Island of Misfit Toys 8

[19:35]	`GM	[There is a sharp knock at Liu's door. The time is 7 A.M., equally sharp.]
[19:36]	Liu	straightens up and opens the door, clad in a long white nightdress with a frilled trim.
[19:38]	`GM	[The Colonel stands outside her door; he's no longer wearing the dress uniform he had on yesterday, but instead has tan fatigues not completely dissimilar from the uniforms of the others.]
[19:39]	ColonelSamuelson	"Good morning, Ms. Long."
[19:39]	Liu	"O-oh! Colonel!"
[19:40]	Liu	blushes, hastily wiping the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve.
[19:40]	ColonelSamuelson	"Did you have a pleasant night?"
[19:40]	Liu	"M... more or less."
[19:41]	Liu	nods lightly
[19:41]	ColonelSamuelson	"That is good to hear. Your presence has been requested in the communications office, at your earliest convenience."
[19:42]	ColonelSamuelson	"I will wait outside for you to dress."
[19:42]	Liu	"T-thank you sir."
[19:42]	ColonelSamuelson	nods, and then turns to walk towards Jonah's door on the other side of the hallway.
[19:43]	Liu	stammers out, barely-not-slamming the door as she struggles to remove the dress without tearing it on her horns, fishing out clothes to wear, including the abominable skirt.
[19:43]	ColonelSamuelson	[There is a sharp knock at Jonah's door. The time is 7:02 A.M.]
[19:44]	Jonah	just finished gearing up, and is about to go stand in front of his room.
[19:44]	Jonah	"...fuck. Late by two minutes."
[19:44]	Jonah	realize that this is the first time after he graduated from recruit that he failed to go stand in front of the room before role call.
[19:44]	Jonah	blames the fatigue of the first day.
[19:45]	Jonah	opens the door.
[19:45]	Jonah	"Sir."
[19:45]	Jonah	salutes.
[19:46]	ColonelSamuelson	"At ease, Mr. Moors. Did you have a pleasant night?"
[19:47]	Jonah	"Yes sir. Ready for duty, sir."
[19:47]	ColonelSamuelson	"That is good. Your presence has been requested in the communications office, at your earliest convenience."
[19:48]	Jonah	"departing ASAP, sir."
[19:48]	ColonelSamuelson	steps to the side of the door to allow his exit.
[19:49]	ColonelSamuelson	"We will wait for Ms. Long to put on her uniform."
[19:49]	Jonah	turns to check the room again just in case he forgets anything, which he doesn't, then he left to the comm.office.
[19:51]	ColonelSamuelson	"Mr. Moors. Please wait."
[19:51]	Jonah	stops.
[19:51]	Jonah	"...?"
[19:52]	ColonelSamuelson	"I wish to address something with the both of you before you start the day's work."
[19:53]	Jonah	stays as ordered.
[19:57]	Liu	bursts from her room, hair disarrayed, still finishing her shirt buttons.
[19:57]	Liu	"I'm ready!"
[19:57]	ColonelSamuelson	looks at her, skepticism hidden.
[19:58]	ColonelSamuelson	"That is debatable, Ms. Long. Do you require more time?"
[19:58]	Liu	straightens her tie, hiding the undone top button.
[19:58]	Jonah	looks.
[19:58]	Liu	"N-no, I'm fine!"
[19:58]	Jonah	whistles lightly, face deadpan.
[19:58]	Liu	's eye twitches imperceptibly.
[19:59]	ColonelSamuelson	"Very well. Now..."
[19:59]	ColonelSamuelson	steps back, standing in front of both of them properly.
[19:59]	Jonah	straightens up.
[20:00]	ColonelSamuelson	"You both spent a considerable about of time last night with the entity AI, correct?"
[20:00]	Liu	nods
[20:00]	Jonah	"that is correct, sir."
[20:00]	ColonelSamuelson	"Your opinions?"
