[ the feed opens on uhura’s hands as she picks up a piece of black paper. there’s an indistinct noise, and the feed goes shaky, right before sulu puts down the comm, balances it in front of them. ]

There. Fold it like that, with a sharp crease. Like I showed you.

[ not that sulu’s tutelage is all that effective, considering how hard he’s working to keep the situation with his hands on the downlow. ]

I tried that, and last time I ripped the paper. [It’s flat, and would almost be self-deprecating, if she weren’t so amused. For someone as detail oriented as Uhura, the idea that something that sounds as simple as origami, would be outside of her ability to comprehend is almost laughable]

Like this? [She folds one corner in, slower- to make sure the alignment is right, and runs the nail carefully along the crease]

Yes. Just like that. [ sulu taps her wrist with two fingers, in encouragement, before picking up the ripped sheet and flattening it out along the table. his eyes flick up to the camera, then back to uhura. ] We need to try for a thousand. I have enough paper for that.

[The encouragement gains him a soft smile in answer, a brief flicker of her eyes in his direction, before she makes the next fold as carefully as she can manage] Why a thousand?

Because if we manage a thousand something good will happen. [ sulu doesn’t say miracle and he doesn’t say good health or good luck but it’s what he means. he presses a palm against the ripped sheet of paper, covering it before addressing the comm. ] And if anyone else wants to learn, we’ll be happy to teach you. [ since sulu assumes uhura’s going to pick this up in a matter of hours. it’s just how starfleet kids roll. ] We’re in the common room on the sixth floor.

( ooc: the red font is nyota uhura! )

[the video clicks on to Kirk standing in the armory, communicator held level with his face. his expression, though not hostile, certainly holds something unyielding in it. right now, Jim is every bit a starship captain, ready to go to bat for his ship. even if this ship wasn't theirs, as the pirates have been so quick to declare, it was the place they were forced to call home. they have enough trouble as it is without these guys coming in and thinking they can take whatever the want, and to Kirk- the people on this ship might as well be his own. they haven't heard from Ward or Resnik, last they'd heard they were missing. The pirates have said otherwise, but considering their line of work Jim isn't inclined to believe much of what they say.]

Captain Laurens, my name is Jim Kirk.

I'm sure you've noticed the people of this ship don't take being boarded and threatened lightly. We know why you're here, but we can't allow you to clear out our stores when we need them ourselves. I think we both want to avoid as much bloodshed as possible. I'm inviting you to come forward for negotiations.

[he's aware it's a long shot, that these guys aren't going to want to negotiate, but half of this is for Kirk to find out first hand out how they'll respond and where their movements might take them. They need to take back the ship and to do that, they need to find out where those pirates are. The pings he sends out don't ask for a response, but their meaning is clear: report in, we're going to move out.]

PING :: ENTERPRISE ENCRYPTION :: ALERT

PING :: GUNNERY ENCRYPTION :: ALERT

I hope you're all well rested after that little experience. Caffeine is good for the post-jump blues, so if any of you missed my black coffee and a sit down in the jump bay, I'd recommend you get on that now. And for those of you who are a little more delicate, I'll reassure you--the jitters are a lot easier to deal with than the alternative.

My name is Nathan Petrelli; I was Senator for the state of New York. Here, I manage the Communications Department. If you have any skills with computers, managing databases and information, or no skills at all, and want to learn how to use the computers here in exchange for a nine-to-five, you can show up to our office on 001 and I'll give you the tour. Just look for the door with Communications stenciled on the outside. We're understaffed presently, and I'd be grateful for any help we can get. Just sign up, we'll find a place for you, and if things don't work out you can move elsewhere with my personal recommendation.

We'll be resuming classes Tuesday and Thursday afternoons tentatively. That's day 2 - tomorrow, and day 4, students will get a schedule. We do everything from learning about the ship and how to use the holodecks and communicators to learning to cook, sew and for the older students, fire guns, etc. Two afternoons, that's all I can offer, but the youngsters on board are usually welcomed into the various departments and mentored by experienced adults in the fields of science, flight, medicine; whatever you want. I can put you in contact with the right people if you have something specific in mind. If you're a teacher--well, it should be obvious that I could do with the help. Two afternoons isn't much at all.

