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day 2 (after trial)
[ Ever since Jack had seen the profile cards, there had been an immediate and heavy sense of guilt to settle in his gut, because... Good lord, a lot of these really hot people were so young? It wasn't an isolated case, which made him feel worse, but none so much as Elizabeth, who, uh.
Well. He didn't want to think too much about just much he'd been charmed by her. Like, it was the embarrassing "meeting Mox for the first time" level, and that was something he'd never wanted to relive. And yet, here he was, trying to mack on a twenty year old. Dammit.
It's something he's actually pretty embarrassed about, and it's why he hadn't approached her earlier. He knew he really should have, but he at least gave himself the excuse that things had gotten a little crazy what with people turning up dead and all. Still, it's not something he wants to let sit too long, lest she think he's... God, a creepy old perv? He doesn't know. He hates this.
Regardless, after the execution (and probably body cleanup, yikes) as everyone disperses, Jack approaches Elizabeth. He waves idly to catch her eye, though once he's done so, he'll step closer to speak to her. ]
Hey, Liz- [ :) ] Y'mind if we chat real quick? I've got something I want to tell you.
Well. He didn't want to think too much about just much he'd been charmed by her. Like, it was the embarrassing "meeting Mox for the first time" level, and that was something he'd never wanted to relive. And yet, here he was, trying to mack on a twenty year old. Dammit.
It's something he's actually pretty embarrassed about, and it's why he hadn't approached her earlier. He knew he really should have, but he at least gave himself the excuse that things had gotten a little crazy what with people turning up dead and all. Still, it's not something he wants to let sit too long, lest she think he's... God, a creepy old perv? He doesn't know. He hates this.
Regardless, after the execution (and probably body cleanup, yikes) as everyone disperses, Jack approaches Elizabeth. He waves idly to catch her eye, though once he's done so, he'll step closer to speak to her. ]
Hey, Liz- [ :) ] Y'mind if we chat real quick? I've got something I want to tell you.
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Nah- I mean, hard to take my word for it, but I get it. Just joking with you here, I promise.
[ Because he can guess she'd be uncomfortable with that, Jack moves on quickly as that cockiness returns. ]
Now you're just flattering me. [ His tone is teasing, but this also sounds like something he is absolutely okay with... This probably would even seem more flirtatious than his genuine attempts, but no, he just loves having his ego inflated. Platonically, in her case. ] There's no place for a hero, but, hey, that's why you've just gotta make it yourself. At least, that's what I figure.
[ He waves his hand vaguely, since he's just talking with his hands here. ]
Because more than you'd think. Miiight be because I make a living working with snakes, so, hey, can't even promise that any of my impressions have ground here beyond good ol' fashioned paranoia, but. Doesn't seem like the worst thing, all things considered. So, that caveat said, still interested? I'll give you the cliffnotes.
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[ I mean, the whole situation is pretty messed up and they have much more to deal with than flirts, teases, and underestimating the woman. Elizabeth chews on the end of her nail as she thinks, letting him talk about heroics as if he has some personal stake in it. ]
Sure, why not. [ She says with a tired shrug. ] I'll counter your paranoia with good ol' fashioned women's intuition. I've made a few of my own -
[ She begins counting on her fingers. ]
Veronica? Idealistic, good at fixing but from some future where nuclear bombs hit. Bigby? My, that man has a temper if those poor pool sticks are any evidence. Not much else besides that. Hell of a smoker, I hear. Luke? Kid seems a little impressionable... stubborn. Ava? Something's off about her - I gave my necktie when we first awoken because she was digging into her hand 'til it bled. Not sure what that's about.
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Yeah. Luke, not a bad kid, but sharp in... [ He thinks of how to succinctly explain this for a moment before deciding he can't, so he shakes his head ] Well, without getting too much into my work at home, he was pretty interested in it. Considering I'm working on building a robot army, that was kinda surprising? 'Specially for a kid, I mean.
[ "Kid" he says, but it's not like SOMEONE here is much older >:[ ]
The ones you've gotta watch out for in my opinion are, uh, young girls, which is kinda surprising, but they don't exactly have... Morals? Is it weird to say morals? That's what it seems like they're lacking. The Alice kid, the girl, and Shijima. Neither one of 'em is bad, especially Shijima, since she's actually pretty easily bought with food, but just with how they were talking, doesn't give me much confidence for being stuck with them. Similar concern with the nose guy. [ alfendi... ] He kinda lost it for a hot second there.
