Hello, Tranquility. This is Doctor Knutson, co-head of Xenobiology and Genetics. I understand this illness has escalated at an alarming rate, and that many of us are experiencing symptoms far beyond what one expects from a strain of influenza.

Specifically, many of us are mutating.

[ If she sounds a little concerned about that, it could be because it's very concerning, and the proper weight needs to be given to the subject. What she doesn't sound is alarmed. Then again, this post is noticeably lacking a visual. ]

It would greatly help the department if we had a better idea of what sort of mutations the ship's population is experiencing. If you would be so kind, please either respond to this message, or stop by the XenoGen laboratories or Medical. Species and the nature of your affliction will be very helpful information. Your condition will be kept confidential, should you choose to respond to me, or one of my staff, in private. Anonymous replies are accepted, though not encouraged.

Please seek out Medical, myself, Professor Xavier, or Doctor Grimm regarding this. Thank you for your time and cooperation.

[Well her stuff is moved and helping with food deliveries isn't very time consuming, so Ai has some down time. A lot of down time. Even more then back home. She's starting to realize how little she has to do without her job. Which is why she finally decides to ask another question. Have a quiet voice from a quiet girl]

I'm not used to having so few duties.

What do people do in their spare time here?

Good day. My name is Miles Edgeworth; I'm with the security team here.

[ And Miles Edgeworth, with the security team here, seems vaguely embarrassed and uncomfortable. He's far better at haranguing and scolding than he is at doing P.R. Or...talking normally to people, ever. ]

I'd like to take a moment of your time to address the role of security on the ship. The science teams conduct research; engineering keeps the ship running; agriculture keeps us fed; gunnery guards against external threats. All of them have a greater, overarching aim.

We on security are a bit different: we have no goal other than the immediate desire to serve and to protect. We are here to make all of you safer and more comfortable. We are here to make you feel more secure and confident. What we do - whatever we do - is purely to better keep you safe.

As such, I beg that any time you have a complaint, you bring it to us. Any time someone has done wrong to you or to others, let us know. We'll always work with you to develop a solution that's best for both parties. We have never executed anyone for their misdeeds and never will; brig time is very rarely used, more often to keep people safe in isolation than as punishment. We do not want to interfere with your lives; we only want to do what we need to do to keep harmony.

I also beg that if you ever have any requests of us, or any suggestions as to how we might better serve you, let us know.

[ Right. He's glad that's all over with. ]

Changing gears somewhat. It is vital to keep up our spirits in this place. I know that games are typically considered a means to maintain positivity; I had thought perhaps some...word game might be called for. Perhaps twenty questions.

The following is a report of the events that occured during the 32nd jump related to the reconnaissance mission into the ship's undocumented corridors lead by Commander Shepard. Perceived delays are the result of attempts to clarify information.

( After Action Report, 32 Jump Cycle Exploration and Reconnaissance and Concurrent Incidents )

[When the video transmission starts, there’s a rather neat and tidy man in a suit, seated in one of the passenger quarters.]

I’ll give it to this place, this has to be one of the oddest awakenings I’ve had. Still doesn’t beat Nepal though…

[The last part is muttered, almost to himself, before he turned back to the camera, all business.]

Not to ask the same question twice, but I’d like to go home as much as the next person, so perhaps I’ll save on some of the legwork and reach out. How can I help make sure this ship reaches its destination in one piece? I do have military training and my information gathering skills can be useful.

[There’s a small pause, and then he smiles, a small almost innocent look.]

Also I’m rather decent at poker, if that will help us any. So, who’s recruiting?

[ This video starts out much like any other - new person being mildly awkward, staring a little to the left. Sheepish might be a good descriptor for Peter at the moment. ]

Right, so. [ Which isn't what he planned to open with, hang on, let's rewind. ] My name's Peter Petrelli. I'm from New York, year 2006. I've read back on the network enough to get a decent idea about what's going on, but not nearly enough to make sense. I did read that we have a medbay, and that I was here before. So uh, sorry about this, but I don't remember being here the first time around.

I guess what I'm trying to say is — who do I actually talk to about getting on the medical team?

Oh, and I can't figure out the space microwave. A little help with that, maybe?

