Arrival | OTA

[major_egret_msfsod]

Jackal was always a little reluctant at accepting even mandatory leave. Still, she knew the reasons for it, and could defend the policy as needed, whether she liked it or not, and as an officer she had an obligation to serve as a good example. Although the FMS Viking remained at its post in the Belt, high-speed transports ferried personnel and special-order supplies, and it was aboard such an interplanetary shuttle she was traveling back to Mars. The visit home would be trying, as usual, but seeing her militia unit again would be good, as well as her mother.

Resting her eyes momentarily, she didn't notice the bright light. Other changes, however, she noticed: the tone of the nearby conversations, in particular, and although it was subtle, something was definitely not quite right about the feel of the shuttle. Scowling, she opened her eyes again--then scowled more so, looking around. She was definitely not in the shuttle. She was still in her red-tone camouflage fatigues, with a holstered device (most likely some kind of pistol, at a glance) at her side, and a duffel bag rested at her feet.

She stood abruptly, wary, but of all the people in the room--judging by its size and the totally open view of starscape, most likely aboard a large ship--none showed any signs of hostility. In fact, most barely even showed much interest in her presence. Whether they were aware of the situation or not, though, it was unacceptable. Resting a hand on her sidearm, but not drawing it, she kept her eyes peeled for any sign of someone who might be in charge. No explicit threats--yet--but she couldn't make any assumptions under such circumstances.

"What the hell's going on, here?"

Comments

[kaylinneya]

"Ah..."

She walked forward and saluted, with the wrong hand, tilting her chin up.

"Sir. She wanted to meet with you."

[major_egret_msfsod]

Sounded like this was the one, then. At least she looked credibly enough the part, serious, sensible hair for someone who works for a living. Jackal addressed her as soon as Kaylin had explained that much. ...she certainly had what looked to be some kind of rank insignia, at a guess, but not one she recognized.

"You're Tasha Yar, I assume. Major Egret, MSFSOD. I don't mean to be rude, but I need some straight answers about what the hell's going on here."

[tasha_yar]

Good luck. she thinks. That shows outwardly as well, as much as she tries stifling it.

She forces herself to straighten. "I will answer whatever I can. Just be aware the situation is - difficult."

[major_egret_msfsod]

Jackal does pick up on that. She's noticed a few of those rank insignia on others they passed by, as well. Full and empty pips, probably means the empty ones are like half-steps, so this lady's most likely either O3 or O4, herself, depending on where they start. Either way, it suggested she could at least be taken more or less seriously, and Jackal nodded.

"I can imagine. Last thing I knew before I found myself here, I was on a fast shuttle back to Mars from the FMS Viking for regular leave. Then I'm here. Hearing... fanciful stories from the kind of sources you avoid using in intel reports."

It sounds like "fanciful" is about the most polite word she could come up with for it.

"Now. I get this is a ship, that's clear. And I'm told it's called the 'Enterprise,' credible enough, there've been plenty of them. That's about all I've heard so far that makes any damn sense."

Which really means she needs to get answers from someone who can put things in less "it's aliens and interdimensional trek wars!" genre savvy kind of talk. Hopefully an officer and a member of the crew can help out, there.

[tasha_yar]

Tasha drops into report mode. "There's an entity - a very powerful one - who has us, this ship, I mean, and maybe you, under some kind of test. To that end, Q will take people from their normal timeline in their normal worlds and just send them here. Why, we don't know."

Complicating matters is that half the senior staff are now Displaced. Not that anyone needs to know that.

"You may be here for another minute. You may stay indefinitely. To that end, we're assigning you quarters after a routine medical exam. You'll have access to some of the ship's public areas while the crew continues its mission."

[major_egret_msfsod]

"...an entity."

Awfully vague term, there, but she has a feeling it was chosen because it refers to something too strange to be spoken of more plainly. She's obviously still deeply skeptical about the story, but there comes a point when if everyone's telling the same crazypants story, maybe it means the truth is crazypants.

Not that she's quite ready to take that plunge into madness. And some of the terminology is just excruciatingly frustrating.

"...'normal timeline.' What does that even mean..?"

Welcome to one of those rare people who's not from a setting with time-travel stories and who's not even a bit genre savvy about scifi tropes. She may need to be walked through this a bit.

[tasha_yar]

Tasha purses her lips, shook her head and tried again. "A very powerful being who can just take you from wherever you are, whenever you happen to be in your life and teleport you from there to here; for however long he wants you to be here."

[major_egret_msfsod]

Well, having it explained that was certainly raised her hackles a bit obviously. Someone didn't much like getting pushed around. Although at least she doesn't growl aloud or anything. .......yet. The notion of a being with capabilities like that was still far-fetched, but considering what Metatron technology could accomplish, she couldn't completely blow off the possibility. She crossed her arms, absorbing that.

