Happiness lies in the past. Ahead waits only empty SPACE!

[beholding_archivist]

WHO: Remaining Vanquish Crew [ Jon, Teddy, Raphael & Chikai ] & Network || Open to potential visitors
WHERE: The one place that hasn't been corrupted by capitalism. SPAAACE
WHAT: The Vanquish's pilot has vanished after its start and one Archivist begrudgingly addresses the network.
WHEN: Shortly after the ships leave Agra 10 + the happy space trip that follows
WARNINGS: Moody Archivist
NOTES: Basically a Free For All sort of things for everyone on the Vanquish. Our Pilot!Bucky is on hiatus, and Raphael will fill in for him so we don't crash into any planets! Bother Jon, make your own TLs or have sleepovers while we fly through space~

Missing Pilot
If it were up to him, Jon would have rather stayed back in Temba, hiding away in the basement of the library and not having to deal with anyone or anything. And yet, here he is. Standing quietly next to the miraculously empty pilot seat of the Vanquish, staring at it with a deep frown.

That's... Great. He briefly eyes the controls and the monitors and the many, many buttons. Thankfully, the ship's course has been set before the man that has gotten them off the ground has simply- How does that even work?!

With a brief sigh and a displeased mutter the Archivist taps a finger against the recorder in his hand, then turns back around to find the rest of the people he is stuck with in this dreadful contraption.

"So. We may not know where he is, but we do have a second pilot. That's... Acceptable for now, I suppose." Acceptable. Still, if Jon hasn't appeared very pleased before, his mood certainly has dropped even further.

Visiting Hours
It's a long trip they have ahead of them and of course people are bound to get bored. And it's notably worse than being stuck in the tunnels. They had more space there. Finding a quiet corner has been easier. And quiet corners are what Jon yearns for.

It's especially bad when people from the other ships decide to visit and he has to try and avoid more people than his own crew. And every darn time someone requests to enter the Vanquish, the Archivist flinches with a little grimace, dreading that the person about to board their ship is the one person he just can't bear facing right there and then.

So he tends to watch from a safe distance whenever someone shows up and in most cases simply retreats either into the crew quarters or the cockpit, depending on which happens to be empty at that moment.

The remaining crew may be happy to see some friendlier faces than his, however.

NETWORK

[ audio ]

[ There's a brief flicker of static before Jon's voice cuts straight through it, crisp and somber. ]

Right.

[ He's putting in a lot of effort to hide how tense he really is - And just how much being in a space ship freaks him out. ]

Jonathan Sims reporting from the Vanquish. Our pilot, Bucky has vanished. We do have a replacement on board, however. We're fine.

[ He pauses and there is the faint sound of paper rustling. ]

To the ships' medical personnel:
I assume you have found and picked up the bag of medical supplies I left at the entrance of each ship. Be mindful with these supplies and refer to the included instructions. Any questions can be directed at me.

I am well aware that the medical data point did not magically teach you about human biology or basic first aid. These were originally set up to use the equipment in the hospital which has never been designed to be used on humans. So again: If you run into a problem you don't know how to deal with, I will try to assist as best as I can with what I know.

[[ ooc note: The bags Jon is referring to contain a couple of bandages, sterile cloths, two bottles of disinfectants - one for surfaces, the other to be used on wounds - and three bottles with medications in liquid form. None of the bottles are labelled directly, but have differently colored caps on them and can be identified with the mentioned instructions: One is a basic painkiller, one is a simple anaesthetic that can also be used to help people sleep, the last is basically the opposite. There is also a bag of tea made from herbs native to Agra 10 that supposedly helps with nausea and has an overall calming effect. ]]

Comments

[deal_me_in]

"Starduck's all shiny and stuff. Wood paneling, or at least it looks woodish. I'm liking the floors here," the Exo says, prodding the tiles with the toe of his boot.

"That they did. I still don't believe they should be so complicated to operate." Says the guy who almost shot himself in the face. He's just miffed about that. "Sounded like the Agrii ran into some major trouble."

He steps over, dropping a hand on Jon's shoulder. "Let's go sit somewhere."

[beholding_archivist]

Jon casts a look down at the floor, wondering how long he'd have to stare at it to feel dizzy. Though he just mutters. "...we can play chess on the floor, indeed." Not that they happen to have a set of chess pieces.

At Cayde's suggestion to find someplace to sit, Jon gestures him towards the kitchen area. Next to it is a space meant to sit and potentially have a meal. While they wander there, the Archivist gives a little shrug. "They... They aren't too complicated to use, I think. It's just. I never used a weapon before." He grimaces at his own words.

[deal_me_in]

The layout looks pretty much the same as his ship, so far as Cayde can tell. He flops down to sit, fixing Jon with a look.

"...you actually took the datathingy?" he asks, brow arching. It is a difficult thing to picture the Archivist with a weapon, or with that weapon.

