[one] || [video]

[tinytactician]

I suppose I might as well...

[This is muttered accompanied by a shaky sideways shot of two bare feet against the floor of one of the cabins, before the communicator is swung upwards (sorry to anyone prone to motion sickness) and set on the nearest flat surface. Armin messes with it for a moment, scowling slightly and mumbling to himself --] If it would come apart I could understand it better...oh well.

[One more adjustment and the video picture is steady, though Armin has both hands held out as he steps back, like he's expecting it to fall. Once he's reassured it won't, he's all business, straightening his shoulders and saluting smartly, one arm across his chest and the other at the small of his back -- though his expression clearly says he feels ridiculous saluting a mechanism rather than another person.]

This is Armin Arlert of the Scouting Legion, formerly of the 104th Trainees Squad, until recently...very recently...a part of the 57th Expedition. I have...absolutely no idea what's going on. If there is any sort of central information base... [He trails off, then suggests hopefully:] A library, maybe? With books? Are there books here?

[Remembering his intentions, he straightens again and finishes:] Also I seem to be minus the more important parts of my gear. I don't appreciate being left unarmed. If there is any way I can recover them, or similar weaponry, that would be most appreciated.

[He nods, steps forward to end the video, then stops and adds in a slightly more desperate voice:] Please.

Comments

[video]

[yardbird]

There're a couple of libraries. One of 'em with books, though not very helpful. But there's a digital media library... I also see some guy put up general info on the network -- came up pretty recent.

[Murphy then hesitates at that last part. He can tell that this is a kid, and he's not sure how he feels about arming him with weapons he isn't familiar with. At the same time, it's not a good idea to leave people completely defenseless, regardless of how they might look.]

You said "squad", so... That means you know how to use a weapon, right?

[video]

[tinytactician]

Digital media. [He says the words like they're unfamiliar, but he nods slowly, thoughtfully.] Where is that?

[The mention of weapons makes him brighten a little bit, nodding eagerly.] Yes sir, I'm in the military...well. In a military, I suppose.

[video]

[yardbird]

[If it had been the first time Murphy heard someone speak about technology like it's a foreign subject, he'd have been much more surprised.

[As it stands, he's not. Hell, after everything he's seen... children soldiers aren't even a huge stretch anymore. It's sad that he's becoming a little desensitized to the possibility.]

Libraries are on each passenger deck -- not that hard to find. The one with the actual books... That's on the fifth deck.

[Murphy grimaces at the reply a little, and then sighs.] There's an armory of some kind, I know that. Should have weapons there, but you'd have to check with the gunnery department first.

[He pauses.]

...You know how to use a gun?

Re: [video]

[tinytactician]

Fifth deck, understood. I'll look for that. How many decks are there in total, then?

[Armin shrugs a little, twisting his fingers together, an unconscious nervous gesture. He was bottom of his class in all things physical, so he isn't particularly looking forward to fighting...but if he must, he must.]

I'm better with blades. But yes, I know how to use firearms.

[video]

[yardbird]

A lot. [He clenches his teeth as he thinks, trying to get a more specific number than that.] Uh, 'bout... a few hundred, I'd say.

[He nods. Can't really get on the kid's case for what he does -- after all, Murphy learned how to shoot and fight early on, too. Not well, but good enough to hold his own.]

Pretty sure the gunnery's got somethin' for you, then.

[but_civilization]

[Combeferre couldn't help laughing a little at the pattern of the moving communicator, reminded of himself when he arrived, and then the muttering cinched it. ]

I nearly took mine apart when I arrived. My friends stopped me from that in time, as they apparently are difficult to repair.

[A soldier, despite his apparent age. Interesting, Combeferre decides, giving the screen a little nod, and a small smile.]

There are books and a library indeed. A bit different from the books that I am used to. Here...

[He's directing his device toward one pile of stacked data pads to demonstrate.] The nature books they've let me take away, and a few of the biology that overlap. I do miss proper books, but they are something, yes?

[tinytactician]

I assumed they were somewhat important and decided not knowing everything was preferable to being stranded without means of communication.

[But just barely. Armin looks for a moment like he's going to salute again, but instead goes for crouching in front of the camera part and squinting at the data pads.] I suppose it's...better than going about things blindly...the lack of tangible pages seems unnatural, though...where did you say you got those?

[but_civilization]

Yees...I was quite lucky I was stopped at the time, I will admit to that. They seem to be the means with which we do everything on this ship.

What I miss most of them myself is the smell I think. There is something so comforting in the smell of old books. And I can certainly show you the libraries if you would like.

[tinytactician]

What a strange place this is. It seems to provide for us, yet also seeks to destroy us in varied ways...

[He brightens a little, nodding eagerly.] I would love that!

[but_civilization]

[[(Missed this comment! Sorry!)]]

It certainly is at that. The kitchens here for one! But let us not speak of those just now. I would be pleased to meet you near one of them then.

audio

[testgasm]

Hullo, Armin Arlert of the Scouting Legion, formerly of the 104th Trainees Squad and until very recently part of the 57th Expedition!

Sorry to say that if the, ah. If the important parts of your gear weren't in your locker, they're probably not hear. Doesn't mean they won't show up, though! What kind of gear is it, exactly?

Re: audio

[tinytactician]

....j-just Armin is all right. Ah, so it's gone for good? I suppose I won't need it here anyway. The ceilings are too low.

Oh, it's standard 3DMG....three dimensional maneuver gear? I just did maintenance on it, so everything's in order; grappling hooks, harness and blades...except only the harness seems to have accompanied me...

*here, WOW

[testgasm]

I mean, I figured, I was just--just trying to break the ice, as it were.