I'm also responsible for the outside chapel in the Oxygen Gardens, open for members of every faith without restriction. A memorial wall there lists the names of people who have been and gone, and a book is open for anyone to leave a message. In the case of an emergency, the Oxygen Gardens is the safest place on the ship. A base of operations will usually be set up down there. If things go awry, it's a good place to be. We have a Sunday service every seventh day. Today is day one, if you're wondering.

What else is there...? Listen attentively to the information you read, stay in the common, well lit areas of the ship, don't eat anything that smells as bad as it looks. Try not to go space crazy. Shuttle bay has the only window you can see out of, if you're desperate to see it for yourself. Take care of your fellow passengers, and keep on Tyke's good side.

I'm done talking for now, but you're welcome to ask any questions you might have, for instance 'When do I get to go home?' That's always a good one.



( Filtered to Tyke; comms encryption )

Hello again, Tranquility. Uhura here.

[ sounding tired, but reserved, distracted, but purposeful. yes, somehow, she can accomplish this tone within five words. ]

For those who haven't met me ( which, I believe, is a fair amount of you seeing as I've been more of an observer than a conversationalist on this comm system lately ), I am a member of Captain Kirk and First Officer Spock's home crew, of the Enterprise. Which is just my easy way of saying... I have a great deal of experience in Communications, and I've been noticing a number of new crew members who aren't entirely- [ what's a nice word. ] - comfortable with their new communications device. That said, I would like to offer my services again, if anyone should like to learn how to fully, and easily, utilize the functions of their comm device.

[ mm, what else, what else. what's got her so tired and quiet, right; ]

I do have a request, should anyone be willing to oblige - since my arrival on this ship I've been trying- [ and trying, and trying, and trying, and trying- ] -to make sense of the damages done to the communications system on board, both in the functioning shuttle and the various panels you might have noticed around the ship. [ 'say communications again.' communications. ] That said, I haven't had any luck in repairing the damages, but I'm not going to give up any time soon. There has to be a way to fix it, I just haven't found the key yet.

But, yes. I have asked before, but since there are new members - if any of you have any experience with this sort of thing, any tech skills at all really, I would love any kind of assistance you would be willing to provide. We're nowhere near getting the system running, but I do believe, that a functioning communications system could, in part, help us get home.


( T E X T; to Resnik, encrypted 100% unhackable yup. )



[ ooc: by 'starfleet encryptions' I just mean Uhura's wacky protection against Smiley reading any of this, not that only starfleet officers can read it. the post is absolutely ota, except for the text to Resnik. just wanted to clarify! ]

[ it has been nine months.

nine months that he has served aboard the Tranquility, and with each passing jump, fewer and fewer of those that arrived with him- remain. those that he could acknowledge with a nod of his head, those who would offer up their places in the lift so that he might not be forced to endure physical contact. those with whom he shared name, rank, and specialty. history and conversation. those who had offered advice and understanding as readily as curiosity and appreciation. each and every one of them is important to him, because it illustrates how far he has come from the deeply disapproving Vulcan cadet he had once been. Spock does not know if these associations have made him more human- but their worth to him cannot be accurately quantified. ]

In light of recent discussion and events, I find it appropriate to make request.

If you possess qualification or experience in the counsel of others and desire to assist fellow passengers, I advise that you submit yourself for placement among medical personnel. Similarly, as I anticipate that medical bay would not deny participation- [ there is no pause for McCoy's loss, or the personal difficulty with which he anticipates John Watson must perform, but the thought is there. a ghost in the line of his mouth. ] if you have served Medical prior, your presence would likely be of significant value.

[ Spock's chin dips forward a fraction. it is barely movement at all, but enough to allow his face to move from the sterile, unnatural light of the ship's interior. when he speaks again, his voice quiets. he takes account of the adjustment in his body language and the slight tonal inflection of his voice, but does nothing to smooth their perceived imperfections.

empathy is a fundamental expression of sentience, so said Surak.
and Spock will not begrudge himself his humanity, however contained he may allow his experience of it to be. ]

As members of Starfleet, as cadets we are taught to understand and accept the potential that we may perish in the line of duty. I expect that those of you in similar professions are familiar with the experience. However- [ his gaze flickers before lifting, returning to the feed. ] The Tranquility is not manned by an organized service. A significant portion of our number are civilians and each of us are unwilling members of her crew.

Loss is a universal experience.

It is known to the most seasoned shipmen, and to those who have never considered the possibility. Grief is a natural progression, and given the nature of our work here, as are fear, anxiety, and apprehension. But they are responses that must be overcome if we intend to return to our homes.