[beholding_archivist]

"Ah... I did, yes." Jon answers while taking a seat himself. "The medical data point is- It's not been very useful to me. It doesn't teach you how to treat wounds or- Any of the basic first aid. Which I can still perform without the knowledge from it. But now... I can at least help in a fight?"

There's a little, not entirely confident shrug accompanying those last words.

[deal_me_in]

"I figure knowledge doesn't equate know-how, not for lack of experience. Learning how to use a gun doesn't instantly make someone a soldier."

Cayde shakes his head, his smile rueful. "My friend? I'd rather hope you didn't have to use it. No telling what we're flying ourselves into, but the Agrii sure don't make it sound good. No words are going to prepare you for a fight because let's face it, it's unpredictable territory. Best you can do is be ready and know your own limits."

[beholding_archivist]

And a soldier may be the last thing Jon wants to become. He lets out a sigh.

"I don't think I will ever truly know my limits, but I know I'm not easy to kill. I can use that if it helps us with getting through... this." Whatever that means, really.

[deal_me_in]

Good. Cayde doesn't want Jon becoming a soldier anyway. And not just because he's convinced the man would probably shoot off his own foot.

"...okay. Let's try to avoid getting killed or near-killed either way, yeah? How about vice-versa though? Would you be able to pull that trigger to end someone?"

[beholding_archivist]

"It can't be that hard." Jon says, frowning as he lifts a hand and mimics firing a gun - Or at least how he believes that works. Which only emphasizes again how little Jon knows about actual guns.

Of course this doesn't address the psychological aspect of whether or not Jon is capable of willingly taking another person's life. Though this isn't really something he has spent any time wondering.

[deal_me_in]

It's the psychological aspect that Cayde's getting at as he watches Jon go through the motion with a small laugh. "Well if you're set on it I think I'm gonna have to teach you a thing or two on how to aim," he says dryly.

"But I'm talkin' about actually being able to kill someone. I highly doubt the Agrii would call 'em death tools if all it did was stun. There's nothin' else to it- weapons are made to take lives. You gotta live with that. Now, it kinda makes it a little easier when the guy on the other end is definitely out to take yours or someone else's, because you ain't left with much choice.

"It's different for every person though. And the last thing we need is you freezing up if someone else has you in their sights. Much as I intend to watch your back, we have no idea how many or what we might be going up against, and plans usually fall apart once bullets and lasers fly."

[beholding_archivist]

While Jon has read about the psychological part during his researches for various statements, it's not something he thinks about too much at this moment. At least until Cayde points it out specifically.

It's true that Jon has never had to kill anyone. He has seen people, other avatars, get killed, yes. But it hasn't been his hand ending those lives. The most he has done is inflicting nightmares on his victims, but even that unknowingly. Entirely ending someone... Right. Cayde is right.

It won't be easy.

He gives a sigh at first, but then nods, slowly but not without determination. "I... I can do this." Then he looks up at Cayde, actually letting his surprise show on his face. "Y-you would teach me?"

[deal_me_in]

The Hunter Vanguard does admire the resolve, and he doesn't seem surprised as Jon more or less states his commitment to the decision he's made. He nods, and then snorts, smiling in that roguish way of his.

"'course I would! I'm not letting an untrained gun run out on a battlefield- I might get shot!" He's kidding. Mostly. There is actual concern of friendly fire.

"It'd be better if we can actually shoot some rounds so you can get a handle on whatever recoil that baby has. Also so you know how fast the thing can fire. Of course, I'm pretty sure there'd be some objections from people if we started shooting inside the ship. Not sure how much I trust this tub from the inside out either."

[beholding_archivist]

Cayde's response at least brings a little smile to Jon's face. Receiving some instructions on how to wield a weapon will be very useful. Though Cayde is right. Firing one of these within the ship might not be the best idea.

"Thanks, Cayde. I appreciate it. It... It's unfortunate that we can't try actually shooting them, but... I'm happy with some purely theoretical advice as well."

Why can't they equip these ships with little shooting ranges for target practice? That would be helpful right now.

[deal_me_in]

Given the aversion to providing weapons to their captives, Cayde can't say he's surprised the thing's not outfitted for training in firearms. Maybe the Agrii will have a change of heart once this is over. If there's any left by the time they get there. If this is all real and not a drill.

So many if's.

He nods, smiling. "At least you should know which way's the end to hold facing outward. That's one of the most important parts."

[beholding_archivist]

"Well, I... I want to believe I know which way to hold a gun..." Though Jon doesn't sound entirely sure? He doesn't have the weapon he has chosen on him at this moment, but he wants to believe that he will be able to tell back and front apart.

"You have seen the weapons, I assume. Have you... Tried one? While we sere still on Agra 10?"

[deal_me_in]

Oh yeah, that's really reassuring, and the sentiment shows on the Exo's face.

"And that is why we are going over the basics." He does not want Jon to shoot off his own head.

