Unknown craft, this is Consolidation towship Cogito. Identify yourself and state your affiliation immediately.
Well now we know who he was talking to.
@voice-of-the-consolidation
> what?
> ...
> Uhm
> how did you...?
> you know what
> weirder things have happened
> what's another call?
< K glances at the terminal, its blinking red light glaring back. Their call with Simon was still connected, so how was it that this towship was able to connect? >
> this is the SS Luna
> You're speaking to Ship Scout K
> My affiliation is with The Core
> can I
> uh
> ask why you're calling??
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[how long has it been? five minutes? ten, of twenty-five? not nearly long enough, but the seconds stretch on, leaving you with nothing but your own thoughts as company. the static surges only once, filled with grasping limbs just out of reach, the sound of someone crying out hidden by wavering noise.]
[and then, through that noise as it slowly fades—]
> (—I just want—)
[—a voice.]
> (—not sure anything was real? How—)
[simon's voice.]
> (—knew this was too good to be true, but—)
> —- Can't I just have this one thing? Haven't I done enough?
@bones-and-iron
//the consistent timeline has been restored!! lmao
< the silence streched on now that they were alone again. the silence brought too much. it gave too much. the static only grew louder, and they could only drown it out for so long before they grew insane.
so they spoke over it. >
> –animals. God. I hadnt seen any in this world at all.
> I miss them, you know?
> I used to have this cute little kitty that I had to leave behind
> I think she'd be 12 now.
< but they only grew more frantic, more desperate, the longer the silence and static grew >
> –my brother.
> its weird having your captain be your brother because every time someone mentions that he's my brother, people give me weird looks
> like they feel as if the only reason I got on The Core was because he was my brother
> well jokes on them
> I didnt even realize who the captain was until the day we were setting out
> because everyone kept calling him Captain Newthorne and thats our mothers maiden name
> so take that Lewis!
< yet nothing worked >
> Did you know I'm suppose to have a partner?
> I mean I did have a partner at one point
> but they're gone now
> so its only me
> but thats okay
> I dont need a partner
> even if most scouting ships have pairs
> there are exceptions
> Im one of like 4 scouting ships that don't have a partner
> so at least I don't have to add another thing to my "people think I get special treatment because the captain is my brother" list
< It only wanted in >
< Embrace it. Let the static in. It just wants to help - don't let him push us away! >
> ...
< and then... >
[ SHIP 2387 IS REQUESTING ENTRY ]
> ...
> He's here
[ SHIP 2387 IS REQUESTING ENTRY ]
< They glance at the terminal as the static slowly fades. They don't understand why. Is the signal weakening? K hopes not. They need it to find Simon. >
[ SHIP 2387 IS REQUESTING ENTRY ]
> fuck
> okay
> jeez
> I'm coming
> hold your horses
< and they walk away from the terminal >
[ SHIP 2387 IS REQUESTING ENTRY ]
< but in the background >
[ SHIP 2387 IS REQUESTING ENTRY ]
< through the booming computer and the quieting sound of the static >
(-knew this was too good to be true-)
[ SHIP 2387 IS REQUESTING ENTRY ]
< a voice >
(-Can't I just have this one thing?-)
[ SHIP 2387 IS REQUESTING ENTRY ]
< Simon's voice!>
< K stops in their tracks, wondering if they just heard things. Wonders if they're truly losing their mind >
(-Haven't I done enough?)
[ SHIP 2387 IS REQUESTING ENTRY ]
< but no. That- That was Simons voice. It had to be.
Right? >
< They were quick, running to the other end of the ship to slam on a button, and before Jackson could say a thing to K, they run back to the terminal, slamming into with so much force that it rattles the table >
> Simon?
> Fuck, Simon!
> please please tell me I didn't just fucking halucinate you speaking to me again
> Please say something
> anything
> oh stars
> don't leave me again
> please
> I feel like I'm losing my mind
> am I talking to myself again?
> I have to be-
> Simon....?
> Are you there...?
> Who in the world are you talking to, K?
> ...Simon
> I don't hear anything lass
> I don't think he's there
> You might just be hearing things
> Common, come help me get the sub ready
> I think you need to have anything else on your mind
[that awful static surges in and out, louder and softer, never settling on one tone. it's almost startlingly easy to pick out beats that aren't really there — sounds of creaking and movement. never anything close enough to words, but if you strain yourself, you think you can still hear him breathing.]
