audio | 001 | day 34

[retrograding]

[ Jet may not be fantastic with electronic things, but he knows enough about them to not freak out when the thing talks to him. His voice is quiet and vaguely amused. ] I'll try to, Miss, though I'd appreciate it more if I could get some coordinates.

... No? Alright, that's shiny. [ Snort. He'll just do some exploring on his own, then! ]

Comments

[retrograding]

Not according to the black hole son I spoke with earlier. [ Hehehe. Song puns. ] I've no idea how I'm going to build a rocket ship without a dune buggy.

[facilitated]

You're gonna build a rocket ship? [ Yep, that's it. She switches to video and damn - she's all but beaming. Smiling harder than she has in weeks, seriously. ] Hey, I want in. I can fix stuff, done it my whole life. Stands to reason I can build too, right?

[ Granted her experience is less rockets and more tractors, but come on, how different can it be? ]

[retrograding]

[ Have a video back! Jet looks amused. He likes you, Laura. ]

I'll add you to the team, then. I'm not much of a fixer or a builder, but I can plan. [ A beat. ] Of course, I'm also not quite as keen to go home, but I could always help.

[facilitated]

You're not? [ Curious. Of course she is, how couldn't she be? This stranger who talks about stars and the afterlife is easily the most interesting she's met so far. ]

...Me either. A little bit. I don't know, maybe. What's waiting for you?

[retrograding]

I actually don't know. Does anybody know? I had figured this was what was waiting for me, but it doesn't actually seem to be heaven or hell, or anything in between.

[facilitated]

So you're- [ Okay, outburst. Wind it back a little. She lets out a soft huff of air, and then drops her voice a little lower. ] So you died, and this is where you ended up? Does that mean I'm dead?

[retrograding]

It means that for me and only me. I think it varies for each person. I've found plenty of the responses are insisting that they aren't dead and that they are "livin' and breathing as we speak, compadre." [ Hey, that's a pretty decent impression of Jesse. ]

[facilitated]

[ She sighs, all happy and relieved at that for exactly three seconds, and then directs her gaze back at the communicator with a lot more concern all of a sudden. ] So, you're dead? How- can I ask that? Is that rude?

[retrograding]

[ He looks amused. ] I was shot. [ Death is not a strange or unusual thing to Jet, and he has no problem talking about it bluntly. ] How much do you want to know?

[facilitated]

[ On the other hand, death had been strange and unusual to her - at least until very recently. ] as much as you're willing to tell? [ She's still a little hesitant, after all she's asking about the guys death, but she can't help but want to know more. She shrugs and lets out a soft, slightly awkward laugh. ] I'd offer to buy you a drink for your trouble, but I left my wallet in my other pants.

[retrograding]

[ Snort. ] I don't mind. Hm, I guess that I was on a suicide mission. We all knew that we were going to die going in, but it was important. I was shot, and it was quick enough. I don't remember the pain. [ He does, but like a distant memory, like a memory of a memory. ] I woke up here, and found my friends close.

[facilitated]

[ Woah, that's...heavier than she's expecting. Her surprise shows, but after a small frown she continues. It's fascinating though, in a morbid kind of way. ] So, I guess you're probably really happy to turn up here then, huh? Beats the alternative.

[ That at least she understands. ]

[retrograding]

[ Nods! ] Yes, it's really a relief. I am more relieved to be here with my crew, as well - they're hopeless on their own. Don't tell them I said that. They'll pout.

[facilitated]

Your secret is safe with me. [ Have a smile and a wink to confirm that and everything. ] I bet they're really glad to have you here too, sounds like they need you.