[The feed flicks on, revealing a young, blond woman, chilling in some hallway in a...bat-costume? She's grinning pretty widely for someone who's supposed to be dark as the (k)night.]

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's—[dramatic pause]—sure as hell a giant, creepy spaceship because Superman you ain't. [She sighs, grin disappearing in favor of a more deadpan expression.]

So, hey, I'm new, but let's skip the mental breakdowns, freak outs, where is "x", have you seen my "y," I am scared, blah blah, wah wah, yadda yadda, etcetera, ad naseum [dismissive wave] and go straight to introductions and pleasantries.

Hey, space people. I'm Batgirl. The real deal, even — see, I come fully equipped with Batarangs, witty retorts, and everything. Yeah, yeah, I've snooped through the network. Done a little detecting, as they say. I've heard rumors of comics and fourthwalls; don't worry. If I'm fictional where you're from, then I will be available for autographs upon request. The one thing I ask of you is pretty please: no spoilers. I happen to like surprises.

Anyway, I also like coffee and waffles, especially in delicious conjunction, rooftop tag, crime fighting, and, of course, justice.

I'm sure you've seen my spooky boss-man's pseudo-vandalism, but I figured I should put the word out in my own way: call me, beep me, if you want to text me; that's a-okay. I'll be there whenever you need me, as cheesy as that sounds. It's part of the super-gig. You can ask questions and/or heckle now, I guess. Do whatever floats your boat. I'll be here aaaaaaall week.

[ The video feed starts, and Stephanie waves. She's sitting on her bed in her "room," smiling through the screen. ]

So, I've been thinking about the whole "space hell" theme this place has going on, and I came to the realization that not everything that happens here is going to be all rainbows and butterflies, obviously.

I mean, this ship is looking more horror sci-fi and less action adventure sci-fi every day. And I kind of like being alive and well, as surprising as that might sound.

[ She pauses, hesitating. ]

What I'm getting at is...would anyone be up for teaching me self-defense?

[ Not that she really needs the help, as self-defense was thoroughly covered in Bat-training.

But if Batgirl wants to go out and about, her alter ego has to be nothing but normal—Stephanie Brown, an average teenage girl with zero space experience, zero fighting experience, and zero spandex experience. ]

Hello, Tranquility. [ Carolyn looks a little rougher this jump, with a healing gash on her temple and uneven hair. Still, she's giving the camera a slight smile. ] This is Carolyn Fry.

Some of you may recall that Ellen Ripley and I were holding space training classes. I understand people are still recovering from our most recent event, but I'm going to continue with them this month. A recording of the last session and any future sessions can be found in the following link. [ Here. ] If you can't show up for any reason, I'd strongly suggest looking these over.

This session will be held in the shuttle bay, like last time, and focus on using the decontamination chambers, getting in and out of a space suit correctly, and a review on shuttles. This is open to everyone and I highly recommend going if you've never been to space before. Some of us have, and we know what we're doing. If you have any questions now, feel free to ask. If you have any suggestions for things to cover in the future, I'll take those, too.

[ She pauses, then switches gears. ]

On a personal note, I'm looking for someone who can cut my hair. ... Thanks.

[ And the feed switches off. ]

((ooc: Probably not going to put up a log for this session of space training since people are still backtagging the jump and the SH plot, unless a lot of people want me to. Feel free to handwave that your character showed up though!))

[THIS IS A RECORDING OF A WALL THAT HAS BEEN SMEARED WITH WHITE PAINT. well it looks like white paint.

obviously this is very exciting but what's more exciting is a vague humming sound coming from somewhere off-camera. it continues for a few seconds and there's a popping sound, and the once-empty white wall now bears an oval shaped opening outlined in glowing orange.

within that orange portal is a room, and in that room is a bed, and on that bed is Chell (sitting around in her underwear, what a slob) holding a working Portal Gun in her hands. she hops off the bed and strides towards the camera. she walks through the portal and bends down to pick up the device.

she looks...vaguely pleased and shuts the video feed off.]

[the next bit is text.]

avoid blue and orange gel.

trying something.

So.

[ well hey, you guys, have a new face on the feed today. he's one of the new arrivals, trying to get used to this new space lifestyle!! which means friends are... probably a good thing. maybe. he's not sure yet, but he knows he needs to meet people. the ~general populace~, so to speak. ]

Space, huh?

[ wait no. he kind of frowns at that. worst opener. but then he considers all the posts that he's seen (memorized) since he's arrived and well, this ain't so bad. ]

I was... woooonnndering, uh. How many of you are from... New York City? Circa... 2011 or 2012. Ish.

