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?

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[ Capa makes a noise, like a soft huh. ]

Two so far. Out of a total of eight. An engineer, a botanist and me.

[ After a pause, he adds: ] You're the second person I've heard so far mention 'warp'. It's not the kind of tech we had on the Icarus II. In fact, it's the the kind of tech we have anywhere where I'm from.

[somehow, Jim isn't surprised, and he winces a little on his end of the communicator. hearing how this guy spoke, he'd had high hopes.]

Icarus, huh? [now there was a name rife with history. he errs on the side of caution, for now.] I guess nothing on this ship seems familiar to you at all, either, then. [a pause.] Damn.

[ Yes, Icarus. The name is even more ironic than ever now that Capa knows what happened to Icarus I. ] We were on a mission to the sun.

[ His voice is almost absent when he says it, like he's musing on some distracting thought and the conversation has taken a momentary back seat to other considerations. When Capa speaks again, a moment later, however, he seems very much himself again. ] It's not completely alien to me, no. But there's plenty here I'd need to spend some time with before I feel comfortable with it Conceptually, I should be able to understand how everything works. Practical applications of knowledge take a little longer.

It's not a no, but it's not a yes either. Can't give you anything better than that, just yet.

[there's a long silence as Jim appreciates the irony of Icarus flying to the sun; but he chooses not to point out that's how the guy died. he gets the impression there's some heavy shit behind that, with the way he said it, but that isn't any of his business.]

What's your station? I can tell you're a scientist.

Astrophysicist. [ Capa's tone, despite further heavy implications, is straight-forward and matter of fact. ] It was my responsibility to oversee the maintenance and successful delivery of the payload to the sun.

I specialize in physical cosmology, star formation and antimater, specifically. [ A beat. ] If that means anything to you.

[despite himself, Jim relaxes, and he lets out a huff of a sigh to accompany it.]

Finally, someone speaking my language.

[ There's the barest touch of wryness to Capa's response. ]

I don't really that often. [ A beat. ] The name's Capa. The members from my crew — Mace and Corazon — they should speech your language too. More or less.

Depends on how much you like plants or yelling.

[he laughs.]

Jim Kirk. The other guy from my crew here, that I know of, is Spock.

He's a scientist, isn't he. And— really specific.

That's the one.

He's been helpful.

—enlightening to talk to.

He has that effect on people. [when he isn't pissing over emotional humans off, but you know.]

[ Capa wonders if there's an implication there, but he's not clever enough in the right kinds of ways to see it. ]

Clearly a science officer, but you—?

[ He couldn't peg Kirk for anything in particular. ]

Commanding officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise.

[that's likely because he sticks his hands in everything.]

[ Capa's voice modulates slightly. He's not Mace, he doesn't hold to any rigid military doctrine, but he is the member of a crew, and he gives acknowledgment where it's due. ]

Captain Kirk.

[he really is still getting used to people not saying Captain with a huge degree of sarcasm attached. so he smiles. it's in his voice.]

Don't worry, I can keep up. [it's a tease. mostly because he knows how some captains can be.]

[ There's no sarcasm, but there's no real reverence either. It's matter of fact and — further below, where it can't be heard — relief. Capa knows he could never be a captain himself. He likes the idea of somebody else calling the shots. ]

Getting people on board with what needs to be done might not be easy— [ He tries it on for size. ] —captain.

[Jim huffs, it's almost a wry laugh. you can say that again.]

I know. People are scared and a lot of them don't have the training for this kind of situation, but we'll manage.

[ Capa clears his throat. ]

And the kids—?

[he hesitates.]

They're civilians as far as I'm concerned.

[and we keep civilians out of trouble and out of harm's way.]

[ That hesitation is echoed, but barely. ]

The Icarus II was designed for a single flight with a single mission in mind. My crewmates and I don't have a lot of experience with civilians. [ A blindspot. Possibly, a handicap. ]

[he frowns, just a little. that sounds... ominous.]

We just have to keep them out of trouble.

[babysitting, but, there's no avoiding it.]

Babysitting.

[ Not incredulous, not arguing. Just...validating. A little less neutrally: ]

Mace'll love that.

I think I understand how he feels.

001 ☼ video

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