text

[deem]

Hey guys, 9S here.

Recent events got me thinking we should have some provisions in place, in case of future attempts to abduct or imprison anybody. Units like 2B, A2, and me have black box signals we could detect, but as for you guys... I've come up with some tracking modules that you can activate in case you get in a tough spot. They just look like little round pins with stars on them, figure nobody'll give them a second look.

They're easy to activate and deactivate. All you do is press on the raised star shape for five seconds. Simple, right? They'll derive energy from your body heat, and don't need direct contact, so I think it'll work. I'd like to enable at least a few people to detect those signals, but you'll need equipment like my goggles or Dirk's uh, shades. So let me know if you're interested.

Also while we've got access to materials, if anybody has equipment or repair needs, just give me the details.

Private: Dirk
Hey, can I ask your help with something? It's...not really a small favor, but I think you're the most capable.

Private: Julius
There's something I'd like to ask you about, when you've got the time.

Private: 2B + A2
After recent events, I think we should make plans in case we sustain heavy or lethal damage. Can we talk about that?

Comments

text

[talim]

So you finally finished them? Nice job, Nines!

And just so you know, the replacement goggles you gave me for Sunsu are still working just fine. I thought you might appreciate the update.

text

[deem]

Thanks for the help, Jude. You helped me get some useful data for calibration.

They're not hard on your eyes or anything though?

slides in

[bulletbiter]

I've got all the time in the world for a friend.

[ It's become impressionable to him how important it is to not strike out alone again, for a variety of reasons. ]

What's up?

[deem]

Thanks. It's...I figure you're better equipped to understand than some of the others.

[For a variety of reasons, really, after the experiences they had on Aimintas]

I was wondering, if I make backup data for 2B, A2, and myself, could I entrust those to you? We used to have remote backup via the Bunker, but that's not an option now. It's a lot to ask, I know, but...

[lalliho]

I don't want a pin I want weird blindfold sight

[deem]

You mean you want goggles?

text;

[argenteums]

Woah! That sounds super useful, 9S! Totally interested here. It'll make it easier to know where Noct is...

text;

[deem]

So long as he turns it on anyway, huh? But I got to thinking, it would've saved us a lot of time if we had something like this from the start.

Just let me know where to bring the equipment. There's something I've been wanting to ask you, anyway.

Text

[teratias]

Is there any way you could integrate them into the signets in the future?

Text

[deem]

That's...a possibility, but I'd need to understand how they work a bit better, or at least work with somebody more versed in magic than I am. I can build equipment pretty easily, but magic was pretty scarce where I came from.

audio;

[drizzle]

It doesn't sound like such a bad idea. I'm all about having a second tracking system. Could you make one for my daughter too, Nines? I wanna know where she is when we're in serious missions. Or else I won't be able to participate in none of them at this rate! Since, you know, I'll be completely worried over her safety or getting the feeling she may be following me when she shouldn't.

[Was she feeling bitter over missing the whole rescue operation? Yes, yes, she was, but she doesn't regret looking after her daughter and Haru's Palai child as well. Someone has to protect them!]

audio;

[deem]

Of course I can. I could work on something for remote communication too, if that'd help.

[He knows Nike is prone to worrying over others, and if he can do anything to make it easier on her, he's certainly happy to]

private

[splinten]

What do you need?
I support the tracking plan, by the way. It's a good idea.

private

[deem]

Glad you think so. I wasn't totally sure, but it felt like we could've saved time with that provision in place.

And well. Remember when you helped 2B with maintenance? It got me thinking about how things were where we come from. And if it was a lot worse, and I couldn't be there for her...

[He trails off. His thoughts wander about as much as his attention does, by design]

Anyway. Do you think if I provided you with some materials, and went over the data with you, you could help me construct some spare parts? And if it's not too much, I'd like someone other than me to know how to construct our bodies. There might come a time where we have to...you know.

If our data's backed up, and it's got somewhere to go, we'd be okay.

[allconsumed]

Couldn't you use something like that to spy on people?

[deem]

Potentially a lot of systems can be abused, but you can deactivate these or activate them whenever you want.

I can even show you what it looks like for me when it's active and when it isn't. It'd be the same as now when it's not turned on.

[counteracts]

[...huh.]

You just whip something like that up with junk you found lying around?

[Not that he doesn't think the dude with a number and a letter for a name isn't capable or anything. Just interested.]

[deem]

Well, more like that's what I spend my credits on. I don't need to eat or anything, and this is more important.

[He doesn't mind the question at all. By now, he's used to being so advanced as to seem a feat of sorcery to some.

But of course he's all technology]

text.