There are members aboard willing and able to provide. Should you find yourself in need of their services, I urge you to attend to them.

Spock out.

[Jim addresses the network with prim efficiency this jump. his voice, curiously, is devoid of most of the warmth and infectious rabel-rousing it normally has. instead, it's clipped and professional; the voice of a captain stating facts and orders. anyone who has been around a while will know that something is off, and as he goes on, it becomes clear why.]

Tranquility this is Jim Kirk. To anyone joining us, welcome, and to anyone returning, welcome back.

I know you all have questions. Myself and those who have been on board for a while will be happy to answer any that you have, but before doing so I'll clear some of the more obvious ones up.

You're on the space ship Tranquility, a colonization vessel in a parallel universe to your own. The year is 938 A.E., and presently, we have no way of returning anyone to their home continuum. We ask, instead, that you lend a hand in the running of the ship. This isn't mandatory, but we are all that's left of a crew. Even if you have no previous experience on a starship, we'll be able to find a place for you.

Attached to this broadcast is what we have of a map of the ship. It's a rough outline, as we've found corridors spontaneously change, commonly with each jump. I ask everyone to be cautious when moving about the ship, and to avoid engaging the entity commonly known as "Smiley" on board.

[here, the pauses briefly, the crux of his attitude coming to light.]

Presently, I'd like anyone with information on missing persons to come forward. Dean Winchester and Doctor Leonard McCoy have both disappeared from our number, and I have the feeling they aren't the only ones.

Kirk out.


( PRIVATE to OCTOBER BANTUM | ENCRYPT 80% )

SMILEY.jpg
MAP.jpg
JOBS AND RANKING.txt
ALPHA/BETA SHIFT.txt

[ for the record, the slow string of what has to be cursing, judging by the tone, is in klingon. sulu's trails off, and there's a chink of metal on metal, a low sound of disgust and then... ]

I...found a body.

[ his voice is so very carefully composed. because starfleet officers are supposed to professional as fuck, and sulu's saving the freak out for later. ]

Can anyone identify 006.072?

[he knows he can't stop anyone from going, which is fifty percent of the reason he makes this a public broadcast instead of filtered. his transmissions starts with a file transfer. it comes with a photo pulled of the subnetwork, and detailing how to get to the start of the maze, located next to the Oxygen Garden. he'd rather people be informed than go wandering about, after all.]

{file transfer::// START.jpg}

Alright people, whatever we've caught is lethal. We need people in fit condition [or as close to it] to be assisting in the search. Anyone heading into the maze, do not go alone, do not go unarmed, and be careful.


Enterprise, we leave at 16:00 hours.



[ooc; feel free to use this post as IC coordination for heading into the maze/forming groups if you want! also this is pinging anyone Jim might not have talked to about going into the maze with him, ie: Asato, Godric, Todd, Jane Sheppard, Jack, etc.]

[ It's the third day that passengers aboard the Tranquility have shown up in medbay with symptoms of some kind of illness. Taken individually, none of them have appeared life-threatening -- physical weakness, loss of coordination, nausea and a mild fever, some ringing in the ears. Things that could be attributed to any number of minor ailments.

When they started presenting with a blue tint to the eyes, lips and nails, that got the medical staff more worried. When someone put it all together and realized that the symptoms all seemed to be linked...well that has the earmarks of an epidemic.

How McCoy ended up with the task of making a general announcement he's not certain, but maybe everyone figures his general doom-and-gloom attitude when it comes to space travel will convey the sense that it's probably not as bad as it sounds, more so than if it came from someone less prone to pronouncements about how they're all likely to die out here.

When the video begins transmitting, it shows him in his blue Starfleet uniform, the wall of the medbay behind him. He isn't smiling, but he isn't looking too worried either. Those who've served with him, however, might recognize that he's wearing his 'CMO' demeanor. ]

I'd like your attention, please. My name is Dr. Leonard McCoy, and I'm one of your medical staff. It's come to our attention down here that there may be some kind of virus makin' the rounds. Before you all start to panic, it doesn't look serious, but it would help us come up with a treatment if anyone exhibiting the following symptoms would kindly stop by for a check-up.

The symptoms are a general weakness or loss of coordination, nausea, fever, ringing in your ears. You may notice a blue tint to your lips, eyes, or fingernails. If you find you have any of these symptoms, get yourself down to the medbay. Could turn out to be nothing, but better safe than sorry.



