4. voice

[rickitikitarr]

All right, this is all good fun and games, kids, but I'm going to be the one who spoils it by asking the question.

What the hell is going on?

And, for that matter, if we're the ones apparently running the show now, is anyone steering the boat?

[Ricki does not want the barge to smash into a sun and everyone to burn up, even though he's currently in the inmate-reclaimed bar and part of him is rather enjoying the fiddling.]

Comments

Private

[formerself]

[Not even touching the Britain's Next Top Admiral shit. The steering thing, though, he has opinions on.]

You ain't noticed?

Private

[rickitikitarr]

Noticed what?

[Checking what Eggsy's referring to first.]

Private

[formerself]

It's felt like the ship's...leanin' over a little bit? Since not long after the monsters.

Might just be me, paranoid, I dunno.

[tucky]

Maybe we can steer it.

[rickitikitarr]

Ugh, be careful. Pressing buttons without knowing what they do seems like a terrible idea.

[Even if they're just proverbial buttons.]

[tucky]

... Well, I'm not too worried, 'cause I think the Admiral's still there. I think he did this.

[text]

[routemistress]

she's frightened and alone

she's reaching out for us to fill a need

i hope just temporary

ship needs a pilot

[text]

[rickitikitarr]

She? It's a gal, we're aboard here?

Re: [text]

[routemistress]

no idea just defaulting to she because ships

altho Cain's timeship def. masculine vibe from that

uniusual

sry i'm a bit all over the place

def. alive tho

[no_tell_belle]

Maybe the barge has an autopilot? Though honestly, the way the Admiral steers, I'm not sure the lack of a pilot is any great disadvantage.


I don't believe we've met yet. I'm Venus.

[rickitikitarr]

Good point. We might be safer if he is in some sort of coma.

Ricki. Nice to meet you.

[no_tell_belle]

Pleasure to make your acquaintance as well, Ricki.

I don't know if I'd go so far as to say safer, but then safe is such a relative term around here. I do hope the Admiral's not incapacitated for long. Bad driver though he is, he's also the only one who really knows the ship.

private, text

[imfollowinghim]

probably not

private, text

[rickitikitarr]

A terrifying but sound conclusion.

Is there anything we can do about it?

private, text

[imfollowinghim]

probably not

how long has this been going on?

[ Private : Voice ]

[surfaceshine]

Don't trust it.

[ Private : Voice ]

[rickitikitarr]

Oh, believe me, I don't. Have you ever seen anything like this? This feels different.

[Please tell him he's wrong.]

[thelastbullet]

[Unsurprisingly, Jimmy is also in the bar, so when he sees Ricki make his post he just gets up and wanders over, glass in hand.]

Enjoying the perks before everything goes screwy?

[rickitikitarr]

[He's drinking soda, actually, is a little too rattled to indulge in anything stronger, but grins like he's been caught at something and inclines his head to the seat opposite.]

It's already screwy.

[chaotica]

Questions to which I would dearly like the answers.

[rickitikitarr]

Life's little mysteries.

[By now, Ricki and Eggsy have met up and gone a few rounds on one another, so he has a bruised cheekbone but is also perceptibly more tranquil.]

[youmayregretthat]

There is some evidence to suggest this ship is sentient. I think it does not need anyone to steer it in whatever particular direction it may take.

But it does appear to need something living to connect with.

[At least, that's Morgause's theory based on her earlier discussions with other people.]

[rickitikitarr]

The Admiral is dead, long live the Admirals?

[It's an alarming thought, to be sure.]

[fireincarnate]

If the Barge fails in the middle of space - I think I could keep us safe. Maybe get us to a planet. [But her expression is one of grim concern.] Assuming we live through it.

[rickitikitarr]

As a comforting a thought as that is, I'd much rather it didn't come to that.

[He's got to admit.]