( 001 ) video & text

[trigeminalheadache]

Who: Caitlin Snow + YOU
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: Hospitality Deck
When: Now!

VIDEO

[ The video starts suddenly, with Caitlin sitting straight up, eyes open and wide with fear.

More than what's warranted with waking up in a strange place.

Her head bows, her eyes going directly to her wrists. It seems she's checking both of them, rubbing absently at them, as if she expected to find something. (Shackles or handcuffs, that's what she's looking for.) If she's reassured there's nothing there, she certainly doesn't look it. When she looks back up, her gaze sweeping around the room, she's trying to place where she is, what's happened. This isn't Barry's lab at CCPD, it isn't STAR Labs, and it definitely isn't Zoom's lair.

It's a few minutes before she looks right into the camera, her head tilting with curiosity. ] Hello?

[ Then the feed cuts out. ]

TEXT

[ The text follows about ten minutes later. ]

This is going to sound odd, but: whoever or whatever brought me here, thank you. I need to get back to Central City, though.

Comments

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

I'm okay.

[ She isn't, but she's not going to say any different unless pressed. ]

Just disoriented, I think.

text;

[beathach]

[he won't press. He understands the need to appear "fine" so, so well]

I'm afraid that's normal. I can explain some things once you're settled? I don't want to overwhelm you right away.

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

I think getting any more settled than I currently am is going to take way too long. Don't worry. It takes a bit to overwhelm me.

text;

[beathach]

That's true. I'm sorry in advanced, it'll sound a little unbelievable.

But right now, you're in outer space. On a spaceship called the Marsiva. It's where everyone who first arrives wakes up.

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

Outer space.

That's not as unbelievable to me as it would have been about a year ago.

text;

[beathach]

Oh? That's a good thing, at least. I mean, that you're sort of used to it.

You may be there for a few days, but you'll be shuffled to another ship eventually. Until then, you're stuck there.

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

Not used to outer space, really. But what would typically be considered impossible, that is all too familiar.

Here is better than where I was. [ She sends that part of the message before really thinking about it, and really regrets it. ] Are all of the ships like this?

text;

[beathach]

Then you'll fit in perfectly.

[. . . he considers saying something, but decides against it] No, the Marsiva is bigger, I think. It seems bigger, despite all the locked rooms.

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

First time in my life for that. Well, second.

I haven't really moved from where I woke up, so I'll take your word for it on the locked rooms. Any indication what might be in them?

text;

[beathach]

What makes you say that?

None, I'm afraid. I tried to open one while I was there and it didn't budge.

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

About fitting in? I was always much, much younger than my classmates. My job back home is the only place I really feel on the same level as everyone else.

Then they are definitely staying locked.

text;

[beathach]

Hah. I know how that is. I was much, much younger than my classmates as well. May I ask what your job is?

Until someone stronger than me takes a crack at it, at least.

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

Currently? I'm something of a personal physician with a side of whatever else may be needed. Officially, I work in bio-engineering, with further background in biochemistry and genetics. Some physics.

And that will not be me. So we'll just have to wait for someone else to come along.

text;

[beathach]

[. . . waaaaait a minute. He has to read that twice]

That's incredibly impressive. I'm biochemistry and genetics as well - and some engineering and physics.

I'll keep my fingers crossed. But until then, you should relax and enjoy the food up there. You'll miss it as soon as you're transferred.

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

What field of engineering? If you don't mind my asking.

Why does that sound so ominous?

text;

[beathach]

Mechanical and aerospace, mostly. I did a lot of work with supersonic flight.

Sometimes the food leaves something to be desired. But if there's a cook then it isn't so bad.

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

That sounds exciting. My best friend, he's a mechanical engineer.

"Not so bad" is still in the realm of bad.

text;

[beathach]

It was exciting, yeah. What sort of work did he do? Did you two work together?

Well, I won't lie and say you won't miss decent food right away.

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

We did. Still do, actually. He helped build the particle accelerator that was going to be the centerpiece of the billion-dollar research facility that employed us.

I'm really going to miss my kitchen, aren't I?

text;

[beathach]

That's really impressive. The last one I heard of being built was in my home state.

You're really going to miss it.

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

What state would that be?

Good that I'm forewarned, then. I can do my mourning now.

text;

[beathach]

Illinois.

Enjoy the food up there first. Then mourn.

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

Pretty close, then. I'm from Missouri.

I can do both at the same time. Multitask.

text;

[beathach]

All the good scientists come from the midwest.

Good point. I can only encourage that.

text;

[trigeminalheadache]

I'm inclined to agree with you. We're not biased, you don't think?

It'll keep me occupied until something else comes along.