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old but unfamiliar faces
"We sometimes encounter people, even perfect strangers, who begin to interest us at first sight, somehow suddenly, all at once."
The Ingress has pulled you in. Your body experiences several sensations at once: being pushed forward as if a hand is resting on your back, momentary and startling blindness, a gentle ringing in your head. You have difficulty discerning whether it is hot or cold, but where you have been prodded is noticeably warmer than the rest of you. Some may suffer from dizziness while others are perfectly fine. Once equilibrium has been reestablished, you will notice you are standing on a long platform and that the room is filled with a soft cerulean light. It's slightly humid and dark despite the glow around you, and nothing is familiar. Shortly after, you are led out and toward the medbay.
Inside this room, you are given a physical scan and offered a contract to sign that states you are now part of the crew of the Moira with a specific job. Any questions you might have would be answered in a straightforward manner as well as an explanation about how the Ingress, the thing that has pulled you onto the Moira, is broken and bringing people here unintentionally. This process also consists of a complete work-up of medical history and current health, and afterwards, you are given your MID, a device that is integrated into your hand or wrist with only the slightest pinch. From there, you are guided out of the medbay and to your living quarters.
At first, this month seems no more unusual than the previous one for those who have been aboard the Moira for any amount of time. The crew who had landed on the slaver outpost were rescued, and with everyone aboard, the ship has pushed forward into the darker parts of the Runoff. Anyone arriving through the Ingress follows the same routine—moving from the Ingress room into the Medbay for their physical and contract before being assisted by seasoned crew members and helped to their assigned decks. But all familiar things must eventually come to an end: two final travelers come through the Ingress. The first, and most noticeable difference between them and all the others, is their clothing. Both are dressed in standard Moira uniforms, though they bear the insignia of one sharing the same rank as Captains Cúrre and Thán. After a moment to take in all the people on the platform ahead of them, one of the two latest arrivals approaches one of the Ingress panels and begins to manipulate the controls. The Ingress completely shuts down. Unlike before, however, there isn’t an imbalance felt across the ship; everything remains normal and stable.
Utilizing the computer systems located in the Ingress room, they send out the following message to the crew via the MID:To all those aboard this vessel: I am Ira Phirun, assigned captain of the Moira. First Mate Egan and I will be commandeering all rights to the ship as soon as word is sent to those currently in charge. Expect a more detailed report as soon as all records and logs in Navigation have been reviewed by myself and the First Mate. All questions will be answered in a timely matter. For now, there will be no interruption of daily routine or reprimand if conduct among ranks is broken. Thanks for your time. Heading to Navigation, the Captain and First Mate, for seemingly unknown reasons, approach Navigator Manasseh and have her show them all records and logs of the Moira. Those working in Navigation when the Captain and First Mate arrive will see Mana greet them in a professional manner. Oddly, the Captain and First Mate act very familiar with the Navigator. They review all documents, but when they come upon news that the Ploiatos is on board, their mostly friendly demeanor shifts quickly. The Captain issues a sharp order, unintelligible to those who are close enough to overhear parts of their conversation, and without any warning at all, Mana loses consciousness and collapses right there on the bridge. Within minutes of this happening, the ship as a whole falls into a low power state with basic functions only. Mana’s MID alerts Medbay, and without hesitation, Captain Cúrre places her in cryo with strict orders to those who work there not to disturb the unit.
As promised, the Captain and First Mate soon address the crew.☄ lights down low The lighting has dimmed in all the rooms and halls, the normally crisp air that is pumped from the vents low, and all machines and tech are running at half-speed. These effects can be found throughout the ship. Water in the showers remain hot for only a few minutes before reverting to cold. Recreational equipment powers off not long after it has been turned on. The sanitation and water filtration systems require an hourly manual reboot, and all unused areas of the ship have no power allotted to them until a crew member steps inside. Even then, most functions are not optimal. It’s as if the Moira has been transformed into a dark house with only a candle flickering on the window sill. ☄ reuse & recycle The Captain and First Mate are quick to establish that this is a new regime and go about making the ship and its crew more efficient in the wake of their change in course and the low power state of the ship itself. This means they will systematically inspect each occupied barracks room and leave notes for what needs to be disposed of or stowed away. Unlike before, this is no longer a pleasure cruise, and each member of the crew is a guest on board; they will not tolerate useless clutter. Anything seen as unnecessary will be either placed into storage in the Cargo Bay or disposed of through the airlock. This new need for efficiency also extends to the need to conserve resources until they reach their destination. The showers are set to an automatic timer to minimize water waste. Those few minutes of hot water are all a crew member is now given. Meals are smaller, bordering on ration sizes, and luxuries are done away with entirely in order to preserve supplies so that the ship can go longer before needing to dock at a planet. ☄ new jobs, same faces The Captain and his First Mate, as expressed in their addressing of the Moira, explain that work efficiency is a priority. Applications for a head of the following departments will be accepted for a short period: Navigation, the Tower, Medbay, Defense, the Hold, Sanitation, Ingress work, and the Galley/Mess Hall. (Here.) After reviewing what they receive, one head of department will be chosen and tasked with helping crew find positions relevant to those departments and their own skillsets. They will be allowed to retain any positions that they held before that aren’t ship-functional jobs, but they will have to be done in leisure time. In two weeks time, they’ll be accepting department position applications which will be approved, and all those that do not apply will be assigned in accordance with their initial work application. They will also choose three individuals to act as guards of Ploiatos to ensure that there is a rotation available at all times. Will you choose to follow this new decision and promote yourself into a position of responsibility? Or will you simply wait for a reassignment?
