[Text] - Terminally Online

[elbowroom]

[This isn't the first time Jonesy has found herself waking up in a strange place she didn't remember going to sleep in. It isn't the first time a robot has woken her up, either.

The stone slab is new, though. As is the explanation that she's on an entirely different world than the one she knows.

She doesn't believe it at first, until she steps outside into an entire city of robots
- and their claim is further backed up by the fact that none of her implants can connect to a satellite to get her GPS location. Or the fact that the wireless matrix of this place is set up way differently than the matrix she's accustomed to.

There is a wireless network, though. And the robots even gave her a tablet to use. So, of course, Jonesy does what any hacker would do in her position: She searches the internet for answers.

And when she fails to find a quick and easy explanation of how to get home, she goes on the internet to complain.]


ok so ive been running the numbers in my head and its starting to seem very likely that this is all real, and that i'm not just experiencing biofeedback induced brain damage OR trapped in a hyper realistic VR sim from which i cannot escape.

in which case i must ask:

what the FUCK

you kidnap the best hacker in LA , take me to an alternate fucking planet in a city filled with sapient robots and dragons and gods and no one wants me to DO anything??

no hacking, no repairs, no IT work? i didnt get grabbed because someone was planning a cool space heist that they need my skills for? i'm just supposed to hug people?

i am feeling EXTREMELY undervalued here.

if i got picked because of the arms then i'm not hugging anyone. you robots can go fuck yourselves if thats what this is about.

Comments

[elbowroom]

its not my specialty either. i did a bit of research when i got my augs installed but i couldn't tell you the science behind it. and i DEFINITELY couldn't tell you the magic behind it.

so if there's something about having an organic body that the gods need to survive, and the natives can't produce that, then there's basically no chance they're ever going to let us go home, right? because getting rid of us would send them back to square one.

so what's their end game? are we a stopgap or are do they have an idea about a long term solution that they're working towards?

[astralera]

The protective shield around the city used to be a great deal smaller. It has expanded twice since our arrival, showing us proof of progress.

The native populace has yet to inform us of any longterm goals, though the safe assumption is the recovery of this world. The research towers are not open with their work, though I find that understandable. If one were to intern at a tower and work their way up in position they would likely be open with their ongoing research, as trust would have been earned.

Some Offworlders have earned the respect and a level of trust with the scientists. I can give you their names if you've an interest.

I chose to focus on the priests at the temples instead, as my specialty is dealing with gods. Unfortunately they don't have many answers at the moment, either.

[elbowroom]

that's proof of progress but not proof that we get to go home after we're done. otherwise there's no reason to believe they won't backslide as soon as we aren't here to give each other hugs and kisses.

i'd be interested in getting those names. you've been a big help, thank you.

what's your name, btw?

[astralera]

Empowering the gods will not save the world. It merely protects the people, and offers more opportunity to find the root cause and destroy it. Once resolved there will be opportunity to return home.

The two I know of are Honerva and Pyra. Honerva can be found most often at the Affurgato café.

My name is Era. What is yours?

[elbowroom]

all right. i can appreciate that you have more experience and access to information than me, so you're probably right about the source of the world's problems. i'm still skeptical that the gods are going to let us go home at the end of this when our presence clearly benefits them. that isn't how powerful beings work, in my experience.

thanks for the info, era. my name is honesty jones - jonesy to my friends, and that includes you now

[astralera]

If they refuse to let us leave I'll simply give them corporeal forms and kill them one by one. I have been in a situation similar to this before and have a solid concept on how to return, though the deific interference is something of a roadblock.

You're welcome, Jonesy.

[elbowroom]

you know, era, i think this is going to be a mutually beneficial friendship.

[God killing is an incredibly specific and extremely useful skillset to have, if Era is to be believed.]

im not as powerful as you sound like you are, but if you need help with anything computer related let me know. youve been very helpful to me when you didn't even know me, and id be happy to repay the favor sometime.

[astralera]

I hope you are not wrong. [ She is, unfortunately, keenly aware of how Not Great she is at the whole 'people skills' thing in normal situations. ]

I am always glad to be of assistance to others, so you needn't repay me. I will keep your computer skills in mind however, as it is always useful to have a technologically inclined ally.

