006; video;

[cmdreffingshepard]

[Shepard looks a little less military-formal and a little more plain old contemplative today. This post is less about making an announcement or speech, perhaps, and more about making connections.]

I don't suppose many others here find the turtle diving sort of... comforting. Being underwater reminds me of space. There's no day-night cycle when you're in the black. It's really disconcerting at first, but after a while, you learn to sleep when your body needs to, rather than when the clock tells you it's night.

I was only just starting to get used to being on Earth again, when I was brought here. I hadn't been back in years.

[She sort of squints vaguely into the distance for a moment, like she's lost in a memory, her brow furrowed. Then she snaps back to herself and addresses the screen with a bit more of her usual professionalism.]

To the newcomers, I'm Commander Jane Shepard - Alliance Navy. [A brief hesitation, as she almost says formerly, but she's not willing to deal with that just yet.]

If anyone needs something to do, and you have medical or defense experience, let me know. I've got some teams working on emergency preparedness plans, and we could always use more help.

Comments

video;

[doc_holi]

How long were you in space for? It's certainly a whole other spectrum out there.

video;

[cmdreffingshepard]

[Her mouth twists a little, a wry approximation of a smile, because what she's about to say will probably sound a little absurd.]

If you count the two years I spent in a coma, over five years.

video;

[doc_holi]

Oh. [Good job, Doc.] I'm sorry about that.

video;

[cmdreffingshepard]

Don't worry about it. It's not like I remember it.

video;

[doc_holi]

I suppose that's true.

I've spent some time in space, as well. I wasn't very fond of it, I'm sad to say.

video;

[eigensinnig]

[ wowwow military wowoow commander dang woah fuck yes

Eren stands and puts a fist to his chest, his shoulders and above now out of range of the camera because how the fuck do computers work. ]

Eren Yeager of the Scouting Legion, formerly of the 104th Trainee's Squad! Reporting for assistance, if you need it!

video;

[cmdreffingshepard]

Scouting, huh? [Shepard tilts her head a little, a faint smile tugging at her lips as his head disappears out of view. Clearly, he doesn't know how to use a vid comm.]

So what kind of experience do you have? Patrol? Recon?

[schwitzen]

[Omg military commander offering people something to do? Hells yes.

Bertolt almost stands to attention but realises that his face would probably not be visible anymore. Not all of us are morons like Eren]

I...would like to help, if I can.

[cmdreffingshepard]

What sort of experience do you have? [She's willing to take just about everyone at their word, for now, at least. It's not like she's asking them to go into a fight with her - just yet.]

[schwitzen]

I am...uh, was. A member of the Scouting Legion. I graduated from the 104th Trainee's Squad with the third highest ranking. [There's no pride in his voice at that; he's just stating a fact.]

[cmdreffingshepard]

So you and that other guy know each other. [It's not a question, just thinking aloud.] Have you seen any action?

[schwitzen]

Yes, ma'am. I was present on the Legion's 57th expedition, and have fought in multiple battles. [He hesitates. Might as well be honest, right?] ...Against humans as well as Titans.

video; Jor-El's suite

[andaway]

It does have a resemblance to space, if you're used to it. It's the lack of nearby sunlight that actually bothers me.

video;

[cmdreffingshepard]

Well, yeah, I'd say that's what bothers most people. It's tough to get used to. I remember my first deep-space deployment, right out of basic. It was hell. But we either adapted or washed out.

video; Jor-El's suite

[andaway]

[His lips twitch into a grin, he remembers his own first deep space experience. He was terrified he'd run out of oxygen...]

The last experience underwater is probably what makes most people uneasy. Can't say I'm comfortable thinking zombies can attack at any given moment...

video;

[cmdreffingshepard]

I get that, though honestly, being attacked by something I can shoot is kind of a relief sometimes, too.

I haven't exactly had a normal life - well, ever.

video;

[andaway]

I'm beginning to think no one in this place has every had what we'd call a normal life.

Were you an astronaut then?

[video]

[ironface]

[Space. What.]

I can and have had to use healing magic, if that will suffice for medical experence. Either way, I like to think I'm capable with regard to being able to help with defense.

[video]

[cmdreffingshepard]

Whatever experience you've got, we'll take it. Mostly we're working on emergency preparedness, like I said, to make sure we keep people safe the next time... something happens. There are a few foreigner-run clinics already operational. What my committee is doing is helping facilitate information-sharing and stuff like that.

[video]

[ironface]

I see. I ended up doing something like that back home. I'd like to do my best to help here.

[video]

[cmdreffingshepard]

In that case, welcome aboard. We can use all the help we can get.

[interposer]

If you could use the help of a mixed-style martial artist, then I'm game for whatever you need.

Name's Asuka, Asuka Kazama.

[cmdreffingshepard]

We might - are you willing to help train others?

[interposer]

I was going to turn my top floor into a training dojo, so yeah, I'm totally for it!

[cmdreffingshepard]

I'd recommend coordinating with some of the other people offering training - no point doubling up, that'd just be redundant.