Wear, tear, and rust. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
weartearrust) wrote2024-07-10 05:31 am
weartearrust) wrote2024-07-10 05:31 am
When it's a new arrival, it's usually because they think they can fight their way out; the Admiral's crap at intake and never brings anybody up to speed before throwing them in the deep end.
When it's somebody who's been here a while - it's usually because they're pissed off, and they aren't thinking about the long-term; they just want to make people hurt.
When it's somebody who's been here a while - it's usually because they're pissed off, and they aren't thinking about the long-term; they just want to make people hurt.
[Angeal's got a nice comfortable routine. He does his work, he returns to his cabin, he heads to do some working out or reading in the library.. it's almost monotonous!
This time of day, midweek, that's heading for the library; he's no doctor and knows BEANS about a lot of doctor things, but trying to get better educated about virology can only help. Having Shaw turn up seemingly out of nowhere as he heads for the endless towering shelves is not alarming; somewhere on the way she'd shifted rather permanently from stranger to Not.
The question however is a bit of a surprise.]
Hm. I liked that we were helping people. A lot of what we did was straight up good for folks. Getting rid of marauding monsters, helping on dangerous cleanup or even sometimes construction that could make use of our strength.
[He's thoughtful; this isn't something that's come up much.]
Can't say I cared much for the Wutai war though. If Wutai didn't want cheap power and modern convenience, that was their right. Forcing it on them.. that's a lot of dead people just to bring sanitation and medicine to the survivors.
This time of day, midweek, that's heading for the library; he's no doctor and knows BEANS about a lot of doctor things, but trying to get better educated about virology can only help. Having Shaw turn up seemingly out of nowhere as he heads for the endless towering shelves is not alarming; somewhere on the way she'd shifted rather permanently from stranger to Not.
The question however is a bit of a surprise.]
Hm. I liked that we were helping people. A lot of what we did was straight up good for folks. Getting rid of marauding monsters, helping on dangerous cleanup or even sometimes construction that could make use of our strength.
[He's thoughtful; this isn't something that's come up much.]
Can't say I cared much for the Wutai war though. If Wutai didn't want cheap power and modern convenience, that was their right. Forcing it on them.. that's a lot of dead people just to bring sanitation and medicine to the survivors.
If you need extra hands I'm willing to help wrangle whoever's up to trouble, otherwise I can stay put or wander down to medical and see if they need a hand with potential survivors. Hopefully it's a new arrival who just doesn't know better yet. ... Doesn't make it better ..
There's meaning in one being a warden and the other an inmate, somewhere; Zack made the right decisions, when things came down to it. Angeal .. did not.
Things should have never happened this way. Zack shouldn't have been forced to do the things he'd had to do, and he knew it, no matter how sensible it had seemed at the time. Any meeting here should have been on different terms. But should have beens don't affect what actually happened, and Angeal is reluctant to let go.
He will, but it doesn't mean he wants to. "Don't worry about it, I get messier in the kitchens." A little tears and sogginess are really not a big deal versus what he's capable of coming home with after dinner rush.
"...Zack. I may regret the things I did, and I think I always will. But I want to be clear." He never quite edges into stern, it's not about that, but there's a certain firmness to his tone anyway - this is important to him. "I have never once regretted you. You were always the right choice."
Things should have never happened this way. Zack shouldn't have been forced to do the things he'd had to do, and he knew it, no matter how sensible it had seemed at the time. Any meeting here should have been on different terms. But should have beens don't affect what actually happened, and Angeal is reluctant to let go.
He will, but it doesn't mean he wants to. "Don't worry about it, I get messier in the kitchens." A little tears and sogginess are really not a big deal versus what he's capable of coming home with after dinner rush.
"...Zack. I may regret the things I did, and I think I always will. But I want to be clear." He never quite edges into stern, it's not about that, but there's a certain firmness to his tone anyway - this is important to him. "I have never once regretted you. You were always the right choice."
Mmm.
[She doesn't respond immediately, which is common for her - a lot of talking isn't a big strength of hers, no matter how much she's come to see the value of it in wardening. She runs her fingers along a row of book spines, the way someone would if they were searching the stacks, but her eyes are still on Angeal.]