[zinit]

Black box signals - like spacecraft? [Or aircraft, which his people didn't need because stupid portals, but you know.] You are not human, then? How about that!

[He'd love to take you apart and see what ticks, but ah, that's probably creepy, isn't it? Best not to say that.]

I'd volunteer to be able to detect those signals, but admittedly, I don't know much about other worlds' technology yet - I've been reading, but there's some background knowledge I'm missing. It seems similar enough to the way things worked on my home world, at least, so I'll figure it out.

My only concern is who else could intercept these signals.

[deem]

It should be pretty impossible to detect the signal and know what it is, without the right systems in place. So far nothing's come close to what I'm used to dealing with...

But security is important, since the last thing we want is hostiles accessing our location.

[Back where they came from, units like him could pick up on machines, but the reverse wasn't generally true unless they made themselves visible. He thinks he can achieve the same here, but...]

Maybe while I'm showing you how it works, you could give me some input on where I could improve security? You might think of something I haven't yet.

[rebells]

They don't broadcast unless they're turned on?

It seems like a good idea. Were you thinking of setting up a retrieval squad for people who get into trouble, or something like that?

[deem]

Right. I can even show people on my monitors what it looks like when they're on in comparison to when they're not.

And...I hadn't thought that far, but that does seem like the next natural step in terms of provisions.

[sluggard]

Huh, that's pretty impressive.

But what are the people who can see them gonna do with them?

[deem]

I figured it might be helpful, anyway.

And the point of seeing the signals it just to locate them if they need help, like when some of us got detained. Figure it'd save us some time searching, you know?

text

[witchwithoutacause]

Sounds cool. If anyone uses it to track me when I don't need help, though, I get to punch 'em.

[deem]

You don't have to activate it unless you need to be found, so that shouldn't be necessary.

private;

[precedents]

i haven't had backup in a while
but if you think it's a good idea i don't mind

[ it doesn't matter to her either way. she'd been cut off from the bunker and yorha for a long time anyway, but having something in place as a precaution isn't a bad idea. ]

private;

[deem]

Yeah...I imagine it's been a long time.

At least this way, we've got a contingency plan.

[Something that A2 has surely never been provided, when he thinks about it]

I can update the data whenever it's time for maintenance, too.

private;

[apatheia]

Sure. Having a contingency plan wouldn't be a bad idea.

[sharpestsword]

So it's just a pin right? Not another implant?

[deem]

Implant...?

No, nothing invasive like that. You can wear it or carry it in your pocket, either one is fine.

( text )

[insubordination]

[ while the thought of having a tracking device on his body honestly makes his skin itch a little bit, this is . . . quite impressive, and honestly could save lives, if used responsibly. hmmm. ]

Remarkable, 9S. Brilliant, even.

What type of equipment is needed to see them, exactly? I would be willing to wear something, but I probably don't have anything that would fit the bill of what you're describing.

Excuse the ignorance; none of this has been invented in Amestris, yet.

[deem]

[Deepest apologies to Roy as he gets assaulted with what might best be described as a mixture of deep flattery and delight. It comes across even before he can formulate a response, even when they're using text. Thanks, telepathic network.

But he has this reaction to praise. It happens]

Oh, thank you. That's really good to hear. Or uh. Read? I guess it's reading... Coming from somebody like you, it's an honor, Sir.

[Not just a human but a high ranking soldier. An honor indeed.

Give him a moment to collect himself]

Anyway, I know a little bit about Amestris. I knew a couple of guys from there, and I was teaching them about my technology, for a while [And there follows something like melancholy. He didn't know Edward especially well, but he liked him, and he was rather fond of Alphonse] It just needs to be something that can interpret the signal and couple it with a map of the area. A unit like me can do that with or without equipment, but I can build something that'd feel familiar and easy to use.

[knighthooded]

do we need to bring you anything for those pins
because shit i could do with one or two
not a terrible idea

[deem]

I won't ever turn down more materials, but you don't have to give me anything. I'm happy to be of use.

voice

[allbroea]

If you're handing them out, I'm interested. I was one of the twelve taken into custody last month.

I'd like to hear more about any security precautions you have in mind first, though.

[ 9s, too, is not exactly trustworthy yet, but it'd be more concerning for someone outright hostile to access such delicate information. ]

[deem]

Sorry that happened...and that we took as long as we did to find you.

[And truly, there's an undercurrent of remorse that carries over their telepathic network. It feels like a failure on his part, in some ways, to both anticipate and prevent such a thing from happening]

If you mean preventative measures, I've had a few thoughts, mostly concerning equipment. Shielding, that kind of thing.