[ The public transmission ends, but it's followed by two filtered transmissions. ]

( Filter to Medical Staff + Betty Ross + Sue Storm + Aragorn | MED Filter 80% )

( Filter to Enterprise | McCoy Encryption 80% )



[OOC NOTES: Any of the people currently listed as being on medical staff are more than welcome to threadjack here. At this point, although there may be suspicions and conjecture on the part of the medbay staff, no one has pinpointed a specific cause of the symptoms.

Medical Types: If you're not on the medical staff list or specifically named by McCoy, but you have medical/science skills you want to contribute, please feel free to respond to the general transmission and make an offer. He'll add you to the filter.

Enterprise Crew: Feel free to up Bones' encryption if your skills are better, which most of them probably are. ;) ]

[and the video clicks on to James Kirk. he's a little rough around the edges, having just staggered out of jump, been fed on by a wraith, and now handling a possible crisis situation but his tone is sharp, clipped. commanding.]

This is James Kirk.

{flags to MEDICAL PERSONNEL} There's been an accident. We need medical assistance to coordinates [x,x].

To everyone joining us, you're on board the starship Tranquility, a space faring vessel in a parallel universe to your own. The year is 938 After Earth. I'm sure you have plenty of questions. I'd like to welcome to you with happy news, but unfortunately that isn't possible. Effective immediately, you are part of the active crew. Whomever was here before us, save Captain Ward and First Officer Resnik- they're long gone.

I want everyone to exercise caution when moving about the ship. I've provided what we have of a MAP attached to this broadcast. This map may not match some corridors you travel down, as we've found during every jump, the internal network of the ship seems to rearrange itself. Move in groups if you're able to and stay alert.

One more thing:

If you encounter anything similar to THIS, let someone know and do not engage. It is a potentially hostile entity on the ship that's been causing us trouble.

Above all, stay calm. Panic won't get us anywhere.

[he takes a breath. he wishes he was finished, but that isn't the case.]

Anyone wondering about the organization of the ship, I'd like to direct you to the Job List and the Shift Roster. Everything is voluntary, but I strongly encourage everyone capable to get involved.


( FILTER TO THE ENTERPRISE + 'TEAM' + Jack Harkness + Ianto | KIRK ENCRYPTION 100% )

( PRIVATE MESSAGE TO JOHN WATSON (001 097) | ENCRYPTION 100% )

( FILTER TO ACTIVE SECURITY TEAM | ENCRYPTION 50% )

[ here we have Uhura! being entirely too formal again. these are two separate video transmissions, both under links that you'll have to click on to view, in case you only have interest in one subject or the other. or neither. right. basically she doesn't feel like clogging up your airwaves with her requests and stuff. and it's all under one big protective encryption to keep any creepy anonymous text messengers away. lookin' at you, smiley. ]

A T T N: ALL PASSENGERS

re: tech tutoring

For those who don't know me, my name is Nyota Uhura, and I am offering my services as a communications tutor. Anyone that would like to better understand how to protect the transmissions sent from his or her network devices - from basic levels of safeguards, to more advanced encryptions - please feel free to contact me at any time. As I understand it, there are already quite a few tutors who are willing to teach, but considering the number of passengers aboard the ship, I'm hoping one more won't be unwanted.

re: research assistance

I also have a request: In hopes of becoming further educated on our current situation, myself and a few others have taken on the task of filing through the ship's database. There is a huge amount of literature, both useful and arbitrary, in the ship's library, and we could definitely use more hands and eyes searching for anything that might be useful to us. By that I mean - give us the right information needed to fix those parts of the ship that are broken, as well as tell us what might have brought us here in the first place. How it was even possible. As of right now, I personally have been looking specifically into the history of this particular spacecraft, but the goal of the research is, at this time, open-ended.

That said, if there is anyone on board that is genuinely interested in helping us read through, organize the information we find, or help translate the articles written in various Earth languages, please let me know here. Any help is appreciated, of course, but take note that volunteering comes with the responsibility of recording any useful information you might find, so that we may share it with the rest of the ship at any given time. This is not a personal endeavor by any means, but one that we are hoping will benefit the entire crew in keeping us safe, and maybe even returning us back home.

Thank you.

