taxonomites | [Visual] [Location- Random Warehouse]

The tablet briefly displays a skewed glimpse of what looks like a makeshift science lab inside a large empty warehouse-- the emphasis on makeshift. A few library books stacked on surfaces, spines bearing titles like Chemistry for Students and Practical Science. There's bits of pipe, a sink, projects scattered in phases of half-completed.

Paul Smecker rights the tablet, and takes a breath. In one hand he has a pair of safety goggles, which he sets down on the counter with a level of care that is a marked contrast from the last time he made a broadcast.

"Hey, Taxon," he says after several awkward seconds. "I don't know how many people got a chance to know her, but Alexis Castle's gone."

He pauses, opens his mouth as if to say something else, then just shakes his head and presses the button to end the call.

Paul stands there a moment in the silence of the warehouse, then sets a plastic bag full of supplies down on the counter. No need for them now. Class for Alexis has been canceled, permanently.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I'm not entirely sure what you just said, but I'll go on context of your tone and assume it sums up my feelings too.

It's probably just as well for her she's not here. It is no goddamn place for a teenager.

Can only imagine it must.

Ain't a place for anybody, at times. But it's better she's home with family than stuck here with hamsters who spend more time spillin' their coffee than actually doin' anything.

Yeah, there's that. What language were you speaking there?

Mandarin. Chinese. Everybody back home speaks it, just one of those things you pick up along the way. Happens when the bigger powers bond together.

Everyone speaks Chinese where you're from? And where is that, if I may ask? Or should I be asking when?

When'd probably be better, seein' as the where is far off from Earth-That-Was. The when is 2517 AD.

[Paul grunts in answer. 2500 AD? That's nothing, after Jenny. After Jenny and her goddamn thousands of years away, he can take that.]

Earth-that-was, huh? So my planet bites it? Not terribly surprising. Somewhat depressing.

Don't know if it 'bites it' so much. Got to be too many people for it to sustain life, so folks moved on. Found a new system, new star, terraformed planets and moons for their usin'. There's a whole couple generations grew up on nothin' but ships on their way to their new homes.

...yeah? Well... that part doesn't sound too bad, actually. Good to know we do get off-planet before blowing ourselves sky-high, anyway.

Mostly. The fightin' don't slow none, but most folks got it figured out nice. There're a few seem to think they still got precedence over others, though.

Human nature, kid.

Listen, I'm going to go take a walk, try and clear my head. Maybe I can look you up later and hear more about the future?

Go on ahead. Whenever you wanna talk about anythin', just give me a ping. Normally ain't doin' anything that won't allow use of the tablet.

Thanks. I'll keep it in mind.

Take care of yourself now.

[Visual] [Location- Random Warehouse]

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