008 ↔ video & text; mutiny day 2, 1545hrs

[5055034455]

[Saul would've come to the network sooner, but his earpiece picked something up not long after the network came back online.

So, he waited.

And waited.

And now, he thinks, is as good a time as any for this broadcast.

He's seated in DITR's office; the interior looks much the same as any other bedroom on the base, but in lieu of the beds, there's a medium-sized desk. This is where he's perched in his usual pose with elbows on his knees, hands folded, leaning forward just slightly and addressing the camera — which someone else is holding — with an expression so grim it somehow almost seems amused.]

This is not how you get what you want.

[A pause. He appears thoughtful for a moment, then waves a dismissive hand at nothing and smooths down his tie.]

I mean, sure, it must've sounded great in theory. And I'd bet any amount of money that you all thought you had your bases nice and covered, buuut —

[Tch.]

Looks like maybe not, if the network being back online is any indication. Hi, by the way. Are you having fun yet? Because that whole lack of gravity thing — man, that was a blast. I'm just wondering, you know, if this is gonna work in your favor the way you'd all hoped. Messing with the systems is all well and good and yeah, okay, we get your point: you're mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore. Fine.

But I think — and this is just my lawyerly opinion — you're gonna have a hell of a time dealing with the fallout from this. And I promise you, Charlie, there will be fallout. Civilized fallout, of course, assuming no one gets hurt. I'll keep my promise if you keep yours.

[He grins, then winks.]

Anyway, I dunno about everyone else, but I'm waiting with bated breath for your next move. And if you need anything from us —

[A quick sweep of his arm to indicate the entirety of the room and, with it, the entirety of DITR's staff. Whatever anger he's been keeping at bay finally seeps through, Saul's eyes narrowing for the split second it takes him to say:]

Good fucking luck.

[And off goes the video feed.]

*

[PRIVATE to all members of the Department EXCEPT Jesse, Mike, and Stephanie:]

If you haven't come to the office in room 206 yet, please report to Roslyn Small or another member of the police force for further instructions. They're set up in the cafeteria.

Comments

[ringthenoise]

Tch.

All I know is I've been kidnapped by someone who apparently wants me to work for 'em and the second I get here they run and hide 'cause other people they kidnapped aren't fond of the situation.

Doesn't exactly fill me with confidence that this Initiative ever had its shit together.

[5055034455]

You know the United Earth is hopping from world to world, destroying everything in its path for resources, right? And you know your world is just as much at risk as the one we just left, right?

[ringthenoise]

So I've been told. It's a cute story but that's all it is. A story. People will say a lot of crazy things if they think it'll get ya to fight for 'em.

[5055034455]

[Loudly, harshly:] No. It's not just a story. They destroyed Elmer Albatross's world — I saw it happen, and so did plenty of other people who're still here. Maybe you should ask around, talk to some of the people who died in the fight that day. Or you could talk to the people who died in the city, in which case — hey, what's up? Let's chat.

[ringthenoise]

If that's the case then these guys should be more organized, shouldn't they? Rallying people? Trying to improve morale?

Anything?

[5055034455]

Which "guys" are you talking about?

[ringthenoise]

[Twists a finger in the air]

The Initiative. But I think the people revolting are being dumb too if that's where you're going with this.

[5055034455]

They — the Initiative — can't do any of those things when there are only twelve of them and everything is so limited. We need to get back to Earth.

[ringthenoise]

And what happens on Earth?

[5055034455]

We travel back in time to prevent the nuclear strike so everyone else isn't dead. We reclaim our city. We try again.

[ringthenoise]

That simple, huh?

[snort]

Here I was hopin' to impress the ladies with an epic story when I got back.

[a definite note of sarcasm to this because seriously]

[5055034455]

I never said it'd be simple.

[ringthenoise]

Never said ya did.

It just sounds like getting back there is gonna be a pain in the ass, that's all.

[5055034455]

How long have you been here? Because I think a lot of people will tell you everything about this place is a pain in the ass.

[Not that Saul thinks so, but sometimes...]