It's gotten late and as York predicted several of their friends had chosen to stay the night. Luckily they had enough cots and living space that North and Theta still had their room to themselves. It was good, because they had something serious to consider and it was best to have uninterrupted privacy to discuss it.
The small box had been set on the bedside table earlier in the evening and when he returned to the room after changing for bed he sat down and pulled it over to himself. "Got something to talk to you about, Theta."
He notices North picking up the box, assumed it was just another gift since that was in general a theme for the day. But those words definitely imply importance even though as far as he can tell right now, it's not bad news. So he comes around the bed to sit next to North.
"It's not something bad, right?" He's joking but also...just in case.
"You remember the mental link hardware that York and Delta had installed? This is similar, but they're external instead of internal." North opens the box to display the chips nestled inside.
There's a moment where Theta pauses, taking a moment to take that information in and try not to get too happy but he ends up smiling a little anyways. "And they're safe? I thought it had to be internal." And he wasnt sure if he trusted the Bifrons enough for that to be an option, even if Delta did. So this is ten kinds of better.
Checking North's face to make sure its okay he's going to pick up one of the small chips gently by the end piece to take a closer look.
North lets him take it, raising the box. "They plug into our top ports." He tilts the box to look at the other chip. "The same guy who's supplying the armor made them. No connection to Bifrons."
North told her that he'd be bringing by one of his AIs, so she makes sure to be in her office at the right time, sound scrubber already on in case someone's going to try to listen in. For all that it's in a government building, the office is one of the most secure places she has.
She doesn't invite North in, just the AI, who is... a kid. That one, okay. She knows that appearances can be deceiving but it's still goddamn weird. Oh well, she doesn't need him for anything but math, and he ought to be able to handle that just fine.
Well math, and not talking.
"Your friend tell you why I wanted to talk to ya?"
On coming in his eyes do a small check around the room before settling on Hob. North trusts her and that goes a long way, but he's definitely not the most at ease around new people especially when they work with the people who are responsible for his current physical form.
But that she doesnt mention the whole kid thing is a good start, and he knows she's North's boss so hes actively trying to look like he's at ease and if he holds eye contact a little too long, well. He's trying.
The AI in a kid body is weird. The expecting a kid to do something useful is not so weird. Hob grew up on the street; she grew up fast, let's just say.
She does not, however, offer him a cigarette when she lights up a fresh one with a snap of her fingers. It's a filthy habit, he doesn't need to her started on that one. Being human is filthy enough.
"Yeah. I need someone to run financial projections on a theoretical independent army, complete with pay, bonuses, maintenance, and new standard upgrade purchases. Just 'playin war games,' ya ken?'" As in, that's the thin fiction that makes the cover story so please pretend you don't think this is in any way serious. "I'll outline an income plan shortly. But I'm lookin for a lot of iterations, such as 'at X number of personnel, Y income is needed, with the best plan to get the money is Z.'
"I'm offering standard financial contractor pay plus 10% for non-disclosure, paid in direct cash. Non-disclosure includes Specialist North, at least for the next month. This is just atween you and me and needs to stay that way. If you do a good job and don't piss me off at the end of it you get a 3% bonus, and an employment offer... if you want one."
She doesn't know the whole of that cluster fuck all these kids (everyone under 45 is a kid to Hob) come from, but she's got enough of the size of it to know that not all of them are going be real eager to sign on to an outfit like hers.
This actually sounds interesting, something to make him useful. And he's with her up until she says he can't tell North. And he's not used to being human long enough to hide hes uncomfortable after that. But...it sounds like it might be in their interest to help if she's working on something aside from Bifrons.
Plus now he's curious. And getting an AI curious is the best way to get them to do something.
"That doesn't sound hard." Beyond the North part, anyhow.
She sees the reaction. Well, he's not a soldier yet. She should probably explain a little. "The Coho is gunning for Specialist Engelsen. I think he'll give her a good run around, but he's just as fucked as everyone else if he gets taken in. Compartmentalization is the only way to handle this until it doesn't need to be top secret any more."
She nods. "And it should be damn easy for one of you. What I'm really payin ya for is your analysis and suggestions."
That is an explanation Theta can get behind. He's still uneasy about it, but it's a great deal better than an arbitrary NDA agreement. "I don't usually keep things from North. But...you already explained it to him anyways." This is still a financial thing and leaving out particular details isn't actually lying, right? Right.
