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Takes place on the ship before landing.
Elder John, I wish to read through those manuals if I may? Codex begins to skim through the entire manual "cover to cover" storing everything in his memory drive. Absentmindedly replies to Noren's request for surveillance assistance, If I am to impersonate someone with a position of any authority for the upcoming heist it would be wise to keep me out of sight until that point. Unless such a sighting helps establish my credentials in some way?
Codex watches as the other members of the crew haphazardly throw out ideas and call it a "plan". If I may interject? Perhaps I have not been fully briefed on the specifics of this endeavor but it would seem illogical to call this a plan as of yet. Your crew assignments are prudent, Captain, but without knowledge of what tasks are before us we cannot but fail. I have prepared a series of questions regarding this heist that if we can answer our chances of success will rise by 53%. Codex takes a deep breath. Is Lady Kachada's floating mansion over land or sea? Is the mansion a single building or is it an island with a full estate? What kind of security do you recall her having? Does she employ a protective field around the estate or does she rely on guard patrols? Both? Do the guards patrol only the estate or the airways around the estate? Are the guards drones of some kind or human? Can you sketch a layout of the estate for us or is it accessible from a public database? Where is the security monitoring station located? What kind of access will we need to enter the room containing the generator? Is the generator located underground, in plain sight, or at the top of the estate? How many people will be in attendance for this party do you estimate? Will there be any notable events such as dances, scavenger hunts, or duels? how long will the party last? Do you know at what time the trash pickup is and if it coincides with any time during the party? Codex pauses, an idea having occurred to him, Also, what is the standard protocol for one of these estates losing gravity? Are guests escorted to a secure, padded shelter or do they use life buoys? Is there an emergency backup generator? If there is, how long will it's reserves be able to hold the station up?
Looking quickly from Darius to the Captain and back again, the same quizzical expression presents itself on Codex's face. Am I to understand that you are planning to steal Captain Kachada's ex-wife's gravity field generator on Bellerephon while the Captain is away at his hearing, presumably to establish an alibi? Codex puzzles a bit more. I have improved your temporary gravity generator design thus enabling and assisting in committing a felony. Aiding and abetting a felon in grand larceny results in incarceration for no less than 3 years and an average of 6.23 years. Based on Bellerephon court cases in the past 12.48 years, I will be found guilty with an 82.3% certainty despite any plea to my innocence. Not only will my incarceration leave the monastery bereft my data influx, it is increasingly likely that I will be unable to perform my data collection activities after the fact once I am labeled a criminal. This assumes that the crime remains grand larceny and does not escalate to murder in which case the likelihood of my sentencing and subsequent execution jumps to 97.12%. Codex addresses Darius. Is there any way I can convince you to not commit this crime? As almost an afterthought, Please? Seeing Darius' eyes narrow Codex realizes there would be no persuading the navigator. Very well, I offer my assistance on this heist as a means to continue my mission.
Codex stows his worn satchel in his assigned berth before heading to the cockpit. Noting the growing irritability in the Captain as he unconsciously reads the letter aloud, Codex buries himself in the ship's information feed. He checks to see if any recent maintenance scans have been done and notes the six month backlog of canceled scans. He reques the most recent attempted scan, assuming the Captain will not wish to head into space without a thorough run down of the ship. While he waits for the scan to complete, Codex quietly asks Darius a question that had been plaguing him since he read the ship's manifest. Might I inquire as to how John obtained the title, "Old"? I would posit that due to his advanced age he has much wisdom and direction to offer this crew but by what standard does one obtain that distinction? Does this title confer on him the automatic respect and admiration of his peers? Does his advanced age require additional assistance with day-to-day tasks?