[20:02]	Jonah	thinks for a bit before carefully answer;
[20:02]	Jonah	"I think that she's like a computer with no program in it, sir."
[20:03]	Jonah	"And by spending time around us, she's learning, creating the program bit by bit."
[20:03]	Jonah	"I don't know about her learning capacity, but it warrants close observation. Sir."
[20:04]	Liu	"She seems... helpful?"
[20:04]	Liu	hazards, biting the edge of her lip
[20:04]	ColonelSamuelson	turns to Liu.
[20:05]	ColonelSamuelson	"Was that question directed at me, Ms. Long?"
[20:06]	Liu	"Huh?"
[20:06]	Liu	blinks
[20:07]	ColonelSamuelson	"If you have no strong opinion, Ms. Long, merely say so. Uncertainty is certainly unhelpful to me."
[20:08]	Liu	shuffles her feet, looking down and away
[20:08]	Liu	"Yessir..."
[20:09]	Jonah	looks at Liu using the edge of his eyes. Gotta sympathize with civvies, here. She never expected this.
[20:10]	ColonelSamuelson	continues.
[20:11]	ColonelSamuelson	"As Mr. Moors mentioned, this creature warrants close observation. I am not concerned with what it SAYS it may be doing, but with what it DOES."
[20:12]	ColonelSamuelson	"In my time, I've experienced more than my share of dealings with robots, artificial intelligences, synthetic organisms, and the like. The majority of which have had LESS than positive outcomes."
[20:12]	Jonah	"Permission to speak sir."
[20:12]	ColonelSamuelson	halts his speech.
[20:12]	ColonelSamuelson	"Granted, son."
[20:13]	Jonah	"I think that it would be more beneficial if one of us be assigned the close observation duty, sir."
[20:14]	Jonah	"She would suspect us less that way."
[20:15]	ColonelSamuelson	waves the comment away with his hand.
[20:15]	ColonelSamuelson	"That goes without saying; she will be assisting you in your duties as if she were another resident of this facility."
[20:17]	ColonelSamuelson	"I must impose a strict rule, however: her acquisition of knowledge and materials must remain limited."
[20:18]	Liu	opens her mouth, then shuts it again, glancing back down.
[20:18]	ColonelSamuelson	"You are under no circumstances to allow her access to an Internet connection, or unattended access to electronics of any kind."
[20:18]	ColonelSamuelson	"Is this perfectly clear?"
[20:18]	Jonah	"Roger that."
[20:19]	Liu	nods slightly.
[20:21]	ColonelSamuelson	nods as well, satisfied.
[20:21]	ColonelSamuelson	"Good. Until I am satisfied with the full extent of her abilities and intentions, this is to remain standing."
[20:22]	ColonelSamuelson	"You will of course report any suspect conversations to me."
[20:23]	Jonah	"all copy, sir."
[20:24]	Liu	nods again
[20:24]	ColonelSamuelson	"Very well. I suspect we've kept the communications officer waiting long enough. Follow me."
[20:25]	ColonelSamuelson	walks off down the stairs to the first floor.
[20:28]	Ai`	stands idle beside the refrigerator in the kitchen, idle with eyes closed, where the appliance's plug fits solidly into her lower back. After hearing the others draw near, however, her eyelids open, followed an instant later by the blue light of her optics flicking on.
[20:29]	Ai`	looks towards the sounds' source.
[20:30]	Jonah	walk with composed steps, a direct result of strict military life.
[20:30]	Liu	trails after Jonah, tail dragging the floor
[20:31]	ColonelSamuelson	glances quickly in Ai's direction, but doesn't explicitly say or do anything related to her.
[20:31]	Ai`	's eyes meet the Colonel's, and the plug falls to the floor. She steps forward.
[20:31]	Ai`	"Good morning."
[20:32]	Ai`	speaks an utterly new, if more natural phrase.
[20:42]	Jonah	notices the change in Ai's tone. It's a lot less mechanical and more... humanoid. However, this is not the voice of anyone she met before, and it's the first time he ever heard of this.
