video;

[candothat]

This is Ensign Chekov, Pavel Andreievich, navigator of the USS Enterprise.

[You can trust him; he's currently in uniform. His uniform tunic has been too short in the sleeves for several months now. Oh, the woes of being a still-growing teenager!]

I would request a response from any Starfleet officers or allies who receive this message. Thank you.

 If you have only just arrived, you may have questions. I have attached a text file to this message that may, I hope, be useful. If there are other questions or if anyone would like to speak with me, I would be happy to talk.

Captain Kirk? Uhura and I have the communicators working. They can pick up local transmissions, and we have connected all four to a secure channel. I think that is the best that can be done.

[attached file: City_brief]


[ooc: Fourth wall post! Everyone (duplicates, face twins, and so on) is welcome and anything goes. If you don't fancy network communication, action just about anywhere in the City is fine by me. ]

Comments

[video]

[fencing]

[ So, this one knows. That makes him relax a little, because the one he's stuck with has no idea. Positively cheerful, alive, oblivious - it should be a sight that makes him happy, but it only makes it a little painful. ]

Yeah. [ He swallows, hands playing with his the edges of his sleeves in an almost unconscious manner. ] You — Another 'you' is in another place with me, Captain, along with Commander Spock.

[video]

[hischair]

Really. [ He reads Sulu's hesitation, nodding shortly. ] If I were you, Sulu, I'd put any points across without sugar-coating anything for as long as you serve under those men, especially in these conditions. That would be appreciated in the long run.

[video]

[fencing]

[ SCREAMS BUT THAT IS THE PROBLEM WHY DO YOU ALWAYS KNOW!!!!!!! ]

Even if their memories are far behind from what you yourself remember?

[video]

[hischair]

[ A CAPTAIN ALWAYS KNOWS. ]

If I make my mind up about doing something, then it's because I want to or I have to. Telling me about it won't change either of those things.

[video]

[fencing]

I know that, sir, and I'm not questioning the decisions you make for the sake of the crew. [ His expression is tense, almost insubordinate. This isn't the first time he's talked back to an officer. He's getting pretty good at it.

And nope, not asking for permission to speak. He's taking Kirk's response as his right to reply freely. ] But if you will permit me to say, it's not a conversation that I would like to approach with anyone, especially not when the person I'm speaking has insufficient knowledge of the circumstances. If I end up disobeying a direct order because of it, then I'll take full responsibility for my actions.

[video]

[hischair]

Sulu, I can't imagine any ... version of me would kick your ass for standing up for yourself and doing what you believed to be the right thing by taking responsibility. Even if I had to doubt it, I'd eventually want to hear it all from you again. I trust you. I know you wouldn't lie to me.

And off the record, being a secretive asshole about the future is more Spock's style.

[video]

[fencing]

[ YOU'RE ACTUALLY NOT HELPING. ]

I did lie to you.

[video]

[hischair]

Okay. Did you have a good reason?

[ Lucky you have a really down to earth captain really, bro. ]

[video]

[fencing]

You asked. Persistently. [ He's starting to get that. But that's what makes him feel guiltier. ]

[video]

[hischair]

Then you were trying to be a good friend. Is that generally what you're saying your intent was?

[video]

[fencing]

[ a short pause.

and then, with a straight face: ]

I was trying to annoy you.

[ thank you. ]

[video]

[hischair]

Everybody annoys me, I'm a saint. [ See, Sulu? He's not so scary. ] I don't think the other handsome fella will mind much either, once he understands.

[video]

[fencing]

"Once."

[ but he'll worry about that on his own.

then he smiles a little. ]

You're the best, Captain. [ here's your dose of gratitude and adulation. you earned it! ]

[video]

[hischair]

Well, I have the best crew to bounce off, so it's no surprise. [ Totally accepting that compliment and spreading the love. ] Anyway! I'll leave you and Chekov to hang out, I'm sure he's excited to see you.

[ His helmsman and navigator; don't think he doesn't know you guys are thick as thieves. ]

[video]

[fencing]

Just - one more thing, Captain?

[ a beat. ] If you jump, I jump. You know that, right?

[ Jim's earned that, too, ever since Vulcan. ]

[video]

[hischair]

[ He pauses, his smile deepening. Why the hell he's done to deserve the faith of men like Sulu, he really can't understand but isn't going to throw it away. ]

I know. Now go and enjoy yourself, that's an order.

[video]

[fencing]

Aye, captain.

It's really good to see you again.

[ and click. ]

[video]

[hischair]

[ Means more than you know to hear that, Sulu, he thinks, and off goes Jim's connection too. ]