video ][ notes on the wall

[faderbroderson]

[Godric has been scarce during the invasion by the Scylla's crew, and for good reason. But he's been paying attention. He's in the emergency shuttle bay when he turns on the video, and evidence of the pirates is immediately apparent. There are supplies and equipment, some of it packed away, some of it scattered on the floor in disarray. But more concerning are the devices attached to the walls, the floor, and even the door -- clearly explosives of some sort. An escape plan, or a defensive perimeter. It would be more alarming, but for the fact that all the devices look still and quiet, void of frightening red lights or ominous noises.

Perhaps most eye-catching of all is the message written above the two tubes protruding from the outer hull of the Tranquility:

MAKE IT QUICK...

Godric turns the video onto himself, and addresses anyone watching.]

It seems our friend has left us a note.

[Usually, this would be locked to Security. But with Tyke out of commission, it's probably a moot point.]

Comments

voice;

[goldshirt]

[Jim studies that for a moment, considers the whole situation, and then narrows his eyes. make it quick? why would they have ot make it quick if, feasibly, they had all the time in the world on this ship?]

Are we sure that's for us?

[faderbroderson]

Are we sure of anything in this place?

[goldshirt]

[blandly:]

No.

[a beat]

What if it was for the pirates?

[faderbroderson]

Then I assume it would be painted on our doorway, not theirs.

[He looks at the bombs with a sort of vague interest.]

And I think these would be armed.

[goldshirt]

Yeah.

[it's a possibility, and Jim drums his fingers thoughtfully. those pirates could've been lured here. they don't know when the Make it quick had showed up. what if it had been a warning to those pirates, they had to make it quick and get the hell out? Ward had said they weren't supposed to find this ship. if they weren't supposed to, could they have had help?

on the other hand, if the message was for them, then it meant something might happen to the Scylla.]

Somehow I don't think the pirates would have disarmed their defensive perimeter if they knew they were in a tight spot.

[so it must have been Smiley.]

The jump is coming. We should probably follow that advice, just in case.

[faderbroderson]

My thoughts exactly. I'll be going aboard with whoever shows up to scavenge, and to keep them from any trouble.

[goldshirt]

I want to swing by. Somehow this ship got passed our scanners, I want to find out how, and if we can use it for ourselves.

[faderbroderson]

Then I will see you soon.

[goldshirt]

That you will.

[he sighs, goes on dryly:]

This entity is just a wealth of helpfulness isn't it?

[faderbroderson]

It does seem to try its best.

[goldshirt]

That suggests it's putting effort into us.

[faderbroderson]

I think it is. Very much so.

[goldshirt]

So does that make us a toy or an anthill?

[it's mostly a rhetorical question]