hadriel_logs | am I the caller of your keep

Entry tags:

am I the caller of your keep

Who: Guardsmen & you!
What: A open catch-all for the Guard HQ for the month.
Where: Guard HQ
When: March 10th – April 9th
Warnings: TBA

A month after construction finished, the Guard HQ is in great shape. While it retains an air of newness, it's also starting to look settled into.

A sofa by the entrance, in clear sight of the office off to the right, provides a place for visitors to wait if they wish to speak with a guardsman. The office itself is made up of a variety of scavenged tables and chairs, inconsistent in style but providing every guardsman a space to do paperwork and occupy while manning headquarters. Beyond the office is a small meeting room, as well as a separate lounge for guardsmen to socialise and eat in, filled with a handful of comfortable chairs and a low table. Off to the left side of the building is a large, open training area, for guardsmen to train, spar and offer lessons within, safe from the overbearing heat outside. Beyond that is a storage room. A set of stairs at the back lead up to the roof, which serves as the northern watchtower. Like the standalone watchtowers that cover the other cardinal directions, it provides shelter from the elements as well as windows that allow a clear view, wide enough to be shot or fired from with ranged weapons.

The front door is always unlocked.

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[So, honestly, Lance had found the holotape--he only knows to call it that because it says so on the front of it--several days ago, but he'd been so distracted by other things that he hadn't returned it to its owner. It had, fortunately, been easy enough to figure out who it belonged to, once he'd realized how the event works; only so many people in Hadriel have metal hands, after all.

But it works out for the best that he hadn't returned it yet, because he can combine the trip with speaking to Nick about the other big issue in Hadriel at the moment: the rogue, damaged Null. So Lance shows up at the new Guardpost for the first time, tentatively and hesitantly wandering inside and looking around for Nick while trying to avoid everyone else.

He spots him at his desk, wanders over, and is about to say hello when he sees the fact that Nick's hand appears to be... Off. And on the table. And surely that's probably normal and fine, considering the aforementioned metal hand thing, but it's still kind of disturbing; it takes a moment before he shakes off the surprise and looks away from the hand and up at Nick instead.]

Um, hello, Nick. I think I found something of yours.

[Despite his previous affiliation with the Clinic that's now right next door, Lance isn't a face Nick sees much these days. In all fairness, most people have been in and out of town over the last month, himself included; however, there's also the fact that Lance and the Guard haven't always seen eye-to-eye, and given his position with them, Nick supposes whatever doubt the doctor may have with the organization extends to him, as well. He can see why Lance and Maketh didn't get along, but no one got along with Maketh toward the end. They all had reasons not to trust her.

That trust in the Guard is something Nick's always working to change, and he generally thinks well of the doctor, so he gives Lance a smile as he approaches the desk. It's weary -- wearier than it should be for someone who logically can't feel exhaustion the same way a real person can -- but genuine.]

Yeah? I was starting to think the gods had forgotten about me this time around.

[Most of the time, he'd rather they did.]

[Nick is definitely right in that Lance is still cautious about the Guard overall, but not in the same way he used to be; he just prefers now to deal with individual members unofficially, rather than the organization as a whole.

But he likes Nick well enough, and his support during the whole Maketh incident went a long way toward encouraging Lance to trust him, with everything since only adding to that. So even though he's still awkward and tense about being in the Guard building, that has nothing to do with actually talking to Nick.]

No, that was just... I've been distracted, sorry.

[And he does mean that, as he hands Nick a small bag which contains the holotape; he hadn't wanted to touch it more than necessary. But that done, he also hadn't missed the tiredness of Nick's smile, and so--]

Are you doing alright?

Yeah, I'm all right. It's just... been a long month.

[Or two. He's glad to have Rey back, but he hopes he never has to go through the hell it took to get her back ever again. He seems like he might have more to say on that, but he takes a look inside the bag first -- and that tired smile of his widens, a hint of nostalgia in his yellow eyes. A quiet chuckle escapes him as he uses his working hand to pull the holotape out and looks it over.]

You know, I didn't think I was ever gonna see one of these again. Guess it's a good thing I asked for that terminal a while back.

[Not that he has a lot of time for games these days, but it's one thing from home he did miss from time to time. He gestures for Lance to take a seat in the chair opposite his desk, if he'd like.]

Thanks for bringing it by, Doc.

[Lance isn't sure if he's convinced by that answer but nods for now; he's aware that Nick and Rey are close, and of course has seen the post Rey--Safronov?--made recently, but since he barely knows Rey and doesn't really like what he does know, he's just been staying out of the whole thing. Still, he's sure it hasn't been great for Nick, and he can definitely sympathize with that.

But at least he looks a little happier when he pulls out the holotape, and Lance offers a small smile at the thanks and takes the indicated seat.]

