Garrus Vakarian (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
forgivetheinsubordination) wrote2037-04-27 09:49 pm
forgivetheinsubordination) wrote2037-04-27 09:49 pm
Entry tags:
IC Contact - Consignment
vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
(0) UNREAD MESSAGES
vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
(0) UNREAD MESSAGES
FROM: anders@cdc.org
its not really a help question. not for me, anyway. but i bet i could come up with some of those too if i tried
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i wanted to ask you about the statue
its not really a help question. not for me, anyway. but i bet i could come up with some of those too if i tried
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i wanted to ask you about the statue
Edited (WOW HTML BROTRAYAL) 2014-08-08 22:20 (UTC)
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Gotta go for the hard ones first. Ask the questions, but can't guarantee I've got any answers.
Gotta go for the hard ones first. Ask the questions, but can't guarantee I've got any answers.
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i dont know if you heard already, but it moved. when blue was on our way back from our mission. not sure how many other people saw it, but i know for sure i did
FROM: anders@cdc.org
all i can tell is that its probably not magic. or, at least, not any magic im familiar with. which would count for something where im from, but not so much here
FROM: anders@cdc.org
what i really want to know is what its supposed to do. something tells me thats one that doesnt have an answer
FROM: anders@cdc.org
but you did say go for the hard ones first
i dont know if you heard already, but it moved. when blue was on our way back from our mission. not sure how many other people saw it, but i know for sure i did
FROM: anders@cdc.org
all i can tell is that its probably not magic. or, at least, not any magic im familiar with. which would count for something where im from, but not so much here
FROM: anders@cdc.org
what i really want to know is what its supposed to do. something tells me thats one that doesnt have an answer
FROM: anders@cdc.org
but you did say go for the hard ones first
[That's Noh-Varr's best guess, too, but he doesn't want to voice it.]
About two and a half meters high. White fur, shaggy, red eyes. No distinctive shape that I could see, but it moved on four legs. Incredibly fast, and intelligent enough to outmanoeuver an entire squad.
[An entire squad with Loki on it, and while Noh-Varr doesn't doubt their collective capabilities, Loki's powers are vast, and he's--Loki. For a creature to have outwitted him is startling.]
Its tracks vanished faster than we could follow them.
About two and a half meters high. White fur, shaggy, red eyes. No distinctive shape that I could see, but it moved on four legs. Incredibly fast, and intelligent enough to outmanoeuver an entire squad.
[An entire squad with Loki on it, and while Noh-Varr doesn't doubt their collective capabilities, Loki's powers are vast, and he's--Loki. For a creature to have outwitted him is startling.]
Its tracks vanished faster than we could follow them.
[Survived two teams. Nobody got a good look at it. Taller than Garrus. Fast, and could manipulate something to hide its tracks, which implied some sort of biotics. Or control of ice or something like some people here could control fire, but animals didn't do that. Animals couldn't.
Garrus leans back against the wall of the rover, arms crossing.]
But why now? If it was gonna show itself, make a difference, shouldn't it have shown up before?
[If it had attacked when the landing teams had been coming in, with no instructors around, when the groups were already under siege, how easy would it have been to take out an entire drop point? Sharks and that thing? They would have lost a lot more.
Which means that maybe it's not a native. Maybe it's not from this planet, and Garrus doesn't know that he can actually afford to hope for that, but he will. It could just be an enemy of the CDC.]
No way to find it. No way to find anything more out, I take it. Sector R... got any orders regarding it? Stay clear, or patrol, or...?
Garrus leans back against the wall of the rover, arms crossing.]
But why now? If it was gonna show itself, make a difference, shouldn't it have shown up before?
[If it had attacked when the landing teams had been coming in, with no instructors around, when the groups were already under siege, how easy would it have been to take out an entire drop point? Sharks and that thing? They would have lost a lot more.
Which means that maybe it's not a native. Maybe it's not from this planet, and Garrus doesn't know that he can actually afford to hope for that, but he will. It could just be an enemy of the CDC.]