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hownkai) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
thisavrou_log2016-08-01 12:13 am
no subject
Snake, then. It's a pleasure. [ She'll offer a hand to shake in the interlude while he's debating. When he concedes it, she gives an easy little one-shoulder shrug and a huff of breath. ] I can see that; it suits you.
[ He had the body type for it; not too bulky and heavy, and his presence was well-suited. Quiet, calm. He didn't radiate the sorts of strong emotions most people tended to draw focus to based on others' reactions around them. ]
no subject
It's what I did back home, so I figured I should keep up the trend. Most of the time there's not that much for me to do, though.
[ He'd done a lot of planning during the Caducan attack, but none of it had actually been put to use. He'd managed to save a few people from the slave outpost by sneaking onto it, true, but it's difficult not to feel antsy all the same. There's way too much downtime on the ship for his liking.
Hence the constant exercising and training. ]
no subject
Mm, likewise. I spent a lot of time in research labs early on, but it became more intermittent as I took on a larger share of field medic work once I left the hospital I worked at in my youth and moved onto a peacekeeping force. War relief efforts came later on as things escalated in the world. [ With the fall of Overwatch— that aforementioned peacekeeping force. It'd been supported and funded by the United Nations. A worldwide effort. That was nearing on six long years ago. ] All things considered, this should be a nice break, if an unwarranted one.
I'm used to an awfully larger amount of activity. It won't do to return home and no longer fit in my armor.
[ Admitted with a little laugh, because really, it sounds ridiculous. ]
Did you want to try me out as a spotter and see if I fit?
no subject
Sounds like you've seen a lot.
[ It's said idly, as Snake reaches into his pocket and grabs for some tape to start wrapping around his wrists and hands prior to weightlifting. While his hands are already callused, he doesn't need to get any blisters. ]
Don't worry, it won't feel like a break for very long. [ He stands suddenly and stretches his arms over his head, nodding over toward the area with the weights. ] I'm sure you'll be fine, but... let's give it a shot. [ He realizes he hasn't listed off his CV yet, but maybe they'll get there by the time he's done working out. ]
I can move this to an overflow if you'd rather not fuss with captcha! just lmk c:
Until they were deemed dangerous in power and unnecessary. ]
A bit more than most, not as close to others. Everyone's lives take different paths and lead them to separate experiences, after all.
[ Once he stands and starts wrapping his wrists and hands, it's visible agreement to the idea and she'll follow him with her water bottle in tow, towel over her shoulders. She likely can't bench press what he does by far, maxing out around 150~180 depending on the week, but she can deadlift a bit more— had to, really, with her line of work. She knows how to get her legs into it and unless he starts pumping out some 400~500lbs, she'll be able to haul something off of him should he drop it, and more than assist him getting it back on the rack if he tops out and gets shaky.
He doesn't seem like a man who would allow either issue to come to pass, but the body wasn't always predictable. ]
I've been coming to that impression, yes. May I ask for examples that would make you say as much?
feel free to move it if you want, though i can put up with captcha too!
Everyone's lives go in different directions, there's no doubt about that. Not everyone's life was as purposefully directed as Snake's, but he isn't going to delve into that now. He may trust Angela to be his spotter, but the rest of it will have to come with time.
Talking and lifting generally isn't a great idea, so Snake turns back toward Angela once he's done preparing the weights so that he can answer her question. He rubs his hand over his mouth for a moment, trying to figure out where to start. ]
Not too long ago, some of the crew was kidnapped and sold into slavery. We had to go rescue them, but not before some of them were forced to do things they didn't want to do. [ He won't go into more detail than that unless she asks for it. ] Before that, the ship was attacked by an alien race that wanted revenge for something that had happened in the Moira's past, but most of the crew hadn't even been here at the time. They boarded the ship and we had no choice but to fight back.
[ That should give her a good idea of how it gets around here. ]
WE CAN BE BIG KIDS AND LIKELY WRAP IT UP IN A FEW MORE ROUNDS
When he seems to debate how best to answer her, she'll politely divert her eyes and dab at the sheen on her temples with her towel, waiting patiently as she drinks some more of her water and finally sets it aside. The moment he does, however, she won't need elaboration.
