4th Gear - Video;

[gofortheoptics]

So, we all know that there's something fishy going on here by now.

But I think -- and don't shoot the skeptic here, because it seems we can't afford to have any men down -- that if there is going to be a threat, we want everyone to be capable of keeping in touch.

No man left behind, as it were.

To that end, if there are any people experiencing difficulties using their communicators, I'd be happy to help.

[A team is only as strong as its weakest member, right? You never knew when even someone who'd previously seemed useless would come through at an unexpected moment.

She brings the video a little closer to her face.]

I don't bite, I promise. So, any takers?

[Sooner was better than later.]

Comments

Video;

[allucinator]

Er-- I'm a good artist, like I said. And I'm damn good at convincin' people to do stuff.

Video;

[gofortheoptics]

[She holds her hand up. Three fingers.]

I've never been much good at drawing. It's never been something really important to my job.

Video;

[allucinator]

[He stares for a few seconds before giving a little grin. It's put on, but what isn't with Jack?]

Well, now's the time to learn, ain't it! Fresh start on a new spaceship, it's the perfect opportunity to learn all sorts o' new skills.

Video;

[gofortheoptics]

Then you can help me learn to draw and I'll help with your communicator.

Deal?

Video;

[allucinator]

[He grins a little more.]

Deal. When you wanna start?

Video;

[gofortheoptics]

When do you have the time? Do you have a job here, yet? Something you do during the day?

Video;

[allucinator]

Sides explorin'? Nothin', really. I got all the time in world. Yourself?

Video;

[gofortheoptics]

I've been getting back into the swing of things in Engineering, but I'm not on anything major yet.

Video;

[allucinator]

So how bout tonight? Eight o' so. I'll meet you in the library, or whatever they call that place.

Video;

[gofortheoptics]

That works.

I'll see you then. I'm Tali, by the way.

Video; want to switch to action?

[allucinator]

I'm Jack, Jack Kelly. See you then.

[He cuts the communication.]

Works for me!

[gofortheoptics]

[As promised, she's around the library a few minutes after eight. She discards a tube of nutrient paste into the trash bin as she rounds the corner, and lifts a hand to wave to Jack.]

Sorry. I thought I'd better grab something to eat before we started.

[allucinator]

[He stares a little at her for a few seconds, unable to help it-- but soon he regains himself and grins a little.]

'S all right. So, what d'ya wanna do first?

[gofortheoptics]

[She's still used to the staring, anyway.]

Well, you said you know the basics -- why don't you tell me some things you'd like to do with the communicator?

Then I can tell you whether you can actually do them or not.

[allucinator]

Er-- well, how do I lock it to people?

[gofortheoptics]

[She pulls out her own device and pulls up a posting screen.]

All right, we'll start here.

[She goes on to explain the basics of what it takes to lock a post, at its most simplistic.]

[allucinator]

[About two sentences in, Jack begins scribbling notes. His writing is large and childish-- like someone who hasn't written enough to form their own style of writing. He writes diligently, though, and nods firmly once her explanation is through.]

Right. But there's better ways, right?

[gofortheoptics]

There are more complicated ways, yes. You can add as many layers of code as you're patient enough to add, really, and put in tricks to fool people into thinking here's more to it ... but it's always better to master the basics, first.

[Tali can't comment on his writing, really. In her age, when so many things are automatic or by computer, writing has become something of a lost art.]

[allucinator]

Explain that-- the, the layers o' code thin'. Please.

[gofortheoptics]

Well, the basic codes that you place on there to make something private. You can - alter it to be more complicated by placing additional commands in it. Or...

[She goes on, touching briefly on encryption and codes, since that seems to be ... popular here.]

[allucinator]

[This takes him longer, and he asks quite a few more questions-- but soon he nods again, scribbling furiously.]

All right. Is that . . . anythin' else I should know?

[gofortheoptics]

There's always the possibility that you could create your own programs to run on the device, but that will take a lot of time and experimentation.

[It might be worth it, though. Not everyone has an omni-tool.]

[allucinator]

How would that work? I mean-- if nobody else knows it, who'm I gonna talk to?

[gofortheoptics]

Like I said, you'd have to experiment. If you look at the coding for the device itself...

[She hasn't occasion to study them herself, being back and suddenly having more pressing concerns.]

[allucinator]

I-- all right. I'll experiment around.

[He rubs at the back of his neck, self-conscious about having (perhaps) asked a stupid question.]

Anyway. So-- you wanna learn how to draw?