[ He pauses, then adds: ]
This one's personal, I'll admit, but I don't trust the Danse guy either. I don't exactly trust military anything, considering there's a force, uh, kinda trying to kill me. He's like them, so, yeah, transparent with my bias here, but just throwing it out there.
[ But finally, he sighs ]
The Rhys guy is... messed up too, but don't worry about that. I'm, uh, handling that one, since apparently it's personal. Apparently, because remember the time stuff we were talking? He's a bad case of it. He's from my future or whatever, and— [ His expression gets difficult here, since he's thinking more about the man Rhys said he would become, which doesn't trouble him any less. But rather than talk about that, he waves his hand dismissively to instead bring up a point that he figures will mask that concern: ] I think... we dated...? I dunno. Don't ask that guy to explain anything. He's friggin' terrible at it.
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Luke was a tricky subject. They're "roommates" now... so how should she feel? ]
If he's sharp, I'll keep my eye on him. If I ever get taken out? Chances are it was him. He's fishing, I think. Be it for his own gain or the staff's gain.
[ When he goes off about his robot army, she crosses her arms with an incredulous look. ]
What is it with men and robots...? [ Rhys, now him? Little does she know how tied the two men are. For now, she lets him talk. Talk about Alice and Shijima. ] That was my first thought. Not casting any judgment there, but if the girls were ... girls, why waste the resources? People try and save women and children first, but if one wanted to prevent that...? Child and women are by man's accord, the weakest link.
[ However, look she knows Shijima is old by the damn profile cards now, but there's something about the frailty of youthful femininity.... maybe that's why she dresses up so much now? But Alfendi: ]
I can't say much - didn't see it happen. He seems to be looking for answers in some, bumbling good-natured kind of way. [ The mention of Danse makes her shake her head as well: ] I could keep an eye on him. I'll be doing the same with Bigby. Flirt enough and people take their eyes off your face and to your body. Body language is easier to fake.
[ A poked hip and full bust could definitely keep attention off of her... As he keeps blabbing on about this Rhys guy, it reveals itself as why. That's... definitely interesting. Can't say she isn't too concerned. Its bittersweet to have someone brought here. ]
Don't you think it's a little odd you're both brought here then? He claims to know you when everyone else here has... no one.
[ A pause, even if it's inaccurate, it's her first observation. ]
That's worth investigating, I think. He has something no one else seems to: an advantage. [ But she has to say, since the subject is weird for her: ] Dated... You're kidding right?
[ PLEASE DON'T BE PROBLEMATIC, ELIZA - ]
You're pretty much out of his league, guy must be broken up about losing you. Poor sap.
[ Oooooh God. ]
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Dunno if it's... quite like that, Liz. [ the future is more progressive and about equal opportunity murder, get with the times!! ] I was just thinking more that if we've got some assholes willing to murder random strangers, they, uh, seem like more viable candidates than other people. Gender aside there, they're just kinda callous, or at least that's my impression. Figure that's probably as good a place to start as any. Because, well, don't think it's by man's accord, right? I'm at least assuming Judy's the one that put all of this together.
[ He knows it's just a figure of speech, but he'd wanted to point it out. Though as she wonders about Rhys, his brow knits together, and he shrugs. ]
...I mean, maybe, but... I dunno. I wouldn't worry about it? I think other people are more suspicious, so- Actually, no, tell you what. The guy is- Well, he's got this weird thing with me, whatever it is, so I'll keep an eye on him. Anything comes up to make me go "yeah something's not right with this guy?" You'll be the first to know. And also probably the only to know, since, I mean, gossip kinda seems deadly here, but.
[ ...Oh. Jack is actually surprised at the end there when she doesn't insult him, so his serious expression turns to a wide grin instead. ]
Right? I am such a catch. So, I mean, can't blame the guy for wanting a piece of this, but— But. You know. Fuuuuuture. [ I'm not saying he says this like squidward, but maybe, gotta throw in the obligatory pop culture references ] So, yeah, nnnnot happening! Also, I prefer chicks!
[ A pause, and then: ]
...Which I realize you don't care about. Just. Scratch those last few sentences from memory or whatever.