"If you just wanted someone good with numbers, you could've gotten anyone." He actually smiles a little at that. An AI for gruntwork is overkill, and he wouldve been bored. But this sounds like a lot more fun than he was originally led to believe it would be.
"Yeah, he knows the score." She's not really accustomed to having to explain anything, but this kid is a contractor. She can deal.
Hob takes a few data cards out of one of her pockets and slides them across the desk top. "We're gonna need to buy out all the equipment we're takin' with us. So there's current inventory and projection of what we're gonna need at minimum. You want to earn a bigger bonus, find me some vendors that aren't Bifrons that'll give me things at cost instead of market value. Equipment for combat arms we're prolly fucked on, but all the logistics and ops shit we might be able to cut some cost.
"All the start up cost we're gonna do as a lump sum and then pay back. I can get the loan no interest, but there's got to be a plan to pay it back as quick as possible while still payin' everyone's salaries and maintenance. There's a couple personnel scenarios in here, best to worst case. Also information on the current revenue streams we're gonna have for certain. Investments, merchandising plan, and the charter for the new company. Idea there is that it's gonna be publicly held and anyone can buy in at a yearly fee, but I want that based off percentage income instead of a flat rate. Which I know ain't gonna maximize anythin' financially, but I also want the people in D4 to have the same sway in this as those in D1."
That's another reason to get an AI on this. If the files are right, and she has no reason to think they aren't. They're people, just people who are really good at math and programming. And that means they'll get what she's trying to do with this better than a computer ever could, because it's about knitting the army back into the bones of the city.
And considering how this particular AI is about Engelsen--North--he's also got a reason to want to see the outfit be something he'll be proud to serve in. That also helps.
"Any revenue sources you can think of beyond those that pan out, I'll tack on another percentage to your bonus and might jack up your payscale too if you decide to sign on later. Any questions?"
As an AI Theta was a lot more than that, but now that he's human those files are about right. Hes a lot slower for one thing, and fully intends to read those files as soon as possible on top of all the research hes going to have to do.
He doesn't interrupt Hobb until she finishes, and he's fine with the financial arrangements mostly because it doesn't interest him so pretty much all his questions are going to be focused on the information she's feeding him about what she wants to accomplish.
"Would you be checking to make sure people aren't hiding their funds?" Theta trusts people more than he should sometimes, but his creation is based on the misuse of revenue and property technically so he is absolutely unsure about if it's a good idea to go off the honor system. Also it may save more money to check than would be lost paying an analyst to go through and make sure the super rich are paying the proper amount or to make sure they arent finding loopholes.
"Hell yeah. I don't trust any of those rich assholes in D1 further'n I can throw them. And I don't want 'em trying to game a system if we're designing it to give every resident an equal shot. Make it tamper proof, or as close as it gets."
[Stairs. Who needs them? Oh wait they do now...shoot that kinda sucks.
Anyhow, now he's working for Hobb he's got stuff to do but its not like he wasnt planning on working on the project over the weekend anyhow. He likes having a real project to work on...]
What a day it had been yesterday. He awakens, early as usual, and probes a bit at the connection with Theta. Theta had seemed a little off, a little subdued, after North had told him about what was going on the night before—about how he had brought Wrath home with him and allowed her to sleep over in their room. He and Theta had slept in Delta's old room instead because of it.
Theta's awake. Awake and...maybe not wanting to talk right now. He's not quite practiced enough at pretending to be asleep but theres definitely a twitch giving away that North's been heard.
This is a thing that's happening right now. Even if he really is going to feel bad about it later.
He had awoken lying on his side with his back to Theta; he notices that flinch through the mattress and he rolls onto his back and settled with his hands behind his head. "Hey, kiddo," he says. "Morning."
It takes him all of a few seconds to tell that didn't work. And while he would've regretted it even if North hadnt noticed, now he just feels terrible.
He's not going to turn around and face North right now after that terrible life choice, but he's not going to pretend to be asleep either, rubbing the side of his neck with his hand. "Hi."
He's not oblivious to the fact that things have been changing a lot lately. And the last time they had a talk, a real talk, it was all about what had happened between him and York. And during the dreaming? They really hadn't spent much time together at all. North had been too wrapped up in the implications his dream had had toward the relationship with his sister, and then with what was going on with Wrath.