Of course, you're welcome. Is it... Is it a video game, or a movie?

[He couldn't quite tell.]

Video game. Back home, you could plug one of these into a terminal or a Pip-Boy and waste a lot of hours doing absolutely nothing. Not that I'd know.

[But if his wry tone on that last note is any indication, he definitely does.]

Technology is pretty different from world to world, so I suppose things like this would be a little low-tech compared to what you're used to.

[Or so assumes the sapient metal man.]

[That earns a bit more of a grin.]

Of course not. I don't know anything about video games either.

[Which is obviously just as untrue as Nick's comment.]

It's hard to say if it's more advanced or not without seeing it played, though. It sounds like the equivalent of a game and game console back home, and those really vary a lot in terms of technology.

[But as nice as this subject is, Lance doesn't want to get too distracted from the other reason he came here.]

But speaking of technology, I assume you've seen the post by the Null?

[He knows Nick has, but only because Name told him since Nick's conversation is entirely private, so he thinks phrasing it as a question is a better why to start.]

[Now there's something more important than talking about video games and old pre-war technology.]

Yeah, I think we've all seen it by now. [Nick sets the game aside, giving Lance his full attention.] And have hopefully been thinking about what it means for us, and for the city as a whole. And what we oughtta do about it.

[Though given some of the responses to the lone Null, he highly doubts some people have put much thought into anything but that last part. As staunchly against the Null as Nick is, even he can't help but want to consider Name something more, to give them a chance to be something other than just the enemy. Maybe that's just the part of him that's tired of fighting -- or maybe that's the person in him, someone far different from the synth he is.]

You got any thoughts on it, Doc? You're the expert in figuring out what makes folks tick.

[He hesitates several seconds at the question, because yeah, he has some thoughts, but this whole thing is... More than a little complicated.]

I'm not exactly an expert on robots that suddenly acquired emotions, presuming that's really the case here.

[But he does think it is, and so continues--]

However, we have yet to see any indication that the Null understand people well enough to try to manipulate them by lying; the opposite, actually. So I'm inclined to believe that this Null is telling the truth, and if it is then it means us no harm and it would be wrong to harm it in return.

[That latter point is something he's very sure of. And although he's confident in his assessment that Name is being truthful, there's still a fear that he's somehow wrong and there will be a huge threat to everyone and it'll be his fault.]

[There's a hint of relief that crosses Nick's face; that's about what he expected from Lance, given their previous conversations, but with how bloodthirsty some people can be, it's still nice to hear it.]

Agreed. They seem real black-and-white with their thinking. I don't blame folks for being suspicious of one showing up that's in a grey area, but people thought the same of me back home.

[Not that the Institute's synths and the Null, nor him and Name, are the same, but the feeling is still there.]

Edited 2018-03-21 02:29 (UTC)

[Lance is similarly relieved when he sees the bit of emotion from Nick, indicating that they're pretty much on the same page here, at least on the moral issue. He nods, quiet for a few more moments before responding.]

It's definitely understandable, but it would be a mistake to jump immediately to the worst case scenario. Aside from the moral issue, we could potentially learn a great deal from a Null that isn't interested in fighting, both about the Null in general and about how they act when affected by the gods' influence.

[And practically, those would both be incredibly important areas to learn more about.]

Yeah. And frankly, that's an advantage we can't afford to lose.

[Though if the way he sighs and his brow knits are any indication, the moral standpoint is a big deal to Nick. After all, that sense of morality is what separates them from the Null.]

[Lance nods, but he's definitely paying more attention to the expression and sigh than to the actual words. Fortunately, it's even more reassurance that Nick can be trusted on this, and so Lance pulls his phone from his pocket and scrolls through it for a moment; he hands it over to Nick, open to a private text conversation.]

I thought you should be aware of this.

[The part about Nick specifically, but all the rest of it too.]

[Nick raises an eyebrow as he takes Lance's phone, wondering just what it is the doctor wants him to see. As he leans back in his chair reading through the replies, surprise crosses him: while what Lance said isn't too shocking -- he has always been level-headed in Nick's experience, even in the face of tense situations -- what catches the synth off-guard is that Name seems willing to actually take him up on his help, even turning to him for advice, letting Lance figure out who can and can't be trusted. That's definitely a step away from how the Null usually operate, and is more of an opportunity to help than Name gave most people who answered their call -- at least publicly. Better a sympathetic fella like Lance than someone who'd just destroy Name the second they found them.

He's also inwardly pleased Lance trusts that any offer from Nick himself would be genuine. It brings a brief smile to the synth's face, one appreciated in light of some of the heavy things he's been dealing with lately. Lance might never fully trust the Guard, but Nick is glad the two of them can be on the same page, especially regarding this.