[ man this is chalking up to be one of the most awkward experiences of his life. it's just-- this is like skype alright, except when you use skype you usually know who you're talking to-- here? way different. haha posting to a network, that's weird.

he is usually not this bad but you are also all strangers so. yeah. wait, here's a good idea. i mean, he has a lot of free time now so-- ]

Oh yeah and uh, does anyone know where I could get a camera? Thanks.

[ does he end the post now DOES HE END THE POST NOW he totally ends the post now! yes! good job, mike ross. you successfully completed the goal of posting a video post to the network. next time, maybe have an idea of what you want to talk about beforehand. ]

This is Red Robin-

[the video clicks on to the sound of chaos. howling screeches of manticores overlaid with the whistling sound of batarangs and the thunderclap of a gun going off. whoever has the camera is moving, scaling something to get to higher ground. the video trembles and shakes, and at one point focuses outward from a higher vantage point.

underneath the flickering lights of the science lab and under where Red Robin stands are two figures fighting side by side. they have their backs to one another, but they can be recognized as the Red Hood and Batgirl. the former has both guns out, turning on a dime to fire two shots clean into the face of a manticore racing toward them. it skids, but it’s momentum can’t stop despite being dead on it’s feet and Jason turns it over his arm, sending it skidding into the corpse of another beast.]

The science lab is starting to lose power- [Off screen his head turns, a glance towards the exit behind them. They’re running out of time. Something he keeps trying to remind his counterparts, and something they keep. Ignoring.]

Come on you ugly fuckers! [Jason kicks off the ground into a back handspring to make Dick Grayson proud, landing next to Steph and turning to fire a round off into a manticore that had been making it’s way to her off her flank]

[She smiles at him, a bit breathless] Thanks for the save. You saw that thing through the bucket on your head?

This bucket is what keeps me beautiful, princess.

I think that one’s broken. Might need to trade it in for a newer model. [She so totally went there, Jason.]

Watch out!

[Steph flung her last batarang past Jason's head and into the neck of another oncoming manticore. She took up her bo staff in both hands and ran at the thing, pulling back and striking the pointed metal protruding from its neck to drive it in deeper before bringing the staff up and slamming it down into its skull.

Non-lethal was the way of the bat-kid, but sometimes there just isn't a choice. Typically, they aren't stuck fighting creepy monsters in an even creepier lab with creepy stuff going on! The lights flicker out for a few seconds before struggling back on.]

We’re running out of time! Tell them to get the hell out of here!

[Yeah, tell him something he doesn’t know, thanks Jason. Tim’s jaw clenches. He’s been doing this on his own for too long, and they’re plenty of things, the three of them, but a team isn’t one of them. He’s already moving and the camera swings with the descent, feet nearly soundless when they hit the floor.] Room’s clear, we’ve gotta go now.

[And it’s that moment that the weak hum of electricity fades and the lights power down entirely, swallowing the room in darkness. A shriek cuts through the black, but this one sounds human.]

St-

[Static.]



[ooc: Tim, Steph, Jason. every response will be met with a static feedback. none of them will be returning from the science lab, and no bodies will be recovered.]

Kind of had an idea. [ Have Peter trying to keep from looking apprehensive. ] Don't know if it'd work, or if anybody'd even find it helpful.

But with everything that's been happening lately? This ship's too big to have people getting lost in it as often as they do. Ending up who knows where for more than just a few days at a time. Dangerous enough as it is on any given day, but with something on the ship leaving threatening messages lying around? Seems like a disaster waiting to happen.

[ he sighs. ] At some hospitals, they paint the floors -- stripes down the middle with hints to where you're going. Guess it'd work on the walls too, doesn't really matter. But it's a trail that's easy to follow. Tells you how to get where you need to go so that people don't end up on the wrong floor in a storage closet wondering how to get back to the information desk. [ Not that that's ever happened to him, no, of course not. But Peter shrugs, like it's the best helpful idea he's got, even if he doesn't know if it'd work. ]

Doubt the captain would want us painting the floors, but if he's not around to stop us, I don't know what the problem would be. Unless the ship likes to move hallways around without anyone noticing.

[DUN DUN DUUUUUN! A masked vigilante appears on the screen. She has some very blonde hair and-- are those bat ears? She's also talking a mile a minute.]

Okay, so.... okay. We're obviously on a ship. In... space? With assigned numbers and communication devices. This would be a lot cooler if I knew the why and the how and the potential dangers. Mostly the why. Anybody get a 'why' yet? Not expecting something for nothing here, so...

Hey! I'm Batgirl. Would anyone mind giving me a tour?