Unit 1 - Video

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

[The video clicks on, showing a black haired man with a very mild look of bewilderment on his face.  Not as much as one might expect from a total newbie, but by this point he's a tad used to waking up in strange places. Thanks Dad. Though really, this doesn't look like what he expected the afterlife to be. He really doesn't feel dead though so he's guessing he's alive.]

Oh so that button is the same...[Oh. Right. Broadcasting. He clears his throat]

I suppose I should go out on a limb and assume that this was not where I was supposed to end up. For one thing, I've been to most of the planets that like to emulate Lost Jerusalem and this does not look at all familiar.   Would someone be kind enough to tell me what is going on here?  Or at least where this place is? I have to admit I am a little lost.

Comments

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

Pretty well, though I feel pretty bad for Shion, getting stuck with cooking most of the time. But between the two of us, Hammer and Scott, we'll probably be able to take care of any general maintenance that needs done.

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

I've had the cooking on that ship. It's a blessing she's willing to do it at all. [Have a small, amused look Allen.]

So the UMN is gone...I wonder what things people will discover to compensate.

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

Believe me, we're all grateful. I've seen what Matthews comes up with when he has to make his own food and my appetite took a nosedive.

*He looks more serious as he contemplates the part about the UMN, though.*

I really don't know. MOMO's probably doing her best, but even after the Gnosis Phenomina, there's still a lot of planets that have suddenly been cut off from each other.

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

[If you look closely Allen, you'll see Gaignun wrinkling his nose at the thought of Matthew's cooking.]

Poor MOMO. I wouldn't worry too much about her though, she's remarkably resourceful. As for the planets, I don't doubt that some of the ones on the furthest regions may pass from memory until they are reconnected somehow.

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

*Allen always pays close attention to people's expressions and he gives a small, sympathetic smile at that nose wrinkle.*

It's kind of sad to think about, but you're probably right. Still, between her and Scientia, they've got the best chance out of anybody of working something out.

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

[There is a reason that Gaignun insists on very competent cooks at the foundation.]

It is, but I doubt it can be helped. I'm sure something will be thought of. People dislike it when something they're used to suddenly disappears.

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

Maybe...it is for the best, though. The UMN was convenient, yeah, but look how many people abused it. Even after the live transfer experiments stopped, how many people died because of cyber terrorists?

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

Indeed. But that can be said of any tool. Even water has the potential to harm if it is used incorrectly. It is up to the user, not the tool.

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

Some tools are easier to misuse than others, though. But I guess it's a moot point now, since I doubt it's possible to recreate anything quite like the UMN.

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

I suppose not. Whatever happens, it is going to be a massive upheaval, especially for the industries that use the UMN for everything,not to mention the smaller docking colonies that need the columns for supplies.

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

*He nods with a worried look, then shakes his head.*

But I guess there's no sense worrying about it while we're here. We have enough on our plates already, if what happened this month is any indication.

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

No I suppose not. We should concentrate on what is ahead of us here. One more question though...Mary and Shelly, how are they holding up?

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

They're fine. Mary recovered fully from what Yuriev did to her and they're both keeping an eye on Jr. like normal. I think they still miss you, but they're not letting it upset them.

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

Thank goodness.

[He had known they were alive since he was able to say a quick goodbye, but Mary had still been hurt then. He knew that if it had been permanent Shelly would not have been ok. He also could not forgive himself for the fact he hadn't been able to prevent Yuriev from doing that.]

I'm glad they've been able to keep going. They should be fine as long as they have each other.

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

*He nods.*

Yeah, I wouldn't worry about them too much.

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

They're very strong girls, I shouldn't forget about that.

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

And I'm sure Jr.'s doing his part to help them out, too. In between making them chide him for being impulsive.

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

Of course. Between the two of them they have him surrounded. [He has to chuckle a little bit at the mental image.]

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

I'm not expecting the trip to be boring, that's for sure.

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

No, you'll have good company on it. Just don't let them boss you around too much. [See? Gaignun can be observant too.]

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

Hey, I'm not that easy to push around all the time!

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

Of course not. I apologize.

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

*Blink. Blink. Wait. Did someone just apologize for something they said to him?*

Ah, don't worry about it. To be honest, I'm used to everyone underestimating me. I'm not exactly an impressive kinda guy.

[namedforcat.livejournal.com]

[Well, he was teasing you Allen, and was just concerned that he'd gone too far.]

You shouldn't sell yourself so short. After all, you've managed to keep up with your friends admirably.

[want-a-vacation.livejournal.com]

*People never apologize for teasing him, he's just not used to it.*

I mostly supported them, though. Did stuff from the background, you know.