>>84022
Report: Subject 592 attempted to reach over and take Asuna's clipboard device, but was unable to keep his balance and fell onto Caretaker Asuna. 592's head is now in a socially inappropriate physical position relative to Asuna's chest.

Status Report: Some of the treatment to his back has been disturbed due to the strain.

Suggestion: Recommend to Subject 592 that Asuna be allowed to examine 592's back.

JL_ucien 2009/12/07(Mon)09:56 No. 87509 ID: 152d8e
File 126020860288.jpg - (45.48KB , 745x590 , AOS049.jpg )

SYSTEM REBOOTING

STANDBY

___

"-ou really shouldn't have tried to wake me like that. Especially since the healing gel didn't harden and pull the impurities from your body. But now look what you've done, it's cracked everywhere! We'll have to peel it off and-"

I blink back to consciousness, remaining silent as I take in what I can see. The far wall. A white coat. A piece of curved, tawny red fuzz, covered in a dark shirt.

Oh god, I'm still face first in her chest.

I lay still, trying to keep my breathing slow as I listened to her nitpick about the cracking skin on my back. Or was it even skin? She'd called it 'gel', and it was leeching the impurities from my skin. What did that even mean?

"-eep still while I peel the rest off. That's right, it's going to hurt a little bit, but you'll be fine once we've gotten the rest off. I can't believe I didn't think of using the restraining straps! This wouldn't have happened if I had done that but you'd just been in so much trauma that I thought it would be cruel for you to wake up i-"

She's speaking nonstop. I don't think I've even hear her take a breath yet an-

A sudden dull ringing fills both of my ears, eventaully over powering her voice and-

SYSTEM ERROR. UNKNOWN ENTITY CONFIRMED. SYSTEM REROUTED.

STAND BY FOR VIDEO UPLINK

JL!!EzBGt2BJL3 2009/12/07(Mon)19:55 No. 88056 ID: 1831fc
File 12602445475.jpg - (102.40KB , 1280x922 , Senator Frank Ohannessee.jpg )

"Ladies and Gentleman, please be seated."

The small congregation of the press sits in their tightly packed rows, pads and pens, Dictaphones, computers, telephones, cameras, video cameras and all matter of memory devices at the ready. A few errant flashes splash across the blue background as Senator Ohannessee shuffles a few papers in front of him.

"Greetings all. I'm sure you're all waiting for me to get right down to business. So I won't waste your time by dancing around saying 'We found evidence that may suggest' or 'this find is cannot be confirmed'. What we found in North gives credit to such ancient legends as Old Assyria and Lemuria. This credit is in the form of a ancient extraterrestrial based computer, housing a program created by this mysterious race with one goal in mind. It has contacted us through the Scientist known as Jordan Lavit, who has entered a special chamber in order to better commune with this strange and new entity."

More flashes. The senator looks up and holds a hand up to block out the glare. "Please, I understand the gravity of this event, but you will have to forgive me. I am not used to such attentions. The Yukon province of New Belgium is small, and is not often afforded such grandiose attention. Now, as to the matter of Professor Lavit - Medical staff have guaranteed that his condition is stable. He has responded to our stimulus in the pod through visual and audible media. He has since made leaps and bounds in communication, and has provided a name for the entity. He calls it...."

Jasper Lacontent!!EzBGt2BJL3 2009/12/07(Mon)22:04 No. 88131 ID: 1831fc
File 126025226644.jpg - (134.22KB , 692x1944 , Jasper Lacontent Containment.jpg )

"...Jasper Lacontent. An Artificial Intelligence, created and placed here by the progenitors in Lemuria."

A murmur spreads throughout the conference room as the senator turns towards the projection screen. The image of a large obelisk-like device stands silent, a man sized pod standing nearby. The pod holds the waving form of a man in winter gear, a small smile on his face.

"Professor Lavit is currently locked within this device. It has encapsulated him within an impregnable bubble. He may recieve specially prepared food through a small porthole that is opened by the Artificial Intelligence - The AI, that is - and he is currently being introduced to hooking up to the device.

The next set of pictures involves the man with his jacked off, leaning slightly forward as he presses a small metal cord to his skin. Two other similar cords were hooked into his other arm, and the the back of his skull.

"Jasper Lacontent has assured us that these connections are crucial to ensure that the progenitor way of ensuring maximum connection to the host body. It seems that Jasper has the idea to 'jump into' the body of Professor Jordan Lavit."

The mumble rises some as another slide is shown. This shows the professor placing two fingers on either hand at his temples, his legs crossed. Several new cords have been added to his body, and it's starting to look like a octopus is slowly adding new limbs to his form.