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[ It makes her feel a bit better - talking about this and throwing ideas back and forth. When he talks about the Rhys boy, she gives him a judgmental stare. ]
Mmm... if you say so. Just don't let that nifty little fact about your apparent relationship out you if we go to trial again. [ For all she knows, he could be a staff member... Whatever the case is, she tries to keep transparent while also artfully distributing her opinions. ] Putting any past... er... future hangups in the mix of all this? Not smart. I don't care what you do, but don't put yourself into a corner. Keep an eye out and I'll do the same. Gotta - gotta find a place I can write my suspicions down. In case I leave a pretty corpse next, I don't want it to be for nothing.
[ Nope, there's an airy laugh when he tries to talk about striking from her memory. ]
Got enough of memory loss, pal. Don't worry. Secrets and all that.
[ However, Elizabeth doesn't want to just talk people, she wants to talk about getting out - ]
How's the skylight coming?
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[ Which is weird to type just because it's totally the same word but. You know his tone here. It's a little dismissive, but this is just Jack working through things quickly as he really thinks about this. He's a quick, very sharp thinker, though it's to a fault. ]
I won't. Don't worry. Or... I will? I dunno, being transparent about that seems like it's probably better, but, eh, I won't say it unless it needs to be said. I'm really good at talking myself into a corner, which I think you've probably already seen, but, I'm being more careful here considering the stakes.
[ There's a hint of the failing here, since it seems like he already has his opinion set about the people, though with something more objective like the skylight, the strength of that quality is much better.]
Thinking about it, but not much yet. I've got a lack of... stuff here. Which, not saying that it's impossible, but it means I've gotta be more creative. More working with, uh, junk. You know what I wouldn't give for an actual, modern computer? In that case, I bet it'd be no problem, but, eh, what'll you do.
[ He speaks quickly there as if he's rushing to his point, and as he explains, he gestures generally to help illustrate his ideas. ]
Easiest solution is gonna be to get up on the walkways and then work your way up, buuuut that's, y'know, super dangerous. So. I've been thinking about how people that climb mountains and shit do it, so some strong ropes, duh, but we're working with a flat surface that isn't gonna take well to trying to make footholds. So instead, a weighted system. You get something to launch rope over, weight it down on the other side with about double of the body weight of the person on the other end. Then you're just pretending you're back in junior high and climbing the rope and trying to ignore all the assholes laughing at your skinny nerd arms.
[ not that this is personal ]
That's gonna be the best bet, at least for what I'm thinking now. That's the highest point, so start out there and you'll at least get a better, uh, starting point. Secondary idea? That's hacking, baby. We've got one terminal, and it is old as balls, but it's a computer all the same. Juuuust, y'know, gonna be scratching at way back hobbyist knowledge to dick around with those things. Dicking around with assemblers? Jesus. [ Which, actually... ] ...But if you need a place to write shit down, maybe I can help with that. It- It wouldn't be super hard to make a program, so long as I can store stuff on the terminals. You store your info in them and lock it down with a password kinda thing. Just. Y'know. Makin' sure the password gets out in case of... Bad stuff. That's probably important.
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[ The last thing this place needs is relationship problems and yeah, it'll probably 100% hit the fan eventually. Elizabeth hopes to not even be around at that point when it does. There's a nervousness about her as she chews on her thumb a bit, pacing in a small circle.
His talks of hacking make her think: was it really 'ancient' to him? These were so far advanced that it made her head hurt thinking about it. ]
Maybe you could ask Judy real nice for one. Didn't stop her from providing drinks and the occasional hint of pity. [ Liz is not a fan!!!! ] Whatever it is, we're stuck with it. It's our only way to communicate with her and we need to keep contact with someone over this whole - whole thing.
[ He seems to speak in a way that's dripping with charisma and confidence. Despite the distance she's keeping from others, it's almost too deadly to be lured in. Elizabeth has seen that first hand, but hey - he's a weenie. Seems innocent enough. ]
Would it be best to send the younger girls first? They're the tiniest and if we scrap up enough cans and other items - it wouldn't be too hard. [ This conversation: little girls. He moves on to talk about hacking and she's left perking a brow. It's a trait she's been interested in, but never had the chance to truly develop. ] Hold on one moment - you .... you want to try and crack into the system that Judy provides?
[ There's a thought, though. As much as Elizabeth wants to say it was a brilliant idea, she has to think. There's a lot of risk. When you're putting something onto the system, a system someone else owns... her mind can't wrap around it. Pen and paper was the furthest they've gotten so she's naturally a bit apprehensive. ]
That would be amazing, Jack. [ She sounds appreciative, but there's a hanging 'but' - ] ...but, is that really safe? If Judy has access, if those staff members have access... I have no doubt there's some sort of fail safe or override. That would put you and I both at risk. If this is a direct line to Judy, I can only imagine that is how the staff is communicating with her. There's no way Judy and the staff members aren't in correspondence... she's either their minion or they're hers.