He and Theta haven't even had a chance to properly talk about that.
"I'd ask if you're okay," North says, "but I don't think you are. Are you?"
The hardest part of not just sharing headspace has been that he has to actually verbalize instead of just showing North what's going on. Hes not even sure how to start with this.
He is functioning within normal parameters or whatever beyond the avoiding North thing though, so he doesnt feel like its entirely correct to say what's wrong here is himself. "Im okay, North. Im just...Im worried."
He's going to give up on the idea of not looking at North right now, because he needs to see North's face for his next question. So he sits up and asks: "We're partners, right?"
Reassured, he takes a moment to try and regather his thoughts before continuing.
"We usually tell each other things. Everything. But....you didnt tell me about Wrath. Not really." Its not accusing, this part just has his more worried than anything. But it doesn't sound like he's nearly finished, it's just the most recent thing and he's trying to work his way backwards from that point and keep things linear.
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timeasmymeasure
Action | Day 133 late evening (Christmas Day)
Date: 2014-09-21 09:37 pm (UTC)The small box had been set on the bedside table earlier in the evening and when he returned to the room after changing for bed he sat down and pulled it over to himself. "Got something to talk to you about, Theta."
Action | Day 133 late evening (Christmas Day)
Date: 2014-09-21 10:29 pm (UTC)"It's not something bad, right?" He's joking but also...just in case.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-21 10:37 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2014-09-29 07:33 am (UTC)Checking North's face to make sure its okay he's going to pick up one of the small chips gently by the end piece to take a closer look.
no subject
Date: 2014-09-29 02:27 pm (UTC)Day 147, afternoon, action
Date: 2014-10-28 03:26 am (UTC)She doesn't invite North in, just the AI, who is... a kid. That one, okay. She knows that appearances can be deceiving but it's still goddamn weird. Oh well, she doesn't need him for anything but math, and he ought to be able to handle that just fine.
Well math, and not talking.
"Your friend tell you why I wanted to talk to ya?"
Day 147, afternoon, action
Date: 2014-10-28 08:15 am (UTC)But that she doesnt mention the whole kid thing is a good start, and he knows she's North's boss so hes actively trying to look like he's at ease and if he holds eye contact a little too long, well. He's trying.
"It's a financial problem, right?"
Day 147, afternoon, action
Date: 2014-10-28 12:28 pm (UTC)She does not, however, offer him a cigarette when she lights up a fresh one with a snap of her fingers. It's a filthy habit, he doesn't need to her started on that one. Being human is filthy enough.
"Yeah. I need someone to run financial projections on a theoretical independent army, complete with pay, bonuses, maintenance, and new standard upgrade purchases. Just 'playin war games,' ya ken?'" As in, that's the thin fiction that makes the cover story so please pretend you don't think this is in any way serious. "I'll outline an income plan shortly. But I'm lookin for a lot of iterations, such as 'at X number of personnel, Y income is needed, with the best plan to get the money is Z.'
"I'm offering standard financial contractor pay plus 10% for non-disclosure, paid in direct cash. Non-disclosure includes Specialist North, at least for the next month. This is just atween you and me and needs to stay that way. If you do a good job and don't piss me off at the end of it you get a 3% bonus, and an employment offer... if you want one."
She doesn't know the whole of that cluster fuck all these kids (everyone under 45 is a kid to Hob) come from, but she's got enough of the size of it to know that not all of them are going be real eager to sign on to an outfit like hers.
Day 147, afternoon, action
Date: 2014-10-28 09:58 pm (UTC)Plus now he's curious. And getting an AI curious is the best way to get them to do something.
"That doesn't sound hard." Beyond the North part, anyhow.
Day 147, afternoon, action
Date: 2014-10-28 10:17 pm (UTC)She nods. "And it should be damn easy for one of you. What I'm really payin ya for is your analysis and suggestions."
Day 147, afternoon, action
Date: 2014-10-29 10:30 am (UTC)"If you just wanted someone good with numbers, you could've gotten anyone." He actually smiles a little at that. An AI for gruntwork is overkill, and he wouldve been bored. But this sounds like a lot more fun than he was originally led to believe it would be.
