MoM IC Contact: TAKE TWO

[khajidont]

Jaime's cell phone is more or less plugged riiiight into his brain, so he tends to pick up like 99% of the time! If not, however...

"Hey, Jaime here! Leave a message, and I'll get back to you ASAP."

[If you want to find his previous inbox - it hit captcha! - please go HERE.]

Comments

[khajidont]

[Jaime takes a little while to answer, mostly because he's deliberating on how much he should tell, how much he wants to tell.

Then, he decides: screw it.]

Sort of a technical issue. It's an AI. Also attached to my spine, so you can see there's some issues there.

Before you ask, I've already tried removing it. It didn't go well.

[superposition]

Good lord. I can imagine.

[So we've got rogue AI, advanced alien technology, and it could fry Beetle's nervous system if something goes wrong... This might actually present a challenge, he realizes with a flutter of excitement. It's been a while since he had a really novel problem to solve.]

Mind if I come have a look at it? Just so I'd have a better idea what we're dealing with.

[Qubit come on, he didn't even agree to anything yet]

[khajidont]

[Wow, Qubit catapulted right from "what's the issue" to "this is definitely our problem" awfully quickly! This guy's proactive!]

No offense or anything but that's probably not the greatest idea in the world. It's not exactly friendly and I'm pretty sure I'm a lot stronger than you.

Try not to worry about it. I'll figure out a way.

[Though, honestly, if Qubit has an actual solid idea - and a reason for wanting to do this out of anything other than the goodness of his own heart, because that's a one way ticket to getting killed by the Scarab - he's willing to at least hear him out.]

[superposition]

[Proactive, or just nosy? YOU DECIDE. In fairness, Jaime kind of brought this on himself - one does not simply dangle an interesting problem in front of this stubborn bastard and then yank it away.

Anyway, that warning doesn't really do much to deter him; for one thing, it would not be remotely the first time he's had to try and placate a hostile being who could pulverize him without lifting a finger. It's partly out of the goodness of his heart - if he can help, it stands to reason he should, that's just how he operates - but he's not without ulterior motives, either. He is trying to build a superteam here, after all.]

I appreciate the concern, but I have dealt with much worse. So has it always been hostile, or is that a recent development?

[khajidont]

You know how you contacted me about something you don't want to talk about over text message?

Let's say this is the same kind of deal.

And, full disclosure, it can see everything I do. Say hi.

[So, he means, maybe don't talk about messing it up if you're not willing to deal with the consequences. It's too bad he can't just knock it out for a little while.]

[superposition]

[Oh. Well, that's. certainly a thing. Suppose that's what he gets for jumping in the deep end.

... Wait, no, he hasn't said anything incriminating (yet). He can still salvage this interaction, he just knows it. (Nevertheless, there's a longer pause than usual between this message and the last.)]

Fair enough. I understand.

I ought to clarify - I don't mean the AI, or you, any harm. I haven't the faintest intention of trying to remove or destroy it. ["Reprogram it," though... let's just say that's left out of the list deliberately.] Think of it more like mediation. I've arbitrated similar disputes. Surely we could figure out something that works for the both of you.

[khajidont]

Don't worry TOO much. I already tried destroying it and it hasn't killed me yet.

[Jaime, stop that spine yanking!]

What do you have in mind? Specifically?

[superposition]

How specifically are you talking? There's only so much I can plan out without having all the details.

[khajidont]

Well for one are you talking some technopath stuff or do you have to tear my back open?

I'm not opposed to the second option just for the record. But I WOULD like to know what you got in mind.

[superposition]

Oh! No, no, no, nothing so barbaric. [Besides which, he wouldn't have the first idea how to put you back together.] Strictly technopath stuff, as you put it.

[khajidont]

Right

I'm not ruling it out but it could be dangerous. Like, really really dangerous. I don't know how it would respond but my best guess is by trying to kill you.

[superposition]

Do you think so? Well, that's about par for the course for me these days. You'll have to forgive me not going into detail with it listening, but I do have measures I can take to prevent any untimely demises.

[khajidont]

What measures are those?

[superposition]

[Umm didn't he just say he's not going into detail... the scarab can hear all this, he doesn't want to give it any hints.]

You'll see. Nothing that'll hurt you, though, you have my word on that.

[khajidont]

I promise I'm more worried about you than me.

But if you're okay with the risks then... I'll give anything a shot. But I'm going to need you to promise to keep a secret for me.