ataraxion | 001. video; Public Service Announcement

001. video; Public Service Announcement

Guessing everyone's feeling a little closer to compos mentis now. Great, that's gonna make this a whole lot easier.

My name is Nathan Petrelli. I'm Senator for New York, elected representative of the people, and recently made Head of Homeland Security by the President himself. It's my job to do what's in the best interests of the people, and in this case I figure that's gonna be easier said than done.

I don't want any of you to worry. Once I get up to speed on the details of what's going on here, I intend to get to the bottom of how we got here, why we were brought here, and how to go about getting back. And I mean how and why, not the bullshit they've been feeding you about jumping and wormholes and the ship needing a crew. There's a malicious intent here I'm gonna address, and then I'm getting everyone back where we belong.

I realise we're not all Americans here, and maybe you think I have no jurisdiction, but I earned the right to intervene the moment I woke up with a tube shoved down my throat, just like everyone else. I want to speak to people who know the most about this place, or be directed toward them. Captain Kirk: you're on my list for starters, but I'd rather speak to the real Captain, rather than some washed up wannabe.

Oh, and before I wrap this up, there's one other thing. A few of you will have spoken to my brother, Peter; he got here during the 'jump' previous to this one, and as I understand it he's been pretty liberal with his imagination ever since. Some time ago my brother convinced himself that he could fly. He stood on top of a twelve story building one day, called me up and told me he was going to show me he could do it. He jumped, and he fell - fortunately only as far as the fire escape - and a couple days later woke up in the hospital with minor injuries. It wasn't long after my father's death, right in the middle of my run for Congress, and I guess he was desperate for attention.

What I'm trying to say is that he's had brushes with depression before - it runs in the family - and he's not exactly stable right now. All of this doesn't make it any easier. If everyone could please be delicate with him, take what he says with a grain of salt, and inform me if it sounds like he's planning to do something that might hurt himself or others. I appreciate it.

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Hello, Mister Petrelli.

It's nice to hear that someone's come along to solve all our problems.

I am not an American, but I've served with them, and I don't take issue with working under anyone, so long as they're trustworthy.

What I do take issue with is you seem to think that everyone here needs to move aside and accommodate you. You admit you've got no details on what's going on here, but you feel comfortable enough to start throwing stones.

Kirk has been here since the very first wave, and he's done the best with what anyone's afforded him. Not a lot of people sit well with him being called a leader. Actually, he's never used the term himself. But he does get things done, and people do respect him, and if you think you're winning yourself any favors by attacking him without knowing a bloody thing about him, or how things have been here, you're wrong.

What you're doing is shooting yourself in the foot, because out of everyone here, he's the one most likely to endure a megalomaniac.

Edited 2012-05-09 23:17 (UTC)

[ He just raises an eyebrow slightly, leaning forward. ]

You're pretty defensive, aren't you? You want to know what I know about Kirk? [ It's probably best that you don't ask, actually. It's 20 year old trivia at best, and Nathan was rather preoccupied at the time. ] You know what? Forget it.

What I do know is that coming outta that - whatever it was - a real leader, someone people respect, someone who's got their priorities straight? Woulda been organising those disorientated people in some kind of way. Woulda been helping out the frightened people I saw, making order out of the confusion.

You were down there too, right? You telling me that's how things oughta be done? Is that leadership?

[ John's jaw flexes. Is he being defensive? Perhaps. More annoyed, he thinks, but it's... possible. ]

I was there, and so was he, actually. I didn't see you directing anyone.

[ Because most of that day, John was sitting in the medbay, keeping an eye on the tanks to make sure everyone found their way out alright. He hadn't been commanded to do it, and yet he knew he should because it was the right thing to do. Others had done the same, including Kirk. But not Peter. ]

You want to help, fine. It's good you've seen some things that can use a change. But help us - don't play politics.

(( OOC: I searched the intro log to make sure he wasn't helping anyone, but if he was, and you just haven't had the time to write it in, let me know and I'll edit! ))

No, you didn't, since I was busy cleaning goo out of my ass and wondering where the hell I was. Didn't even know I was in space 'til my brother pointed me toward the window.

