006 :: VIDEO

[stimulations]

[Josias returned from the impromptu trip through the corridors a few days ago, but had unfortunately been stuck in the medbay, recovering from the symptoms of one of those rat bites. Or at least, he'd thought he'd recovered, and that's why when the video clicks on, it shows the inside of his room, the edge of his recently-slept-in bed.

But his expression, when he manages to turn the camera to face himself, is pained. Fevered, almost, disorientated and confused. He can manage enough focus past the pain in his head to remember that he activated his device, that he was attempting to contact someone - anyone.

But when he opens his mouth to speak, all that comes out is a garbled, guttural series of noises. He stops, seems to try and steady himself, then tries again. It comes out just as incomprehensible as before.

Clearly growing more distressed by this, he tries to speak faster, louder, but nothing that comes out of his mouth is in any way legible as any known language. The communication devices definitely can't translate it. He drops the comms to one side, frustrated, the pain in his head spiking.

The feed continues uncut, but all it shows is an off-angle view of his arm and shoulder as he curls into himself on the floor, a completely confused and desperate attempt to abate any of the pain he's currently experiencing.]

Comments

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[chromosomes]

[ No. Which means... ] Could it be from the computers in genetics? [ He really hopes this answer is also "no", but... that's not quite his luck, is it? ]

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[stimulations]

[Josias' mouth twists, presses into a thin line, but he nods.]

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[chromosomes]

Shit. [ Helpful, John. ]

I should've just sent you up the elevator.

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[stimulations]

[Oh, that gets the most annoyed frown so far, and Josias flaps a hand at the camera. If John hadn't gone in with him he would've waited around for someone else. He was not letting him get guilty about it.]

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[chromosomes]

[ John has a lot of guilt. What's a little more? ] We're going to find a way to fix this.

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[stimulations]

[That gets another flapping motion, and then Josias points at himself.]

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[chromosomes]

... You'll figure out how to fix this? [ Hand motions are still hard to read. ]

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[stimulations]

[A nod, firm and determined. Which is possibly a mistake, considering the nausea it riles up.]

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[chromosomes]

Trying to do it alone is stupid. [ He's just saying. ]

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[stimulations]

[A moment, eyes closed, trying to get his stomach to calm down again. Though he can manage a little hand flapping while he's doing that, then a circular gesture once he's got his eyes open again.]

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[chromosomes]

... No idea what the hell "circular gesture" means, other than possibly "turn around".

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[stimulations]

[That isn't what he meant at all, but you know what, let's go with it. He nods.]

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[chromosomes]

... That is not what you meant. [ He thinks. ]

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[stimulations]

[Josias just makes the same circular gesture again, face deadly serious. Come on, John.]

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[chromosomes]

[ ... Well. Okay... then...

Giving him another quizzical look, John turns for him. ]

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[stimulations]

[It's a shame the camera isn't directed a little lower, but that doesn't make it an entirely bad view. Not that that was what Josias was after - just a perk. And when John is at the point of the turn when he's looking in completely the opposite direction, Josias cuts the connection.]