last voyages // 13. video. open.

[tobecaprican]

[ Gaius is-- well, he looks much the same as before, on the snappier side of his personal wardrobe in pinstripe and open collar shirts, but unlike those who might have been mercilessly shoved into the world of Sanitarium Island, he gets a backdrop of a well-to-do looking office, all wooden paneling, brass pieces, a painting on the wall. ]

This wonderful conspiracy--

[ There's the column of smoke rising from the cigarette in his ashtray, the former of which he picks up. ]

We've not seen an organised movement for evasion quite to this magnitude. But the law is the law. Still, if anyone would like to appeal to me your story, I can pass it along to my superiors.

Who knows? Perhaps it would work this time.

Comments

Before he's spotted Gaius tailing him.

[raisedinabox]

The story seems fairly simple. The information you've got is wrong, none of us have had surgery, and I'm guessing that a fairly simple medical examination could prove that.

Honestly, if none of you have passed it along to your superiors yet, then I've got some concerns for you professionalism.

[tobecaprican]

Yes well, you see, there's always an excuse, and everyone's had surgery. [ Scoffing tone, there, as he taps ash of his cigarette and considers the little hologram he's speaking to. ] So you needn't berate my colleagues, we're all just doing our jobs, aren't we?

But I'd like the details.

[raisedinabox]

Then looking at the medical scans of someone who hasn't should be especially obvious. Seriously, pick any of the people complaining and take them in for tests before you cut them up. [Jim looks unimpressed. Do your damn homework, Repo Men.] I'm not berating anyone, just making some observations.

What details do you want?

[tobecaprican]

Is that so? The paperwork for medical histories at our disposal is quite extensive--

[ Sounds intrigued at the idea that they've devised a way to fool new observation, but it could also be a stalling tactic. Who knows? ] Unfortunately for you and your friends, you'll be meeting something of a brick wall. Men in the field of repossession don't really care and have their own debts to pay. And the red tape to get to anyone higher requires nothing short of a machete.

I'd like to know about this boat I keep hearing about. And where you all got information on GeneCo personnel.

[raisedinabox]

Really? Well, if we're exchanging information, then I'd love to know what it is you people think you've got on me.

Hm. You won't believe this, but do you believe in an afterlife? Heaven, hell, purgatory? Anything like that?

[tobecaprican]

I'll see what I can do.

[ Yeah, right. ]

Not really, actually. But go on, I can listen.

[raisedinabox]

No, I didn't either, actually, but let's pretend that we both do, for a moment. Imagine that after you die, instead of going to burn in hell for your crimes? You find out that you've got a second chance, but you have to work for it, you have to work out what you did wrong, and regret your crimes, or eventually you lose your chance and go to hell.

That's where we know you from, Gaius, and that's where you're going back too when we're done here.

[tobecaprican]

[ Blinks, and then dons an incredulous smile. ] Oh, that was well done.

[raisedinabox]

[Jim just smiles back, because why make the guy worry? He's on borrowed time.] You'll be so much less impressed with me when we get back home and you remember that this isn't all an elaborate ploy.

[tobecaprican]

Well, your assertion is noted and I'll be certain to include it in my report.

[raisedinabox]

Then allow me to retract all my comments about your professionalism.

[tobecaprican]

Truly? [ Pleased! ] I did think I was going quite well.

[raisedinabox]

Oh, certainly. You show a great deal of self restraint when confronted with the threats of a clearly deluded mind.

[tobecaprican]

Confidence is key. And what was your name?

[raisedinabox]

It was Jim. Jim Profit.

[He's watching you so closely for any sign that this is familiar, Gaius.]

[tobecaprican]

[ He's already moving to write that down, you know, for his reporting, and his eyebrows cinch together. He follows the movement through, though, taking this down. ]

Like I said. I'll see what I can do. Within the bounds of our codes of conduct, of course.

Have a very nice day, Mr. Profit.

[terminatefate]

[The feed is full of static, but there is a clear moment where Sarah's profile can be seen. Her eyes flick across Gaius's surroundings and she frowns. That's not familiar and she's pretty sure Gaius is wearing a Gaius suit -- him but not him, like when they'd both been pirates. Those weren't wodks he would have spoken.]

The story.

[Sarah Connor is a week past due on a new heart--according to the records.]

The story is that people aren't what the system says they are. People are more than blips on a mhachine.

[tobecaprican]

[ Zero recognition for what he sees in this transmission. ]

That's a story that comes up quite often. That there's been a mistake. This one seems unnecessarily more elaborate. Timed well with the network glitch.

