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Post by Robot on Sept 21, 2016 17:08:46 GMT
Success. It's finally a success.
They were beautiful and long awaited words, it signaled the return of funding to the project, and improved wages for it's participants. With over thirty hours logged each, the G-4 testers hadn't yet begun to show signs of mental degradation or compromise, and their bonded partners remained in good health. Being a moon, Gol's daylight cycles were much shorter. Where Earth might've seen a single rising and setting of the sun in a twenty four hour period, Gol saw two. Days consisting of two six hour periods of sunlight, broken by two six hour periods of twilight. On the first dawn of this new day, Delilah had paged Ulrich, Hugh, and Evan to the main observatory that overlooked the pens. "I have presented our findings and test data, and we have been reinstated to our old level of funding." Delilah heaved a sigh of relief, and turned away from the massive window with it's hanging bank of cameras to face her coworkers. They weren't quite friends, the days had been pressing leading up to this one. Acquaintances, was that a nice word for it? "When I was before the board, there were mutterings of the usefulness of this project. Leave it to a proactively minded militant to announce a means to an end though I suppose." Delilah trailed off for a moment after making vague reference to the head of the security division. "We've been instructed to begin stress testing on the project by exposing the samples we do have to each other. Per the usual scientific method, this will first be done under a control with security prepped to intervene should things become dangerous for the test subjects. Afterwards we'll repeat these tests with a human rider, and see how strong the instinctual response remains in that altered state of consciousness. As you know, we have been logging longer, and longer stretches of time to ensure the validity of generation four. Our maximum at this time has been one hour, I would like to propose we attempt a much longer dive with this run of tests. If all progresses well, we may end up going on deployment." Professor Rosewood seemed indifferent to the idea, but there was certainly at least one questioning look among her audience.
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Post by ThRevanchist on Sept 21, 2016 17:57:15 GMT
Ulrich was immensely pleased to hear such good news. Of course, it was only natural that the Board returned to funding them after such a tremendous success. Then again, it was no secret that they had looked down on the Project before now, refusing to acknowledge their results wouldn't have been unexpected... No sense worrying about that, though. They would just have to prove their enhanced budget was being put to good use, and under Rosewood and his guidance, even those two would do just fine with that.
If they hadn't been so fortunate as of late, Ulrich might have questioned exposing the samples at the same time as pushing the limits of the Carnate Engine. As it stood, though, he had complete faith in the Engine, and shoving such rapid growth at the Board was just too appealing a chance to pass up. Since he didn't have any questions, much less concerns about Delilah's plan, Ulrich asks a more superficial question, "Oh? What sort of 'useful' ideas did they come up with? I don't suppose they'll consult with us experts about what the Project is capable of?"
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 21, 2016 18:18:48 GMT
Evan found his more-or-less cordial mood evaporating the moment that he was paged. It wasn't scheduled, so that meant either it was bad news, or he was going to have to talk more with the scientists. He wasn't quite sure which was worse. That was always the worst part of after the tests. Having to answer the questions of the scientists, beneath their veneer of civility. It always left a sour taste in his mouth, which was a shame, as it followed... well, a unique experience.
As for the experience itself, he was starting to get used to the limblessness... but for the life of him, he just couldn't figure out the wings. I guess it's easier to lose something than to gain it, he reflects, I wonder what that says about humans. Or maybe it's just me.
Having pushed aside those cynical thoughts, at least for the moment, he made his way to the pen observatory. Hopefully this wasn't going to be too terrible.
After listening to Rosewood's spiel, Evan deemed that, well, it certainly could have been worse. This time there hadn't been any droning on, at least. And the implications... they weren't terrible either. More time away from everyone else. And, more importantly, a chance to descend to the surface. That's something that shouldn't be squandered.
