@gaby

[vns]

[ this was supposed to be one of Gaby's days off. in fact, she's not in the safehouse when the message comes in. ]

Turns out that we're missing two new faces around the safehouse.

I'd play a guessing game as to why I wasn't told, but I don't care. These two faces apparently murdered two people that night.

I don't know who they are, but I do know that they're locked up. Any guesses as to what's going to happen to them?

Genuine question. Because I don't know.

Oh, and because some of you think you can do whatever the hell you want around here: don't think the way out for them is a jail break. Don't even fucking try it. And no, Morningstar isn't in the business of breaking people out of jail, because that would be stupid.

[ she's a little angry. no. a lot. but mostly she doesn't know how to handle this one. ]

Look. You know something? Tell me. You won't be "in trouble."

Comments

[cyberlife]

We approach them as victims ourselves, because that's what we are. We are not their governing body and we are not in charge of the decisions Morningstar makes. We are individuals working together to further a common goal. We do not step out of this role or we will instigate an uprising.

That's what happened in my world, that's what could happen in this one.

You're a reasonable man and I don't suspect that you're lying to me about your belief in due process. Thank you.

[rehandle]

Sorry to press the point, but I want to make sure we're both coming at this from the same angle. In my understanding, we're proposing a separation from Morningstar. Not total, but enough that we're no longer a significant drain on their resources or as big a risk to their safety. We will no longer be held in a Morningstar facility. Consequently, our decision-making processes will largely be our own.

How do we as a community of individuals protect that community? How do we ensure that we maintain the necessary levels of secrecy and security without the implementation of any kind of system in the absence of authority? The holding period is necessary. If this incident has taught us nothing, it's taught us that. IDs are imperative, we can't risk being discovered without them.

I really would like to understand what you consider to be the alternative. I mean that. At present I just can't see what else we can do but create our own process that emulates what we we already know works, while taking into consideration the differences that come along with going it alone.

[cyberlife]

I consider what we've been doing a sufficient alternative to what's being proposed. Morningstar gives us information about the incoming new arrivals, we intercept them and invite them back to the safehouse to get their IDs, let everyone as a whole sit with them for the necessary screening period, and that's it. That's what we did before, that's what worked before.

You're focusing on creating a new section of the safehouse when it's not the problem here.

The problem is the glaring gap of time between trafficking victims getting off of the bus and getting to us.

[rehandle]

I see your point. I don't agree with it for reasons I've already expressed, but it's worth raising when the discussion comes up. Others might be more comfortable this way too and there may be a compromise to be struck.

As for the gap, that's an issue, absolutely, and a more relevant one to the current situation. But it's a completely separate problem.

Actually, I'd bring it up somewhere it's going to be seen. It warrants discussion.

[cyberlife]

We can agree to disagree on the safehouse, but now that we share an opinion on something crucial - yes.

I believe you should.

[rehandle]

[ m8 ]

I meant you, Connor. I don't know that I can split myself into enough parts to do justice to finding an adequate solution to that one.

[ once upon a time, yes, but alas. the clone days are behind him. ]

[cyberlife]

(oh.

...

oh.)

Sorry, I misread you completely. I'll see what I can do, but I'm not very popular right now.

I'll wait for the moment, while this network post is still active.

[rehandle]

Really? Who else did you piss off?

[ that's other than hafid, not other than him. you may have exhausted him, but everyone's entitled to an opinion, and connor's isn't exactly bad. and winding up the pro-murder candidate can't have put him in the bad books. ugh, is Stephen going to have to read the backlog of this thing? ]

If you need any help, let me know. And if you could toss me a line when you get it up, just in case I'm not paying enough attention, I'd be grateful.

[cyberlife]

I'd be doing them a disservice discussing it with you.

(but CHRIST.)

You'll be notified. I'm glad we had this conversation.

[rehandle]

[ yikes.

but also, and earnestly: ]

Me too.

Until later, then.