maskormenace | text ; mirrornet

[Qubit doesn't consider himself paranoid per se, but he is kind of a stickler for network security, so finding Mirrornet was a little like Christmas. So far he's been mostly lurking, but... after a surprise copious windfall of useful information, he's in a pretty good mood. Maybe it's time to throw his hat in the ring, see who picks it up.]

Evening, everyone. My name's Qubit. I know, I know, yet another newbie, but I have already looked over the FAQ, so no worries on that front. Fascinating stuff, really. Alternate timelines always are, but good heavens, if this one isn't a piece of work.

That said, I'd like to make a few requests. First: anything and everything you know about the Porter. Its operations, its patterns, any particular anecdotes... The more specific and technical, the better, but anything's fine. You never know; the most insignificant scrap of information might turn out to be the thread that unravels the entire mystery. [as an afterthought-] Don't feel obliged to repeat Miss Bishop too closely, though, I have that in front of me already.

Second: I'm looking for lab space for a large electronics project. I can tell you in advance it's going to take a lot of power, so if there's already something to that effect set up, that would save me a lot of time. Should be fairly short-term regardless, though - I'm estimating two, maybe three weeks. PM if interested.

Third (or second-and-a-half): Anyone know a bad junkyard? That is, one where they let people dump batteries, monitors, old electronics, etc., especially in bulk? Location doesn't matter, although apparently I could get in trouble for going abroad, and God forbid I do anything to get in trouble.

Anyway, thanks in advance. Sorry I haven't any cute ASCII animals to offer, I hope that won't cause too many problems.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ He's so sincere, it honestly astounds her. ]

It does. [ She returns the same level of honesty. She wants nothing more than to return to her universe and see her friends and family and team again. ] But how can you be sure you're going to get it to work?

I hate to be a Debbie Downer, but we've had literal gods here who couldn't beam themselves back into their universe.

[Literal gods, huh. Forgive him if he takes that with a grain of salt; any sufficiently large power imbalance is going to have godhood ascribed to it at some point.]

I'm sure because I've done it before. Many times, and often with poorer resources than we have available here. This isn't some experimental technology we're talking about - it's already well-tested and well-refined. [Not well-documented, because he doesn't document as much as he should, but still.] No divine providence involved, just plain old quantum physics.

[ Her hesitation remains. This time she gnaws on her bottom lip, tearing her eyes away to consider the possibility of going home. Not just her being able to go home, but so many others who've voiced quite loudly on the network their desire to return to their own friends and family. Saying no is depriving them of that potential.

But saying yes is opening up so many risks. Why is it the universe sees fit to drop these decisions in her lap? The last time she trusted someone to find a way home he got so many people killed and ruined lives as a result. Alexander Luthor was also responsible for Karen losing her only family again. ]

If I say yes, you have to promise me no one is going to get hurt as a result of this.

[ If she says no, he'll find someone else. This way she gets to keep her own super eyes on him. ]

[That... is a big, sweeping promise to have to make. Automatically, he starts weighing the words in his head - some of the risks are present whether or not he builds a standalone portal, so those may not fall under the umbrella definition, and do you mean physically hurt or financially, short term, long term, or -

... Wait. Shit, he's thinking like a manipulator again, isn't he. Getting legalistic with her language is just going to let him think he's allowed to make excuses, and what matters here, he reminds himself, is his intent more than his actual ability to keep people from coming to harm. (Which is good, because his intent has a much better track record than his ability.)]

No one is going to get hurt as a result of this. [He says it with determination, maintaining eye contact.] I won't allow it. You have my word.

[There's a nagging feeling in the back of his mind that this promise is going to come back to bite him somehow. He pointedly ignores it. After all, if he does manage to fuck up badly enough that someone gets hurt, then he deserves the full weight of the consequences.]

[ She finally turns her gaze back on Qubit and extends her arm over the table for another handshake. Swear on it. ]

Good, otherwise I'll personally have to kick your rear out an office window.

[ Is she joking? Who knows. ]

[Aw, but his hand's still stinging from the last one... Welp, that's what happens. He shakes her hand again regardless. I swear.

Whether or not it's a joke, it gets a wry smile out of him.] Well, let's hope it doesn't come to that, I've grown rather attached to it.

[ He seems so earnest... maybe she's expecting the worse for no real reason. She's been severely disappointed in the past, but the past is exactly that. This should give her hope. ]

I'm sure by now you're aware of where Starrware is located?

Yes. I can start moving things over whenever it's convenient.

[ She leans back into her chair, folding her arms over her lap. ]

Alright, I'll see about getting you some space so you can begin work on Monday.

[~~It's already Monday though right?~~ He gestures as if indicating on a calendar-]

This coming Monday? The, uh... [What day is next Monday? 16th? 17th? He is not used to being in 2015.]

[ That's a curious response, but if he hasn't been here long he's probably still adjusting to the current time frame. ]

It's the weekend, so the upcoming Monday. If you need time I can have something set up for Friday latest.

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i've lost track of time too oops