video + text + action

[mucked]

Who: Peggy Carter & YOU
Broadcast: Y, fleetwide.
Action: Aboard the Starstruck, if you like.
When: Today.

[ a video feed flickers to life, and fights for a moment to adequately focus on its subject. peggy carter sits in the kitchen aboard the starstruck, cup of tea and her elbow and half a biscuit in her hand. dabbing at crumbs, she sets her food aside and offers the network a bright smile. ]

That message -- the ominous one, in the bizarre language? It put me in mind of the sort of cryptograms and puzzles you might see in the Sunday paper. [ her expression is cheery enough, although she's not being wholly honest about her interest in such games. she won't be the one to say the words bletchley and park.] I loved them. Them, and crosswords. I thought maybe some of you might like them, too. [ ... ] We could do a few together. I'm not saying we all join a club, exactly, but back home they were always better solved in good company.

Let's start you off with one that's easy enough. But there's no shame in needing a hint, if needed. For what it's worth, the text I'm attaching is, in its deciphered form, English -- not yet certain how the augments' translation will handle it. We'll see.

BLSTKBC YLBSFKGISRX XL QIYT SL SFVBWIKAKJR STR QKBZ VX V XSRVZU EIFELXR — V ELKBS LB OTKYT STR XLIA QVU NKM KSX KBSRAARYSIVA RUR.

[ -- and then an afterthought: ]

...By chance, has anyone been brewing their own beer?

Comments

[mucked]

Likes badgers, does he?

[takingkarabusiness]

[ that makes her laugh ]

He and Steve are birds of a feather, let's say that.

[mucked]

Then you've had your hands full -- no matter how you slice it. [ age difference be damned. ]

[takingkarabusiness]

So, do you have any fun super powers?

[ it seems like a natural inquiry, really ]

[mucked]

[ forgive her laughter. ]

Does wearing heels in the field count? I feel like it ought to count. [ ... ] Otherwise, none at all. I am thoroughly average.

[ even if steve wouldn't agree. ]

[takingkarabusiness]

It definitely counts! And I would never suggest you're average. You were in the field in World War II? That seems like anything but average, from my understanding.

[mucked]

I saw my fair share of action, certainly. [ ... ] Though, I confess, not always in heels.

[takingkarabusiness]

I'll allow it. My boots have heels but I don't run a lot of places. My sister wears much more sensible shoes; she's a government field agent.

[mucked]

[ now, there's a thought. ]

Which agency?

[takingkarabusiness]

It's called the DEO— The Department of Extra-Normal Operations. It's kiiiind of a secret-slash-shadow organization, to help with malicious aliens and other threats.

[mucked]

Sounds familiar.

[takingkarabusiness]

[ she's surprised ]

Does it?

[mucked]

A little less so the aliens, perhaps, but I've known a few shadow organizations in my time. [ ... ] Different acronyms, of course.

[takingkarabusiness]

Oh, well, sure. In the war? Were you part of any of them?

[mucked]

And afterwards. [ once upon a time, it was more of a secret. but these days, she's grown almost flippant with the intel. not least of all because pretty much everyone from her world's future seems to see it as a history lesson. ] Notably, the SSR.

[takingkarabusiness]

What does it stand for?

[mucked]

Strategic Scientific Reserve. It was an allied effort. Still is, really -- although I haven't been back to the London office in years.

[takingkarabusiness]

Where do you live?

[mucked]

New York. [ ...but, to be fair: ] With a recent diversion to California. I assume I leave it eventually, but I can't be certain. It's the last thing I recall before being here.

[takingkarabusiness]

I don't know, California is pretty great...!

[mucked]

[ ...oh no she's talking to a west-coaster. of course. she remembers this, all of a sudden, because of winn. ]

It's not the worst place I've been. [ ... ] But my career's back in Manhattan. So I'm hoping not to overstay my welcome in California.

[takingkarabusiness]

Oh, pshaw. You can't do that, it's California! We're pretty laid back.

My cousin lives on the East Coast, though. He was raised in Kansas, but I was lucky enough to land nearish National City and San Diego.

[mucked]

It'll be no surprise, I suppose, when I explain I'm not exactly an American myself. [ the accent always gives it away, of course. ] But I'm happy to call it home, now.

[ new york, at least. ]

[takingkarabusiness]

Well, neither am I.

[mucked]

[ a sharp bit of laughter. ] I know, my dear. That's why I said it like that.

[ not american myself -- but perhaps it implied a common-ground by way of slang that doesn't penetrate the fog of time. ]