What is your specialty, Jonesy?

[elbowroom]

hacking generally, i guess. i'm sort of a jack of all trades.

i'm not a drone pilot and i don't have a botnet on hand so a ddos attack would be a little tricky right now.

but I'm really good at getting into computers and getting my grubby little mits on what's inside.

do they have hot sim vr where you come from?

[astralera]

I am familiar with some advanced technologies, though the nations I call home lack much of what most here would consider 'modern' advancements.

While I do understand the concept of hacking, drones, computers, artificial intelligence, etc., most of the terms you've used are gibberish to me.

[elbowroom]

i think this might go more smoothly with a demonstration.

would you mind if i popped into your communicator real quick? i promise not to look through anything

[astralera]

[ Had Era been any less paranoid she would have declined the offer, but since she is so paranoid about her device security she has long since had her boyfriend add in numerous layers of protection that she herself doesn't understand at all.

So while she isn't entirely trusting of Jonesy, Era does fully trust her partner's skills—and is curious if her newfound ally can break through the first layer of defenses. ]

I suppose that would be all right.

Private

[elbowroom]

[Breaking through layers of defenses is what Jonesy does for a living - often in situations where he life depends on it. Which is why she's careful, even though she doesn't expect much more from Era's device than the default defenses that her own communicator came with.

She's pleasantly surprised to see more than that once she gets inside. Nothing she can't handle, but it's a very bizarrely written firewall that's both intriguing and oddly reassuring. She's not the only one in this city who knows what they're doing in this regard.

A few minutes after Era sends her response, the screen on her communicator freezes. And then, after another second, the image of a human woman appears on the screen.]

Hey! Nice to meet you face to face - I'm Jonesy and this [The woman gestures at herself] is my digital avatar.

I'm interfacing with your comm via Hot Sim VR. Basically what that means is that there's a direct connection between my brain and my computer - so when I use my computer to get inside your computer, I get to see and feel that process. It's more direct and it gives me a level of control over the situation that isn't really possible any other way.

[There are a lot of dangers involved in doing it this way, but she isn't going to share those right now. For now, she's showing off to her new friend.]

Anyway, I control what's on your screen right now. Any questions?

private

[astralera]

[ Era flips her communicator face down in front of her as soon as the image of Jonesy appears, having no desire to use video. After a moment she picks it up again but keeps the camera covered with one hand as she uses the other to see if she can still use the keyboard. ]

That sounds very dangerous.

Re: private

[elbowroom]

[Smart move. Jonesy can't see anything with that camera covered - not that she needs to. This is just a fun demonstration.]

Oh, it can be if you don't know what you're doing. Fortunately I'm very good at it.

[Right now the risk has more to do with the fact that her body is lying unconscious in a broom closet than it does with Era's communicator.]

[astralera]

I am sure it is very useful for devices filled with important information.

1/2

[elbowroom]

Yeah, and for taking control of cameras, door locks, vehicles, vending machines, or a lot of different kinds of gun.

[You'd be surprised what kind of things have computers with a wireless signal.]

Hey, I'm gonna jump back into my body before anything happens to it. When I get back online, though, you should tell me who set up security on this thing.

[She doesn't wait for a response. In a moment, the woman's face is gone and Era has full control over her communicator once more.]

2/2

[elbowroom]

[A few minutes later:]

ok im back.

so who'd you have set up the protection on this thing?

[astralera]

My boyfriend.

[elbowroom]

he did a good job. there was some stuff in there that i'd never seen before.

id love to pick his brain sometime about his world's tech

[astralera]

The root of all our world's technology stems from his influence, so I suspect there would be much to pick.

I also suspect he would enjoy it, as my husband and I both lack the knowledge required for engaging discussions with him on the subject.

[elbowroom]

oh so hes like a REALLY big deal then. im definitely gonna want to talk to him, it's been a solid minute since ive had anyone worth talking to about tech stuff.

what's his name?

[astralera]

He is. He is also a bit of a dramatic arsehole.

He goes by Solus.

[elbowroom]

yeah that comes with the territory lol

did you meet him here or were you brought here together?

[astralera]

I met him at home.