hadriel | 012 [Video]

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012 [Video]

[It's a nice, quiet day in Hadriel, at least as far as city-wide things go, but who knows how long that'll last. So Lance is taking advantage of it, both in terms of going out for a walk to get some fresh air and also making a post on the network; he has something important to talk about, after all.]

Hello everyone. I'd like to preface what I'm about to ask by saying that I understand some here may have concerns regarding speaking about this subject over the network, and so if you would prefer to talk in person I'm willing to meet with you.

[Another reason it being a nice day is helpful.]

I'm interested in hearing opinions on the issue of the Null that posted to the network a few weeks ago. In such a complicated situation it's difficult to consider all information and every possibility, and the people here have such vastly different experiences that can lead to unique conclusions and insights. The more ideas and reasons we all have to consider, the better informed our choices can be.

[Including, potentially, ideas of what to do about the situation other than the obvious two of 'kill it' or 'let it live happily ever after'.]

If you were not here for the last battle with the Null your opinion is just as important as those of the people who were present, as you're providing a viewpoint that, although lacking in specific experience, makes up for it with objectivity.

[In other words, they may not have a personal grudge against the Null that affects their opinions.]

I'd also like to note that this is all completely voluntary, and if you don't want to share your opinion that's fine; I'm just interested in hearing what people think and why, particularly due to experience and insight I may not have on a subject like this. Additionally, individuals who are still undecided in where they stand could benefit from hearing points and arguments they may not have had a chance to consider before.

Thank you.

[Considering this is such a serious topic, it can't hurt to be a little extra polite when asking people to do something potentially dangerous, right?]

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[He definitely can't argue with any of that, and even if he could it isn't the point of things anyway.]

Is there anything in particular you think we could learn from this Null? And do you believe it's worth the risk of it potentially lying and still meaning us harm?

I'm no expert in technology, but I really do think it can't lie. So I'm not worried about that. As for meaning us harm, heh. We all mean each other harm, depending on the mood swings of the gods, so it wouldn't be anything unusual. Just another Tuesday, really.

As for what we can learn, I don't know that I want to say so openly. [IT IS WATCHING] Particularly with the gods so damn touchy as of late.

[Again, he doesn't disagree with any of that, and he kind of likes that Law states it so matter-of-factly, especially that last part.]

Perhaps we should talk in person instead; are you at the Clinic?

Yeah. You're not there as often anymore, so I haven't seen you. [but then, he's also been absent thanks to field trips] It's a fine place to chat.

[Saying he hasn't been around often is kind of an understatement, but not wrong. He's due for a visit to see how the new place looks anyway.]

Alright, I'll be there shortly.

[And he shows up a little while later, stepping inside almost awkwardly, because he doesn't exactly feel like he belongs here at this point. But that isn't important right now, and he glances around for Law.]

[he's in one of the side rooms working on his long-term research - no more fussing over the mystery flu, he's back to mixing the best painkillers for anyone in need]

Ah. Lance-ya.

Hello, Law.

[And okay, he's immediately a little distracted from the topic at hand for the moment--]

What are you working on?

Medications. [idly, over his shoulder, as he finishes up with his present step and then sets it aside, brushing his hands off] I'm always trying to improve efficacy.

So. You're interested in the plight of the robot.

Anything, as long as it isn't toxic or something, is better than nothing.

[As far as medication goes; Lance very distinctly remembers how much it sucks when there's a shortage but you really need something. He's not going to think about that at the moment, though, refocusing as Law shifts the topic back.]

I do. We've had a lot of... Distractions, recently, but that means weeks have passed since it first contacted everyone.

[And so who knows how much time they might have left to decide what to do about it.]

Yeah, well. One might almost suspect our local area hosts of trying to distract us with their own needs at a time like that.

[he still doesn't know which one to blame for paranoia flu but by god he's going to be sour and sulky about it]

I know there's a handful of people pissed about it but this isn't the time for irrational prejudices. We have a unique opportunity here; I already wasted one, I'm not wasting a second.

That's entirely possible.

[Lance will also be a little salty; he nearly ended up dead that last event and considering he's not going to blame Michael for it, the gods are the only appropriate target.

He nods in understanding as Law speaks, agreeing, but--]

What do you mean about having already wasted an opportunity?

[oh, you too, Lance? Fortunately, his shirt hides what bandages he's still wearing to keep his lacerations healing properly.]

When the Null broke into the network, I shot my mouth off too quickly. I'm not usually so provoked, but it reminded me viscerally of my own experience, I couldn't help myself. If I had been able to keep my composure, I could have spoken to them longer and dug out information.

I don't have anything against this one Null, but I'm also not necessarily drawn in by feelings for it. I'm taking it pragmatically, if that matters to you.

[Lance fortunately has a friend with some healing magic, so he's pretty much back to normal, at least physically. He shakes head at Law's words, though, once he realizes what he's talking about regarding the question--]

You didn't really miss anything; they told me nothing of particular value, and I remained off their list until I participated in defending the Clinic.

[So don't feel guilty or anything. As for the last remark--]

I can't say it doesn't matter, but at this point I'm mostly concerned with figuring out who intends to murder it on sight. I don't expect you to be personally attached to it.

[He can handle the moral and emotional side of things himself; he definitely has enough to go around.]

Ah. Yeah, that's smart. [he wouldn't have expected Curufin to be one of the murderers but...yeah all right them elves, seriously.] I'm not out to destroy it, don't worry.

