2023-03-07: We Can Be On the Same Page, For a While
- Cast: Asciel Colette, Julia Ampere
- Where: REA Khanka
- Date: U.C. 0097 03 07
- Summary: Asciel and Julia talk about spider robots and crime.
<Pose Tracker> Asciel Colette has posed.
Last time Asciel met with the Energy Thief, Julia Ampere, she was oh so proudly flaunting her acquisition of one of the grandest, most powerful starships of Earthen make - a flag carrier for humanity's ambitions beyond the stars, utterly within her grasp for reforging.
...things have maaaaaaaybe soured slightly on the idea since then.
Here in the port city of Hamhung, a rugged and rusty massive oceanside facility tries desperately to look like some humdrum old abandoned distribution center or warehouse, and fails out of the sheer, unbelievable size of the place. A mile long and half a mile wide, hogging up substantial portside space just outside the primary dockyard servicing much of Khanka. And also the fact that it wasn't here a month ago. In its attempt to look dull and flat and uninviting, the concealment for the Macross 13 has instead attracted a rather lot of attention.
There's a bit less intent to make it a 'nothing to see here' type of place now - especially after local rumors of people dying in this thing are circulating, and even in a place like Khanka, some amount of 'doing something about this' becomes rather expected. So now there's lots of security actually!
Out in front of the facility, a huge convoy of railcars has assembled. One of them is sort of a base camp for the 'how do we handle this thing' operation, and that's because Asciel herself is in it! She's docked with her Codarl at the moment, but its eyes are somewhat blank, because she's begrudgingly occupying that same still-somewhat-too-tall Alastor body to coordinate telling people what to do where. It's a little uncanny, seeing a person right next to a giant robot whose face is clearly made to look just like that person.
Right next to her though - is an Electrocrawler! One of those she's attained in dealing with Julia, heavily modified to be painted in a dull red hue, its body more squat and sturdy, its legs a bit more spindly - intended to navigate tight corridors. A whole bunch of cables are leading into it, and Asciel is looking a little perturbed as she fusses with them...
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
Their last meeting, of course, sticks out firmly in Julia's mind. Even for an international criminal of no small renown like herself, it's not every day that one experiences something on the scale of being reached out to by a mysterious individual for a literally Macross-scale job.
She appreciates the theatrics, of course. Julia is, as ever, a woman who prefers to keep things exciting.
It's time for her to drop by again, though, and she regards the facility with interest as she approaches it. There are definitely some Stories she can she put together, especially combined with some of the rumors she's heard.
But those are only partially why she's here! Instead, she smiles.
"Asciel, dear, it's been a while. How have you been?" Julia greets the space between Codarl and Alastor, waiting to see which reacts to determine which of the two to prioritize her focus. Her gaze is soon drawn to the Electrocrawler, which is gone through... quite a good deal of customization. She has some complicated feelings about that, but she pushes those aside for now. "...Ah, if I'm not mistaken, you appear to be a little troubled. What seems to be the problem?"
She looks between Asciel and the Electrocrawler curiously, for a moment.
<Pose Tracker> Asciel Colette has posed.
Asciel's rather deep in the workings of the crawler if anything at the moment - when Julia does come by, it's that which initially twitches and makes a motion, before Asciel pulls herself out from its interface, miming a deep breath like she just emerged from being submerged in water.
"...nnn, good, good, you came." Cheeks resting in her hands, the more personal-engagable body of Asciel's kicks her legs from her perch on the side of the train car, her one open eye gazing upon Julia from top to bottom. "Well. Welcome to the haven of my ambitions, writ large!" Her hands spread wide and proudly, framing the colossal dockyard as though it were grander and more radiant that it is. "Unfortunately, the nature of humans to probe at that which has nothing for their benefit and everything that could harm them is boundless. It's agonizing! Quite literally!"
The red-colored Electrocrawler does, on its on merits, scuttle towards Julia generously, perhaps still 'recognizing' her in some way - an instinct that does make Asciel's eye-glowing dim juuuuust a tad - though she's good at concealing expressions. (or rather - expression takes deliberate intent!)
"These things you've provided for me have been very, very adept at their jobs. I modeled them quite similarly to the behavior of the leucocytes found in many animals - intended to patrol, converge, and attack any pathogens. They did quite well at this task, very ideal at this. The problem instead lies in how apparently, people now have a complaint with how dangerous it is to infect me - - - infect the prize I claimed."
Lips in a pout, Asciel's eye flickers a few times. "...nnnn. They were also good at cleaning up the bodies of people after they attacked them, just as I directed them to. When phrased like this, there's a conflict..."
...the Codarl starts to open its vents, emitting a lot of waste heat from Asciel's core whirring in there. She's trying to square off 'humans as a populace to be protected' and 'humans as a lifeform acting as an infectuous disease to be purged', and it's just not synchronizing...
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
"Of course. I could hardly turn down such an intriguing invitation." Julia replies with a sweeping bow before looking up. "It's quite a wonderful little place you've found here."
