002. Video

[cargojet]

First thing's first, and this isn't just me being a pain in the ass but could someone maybe bring everyone on board up to speed on the Smiley thing? We've got a lot of people around here don't know what's going on and if I have to put my hands up and be the first to admit to it then so be it, but for the love of God if there's something you've got to share with the class get on and do it.

I do a lot of watching around here - guy can't be on duty all the time - and I've got problems. Communication is a big one, there's a whole lot of difference between the people with their hands on the wheel and those who're just along for the ride cause they got nowhere else to be. There's no liaison between one and the other, everyone's just gotta sit tight and wait for information to trickle down, and I don't know about the rest of you but I don't think it's working out.

To that end I think we gotta have that meeting people have been talking about, whether it's for the sake of expediting that or just to get people talking--we're jumping again soon, and I'm pretty sure things are gonna be as much as a shambles for the new guys as I felt they were when I got here. Sure, we're all gonna be just as screwed coming outta those things as anyone else, but at least we know where we are.

Now I'm not saying it won't be dangerous, or that there's not a hundred different excuses for leaving things the way we are, I'm just saying - and I think most people agree - that some kind of something has gotta be done, and it'd have been a hell of a lot easier if we'd had the opportunity to discuss it last week, rather than leaving it to the last second. I know: everyone's too busy asking 'How high?' when Smiley-boy says 'Jump'. While I'm on the subject, what the hell happened to that chapel idea we were floating? We got go ahead for that yet?

One other thing, and I'm gonna be assertive and straight out say it. If you wanna be useful, then join the crew. And if you don't wanna be useful-- [ He just shakes his head. ] Only thing I can think of is the story of the Little Red Hen.

Comments

[majestyofthethrone]

Chapel?

Is the Little Red Hen the story about the hen that baked bread?

[cargojet]

It's come up a couple of times now. People want somewhere to practice their religions, and talk to others about their faith. I don't know... Maybe it's that space makes you question your beliefs more than you usually would, but I feel like it'd do me a lot of good too.

That's the story I'm thinking of. Her friends sit by and watch her do all the hard work, thinking they can just reap the benefits without expending any effort.

[majestyofthethrone]

What's stopping people?

[cargojet]

From doing what? Practicing their religion or getting off their asses?

[majestyofthethrone]

Sorry, I should be more clear.

From opening a chapel.

[cargojet]

First thing that came up when I discussed it before was going to the Captain to ask for permission. I'm still holding onto that route, personally. But what's stopping everyone else? Nothing, really, short of community, and maybe confidence.

Everyone's scared, and they don't wanna tread on other people's toes.

[majestyofthethrone]

Everyone's scared for a lot of reasons, Mr...

...I don't know your name.

[cargojet]

Petrelli; Nathan Petrelli. Better to stick with Nathan if you don't want to confuse me with my brother.

Not saying they don't have every right to be scared. In fact to be honest it's part of why a chapel would be so good for this place. It's easier for the fear to get at you when you're alone.

[majestyofthethrone]

Nathan.

Fear gets me even when I know God is with me. But in general you're probably right.

video;

[foresaw]

Interesting speech, but what makes you think everyone can be useful to your cause? [God, Isaac. Stop this self hatred thing right now.]

[cargojet]

Didn't catch your name either, and you know--that's probably healthy. God isn't going to stop you being afraid, but I think it helps to cope with it when you are.

video;

[cargojet]

If all you gotta do is dig dirt and plant seeds, even you can do that, right? [ He gives a hard look as though to dare him to argue with that. ]

[majestyofthethrone]

I'm Sera. Seraphim Dias.

video;

[foresaw]

[He can't, but he totally can.] Yes, but how much of that is actually happening?

[cargojet]

That's a beautiful name. You prefer Sera?

[ He can't imagine shortening his own name, even if his Navy friends might have tried it now and again. Just didn't fit. ]

[majestyofthethrone]

Everyone else does.

...but I like Seraphim a little more.

video;

[cargojet]

Everywhere's short handed right now, Isaac. I've been working Comms, and the things I knew about computers before I got here coulda been written on the palm of my hand.

It's been a month, so I'm guessing you haven't just been staring at the walls the whole time? [ Giving you the benefit of the doubt rather than being blatantly rude, if only because you're Peter's friend, and you're also dead. ]

[cargojet]

Seraphim it is then.

You know, if that's what you want to be called you ought to stick to it. It's your name, and it's your privilege to be called by it.

[majestyofthethrone]

That's a nice thing to say.

[cargojet]

Only honest. Names are the one thing from home that we get to keep just as they are.

[majestyofthethrone]

My brother doesn't like my name.

[cargojet]

[ On the topic of brothers, Nathan could go in any number of directions, so there's a brief pause before his reply. ]

Older or younger?

[majestyofthethrone]

Younger, by fifteen and a half minutes.

[cargojet]

Hard to imagine whether that would be more or less bearable than twelve years, really. Why doesn't he like your name?

video;

[foresaw]

Haven't I? [Oh, hold your tongue. He isn't Peter's friend. At least, he's pretty sure that's the collective opinion. He and Peter are very unfortunate acquaintances.] All the things I've ever been any good at can be written on a finger. The things that would be useful here can fill even less space. I actually am useless to you.