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Entry tags:
❪ test drive #6 ❫
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YOUR STORY BEGINS  The Storm came. You remember darkness, but you don't remember much after that. You don't know how long you slept, but the dreams were short. You remember the expanse of stars and galaxies in your direct view. Every world and solar system ever known to man was present in your dreams in careful, pristine detail. You also witnessed the Storm, which has devoured a fair portion of these galaxies. Your Earth and similar planets were assimilated by the Storm. Somehow, you knew it would be the last you'd see of your world. That was when she told you what happened. You knew that you'd be living somewhere new. The details weren't clear, but you knew it was a part of a deal with the entity known as Darma. Not long after, you'll wake at Thesa Station. Your body is still cold; it all felt like a dream, but somehow, you knew it wasn't —
CLEAN-UP CREW  While everything has wound down significantly from the strife and destruction of battle, the frozen image of Ysverai, the massive, rotten dragon, and the hole he tore in El Nysa's sky, on several screens of the station is a constant reminder of what took place. New and old refugees alike will notice that prolonged exposure to these images will leave them with a disquiet that gradually builds to actual pain. The discomfort starts from a crawling sensation, insects over skin, and gradually becomes unbearable. They will begin to hear the cries of Ysverai’s pain and suffering, first whispers, then echoes, then wails. Even after Refugees tear their eyes away from this footage, a strange itching sensation remains beneath their skin for several minutes. The dragon isn’t a matter for them to deal with, however. Darma made it clear that the Natha will find a solution. For now, everyone is encouraged to assist in the clean-up of the cities currently frozen in time. However, in interest of the current events and the fact that the refugees still have much to prepare for, they will be offering this help remotely. Several stations are set up where refugees can remote control drones to map out areas and pick up some of the lighter weight debris. Those more well versed technology are encouraged to assist those who may be having trouble getting started with the unfamiliar Natha tech. It seems like it’ll definitely take some getting used to, though. On the bright side, they’re pretty durable drones so if at first you don’t succeed, press the next button? To keep morale high during the clean-up efforts, one of the Natha have set up large hoops around dumpsites and a scoreboard program in the control room, though there's no sign of any directions or rules to be found. That's right, you can play a mechanized version of… some sort of game while you're helping clean up El Nysa. Just make sure you don't get too carried away with competitive spirit! For those looking to pilot something more heavy-duty, there are also cockpits set up for remote control piloting of basic mecha. These are very similar to the VR simulations offered on the station. However, they will not work without a partner. To be able to successfully move one of these, two refugees will be required to connect their minds and pilot in tandem. This may be a daunting task, but with the extensive structural damage to the cities, it's a necessary one. Piloting will require trust and cooperation to make it through. The more connected the pilots are, the more agile and powerful their mecha will be. For those who can’t seem to get on the same page, coordination will be a pipe dream. PROBLEMS WITH THE SHIP  By now it’s likely clear to all refugees, new and old, that for all that they may appear to be infinitely powerful, the Natha Orbiters have been shaken by the recent events on El Nysa. The details of Ysverai’s revival were somehow obscured from their view, and while they’re focusing their efforts on the planet, certain… abnormalities again begin to arise on Thesa Station. The most prevalent of the problems plaguing the Station are the malfunctioning doors. Walking through a door that should lead to a bedroom or kitchen (or, for the truly unfortunate, a toilet) will suddenly take refugees somewhere entirely different and possibly even new. And while this may lead to some accusations of breaking and entering, at least these mishaps can be quickly rectified by an apology and a hasty exit. That is, unless the door refuses to open again — the locks also seem to be malfunctioning. Still, those that find themselves transported somewhere familiar, though off-limits, should consider themselves lucky. Thesa Station is far more vast than most refugees are aware, and some of them might find themselves wandering into a uniquely sticky laboratory. This area appears to serve no purpose other than to house dozens of slimes. These slimes appear not only in a variety of fun colours, but with a variety of not-so-fun abilities ranging from harmless (spitting bubbles) to deadly (spitting fire). Regardless of what abilities a slime possesses however, they are all relentlessly friendly, and characters will need to be careful not to accidentally bringing