thisavrou | audio;

audio;

[Deep breaths. This is fine. This is all going to be fine. They can do this.]

[But if he broadens the search pool, the better the chances of this working out. As much as he hates to think about what he'd learned, as much as he wants to pretend it's all okay...]

[His voice is steady as ever, over the TAB. Despite the late hour.]

I'm looking for someone good with data extraction and compilation. Especially someone who can do that for alien or unfamiliar tech.

Maybe even translating unknown languages. I can't say for sure.

I'll take any help you can offer.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

I've done this in the past, but it depends on how alien, for one thing.

Shiro?

Um. We met at a store a couple of weeks ago. I don't have nearly the capabilities that I used to but technology and myself go hand-in-hand. Alien technology especially.

I... might be able to help, if you need it. Let me know.

I have committed to extensive research with alien tech before. Tech I was familiar with and tech I was not.

I am less familiar with translating languages, but I am patient.

What are you offering in return?

Very, very alien. And I don't have a sample or anything to work off of as a way of translation.

[No Rosetta Stone here, whoops.]

Yeah, I remember. Angel, right?

[He almost says it's funny that she mentions "hand in hand". But then she probably didn't do it on purpose.]

I won't say no to help. I've honestly got no idea what I'm doing. All I know is, I've got data that needs to get extracted, and probably translated.

Offering in return? I don't have anything but currency.

[He's got sencs, and that's about it.]

If that works for you, we can talk more details. But I know that's not for everyone.

[JFC, Shiro.....]

Yes, that's me. [She smiled, before realizing that he couldn't see her.]

I make no promises when it comes to translation, but extracting the data shouldn't be difficult by any stretch. My abilities allow me to hack into and navigate most technology. This place is probably just as alien to me as whatever it is you need me to look at, and I am able to integrate with them just as efficiently.

[He listens until she's done, before he turns the feed to video; a private one.]

[Holding up his arm into view.]

It's this. [A pause, and then purple light flares from his fingertips, up to his wrist.] Ever seen anything like this before?

[Ah. She had detected a faint pulse of energy when she was with him in the store, but suspected it was nothing more than a glitch on her part, or some other interference. That said, she didn't look particularly taken aback, nor troubled in any way.]

I've seen cybernetics similar to it, yes. Nothing of that exact make but... I suspect it won't be a problem. If it is, I may have a friend that can help as well. He has an arm similar to yours, and may know something that I do not.

That said? It should not be a problem for me to do alone.

No offense but... I'm pretty sure there isn't anything similar to it around here. Or in the galaxy.

[The only other "person" with anything like it is dead. In space, and dead. He had to be. At least he doesn't sound happy or proud to say that. More like resigned.]

That doesn't mean I'm turning you down. I just want you to know what you're in for.

It may still be the same fundamentally. And like I said. [She reached out and made a show of tapping her own TAB.] This is just as alien to me, but I've managed to figure out how to get it to work.

If you give me the chance, I truly believe I will be able to help.

That'll do, provided that the pay is decent.

[Given Saren's lack of resources, he's not really picky as long as there's something to gain. He's not about to help a human for free.]

What are you working with?

[ Because Keith doesn't keep normal sleeping hours, he's awake to see this... and immediately concerned. ]

Shiro? ... Is this about what I think it's about?

Yeah, that's a good point.

I'm open to you trying. I guess I was more just trying to warn you what was up. Figured warning you was better than you walking in blind.

[They're basically related like that.]

What do you think it's about, first?

[No sense in worrying him if it's not.]

I've got a lot saved. If you're open to that.

... a cybernetic prosthetic.

Did... someone tell you about your arm?

Lance and I... talked.

About where you guys came from.

Oh.

[ The fact that it's a worried "oh" and not a relieved "oh" is probably telling. ]

... How much did you talk?

[Yeah, yeah it is.]

Enough to where I know I need to start making contingency plans.

... I'm sorry.

I... Shiro—

[ Contingency plans has such an awful final ring to it. Keith feels like he's been sucker punched, but without any of the adrenaline that usually goes along with it. ]

I'm sorry. I should've said something myself, but I... I didn't know how to...

... where are you?

[What else is he supposed to call them? Plans for "just in case" is too long, too awkward. It's the only thing that fit.]

Don't apologize. You had a lot on your mind, besides that. It's all right.

[No, it's not. But he's not angry for not getting the story, at least.]

House. My room.

[ An absurdly short amount of time later, there's a knock on Shiro's door. Keith doesn't wait to let himself in, but once he has, he stands just a few steps inside the doorway, looking lost. His hair is even messier than usual, and he's down to jeans and his t-shirt — what passes for pajamas, for him.

None of this is what he'd wanted. But he guesses he doesn't have a choice now. ]

I want to help. With— anything. Whatever you need.

Data extraction?

What are you working on?

[He was sort of expecting this. Which is why he's not far from opening the door, himself. Into what's probably the smallest of the house bedrooms, but that's beside the point.]

[If he ever looked tired before, now it's even more pronounced.]

I knew you'd say that.

... come on. Probably shouldn't talk about this standing in the hall.

Threaded | Top-Level Comments Only

Page 1 of 11

audio;

[audio]

audio

video

[audio]

audio

video

no subject

private video;

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

audio, private

no subject

audio, private

no subject

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

audio, private

no subject

[VIDEO]

no subject