"..kh.. and I take it your ship's not going by Mars space any time soon. Might be able to arrange a rendezvous with a fast transport, if I can arrange communications access."

...sorry, she still isn't really processing the Not The Same Universe part. Not to mention the Not In The Solar System part.

[tasha_yar]

"The Sol system is the capital of the Federation," she notes. "But it is likely not the same Mars you know. It will be a different version of Mars because your history is likely different than mine - or anyone else native to this universe." She breathes out slowly. "That's what I'm trying to explain. Unless your Mars is part of something call the United Federation of Planets, this isn't your home."

[major_egret_msfsod]

She stares, at that explanation--particularly the phrasing about a different history. It's profoundly implausible... but, at least it's expressed in a way she can understand, even if the full ramifications might take a little processing. She's also noticeably on-edge, at least for a moment, then scowls, letting out a breath, and raises a hand to pinch the bridge of her nose.

"......all right. It still sounds crazy, but..."

It sounds perfectly insane... but it does explain how there could possibly be a situation like this that she's never heard of. And the totally unfamiliar insignia and ship layout. Still, she's more than a little tense, what with that epiphany, looking aside.

"No way to contact them, either, I assume." She gets a steely look for a moment, as her eyes turn back to Tasha. "Computer access'll be available, right? It sounds like I have some homework to do."

[tasha_yar]

"Yes. I'm sorry." And she is. Her body relaxes, but her tone still remains professional, remorseful, but professional. "Computer access will be available at the basic level while you're here on the Enterprise."

[major_egret_msfsod]

She didn't seem worried, at least, so much as irritated, but nodded at that answer, then paused, scowling a little more.

"...damn. You're security, right? I should disarm this."

She gestured at the pistol-like sidearm holstered at her hip, although obviously not reaching for it. Judging by the fact it had lights on it, there was a good chance it was some kind of energy weapon. She clearly didn't especially like the idea, but she said it like it was an obvious conclusion.

"At least until I've been through whatever security procedures you've got in place. It's on a nonlethal setting, right now."

[tasha_yar]

"Yes and yes." She gives Kaylin a look that suggests she'll be reviewing protocols for new arrivals later, even if Kaylin likely didn't realize it was a weapon.

She seriously needs to train people down here.

"The first stop is Sickbay. While we have excellent bio-filters, there are limits, and there's a million things we have been exposed to that you haven't. Likely, that's mutual. Have you been there yet?"

[major_egret_msfsod]

If anything, Jackal probably approves of that look. She reaches with her off hand, slowly, to draw the sidearm in an obviously not-the-way-to-hold-it position, just to leave no doubt that she's not drawing it for use, and with her other hand, unlocks and releases a catch on the handle, popping out a power cell, which she drops in one of her pockets. She shakes her head at that question, returning the disabled sidearm to its holster.

"Comprehending the situation was my first priority, although someone did mention quarantine."

[tasha_yar]

She nods to Kaylin to take the weapon while she continues. "Part of the protocals for unknown life not going through analysis, or our transports," she answers. Tasha then stretches out her arm in a particular direction. "Quarantine ends after an exam in Sickbay. Would you prefer Kaylin take you, or should I?"

[major_egret_msfsod]

Jackal tensed, picking up on that gesture, and hesitated, just briefly.

"...if you need me to surrender my sidearm, I'm going to need some kind of assurance it won't be tampered with in any way. Construction and operating details are classified."

Obviously she couldn't deny it was a sensible enough security precaution. Still.

"Other than that, I don't need to take up your time as an escort."

She sounded perfectly sincere about that--Tasha surely must have more important things to do that handholding new arrivals she'd probably never really signed on to deal with anyway.

[tasha_yar]

No, but it beats the alternative.

"I understand. The power source alone will be fine." Tasha nods at the next bit. No offense meant, taken, or given.

"If you do need something, the ship is voice controlled. Simply ask the computer for what you want to know."

[major_egret_msfsod]

Jackal pauses briefly, still not completely comfortable about surrendering military hardware... but she nods, retrieving it from the pocket where she stowed it away, and offering it toward Tasha.

She raised an eyebrow at the mention of computer access--she had to assume there were security restrictions on that, but it was at least somewhat reassuring that they didn't seem to be particularly jealously guarding information in general.

"Understood." A brief pause. "...I don't think I caught your rank, by the way."

[tasha_yar]

"Lieutenant. I'm also specially assigned to be down here, looking after the Captain's interests on this matter. If you need anything, I will do my best to be available."

[major_egret_msfsod]

Jackal nods, looking a touch pensive.

"Understood. I'm sure I'll be in touch before long, Lieutenant, but I guess that can wait until I'm caught up."