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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Seems so, don't it?

Really shoulda found a glass of water or something before I started. [ He didn't expect this vehement a response, honestly, and his throat is like gravel by now. ]

Yeah, that probably would've been wise. [Bela regards him closely for a moment, almost as if she was trying to get a read off him.]

Maybe they're just afraid that you'll upset the balance here. If there even is one here in the first place.

There's something, and it's gotta be better than nothing at all. But how it works under pressure is the real test. But good for them - for us - that people've got it together enough that it's not every man for themselves around here. It's real commendable.

Even under pressure, we've managed to hold thing together without slipping too far. I know you mightn't like him but Kirk has been a big part of that. Making sure that everyone is all right here. But you're right, it's commendable.

Actually I've not got a problem with Kirk, having met him. Commendable for someone so young. [ Look he can be nice okay. ] Doesn't mean that more can't be done.

That's certainly encouraging and he does have a lot of support here. [ Perhaps he could show that a little more.] Oh yeah, I know. I agree with you on that.

[ He's not going to be an asskisser for the sake of it either, but he knows when to back the winning horse. Betting on Kirk is a wise political move. ]

I'm sure it's something people talk about a lot? Improving things around the jumps, trying to make it easier on people? Or is there something I'm missing?

[She's more of the type to charm people if the end result benefits her. So if that involves a little asskissing, then so be it.]

Trying to make the jumps easier is certainly a talking point on board the ship. However, no matter how much you improve or try to organise it, you can't stop people from reacting in a bad way. Waking up for the first time in one of those pods in a traumatic experience. People get scared. They panic.

As for me? I just hate the nausea and dizziness you get afterwards.

Probably won't surprise you that the drugged wake up call wasn't the worst part of it. Something I've been expecting to happen any day for a while now.

[ Not like it's a secret any longer. ]

But that's me.

The people who get scared--they're a danger to people trying to help them, right?

Seems like you live the dangerous life back home, Senator. That can't be good for your health.

[He has a point there.]

Yeah, I suppose so in some cases. Put them in a situation like this and they're bound to lash out.

Gotten me killed once already. Anything more than that isn't gonna shape up to much.

Bound to. At other people who're just as confused as they are. Sounds like you're - pardon--we're - one lost psychopath away from a massacre.

I must say, you look really good for a dead man. [She smiles a little.]

Yeah, it seems like it. Saying that, if there is a mass murderer among us, I won't be looking to get in their way. Staying locked away in my room is what I'll do.

I was revived. Clinically dead, though; closest brush I ever wanna have.

If you lock yourself away, don't they win? Living in fear is no way to live at all.

Well, now how about that. I hope it doesn't happen again.

I consider it as a way to survive, Senator. Perhaps it is fear but I hardly want to be gutted like a fish.

Edited 2012-05-15 22:17 (UTC)

It's not a gutting you should be most worried about.

Maybe that's wise. Ship has a security team, right? Probably better if they handle stuff like that.

I have a gun and I'm not afraid to use it if necessary.

[There's a nod.] That it does. I try to avoid getting involved in things like that.

And what if a gun is just a peashooter to them? Not gonna make much of a difference.

[ But he's keeping quiet about Sylar, not lingering on it. ]

Just hope the Security team is up to whatever they might find around here, y'know?

Then I suppose I'll just have to deal with that if the time comes.

[Bela is trying not to think about it too much.]

They've managed to keep this place afloat so far. We just have to hope nothing nastier comes aboard.

Or at the very least, that if something nasty comes on board it's got bigger problems to deal with--say getting on with everyone else.

That's always a possibility, yeah. [One she wasn't sure she'd like to think about.] I'm Bela by the way. Bela Talbot.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

[ A laugh. ]

I think it might be a faux pas to kick off conversation with a beautiful woman with talk of kidnap, death threats and serial killers. What do you think? How does that go for first impressions?

The pleasure is all mine.

[There's a smile.]

It's certainly not a conversation I'm used to but you might have just scored some points by calling me beautiful. With regards to first impressions? I'd say it's not a terrible one.

[ A quirk of his eyebrow, but scoring points is all well and good. ]

Second impressions are usually better. At least that's the plan.

Does that mean you plan to make a second one on me?

[She gives him a slight smile and raises her eyebrow in return.]

Or just in general?

[ Raising his hand and giving her his most serious look. ]

Both.