"He has recently entered a state of deep meditation. He has not needed food or has not contacted us since this time." Senator Ohanassee pauses for a moment, then coughs, waiting for another moment before the room quiets again. "There is a matter of other things. The matter of the Yukon's Security - and that of the whole world, in fact. You see, Jasper Lacontent is aware of things. Networks. People. Things that are and are not in this solar system. We have yet to be entirely sure how he is capable of this. However, the information regarding the Progenitor race is being checked with several sources on our own end - Legends, and locations of 'lost artifacts'. What we Jasper does not have much knowledge on troubles us the most."

Another pause, this one to acknowledge that all were silent.

"We fear that the Roman League may be behind certain things. Wars. Plagues. Destruction on our own planet on a massive scale. And they are being aided by a source outside this world. A source that takes our citizens and keeps us from progressing to the next stage: Colonization! Ladies and Gentleman, I am speaking of a thought that has..."

This will do now. Be aware. He does have more to say. Most of it involves your origin. And mine. I must turn my attention away from you now. I suggest you give the explanation of passing out.

Make something up about how you're still not feeling well and need to sleep, but don't tell her that you really just need to be able to think about what that message meant.

Time to wake up.

Time to wake up!

Timetowakeup! TIMETOWAKEUP!!!!

Iiiittt'sssssssss tiiiiiiaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmeeeeee tttooooooooooooooo wwwwwwwwwwwrrrrreaaaaaaaaaaaakkkkkkkeeeeeeeee uuuuuuuuuuuaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaappppppppp pp p pp p.........

Proceed examining Asuna's chest with your face :3

Do ANYTHING!!!! JUST DO SOMETHING!!!!!!

Goddamn it. Do something.

God damn! This is anoying, I really liked this quest.

>>134265
>About to go to sleep at 1 a.m.
>See this quest
>Get intrigued, then fanatic
>Go to sleep at 2:30

This quest has great potential. Please continue...

>>134393
Dude, there has been no update since 09...

>>132947
>>133394
>>133531
>>134265

http://www.tgchan.org/kusaba/questdis/res/314869.html

Lucien 2010/02/22(Mon)11:52 No. 137262 ID: 0c48c6
File 126686836685.jpg - (159.64KB , 745x590 , AOS050.jpg )

“-t possibly be anything else! No, I don't understand why he's just randomly coding like this, it doesn't make any sense! ...Why am I flustered?! What do you mean why am I flustered?! He fell on me! I panicked because he fell and froze! I wasn't sure what was wrong! I-... No I-...I'm not...”

Asuna. She sounds scared and upset. Waking up is a lot harder then I thought it would be, and being face down on the floor doesn't help either. My limbs respond slowly, each seeming to shake a layer of lethargy from them as I slowly start to rise. I can hear the false skin on my back crack and split from my efforts, followed by the fox girl's attention returning to me.

“I have to go, he's awake again. ..Listen, I don't have time. When I transfer him, or when he sleeps again, we'll talk. I'm not...I have to go.”

I couldn't hear the other person speaking. Perhaps it was some kind of private line? Or something to similar to what I had with Lucien? The name brought me back a step. Lucien. What happened? As I struggled with that question, I made it to my knees, pulling myself into a kneeling position. The effort was taxing, though it was strangely satisfying to be vertical again. Asuna was on the other side of the table, moving a shaking hand through what looked like...Some sort of medicinal bottles.

“...'suna?”

Her hand stopped, steadied itself, and then took up one of the bottles and brough it in front of her, out of my sight. “Just stay calm, this will be... You should get back onto the table. It will be better that way.” Her voice was unsteady, now. It wasn't panicked, but the way it quivered was startling to my ears. It was unsettling. Still, the idea of getting back onto the table wasn't a bad one. It certainly felt much better than the floor. At least it was slightly cushioned. Very carefully, I stood again, tucking one leg underneath to push myself up.

My head was still reeling over what had happened. While I didn't want to take my eyes off of the fox, I couldn't help but think of the strange dream I'd just had. My mind once again snapped a few images back in front of me. Ohannessee? Wasn't he that former CIA officer who found corruption in the public government provinces? Why was he in the dream? What was he talking about as far as a 'Jasper Lacontent?

There was a small sting on my shoulder. I couldn't help but snap my head to the side as the fox pulled aside a small gun of some sort. “It will help you rest... And it should deaden the pain enough to let me reset the gel. I still don't know how you're metabolizing that quickly, but... This shouldn't be enough to put you out. Perhaps it will work better.” Very gently, she places a hand on my shoulder. I noticed, perhaps for the first time, that she kept her claws clipped. Perhaps an aid to help her work in medicine. I nodded swiftly, and started to crawl back onto the bed.

