ataraxion | 9th Marker

[Oh hey, he's actually showing his face for once, because he looks kind of grim. SERIOUS BUSINESS FACE. He also seems to be fiddling with some sort of... box of connected wiring and parts down in the engineering deck, but he's less focusing on that and more the video screen.]

So I've heard talk of mazes and lists and people wanting to scout. Now... I'm not going to say that's a bad plan, but you better know what you're in for.

I told you all I was on a ship like this once - and it's getting similar by the day -, but there's a few tricks and tips that you might want to keep in mind, everyone who's ready to go investigating.

The first point should be fairly obvious: Don't go alone. We have no idea what this smiley character is planning on, and last I checked, most people don't have eyes in the back of their head. Having at least one person to tag with you if you're going to explore is a good idea. Groups of three are best - but if you want to go larger, by all means.

The second - find something to defend yourself with. It doesn't matter what it is. A nice left hook, something heavy enough to swing, or... [He holds up something by his side, which looks like it could be a cross between a pistol and some sort of welding torch.] Good old fashioned power tools. Either way, you need something for one the off chance things are going to go wrong.

The third is probably the most important. Don't panic. There is reason to be worried, without a doubt, but you need to keep a cool and level head when it comes to dealing with a crisis situation on ships like this. Keep in touch with the ship's communication system. Be cautious, but cool-headed. There's plenty to fear, but if you panic, it just makes it that more hard to reason through what Smiley's wanting us to do.

Those are just my two cents, though. Feel free to disregard them. [He shrugs a little, as if he's not expecting anyone to listen regardless.]

Clarke out. [And there goes the feed.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[...well, that's interesting.]

I've been on ships worse than this, so far, but I'm starting to get a sinking feeling about this one.

I wonder how many people actually know how to use weapons.

I figure there's at least a few. And those that don't can probably swing a fire extinguisher... but yeah, things aren't looking up for the mis-named ship Tranquility at all.

You doing alright?

For a meaning of all right. This whole situation makes me nervous.

Makes me wish I had a bigger gun.

You and me both, though the Plasma Cutter's served me pretty well thus-far. I've needed it more times than I care to remember.

Regardless. I'm a bit worried, myself.

I can't say I've heard of a plasma cutter. Is it a hard-light weapon?

Not quite. Ionized superheated air, moving in a focused trajectory. Usually only used for short range, but I've had to modify it a bit. Works like a charm for my other line of work.

A literal tool, I'm guessing.

[Or that's what it sounds like.]

Video; 50% Encrypt

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That doesn't look like any power tool I've ever seen.

Plasma Cutter. Pretty standard in my world. Ionized charges of air allows breaking up of mining materials as well as serving as a quick-weld.

This one's a little jury-rigged from a surgical version of a cutter and a flashlight - but it gets the job done.

Edited 2012-06-08 05:22 (UTC)

Huh.

[Alex is quiet for a moment, then.]

Wonder if I could modify one to fit on my wrist.

[Use his own powers to focus it and create a smaller beam.]

I don't know. Should be straight-forward in terms of how it works, but I have to use cartridges in order to keep it fueled. Got about a dozen or so charges.

Nah that isn't a problem for me.

My body creates plasma.

...Really now.

[CONGRATULATIONS. YOU HAVE ENGINEER CLARKE'S ATTENTION.]

[And Alex can definitely tell. He isn't sure if he should feel uncomfortable or not.]

Yes. I can fire it from my wrists in large blasts, but if I could work with a cutter, I could make something even more finely tuned.

voice;

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You say this as if you're the only one who's ever doing any sort of exploring before. Insulting.

[Oh boy, that snark.]

I might be the only one who's made a scavenger hunt out of a spaceship.

Corridors are corridors, mate, I don't care where they're floating. What's your weapon there, it looks nasty.

Yeah, but trying to keep a spaceship in one piece can be a hell of a job.

Plasma Cutter. Jury-rigged. Ionized, superheated air. Straight trajectory. Easy to aim. Good at what it says it does.

[...none of any of that makes the least bit of sense. But. Okay. It's a Muggle weapon, then, he learns that much from that answer.]

Well, if it's all the same to you, I'll take something a bit lighter. Seems as if a weapon like that might be a bit of a hinderence as I'm keeping a spaceship in one piece, or whatever it is you're on about.

Usually, yes.

This is the lightest I have. What did you have in mind for 'lighter'?

[voice]

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Your cents are accurate.

And if I may, sir, you actually have a head on your shoulders. That's good. Have you been informed of the hallway?

Yeah, this isn't my first time doing this sort of thing. Thanks for the compliment, though.

As for the hallway, do you mean a few months back, the room with the skeletons? I ended up being there, too. It was my first clue - along with many others - that something was amiss.

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That's the one.

Should you do continue exploring--heed your advice. I'd be willing to help, sir.

Yeah. I remember that pretty well.

And exploring is my little... let's just call it a 'side-project'. So I'll make sure to be following my own advise. Once bitten, twice shy, and all.

What can you do to help? [Phrased as a genuine question. He's curious, and he's never been one to turn down unorthodox methods...]

I'm very good at sensing danger.

[ Among other things. But it's nicer to say that. ]

Video; encrypted private to Clarke, 50%