[Filtered to the people in the barracks, video]

[whateverthemess]

[There's a tiny, serious-faced blonde on the comm's little screen, looking somewhat distracted.] Hey. Some of you know me. For those of you who don't, I'm Karrin Murphy. Worked with the Chicago PD back in the world

Comments

[video]

[lovethissuit]

You know I'm there. Though weapons might end up being a problem depending on the turnout.

[Private:]

[A sigh because he should have done this. Ages ago, really, but... Things got in the way. If he'd been able to handle things better, more quickly, if he'd been more capable - but he wasn't. And tha'ts something he'll have to come to terms with on his own later.] I'm not going to start any jurisdictional pissing matches over this. Like you said, it needed to be done, and it's getting done.

[video, private]

[whateverthemess]

I was thinking about that. We do have... resources.

[A pause, to let him think about that - but not long enough for him to shoot the idea down.]

It is. How are we going to play this? Neither one of us has jurisdiction here. I can work under someone if I have to. Can you?

[video, private]

[lovethissuit]

[Eyebrow arch.] ...You going to vague it up some more or can you enlighten me a bit?

Long as the people up top know what they're doing, I do. [He is so not rising up to any of Murphy's cop vs. fed barbs. He's not in the mood.]

[video, private]

[whateverthemess]

Then I'll take point outside the wall, you can be in charge of base camp. And I meant we have people inside Tempest's castle now. I'm not saying we tell them to start robbing the armory - just be open and alert to opportunities to arm themselves and... others.

Murphy

[im_apimp]

Good. I'm making friends. You'd be proud of me.

[there's a bright smile and a completely innocent face that should never ever be believed. ever.]

[whateverthemess]

...Yeahuh. Anything interesting? What's the atmosphere like now that the party's over?

[im_apimp]

Things've been pretty quiet, actually. Tempest is pretty chill so long as you don't cause trouble, and I think that most of the people who stayed are still gauging how they're gonna handle things.

I still haven't talked to everyone, though.

[whateverthemess]

[A noncommittal little grunt.] Have you met the Doctor?

[hisstupidheart]

Oh goody. Are we gonna storm the castle?

[whateverthemess]

...First responders, Descant.

[hisstupidheart]

Well, we gotta respond to something.

[whateverthemess]

Provocation and protection are kind of not the same thing.

[incaution]

Alec told me to find and talk to you. Guess he was right.

[whateverthemess]

...He did?

[incaution]

I yelled at him for staying back with Tempest, and he told me I should look for you, so you could help me with what I've been doing.

I uh -

Well, I've been trying to repair some of the empty cabins, and put some firewood and jerky that I've made into them for when new people show up. I was gonna try and form some kind of group like you're talking about, and he said you'd help me out with some of that. And like I said, it looks like he was right.

[whateverthemess]

It's more than a lot of people have done. We'd be glad to have you - I'm working with Agent Peter Burke. [He may not know it yet, but that's beside the point.]

[Private, Voice]

[thatsortofaman]

[After a long, long pause...]

I'm sorry? What for? [HE IS THE MOST INNOCENT.]

[Private, Voice]

[whateverthemess]

You stayed. You didn't tell me. You did it on purpose, or you're a totally insensitive jerk.

[Private, Voice]

[thatsortofaman]

[Well, if she's going to go straight to insulting him... He's dropping the innocent act now, his voice getting harder.]

Sorry, was I supposed to tell you everywhere I go? Let me guess, next comes the threat to drag me back and put a bullet in my kneecap so I stay put? We can skip that part, if you like, because it's not going to help.

[Private, Voice]

[whateverthemess]

[A long silence, and then a very reasonable-sounding Murphy.]

Are we friends?