bindsthedead | IC CONTACT POST

[ Very well played with that trailing off there; then again: ] Bring me back where? Seems like a security threat to me.

[ Not that he's willing to risk his neck so openly, but the idea is there. If he did it at night, he could probably throttle at least ten people before anyone noticed. Or maybe he could do it one at a time, until fear started a riot? It was all just about planting the idea there--make Sabriel worried, and maybe he'd get out of this cell faster. ]

As for resources, I would suggest that they've already taken more people than they expected to. They're stalling for something--diplomacy or retaliation, who knows.

And of course I have. There's very little else to do.

Quite possibly wherever they kill you.

And to think, they intend to 'confiscate' the rest of us as well. I hope they have additional accommodations ready when they try. I don't think they intend to give any of you back.

What did you make of them? Immune to your particular charms?

Historically, Russia makes a lot of noise and grand gestures, whether they have the clout to back it up or not. Of course it's an oversight not to take us all at once, and it suggests a different motivation. Your focus is on rescuing us, not... [ He makes a sort of helicopter noise. ] --over there, when Russia claims the state of Alaska and presses its borders, or infiltrates the military base at Cape Carnaveral and destroys Lachesis. Eyes on the prize, Sabriel.

[ So says a Lieutenant in God's army, so... ]

I don't have much interest in artificial intelligence, beyond marveling at humanity's arrogance. Life is biological, it's innate, and full of a kind of spirit that no machine will ever have. But no, I wouldn't say immune. There's potential. It says it wants nothing, but I believe it wants to learn. Offer it the world, I say. Offer it Lachesis.

Or they weren't able to for some reason.

And Lachesis isn't in the Porter anymore. Hasn't been for a while, I'm afraid- she only lingered long enough to make a few alterations. But if they want to gain control of imPorts- and deny America access to them, destroying or capturing the Porter would make sense. [Privately, Sabriel thinks of the AI imPorts she's met, and decides Lucifer is full of it. Magicman is definitely alive.]

We can't give it that, but we can give it conversation, stimulation... and fifty viewpoints that differ drastically from its creators.

Silly, Sabriel. What do you call it when you say you'll do something and then never follow through?

[ He's not outright going to say "Lie to it" because the machine is listening to everything, but it's what he's implying. Lie to it. Offer it the moon. It is useful to know that fact, though, as Lucifer has been living all this time under the belief that Lachesis and the Porter are the same thing. The more you know. ]

Is the universal idea that we can talk our way out of this prevalent among all of you on the outside? I rather prefer the more aggressive stance, personally.

No- a rescue attempt is being planned, but right now we don't have any idea where you are- and any failed attempt will make the next one much harder.

Once we know where you are, I'll contact you and several other captives.

[ Well, that's something to get out of this. He'll take it. ]

Good. I'll wait for you to call me, then. Thank you, Sabriel.

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