☆ 32 ☆ (VIDEO)

[punched_hitler]

[Something's wrong. Something's very wrong, that much has been clear since Steve woke up this morning, and he's not any closer to figuring it out.

All he can, tell, by this point, is people are missing, and certain areas seem closed, even when he should have access to them. So. Time to address the Barge - or what and who's left of it.]

So clearly, something's going on. I don't know what, or who's behind it, but until we figure it out, or where half the Barge seems to have gone, I figure it's a good time to start up patrolling, for those of you still here. Sound off, for me, let me know if you need a partner. I realize the list's gone through more than a couple changes, anyway, since Captain Okita and I first made it.

Actually, sound off for me if you can see this. I don't have any idea how many people are missing. Just that people are, and we'd better figure this out.

If anyone needs access to the kitchen or mess hall, I've got a key - am I the only kitchen warden left? Does someone have a key to the infirmary?

Comments

[whatthewrackspurt]

I can hear you, Captain. So you're not the only kitchen warden left.

Do you think they escaped?

[punched_hitler]

Good to know. It might just be you and me. [Although that has yet to be seen.]

[He shakes his head.] I don't know - but there are wardens missing, too. I'm not sure they'd have just left without a good reason, but you never know, around here.

[whatthewrackspurt]

Really? That's distressing to hear.

Who else is around?

[punched_hitler]

Well, at least we can all eat.

You, me, Bucky, and Kira, that I've heard from so far.

I can't get ahold of T'Pol. Or Private Sledge.

And it looks like we have some new, uh, guests.

[whatthewrackspurt]

That's not a lot.

Oh, really? Should I make them dinner?

[whatthefoxsay]

I'm here, Steve.

[Very very very tiny ohmygodheletsmecallhimSteve in the back of her head.]

I think we'd do well together if you're game.

[punched_hitler]

Glad to hear it.

[He nods.] Yeah, I think you're right. [She picks up on stuff fast, and they can both use the shield as a weapon, if it came to that.] I can't get ahold of Private Sledge. [His normal partner, and he's pretty sure Bucky will kick up a fuss if he tries to go out alone.]

[whatthefoxsay]

A whole bunch of people seem inaccessible. I mean, they're here, I think? But I'm not sure exactly where. Not to sound like Nancy Drew, but we should investigate.

[punched_hitler]

No, I think you're absolutely right. [He grins, even if it's a little tight.] How are your detective skills?

private, voice

[imfollowinghim]

[For the most part, Bucky's still sticking to text on the network, but he's trying to get better, and Steve deserves a better best friend. One who isn't basically a walking corpse who sometimes remembers how to talk like a normal person.]

I can see it. I'll figure out who else is missing.

private, voice

[punched_hitler]

[Steve wouldn't care if you sent him notes written on napkins in crayon, as long as you're talking to him, buddy.

But yeah. He prefers voice. There is a definite sigh of utter relief before he replies.]

Thanks. You wanna work your way up or down? I'll start on the other end.

private, voice

[imfollowinghim]

Down's fine.

Be careful.

[There was only like a ten second pause before he said it this time, further progress??]

private, voice

[punched_hitler]

[Definitely progress. Yeah, it's still stilted, but it's so much better than ignoring the fact that Bucky's on board that Steve will take it.]

Okay. I'll work my way up, then.

You be careful, too. Need any weapons?

[He figures no, but it doesn't stop him from asking.]

[ Audio ]

[leavetreadmarks]

[There's no picture on the feed that crops up; what there is, though, is plenty of background noise. Almost deafening, even: wind whipping past the microphone, metal creaking, the throaty groan of a diesel engine upshifting, and the sound of a smaller engine much closer.

There are people - two of them - shouting, but the rest of the noise drowns out the words.

Eventually, the passing wind will whip Letty's voice in the right direction; it's difficult to hear, but eventually the noise will resolve into:]

Steve!

[ Audio ]

[punched_hitler]

[He frowns, simply because it's kind of hard to mesh what he's hearing with where they are. Which means Letty's either not on board, or there's something really weird going on.]

Letty? Can you hear me? Where are you?

[ Audio ]

[leavetreadmarks]

Steve?

[There's another break, more road noise, and then Letty's voice is much closer, the wind cuts down a little.

She's holding the communicator cupped in the shelter of her body against the side of the tanker.]

You are not gonna believe me, but... the Dominican Republic.

[ Audio ]

[punched_hitler]

[He relaxes a little when she calls his name again - at least she can hear him. And he stays put, waiting for the noise to die down.

It's actually not that he doesn't believe her, but - ] You're not on the Barge anymore?

[Is this another port?]

[velocette]

I don't. But if we need first aid I have things we can improvise with.

[Between a former gang leader who used to stitch up his boys in dirty apartments, and Captain America, he figures they should be able to hold off sepsis until someone with better equipment comes along.]

[punched_hitler]

Yeah? That's good to hear. Me, too.

[And he definitely sounds relieved, just because the more people they have that know first aid, the better.

Bucky knows it, too, but Steve's not sure how comfortable he'll be playing doctor, so he doesn't volunteer him like he might have, once upon a time.]

I think we should find a common area and set up shop there, if we can't find someone with an infirmary key.

[velocette]

The kitchen? It's somewhere inmates can get to easily.

[But it might also be dangerous.]

[punched_hitler]

[He considers that.] The kitchens are locked too, though. Luna and I have keys, but I'd still prefer it to be someplace that doesn't need a key at all.

Maybe one of the common rooms? Or the library, although blood and books don't really mix.

[Not that he wants there to be blood. But you've got to plan for these things.]

private: voice

[witness_this]

[A little bit later, comes the reply;]

I'm not- missing. I'm new. I'm a warden.

Since I'm here, I can pick up shifts if you need, help you keep the kitchen open until it's over.

private: voice

[punched_hitler]

[What a time to show up - then again, it's not like you get to pick.] Hey - thanks. We could definitely use the help. Do you know your way around yet? I promise, the creepy faceless guys aren't usually part and parcel with the Barge.

I'm Captain Rogers.

private: voice

[witness_this]

Furiosa. Someone showed me to the mess, can I meet you there for a full overview of the place?

[Right to the point- she'd rather do all of this in person than over the network, anyways, but really the faster they get her up to speed the better.]

private: voice

[punched_hitler]

Nice to meet you, Furiosa - present circumstances aside, anyway. I'd say this isn't normal, but I don't know that we ever really do have a normal around here.

If we do, though, it's definitely not this.

[Anyway, he likes her thinking - he'd rather do this in person, too.] Right - that sounds fine. I'll be there in a few minutes.

[And he will - in full uniform, though he'll pull the helmet off immediately because he'd rather meet someone for the first time when he's not covering half his face.]