IC Contact Post

[mathemagier]

[Screened calls go straight to voicemail, where an impatient recording answers]

You've reached Dr. Hermann Gottlieb. Leave your name, number, and business if you expect a return call. Thank you.

Comments

January 21

[driftsintobuffetline]

From Russia with love I fly to you
Much wiser since my goodbye to you
(something something, I can't remember the rest of the lyrics)
I must return
From Russia with love.

Just checking in. Is this the evening check-in or morning? idek anymore.
Not seeing the sun is wreaking havoc on my sense of time.

[mathemagier]

Not that you even know you're in Russia.

[But he tries (and fails) to sound anything but fond. For the first time in 20-some odd hours, Hermann lets himself step away from his work]

And if you're in outer space, you won't exactly be having ordinary days even if you could see outside. Fewer people are beginning to believe that's the case, but even so, we should work to rule it out. I'm trying to land a camera on the moon, you know. I think I've nearly got it worked out.

But more importantly- how are you today, Newton?

[driftsintobuffetline]

Technically, Hermann, TECHNICALLY even if this is a shuttle and even if it's IN SPACE I would assume that we're under the rules of the "flag state" and we've been told we're a Russian ship. Therefore, since we're under Russian authority and responsibility, and are, according to them, their "property"...we're basically in Russia.

In Soviet Russia...yeah, I don't have a good one.

A camera on the moon, though, that's ambitious. It's really kind of hot if you can do that. Holy cow, like that is some damn sexy math.

[mathemagier]

Don't get too excited. I'll show it to you when you return if I'm successful, and we can discuss it then.

[But the word 'property' sends a chill through him and draws up yet another terrible scenario]

But by that reckoning, it's somewhere around afternoon, depending on precise timezone. Oh if you just knew that much, we'd make significant progress. Even if you glimpsed a single shaft of sunlight, I could use it.

But even on Earth, you're likely underground. Hm. Do anything you can to get a handle on the time. Fluctuating temperatures, guard rotations, whenever they feed you-- they are feeding you, aren't they?

[driftsintobuffetline]

In detail. And Hermann, I have nothing to do but get excited about my sexy space champion putting a camera on the moon, okay? I'm staring at the same people, same walls, there's not much stimulation. I miss the lab.

If I spot the sun, Hermann, I swear you'll be the first to know.

Yes, mother, they're feeding us.

[mathemagier]

[Hermann makes a strangled sound of either outrage or horror; possibly both]

You- you saw that, did you? [Ahem] At any rate, I don't think you'd really like to put yourself in that uncomfortable situation.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Saw what? You having fun with space? You being a nerdy kid? I don't know why you're upset, you were exactly what I pictured.

What uncomfortable situation? I'm talking about you talking science to me and me finding the sun and that they're feeding us.

[mathemagier]

No, I. Well I knew you saw that, but I'd forgotten about that helmet. Rather embarrassing really, but I'd loved it as a child.

[Not answering that]

But ah, yes. Please do try to gauge temperature if possible. I know it must be difficult, but if there's any bit of metal that isn't often touched, it may help to sort out the time of day. I realize it's still rather subjective, but do try.

[driftsintobuffetline]

It's so classically Hermann.


...Did you think I was asking you to... ???
Oh, you kinky bastard. I would kill you. I would fucking kill you, Hermann.


You assume our walls are touching outside, though. My theory is that we're a box within a box. Like so:

------------
|          |
|   ----   |
|   |  |   |
|   |us|   |
|   ----   |
| the base |
----|  |----

[mathemagier]

No, not.. not seriously of course. Only that you do have a tendency to get carried away.

[Ahem.]

But that is unfortunate if your theory holds true. ..I wonder if the Russians had the forethought to restrict your AI friend from making time references.

[driftsintobuffetline]

Hey, you get carried away, too!

And, you know, Hermann, if I've stumbled on one of your kinks--not that I have, but I mean if I ever do--you can come right out and say it. Right now is a pretty inopportune time to do something about it, but ..I'm accommodating.

I'll see if I can ask Lackey something. Any ideas how to word it?

[mathemagier]

We'll talk more on that when you're safe again.

In regards to the AI.. well I'll leave that in your capable hands for now. I'll let you know if I think of any particular angle to approach from. For now simply try to asses its behavioral algorithm.