[Marty has retrieved his things from the locker; themos-bong, I've missed you so much. So, so much. He has it in his lap and sets it aside, plenty done with it for a good while. It's given him clarity; time to reflect on his life, on his future, on an evil ship doomed to ruin him as much as everything else has.

Okay, so he actually just came into his room, curled up, and cried for a little bit. And then smoked more. It's his depression solution.

But he's good now. He's cross-legged on his bed, looking as though he's been pondering considerably on the state of the Marty. Only whatever redness to his eyes can be contributed to his bong, if anyone questions it--he's too busy focusing on the now, instead of the then. It'll do him no good to let it drag him down; he can keep having all this doubt and survivor's guilt, but he can't let it crush him--because it wouldn't be fair to the others, when they never got the chance to come back.

No, he can figure it all out. He can think long and hard and maybe he can help these people where he couldn't help his own.]

Have you ever wondered if this place is your world's future? I know that's really morbid thinking and all, but this has to be in somebody's future--doesn't it? Maybe something crazy happened, people had nowhere to go, so they ran off to space. It's not like it's the craziest idea out there; we had--whole movies dedicated to stuff like this. Syfy originals. Books. Hell, I think I heard a radio story from ye olden days about it.

[He waves a finger at the air, looking off distantly.]

... I just can't figure out where everything went crazy aboard the ship--maybe there's some... entity. Like a spirit, or a god. Maybe it's getting its sick thrills off making us dance around like little lab rats. Or maybe it's whatever those hypothetical entities created. Maybe--maybe we're just being watched by something that brought us here just to see what we'll do. People say there's no reason we're here, or we haven't found one. But if I had to bet my piggy-bank back home on something... it'd be that. I'd guess it's also why it won't let anyone go out too far from home plate. Or why there are people who aren't people anymore.

Whatever we do, we gotta stick together. Or else... things'll just go from worse to worser. We gotta hang in there. Fuck Smiley and the monsters and the lack of wonderful snack foods--we gotta... just stick together...

[He's rambling now, whoops. Sighing at the sir, he reaches over, grabs his bong and talks as he turns the top, condensing the whole thing down into a normal thermos mug. ILU, thermy.]



I'm gonna go try to invent new things in the kitchen. Anyone wanna go? This place needs way more comfort food, and I'm pretty competent at Macguyver-ing together something worthy of consumption. Might even be able to do it without setting the whole ship on fire, too.

[HA HA it was a joke

just a joke

and then he wanders off without shutting down the feed. Distantly, and growing fainter:]

Maybe I can manufacture some space strain of toaster strudels. 

[And true to his word, he'll be in the kitchens to see what awful abominations he can make wunderbar. He'll answer anything there, too, while he's at it and he remembers to retrieve his comm. Now... what does this place have in the way of sweet stuff? Surely lots of cans and cans and cans and oh look boxes. Feel free to actually find him there, casually drinking from said thermos.]

[Simon's not exactly used to filming himself, but the video is still perfectly centered when he begins. He sits down, briefly returning to that old habit of making sure that his bangs are swept perfectly to one side before he starts to speak.]

[His orange jumpsuit hangs in the background. He’s wearing the generic ship one because it's cool. ...If you're Simon, it's cool.]

I've been aboard this spaceship for two days now. So far I've heard a lot of what to do and what not to do. But can anyone tell me why I was chosen?

[Simon glances about nervously, but his eyes are glossy with excitement when he looks back.]

I'd also like to know if there are any extraterrestrials on board. Like in Star Voyage 13.

[Yeah, he has the box set of 1 through 12 too.]

I-I mean you no harm, I've just always wanted to meet one.

[the feed opens to a shot of anakin sat on the edge of the swimming pool. it can't be seen through the feed, but despite seemingly being fully clothed (outer robe aside), his legs are underneath the surface of the water. he sounds far more subdued than usual; has been since those weeks in the corridors. but for once, it's his overall sense of (heavily fought for) peace that's keeping him calm. the dark can't reach him if he doesn't let it.]

There was a man here who spoke to Carolyn Fry about alternate fuel sources for the shuttles. If you're still here, could we talk? I'd already begun some modifications before the last jump, so your input would be helpful.

[because it's about time he gets back to work again. three weeks is too long a break]

Also, I was wondering if anybody knew where I could find a second communicator? I know we're provided with them when we arrive, but I need access to a second one for a project I'm working on.

( [locked to carolyn] )

( [locked to obi-wan] )

( [locked to wichita] )

[Taylor is looking better than she has in a while, less agitated and more steady, but there's still a frown pinching her brow for the announcement she has to make.]

