futurology | Text | username: detjoda

[So, one can hardly blame Joseph for being confused. Last thing he remembered, he was shlepping around in the graphic horror show of a serial killer's brain, and had just finished feeling ground beneath him crumble into nothing while struggling to breathe around a bullet in his lungs.

Then there was the smell of medicine. Shaky, rhythmic beeping. And he was wet. But that was hazy and he couldn't remember it as well. And it certainly doesn't explain how he got... well. Here.

He defaults to text because he trusts that not to betray how rattled he is.]

Good afternoon, [He's deduced that it's probably afternoon, though it's hard to tell with no sun.]

My name is Detective Joseph Oda. I gained consciousness a day or so ago and while they attempted to explain things to me then, I have to admit that I'm still very confused. If this is the usual recruiting process for this ALASTAIR group, I imagine this won't be the first time someone has had similar questions.

Barring the whole space travel and dimensional transport factor, which I'm going to have to wrestle with on my own time, I don't understand how we are expected to buy this. We're asked to follow orders and potentially risk our lives for a company that we've never heard of, didn't apply with, and have no understanding of the motives of-- and we're led to believe this is the only option?

Maybe someone else can reassure me that my cynicism isn't warranted. Or maybe someone could explain to me how exactly a star disappears without warning. Still don't really get that one.

In any case, I appreciate any help or information you could provide me. I will be taking notes of everything I see and hear in the hopes that something might end up making sense.

Thank you,

Det. J. Oda

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Thank you, Mr. Allen. Do you have a particular forensic specialty? I've been working Homicide for close to ten years now.

I do know what you mean, though. I'm not suggesting anyone march up to our "employers" and start demanding answers. Whatever their aims, they do seem to have us between the proverbial rock and a hard place.

None, really. I'm the only one the precinct has so I do pretty much everything. I like the job, though.

I'm glad you're not out to cause a ruckus. Still, I suggest meeting some people. There's a lot of people here who understand, you know, about being a part of the police. So they can help out. Most of them have also been here longer than me so they'd have better answers.

Forensics is one of the backbones of all the work we do, and we definitely appreciate all the help we can get. I'm glad to hear you enjoy it.

[Other cops? Joseph dares to let himself hope, just a little...]

I'm not exactly the troublemaking type, myself. Are there a lot of other cops here?

I don't know, investigation and field work are pretty important to. I wouldn't have a job otherwise.

[He likes all parts of the police branches, really.]

I can tell you about one for certain. Another is sort of...kind of like a medieval kind of cop. Except more military like.

Do you think there's any rhyme or reason to the people recruited to come here? That law enforcement was chosen for this reason, or other sorts of people are chosen for other reasons?

If there is, it's got me stumped. For the time being, at least, I haven't really looked into that possibility at all.

I can't imagine a company that relies on intergalactic kidnap victims for its employs is particularly open about its inner workings.

How are we organized as a group, not including ALASTAIR's overseeing us? Are there sub-teams, anyone taking a role of leadership?

The answer to that is probably not going to surprise you at all so I'll refrain from telling you.

I take that to mean one of two things.

1. We're not, there isn't, and no.

2. We're all splintered up in a hopeless tangled power-grab between a few different groups.

The power-grabbing isn't really a thing, thankfully. But there are plenty of assholes so if you thought you were going to get away from that, good luck.