welcome to omega, round two.

[ceoqueen]

who. everyone!
what. in which the new arrivals join the outsiders.
where. landing pads for new arrivals, who then head through the markets to the residential area.
when. today!
warnings. n/a

This time, when the shuttles arrive, the landing pad isn't so empty. There was no saying these people wouldn't show up again, and though Aria isn't going to be happy that they appear to be coming on a schedule while the rest of the system is grounded, there doesn't appear that there's much to be done about it. A group of her batarian agents are there to escort incomers off the ship; some are taken aside for questioning, but when it's clear they know nothing of their origins, they're let go. Some new arrivals may notice that these shuttles don't simply depart -- a number of them are escorted off by other shuttles, deeper into the station.

After that, though, there's little the batarians can do about them. They're sent towards the residential district by way of the markets and financial sectors. The housing areas they arrive in aren't in the best of shape; while there are other outsiders to this galaxy already at work trying to repair the damage, others aren't bothering with it at all.

This is Omega. If you don't find some way to pull your weight, you'll be dead in no time.

Comments

[neverknocks]

Okay, ouch, but she deserved that. It was kinda cheesy, even for her. Man, if he wasn't just a kid -- and Marco -- she probably wouldn't have such a soft spot for him otherwise. She huffs out a laugh, straightening up, and shakes her head with a toss of her hair.

"All right, I had that comin'," she admits. "Look, if you really think this is all too weird, you're fre to go, Marco. I'm not holdin' you here. You just might wanna keep an eye out for vorcha and batarians. Not exactly the friendliest bunch around. But hey, if you're hungry, I was thinkin' about grabbing lunch."

[tradecraftdude]

The weirdest part about this for Marco isn't that he just found out that there's another version of himself running around somewhere, but that York is acting way more familiar with him than he's willing to reciprocate, just because he's known her for all of five minutes and she's acting like they've been buddies forever. As if she knew what he likes and dislikes, how to get through to him without trying that hard, bits and pieces of his life that he's never told her.

He doesn't like this feeling, but there's also no real way around it besides melting into the crowd and trying to never run into her again. How many other people were around that knew about bizarro-world copy Marco, though? Maybe it would be smart to stick with a known entity for now.

"You might not be holding me here, but I'm pretty sure this alien parade and also the laws of physics are going to do a great job of keeping me from peacing out." Which is what he would have done now, except he's not going to miss a chance to mooch a free meal. "Is there a Taco Bell around? I've got the worst craving for nachos. Also, you're going to have to spot me, because I have like two US dollars on me and I'm pretty sure that's not valid currency here."

[neverknocks]

"Don't worry, I got you covered. Like I'm gonna make a kid pay for his own meal." York snorts, looking a touch amused. She can tell this is his hesitant way of accepting, and hell, she can't blame him for being suspicious. Maybe she came on too strong, sure, and she gets that -- ordinarily she'd have played it cool, but she wasn't sure there was the leisure for that in a place like this. But hey, maybe after a meal he'll halfway trust her. It's worth a shot.

York gives him a slightly rueful grin, shaking her head. "Sorry, Marco, I think we're a ways from good old American fast food. But I'm pretty sure I can find us somethin'. There's a decent diner-type joint somewhere around here, mostly caters to humans."

[tradecraftdude]

"Sweet! I'll have to call home and get an advance on my allowance at some point, I guess."

He means it as a joke, but his voice wavers for a moment because he realizes this is beginning the inevitable acceptance that he's way, way far from home and who knows if he'll ever get back. There are some things that he doesn't really need to think about right now. Or ever.

But he's willing to tag along at York's heels for a little bit, for lack of any other leads on what to do with himself next.

"It can't be as bad as cafeteria mystery meat."

[neverknocks]

York hears the waver in his voice, but she doesn't comment on it. No need to deal any extra blows to Marco's pride, given everything that's going. And honestly, all things considered, he does a pretty good job of hiding it. Better than York would've at that age, at least.

"Don't worry, it's better than high school lunches," she promises him, gesturing with a quick nod. "C'mon, they might even do burgers."