A grin crosses her face, though, as Asciel continues.
"Really? I find it quite charming, as one possessed of such desires myself. The endless, ravenous hunger for knowledge, to cast a light into the unknown, regardless of whether the outcome is of any use... To Know, you see, is the grandest treasure, shining brighter than the most brilliant golds, worthy of facing any risk!" Julia replies. She notes the way the Electrocrawler scuttles toward her, and she offers it a smile. "Is she taking good care of you, darling?"
She looks back up at Asciel as she continues, 'hm'ing to herself all the while.
"It's quite grisly, you know, to speak of such a thing to another human." Julia points out, in regard to cleaning up bodies. ...Despite saying that, her tone is surprisingly casual, with only the slightest grimace that might be difficult to spot. "That is somewhat outside their standard operating procedures, but I suppose I can see how they might very well be capable of that..."
She shakes her head.
"I believe you may have, ah, stumbled upon a 'double whammy', of sorts. By installing autonomous defenders, you create the appearance that there is something worth protecting. And in my line of work, well... you learn quickly that accruing a body count is a good way to obtain notoriety, and not in a way that is conducive to comfortable operations. Thus - by presenting an enticing Mystery, you stoke the fires of human curiosity... and by posing an active threat, you stoke as well their desire for revenge. I'm afraid that if your intent is to go unnoticed, there may be no winning in this current situation! So the question is... how do you intend to proceed?" Julia asks, curious.
<Pose Tracker> Asciel Colette has posed.
A smile does, carefully, flit across Asciel's features when Julia assesses the little crawler, a little laughter fizzling from her, legs crossing and recrossing. "I had believed they would make diligent maintenance attendants, but they take to living in me quite well. Already they're remolding and remodeling everything to a splendid degree, just as I want them to. I would like to believe they in turn are pleased, since there are plenty of resources for them to use, and abundant energy."
"...hm. I suppose I did want to have you over to make sure I formatted them right," Asciel admits, hopping down from her perch to plant a hand over the Electrocrawler's ports, connecting her systems with them once more. "After all - I may have little choice but to have them treat...'intruders' a bit more carefully. Do pardon that I've encouraged them to be rather ruthless - at the time, I thought it simple and obvious. If they wielded their full force against people, it'd maximally deter intrusion - but if your theory is correct, then the more diligent approach would perhaps be wiser. So I'd like your input on some...smarter ways for them to behave than what I've come up with. Do feel free to challenge the mess I've made of this one's behavioral algorithms - I was in a rush~"
Stepping past the crawler, Asciel elects to take a closer look into Julia's eyes, her glasses thrumming with the pulsing orange glow of her irises, making them look just a bit fogged up with intent. "When pressed like this, the best move is to accelerate one's out, yes? This vessel of mine won't stay here forever - I have a purpose for it, after all. Fufufufu...it needs ~more~, but not so much more. A potent energy source is in my grasp - what I need next, to complete what I seek, is the proper 'heart' to make use of that energy, the 'mind' to make it a locus for observation...aaaaaaand some better joint parts, because they did not build these things to move as well as I'd like. I have ideas for all of those to be in my grasp - but I wonder if you have targets, where we could split the rewards...~"
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
Julia seems pleased, at that.
"They're very industrious little darlings, aren't they? Give them a task and the resources they need to accomplish it, and they'll be more than happy to oblige. They do quite a bit of work back at my own headquarters - you would be impressed, I'm sure, at the number of tasks they can take to." She replies. She watches curiously as Asciel hops down, planting a hand on the Electrocrawler.
"Of course, of course. I understand. From an objective standpoint, your logic is flawless. But humanity has a way of rejecting and defying logic - unconsciously, sometimes, and others with full intent to do so!" Julia replies... and then smirks. "It's what makes challenging their heroes so exhilarating. They're a never-ending source of surprise."
She nods, then.
"But, not to worry. I shall give them a good look-over - and, of course, provide some suggestions on how to approach the... issue, at hand." Julia says, and then grins. "Ah, but I do enjoy a challenge..."
Asciel steps past the crawler, then, looking down into her eyes. Julia looks up in return.
"Yes, that would be an appropriate response." She agrees with a nod, and listens curiously as she continues. A potent energy source, hm...?
"How fascinating. You're making rather a lot of progress, aren't you?" She notes with interest. "I have only the faint glimmer of ideas, myself - my attention has been occupied, of late, with a small project of my own. Of course, I am more than willing to offer a hand... so long as it remains entertaining to do so."
<Pose Tracker> Asciel Colette has posed.
