Early Quicksand 29

[controlsthedie]

[ Thanatos likely delayed making this post for too long, but he couldn't do so any longer. It was Romeo's post which reminded him that he had one to make himself. ]

The Red Team's numbers seem to have shrunk once more, and Otoha's name has turned golden. I don't know if he'll return, but if someone who participates on Red goals for missions would like to become another point person for information during them... or someone to make sure the newcomers know what's going on in case I...

[ He thinks of the chaos left behind when Lightning disappeared and departed. What doesn't the Red Team know that they should? If he disappears or is otherwise incapacitated, would the Red Team lose information relevant to them?

Mort squeaks at Thanatos, breaking him from his thoughts. ]

We operate pretty individually, but I can't be the only point of contact if there's a need. Don't care how long you've been here. If you're willing to, that's good enough.

That... brings me to some requests. Would anyone like to help the Red Team? We're a small team but expected to do the same work as a larger team. We're understaffed for chores and... probably our missions. Can't speak for the rest, but knowing who we could regularly turn to would be helpful.

We also need a way so people working with another team can hear the relevant details during missions. If someone from Blue participates on the Red tasks, they only hear the Blue Team's filtered communications. If someone from Red participates in Purple, they miss Purple communications.

Something can be done, right?

Comments

[blitzcheer]

The train should be able to help us with that last one, right? That always bugged me too.

[ Considering how often he's never with Purple team. ]

Let's ask it, and the Ministry sometime. And none of that voting schmoting - this is important!

[controlsthedie]

[ And it gets really loud and bothersome to use the filter for everyone. What if a team needed stealth? That would give their position away. ]

The train might be able to do something before the next mission. We don't know if we'll meet the Ministry again so soon.

[ They have their hands full with setting the Osigans who escaped the planet. ]

[blitzcheer]

Yeah, so talk to the train first. I'll leave a message with it too. But the Ministry will be a good backup if the train needs help with that.

[ You never know!! ]

[controlsthedie]

And... I'm to mentioned no to voting. I wasn't aware that was such a concern.

[ He could understand "extra" stuff, but this is a matter of security and safety... right? ]

[redmeguca]

I can easily send a few Phantoms your way to help with chores. Missions will be tricker, but I'll see what I can do.

[controlsthedie]

Truthfully, I thought getting help with missions would be easier than getting help with chores.

[ Sometimes people just want to fight something. Cleaning, not so much. ]

[redmeguca]

Blue ain't exactly overflowing ourselves. My Phantoms don't get tired, but they can't get too far from me. Good for fights and busywork, not so great at missions.

[controlsthedie]

[ No, Blue is not, and one Blue tends to stick around this Red.... ]

I see. Are they able to reach the length of the train? Wouldn't want to force you to stay in one area.

voice;

[irrationally]

.. I will continue to help.

[ Even though Alice still isn't doing too well. She's at least trying in her own way - that's why she went on the previous mission, despite feeling like crap.

And it's not like she hasn't gone with the red team during practically almost every mission she's been on so far. ]

Though.. chores are a different story. [ She used to do them, but the worst she's started to feel, the more they feel like a burden on her already overburdened mind. ]

[controlsthedie]

It's appreciated. For the missions. Don't worry about the chores.

[ Thanatos probably cleaned up the suitcases for Alice once she left. She has other things to think of. Or not think of. ]

[irrationally]

[ Thanatos truly is the best bean, too good for this world. ]

Do you think you will manage those..?

[ The chores, she means. Because even though Alice knows that doing chores is far beyond her bandwidth right now, she still can't help but worry a little.

Especially when someone she likes is involved. ]

I.. am not quite sure what task the red team had been assigned this month, but some of them can be far too much for a small team of people.

[controlsthedie]

[ Best bean mouse has the best bean. It is fact. ]

This month is laundry, which is something that's more limited by the tools available.

[ Death Incarnate may have trouble with cooking still, but he has learned that the cleaning chore isn't done just once a month. It's a Shoot what's another word for Sisyphean? never-ending task. ]

[unrecovered]

If Purple doesn't specifically need me on missions, I can help with Red. That goes for chores too, though you're on your own for kitchen duty.

If the SCAs are provided by the train, then the train should be able to edit functions, right? Or gives us an instruction manual on how to do it.

