outsiders | 001; video

This is Commander Shepard of the Earth Systems Alliance Navy.

[the video feed on your omni-tool starts without pomp or circumstance; SUDDENLY: SHEPARD. her expression is grim and though she started out staring the camera down, her eyes flick away uncertainly when she hesitates.]

...Citizens may have noticed many shuttles coming out of the Omega-4 relay bearing passengers. You and I both know that this is...impossible. As far as I can tell, most of these newcomers have little to no knowledge of our galaxy and come from a wide spectrum of technological advancement, but at the very least, most of them don't seem to have any intention of hurting anybody.

Though control and authority of this station is still Aria's, I want to assure you that this strange phenomena is being investigated, and action will be taken should the safety of the civilian populace be threatened.

[she sighs, letting some of the stiff, authoritative guard slide] If any crew members of the Normandy have also landed here that I haven't yet run into, they can find me in Afterlife. [with a dry, displeased tone:] Come whether you think I'm a fake or not.

[and the feed cuts.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[This one seems a bit more helpful than the other lady. The... purple one. So Lyall makes another attempt.]

Your pardon, ma'am. Professor Randolph Lyall, how do you do.

[He doesn't leave her time to really answer that "question", but moves right on.]

I appreciate your announcement and the information. As one of those from a very different... technological level of advancement, as you say. I was wondering if perhaps anyone would be willing to explain the workings of some of the local equipment to someone from several hundred years in the past, from what I've been able to gather.

Particularly if we are intended to use it in order to, ah, earn our keep.

[There's no picture to go with his address, but there's something of a rueful smile in his voice, at least.]

...Well, Professor, I think I can do better than that. [thinking face on] I'll see if I can get a bunch of people in one place to see if I can't teach everyone the basics at once. The omni-tool is supposed to be intuitive, but since it can do so much, it can be confusing.

[a beat, then:]

How far back, did you say?

Several hundred years. From eighteen seventy-five, to be specific.

[He sounds a bit apologetic about that. He knows it's a long time before pretty much everyone here.]

And, ah, I do not suppose you know what a Vee Aye is, do you? The lady Aria suggested I consult it, whatever it is, and something called a terminal....

[Yes, Shepard. You just got the most clueless individual asking for your help. That's what you get for putting yourself out there.]

[she doesn't move, except for her eyebrows - which practically shoot up into her hairline.]

...Sounds like you have a lot of catching up to do.

[but Shepard's nothing if not friendly and helpful, so she smiles encouragingly and explains without condescension:] What she meant by "VI" is a virtual intelligence. I can't think for itself, not in the true sense, but it can do a lot of simple tasks for you. Did you figure out how to bring out your omni-tool yet?

Indeed.

[Somewhere between deadpan and dry, there.]

I have been prodding at the thing, and it does do some rather alarming things when I try. I may have at least the basic functions down. Provided I have even ascertained the basic functions. I can access these communications in various forms, and have found what appears to be a map of the station in three dimensions.

Then you're off to a good start. There are terminals around Omega - may be one outside your apartment, even - you can use your omni-tool there and ask the VI questions, like...current galactic politics, or Earth history since your time, alien biology... Think of it as a dictionary you talk to, and it talks back.

[she hesitates, and her smile takes an apologetic turn] ...It's a little overwhelming. Did that help, or did I miss something?

It does help a bit, yes. At least I can have something to direct my questions to that may actually be helpful, and whose time I will not be wasting. I do not suppose this Virtual Intelligence creature can give instruction on the use of equipment, can it? The lady Aria is insistent upon work, but I know as much about the equipment involved as you would how to raise sheep.

[He pauses, chuckles a bit, and adds,]

Despite the name, of course.

[awww what a sweetie. such a big, fond smile because she likes you already]

You're not wasting my time, I just want to help. The VI can do all of that, for sure. But that doesn't mean you can't ask me for help ever again.

[okay, laughing]

Yeah, you got me there. I'd be better at using a crook to whack people than herd sheep around.

[If he were on video, he'd probably be visibly a bit embarrassed by a smile like that. As it is, he merely pauses a beat before continuing, sounding only vaguely sheepish.]

I will keep that in mind, thank you, miss Shepard. And I will keep the shepherd's crook away from you, I believe, just in case you have further violent urges with it.

[she just grins] Hey, I can be civilized when I feel like it. I'll give you a heads up once I get organized with some, uh...instructions. For you and others.

You'll definitely have to tell me what home is like for you.

Thank you. Do keep me informed. I will be an eager student, I am sure. Perhaps then you can ask me what you will-- and quite likely vice versa, since you seem perfectly at home here.

Count me curious too, Professor. It's not every day you get to meet people out of time. Give me a couple of days and we'll exchange stories over drinks.

I look forward to it, Miss Shepard. Until then, good day to you.

[He considers whether that is proper etiquette for ending one of these transmissions, then decides he can't come up with anything better, so he shuts the connection down. Here's hoping this happens sooner rather than later, to his mind. He can use all the advice he can get.]

001; video

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