001 - Video

[umgekehrt]

[Stildyne is looking around, taking in his new room with a look of interest; he does this a moment before he turns to the screen. It gives a sort of panoramic view of his gaunt, battered face, the resident scars of which could function as a relief map of any major warzone. He's in navy blue, what's obviously a uniform of some kind, gold piping around the neck and wrists. It's a somewhat neglected uniform though, mud-stained and looks like it's been doubling as sleepwear at least a few nights running]

She's bigger than Ragnarok, I'll give you that. Not sure if that's a maintenance atmosphere above board or a projection. She'll do. I've been stationed worse places: ask me about Rompemel. Only don't.

[He sounds amused, though he's not smiling. You'll have to forgive him, he's only thinking of your well-being, it's only last time he smiled all the mirrors in Medical broke.]

But begging your pardon: haven't introduced myself. Chief Stildyne. Mister Stildyne if the familiarity shocks you. Lately assigned here. Volunteered here. If you can credit the day I volunteer for anything. I blame the Aznir, myself.

What's the news? And where's the laundry?

Comments

[championoftime]

The laundry is on level six. I can show you if you like.

I'm- [Wait, don't say the Doctor] -Dr. John Smith. I work in the infirmary. [I don't torture people, I promise.]

[der-umgekehrte.livejournal.com]

Would you? That'd be appreciated. I've been underway a while. Not much luxury accommodation on a freighter, even a Combine freighter.

[Spam?]

[championoftime]

I can meet you at your room- whichever cabin that is.

[Spaaahm]

[der-umgekehrte.livejournal.com]

Level four, cabin two. I'll be outside. Hard to miss.

[Spaaahm]

[championoftime]

[He's not hard to miss. But neither is the Doctor, who comes traipsing along in a bit in his bright clothes. He lifts up his hat almost as soon as he sees the battered looking fellow, and-

Cranes his neck more and more the closer he gets. Hello there, tall man.]

I would be the Doctor. A pleasure! [He offers his hand.]

[timesbureaucrat]

Welcome aboard, Mister Stildyne. [Narvin generally likes military folk. They tend to be nice and orderly in crises. All the same, he's staying reserved for now. Stildyne may *sound* like a warden, but they've had clever inmates try that trick before.]

I see you've already found yourself a guide. Don't kill him, no matter how much you might be tempted to. [Snarks at the Doctor's expense are a must, even if Stildyne is a warden.]

[der-umgekehrte.livejournal.com]

I've put up with the Koscuisko Prince for five years; I think I've got practice with small nuisances.

[This is by way of being a joke. Because Andrej is not a very tall gentleman. He might not make that joke if it could get back to Andrej; then again he might. His height is sadly a matter of record.]

[timesbureaucrat]

[It's a good thing Narvin doesn't know it's a joke. He probably wouldn't take well to height humour, considering his own small size.]

Well, the Doctor isn't much like a prince. He may take it into his head to play the spoons on your person, though.

[der-umgekehrte.livejournal.com]

What, on first meeting? Awfully forward. Oh, well, he's not bad looking.

[strangehistorian]

Welcome to the Barge, Chief! My name is Chromie.

[der-umgekehrte.livejournal.com]

Thanks; it's been interesting so far. Warden or inmate, if the question isn't rude. Is there a way we tell?

[strangehistorian]

Nope! I'm a warden. Usually all you have to do is ask! Sometimes you'll get an inmate claiming to be a warden, but there are a few key signs: Wardens will have an item that unlocks the deck and cells in Zero, and will eventually be assigned to an inmate. Inmates will also already have died, but that is sometimes true for wardens as well, so it's not a perfect method.

[der-umgekehrte.livejournal.com]

[He glances down at something off the screen-- the stopwatch he was told to keep with him-- and nods.]

Appreciate the heads up. Didn't know about the dying. Doesn't much seem fair to them, but I'll try not to rub it in. Know when I find out which of these poor souls gets the pleasure of my wardenage? If you don't mind playing instructor for the new fellow.

[counturfingers.livejournal.com]

You're an odd one, aren't you?

[der-umgekehrte.livejournal.com]

Standard issue Warrant Officer, I promise. They turn us out it batches of a hundred.

[Said deadpan, but with a merry edge to his ruined, rasping voice]

I have to watch my language, don't I. There may be those who actually are built to order here, if it's true about the looms.

But I'm as common a Fleet soldier as they come. And you are?

[counturfingers.livejournal.com]

I'm Vila Restal, unrepentant dead thief.

You're not Federation, that's for sure.

Oh, you must've been talking to Time Lords again. I wouldn't recommend them, though the Barge is lousy with them. If you run across one named Rassilon, be sure to bow and scrape properly or he'll have a righteous little hissy fit that you're not recognizing his authority.

Us regular criminal types are much easier to understand. Some of us are even likeable.

[der-umgekehrte.livejournal.com]

Out of Jurisdiction, in fact. Never heard of the Federation, but then I've never heard of Time Lords either. Kind of the Admiral to bring them here just for me, in case I missed His Excellency, isn't it? [A wry smile.]

But I'm a babe in arms, and I don't know what to do with criminals. You'll have to mind not to hurt me. I'm just a loyal young Fleet officer. And if you believe that, be sure to tell them so when they come after me for going AWOL.

[With distinct overtones of 'Hello: I speak bribe and mutually beneficial with only a slight accent.']

Do you stand with the wardens or the inmates? I feel like I'll commit a gaffe if I go around assuming.

[im-spiderman.livejournal.com]

Welcome to tha Barge.

Ye were on an airship in yer own world before ye came here, then?

[der-umgekehrte.livejournal.com]

[They run short of standard height here. He'll have to needle Koscuisko about it if he ever sees him again]

Starship. Ragnarok wouldn't manage well in an atmosphere. But yes; Chief Warrant Officer, head of medical security, fifteen years going.

[im-spiderman.livejournal.com]

Eh... hope ye don't mind me askin', but what d'ye do as medical security?

[der-umgekehrte.livejournal.com]

The Chief Medical Officer's security assist him in and out of secured medical. And as warrant officer, I train them, arrange their duty rosters, keep His Excellency's princely self in fighting condition... it's a small team, we should have a staff of twenty five, but we manage with fifteen.

[lotoftrouble.livejournal.com]

Tell me more about Ragnarok, if you will. I think it's a bit different from the one I know.

Next ask him about the Scylla...

[der-umgekehrte.livejournal.com]

Ragnarok? She's an experimental starship. Previous First Judge's pet project, so less a pet now that she's dead. Undercrewed, under supplied. Home, for the last fifteen years, captain is Jenett ap Rhiannon.

[Rattled off with the familiarity of a man who's been up and down every hall of the beast.]

What sort of a Ragnarok do you know?

[lotoftrouble.livejournal.com]

The end of the world.

[der-umgekehrte.livejournal.com]

A few subtle differences, then.

[Deadpan]