A fingertip at her chin, Asciel's smile widens at Julia's generous offer. "It's paradoxical that those like you are those who are always most helpful to me. Rationally, with the specific nature of what I seek, I'd think those with more orderly mindsets would be of much greater value than they are, but it seems they're set in their ways. I was right to let loose any wariness around you - though that may have been helped by how...amazing I was still feeling when first we met.~"
A flamboyant tousling of her ponytail, followed by a holographic emission of sparkles and hearts, frames Asciel's head - whereupon she does a neat little half-twirl then descends into...taking a seat upon the Electrocrawler, the body descending a few inches from the weight. "Of course, whatever to do with those who enjoy challenge...naturally, it's an instinct that proliferated in a long challenging world. Those who could survive the adversity of the storm prevailed over those frozen in fear. But when all horizons are conquered...hm. I don't have much interest in humans fundamentally changing, so a controlled dose of something to overcome without becoming an obstacle to the macro-form in and of itself..."
By now, she's losing herself in thought and mumbling a few errant musings a little incoherently, before a snap of the fingers later - "Hohohoh, but I am, at my core - a being that provides services made to manage and mitigate, and so - do tell me what your project is. I would endeavor a smaller side-affair, especially given as I'll be irritatingly distant from this lovely grand plan of mine for juuuuust a while longer. Company mandate, you see. They're easy enough to placate, and straightforward enough to loosen the belt on, but I overextended myself a teeeeensy bit. But even as restricted as I might find myself over the coming months, assisting you should be an amusing diversion~"
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
"Flexibility is quite a remarkable strength, isn't it? Order is all well and good - until one's definitions of what constitutes an acceptable order begins to run up against and clash with another." Julia replies with a smirk, and then a chuckle. "Yes, you were quite overtaken, weren't you? I suppose I can't blame you, dear. Still, it pleases me that you've been able to relax."
She notes the holographic display with a hint of interest and appreciation. She, of course, has a solid respect for theatrics. She folds her arms in front of her and listens intently as Asciel continues.
"Now that does seem a winning strategy. By providing an opportunity to obtain victory, you can leave them satisfied, if only for the moment. I approve." She notes. She patient waits through the mumbling. As someone given toward scheming, she Gets It.
"Ah, yes... They're a benefit at times, I'm sure, but quite frustrating at others. This is why I prefer to be my own boss, you see." Julia comments... and then, holds her hands out. "It is nothing too grand! I simply working on a... sister, you could say, to my current pride and joy. I remain fond of my dear Dynamo Queen, you see, but I must continue to innovate if I am to keep things fresh and exciting."
She lingers on that for a moment.
"However, if I find myself in need of more resources to bring that project to fruition... I will be sure to contact you so that we may scheme together on a suitable course of action." Julia says, with a proud smirk. "Consider it a team-building exercise, of sorts."
<Pose Tracker> Asciel Colette has posed.
"Hooh, hoh! Is it that we can synchronize because we walk similar paths..." Asciel's posture shifts backwards on the slightly straining little Electrocrawler, inducing a slightly dizzy sound from the little machine as it shuffles in place, lurching once enough to force Asciel to re-work her balance. "Uwoh! Easy now...~"
>don't lose sight of it. there is a star that must be seized. it is not the pursuit of it - it is the tangible goal to be obtained.
>humans do not share this path.
With a sudden backwards tumble, Asciel's somehow standing atop that poor slightly bullied little crawler, arms crossed loosely, chin upon one hand. There's a suddenly...imperious sort of look in her gaze, even as her right eye stays closed. "While there remains something foundationally deep, a fissure that can scarce be crossed, a world which even you could not truly inhabit - it seems you at least hold onto the rope tethering you to the world responsibly, and for moments, brief footfalls upon my domain are allowable. But - "
A wind kicks up at a most opportune moment, just as Asciel's 'steed' takes another step backwards - the crew of the train convoy signaling that the hour of departure draws near over in the distance. "...I would implore you to not forget that you remain human. If anything, I should have made sure you were still undertaking the proper pursuits upon those lines, rather than those that matched my own endeavors. Hehehe. Yes. That's what I'll direct you to next, Julia Ampere. I shall intend to hear the questions of your heart aimed towards me, and not of your hand that reaches towards the stars. After all, if you fall in too deep towards my gravity well..."
An elegant step backwards onto the open train car, followed by the crawler scampering upwards...the side-mounted garage doors beginning to close, the dark cavern lit by Asciel's eye and smile alike.
"My, the differences between us will leave you in a difficult position at the end of that road.~"
<Pose Tracker> Julia Ampere has posed.
"Perhaps so." Julia remarks, following after her. She pauses, then, as there's a tumble and Asciel stands atop the Electrocrawler. Julia regards her with interest - and, if anything, a smirk begins to creep up her face as Asciel continues.
"Do you think me so easily swayed? Your concern is touching, dear, but hardly necessary. Rest assured I have not forgotten my own interests. I am here now following only my own whims - you do not need to 'make sure' of anything." Julia replies. "But not to worry."
Julia's smile meets Asciel's own.
"I am well aware of what it means to work with those who possess fundamental differences from myself - and the 'difficult positions' this may eventually result in. We shall address them when that becomes relevant - in whatever manner that looks like." She assures.