one out with them once they manage to escape. Unfortunately, that’s not the only situation to escape from. Whether it’s in the mess hall or the bathroom, many will find themselves suddenly rising off the ground. … with everything else in the room, too! It seems like gravity control is also on the fritz. Fortunately, most open spaces aboard the station have a small control panel that can correct these effects. The only problem is getting there. Hopefully at least one of you refugees took that anti-gravity safety course. SUMMER TURNS TO WINTER  The news that the refugees should begin preparations for a return to El Nysa may come as a surprise given that the planet still remains frozen, but it appears there is one community that has somehow withstood Darma’s intervention: an area known as Nadril where time continues to flow freely. Not much information is available regarding this destination, other than the fact that it is isolated, and, more importantly, that it is cold. (Maybe characters should consider the malfunctioning thermostat plunging the temperature to below zero in certain areas on the station as preparation for their upcoming journey!) There are other resources available for those itching to take action, of course. There will be a new supply pack delivered to each room containing gear meant to withstand freezing temperatures — both clothing and storage gear to keep water rations from freezing. Characters will also be alerted to new training programs available in the VR room that are designed to assist with survival in the snowy regions of Nadril. The training programs will consist of a variety of tutorials that will assist in winter survival. Naturally, there will be courses on how to start fires, find food, and build igloos to withstand the frigid temperatures, but that’s not all. Due to the Natha testing their systems, there will occasionally be strange occurrences. For example, refugees may experience a snowball or two pelting them from out of nowhere, or they may suddenly find themselves being cloaked by a snow yeti costume, amongst many other inconveniences. Hopefully that doesn’t detract from the lessons to be learned here, as some of the training programs can include extreme weather survival, including the perils of snow storms or avalanches. SOCIAL-LINKED(in) By some miracle, there are still some quieter parts of the hall. This may be an appropriate time to check out your smartphone. Aside from the expected "Omage" app, there seems to be a new one called Social-Linked. There, you may find a profile waiting to be posted. The app allows for the user to fill it in, but there is also an auto-function! upon pressing it, it will generate a shockingly-honest answer based on the Natha's observation of your history. Roman will be your only friend in this app, with his very own profile: STASIS UNITS  During this time of crisis, the Natha have done their utmost to ensure the safety of those in cryosleep. However, due to the nature of recent events, they will be asking some refugees to do a quick check on some of the pods in the stasis unit. While they are definitely looking for any damage that may have occurred over these past few weeks, they also seem interested in getting a deeper insight into some of the occupants. On each control panel for the pods, there's a new application, asking observers to add notes and commentary — the Natha are looking for a more personal understanding of their sleeping occupants. Refugees are tasked with providing evaluations of the sleepers, based on both their knowledge of those from their homes and on what they can observe just by examining them in their repose. The application asks for how useful you think the pod's occupant would be in a crisis, what their skills are, what their best feature is, if you'd take them with you for a long walk on the beach, and so on… And, of course, all answers must be recorded out loud. Anyone passing by could overhear these evaluations, flattering or less than. FINAL OOC NOTES
As always, feel free to wildcard prompts within Thesa Station!
These threads may be carried over as game canon if players choose. Players are encouraged to submit TDM threads as application samples, but they are not required. Please direct any OOC questions to the questions thread below. New players may submit an AC-length thread HERE from this TDM for 2 Natha REP. In addition, old players who have not submitted rep for the Hour of Ruin log may also submit a TDM thread for 2 Natha REP. The due date for submission is July 15 11:59 PM EST. For this application cycle, there will be a cap of 60 and no reserves. Applications will be open on July 9 12:01 AM EST and end on July 13 11:59 PM EST. Thank you! |
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In a way, this is relieving--something like this is what he knows, and he's able to rationalize it much better than being abducted by aliens. As strange as it sounds, he's glad to have confirmation that this is what he thought it was in the first place.
Reyes is moving at the same time Jack is, pivoting deftly so that his assailant's first move comes up short. Immediately, he settles into a defensive position and tries to put some distance between them.]
