.01 -Video-

[ourlastbesthope]

[The man on the video is looking rather unkempt. However, he's trying not to show it, despite the fact that he's broadcasting from the courtyard, where it continues to rain.] So at least it seems like I'm not the only one who has been seeing things. But not the same things. [He turns, catching a glimpse of something out of the corner of his eye, but he returns his focus to the tablet. He's got a tired, unfocused gaze, but the rain is actually helping to keep him (pretending) to be alert.]

I can explain away them in the mirror. A bit of regret. Repressed guilt. Maybe even misplaced hope. Searle would give me time in the earth room to get over it, so here I am. The closest damn thing to an earth room as I'm going to get.

[He knows that he's rambling, or starting to, so he slows himself down.]

Normalcy. That's what he prescribed for times of great stress. Ghosts, figures, everything else. I'd say that was great stress.

Does anyone have any scissors?

[Wait. That sounds bad.] I'm not going to hurt anyone or anything with them. I just...need a haircut. That as normal as I can get.

Comments

[ourlastbesthope]

I don't know if music will help...

[logistical]

What has proven effective in the past?

[ourlastbesthope]

Work, mostly. Math.

[logistical]

[ An idle mind is a poor companion. ]

Would a problem set suffice?

[ourlastbesthope]

If it's challenging.

[logistical]

[ Were he more open, he'd laugh. ]

May I ask the year and approximate level of technology in your world?

[ourlastbesthope]

2057. Level of technology? We have space flight within our own galaxy, at least from Earth to the sun. We can use and manipulate dark matter. Does that help?

[logistical]

[ There's a brief pause, and then Capa receives a text message containing a few sets. Some are fairly easy, others are about the level he requested. ]

Will these suffice?

[ourlastbesthope]

Yes.

Thank you.

[And after he looks at them.] What about you? Your year and...level of technology.

[logistical]

[ Spock answers promptly, ]

2259. Time travel is a reality, if difficult and not freely available. [ for what he hopes are obvious reasons ]

[ourlastbesthope]

I see.

Thank you for these. This will...help. Considerably.

[logistical]

You are welcome. I am Spock. It is a pleasure to meet a colleague.

[ourlastbesthope]

Capa. The same. do you have the solutions for these? I can send them back to you.

[logistical]

Indeed. One moment.

[ And a second message, with the attached solutions. ]

[ourlastbesthope]

Thank you, Spock. I'll look at them when I'm finished.

[logistical]

You are welcome.

Live long, and prosper.