001} video: if love is what you need, a soldier i will be

[theresalwayshope]

[When the video switches on, Allison's face fills the screen in extreme close-up, an intensely thoughtful look on her features as she struggles to navigate the function of her communicator.]

C'mon...are you even on? [Her voice is low and impatient...then her expression comes alive when she realizes she's on display. Flinching a little, then smiling at her work, she backs up enough to be seen, visible seated at the desk in her cabin.]

Hi. [She smiles and offers up a little wave, then pauses for a moment before laughing as she lets her gaze drop.] Okay, this is way weirder than I thought it was going to be.

[She starts talking with her hands a little, not quite speaking to the communicator anymore.] I guess...I'm just restless. Out of practice, I haven't had to move around for a long time. I haven't been assigned to anyone just yet, but I know I will be. And I just want to introduce myself, you know? Put myself out there for anyone who wants my help. And I honestly do want to help. It's why I came.

[She lifts her head more fully, looking into the communicator with something a little different in her gaze...a little less friendly teenager and a little harder, a little older.]

It's...one reason I came.

[The moment passes, the look fades, and her smile brightens again as she takes a steadying breath.]

But I'm not here to complain about myself, right? So! Um... [A hand goes to her chest as she gestures to herself.] My name is Allison, I'm from Beacon Hills, California...and if any of you need anything at all? Just let me know. I look forward to getting to know everyone!

[She shifts, and part of her body moves out of the picture.]

Now if you'll excuse me...I still have to get settled in.

[She turns around to survey the rest of her room...neat as a pin, in perfect order...not a lot to be settled, really.]

Or...not...

Comments

[routemistress]

[There's a pause while Iris deftly flicks three bright-coloured frisbees into the air and squeals with pleasure at Solace's athletic leap to snatch his.]

...sorry? Oh, 'e got shanked in the caves, 'e's fine now. It's like 'aving a very bad flu. Perks of the voyage, lovey, we'd 'ave a hard time getting bugger-all done if people 'ad to stay killed. Does make some of us a bit careless, mind.

[Says the current Barge Death Bingo champion.]

[theresalwayshope]

[Allison opens her mouth...then closes it. Then opens it again...

Then closes it.]

So...everyone who dies on this ship just...comes back to life. Like...rises from the dead? Seriously?

[routemistress]

Oh yes. Be impossible to work with some of the really violent inmates otherwise, wouldn't it? My Victor, now, I think 'e got to double figures, bless 'im. Even if you don't count me twice.

[She winces at the memory; not because of Victor's bloodbath, but because she still misses him horribly.]

Made your Lydia a bit screamy when she got 'ere at first, poor lass. This boat's neckdeep in 'orrible murders. Spock and me researched the process when 'e was 'ere - honestly, we couldn't find out a lot, but my guess is it's a kind of very localised temporal reset. That's why you still feel it, after - morphic echoes. While your actual state of being reasserts itself over the reality you died in.