Hangar number nine is an unused part of the Ames Research station. It's not even connected to the main hangar, one would call it a parking slot of the station. The lights were only turned on dimly, for the sake of power conservation. This was the place where the Faceless was taken. Scratch marks were seen on the hull plates, where the escape pod was dragged. Still, the pod seemed to be mostly undamaged. A few ports, and cables disconnected on the side were the marks of the extraction. Three lights blinking on the side indicated, that the power wasn't exactly gone from the device.
Right besides the pod, there was a black box. Not exactly in top shape, disconnected from the power, as it did not seem to be operational. A few stains of dried blood marked the othewise battered box. Upon closer inspection, it could be seen, that the blood was probably on since it was delivered there.
Still. Something was off. The pod was closed, yet there were wires placed on the side, as if they were torn off previously. A small screen on the side of the pod just displayed one word, making it flash every 4 seconds:
Rachel Snow. A relaxed figure approaches one of the closed rooms within Ames. Eying the nameplate outside the door, reading it as 'Hangar Bay 009'.
She was dressed in long sleeves and jeans. A slight bulge in her pocket where a small Neural Net interface was housed. Reaching down to her hip, she pulls a card on a reel away slightly, only to swipe it in the doors access slot. The light above flipping green for a few seconds, enough for her to enter the room.
Rachel was here after a coworker asked her to check out something which was supposedly concerning. Something regarding a computer of sorts, which has been discovered and brought into Ames. Stretching out her arms slightly would reveal a printed image on the back of the blue shirt. "Ingenuus Research"
She'd set her eyes on the contents of the room. Gaze moving up to the large pod placed at the edge opposite to the entrance. - Turning back to make sure the hangar was locked, she'd start to move over to the beat up housing. Running her hands along the sides gently, checking for things like temperature.
Rachel was very well aware that Thallia Thorn was someone to worry about these things. She herself had a gut feeling that there would be nothing to find. Some data, perhaps. Though bringing in Ingenuus for something like that was a little silly. Well, no matter. They did run Ames, perhaps it was their responsibility the moment that it was dropped off for whatever sort of pay the outsiders wanted for it. Whatever.
The scientist would sink down to her knees. Eying the ports and cords which were removed in a violent fashion. Checking what sort of cabling it was. Power? Data? Where did they lead?
The flashing light would bring her attention over to the small screen. Running a finger over it lazily. Empty, huh. A blackbox was really darn resilient. Not to mention deleting things from standard boxes is never easy, unless you mess with the hardware. It must have really been through something rough while this used to be out in space.
Reaching a hand upwards, Rachel would run a hand over the blood stains. Licking her lips slightly with a quiet chuckle. Someone certainly thought this was important enough to be injuried around. Well. No matter. It's not like it was any use now.
Standing up, she'd give the pod one more look-over. Mentally noting to bring in some computer equipment to run some diagnostics on the system. There really wasn't much more one could do by hand.
The surface of the escape pod was, as expected a cold metallic surface. Some scratches could be seen on it's exterior, possibly due to the work done on the piece of equipment. It was a highly modified escape pod, several data cables on the inside. Still, the cabin had an arm-chair like structure, with a large cable at the bottom. A power outlet. The inside was surprisingly hot. A metallic smell oozing from the structure. Like a unit especially built for charging, and power storage. Whatever was charged here decided to leave rather quickly. Tearing some of the cables in the process.
Upon closer inspection, the black box revealed it's true nature. It was more like a case, with two bolts locking it tightly. A port on a side, which was apparently connected to something before. The trail of blood leading to the cracks, where the bolts were. Already dried there. Recording flight logs were probably the last thing this machine did.
As she went closer to the pod, she could hear footsteps. Coming from one of the darker corners of the hangar. Cadent steps, yet not marching. Someone possibly got locked in, as she entered the hangar?
When she turns around, a rather feminine figure would be standing in one of the darker spots. A fabric, resembling a black cowl was wrapped around her. Moving another step closer, almost methodically.
"Can I help you?"
The emphasis was on the word: "I". Her tone was a little off though, but definitely sounding like a woman. Even if the sound itslef could be considered slightly....robotic.
Rachel would wince slightly. Having made a few assumptions as to what this pod might have been. She was aware that some people were a little crazy with the cybernetics, although this was a little.. out there. Whatever. It wasn't her concern, whatever it might have been, it was gone now. Perhaps hurting slightly too, seeing that there were some marks of blood for whatever reason.
Rachel would ignore whatever started to approach her from behind for a few more minutes, finishing up her observations. Frowning slightly hearing the voice. Rolling her shoulder, a quiet 'crack' emanates through the spacious hangar. Turning, she'd eye the figure. "If you're offering, I suppose I could use a diagnostics toolset. Though beyond that, there isn't much you can do for me." Rachel didn't appear to be too suspicious of the person. The noise the newcomer was making was a bit weird, fine. Though what sort of person with malicious intent asks what needed to be done.