[convince yourself. he's still breathing.]
> . . .
> . . .
[the silence stretches on.]
[it's been too long. something should've happened by now. if he was knocked unconscious, you'd've heard that, right? a bang, or something — anything other than this grating nothingness.]
[the silence stretches on.]
[and then, suddenly–]
> [OXYGEN NOTIFICATION.]
[two quick electronic beeps, followed by a voice. automated. worthless. it's not him. it's still not him.]
@bones-and-iron
[ INCOMING TRANSMISSION ]
> He's still there
> he cannot not be there
> then why hasnt he said anything?
> why havent I heard anything?
> ...
> Simon...?
> you didnt leave me
> did you?
> you cant have
> you're still connected
> he has to be still here
< the crackling of static grows louder >
> he has to be
> he has to be
< and louder >
> he has to be
> he has to be
> he has to be
[ INCOMING TRANSMISSION]
> he has to be
[ INCOMING TRANSMISSION ]
> he has to be
< the static takes over, drowning everything. It wants in. Let it in. >
[ CODE 7590 ]
> he has to be
[ INCOMING TRANSMISSION ]
> he has to be
[ INCOMING TRANSMISSION ]
> he has to be
[ CODE 7590 ]
> he has to be
< let it in. let it in. let it in. let in it. let it in. >
[ INCOM– OVERRIDE. TRAMISSION CONNECTED. ]
scout? what the fuck? I told you to stay connected!
why didnt you connect back?! its been an hour and a half!
> he has to be
what?
> he has to be
scout.
> he has to be
Scout.
Can you hear me?
> he has to be
SCOUT.
> he has to be
Fuck
not again
> he has to be
Shes fucking doing it again
...
what the fuck do you mean what do I mean
I mean shes fucking spiraling again!
I told you she wasnt ready– okay fuck they
I told you they werent ready to go back scouting!
...
Stars above can you not hear he‐ them!
> he has to be
Can you just fucking fix this?!
> he has to be
...
Oh
FAITH HAYNES, WAKE THE FUCK UP.
< sounds of objects scattering around the floor echos. Papers go flying, The Chair goes flying, and a loud screeching noise emanates as the microphone goes flying off the desk. A dull thud and a groan is heard as K lays on the floor, sprawled out >
< the static sputters out, but its still there, silent.
waiting >
> What the fuck...
> whAT THE FUCK!
> Why did you shout that fucking name!
Oh good, you're back.
> Back?! BACK?! I DIDNT GO ANYWHERE!
> IVE BEEN HERE THE WHOLE TIME JUST WAITING BEN!
> wait.
> you–
> I didnt connect any incoming transmissions...
yeah
I know
> did I–
you did.
fuck, scout, you need to come back to The Core. You were gone for an hour and a half.
This is not good for your health–
> Oh fuck you
> nothing is ever good for my health
> besides Im not leaving
> Simon needs me
> I–
> I cant just leave him
> not after all I'm trying to do for him
> I cant abandon him
> I cant leave him like the C.O.I did
...
Scout.
K.
Its not gonna be like Wells.
I promise you that.
But you need to come home.
Ill have somebody else try and rescue Simon.
you need to come home and rest
> Im better, Ben.
> I hadnt had an attack in years.
> One mishap is not going to push me down.
< the static grows louder. A pounding headache presses against their skull.
They ignore it >
> I know what I'm doing.
> I cant abandon him
> I just cant
You're so fucking stubborn.
Fine.
> Wait you said you'd send someone to save him?
> you're–
> We'e going to try?!
Jennifer said the pressure on AT-5's ocean could withstand our subs.
But not for long.
We'd have at least 45 minutes to try and get to him before the sub is rendered useless.
> fuck
> okay
> okay!!
> I can do that!
> We can do that!
< can you? >
Good.
Jackson is on his way to your location. ETA 25 minutes.
Do you at least have a proxy of Simon's location?
> I... Think so?
> I could probably ping his location if I tried really hard
> 25.
> okay
> okay
> okay
...
Are you sure you'll be good to do this, scout?
> yes.
> I can.
> I have to.
< hes mine. >
> He needs this.
< and so will you >
alright then...
connect back soon, okay?
When Jackson arrives.
> Yes, Captain.
good.
Captain, out.
< Its silent again. But is it? Theres that insistent static again. Its louder than it was before.
