⌨ four

[tookthepill]

[ 1 ]

Guys... I'm sorry. That mobile doll computer thing is confusing, even for us. [ And coming from him, that's saying a lot. He looks frustrated. He also has bags under his eyes, and there's a wastebasket full of empty soda cans near his personal set-up in the lounge. ]

I tried to take a look at it earlier, but... well, let's just say there's worse things than firewalls and antivirus software. Allie can handle firewalls like these given enough time, but... I think they just made this as confusing, clunky, and un-user-friendly as possible. It's so simple of a security measure, but it's brilliant!

[ He groans, and presses the heels of his wrists into his eyes, underneath his glasses. ]

I wanted to try to help you guys have an easier time with the software, but... well, I don't think there's a whole lot we can do. I guess we'll just have to get used to it?

[ 2 ]


[ THIRTEEN HOURS LATER after sleeping for THAT long, he can be found in the lounge. He's tapping a few buttons on the touchscreen of his tablet, when he comes across... a password protected file. He can't get into it. ]

What's this?

Comments

1

[emorangerpink]

Don't worry, Caulder. I don't think anyone expected this to be simple.

It's not just you and Alice, is it? You'll burn yourselves out...

[tookthepill]

I really underestimated this thing. But once I get started on something, I don't like to stop until it's done.

[emorangerpink]

Look, I know a thing or two about pacing myself. Don't keep beating your head against the problem past the point where you can't think straight. And see about getting help - R, or Lowe, or Roads or someone. Or everyone. It's everyone's problem.

[tookthepill]

Well... okay. I'll try to get some sleep, then... in the worst case scenario, I'll have IDS send some people here to help take a look at it.

[ Even though he's the CEO, it's really in title only until he completes his education. Until then, the board of directors has actual control over the company. But still, he doubts they'd say no to him in this case. ]

[emorangerpink]

Good idea... so long as they're people you can trust.

I'm sure Alice can keep an eye on whether you need a break. She has your best interests at heart.

2

[link_to_revival]

[And here R'd just been set up to watch people and see how they'd relax in their down time. But now you've got its curiosity, Caulder. And even though the AI has no voice, the camera it's hooked up to emits a beeping noise to get your attention. Should you turn to look at it...]

What's what?

[tookthepill]

There's a weird file on my tablet. I definitely didn't put it there.

[ Isn't that R? He knows Allie's talked to it a few times, but he never really had much of an opportunity... in between attempts at trying to beat Gainer's top score, and failing miserably every time. ]

[link_to_revival]

[Indeed it is R, Caulder!]

Does anyone else have access to it then? Is it connected to any networks?

[tookthepill]

Well, Allie does...

[link_to_revival]

Then it's most likely her then. She is rather fond of you, after all.

It would probably be for the best to just wait until you see her again and ask about it, rather than waste time worrying about it.

[tookthepill]

Well, I guess so. I just wonder why she wouldn't want me to see this, unless it's a surprise of some kind.

[link_to_revival]

Then perhaps she shouldn't have put it on your tablet in the first place.

Regrettably, I'm not really a "hacking" kind of AI, so I wouldn't be any help in gaining access to whatever's in it. The memories preprogrammed into me by Dr. Wanger didn't include anything about hacking whatsoever, and I never got the opportunity to learn how.

1)

[armored_mother]

[She sighs as she looks at the massive pile of cans. She was planning to offer the kid a tea break but he probably had way too much caffine already.]

Well we've got the best secret weapon ever on board, so we don't have to worry too much about the damn thing. I'd say just pass the buck to guys with more time on their hands... hell, the only reason I'm not siccing Chips onto this thing is 'cause he'd be busy for months.

Anyway...

[Caulder, you now find yourself being bodily lifted by Cora.]

Bedtime for you Rich Kid. You've been staying up way past your bedtime.

Re: 1)

[tookthepill]

Which one? There's a lo-

[ Wait, what? Caulder's already squirming again. Even Laura learned the hard way that he doesn't like being touched. ]

W-What are yo-- put me down! I--

[ Looks like someone's his mom, now. ]

[armored_mother]

No can do Caulder! You'd trip up if you walked on your own with how long you stayed up.

[She grins cheerfully before pushing his glasses up for him.]

Of course if you're gonna act like that I'll have to ask Allie to make sure you stay in bed and rest. A girl doesn't like it when the person she cares for is a mess.

[And Cora adjusts her hold so that Caulder is more or less riding on her shoulders.]

Just don't cover my eyes alright?

[tookthepill]

Gah! You're-- damn it, I'm not-- put me down!

[ Well, Allie could theoretically hack his door and lock him in his room, but... ]

F-Fine, if you're gonna--... [ This is humiliating. ]

[armored_mother]

[Cora was going to ask nicely out of pure concern of course! Allie would most definitely not want Caulder eating floor our of exhaustion! No siree~ And she surely wouldn't mind watching over him to make sure he got at least seven or eight hours! In any case, she gets to walking.]

...Not used to being treated like this huh?

[She has a small grin on her face. Its pretty amusing how different Caulder's reactions were from her son Lucas. Normally the sprog would beg for dear old mum to carry him around everywhere.]

Its alright. Its a one time thing unless you ask.

[tookthepill]

N-No, but--!

[ His father was barely around and his mother died in childbirth, so... ]

How do I know you mean that?

[armored_mother]

I could promise if you want. I dunno how much stock you take in them, but I always try to keep them.

[Ah yes. Cora doesn't actually know what Caulder's home life used to be like...]

[tookthepill]

[ Well, he stopped squirming at least. ]

... only do if I'm gonna die or something.

[ Not like Allie would ever let that even come close to happening, but still. ]