SS572S | VOICE | D009

[2199]

[American, vaguely East Coast, female, an adult voice with a harsh cadence; she speaks in the dull tone of someone accustomed to terse military communication.]

This is Sierra-Sierra-Five-Seven-Two-Sierra, requesting Libra. I say again: Sierra-Sierra-Five-Seven-Two-Sierra, requesting Libra. Requesting November-Sierra-Charlie. Requesting... Requesting unknown station.

Possible India-Foxtrot-Tango bleed. Proceed with caution. Do not interact with any nonhuman organic life. I say again: do not interact with any nonhuman organic life, under any circumstance. This priority overrides all other orders. Authentication: Deep Waters.

Report... Report. [A long sigh. Something like fatigue creeps in, but it's quickly banished.] Reporting buildings on the horizon. Will attempt reconnaissance.

Please hail if assist is needed. Location unknown, but... well, if I can hear you on this thing, I should be able to get to you.

Sierra-Sierra-Five-Seven-Two-Sierra, over.

Comments

[2199]

[Something like humor curls her voice.] I'm aware.

In past expeditions, interaction with nonhuman organic life was extremely dangerous. But if you've been eating food from here and nothing terrible has happened, I'm not concerned. My warning was... protocol.

[ichoosefight]

Do your expeditions often include waking up on a strange beach with no memory of how you got there?

Don't get me wrong, you should probably be concerned anyway. But I've got friends that fall under that category.

[2199]

No, but there's always room for error.

Which category? Amnesiacs on tropical islands, or... are you saying you know alien life?

[ichoosefight]

Why? Does your world not have aliens?

[ She should probably not go into detail about her caped acquaintances. ]

Does your world not have superheroes? It seems like nobody else's world has superheroes.

[2199]

[That's classified, kid.] I've never encountered an alien. There have been reports, however unsubstantiated.

Of course we have superheroes. I'm from America.

[ichoosefight]

Superman? The guy from Krypton? A different planet, not Earth? Does he not count or something?

[2199]

Yes, I'm familiar with Christopher Reeve.

[ichoosefight]

With--

[ Does she know that name? She kind of feels like she knows that name. It's definitely not 'Clark Kent' though, or anyone else associated with the Super family. ]

Who?

[2199]

Superman.

I think we're speaking from different contexts. You seem to be under the impression that Superman is a real person.

[ichoosefight]

You- Wha-

You have a fictional Superman?

I really thought I was getting used to the multiverse being weird.

[2199]

[Time to play dumb.]

Multiverse?

[ichoosefight]

Yooooou think I'm insane, don't you.

[ There's a very clear note of tired disappointment in her voice. She's had this conversation with Sameen so many times now that just the start of it is giving her a headache. ]

[2199]

I'm disinclined to assume anyone is insane after half a conversation. Should I?

[ichoosefight]

You shouldn't. But I just spent most of two days arguing with someone about it, so I'm a little suspicious.

[2199]

Are you also stranded on a tropical island?

[ichoosefight]

Presumably the same tropical island. I don't know what the range is on the walkies though.

[2199]

Then I don't see any reason to refuse a potential ally, regardless of our... differences in experience.

But could I ask how old you are?

[ichoosefight]

You can, but it makes me even more suspicious.

[ You can practically hear the glare. But it's already on the record, so it's not like she can hide it. ]

I'm nineteen.

[2199]

And why is that?

So you're an adult. Good. How long have you been here? It seems I'm late to the party.

[ichoosefight]

It's been 9 days, and everybody I talk to seems to think I'm a helpless child. It gets old. Especially hearing it from people who've gotten themselves captured or shot.

[2199]

You're college-age. I had a job at fourteen. I don't need to tell you that people are prone to underestimation. [Of women. She doesn't say it; as far as she's concerned, it doesn't need to be said. Like a ghost, saying the words aloud will just summon more sexism.]

Who was shot? By what? Are there hostiles?

[ichoosefight]

Thank you.

[ Steph has been through so much more than anyone could consider a child, but people have been dismissing her for so much of her life that it gets to her really easily. She has to remind herself sometimes that at least these people have the excuse of not knowing her. ]

Sameen was hit by a crossbow a few days ago. We don't really know anything about them for sure. There were drones too, knocking people out and dragging them to some kind of holding facilities, but they don't seem to be affiliated. Those stopped after five days.

We haven't really found anything to give us a solid explanation of anything. Just bits and pieces that don't fit together yet.

[2199]

[Sorry, wait-]

Drones? Bees? How- how big?

TO994M; voice

[cactusy]

Nah, unmanned aircraft. A few feet wide.

[ichoosefight]

What? No, not bees! They're just called that. Probably because they're kind of like bees.

They're, uh, flying robots. Like helicopters. You have helicopters, right? They're usually the size of, like, a pumpkin.