[the feed opens to a shot of david sat at the table in his assigned room; grey standard uniform in place, despite the black jumpsuit he was given upon arrival. having that one strain of familiarity on his person...helps. not that he'll ever admit to that. perfect posture and not a hair out of place; there's something a little off about the picture, but unless you were here for those old transmissions, it shouldn't be obvious as to what that is. he's made to appear completely human afterall.]

A question for each of you. Who do you consider the biggest threat to your safety here? The figure who goes by a red, smiling emoticon? Our Captain and Chief Engineer? Or perhaps it's one of us; one of those who have been brought here against our will?

Considering that it was those amongst our number who attempted to commit mutiny, released a fear toxin, and unleashed a series of windows to parallel worlds, is it the ship we should fear, or those aboard it?

Curious minds wish to know.

[and then he'll just be. switching the feed over to a locked one now.]


[locked to OPERATIONS and SCIENCE departments]

I hope this isn't too forward of me. [not that he particularly cares if it is] But my name is David, and prior to my arrival here, I performed the role of Mission Attendant aboard the USCSS Prometheus. Whilst the details of our mission must remain classified, I can assure you that I have a great deal of experience with the operation and maintenance of an FTL space exploration vehicle, hypersleep stasis, and earth sciences including medicine.

As such, I wish to offer my services to both of your departments, dependant on which areas you believe I can benefit the most.

Thank you for your time.

[ The video feed starts off with Eames attempting to focus the camera on one of the rooms without any assigned occupants. On the door is the same mask attached as everywhere else that doesn't have a more customized ones. He's trying to nudge his free hand under the chin of it to pry the mask off, but it's not much of a fruitful attempt, considering. ]

Someone must have access to Engineering's superglue. [ Giving up, he steps back, panning the camera past Brendan and down the hall where similar masks adorn many of the doors on the fourth floor. ] And been very, very bored. Did anyone else manage to get a close look at the manticores a few months back? [ The camera returns to the mask where Eames follows one of the gouges along what would be the eyes. ] Bit of a cruel joke, isn't it?

Knowing this ship? [ Brendan's speaking up from his spot on the floor--crouching, hands clasped by his wrists, staring intently. Anyone who's seen him around knows it's his default any time he's thinking, and after a small pause he speaks again. ]

Any cat wandering the halls during the blue goo showdown that lasted enough to get to those things can see the similarity, no matter the burg you're from. [ and his head jerks up ever-so-slightly, making eye contact with Eames. ] Didn't someone say they were human, once?

That would have been SCI through DNA sequencing, yeah. Well, that's great - a very pointed craft project, Tranquility, thank you. [ The camera swings downward toward their feet and Brendan's knee in his crouching position as he drops his hand, but just before the feed ends Eames muses: ] I think I much preferred the maze...

[just another PSA from the captain who's still in Engineering at ass o'clock at night]

The doors to the cabins have been unlocked.

We ask that nobody leave the Oxygen Garden until security can verify that the Passenger Quarters are safe.

The power's still out, as I'm sure you can all tell. Updates will come as we have them.

Kirk out.

[ heeeeey network, have a video of auggie! he's at his desk in the communications office and his headphones are around his neck. the communicator is in his hand and he's looking off to the side, in a sort of spaced out way. which is probably because he's blind. ]

Heeeello, network. Your friendly neighborhood communications team with a tiiiiny bit of an update. As you all know, this ship is ... [ a wave of his hand as he tries to come up with a word before he snaps his fingers ] insane and you're probably all dealing with the repercussions of that at the moment so I wish you the best of luck!

Juuusst, to anyone actively using the network at the moment, please do not be alarmed if you hear something, uh, out of ordinary, so to speak? We picked up a bit of a disturbance and the source seems to be from the ship itself, not anyone on the network. If you do happen to hear it, you will probably be a bit alarmed at the sudden noise. Please please, do not panic and try not to go looking for the source because like I said, it's from the ship. Stay in your groups, stay in your camps, don't do anything stupid.

[ or at least, they think it's from the ship. There's not actually much of a source but he's at least sure that the screaming isn't coming from anyone on the ship. ]

Anyway, yeah, there's your warning. We'll be watching the channels from here to keep track of ... whatever it is. Good luck!