Sounds a little like... I haven't told you about Samaritan, have I.
[She doesn't respond immediately, which is common for her - a lot of talking isn't a big strength of hers, no matter how much she's come to see the value of it in wardening. She runs her fingers along a row of book spines, the way someone would if they were searching the stacks, but her eyes are still on Angeal.]
Sounds a little like... I haven't told you about Samaritan, have I.
[Virology for Angeal, again. This time a high school level versus the ones he'd first picked up, far, FAR beyond his comprehension.
Starting simple is important.]
Nope. I .. haven't thought it really a good idea to be prying, you know? A good way to sour relationships sometimes.
Starting simple is important.]
Nope. I .. haven't thought it really a good idea to be prying, you know? A good way to sour relationships sometimes.
No such thing as too many responsible hands patrolling the ship, as far as I'm concerned, and I don't think "survivors" are gonna be a thing here.
[It's hard to survive getting hoisted up on a hook.]
Check in with Valentine for intel, then come with me; we can watch each other's backs.
[It's hard to survive getting hoisted up on a hook.]
Check in with Valentine for intel, then come with me; we can watch each other's backs.
Yeah, I know. Wasn't sure you actually meant it though.
[He's gotten better at that; Shaw was easier than most people in that respect. What she said and what she meant were pretty much the same.
Unlike a lot of others.]
I know what normal AI is, so I can guess what a super-intelligence is, but no firsthand experience. When it comes to machines, is that human level or beyond it?
[He's gotten better at that; Shaw was easier than most people in that respect. What she said and what she meant were pretty much the same.
Unlike a lot of others.]
I know what normal AI is, so I can guess what a super-intelligence is, but no firsthand experience. When it comes to machines, is that human level or beyond it?
Way beyond. Think being able to track and keep up with every single human on the planet simultaneously.
[She scans the titles of the books in the stack she's carrying, then preemptively pulls down another virology book for him, adding it to his pile.]
People build them, so in theory, people control them.
[That "in theory" is carrying a lot of weight right now, though.]
[She scans the titles of the books in the stack she's carrying, then preemptively pulls down another virology book for him, adding it to his pile.]
People build them, so in theory, people control them.
[That "in theory" is carrying a lot of weight right now, though.]
[Cloud was not originally going to include Angeal on this little tour of weird personal announcements, but he remembers Angeal's attempts at helpfully meddling, and back then he'd said some things that make Cloud think he might like to know the, uh...developments. And considering circumstances, he also thinks Angeal is one of the least likely to have a problem with those developments. So...]
Hey, Angeal. You got a minute? Got something I want to tell you. Figured it's the kind of thing you'd want to know.
Hey, Angeal. You got a minute? Got something I want to tell you. Figured it's the kind of thing you'd want to know.
[It takes a minute; must have had his communicator down.]
Sure, what's up Cloud?
Sure, what's up Cloud?
[This brings a long, thoughtful pause. There's a reason it's being explained this way - in theory.]
Gonna guess it didn't stay under control. A hyperintelligent AI's gonna be able to out think its control programming pretty quick, I imagine.
Gonna guess it didn't stay under control. A hyperintelligent AI's gonna be able to out think its control programming pretty quick, I imagine.
Huh. Can't say that's much of a surprise. You going to be up to the challenge of finding nice places on this ship for dates?
[There's a long pause, and then ... a sigh. It sounds heavy.]
You didn't ask, but I'm gonna give you some advice anyway, alright?
[He sounds utterly serious.]
Take it slow. For both your sakes. You have a chance to build something really lasting if you're so inclined, and a slipshod rush job can have serious consequences later. Take your time, and find out what you both like, and what you don't like, together and apart. You got all the time in the world here, and that's a precious opportunity. And...
[Hesitation.]
You didn't ask, but I'm gonna give you some advice anyway, alright?
[He sounds utterly serious.]