[ Storing data... that sounds incredible, but the fact is knowledge remains the crucial power, but without it? You're trapped. ]
That's putting it far too close to them.
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Yeah, cans could work... Hell, with any luck, you could secure it to one of those fake trees, but I haven't exactly looked close at 'em. You'd need to see what they're "rooted" in first, but that wouldn't be hard. Hardest part would be a secure knot, since, uh, I'm not a knot-heh, not-a-knot-er, aficionado.
[ He shrugs, but moves onto the computers, since that's more his forte in the first place, and the engineering and physics challenge of his first idea is simple, but still underdeveloped. Hacking, though, as clear, is something he's put more thought into. ]
Ehhh, less crack and more use. Because if I was cracking it, I'd be taking over the whole system. Move over Judy, Jack's here, baby! That kinda thing. Which, I'd probably also kill her if she is an AI, but whatever, getting rid of likely-murderous AIs, not gonna cry over that. People are more important, y'know?
[ There's a dangerous dismissal in there, but it's easy to gloss over it, especially when you get draw into Jack's confidence on this subject in particular. He doesn't sound sorry about the prospect at all, but with how he says it, it does seem unfortunate, but necessary. ]
But, for a simple program? Easy-peasy. Encryption included at no additional cost, because yeah, you're right, Judy could probably get into it no problem. But that's why you do it two-fold. Encrypt the info so that it's nice and obscure even if someone does get to sniffing around, but if Judy cracks it? Encrypting the encryption, and the second layer, that's one only you and me and whoever know. Something easier to remember, like a cipher, but keep that part manual.
[ Jack pauses, then laughs as he thinks about it. ]
Actually-- Actually, that would be hilarious. Just, just imagine that! They get super psyched about cracking it, ready to see the secrets unfold, and then it's just more bullshit. Oh my god, that would be- I love it. I dunno about you, but I love it. Should've totally done something like that when I hacked into Hyperion's servers, dammit. Ah, well. Next time.
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Oh my god, the more Jack rambles - especially about knots???? - a hand slides up to cup at her own face. This is both brilliant but embarrassing. She doesn't doubt there's some kind of truth with his ridiculous way of phrasing, but she listens. He'll see her slide a pack of cigarettes from her arm's sleeve, pull a cigarette and offer it to him. It was the first time she openly offered it first. If not? She'll pull her own and light it with no problem. Huffing to herself, Elizabeth calls back quickly - ]
Using the system is very risky... We'd have to ensure it can't be traced back to us. [ That much is obvious. Jack reassures her a bit with the double-encryption, though. It makes sense... but when she thinks of what Judy may have access to - be her a real person or some... program or robot, there's obviously a hesitance there. ] It would buy us time, even if Judy or some staff members have some access or override... If there's no other lead in that we have, we need to start somewhere.
[ This "lead" is honestly just them writing down their suspicions like this is some gross gossip girl burnbook. She'll take it, though. ]
This is where we're being lead, I guess we can do it. Just keep it strictly anonymous and no leads to me, you or anyone else we trust enough. I'm fine keeping it between us. Girl can't let too many people know her secrets least she be called easy.
[ There's a heavy sigh after she takes another puff of the cigarette resting between her fingers. ]
Is there anyone in our little group that can hack it, though? My main concern is the staff is qualified, overly so, and -
[ Then everything will be to waste. ]
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Yep, Angel and Rhys. Which, no surprise about Rhys, since he used to work for the same place I do, but Angel, don't know much about her.
[ He'll take the lighter (so long as she offers it), lights it, then takes a drag from his cigarette thoughtfully. ]
Which, unrelated, but worth noting, she's-- Well, you might not know about 'em, since they're, uh, rare, to say the least, but she's a Siren. By rare, I'm talkin' only six of them can evert exist at one time. [ He motions to the side of his body where Angel's tattoos would sit ] You can tell by the tats. Anyways, my point for mentioning that is that Sirens have crazy powers. Like, no two are the same, so I couldn't tell you what might be up with Angel here, but they're pretty damn powerful.
