TDM 001. WELCOME TO THE CITY

[headandhand]

» 01. WELCOME WAGON

Wow, what a bunch of new faces! The city of Dualis hasn't seen anything like this in a long time, and they've seen some pretty crazy things. Chances are you're seeing some pretty crazy things, too, unless you're used to a lot of neon, robots, weird-ass technology, magic, and an omnipresent police force...and hey, if you are, congrats, you're gonna settle in juuuuust fine. But for the rest of you, the Head knows this has gotta be pretty overwhelming, right?

Well, since your quaint individual processing units are probably having a hard time, why not link up with another one? By which the Head means...

Hello, new citizens of Dualis, and welcome to your first monthly Network Adjacency Protocol~!

NAPs are a monthly community networking event similar to the Earth concept of speed dating! Two citizens (new arrivals and old hands alike) are placed at a table together with a handy cue card of queries to help break the proverbial ice. Ask queries and receive results, or ignore the card and yeet yourself straight into a brand new friendship! But don't be too shy, you've only got ten minutes together, and if you just sit in silence for the whole ten, then the Network Admins are likely to come supervise and try to repair the uplink through a mild shock to the ol' central nervous system. You might find yourself saying all sorts of unintended facts about yourself if that happens...probably better to just make friends, right?

» 02. A BUG IN THE CODE

Remember how the Head mentioned that whole plague thing? Well, don't worry, this isn't that.

It is, however, a really, really terrible flu circulating through the residents of Dualis. Symptoms include fever, chills, vomiting, hallucinations and even in some cases seizures. Bad news, all around. Luckily, this is something the Head knows how to deal with! Time for vaccinations, everyone~

The vaccination process is pretty straightforward: just head to your local clinic and get innoculated! You'll be in and out in less than ten minutes, MedDualis is pretty efficient that way. There isn't even a copay. The MedDroids will tell you, however, that there might be some minor side effects** to watch out for, including physical reactions and odd dreams, but don't worry--those will wear off within forty-eight hours. Nothing to concern yourself about! Of course, if that worries you, you could always run the risk of getting the flu--or passing it on to your loved ones...

**Possible side effects include: Gender or sex change, positive or negative size change, appearance alterations, shared dreams, and mild telepathic links, among others. Please contact your local MedDroid if these symptoms become too severe, or other side effects such as death occur.

» 03. TANSTAAFL

Well, you're settling in just fine, and the basic accommodations and amenities are okay, but maybe you've got a hankering to see that new VR Film: SHARKS IN SPACE 85: BLACK HOLE SHARK DO DO DO DO DO DO DO. Or maybe you want some sweet new duds to wear around town, or even just an actual slab of steak. Sorry, those cost extra, pal, which means it's time for...

JOB HUNTING.

Fortunately, Dualis makes this pretty easy! There's a job fair on this week, down at the Central Hub! Plug your certifications and skills into any of the EmployMe terminals in the Dualis Central Hub, and the computer will auto-generate a currently open job that it feels you'd be best suited for. No resume writing or lengthy application process required! Of course, whether or not this job sounds like the right job for you is another matter...but hey, how could an AI with millions of years of learning be wrong? Time to get started, or try and switch waivers with another unhappy new employee--but be warned, some unforeseen consequences may occur if you try swapping identities with someone else...

Comments

[wickedprayers]

[Thane passes the machine a glance after receiving that bit of information. While he most certainly questioned its accuracy he hadn't considered the fact that it might be that off. Of course, he was more than prepared to completely ignore its suggestion. Because that's all it was to him. A suggestion.

There's a ghost of a smile that befalls his features. Sorry, that's leaning a touch towards the amusing side.]

I will count my blessings, then.

[But he's talking to a detective. Interesting. While Thane considers himself dead despite being here, alive, and breathing, he's still erring on the side of caution. Perhaps there wasn't too much of a need to hide now, but old habits die hard.]

I freelanced. [Not untrue.] For a time I worked construction. [Also not a lie.]

[notalive]

[It was pretty funny in retrospect, but at the time he'd been slightly offended at the suggestion - as if a human can be a vet just because a human should know how all organic beings work.

