outer_divide | [Video] Week 52: Saturday Morning

Entry tags:

[Video] Week 52: Saturday Morning

[A pleasant backdrop of green fields and sunlight can't mask the concern that's pursed Pepper's lips and given her expression, always attentive, an added layer of sharp attention.]

Does anyone have information about what's going on with the sky? Has there been another attack?

I can't seem to raise Tony, so any information would be appreciated.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Pepper studies Sharon for a long moment, trying to first place her and then figure out whether new arrivals could be so new as to miss the bone creature attack. She comes down on the side of yes, and proceeds to explain.]

A couple weeks ago, a pair of creatures attacked the town's market square. There were a lot of casualties, and while the creatures were eventually brought down, a lot of people were throwing around a lot of very different sorts of firepower, and some energy weapons as well.

I was worried that they'd gone after the town again, and someone had brought out something really big.

Oh, that. I heard about that. Sorry, didn't realize, and I'm sort of new. I crashlanded a little over a week ago, myself.

[Since she sees you studying her.]

The town's fine. The explosion was several clicks away, but it definitely removed a mountain.

Jesus. [is not one of the deities of the Colonies, but the tone carries the meaning even if the word does not.]

Do they know what went up? I've heard speculation about leftovers from the war...

[She's willing to assume that it's some sort of deity, yes...]

Not that I'm aware of. But it looks like the locals are mobilizing and going to investigate now. There haven't been any alerts that I know of, though.

I'd guess that someone set off something big inside the mountain, but I couldn't say why.

Have there been any communications disruptions reported?

[Maybe, just maybe, the reason she couldn't raise Tony was down to simple interference.]

If it was a nuclear detonation, I know that EMP can mess with unhardened systems...

Not that I've seen. This communicator works just fine.

[And she didn't register any EMP. That might've caused some issues. But she's not so unsympathetic as to ignore someone trying to get in touch with a loved one. She got that.]

Tony as in Stark? I'm sure he's fine, in that suit of his.

Yeah, about that...

[Looking grimly worried indeed, Pepper adjusts the angle of her communicator's camera pickup, tilting it to reveal one Iron Man suit settled on the grass near her, looking as alert as a mechanical guard dog.]

He's sent the suit to me before, to protect me, [Albeit in another reality than this one.] but I haven't heard from him directly.

So. He's...it's...

[Her eyes shift uncomfortably, and she looks away.]

Frak me. I'm sorry, ma'am. I should've kept my mouth shut.

No. [And on this part, Pepper is quietly firm with the steel strength behind her eyes that says she's made her share of hard calls before.]

Never apologize for something like that. I would much rather have that knowledge. I... I can work with knowledge. I can't work with ignorance.

[Good, she'll take you at your word, Pepper. And she won't forget it. When a civilian steps up like that, it's easier.]

Well, then I hope he's alright. If he is, I'm sure you'll hear from him shortly.

And, if I may, you mentioned something about a satellite earlier?

It's fine, there's not really a lot more we can get from the previous subject. The satellite... well, I wouldn't be the best one to ask, but it de-orbited and crashed in the forest near here roughly a couple months ago.

It was still broadcasting a signal that was interfering with local communication and was alarming the local wildlife, so a team went out to deactivate it and retrieve it. I know it was brought back to town, and that it was apparently part of the planet's orbital defense grid, but I don't think a lot more has been done with it -- the skilled technical complement of the ship is small, and they've had other projects.

If it's orbit is decaying, that means more might be down too.

[Sharon's eyes visible grow brighter, and she seems to turn her thoughts inward, talking to herself.]

And that might be just the opening...maybe...well frak...that'd be a start wouldn't it?

If the orbit was decaying due to a lack of fuel for its attitude adjustment systems then yes, I think we could expect a lot more of them. If it was knocked out of a stable orbit by space debris, we might not.

And if it was knocked out of orbit by something else...

[Pepper looks thoughtful.] What did bring your fighter down, if I can ask?

Something from the ground, that's all I know. At least, that's all I could see. DRAYDIS was flipping out the minute something got a lock on me, and I was a bit busy trying to avoid a mountainside.

When you get a chance, you should compare notes with--

[Tony is a reflex answer, his presence in her life as much a constant as her own face in the mirror, even if his own face might well be out at the ship by the time she's looking in any mirrors in the morning. Pepper's lips thin, then she carries on.]

Well, there are a few people here familiar with small single-person spacecraft.

[Sharon nods once.]

I'll do that. When all of this settles down.

[A pause, and she offers a weak smile.]

I didn't get your name. And I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Lieutenant Sharon Agathon, from the Battlestar Galactica.

Pepper Potts.

[The retreat back to conversational basics lets Pepper's expression firm back up, schooled into friendly and businesslike]

Considering the circumstances, I think I'll say that it will be a pleasure to meet you. Things right now are a little... fraught for me to apply the label now and be honest about it.

That's fine, Miss Potts. I understand.

Thank you for the information. I'll do my best to get ahold of Tony if you can't. Maybe I'll have more luck. Please, be careful out there.

I have a feeling it's a lot less risky where I am. [Pepper's tone is dry, but appreciative of the concern.]

Giant prehistoric pachyderms aside. Good luck, Lieutenant.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Video] Week 52: Saturday Morning

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

Re: [Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]

[Video]