[ AUGGIE'S SPECIAL SNOWFLAKE ENCRYPTION 100%; FILTERED TO COMMUNICATIONS DEPT + EVERYONE NATHAN SENT A MESSAGE TO ]

So. Screams, huh?

[ hey, at least it's to the point ]

[The device opens on a cabin door--glowing, scorched and...intact. There is even some smoke coming from the edges. Alex's voice picks up, sounding tight and frustrated.]

In case you guys haven't figured out, there is no way to get the damn doors open--or destroy them.

Just used enough plasma to level a normal bulkhead--nothing.

[It ended up being a damn waste--but if he took it easy for the rest of the day, he should recharge. Besides there were more important things to worry about.

Turning the device back on himself, Alex's face came into view, a cat draped over his shoulders, tail twitching absently.

Seems someone was taking the pets for a walk when he got locked out.

Pressing his lips together in a thin line, he shook his head.]

I'm going to be out on patrol--like Tyke and Kirk said, get to agriculture. If you don't want to fine, whatever, no one is going to make you.

[Alex sounds more confident, sure of himself since his last broadcast. He has a handle on this stuff--organizing, dealing with a crises, taking a lead--he can do that. It's a version of control, and he's comfortable with that.]

But if anyone starts getting really uncomfortable and cold, I want you to contact me. I can warm the air up in a room quickly and safely.

I'm also planning on going down to the pool later today and warming that up, if anyone is interested.

If anyone missed it, the ship is now in emergency lockdown.

[Kirk is addressing the video next to him, the device seems to be propped up so that there is a clear view of Tyke next to him as he taps away at a console in one of the corridors. it's one of those big holographic ones, and it's reflecting red light back into his face. he doesn’t look up.]

We're running on backup power, and before anyone asks, we haven't figured out the problem. Primary power is being directed into Engineering and the Oxygen Gardens. Engineering, I need one of you to contact me-- I don't have clearance so I can't get down there on my own.

[it's here that he looks up]

The lockdown has also, for some reason, extended to everyone's cabins--

[but the console beeps and Kirk's attention goes back to whatever he was working on. Tyke has been concentrating on her comms device, but she looks over as Kirk cuts off, frowning slightly. clearly not interested in wasting time waiting for him to finish and get back to addressing the camera.]

Gonna want everyone getting down to the gardens. Power's still good down there and sticking together's safer. If you haven't been locked out of your room yet, grab everything you can before you leave - blankets, sheets, pillows. Agriculture, if you're not there already, we're gonna need you for access. And SEC, I want you down there running tight guard on the area, loose patrols to pick up stragglers. [an agitated, stilted shift of her shoulders.] I'm not taking any chances on this being more fucked up than a power cut.

It's going to get cold up here, people. Resnik is estimating 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Bundle up, we might be camping for a while.

[and he reaches up to click off the transmission.]


[ooc: gold is for Kirk, blue is for Tyke.

UPDATE: go to this log for open garden camping stuff!]

[ First, the ever-present hum of the ship ceases completely. Lights shut off. There is nothing but pure (dead) silence; you could hear a pin drop. Then, after a long moment, the lights flicker dimly back — red, this time — and the hum stutters up again, but with the added unmistakably deafening sound of a siren going off. Passengers who are sleeping are going to get a very rude awakening.

Resnik's voice not only pops up as a post on the network, but is being pumped through the ship over the bridge's ship-wide PA system. She sounds calm, but there's an authoritative, sour note to her tone that says she's not entirely pleased with the situation. The klaxon stops abruptly. ]

USC Tranquility has entered emergency standby mode. The reactor has ceased generating power, and we are running solely on backup generators. Certain areas will be inaccessible to those without clearance. The gardens will continue to filter air and water, but ship temperatures will drop, and lights will remain dim until the reactor has been repaired. Artificial gravity is holding stable at 85%. Pressure is 100%. Passengers should gather in groups — make every effort to stay healthy and warm.

The source of the issue is unknown at this time. We have enough power to last us a year in space, but I'm sure it won't come to that. Excessive changes in atmosphere or the physical condition of the ship will be reported over the public address system. We'll keep you updated as soon as more information becomes available.

