driftfleet | (no subject)

Who: James T. Kirk
Broadcast: Network - open to all
Action: all around the SS Red Fish + SS Heron
When: Right now, and throughout the following week

NETWORK BROADCAST ▹ VIDEO;

[ Jim's staring seriously at the camera as the broadcast begins, concern visible on his features. He might be easily recognizable to most everyone on the Fleet, but as soon as he starts talking, it will become obvious that he is not the same man, or at least not having the very same memories. Not of this place, that's for sure. ]

My name is James T. Kirk. I'm... not entirely sure how I got here, but for what it's worth, I'm one of the new arrivals.

[ He presses his lips, glancing around. ] This isn't the first time I've been brought to a universe other than my own, but I was wondering if anyone else here has had a similar experience. Coming here from a place that's not your reality of origin.

[ A pause, ] Specifically, has anyone here heard of Riverview, or the Quarantine?

[ He can't help a hopeful look. A familiar face, any familiar face, will be welcome. He's looking for a specific one, admittedly, but he's not holding his breath on that one. ]

Thank you in advance.

ACTION ▹ SS RED FISH

[ Once he makes that broadcast, he'll be exploring his new location, so he knows what he's dealing with. He can be found roaming the ship, poking his head into all the nooks and corners, and possibly trying to sneak his way into off-limits locations, if there are any. Stop him getting into trouble, or help him? Or just come say hi to a not-quite-new face. ]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

More?

[Keith looked momentarily shocked and then laughed.]

I probably shouldn't be so surprised.

Well, we don't only look alike, we also sound alike. We have similar expressions, we move in similar ways. A bit closer to each other than twins.

[ He pauses, pondering a moment. ] Maybe we should start thinking about using name tags. Use different colored shirts. Cut my hair? [ He's kidding obviously. ]

[Keith just chuckled a little.]

I don't know if name tags would work, but different colored shirts might.

[Smirk.]

I'm not relinquishing the gold, so you'd have to convince my twin to wear something else.

[ But being a Kirk, he's going to be just as adamant about his gold shirt, so. ]

You think the engagement ring will help, at least? [ He wiggles his left hand, eyebrow raised. Everyone seems to be surprised to find that there's a Jim Kirk out there who's getting married, so he's been having a bit of fun with that. ]

[Yup. Keith was surprised. His eyebrows went up a little, and then he nodded a bit.]

Yeah... that can help if it's visible enough.

At least, for as long as the other version of you doesn't get engaged, too.

[He smirked a little.]

Congrats.

I'm sure he'd make it a point to get a bigger, flashier ring.

[ He was smirking, though, clearly teasing. He didn't think his twin really was considering marriage, at least not for the foreseeable future, so he should be alright. ]

Worse comes to worst, I'll grow some stubble. It doesn't look so bad on me. For now I think we'll just see how confusing it gets.

[ And how much fun they could have with it. ]

[That actually got a laugh. Congrats, other-Kirk... you found the unicorn that is Keith's laughter.]

If he ever settles down for something like that.

[Keith raised an eyebrow at the stubble idea.]

It could work. It's an option to keep in mind.

[ Victory!! ]

You'd have to ask his better half about that. Anyway, I settled down, so who's to say?

[ They were the same person after all. Maybe at some point Kirk would feel that same desire to tie the knot. ]

Mm, I will. [ He cupped his own jaw, then winked. ] Anyway, aside from the whole 'there's another you here' deal, is there anything else you think I need to know?

True.

[Keith nodded, and then considered the 'anything else' part.]

Well, you're used to the idea of space, so that won't be a huge adjustment for you. And you got the basics, right? Reality TV show, we're here for someone else's enjoyment, all that fun stuff?

Right, yeah. I've been caught up on all that. And well, I am familiar with space travel, but I've been living on a moon for the past year and a half, so it'll take at least some adjustment.

[ He had a house with a pool and a garden, and a dog and a kid. Yeah, he'd call this a huge adjustment. ]

Exactly how much of what we do is broadcast? Every little thing? Do we get any modicum of privacy, like... in our quarters, for instance?

Honestly? No one really knows. We haven't been able to find anything resembling a camera or other device that would record video or audio, so we're not really sure. And, well, we haven't really run across anyone anywhere that actually knows of us as being a show in that way. Like... sometimes, it's a case of, 'we met you in another system' or 'I heard you guys visited the planet where my father's brother's nephew's cousin's former roommate lives.'

[ Jim hummed thoughtfully, his expression a little more serious now. ]

So wherever this... show airs, whoever's watching it, you haven't been to that place yet.

[ Sounded like it was all a big question mark. Jim wasn't going to live his life any differently, though. He couldn't imagine going through every day looking over his shoulder, wondering who, if anyone at all, might be watching. ]

Pretty much, yeah... which is kind of worrying in and of itself.

[Because, it meant that there likely was no actual show, and that was all a farce and coverup for something else... and Keith definitely didn't like that idea.]

I'd say very much so, yes. The show might not even be real to begin with. Which begs the question as to where our paychecks come from, and what exactly are we being paid for.

[ Jim didn't like that thought either, but he was going to keep asking those questions, and trying to figure out what the hell was going on here. ]

Exactly.

[Keith didn't like it, either.]

We're still digging, and trying to share information with each other. After all, we're all stuck here together. It would be dumb not to help each other out, right?

Yes, it would. Incredibly so. It's enough we've ended up stuck here one way or the other, isolating ourselves is definitely not the way to go. We gotta stick together.

[ He smiled, nodding at Keith. ]

I'll keep you in mind. If I dig up any interesting information. Not sure I'll find much that you guys don't already know, considering how long you've all been here, but that won't stop me from trying.

Check out the lecture hall on the Iskaulit. There's some records in there that we've been keeping for a while. You can see how much we've gotten so far.

[If Kirk were to go investigate, he'd find a loose panel under one of the seats in the back row that had written notes about things they'd experienced so far in there.]

[ Jim nodded, his head tipping down slightly. ]

I will, absolutely. Thanks for the suggestion.

[ Jim was very much the kind to poke and prod at every nook and cranny, so he was very likely to find those notes. They'd make for a very interesting read, no doubt. ]

[Keith nodded.]

Glad to help.

If you need anything else, just let me know.