With that in mind, Evan took the opportunity to ask some questions. "So, you say that there's the possibility of deployment. What sort of preparations would we make, up here, before doing that? Because, down there is a fair bit more dangerous than the controlled environment up here. And, in the same vein... how long are we going to be pushing the dives? Because it seems to me that having sequences of short dives would be... well, problematic, for attempting any tasks, as we have no control over the creature while we're out." Also, staying free from here for longer would be much preferred.
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Post by birdy51 on Sept 21, 2016 19:19:33 GMT
Hugh could not contain his pleasure of standing there right above the pens. His cross-armed towering figure crowded the little observatory with joy. The tests had been a success. Of course! They had him overseeing the operations. How could they have possibly have failed? His tight, meaty lips folded into a smile. No. The thought had never crossed his mind.
Success was expected. Triumph an inevitability.
"I would not concern yourself with politics too much, little Ulrich." Hugh says, speaking in a low, basso tone that rolled out of his body. "What matters is that you and the Professor have the support you've so long desired."
And I as well. He thought quietly. It took much time speaking to the head of security on the matter to get the go ahead to transfer to this department. It took a much longer time to convince the head of the potential value of this project. To admit a fault, he was not so
And now this was it. All those years standing on the sidelines, laying watch upon a silent world was a great trial for them. Bah! Begone those memories! Soon, so very soon they would place their feet upon the ground and march upon it. Conquer it! If he was successful here, it would open new routes to the surface world where the guardcould finally test their mettle proper; a world where they could finally prove themselves in combat!
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Post by Robot on Sept 22, 2016 15:21:26 GMT
"The primary military view on the project is that we assess the surface. On record, many Pokemon were docile and co-existed with humanity. Everything we've taken photographs of from low orbit suggests that they exist as any ecosystem might. There are predator-prey relationships, and life flourishes from the arboreal to the subterranean, with the odd social groups consisting of mixed species. What we still do not understand is why human presence is met with extreme prejudice, nor why the Golurk go berserk on exposure to the Pokemon on the surface." Professor Rosewood began to pace as she spoke, casting the odd glance up at the monitors, hands tucked into the pockets of her lab coat. "Culturally we stand to gain a great deal. Spices, medicine, expeditions to the surface could see a new development of Pokeball technology." There was a strange sort of hesitation in her tone, and Delilah's brow furrowed as she stopped her steady back and forth. Something seemed to settle in her mind and she shook her head before continuing. "More then just the nutrient slurry we've subsisted on, real and proper food. There was a great deal of excitement, it is just a shame that there is such a push for the surface to become a combat zone. That's the feeling I get." Turning to face her three acquaintances, she folded her arms across her chest. "Until the Odyssey is done with it's refit, we are to familiarize ourselves as much as possible with our partners. The testing must continue, range and duration are very important. To specifications, we should be able to remain linked while over the planet without any concern for interference. We have received clearance, after a few rounds of proven stress testing, to attempt to ride our Pokemon out into a public space for the commencement ceremony. This will be the final stress test, but our warning has been issued, one more complication with the project and they pull the plug."
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 22, 2016 19:11:17 GMT
All she cares about is her project, Evan thought bitterly. Funding is all, after all.
"So," he ventured, "What sort of 'complications' would warrant a shutdown?" He figured that it was always good to know exactly what the reactions to the higher ups were... how much leeway they had. This was probably his only shot to actually find his place... though, it'd be better if he didn't need to deal with the scientists. He'd rather not screw it up accidentally... though, threatening to screw it up on purpose might get some leverage. Once. I'd rather it not get to a point where it came to that. But with scientists, you never know. Project over people, and all that.
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Post by birdy51 on Sept 22, 2016 20:02:20 GMT
Food. Real food.
He blinks twice, brow frowned in deep thought. Food. He had no idea what that was.
All he had known for his many years was the nutritional slop. The idea of anything else was nigh heretical. "What is wrong with the slop? Is it too good for the Professor?" He thought. His mighty eyebrows became taught and tight. Perhaps she snuck a taste of the scant samples brought back from the surface. Sneaky professor.
Regardless, it wasn't something to bring up now. Not when they were this close.