[ And, in text pings to every communicator: ]

! ALL ENGINEERING STAFF REPORT TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT.
! ALL AGRICULTURE STAFF REPORT TO THE O2 GARDENS.
! ALL SEC AND MED STAFF ARE TO ENSURE PASSENGER SAFETY AT ALL TIMES.
! DO NOT ENGAGE IN EXCESSIVE OR STRENUOUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY.
! CONSERVE OXYGEN. RATION FOOD. BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS. REMAIN CALM.

[ The video opens on a dark-skinned, gold-eyed, cats-pupiled young man who's probably about 16 or so, looking very serious. You may've seen him around, or you may not have. He hasn't been very social since he arrived. ]

Hi. I just need to know if anyone has seen James Rogers recently. A little older than me, red hair, blue eyes. I haven't seen him in a couple of days, and I'm starting to get worried. If anyone has any information, I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you.

[Tommy's been scarce since the fog and rust overtook the Tranquility like a month ago. Sure, he's made appearances on the Network, here and there, but they've been few and far between. Other than that, he's mostly kept to himself, drinking at the bar or holing up in his room. The whole fucked up experience took a lot out of him, made him confront a few things that he'd been in denial about, namely: 1) he's dead and 2) he has a major drinking problem. Unfortunately, revelation number one fed into revelation number two, so...

As usual, Tommy's had a few too many to drink. It's rare that he gets on the Network sober, and today's no exception. He's sitting in his room, guitar propped on his lap, smiling, although it's more sarcastic than anything else. His words are a little slurred-- looking at him, you can practically smell the alcohol on his breath.]

Hey. So, I've been wondering. [He drums his hands lightly on the guitar.] How many of you are dead men walking? Or women, I guess.

I'm just curious. Wanna know how many of us are out there, people who can't go home, because they-- [He stops short, then laughs, shaking his head.] Because they're six feet fucking under.

Let's get a show of hands here. [He raises his. It's worth noting that he's not wearing his wedding ring. Tommy's not exactly on the market-- EVEN THOUGH HE'S SUCH A CATCH-- but he's coming to terms with the fact that he's never gonna see Jeanie again. Well, "coming to terms" with the help of space beer. Tommy drops his hand and plucks at his guitar idly, still smiling that thin, sarcastic smile.]

You know, I'm still not convinced this place isn't hell. [He looks at the camera for a beat, thinking, as if he wants to say something else... then leans forward to cut the transmission.]

[OOC: SORRY FOR POSTING AND RUNNING FOR... THE ENTIRE DAY. My net crapped out very shortly after I posted this, then DW wouldn't let me log in ablhailfhwioho. Tags will commence in the morning once I've had some sleep.]

[Larry is sitting cross-legged on his bed in his cabin, looking pretty bored. He tries to put on a grin that ends up looking more sheepish and clueless than anything, and takes one more moment of valuable transmission time to glance up at the ceiling, presumably in thought. Then he sighs, and faces his device. At least he is no longer panicking the way he was during his first few days on the ship.]

Um...hi, I guess. I'm Larry Butz, and one day I woke up in a tube with weird gunk that took forever to get out of my hair. Gum is worse, though.

[A pause. He wonders what else he should say.]

Thought I'd introduce myself since we'll be on this ship for a while. In space and all that.

...

By the way, I got a couple of questions. First, are there any art materials on board? I'm kinda bored. [As if that wasn't obvious from the fact that he has decided to lie back down, his eyes half-closing in a dazed expression.] And second, are the numbers on our arms supposed to mean something, or did we all get random ones while we were asleep?

[Because his reminds him of something. Something more than just an age, or a birthday, or any sort of date.]

