[ voice ]

[hostage]

[He's so bored, he can't take it anymore. Asking for trouble, maybe, but there's all kinds of excitement he's missing with the new arrivals, and he's not used to missing out on it. He keeps the video feed off, unlike usual, because both his cell and he himself are a mess. His voice is only slightly hoarse, recovering from a first week in custody that was spent screaming.]

So what's the deal with all you new guys? Usually I do this in person but I'm, uh, a little tied up right now. Anyway, lemme hear it. Where you from? Whatcha usually get up to? How you feeling about being in this skanky shithole up on the moon?

Hope the rest of you guys didn't leave 'em starving.

Comments

[hostage]

You're telling me.

[selfequipped]

Mind you, I don't know how much of this is a product of an unreliable narrator.

[hostage]

What's that mean?

[selfequipped]

Well, there's still room for me, Kate, going to someone and going, "look, lay off Jesse a bit, and also, what you said about him? Gross." And then they can go, "That's just Jesse's interpretation."

I'm not saying that's the case, but room. Wiggle room.

[hostage]

Ah yeah, no doubt they'll tell it real special.

[selfequipped]

Still, I'd rather you handle it yourself. I'm gonna give you a chance to not be what "everyone says."

How's that?

[hostage]

Generous.

[selfequipped]

And probably moderately condescending, sorry, but I do mean it.

[hostage]

Nah, don't worry 'bout it. I'm used to it.

Too bad you're coming in on me fucking up my hundredth second chance. Odds ain't looking so good for you.

[selfequipped]

Well, whoever gave you chance one hundred can go "I told you so," then. I'll take my chances.

[hostage]

Thanks. For that.

And I'm sorry. In advance.

[selfequipped]

I busted one of my best friends out of juvie. We'll see if you measure up.

[hostage]

Juvie. Well, that's pretty badass. I dunno.

[selfequipped]

It doubled as a super powered containment place so they could do experiments.

[hostage]

Shit, now that's more interesting.

[selfequipped]

Yeah, sorta realized I made myself sound way less awesome than I am.

[hostage]

Don't worry. I'm pretty convinced you're awesome already.

[selfequipped]

Oh, good. I can relax a little.

[hostage]

Don't tell me I actually make you nervous.

[selfequipped]

No, it's more of the whole "I'm a new kid" thing. Guess not everyone kicks it.

[hostage]

You're gonna be fine. Fitting right in already.

[selfequipped]

Yay.

When are you getting out of there? I'd like to shake the hand of one of my very first friends here.

[hostage]

Hate to break it to you, but I don't think they're ever letting me out. They're scared of what'll happen if I get too close to anybody.

[selfequipped]

Spill. What'd you do? Because assault isn't "I'm afraid of what he'll do again." People can deal with a broken nose.

[hostage]

My superpower's taking other people's powers. I did that to a few people during the mutiny. Now everybody wants to kill me for it. Assault's the word they used for it, but I didn't hurt anybody. Just disarmed 'em.