oo3. text.

[forgodssake]

Good evening, Tranquility. I have two queries, unrelated.

With regards to the science department, I'd like to be directed towards any appointed leaders in this structure, as I have some general questions that might save me a bit of reading. Both in regards to whether I can be of assistance, and what has happened previously. I refer, of course, to the laboratories.

My second question pertains to the red-worded Smiley character. I think it wants this Charlotte person harmed, as opposed to simply found. As much as I too find her posting rather concerning, I'm moved to wonder what it could possibly gain from her being stopped. Or silenced.

I realise neither of those possess a single question mark. You'll have to humour me. You're welcome to use the picture/sound communications if that's easier.


Cheers,
Prof. Charles Xavier

Addendum: A third question, for those with technological and/or magic skill. Apropos of nothing, is there a means of securing a posting against one individual?

Comments

text;

[forgodssake]

[ At least the medium of texting forces Charles to stop and consider how to respond. His fingers are white knuckled on his communicator before he does. Petty anger, sudden flustery worry, vie for attention. ]

communication is scrambled. i will try to reach you otherwise. are you all right?

type Y or n

text;

[redhotsummers]

Y.

text → action;

[forgodssake]

[ It's amazing how a stark Y. is not as encouraging as Charles had hoped it would be. But at least Alex is capable of including with it some punctuation, which is more than he can do on a bad day.

It takes about an hour, before that faint, echoed voice manages to slither through Alex's brain. As long as he's moving, he's at risk of losing the connection. Despite that the tone of mental voice is perfectly serene, the element of strain is somehow detectable. ]

Can you hear me?

[redhotsummers]

[At the voice in his head, Alex stops moving, grabbing at the metal railing.]

Yep. Guess messages aren't coming through.

[forgodssake]

That seems to portend you're in the eye of the storm.

[ He isn't pleased, but this is only coming across as a note of tension in the midst of an otherwise calm telepathic voice jangling through Alex's head. ]

What are you seeking to do, specifically?

[redhotsummers]

Fix the ship.

Smiley said it's what we have to do, so I'm doing it

[Smiley saved his life once. The asshole might want to use them for something, but he does keep them alive for now.]

[forgodssake]

What a fantastic bit of reasoning that is.

[ He can't help it. This thought slashes knifeish and frustrated through their communication, but Charles forces himself to stomp it down.

It isn't the time. ]

What's it like in there?

[redhotsummers]

[Well that gets a spike, a flare of anger crashing though him.]

Smiley saved my life, repeatedly. I may be his guinea-pig but it's better than going blindly into a fucking control room.

It's none of your business.

[Alex is reacting badly to those words, Charles. Very badly.]

[forgodssake]

[ Too bad Alex can't hear the s i g h on the other end of this line. ]

I'm sorry, Alex, I'm just worried. We can fuss about the details another time, because this is everyone's business.

Describe to me what's happened to engineering.

[ His tone is gentler, urgent, bordering on paternal -- he can see, through Alex's eyes, in strained glimpses, but he's never been to engineering before. ]

[redhotsummers]

The whole place is fucked. That woman tore it up from the inside.

I--I know nothing about this stuff, but my friends are here, that do.

[Josias is here; and he's going to do whatever it takes to help him. Charles probably would feel the burst of feeling at the thought. Pretty damn close to love, there. Even if Alex won't admit it.]

I can help. We're going to make sure the ship doesn't blow.