2nd. ( video. )

[reconnaissance]

( The problem here was, so far as Ellie could see it, was that there were people. Too many people, a claustrophobic press of Transports jammed in so that she felt like she suddenly had some idea what it was like for cattle to be run through the crush. Whether or not they were all destined for an abattoir was another matter entirely.
Not just that, but they weren't the right people. Some of them seemed decent enough, but they weren't her human safety blanket or the guy that kept them all going, or the one that she could always feel superior to. (To be honest, it was a relief none of them were Lee.)

This might be why she is addressing the network from one of the bombed out buildings rather than her place, which she hasnt visited for a few days. Ellie's just surrounded by debris, dirt and water damaged walls, though some of the prior are concealed by some pretty massive piles of paper. She's propping herself up on her elbows, not looking right at the device. )

I was wondering what there is around here in the way of record keeping. I mean, these things have got a lot on them, but something other than that. Pens, paper - the tangible stuff. In case the network fails, or something.

There's probably already something, but I haven't had time to figure all that out yet. And maybe if there isn't, we should make one. Record the people who have been here, what they know, experiences and stuff. Not just stuff that happens here, but before. Or, um, elsewhere, I guess. Wherever home is.

( Despite this being a video broadcast, and deliberately so, she has to yet glanced at the camera. She does now, very briefly, but there is a definite guilty expression to it. Ellie opens her mouth again, but thinks better of it. )

Comments

voice;

[drowns]

Hello again, Ellie. Ah...record-keeping like that, in this era, hmm. It's going to be a massive undertaking.

[with mild, placid curiosity:] Do the netbooks make you uncomfortable?

Re: voice;

[reconnaissance]

Yeah. I don't know, maybe I'll just write what I see. Relying just on this stuff for any record, it seems like a bad idea.

( She takes a few moments to mull that over. ) We don't have anything like this at home. Transmission radios, and before the war we could use electronic mail and stuff, but this network is so different. It relies completely on a power source of some kind, and if that fails then we'd have no way to access the information on it. I dunno much about technology, but we have no idea how secure something given to us by the Initiative would be, either.

( a very slight smile. ) 'Uncomfortable' is a pretty good word for it, I guess.

voice;

[drowns]

In my time, we've advanced a little beyond that...but this device is still more high-tech than I'm accustomed to. You have a point.

If you're concerned about security, writing by hand may be best, but it's possible to encrypt messages on this. It takes time to learn, but if you ever want to, I can assist.

voice;

[reconnaissance]

Really? That'd be really good. I'm gonna be writing a lot of stuff on paper, I reckon, but if we've got these things handy and they're a way to get in touch with the rest of the Transports... Yeah, I'd definitely take you up on that.

( And if nothing else, learning is a way to keep her mind occupied and keep her from crawling up the walls. )

voice; cries i was sick i'm sorry bella

[drowns]

I'd be happy to. [...A little hesitantly:] Um, I'm not in my room often, but if you don't mind the library, I can help you there.

voice; don't even worry ;u; i hope you are feeling better

[reconnaissance]

I-- ( Hmm. ) I actually haven't checked it out much, yet. ( Or at all. She's been too busy being a recluse to go out somewhere wildly social like the library. ) That sounds like a plan.

( There's a bit of a silence, Ellie absently gnawing on her thumbnail as she mulls it over. ) Whenever would be good for you. It's not like I have many commitments.

voice;

[drowns]

Neither do I, honestly...

Maybe tomorrow? Ah — do you know where it is?

voice;

[reconnaissance]

There's a saying about idle hands, isn't there? It'll do us some good, this.

I can work it out. Say about ten o'clock. That work for you?

late tags hoo boy

[drowns]

It works for me. ...I'll see you then.