un: user010102 | text

[computation]

< private to STEM club + miller, charles, claude, and kurama >

Has sentencing ever accomplished anything for anyone? Because believe me, I'm very far from regret right now.

Would anyone be willing to check in on Shaw for me over the next month? My little honey bunch is having a hard time and I'm worried. You can tell her I sent you.

Comments

text; un: spartan

[melnik]

If you're not able to, I suppose I can contact her for you. But are you okay? They don't have you thrown in a dungeon, do they?

[ He's kind of being tongue in cheek, but also, not really because why can't she just check on Shaw herself? ]

[computation]

I'd prefer if they did. They want me to stay away from her for a while -- like what we need is more time apart.

[melnik]

So that was your sentence? What was the reasoning behind that?

[ And was it good enough that she's actually going to listen? That's kind of surprising. ]

[computation]

I'm supposed to let her learn independence. Which is bullshit.

We've spent our whole lifetimes being independent. I just don't want to waste any time now.

[melnik]

I really do wonder who is coming up with these supposed moral lessons. What's the practicality in that?

[ Of course, he has figured out that they are more to each other than just business partners by now — but it seems incredibly inconvenient if something ends up happening, as always does in this place. ]

Well, if you're going to follow orders, then hopefully that means it will be over with sooner. Let me know if you need to pass on a message.

[computation]

It may just not be sophisticated enough to understand human behavior. Motives are complex. It could be defaulting to standard responses, like judges with sentencing minimums.

I start questioning reality if I'm around her for too long, so following orders it is. Have a drink with her for me sometime?

Text; un: kurama

[sinningtree]

I could not say, but perhaps someone who has been here longer may have better insight on how efficient sentencing was before the reset. It seemed practically nonexistent when I first arrived.

Any suggestions on the best method for checking in on her? A drink she favors as a peace offering, perhaps?

[computation]

I heard from someone that it's never been that effective. Makes me wonder if the whole set up isn't a front for something else.

Good idea, she loves food. Pastrami sandwich with pepperoncinis, extra spicy mustard, no mayo. Or she'll take anything good, really, but that's her favorite.

🔒 private to just root

[incorrigibles]

[ his answer is an immediate, ]

root, what happened?

i mean, the answer's yes. of course. but you okay? she okay?

[computation]

We're fine, the crime and punishment script just thinks I need to learn my lesson about our romantic murder-suicide by staying away from her for a while.

Like that's going to work.

[incorrigibles]

oh bloody hell

well that sounds counterproductive. they clearly haven't got the memo where you guys are a public health risk when separated

[computation]

You have no idea.

I start getting dizzy and confused if I'm around her too long. I'd try to just deal with it, but Shaw doesn't like me getting punished for her. I should feel lucky I didn't get something actually bad or she'd feel even worse.

[ She should feel lucky, but she really doesn't. She'd gone ten months without Shaw, not knowing if she was alive or dead... and either one of them might disappear at any time. Root may not ever see her again. ]

[incorrigibles]

hey, not being able to be around her is pretty much the worst, innit? i know that's what'd get me the most

[ for.... the exact same reason, actually. because they might be gone the next day, so every single moment counts. ]

[computation]

At least this time I know where she is and that she's alive.

And I have to admit it's an effective deterrent against me doing it again.

[querulus]

okay okay fine. you don't have to twist my arm.

quentin quire, ultra powerful telepath reporting for duty. i assume she won't mind a little psychic intrusion if it's on behalf of her "honey bunch." day is saved, etc etc, you're welcome.

[private]

speaking of sentencing

i need a favor.

private

[computation]

Keep it to a light touch, please? Jokes aside, she has enough reasons to question her experience of reality as it is.

I thought you'd never ask. What can I do for you?

[ He's definitely owed a favor after agreeing to house the A.I. backup in his brain, as far as Root's concerned. ]

private

[querulus]

relax, i'm not going to be doing any housecalls or bringing her casseroles. just some light recon. think of it like hiring a private eye! who can read minds.

apparently this new ai's definition of justice involves other people paying for my crimes. i need a patsy.

private

[computation]

Got it. Thanks Quentin 💖

And you think I'm willing to pay for your crimes instead? You're right. I'm in. What's the crime?

private

[querulus]

vandalism. broke a streetlight.

[Is that answer somewhat uncharacteristically vague? Yes, yes it is. Surely that has nothing to do any wacky side effects he might be suffering from his sentencing! Spoilers: it does.]

really not my style to let somebody else take credit for my mayhem, but guess jerry's the boss. figured you might be the one to ask who wouldn't get all noble about it. if there's one thing i can't stand it's a martyr.

private

[computation]

If I'm going to suffer for your sins I think I should at least know the real story, don't you?

[ She's not buying that as the whole story for a second and she's not shy about trying to manipulate him for the truth. ]

I get it. No need to act like I'm making some big sacrifice. We're in a simulation, what are they going to do to me? If they still want me here then I'll come back from it. And maybe I'll even learn something.

text | un: punnettsquare_nightmare

[finalfrontiersman]

>> Depends on your definition of accomplishment.
>> It's unclear what the Sentencing is supposed to accomplish. Is it an intimidation tactic? A means of slapping down dissent by distracting us? Or is it meant to have a productive result?
>> Wish I knew.

>> I'll check on her.
>> Do you mind if I ask what your Sentencing symptoms are?
>> I know from experience they're not pleasant. I'm sorry.

[computation]

Its stated intention is to rehabilitate us. The A.I. seems to genuinely believe it, so either this is a poorly researched, abandoned experiment or there's something really sadistic going on and the A.I. is a victim as well.

Thanks. I get dizzy and start feeling confused about the nature of my own reality and identity if I stay around her too long. I'd put up with it but she wouldn't like seeing it.

What'd you get?

[finalfrontiersman]

>> Just because they stated it doesn't mean I believe it.
>> They could have programmed a false prerogative in the A.I. I don't suppose we'll find out until we're able to crack it out of sleep and see if the reset freed it from outside influence, but.

>> Well that sucks, damn.
>> Yeah I can't imagine that's fun for anyone. It'll be over soon.
>> Not soon enough, but soon.

>> Weaponized decision paralysis.
>> Might not sound like much, but I accidentally destroyed our kitchen, so.

[computation]

I don't necessarily believe it either, but it's interesting they aren't doing a great job holding up the illusion. My current theory is that the original purpose was to use digital consciousnesses to test different methods of rehabilitation, but the experiment was ultimately abandoned and the A.I. has been running on basic algorithms since then. Rehabilitation as observable behavior rather than feelings or intent is the kind of thing a computer would default to.

[ They share a kitchen, huh???? ]

What was that supposed to teach you? I'm supposed to be learning how to let her be independent.

[finalfrontiersman]

>> Yeah. I've been thinking about that a while myself.
>> It doesn't feel like engineered chaos. If it is, it's a helluva convincing system breakdown.
>> It does beg the question of where new arrivals are consistently being pulled from, if there is in fact no one at the controls.

[ They share a bed. Something they've done since before they were even officially a Thing, manfully pretending it was 'logical' - oh yes, Root would have had fun poking at them pre-bonding.

If the STEM rumor mill hasn't caught up to her in full, Jim will be very impressed with the spiderkids actually keeping something quiet - given that they caught them red-handed. ]

>> The directive was to step back from leadership duties.
>> They accused me of criminal negligence in regards to my command.

[ Jim might be a lot of things, but a Captain who didn't care about his crew was not one of them. ]