Was wondering when you were gonna show up.
[But there's no real familiarity in his voice, indicating that Reyes wasn't expecting anyone in particular--just expecting to get jumped.]
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Of course, this isn't a friendly spar, and Jack isn't here to play fair. He's got backup.
If Reyes had any clue who he was, this isn't how he'd be reacting. Not that Jack expects him to figure it out just like that, when he's got years of age on him and has gone out of his way to come across as a different person. If Gabriel catches sight of Ana that'll be a different issue, but she can always put her mask on in the interim before he wakes up.
So he isn't going to give Reyes the chance to see her. Jack presses forward again, continuing to apply pressure as he grabs for Gabriel's collar and then aims a full-forced punch at his face. It won't be enough to knock him out, but it could disorient him. ]
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Reinhardt had been missing some memories before he was sent back to the pods. It's not impossible that the same couldn't be true for Gabriel. But if that's the case...
Better to control the situation before she tries to take it apart. Ana keeps her sidearm trained on Gabriel, even as Jack grabs for him. The moment of contact is when she fires off her first shot, hoping she's predicted his movement well enough to get him in the shoulder.
She doesn't watch to see if he goes down. She's already reloading, reading her next shot if there's a need for it. ]
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In the split second before the assassin launches himself at Reyes, he takes in the man he's dealing with. Older than he might have expected, though he knows that's not really an indication of anything. He goes for his gun, as he's assuming the intent is to kill him, and it's the disconnect between what Reyes assumes will happen and what Jack actually does that allows him to land the punch.
He staggers backward a few steps, but otherwise isn't deterred, launching himself right into the fray and trying to grapple--an attempt to get the upper hand before his opponent does, but he's caught off guard by the way he moves. There's something about it he can't put his finger on, to say nothing of the power behind the punch. This is not an ordinary human sent after him--it's a strength comparable to his own.
It's in this brief moment of consideration that he feels a sharp pain his shoulder, and he remembers that there were definitely two of them.]
Your friend won't come down here?
[He's tearing the dart out of his shoulder, trying to sound more confident than he really is. It takes a lot to bring down a super soldier, but if they know who he is, then they came prepared. What he hopes for now is that it isn't poison, and if it is, it's the wrong concentration.]
That's cheating.
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The Natha claim that they can't wake up people in the pods until they've healed. Maybe they'd put Reaper back in because he wasn't technically healing, and when they realized his condition, had decided to reverse him back to a time when he wasn't undead. It's just a theory, but it's all he's got right now.
But first thing's first, they need to get Gabriel downed somehow. As expected, Ana's shot hits true. Jack knows that she crafts those sleep darts to be able to knock out just about anything, so that should include super soldiers too. It might just take a few seconds... ]
Never said this was fair.
[ Even Gabriel's flippant comment makes Jack's stomach twist with pain. He has no clue how to deal with any of this, really, which is why he needs Reyes to be unconscious as soon as possible.
He cocks his head at him, then lets out a breath against his visor. ]
It's time for you to take another nap.
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She could probably put another dart in him, but she's weary of overdoing it and using up what little ammunition she has left. She knows exactly how strong her darts are, and if Gabriel really has reverted to what he was before, it will be enough. She borrows Jack's strength and vaults the railing, landing in a crouch.
From this distance, he looks so ordinary.
Ana meets his gaze as she brings a finger to her lips. Jack is right - it's time for Gabriel to sleep. ]
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For someone who does the work that he does, making sure the enemy never sees you sweat is crucial, but Gabriel's composure leaves him when he hears that familiar growl. It's not quite the same, and he finds himself wondering if he's perceiving it correctly. His face screws up in some combination of recognition and confusion.
Things are already going black when the second assailant makes their--her--way down to their level, and there's something familiar about her, too, but by this point he's going under and can't quite process it before everything goes black.]
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It wouldn't be the first time that he'd carried Gabriel like this, but he's doing his best not to think too hard on that, and instead focus on the task at hand.