[ There are a few things everyone might notice about this video post. One is that there's no way Jaye could have gotten from the medbay to the kitchen on the 001 passenger floor this quickly. Two is that her hair looks both dirtier and longer than usual, and instead of either happily mussed or neatly groomed, it's just a complete mess. Three is that, judging by the way Jaye sort of seems to be wobbling back and forth on the floor and has burst capillaries in her face, she was just rather sick and might be so again. Likewise, anyone who looked around before or after the jump may have noticed that Jaye wasn't there -- didn't go down, didn't go into the gravity couches, and that Faith Lehane was looking after her animals. ]

So. [ Her voice is hoarse, quiet, and the rasp is completely new and sounds painful –- in fact, she has to pause, clearing her throat for a moment. It doesn't go away completely, but she's a bit louder, at least. ] I-- [ and she winces ] sat out during the jump as an insect. Don’t do that. It was a month. Everything was red, copper and salt, until it ended.

[ It hurts to talk, and Jaye takes a moment to rub at her throat. ] Want a shower, food.

[ She pauses, glancing away from the camera for a moment. Her eyes aren’t exactly wet, and maybe it's from her earlier vomiting, but either way... ] Missed you guys. [ And she cuts the feed. ]

((ooc: MCU!Tony will be getting her from the kitchen and carrying her down to medical. Her replies will probably come from after she's there and probably be in text form. If your character wants to go visit her there (or fuss at her or whatever), I'd be up for it, but be warned that she's having a bit of a hard time talking at the moment and will set Faith on you if she feels shitty.

Also someone might want to clean up the 001 kitchen. ))

[ ah, tranquility, long time no- actually you may have seen one of them around last month. or both. maybe you got lucky on that front. what you do end up seeing, right now, looks suspiciously like one the tranquility's science labs. there's one person in the frame right now, and yes, if you see that blue glow coming from the chest, you can guess that it's tony stark in one of his normal habitats of a lab. you can't see his face but you can hear him saying something to someone off screen. ]

Technically it's not false pretenses if after we're done we do get to play. I'm not going to be the bearer of bad news again without company. Seriously, I don't want to be giving this news in the first place. Not right after "Adventures in the English Moors from Hell" or some other stupidly foggy place.

[ yes tony because that's a good descriptor for silent hill. also. not really helping your case at all. especially when you turned this thing on just so bruce has no other choice to actually help you with this psa. ]

I think those are actually in Scotland.

[ ...bruce that is not helpful or topical, tony carry on. ]

Which is a part of England. You're arguing semantics to get out of my main goal here. Seriously, not doing this PSA alone. They're going to start referring to me as the man who brings the gloom and doom if I do them alone too much. It'll be what the new kids call me and that is not even okay in the slightest. [ see bruce, resistance is futile, your life is now apparently made in star trek quotes and horrible other pop culture thing's. and also tony pulling your arm to get you in the frame with him. which really tony who does that to the hulk. you are so weird. so weird that now you've also shifted the comm up to where everyone can see adventures in bruce and tony being five with faces. ]

Quit grabbing-- are you five? [ that last part is muttered-- well. "muttered". ] Fine, all right. Hi.

[ that last bit addressed to the comm. ] So, I know we've all had it... rough, the last week. [ that was his turn tony you go, have a subtle elbow to the side. ]

Actually thirteen, but thank you for thinking I'm younger than I am. [ tony, that's also not topical and let's try to remember why you came here. ] That was also the worst turn known to man. Anyway! Like Dr. Banner said, we've had a rough last week and some of you were in English Moors and some of you were just on the regular horror filled spaceship. Pretty sure no one won there. That being said, we're about to tell you something that's gonna make it a little worse.

Those of you who are new hopefully know who the one we call Smiley is. If not- Banner, you give them a run down on that. This is going to make no sense if they don't know and I think the ship deserves to hear your dulcet tones. [ …tony that's mean. have an elbow, not subtle at all to your side, bruce. ]

Ow. [ he clutches his side, exaggeratedly affronted. (if you know him, fine. he looks mildly questioning and in need of a haircut like usual, otherwise.) ] Nice cut off point, Tony.

[ and back to the comm. ] Smiley is-- well, the jury's out on what, but he's been a presence in our lives for a while now. If you've heard about lists or puzzles, if it wasn't that guy in the hat-- [ he waves his hands vaguely at the rat's nest on his head. ]

--Or the guy who's obsessed with bacon. Seriously, will someone think of the people who keep kosher? Or you know, the people who actual like eating bacon who don't want to see it ruined.