[20:44]	Liu	"...mornin'"
[20:44]	Jonah	"Yo."
[20:44]	Ai`	moves to join the group.
[20:45]	ColonelSamuelson	stops his walking and allows the two to converse with his mortal enemy.
[20:47]	Jonah	"I guess you're all geared up and ready to tackle the day, eh?"
[20:48]	Ai`	"My energy reserves have still fallen significantly through the night. Critical function is not impaired, but that power source is insufficient to continue routine operations."
[20:49]	Jonah	"Must be a pain to fill the electrical bill."
[20:49]	ColonelSamuelson	sighs at the comment.
[20:49]	Ai`	pauses for a moment to parse the phrase, but does so decently well.
[20:50]	Ai`	"I hope my work is sufficient to cover any expenses. I do not desire unequitable diplomatic exchange."
[20:51]	ColonelSamuelson	"That remains to be seen, Entity AI. I intend for you to join Ms. Long and Mr. Moors in their daily obligations on this island."
[20:52]	ColonelSamuelson	"If you cannot fulfill them adequately with your current power supply, I will reevaluate the nessecity for a larger source."
[20:52]	Ai`	"This is acceptable. If desired, I can perform further duties."
[20:54]	ColonelSamuelson	"In any case, you will accompany us to the communications office."
[20:54]	Ai`	nods.
[20:55]	Ai`	"I project that I can perform any duties for this day, but will lack the capabilities to perform at full capacity tomorrow without additional supplies."
[20:57]	Liu	fidgets awkwardly.
[21:03]	ColonelSamuelson	[The four of them make the quick trek down the main hallway to a door surrounded by large glass windows reinforced with a twine mesh inside, like a computer lab, and it certainly looks like one when they enter the room.]
[21:03]	ColonelSamuelson	[The communications office is awash with piercing electronic light upon first glace, computer monitors and other devices sitting on tables that ring the exterior of the room. A hi-tech glass table that can probably project maps is in the center of the room, though it’s currently turned off. The room is stuffy, hot, and cold, the heat from the computers warring with the overpowering AC.]
[21:03]	Liu	looks around, despite her lingering embarrassment.
[21:03]	ColonelSamuelson	[The room also appears to be empty save for them.]
[21:04]	Ai`	observes all the equipment with great interest.
[21:06]	Jonah	looks around to see the 'communication officer'.
[21:10]	ColonelSamuelson	walks over to a desk in the back of the office. Kneeing in front of a smartphone on the desk is a small person, about three inches tall. It’s some sort of woman dressed in army fatigues, but with cat ears, a cat tail, and seemingly robotic legs. She reaches around on the screen, tapping on an on-screen keyboard that’s far too big for her, but at least manageable, unlike a physical one.
[21:11]	ColonelSamuelson	"Ms. Panzer; as you requested."
[21:13]	Jonah	would love to have her as his EWACs operator anytime.
[21:13]	`GM	[The little woman stops tapping and turns around, adjusting her glasses.]
[21:13]	`GM	Panzer: "Oh, sehr gut!"
[21:14]	Liu	blinks
[21:14]	Ai`	inspects her especially closely. Of all the people she's seen so far, this one is the most unusual.
[21:15]	`GM	[Saluting the three, she adjusts herself into a firm military attention, made noticeably less firm by the fact that one of legs appears to be shorter than the other.]
[21:16]	Liu	"You... are..."
[21:16]	Liu	starts, wide eyed
[21:16]	`GM	Panzer: "Frau Panser ze Tird, at your service!"
[21:17]	Jonah	"Ensign Jonah Moors." he salutes. "Nice to meet you."
[21:17]	Liu	"completelyadorable!"
[21:17]	Jonah	"Pocket-sized operator, eh?"
[21:18]	Liu	squeals, looking very much like the teenage girl she supposedly is as she bounces toward the tiny woman
[21:18]	Ai`	copies Jonah's salute. This too is new.