No way to find it. No way to find anything more out, I take it. Sector R... got any orders regarding it? Stay clear, or patrol, or...?
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Moved. Didn't hear that. How did it move? Not the mechanics of it. Asking if it... I don't know. Turned its head, took a step, started trying to dance.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
And I don't know if you saw the message on the cuffs a few weeks back. But someone who says he eats things and learns from them said he got the impression it was meant to watch us.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
It's not the sanest theory ever. Then again. When is something sane around here?
Moved. Didn't hear that. How did it move? Not the mechanics of it. Asking if it... I don't know. Turned its head, took a step, started trying to dance.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
And I don't know if you saw the message on the cuffs a few weeks back. But someone who says he eats things and learns from them said he got the impression it was meant to watch us.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
It's not the sanest theory ever. Then again. When is something sane around here?
FROM: anders@cdc.org
it was facing the wrong way. just for a second. when i looked it had moved, and when i looked again it was back to normal
FROM: anders@cdc.org
dancing would have been worse. dont give it ideas
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i dont know if i buy it, anyway. the cdc put our camp at the base of a statue thats designed to keep tabs on us? theres no way they picked it just as a landmark and then didnt look into it
it was facing the wrong way. just for a second. when i looked it had moved, and when i looked again it was back to normal
FROM: anders@cdc.org
dancing would have been worse. dont give it ideas
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i dont know if i buy it, anyway. the cdc put our camp at the base of a statue thats designed to keep tabs on us? theres no way they picked it just as a landmark and then didnt look into it
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Just the head facing the wrong way, or the whole thing?
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Getting the idea that there's a lot of bureaucracy involved in the CDC. Wouldn't be surprised if some did want others watched. Could easily be a test.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
All of Ajna could be a test. We're a bunch of weaklings compared to the instructors. Why do they even need us here?
Just the head facing the wrong way, or the whole thing?
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Getting the idea that there's a lot of bureaucracy involved in the CDC. Wouldn't be surprised if some did want others watched. Could easily be a test.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
All of Ajna could be a test. We're a bunch of weaklings compared to the instructors. Why do they even need us here?
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i saw it from the jeep, and just for a second. i want to say it was the whole thing, but its head was the most obvious part
FROM: anders@cdc.org
there have to be others besides me who saw it
FROM: anders@cdc.org
youre saying you think the statue is cdc too?
FROM: anders@cdc.org
not disagreeing, it makes more sense than the alternative, but what sort of test would that even be? "see which ones catch on before it slaughters the whole camp"?
[That's not even really a joke.]
i saw it from the jeep, and just for a second. i want to say it was the whole thing, but its head was the most obvious part
FROM: anders@cdc.org
there have to be others besides me who saw it
FROM: anders@cdc.org
youre saying you think the statue is cdc too?
FROM: anders@cdc.org
not disagreeing, it makes more sense than the alternative, but what sort of test would that even be? "see which ones catch on before it slaughters the whole camp"?
[That's not even really a joke.]
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
More see who is paying attention. But they've got a connection to it. They put us at the base of it, protected it. That's not coincidence.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Asked Mothership about it. Didn't get a direct answer, but got enough to say they have something to do with it.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Really missing the clearance right about now.
More see who is paying attention. But they've got a connection to it. They put us at the base of it, protected it. That's not coincidence.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Asked Mothership about it. Didn't get a direct answer, but got enough to say they have something to do with it.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Really missing the clearance right about now.
I'm afraid not, unless you feel like taking a long hike.
[Privately, Noh-Varr thinks it might be a native species they haven't catalogued yet. Something likely more sentient than the beasts they've encountered so far, but not intelligent enough to do much beyond attempt to frighten them. Otherwise, wouldn't they have fought off the invading force before now?
It's all speculation, though. He has nothing concrete to back it up.]
The sector is still reachable. We built defenses around the CTDS itself, and left it at that. Access is monitored and currently prohibited; that's all I know. [He tilts his head at Garrus.] Were you actually thinking of going?
[You'll freeze your skinny Turian ass off, Vakarian.]