Day 147, afternoon, action
Date: 2014-10-29 02:08 pm (UTC)Hob takes a few data cards out of one of her pockets and slides them across the desk top. "We're gonna need to buy out all the equipment we're takin' with us. So there's current inventory and projection of what we're gonna need at minimum. You want to earn a bigger bonus, find me some vendors that aren't Bifrons that'll give me things at cost instead of market value. Equipment for combat arms we're prolly fucked on, but all the logistics and ops shit we might be able to cut some cost.
"All the start up cost we're gonna do as a lump sum and then pay back. I can get the loan no interest, but there's got to be a plan to pay it back as quick as possible while still payin' everyone's salaries and maintenance. There's a couple personnel scenarios in here, best to worst case. Also information on the current revenue streams we're gonna have for certain. Investments, merchandising plan, and the charter for the new company. Idea there is that it's gonna be publicly held and anyone can buy in at a yearly fee, but I want that based off percentage income instead of a flat rate. Which I know ain't gonna maximize anythin' financially, but I also want the people in D4 to have the same sway in this as those in D1."
That's another reason to get an AI on this. If the files are right, and she has no reason to think they aren't. They're people, just people who are really good at math and programming. And that means they'll get what she's trying to do with this better than a computer ever could, because it's about knitting the army back into the bones of the city.
And considering how this particular AI is about Engelsen--North--he's also got a reason to want to see the outfit be something he'll be proud to serve in. That also helps.
"Any revenue sources you can think of beyond those that pan out, I'll tack on another percentage to your bonus and might jack up your payscale too if you decide to sign on later. Any questions?"
Day 147, afternoon, action
Date: 2014-11-02 07:08 am (UTC)He doesn't interrupt Hobb until she finishes, and he's fine with the financial arrangements mostly because it doesn't interest him so pretty much all his questions are going to be focused on the information she's feeding him about what she wants to accomplish.
"Would you be checking to make sure people aren't hiding their funds?" Theta trusts people more than he should sometimes, but his creation is based on the misuse of revenue and property technically so he is absolutely unsure about if it's a good idea to go off the honor system. Also it may save more money to check than would be lost paying an analyst to go through and make sure the super rich are paying the proper amount or to make sure they arent finding loopholes.
Day 147, afternoon, action
Date: 2014-11-02 07:53 am (UTC)154 | morning | text
Date: 2014-11-08 05:21 pm (UTC)Good morning, Theta. Are you busy tomorrow during the day?
154 | morning | text
Date: 2014-11-09 10:27 am (UTC)Anyhow, now he's working for Hobb he's got stuff to do but its not like he wasnt planning on working on the project over the weekend anyhow. He likes having a real project to work on...]
I think so.
[What'd you have in mind, D?]
154 | morning | text
Date: 2014-11-09 04:34 pm (UTC)Day 162 | Morning | Action
Date: 2014-12-05 04:12 am (UTC)You awake?
Re: Day 162 | Morning | Action
Date: 2014-12-06 03:36 am (UTC)This is a thing that's happening right now. Even if he really is going to feel bad about it later.
Day 162 | Morning | Action
Date: 2014-12-06 03:47 am (UTC)Day 162 | Morning | Action
Date: 2014-12-06 04:34 am (UTC)He's not going to turn around and face North right now after that terrible life choice, but he's not going to pretend to be asleep either, rubbing the side of his neck with his hand. "Hi."
Day 162 | Morning | Action
Date: 2014-12-06 04:44 am (UTC)He and Theta haven't even had a chance to properly talk about that.
"I'd ask if you're okay," North says, "but I don't think you are. Are you?"
Day 162 | Morning | Action
Date: 2014-12-06 05:11 am (UTC)He is functioning within normal parameters or whatever beyond the avoiding North thing though, so he doesnt feel like its entirely correct to say what's wrong here is himself. "Im okay, North. Im just...Im worried."
He's going to give up on the idea of not looking at North right now, because he needs to see North's face for his next question. So he sits up and asks: "We're partners, right?"
Day 162 | Morning | Action
Date: 2014-12-06 05:19 am (UTC)Day 162 | Morning | Action
Date: 2014-12-06 05:34 am (UTC)"We usually tell each other things. Everything. But....you didnt tell me about Wrath. Not really." Its not accusing, this part just has his more worried than anything. But it doesn't sound like he's nearly finished, it's just the most recent thing and he's trying to work his way backwards from that point and keep things linear.
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