ataraxion | 001 ☼ video

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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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[ another lapse in space/time? his mind immediately reaches for possibilities, despite the very conscious decision that he is not yet physically adjusted enough to accommodate the thought, much less to pursue understanding as thoroughly as he would desire. this conclusion was too abruptly reached. his eyes close, hard, before reopening- head canted in the communicator's direction. ] May I inquire as to your current stardate?

[ The question is a little jarring — more assumptions that need to be put aside — but Capa understands its implications immediately. ] March 17, 2057. Might've been a Tuesday. I—

I can't really remember.

[ Then, after a brief silence. ] You?

[ 2057- if he operates under the assumption that they are members of the same universe, and instead merely variances of the same timeline, then this theory is at least remotely possible. warp drive wasn't discovered on earth until 2063. his brow creases, and not for the first time, he's immensely grateful to be in the silence of his own quarters.

he does not know anything for certain, but their conversation has been most- revealing. ]

2258.91 is my last recollection. The precise day may have some variance, as my internal chronometer has been effected by stasis as well. [ on the opposite end of the feed, his hands fall into his lap, fingers lacing together. how cautious he would need to be from here out- that remains to be seen. ]

Given our vastly differing dates of origin, in the interest of universal preservation, may I inquire as to the circumstances you are able to recall prior to your arrival?

2258.91.

[ Capa repeats the number to himself in a low, murmured voice, but it's so removed from any point of reference that he has that it's nothing more than an empty numeral to him — digits without any inherent meaning beyond the conceptualization of a date he can't mentally grasp. ]

I'm a member of a crew. Eight astronauts on a mission to the sun of our solar system. We're tasked with delivering a payload to the solar surface.

A bomb that will, hypothetically, restart the sun.

Then we have reached one conclusion with absolute certainty.

[ the words turn over in his mind as if they possess a physical form. something he might gain understanding from by condensing, handling. if nothing else, he is able to find immediate rejection. in his own timeline, such an expedition would be unnecessary- but that is as far as he allows the thought to progress. it's too close. too close to a memory he is not ready to touch. ]

We have been misappropriated not only from the fabric of space-time, but from varying universal continuums as well.

[ Capa specializes in star formation, antimatter and — most relevant to this juncture in conversation — physical cosmology. Which means the observation the other scientist has put forward doesn't derail him nearly as far as it might others. He goes quiet, then makes a quiet noise like a confirmation in the back of his throat. ]

So we're talking multi-verse here. String theory, M-theory. The capability to pull from a dozen, maybe more different continuums and consolidate to a single rendezvous point. [ A beat. He corrects himself: ] Or multiple. I haven't been able to locate one of the members of my crew yet.

[ the place where his own voice should soften, warm with concern or eased by mutually understood circumstances, it doesn't. instead spock's tone remains clinically observant as always. ]

Of my own vessel, a crew of four hundred, I have located only one other. The only assumption he is willing to consider is that we have been selectively collected. [ the possibility of casualties was not a subject for debate, he doesn't say. ]

[ Again, Capa is reminded of Icarus and, again, he finds himself oddly more comfortable in this conversation than he is with others. It'd be harder, maybe, if it wasn't simply a disembodied voice he was talking to and there was an actual face to the voice.

He considers the possibilities of what has happened to the remainder of the man's crew. Capa doesn't share any theories because, he's fairly certain, the stranger's considered them all already. ]

Jim Kirk, right? We're — acquainted — now.

My sympathies.

[ the words are out before he can stop them. to tell himself that vulcans don't joke. or consider the possibility that his reply could be taken entirely out of context. all of which hinges, ultimately on what the context is, he supposes, though the nature of that precarious relationship is a matter for another day. the pause lasts for little more than a fraction of a moment. ]

-May I request a description of your missing crew mate?

[ Capa exhales a quiet sound. It is, quite possibly, a laugh. He'd probably say the same thing about Mace, given the opportunity, and in much the same way. ]

5'5", 5'6". Brown hair, brown eyes. Caucasian. [ He pauses, trying to think of what he could tell him. ] She has a long narrow nose and— sad eyes. She's the ship's pilot. [ Something in Capa's voice changes tone. It doesn't soften per say, but he seems less than matter-of-fact for once. ]

Her name's Cassie.

Cassie.

[ the name is repeated, not with a blatant softening, but there is a weight to it. or perhaps the absence thereof, too heavy to be an exhale- an echo of reverence, or respect. the precise sentiment remains unclear, and spock chooses that moment to place the unnameable echo within a drawer. delicately, and silently, folded in upon itself. he knows nothing so well as containment. ]

If I am able to locate her, to whom should I direct her?

[ No consideration needed. His answer's immediate. ]

Tell her Capa's looking for her. [ Then, an addendum — not an afterthought, but a deliberately separate inclusion: ] And Mace and Corazon. Tell her the crew to Icarus II is here.

If you could do that— [ He'd owe him. ] —I'd appreciate it.

[ for the way he responds, the certainty and the speed, there is no need for speculation. regardless, spock says nothing. it is neither his place, nor his business. ]

I shall endeavor to do so, Capa.
If I am able to locate her, you shall be the first that I contact.

[ Now, a proper touch of earnestness. Two words, that's it, then gone again. ] Thank you.

[ A pause. Moving on: ] My crewmates and I are going to attempt to explore the ship later. Lay of the land, try to get a better understanding what we're looking at here.

Until we get concrete answers from someone who understands the scenario, knowledge share's going to be valuable. If you want, I can brief you with whatever we find.

A concise and logical assessment.
[ that's a compliment. and an unnecessary one at that, especially given that the voice on the other end of this device has already shown himself to be exceptionally reasonable. spock hadn't permitted much leniency by way of expectations, but this contact has been remarkably fulfilling.

regardless, the words are likely as much for himself as for his listener. ]

I believe a briefing would prove mutually beneficial. When the occasion arises I shall provide the same.

Great. [ Capa doesn't sound pleased, but he is. He's not a social creature, but he is human at the end of the day, so particularly successful interactions still fill him with a kind of tempered satisfaction. It's not a feeling he actively pursues, but he doesn't shun it either when it does come. He hadn't expected to find it here, so the satisfaction's nice as well as surprising. A soft rustle as he nods, affirming. ] Great.

If you need to contact me, you can hail me over the comm system. Or— look me up. I'm at— [ More rustling as Capa checks the number tattooed on the inside of his arm. ] —001 >> 008.

Understood, Capa.

[ the nod is mirrored on his own end. a subtle gesture, barely a motion at all, but present nonetheless. there is, however, no accompanying rustle of movement. his number, as everything else, has been committed to memory. ]

I am Spock, located at 001 >> 200.
Should you desire to contact me, hesitation is unnecessary.

Spock. [ Capa repeats. A quick confirmation as well as an acknowledgment. Maybe even another thank you. He doesn't go through the sorts of pleasantries of introductions like nice to meet you or the pleasure's mine. Instead: ] Details as I get them.

[ Another pause and then Capa terminates his end of the conversation. ]

Capa out.

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001 ☼ video

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