[video]

[glassinine]

[The thing about employing text is that when you start using it when all your broadcasts are in video, people tend to question why you've suddenly switched. So he makes the decision to instead compose himself as best as he can and use video instead.

Unfortunately, he always sort of overestimates his ability to compose himself. He certainly doesn't seem distraught, or panicked, or anything of the sort, but he's definitely shaky. This is definitely a far cry from his normal, slow, quiet, lengthy broadcasts.]

I'm leaving on a business trip abroad for...some length of time. I'm - not certain how long. Please don't try to contact me; I'll be far too busy to answer any messages.

Good day.

Comments

(audio)

[abadidea]

[Wait. The last time he checked, that wasn't allowed...]

Traveling abroad? How'd you manage that?

[Hey, that's right. They haven't spoken since...]

Oh, uh...I appreciate the help.

(audio)

[glassinine]

The help...?

[Oh. Right. Yes. God, that seems like a lifetime ago.]

I - was given a passport.

(audio)

[abadidea]

Yeah, when I was looking for an attorney for...for Ellie.

[A pause.]

...you were?

(audio)

[glassinine]

Yes. I'm sorry I was not of more help back then.

And yes. I was.

(audio)

[abadidea]

It's fine. I guess it all worked out in the end, anyway.

...how'd you swing that?

(audio)

[glassinine]

It...I tried to ensure the safety of the crowd at the shuttle launch, and in doing so came across an agent of the Soviet Union. My apprehension of her was apparently sufficient to earn a reward. A passport. Would that it were not written in blood.

(audio)

[abadidea]

You...apprehended one of the saboteurs and you got a passport?

(audio)

[glassinine]

Yes.

(audio)

[abadidea]

[Wow. I helped save the lives of myself, the crew, and we saved the shuttle, and all we got were metals...]

Huh...well, congratulations. Where are you headed?

(audio)

[glassinine]

Ah, to...Canada.

(audio)

[abadidea]

Canada, huh? I hear now's a good time of year to go.

(audio)

[glassinine]

Yes. I understand it is quite beautiful there. It will be a...pleasant break from this humidity.

(audio)

[abadidea]

Yeah, I bet. This place is like a sauna. [Of course, he's used to the carefully controlled climates on board a space station, so...]

(audio)

[glassinine]

Well. You could travel as well, I'm sure.

(audio)

[abadidea]

Not without permission. They flag you for that kind of thing.

(audio)

[glassinine]

You...weren't given a passport?

(audio)

[abadidea]

No. All I got was a medal.

(audio)

[glassinine]

But you went into space.

(audio)

[abadidea]

And helped save the shuttle and nearly died.

[Yeah. That.]

(audio)

[glassinine]

Er - quite.

[Right, that...]

I suppose it merely strikes me as strange that they'll let you leave the planet but not the country.

(audio)

[abadidea]

You think?

[He takes a breath.]

Whatever, I guess they have their reasons. You caught a terrorist.

(audio)

[glassinine]

No. I caught a frightened woman who made a terrible mistake. And who is now, no doubt, paying terribly for it.

(audio)

[abadidea]

Yeah, falling out of the sky doesn't make me feel inclined to forgiveness.

(audio)

[glassinine]

Sir, I have reason to believe that she may be undergoing torture. The government has shown that it does not intend to have them answer for their crimes, meaning that they will be held indefinitely.

(audio)

[abadidea]

Okay, okay! Torture's...extreme, and you put her there. It doesn't sound like you have plans of helping her out.

...it sounds like you're running.

[He knows the sounds of running. He's been there himself.]