oo5 ⊗ video ⊗ fifth move ⟹ backdated to oct 5th.

[oxfordian]

[ charles is visibly distressed when he appears on the screen, this time. he's in what seems to be some underground facility, and there are other faces behind him—notably collette, emma, galadriel, raven, and others. his eyes remain closed for a second and you can hear him take a deep breath. then: ]

We have... borrowed a gentleman by the name of Richard Lawson...—from the United Earth. He is a cabinet member of the President's. Yes, the President of the United Earth. [ charles clears his throat, steels himself. ]

We've learnt a great many things about the United Earth from his head, and we feel it best to share that information with all of you, here on the Network.

[ charles states the next words with a heavy voice. ]

The President of the United Earth is not human. "He" is—artificial. Artificial Intelligence, or what you would call an A.I.. The United Earth... has never seen his face, as far as we have deduced.

We will try to answer questions about what we have learnt to the very best of our ability, but do be patient. Ah—[ he closes his eyes again, considering. then he nods as though he's made the right decision and he knows it. ]

That is all.

( note: wow i knew i forgot something like a winner. THIS TAKES PLACE DURING/AFTER these linked shenanigans: [ x ] [ x ] [ x ] [ x ] )

Comments

[whatsupcroc]

I was feeling like my lucky stroke might be butterfly, but you never know!

[ She nods, watching the screen again. It's weird how she has to hold this new pad to make it really work well. The older netbook worked propped up and open on things like tables so much more smoothly. ]

I guess we will! Not planning on sharing too many of your own thoughts right now?

[strategic_guile]

You can try for all of them and see.

[Blaine's sitting somewhere, leaned back with the tablet resting on his bent legs, heels wedged on something to keep his legs from slipping. He hadn't gotten used to the old tablets to complain about the new ones, which are closer to what he was used to anyway.

There's a quick smile.] I've probably shared too many. But it makes me wonder, with an AI leading the United Earth, how we weren't totally wiped out. Makes me think they want at least some of us alive for a reason.

[whatsupcroc]

Hedging bets it's partly with the technology, and partly because of... probably us. If we're coming here, can they maybe go where we're from? Or can they bring something else across?

Dick was after some of the Initiative adapted tech they took from the UE ages ago. I guess that an unthinking population and a possibly static AI doesn't have the room for creativity a bunch of weirdos and misfits do!

[ Said with a small smile and a great deal of fondness. ]

[strategic_guile]

Yeah, pretty much what I was hoping I was wrong about. An AI would have a hard time with creativity of any kind, even if it can learn. But [Eyebrow] who's Dick?

[whatsupcroc]

Richard! Mr. Lawson.

[strategic_guile]

I haven't met that person, yet. [A soft sigh and he brushes his hair out of his face.] There are a lot of people here and it's going to take a while to meet them all.

[whatsupcroc]

[ Her lips quirk up. ]

I'm not sure when we next will see him, honestly. The Initiative did take him away and all... but they say it's not going to be for bad reasons. We'll have to hold them to that, that's all.

[strategic_guile]

[There's a bit of a sad hint to his smile at her words.] Maybe we'll see him sooner rather than later.

[whatsupcroc]

I hope so. I really do.

[strategic_guile]

[He is so not going to bust her bubble. Poor kid. He gives her a grin.] Well, I'll see you around after all the excitement over the news dies down.

[whatsupcroc]

[ She gives him a smart salute! ]

Until then, Blaine!