@r.mckay; video

[technospeak]

[As the video feed turns on, Rodney is rearranging his hair a little, brushing it into place with his fingers, and then he squares his shoulders, takes a breath, and looks into the camera. Rodney is an average-looking guy in his late-30s and wearing a jacket with a Canadian flag patch on the shoulder, and he's sitting in front of some kind of holographic display with bright neon lights, schematics of some sort.]

Hi. [A beat, and then.] Hello, residents of Riverview Quarantine. My name is Dr. Rodney McKay.

[Another pause, and he takes a deep breath looking directly into the camera.]

As you may or may not be aware, a power relay station deep in the jungle was recently reactivated on minimal power thanks to some massive electric shocks. After seeing how I responded in that situation, I was, well...

[He ducks his head in a show of humility or shyness before looking back at the camera.]

Well. I was honoured with a request from the city representatives to be the new Chief Science Officer of the Wall Research & Development unit. Which means I'm in charge, in a way.

[There is zero trace of shyness now, he just looks smug.]

Which is, frankly, an excellent decision, because this place is a total mess. Who was in here before? Seriously, it looks like a tornado went through here, how could anyone find anything? What use are fancy holographic displays if they're just... [He waves a hand.] Anyway.

What is the purpose of this post, you might ask? Well. The team they've given me here were mostly completely useless and I'd like to reach out. See if anyone with more than two brain cells to rub together might be willing to join my team so we can forge ahead with getting this place in order.

I'm particularly looking for Engineers of pretty much any variety and anyone with high-level computer skills, knowledge of Astrophysics is a major plus. Really, anyone with a degree in science and an ability to think outside the box. Full-time or contract...you know. Whatever floats your boat.

[Lifting his chin, he exhales heavily, and claps his hands together once before rubbing them together.]

I look forward to your replies.

Comments

video | @mementomori

[fatedcontract]

Wow. [Makoto looks, maybe, a little humored.]

Had a slice of humble pie before posting this, huh?

I'm so sorry.

[technospeak]

[Rodney actually snorts at that, crossing his arms and shaking his head, one eyebrow raised.]

I'm talking about theoretical Astrophysics and you're trying to call me out on my attitude? Seriously, kid, unless you're actually some kind of Mechanical Engineering prodigy or something, I don't really care what you think. I'll eat a slice of humble pie when I stop being a genius.

no, I'm the one that's sorry XD

[fatedcontract]

I was too busy dying but thanks for reminding me that I never got to finish school. [He doesn't actually care though, he's already registered for school here.] I have lived long enough to know that an ego like that doesn't encourage a lot of people to just jump into working with someone though.

[technospeak]

[Rodney's mouth opens and then closes, and he lifts a hand, snapping his fingers before dropping his fist into his other palm.]

That's cheating, bringing up dying.

[A beat, and then he moves past it.]

Anyway, I'm going to educate you a little bit. When you reach a particular level of genius, people stop caring whether you have an ego or not.

[fatedcontract]

[He almost laughs.]

Didn't know there were rules.

Actually, pretty sure that's when people care even more. Not a lot of people want to hang around someone or work with someone who constantly touts how much better he is than his coworkers. Roll back the ego a bit, friendly advice.

@ciscodelamancha | text ; private

[franciscoramon]

yeah i already got a job but i can give you my number in case of engineering emergencies or if you ever need a consult from somebody outside the team for whatever reason.

[ And Cisco includes his number after, which is probably plenty of information. Except, well, he can't resist the temptation to say: ]

the guy who had your job before was a total mess
and i'm not just talking about the state of his office or whatever
i make weapons and tech for the guard so i went by a few times and...
well i'm glad they found a replacement that's all i'll say

text; permaprivate

[technospeak]

Tell me about it. At least the previous defense guy seemed moderately intelligent and had a few good ideas, but the Chief Science Officer was a total incompetent. This filing system is ridiculous, who even uses paper anymore?

Anyway, I'm going to guess you're a mechanical engineer? Do you just do the typical stuff like souped up guns?

[franciscoramon]

i mean it's not a bad idea to have a paper backup
idk how long you've been here but sometimes there are weird blackouts and electrical storms and all kinds of nonsense
doesn't hurt to have some hard copies

but ONLY paper???
that's ridiculous
who can live like that.

