ａｕｄｉｏ

[uncurse]

Maybe it's just that I've done a crap job checking in with people since I got back—sorry, still getting my space legs back under me—but I can't shake this feeling like we lose more and more people who were around at the beginning each time the ship jumps. I mean, how many people remember the Cyllene at this point? [ Her voice tightens, like she's trying to sort through a quick tally in her mind. ]

I know some people have been keeping archives and crunching data, but I'm starting to wonder how much information about what's going on here we've already lost. [ Huff. That's a depressing thought. ] Couldn't help noticing how empty the whole place feels while I was patrolling. Or maybe that feeling's because people haven't been migrating downwards with each new jump. Consider this your reminder: SEC only consistently sweeps levels one to ten.

Comments

audio;

[uncurse]

You're afraid of Erik?

audio;

[righteously]

No.

[ He rebuffs immediately, maybe a little too quickly, a little too vehemently. ]

I'm just not stupid enough to dick around with a guy who kills humans for funsies, not when that guy's main thing is controlling metal, and we're on a metal freakin' ship.

[ And when Dean's main Plan A is to shoot the thing. Metal bullets. Metal knives. So annoying, so hard to kill. ]

audio;

[uncurse]

Which is what we have a security team for. You really think we'd let him go on some rampage?

audio;

[righteously]

I think there's like a fifty-fifty chance you'd get there ten minutes too late to save my ass before I'm a sheet metal pancake. And I'm betting I'm not the only one thinking that way. If anyone has been talking to these people, whatever they're learnin's gonna stay under wraps until they feel safe enough to share it.

audio;

[uncurse]

Sounds like your way of saying that you've talked to them.

audio; private

[righteously]

I'm saying if I had, I'd be the last damn person to admit it.

[At least, in public. Which is why he switches his feed to private just as soon as that's out. Once it's secure, though?]

They got me directly. Sent me a text, I didn't even know they knew how to do that.

[Who gave them his number. How dare. ]

audio; private

[uncurse]

It's how they first started cropping up. Individual contacts. What'd they say?

audio; private

[righteously]

Well, for starters, that they're not interested in copulating.

audio; private

[uncurse]

[ that slapping sound is her hand hitting her forehead. jesus christ, dean. ]

Seriously?

audio; private

[righteously]

Like it hurts to ask.

[ Please. It's like number four on the Alien Checklist. ]

It's weird, she kept acting... social, or like- either they're weirdly alien friendly, or they're doing a good job at faking it. The way she phrased things, it was- I don't know, it wasn't your strict under orders level of chater. I don't know if they're yankin' chains or if I'm reading too much into it, you know?

audio; private

[uncurse]

Experience tells me that if your gut's saying something, you should listen. You think they're genuine?

audio; private

[righteously]

[ He struggles for a second, and then there's an audible exhale. ]

I think they're people.

[ He decides finally, a note of hesitance in his voice. ]

I think that a few of them might be down for helping just for the sake of helping, but I think they don't have as much of a say in the matter as whoever their CEO is. I think they're about as trustworthy as any government, and we can't be sure there ain't a Nixon at the helm. If any of them are in it for the goodness of their hearts, I think it's small bananas compared to the parts of them that want our fossil fuels and snickers bars.

audio; private

[uncurse]

See, that's what I don't get. It seems like they know more than any of us about this ship. So what could we have that they want?

audio; private

[righteously]

The ship itself, or maybe whatever technology is uses to snatch us from across universes? I get the feeling that's big stuff, even for whatever high tech sector of hyperspace we're in.

audio; private

[uncurse]

Great. We're in the holy grail, if the holy grail were a haunted house hurtling through space.

audio; private

[righteously]

No kidding.

[And... super comprehensive metaphor, like, he's impressed. This is why they get along so well. ]

So who knows how much intel we've got floating around out there that people won't spill. Sure could use whatever it is in that guidebook we're leaving behind for future screwed generations.

audio; private

[uncurse]

I know people have been compiling info. I'm just not sure who and how much, and if everyone's sharing. No one's come forward to mention yet. Ianto used to handle it, from what I know, and he's ... He's been gone a while.

audio; private

[righteously]

So basically what we need is an opinionless, bias-less pencil monkey taking notes on this whole thing on the sly. Know anybody that fits the description?

[ Where's a Chuck when you need one. ]

audio; private

[uncurse]

If I did, we wouldn't be having this conversation. I'll keep trying to figure out who picked up where Ianto left off; that's as good a start as any.

[audio] http://i.imgur.com/MSmhe0l.gif

[sorrycharles]

Don't be a poor sport, Dean.

[righteously]

Just as soon as you quit bein' a total douchebag, Buckethead.

[sorrycharles]

I feel as though we've gotten off on the wrong foot. Why don't we meet face-to-face?

[ He pauses a beat. ]

Less chance of miscommunication.

[righteously]

[ Super, super cheerfully: ]

Sure! Lemme just strap on my stainless steel nipple rings and I'll be right there.

[ And then immediatelly followed by a super flat, gruff: ]

Pass, but thanks.

[private]

[sorrycharles]

[ Equally flat: ]

I'll see you at the jump.

[private]

[righteously]

Sure, because if we're gonna chat, it might as well be naked in front of a bunch of other naked people. No, definitely, sounds great. See you there.