action + text.

[coinstability]

Who: Connor + you
Broadcast: Yes, fleetwide text
Action: Marsiva and the Starduck
When: November 2nd - 4th

the marsiva - action.

[Connor can't say that he likes waking up with no idea where he is or how he came to be there, but he'll concede that it's something different, at least. He rolls that concept around just long enough to get a look out of the viewing windows at the unfamiliar planets below before he gets to work.

The communicator is the obvious place to start, though Connor quickly realises that he can't bypass any of the security systems in the network. All he can do is scan through what's available. He does that over the course of a minute, frowning down at the device in his hand, before he pockets it and starts looking around the hospitality deck instead. Anyone coming across him there will find him in the process of placing his hand on various electronics and robotic equipment - the skin of his hand sliding away leaving only white plating - with an ever increasing look of mild frustration on his face, the LED on his temple spinning bright yellow.]

the starduck - action.

[Well, he knew it was coming thanks to the network information, but it's still startling when the sudden jump to another spaceship happens. Connor blinks with surprise, then takes a moment to brush the scattered confetti off his hair and jacket. The plate of pudding nearby gets only a passing glance before he leaves the bridge. He can't eat it, after all.

Instead he seeks out the other crew members of the Starduck, checking the other rooms until he finds someone.]

Hello. My name is Connor. I'm-- the newly assigned Communications officer on the ship.

[Nearly said something else there for a second before he caught himself. That's a habit he needs to break.]

fleetwide text.

I understand from going through the network that these communication devices sometimes activate on their own. Is there a pattern or cause for when they do this?

[He's got some theories himself, but the network isn't the full story. Best to get an idea from the actual people trapped here.]

Comments

[coinstability]

Glitches are malfunctions in equipment and technology, though. The fact that this happens to humans in this place is a lot more than just 'things that happen'.

[Whether it's caused by the augments or not, the listed glitches from one of the recent network posts read like a laundry list of pure fiction. After a beat--]

And one of these glitches is what set your bed on fire?

[monolike]

Something like that. My partner, he can usually make water from nothing. A glitch just- flipped that around.

It's really, really odd, I know; I don't think anyone's ever actually figured out how they do it.

[coinstability]

[It isn't inherently in Connor's nature to talk back at people. There's a lot of underlying programming that tells him not to. But he's a deviant now and--]

Water can't just turn into fire or come from nothing.

[He's already dealt with temporal dislocation a couple of days ago. Further bending the laws of physics is kind of a three-car pileup when he was still working out the logistics of the first two cars.

Shaking his head to himself, the consternation bleeds out of his voice as he picks up the more consistent fact.]

But there is agreement that the Atroma are the cause.

[monolike]

[And Sorey knows the beginnings of that argument to leave well enough alone. He's totes cool changing the subject if you are, dude]

Pretty much. It's common knowledge that these 'glitches' originate from the implants they put into us. I know some people ran some experiments on them a while back, but I only read about it...I think they're listed in the guide.

[coinstability]

They are.

[He read it in his first hour on the Marsiva. Getting confirmation that it wasn't just him who couldn't scan the presence of the augment in his own head was something, at least, though it didn't really improve matters.

The words 'psychological dread' had been enough to give him pause over making further tests.]

I got the impression the experiments did not end well.

[monolike]

I don't think they did.

[Sorey sighs, scuffing a hand through his hair. The jingle of his earrings probably can't be picked up by the mic of his comm device, but he plays with one of them anyway out of nervous habit.]

Your welcome shouldn't be like this, someone just...listing out the things to be cautious of. I'm sorry.

[coinstability]

If those things are important to know, then there's no reason they shouldn't be provided at first contact.

[It makes more sense than a traditional welcome. Partly due to the fact that they're abductees and a welcome in those circumstances seems superfluous. The other part lies in the fact that Connor hasn't really been welcomed by anyone like this until coming here. Showing up somewhere and being told the situation is far more familiar.]

[monolike]

It's really not all that bad here, most of the time. You get to see so many incredible things, and meet new people, experience interesting cultures...it can be bittersweet when you have to leave places or people behind, but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

[coinstability]

[Unseen, Connor's eyebrows go up.]

You must really like it here.

[monolike]

I enjoy the opportunity being here provides. [A faint smile.] I grew up a little sheltered...I guess I'm still getting used to adventure.

[coinstability]

I wouldn't define an intergalactic abduction as an adventure. [It's a crime, surely.] But as I haven't been on one, you might be better placed to say that.

[monolike]

I've really only been on one before this one, so I'm not exactly an expert either.

I won't deny that it's not right that we're here against our will...or at the very least, without our permission. But there really is a lot of merit to being here at all, even if it doesn't seem like it at first.

[coinstability]

[Well, he's got that part right. Other than the number of friendly greetings he's gotten, Connor hasn't found much merit in his stay yet.]

You said you had left places behind. How long have you been here?

[monolike]

A little past two years, I think? How they're counted here, anyway; I'm not sure what your calendars look like.

[coinstability]

They're typically 365 days unless it's a leap year. [...] Two years is a long time.

[monolike]

[Yeah that sounds about right.] Oh, it might be closer to three years then.

It uh...it goes by quickly? In retrospect.

[coinstability]

[That's approximately nine times longer than Connor has been alive, so he's not convinced it will go that fast for him.]

Well, you'd know better than me.

[Not so much a concession as a 'I have no idea what I've gotten myself into here, god' sort of tone.]

[monolike]

[Yikes.] Hey...I'm Sorey. What's your name?

[coinstability]

It's Connor. I appreciate what you've told me so far, Sorey.

[Weird though it may be. It's still information.]