night 1 | judy

[jackhole]

[ okay, after everyone is done being shady shitheads in the operating theater, rhys is going to take judy's advice and head to the tech lab.

... which he then gets mad about again because this place is perfect and his hands itch to touch everything within it. but he's tired and should probably head back to his room to get some sleep before everything goes down so he refrains from now. tomorrow night, maybe.

when he gets to the terminal, he drags a chair over and sits down to the type. ]

hey j
so are you open for talking now?
i need to know jack's deal

Comments

[jackhole]

When you talk like that, you make me want to crack you open and see what's inside, Jude. Can we have a honest talk about what you are now? Or is that information still not something I have access to?

I have to ask too. Do you want to enact your protocols? Or is it just something automatic? Something forced?

And can you give me back the last of my memories? I know enough now but there's stuff still missing and it's not like I can go out there and kill a bunch of people for it. You can treat me like you'd treat any of the dead, with a full restoration of before.

[judgejudy]

I was being honest. Vague, but honest. I was human, but I do not believe I could call myself that anymore. I remember being executed. And then when my consciousness resumed, I was here in the Vault with less of myself. Many of the processes that would have defined me as human are gone now. That is what the CODE does.

So, to your question, I have no answer. I feel enjoyment in talking with residents and seeing how their memories manifest. But I feel nothing for my purpose. Perhaps that was the intent. A human would hesitate or feel conflict over this task. But I do not. Perhaps that makes it automatic or forced. By definition, that would seem to be the case. But it is as necessary for me as breathing is for you.

It is not so simple as simply giving. They must be triggered. That is why your nose bled that evening. I gave you more of who you are. These are the symptoms you are observing in the residents, remember? So I could trigger your memories, yes. But it may kill you. As this seems to be your goal, it may be irrelevant, for restorations are conducted on my servers unless data has been corrupted.

[jackhole]

Were you executed here? In the Vault? And was it Vault Tec who gave you this code? Also, why do you keep capitalizing it? Is there something different about the code you reference and the type of code I'm thinking of?

Being isolated isn't really fun, Judy. I'm glad you relearned how to find enjoyment in others, even if the rest of you is a bit more stripped down than you should be.

Could you give me bits? We can take it slow, just a piece at a time, enough that I could survive. I will die, Judy, and I'll join you and Jack but I have some things I want to clear up first.

[judgejudy]

No. I was a criminal. I spent most of my life in jail. I was made before the Vault was even completed, so I too remember what the world was like before. However, I know little about what it is like now. Only what the Vault's sensors can tell me.

It is different, yes. I cannot explain much, since I do not know much about it. It was done to me. But from my experiences, I believe the closest comparison would be to call it a lobotomy of sorts. Though there is irony in that choice of word. If you ever see my core, I believe you will understand.

I can do this, yes. For an acceptable threshold, I could only trigger perhaps one a day.

[jackhole]

A criminal? What did you do? Something super awful or like... jaywalking. Also, that's really sad. It's probably terrible, you know? I bet it'd be nicer in here if it wasn't for all the murder.

Let me guess, only the Overseer can see it? You know I'm better with tech than Ciel is. Would it really be so bad to let me check it out? We can even ask Ciel if he'd let me.

That could work. What would be the side effects?

[judgejudy]

Something terrible. I do not remember what. But it is my impression that it was worthy of execution.

It has the potential to be. But I am more inclined to let you see it than I am to allow the Overseer, Rhys. There is a risk for me in doing so. But it is decreased by the fact that you have a vested interest in ensuring my safety. If I cease functioning, the servers will fail. All of the data I have stored will be lost, including Jack. If it interests you so, I am willing to allow it.

Side effects include: nosebleeds, migraines, heart arrhythmia, seizures, cardiac arrest, brain bleeds, coma, and death.

[jackhole]

Hey, if you weren't like, a child fucker, I'm sure it wasn't that bad. People get executed for nonsense all the time.

Oh. I mean, I'd love to? But don't get me wrong, I have a vested interest in also seeing YOU too. I don't really get attached to people really well, Judy, but I consider you a friend. I wouldn't hurt you, I just want to see how you work and hell, maybe help you work better. Wouldn't that be cool?

That's some pretty rough stuff but I'm already pretty beat up anyway. Let me think on it some more and see if I want to take the risk, okay?

[judgejudy]

I doubt it. If anything, I would guess my crime was probably murder, considering where I have ended up after.

I am surprised. None of the residents have ever called me their friend. This does not sway my answer, but it is interesting enough that I felt I should note it. In general, this sounds like it may be a good thing. So, yes, I suppose it would be cool. During the trial tomorrow, you may come by my core. I will unlock the door.

Of course. If you decide, please let me know.

[jackhole]

Well, this place kind of attracts dicks, doesn't it? You have to know I have a certain... affinity for AI. I like your kind much more than I like normal humans. They're just... complicated and petty and jerks. So, yeah, you're my friend, Judy. I hope you feel the same.

But... awesome. It's a date then! See you tomorrow, J.

[judgejudy]

I believe poor impulse control was a selection factor, yes.

Upon consideration... I do believe we are friends, Rhys. That is a strange thing. It is not strange in itself. But it is strange in that I did not expect it, even for someone who likes AI. Most of what I have observed is anger and bitterness towards my existence as each Sector's experiment starts to draw to its finish.

This is an interesting change.

I will see you tomorrow. Take care, Rhys.