outsiders | oo1; text

[ There's a million ways he could do this -- talk about what he's looking for out of a space station and the people he'd prefer to meet, talk about space, talk about how strange this all is. Nothing he would say out loud, really.

Or he could go about it from an entirely different angle, almost smiling to himself as he begins. ]

Does anyone here know a woman by the name of Sydney? Sydney Bristow?

She'll know me. This is Michael Vaughn. [ Oh, he's so enjoying this, and hopefully Vaughn is somewhere out there rolling in his proverbial-non-grave. ]

I'm looking for any chance of a stay she might have had here. Recently, or any time in the past. She's been out of range for almost two years now, might've gone into hiding, might have been killed, I don't know. And since i've shown up, i've kind of started to wonder if she ended up here too.

So if anyone's heard from her, think you could let me know? I'd appreciate knowing She's kind of an asset, important to me. [ He's hoping the word asset will stand out without forcing him to underline and bold it, as if someone might pick him out as a potential spook. ]

She'll know.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Vaughn? That's an unusual name. Aren't you taking a risk by sharing your name like this? Anyone could be here from the same place as you; they might want you dead.

Appreciate the concern, but it's not really necessary. It's just a name, isn't it?

It's just as likely that your friend is here as it is someone who wants you dead, isn't it? Assuming there are people who want you dead.

Just as likely that nobody knows me, isn't it? I mean, I don't really know why you're assuming anyone wants me dead, but looking for me on here might not do them any good.

You said your friend might have been killed. The assumption wasn't that far off, I think. And you're right, it's just as likely. What does she do for a living that puts her in so much danger?