My "story" would take some time to tell Captain but my mission is a simple one: to increase the collective knowledge of the Binarian library on Persephone. My specific task is to gather information about the less explored sectors of space and any anomalies they contain. I am well-versed in stellar cartography, having assimilated .879 terabytes of histories, journals, and other research on the subject. I have specialized myself in graviometric phenomenon as they are the least explored and we therefore lack the most information about them. Were you aware that solar flares emit high poly-cihedral radiation within .26 lightyears of the core of their star?
Sensing some hostility from the Captain, Codex complies and follows him to the cargo bay. Slowly circling the massive generator, he inspects the various welded together models carefully inspecting each of the connection points and systematically categorizing their intended functions. Once complete, Codex sits cross-legged on the floor, eyes closed and begins to hum. He sits for several minutes in that position his eyeballs moving rapidly behind closed lids. Just as the low pitched hum begins to grate against your last nerve Codex abruptly stops, stands and strides with purpose to the tool cabinet in the corner. He selects several oddly shaped tools and an arc welder (and mask). You jump back just in time as he begins to remove and reapply several of the cobbled together systems carefully re-welding seams and connecting power cables. You watch as the overall design doesn't change so much as...fall into place.
Codex tilts his head quizzically at the device and shakes his head. The theory is sound and you have the power for it but it lacks the appropriate control system to regulate the plasmic fluctuations. Codex disappears down the corridor and returns with a "spare" comm relay switch (obviously just now removed from the backup circuit) and wires it into the side of the device. The newly revitalized generator purrs, it's indicators turning from blue to green. Codex extends his hand once again. I am Codex, a Binarian. It would seem your comms device lacked the proper authority to hire myself for the position. I wish to re-apply for the position of ship's engineer...assuming it is still available?
Codex begins listing points with his fingers. Captain Steve Kachada, I am unfamiliar with any crewmember named 'Sam Hill', or any linguistic variation thereof. And I must disagree with you on the point of "don't need you messin' her". A disturbingly large quantity of parts on board this ship are suffering from deterioration related to neglect. Further, I have detected several grievous inefficiencies with the organizational structure of this vessel. It would appear neither the navigator nor it's Captain were made aware of the cortex posting having been filled thus necessitating my repeated verbal explanations. Might I suggest making an info pad standard crew equipment? Codex folds his arms in front of himself casually. Perhaps we should wait for the remainder of the crew to arrive before I re-introduce myself? It would be most efficient.
A puzzled frown settles on Codex's face as he replies, J3N-1FR requested a new crewmember for engine servicing duties. I greeted her as I would any electronic construct and the hatch unlocked. As she is a member of your crew, I accepted her offer to come aboard. She was prompt in assigning me duties and as you can see I have begun said duties forthwith. I had assumed you were made aware of this posting? Apparently, I am in error. Once again Codex extends his hand in greeting, obviously convinced that he had not committed any grievous act. I am Codex, a Binarian, I was formally trained at the Binarian Monastery on Persephone as an Exploratory Mnemonic Adjunct. I am indeed 93% human having only undergone the mnemonic enhancements customary to those of my order. Codex taps his left temple as he speaks bringing attention to a small electronic port embedded there. I was in the top percentile in my monastic cell and have aided the monastery in retaining over 5 giga-quads of historical data. I have already taken the liberty of downloading this ship's specifications and all information pertaining to her crew to better assist in my duties.
A droning noise can be heard as you enter the engine bay. It's hard to make out but it almost sounds like...binary? -010011101110100001101001110001111010010101001010101011010. The pale, bespectacled stranger tilts his head quizzically at the new arrival, already half-finished dismantling the magnetic constrictors. The droning stops momentarily, and you realize the stranger is the source of the noise. It is a good thing then that my name is in fact Codex. As to your inquiry about my entrance...I did call ahead. Codex once again begins to drone, efficiently wiping off residue from the magnetic constrictors before beginning to reassemble it. Once complete, he stands up and stiffly offers his hand. I am content that you and I shall be shipmates aboard this vessel, Darius Marx, Navigator. Jennifer has told me much about you and the rest of the crew. |