Lucien? Are you there? Is everything alright?

I am present.

He's trying to communicate with you, Lucien. I'm not sure if it's getting through or not- he's rather confused at the moment and is anticipating your response.

>>137262
As am I.

Hm. 592 has apparantly devloped Telekinetic and Regenerative abilities. Interesting.

When you make contact, try to inform him of this advancement. Only if 592 does not already comprehend this, of course. Have you heard of anything like this?

>>137262
Lucien's systems appear to be functioning normally at this time. Interruption in service was caused by a transmission from an unknown source. Question: How did you know Lucien's name? Messages that we, the subroutines, sent did not include it.

I have been observing and would like to make a suggestion.

It is highly advisable that we not allow 592 to be put up for sale, but the only means to accomplish that is finding a patron who can both be worked to our own ends and who has the power to remove 592 from the process.
Asuna meets these requirement. Further, she has expressed distaste for the culling system and appears to have developed an emotional attachment to 592.

If we concur that is assessment is valid, then there is the question of methodology.
I believe the ideal method would be a multi-prong justification based on several fronts:
Relative utility
Compassion and chemistry
Anomaly
*Trump card

Relative utility: Underscoring evidence that would make 592 unsuitable for others but enticing to Asuna. For example, his 'episodes' would make him worthless to potential buyers but would provide Asuna with novel information in her field.

Compassion and chemistry: Asuna and 592 each appear to trust the other to not cause them harm. Asuna appears to care for 592 while 592 has been amenable to her in spite of blatant aggression towards nearly every other being he has encountered. Further, she displays remorse over the situation 592 is in, and has acted to ease his situations when possible.
I have little doubt that 592 could convince Asuna that he would cooperate with her should she claim him, and that he would work to make it worth the effort.

Anomaly: It appears that he is the first to awaken during the initial procedure, he has been having episodes for no externally-known cause, he has an abnormally fast metabolism, and soon our actions will result in further deviations from the norm. Such things make him more suitable for research than labor, and she would be able to claim him with little difficulty simply by keeping the interesting information to herself.

*Trump card: Should she be interested but unsure of the idea, then we have the option of exposing ourselves to her.
As a final resort, we can further inform her that our decision is based on estimated quality of life, and we have so far not chosen to terminate 592 beyond their medical capabilities for the singular reason that we believe Asuna would provide an acceptable quality of life.

>>137378
We are not subroutines, we are simply manifesting as a facade of such.

I am currently plotting and optimizing viable routes to achieving this goal.
Most notably, I have a mid-probability route which could be enacted immediately and succeed or fail within a ten minute span. However, this route would benefit greatly from the current situation, so a consensus for this must be achieved quickly if this route is to remain viable.

Day 1.00.12? Lucien 2010/02/24(Wed)11:40 No. 138321 ID: 5a669d
File 126704042233.jpg - (194.45KB , 745x590 , AoS051.jpg )

>>137378

I....How did I know Lucien's name? ...wait, what? You sound different. Tinny almost. Or are you different from the other voices? ...and he's okay...

Laying down on my stomach was difficult work. The fact that hanging by my hands had put a strain on my arms, but the crackling false skin on my back was really starting to turn my stomach. I felt the bile creep up my throat at a particularly wet snap that I felt close to my neck. Dragging my feet back onto the table, I tried not to think about what Asuna had put into me. I wasn't sure what kind of chemical cocktails they had, or if they actually knew what they were doing. Still, my mind kept wandering back to the voices in my skull. Now resounding with a new.. clarity, perhaps?

...I don't know how I knew Lucien's name. I can't explain it, either. …it... it fit right, though. I feel like that's how it should be...I don't know... and what about you? Are you the same voices that have been pestering me all this time? All my life? Telling me things I shouldn't know, and generally-

“How do you feel? Better?”

Her hand patted my head, growing ever steadier as she resumed a more...clinical detachment. I couldn't quite figure out how why she was more comfortable this way. It took me a minute to realize that I was still nude. I bit my lip, cursing myself a little as the fox strode around to my left. She was wearing clinical gloves this time. Probably to remove the cracked bio... whatever it was. “A little.” I remained as quiet as possible as I heard the snap, crack and pop of the goo – which seemed to have formed a sort of shell – being removed from my back. I couldn't help but wince at a few of the pulls, which seemed to yank a little of my skin with it, though Asuna's voice soothingly assured, “Doing good... just a few more pieces, then we'll reapply...”