"You're more than welcome to irritate anyone out there. Tell them the boss-lady sent you, they should act pretty hastily and get one for you." - Sliding her hands in her pockets. "Unless you'd like to give me your opinion on the piece of junk back there." Jabbing a finger towards the pod. "There are too many cables. It's a little obnoxious even. I don't suppose you're an engineer around here, are you?" The abundance of cables irritated Rachel. Though of course there were a lot of things that did that. A complete and utter lack of efficient power and data management - It clearly had something to do with machines. Then again. Thallia most likely wouldn't have been so worried if it didn't.
The female figure slowly starting to walk closer to Rachel. Her movements now had a clear noise, which resembled the friction between metal parts. As her joints moved, so did the noises occur. Hearing the crack, her head strangely moved in the direction of the sound. Now the light shining on the head of the figure. Even though the cowl was no longer on her head, a black visor of some sort blocked her vision. One thing was apparent. It wasn't transparent.
"Diagnostics?"
Yet again. Something was really odd with her tone. As if a tin can was integrated into her vocal chords.
"I don't recall anyone in my records being the.... 'boss-lady'. Nor would I call something that is not in your posession, a piece of junk." Yet again, her posture reacting rapidly at the movement of her finger. A few seconds have passed, till her face slowly started turning towards the black box. Moving closer towards the object slowly, as she recognized something on it. A different color, that wasn't supposed to be there. That 'paint' being organic. "Obnoxious? I'd say, necessary."
Rachel merely glares deadpan at the weird figure. A few assumptions going through her head. She didn't care. It didn't interest her very much.
Blind. Or perhaps augmentation. Not that it mattered very much. "I need to give something back to Ingenuus' staff, so they will stop bugging Thallia about this thing. Just some bulk data. Information about the thing. It doesn't need to mean anything. I doubt it will anyways."
Crossing her arms, Rachel would slump forwards slightly in her stance tiredly. "I suppose i'm not the big boss in the end." Closing her eyes. A little irritated. She wasn't sure why, though there was a slight pressure against her temples. A feeling like things were going to get confusing in a little bit. She didn't like this. - Her observations on the figure in front of her made her convinced that she was full of augmentations. One of those people.. The joints.. The noise..
"It's a personal opinion, dear. The design is a little irritating. Though I suppose i'm merely used to having a budget where I can get away from constructions in formats like that. It's not necessarily bad. It clearly worked. At least for a little while."
Rachel came to the conclusion that she was probably going to have to get the kit herself. No matter. She was here for another few hours anyways before going home.
"Fiber optics transfer data at intimidating rates. Take into account the micro-technology, the bundles inside data cables have bandwidth capacities which quite frankly are a little overkill for a mere pod. That tells me one of two things." Holding up a finger. "One. It's cheap. I doubt that this is the case. Two, whatever used the machine doesn't have a proper core. Or if there is some sort of core, it's not threaded properly as to make use of a single cable. The price can be lower with some software adjustments and a input-output bus change."
Rachel sighs. "Well. These are just senseless observations. I don't know, nor really care if it's true or not. A diagnostics kit will make me a little more confident. I'm.. sure you have some idea of what i'm saying. Even augmentations on a human body require a core to handle all of the processing. Provided you yourself appear to have some of those integrated into you, you'd be more than aware of how it's all connected."
Pausing.
"Usually. I guess there are some wacky designs out there.. I'm just a little biased with what i've learned over the years.."
"Bulk data. Which aspects of the device are considered important by the.... organisation you have mentioned? Specifics? Uses? Power supply?" The figure listened to her, showing interest. Or at least, it appeared to be like that. The only visible feature on her face would be her mouth. But, she showed no expressions.
"That is correct. I don't really having yourself mentioned to me as such. Or being mentioned at all, in the first place." The figure moving closer to the black box, fascinated by it. At least, showing much more interest towards that object, than towards Rachel.
"It's a design of necessity. Every piece, every wire has its own function. Even though the main data connection could, and can do all the required information exchange alone. The small ones are just for double, or triple checking. Or, in case some damage happens to the main cable. Third option, the cables themselves are resources, to be used if needed." Comes a surprisingly detailed 'idea' on the wire jungle.
"No wonder why you would need those diagnosis devices. Some of these assumptions are even an insult towards the designer." The last sentence was toned down, resulting in a deeper, slightly more metallic noise.
"Human body?" The figure shakes her head. "If Nathan was to hear that, he would reply something along the lines of how flattering you are. I'm afraid what you consider augmentations, are just parts of me. Necessary parts, to my appearance, and to have connection with the outside world, beyond the data flow of the neural net."
