ataraxion | 001 ☼ video

[ The video feed clicks on to reveal Robert Capa — a man in his mid-thirties with shaggy hair (still damp from the tube where he awoke) and a five o'clock shadow and narrow shoulders covered by the ship's uniform he found in the locker marked with his identifying number. His eyes, bright blue, are particularly striking in that they are wholly calm, despite the latest series of events. The rest of his face is calm as well, the muscles of which never really rearrange themselves much to convey this emotion or that. When he speaks his voice is measured and even, though there is a certain start-stop to the cadence.

His words are prefaced with an inhale. It seems to steady him. ]

I guess I should start with the obvious question. We can figure out where to go from there, depending how the answers trend. [ Capa rubs his chin; the scrape of his stubble is audible. ] Is anyone here part of the ship's natural crew?

[ He pauses, letting that inquiry and whatever implications it may carry set in. There's a vague flicker of emotion, maybe worry, in the set of his mouth but it's as understated as the rest of him. ] And maybe, more importantly: can anyone recall how they got here?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

It has to at least have a captain... But if we're expected to run and pilot this thing, I think we're ill-equipped for such a challenge.

[That's something she can agree with, though, and she nods.]

How much have people explored so far?

For what it's worth, I'm an astronaut. Though the technology we've encountered so far isn't familiar. Not completely alien — I can make a few educated guesses if I had to — but nothing I'd feel comfortable operating just yet.

[ Capa shakes his head. ]

As far as I can tell, traffic's been between the medical bay and the passenger quarters. Side effects from stasis are across the board and I'm not sure anybody's ready for immediate exploration.

It's fairly advanced, yes. I've taken a look at the few things I've found and I can't say I'm very familiar with it either.

[Something floats back to her, something about a project and people leaving the planet. She's not sure what that all means.]

For all we know, then, there could be others waiting in other sections of the ship itself.

You an astronaut too?

[ At first Capa had assumed they would all be space crew. Upon perusing the network and garnering reactions, it became pretty clear that wasn't the case. ]

It's possible. But again, unlikely. These comm units seem to be standard issue and the tech would have to be retrofitted to pull others off network or onto a whole different bandwidth—

[ He shakes his head. ] Like I said — unlikely.

[She shakes her head.]

An investigator. But the technology here is somewhat similar to what we have in my city back home.

[Strange. That just rolled off her tongue.]

So, potentially, it's just a group of us expected to somehow take control and figure out how to work a ship whose technology may or may not be far more advanced than our own.

[Sarcasm slips into her tone.]

Great.

[ Capa's expression doesn't change, though he does feel a niggling sensation in the back of mind that may or may not be worry. He doesn't split hairs with her, though, answering earnestly: ]

Potentially, yeah. We're going to have to pool whatever tech resources we have, see which ones of us can make the most sense of the ship. It might be a matter of working in pairs or small groups in order to operate it. If it comes to that.

I've been asking around and there's an obvious divergence in the levels of native tech between all the passengers. You're not familiar with 'warp drive', are you?

If. But we'll figure that out soon enough. It might be best to meet everyone who's here, first, and try to gather what resources we have. If we're really the only people here, then we need to start acting like one, solid unit.

[She keeps her voice level, though she's surprised at the authority that comes with it. She shakes her head at his question.]

I don't, I'm afraid.

[ Capa's face registers the barest expression of skepticism — mostly a crinkling around the eyes. ]

From what I can tell, the people being woken from stasis are a mixed bag. A few crew members, acclimated to space, but mostly civilians. And a handful of kids.

'One solid unit' may be an uphill battle.

[ Hell, the Icarus crew was eight people and even they weren't 'solid'. ]

Even if it's not going to be 'solid'...

[She frowns.]

Most people will get into shape once it really hits them that we're alone and that we either help each other or die. And, frankly, that's not even the worst case scenario.

I haven't even touched worst case scenarios yet.

[ Capa hasn't dismissed them, though, either. They're lingering in the back of his brain, like a threat. He hopes it doesn't come to that. ]

Even so, people need to wake up and understand the situation we're in. As hard as it is to be away from home and to possibly be alone, we need to work together to make sure we don't die.

I'm not disagreeing with you. I just know that high-threat situations— [ Capa pauses, tries to find the right word. ] They don't work wonders for better judgment sometimes.

But as far as I'm concerned, I'm on board. I'm used to being part of a crew.

[Slowly, she nods.]

True enough.

How much do you remember of your home and what you did? Do you think you could help lead the people here or try and organize them, since you've been part of a crew before?

Beyond the specifics of how I got from Icarus to here, I'm not experience any other memory gaps. [ There's a hesitation that follows, during which Capa rubs at his chin thoughtfully. ]

I'm no captain. And people— [ He shakes his head. They're not his strongpoint. ] —I could probably train quick-study civilians on protocol if I had to. Bring them up to speed with basic rules and precautions.

Icarus?

[She nods again, watching him closely.]

We'll need to look, then, for people who might be willing to lead. We'll need doctors, people who can cook, and anyone who can teach others how to work here. But I suppose that goes without saying.

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