[ But that second line convinces him that John's just had a kneejerk reaction to the take no prisoners tone of his post, and they have some of the same concerns in mind. And maybe Kirk isn't such a bad guy either, but they'll get to that after they stop winding each other up. If that ever happens. ]

It's in the past, at least until next time. Sounds like we both think things should be different. [ A sharp flick of his eyes - away, back again - and then he leans back. ] Just so you know, I'm not playing politics--Like there's even any kind of organisation here, let alone a political landscape. All I do want is some answers, and not sit here and stagnate as time slips through our fingers.

You say you want help? Great. Let's get something done. You figure that's too much to ask?

Well, take it from someone who's been through this about... six times now - it doesn't get much easier.

[ The doctor's tongue flickers across his lips, and neither his stare, nor his tension, lessen. But he's listening. ]

What do you want to know?

[ Okay, well that's a start. The tension visibly lessens across Nathan's shoulders, but he's still square shouldered even at rest. ]

Six times is the first jump, right? How many new people tend to wake up each time?

That's right.

[ He'd volunteered that Kirk had been there since the beginning, but regarding himself, the implication is more subtle. ]

It changes every time. No less than ten each time, I'd say. Well over fifty this jump.

That's a lot of new people to deal with.

[ He's finally read the introduction properly. ]

Not an important question but--how's the increasing work load treating you, if that's the case? You got a team?

We've got... A fluxating one. People disappear frequently - makes it difficult to count on anyone.

[ John's eyes flicker briefly away and back. ]

'Understaffed' would be putting the medical situation nicely. Right now, we've got less than five people to look after hundreds. There's been an increasing amount of injuries as the months go on as well.

Organisationally, then, what have you got in place for getting people where they're most suitable to be? Peter's a nurse, but I'm pretty sure he's not working for you already. Why not? What about the others among the civilians with skills or powers that might be applicable?

Maybe it's presumptious of me, but shouldn't someone be making this kind of thing happen?

No, you're right.

[ A sigh, and John raises two fingers to rub against his temple. Now that he's not angry, he just looks downright tired. ]

I've been meaning to ask for more help on the network. It's been a nightmare trying to organize things when people keep disappearing and trying to get schedules coinciding. I meant to do it last month, and then... some extenuating circumstances arose. I'm sure you've heard a bit about it by now.

[ Do you get it, Nathan? It's literally just him and Ratchet here in the medbay. ]

Thankfully, most have stepped forward of their own accord. We do need more staff.

Peter's not here with us, no. I'm sorry, though - Didn't you just get through telling everyone he wasn't stable?

I did, but don't imagine for a second he'd let it get in the way of helping people. He's a qualified nurse, pretty sure you could do with the extra steady hands, and going from what he's told me, it's been a while.

[ He didn't want to blow Peter's chances at a job, that wasn't really the point, just get back at him for the ill wind that had preceded his own arrival. ]

If I stick around, maybe I can help out too. Not in medical, just generally. You gotta share out responsibilities like that, right?

[ John's just not going to touch it. It's not his business and he doesn't care to know anyway. He just sort of wants to see how Nathan changes his tune, if he does. He's right: they do need help in the medbay. As long as this Peter isn't going to hurt anyone besides himself, it's fine by John if he works there. Honestly, though, John knows better than to make a judgement on one opinion alone, without having met whoever it is. ]

Well, with the show you've put out today, Mr. Petrelli, I think you'll have to.

[ Blunt, but he doesn't mean it viciously. That's how it is - Nathan either ponies up to some sort of responsibility or people see him as all talk. ]

[ And he inclines his head, looking respectful, because damn right he has to. He knows that. ]

Actions speak louder than words--reckon that's something we can agree on.

[ John's gaze doesn't soften, but he does turn it away for a moment, seeming to check something off screen. ]

I've got to be going. I'm John Watson, though, and I'm zero-zero-one-one-nine-seven if you have any other questions.

[ Official is probably the best way to leave it for now. He'll be keeping an eye on you, Nathan. You speak well, and he'd rather like to believe someone can whip the ship into shape, but talking about it and doing something are two different things. ]

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001. video; Public Service Announcement

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