7. Public + messages to David & Iris

[exnihilo]

[Private to David 8]

I wasn't any different there. That I could tell.



[Public, voice]

How many people have you been? How many people have you pretended to be?

[She's not sure where exactly the distinction is between these things.]

You may estimate.



[Private to Iris]

I'd like to be allowed in the labs. I've been researching hydroponics.

Comments

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

No.

I've grown accustomed to myself, and have no desire to be anyone else.

[Private]

[exnihilo]

So you chose not to.

[This is different from the task being impossible.]

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

I choose to keep my mind autonomous.

[Private]

[exnihilo]

From what?

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

From those who seek to make it their own.

[Private]

[exnihilo]

No, I mean, who specifically? Who seeks that, from you, where you come from?

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

From many different people, depending on where and when you're looking. I imagine the Scarran race, mainly, but I have other enemies.

[Private]

[exnihilo]

I assume some of those enemies made attempts.

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Early and often.

[Private]

[exnihilo]

What did they want to use you for?

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Curiosity. A litmus test, to see what their race - and other races - are capable of.

[Private]

[exnihilo]

That's a very broad question.

[There's a dour note to her voice. It's bad qualitative science, allows for too many variables to interpret cleanly.]

[Private]

[keeps_a_cool_head]

Intelligence was never a defining trait of their species. They value strength above all else; cunning has little place within their ranks.