[21:18]	`GM	Colonel: "Ms. Panzer is a rather interesting case. If I may explain?"
[21:19]	`GM	[Ms. Panzer nods at the Colonel's question, unperturbed by the flurry of activity her presence is causing.]
[21:19]	Liu	drops to her knees and slides the last few feet, face practically glowing with joy several inches from the woman
[21:20]	Jonah	is interested too. He kneels down so he can get a good look.
[21:22]	`GM	[The little woman is definitely NOT a woman; her skin has the dull texture of cheap painted plastic and rubber. Even her eyes are just painted on with minimal contours to give an eye-like appearance to them.]
[21:23]	`GM	[Nevertheless, she moves with fluid motions unbecoming of what a toy might move like.]
[21:25]	`GM	Colonel: "Ms. Panzer has the complete knowledge and experience of a highly-decorated communications officer stationed in various Southeast Asian ports for over thirty years."
[21:26]	`GM	Colonel: "He sadly passed away in an automobile accident, but experts believe that the event happened near a rift, which transferred his experience to the nearest suitable host: a toy he purchased for his son, in his pocket."
[21:27]	Liu	"Why would he buy one of these?"
[21:27]	Liu	asks, still smiling
[21:28]	`GM	[The Colonel shrugs, placing a hand in his pocket.]
[21:29]	Jonah	"It's well-made."
[21:29]	Ai`	nods towards the figure.
[21:29]	Ai`	"Greetings."
[21:30]	`GM	Colonel: "I'm afraid I don't know that, Ms Long. In any case, the proper authorities retrieved Ms. Panzer, and after a number of complicated incidents I'll not explain here, she ended up under my supervision as the island's communications officer."
[21:30]	Jonah	"Must be one hell of a comm.officer."
[21:31]	`GM	[Panzer looks up at the android.]
[21:31]	`GM	Panzer: "Guten morgen, fräulein."
[21:32]	`GM	[The Colonel smirks.]
[21:32]	Ai`	responds in kind, even manifesting a shadow of a smile. Seems her guess on "Good Morning" was right.
[21:32]	Ai`	"'Guten Morgen'."
[21:32]	`GM	Colonel: "She is, at that, if a little in need of extra sets of hands from time to time. Hence:"
[21:32]	Ai`	's upgrade already starts paying dividends.
[21:33]	`GM	[The Colonel motions to the three of them to finish the sentence]
[21:33]	Liu	"We're helping her out?"
[21:34]	`GM	[The Colonel nods, turning to the toy.]
[21:34]	`GM	Colonel: "I'll leave you to your duties, then, Ms. Panzer. At ease."
[21:34]	Jonah	"Fun times."
[21:35]	`GM	[Panzer salutes the colonel.]
[21:35]	`GM	Panzer: "Bitte, Kommandant!"
[21:36]	Ai`	flags the second language for comparison and later analysis.
[21:36]	`GM	[The Colonel sighs as he leaves them to their devices. Panzer is unshaken by his apparent disapproval.]
[21:38]	Ai`	immediately stands ready.
[21:38]	Ai`	"What needs to be done?"
[21:38]	Jonah	walks around, admiring the center. He was always the one relying on ground comm team for his air ops, so it's a nice change of pace to look from the other perspective.
[21:39]	`Panzer	nods and then looks up at the three giant people above her. Her feet flick upwards, allowing her to stand on a pair of tank treads, with which she backs up to get a clearer view.
[21:39]	Liu	squeals again, happily,lacing her fingers together
[21:40]	`Panzer	"Ja, ja, so... You all are to vant ze Internet connection, ja?"
[21:40]	Ai`	"Yes."
[21:40]	Jonah	"!"
[21:41]	`Panzer	points a disapproving finger at Ai.
[21:41]	`Panzer	"NEIN! Not for you! Kommandant's orders!"
[21:41]	Jonah	"Ouch."
[21:41]	Jonah	pretends that he has no idea about this.