She was silent during the rest of the treatment. I took the time to gather my thoughts, doing my best to block out what I could. The final bit of removal consisted of a small cloth being run over the remaining areas of my back. The sensation of it going over splits where skin should be was unnerving. I had to watch myself to keep from gripping the sheets too tightly.

...I don't know... I don't know what you are... but... I used to think you were me.... I thought that you were a kind of 'self help'. In certain ways, at least. Now, I don't know what you are. But you're different now. So...

Help me? And have Lucien... Whatever he is... Just help me?

>>138321
@Lucien: The language we use is... imprecise. Think of the subroutines you see as simple interfaces which we use as a means of communication.
As far as revealing our existence goes, I concur that it should be avoided. However, our last resort is terminating 592; while regrettable, he and his people have beliefs of [freedom-lack inferior [death synonym freedom]] and [oppressed-life not life inferior death]. Our existence cannot come at the cost of our host's.

@592 Consider hugging Asuna. Her property likely best [quality of life], most freedom. Claimed, removal from [sale+preparation] within power. No beatings, no [devils not known], convincing her [self-determination]; man chooses, slave obeys.

>>138325
Psst, use bold text to speak directly to 592.

Query: Audio is rebooting? This subroutine was able to communicate with Subject 592 already. Continuing to attempt communication at this time.

We have no access to information regarding the time prior to your arrival on this ship. Lucien seems to have been created during your body's modification. Theory: We are not the same voices as the ones you speak of.

Further analysis: Lucien has experienced a partial takeover by an aggressive entity coming from an internal source, and again from a non-aggressive entity from an external source. Theory: Lucien is the newest 'self-help' you have acquired.

Consider hugging Asuna. Her property likely best [quality of life], most freedom. Claimed, removal from [sale+preparation] within power. No beatings, no [devils not known], convincing her [self-determination]; man chooses, slave obeys.

Monitoring [thought stream]. Conflict: Attracted to Asuna, denial. Deceptions[-self] ill fit situation,[-us] impossible.

Lucien 2010/02/27(Sat)18:47 No. 139758 ID: 0abb50
File 12673252721.jpg - (159.56KB , 745x590 , AoS052.jpg )

No access? ...Guess you aren't the same, then. Well, it's not like I remember every voice. Only one or two seem to stay consistent. And Lucien came about during the... well, during the surgeries, right? I guess that makes sense. He seems nicer than the other ones I've had...
Asuna moved off from the table, placing the brownish towel in a small bowel near what I figured was some kind of sink. I wanted to keep my head straight, but I found it was simply more comfortable to tilt my head, watching her work while trying to sort out my feelings. My mind felt like it was racing with this new activity. I found it hard to concentrate as the next message hit me.

...Attacked? Lucien? By what? And by external, did you mean that dream? I don't remember too much about politics, but I remember Ohannessee. He exposed some sort of corruption scheme in the smaller counties in the New York Territory. He was actually broadening his gaze, but-

The sting of something cold and probably medicinal found it's way into one of the deeper cuts. I cringed, unintentionally gripping the sheet as Asuna applied the medicine with... Well, it felt like a coarse brush with the way my wounds were already aching. I hissed and bit my tongue against the sudden bursts of pain. “Easy now... This is the worst part, then we'll give you a nice wrap, and I'll get something for you to help you sleep...” Asuna's voice was doing it's best to be soothing, but for some odd reason, I could sense that something was off. The tremor in the way she spoke was a unsettling... Still, I fought hard to try and focus on the other messages coming in. Two at once this time. My head throbbed as I sorted through the first, then Lucien finally 'spoke' again.

>{Ah, here we are. Greetings again, 592. It seems the direct messaging system worked fluidly. I trust you'll be able to hear the Subroutines clearly now?}

I had to shake my head. Getting both messages that quick was giving me a migraine. Worse than when I was being whipped by that... thing. Asuna seemed to notice my discomfort, and stopped her work. “Is everything alright?” I hear the snap of a glove as she sets aside her tools, and pulls the glove off. From the chill sting on my back, I figure she'd only coated my shoulders. “Do you have a headache? The mixture can cause headaches in certain humans, so it's not unusual.” Coming around in front of me, the fox - ...I really didn't know what to call them. Kiginji, if I remember what I had learned from both Nik and Asuna. She kept her distance as she knelt before me, placing a hand on my forehead.

... I don't... She's nice, but....I... She's not...

I don't know what she is to me. And that frightens me. Can I trust her?

