IC Inbox

[heliophilic]

This is M. I'm most likely out punching someone. Don't worry, they deserve it.

Probably.

I'll call you back later.

TEXT | VOICE | VIDEO

Comments

Asset network, day #whatever of We All Live In A Russian Submarine

[pobrecisco]

[ Cisco's jammed into a corner of the cell, trying to stay as far away from the stinking closet of a bathroom, and from whatever commotion people are causing at the guards this time. He's beyond exhausted, physically, but the problem with being as smart as Cisco, but with nothing to do, is that his brain never shuts up. Which means staying focused on getting his nanites to stably connect to the network, something he's still not practiced at anyway, is hard.

Luckily, he's got another way to talk to someone other than his cellmates. ]

Asset 1 request connect.

[heliophilic]

Connect Asset 1.

Holding up, handsome?

[pobrecisco]

[ Cisco gives a short, tired laugh at M's greeting. ]

Barely.

I'm gonna guess you've never been kidnapped before, on account of you being all badass and everything, but did you know it's incredibly boring?

[heliophilic]

If you want I can call up the kidnappers and ask them to torture you for fun. That'd be something to do.

[pobrecisco]

See, I know you think you're being funny...

[heliophilic]

It's been how many days now?

[He knows how many days, he's trying to make a point.]

They're not going to suddenly switch tactics nwo.

[pobrecisco]

I know, I know.
Other than the completely disgusting conditions, they're treating us about as well as could be expected.

[heliophilic]

I can only imagine. Everyone here is still scrambling, and I think they're actually scrambling in the right direction for a change. I don't expect you to be there much longer.

In the meantime... how would you like me to entertain you?

[pobrecisco]

Good. That's– That's really good to hear. Thanks.

...I dunno. Just anything to take my mind off things?

[heliophilic]

If I knew more, I'd tell you.

Shall I tell you what I'm wearing?

[Can you see his smirk, Cisco?]

[pobrecisco]

Ha! Under any other circumstances, sure.

[heliophilic]

So what would you find entertaining, then?

[pobrecisco]

I dunno. If you were watching a movie while we're connected, could I hear it?

[heliophilic]

Unfortunately that's not going to work. They're designed to only carry the caller's voice. I can't hear anyone next to you, for example.

I could read to you?

[pobrecisco]

What, really?

[heliophilic]

I'd have to find something first.

Unless you want me to read to you about logical fallacies that pervade daily life.

[pobrecisco]

That's your current reading material? Dry, man.

[heliophilic]

It's actually quite interesting.

But I'm sure you'd prefer something with more explosions.

[pobrecisco]

Nah, I changed my mind, read that. I wanna find out why you think it's interesting.

[heliophilic]

[Oh, well, he asked. M picks up the book and opens it to where he left off.]

"As with the threat of terrorist atrocities, a vigilant population is required to stamp out obscurantism. This chapter is intended to assist the struggle by providing a guide to obscurantist language. The examples discussed do not cover the full range--that would require a book in itself--but they will allow you to identify the most threatening cases. Whether on the tube, at a political party conference, or in a boardroom meeting, you will know when it is time to alert friends and colleagues and evacuate the intellectual area."

Are you sure you want me to continue?