TWENTY THREE: VIDEO

[puppydogeyes]

[The feed opens on Tyke in the SEC offices. Her expression's set steady, only some thin sharpness at the edges betraying any strain. Mostly she just seems busy and pissed off.]

This is Tyke, head of Security. Most of you will be aware of the situation. We've got seventeen people reported missing in the ship, approximately seven that have followed in the last two days. I'm not gonna stop any of you trying to go after them, but you go prepared, and you don't go alone.

We're putting together supply packs. Come down to the SEC office, floor 001, pick one up. We can arm you if you don't have any weapons, and put you in teams if you're on your own. [A beat.] Got four hours before I take SEC out.

[A deadline for anyone joining them or coming to get packs. She almost looks like she's done there, but seems to reconsider.]

Don't listen to anything you hear out there. Watch each other's backs. Want as many of us coming back from this shit as possible.

[Including the missing.]

Comments

[action in the security offices]

[jurisimpudent]

[Edgeworth looks up when she finishes that statement, finishing clipping together a pack of supplies. Hesitantly, he says:]

Tyke. I'd like to request permission to go out there as well.

video;

[cargojet]

My group will be leaving in three, if that's alright with you. That gives us time to reconvene outside Engineering and head into the ship from the other direction.

If I don't get another chance to say it, Tyke--good luck.

[northerner]

[ there's a pause, and then-- ]

Are you well protected, Tyke? Do you have what you need to venture out?

[ this is basically a lead in to asking if she wants to borrow grey wind, as much as it always pains robb to separate from him. ]

[kutte]

Bring back my damn guns.

[ a pause, then quieter-- ]

Shit. Good luck out there.

[brainsqueeze]

How many are going out?

[action in the security offices]

[puppydogeyes]

[It's not a surprising thing for Edgeworth to say, even after everything. She still watches him for a moment, wonders if he's ready. But it wasn't like she was stepping in to stop anyone else.]

You'll be with me.

[Condition and confirmation in one.]

video;

[puppydogeyes]

As long as you're prepared.

[As in, you'd better come down and get some of these packs too.]

Luck's not gonna help us now.

[puppydogeyes]

Five dogs, my guns, my knives. I'm good.

[action in the security offices]

[jurisimpudent]

[It hurts to hear that. It means she doesn't trust him, still - or that's what he thinks it means. He reads into that statement a deep distrust of him, a belief that he's still no good out there, a belief that he's still fragile and useless.

But...she agreed. And if he's with her - it'll give him a chance to watch her back. And he wants to watch her back. Especially now. Not all enemies are born of the ship, after all.

So he quickly glances away; he swallows. But he doesn't protest that. Just:]

All right.

[puppydogeyes]

[Don't go getting soft on her now, Jax.]

We're lucky enough, you'll get the ammo back too.

[puppydogeyes]

Unknown so far. We're keeping a count and inventory as people come through.

[action in the security offices]

[puppydogeyes]

[On some level she knows it's going to seem like some extension of the probation she's currently got him on. But if that were really the case, she'd bench him. This is about protection; knowing he'll likely try to go out there anyway, wanting to make sure she can keep him safe.

It's decided, either way. She looks back to the supplies spread out across the office's table, being divided up for each bag.]

We need a full inventory on these packs as they go out. Weapons too. I want them back in Gunnery when we get back.

[When, like it's a certainty.]

[judex]

Do you have swords?

[ Maybe he'll stop sulking and learn to shoot after this, but it's a little late now. ]

[action in the security offices]

[jurisimpudent]

[A small nod.]

Right.

[And he goes back to preparing the supplies and then turning to type information about them; his expression is troubled, but for once he's not fighting her.]

video;

[cargojet]

I forgot how much I missed your optimism.

[ What optimism. ]

Incidentally I'm not gonna take anyone who hasn't been to see you first, but I'd like to have a couple of those packs of yours on hand if any stragglers show up--or to give to the people we run into out there. You got some going spare?

[puppydogeyes]

[She shakes her head.]

Might be someone with a spare sword around, but we're only got firearms in the armory. Have you never handled one?

video;

[puppydogeyes]

Can pack some extra for you, but I'm not gonna know what's spare 'til people start taking them.

[judex]

No.

[ For a second he looks ready to leave it at that and disconnect, but— ]

I understand the concept, if it would be better to carry one. If not, I'll be fine.

video;

[cargojet]

Judging from our current population and the number of people missing, 60 volunteers tops would be my guess, but people might surprise us.

We'll work it out.

[brainsqueeze]

I'll come pick up a pack.

Keep your eyes open. ( Good luck? )

video;

[puppydogeyes]

I don't wanna know what happens if everyone goes.

[Except that it might be exactly what the ship wants.]

[puppydogeyes]

I never close them.

[Which totally means "thanks".]

[puppydogeyes]

You make sure you're pointing it at the right thing, gonna be better than having nothing.

video; oops auto-courier mode kicked in

[cargojet]

I know at least one person is sticking around. And all the people in stasis in medbay. It's something.

video; haha no big

[puppydogeyes]

Something if they wake up and we're all gone.