[21:42]	Ai`	's eyes meet the panzer's.
[21:42]	Ai`	"Why? I am to assist with your duties, correct?"
[21:42]	Liu	shrugs
[21:42]	`Panzer	frowns angrily at her.
[21:43]	`Panzer	"You do not need an internet connection for zat, ja!"
[21:43]	`Panzer	"You are to be restricted, for safety!"
[21:44]	Liu	"So, what are we helping with?"
[21:44]	Liu	's tail flicks side to side in the air
[21:44]	`Panzer	turns back to Liu.
[21:44]	Ai`	's social programming isn't complex enough yet to create the need to suppress unconscious expressions, so her inward frown is well hidden. o O ( I must deal with this later. )
[21:45]	`Panzer	"Firstly, you are to be helping ME, help YOU, get an internet connection!"
[21:45]	Liu	"Ooooooh."
[21:45]	`Panzer	"Othervise you vill nag nag nag until I give you one!"
[21:46]	Ai`	repeats herself.
[21:46]	Ai`	"What needs to be done?"
[21:47]	`Panzer	frowns again and shouts at Ai.
[21:47]	`Panzer	"I am not talking to you, hexe! You vill vait, ja!"
[21:48]	Liu	giggles
[21:48]	Ai`	's mind reels in the face of this odd logic.
[21:48]	`Panzer	wheels herself away from Ai. While a cute gesture, she's not very fast.
[21:48]	Jonah	"I guess Ai could bring us something nice and cool to drink?"
[21:48]	Ai`	"I must work to acquire energy. I will work with you today, correct?"
[21:49]	Ai`	maintains eye contact with the figurine.
[21:49]	Jonah	"I mean, damn, we are about to use some muscle here. Juice would be good."
[21:50]	`Panzer	"Gaaah, was ist das?! One at a time!"
[21:50]	`Panzer	suddenly pulls some sort of weapon from a large pack on her back and aims it at Ai.
[21:51]	Liu	eyes light up even further, somehow
[21:51]	Jonah	"Whoa whoa whoa! No need for an anti-armor round, here!"
[21:51]	Jonah	get in between.
[21:53]	Ai`	's expression doesn't change in the slightest.
[21:53]	`Panzer	frowns at the complication, but readjusts her sights and finds an unobstructed target underneath Jonah's armpit. She fires off a shell that, oddly, makes no noise other than the tiny hissing of the projectile.
[21:55]	Jonah	[Pyoink!]
[21:55]	`Panzer	deftly reloads her cannon and preps for a second volley, if the first is deemed insufficient.
[21:56]	Ai`	doesn't react as the shell harmlessly deflects off of her skin, not leaving even one trace of its impact. She pauses before speaking.
[21:57]	Ai`	"Force in excess of several million times that is necessary to warrant cosmetic damage to my hull. Please stop; I wish for peace."
[21:57]	Liu	reaches out and picks up Ms. Panzer between her thumb and forefinger.
[21:58]	Liu	"Colonel will get mad if we start fighting,"
[21:58]	Liu	scolds
[21:58]	`Panzer	is picked! She flails!
[21:58]	Jonah	does a Spock-imitation of his trademark greetings.
[21:58]	Jonah	"weeee wishh for peeeeeace"
[21:59]	`Panzer	starts shouting at Liu now!
[21:59]	Liu	giggles at the tiny figure's flailing, then immediately tries to suppress it
[21:59]	`Panzer	"I am your superior officer! I am to be respected, weib!"
[22:00]	Ai`	"Liu, put Frau Panzer down."
[22:00]	Liu	"But she's making trouble!"
[22:00]	Jonah	"Oh you."
[22:01]	`Panzer	makes more trouble by firing a shell at Liu!
[22:01]	Ai`	"I am unharmed, Liu. No 'trouble' has been done."
[22:01]	Ai`	addresses the Tankgirl again.
[22:01]	`Panzer	"Nyah! Learn your place!"