(They still can't assume it's really him. They have to be sure, before he lets his thoughts run wild on him.) ]
Let's go. [ They need to get Gabriel into a private area before he wakes up, and so Jack doesn't hesitate to lead them out through the nearest exit. ] We need something strong enough to restrain him.
[ He doesn't expect Reyes to be that compliant once he comes to. ]
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Get him into a room. I can keep him under until we figure it out. [ She keeps her gun in her hand and lingers a few paces behind Jack, ready to put Gabriel back under at the slightest indication that he's worked through the tranquilizer.
Eventually they get him into a room and Jack manages to round up some old pipes, wrapping them around him and then the bed that's fastened solidly to the wall. It's an awkward angle for Gabriel to get himself free; it will have to do, for the moment. They've removed any weaponry or anything that might be of use to him. Now, the only thing to do is wait.
Ana hangs back by the door, blocking the only exit, while Jack has put himself between her and Gabriel - funny, how familiar that is. Both of them are too antsy to sit. It feels like the first moment she's had to collect herself. She doesn't know what this means. Of all the eventualities, the horrible things that could happen if Gabriel woke up, this isn't one they planned for. This isn't something that had been even a remote possibility in their minds.
She checks her sidearm again; she needs something to do with her hands. She hasn't tried to hide her face; there's no point, when Gabriel will recognize her almost as easily as he'll recognize Jack. ] Do you think that it's really him?
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Apparently Jack and Ana don't, given that this has completely blindsided them. Jack's concern had always been that Reaper would terrorize the other refugees, or at least go around slandering the two of them to anyone who would listen. Not that he would expect most people to believe a guy running around in a black coat and a skull mask.
With Reyes passed out in front of him, Jack has every opportunity to study his face. He didn't see it all that long ago, due to that memory he'd relived with X'rhun, but this is different. Seeing Gabriel Reyes in the flesh like this is something else, and Jack can tell that Ana is also completely thrown off by it. How could they not be?
At the question, Jack finally forces himself to look away from Reyes and regard Ana instead. He lets out a low breath and shrugs. ]
The Natha are capable of a lot more than we originally thought. If they can bring people back from the dead, maybe they can hit rewind on them too. Who knows?
[ He crosses his arms over his chest and returns his attention to Gabriel, shaking his head slowly. ]
But we can't discount that this might be a trap, too.
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As if any of this is supposed to make sense. The Earth is gone and he's been kidnapped by aliens.
They're talking like they know who he is, which he expects, because of course they'd know their target, but as words start to have meaning again, something doesn't line up. A trap? For who? For them, the people who have kidnapped him?
As soon as he has feeling in his extremities, he tries to move but finds himself bound. He tries to move a little harder, but it's clear now that the bindings are metal, and he's pinned awkwardly, unable to use his strength to its fullest.
He's stuck, and disoriented, and he tries to growl but the drugs are still in his system. Gabriel's head lolls, and he makes a noise. It sounds like this:]
Ghhghhghkrkguhgh.
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Or maybe, like Jack says, it's just another trap. ] I know. But even while he was unconscious he...
[ He hadn't faded into smoke.
She stops speaking when Gabriel shifts in his bonds, and her attention snaps back to him. She doesn't raise her gun, but it's still in her hand, and even a super soldier would have a hard time getting anywhere before she got a shot off.
There's no immediate laughter or mocking tone of voice. The way he comes around is entirely too human. A few years ago, Ana might have laughed. Still, even a few years ago she knew what it was like to be on the opposite sides of an interrogation room with Gabriel. ]
You're as graceful as ever. [ Ana says. She moves closer, just out of easy reach. ] Gabriel?
[ All of the mixed emotions when she says that name are genuine enough, but the thing about Gabriel is that they'll never be able to bully information out of him, no matter what time he comes from. Not without doing things that they won't be able to come back from. So instead makes herself remember as much as she can of the man she knew for the better part of her life, and she watches his reaction. ]
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Ana saw what was under his mask, and Jack can assume that it was nothing like the face they're both staring down now.
