→ 001 | network + action

[cactusy]

network | text | OTA

Sameen Shaw, 32, Marine Corps veteran. Skills include medical work, weaponry, and combat. Formerly of New York City circa 2015. Currently of the Glitter Food crew, I guess, though whoever named these ships needs to rethink their life choices.

Three things.

1. Who's in charge here on the human side of things? I'm seeing rosters, I'm seeing specialties, but I'm not seeing rank. I don't even know who my own captain is.

2. I saw a guy has his baby with him. Anybody know how I can get these aliens to abduct my dog for me?

3. Anybody with access to hard alcohol want to be my new best friend?

[... And that's it! What a friendly, sociable sort she is.]

action | OTA to Glitter Food residents

Knowing what the Data Points do is all well and good, but that intel only goes so far if they're unlabeled. Shaw studies the six identical Expertise Data Points, vaguely wondering if she's supposed to just be able to tell somehow - but if that's the case, then that part of the orientation clearly skipped her over. And playing trial and error with her brain? Not a very enticing prospect at the moment.

"Hey," she says, flagging down a passerby at random. "You got any idea which of these can get me into Security?"

After that, she wanders, giving herself something of a self-guided tour of the accessible areas of the station: find her walking through the greenhouse, furrowing her brow at the library's empty shelves, or sampling the food paste dispensers (giving them some impressively disgusted looks as she does so). She can also be found taking in the beach, and after a moment's consideration, stripping down to her underwear so she can go lounge in the hot spring area for a while. Her sports bra and boyshorts both provide more coverage than the average bikini, so she's hoping she's not violating any ship decency laws here - but she'll try to stay submerged up to her shoulders just in case.

Eventually, she makes her way to the training area, where she appreciatively inspects the gym equipment on offer and uses her newly-acquired Security expertise to open the door to the security center. And this, finally, is what makes her... not light up, exactly, but her pupils definitely dilate and her mouth curves up in a small half-smile. Ah, yes. This is absolutely what she'd picked that Data Point for. Good job, Agra 10.

"Now that's what I'm talking about," she breathes, hoisting up one of the glowing guns with her hands, testing the weight and feel of it. And then, practically salivating with anticipation, she heads straight for the shooting range. Sorry to anyone else who might be interested in using the space, but she's definitely going to be here for a while. Care to share?

Comments

[in_extremis]

Were you lying about the 'New York' part? I'm trying to think of a day in my life that I didn't see an elf or a dragon, honestly, I could use some tips.

Cayde hasn't tried to declare himself the supreme ruler of Agra-10 yet, so I'm pretty sure we're clear there. Gotta admit, I haven't asked, so he could just be biding his time. There's not a lot of good days for a coronation in this situation.

[cactusy]

Ok, to be clear: literal elves and dragons?

[in_extremis]

You know what, that's on me, I should have recognized the pattern before now and, listen, in my defence, I'm not going to make that mistake again. Forget I said anything. What goes on in my New York seems to be a pretty localized problem. There are plenty of people here who will never mention a dragon to you, I promise.

[cactusy]

This alternate universe stuff is bull.

Not saying I don't believe you.

[She's just saying that she hates it!]

[in_extremis]

Hey, when you meet someone that you don't want to disable, you'll think it's pretty wonderful. There's some extraordinary people stuck in this ship, and getting to know how massive the universe really is, not as an equation on a whiteboard but something really tactile, right in front of you, that's almost worth it.

[cactusy]

I'm not much of a people person.

[Diving headlong into the wide open universe, though. Right now, after everything, that feels like it could be a draw.]

Exploring the universe and kicking monster ass sounds pretty okay, though.

[in_extremis]

That's almost the same thing, kicking is a kind of reaching out and touching the universe. I'm not about to judge what gets somebody else going.

[cactusy]

Do you recite poetry to every girl you meet or am I just special?

[in_extremis]

You and the neighbours would know if I was trying to make you feel special. I'll make sure to draw up some of the classics, if that's your thing.

[cactusy]

Anybody can talk big while they hide behind text to keep their balls safe.

[in_extremis]

Really secure place to make big threats, too.

[cactusy]

Again. Wimp. Pinky promise, your genitals are safe.

[in_extremis]

Are you this mean to every girl you meet? I'm feeling a little special.

[cactusy]

If you think that's mean, we're back to "You can't handle me". I wouldn't want to break you. No fun there.

[in_extremis]

What's the fun part?

[cactusy]

Check with me in a month if you start feeling brave enough to show your face.

[If she's still here; if this is really real. If the empty pit inside her starts yearning for distractions.]