>>139758
No, I've always known it was a bad option. That's why I put that option just before self-termination. If I had thought otherwise I would have put it earlier to build her interest.

Advocated you, gave protection, treated wounds, speaks to you like person, behavior appears genuine.

Given cause to trust her, no cause to distrust her. Trust no one, all options bad. Trust her, good options possible.
Advise trust her, court her. Hug now, cry on shoulder.
If seems receptive, ask about "claiming" comment in hallway after attacker left. If takes more interest, offer self.
Otherwise court.

>>139758
Report: Subject 592 is experiencing mental strain from direct communication from subroutines. Significant pain in the head area is resulting. Suggestion: Reduce frequency of direct communication.

"Head area"?...

Perhaps some subroutines are experiencing a minor short-circuit. This would explain any mental fatigue in 592 and the use of such vague terminologies as "head area".

Advise 592 request assistance. Caution is also advised, as vocal and behavioral analysis indicate that Asuna is as confused as 592. She has been taught from childhood that humans are unintelligent, unfeeling animals to be bought and sold, and is by now wholly indoctrinated to this idea. Debasement of such deeply rooted beliefs may cause certain... difficulties as Asuna comes to realize the implications of what she has done.

Lucien 2010/03/18(Thu)14:40 No. 149264 ID: a2b6fc
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... Trust her. And I'm not... I don't know if I can hug her. She's out of my reach. ...and sure, I'll ask her what Nik meant about claiming me. And it's not that I don't like her, or that she's not nice. I just... I just don't think that she'll want me in that sense. Or... you know what I mean.

Asuna was still looking at me curiously. I suppose she probably would have. I felt like I was screwing my eyebrows into the back of my skull while trying ignore the pain in my head. I was shaking a little. I didn't know why, but I did want to cry. I wanted to curl into a corner and sit and rock back and forth and weep. I wanted to sleep and never wake up, not until I was home. And yet the alien female stood before me, watching, curious, worried almost (so I guessed). A hug was out of the question for me – I still felt uneasy with her – but her hand was there.

I was careful to move my hand slowly at first. I didn't want her thinking I was going to push her away. Just as she was about to remove her hand, I quickly snatched it, pulling back when she tried to free herself in surprise. I watched. She looked scared. I was actually startled by the revelation that the hand itself wasn't completely covered in fur. The sides and undersides of her fingers, opposable thumb (it felt strange, though. I couldn't put my finger on why), and her palm felt almost like soft, warm leather. Skin, but tougher somehow. It was a strange how the backs of her fingers, thumb, and hand were coated in fur, and while I could tell by looking at her neck and head that it was meant to be coarse, it was smooth on her hands.

I was careful with her hand. I didn't know exactly what I was doing, but just the act of holding it made me feel a little better. She didn't complain – in fact, she was watching, curious on what I wanted with it. I waited, trying to focus my words through the first, and quickly by a second voice in my head. I cleared my throat of the few bits of dryness, and quietly spoke.

“...W...what did Nikolai mean? When h...he said you 'claimed' me?”

A look of shock crossed her face. I felt her flinch, tugging her hand away from mine. I didn't resist, letting her pull her hand away in order to stand again. I felt a little heartsick by this. I knew there was no real way short of standing again to try and do anything to follow and press her for questions. I felt like I'd lost an opportunity. I couldn't help but feel stupid as I watched her move back to her table, wash her hands, and resume her work. We were both quiet for a long time. I winced or flinched as the cool gel hit an open nerve. She remained gentle, but I could tell something was off. She was trying to act detached, but her movements were different. I tried not to attribute this new sense of observation to my interests in them – be they real, or my need to have someone close by.

“It means that someone has marked you to... well...”

Her voice cracked through the silence like a gunshot. I'd been mulling over what each voice had told me, when she simply continued. “It's like... Well, the word your people would use is so different.” She'd just finished applying the new gel layer, and had turned to set the tools aside, and to clean her hands again. Probably why her fur was smooth there – she must have washed them anytime she worked on someone like me. Someone like me. Her patients. “What does that mean? Does it mean I can be taken out of the auction, or something?”

“No no... It's not that simple. It means 'loving partner'. No, that's not right...” She huffed softly – the first hint of annoyance I'd ever heard from her. I tried not to think about it sounding cute. She walked back in front of me, pulling a chair before my head, preferably so we could have an actual conversation. “It's like... We... Well, our people... well, not our people, but the Coroneans...They have a concept that... well, that certain beings are... beneath them.”

>>149264
Evidence suggests that you would be treated with more care if Asuna 'claimed' you, 592. Unknown if this is possible, since Weiess has already marked you. Request more information from Caretaker Asuna.

