Welcome to the Program

[airlockedmods]

Good Morning, Champions. In the interest of maintaining healthy sleep patterns, a day/night cycle is in effect. Your presence is expected in the cafeteria in exactly one hour.

[The voice comes through not a large speaker, but through the device that's attached to each Champion's arm. Further investigation of the features of the device will reveal a list of profiles, a mini-map, and a list of rules. The hallways are shiny white and silver, with running lights along the floor and lights on the ceiling, and at the junction of the hallways is a sign with a knife and fork icon and an arrow pointing down the hall.

Welcome to the Excellence Program, Champions. Time to get to know your teammates.]

Comments

[andjerry]

["Age: Yes" - she has to be young unless she's immortal somehow (and he's not even going to consider it), and she probably doesn't want people to know she's as young as she is. They're both in the same situation, but she's the child. He's got to keep it together.]

Someone else could have done it. Do you know anybody who's worried about you?

[in4apounding]

My father and Mister Ironwood worry about me a lot, I think? But they wouldn't have done something like this without telling me about it.

[Almost certainly. Probably.]

[andjerry]

Mr. Ironwood? [he's a tiny bit dubious. blame past experience with adults as a teenager.]. I'm not trying to say he'd do this. I think I mean a different kind of worry. [she seems Fine.]

[in4apounding]

Um-

[She mentally steps back a few paces. How would someone else describe him-]

General James Ironwood, head of Atlas Academy and the Atlesian military? ...What kind of worry do you mean?

[andjerry]

I mean that you might not be safe to be around. Someone who's a general [and not an old scrapyard owner who calls himself a "general" like Thomas had an insane conversation with a couple days ago] might believe that faster than other people....

[wait] I-I don't think you're not safe or anything!

[in4apounding]

Oh. Oh! No, of course not! I would never hurt anyone! ...I mean, unless they were trying to hurt someone else first, then I'd have to stop them. But otherwise I'm perfectly safe, I promise!

[andjerry]

[he's making it worse

but he can't stop]

I'm sure you're just fine. I say a lot of things that don't come out like I mean them. I don't know what this place is, so I'm trying to figure out out...

[in4apounding]

That's all right, I promise! I don't know what this place is and I'm trying to figure it out too. ...I mean, besides being in space. I figured that much out already. But that's it. Please don't feel bad, Mister-

[Wait.]

...I didn't ask your name, I'm sorry. My name is Penny, it's a pleasure to meet you!

[andjerry]

[and he softens a little bit: they're both uncomfortable, and even if it's something he did he needs to put her at ease]

Penny? I'm Thomas. It's good to meet you too, even if I don't think it's the best place to meet.

[in4apounding]

It's actually not that bad? Aside from the kidnapping.

[Spaaaaaaaaaaace]

But don't worry, Mister Thomas! Even here, it's my duty to protect people and I promise I'll help EVERYONE get home safely!

[andjerry]

[penny no it's terrible]

It's your duty? Are you in the army too?

[in4apounding]

I'm training to be, yes! Well- training to be a Huntress, but I'll also join the military as a specialist after graduation.

[andjerry]

[so earnest it hurts]

You started young.

[and he shifts foot to foot, a step or two closer] You think we're all going to need you to protect us?

[in4apounding]

A little, I guess? Normally people enter the Huntsmen Academies at seventeen, but- um. There were special circumstances, in my case. Because of my father's work.

[Not actually lying.]

And I certainly hope not! But if you do, I'm prepared to help.

[andjerry]

I really appreciate it. [seriously he does even though it sounds a little weak] With all of us together, we're going to have to be a team.

[in4apounding]

Exactly! Teamwork is the basis of a Huntress' training. ...Teamwork and weapons expertise. ...And tactical thinking.

[She gives it a second's thought.]

...Teamwork is a SIGNIFICANT PART of the basis of a Huntress' training.

[andjerry]

[He laughs a little at that, as terrified as he is.]

I'm glad somebody's ready to help us be a team, then.