[terminatefate]

[Well, shit. When people go native, they do it with flair. She pinches the bridge of her nose.]

Great. All anomalies can be explained away by a...mass glitch. Figures.

[tobecaprican]

Not all of them, I'm sure. If your stories hold water, I'm sure something will be done.

[ He sounds so blandly unconvinced. ]

[terminatefate]

From what I can tell? That is a massive line of bullshit. [So much lineface as she glowered into her watch.]

If you make a mistake and people die, it's one massive 'oops' right? You can't just...give somene's heart back or their lungs or spleen, for that matter. [No heart, no life, after all. Yep. This is insane. It's also murder.]

[tobecaprican]

Yes, well, everyone signed their contracts.

If you and your barge friends really aren't due for repossession, then you've nothing to worry about. GeneCo doesn't make mistakes.

[terminatefate]

If you have a document with my signature on it, I'd like to see it. because I sgned nothing.

[Her lips thinned.]

You're part of us, Gaius Baltar. Part of the Barge crew. You really need to hang onto something when it comes to this shit. Pitching overboard like this isn't helping matters, especially when you can't remember who you really are.

[It wasn't going to help, but she had to try.]

[tobecaprican]

I don't make much of a habit for breaking into the confidential property of GeneCo clients not assigned to me, but I could be persuaded to ask around.

[ He isn't touching this part, for all that trying to convince RepoMen that they aren't themselves is especially creative. Asking 'how did you lot come up with that one?' probably won't get him answers. ]

What are you due for? Sometimes, people survive the process.

[terminatefate]

I'm probably not one of those people. [The scowl was especially annoyed.] I, according to the message I got, owe a heart. Which is ridiculous. I have no scars that indicate I've had heart surgery done, so, thanks...but this is my own heart and Genefuck can't have it.

[tobecaprican]

[ Writes something down. ]

No scars? That's interesting. [ But apparently not enough to warrant doing something about it. ]

[terminatefate]

[Sarah just lets out a frustrated sigh.]

Interesting, right. [She's thinking about tying Gaius to the railing on a goddamn leash when he's up on deck. Because this is ridiculous.] More like mistake. The only scars I have are definitely not from oragan replacement surgery.

private.

[tobecaprican]

[ And then he switches the filter. ]

Look, I understand you're in a rather cornered situation, and GeneCo isn't known for its making of deals, but in this case, there could be an exception.

If you were willing to give the details on this little shared story that's circulating, and if there's any new trick to scar treatment on the black market, they might be willing to reward you with some more time on your payment plan. I promise you, it'd fare better than this silly scheme you and yours have going.

[itstopped]

Gaius?

Oh, for frak's sake.

[tobecaprican]

[ Oh hello. As with the first guy, he gives nothing away. ]

You're all going to have to do a little better than tossing my first name at me, you know.

[itstopped]

[He has ALREADY been through this with you, gods dammit. Now, he just shakes his head.] Forget it. But let me ask you what I asked your coworker--

[And again, he turns the camera on his missing leg.] If I could afford to get a leg replaced, don't you think it would be this one?

[tobecaprican]

Check and mate, well done. Unless, of course, your other leg was worse off, perhaps suffered further damage, and your payment plan only allowed for the one organic transplant, but I suppose that depends on what your medical records say.

[itstopped]

[This is actually a frustratingly good point.] Fine. Then what do my medical records say?

[tobecaprican]

I don't make it my business to muck about with the confidential information on all of GeneCo's debtors, you know. But I can pass along your concerns.

[itstopped]

[He grits his teeth.] And who, exactly, is assigned to my case?

[tobecaprican]

[ A put upon siiigh goes here. ] You're Felix Gaeta, correct? I saw your transmission with Xavier. [ Off-screen scribble scribble. ] It's not my place to sell out those in the repossession trade - some value their own privacy, for good reason - but I can ask around and see that you find out soon enough.

They should be able to provide you with all the paperwork you're entitled to.

[itstopped]

You know what? I'll pass, Gaius. I'm sure I'll find out soon enough anyway, right?

[tobecaprican]

[ Blinks, shrugs, discards pen with a slight toss for it to skitter across the desk. ]

As you like, Mr. Gaeta.

[darknessb4me]

The Mexica thought that both humanity and gods owed an infinite blood debt. Because the world was created and saved by the shedding of blood, because blood kept the sun in the sky. For this reason, they killed. They cut out hearts, which contained teyolia - the soul, I suppose you would call it. It was a debt that could never be fully paid. More would always need to die.

Do you know what happened to them?