ataraxion | 009

[ The very first shot is the view outside of the shuttle bay windows, stars and space and nothing else. Carolyn leaves the camera there for a bit before clearing her throat -- yes, there is more to this post than stars. ]

For those of you who were doubtful, yes, we are in space. The shuttle bay has the only windows on the ship, and now you've seen out them. If you want to come take a look for yourself, go ahead, but don't touch anything down here, don't bring any firearms, and don't show up drunk or high because we'll kick you out.

[ After a few more moments focused out the window, Carolyn turns the camera toward herself. ]

For those of you who are new, I'm Carolyn Fry. This has a few purposes other than showing you all the stars. For starters, the flight crew's always looking for new members. If you're interested, let us know -- we'll train you if you need it. However.

[ She'd cross her arms here, if she weren't holding the camera. Instead her gaze just narrows. ]

We do not have enough fuel for anyone to take a shuttle and try to get back to wherever they came from. If you want to try that, you might as well just walk out the airlock, because the results will be the same -- besides, this is probably a completely different year than the one you left. Likewise, if you just want to joy ride around outside, then you're out of luck. If we need to abandon ship, we need power. Since we have no idea when we're going to get more fuel for the shuttles and don't have as much as I'd like anyway, we're conserving it, so for now we're mostly repairing and maintaining them. Either way, my team doesn't really appreciate people trying to steal shuttles. We can and will stop you. You will be sent to the brig.

[ Her voice changes now from somewhere between 'stern' and 'frustrated' to 'I have said this next part a thousand times', one hand coming up to slide through her hair. ]

If you're brand new to space travel, I've been holding some space survival training classes. It's not necessarily "how to kill aliens trying to eat you" but it includes ways you can keep yourself healthy and the evacuation procedures we'll be using if we ever need to. [ A few button pushes and a link to the videos is added to the post. ] I'd obviously recommend watching them. Again, if you have any questions, please ask. I'll try to hold another session this jump.

[ Pause. ]

Last but not least, I'm going to remind everyone of a few things. Get in the gravity couches each jump or you will die. Don't wander out into the ship alone or you'll either die or come back crazy. Try not to kill each other [ she is really unhappy about the fact that she feels like that needs to be said. ] because honestly, the ship doesn't need help in that department. If you want something to do, there are plenty of departments that could use help.

Also, if anyone on board needs cat food, I have a recipe. [ Because that's not out of tone with the rest of the message at all...

There's a slight, forced smile at the camera. Mostly it just makes Carolyn look more tired, but hey, she tried. ]

Stay safe, Tranquility.

[ The feed cuts, but a few moments later, some locked messages go out. ]

[ LOCKED TO RIDDICK ]
I want to talk to you. In person.

[ LOCKED TO SPOCK ]
You still want to help with space survival training?

[ LOCKED TO THE FLIGHT CREW + FLIGHT CREW TRAINEES ]
I was thinking we should all get together for a little bit. Just... try and relax a little before diving back into work, get to know each other a little better.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

If you don't want to know, that's your choice.

But I think it's important.

Just say it, Carolyn.

[ :{ ]

Ward and Resnik are missing.

Missing... [it trails off, the or dead? hanging unsaid.]

We don't know.

[ Which surprises no one. ]

But it doesn't look like "dead" means as much as it could on this ship anymore.

[ There's a difference between dead like her and whatever Tim and Jason are. ]

Never did.

[Alayne, Carolyn herself, those boys. Riddick's death out in the fog, at Tate's hands. Not the same, but still death, and all of it fucked with.]

[ And she only knows about two of those. ]

It's worse than it was before, unless I'm missing something. [ Thanks for that, Riddick. ]

Either way. I thought you might want to know.

How much difference you think it's gonna make? They weren't in control before, they're not in control now.

[It's not as accusatory or sharp as his questions can be, sometimes. More casual.]

The difference is going to be in what people do about it. If they stay missing, someone else is going to notice.

Guards being gone doesn't mean the bars are.

It could still change things.

[ She doesn't quite huff in frustration, but it's close. ]

I just thought I would keep you informed. That's all.

[The feed drops into silence for a long moment.]

Won't change things for us.

[ Riddick, she hates it when you do that. ]

Because we're still stuck here, or something else?

Still stuck here.

For now.

For now.

[There might be an amused edge to his voice, but it's not the usual mockery.]

I'll see you later, Riddick.

[ Or maybe she won't, not if he doesn't want her to. But she'll take that "us" and the lack of mockery and disconnect while they're on a good note. ]

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