[ They're both getting a read on each other with each conversation, but unlike Elizabeth, Jack's isn't quite so intentional. Whether it's a natural-born talent or simply a skill learned in Hyperion, he can pick out messages in between her words here. He doesn't quite hide that either with his shifting expressions as he listens to her speak. He's thoughtful and truly listens, but there's a sharpness to how he looks at her. He's not just listening, but he's absorbing and really thinking about what she's saying here.
And it too is familiar.
He shifts and crosses his arms, and though he doesn't quite intend it, it's like Jack is sizing her up in a new light here. He'd seen Mox in her before, but now he sees Hyperion too in how she speaks. It's honeyed words for the sake of scrambling for some goal, and now that he's not captivated by the sentiment quite so strongly, he at least thinks he can see through it a bit more. In another context, he might find this irritating. But in this one?
It's useful. ]
Nah, not just guessing. It would be just guessing if we were working with way more people here. An actual population instead of just a sad office party.
[ It might fit with what Elizabeth expects of him, but on this subject, he's far less... awkward. His words are much more confident, and that ambition is a bit clearer when he speaks this way. ]
We've got dangerous people here. Hell, even without the staff members thing? That chick, Diva, she was... Well, I'm not going to say it's a bad thing that we're rid of someone who doesn't seem to care about killing people. I don't think she's the only one, either. Not with what I overheard from peoples' comments during all of-- [ He waves his hand vaguely towards the courtroom ] That. It was a wrong shot, but I don't think it was a bad one.
[ He pauses again and considers something, but he doesn't look back up to her when he speaks, since he's still thinking through something. ]
What we need-- We need something to stay "awake" while all of us are asleep. Since, I mean pretty obviously? They're not playing by the limitations the rest of us are. That'll make guesses better. Beyond better. Not easy with the real crap materials here, but, eh, maybe doable. I'd have to think about it more before I start promising I'll be making surveillance.
[ At this point, he does look up to her, and he shrugs ]
Or, y'know, Plan B, and you've just gotta network. No one's perfect. I mean... Okay, not quite as murderous, but Hyperion, where I work? Kinda, uh, oddly similar. So. I know the game. Eventually, one of them's gonna slip up, and you've just gotta be ready with the information in hand to take 'em out.
no subject
And it too is familiar.
He shifts and crosses his arms, and though he doesn't quite intend it, it's like Jack is sizing her up in a new light here. He'd seen Mox in her before, but now he sees Hyperion too in how she speaks. It's honeyed words for the sake of scrambling for some goal, and now that he's not captivated by the sentiment quite so strongly, he at least thinks he can see through it a bit more. In another context, he might find this irritating. But in this one?
It's useful. ]
Nah, not just guessing. It would be just guessing if we were working with way more people here. An actual population instead of just a sad office party.
[ It might fit with what Elizabeth expects of him, but on this subject, he's far less... awkward. His words are much more confident, and that ambition is a bit clearer when he speaks this way. ]
We've got dangerous people here. Hell, even without the staff members thing? That chick, Diva, she was... Well, I'm not going to say it's a bad thing that we're rid of someone who doesn't seem to care about killing people. I don't think she's the only one, either. Not with what I overheard from peoples' comments during all of-- [ He waves his hand vaguely towards the courtroom ] That. It was a wrong shot, but I don't think it was a bad one.
[ He pauses again and considers something, but he doesn't look back up to her when he speaks, since he's still thinking through something. ]
What we need-- We need something to stay "awake" while all of us are asleep. Since, I mean pretty obviously? They're not playing by the limitations the rest of us are. That'll make guesses better. Beyond better. Not easy with the real crap materials here, but, eh, maybe doable. I'd have to think about it more before I start promising I'll be making surveillance.
[ At this point, he does look up to her, and he shrugs ]
Or, y'know, Plan B, and you've just gotta network. No one's perfect. I mean... Okay, not quite as murderous, but Hyperion, where I work? Kinda, uh, oddly similar. So. I know the game. Eventually, one of them's gonna slip up, and you've just gotta be ready with the information in hand to take 'em out.