video/action » un:millerlite

[pampa]

[ miller got with the program... quick. he wakes up near the observation deck and snaps up the communicator that won't stop chirping at him and julie's necklace that's also within his grasp - he rubs his fingers over the beads before pocketing it. jumpsuit... magboots. back to square one. god, he hates space. in his fugue at first he thinks it's julie's voice, but it's not. and just as quickly he pieces together that this isn't eros. he sneers at the foreign insignia on the wall and starts scrolling through menus until the stupid recording stops. he logs in after a few different username kickbacks and pulls up a video feed. no time like the present to figure this shit out, right?

a surly-looking man with a (fake) mohawk appears on the network, the giant window of space his backdrop. he hasn't actually looked through said window yet though. ]

You tried to save the world? Yeah, okay. I was just risking my neck to save the whole goddamn Solar System, but I guess. You know, fine, that's great, I can always take a detour. [ he does not look like it's fine OR great okay. ] So what is this? Dusters, Earthers... I know this is an Inner operation. No way Belters are in the kidnapping people business. Unless it's profitable. And let me tell you right now, I'm about as useless a pickup as they come.

[ miller scrubs a hand over his mouth and turns, finally, to the bay window. concern flickers over his face, maybe fear too. but when he turns back to the video his expression is clear. he can't let this distract him, he has a job to finish. ]

Can I get a headcount at least? I'm sure I'm the only Belter on this rust-bucket too. [ he smooths two fingers along the seam of the window, making a little huffing sound when it comes back dirty. ] Well, here's something that might interest you Earthers: Eros is on a collision course for your precious blue globe, so hook me up with an escape pod. A frickin' catapult, I don't care. I was busy, you don't get to just take grand gestures like that away from a guy. [ okay this is edging towards counterproductive so he just groans and shakes his head, ending the feed after a terse: ] Miller out.

[ if anyone comes by the deck, he'll be just as grumpy, looking over the stars and wondering why he doesn't recognize a single one. miller rubs at his eyes, his free hand reaching into his pocket to touch the necklace - oddly the only thing they didn't take from him. and yet it was the only thing of value he was carrying other than a vac suit and a goddamn nuke. when you get close enough, you'll probably hear him muttering nonsense to himself but the gist of it is: ] I hate space.

Comments

[morphogenia]

[Kamala holds up a finger as she enters serious talk mode.] Here's what we know for sure. Everyone here says the same thing: some stuff here is locked, our things are missing, and none of came here willingly. We just showed up in weird places on the station in these outfits which is super, super creepy.

[She shudders. No, Kamala is never getting over that.] Since then people have been giving reports of doors liquefying and trying to swallow them whole. There was even a video of it with people who aren't a part of the current group here as far as we can tell which... yeah. That goes into hypotheses. Moving on, wires also showed up inside some people's bodies which is super gross. Some of the stuff that was stolen is also showing up... along with a dog. Seriously they kidnapped a dog too. There was also a weird week where we could hear people crying for help in the walls, but when we opened them up no one was there. Oh! And apparently the food caused hallucinations for a bit. I missed that part. But, yeah that's pretty much the situation as we know it right now.

[pampa]

[ a dog. um, okay. different idiots but also current idiots getting stuck in doors. body horror, weird movie devices. yeah suffice to say he's frowning pretty hard, running a hand over his hair and letting out a sigh. ]

No one's seen any... weird blue shit around, have they? [ he's sure the first thing the crew would have told him is that the protomolecule is here, if so. but he's still going to ask someone who's paying attention. Just In Case. ]

[morphogenia]

[Kamala shakes her head.] Nope. And trust me we'd have heard about it. Everyone has actually been really great at sharing information and confirming what other people have seen.

[pampa]

[ he nods ] Just had to check. It's the only stuff I know of that could make shit like that happen. Or even come close.

[ is this another test? on everyone this time? there seem to be way more earthers here than anything. maybe run by a duster group?though miller still thinks even martians would test this shit on belters before earthers, if eros was any indication. but not the protomolecule this time? maybe something even worse. he straightens up after another second, waiting to see the truth. but he needs more info than apparently any of them have to crack this case. ]

I think this might be above my paygrade. [ which you know, is technically zero. but he's qualified to throw himself bodily into situations he has no business being in??? so at least there's a precedent. ]

[morphogenia]

Paygrade...? [Kamala pauses to think about it before snapping her fingers. She knows this reference!!!!] Oh! You're a cop, right? Or a detective? That would actually be super useful right about now. I mean I am on the honor roll at school, but you know I'm not exactly trained in investigating kidnappings especially not my own. This is exactly what we need!

[pampa]

[ he gives a little wince at the snap, shrugging a shoulder. ] Used to be, kid. Ironically enough, i was on a kidnap job when I got let go.