"I've seen 'em, yeah. Not all that awe-inspiring, lacks personality- and really dumb that it needs downloadable instructions to make it not accidentally misfire in your face." So yes. Of course he tried one! And that would account for why the edges of his hood seem a bit darker.

[beholding_archivist]

"They're weapons. I... I don't think they need to look... Special. In the end they're meant to hurt and- And take lives." Which isn't a thought Jon entertains greatly still, but if that's what they have to do... Well.

"What are those basics, if I may ask?"

[deal_me_in]

"Jon, there is nothing wrong with having weapons with a little flare. Adds to their charm." Cayde pauses, sighing a little as he has to concede. "Guess that's true though. No way around that."

He's been at it a long time that he has to remind himself not everyone's so accepting of weapons. This is the first time he's ever been in the company of people for so long who weren't Guardians, who didn't violently have to fight for their life on a daily basis.

"Holding a gun proper, for one. Stance- although that's really to one's preference and depending on the situation. Using cover, aiming- those're what I consider basics anyway."

[beholding_archivist]

And it's very true for Jon that he hasn't had to actively fight for his life before. He has been determined to often enough, even armed himself with an actual knife once. A knife that wouldn't have done him any good against the monster that had taken the place of one of his assistants, but in his defense, he had no idea about that back then. But before Jon ever had to fight... He ended up rescued, running or kidnapped.

And so he simply nods at Cayde's answer. "Sounds reasonable. Do you want me to... Go and fetch the weapon I picked?" He gestures vaguely towards where he assumes the crew quarters are. It's there. Locked away for now. He doesn't have to carry it the entire time, right?

[deal_me_in]

On the ship? Cayde doesn't really expect people to be toting weapons. Aside from himself. And maybe that guy with the metal arm. And Cloud if he had a weapon. Other than that? He'll give people plenty of leeway. They're not all fighters and soldiers.

The Exo nods at Jon. "Yeah, if you're up for going over a few things now." He'll follow along, or wait, whichever works.

[beholding_archivist]

Jon gets back up and leaves it to Cayde whether he wants to come along or not. It's not very far either way and the comparably small gun is easy retrieved. There really isn't anything too remarkable about it and Jon is mostly surprised that it doesn't look like some mutated kitchen machine.

"I went with one I was sure I'd be able to carry." He explains his choice, almost a little apologetically.

[deal_me_in]

Cayde ends up following, on the account that he's simply nosy and just wants to know if all the ships have the same layout. Most importantly, if anyone's got a better bed situation than they do, not that he'll complain too much when he'd gone and claimed the single bunk.

He chuckles as Jon produces the weapon. "Oh good! I'm relieved, actually. That's part of picking a weapon, you know. Making sure it's something you can handle. Also, I have a hard time picturing you toting a fushion rifle or a submachine gun. Or heaven forbid, a rocket launcher."

He'll have a better look at it if allowed, testing the weight, hoping he's assuming the end he's holding out is the right one. "All right, show me how you'd hold this thing."

[beholding_archivist]

Whatever bed situation happens to be the case on the Vanquish, Jon isn't familiar with it. Bucky has vanished and he doesn't sleep, which leaves the remaining crew of three to figure out what to do with five beds. Technically one of them is Jon's, but he keeps his stuff in his locker and hardly pays the rest of the room any mind.

"What. You don't want to see me with a rocket launcher?" He asks with false indignation and picks up his weapon of choice not unlike he has seen Daisy use her regular gun. There isn't much science to it. Though he hesitates and alters between holding it in one hand and both of them. "Does... Does this make a difference...?" Jon asks eventually.

[deal_me_in]

"Oh, definitely. Rocket and grenade launchers just make it even more easier to blow yourself up," Cayde grins. He's not entirely kidding.

He watches as Jon takes up the weapon and then shuffle it between hands, not quite giving a roll of his eyes as he smiles. "See why we're doing this now? Okay, you got a hand preference? That's what you go with."

[beholding_archivist]

"Alright..." Jon says before settling the gun in his right, gripping it with one finger on the trigger before aiming it at the door of the room with a small frown. Is he standing incredibly stiff? Of course he is. But at least through the data point he knows that he currently can't fire his weapon.

"...and then I just... Fire." He assumes with a tap of his finger against the trigger. Easy, right?

[deal_me_in]

Cayde scrutinizes Jon's form, arms folded as the Archivist favors one hand over the other, stands and pretends to fire.

"Okay," he says. "Not too bad. Not practical, but you got the right idea." He nods at the gun. "Easy holding it when no one's shooting at you and you haven't shot anything from it. Most guns have at least a little kick, and for a beginner, I'd recommend you use your off hand to brace your other hand."

The Exo steps over to take Jon's empty hand and help with the placement. "Right here, okay? That way, if you shoot and the gun moves back? You can keep it from hitting your face or something. Also, two hands is steadier."