thisavrou | audio; march 7th

[The recorded voice that addresses the crew through the MID is affable and slightly apologetic.]

Hello everyone. This is Alan Bradley speaking. I have a couple of questions for the crew, and I think I might as well use this opportunity to introduce myself to those I haven’t met yet: As I said, my name is Alan Bradley, and I’ve been assigned as one of the ship’s MID Technicians. I’m afraid I don’t have any particularly interesting abilities outside of computer programming, but that should be enough for me to do my job here. Some of you may have already met Sam Flynn, my godson from back home, as well as Tron and Rinzler, two, ah, programs that I’ve written. [Is that how he’s supposed to introduce them? It’s quite clear from the misgiving in his tone that he isn’t completely sure. He isn’t even certain he can correctly refer to them as two programs if you want to get technical, but explaining that would be far too involved for a simple introduction, so he’ll have to settle for the potential inaccuracy.] If you ever need to contact me, I’m always available at my personal inbox. [A slight chuckle.] I guess we all are since these things are strapped to our wrists.

Introductions aside, I was hoping someone could tell me who I should see about getting a new pair of glasses? Mine seem to have been lost as I was coming through the portal here. And seeing as my job on the ship will probably require spending most of my day staring at lines of code, I’d like to get a replacement sooner rather than later.

Speaking of my job here, I’m also looking for suggestions for programs people would like added to their MIDs, or improvements made to the interface. I’ll admit, the technology here is quite a bit more advanced than what I usually worked with back home, so anyone with more technological know-how is welcome to offer guidance: other programmers, engineers, AI… I’d be grateful for any advice.

Just leave a reply if you want to get in touch. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This… doesn’t sound good. Alan is starting to wonder how many more times he’s going to have to make excuses for actions that weren’t even his own.]

It’s not his primary function, no. But he seems to be figuring it out regardless. [Maybe he’s not as expressive as Tron, but he can still make himself understood using what’s available to him. That’s impressive in and of itself.]

no need to sound so concerned! i'm not looking for an apology, just trying to figure some things out. you know how he is; not talkative and very minimalist when he does decide he wants to chat. trying to have a heart to heart with him is like pulling teeth.

... well, maybe not quite so unappealing, but the sentiment is there.

[That’s a relief. Some of the other respondents seem less… forgiving of Rinzler’s idiosyncrasies.]

Rinzler’s pretty reserved, [Alan agrees, remembering his first encounter with the program in the garden. “Minimalist” was a good word to describe his communication style.]

He’s not programmed for communication with Users outside of a closed system like a computer or server -- I honestly didn’t expect him to need a function like that. [It’s not a lie. It’s just not the whole truth either.]

[should it be a relief? it seems most people would be right to be offended by Rinzler... Or at least be put off by the other's unique means of communication]

[Yet his programmer didn't expect him to need a means to communicate? More than that, Alan mentions it's a closed system... Again, this man is too amicable and kind to have actively programmed something as ruthlessly efficient as Rinzler. So many questions, met with- not uncertainty, but caution? Caution seemed a better description. Hmmm]

then do you know what's causing that error in his system? is that normal? it doesn't sound healthy at all.

[There’s a long pause and when Alan speaks again, it’s difficult to keep the bitterness out of his voice.] Yes, I know what’s causing it. [And “not healthy” doesn’t even begin to cover it.] It’s not something I can discuss in detail, but… there’s more than just my code influencing his behavior.

[~~bullseye~~

Ah. That explains a lot doesn't it? Lucky Rinzler, his programmer is not his tormentor]

it must be difficult. for you, mostly. he seems

[the reply is sent half written and it's quickly followed by a second one. As if Prometheus realized something halfway]

but i guess this isn't really the platform to talk about that. sorry! still adjusting to the system they have in place here vs the last place i was in.

[what's the middle ground between a lie and the truth? Is there one? Not having Pandora around to be the network PR unit for the both of them was making this a little more difficult that Prometheus might have hoped for]

[Whatever Rinzler “seems” like, Alan never finds out, as the other person seems to rethink their comment partway through. As Alan’s not keen to follow up on the subject himself, he hardly minds.]

It’s no problem. I take it you’re new here as well?

[uninterested? No, not quite... Hmmm...]

got it in one. nothing like adjusting to a new system just after you've gotten used to another one.

last time, all we had were a bunch of cellphones; no public networking. now, well... i guess i'll have to brush up on my encrypting skills again.

I can imagine. [That’s a bit strange. They’ve only been here for a week, yet they write about Rinzler as if they’ve known him for much longer. Perhaps it’s just a quirk on their part?]

If you want a more straightforward option, the MIDs come with private inboxes.

is that an invitation? [... Text really doesn't capture Prometheus' unsettling speech style but he's making the conscious choice to use this method. Attempting to catch him off guard, probably]

well, at the very least, i'll know who i can turn to if i ever have any software issues. rinzler's a pretty sophisticated program, even if he doesn't like to act like it.

It’s an option. [Alan was only trying to be helpful, but if there’s something they do actually want to discuss in private, he won’t stop them.

If Alan is slightly displeased with the rather backhanded wording of the second sentence, he’s still willing to give them the benefit of the doubt that it was unintended.] Did you have similar programs where you’re from?

not programs, no... something a little more advanced and a little more hands on. though i guess if you want it enough, a monitor can still stand between a creator and his creations.

[it's definitely a good thing Prometheus is communicating via text; his chuckles at hearing Alan's disapproval over the Maverick's choice of words might have put a swift end to this 'friendly' exchange]

audio; march 7th

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