driftfleet | o1;; You didn't see that coming?

Who: Pietro & You!
Broadcast: yes
Action: SS Bloodsport
When: Right now

[ Video;; ]
[ The video feed shakes, the audio cracking as the communicator is moved around. The broadcasting image so far is the floor, covered in multicolored confetti, and a pair of black and grey running sneakers in view. The left foot taps impatiently before the video swings again to the bridge of the Bloodsport. ]

[ There is a sigh before heavily accented voice accompanies the shoddy cameraman-ship. ] If this is someone's idea of a prank, it lacks humor.

[ The communicator finally turns around, and Pietro is very firmly not happy with this situation. ]

I have complaints.

[ SS Bloodsport;; ]
[ Pietro can be found in various places throughout the Bloodsport. In the kitchen, trying to figure out what the deal with protein paste is. The bridge offers a bit of a distraction with the endless sea of stars or the array of broadcast settings, and how can he resist settling into the bunks? It's been a very long time since he's had his own room. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ As hopeless as the situation seemed, Pietro was hopeful that they would win- and it turns out rightly so that they do. ]

It's good to know that the Avengers keep their word.

[ Or at least some of them do, but, y'know. ]

I have heard this from others, though it's no less concerning. [ He's quiet, though briefly. ] Do these Atroma tamper with everyone's abilities?

[ for the most part. too many people died. and the city is in ruin. but pietro doesn't need to know that just yet, at least not until he talks to steve and figures out how much they're telling this kid. ]

Atroma steals all of your "weapons" [ quote fingers and all ], so my suit is gone, along with all of my fun toys. As for cooler superpower abilities, Atroma has been nerfing the people with ridiculous powers, like end-of-the-world stuff. I haven't asked details except from our superhero club.

[ pause ]

What'd they do to you?

[ 'Ridiculous end of the world powers'.. Now he's embarrassed to say. Pietro looks away from the camera, debating. Tony can pretty much assume, anyway, since his only real power is running really fast. ]

I'm still fast.. but it's not enough. Not what it should be.

[ It feels wrong, and this sluggishness is really hard to get used to. His metabolism is still supercharged, it's just his power not kicking into full gear. ]

[ ordinarily, tony would be ready with an eyeroll and a quip. poor baby. but getting something taken from you is violating, and tony is already feeling the effect of not having... well, any of his toys available to him. having something actually done to your body is something else entirely.

he's still trying not to think about the augment in his head. ]

They probably kicked you down a few notches. They want us to be as controllable as possible. Which is a good thing, for some people. Bad for the ones who can stop the people who need to be stopped, but that's what ratings are for, right?

[ dryly, bitterly. but enough of that. ]

It probably has something to do with the augment system, but I haven't figured out how they're doing it yet. Or where they're keeping all of our stuff.

How much more controlled than 'stuck in metal tubes going nowhere' do they need?

[ Honestly, he doesn't really like this ratings system. Especially if it means these Atroma are going to fuck with them. ]

All I've been told about the augments is not to tamper with it. I'm inclined to believe it. [ If that small pit in his gut is anything to go by whenever he touches it. ]

I don't know, kid, I'm not the one who made the game.

[ pause ]

And yeah, don't go digging around in your brainmeat unless you want to give yourself a lobotomy. And if you do want to give yourself a lobotomy, we've got a guy.

Oh, you have a 'lobotomy guy'? Is he on retainer for the possible situation one is needed?

[ Tony, wtf. ]

I assure you, I hadn't thought about digging into my brainmeat, either.

The Avengers don't have a lobotomy guy, but if there wasn't a lobotomy guy in this ragtag group of lunatics in space, I would be surprised. -- and every ship, nearly, has medical support, and they probably know how to do a lobotomy. We have multiple guys. Or girls. It's the twenty first century.

[ tony shut the fuck up ]

I guess some people have tried it and met with an ugly end. Generally not advised.

I can assume they don't want us to meddle with it. If it's how they give us information, there must be more to it.

I was told people have gotten hurt because of it? These augments hurt people, too?

Well, they're little chips burrowed into your brain. The brain's a sensitive thing. One poke and you can die. So on and whatever.

[ pause ]

We've had minor issues. And by minor, I mean -- people have been stabbed. But everyone is alive and fine. We're working on some safety protocols to make sure no one gets throw at a wall again. It's a work in progress.

o1;; You didn't see that coming?

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