[ 'Typical stuff' is a bit rude but Cisco's going to give this guy the benefit of the doubt. ]

not big on souped up guns most of the time
anyone can steal em and use them for anything
i design tech for the emergency services
so better suits for the firemen and stun grenades for the cops and better long distance comms for the guard, that sort of thing

[technospeak]

Believe me, I'm used to weird blackouts and electrical storms and who knows what else where I come from. If that's the norm here, then I guess I've been given the right position.

[Look, he likes weapons in the right hands, but they're definitely not his thing, okay.]

Oh good. I feel exactly the same way about souped up guns.

Interesting stuff. Just curious, since we're all from different realities and all, what the level of tech you're used to working with is.

[franciscoramon]

sounds like an interesting place.
what planet?

that kind of thing is so hard to summarize by text
it's 2014 where i'm from. we've been to the nearest moon, but only brief missions.
nothing interstellar or intergalactic. nothing interdimensional, either. mostly. it's complicated.
ai is starting to be a thing but only in its first stages
time machines are still science fiction only (mostly)
i don't know, what else were you wondering about?

@maverick

[deploy]

After everything we've been through, I don't even get a mention in your Oscar acceptance speech?

I'm hurt, Rodney.

[technospeak]

The point of this post was not to stroke your ego. It was to recruit a team. I need a team. Radek might not have been much but at least I was used to him and now I have to start from scratch.

Believe me, when I need something blown up, I'll give you a call.

[deploy]

Gee, that's very generous of you.

You know, I bet they made Radek Chief Science Officer in your absence. He's probably having a field day.

[technospeak]

You think they did? Great. When I get back to Atlantis the place is going to be falling apart. I'm already getting a headache thinking of the messes I'm going to have to clean up.

[deploy]

I'm already getting a headache just thinking about how long I'll have to listen to you complain about it.

@wingingit ; video

[volitaunt]

Mechanical engineering. Mostly ships and farm equipment.

[ MAYBE ADDING THAT LAST PART INTENTIONALLY. Maybe. ]

[technospeak]

[If you were looking for a reaction, you got it. There's a moment of blank confusion, and then his brows twist up in something like pain.]

Farm equipment?

i would say i'm sorry but i would be lying

[volitaunt]

Yeah, y'know. Melon harvesters, runyip feeders, bantha chutes.

[ He smooths a hand over his face, trying and failing to hide a smile. ]

I'm not sorry either.

[technospeak]

Okay, melon harvesters makes sense but what is a runyip or a bantha?

[Rodney's brows raise pretty high.]

I'm guessing cows? Sounds like cows.

[volitaunt]

Never heard of a cow. [ Which doesn't seem to bother him, because lbr there are about ten berjillion animals in the galaxy he's never heard of. ] Herbivores, though, meat and pack animals. Banthas are good for just about everything.

[ Not having heard of banthas is pretty weird though, dude. ]

video; un: kirk

[winscenario]

[ Jim's heard so much about you, Rodney. Not all of it has been good.

He does, however, look mildly amused when he replies to the video. ]

So you're our new Chief of Science. [ Eyebrow raised, he tips his head. ] I've been told some things about you from a friend of yours. [ Up to and including the fact that he's a massive fanboy. ]

[technospeak]

[Kirk. KIRK. Is it? It can't be. The face isn't quite right, but...but Kirk? And a friend of his had been speaking to him about Rodney?]

Let me guess. John Sheppard.

[He can be cool. He can be totally cool.]

[winscenario]

[ How dare you sir, his face is absolutely right, it's perfect and flawless as always. ]

Well, unless you've made a lot of friends since you got here... [ By this post he's guessing Rodney's not having much luck in that department. So yeah, he can only be talking about John. ] He said you knew about Starfleet— and me. I'm Captain James T. Kirk.

[technospeak]

[Oh my god, it's James T. Kirk.]

Really? Yes. I mean. I've heard of Starfleet. And Captain Kirk. You're uh...you're relatively...famous...where I come from.

[Don't tell him he's fictional, don't tell him he's fictional, don't tell him he's fictional...]

Wow. I really never thought I'd meet you, Captain.

[winscenario]

Only relatively? [ He quirks an eyebrow. ] You could say I'm relatively famous where I come from, too.

[ Which is to say, he's used to it. The staring, too. Definitely not the first time he gets the starry-eyed look aimed at him, though at least now he doesn't look so smug as he would have a few years ago. ]

Well then, here I am. And Jim's fine, please. [ He gestures to the camera. ] Can I call you Rodney?