His eyes turned to little Evan. He had a asked a very good question and Hugh was eager to have it answered as well.
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Post by ThRevanchist on Sept 23, 2016 1:03:42 GMT
"Little? Just- hmmph... I suppose that is the important part, yes.", Ulrich concedes. It wouldn't do to get worked up about such a trifling comment, especially given its source. His cohort quite frankly dwarfed everyone, so it probably wasn't even meant as an insult. Yes, it almost seemed like Hugh may have even been complimenting his abilities!
As expected, the Board had latched onto a very narrow-minded idea. Why they couldn't actually sit down and listen to Rosewood was beyond him... He idly wondered if that was why a seat on the Board was, too? Maybe they thought she was being too ambitious? If they were genuinely scared of the revolutions the Carnate Engine could bring about, their strict policing and draconian limits would make sense... Whether that was the case or not, they would still have to succeed, and he agreed that completing the stress tests were the best way forward right now.
That Evan fellow had already voiced his largest concern, knowing what sort of unwanted results they had to avoid. So Ulrich asked, "Taking the samples into a public space? I take it that honor hinges on demonstrating perfect control of them in the stress-tests?"
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Post by Mineral on Sept 23, 2016 16:01:33 GMT
Without so much as a knock or a hint of subtlety or apology, the door to the observatory slid open more loudly than Jacob had ever heard it before, thought that might have been the guilt of being late ringing in his ears as he looked over to his colleagues and associates. His lab coat wasn't even buttoned up, haphazardly on his shoulders revealing an old T-shirt and jeans. Definitely out of character for someone who came to work dressed to impress. It was likely he rushed here too fast to change, the red on his handsome features attesting to his rush.
"Sorry I'm late! Boys, good morning. Professor Rosewood, stunning as usual. What did I miss?"
Jacob stepped up to everyone and fell in line quickly, buttoning up his lab coat and taking a few deep breaths to even himself out. This wasn't a singular occurrence either, it was at least once or twice a month he'd show up a half hour late for work, usually working on personal projects, he claimed.
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Post by birdy51 on Sept 23, 2016 18:11:30 GMT
Hugh noted Jacob's entrance with much amusement and smiled broadly.
"Ah! Little Jacob. You're late. I do hope it wasn't the women who kept you." He ribbed. "This will never do. You'll have to start sharing with the rest of us soon. I fear next time you will barge in with no clothes at all!"
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Post by Robot on Sept 23, 2016 18:16:29 GMT
"Ulrich has the gist of it, yes. Welcome in Jacob." Delilah pursed her lips in a small show of displeasure, despite the curl to the edges of her mouth sabotaging the attempt at looking stern. His work ethic was solid most of the time, and the youngest of their number certainly knew how to talk to people. She would let it go for now, but she wasn't repeating herself. "We've been granted funding again, but I was expressly informed we are still on the thinnest of ice. Effectively if we suffer any further casualties, which is unthinkable at this point one would hope, or have any breaches it's over. Similarly, if we fail to keep the specimens in check during the commencement, which has already been scheduled." The doctor added in an irritated huff. "We don't just lose our funding again, they scrap the entire project, with it's remnants being scattered to other projects. Relocating assets, they called it."
"I insisted proven science cannot be rushed, but they have waited for a long time for any result. Now that they have one, it's nothing but eagerness and insistence that we have our trial by fire. We've been given two months, and that was pushing aggressively until they nearly had me escorted from the meeting." Inhaling nasally, she chewed her lower lip.
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Post by ThRevanchist on Sept 24, 2016 1:39:34 GMT
Standing up a little straighter as the other researcher arrived, Ulrich pleasantly noted that Hugh seemed to accept 'little' as a suitable term for anyone, well, smaller than himself. If nothing else, he could respect how bold the giant was when dealing with his superiors. Plus, for someone so simple, he actually had a good sense of humor...