There aren't many kinds of slavery that involved forcing someone into things they didn't want if you're going to avoid words like "labor" or "dirty work". Her expression turns somber, but she nods. ]
I see. I can't say that's the sort of answer I expected, but it does explain some peoples' demeanors. I'll try to keep on my toes; thank you, Snake.
[ With a bit of a flourish, she'll invite him to the bench while she stretches out her arms and shoulders once more. She's ready!! ]
WORKS FOR ME we can do this!!
Don't mention it. [ It seems like the least that he could do, seeing how she's offered her help to him, a complete stranger.
Snake pulls himself up onto the bench and lays straight on his back. The relief of laying out flat like that is something he enjoys for only a few seconds before he grips the barbell and braces himself, all of his core muscles tightening up so he can be solid as a brick wall. ]
Ready? [ Once he's got confirmation from Angela, Snake starts to pump the barbell up and down in the air. Since he's gone a little easier with it this time, he doesn't look to be having too much trouble, though as the set goes on some sweat starts to form on his forehead. ]
no subject
Seeking her acknowledgement before lowering it to him. ]
Ready. I don't suppose you'd like me to keep count?
[ Her mind defaults to it regardless of his answer, far too used to counting tidy sets for those that have trained beside her, helping the new kids settle into their routines and teaching them how to keep track of their progress. His timing is impeccable and even as a sheen settles on his brow, he doesn't slow. Tight, measured pumps. She rounds off even numbers, and once they near the 40s she's looking for him to slow, to move and rack the weights for a rest. She'll be ready to help him rack between sets and drape a towel over his brow. ]
no subject
[ Snake answers her while he's already keeping count for himself. It's something that he does automatically at this point, and he wouldn't be able to turn it off even if he wanted to, so she doesn't really have to bother. Of course, if she chooses to do so anyway, that's her prerogative.
This is something he could probably do with his eyes closed, honestly, so her presence there right now is more of a formality than anything else. She'll be needed more when he actually pushes himself with the amount that he's lifting, but that's something that can wait until the trust between them has grown.
Once he hits fifty, he extends his arms high enough that he can put the barbell back in place, feeling Mercy's hands on him as they help guide him. He takes a few seconds to catch his breath, then sits up and wipes at his face, nodding in approval. ]
Thanks.
no subject
Her fingers only barely brush against his when she takes the bar with him to guide it up and back, smile widening with the mischievous drape of the towel over him. He'd never once faltered in his rhythm. Even if this were a lesser amount for him, it had still been impressive. ]
Don't mention it. I'm only glad you had someone to look out for you for a change. Is it usually this empty in here?
no subject
At her question, he takes a look around and shrugs. ] At this time of day, usually. But that might change now that we have a new influx of people. [ Angela is one of those people, after all.
Still, Snake will take what he can get. He rises up off of the bench and wipes himself down again, taking a sip of water before doing some cool-down stretches. ] You ever need me to return the favor, just let me know.
no subject
I'm sorry if I interrupted you then, but I promise I'm usually quiet company.
[ Still, it had been nice to speak with him and hear what he'd had to say about this ship she's found herself on, reassuring and confirming a few different worries of her own. She'll try not to watch him too closely when he straightens and goes right into cool-down stretches, sipping at her own water and working her shoulders; she'd largely already done hers and has done nothing but stand over him otherwise.
The offer earns him a delighted little quirk of a smile when he speaks again and she turns back from where she'd been wiping down the bench he'd left. Common courtesies and whatnot, and she'd be discarding her towel in the bin beside the door soon enough either way once she's done gathering her things up. ]
I appreciate that, thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you, Snake, and I hope I'll see you around tomorrow. It's about time for my shift to start and I need to snag a shower first. If ever you're around medbay, you should stop in and visit! I always have a thermos of coffee on hand.
no subject
He's never been good at this kind of thing. ] Nothing to apologize for. You're not the kind of person I'm worried about. [ It's people who are going to be a disturbance, or who won't take proper care of the equipment, that he takes issue with.
She really doesn't need to wipe down his bench, he would have handled that, but it's too late to say anything about it now. When Angela mentions the medbay, Snake raises a brow but then nods. ] If I'm ever around there, sure. I'll see you tomorrow. [ It's as close as he gets to a promise. If she comes here at the same time, he'll be here. ] Have a good shift. [ And once she's gone, he makes for the showers himself. ]
no subject
Well, I'm glad to hear it. That means we can be friends then.
[ Look she is just a tidy person and she is very efficient and quick about things; fight her!! "See you tomorrow" is close enough to a promise and once she has all of her things and she's discarded her towel, she pauses in the door just long enough to shoot him one last smile. ]
I will, thank you! You have an enjoyable day yourself. See you!
[ A wave and she's disappearing out the door. It may not be much for him, but Angela's always glad to be able to help others and she feels like she's made another friend. She'll look forward to seeing him around from now on. ]