Island of Misfit Toys 18

[21:52:14] <`GM> [Life continues on the island as what would be normal for anyone but the new residents.  In response to Ai's sudden arrival the Colonel has ordered the rift laboratory removed of all but essential monitoring equipment, and sends Ai and Jonah to assist Dr. Wallberg.]
[22:04:02] * Jonah is the one driving now. The HMMWV drives steadily alongside the vast area the island covers.
[22:04:06] <Jonah> "..."
[22:04:54] * Jonah doesn't actually have anything else in mind.
[22:05:28] * Ai` stares at Jonah, then the steering wheel, then the pedals, slowly deconstructing what constitutes the verb "drive".
[22:06:52] <Jonah> [the drive is uneventful, and the party arrives.]
[22:09:17] * Ai` disembarks, continuing to stare at Jonah. Every few seconds, her part of focus changes.
[22:09:19] <Ai`> "..."
[22:09:40] <Jonah> "..."
[22:09:50] * Jonah is a little uncomfortable being stared at.
[22:09:56] <Jonah> "Uh, need anythin'?"
[22:12:25] <Ai`> "The way you move. Human physiology is unknown."
[22:12:53] <Ai`> For the first time perhaps all day, Ai looks up to meet Jonah's eyes with her own.
[22:13:09] <Ai`> "I must learn it to emulate it. You are the nearest example."
[22:15:45] <Jonah> "Iiiiiiiii guess?"
[22:15:57] * Jonah oh boy this is kinda pressuring me
[22:16:10] <`GM> [Wallberg is busy carrying a computer tower out of the lab and onto a growing pile of tech equipment and other heavy-duty plastic totes.  He's a bit more "properly" dressed today, wearing gloves, goggles, and a bandana around his mouth to cover the more eerie parts of his body]
[22:16:46] * Jonah , now totally aware of being observed, awkwardly greets Walhberg.
[22:16:56] <Jonah> "H-Hi! Good weather today!"
[22:18:05] * Wallberg looks up and nods.
[22:18:19] * Ai` turns precisely ninety degrees to face Wallberg.
[22:18:21] <Ai`> "Hello."
[22:18:23] <Wallberg> "Hope it stays like this long enough to move the gear."
[22:18:52] <Wallberg> "Hi Ai.  You're looking good today yourself!  How's Earth treatin' ya?"
[22:18:58] <Jonah> "Oh yeah. Grunt work, eh? I'm on it."
[22:19:12] * Jonah folds his sleeves up and prepare to carry things.
[22:19:50] <Wallberg> "Work on the stuff near the server racks; anything loose can get taken out."
[22:20:06] * Wallberg takes off his glove and offers a handshake to Ai.
[22:20:11] <Ai`> "Better than expected."
[22:21:40] <Ai`> She almost moves to follow Jonah, but stops. After observing Wallberg's hand for a short moment, she grasps it and gives it one quick shake before moving.
[22:22:07] <Ai`> The grip is light, resembling more of a limp fish than a proper handshake.
[22:22:07] <Jonah> "Doesn't this place have more manpower than this? I mean, there should be someone helping you. You're all by yourself, man."
[22:22:44] * Jonah starts carrying a rack-type servers out. Two of them in both arms.
[22:23:02] * Wallberg tries to compensate for the limp fish by shaking harder himself.
[22:23:43] <Wallberg> "You gotta squeeze a bit harder, but not TOO hard.  Well, ehh...  You'll get used to it."
[22:24:03] * Wallberg slips the glove back on and checks what Jonah's carrying out.
[22:24:19] <Ai`> Ai responds without turning. "Noted. Thank you."
[22:24:52] <Wallberg> "You'd think, but the Colonel..."
[22:25:05] * Wallberg considers not continuing the sentence.
[22:25:32] <Wallberg> "Yeah, I'll just say it, he's paranoid.  Doesn't want us getting too used to the rift."
[22:26:14] <Wallberg> "That's why we're moving the servers.  Anything bad comes outta there and they're toast."
[22:26:42] * Wallberg heads back inside and asks Ai to help him start wheeling the large tower racks out.
[22:26:54] <Ai`> After arriving at a server rack, Ai stops and checks for any cameras or observers.