Without even a glance in his direction, Ana moves past Jack toward Gabriel, and Jack has to fight back the urge to yank her away from him. He doesn't think that's unreasonable given that he'd recently watched (and felt) her die. He's usually good at not smothering her with protectiveness, well aware of her competence, but she's also "died" twice on his watch now.
Instead, he steps up to stand at her side, watching as Gabriel fights his way back into consciousness. While Ana's giving him the benefit of the doubt so far, Jack remains suspicious of this entire situation. Taking a split second to decide, he pulls his sidearm out of his holster and aims it point blank at Gabriel's face. ]
Start talking.
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For once in his life, Gabriel Reyes looks shocked.]
Ana?
[She's older, somehow, and he gets the feeling he's been asleep for a while, even if he's not sure how that would be the case. Missed something, somehow. It's jarring to see her like this, even if they weren't exactly young the last time he saw her--but that was just a day or so ago, wasn't it? How the hell is he supposed to keep track of what's real and what isn't, when this is what they throw at him?
The masked man is a little harder to place, but Gabriel isn't a slouch. The voice is the biggest clue, helping the rest of the puzzle pieces fit. No wonder the fighting style seemed familiar. When he speaks again, it's entirely incredulous, more concerned about the owner of the gun in his face than the actual gun in his face, his eyebrows furrowed together.]
Jack?
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Ana puts her hand on her hip and keeps her sidearm pointed at the floor. She doesn't need to hit anything vital to put Gabriel out again - the leg or the thigh or a little higher will work just fine.
Gabriel's reaction to them is instant. Genuine confusion is a novelty, so much so that she barely has anything to compare it to; even when he doesn't know something, he's good at pretending otherwise. She wants to believe that this is exactly what it looks like, but it seems too easy. There's no such thing as a second chance with no strings attached.
Granted, she did just come back from the dead.
She doesn't remember the last time he said her name or Jack's without that underlying edge of anger and malice. ]
What do you remember? When was the last time you saw us?
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That doesn't mean that he has to be comfortable with it. It's true that Reyes seems genuinely shocked and confused by the situation, not that Jack can blame him. Even in all the years they've known each other, it was rare to see him like this, and that's reason enough to more heavily consider that there's not something more insidious going on. That it's just Gabriel Reyes, from six or seven years back.
It feels way too much like being given another chance, one that he doesn't deserve, and Jack is at a loss for how to deal with it. It's a good thing that Ana's taking the lead with questioning Reyes now, because Jack needs at least a few more seconds to let this all process.
They don't have to tell him what his future holds, though Jack already knows that Gabriel will do everything in his power to find out. He hates not knowing things even more than Jack does.
So he stays quiet for now, visor remaining trained on Reyes as he waits for his response. ]
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Or maybe he does. Reinhardt had been distraught, asking what year it was for Gabriel, claiming that he was dead, and though it was easy enough to write it off as not real, the appearance of Jack and Ana has put it all into perspective.
They should know, however, that interrogating him isn't going to get anywhere. He's angry enough about being knocked out and tied up and questioned that he almost doesn't want to answer Ana's question out of spite. Still, he knows when he's not in a position to fight back. If giving them some kind of answer means they quit this farce and release him, he might as well expedite the process, provided he doesn't tell them too much.]
King's Row. We put down the uprising.
[We, like he needs to remind them that they're all on the same team. It occurs to him that if all of this is real, then who knows how long Jack and Ana have been here? No wonder they seem to think he's some kind of impostor.]
What the hell happened to you?
[He says it as a general question, meant for them both, but his voice is a growl and his eyes are trained on Jack, as if trying to see past the visor he's wearing.]
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That was what, seven years ago? Nearly eight, if she counts their time here in Nysa. Gabriel isn't really that far behind them, but that handful of years changed everything. It puts them in a difficult position; if all of this does check out, and Gabriel doesn't know about the future... There's every reason to keep it from him for as long as possible.
Ana shakes her head. ] It's been a few years.
[ One partial answer for another.