[Privately, Noh-Varr thinks it might be a native species they haven't catalogued yet. Something likely more sentient than the beasts they've encountered so far, but not intelligent enough to do much beyond attempt to frighten them. Otherwise, wouldn't they have fought off the invading force before now?
It's all speculation, though. He has nothing concrete to back it up.]
The sector is still reachable. We built defenses around the CTDS itself, and left it at that. Access is monitored and currently prohibited; that's all I know. [He tilts his head at Garrus.] Were you actually thinking of going?
[You'll freeze your skinny Turian ass off, Vakarian.]
[He takes a breath in and out, considering the question. Monitored and prohibited. He'd have to ask permission, because he knows they can be overheard and watched anywhere they go. Add that to the list of things he needs to do.]
Don't know.
[It's the honest answer. He will freeze his skinny ass. And making the request will draw more attention. At least there's something delicious to smell starting to fill the air as he ponders what he's doing.]
It's a long way out there. I'd need permission to take a rover or a jeep. I wouldn't want to go alone, either. I'd have to put together a team, because something like that isn't going to be friendly. What's CTDS stand for?
Don't know.
[It's the honest answer. He will freeze his skinny ass. And making the request will draw more attention. At least there's something delicious to smell starting to fill the air as he ponders what he's doing.]
It's a long way out there. I'd need permission to take a rover or a jeep. I wouldn't want to go alone, either. I'd have to put together a team, because something like that isn't going to be friendly. What's CTDS stand for?
The Central Targeting Data Server, which I'm pretty sure does exactly what its name implies.
[ He keeps one eye on the oven. It is starting to smell good in here. ]
Even if you went all the way to the border, they probably wouldn't even let you into the sector without permission. [ He arches a brow that says, at the same time, 'don't drag me into your shenanigans' and 'if you go, I'm coming'. ]
They didn't issue a gag for the mission, but now that I've told you I feel personally responsible. [Is he exasperated? Amused? Both.] If you go, you'll take me with you, are we clear?
[ He's got a pretty clear idea that neither Ghost nor Mother will let him--any of them--go back there, but you never know. ]
[ He keeps one eye on the oven. It is starting to smell good in here. ]
Even if you went all the way to the border, they probably wouldn't even let you into the sector without permission. [ He arches a brow that says, at the same time, 'don't drag me into your shenanigans' and 'if you go, I'm coming'. ]
They didn't issue a gag for the mission, but now that I've told you I feel personally responsible. [Is he exasperated? Amused? Both.] If you go, you'll take me with you, are we clear?
[ He's got a pretty clear idea that neither Ghost nor Mother will let him--any of them--go back there, but you never know. ]
FROM: anders@cdc.org
you can say that again. or a few more times, even. having it and losing it just makes it that much more obvious how much we arent being told
FROM: anders@cdc.org
not that it would do us much good with this. something tells me the statue ranks much higher than level 1
you can say that again. or a few more times, even. having it and losing it just makes it that much more obvious how much we arent being told
FROM: anders@cdc.org
not that it would do us much good with this. something tells me the statue ranks much higher than level 1
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Yeah, it wouldn't be enough clearance, but it'd feel a step more... secure, I guess. Stable. Less like we're toeing a line that we really shouldn't cross, yeah?
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Maybe somehow we can earn it back. Not gonna count on it, but wouldn't mind it.
Yeah, it wouldn't be enough clearance, but it'd feel a step more... secure, I guess. Stable. Less like we're toeing a line that we really shouldn't cross, yeah?
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Maybe somehow we can earn it back. Not gonna count on it, but wouldn't mind it.
[So. That's that. That's how the world will go, then. Some big machine, a target... Damn. But it's good to know. Useful. Important.]
I know I'd have to ask permission.
[Garrus holds up the arm with a cuff on it, trying to use his eyes to convey what he means. They're tracked. The CDC would know anyway, and he would prefer to not be executed for trespassing. Worse, he'd like to not lose his world for him being stupid.]
And yeah. If you wanna go and it gets approved, then you're in. I'd wanna take a few people. Something that's elusive and big means we'd wanna watch our backs.