Genetics lab is to be considered hostile territory. The place is fucking infested with those rats and attempts to clear and secure the area aren't putting a dent in their population.

[And she wasn't wasting any more ammo on trying it.]

You really want to head down there, you let me and SEC know. Don't go alone or unarmed. You want to do a proper run and need a security detail with you, we can provide one. Otherwise stay the fuck away.

[ The very first shot is the view outside of the shuttle bay windows, stars and space and nothing else. Carolyn leaves the camera there for a bit before clearing her throat -- yes, there is more to this post than stars. ]

For those of you who were doubtful, yes, we are in space. The shuttle bay has the only windows on the ship, and now you've seen out them. If you want to come take a look for yourself, go ahead, but don't touch anything down here, don't bring any firearms, and don't show up drunk or high because we'll kick you out.

[ After a few more moments focused out the window, Carolyn turns the camera toward herself. ]

For those of you who are new, I'm Carolyn Fry. This has a few purposes other than showing you all the stars. For starters, the flight crew's always looking for new members. If you're interested, let us know -- we'll train you if you need it. However.

[ She'd cross her arms here, if she weren't holding the camera. Instead her gaze just narrows. ]

We do not have enough fuel for anyone to take a shuttle and try to get back to wherever they came from. If you want to try that, you might as well just walk out the airlock, because the results will be the same -- besides, this is probably a completely different year than the one you left. Likewise, if you just want to joy ride around outside, then you're out of luck. If we need to abandon ship, we need power. Since we have no idea when we're going to get more fuel for the shuttles and don't have as much as I'd like anyway, we're conserving it, so for now we're mostly repairing and maintaining them. Either way, my team doesn't really appreciate people trying to steal shuttles. We can and will stop you. You will be sent to the brig.

[ Her voice changes now from somewhere between 'stern' and 'frustrated' to 'I have said this next part a thousand times', one hand coming up to slide through her hair. ]

If you're brand new to space travel, I've been holding some space survival training classes. It's not necessarily "how to kill aliens trying to eat you" but it includes ways you can keep yourself healthy and the evacuation procedures we'll be using if we ever need to. [ A few button pushes and a link to the videos is added to the post. ] I'd obviously recommend watching them. Again, if you have any questions, please ask. I'll try to hold another session this jump.

[ Pause. ]

Last but not least, I'm going to remind everyone of a few things. Get in the gravity couches each jump or you will die. Don't wander out into the ship alone or you'll either die or come back crazy. Try not to kill each other [ she is really unhappy about the fact that she feels like that needs to be said. ] because honestly, the ship doesn't need help in that department. If you want something to do, there are plenty of departments that could use help.

Also, if anyone on board needs cat food, I have a recipe. [ Because that's not out of tone with the rest of the message at all...

There's a slight, forced smile at the camera. Mostly it just makes Carolyn look more tired, but hey, she tried. ]

Stay safe, Tranquility.

[ The feed cuts, but a few moments later, some locked messages go out. ]

[ LOCKED TO RIDDICK ]
I want to talk to you. In person.

[ LOCKED TO SPOCK ]
You still want to help with space survival training?

[ LOCKED TO THE FLIGHT CREW + FLIGHT CREW TRAINEES ]
I was thinking we should all get together for a little bit. Just... try and relax a little before diving back into work, get to know each other a little better.

[ There is a naked, brightly glowing blue man standing a short distance away from where his comm device is holding steady in the air. He’s hardly bothered by the fact that he’s naked... nor does he look as if he’s bothered by, well, much of anything. ]

It has become clear to me that, while I am entirely capable of moving my own matter both through time and space, I have been moved into a plane that has hindered this ability. I have found that i’m unable to manipulate my own particles to the extent that I have become accustomed to. It seems that this is not true in all instances, however. [ His tone indicates a shrug might go here, but he doesn’t move an inch. ] I was not able to foresee this event, likely a cause of whatever is altering my intrinsic field.

[ Jon almost sighs, almost looks dejected, but mostly looks nothing too terribly different. ]

While I am aware that this is possible, I have yet to understand exactly how it’s occurring. Once I have, however, I intend to stop it. I have begun research in the science department for this reason only. [ Still as blase as ever. ]

I am curious, however, as to how this plane affects the atoms of others. It can only serve to further advance my own research if I understand how other particles have proven to react in such a place. [ He tips his head slightly, curiously, and then proceeds to wait for his answers. ]