She glances at Jack. She's at a loss too. She remembers asking him, months ago, if he thought that Gabriel had been planning to betray them all along. She supposes they get to find out, now. ]
What were you doing at Jesse's stasis unit, Gabriel?
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Still, Gabriel's given them a courtesy answer, one they haven't earned. If they really are his friends from a few years in the future, they should know that he isn't about to roll over and give them what they want without a little more effort on their part.]
I'm not answering any more questions until he takes off that stupid mask.
[He sounds like Jack, and moves like him, but Gabriel isn't an idiot. Before he says anything potentially compromising, he needs to make sure that the two of them aren't compromised themselves. He needs to make sure that this really is Jack, behind that visor.
Besides, what are they going to do? Hurt him?]
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Eight years. It feels like so much longer than that. Looking at Gabriel and hearing his voice is never going to stop being surreal, like looking into a warped image of the past. Is this the man he'd known? When had he stopped knowing him? When had it all gone so sour? Even now, Jack doesn't know that he'll ever get the answers to those questions.
He's pretty sure that he and Ana will be on the same page when it comes to what they'll tell Gabriel (or rather, what they won't tell him), but it's something they can discuss in more detail later.
Gabriel sets down the ultimatum that he needs to remove the visor, and Jack makes a frustrated noise in the back of his throat. Already Gabriel's making demands, though he can guess that there's a practical reason for it too. He isn't going to say anything that confidential without seeing his face. The fact that Ana is here with him should be proof enough that he's Jack, but...
He glances to Ana, exchanging a look. She stares right back at him and lowers her chin slightly.
With a sigh, Jack reaches up to press in the releases on the visor, then lets the front piece drop into his hands, revealing his face. He stares Gabriel down with eyes that are just as blue as always, even if the rest of his face has aged considerably from what Gabriel will remember. The scarring doesn't help. ]
Answer the damn question.
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In what way, he's not sure of yet.
Perhaps that's why he wants Jack's visor off so badly, though he's not sure what he should be preparing himself to see. He steels himself accordingly, trying to make his face as unreadable as possible as Jack finally complies. It's difficult, once he sees what's under there--undeniably Jack, but older, that poster-boy face ruined by extremely deliberate scars--at least, that's the impression he gets.
He should say something reassuring, or answer Ana's question now that he's received assurance the masked man is Jack, but that's not at all the first thing that comes to mind.]
Jesus, Morrison, who fucked you up?
[He sounds almost disappointed to have missed this.]
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You should see the other guy.
[ Jack murmurs the words under his breath as he fixes the visor back into place, then lifts his head once more. It will be easier to not let on to anything if his face remains covered, now that Gabriel has seen the proof that he needs. ]
You gonna talk now?
[ They still haven't made any move to release him from his restraints, but it's seeming more and more likely that things are exactly as they appear, and this is the Gabriel Reyes from eight years ago. How the hell are they supposed to reconcile that? ]
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This is, as far as she can tell, really Gabriel. Keeping him restrained seems almost trivial - not because he's any less capable now, but because Ana has no idea where they're supposed to go from here.
She exhales softly, and finally raises her own sidearm. ] You can go back to drooling into your collar, if that's what you prefer, but I can't guarantee that we'll wait around for you to finish your nap.
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That is more than enough for his voice to become a snarl.]
I don't know what you think I'm gonna say.
[Why he was at McCree's tank? Why wouldn't he be? It was the first familiar face he'd found after being told the Earth was destroyed. The bigger question is what they think he's hiding--that they think he's enough of a threat, somehow, to tie him up and hold him at gunpoint.]
I should be asking you what this is all about.
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He willfully misinterprets Gabriel's words for now. ]
It's pretty much what you've already been told. Earth is gone. So are a lot of other planets, which you probably guessed based on the sheer number of people in stasis.
[ Jack decides to give Gabriel information with the intent of making him more forthcoming. This isn't anything that other people couldn't tell him, if he asked around. ]
Wilhelm and Oxton are both awake, like us. McCree and Dr. Ziegler were, but they went back into stasis close to a year ago.
[ With nothing said about Reaper's short stint, of course. ]
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