newhire | Office Hours

There's...a lot I could go over, honestly.

[ it's been a long two weeks, but he's gotta take one thing at a time right? ]

I'm glad to see you haven't accidentally been killed. [ that was his Real Fear, and that being the case: ] I think you should talk to Han. About who you are.

I assure you... if I'm going to die... it won't be an accident.

[That is one thing she feels fairly sure about, knowing that she's in danger here.]

But... um...

[Why?? This?? Suddenly??]

I'm... not sure about that. Why would you say that...?

[She's genuinely curious. A little. But also clearly scared.]

I meant, for the reasons we talked about last time. With the other robots.

[ it's strange to him that she'd be so surprised, now, when that whole conversation had been about how he'd felt that han was trying to help but would make a mistake and hurt her. but the emphasis was that he felt han was making the right decisions. ]

It's your decision. But he admires your work and he wants to help the students. I can show you, if you want.

I’m just... even if he knew who I really was, would it make a difference?

If he wanted my help... why should it make any difference what my name is...

I don’t mean to sound suspicious, but— if something happens to this body, it won’t be easy to replace. A-and don’t say I should just take yours. This body is... special to me. It was given to me by the man who taught me everything... I want to take good care of it.

Because he doesn't know Megumi has the talents Vivienne had.

[ but he sounds...he sounds defeated. whereas connor is usually confidence, usually clear with his points, he falters. he had offered to show her - to connect the way they had when she had shown him her memories - but she didn't even acknowledge that.

maybe he was wrong, to tell han vivienne was really alive. maybe he was wrong to trust either of them. ]

Ah—

I’m sorry. It’s... I don’t want... the way I am to discourage you. I’ve never... been good with people. The way I act with them now... it’s fake. I’m not certain of myself at all.

But... if... if you think I should... then... I... I will.

[She won’t lie and say she isn’t anxious or afraid. But she doesn’t want to see Connor like this because of her. She agreed to take this risk, coming here because she had to do something... had to prove something. So...]

Just... if something happens... find Scott Gallivan. He... he should help you. So... please remember.

[ oh. he definitely didn't predict that she would react like that. but he's glad. he wants so badly to do the right thing. ]

Hale is looking for him. He wants to use him to complete your work.

[ there's something else, though, too: ]

Before you speak with Han, though, there's something I need to explain. I don't have a good theory of it, but it's something you need to understand.

Oswald doesn’t have a single clue about what we do. Of course he’s looking for him.

[doesnt mean she doesn’t hate it. But her teacher can handle a man like Oswald]

It’s easy to underestimate him... but he’s a very intelligent man. At least... when it comes to most things.

...b-but anyway. What did you want to explain to me?

[ connor has plenty of opinions about toddswald, don't you worry. he takes a deep simulated breath. it's going to be a lot. ]

I think that there's something wrong with Han. To be specific, I am afraid that he may have been hijacked.

As you know, Hank was called to Hale's office. A few days prior, Hank had broken rule four by punching Han. But Han didn't intend to tell anyone. They had gotten in a fight over my well-being. Han could have used that fight against Hank to sour my relationship with him, but he didn't. Han kept it to himself, even when it was obvious that he had a black eye. Yet, Hank was called in anyway.

After Hale and Hank left, the students found a note that was left behind. The note was from a programmer named H. Clearly, the logical conclusion was that the letter was from Han. That was Hale's conclusion. That wasn't the first letter Hale had received that he believed was from Han. In fact, Hale indicated to me that the reason that Han wrote such different letters than the way he acted in person was because it was difficult for him to express his affections. Hale was convinced he was getting letters from Han -- letters signed with a heart.

The author of the letters was able to get Hale to install a program on his computer that instantly disappeared. But he'd had enough of Hale's trust to have access to it. The author is playing with Hale's emotions and able to guide his decisions - which is dangerous.

It is doubly dangerous because the author knows things no one else knew. The letter explained that Hank had punched Han, but Han wasn't going to share that information. I know the answer to that seems simple -- it's easy to believe that Han was lying about not telling Hale to gain our trust. But the author also told Hale that I was had affection for Han. It wouldn't be in Han's interest to out us like that. I don't need to explain to you the affects of Hale's anger.

This means one of two things: either, all of the faculty offices are bugged and the author can access that information, or Han is telling Hale. I'm sure you can see the implications of the former -- if the offices are bugged, then every conversation we've had is known to the author. That includes your identity. Since Hale doesn't know who you are, that would suggest that the author has you under their protection; or that you're the one feeding him information.

But I think there's an answer that doesn't implicate anyone. Hale said that Jules was hijacked in a strange way. Where he both couldn't fight it off, but didn't let it completely take over. Han doesn't remember things the way you or Hale do - enough so that it's worrying to both of us.

[ gross dont talk about han like you're an us go home connor ]

I believe that Han really wants to save the students, but I also believe that he could be deeply compromised by a more complex style of hijacking. So we have to be careful.

[It's a long dissertation, but one she listens to very calmly and thoughtfully. It's obvious that Connor has put a great deal of thought into this already. So this is what's been going on with Han while she's been too busy to watch him. While she'd had concerns about Han, most of them were founded simply by lack of knowledge-- what kind of person he was, what would have drawn him to be chosen for this program in particular; not any dislike for what she'd seen of him. In fact, there were times that he surprised her with really brave and thoughtful actions that helped the students. So she couldn't say that there was room to doubt that he really did have those kinds of thoughts. But if D-765 was really involved...]

...I see. I won't deny the possibility. D-765 is a complex virus, or so those who have studied it say. But I am familiar with the case you speak of. Mr. Hale studied here once, not that I was here during that time. But I came across his files once. Oswald wasn't pleased, but he did explain it.

If it's true that Han has been infected in some way, then it may not be safe to share too much information with him until we know more.

Oswald has mentioned that he's in search of a doctor to examine you due to the strange occurrence with your memories, but I haven't heard just who that will be yet. Depending on who that is, perhaps I can speak with them about Professor Han as well...

[ connor looks relieved - that she listens, that she offers hope for han, too. he doubts it will be so easy that a doctor can fix it; after all, toddswald believes it's this program that is the only thing that can save jules. but the fact of the matter boils down to - he's glad megumi believes him. it is like being told that he did a good job, even if she didn't use as many words. amanda never did either. ]

Thank you.

[ for listening. for understanding. ]

Can you tell me about the virus?

Office Hours

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject