[Leave it to Shepard to not actually check the network out fully before diving in and using it. The feed clicks on, and there's a moment before Shepard's voice comes through, her Commander Mode switched to full-on]

This is Commander Shepard of the SSV Normandy, Alliance Navy. I'm requesting any information available on the current status and location of my ship and crew. Barring that, the name and affiliation of this vessel.

[There's a pause as Shepard lets out a breath, giving the comm device a dubious look, as she pulls it away from her face]

I swear if I'm missing another two years of my life I'm going to - [and you don't get to know what Shepard would do as she cuts the feed and the audio clicks off.]

Good evening.

[ An even, mild British tone would politely like to interrupt whatever activity you're busy with for a short PSA. ]

I am JARVIS, an artificial intelligence program created by Tony Stark, and I wish to offer my assistance to any crew member that may be in need.

Should you require it, I am capable of technological assistance and computation. I also host a wide spectrum of reference material and am capable of reciting or rendering anything I have previously seen or heard, so long as it has not been deleted from my database. I may also be capable of creating programs to be installed to your communication device as far as the hardware can support it. [ a pause, and he adds: ] I have been informed that some have taken to watching soap operas for entertainment and advised to provide a less demeaning means of occupying time. [ Aka, come let him put Tetris on your comm device.

He pauses for a moment, more to allow a listener to catch up and feel like they've gotten a handle of the information than for him to think of what to say next. ]

My primary function is assisting Mr. Stark on his large scale engineering projects, thus not all requests may be taken, [ The tone takes a dry sort of tone ] and while I previously managed Mr. Stark's household maintenance protocols, I will not be taking any request for manual labor, entertainment, or doing one's laundry, so I'd kindly ask you manage those issues by your own means.

Thank you for your time.

[ It's been over two weeks since Dean's put in an appearance on the network. A medium-scale demon infestation, working alongside your supposedly dead mother from the past to get rid of them and the arrival of the little brother you thought was in Hell can do that to a guy. But Dean's not really one to bitch and moan. The awful alcohol he's been working through at night has been taking care of that. He's also not one to go into any great detail over how genuinely glad he is that most people scraped through okay. That he'll express by being a little less of an asshole than usual.

This isn't a social post to the network, no questions about bodyshots to be seen, this time. Dean isn't part of the Welcome Committee for very good reasons, but it doesn't mean he can't actually offer up a little peace of mind for the new people. Yeah, make the most of this. It won't last. ]

For any of you newbies up here... [eloquent, as always,] this ship's got a Security team. I noticed a few people are askin' about family or friends and whether they're here too. Before you go wonderin' off lookin'? Keep in mind the second you get outta range of where we've already explored you don't have a snowball's chance gettin' back. [It took him three weeks the one time he went looking for survivors and that almost drove him crazy.]

You got a problem? Come talk to us. [He doesn't go as far as saying "we're here to help" out loud but... that's what he's implying.]


[ private - encrypted 95% - to anybody he knows helped exorcising the demons/keeping other people safe ]

Everybody on this freakin' ship owes you whether they realize what you did or not. [ There's a pause as he clears his throat. This isn't easy... he doesn't do motivational or heartfelt speeches. ] But I know what you did. And I won't forget. You got my thanks.


[ private - encrypted 95% - Tranquility Security team & Jim Kirk ]

Outside of that little fiesta we had with the demons... been noticin' a lot of people arrivin' and askin' where family members and friends are. I'm guessin' most of 'em are just confused because it's not like any of us had anybody here to hold our hand when we arrived. But just in case people are lost up here... eyes and ears open. Take names. Ask questions. Last thing we need right now is people wonderin' off lookin' for their family and not comin' back. Especially if they're right and they do have family and friends already here.

[Taylor doesn't waste any time for adjustment as she turns on the feed, the camera barely managing to achieve focus before she's talking. Clearly angry, but there's a slight tension at the edges of her eyes, and she's keeping her voice oddly low and hushed even as she snarls at the camera.]

I want them back. You give them back to me-- [She stops, suddenly, looking off to the side. The camera drops, getting a very close shot of the gun she's holding in her other hand before an even closer shot of the inside of her wrist.

Silence, for a long while. Then the device is pulled back up to show her face again with no explanation for the interruption.]

You give them back to me now, or I am going to come and find you, and I am going to fucking kill you.

[The video cuts as abruptly as it had started.]

[Jack's been hit by the fear toxin. But he doesn't know that that's what it is.

He can hear them, over the intercoms. Their voices stilted, mechanical. Hell, Jack doesn't even know if they're on this ship. But they don't have to be. The one that was in Thames house was only an ambassador, Jack's sure of it. They've tracked him down. They know him. They're coming. For him. And by proxy, the rest of the ship.

So when he turns on the video to address the network, he looks harried, his eyes wide and blue. He's been running, trying to find them. Trying to stop them, but he can't get a trace on their signal. The 456.]

You have to listen to me. Please, this is Captain Jack Harkness. Whoever's out there - everyone out there - you have to listen to me...! They've taken over the ship. I don't know how, and I don't know to what extent, but they've...

[He takes a shuddering breath] I've dealt with them before. They have a poison. They have a poison that they're going to pump into the air in minutes if we don't...

[He stops himself. He hates himself for asking, but if they want to get rid of them, then they've got to make an exchange. And the only thing that they could possibly want...] How many children do we have on board this ship? [Another deep breath, and then his voice is loud, frightened, and commanding, and he hates himself] Someone tell me, how many?!