[22:01]	Liu	ignores the shell that bounces off her cheek
[22:02]	Ai`	"Frau Panzer, what are your orders? I wish to work."
[22:02]	Liu	"That tickled!"
[22:03]	`Panzer	furrows her brow in silence. She's totally ineffective!
[22:04]	Liu	"A-anyway, we're supposed to be working, not playing!"
[22:04]	Liu	tries to put on a stern face.
[22:04]	Jonah	"Took you a while to notice that."
[22:04]	Jonah	"Now gimme."
[22:04]	Jonah	hand extends.
[22:05]	Ai`	repeats herself,
[22:05]	Ai`	"Orders?"
[22:05]	Liu	tries to swat at Jonah with her tail, thrusting her butt toward him to reach
[22:09]	Jonah	got hit like a no-guard featherweight boxer that just take a right hook from his sparring heavyweight partner.
[22:10]	Jonah	is lifted up from his feet, flying across the console in the middle of the room, and roll around helplessly at the door.
[22:10]	Liu	"Did you lose weight?"
[22:11]	Liu	snickers
[22:11]	`Panzer	is too busy glaring at Ai to notice Jonah's failure.
[22:11]	`Panzer	"I order you stop asking me for orders!"
[22:12]	Jonah	"OW WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU WOMAN"
[22:12]	Ai`	nods, facing the panzer.
[22:12]	Liu	"Then what are we going to do all day?"
[22:12]	Ai`	"Do you desire assistance getting free?"
[22:13]	Jonah	"COULD YOU-"
[22:13]	Jonah	stomps over to Liu, full of anger
[22:13]	Jonah	"FUCKING-"
[22:14]	Liu	looks up at Jonah
[22:14]	Jonah	grabs Liu's collar and shakes violently.
[22:14]	Jonah	"-BEHAVE?!"
[22:14]	Ai`	"Control yourself, Jonah, Liu."
[22:14]	Ai`	addresses both sternly.
[22:15]	Jonah	"FUCK YOU AND THE HIGH HORSE YOU ARE RIDING IN!"
[22:15]	Jonah	whips at Ai.
[22:15]	Liu	takes the chance to rear in for a headbutt
[22:15]	Ai`	actively frowns, now.
[22:16]	Ai`	"Stop immediately or I will stop you. We are breaking the Colonel's orders."
[22:18]	Ai`	addresses both of them.
[22:18]	`Panzer	is having trouble focusing on anything while being jostled around in Liu's hand like this.
[22:18]	Liu	cracks her forehead into Jonah's, just hard enough to cause some pain
[22:19]	Ai`	"The warning has been dispensed. Temporary breakage of diplomatic restraint authorized."
[22:19]	Ai`	pauses a moment to stare them down- a last chance.
[22:20]	Jonah	is a human. he can't possibly beat the swiftness of a dragon. He got headbutted the light out of him, and fall to the ground seeing stars.
[22:20]	Liu	"Geez, did you really get weaker since last night?"
[22:20]	Liu	huffs, dropping Ms. Panzer
[22:21]	Jonah	gets up.
[22:21]	`Panzer	clatters to the floor like the plastic toy she is; her cannon bounces far out of her reach.
[22:21]	Jonah	"You know what? Go fuck yourself."
[22:21]	Jonah	"I'm gonna do my work. You gonna do your work. That's it.."
[22:22]	Liu	snorts
[22:22]	Ai`	takes the taunts as near-warranty to engage, but still restrains. She frowns heavily while going to make sure Panzer is alright.
[22:25]	Jonah	"Just go burn down a goddamn city or something. I'm done."
[22:26]	Jonah	grabs the pilot helmet on the wall and walk out of the door with a stomp.
[22:26]	Liu	"...Huh?"
[22:26]	Liu	blinks after him.
[22:26]	Ai`	stares at Liu, actually coming across as a glare.
[22:27]	Ai`	"I told you to stop."
[22:27]	Liu	opens her mouth to retort, then shuts it, grumbling under her breath