[David isn't in the frame when the video feed clicks on. Instead, you're getting a more or less eye level view of the CES, which is currently flaunting a desert setting that looks like something out of the American south west.

It looks like he's alone, but then a little robotic spider - about the size and general shape of a tarantula - scuttles up a bush and faces the camera before carefully turning itself around to stare at the mesa. David doesn't comment on the spider's appearance or purpose there, and instead just starts talking in the familiar, almost emotionless cadence most Barge residents should be familiar by now.]

The research team I was assigned to visited a planet that didn't look much different from this. Less striking colors, but fairly similar features. [He sounds almost nostalgic... if he's capable of being nostalgic.]

Of course, if the CES chose to recreate that environment perfectly, anyone human who attempted to enter it would suffocate in minutes, assuming you were lucky enough to avoid the dust storms with clouds made predominantly of shards of glass.

[And then there's just silence for a long moment. The spider doesn't move until the bush it's sitting on is disturbed by a breeze, and then it turns around to face the camera, staring.

It's a little creepy.]

I had never been in the CES before today.

[Private to Mira]

You're welcome to join me, if you're in need of a change in scenery.

[So.

So this is happening, and he's still not entirely certain he knows what he's doing. Not that - in his experience, anyway, because he's hated most of the wardens he's known here - that seems to be something that disqualifies you from being a warden to an inmate, rather than just a warden on board the ship, but it's still strange, to think he's responsible for someone else now.

This is a lot more complicated than making sure a few cryopods didn't fail during travel, or just doing a decent thing for someone you care for.

He decides to address something less bizarre first.]

I would like to thank everyone for the hospitality they showed towards Dr. Shaw during the flood. [Except for you, Chris, but David isn't one to hold a grudge over something like that when he likes you, anyway.

He knows some people would put the rest of this behind a filter, but there's no reason to pretend that he wouldn't do something like this.]

And if anyone has any information they'd like to share with me about Ms. Hidalgo, I would be interested to hear it.

[Private to Mira]

We should speak.

[David clicks on the video feed and smiles, polite and somehow a little more genuine seeming than normal, maybe less like he's smiling politely because he feels like he has to, and more because he actually wants to. It's still a little unsettling, because, well, this is David and he's not human, but it's still clearly more friendly than he usually is.]

Good afternoon. As we're currently experiencing a flood, I felt it wise to offer assistance to anyone who feels they may need it.

In other news, we're currently lacking any inmate assistance in the library, so if anyone would be interested in volunteering, feel free to contact myself, Chromie or Arthur to arrange something.

[Private to Sandoval]

Mr. Sandoval, I believe we should arrange a meeting whenever is convenient to you to discuss our current plan of action regarding your rehabilitation and future graduation.

[Private to Chris]

I trust you're following the doctor's orders to ensure a speedy recovery?