It was as painfully arbitrary as he had expected, the confines they had to work under. How did the Board think it was reasonable to rush them and demand perfect results on a branch of science only just beginning to blossom? It was a small miracle they had two full months to ensure everything was in working order... He hoped some among them would perform better with a strict schedule.
Not wanting to rush ahead, Ulrich explains, "Morning, Jacob. Rosewood is explaining our plan, now that the Board reinstated funding. They're being unreasonable, but that isn't news."
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Post by Mineral on Sept 24, 2016 2:17:12 GMT
Jacob laughed and patted Hugh's back on the way past, a teasing way of letting him know that he'd get a girl some day. Someone with a death wish when it came to the bedroom he imagined. But he didn't interrupt or fluster his senior researchers Ms.Rosewood or Ulrich any more than he had to. They were a decade apart, and despite his romanticism, lateness, and reputation, he respected them both enough to know when to shut up and when to speak. Though when things sank in, he nodded with a thoughtful expression. There was something he was working on that he wanted to show off, but he was going to wait until the end of the talks.
"Great! When we have a moment, I actually have an idea on how we can extend that period of time, Professor Rosewood. Not everyone might like it, however. But please, go on! I'm sure you and Ulrich are dying to outline the plan for the baby you two have birthed together. I'll withhold my jealousy for now.".
Another teasing smile beaming up at Delilah. It was amazing the young man still had his job, teasing the so-dedicated-it's-virginal senior researcher. What the others didn't know was that he only called her Delilah when it was the two of them, until then it was Ms.Rosewood. It was too fun cracking at her shell to refrain. Though that wasn't to say he wasn't listening closely. Jacob always took his job incredibly seriously when it came down to it, they all knew that after all this time together. Results spoke for themselves.
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 24, 2016 3:43:53 GMT
Fun as it might be to see the 'oh-so-perfect' plans of the good scientists being thrown into some disarray, Evan still had investment of his own in the project. That was always the worst part of seeing everything going smoothly. Their smug satisfaction. Oh, well. At least things had gotten better after learning that Bill felt much the same way with regards to the scientists. Ranting was cathartic, and meant that he could stand the whitecoats a bit more.
There would probably be at least some mild complaining later. But, as for now, he stayed silent, waiting for more explanation following Jacob's statement. Jacob himself was a bit of an odd duck to Evan. At times, he almost could seem like a genuine human being... but, then, in the lab, there was no mistaking the younger man's dedication to his profession. Which was too bad, in Evan's opinion, because he had the makings of a decent human. At least, more so than the other two scientists in the room.
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Post by Robot on Sept 24, 2016 10:08:48 GMT
"Now seems as good a moment as any, unless you need a moment to order your state of dress Jacob?" A little color came to Delilah's cheeks as she yielded her position at the fore and cleared her throat. Her tone was clearly meant as a jab, but it was blunted heavily. "Being together as we are in the moment, the think tank is already assembled, may as well make use of it." Professor Rosewood settled in beside Hugh and awarded him a polite smile.
When their meeting was done, she'd have to catch up with their resident 'Pokemon handler' and coach him on tightening security on the lab internals. If that meant kickbacks to the man, and hiring more military staff for the compound she'd take it.
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Post by Mineral on Sept 24, 2016 12:09:40 GMT
Jacob smiled and winked at the Professor, taking the stage in front of everyone and digging around in his pocket, pulling a dry erase marker out. It was common practice for him, there was a mirror in his home he drew on to think. But today, he simply turned to the glass of the observatory and wrote above his head. "Heroes of The Ark". Before making little sketches the clearly represented their 4 partners.
"What is the one thing that Gol Lacks, floating up here with a clear purpose and not being able to grasp it? Gol lacks hope. Because hope comes from heroes! Story book champions! My thought is this. We named our partners already, no? We humanize them in the eyes of the public, release parts of our reports as thrilling news, and we cultivate a following. We'll put up fuckin' posters if we have to. I grew up with stories on how awful the monsters of The Ark are. How they slaughtered our away teams. It's time we give our children stories that will give them that hope, make them wake up early Sunday mornings to watch the latest footage of our escapades into the wild unknown. Then, as the time comes we can send out a rallying cry, and see if our numbers can't harass the council into extending the time frame.".
