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

There has to be crew somewhere. Life support systems need some sort of monitor and medic watching over them, otherwise you risk stressing the machines. If this is a long-term mission, then they might have been in stasis lock like us and working on a clock. If they're not up yet, then they will be eventually.

As for memories...I don't remember any events that could have ended up like this, but I do know a mech who's been dimension-hopping before, if that helps.

This memory loss doesn't feel like the last time. I was even getting impressions earlier, even if they were gone almost immediately. If someone can't answer your question now, then they might be able to later.

[ Capa's quiet for a long time, his brow pinched slightly in concentration, like he's trying really hard to listen and process everything the stranger has to say. What he eventually has to say is: ]

Dimension-hopping. [ He sounds speculative, but not rudely so. ] Is that what you think this is?

[Heatwave grins and shrugs. He seems awkward in the movements, but that may or may not be noticeable.]

I've already seen it happen once. I'm saying I think it's possible.

[ If Capa notices it, he makes no indication of it. And even if he did, something like stasis would be more than explanation enough for hindered motor skills. The stranger seems to having actual difficulties, that would be a different story. ]

Would you be able to recognize the technology involved?

[ It's a huge leap in logic to make, but he poses the question more as a hypothetical than an actual question. ]

Maybe, but only if I was able to talk to it. I wasn't there when Cliffjumper arrived.

Do you have an idea of what it might be?

[ Capa assumes he means a metaphoric talking to. Because a literal talking to would be weird. ]

Someone's mentioned warp drives, but they're far beyond the technological means of my point of reference. Hypothetically, if I was given access to it, I'd be able to figure it out. The tech here isn't completely alien, so—

[Oh yeah. Totally weird. What nutter would do that?]

[Heatwave seems to come to attention, features brightening.]

Warp-? Like in human Science Fiction? We might have something like that in my world, if you mean being able to cross distances in space at very high speeds that it seems nearly instantaneous. If you need help, just ask. I can try and draw you schematics. My memory isn't as clear in his form as I'm used to, but I should be able to approximate.

[A JOB? A JOB? CAN I HELP? A JOB?]

Oh. Yeah. I am called Heatwave, by the way.

Heatwave. Capa.

[ Capa blinks as he repeats the name, though he chalks it up to some kind of moniker. Mace could have odd connotations too, even though Capa knew better about his shipmate. Some of the language is strange, though. He takes note of it, but doesn't address it straight away. ]

Science fiction? More or less. It's meant to be a propulsion system that allows for faster than light space travel. Which for us is less science and more fiction.

There may be a party of us later headed out to try to find engineering. We could probably use your eyes.

That sounds like what I was thinking of.

I'd be happy to go. I'm not very familiar with advanced human technology, so I'm not sure how reliable my visual recognition would be, but I should be able to recognize the technology if I can get close enough.

[aka: "Hi! What's your function?"]

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