The answer is about as shifty as it can be, so much so that his eyebrow twitches up for a second - someone who can work security with skills from having worked 'freelance'. So, either organised crime or some kind of PI or bounty hunter. That's his guess. Even if Connor was still a detective, though, this is all from the past - and not from Dualis. So it doesn't matter. So... He doesn't push it.]

Where was that?

[wickedprayers]

[Pleased that the matter isn't pushed too hard Thane seems perfectly confident with his reply. He was trying to be safe, but considering the hell he went through proceeding this pit stop he finds it difficult to have too much of a care.]

A planet called Kahje. I did various menial labor tasks, but working construction was more stable for my family and I.

[Totally normal family man here. Of course, he realizes he's talking to someone who is apparently a detective and could potentially be side eyeing him already, but he worries not.]

How long have you been a detective, Mr...?

[He should probably get a name. And perhaps, very casually, keep an eye out on this one. Again, minor precautions in a time of uncertainty.]

[notalive]

[Side eyeing is a pretty strong word, but Connor's already...kind of sure there's more to this than meets the eye. He's used to his old programming where nothing was of any interest to him unless it directly pertained to his mission - so being idly curious without needing to do anything about it is a feeling he's getting used to, a bit at a time.

And being idly curious gets him things like a planet called Kahje - planets and time shifts all still blow his mind every time someone casually mentions the concept to him, and his continuing amazement at this shows on his face.]

I've never heard of that planet - how far is it from Earth?

[That's about the only kind of answer he'll really understand.]

Ah--I'm Connor. Just Connor. [Should he get himself a surname now? That didn't occur to him.]

And I only did detective work for three months. I'm an android, so I was activated with all the expertise three months ago.

[wickedprayers]

It's quite far, though I couldn't tell you exactly how far.

[He's already getting the impression that most things he says are going to be completely foreign to most people around here. Which is fine, really.]

Connor. [He gives a nod in greeting, slight surprise lacing his tone. He had the other pegged as a human, admittedly. Or an organic, at the very least. Either way, it doesn't bother him.] Three months of experience before coming here, I assume.

[notalive]

I probably wouldn't understand the specifics anyway, to be honest.

[There's an audible sort of despondence in his voice at this - that there's a much bigger universe out there than he could ever have known and it will forever remain out of reach. Or at least, it will probably until long after Connor's ceased to function entirely.]

Right, three months back in Detroit - on, uh, Earth.

[Should he always clarify that? He probably should now. Maybe he shouldn't even mention Detroit - what's the point?]

Then a traffic cop here for almost a month. It's been...a pretty new experience.

[He talks to real living people, that doesn't happen much. Those real living people treat him like a real living person, and that really doesn't happen much.]

What was your name, sorry?

[wickedprayers]

[Thane notices the displeasure. A synthetic who wishes to understand, perhaps. He wouldn't be the first Thane has seen. Maybe he should have gone into a little more detail then.]

I've never been to Detroit. [But his response shows he knows what it is, at least.] I've only been to earth once. It is a lovely planet.

[He hopes beyond all hope that it will be left standing after the war.]

Ah, my apologies. Tannor Nuara.

[notalive]

[Connor raises his eyebrows at that - he sort of expected that aliens would be living their lives far beyond their solar system while humanity lived in total obliviousness. But apparently not by this Tannor's reckoning. People just...visit from other planets.

He's glad that future's waiting for them.]

Nice to meet you, Tannor.

[And then he remembers himself - and can't help being amused about it. He couldn't have imagined only a month or two ago ever just losing track of his job.]

I gotta go, I'm still on duty. And, uh... I don't how much I can help yet, but if you need anything, I'm around.

[Not that he's already working on a list of weird and stupid questions about space and other planets to work into future conversations or anything like that.]

[wickedprayers]

Likewise.

[Thane wouldn't begrudge Connor his weird questions, at least. Curiosity in healthy, and normally Thane didn't have much of a problem answering questions. It's a lot easier than making casual conversation, at least.

And with that, along with a nod of his head, he bows ever so slightly.]

I will keep your name in mind should I need aid, Connor. Hopefully it won't be necessary.