Mask or Menance IC Contact Post

[failureisntachoice]

[ An automated voice speaks because someone hasn't bothered to set up a proper voicemail. The only part in her voice is her name. ] You have reached Agent Texas. Leave a message at the tone.

Comments

[failureisntachoice]

[ She shrugs. ]

Gregor offered to let me come along if a way was found. I told him I'd think about it. [ And it's been a while since that first offer had been made. ]

I'm leaning towards 'why not?'

[use_everything]

That is good to hear.

[failureisntachoice]

You're not worried about what introducing an AI would do to your planet?

[use_everything]

I had considered it. The ramifications of an AI of your quality and capability would be somewhat enormous. The very first thing that would have to be done is establish your rights as a person, your place within a major House would make it quite a bit easier to stomp down the other Count's throats, make it a hit and run attack and work out the incidentals as they arrive. I'm sure the Beta Colony would have the law already frameworked and ready to simplify for digest.

It would have profound societal impact, forcing new permutations of what a person is to the generally fairly closed viewpoint Barrayar has. It is good in the long term, though dangerous in the short.

[His eyes watched her, sharp with calculation.]

EMP proof plating could easily be fitted to your armor for your safety, and should be. Most of our reliance on the weapon is gone, but stockpiles exist of everything whether there is practical use or not.

As for the practical and obvious, clearly, you could revolutionize space warfare as, the tac computers understand tactics and countertactics, but not humans, in general. As much as I desperately wish to see the galactic arms race settle and our place slip to a more peaceful one, I doubt it would happen in our time.

[There's another pause here, long. He folds his hands and sets his chin on them.]

Or you could be Armswoman Allison. Or Tex. Of House Vorkosigan.

In a new world, your identity would be yours to choose, all levels of it.

[failureisntachoice]

[ Well shit. That's a lot more thought than she had expected anyone to put into it and she's watching him intently as he speaks. When he reaches the end, she finds herself relaxing. She's never been one to pioneer social revolutions, much less in a galaxy that has next to no AI technology.

She speaks carefully, ]

There's a reason I don't broadcast what I am here. It'd be a lot easier to live as Armswoman Allison there. I get the feeling I'll already be drawing enough attention to myself with the 'armswoman' title.

[use_everything]

Ah, that will be something.

[His smile is sharp, like a knife, grey eyes glittering with some challenge.]

I quite look forward to it.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She matches his expression with a smirk of her own. That's a fight she wouldn't mind having. ]

You going to take extra care to make sure it happens then?

[use_everything]

I had a particularly difficult command a few years back. One of the best ways I'd found to let men merely get their issues out was to allow carefully monitored matches. [Monitored, of course, was not controlled, nor overly bound by rules.] As officers were required as well, it did marvels for letting situations sort themselves out.

[failureisntachoice]

So you want me to fight everyone that tries to say something about it? [ Not that she sounds like she minds. ]

[use_everything]

Oh not nearly so tedious. I would merely want a venue for soldiers who would decry a woman for being weaker to be prove themselves or be silent.

[failureisntachoice]

How public could you make those? Because it might stave off future idiots from wasting my time if they see how bad the others get pummeled.

[use_everything]

Oh, that wouldn't be an issue at all. I've ... decent control of the media programming of three planets. I try not to utilize it, but there are times that it might see use.

[failureisntachoice]

You'd broadcast it over three planets?

[ This might be the most beautiful thing she's ever heard. ]

[use_everything]

Sergyar will have limited reception, but as it's only a military base, there's merit to the expense.

[failureisntachoice]

It'd be even better to broadcast it at a military base. They could learn a few things.

[use_everything]

Miles had suggested it be required watching for last year at the military academy. I'm inclined to agree.

[failureisntachoice]

You know just the right things to say to a woman.

[use_everything]

And Cordelia says I have no sense of romance.

[failureisntachoice]

Have you offered to let her beat the crap out of people and let three planets watch? Because that has me swooning already.

[use_everything]

I would actually seek to prevent that. If she had vent to half of her frustration I'm not sure I'd have any men of fighting capability left.

[failureisntachoice]

You could let her take it out on your enemies then. She'd make a decent dent.

[use_everything]

Hm. No, I have an accord with her - to not let a situation get so bad that she would need to.

[failureisntachoice]

Good thing you have me now to help. I don't plan to let anything get that bad if I can stop it.

[use_everything]

[His expression blanks for a moment, and then smooths into something almost softer.]

Ah. [It's little more than an exhale.] I ... appreciate the help. Quite truly.

[failureisntachoice]

[ She frowns at the change in expression, unsure how much she should read into it, and shrugs. ]

It's help I want to give. I don't know how relevant that kind of help will be here, but it's still available.