Take it slow. For both your sakes. You have a chance to build something really lasting if you're so inclined, and a slipshod rush job can have serious consequences later. Take your time, and find out what you both like, and what you don't like, together and apart. You got all the time in the world here, and that's a precious opportunity. And...
[Hesitation.]
....Look, I'll be honest as I can be without sounding silly. I'm pretty sure you're the first, ever, that he's cared for like this, and near as I can tell he's barely even made friends on the Barge since arriving here after his deaths, never mind really re-learning what he likes and doesn't.
[The hesitation is there still, but he's plowing on anyway!! Is this a good idea? Is any of it a good idea?]
If you think this is the man you want to build a life with ... then you're going to have to teach him how to live. Really live, have a dream and reach for it with all he has. There's so much wonder and joy to be found in the world and he's lost touch with that.. except for you, maybe. And if he can find that in you, then you can help him find it in everything else. I'm not sure anyone else can, anymore.
[The hesitation is there still, but he's plowing on anyway!! Is this a good idea? Is any of it a good idea?]
If you think this is the man you want to build a life with ... then you're going to have to teach him how to live. Really live, have a dream and reach for it with all he has. There's so much wonder and joy to be found in the world and he's lost touch with that.. except for you, maybe. And if he can find that in you, then you can help him find it in everything else. I'm not sure anyone else can, anymore.
[The first ever. Well, technically true, but also technically not, as Cloud now knows. The first was the other version of him who was here before, and that started during a breach. But Cloud also knows that it's him Sephiroth is - was always - focused on, thinking of, and for the purposes of what Angeal's saying, it might not really matter anyway.
Build a life with, huh? Angeal's not the first to pose the question that way, although Zack didn't put it in quite those terms. Cloud told Zack yes, he could see a way forward with the person Sephiroth is now, and that hasn't changed. He knows there are important questions they'll need to answer once they've both graduated - once they both have lives to build - but he feels pretty confident that he's not going to change his mind. Frankly, he has a hard time imagining a life without Sephiroth in it.
Maybe that's part of why he felt so unsatisfied, so listless, after Meteorfall was over and the rebuilding began. Even when Sephiroth was the enemy...he was always there.
Angeal's words resonate with thoughts Cloud's had before. It's why he asked the Admiral for something Sephiroth had always wanted, back during the holidays. It's why he took Sephiroth riding with him for their first actual date. And it's why he keeps hounding Sephiroth about having opinions of his own, wanting things for himself.
And more selfishly...Sephiroth is the only one who makes Cloud feel truly wanted. Needed. If he can do what Angeal's describing, help Sephiroth find wonder and joy and dreams again, live up to the way Sephiroth sees him - then he wants to, more than anything. He wants to be worthy of the limitless trust that Sephiroth seems to put in him like no one else does anymore.]
...I will. I've been trying, but the Barge is... [A pause.] No. No buts. I'll try harder. As hard as I can. I'm not going to let Sephiroth down. I promise.
Build a life with, huh? Angeal's not the first to pose the question that way, although Zack didn't put it in quite those terms. Cloud told Zack yes, he could see a way forward with the person Sephiroth is now, and that hasn't changed. He knows there are important questions they'll need to answer once they've both graduated - once they both have lives to build - but he feels pretty confident that he's not going to change his mind. Frankly, he has a hard time imagining a life without Sephiroth in it.
Maybe that's part of why he felt so unsatisfied, so listless, after Meteorfall was over and the rebuilding began. Even when Sephiroth was the enemy...he was always there.
Angeal's words resonate with thoughts Cloud's had before. It's why he asked the Admiral for something Sephiroth had always wanted, back during the holidays. It's why he took Sephiroth riding with him for their first actual date. And it's why he keeps hounding Sephiroth about having opinions of his own, wanting things for himself.
And more selfishly...Sephiroth is the only one who makes Cloud feel truly wanted. Needed. If he can do what Angeal's describing, help Sephiroth find wonder and joy and dreams again, live up to the way Sephiroth sees him - then he wants to, more than anything. He wants to be worthy of the limitless trust that Sephiroth seems to put in him like no one else does anymore.]
