What? [ He demands, feeling dread creep up his windpipe even though his voice doesn't betray it. ] "Oh no"? What did you find?
[ He grimaces slightly, but there's a fair point to be made there, supplies are scarce and shouldn't be left behind even if someone runs out of fortune. He exhales with a bit of indignation as he checks the camp. ]
Most of it, I think. Understood. [ Pause. ] Shouldn't I wait here in case she comes back this way?
[Randvi takes a deep breath. This isn't like how it's always been at home, wielding someone else’s power. This expedition was her own decision, and the results are hers as well.]
She will not return that way. Do you recall what I told you, about the call signs being a unique identifier? Maddy’s is no longer in the list. This happened with Zam as well, and she has yet to return to us.
[ There's a brief silence on the other end. Yeah, Levi knows what she's saying, but coming to terms with it is a different thing. As far as he's concerned, he's the one who had been responsible for the kids and failed; it doesn't even occur to him to blame Randvi for it, even if it's technically neither of theirs fault. ]
[ But Maddy was here just a little ago. How can she be gone? ]
Yes. We do not know the mechanism that causes this, so we cannot predict when or if it will happen again. What happens to the boy if you disappear next?
[ But first things first. He has to take care of the soldier that he actually knows is alive before he even thinks of any other potential rescue missions. He's marked the tree they had been camping at, hopefully clearly enough; if Maddy ends up there again she should understand to call them and wait. ]
Alright.
[ He thinks he might keep a little something, just to remember. ]
I know. But there is no reason at this time to believe that she will reappear where she was last seen.
I believe that once she is able, Maddy will reach out to us. Or at the very least, to you.
[Not that Zam hadn't called out before when she had needed help, but she's capable and an adult with a martial job and depending on what the threat was she might be acting like Shaw.]
We don't know for sure. I'll leave a message and some water at our last night's camp.
[ Just in case. ]
[ Perhaps he should leave his radio, too. But there's no knowing who might pick it up, and somebody could impersonate him and try to hurt someone who trusts him, like Maddy or Levi or even Randvi. No, that's not a good idea after all. ]
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2023-10-07 10:15 pm (UTC)[ He grimaces slightly, but there's a fair point to be made there, supplies are scarce and shouldn't be left behind even if someone runs out of fortune. He exhales with a bit of indignation as he checks the camp. ]
Most of it, I think. Understood. [ Pause. ] Shouldn't I wait here in case she comes back this way?
[ That's not how this works, Levi... ]
no subject
Date: 2023-10-07 10:36 pm (UTC)She will not return that way. Do you recall what I told you, about the call signs being a unique identifier? Maddy’s is no longer in the list. This happened with Zam as well, and she has yet to return to us.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-08 05:59 pm (UTC)[ But Maddy was here just a little ago. How can she be gone? ]
...Are you sure?
no subject
Date: 2023-10-08 06:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-10-08 06:59 pm (UTC)[ He's itching to kick something but opts to just take a slow, long breath to stead himself. ]
...He'd be fine. He has experience in the field. But I don't intend to abandon him. We're both turning back.
[ And then once they've delivered Maddy's belongings he might go off on his own again! :) But there's no need to mention that. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-10-08 07:13 pm (UTC)[They don't need two disappearances in one.]
When you return, let me know what is hers specifically and I will safeguard them with Zam’s things.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-08 10:22 pm (UTC)[ But first things first. He has to take care of the soldier that he actually knows is alive before he even thinks of any other potential rescue missions. He's marked the tree they had been camping at, hopefully clearly enough; if Maddy ends up there again she should understand to call them and wait. ]
Alright.
[ He thinks he might keep a little something, just to remember. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-10-08 10:27 pm (UTC)I believe that once she is able, Maddy will reach out to us. Or at the very least, to you.
[Not that Zam hadn't called out before when she had needed help, but she's capable and an adult with a martial job and depending on what the threat was she might be acting like Shaw.]
no subject
Date: 2023-10-11 09:01 pm (UTC)[ She seems to know about this more than he does, so he reluctantly relents, except, oh. ]
She ditched her radio a while ago. She might not have a way to do that.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-11 09:57 pm (UTC)[Maddy! Why would you do that?]
Zam’s radio disappeared with her. Perhaps Maddy’s will be returned to her.
no subject
Date: 2023-10-11 10:45 pm (UTC)We don't know for sure. I'll leave a message and some water at our last night's camp.
[ Just in case. ]
[ Perhaps he should leave his radio, too. But there's no knowing who might pick it up, and somebody could impersonate him and try to hurt someone who trusts him, like Maddy or Levi or even Randvi. No, that's not a good idea after all. ]
no subject
Date: 2023-10-11 10:48 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2023-10-11 10:53 pm (UTC)[ That... seems to be about it, then. He could tell her when they're planning to return, but he did already say they will turn back, so... ]
[ He just hangs up. Rude but to the point, at least. ]