[Not that he thinks the latter is likely to happen, given that that's basically tinkering with life support when it's already unstable, but it's still a possibility.]

[controlsthedie]

[ This is awkward as hell for a god to admit, but here he goes. ]

... I... think most people would prefer me to not be in the kitchen.

[unrecovered]

[He just hears this as "I can't cook" and shrugs it off. He knows a lot of people who can't cook. It shouldn't be a big deal.]

And I've lived off of MREs for so long that I don't have taste buds anymore. [It's a joke...maybe.] I'm sure we can find someone else who'd be happy to cook.

[controlsthedie]

[ Thanatos could eat bread for the rest of his life and die happy. ... Wait. ]

Emarees? That is something to be avoided?

[wewillwewill]

I can aid you as a point of contact, Thanatos. As to the logistics you mention, I believe Tidus is right about the communication issue you mentioned. Also it may be worthwhile to ask the Voidtrecker Express what options it can offer before turning to the Ministry.

Though I too would suggest to make it clear this is not something that should go to voting.

[controlsthedie]

Thank you. I don't care how many people assist as long as I'm not the only one.

[ Thanatos can't hide that bit of worry in his voice. Like he's been in a situation where there is no one else, no failsafe should something happen to him. ]

I did not realize the voting misunderstanding is such a big concern.

[wewillwewill]

I'd like to meet later to talk about how you and Otoha have handled matters until now and what information you have on the team.

[Hang in there, Than. Elidibus is willing to step up rather than offer basic advice this time! Hopefully there'll be others as well.]

Hm. I think it's more a concern about the delay, given the current need. At least letting the Voidtrecker Express know we're looking to understand what options might be available, not make an immediate decision on them, I think it won't be difficult to get the information.

[redprayer]

[Rezo briefly considers volunteering to help with point duties before dismissing it on the grounds that first, he hasn’t been here terribly long, second, there appear to be a few other people already interested so it’s probably fine, and third, he still feels it wouldn’t be a good idea to let himself get too deeply involved with the other passengers- at least, not to a point where they are relying on him.

And he’s already helping with the laundry (and he’s hardly dyed anything by accident this month!) so that really only leaves the last point, which he’ll address directly:]

I agree that a setting on the communicators which allows you to opt in to the channels of other teams sounds like a sensible solution to the problem. If an extra voice in favor of the idea will be of any help, I can provide that. Is the plan to speak with the train about it?

[controlsthedie]

[ Thanatos would not mind there being more than two. He's seen the turnover of Red VoidTreckers. Recent departures suggest that they lose a few of them at once. ]

Yes, I believe that is the case, and if the train cannot aid us, then the Ministry or creating something of our own.

[redprayer]

[Rezo considers.]

If the backup plan is to try modifying the SCAs ourselves, I'm afraid the technology behind it is outside my area of expertise. But if we are ultimately in need of an alternate form of communication, I might be able to modify a Vision spell for our use...

[Though that's only a vague, later possibility, if contacting the train or anyone else who's good with void technology doesn't pan out. Since everyone gets an SCA, standard issue, it's a much better place to start.]

At any rate, we are not without options. So, will you be speaking to the train on behalf of everyone else, or is the plan to approach as a group?

[dyingpro]

You know you've always got me to help, Than.

[Zagreus has even been doing Blue and Red chores!]

Do you need a minute, to talk? [Because losing yet another person surely is taking its toll on Thanatos, even if he insists that he's fine... he's probably not. Zagreus knows him better by now.]

[controlsthedie]

[ When Zagreus appears on his screen, Thanatos's expression subtly changes. The sadness and concern more apparent in his eyes. ]

... I know I do.

[ And although Thanatos doesn't readily admit that he needs that minute to talk, Mort on his shoulder is nodding his head. Thanatos has lost people he relied on and knew since he first arrived, people who took keepsakes with them. He's trying to remain strong for others and push through it, falling back on bad habits.

But Mort knows Thanatos's heart, and so he's nodding. ]

[dyingpro]

[He smiles, trying to cheer Than up, even though he knows it won't work from this distance.] Then you've got one more Red to count on.

[The nod from Mort is all he needs to see.]

I'm going to come find you, if that's all right? [Of course he knows where Death is - they both know each other so well by now it's second nature - but it's still important to ask permission. In case he wants to be left to his solitude.]