Captain's Log 03 - Landing Party

[universal_charm]

Who: Jim Kirk & Anyone Who Wants to Come On an Expedition
Broadcast:No
Action: Yes - On the moon, in the Terraformers
When: Sometime this week

Tests have been run, data has been gathered, packaged, looked over, highlighted with all sorts of colored sharpies. There is only so much the data can prove. What's needed now is an actual investigation, getting the final clue to a puzzle that, Kirk thought, they were running very short of time on.

Which was how he ended up down on the surface of the toxic moon, in front of the nearest terraformer.

Time to go find some answers.

<sub>[ ooc: Since I didn't want to flood the comm, it can be assumed that Kirk announced he would be going to explore the terraformers and asked if anyone wanted to come and form an expedition party. So, if you want to come, feel free to jump in.

Also feel free to start your own side threads. I will put up some sections, but feel free to start your own as the group explores. The ultimate goal is just to gather information (but this is a Jim Kirk Expedition (TM), so something may very well go wrong!), so have fun!)

If you need help starting things or want a refresher, here is the original mod post. ]</sub>

Comments

[beathach]

I don't know about you, but a hangover is worth it for a night of escapism. [which really, is the only reason he ever drinks. He's had a hangover all of a handful of times and would still take that over some of the stress he's been through lately.

But he slows his walk to keep up with Tyrion's, almost unconsciously. Being as tall as he is, he's always been the sort to compensate for that]

[tallasaking]

For myself? I agree wholeheartedly. There is nothing I like better than escaping my rather dismal reality. [He has had a hangover for what seems to be a fourth of his life and he would not trade it for any of the misery.

He nods his thanks at Hank, while picking up his own pace a little.]

[beathach]

It's not a habit I indulge in often, but sometimes it's nice not being able to think straight every now and then. [he'd avoided it back home, mostly because he lived with an alcoholic, but now that Charles wasn't doing it nearly as often and he was as stressed as he was, well. It meant he could indulge a little more]

[tallasaking]

Oh, I cannot deny that. Sometimes I simply wish to forget just precisely why I am angry or disappointed in humanity. [He just needed to keep some sort of distance between his angry moments. He knows he's dangerous when he's angry.]

[beathach]

[ah, yes. Something Hank can sympathize with, very, very deeply]

Humanity can be pretty disappointing at times. [or angering, or terrifying. He'd seen all aspects of it in his relatively short life] I hope you don't experience that here as often.

[tallasaking]

Not a often as I was used to, in my world. I ... trust you are not going into the same bad behaviors.

[beathach]

Not as often, no. But I admittedly cheat a little bit and hide. [he makes a gesture to himself]

[tallasaking]

[Tyrion reached up to put his hand on Hank's arm, his gaze amused but serious.] My dear Hank, if I could make myself six feet tall at a whim, I would. No shame in it.

[beathach]

Being six foot isn't all that great, trust me. [but the comment makes him laugh a little] I'm not ashamed, it's just how it is. I have reasons aside from hiding, at least.

[tallasaking]

Oh? And what reasons are those, my friend? [He asked, as he eyed a wall of panels and started to take notes on them, looking up at Hank to let him know he was listening as well.

[beathach]

Ah - I have claws, which makes doing a lot of things a little difficult. [the first month with the devices were torture until he figured out an easy way] And I have to watch my strength, or I could hurt someone. It's just - better to keep it all controlled.

[tallasaking]

... Well yes I imagine that would make things awkward. [By the Seven, claws?] Also unnecessarily messy. Not that I would complain either having more strength -- but the grass, I have heard, is always greener in another pasture.

[beathach]

[oh Tyrion, wait until you actually see him up close that way. But he does manage a small smile] It has yet to be incredibly messy, thankfully.

I suppose the - other side of it all is I'm told I look "cool". And - it does come in handy when necessary.

[tallasaking]

[Well, if nothing else, he knows what real monsters look like.]

Better to be cool and handy then nothing at all, yes?

[beathach]

[he purses his lips, then shrugs a shoulder and glances back down]

That's true.

[tallasaking]

I have always been a strong believer, Hank, of taking what the Gods give you and using it to the best of your advantage. Some of us are simply born with brains, and we must use those as anyone might use a sword.

[He tapped him on the arm again.] Don't be ashamed of who you are. Embrace it. Then no one can ever use it against you.

[beathach]

[how many times has he heard this by now? Hundreds, maybe thousands. From Charles, Raven, Erik, friends in Kyriakos, other mutants here. And now people who are still strangers. No matter how many times he hears it isn't sure how to take it, not without sounding as though he doesn't take the advice to heart]

I'm trying. [he says after a long moment] I'm not - ashamed of it, but embracing it is still . . . I'm getting there.

Thank you. I need to hear that sometimes.

[tallasaking]

[He nods his head slowly, looking up at him.] I know what it feels like, to be the outsider, looking in. It is never an easy life. It is even harder to make yourself be strong enough to accept it. But we are always stronger than we know, hm?

[beathach]

We are. [that much he's certain of, as much as he can't find it in himself to accept everything] We have to be stronger to survive, otherwise the worlds we're from would probably consume us.

[tallasaking]

Like we were delectable sweetmeats. [Tyrion intoned with mock solemnity, his eyes flashing humor.] So it is a good thing we are made of steel within, hm?

[beathach]

[he's trying very hard not to grin] Good for us, and terrible for them.

[tallasaking]

Well, yes. No one wants to eat steel. [He smirked.] But who really cares about them anyways?

[beathach]

I care, but - not so much about what they think anymore. When it comes down to it, we're just as human as they are.

[tallasaking]

Some of us, even more so ... [Tyrion murmured, considering some of the people he knew. Or was directly related to.]

[beathach]

Mmm. [he idly drums his fingers against the back of his notebook] I considered coming down here the other way. Now I almost regret changing my mind.