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[bit_impossible]

[when the Sphere turns on, it shows him sitting in an office somewhere on Level 12, hands covering his face and muffling his mutterings. his knuckles are bloody and the two fingers on his left hand still move with an odd detachment like they're simply along for the ride and not being controlled by him. he's not showing it, but those nerve endings in his burnt hand have started to come back--something he hoped wouldn't come around until much later.]

[when he finally does remove his hands, he doesn't look all that different than he did a few days ago. no dark circles, yawning, or even hand tremors even with his recent assault on the wall behind him; his hands are as steady as ever. it's the dark, acerbic look in his eyes that tell a different story. he might not need the sleep, but that doesn't mean he isn't frustrated as hell.]

There has to be a way of helping them. I'm just not finding it. Medications, hypnosis, meditation, not even--! None of it! And if they don't get some sleep soon, they'll... [he trails off, not wishing to think of the people he knows and cares for dying from something so easily preventable.]

If only there were some way to get to that man! [he's aware of the Sphere being on now.] Say what you will, Orion. You talk of saving "them", well my friend, talk can only get you so far! And that's saying nothing about the riddles and endless games you and Ganymede force us to play! For all your talk about him and blaming the man for what's happened, you two are terribly alike. Perhaps his madness had grabbed hold of you before you evacuated the ship, I wonder.

[laughs bitterly] How foolish of me. It's not like you're going to respond to this or anything else we say to you, is there Orion? If I could only get to you...

Comments

[hisoldgirl]

And that makes it acceptable?

[bit_impossible]

[makes a slight face, not meeting her eyes.] Well, no, but...

[hisoldgirl]

You care so greatly for others and so little for yourself. And yet it hurts me when you do so. Why?

[bit_impossible]

Why does it hurt you when I hurt myself?

[hisoldgirl]

Do you not worry and feel pain when I am injured?

[bit_impossible]

Of course I do! I worry that I'll run into a situation where nothing I do can fix you.

[hisoldgirl]

Is it so strange, then, for me to feel such for your injuries?

[bit_impossible]

I... It's just not something to be concerned about. I heal. I can't let any wounds stop me from what I have to do.

[hisoldgirl]

Perhaps. It does not mean I will not worry.

What do you suggest we do, if the passengers continue to be deprived of sleep. You know what will happen to their bodies.

[bit_impossible]

I do. I can't continue to sit by and watch them suffer. They'll start hurting each other soon, I just know it. They won't be able to control their tempers. At least the airlocks are inaccessible...

[hisoldgirl]

And sedatives do not work, so we cannot incapacitate them to keep them from doing so.

Is there a hold, perhaps?

[bit_impossible]

Oh, there's a hold all right.

On Level 11.

[hisoldgirl]

Then we can keep them there until this is sorted out.

[bit_impossible]

That's a fine idea--if only there were a way into Level 11. Unfortunately, there's no such thing.

Though perhaps there are enough offices in here where we could keep them for their own good.

[hisoldgirl]

[frowns; hadn't considered that]

Very well. I will begin securing the area. We can keep them here.

[bit_impossible]

I'm sure there are some who'll put up quite the fight. They...tend to not like being locked up...

[hisoldgirl]

Be that as it may, they cannot be allowed free reign.

[bit_impossible]

[hesitant.] No...

[hisoldgirl]

Then we will ensure they do not have it.

[bit_impossible]

[still, the idea doesn't exactly sit very easy with him. he should've known better than to mention it.] Perhaps we can make it so they can have their own rooms here. They're not the passenger cabins by any means, but they're better than nothing.

[hisoldgirl]

Does it matter, really, when it is to save them from themselves?

[bit_impossible]

It does, especially when it comes to something like this. It's better for them to believe that they are helping themselves--and not being forced into a "jail cell".

[hisoldgirl]

I do not care how they feel, so long as they do not harm you.

[bit_impossible]

I won't let them harm me. I promise.

[hisoldgirl]

No, you will not. Because they will be locked away.

[note how she ignores how sleeplessness might affect her eventually]