x. voice

[firstroar]

The reports seem to be mixed. Have those of you who have returned found yourselves safe places and warm clothing? Some have offered already; I should hope the message has reached those in need.

I'm not certain of what remaining here could be of use to you Earthside, but it can be brought when I join you. But not just yet.

[a beat.]

The people...

What are they like now?

Comments

[selfequipped]

Yeah. Back home, that sort of thing is usually synonymous with something named Ultron. Bad enough that everyone hears about it. He'd do this kind of thing, too, if I've got it right.

[firstroar]

Manipulating time, you mean?

[selfequipped]

No, creating a thing called the United Earth and then deciding that he needs to expand into other worlds to screw them up.

[firstroar]

[ah.]

Has he been stopped? Or does he persist?

[selfequipped]

From what I know, he gets stopped a lot. But he's capable of evolving.

[firstroar]

As opposed to computerized structure and logic. We may have an advantage in this case.

[selfequipped]

Yeah. We're sure that's the case, right? Then again, this place doesn't really seem to have a Hank Pym. [Which is both a good thing and a bad thing, not that Kate has an opinion on the matter.]

[firstroar]

Our knowledge of the AI's anatomy is rudimentary, based on hearsay more than fact. Seeking out its origins can help us understand better.

[selfequipped]

Too bad we can't plant a very subtle virus or something in their systems and hope it feeds us back data.

[firstroar]

[there's a slight pause.]

That's something...that isn't beyond the realm of possibility. It's been proposed already. And other methods like it.

[selfequipped]

... Is there a reason why no one's gone ahead with it? Or is it a lack of tech?

[firstroar]

It's a move that has the potential to have dramatic impact. Something I wouldn't pursue alone.

Something the rest of us need to know of.

[selfequipped]

And if it goes the wrong way, we could potentially be stuck here.

[firstroar]

Or any number of unknown repercussions. Others more knowledgeable about the ill effects of tampering with time have much to say about it. [a hesitation.] But even so, sitting idle...

[selfequipped]

I don't do idle. And it's better to take risks than do nothing. Calculated risks, but risks all the same.

[firstroar]

I may need your help, then.

[selfequipped]

Just ask. [There's no hesitation.] I'm willing to offer my services wherever they're needed.