||003|| [ Visual ] - Questions of science, science and progress

[oppositeofhero]

Tony's finally gotten around to furnishing the house he'd chosen to live in. Sure, it isn't the fanciest place he's ever lived in, but he likes it well enough. From the couch in what serves as his living room, Tony picks up the tablet and turns it on

Comments

[ visual ] how have these two not spoken before?

[sonofsarek]

Spock takes note of the transmissions request upon hearing it and decides to respond. Few things in Taxon are actually scientifically simulating outside of their scanning and routine atmospheric checks of their cage.

"My area of expertise is in physics and computer systems, however I believe I can be of assistance," He says very monotone before adding. "I am the science officer for the starship here that you may or may not have taken notice of."

[ visual ] dunno, but Tony is always up for meeting new people

[oppositeofhero]

Tony's mind begins to wander, thinking that maybe no one will respond, when a rather monotone voice comes over the tablet. He looks over at the screen, and sees a rather interesting man looking back at him. But interesting is relative in a place like Taxon, and slowly but surely, Tony's learning not to take people at face value.

"Starship, huh? No, I haven't noticed it." Tony's tone suggests that his interest is piqued by this, however. "But assuming that by starship you mean you have experience with life beyond Earth and other planets, you might be just the one I'm looking for."

Now fully alert, Tony sits up on the couch and directs his full attention to the tablet. "I need information on elements that can sustain human life." Okay, that's probably not the best way of telling the other man about his situation, but it is straightforward but vague. More explanations will come later, if needed.

[ visual ]

[sonofsarek]

Strangely enough, Spock has yet to have anyone comment on his pointed ears and angled eyebrows. Perhaps it is because and incarnation of himself was within the city prior to his arrival... or maybe everyone in Taxon is just conditioned to this sort of oddity. Either way, Spock enjoys not having to do too much explaining.

"It is located on the northern end of the city's expanse," his voice remains flat and even, but he continues on with their original point without hesitation. "The human body can absorb a vast number of elements if the appropriate conditions are maintained."

Admittedly, Spock could easily look up whatever information he needed on the subject, but he was not so quick to loan out the ship's resources without further information. Besides, the topic intrigued him.

"May I inquire as to the purpose of you search for such an element, Mr. Stark?"

[ visual ]

[oppositeofhero]

Okay, well, if he's going to be honest, Tony's never seen anyone like Spock before. But as far as he's concerned, the eyebrows could be just a genetic quirk, and the ears.... well, there are such things as prosthetic ears, though why anyone would choose a shape like that, Tony has no clue. Also, he dislikes being probed for answers, so there's another reason why he hasn't said anything

[visual]

[justaddmarbles]

Well. That sounded right up his proverbial alley, and both DG and Kaylee had mentioned a fellow by the name of Tony Stark, so the broadcast got his very, very best attention.

"Maybe I can help?" Glitch offered with a pleasant smile. "I mean, I know the Ozian periodic table, and and I've run some comparative analysis of it against Earth's so...maybe I can help?"

Good luck, Mr. Stark.

[visual]

[oppositeofhero]

Bingo. Tony jerks himself out of the near-stupor that's been following him for days now. He's managed to keep it at bay by staying busy and focusing on his research and experiments but at times, it threatens to creep over him. But this latest responder has his attention and that's more than enough for Tony.

"Maybe you can. I don't know anything about anything besides the periodic table used on Earth, so maybe you can fill me in. If you don't mind." This may be a shot in the dark, and it may lead to nothing, but desperate men like Tony usually have nothing to lose.

[visual]

[justaddmarbles]

Glitch nodded, enthused. It had been quite some time since he'd been able to apply his half-a-brain to something properly sciencey, so he's pleased with the opportunity.

"Don't mind at all! The name's Glitch, and I've got books and samples and..." He trailed off and frowned as he took in Tony's exhausted state. "Um. I I should maybe come to you with all that."

[visual]

[oppositeofhero]

Well, this guy's enthusiasm just leaps off the page... Screen. Whatever. But Tony appreciates enthusiasm, because when channeled to the right things and in the right ways, it can lead to good results.

"Oh, so you're Glitch. Yeah. Kaylee and DG mentioned you." Tony raises an eyebrow at Glitch's next comment. "Why's that?" He starts to make a snarky comment, but bites it off because being sarcastic to the person who just might have the lead he's been looking for is not particularly smart. "Never mind. If you want to stop over here, fine. I'm in the west part of the city."

[Visual]

[tothelightshown]

Tony had been intoxicated during their last conversation, and, although that had apparently passed, the exhaustion on his face was an even greater cause for concern.

DG turned away from the engine she'd been examining, picking up her tablet to frown slightly at the man on the screen.

"You should talk to Glitch," she offered. Although his memory was patchy, the knowledge of the Ozian period table was there.

[Visual]

[oppositeofhero]

If it's not one thing, it's another with Tony, or so it seems. While drinking himself into an alcohol-fueled oblivion would be nice in the sense that he could forget about his problems for awhile, it wouldn't help him solve them either, which is the main reason why he's still sober.

"Oh, hey, DG." Tony turns his attention to the screen when he hears her start talking to him. "How's things going?" He can't help but smile when he thinks that at least he hasn't woken her up at an ungodly hour like he had the last time they talked. That's got to be an improvement.

"And yeah, uh, let's hope he can shed some light on this situation. But you know, anything anyone knows about elements, and how to apply them practically is great. I just need a new lead. That's all."

[Visual]

[tothelightshown]

"Hey," she returned, giving Tony a bright smile of her own. DG was thinking much the same thing, even though she'd actually enjoyed - for want of a better word - their last conversation. It had definitely been interesting. "Apart from the ghosts, I'd say things are going fine."

"I don't think high school chemistry will help," she said, by way of an apology. "But Glitch is the smartest guy I know. I'm sure he'll be able to think of something."

Half a brain or not, she had utter faith in him.

[Visual]

[oppositeofhero]

"Glad to hear it... Wait, ghosts?" Tony raises an eyebrow at this. He hadn't heard anyone mention anything about ghosts... Was this an example of those glitches DG had mentioned earlier? "Are you sure they're ghosts?" He doesn't mean to sound cynical; but as far as he knows, there's never been a scientific explanation, or any other explanation for that matter, for the existence of ghosts.

Not that Taxon was the most realistic city ever, but Tony couldn't keep from questioning things. "I hope so. If he doesn't, I'm back to square one. I don't even know if it's the right thing to do, asking people I don't even know for advice."