[22:27:53] * Wallberg is observing her all right.
[22:28:35] <Ai`> "How does this move?"
[22:29:00] * Wallberg kicks the base, which has robust rubber wheels.
[22:29:09] <Jonah> "Eh, true. But I mean there's no one helping you carrying all these shit?"
[22:29:18] * Jonah place it on the HMMWV.
[22:29:29] <Wallberg> "There's you, Joe~"
[22:29:30] <Ai`> "Understood."
[22:29:56] <Jonah> "Whew. Like, it's like he doesn't want anyone coming in contact with you guys. Kinda, like, third-rate citizen, nahmean?"
[22:30:14] * Ai` moves to the side of one and pushes.
[22:30:17] <Ai`> "..."
[22:30:23] * Jonah go back for round two. His mouth moves, but so does his body. Multitasking is the main forte' of being a pilot.
[22:30:56] * Wallberg helps her push, because he is a man!  They make minimal progress...
[22:31:47] <Jonah> "Oh man look at you guys."
[22:31:59] * Jonah shoos them away and push it himself.
[22:32:04] <Wallberg> "I don't know, Joe, I haven't been here much longer than you.  Ngggh, I'm sure he could get those Air Force guys to help if he wanted to."
[22:32:22] <Ai`> The wheels barely rotate under Ai's power, but with Wallberg, things move at a decent pace.
[22:32:28] <Jonah> "Do you even lift?"
[22:33:16] * Wallberg moves to the side and lets Jonah do the heavy pushing.
[22:33:59] * Ai` watches Jonah go.
[22:34:04] <Wallberg> "Well, now, that's an interesting question.  It's been...  Yes, interesting.  I mean, obviously, I'm not exactly... human, anymore?"
[22:34:37] <Jonah> "Human or not, still not a reason to not workout. That's just plain lazy, man."
[22:34:52] <Ai`> "'Work out'?"
[22:35:08] <Ai`> "Work... outside?"
[22:35:24] <Jonah> "Strengthen one's body through excessive use of limb so it's more accustomed to hard work, I guess?"
[22:35:33] <Ai`> Ai's incomplete lingo shows through.
[22:35:34] <Jonah> "speaking scientifically."
[22:35:48] <Ai`> "Exercise. Understood."
[22:36:01] * Wallberg sighs and rolls back his sleeve for Jonah to see again, in case he forgot.  His arm is made up of some peach-tan goo, with nerves and bones running through it.
[22:36:25] <Wallberg> "I don't think it would do me much good anymore, man."
[22:36:39] <Jonah> "oh. Wow. bugger. Sorry about that."
[22:36:49] * Jonah starts offloading.
[22:37:02] <Wallberg> "No no, don't be, it's a fascinating research topic!  All of this is!"
[22:38:22] <Ai`> "Agreed."
[22:38:46] <Wallberg> "My body is slowly degenerating into some transparent malleable substance that still functions as if it were skin and muscle.  In time I hypothesize that the bones with degenerate as well, maybe even the organs!"
[22:39:01] * Wallberg is unnecessarily excited about this.
[22:39:25] <Wallberg> "But lower and upper brain function is not inhibited in any way!  It's incredible!"
[22:39:54] <Jonah> "so you are going to become some kind of goo monster with human head attached on top of it?"
[22:40:07] * Wallberg shrugs.
[22:40:14] <Jonah> "I wouldn't be exciting about this--- Ai, help me roll those RJ45 cable up."
[22:40:35] * Jonah now working on those UPSes. Damn these things are heavy!
[22:41:31] * Wallberg makes himself useful by transferring data from the old computers to the ones that will remain at the lab.
[22:41:49] <Ai`> "Understood."
[22:42:13] <Ai`> She sets about her next task without delay, except to scan any new technology.
[22:42:30] <Wallberg> "Why wouldn't you be, Moors?  This is magic, brother!  And we're in the middle of it!  The first to study it and everything!"
[22:44:20] <Jonah> "I'm not the scholar type, thankfully. Handling a raging dragon titmonster is enough fun for a lifetime."
[22:45:03] * Wallberg glances over at Ai.  No, she wouldn't care... would she?