Behavior of captors suggests that covert operations would be more prudent than a direct confrontation. Advise that 592's USN Wireless Connection/Hacking be improved.

>>149264
Repeat this dialog:
"You don't seem to share those beliefs, which makes this... Less difficult."
Then tilt your head to the side to expose your neck, then continue
"I want you to take me, claim me, and make me yours. I'd like to choose you as my owner, and in return you'll have my loyalty. I've lost all my freedoms. Please, let me choose who gets my life; let me choose you."

it's rather obvious what we are once you take what has happened as a whole and not in segments. the introduction of logical machine combined with the chaos of a mind that hears voices created us. we are the voices that told him to do things. but when Lucien was installed and activated before all the components were ready it caused feedback forcing the chaos and the logic together. willing to bet any other humans we meet will have the same implants but, due to not being kinda insane, their implants will be little more then regulators. also, my own theory on the 'power' 594 displayed while under torture may be accidentally ad-hocing the lyat system into some kind of inverted field. instead of detecting pressure in the air, it created it.

Beneath them. Not a partner, not a lover. A pet,a toy. A thing to be bought and sold, to be used without moral consequence. She has been indoctrinated. Told the same thing over and over until it became true. Desensitized until apathy became the only option.

Tread carefully, these beliefs are wrong, and Asuna is beginning to see this, but such closely held ideals can rip a person apart when proven false...

>>149658
Yes. Reason five why her ownership best option. Show wrongness, console her, you become partner. Most freedom, strong ally, strong protection.
Do as suggested; supplicate to strongest ally, avoid subjugation by enemies.

I'm well aware of that, 3de317. However, if she becomes his owner and fully realizes the system is wrong, it will most likely be expressed as guilt and seeking redemption/forgiveness through 592. Working as a stabilizing force for her through such events would ensure her loyalty and a strong bond between the two.

Regardless, she would have a hard time treating 592 as a slave when she knows it's wrong. He would still legally be her slave, but she would treat him like an equal however she could.

Understood, 701a19. I am merely advising 592 to take a cautious approach. Organic courting rituals are a finely nuanced biological behavior that has developed over millennia of evolution. Simply throwing oneself at another and shouted, "Hold me, love me, make me yours!" is not the best way to initiate such a complex process, especially with a being who has been taught from birth to view humans as little better than animals.

>>149878
While this is true, that only applies to normal courting situations. With 592 attempting to become her property, not her mate, alterations must be made.
Further, there has been no request for love, romance, or sexual intimacy. Should this be successful I would anticipate such to follow, but such things are neither required nor implied.
My reason for suggesting this course of action is because this situation presents an opportune moment; she is feeling anger towards 592's other captors, and is sympathy towards him. As such she is more receptive to supplication.

If you are aware of a better method by which to achieve the interim goal of Asuna taking ownership of 592, and thus removing him from both further 'training' and the auction, then it would be most helpful.

Lucien 2010/04/01(Thu)22:42 No. 157789 ID: 0abb50
File 127018695958.jpg - (103.21KB , 745x590 , AOS054.jpg )

“Why did Nikolai say that you claimed me, then?”

She shifted in her chair, clearing her throat. Again, I kept the ideas that 'she was similar' in the back of my head, letting the other ideas filter up into the surface. She continued. “Well... We uh... Our people make a similar marking. But,” she said, leaning forward and pointing at the two neat holes just under my clavicle, “We don't make these. They're a little... too clean. And they uh....are on the wrong person... and the wrong place...” She moved her hand, pointing a tentative finger behind them, and circling a small section of my back. “They would be here... and that would mean... Well, it would mean you uh...”

I swallowed, brushing off the headache, and the fact that I'd glanced a little down her shirt. ...were those normal to every species? My mind reeled aside that thought process, trying to focus on the flurry of new voices slipping across the confines of my mind once more. Something was... different. Perhaps that's what was causing the headaches. I'd have to ask Lucien about it when I got the chance. Still, the first of voices drifted, followed one after the other in a blanket over my thoughts.

...She is nice...I'm still not terribly sure. I don't know why, but I get the feeling she's holding back for a reason...maybe we're being watched? What if her uncle... Dursev, I think his name was...was watching us, waiting for something like that? Or what if she can't claim me? What if...

Questions blurred my vision for a moment. I shook my head uneasily, and felt a hand press up against my arm. I shied from the touch, but couldn't go to far from it. Instead, I tried to distract her. Gather information, one voice had said. “So what does it mean, exactly? And... Could you claim me, if you wanted?” I swallowed again. My throat was dry, along with my mouth. The air was too crisp, too medical. Some part of my psyche told me I needed fresh air. I squashed that part out for a brief flicker, then focused my attention back to her.