[ yanking this BACK jesus tony bruce totally isn't quietly laughing at that, no. ] Or him, okay-- if it wasn't one of us, my point is, they probably meant him. We don't... quite know his agenda-- [ correction: we don't know his agenda at all ] But when he communicates, it's better to pay attention.

[ which tony does all the time. even when it's quiet. because he's a paranoid asshole. also you know, just someone who doesn't believe in privacy or things normal people like. right. BACK TO HIM. thank you for no elbow bruce, he was thinking that was his cue, but you didn't give it. ]

Obviously there was no communication while I think, what, half of us were stuck in that fog on the main network of our communication devices. So I was curious, and I checked our subnetwork that he likes to hide on sometimes. Yeah. Got a communication there. First was a riddle, led to some bullshit about not liking planets and and quiet, but liking worlds and peace. FYI, last two words don’t have t’s the first two do. Funny letter play. Anyway, after that, I found this, it’s an imitation, but if you can get someone to hack for you, you’ll find that it’s the same thing I’m sending to all of you right now.

[ do do you all get to have tony turn this to text for a second and get sent this: ]

IT WANTS TO KEEP YOU

It wants to keep you. Not the most welcoming lines, especially considering this entire ship and how it'’s at least vaguely creepy to most of us and how I think most of us want to go home. I'm not saying, be worried- actually, no, I am, because every time something like this pops up we end up either having stupid lists that don't make sense pop up or we turn blue from space sickness and have them lead us to a lab, this lab, actually, that had been teeming with abominations of nature that didn't have any eyes and shouldn't have survived jumps without turning into puddles of monster, but did, and- Bruce, you agree with me, yeah?

[ back him up, bro. also no elbow for you but it's implied. ]

...Oh, I get to talk now? [ very very sassy, mr. banner. but he's not annoyed, and there's a tiny actual grin hovering around the edges of his mouth; bruce banner likes hearing tony stark talk. (and thus were a million s.h.i.e.l.d. employee bets lost.) ] There's a pretty decent rubric, in life, for how worthwhile a hunch is. Once is usually a wild goose chase, two is coincidence, three's worth looking into. Four confirmed sightings-- which is what we have, now-- is a pretty good place to start.

[ bruce holds up one fingers. ] "It wasn't our fault." [ another finger. ] "Succeed and give and it helps you to live." [ a third finger, kind of the boy scout sign bruce go away. ] "It'll only find you faster."

[ he lowers his hand, taking off his glasses to finish the point. ] And now "it wants to keep you." I think we need to worry about what exactly "it" is, now. Which leaves one more very important question--

[ and take us home, tony. ]

Who the fuck is T? There's a list, I know all of you have seen it, if you haven't, I'll send it to you, I guess, but last name our list of people who still don't make any sense is T. I can hear you yelling already Nathan- We knew R and W were Resnik and Ward, we have no clue who T is beyond, what, the Tranquility? [ there's a dismissive snort, sorry guys, but that's not a theory he's subscribing to. ] All the T's were underlined in that message. Smiley seems to not like T if the words are anything to go by. I'm just saying, even beyond what "it" is, who is T and what did T to earn such hate that "it" can't even like words with their initial in them.

Come on Smiley, come out, don't be like Paris and Nicole and just say he knows what he did. We're inquiring minds here, and I personally like a gossip magazine from time to time.

[ tony no. just no. that was, just look at bruce right now. he is side-eyeing so HARD and mouthing 'paris and nicole' because south america on a fugitive's budget didn't lead to lots of us weekly reading okay, god. get back on topic, you two so you can go play. ]

That's actually all we've got, now that I've said this, just watch, something will happen because that's our lives. And no, again, we don't get to say, "Tony you made it angry," because I didn't even talk to it this time and neither did Banner. So, not mine or his fault. Direct questions to the two of us, or whatever, but if we take a bit we're making science related discoveries because I promised Banner a treat for doing this with me.

[ reaching towards the communicator, bruce gets out-- ]

If you compare this to hiding a pill in a piece of cheese for a housepet next, I'm taking my science and going home to Betty.

[ AND THEN CLOSEUP OF BANNER WRIST AND WE’RE OUT. ]

[ ooc | tony, bruce. replies come from both, unless directed to just one in the subject. ]