IC Inbox

[littletonoidea]

"This is the audio log of Communications Officer Doug Eiffel of the-- previously of the U.S.S Hephaestus, leave a message and I'll see if I can bear to drag myself away from whatever utterly engaging task I must be doing to not notice my comms--"

BZZZZZZZ

Action | Text | Voice | Video

Comments

[littletonoidea]

His eyes flick quickly between Kepler's fists and his thunderous expression.

"Alright, colonel, understood. I can-- I-I'll fix it, pronto."

He knows he screwed up, but if he destroys the antenna they'll lose the lock, right, so it's fine, he hasn't completely irredeemably screwed the pooch. Right?

"Resonance frequency complete." Eiffel jumps and turns to his device at the unexpected voice. "Unauthorized vessel remains in operation. Manifold locus detection underway."

[questionsonly]

Oh, Kepler heard it. It’s what he heard earlier, which is the other reason why he’s been angrier. His lips press tight.

“You were saying?”

[littletonoidea]

"I'm gonna go dismantle-- destroy the homing beacon before any other Justice Department notices come through to hold onto our butts so we're clear for warp."

[questionsonly]

“‘Resonance frequency complete,’” he repeats, teeth not gritted… but only barely.

“Get it done. Yesterday. But the damage? Clearly already done. I?” A breath out, “am going to put out an announcement. We need to prepare. All of us.”

He steps a little closer.

“But I swear to God, Eiffel. If I lose my brother? If I end up dead? If Jacobi. ends up dead?” Another step. “If I? lose my chance. to save Ulla? Or Maxwell?”

He is very close now.

“There is no power in this? Or any universe that will save you from me. Do you. understand, Officer Eiffel?”

[littletonoidea]

He staggers back to his feet as Warren moves closer, but the chair doesn't shove back as far as he likes so the gap is very much smaller than he was hoping; especially when Kepler moves closer and every hair on the back of Eiffel's neck is on end with the sheer primal terror that he is going to get his throat ripped out.

The only reason he hasn't dropped eye contact since he stood up is because he's sure that'll happen if he does.

"Sir, yes sir." There's nothing even remotely within the realm of defensive or anxious in his tone now; he was given an order, and a threat, and he's not so stupid that he's going to give Kepler, right here and now, any damn cheek.

[questionsonly]

Warren breathes in s l o w , shuddering a little, and then, just as slow, he steps back.

He nods.

”You have your orders. Report back when it’s done.”

A sigh… and all the rage drains out of him. He runs a hand through his hair and turns around, clearly at a loss. He needs to get his shit together and start things rolling. He scrubs at his face a few times, stops, smooths down his hair, and finally looks back to Eiffel.

“You’ve gotta do better than this, Doug. You’ve really… gotta do better. If not for yourself? Then for everyone quite literally in the same boat as you.”

He just… shakes his head, then? And he’s going to walk.

Away. Off.

He has work to do.