...I will. I've been trying, but the Barge is... [A pause.] No. No buts. I'll try harder. As hard as I can. I'm not going to let Sephiroth down. I promise.
Mm, more like the people who started out in control if it gave over that control willingly. They figured humans had messed up the planet badly enough while we were in charge that we should give the AIs a crack at it.
[She pulls another virology book of the shelf, but upon closer inspection, this one seems to be solely about disease transmission in an alien species that she's never even heard of, let alone seen on the Barge. She slides it back into place.]
Turns out that those methods weren't so different from Shinra's. Your whole thing kinda reminds me of an unholy cross between Samaritan's idea of a new world order, and the work I used to do for the government.
[She pulls another virology book of the shelf, but upon closer inspection, this one seems to be solely about disease transmission in an alien species that she's never even heard of, let alone seen on the Barge. She slides it back into place.]
Turns out that those methods weren't so different from Shinra's. Your whole thing kinda reminds me of an unholy cross between Samaritan's idea of a new world order, and the work I used to do for the government.
Objectively, morality aside, as I can't imagine a machine can handle morality easily, was it effective? Did it actually help people and the planet?
[Maybe he should consider some self-help books on gaining a better science education before jumping right into the fine mechanics of things. As it is this might take a long time, especially given the realities the likes of Tendi are from are FAR more advanced than anything he understands.
But he's got something to work with. Alien xenoplagues!
It's a work of science fiction. He hasn't noticed yet.]
I feel like something like that might decide eradicating mankind is the quickest way to ensuring planetary survival.
[Maybe he should consider some self-help books on gaining a better science education before jumping right into the fine mechanics of things. As it is this might take a long time, especially given the realities the likes of Tendi are from are FAR more advanced than anything he understands.
But he's got something to work with. Alien xenoplagues!
It's a work of science fiction. He hasn't noticed yet.]
I feel like something like that might decide eradicating mankind is the quickest way to ensuring planetary survival.
[Shaw shoots him a pair of fingerguns; that, along with other, similar possibilities, had indeed been a big concern.]
We never let it get far enough to find out whether it would do more harm or more good - we took it out before it amassed that much power.
[She jerks her chin at the book in his hands.]
You looking at fiction too?
We never let it get far enough to find out whether it would do more harm or more good - we took it out before it amassed that much power.
[She jerks her chin at the book in his hands.]
You looking at fiction too?
[He can imagine something like that running through Shinra's mainframes. What would it take to remove an AI that didn't want to be removed? The question about fiction is puzzling, give him a minute to piece together why she's asking.]
How hard is something like that to ferret out of a modern infrastructure without tearing yourselves back into pre-industrial civilization?
[The book is weighed, but only in a distracted sort of way, the possibilities of such an artificial intelligence and what it could do has a way of grabbing the imagination.
After a moment, he shakes his head.]
No, ideally just science. I don't know a damn thing about any of this, fiction would just muddy the ..
[Hnm, that's not a dewey decimal sticker on the side.]
How hard is something like that to ferret out of a modern infrastructure without tearing yourselves back into pre-industrial civilization?
[The book is weighed, but only in a distracted sort of way, the possibilities of such an artificial intelligence and what it could do has a way of grabbing the imagination.
After a moment, he shakes his head.]
No, ideally just science. I don't know a damn thing about any of this, fiction would just muddy the ..
[Hnm, that's not a dewey decimal sticker on the side.]
[Indeed it does not. Sorry, Angeal; apparently, the fact that the library contains multitudes has its downsides. There's a hell of a lot of stuff here to sift through.]
We got lucky. For one thing, we got in on the fight early on; it wasn't anywhere near as entrenched as the AI system last month.
[the SOPHIA system from the breach, she means.]
And for another thing - we had a different AI on our side. One that was just as smart and just as powerful, but that respected human autonomy above everything else.
We got lucky. For one thing, we got in on the fight early on; it wasn't anywhere near as entrenched as the AI system last month.
[the SOPHIA system from the breach, she means.]
And for another thing - we had a different AI on our side. One that was just as smart and just as powerful, but that respected human autonomy above everything else.
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