[ he's been deliberating where to begin with these thoughts for some time now, but Spock has never been the type to follow impulse in place of old fashioned consideration. when the feed begins, he's seated as he always is, meticulously composed, with his fingers steepled in his lap. for anyone who's come to know him thus far, it's a sign in and of itself, of how carefully he's treading. ]

Tranquility, this is Spock.

In light of recent events, I find it relevant to suggest that the vessel's security team, while consistently reliable, is only one variant thereof. Recent transmissions from an anonymous source largely referred to as smiley, have illuminated the insufficiency of our attempts to both locate the source and individual responsible. I am aware that we have several individuals aboard who consider technological security and the bypass thereof- a specialty, and I am equally aware that despite these assets, we have gleaned, comparably, very little.

I believe we would benefit significantly from teaching these skills to others and forming a technical security network, for the express purpose of tracking, locating, and attempting to engage this individual.

I can offer no personal guarantees regarding the success or, at this interim, the establishment of such a unit. However, I would not be averse to conversing with interested parties. If you possess technical proficiency of any kind or the inclination to learn, your participation would be welcome.

[ it's here that his mouth tightens marginally at the corner. when Spock speaks again, his focus has changed, and his tone sobers. not that he isn't perpetually dry to begin with. ]

At this time, I believe I should clarify that while these anonymous messages are most engaging, I am not of the opinion that we should offer them exclusive focus. The Tranquility remains in a state of perpetual disrepair and remarkably little is intimately understood about it's origins and technology. While a surveillance team will likely provoke further questions, it does not eliminate those we have failed to answer thus far.

Passenger OPR»002»035, Issac Clarke has requested assistance in the exploration of our engineering systems, but we would also likely benefit from investigation of any and all available historical records on board.

Spock out.

( filter to ward, resnik, kirk |encrypted 100% )



[ ooc; this would be a ping for aberdeen, todd, tali, atton, ismene, sulu, buffy, am, chase, caprica &anyone else willing to offer themselves up as a teacher. if it's alright with you kids- i'm handwaving that he's sent you all private requests to teach- either because he knows you, or has seen your capabilities thus far.

innnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn the interest of speeding some of the cr building along i threw a sign up over here :3 ]

Tranquility, this is Jim Kirk.

Anyone injured or still suffering side effects from the fear gas should check in with medical. Scans are showing the gas is out of the ship's circulation now, but we can never be too careful. For anyone wondering, we do have a suspect in custody, but he's currently recovering from a high dosage of the toxin.

[he pauses, a clear indication that he's changing topics.]

We all knew we were being watched. Despite this recent information, nothing's really changed. Nevertheless I encourage everyone to stay alert and try not to travel alone. This thing is trying to make us nervous, lets try not to give it what it wants.


( filtered message to: Enterprise Crew, Re-l, Chase, John, Sherlock, Natasha, Kasumi, Dean || eta 'Nick', Jack Harkness, Ianto, Magneto, Raven, Megamind, Roxanne, Tali, Hotspur, Isaac Clarke, Tony Stark, Aberdeen || flags to WARD and RESNIK  )

[ Chase does not look comfortable. Not spooked, per se, but when the video flickers on the little girl looks tired. Less burdened and more concerned.

This is something she genuinely doesn't know the answer to. ]

Hello, everyone--I regret to be the one to point this out.

[ A beat--she's worryingly playing with the paper bow tie she's made ever since the Doctor disappeared, and with a lick of her lips she's speaking again, eyes darting down to something on her lap. ]

It's funny. This list--it's amused. Laughing at us. I don't--I don't like it. And that's not everyone on the list. It's a fraction of it.

But the laughter. It's ringing in my ears and they're so, so, giddy.

[ Well hello, network. Here, have the dulcet tones of a woman who is both livid and mildly terrified at the idea of being taken away from her newly assigned starship and crew, as well as being stripped of her hard-earned Starfleet uniform and forced to wear a jumpsuit that might possibly be worse than the ones used for the Kobayashi Maru test. After her arrival, Uhura basically just showered, got dressed, and pretended not to be sick until she found her room and composed herself enough to record this message. It's the first time she's spoken since she got dumped onto the floor in a pile of goo. ]

This is Lt. Uhura of the USS Enterprise, and I would like to formally request a direct conversation with whomever is in charge of this operation. I would at the very least like to be given a reasonable explanation for this kidnapping, as well as the whereabouts and status of my fellow crew members, and-- and my uniform, I would like my uniform back now, please.

[ DAMMIT. ]

Thank you.