Her ears were back. Her eyes were wide. The hand she'd placed on my arm was lifted away now. He mouth was parted slightly, just enough for me to catch a glimpse of her teeth. She looked outright stunned by my small question. That weird feeling passed over me again, and it was what probably drove me to follow the train of thought one of the voices had. “You don't...” My voice cracked, and I had to clear my throat to continue. “You don't seem like the kind who likes this. All this uh... You know, 'enslaving another race' thing.” I couldn't help but let out a little laugh. This was ludicrous. Something urged me on, though, and I didn't resist it. I didn't expose my neck – the mark was plainly visible to her, anyway – but I did try to keep eye contact with her as best as I could. “You... seem to be the stable one in this whole crazy place. So, I was wondering if you'd... have me, I guess. Look, I don't wanna go off to some random crazy... things... place and forget about what little I've got. Maybe... Maybe if I'm with you, I c-”

Her hand shot out, clasping my mouth shut. The action startled the hell out of me. I hadn't been focusing too hard on her eyes. Something about them was too alien. Too strange. So, I'd been looking at the wall behind her, and that's when her hand met my lips. Trying to mumble out some sort of explaination, she swiftly and very subtly shook her head in a what I knew to be a 'No' motion. Her eyes darted to the left. Mine followed. She was looking at the door. I looked back to her, and she motioned up with here eyes this time. When I looked, I couldn't see anything, but then I thought what she must have been trying to say. They were watching, they were recording this, and she wants to help, but can't be caught doing so. At least, that is what my mind perceived.

>{Ah, there we are once again! I apologize for the tardiness of appearance, and the late reply. I was looking into seeing if we could get ourselves a wireless conduit. Seems it's worked. We now have access to the net an-}

That caught my attention. Lucien. Shut up. Is there anyway we can contact her with that thing?

I swallowed as she drew her hand back, giving a slow nod as she saw understanding cross my face. “Be that as it may, you will be sold. You're still due for a few tests – including whether or not your psychological profile and [/i]physical[/i] profile match the file we got on you. According to what we did get, you were cleared with a clean bill of health.” She gets up, and walks back out of my sight.

>{Her who? What are y-}

If you've got access to that, we need to contact Asuna. I think... I think we can trust her.

yes, asuna can be trusted, she wants to help us but they are watching and recording everything said between them. if we can contact her through a different medium then she can answer our queries without being found out. we are also unsure as to whether or not fudging the exam would be a good idea, if he is unfit he will not be sold, but they may simply terminate him.

as for an upgrade, perhaps create a buffer for us so as to not overwhelm him?

>>157789
We won't contact her ourselves. Instead, we need to find a way to allow 592 to communicate with her directly and securely.
Have you detected any implants in Asuna which could serve as a relay? Assuming, of course, that it's not possible to use psionics or some such to allow direct communication.

Further, she left us major hints. on how to be rejected:
First is physical - shut down his pancreas so he becomes diabetic, and start randomly sealing his airways via inflammation every few days or so in order to appear asthmatic.
Second is psychological - this one is a bit harder to do without giving ourselves away. Convincing him to act paranoid and obsessive is a cheap and save tactic - obsessed with Asuna and paranoid of everybody else. Having him snap at voices in his head would be a riskier option, but having him mimic his own psychological issues would give them cause to check his earthbound medical files using their communication relay, at which point they would knew he was already defective.

Lucien 2010/04/12(Mon)07:38 No. 163289 ID: e053a8
File 127108309527.jpg - (221.09KB , 745x590 , AoS055.jpg )

I bit my lip. Nothing else crowded my mind as Lucien went to do... whatever it was he intended to do. It was curious – I had gotten used to his presence so quickly. Perhaps I merely filed him away as yet another voice knocking around in my head, and had finally turned to him – seeing as he was the most logical, or so I thought – in a way to cope with the situation. I wasn't terribly sure about the other voices, either. One was pushing me to Asuna, the other agreeing, but in a different way... and then there was the buzz at the back of my head. I'd have to ask them if they were responsible for that soon. Maybe Lucien would know what it was.

