[voice]

[alittlesweptup]

[The voice on the network may not technically be shouting, but there's a distinctly hard edge to the words that easily translates into 'Oh my god I can't even believe this right now.']

Oi! Anyone using fire to deal with this nonsense had better knock it right off! I don't care if your fire's made of magic, Harry Potter, it's still probably burning up oxygen when you use it to light these bastards up-- and I don't know if you've noticed, but we're in bloody space.

[There's a beat, a sharp intake of breath as Charlie wills himself to not flip the nearest table. Finally, in a low steely tone:] We need oxygen for other things. Like, oh, breathing. Figure out a different way of doing things.

Comments

[alittlesweptup]

[There's a long beat. When Charlie does respond, it's clear that he's choosing his words with care.] I'm trying to get people coordinated over in housing-- get groups organized for supply runs, sort out which areas of the base ought to be cleared first. I don't know what all you're good at, but if you want to lend a hand or know anyone at ends with nothing to do, let me know yeah?

[anklets]

[She thinks he might have somehow hung up on her, and is wholly prepared to consider all the worst reasons for it when--]

No, I can come. [ quickly. he's no Vatican authority, but let's be honest, here, that's hardly a con ] I'm fast, and [ wry ] I work well in groups.

[alittlesweptup]

Lovely. We'll find you something to do so we can get this madness sorted and move on with our lives.

[He may not have much of a head for this sort of thing, but even Charlie can tell something needs to be done that doesn't fall under the column of 'running around like a chicken with its head cut off.']

[anklets]

Mister Cutter, right? I'll be there soon as I can manage it.

[alittlesweptup]

That's right. --What'd you say your name was?

[anklets]

I'm Lenalee.

[ one point to the sensible pseudo-Victorian girl for prying apart the secrets of these machines, name tags and privacy functions ] Lenalee Lee, if we're being perfectly formal.

[alittlesweptup]

[Woof. Someone's parents had a sense of humor.]

See you in a few then, Lenalee.

[anklets]

[ say it three times fast, charlie, just try it ]

Mm.