Inverse (stalled)

(Vitoria) oh god Durban i couldn't stand to lose you i couldn't stand to lose any of you now that i've found you all again i'm so sorry (Melbourne) i don't i don't understand oh my god i don't want to die (Riyadh) this isn't real (Cardiff) shit shit shit shit (Moscow) it's all wrong…

there is a silence that feels cold a chill in the minds of everyone present one conversation starts then another someone picks up on another conversation and adds something to the children, they seem to move incredibly fast - Riyadh - what did you see? Cairo asks Riyadh's mind is swirling - what?...

Venice wakes and keeps his eyes closed his body still he senses a presence in close proximity to his body some part of his brain that feels at first alien informs him he is on a boat he listens the sounds of a marina, land the air tastes like land sunlight and dust docked -…

Cairo turns around, leans against the bench by the sink she takes a tea-towel and dries her hands some years ago when we still all worked together, we took on a Task Melbourne, Cardiff and Riyadh realise she's speaking for their benefit and turn towards her the Task was to retrieve a single file,...

Durban and Moscow are the first up one occupies the ensuite of the room they share the other goes to one of the apartment bathrooms when they are dressed they go to the common area both of them stop when they hear the piano without a word they slowly walk to where Seoul sits on…

as the sky grows ever brighter Seoul takes her music-player out from her pocket she sends a WNI pulse accesses the Media system via the housekeeper powers-on the player and syncs them quietly from speakers hidden in the room the sounds of minimal piano float out to greet the dawn

Melbourne hears the door softly brush against the carpet stirs and opens her eyes - sorry Riyadh's voice whispers - that's alright Melbourne whispers back - is everything ok Ree? are you going to get enough sleep? she asks sleepily - i'll be fine Riyadh settles into the futon on the floor Melbour...

Durban sits up on his futon and leans against the wall - can't sleep? Moscow's voice from the bed - i did. for a bit Moscow gets out of bed without any signs of fatigue sits down and leans against the wall adjacent to where Durban sits - you? - probably the same. i don't…

Cairo opens her eyes the city in pale light is in focus blurred before her is Auckland's face she looks at him they face each-other lying on their sides his expression is still eyes closed her arm is nestled between his neck and the bed the other by her side, hand at her hip through…

i wake the boat is lazily moving with calm ocean waves - you sure are dead Sunderland is sitting on a box-seat opposite the bunk - sleep like you're dead, don't move - open your eyes slow like nothing ever happened i sit up expecting authorisation pulses from a Wireless Interface - you equipped? ...