[text, two hours before the Jump]

[jurisimpudent]

All non-essential personnel are ordered away from the doors outside the bridge. Security will be using force to subdue and remove anyone who does not comply with this order. Please use this time to gather your things and proceed to the stasis pods for the Jump.

Comments

[parallels]

Fine. Remove me. Shove me into my pod.

[jurisimpudent]

Or - a humble suggestion - you could go yourself.

[parallels]

Not until I've tried everything.

[jurisimpudent]

Oh, have you been holding back, then? Please, let me know your heretofore unperformed course of action; I am curious.

[parallels]

Haven't you ever seen a film where everything is solved at the last minute? Except we still have two hours.

[jurisimpudent]

Please, let me clarify: are you saying that this will work out because it works out in fiction?

[parallels]

Fighting sarcasm with sarcasm.

I'm saying we still have time and it would be a waste to give up now.

[jurisimpudent]

I was not being sarcastic. If you have some solution, I shall love to hear it. Indeed: if you have some solution, I will allow you to stay.

So: let's hear it.

[parallels]

...I don't have one. But that doesn't mean I won't come up with in in five minutes, or ten, or half an hour. If I don't try I'll never forgive myself.

[jurisimpudent]

So in five minutes, or ten, or half an hour, text me your brilliant lightning-bolt of an idea, and you'll be permitted here once again to carry it out. But until that lightning-bolt strikes, you will be in the medbay, preparing for the jump.

[parallels]

So do you always boss people around like they're ever so petulant children.

[jurisimpudent]

The situation is dire. People could die. I think that being sweet and gentle and coaxing is fairly far down on the priorities list.