reach the residents

[ximilian]

● ● ● REACH THE RESIDENTS

For any questions you want to ask Viveca or Degar and receive an IC response, please direct them here. Please indicate in the subject line who you are trying to contact.

// VIVECA

Hi, what can I help you with?

// DEGAR

Today was gonna be the day, but they'll never throw it back to you. And by now, you should've somehow realized what you're not to do.

▶ NAV

Comments

[firstroar]

[he's not so sure about that one chief.

still:] And if wasn't their choice, you suppose it was the orb's? How? What is this...sentience? And can it be studied?

Will you let it be studied?

[vivecai]

Yes, the orb can also terminate your contract at any time. I'm sure by now you've realised it's not exactly easy to control.

[ the smaller entities of it can be, but the one orb they all are parts of... not. ]

Blue, you have to understand, it's far too dangerous. We're keeping you from the orbs for a reason. You could speak to it, yes, but there would be nothing to protect your mind from it.

[firstroar]

Keep the others from it, then. But is there not value for all in letting one with the potential to learn do so? So that the others may suffer less after-the-fact.

[she has to see him and the others as lines of probability, not people. because machine.]

[vivecai]

Not if it also has the possibility that it turns you against the team, or affects your powers... or just endangers you.

[ she sighs, the vision of her shaking her head. ]

You're not expendable, or less valuable than the others on this team. Besides — we know the Orb well enough, already. Degar can speak to them, and due to the nature of his position on this station, he is shielded against them. That is why he is the only one in the North Wing.

[firstroar]

[he bristles. why doesn't she just admit the end goal justifies any cost to the people brought here?? local empath demands machines be less emapthetic to justify age-old worldview, more at 11.]

His... [grimacing, he cuts himself off with a breath, shifting his weight to combat fatigue.] And...you mean to say such a condition cannot be replicated? Shared?

[he steps aside so he can plant a stabilizing hand on the nearest wall.]

Some people...are more or less expendable by the nature of a goal...are they not?

[vivecai]

Only one person has command of the station.

[ stated matter-of-factly. but his next words get her to frown as she looks at him and exclaims, ]

Of course not! Is that really what you think? No one is expendable. If I could spare you the danger during the missions, or revive you should one of you die, I would, without a second thought! No matter who. Every life is just as valuable.

[firstroar]

[smashes x to doubt!!!!!!]

Your maker, then...puts in those parameters, yes? That regardless of your thoughts...you will send those of us here...to face these threats.

[vivecai]

I have no maker. I made myself.

[ yes. she means it. ]

You face the threats because you think the reward will be worth it. We can't get the orbs back here on our own. We need help for it, but we're not forcing you to go. You're all here because you want to fix a regret... because you will get something out of this. It's an equal exchange.

[firstroar]

[...]

You...are no machine, then. Are you. Even a living being...is begotten...not of themselves.

But whatever you may be is...something I can't perceive. [he shakes his head a little.] I can't...know your truth, or even believe it the way...it should be believed. Because of how I was made.

[his head dips.]

...Reconsider it. When it's proven...there's value in trying. To use me in that way. When it seems a viable risk...ask me again.

And I can choose. Because I may not think the same then as I do now. Because I think...what needs fixing...may change.

[vivecai]

I don't think there's anyone like me out there, really.

[ she doesn't sound proud of this — if anything, she seems a little sad. ]

Alright, Blue. We have a deal. If it becomes necessary... I'll ask you. And you'll have the choice to say no.

[firstroar]

[seems sad, but how can he be sure? he can't feel the reverberations of emotion from her. it could be as much of a ruse as anything the Terras Number machines would do.

but he can't argue about it anymore, nor stay standing up for much longer. he just gives her one last look before pushing himself upright, turning, and leaving.]