[ Of course, unbeknownst to him, he's talking to someone who possesses rather Siren-like powers... Considering how rare such a thing is, he feels it's worth noting, and he's also unaware that any of those abilities are gone. But.
He waves a hand dismissively, since that's more just information he's tossing out there because he has no idea that it's quite a bit more personal than the detached way he's explaining it now. He moves on to address the rest of what she's said. ]
I mean— Gonna be honest here, with odds like that? Any jackoff idiot is gonna have a pretty good idea of who made the program. So, first of all, I'll take odds of one third, second-- I mean, I know. I'm putting myself at risk here offering to make something like that, but, eh, better than just sitting around with a thumb up my ass, right? [ There's another drag here, and he motions generally towards her ] I'll see what I can do. No promises, but I don't mind putting that target on my back. I think it'll help, so I've got no complaints trying.
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Angel and Rhys, huh? She thinks to herself, trying to weigh the risks of trusting others. ]
I mean... let's look at the positive side - if anyone does get in, it significantly narrows the pool of people viable to do it.
[ Meaning? If they get hacked, look at the hackers. However, he starts talking about Angel and she has to perk a brow upward. She hadn't talked to the girl much... but it remains to be seen that she has no clue that their connection runs much deeper. All they had in common was the mention of 'crazy powers', but Jack certainly doesn't know that. ]
So... that's three people from your universe. You hit the damn lottery. [ Sarcastic. ] I guess just keep an eye on her. Two tech savvy people with connections to you definitely makes it easy to interact with them.
[ It's safe. I mean, her whole notion that Jack and Rhys were one of the only people brought here together dies down a little, she'll let him have that freedom. ]
I guess I should thank you for offering to help. [ She says honestly with a subtle hint of smugness in her tone. ] Targets on backs aren't exactly my goal here, but there's definitely something I'd like to avoid. Seeing you die for my own spurring... not good on my conscience and I'm trying to be a good girl.
[ Of course, she's teasing. ]
Keep me posted? If you need help with anything, I'm here.
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Jack snorts out a laugh, but it's wry and humored. ]
Yeah, no friggin' kidding. A Siren, a billions in one chance, and a stalker that's obsessed with me? --Okay, the second one is. Way more likely. I'm kinda collecting a club here and that's really weird. It's super weird, right? Hah.
[ He laughs again, though the idea of a stalker doesn't seem to bother Jack too much. There's a part of him that really likes the attention, after all, though there's another that finds utlitliy in it. After all, without Nakayata being obsessed with him, he wouldn't have made a couple technological strides that he neatly took credit for. Of course, Jack would explain that's just how Hyperion works, though. ]
You've got it, Liz. Now that we know there's at least one more terminal here, I'm gonna guess there's more, and that will give me a lot more confidence. I don't want to dick around with the commissary or voting for... obvious reasons. But as soon as one not tied to obvious stuff comes up? I'm on it. So—
[ He smiles, and this time, it's all confidence and charm instead of the goofy, awkward impression he had left first. After all, this is a chance for him to use his skills and smarts to be a hero, and to do so for a beautiful woman? There's little that's more of an ego boost for him. ]
You're welcome. If anyone can do something like this? Definitely me.
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Whatever weird flattery Jack finds in that, Liz ain't touching it with a ten-foot pole. She's concerned, though - he kind of minimizes the impact of what kind of position he's in but... if he dies because of it, it's his fault. Elizabeth is keeping her walls up high, trying not to allude anyone to the fact that she's just as scared and just as desperate to live as anyone else. ]
I'm in your debt. First the skylight, now hacking? Tsk tsk. [ Elizabeth sounds sweet as she takes a heavy intake of her cig. It's thoughtful, but as she drops it to the ground and smashes the remainder with the bottom of her heel, she smiles. ] Don't make me regret it, handsome.
[ Elizabeth's tone shifts more to when he first met her, one that's more sultry than calculative. She turns, her back to him. ]
Find me whenever you need something or want a little company.
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He starts to laugh when she chastises him, cocky and confident now that this is something he's confident in, but as soon as she calls him "handsome" and her tone shifts to something sultry again... Less so. Even when she is firmly off limits and he'll stick to that, that tone is still. Distracting. Dammit. ]
You. Uh. God- [ Eloquence is his strong suit, obviously. He shakes his head, laughing off his own awkwardness. ] Okay, so, just gotta point it out here. Phrasing. I'm at least 99% sure that was intentional, but still, goddamn.