the veil is thin . . .

[thespaceopera]

[ On the night of the 16th, the feeling of tension and horrid anticipation comes to a head. Everything stops when the sun goes down-- even the ever-present music in the hoppingest part of the city center. One by one, everyone turns their eyes to the skies. The young and old alike pour out of their houses, some in bare feet, and they point to the velvety blanket of stars.

It takes a second to find it, especially if one is unaccustomed to the starscape. But even a casual observer can see it.

A brightly-shining star, larger than the others, and growing larger.

An announcement cuts across all communication channels that encourages people to evacuate to the space station, but it’s clear that these are just people and they’ll need some help. Supplies, equipment, organization, there’s something for everyone to do.

Civilization is disrupted by a panicked stampede of people vying for limited seats aboard spacefaring craft. Within hours, there will be crushed glass, looting, and chaos.

The clock is ticking. Will you help? Or would you rather watch the dying gasps of a Singing Planet from a safe distance? ]

[OOC: Please see this post for plot details. Phase two has begun! Feel free to use this post as a reaction post, mingle, etc. or make your own!]

Comments

[edwinjarvis]

Formalities are Jarvis' whole life; just ask Mr. Stark, who has never been 'Howard' in the... what, seven or eight years he's worked for him? Anyway. He turns toward Chekov, relieved to see someone on his feet and still getting along alright. It's been a mess around here, though considering Chekov is used to travel and handling peril, he supposes there's no better company.

"I hope to, though I can't see myself going until I've done the most I can."

He looks back, frowning.

"And there's still... much to be done."

[candothat]

Oh yes, Chekov is the person to hang out with when it comes to perilous situations. The last eight years have given him something of a talent for neither dying nor breaking down in the midst of a disaster. There are, after all, far more convenient times for both of those things.

"Please make sure that you have done the most that you can before the planet is destroyed." Easier insisted upon than done. Chekov doesn't want to leave while there's still the faintest chance of saving people, but he's aware of the realities of their situation. "There will still be work to do after. None of us will be very useful to the survivors if we die here."

[edwinjarvis]

"Understood. I have no desire to die vaporized into bits, not when my wife is waiting for me."

He is sassy as ever, but there's that touch of fondness. Ana would be very worried for him, certainly, but he knows that he has to do his best to lend a hand. Regardless, he will not allow himself to die when it's avoidable. It'll do no one any good, anyway.

[candothat]

"An excellent reason to delay vaporization."

(He makes a mental note to ask about Ana if the opportunity presents itself. He likes hearing about the loved ones the other fleeters have waiting at home... and sometimes people seem to benefit from the opportunity to talk about them.)

"Also--and this is selfish, I realize--everyone on the Tourist would starve without you."

[edwinjarvis]

That does pull a fond smile out of him, Chekov, very good job!

"... I suppose I wouldn't want anyone to suffer a shortage of decently homecooked meals..."

[candothat]

Thank you, thank you. His primary objective at all times is, of course, to bring levity to the most dire of situations.

"We would suffer. Badly." But his smile fades. "Speaking of meals, have you eaten recently?"

[edwinjarvis]

Good lad. Jarvis' hesitation in answering has already ratted him out, but he tries to lie anyway.

"Oh, I'm just fine! No need to worry about me. I'm hardly hungry yet; it's a skillset of mine."

[candothat]

Pavel is not the least bit convinced. Even a dreadful liar can occasionally spot another dreadful liar.

"Then please, do me a small favor." He retrieves a ration bar from a small bag he's hauling about and offers it to Jarvis. "Eat this when you are? It doesn't taste so bad as you might expect."

[edwinjarvis]

... After a pause, he takes the ration bar before gripping it a bit more firmly.

He looks rather thankful for the small token of kindness.

"... I promise you, Mr. Chekov, I'll do exactly that. Please take care out there."

He doesn't want anyone getting left behind or hurt.

[candothat]

A very, very small token considering how often Jarvis prevents people from running around hungry.

"Thank you, and I will. There is too much to do to bother with dying." Chekov reaches out to give Jarvis' arm a comradely squeeze. "Do the same, and I'll see you when this is over and there is time for all of us to celebrate our collective heroism."

[edwinjarvis]

He gives a firm nod, accepting the warm contact.

"Most definitely -- I happily await the breath of relief."

And off they go, back to work.