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[deardirect0r]

Leave a message... likely you'll be ignored, but valiant effort on your part.

(Voice/Text/Video/Action)

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[ghostthatlingers]

[She makes a face and winces, forcing herself to stay put as he works. She remembers having cuts and bruises, but this is her first real experience with actual pain. In her line of work, this won't be the last time she gets injured. It's strange sorting between feelings she remembers and how they feel in the here and now.

She grumbles:] Are you done?

[deardirect0r]

Just about... [He finishes and hands her the ice, wrapped in a cloth napkin.] ... Now, hold that gently to your face and it will bring down the swelling.

[He gives her one last look over and swallows down the rage churning within him. He knows she's not Allison, but seeing her hurt, knowing who'd done it... He takes his seat and focuses on the menu. Not that he's hungry.]

[ghostthatlingers]

[She rolls her eyes, but does as he instructs. She hates being babied like this, though she knows it's for the best. Her eyes are on the menu now because while he isn't hungry, she is.]

So, what is this about you working for them?

[deardirect0r]

Hmmmn? [he doesn't look up from his menu.] I assume you mean Bifrons. Yes, I'm working in one of their labs. Before you ask, I don't have a lot of options.

I'm an old man, what else am I going to do for employment?

[ghostthatlingers]

Not to work for the people that dragged us here and did who knows what. [She's being careful to mind how she refers to said people considering the district they are in and she motions vaguely to her back to indicate the ports.]

What are you doing for them?

[deardirect0r]

Somehow I doubt they'd appreciate it if I'd refused. I'm no more fond of the situation than you are.

[He keeps his voice low, his tone conversational. Nothing more than a friendly chat with an old dear friend.]

What they expect me to do, is set up an AI lab for them... what I am doing, is learning their programming languages and how their technology works.

They hold all the cards, if I'm going to figure out how we were brought here and what they are planning, their weaknesses... I need to get into their good graces.

[ghostthatlingers]

[The AI lab part is what makes her uncomfortable. She frowns and shifts in her seat.]

What do they want with AI? With us?

[deardirect0r]

I don't know. [He glances at her over the menu. It's only natural that she'd be nervous about the prospect.]

But they've procured a substantial collection of my work and now they want the knowledge behind it... I want to find out why.

[ghostthatlingers]

And they know we're here.

[The uneasiness only grows and she sets her menu down.] Are they making you help them?

[deardirect0r]

They find you all very fascinating... I suppose I should be flattered by that.

[He motions to one of the waitstaff.]

Let's just say, they won't be inclined to let me leave. [They're too clever for overt threats but he'd gotten the message. Play nice or else.]

Now, we should order something so we don't seem suspicious... don't you think.

[ghostthatlingers]

I'm not very hungry. [Her words are a light grumble, but when a staff member comes over she places an order for a grilled chicken salad and a cup of coffee. It's been a while since her last meal and she'll stomach what she can.

She won't speak again until they're alone.] You're not pulling this out your ass, right?

[deardirect0r]

[He orders the same. Then gives her comment a look that can only be translated as "really?".]

The upside is that I can find out much more from the inside than I could otherwise... and no, I don't plan on just cheerfully helping them along. I should be able to stall the process for a good long while before they start becoming suspicious.

[and in the meantime he can study their AI technology and who knows what else.]

[ghostthatlingers]

[He should know by now that she's as serious as can be with comments like that.]

You sure? I don't want you getting in over your head. From what I've heard, they don't mess around.

[deardirect0r]

I've dealt with the UNSC and ONI all these years, I think I can handle our hosts for a while.

Anyway, it's not like I have much choice in the matter at this point. One way or another, I'm committed.

[ghostthatlingers]

You don't have to do this alone.

[Their coffee arrives and she welcomes to warm and brief distraction as she leans back in her seat and sips at her cup.]

[deardirect0r]

Don't I? [He looks down at his cup, rolls it between his hands.]
I think we've established what happens when you do something for my benefit.

[What happens if she helps him and the others find out. Another black eye? Or something worse?]

[ghostthatlingers]

[She rolls her eyes.]

I'm not helping you take them down. They don't want anything happening to Theta or Delta. [Just as much as she didn't want anything happening to Church.]

[deardirect0r]

As if I would do anything to harm either of them. [The very idea is insulting. He created them! ... just like Alpha... and Carolina.

He goes quiet and watches the coffee swirl in the now still cup.]

[ghostthatlingers]

[She snorts.]

If you're not trying to pull the same crap you did before or helping the people here do that, then it shouldn't be a problem. I've already taken a damn punch for you, so you better make it worth it.

[deardirect0r]

I doubt the others will feel the same way. Bifrons will expect a functional AI lab, I can only delay that for so long.

[But then, who knows how long they'll be here for? He might be able to delay a few months, a year... eventually they will have a smart AI. And if he doesn't create it, then he can't make sure he has the fail-safe commands.]

[ghostthatlingers]

Is that the project of their new Callsign?

[She has little experience with the Callsigns as of yet and this new one responsible for AI research, Charlie, is on her radar now.]

[deardirect0r]

Dr.Suh, she's been assigned to oversee my work and help me with the set up.
[He's still trying to figure out if he likes her but doesn't trust her or if he just flat out doesn't trust her. It's been a long time since he had someone he could talk science with that wasn't the Counselor.]

[ghostthatlingers]

[She nods slowly. That at least gives her a real name to attach to the code.]

Where are you staying now?

[deardirect0r]

I have a temporary arrangement, until they can find me new quarters.

[Oh hey, he has coffee. Time to take a sip.]

[ghostthatlingers]

[Evasiveness is not going to save him now. She keeps her eyes locked on him in an attempt to stare him down.]

I can't help you if I don't know where you are.