What I want to learn from it is where it all went wrong. I saw it telling people it considers emotions a virus; I want to know if its species is capable of understanding that not all beings believe the same thing and it's all right to live and let live. But more than that, if we're skillful with questions, it could be induced to reveal Null weaknesses without realizing it's doing so. Trying to actively turn it against its own kind is pointless and somewhat cruel, but I like the idea of a 'learn and discern' tactic.

[Lance studies him carefully at that response, looking for any hint that he's lying, but also listening to what he says at the same time.]

I believe you're right, in the potential benefits and what to try, and we have people here with experience in asking those sorts of questions for those sorts of reasons.

[Like Lance, though there are probably a few other people here who do as well.]

Right now, we're not getting any closer to knowing how to deal with the next time the Null find us; I'm not sure we can afford to get rid of a potential resource just because there's a little danger.

[And of course the moral issue, but considering Law said that isn't a factor for him--and that's fine, and Lance appreciates the honesty there--there's no real point in bringing that up.]

[leaning back in his chair, trying to look all professional while he contemplates Lance's line of questioning]

Hm. True. Even if they'd be so stupid as to use the network and warn us they're coming again, that didn't exactly turn out to be a benefit last time. We had weeks of warning and they still surprised us like we're all a bunch of amateurs. [to which he shakes his head sadly] We can't do that again. Weeks of fighting, day in and day out? I'm actually surprised more of us didn't die.

I don't know what you're planning, but if you can find it, you'll have to limit the number of people who know that you even have it. There's too many that just want to destroy it out of spite, if not fear.

[Good attempt at the professional look, even if it always loses a little something when directed at someone else who does exactly the same thing a lot.]

I'm also surprised, not just because of how long it lasted and how unprepared we were, but because we had been told the Null were such a great threat. But although the sheer numbers were an issue, we not only were able to fight but eventually evade them, which is another reason I can't consider a lone Null to be much of a threat.

[They could destroy it easily, and if its communications were working and it wanted to use them it would've done so already.]

Yeah. That's... Definitely a problem, and I'm not sure how we'd hide it not only from other people but from the gods.

[Which is an issue he's a little nervous about; he doesn't like dealing with the people here being a threat, but he really doesn't want to deal with making the gods personally pissed off at him.]

[great minds think alike, Lance!]

Ugh. Yeah, that's a problem. The gods. They can't know, they'll exterminate with extreme prejudice.

[he's already no fan of Fear but any thought of trying to rationally ally with that one evaporated upon his response to Name]

That's a tough one. I'll think on it, if I can. [at which point he shoots Lance a direct look] You're asking around to find out who you can trust, aren't you?

Yeah. That and who knows what they're willing to do to members of the populace who they think are directly endangering them.

[Or just not doing what they're told, but that's more Lance's distrust talking; he doesn't think the gods are quite that petty, or they would've done something to people who defied them earlier. Still, if they consider someone an actual, active threat, then who knows?]

Thank you.

[And he hesitates at the question, but then finally nods; he believes what Law has been saying, so it should be okay to trust him on this.]

Yes. Both for the Null's sake and for the people involved in trying to help it.

[That is undoubtedly a concern, one more terrifying at its core than having dreams exposed or child selves. What would they do if they thought their present hosts were actively plotting against them? With their genocidal enemies, no less?

He sits forward with his tattooed fingers laced together, taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly.]

We can't afford a civil war amongst ourselves. We all need to stick together against the two sides who have us caught between them. Whatever you do, keep that damn thing under wraps until the irrational anger and hatred can be mitigated.

[Lance would definitely agree, especially considering how they reacted when they were looking for who might've been a spy. There are so many potential ways for this to go really badly.

But he nods again, gaze shifted off to the side while he thinks, then looks back.]

You're right, and although I have no interest in letting the Null kill the gods out of some grudge, I'm also not interested in fighting their war for them. None of us asked to be a part of this at all.

[And so they need to be sticking together, as Law said, and don't owe the gods anything.]

I'm being as cautious as possible in who I work with in trying to find it, and that includes not letting the gods know anything more than absolutely necessary.

[Actually, that makes him think about something--]

Considering the gods can't seem to locate the Null reliably, or they would've already done so, I wonder if we might be able to convince them--and potentially others here--that it was destroyed.

[And avoid anyone even looking for it in the first place. It wouldn't work if Name continued to use the network, but otherwise... Maybe.

But it would be really, really dangerous, and he's not sure he wants to resort to that yet.]

...ah. Good point. I hadn't considered that, but that does bring up something interesting. [and has him wondering. Are the gods like him, able to sense living creatures but not those without any organic heart at all?]

You have to find it before they do. If what I read is true and it's pinned beneath rubble, I can always pull it out with my ability, but I can't locate it like I can living people. I can't sense where it is, particularly if it's just a hunk of damaged metal under stone.

[That's definitely good to know, both about being able to potentially move Name out of the rubble and about Law normally being able to locate living people.]

Okay. So if I, or someone else, either finds it or convinces it to give its location, are you willing to help move it somewhere else if you're contacted about it?

[He thinks he can trust Law on this, at least a lot more than some other people.]

Yeah. I'm fine with that.

[his indifference sets him apart from most. He isn't passionately for or against Name's survival, but he'll make himself useful. That's all that matters.]

If it comes to that, give me a call.

Alright.

[He takes a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves about this, but nods firmly.]

I'll call you and ask you about a demonstration of your powers, in case the gods are listening to network conversations.

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hot_mes - 2018-04-16 02:11 (UTC) - Expand

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lifetothefullest - 2018-04-16 02:21 (UTC) - Expand

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012 [Video]

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