driftfleet | (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

As much as possible.

[He changes the subject, then.] You'll be on that ship until you're assigned one of the smaller ships in the fleet. No one can get onto the Marsiva once they're off it, so the only people you'll meet there are new arrivals like yourself.

My ship is the Heron. But right now I'm on the nearby moon. You can probably see it from the viewing windows there.

I'll try and be there when I can.

[ He pauses. It's hard, being separated like this. It feels cold. Impersonal. Briefly, he rests his hand on the screen. ]

[He shakes his head, softening a bit.] It will be faster if you send me a message of what ship you end up on, then I can head over. I already know how to operate the shuttles here.

It won't be long. [Not for Charles, at least.]

No. I'm sure it's . . . not.

[ His lips twist wryly. ] We can handle a few days between us.

[He smiles slightly at that, for the first time.]

True enough. You're also able to call anyone whose number you've received through these communicators. You'll have mine, and anyone else who's spoken to you.

And how many numbers do you have so far?

Hm... ten or so? Some people I've only spoken to one time, and others I've only talked to in person.

[Is he being graded on his sociability now?]

[ Always. ]

I'm impressed.

Did you think I'd locked myself in my room and refused to interact with people?

Of course not. I was just expecting that number to be lower.

[They're automatically added, it's not a real effort on his part. He finally gets up from his table, snatching up the gas mask in one hand as he keeps talking to the communicator in the other.]

Did Nightingale send you her welcome document?

Hm? Oh, yes I have it. Why?

It gives you a run down on most of the important information. Especially the augments.

What is yours?

Engineering. [He's walking through the mall now, flashes of it visible behind him as he moves. He doesn't sound that enthused on the subject of the augments.] There are a few different types. You should be able to work out yours by thinking on it.

Communication.

[ He pauses, musing on it briefly. ] It'll have to do.

It will, because you can't remove it. Don't try.

[ He looks back at Erik. ]

Have you tried?

Not in earnest. I tested it. You'll become utterly terrified of what you're about to do, beyond what you can cope with.

Also, Kitty has made an attempt with Logan and some others, using their powers. That ended with serious injuries.

[ He wipes his face, briefly recalling Sepsis' parasite. It's not the same, he knows that, but it bothers him. ]

There must be something we can do.

There will be. But it's going to take more investigation, probably by someone medically minded.

[He comes to a halt and the video feed tilts away for a moment, as Erik starts strapping on his gas mask.]

Where are you going?

Back to the ship. [He sounds tinny now, voice coming through the masks filters. He repositions the communicator and shoulders his way out the door into the outside. The air quality visibly drops when he does, a haze around everything.]

I got what I came down here for. [And now, he'd prefer to be back up on Heron, even if he can't get any closer to the Marsiva itself.]

[ He hesitates. He should really hang up, shouldn't he? ]

I'll . . . leave you to it.

What? [That hadn't been in plan, in fact. He was going to keep the line open. It's with a bit of regret that he replies.] Well, all right...

Re: Private

axiomed - 2016-04-09 08:30 (UTC) - Expand

grandstanding - 2016-04-09 08:32 (UTC) - Expand

axiomed - 2016-04-09 08:34 (UTC) - Expand