Nick is quiet for several minutes, going over it a second time, digesting the new information before handing the phone back. Since Lance is willing to share, he feels inclined to do the same. He reaches behind him to the coat draped across the back of his chair, digging out his phone. Finding the conversation in question, he passes the device across his desk.]

Guess I'm not the only one who thought about taking this to private channels.

[And so Lance becomes the only one (save for the gods, Nick is sure) privy to the conversation between two machines who shouldn't feel, but do.]

Edited 2018-04-01 07:40 (UTC)

[Lance is quiet while Nick reads, politely not watching him and instead glancing around the guard headquarters--he hasn't really seen the new place yet--but he does catch the smile. It prompts a faint one from him as well, partially because of empathetic reflex and partially because he's pleased to see a smile from Nick in general, especially about what he's reading.

He takes his phone back when offered, and then Nick's as well when it's held out to him; he reads slowly, carefully taking in all of the information. He feels a sense of relief at having it confirmed that he was right to trust Nick's intentions on this matter, and it's encouraging in regards to the issue of Name being truthful as well; he can't imagine a conversation like this coming from a Null who was trying to lie. Of course, Lance knows that he can't exactly read a mechanical being speaking only through text as well as he can read a person face to face, but still.

And it's nice that Nick trusts him enough to share this conversation; Lance appreciates that, and he carefully hands back the phone.]

Thank you for showing me this. I find it very unlikely that a Null could lie to this extent, and it's nice to be certain that you and I are in agreement on being willing to at least consider it's being genuine. If it truly is in the situation it says it is, then we should try to help it.

[Nick slips the phone back into his pocket.]

Agreed on all counts, Doc. It might not be one of us, but it's certainly not one of them anymore either. Hell, if it's really that lost and that scared, it's more human than some of the people here. I wondered if it might've been programmed to feel that way, imprinted with behaviors to mimic to make us sympathize with it.

[A little like him, really. Or the other synths who don't know what they are.]

But if what it's saying is true, and what we've seen so far holds water, that's not how the Null operate. And programming it to act faulty is a whole other can of worms, one that I doubt meshes with the way their logic works. They've got some kind of individuality that's different from what we're used to, but is something we should pay attention to, especially when we come across one that might be able to help us, if we play our cards right.

[He slides his chair back and digs through some long, rolled papers sitting upright in a tall crate. Finding one in particular, he moves back to the desk and brushes some of the mechanical parts littering it aside. Setting the roll atop the desk, he pauses for just a second, deciding to save himself the trouble of struggling with the rubber band holding it closed with his remaining hand. He offers it to Lance to open instead.]

Edited 2018-04-13 05:45 (UTC)

I think if they were capable of such a thing, they wouldn't have been so confused by the backlash over asking people to kill others to get the weapon. They seemed genuinely perplexed, due to not understanding emotion, and therefore I find it very unlikely they could create a program like that. And you're right, in that even if they could do it, that isn't really the way they do things.

[So they definitely agree, which is a great relief. He watches curiously as Nick retrieves the roll of paper, takes it when offered before carefully sliding off the rubber band, and begins to unroll the paper on the desk to see what it is.]

[The roll unfurls in Lance's hands; it's one of the maps of the city. The watchtowers have been added recently to it, as well as some circled areas, particularly between some of the temples. There's a circled area that encompasses Fear and Confusion's temples, another with Confusion and Rage, a third that covers some of the lake, and so on. It seems he's been marking potential search areas, all of them on the east side of town.]

If Name has been picking up emotions from the gods the way we do when we get near the temples, I figure the strongest ones it's feeling might help tell us where it is, or at least put us in the ballpark.

[Lance glances quickly over the map, putting together what it is immediately, although Nick's explanation makes the specifically search areas make sense.]

That's a really good idea, and we know it's probably trapped under rubble as well so we can further narrow down within those locations.

Yeah. I've scoped out a few of these spots in my downtime, but haven't done any real digging. The place with the most rubble is probably the ruins of the old library.

[Which is a little out of the way from his other circles, but with all the debris and scattered, unintelligible literature, it'd be an easy hiding place for a single, broken Null.]

Wherever it is, we need to find it before someone else does, but we'll need help to do it if we want to cover more places at once.

Edited 2018-04-23 07:19 (UTC)

Okay. It's definitely a start.

[He agrees that the library is also a very likely location, if just for its sheer size and difficulty to search. But even though they have multiple places to look, and Nick's right that it'll require multiple people searching, it's good to have at least some plan.]

I'm intending to talk to people and try to get some idea of who can be trusted in helping search, including the other people the Null listed. I'm not sure how quickly that will occur, though; it'll probably depend on how many people are genuinely willing to help.

[And therefore easy to read as to their motives. It takes longer when he has to sort things out.]

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am I the caller of your keep

20th or so!

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