[This is that moment in a horror movie where comms just start going staticky like crazy and you're sure there's actual talking going on, but it's almost entirely garbled, either because of the mass panic of the person the other end or because it's plot convenient. WHO KNOWS. Either way, Topher's comm is doing a lot of static and the only thing that actually gets through in the haze is a single sentence.]

░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░

░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░

░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░░DID IT HAVE TO BE RATS?!


[Congrats, TQ. Now everyone knows of Topher's rodent problem. For the record, he's sequestered in a far corner of the genetics labs to avoid the rats and most of his shouting is telling people THERE ARE RODENTS HERE. GET THEM GET THEM. We can assume someone dragged him bodily out of the labs later, but for now? HE AIN'T MOVIN'. Or contributing.]

[A well-groomed and well-dressed woman in her mid-thirties appears on the feed, speaking in very business-like clipped tones and for those from Earth, she is clearly English.]

My name is Adelle DeWitt.

I have been aboard this ship for a few weeks now and I am interested in learning more about it, the mission and how so many came to be here via this jump system.

If any one has any pertinent information they care to share, I would be glad to hear it. I am sure many others have previously inquired as to such things and if there are any dossiers around I could peruse, all the better.

That is all.

[ sup, tranquility. enjoy this tiny, chipper teenybopper with big dreams. ]

Hello, people of the Tranquility. I'm Rachel Berry, from Lima, Ohio, circa 2011-2012, and I have a question for you all.

[ a deep breath. THIS IS IMPORTANT, TQ. ]

Does anyone here play an instrument? Or sing? Or dance? Or have any artistic inclinations whatsoever? 

[ The video is sent from the holodeck the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen has frequented of late. A backdrop of red marble and dark metal appears for several seconds before the camera angle is adjusted. The man who appears on the screen is older, red-haired, and tremendously overweight. He scrutinizes the screen for a moment before he begins speaking, his voice a deep basso rumble.]

"Attention, Tranquility, I am the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. I have a query for those on the ship who might have pertinent information."

[One can only sit on a holodeck brooding in artificial simulations of home for so long before it grows exceedingly dull, which has grown obvious of late. The Baron suspects that there may be other things to do, somewhere, and, has begun to wonder about a subject in particular, which has not held much personal interest for many, many years. Having far too much free time on his hands, however, he has begun recollecting a certain pastime of his now rather-distant youth.]

"Is anyone aware of any musical facilities aboard the ship? Listening areas with catalogs of recorded material are of interest, but, I would also like to know if there are any facilities containing musical instruments of any sort. Also, are there any musicians aboard the ship?"

[So long as Gurney Halleck does not appear with a damned baliset, perhaps this will prove interesting, he thinks, and sinks back into his seat to await any responses, sipping from a glass of Spice-laced wine taken from one of the bars.]

A-all right. It's been about -- it's been a while, a few weeks, but who knows for sure? It's hard to keep track of time around here, isn't it? I can't be the only one having this problem.

[ The video doesn't show anyone at first, just a dark room; after a few moments though, Harry turns the camera on his tired, pale face, the shadowy lines rimming his eyes stark in contrast especially in the poor light. He's lying back on his bed, so it seems. In fact, he has the look of someone who has probably not left his room much recently, if at all, because spoilers: he definitely hasn't. It's a legit look, albeit subtle. ]

Since I've been here, that is. Time flies, I think. It's at least doing a good impression of passing.

[ He does manage a smile, though it's perhaps a slightly unnerving one. Very detached. ]

Certainly enough time to immerse myself in the reality of unreality. That's the way to do it, right? Accept the dream, no questions, it's easy and I know how appealing easy is. Really. At least the food tastes like food and the beds feel like beds. Uh -- a pretty perfect simulation, if it is one. The monsters and mayhem are a nice touch, too.

But I -- I can't really get my mind around it. Someone told me we were supposed to be like a flight crew, but this feels a lot more like a giant psych ward to me. I don't know why I'd be here. None of it really fits together b-but maybe that's just the newness talking.

[ His eyes narrow slightly, wearily, his eyebrows furrowed a little skeptically. There's something mildly paranoid about his expression, though he does a fair job of repressing it. When you're prone to hallucinations, staving off the discomfort of withdrawal, almost (or actually?) died and keep yourself creepy and antisocial, it's hard to know for sure what's real and what isn't. ]

Uh. It's Osborn, by the way, if anyone can really hear this. Harold Osborn, though most people just stick to "Harry." Hi.

[HELLOOOOooo Tranquility it's Simon. Today he sounds like what you expect a surgeon who just helped autopsy a child would sound like--sort of tired and maybe a little sad.

But he is nothing if not professional, so here goes.]

This is, uh. This is Dr. Tam. In Medbay.

Just a few reminders from the doctors on board--I'm sure everyone has figured out by now that last month's stasis chamber malfunction has...corrected itself. If you were asleep last month and have experienced any prolonged side-effects from the jump, please inform a doctor or nurse.

[And speaking of...]

I guess we might...also consider this the obligatory call for doctors, or...[cough healers. If you're new and have medical experience, we could use your talents.

Recently, I've been speaking to several people about assembling a team of paramedics, maybe an overlap between Security and Medical. A team of first responders might be helpful, given...recent events.

[There's a second or two of silence and the brief hint of a sigh.] I know we're all stretched a little thin, as it is, but it can't hurt to gauge interest. I'd be willing to help train anyone who wants to learn.

[When the video clicks on, it shows Bennett sitting in her room and fidgeting a bit. She wanted to say something, she's just having issues articulating it all. Her lips part like she's about to start speaking a few times before she actually does.]

Ah, hi. I mean, hello. Yes. My name is Bennett Halverson and I'm...new. To this whole, as Dr. Brink put it, pandimensional kidnapping spaceship thing.

So I have a question concerning recent events that have been mentioned or--or broadcasted here on this network.

[She pauses and bites her lip, then her hand sort of wanders up to her mouth and she chews on her thumbnail for a second before she realizes she's doing it and that other people probably don't want to watch that.]

Is this normal? For, well. The monsters. Other...people dying. Does this happen frequently? Because that's a problem in a finite area such as a ship. Which I'm sure the majority of you are probably aware of already and don't need me to point out but. I, I'd like to help. Somehow. I'm a, a scientist. Medical doctor, technically, but my fields of study...weren't limited. I'm familiar with a wide variety of subjects so I'd like to put my knowledge to use. In some way.