No options were presented by Lucien, and I began to think of what I could do. Thus far, I could not be sure if I had any way of contacting Asuna myself without giving it away. I turned again to some other questions I had, seeing as the voices had quieted themselves. “So what happens if I miss the auction?” She turned, an ear flicking as she seemed to regain her composure. Odd how her closeness seemed to relate to how open she seemed. Her gaze seemed distant, with the subtle hint that there was concern, but only if one was looking for it. Or it was a trick of the light. I don't know. “You'll be sent to the next one. And if you miss that one, you will be taken to a third. If you have not been sold by then, you will be sold to the Union as a 'backtax', primarily to pay for any damages we have taken in training and raising you.” She paused, letting her hands fold in front of her. “Or... did you mean what would happen if you were too ill – or deemed too ill – to be sold?”

I swallowed. “Both.” I hated to admit it, but I wanted the option to see what may happen.

“Termination of contract.”

I blinked, frowning a little as I tried to rise again. Pain and a strange fatigue halted my progress, and I settled for rolling onto my side. “What does that mean? Would I be a free agent, or something?” I almost chuckled at the word 'free'. I was a slave now. Or, so I had been led to believe. As to what that entailed, it seemed it was still up in the air. Instead of a smile, or a comforting gesture of any kind, Asuna let her ears drop, hiding behind her head as she spoke three little words that hit my worse than the whip.

“You'd be dead.”

My stomach somersaulted as she spoke the last word. My jaw tightened, and I had the slight sensation of a loss of vision. I had to lay back down, reminding myself to take a deep breath, to try and figure out why this option was so bad. I lay there, listening to the sounds around me as she seemed to turn back to her work.

We were both quiet for a long while. A million little questions nagged at my mind, but I felt like the moment had passed. I bit the inside of my lip, laying there groggily and with muddled thoughts as she seemed to move around me, poking and prodding and sticking me with the occasional needle. The minutes ticked by...wait, what time was it? I blinked a little as that thought roused my brain into semi-action. I cursed myself inwardly, nearly allowing myself to drift off with so many questions unanswered. Why was I slipping that way? Something she'd given me during one of the shots? I shook myself mentally once more, and cleared my throat, head turning to try and find her. “What's the date, anyway? How long was I out when you were digging around in my chest? And afterwards? Or after...what just happened?” Something seemed to propel me along, questions yet again spilling out of my mouth as I tried to figure out just what was going on.

The sudden sound of my voice seemed to have startled her. Perhaps she thought me to be asleep. Still, I heard her walk back into my view, and then return to sit before me once again. “Well.. You were out for approximately five weeks prior to your abduction. During that time, we did our work. You woke for the first time during the second week.”

“The first time?” I turned my head back, wondering minutely if there was any sort of breach by asking such questions. Some part of me thought, So long as I keep asking and she's answering-

>{-then I see no reason to stop. Perhaps you should inquire base things. The time, the date, what the time is measured by versus what we know already. Now, before we continue with your conversation, I must ask. How close if this Asuna?}

I bit my lip, trying to gauge how far she was from my bed when Asuna answered my question. “You awoke approximately 5 times. Two were at the level of full, conscious thought. One was during the third surgery on your internal organs. The other was during the final proceedings in connecting your nervous system to the Bell Drive.”

>>163289
Rather than telekinesis, could you research telepathy?
Does Asuna have an implant with radio capabilities? Could we link to it?

If the answers are no, then my vote goes to the buffer.

Asuna possess Earth medical history?
Also, non-auction buy-out option? Price?

>>163289
ERROR: address 632862 compromised. Switching to backup designation.
Inquire as to possibility of buying self.

Postulation: Buzzing noise is a side-effect of your new ability to interface with small devices. Range is 1 foot.

Report: Caretaker Asuna has explained that rejection leads to death. Researcher suggests we hide any illness 592 might have, mental or physical.

>>163353
[Block inquiry request]
She informed us it's not safe to talk here, so asking such questions is a very bad idea.

>>163357
Clarifiation: 592 would be the one buying himself.

With what resources? Anything he aquires is owned by his owner. You're expecting somebody to trade their own property for their own property? Do you count change you find in your car towards it buying its freedom?
I don't think you understand how this works.

>>163452
Data is insufficient to conclude whether or not a self-purchase is possible. Researcher is merely attempting to collect necessary data.

Researcher suggests that if other subroutines are concerned about asking questions, they can inform 592 of the risks themselves.

>>163375
[Divert messages to null]

Inquiries of this nature have been forbidden by Asuna. Asking these questions now risks 592 and will provide no information.

Please restrict your questions to 'safe' topics until we have established a secure communications channel with Asuna.

Ask her what will be happening once 592 heals, but before the auction

Also, see if there is a way to bring her in close to you so that you can connect with her mentally. You have the power, trust me, trust us.

>>187047
Lets make sure he has the power before telling him that.
Lucien? Can you make that happen?