Log 001 - ( video )

[headmovies]

[ When the video feed cuts on, the man displayed there looks more than a little confused. He is wearing the necklace that was given to him, or rather that he found whenever he woke up in his little pod, but for all the information the pamphlet and the holo-recording provided to him about his situation, he doesn't appear to have many of his questions answered.

If he'd had a brilliant plan for his first transmission, it was lost somewhere along the activation of the communicator, so he doesn't actually say another for a brief moment. Then, after a clearing of the throat and an adjusting of just how he's holding the thing, he finally cracks a smile, out of the spirit of being friendly if not actually happy. ]

Hello. This is Major Rick Martinez, United States Air Force. I got a lot of information funneled at me when I woke up down in that...holding area, but a lot of it doesn't make any sense.

[ He clears his throat. ]

Anybody out there want to clear some things up for me? I'd really appreciate it. Like...how did I get here? I was on my way to Mars the last time I checked. Lights out, all was nom, then...well...you know the rest.

Comments

[aspacepirate]

(Mark blinks at what he's seeing a few times and then he finds himself fiddling with the communication device for a few moments before getting it configured back to video.

He is silent for a second before a slight smile appears on his face. Sure, being stuck here kind of sucks and he really wouldn't wish being stuck anywhere on a person, but dammit if it wasn't good to see his best friend here right now.)

...Martinez? That you?

[headmovies]

[ Rick himself does a double take at the video before a broad smile spreads across his face. ]

Should've known I'd find you in a place like this, Watney. Stuck on Mars, my ass. You're living the sweet like wherever the hell here is.

[aspacepirate]

(Here's a cheeky grin.) Jealous? Apparently the universe decided that it didn't like me being stuck on Mars. Too much trouble I can get into and it dumped me here.

Not really sure how it considers this a punishment, though. But, who really cares?

(It's not really that sweet not having an explanation of what's going on and why, but yeah. Not being in immediate danger of dying? Sure, that's pretty sweet.)

[headmovies]

[ At that, Rick shakes his head, looking uncertain again. ]

Jealous? Not by a long shot. [ But he smiles again. ] It's good to see you, though.

[ And that is enough lame. ] Even if this is some weird dream.

[gammavirginis]

I'm afraid you'll find answers in short supply.

[headmovies]

[ Sorry. He's just going to be staring for a moment.

Maybe more than a moment. Then he blinks. ]

What's with the costume?

[aspacepirate]

Good. You shouldn't be. (Mark frowns slightly.) Not being dead or close to it is nice, though...

(But he grins again just as quickly as it disappears in the first place.) Yeah, man. The feeling's mutual there...

(Mark might need a moment if this video goes on, but then he hears that and well he manages to bounce back a bit.)

A weird dream?

Okay, THAT was the most lame thing I've ever heard you say. But, yeah, honestly...I'm not sure what to make of this place. I don't really have any an answer to "why" we're here. Other people don't seem to know anything either...

[reluctantaccessory]

(Marie takes a few moments before turning her own device to video and replying to him. She is quiet for a few moments, almost like she's debating with herself, then she finally speaks.

This guy seemed alright enough, nice even, but considering what was happening in her own world, she isn't quite so sure this is a wise idea. But it was only fair to try to help, right?

Her words come out with her accent as light as she could possibly make it.)

Clear things up? I can try...but, I don't think I can promise I'll have any answers for you. We're...uh, I'm still figuring it out myself. It seems like a lot of people are looking for answers...

But anyway, what...what did you need cleared up?

Video

[watercharm]

What can I help you with?

[Her voice is soft and calm. She doesn't have all the answers but she wants to help those who've landed here.]

[orlokbutterfly]

Good luck gettin' anything cleared up here. Any answers you get are just gonna confuse you more.

[God knows he sure hasn't figured anything out.]

But Air Force, huh? Any dogfight experience or were you one of the ones who sat around while we pilots did all the work?

[headmovies]

What, so we're just...here? Nobody's ever come to get us or anything?

