4th Gear - Video;

[gofortheoptics]

So, we all know that there's something fishy going on here by now.

But I think -- and don't shoot the skeptic here, because it seems we can't afford to have any men down -- that if there is going to be a threat, we want everyone to be capable of keeping in touch.

No man left behind, as it were.

To that end, if there are any people experiencing difficulties using their communicators, I'd be happy to help.

[A team is only as strong as its weakest member, right? You never knew when even someone who'd previously seemed useless would come through at an unexpected moment.

She brings the video a little closer to her face.]

I don't bite, I promise. So, any takers?

[Sooner was better than later.]

Comments

[gofortheoptics]

Duty gets in the way of that, sometimes.

[She takes a breath.]

Besides, that's not an option here.

[And her parents were dead.]

[allucinator]

No, but . . . I mean, you could make more friends here. It ain't perfect, but it's better'n nothin'.

[gofortheoptics]

[She nods briefly.]

Of course. I -- made friends here before, but some of them aren't here any more.

[allucinator]

Oh.

[He sketches for a few more seconds before self-consciously adding:]

I'm sorry.

[gofortheoptics]

It's -- for the better, if they're gone home.

[As long as their home is safe, that is.]

[allucinator]

Yeah, I . . . yeah.

[He cranes his neck, looking at her drawing.]

That's pretty good!

[gofortheoptics]

[She blinks, glancing down at the paper.]

...well, at least it sort of looks like it's supposed to.

[allucinator]

Most people don't get that far their first time.

[Okay, it's mostly said out of loyalty, but he's certainly not mocking her.]

You ever drawn before?

[gofortheoptics]

Just technical drawings. Circuits, that kind of thing.

[And only when absolutely necessary.]

[allucinator]

What's a circuit?

[gofortheoptics]

It's an electrical system that has a closed loop to allow current to run.

[Science!]

[allucinator]

[He stares at her blankly.]

. . . sorry, you wanna try English now?

[gofortheoptics]

[...she's no good at explaining these things.]

It's -- a way to map electricity, at its most basic.

[allucinator]

We'll just call it science and keep it simple, how's about that? Anyway-- here, keep goin'. I'll teach you how to shade stuff inna few minutes, once you get more done.

[gofortheoptics]

[She nods. He probably knows best as far as this goes, at least.]

If that works for you. If you're ever curious, though, I'm sure they've got books here on the basics of most scientific principles.