That happens, though. Getting--getting part of something, it's...inconvenient. My apologies on behalf of the mysterious entity that's dragged us all here. Can't say I'm familiar with that--with that particular item. That you're describing.

Re: *here, WOW

[tinytactician]

Oh. Why are you breaking ice? I wasn't aware there was any ice on this ship. Is there a great deal of it? Perhaps I should dress warmer...

[A sigh.] Nobody seems to. That's all right, though. I would be content with some sort of a blade, for defense...

[testgasm]

Oh, no, no, it's an--an expression, there's no actual ice involved, ah. It sort of--sort of means when you're meeting someone, you've got to--to break down that initial awkwardness, the, uh. Ice. As it were.

[Cough.]

You might be able to find something if you ask around!

[video]

[assumedposition]

[Now here's something Albert can actually help with; he greets the newcomer with a genuine smile when he flicks the video on.]

Ah... hello there! I don't know much about your weapons, I'm afraid. But if you like, I can help you out with understanding the communicators! The technology is really quite simple once you get used to it. [A pause and then he laughs somewhat sheepishly at his own redundant statement.] Well, I guess most things are like that, haha!

Re: [video]

[tinytactician]

[Hello, fellow human! Have an awkward wave from awkward child who still isn't totally sure how to do this whole video-chatting thing.]

I'm grateful for any and all information. Nothing here operates like I'm used to. Is it like this where you come from?

[assumedposition]

[Albert is only a few months older than Armin at best if we're honest, and looks just as much a child. Though he's taller, he has a softness to his face that indicates the lifestyle of someone who's grown up never really knowing the hardships of life :').]

If I'm entirely honest, the technology here is actually considered outdated where I come from... but it seems like I'm in the minority when it comes to that. There are a lot more people here like you who've never encountered it before! It's easier if I can explain in person, though...

[tinytactician]

[Bless ur heart, Albert. You seem cheerful and positive and Armin likes all those things because rn he is feeling none of the above. However he will give a slightly slack-jawed stare because WUT.]

Out....outdated. This is...even the lifts?

[The lifts are multicolored how is that not the most futuristic thing in ever?

But oh, face-to-face contact, excellent. Armin looks hopeful, then slowly looks around his quarters.] I'm...in a room. I'm not sure how it relates to the rest of this place, but I am here?

[assumedposition]

[Armin's disbelief makes Albert break out into a grin, and then a laugh.]

Well, lifts haven't really changed much over the centuries, haha! They just keep making them faster, I guess.

But there's a slight problem-- I'm afraid there are enough rooms in this spaceship to house a small town! You might need to be more specific. Is it your room? Everyone here has their own bedroom that matches our numbers-- same as the lockers.

[Video]

[ancientalien]

You are not the only one searching for weapons, human. I have not yet found suitable replacements.

[Javik is staring directly into the communicator, slightly too close for comfort. He finds the device primitive and cumbersome, heavier than it should be and his slight awkwardness in its use is evident. But at least he was not forced to type words into it as he had been on the Normandy. Good, since five fingers is proving to be two too many.

The small human on his screen comes as something of a surprise. His stance is certain even if his words are hesitant. Javik did not like to see timidness in a soldier, but at least he was a soldier. That alone had prompted his response.]

I was told human children did not fight. I am glad to see this is not true. War cares not for innocence.

[video]

[tinytactician]

[Armin's mildly relaxed posture immediately straightens up when the response comes, though to be honest he's actually relieved that someone with a military-esque air had answered. He knows how to respond to people like that. Still maintaining his salute, he nods slightly.] Are you also a new arrival, sir?

[The idea of children -- which he doesn't consider himself as; hasn't for years, but he'll overlook the assumption -- not fighting gives him pause for half a moment, before he responds.] It is an honor and a privilege to devote my life to protecting humanity. Anything else is unthinkable.

Re: [video]

[ancientalien]

[Javik's posture shifts slightly, it's hard to read but it might be happiness of some sort. Or at least satisfaction. Still his face doesn't soften much, despite how much credit Armin has racked up in such a short time.]

Yes. I have read their [he brings his other hand into screen, makes air quotes with one too few fingers] "info" posting but it did not tell me what I wished to know.

[In truth he had not read all of it. He had read some parts, judged the slip-shod crew of the Tranquility harshly, growled something about how he would have killed the Megamind, and had exited out in a worse mood than before.]

You are wise for your age. You will someday learn that honor means nothing.

[Normally he would ride the point harder, but he's impressed with the child's understanding of duty. Besides, life would teach him those lessons.]

What weapon do you specialize in?

[video]

[tinytactician]

[Armin nods slightly, a scowl replacing his stoic expression.] It drew very much upon knowledge that I unfortunately do not possess. The idea of interstellar travel is beyond the abilities of my leaders at the moment. Regardless, though, I don't appreciate the feeling of being inferior to people who cannot manage their own ship in an effective manner.

[The question has him looking unsure for half a moment before forging ahead confidently.] Thee dimensional manuever gear, equipped with self-sharpened blades, specially designed to take down Titans. More relevantly, I can make do with firearms, which are more likely to be present on this ship.

Re: [video]

[ancientalien]

Your people are not yet spacefaring?

[That doesn't honestly surprise him. In his cycle humans had only just joined the galactic stage. The next part makes him grumble out a low sound of agreement.]

Their leaders are weak, their followers more so. Among my people if a ship had ever been run this poorly, the captain would have been strapped to a large rock and fed to the wild beasts.

[They even had beasts here, if the information was correct.]

I do not know what your maneuver gear is, but if you are more familiar with blades I would not abandon them entirely.

[He knew well the importance of a good blade. If the boy was as poor a shot as he made it sound like he was Javik was certain they should not be his only line of defense. Although that was nothing training would not cure.]

What is a "titan"?