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[yardbird]

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MURPHY PENDLETON

"Not here right now. Which means I'm probably... somewhere else.
"If you're tryin' to get a hold of me for some reason, just wait for the tone and leave a message after the... thing.
"...Shit, that was... Th-that was bad. Is there some way to do this ov--?" [Beep!]

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Comments

[yardbird]

Flight recorder. Right.

I stayed behind on the ship while some of our people were on the Cyllene and Arima, but I remember Strela. Heard everyone died. How?

Glad we have an understanding of that, then. What we did was in self defense. If we'd let them strip everything they were trying to take, it was as good as killing us - or at the very least it would've seriously fucked us over.

[eripui]

The people aboard the Strela wasted away. They were unresponsive when our teams came aboard, and subsequently died of inertia. Mental paralysis of some kind, as if they had lost any will to move.

I completely agree. We've seen your concern for the passengers of the Strela and the Cyllene, and understand that you aren't the type of people to be unnecessarily violent. I'm sure you did only what you had to. Sometimes, a firm hand is the only option when dealing with those sorts of people.

[yardbird]

Jesus.

There WAS something already wrong with the people on Strela when we got there. Not that bad, mind you, but they refused to talk to any of us. It was creepy, but they looked pretty harmless at first.

I was told that Cyllene seemed empty, but what happened to the people that were on Arima? Did they go the same way as Strela?

Well I can't speak for everyone that's here. There are a lot of us who don't think we should even talk to your people at all. To be honest, I wasn't really sure I should respond to you after all that's happened.

[eripui]

The pirates and criminals of Arima are dead too, yes.

When you say "all that's happened," can you be more specific about what you mean by that?

[yardbird]

Was it from that mental paralysis, or something else?

What I mean is that we haven't had a very positive impression of your government - especially your prime minister. You people seem like you want to help and I want to believe that, but some of us think that you won't be able to make any promises you can keep.

[eripui]

I would hope that your fear of failure wouldn't stop you from trying. The worst case scenario involves you remaining trapped aboard the Tranquility. Surely any hope of getting off of it is worth attempting.

[yardbird]

Actually, I would say the worst case scenario involves all of us DYING here, which is a possibility.

I'm not saying that we're going to stop trying. I'm just saying that you should be careful too. Not everyone here is trusting and I don't blame them. We've seen a lot of shit.

[eripui]

I appreciate your warning.
What can we do to change your minds? To prove that we act in good faith.

[yardbird]

Well, maybe you can start by maybe showing your face or something - that would be nice.
Some of us are a LITTLE bit skeptical that you're all not just one guy trying to mess with us.

The problem is that you're keep asking all these questions about US, but we don't know shit about YOU.

[eripui]

What would you like to know?

[yardbird]

[a/s/l?]

What's your name? Where do you come from? How long have you been working for your employer? Does he pay well? Do you have any family?

[The last one seems a bit silly to ask, but it should help Murphy gauge a little on who these people are -- and if they have anything to lose.]

[eripui]

My name is Juri Boshi. I grew up on Alexandria. Before I joined Van Rijn's service, I worked in developing and advancing communications technology. I wasn't satisfied with my career opportunities, so I began looking elsewhere. That was about seven years ago.

My brother and his family still live there, but I saw an opportunity in joining this team, and I took it. My career keeps them comfortable.

What about you?

[yardbird]

[That's... acceptable. It may not be enough to convince everyone on the ship, but the fact that his questions weren't avoided with more questions certainly earns a few brownie points.]

Your work is supporting your brother then?

I'm Murphy - from Earth. I work as head of the support department on this ship.
I've got family here. That's why I had to ask.

[eripui]

And his family. I have a niece, Matsuri.
Having your family with you must be a great comfort. What did you do before you boarded the Tranquility?

[yardbird]

There a reason why your brother can't provide for his own family?
[...] Shit, sorry. That's probably an asshole thing to say.

It's nice, I guess. We look out for each other. A lot of people on this ship do, in case you haven't gathered by the general lack of trust.
As for what I did before - I used to be a car mechanic.

[eripui]

You're right. It is an asshole thing to say. Everyone can use a little help now and then, especially in this economy.

Why did you choose to apply your skills to support staff, rather than mechanical assistance?

[yardbird]

Yeah, it definitely came out wrong. Sorry.
It's just that things have been pretty bad on Earth for a long time. Sad to think that some things don't change.

Spaceships are a little out of my league - the Tranquility's mechanics don't exactly compare to a '52 Ford engine. I was worried about messing something up, so I applied to the support staff instead when I first got here. That way I can help out in all the departments if necessary. I do a little bit of everything.

[eripui]

Would you say that the current engineering staff is primarily composed of individuals with a higher level of technological experience than you?

[yardbird]

Definitely. Some probably more than others. I'm not very good with computers myself. It took me long enough just to figure out how my phone works.
The communicator, I mean.

[eripui]

How long would you estimate the adjustment took? Do you notice other passengers experience similarly long-lasting difficulties?

[yardbird]

Well, was almost a YEAR before I finally learned my lesson about not forgetting my only form of communication with the rest of the ship, if that tells you anything about me. I'm hardly a computer whiz, but I'd like to think I've managed to pick up on a thing or two.
If it's all the same to you, I'd rather not talk about the other passengers.

[Not after that guy on the network started threatening to kill anyone who divulges passenger information, but Murphy's not going to say even that. He'd rather avoid dying.]

[eripui]

Of course.
I'll contact them myself. Thank you for your cooperation.

[yardbird]

Sure, no problem.
For what it's worth, I really do hope you people are trying to help.