[22:46:05] <Wallberg> "Heh...  She's sure got plenty to handle, THAT'S for sure.  You lucked out, bro."
[22:46:58] <Jonah> "man, but she sure is bouncy, if you know what I mean. Meat where there's suppose to be meat."
[22:47:19] * Jonah initiates a basic bro-discussion. Checking out gals.
[22:47:31] * Wallberg is SO glad Ai probably doesn't care.
[22:48:03] <Ai`> Ai quietly collects curious linguistic data from the side. Far as anyone can tell, she's not thinking about anything.
[22:48:33] <Wallberg> "I hear you, Joe.  You just can't find that on THIS Earth.  She's not off-balance or anything; she's got a back on her, I tell you what!"
[22:49:14] <Wallberg> "Though, you know, I bet it's that tail!  Keeps her from falling forwards~"
[22:49:48] <Jonah> "Heh. Talk about balancin'!"
[22:50:09] <Jonah> "if she cut that punch-people-randomly shit out, She'll be one fine dame, y'hear me?"
[22:50:35] * Jonah finished carrying a couple of USPs. The hard work's done.
[22:50:52] <Jonah> "...now for the tower case. Can't carry this on my own."
[22:51:08] * Ai` continues to wrangle cable. There's a lot of it.
[22:51:09] <Wallberg> "Bet she's just telling you she likes you.  That's how all teenagers act.  It's so cute."
[22:51:33] * Jonah wrestles with Tower case a bit---
[22:52:08] <Jonah> "Nnnnngh--!! She's very well past 'teen' if you ask me. Isn't dragons suppose to, like, age a hundred years or somethin'?"
[22:53:01] <Wallberg> "An excellent hypothesis, good sir.  Good luck asking her, though!"
[22:53:20] <Jonah> "a big nope on that!"
[22:53:29] * Wallberg keeps catching glances at Ai during the conversation.  Yeah...  Yeah, that'd be nice...  If it could happen at all...
[22:54:02] <Wallberg> "Oh yeah, hey, Ai! Didn't you say you were looking for power or something a while back?"
[22:54:35] <Ai`> She immediately halts and stands, facing Wallberg.
[22:54:39] <Ai`> "Yes. It is a priority."
[22:56:45] * Wallberg motions her to the back of the dome, then second-guesses himself and stops.
[22:56:56] <Wallberg> "No, wait...  Yeah, outside would be better..."
[22:57:08] * Wallberg explains to her directly.
[22:58:26] * Ai` follows without a word.
[22:58:36] <Wallberg> "See, since we're not running the servers out here anymore I'll have to tell Tank Girl how to reallocate the power on the island, but I could probably leave a little extra out here."
[22:59:23] <Wallberg> "What voltage do you use?"
[23:03:30] <Ai`> "Any power supply will suffice. Maximum power stream is preferred."
[23:04:41] * Wallberg rolls his eyes behind his goggles.
[23:05:20] <Wallberg> "Well, yes, of course, but I mean...  I can't give you ALL...  Ehh..."
[23:05:55] * Jonah 's curses can be heard as he probably stumbled over some junk.
[23:06:18] <Jonah> 'blasted place is friggin' mess!'
[23:06:41] * Wallberg tries not to stare at Ai as he deliberates over whether or not to grab a transformer.  Her skin is just so interesting...
[23:06:59] <Wallberg> "Oh, uhh, y-yeah, sorry!  Moving day, it happens!"
[23:07:47] <Wallberg> "Nrrrrgggg...!  Oh, fine, but you have to PROMISE not to take too much or I'm gonna get in trouble, all right?"
[23:08:23] * Ai` tries to emulate a smile. It's stiff, but the message is clear.
[23:08:58] <Ai`> "Provide data on this building's normal power drain before and after server relocation. No anomalies will be detected if data is accurate."
[23:10:53] <Wallberg> "Yeah, yeah...  If I can slip it past Panzy.  At least she's just the communications pro and not the electronics pro.  I can do it~!"
[23:11:29] <Wallberg> "I'll get you the stats, maybe today, maybe tomorrow."
[23:11:45] * Ai` 's smile widens a just a bit beyond normal human physiology and thoroughly into the uncanny valley.