That statement made it rather clear. The figure, was the inhabitant of that metal casing previously.
"I don't really know what the importance is. I don't really care very much either. If it's something that I haven't seen before, perhaps it'd be something to keep me busy. Otherwise it's just something to write a report with and leave for another time." Eying the figure step over to the box. Rachel immediately figures out why she felt a headache coming on.
"You clearly seem to know a lot about whatever this might me. Or at least the subject. Redundancy. I guess that's probably a valid concern with a mess like that.." Rachel would take a few steps closer to the figure. "I work with a business and develop experimental breakthroughs in physics. I'm not an electrical engineer. Perhaps i'd be a little insulting, though I'm self confident that I could do better given a month to do proper research and run through the design process." - Rachel grins slightly. "Though I am just a little overconfident in myself. Runs in the family."
Nathan. Perhaps a name to remember. "I suppose you have an explanation for me, then? - After all, if you were in that piece of ju-.." Catching herself. "Pod over there, you're technically my responsibility to deal with at least temporarily. Perhaps you're a little lucky that I caught you instead of Thallia, she'd have a much different reaction.."
Rachel was still unconsciously processing what the statements made by the other figure actually entailed.
"Why the appearance that you've cho-.." - The Scientist trails off. Her fist clenching and unclenching slowly as she begins to understand what was standing in front of her, if the figure wasn't merely making up things on the spot. "I.. See.. Am I supposed to actually b-believe you, and not just write you off as someone who perhaps likes tinkering with automation a little too much?" - Testing the figure slightly. Rachel perhaps was in slight denial.
"The importance? I can shed some light on that. It is a device to keep me, as you would say, alive, and functioning. Think of it as a charger, and a diagnostic tool. It is supposed to be connected to a vessel. I'm sure you know the circumstances, why that is not possible at the moment." The creature slowly kneeling down in front of the black box. Metal colliding with metal, as her joints hit the floor gently. She reaches over the two bolts. Her hands appear to look rather humanoid. It certainly has a layer of artificial matter, that resembles skin. With stringent movements, the fingers rotate in directions, that would cause bone fractures to a human. The two mechanical hands locking on the bolts of the box. After a small thumping noise, both bolt fall flat on the ground. The figure opening the black box.
"While I do appreciate your ideas, and the self confidence you have displayed, I would like to avoid anything, that comes with the disassembly of this pod. After all, it is an important asset to me."
The figure slowly stands up, and turns towards the human female. Clasping her hands together, as her fingers rotate back to their original places. "While I do not have the capacity to get offended over insults, like calling that machine junk, I would like to ask you kindly, to refrain from that." That sentence was everything, but kind, as her intonation went of the charts, at the word "junk".
"As for explanations. First, state, in what regards would you like to receive them?"
"An understandable reaction. Very well." The figure slowly reaching up to her visor. Slowly moving it upwards, just to reveal what is under it, or rather, what is missing. The machine did not have eyes. Everything under the visor was just a smooth, metallic plate. "Nathan left me with the decision to fabricate my own face. This is as far as I got." Since, she was quite sure that even this wouldn't completely convinced the scientist, she turns around. Lifting up a piece of the fabric that was covering her back. The artificial skin opening in four directions, like a hangar bay. Showing a large terminal, or interface cable. One, that could possibly connect with the wide one in the pod. However, the machine turns back around a quickly. Not liking to display the vulnerable spot for too long, to a completely unknown person.
Rachel winces. Why the hell did she have to deal with something like this. – She was hoping that all she’d have to do is run some silly little tests, and walk away. This... This was certainly something unwelcome.
“Great. Fine. You’re something which now most certainly is my responsibility. I’m sure even an... artificial thing can tell what I think about that.” Watching the thing unbolt the casing of the box. “I suppose that depends on what’s found when we poke around later on. Whether you like it or not, it’s sorta taking up space on Ames. While this place is used for storage mainly, that’s.. not the smallest piece around.”
She frowns. Did it seriously sound a little irritated when she almost called it junk? Who the heck programmed this.. thing. Nathan? Whoever that was. Emotional algorithms always were very, very fake when they were showed off at high school science fairs. Though perhaps it was the word choice rather than emotion which was a little interesting.
“Verbally, obviously.” She says flatly. Glaring at whatever manifestation the other figure might be. – Rachel watches cautiously as it shows off the lack of face, and the large ports within it’s body. “Damn it Thallia..” She breathes out. Rubbing her forehead gently.
“What were you planning to do. Camp out uninvited for a considerable amount of time?” After all, it’s been a few days since Rachel was asked by Thallia to check things out. What was it doing? Just sitting in a corner? “And.. I suppose the more pressing, and the question I don’t exactly want to think about right now.. What am I supposed to do with you.”