[IC] [Mask or Menace] Contact Post

[dendarii]

"This is Miles. Leave a message and I'll respond to you at my earliest convenience."

The line has gone silent; any messages sent to this name only return an error.

Comments

[dendarii]

I won't get anyone else killed.

[failureisntachoice]

What if someone had snuck up on Jim while he was trying to wrangle you into the closet? Fired off a lucky shot?

[ She shakes her head. ] You're supposed to minimize risks.

[dendarii]

[ He flinches bodily at that; there's no real defense for that. ]

What do you want me to say, Tex?

[failureisntachoice]

[ She sighs and turns more to face him. ]

That you'll be more aware of it in the future. I'm not looking to get myself killed here too.

[dendarii]

I'll reconsider my priorities.

[ He's still going to be a little shit, but that's as close to an actual change Tex - or anyone - is going to get out of him. ]

[failureisntachoice]

Good because I don't want to have to look for another job.

[ And that's as good of a hint that she'll give of what might happen if things go poorly. She stands and glances over at him. ]

How're you feeling?

[dendarii]

[ He takes it in what is perhaps the wrong way: that she'll leave him if he doesn't shape up. That stings even more, goes straight to the heart of him. But he says nothing this time. ]

... Exhausted.

[failureisntachoice]

[ There's a moment of hesitation before she reaches out to give his shoulder a light squeeze. ]

Good thing you can get some rest now. Tell that boy of yours to let you sleep.

[dendarii]

[ He looks up at her when she does. A flicker of fondness, instinctively. ]

The dual lectures were much more tiring, I assure you.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She stifles her laugh. ]

You might get a third later. Your mom wants to see the video from the ops.

[dendarii]

[ Oh god. He just groans softly. ]

You took video of all that?

[failureisntachoice]

Remember all that data I was feeding you? My helmet can capture video, too. I even have a good segment of you being shoved in the closet.

[dendarii]

Of course you do. Why did I expect any different.

[failureisntachoice]

I can give you a copy too if you're willing to pay a small fee.

[ "Small" being relative. Nothing in her tone implies he'd be getting a discount for it. ]

[dendarii]

[ He makes a face. ]

No thank you. I had a front row seat.

[failureisntachoice]

I don't know about that. You looked passed out to me.

[dendarii]

That's exactly what I meant.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She waves his words off. ]

Well if you want a video from the ops to review, I have it.

[dendarii]

... Yes, yes, I suppose I should.

[failureisntachoice]

I'll send you a copy then and make sure I keep the cameras rolling during missions. You need to give me feedback on what information you want streamed to your headset next time.

[dendarii]

[ He brightens slightly at the more practical topic. ]

Of course. I'll have to sort through it ... You gave me quite a bit of information.

[failureisntachoice]

Then decide what you want and what to lose. That's all crap I run in the background by default, I can change the feed however you want.

[dendarii]

Can all AI do that, or are you specifically good at combat calculations?

[failureisntachoice]

They should be able to. Smart AI can do more than the dumb ones. I was meant for combat and testing out experimental equipment.

[dendarii]

... Dare I ask what dumb AI are meant for?

[ He's picturing Church. Sorry, Tex. ]