[ he's never been exactly what anyone needed. he really wishes she wouldn't say that ]

[morphogenia]

[Kamala offers a sympathetic look despite having no idea how good or bad he was at said job.] Oh no. Was it like on those cop shows? Where you didn't close a case fast enough or got too invested? Where I come from it's usually budget cuts.

[pampa]

[ he snorts. budget cuts. ] All of Ceres is one big budget cut, but in my case... in Julie's case, I was gettin' too close to the truth. Some people at the top didn't like that.

[ but it just meant he was right to become so invested, as she put it. he pulls out julie's necklace from his pocket and looks down at the beads in his hand. ]

Sometimes doing the right thing doesn't make you very popular. Especially when they're used to you rolling over.

[morphogenia]

Yeah... I mean minus the rolling over part. I don't really know how to do that at all. I think it's great you were willing to lose your job to stand up for someone. It's like something Captain America would do.

[She informs him helpfully as she blatantly stares at the necklace.] Also no fair! They totally stole my jewelry and let you keep yours... which is super pretty by the way. I am actually glad you got to keep it while also being insanely jealous of you.

[pampa]

[ uhhhhhhhh ] Who? [ yeah he's got nothin' ]

It was hers. Julie Mao. [ he tosses the item once in the air, and it comes down slow in the low gravity before he catches it neatly again. he catches her eyes in the same moment. ] Sorry they took your stuff. I'm pissed they took my gun, if that helps.

[morphogenia]

American superhero. Does the right thing pretty much all the time. He's basically the best. [Kamala explains without skipping a beat. Then she's watching him toss the necklace with childish wonder pretty plain to see.]

Wow... I always forget we can do that. Anyways, it actually doesn't help. They stole Pernani's wedding bangles. Back in her day, she managed to hang onto them while pregnant with Naani and running for her life because we kind of weren't welcome in India anymore. Long story. The point is I'm the first one to lose them and probably brought tons of shame of my family. It sucks.

[pampa]

American. [ how long has it been since he heard that word? ] You mean, like he's from a comic book. [ right??? ] He's nothing like me then. [ or he's nothing like cap. either way. ]

[ oh come on kamala, that's just unfair. miller puts the necklace back in his pocket and shakes his head. ]

I'm a detective. I'm good at finding things. You haven't lost anything yet.

[morphogenia]

Well... both actually. He appeared in comics and he's a real guy. Everyone respects him because he did the right thing when it counted most.

[But, she leaves it at that. Even Kamala knows better than to tell someone who they are. It's super rude. Besides, she's latching onto the other part.] Wait. Does this mean you're offering to help me track them down? Because I would be super grateful for that.

[pampa]

Okay... [ so maybe that did sound a little like him. shut up about it though!! ] Wasn't much of a choice.

[ but he's nodding to her question. ] Sure, why not? Can't think of a better use for my investigative skills.

[ a little sarcasm but whatever, gives him something to do. ] Where did you wake up here? I mean, the first time. [ because that's how it works, right? he can't be the only one. ]

[morphogenia]

[Kamala smiles. She could do without the sarcasm, but she needs the help so she rolls with it.] Here actually. It's why I come back sometimes. Brings back fond memories of being terrified the glass wouldn't hold up.

[Which is a joke!! Except not.]

[pampa]

High traffic area then, yeah... that's okay. Maybe there's something you missed. [ he gestures to their feet where they're standing ] Right here? Or somewhere else in this room?

[morphogenia]

[Kamala hums thoughtfully and starts to walk just out of way of the glass.] More like right here. I didn't notice the stars right away.

[pampa]

Okay... alright, good. [ he points to the spot she was in for confirmation, then does a slow walk around it, studying it though there's nothing there now. ] Describe the bracelet to me?

[morphogenia]

[Kamala holds up a finger. Get this straight!!!] Bangles. Wedding bangles to be exact. [Now that's said,] There are four of them. They're gold with tiny bead piece on each one. All four were fused together by my bff so they kind of look like armor now. They have secret compartments too.

[pampa]

Okay. I got it. [ he taps his nose and nods at her seriously. ] Detective Joe Miller is on the case.

[morphogenia]

Yay! [She actually hops a little.] Thanks so much! I really, really appreciate it.

[pampa]

Don't mention it, kid. [ like literally don't. why is she jumping...? whatever. he's probably scheduled to have like 50 super uncomfy convos with the roci crew about now so he's just going to wave to her. ] Catch you around, huh? I'll keep my eyes peeled for your... bangles.

[morphogenia]

[BC she's that extra. Speaking of which, she offers up a little wave back.] Okay! Catch you later, Joe.

[pampa]

[ eh just grunts and heads off in the opposite direction ]