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[bodilesswarrior]

[Barbara ought to look excited, despite the natural wariness and frustrated curiosity. Instead, she looks a little devastated.]

You know when you're pretty sure something isn't going to work, and you try it anyway? It's silly, isn't it? [Her voice almost cracks.

Then she takes a deep breath, and sets her shoulders, and makes herself sound strong.]

I've got to wonder if combining our abilities would let them reach further, but it's not an experiment I'm willing to try just yet.

Could everyone who's ended up with Admiral abilities check in, please? [She's kept track, of course, but that's no guarantee, she hasn't spoken to everyone directly.] I'd like to know what everyone's managed to do, and what their status is.

Cambridge - do you think scanning us would be worth it?

Comments

[leavetreadmarks]

[But Letty goes immediately defensive at the repetition and the smile.]

I wouldn't have done it on purpose. Where the hell am I supposed to drive a car on this piece of shit boat, and what else are you supposed to do with a car if not drive it?

[I'm not that stupid, everything about her says, including the way she avoids the question.]

[bodilesswarrior]

I'm not doubting you. [There's a wry amusement to the words, but they're utterly sincere.] I'm just - your instinct gave you a garage. That's kind of brilliant.

By the by, if the Enclosure starts working again you could probably drive in there.

[leavetreadmarks]

[The Enclosure has been suggested to her before, even argued for; she still shakes her head. The logistics of even getting the car up there stymie her for one, but more than that - because she is more than stubborn enough to figure it out if she was motivated - knowing she's driving around in a room, even a room the size of a city, isn't something that interests her.

For now.]

Well. It's what I would be doing back home anyway. For...

It's a 1970 Dodge Charger R/T.

[bodilesswarrior]

[Aaand she's grinning again.] In good shape, or did the Barge want to let you fix it up?

[leavetreadmarks]

[But Letty shakes her head, lips twisting.]

I was fixing it up before, back home. For someone.

He flipped it drag racing. Off the front of a semi. After burning out all the pistons.

[There's a lot of work to do, is what she's saying, and she doesn't sound happy about any of it.]

[bodilesswarrior]

[Her smile twists into a grimace.]

Sounds nasty. [She's seen those kinds of crashes. Been in a few herself, over the years.]

...You need anything for it?

[leavetreadmarks]

He walked away.

[It's the best she can say about it, honestly. He had no right to and they both know it, but that's an old battle, one she only half got to fight. Now, it'll keep.

She doesn't need to think. She's known what that car needs for months, a list in the back of her head that she's crossed a lot off on her own, that still has so much left to do.]

Almost all the bodywork is fucked on the passenger side, front, and top; before I can even get to that, there's the chassis work and I have to strip out the pistons and everything between me and them and...

[She waves a hand.] I don't know what I'm gonna do with it yet.

[bodilesswarrior]

[Aching sympathy twists her features, now. She's experienced that, on both ends, and she knows how unfair it is. How it burns under your skin long after it's over.]

If you make a decision - feel free to let me know. [Sometimes it's easier, rebuilding with two.]

[leavetreadmarks]

[Letty realizes in the moment Babs' expression shifts that she may have misunderstood; she doesn't clarify, though. It's accurate enough, and certainly more than she wants to talk about right now.

She smiles, not quite sincere, which shows glaringly on someone like Letty; she just wants past it.]

Thanks. [Much more comfortable is when she moves on to the problem closer to hand:] Is any of this useful? I mean are you learning anything?

[bodilesswarrior]

[Moving on, moving forward - that's her coping mechanism, too. So she's happy to change subjects.]

I think so. I'm getting a better sense of who the Barge chose and why, how using the abilities affect people, what our limits are.

Hopefully, Cambridge will get something with the scans. Even if he doesn't - I'd like to try some trial runs, a few people focusing on something at a time. Preferably in the infirmary.

[leavetreadmarks]

Do you think...

Do you think we should try anything in the engine room?