[If it's not some sort of projection. Lack of tracks, no bodies after the fight... But he can't say anything for sure without going himself.]
I know I'd have to ask permission.
[Garrus holds up the arm with a cuff on it, trying to use his eyes to convey what he means. They're tracked. The CDC would know anyway, and he would prefer to not be executed for trespassing. Worse, he'd like to not lose his world for him being stupid.]
And yeah. If you wanna go and it gets approved, then you're in. I'd wanna take a few people. Something that's elusive and big means we'd wanna watch our backs.
[If it's not some sort of projection. Lack of tracks, no bodies after the fight... But he can't say anything for sure without going himself.]
FROM: anders@cdc.org
we dont even know why we lost it. id say were toeing a line no matter what we do. the fact that we had it and lost it just makes it worse
FROM: anders@cdc.org
doesnt mean we shouldnt do it, but still
we dont even know why we lost it. id say were toeing a line no matter what we do. the fact that we had it and lost it just makes it worse
FROM: anders@cdc.org
doesnt mean we shouldnt do it, but still
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
I know. Asked if I'd done something wrong, got told I hadn't. Asked if Dagger had seen that sort of a thing before, found out it's not rare, but it hasn't happened to a crew he's been on in a long time.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Without any sort of insight I don't know what can be done better.
I know. Asked if I'd done something wrong, got told I hadn't. Asked if Dagger had seen that sort of a thing before, found out it's not rare, but it hasn't happened to a crew he's been on in a long time.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Without any sort of insight I don't know what can be done better.
[ It could be cryokinetic, or use particle manipulation as a camouflage method. It hadn't outright attacked any of them; its intent was clearly to frighten.
When Garrus raises the cuff, Noh-Varr shrugs and nods. Garrus doesn't strike him as the type to act on impulse or take lives for granted, but he is...boisterous, for a sniper. ]
I don't think its aim is to harm us--no one who encountered it was hurt. Rattled, perhaps, but unharmed. I agree to investigating it, though, if you can convince them to let you.
[ At that, the oven 'dings' pleasantly, and Noh-Varr is suddenly busy pulling out their meal. It smells good--it'll be even better with syrup, he knows.]
Can you give me the bottles?
[ He shouldn't feel so excited about such a mundane thing, but it's rare for Noh-Varr to want to share experiences with others. Humans find his unabashed love of their planet embarrassing. Garrus humors him, and he appreciates that. ]
When Garrus raises the cuff, Noh-Varr shrugs and nods. Garrus doesn't strike him as the type to act on impulse or take lives for granted, but he is...boisterous, for a sniper. ]
I don't think its aim is to harm us--no one who encountered it was hurt. Rattled, perhaps, but unharmed. I agree to investigating it, though, if you can convince them to let you.
[ At that, the oven 'dings' pleasantly, and Noh-Varr is suddenly busy pulling out their meal. It smells good--it'll be even better with syrup, he knows.]
Can you give me the bottles?
[ He shouldn't feel so excited about such a mundane thing, but it's rare for Noh-Varr to want to share experiences with others. Humans find his unabashed love of their planet embarrassing. Garrus humors him, and he appreciates that. ]
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i think weve established that providing information isnt the cdcs strong suit
FROM: anders@cdc.org
but they picked you for a reason, the first time. those of us who were just volunteers cant say that. you probably have a better chance than any of us
i think weve established that providing information isnt the cdcs strong suit
FROM: anders@cdc.org
but they picked you for a reason, the first time. those of us who were just volunteers cant say that. you probably have a better chance than any of us
Maybe it was scouting.
[As Garrus talks he's grabbing the bottles and then passing them over, sniffing curiously at the air. The scent's already on the sweet side, but maybe Garrus should have figured as much. They're called pancakes, after all, and humans and cake, well. It's always sweet. Very sweet.]
Getting a good idea of who we are and what we might be capable of. I mean, charging in right off the bat's never a good idea. Not like it stops everyone from doing it.
