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.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I never said I was the only person who could do it - I even invited other people's input - because I know this isn't something that anyone can do alone. I have a team at home, I command a lot of people, but I'm not a practical man myself. And I still have to follow orders.

But I woke up in slime and had to more or less sort myself out. Wouldn't have even known I was in space if my brother hadn't pointed me right up to the window. That stinks of disorganisation to me. You understand how it could come across that way?

Then pardon my misinterpretation of your words. I am someone who is willing to work with others on board here to make sure that everyone is treated well and receive help where needed. I come from a military background so I understand about following orders.

In a way, I do. But the waking up in slime happens each month without fail and there's nothing any of us can do about it. There's always going to be chaos there, with the new arrivals and how disorientating the experience can be.

Got a military background myself, so I hear you. [ He tilts his head. ] Where did you serve?

[ Oh right, conversation. ]

I understand that it happens every month, I'm not saying there's gonna be a way to circumvent it, but because it happens every month those experiences stacking up should lead to some kind of improvement. You've got a lot of people who seem to want to help, all it takes is leadership, organisation. Just an observation.

During the Second World War. [There's a wry smile on her face.] I know it sounds impossible but it's the truth.

Then what would you suggest that we do, Mr. Petrelli? What kind of ideas do you think we should implement? I'm glad that you're willing to work with us and try to make things a whole lot easier on everyone.

I've picked up that people've been taken from different times at least. Might take it a little harder if I hadn't had experience of it first hand, and run into a guy down in the med bay who ought to have been dead. Still, World War II Makes it hard to compare experiences. I flew supersonic aircraft, and the fastest planes you had back then didn't even make Mach 1.

[ He could amend that to 'I fly supersonic', because he doesn't exactly need a plane. He's not bragging, though, he's just trying to address that huge gap. Sixty two years is a big deal. ]

A welcoming committee? A team of medics - or at least volunteers - set up somewhere to provide people with information rather than leaving them to wander round and try and beat it out of other people? Medical attention for those who need it, maybe tranquilisers for people who can't take it all in at once. Everyone's in a damn hurry to find who they know and get the hell out of there, leaving everyone else to make their own way.

All I know is one person's ideas aren't gonna cut it, especially not mine - I don't know the complications - but if people come together to talk about it, maybe that would be a start. So I'm gonna say that what we need most? Is a council. Whether it's to discuss problems with people after jumps, or debate threats to the ship itself, or bring together efforts at getting everyone home. And I'll be the first to say I'm outta line if you've already got something like that.

Ah, so you were in the airforce then. That wasn't my branch, I was in the actual army; well, working on behalf of them despite being British. I was based mainly in Europe when America had joined the war effort. Can only imagine the kind of technology that exists now in my future.

[She hadn't really asked anything about the future because Peggy wasn't sure if she should know in the first place.]

I have already tasked myself to stay behind and check in on the new arrivals as well as our current passengers. I offer the new people information and assist them wherever I can. Sometimes, it can take several hours but I don't mind because I feel like I'm making a difference. Saying that, I'm not sure who else really stays behind so perhaps I should liaison with them from now on.

Talking about it as a group would be a good place to begin, yes. Gathering ideas and how people think that things should be implemented here. I don't believe that there's an official group but Kirk would probably be the best to bring that to because he does have some people who seem to work with him quite closely.

If you're ever curious, I'll draw you a picture some time.

[ But he knows how dangerous it is to know about the future. Not that curiosity doesn't surmount that sometimes. He can't help but be a little curious back in the other direction. ]

Haven't exactly gotten off on the right foot with Kirk, not sure how he'd take more suggestions from me right now. [ But how can there not be a council, or at least an emergency meeting now and again? Well, maybe cause this network makes such a good launching point. It still doesn't really instigate discussion though. Like this conversation--even if they came up with something useful to discuss, it was never going to make much progress. ]

So he works with members of his crew in general? Makes sense. Camaraderie, experience working as a unit. But he doesn't give orders so much as suggestions? That is: nothing people are obligated to do, but things they choose to for the sake of the ship, right? That's some kind of faith to inspire.

[ He's still picking this up as he goes along, building a picture. ]

I'll certainly keep that in mind.

[Peggy believes that knowing about her future is probably a bad idea. If she ever did return home with any knowledge about her fate, she might try to change it and possibly make things worse.]

He's a reasonable man. I'm sure that if you talk to him again, then he'll listen to what you have to say. Somewhere quiet though; not in such a public arena. [Regular meetings could be a good way to establish a good rapport among those who had undertaken roles of responsibility. Perhaps they could have a shipwide meeting, including all of those on board and let their opinions be heard.]

I believe that Kirk has done a lot of good for people here and he has been quite fair; I don't believe he wants to take sides nor make anyone feel excluded. This is just from my observations in his broadcasts. I haven't talked to him in person much. It's possible that there are people here who think he shouldn't be in a leadership role in the first place.

[ He inclines his head. ] In that case I'll give him a call with the suggestion when things settle down around here a little more.

[ A pause. ] We don't pull rank in the Navy without justification. I'm a URL, but I'm not a Captain, I've never commanded much more than half a dozen planes, let alone a starship, and I think half the battle is convincing everyone else that you think you can handle it. I wouldn't be able to do that, give people that reassurance.

More power to him that he can; I know whose hands I'd rather put my life into. But there are always going to be disagreements--can you think of anyone in particular who might not be so comfortable with him?

I think that's probably your best bet, Mr. Petrelli.

[Perhaps she should talk to Kirk again.]

Admittedly, I have never had to pull rank on anyone but I did go against orders once. It was for a good cause though; if I didn't, then many good men would have died. But yes, I agree with you about having to convince others of your abilities. I've had to do that a lot back home, prove that I am capable of doing anything I set my mind to.

I'm afraid I can't think of anyone right now but I will keep my eyes opened and watch the network carefully for any signs. You have my word on that.

That's brave of you--disobeying orders, I mean. And I'm sure you must have. I'm afraid even my experience in the Navy made it clear how hard women had to work to prove they were just as capable as anyone else.

[ Nathan is very attracted to strong women. To be fair he was raised by one. The real problem is that he assumes that's what she means.

The other problem is that his last girlfriend ends up just as betrayed and drugged as his brother when he goes on his crusade. Oops. ]

I shall too. And I'll let you know if anything comes up.

[ Like oh. Serial killers. ]

It was my duty to do the right thing. So, if that was bravery then I'll accept it. Thank you. [Peggy was modest about things like that.] Well, it seems that we have similar experiences, despite being from different time periods and worlds even. It's interesting.

[Peggy did have to prove herself before she was trusted with a very important mission. When the war was over, she hoped to continue with her line of work.

As for who she was attracted to? Well, he was on board this ship. Steve was one of the best men that she knew and Peggy didn't have eyes for anyone else.]

I appreciate that, thank you.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only