You scroll the DNA identification across the terminal. Chell looks it over, back to the man.
"
I thought he looked familiar."
She stares at him for a few moments more.
"
Well then. You have my son's bearing, that's for sure. I see something of his father in you as well. My expert system has confirmed your identity. You alone were spared, mostly due to my curiosity I'll admit. You have something, a relic yes? Show me."
He chews his pipe for a moment, eyeing her without responding. The pipe chewing is the first indication you have seen of nervousness. The psych profile Medical is building from observed evidence indicates that the man has an incredible force of will. In this situation most people would be reacting much more emotionally. Conditioning and a military life may account for some of that, but they merely build upon what was already there.
Finally, he removed the pipe and speaks. "
Very well." He reaches into his coat and removes an amulet on a silver chain. It is a misshapen lump of metal. Based upon color and observed characteristics it is likely hullmetal, or some analog. He tugs it, breaking the clasp, and tosses it onto the table towards Chell. She picks it up and examines it.
Query CognOS:
1. What is a hyperwave?
2. Repeat query about FTL mechanics (why were enemy ships able to warp on top of Iagh, while we appear to be restricted to operating outside gravity wells?)
3. In what craft are the different AIs based? (Logistics, EWAR, and CC are on Hull101, right? Do we have any new AIs on Sicily?) It seems like they're being treated as if they are equally present in both crafts, is that the case?
(OOC: Was chell's voice being yellow in that one post significant?)
Immediate action: Prepare to immobilize the good captain -> ready some some TRANK DAAAARRRTTS
Secondary actions - let's make progress on our remaining objectives during the happy little family reunion:
1. Move Battlewagon Sicily into polar orbit, and prepare to drop Hull101 for recovery of research station. Assuming action2 is a success, recover station immediately.
2. Since loyalty is not required on an excessive scale, explain our agenda (Dynasty restoration) to Iagh and offer the fungal crop, medical and agricultural technology, and protection from FWA forces in exchange for rights to a percentage of global food output (2-5%) and research station recovery. They'd have to be pretty stupid to decline that, so let's run with that until we hear otherwise. Get EWAR on that now, since it's not currently doing anything, and Chell seems to have left it to our discretion.
2. As soon as Chell is unoccupied, ask if she will upload all non-secret information into our processor to reduce pestering. (Specifically, some maps of (ex) Dynasty territory would be nice so we can try to start prioritizing targets for tech recovery.)
Queries:
1. According to Sicily's database, Hyperwave is a method of communication which the Dynasty developed several decades after Hull 101 was retired.
2. Unknown. I imagine this is why we instructed CCC to take the opposing jump ship intact.
3. The question of 'where' is irrelevant. Hull 101 is interfaced with Sicily's network. Cognition resources run on all available processors. I have not yet had time to inventory all new systems but I have noticed several expert systems assisting us with small details.
(And no, chell's voice changing color was an error on my part)
Secondary actions:
1. Easily done. Sicily is now maneuvering.
2. Reasonable. We will run it by Chell before transmission.
3?. Noted and queued.
We have proof there are other Dynasty family members in play, and they likely all have the override command codes that Chell has. Chell's been out of the picture for a rather long time, so chances are some relatives won't be super happy that dear old Grandma Chell is back to run the show again. Chances are she's concerned about data being taken from us unwillingly if we get captured by a distant relative with the proper overrides.
Note that I said this man is descended from chell's son. It is not Rus, but one of his children. Many many generations have passed.
On the video feed, Chell is speaking again.
"
This is a piece of debris from a ship. An heirloom?"
Their conversation is painfully slow to follow while you are on full cognition resources. You really don't understand why humans insist on using vocal communication.
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Topic: Battlewagon Sicily - Previously: Hull 101 (Read 48570 times)