It's then that he paused, hands sliding back into his pockets as he puts on his best smile.
"Of course, it could also blow up in our faces. Rather we do it or not, we need to be prepared for the council taking the same actions in using the fear and misunderstanding of what we're doing to sew dissent. Since they're afraid, as well. Which is why I have backup plans as well, that can wait for another date."
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Post by DataNinja on Sept 24, 2016 18:33:23 GMT
"So," Evan said, after listening to Jacob's plan. "Explain to me. How is watching us do tests supposed to benefit the general populace? Why would they care about that? And, even if it was done in such a way as they did care, I would fully expect demands to be put in place to have a certain... style of content, that conforms to expectations. If you want to turn this into media, then you have to accept the consequences of what would happen." Say what you will about the whitecoats, but at least they give a fair amount of freedom, as long as the tasks get accomplished.
"Not to mention," he continued, listing things off on his fingers, "'the wild unknown'? If you're meaning the surface of the Ark... well, I know I, for one, sure as heck am not going to be writing a report on every single thing that happens down there. And I don't know how else you'd expect to keep track of it all." Unless they have someway of seeing exactly what we see, and they neglected to tell me. That'd be just like them... Having shaken away that though, he concluded, with a little hint of levity and a half smile, "As for thinking that we've 'named' our vessels... I'd hate to see what you end up calling your kids, if you think referring to something as 'Three' is a name."
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Post by Mineral on Sept 24, 2016 19:32:46 GMT
Jacob turned to Evan and listened to his grievances, but he didn't stop that smile on his face for even a second. There were answers for everything he was asking after all. Soon enough, he put the amount of fingers Evan had up on his own hand and one by one tucked them back into his palm.
"Hope is always a benefit to society. I wouldn't be a researcher if I didn't dream of a better life. People will care because unlike anyone else, we're doing something. There are no expectations, since no ones ever done this before. This isn't a scripted drama. Yes I will be writing a short report on my personal experiences planet side. And finally, you named your vessel "3". Gives him a- uh...cold charm. We can work on it.".
With just his fist left, he put it back into his coat pocket and gave his first serious look today. "I've only been a researcher for a few years, but I do know this. We've lost people to these creatures, and tell those stories over and over. People are fickle, they want solutions, but that might not be our solution. What we're doing can be seen as risky. Breakneck speed compared to past progress made. People will be scared because they don't understand. So all I'm proposing is we put the information out there on our own terms. Besides, a good reputation might get get you a lady friend. Unless you just joined the project to find one down on The Ark."
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Post by birdy51 on Sept 24, 2016 23:45:04 GMT
"I think we have established that there are not that many ladies down on the Ark." Hugh mused. But he chuckles softly. "But if we can make it work, we would be heroes. And heroes do get paid better than scientists."
And lo, he shrugged mightily. "With this much at stake, I'd rather not worry about it. But if you want to go make Second-Saturday morning cartoons for the little kiddies, be my guest. It may prove fruitful down the line."
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Post by ThRevanchist on Sept 25, 2016 5:39:31 GMT
How popular the Project was in the eyes of the public had never mattered much to Ulrich, and in fact, he considered it fortunate that their more controversial results had been so quiet. Now that they had all but guaranteed the successful, continuing operation of this Fourth Generation of the Engine, though... maybe getting the masses' support would be a good idea? The Board would be hard-pressed to justify shutting them down suddenly, if everyone on Gol I awaited their success with bated breath, and maybe the peons could even be useful in securing yet more funding for their continued studies?
"There could be some merit in getting support from the public. We may be too hard-pressed for time at the moment to start such a campaign, though. I expect trying to explain anything concerning the Carnate Engine would take months to get across to those simpletons, at best. Surely, there would be more efficient uses of your time?"
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