in leaving as well . . . right? People do what they have to, in those situations.

Yeah, you're right.

Sorry, didn't mean to be a moodkiller.

[he quirks a grin]

It's fine, I'm sorry if I helped with that.

You? [ nerdy laugh ] Never.

[ LOOK HE'S REALLY CUTE OK she's got no game ]

Ummm let's see. What else can I answer for you?

[LIKE HE HAS ANY WHATSOEVER]

You'd be surprised.

Uh - oh! The augments - how do you know which one you, er, received?

I think you kind of just... know? Like when I thought about it, I knew that I was personnel.

Really? That's . . . simple. [he thinks about it for a moment, head tilting]

Yet somehow unintuitive.

So, any inkling?

It kind of feels like cheating.

[another moment, and a wry look] Are there labs?

There will be, when you get assigned to a ship. Some of the augments come with extra rooms that just kind of show up.

I got an entire office, complete with couch.

Wow, that's pretty handy. [he looks amsued] Is it a nice couch?

It's a little on the loveseat side, but it's nice to have it to offer to people. My friend Winn showed up and he's having a hard time with the whole space thing—he's not a fan of heights and this is like the ultimate height— Anyway, I offered it to him when he got here, to help ease the transition.

Ah - geez, I can imagine what it's like for him. [he winces a little, sympathetic] That was nice of you, though - and - good that you have somewhere here that you know?

Is - personnel something you did where you're from?

Pretty similar! I'm a personal assistant to the head of a worldwide media conglomerate.

Mostly, I answer the phone, get her lattes, order her lunches. But it's really empowering to work for such a powerful woman, and personal connections can really get you somewhere in the business world.

What do you do?

[he grins a little, nodding]

It's sounds like a good job.

Me? I'm a scientist. Or - was, technically, although I still work in a lab during my free time, but - [he clears his throat to stop himself from rambling] I was about to be a teacher.