[23:11:54] <Jonah> "Hey Wally. You are a genius, right? Make a portable charger for her. She'll like it."
[23:11:55] <Ai`> "Understood."
[23:12:07] <Jonah> "Like the one with crank or somethin'."
[23:12:20] * Jonah manage to carry tower case onto the trolley.
[23:12:39] * Wallberg looks away from the creepy smile.  Okay, that totally ruined the mood.
[23:13:06] <Wallberg> "Ahh, yeah, you might wanna...  Ehh, never mind."
[23:13:22] <Ai`> The smile disappears.
[23:13:33] <Ai`> "What is it? All advice is appreciated."
[23:13:51] * Wallberg leads her outside behind the dome, when the power box is located.
[23:14:14] <Wallberg> "No, no, it's fine, forget it, really!"
[23:16:06] * Wallberg tosses Ai a key.
[23:19:21] * Ai` reaches to grab it in an awkward lunge and promptly faceplants in an dull metallic thud.
[23:19:37] <Ai`> Her hand rests atop the key, however.
[23:19:53] * Wallberg crouches down to help her.
[23:20:24] <Wallberg> "Ahh, crud, sorry, sorry, my fault, bad throw!  You got it?"
[23:20:43] * Wallberg starts looking in the grass for the key, not knowing she has it.
[23:21:21] * Ai` lifts herself up. There's no sign of the key.
[23:21:24] <Ai`> "I do."
[23:25:34] <Wallberg> "Oh okay, good; that's the only spare, take care of it!"
[23:26:12] <Ai`> "I will."
[23:28:20] * Wallberg uses the main key to open up the power box.
[23:29:39] <Wallberg> "Now, I mean, I guess you can probably tell what's what by feeling it, but anyways, just splice off of this line here, okay?  Don't mess with the other ones."
[23:31:49] <Ai`> "Please designate one specific line."
[23:31:53] <Ai`> She walks over and looks.
[23:33:07] * Wallberg points to a thick red rubber-sheathed tube.
[23:34:00] <Wallberg> "You'll have to cut the insulation, so find some electrical tape, or I guess I can find you some."
[23:34:10] <Ai`> The aliendroid responds with her usual, followed by a nod.
[23:34:36] <Ai`> "Understood. No sealant will be necessary."
[23:36:53] <Wallberg> "And keep this quiet, okay?!  We both know the Colonel's way too paranoid about not doing things by the book."
[23:37:05] <Ai`> She nods once more.
[23:38:45] * Wallberg heads back to Jonah, who's doing very well at what both of them are lame at doing.
[23:40:08] <Ai`> Ai follows.
[23:41:56] <Wallberg> "Ahh, uhh, actually, Joe, I'm gonna keep that monitor here.  Thanks, though!"
[23:43:20] * Wallberg heads back inside to just get a good idea of what's still left.
[23:43:28] <Jonah> "Gotcha!"
[23:43:56] <Jonah> "This is great. I've been slacking off with working out lately. This really helps."
[23:44:52] <Wallberg> [The inside of the dome is a cavernous void now, more or less.  A tiny computer workstation near the door is all that's left; any critical monitoring equipment has been moved into the saferoom.]
[23:45:19] * Jonah took off his tops while he's working.
[23:46:11] <Wallberg> "Sigh...  It's just not the same."
[23:46:22] * Wallberg actually says "sigh".
[23:48:30] <Wallberg> "I mean, yes, now I'm TECHNICALLY more safe if anything dangerous comes out of there, but come on, first contact!"
[23:49:34] <Wallberg> "And really, it's just one steel wall between me and the rift.  I'm pretty sure most dangerous things can get through a steel wall."
[23:51:06] <Ai`> "This building should still function."
[23:52:46] * Wallberg sighs and shakes his head.
[23:53:05] <Wallberg> "But it's not the SAME.  I liked it better when it was more dangerous..."
[23:54:24] <Ai`> "Understood."
[23:54:44] <Ai`> It's a paradox, but only one of many that Ai has observed so far.
[00:01:23] <Jonah> "I'm not judging, but you like yourself in Goo form."
[00:01:35] <Jonah> "You one sick puppy, man."
[00:02:24] * Jonah look around for some thirst quencher. Carrying all these stuff is tiring.