[ Yeah, so, the more he thinks about his, the more creeped out he is about the entire situation. ]

[Video]

[knowledgeandshadow]

Patchouli Knowledge. I am a researcher, of... Well, many things, I suppose.

I would be happy to provide an explanation for this... highly unusual pocket dimension, had I uncovered any. Information about the nature of Genessia has been frustratingly rare.

[aspacepirate]

(Mark frowns.) Don't know. It seems that way. Who knows? We could always just pop back or something too.

It seems like everyone's trying to figure that out. At least a few of the people I've met so far...I'm probably going to help out with that, if they're cool with it.

[headmovies]

[ He smiles good-naturedly at the video feed when it initializes. ] Don't worry about it too much. I'm starting to get how lost everybody is.

[reluctantaccessory]

Everyone's pretty lost from the sounds of it. No one really expects to wake up in a pod, right?

Wait, you said you watched the hologram, right?

...Mind me asking something? I mean I know there isn't any proof, but...doesn't it bother you that whoever that has...well, they said that company or whatever it is...has nothing to do with this?

Maybe I'm overthinking it. I mean there isn't proof, right?

Video

[headmovies]

I, uh...don't really know. They're probably all the same questions everybody still has.

[ Rick isn't usually so serious, but there's a time and a place, okay. ]

[headmovies]

You're probably right, but at least I know I'm not alone.

[ Which is a blessing. ]

Really, man? Now? Fine. I originally trained as a fighter pilot, went on to Test Pilot school, finished top of the class there, went to college, got a degree, and now I fly space shuttles for NASA. I just flew us to Mars. Twice.

[orlokbutterfly]

Sounds important. No idea what any of that is, but I'm sure it means something. [Space was still uncharted territory in his world, after all, so that's at least impressive, and he can only assume Mars must be a planet.]

Unfortunately I don't think those credentials will mean anything here for you. Military and piloting certainly mean jack all from what I've seen. Hope you're not gonna miss stuffy military life.

Video

[watercharm]

[Aqua continues to smile.]

I guess so.

[A lot of information is covered by the odd little hologram so Aqua tries to think of something else.]

Let's see. From what I can tell there is no way to other worlds from here. A lot of people are finding places to stay and jobs while trying to figure out a way home. There are portals to worlds and they are called archways. You can go through them with the pendant you woke up with.

If you want to know about those worlds I'd suggest exploring them. They'll all a little different.

[Video]

[headmovies]

[ He blinks for a moment at the video feed. ]

....did you just call this a "pocket dimension"?

[headmovies]

[ Rick nods, uncharacteristically serious. ]

I'm game. Let's do it.

...where are you, anyway?

[headmovies]

[ Rick nods. It's an unpleasant feeling he's got growing in his gut. He liked to play tough, and well, frankly, he was, but he also liked to act like nothing bothered him. That one was a little more difficult to pull off at the moment. ]

Yeah, it's kinda got a Wizard of Oz vibe, you know? Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain? or "No, I did not have sexual relations with that woman"?

[reluctantaccessory]

I suppose it's like the Wizard of Oz. But, I think I want to pull the curtain back anyway...(Marie raises an eyebrow at that second one, though she is a bit amused by it.) Problem is...where's the curtain?

(Wait, what.)

...Yeah, I'm not so sure about that second one there. This isn't like sleeping with an intern. That would be a much easier problem to have.

[aspacepirate]

Just like that? I knew there was a reason I like you. (Mark is still being a bit too "not serious" about the situation.)

Well, I'm in a place called Attleton. (He frowns.) What color is the gem on that necklace-thing they gave you? Is it yellow?

[video]

[eastdetective]

[Conan was more than happy to grab a distraction from recent events. This worked. He smiles into the video feed, putting on a show of being a cheerful little kid.]

I don't think anyone knows how we get here. It would be useful if someone could figure it out, wouldn't it?

Nice to meet you Major Martinez! I'm Conan Edogawa.