oo2 ✘ video

[predictor]

[So, this last jump? Aaron got a gun. Just walked up to his locker for his clothes, clicked it open, and there it was. Sitting on top of his leather jacket, a few cases of ammunition behind it.

He really missed his gun.

Which is why, today, he's not addressing the network through text. Instead, he's sitting in his room, a single gold case (it almost looks like cigarette case) hanging around his neck, face serious and posture... well, it almost looks a little threatening.]

I need to know how often people from your worlds show up, people you know. When one person ends up here, do other people follow? That sort of thing.

Also... I need a chemist. [His expression tenses a little, almost darkens] Consider it urgent.

[There's a quick pause, and Aaron's lifting up the handgun he'd been given this jump, wiggling it in plain view of the camera.]

People from Outcome... Byer? You know what this means.

[And, almost looking smug, he leans forward and flicks the feed off.]

Comments

video;

[tumbleweeds]

[ Oh it's you. ]

Not always. I've been here since jump six, had one person show up and then disappear again. That's it.

video;

[predictor]

[Oh, hey, sup.]

Good to know. People from back home? You don't want them showing up here.

[He'll just be over here. Refusing to put his weapon down.]

voice;

[learnedtosmile]

[Blake still isn't showing his face on the network if he doesn't have to. Stupid black eyes.]

As far as I can tell, it's completely random. Some people have quite a few people from home, some have none. No pattern that I've been able to discern.

voice;

[predictor]

[Hey, Aaron will take voice. He might finally be making a video post but that doesn't mean he's one hundred percent comfortable with it.]

So just because one person shows up, that doesn't mean some space portal's honing in on that world?

video;

[saidhe]

No discernible pattern is as of yet readily available, as you've been told.

Instead, I'd like to inquire as to the parameters necessary for your chemist.

video; 80% encryption

[predictor]

[The paranoia couldn't be kept down forever, thus the sudden lock]

Complete roulette, got it.

I need someone who'd be able to recreate- [There's a pause as he reaches up to the case hanging around his neck, sliding it open and picking up one of the few pills left, holding it up to the camera.] -this.

anon text;

[fraud]

[ he feels the need to voice his opinion. he also feels the need to... not... attach his name to it! and luckily enough, anonymous text is an option. ]

Wow, this is a really creepy post!

text;

[predictor]

[Aww come on, Aaron only looks creepy!]

Had to make a point.

voice;

[besiege]

Don't hold your breath.

voice;

[predictor]

Not looking for people to come. Trying to make sure a few of them don't.

[Although having Marta on board would be really helpful right now.]

[ text ]

[hostage]

What do you need a chemist for?

[ text ]

[predictor]

I need something recreated.

video;

[onsilksheets]

Worried about someone from back home paying you a visit?

[Her gaze settles on his handgun for a moment before she looks at his face again.]

video;

[predictor]

[He recognizes the number attached to this video from their last conversation, which might just be why his lips are twitching into a half-smile.]

Let's just say this ship's like a vacation for a reason.

video;

[player_not_slayer]

[Screw the threatening posture-- sure that's what had caught Simon's attention first cause damn, the guy can carry it off almost as well as Kable ca- could, but screw it even if it makes him almost fondly think of home, and screw most of what the guy's saying, because what had kept Simon's attention was the gun.

The shiny, shiny Beretta 92FS, not an M9 from the looks of it, and the same model he knew Kable had used back in his days in the military. And well sure, his 'Con had also been framed for murder using the same weapon, but hey, it was still a gorgeous pistol, alright.]

Well shit, if that gun doesn't say special forces I don't know what does.

video;

[predictor]

[One of Aaron's favorites, despite not being the gun he first trained with, the military issue one. And by this point in his life it just feels better to have instant access to a weapon, to be able to hold it as he is right now.

When you'd spent the last few weeks pre-Tranquility with practically everyone on the planet trying to kill you... well. Being armed made all the difference in the world.]

Special forces? [There's an odd hint of humor in his eyes] Not exactly, but thanks for the vote of confidence.

» video

[thenormalsquint]

No one from mine has shown up yet.

[It's only been one jump since, but Angela's still holding out hope. Someone has to.]

Okay, and you have a gun. Right. That screams friendly.

» video

[predictor]

And you're jump ten? [So's he and that's... reassuring.

But... yeah, there's just a long pause on Aaron's end before he holds his gun up again, almost absently.]

It's defensive.

[deadandred]

There were people from mine before I got here, but I arrived with at least one.

[He's just -- squinting at that gun, lips quirking a little.]

I'm guessin' you know how to use that thing pretty well?

[predictor]

Right. [He's just taking notes at this point. He's... not that big of a talker.

But oh, hey. You noticed the gun? That Aaron feels comfortable talking about.]

Spent some time in the military, put in some personal practice after. [He almost seems to smirk] Yeah, pretty well.

voice;

[sharp]

[ yikes. that's not threatening or anything. ]

I think it's different for everybody, unfortunately. You can't guarantee somebody will follow. Can't be sure they won't, either. I've had three people I know from home show up -- one ... disappeared though.

voice;

[predictor]

[.... why do people keep thinking that???]

Disappeared how?

[Oh, wait, he should probably respond to the rest too, right?] Heard it was random.

[A+ for effort, Aaron.]

Video

[bottlearum]

Ain't had anyone from me world show up here.

[But damn does he wish they would.]

Video

[predictor]

[... You sound like a pirate.

And look like one.]

And you've been here a while? [He could just look at the number contacting him, sure. But hey. Conversation... or something.]

Audio

[still_alive]

What could you possibly need a chemist for?

Audio

[predictor]

[Voice is still a little bit better than video, in Aaron's book. It makes him less prone to instantly jumping on the paranoia train to locksville.]

Need some medication recreated.

video;

[angerissues]

A few jumps after I showed up, about five other people from home showed up, too. Two others were here before I got here. I think there are people on board that have been here since the beginning that don't have anyone from home. [ He shrugs a bit. ] I guess it just depends on how lucky - or unlucky - you are. [ He's not going to say whether or not lucky means having people here. ]

video;

[predictor]

An actually random system, huh? [He's saying that in a way that more than shows he doesn't quite believe it.] Wasn't going to believe it.

Never really believed in luck.