[But that upgrades the being's intelligence even more. Until he knows more, he can't make any real calls, and until he goes he can't know more. Flying blind is the worst. But in the middle of his frustration, Garrus remembers that they'll probably need something to eat with and so he's grabbing forks and offering one to Noh-Varr after the bottles are taken.]
The other animals attacked. This one just watched. Sounds like coordination, to me.
[As Garrus talks he's grabbing the bottles and then passing them over, sniffing curiously at the air. The scent's already on the sweet side, but maybe Garrus should have figured as much. They're called pancakes, after all, and humans and cake, well. It's always sweet. Very sweet.]
Getting a good idea of who we are and what we might be capable of. I mean, charging in right off the bat's never a good idea. Not like it stops everyone from doing it.
[But that upgrades the being's intelligence even more. Until he knows more, he can't make any real calls, and until he goes he can't know more. Flying blind is the worst. But in the middle of his frustration, Garrus remembers that they'll probably need something to eat with and so he's grabbing forks and offering one to Noh-Varr after the bottles are taken.]
The other animals attacked. This one just watched. Sounds like coordination, to me.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
You know, that'd slipped my mind. I kept thinking about how everyone else seemed to have lieutenants and forgot I got picked by name. Still don't know why I didn't get one, though.
You know, that'd slipped my mind. I kept thinking about how everyone else seemed to have lieutenants and forgot I got picked by name. Still don't know why I didn't get one, though.
FROM: anders@cdc.org
if it makes you feel better, i still dont know why the rest of us got them. martin didnt know either. it wasnt like we were bursting with things to do, at the start
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i thought i was the only one at first. i was surprised when i found out others got them too
if it makes you feel better, i still dont know why the rest of us got them. martin didnt know either. it wasnt like we were bursting with things to do, at the start
FROM: anders@cdc.org
i thought i was the only one at first. i was surprised when i found out others got them too
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
I just want one. Don't even care if I don't have the work for them. I want one so I can look over at them and they straighten up with dread and ask what and then I can say 'nothing.' Over and over again.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Come to think of it, that's probably why I didn't get one.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
But damn, it would be fun.
I just want one. Don't even care if I don't have the work for them. I want one so I can look over at them and they straighten up with dread and ask what and then I can say 'nothing.' Over and over again.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
Come to think of it, that's probably why I didn't get one.
FROM: vakarian.garrus@cdc.org
But damn, it would be fun.
[ The more Garrus talks, the more intelligent the beast sounds, and the more Noh-Varr wants to tell him to stop talking. He focuses instead on pouring the syrup onto its respective stack, cooling the pancakes. He's actually pretty frugal with it: he likes a lot, but he doesn't want to overwhelm Garrus' palate. ]
I sincerely hope you're wrong.
[ Is that rude to say? It might be. He'd rather put off the time of Hard Decisions, himself, not for his own sake but because of what he imagines--what he knows--would happen to the crew at this juncture if a sentient species were discovered here.
Taking the fork, Noh-Varr spears a bite off his own plate and tests it. He's had time to 'perfect' his method in his own rover, and the results, while not as good as what you'd get from a pan, are respectable. He offers Garrus his own plate. ]
Here. Try.
[ He tries not to look hopeful. Or eager. From what Garrus told him about Palaven's cuisine, and his own tiny sampling of it, Noh-Varr can only deduce he'll find it very sweet, possibly too much. ]
I sincerely hope you're wrong.
[ Is that rude to say? It might be. He'd rather put off the time of Hard Decisions, himself, not for his own sake but because of what he imagines--what he knows--would happen to the crew at this juncture if a sentient species were discovered here.
Taking the fork, Noh-Varr spears a bite off his own plate and tests it. He's had time to 'perfect' his method in his own rover, and the results, while not as good as what you'd get from a pan, are respectable. He offers Garrus his own plate. ]
Here. Try.
[ He tries not to look hopeful. Or eager. From what Garrus told him about Palaven's cuisine, and his own tiny sampling of it, Noh-Varr can only deduce he'll find it very sweet, possibly too much. ]
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