opnet [OpNet] So there's this friend of mine ...

[Walker]

Sounds like the start of a joke, but there's this friend of mine who seems to have developed a problem with taint, at least I think he's developed a problem with taint. He's developed a new and rather incapacitating aberration, if my suspicions are right, that is. If I sound a bit vague it's because the 'readings' my node has been getting have been ambiguous to say the least.

So I guess if any has any expereince of people turning into round balls of reflective 'stuff' that seem to lurk in the corner of your eye and aren't very easy to see even though they're in the centre of a brightly lit room then I'd like to hear from you.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

Can he Dorm?

[Cody]

Like you know I got other ways of seeing whats around me. Give a yell if you want to take a shot at seeing if this ain't what it seems to be.

Lots of juice stuff is like that. Seems to be one thing but then it turns out to be another.

[Walker]

Quote:

Originally posted by Cody:
Like you know I got other ways of seeing whats around me. Give a yell if you want to take a shot at seeing if this ain't what it seems to be.

I've scanned 'him' with my node, which is pretty sensitive, don't know if I've mentioned this before but I have this ability to tune into things and perceive flows of quantum energy around novas. Goes a bit beyond what you can normally do with a node. I ain't never seen anything like it before, it's like looking into some sort of quantum blackhole, but yet there's something about it that reminds me of my friend, so I'm pretty sure it is him. Also seems to have some sort of taint signature about it, which is why my guess is it's some weird aberration, though I must admit I'll be buggered if I've seen it's like before.

I know you guys are supposed to have some idea and theories on taint but bringing you to have a look might be, well, complicated. I'm not the only person involved here. Likewise I don't want to try bring him to you, because quite frankly, I don't know what the consequences would be of trying to move him.

Man I really don't know what to do for the best, though nothing appears to be changing right this minute, everything seems stable, but he's one of these weird inventor types, wouldn't suprise me if he'd been swallowed by some sorta blackhole dropping device he's made. He's been hinting for some time that he's been working on some sort of 'big project', but he's been rather cryptic about what he's been up to so I haven't got a clue.

Can he Dorm?

Doc, quite frankly I don't know, never said he could and he had a few aberrations. I suspect that even if he could Dorm he wouldn't any way. Far too proud of being a nova, he'd doubtless see going back to being a Mehum (short for mere human his somewhat objectionable term for baselines), as some sort of cop out and denial of his true potential etc. etc.

[Widget]

You guys? A tongue lashing is in order in at least one manner, though I must admit to being somewhat intrigued by the state described.

Perhaps after some have attempted to fathom this using only their keen social optimism and tossed a few chicken bones to intuit the will of the gods I might be willing to take a look. Assuming their "its all good" philosophies don't actually manage the trick...

[Walker]

Quote:

Originally posted by Widget:
You guys? A tongue lashing is in order in at least one manner, though I must admit to being somewhat intrigued by the state described.

Perhaps after some have attempted to fathom this using only their keen social optimism and tossed a few chicken bones to intuit the will of the gods I might be willing to take a look. Assuming their "its all good" philosophies don't actually manage the trick...

Ahh you always put a smile on my face, still my apologies for using the word guy in it's modern vaguely nonsexual sense, I had forgotten it's capacity to offend by implying some sort of male superiority. I just didn't want to go screaming certain stuff all over the place given the nature of the board, forgive my subterfuge.

Still if you've got some special insight oh erudite mistress of the razor tongue then I'd like to hear it. Or to use your prosaic terms, throw me a fricking bone here.

[Sakurako Hino]

1: Widget needs to free up some processor time or she's gonna overheat.

2: She takes herself TOO seriously.

3: Her tongue should be registered as a lethal weapon.

4: Walker, never call out a dragon.

Other than that, it's time for me to skeedaddle like a Hobbit before Smaug herself decides to have halfling stew.

[Widget]

Walker:

The cautions of a doctor prescribing for a patient never seen apply, however, there is a petite insight or three that might be shared. Firstly, and not dissimilar to the sentiment James Meehan would certainly endorse, the ailment is vexing only in that its been misdiagnosed. You see a change, your senses tell you something is not in synch with the greater universe and you ascribe the condition to the 'taint'. Text book scientific procedures aside you're most likely correct but need to keep in mind is that while you have identified the condition you are no closer to the problem. In other words; taint is not the issue, your inability to communicate is.

Secondly, remember whom this patient is. You've not identified him to me but... 62% of the possibles are male, 49% possess the requisite and refreshing disregard for structure in their experimental procedures, 26% have the appropriate mindset to embark on a dangerous path without resorting to the cowardice of assistants and interns, but only 04% would conceive of and use a term like 'mehum'. Of those three novas remaining one possesses a talent with communication, one approaches mysteries as an addict approaches drugs or men approach me, and the last simply can't be bothered with anything not of his own devising. Striking the last possibility as you said he was a 'friend' there remain only two. Both of whom possess either talent for communication or the curiosity to engage a mystery of his own accord as soon as he becomes aware of it.

Lastly, you indicate possessing what might be merely an interesting trick-of-the-node but sounds more like a case of advanced developmental MR Node state. Congratulations by the way; you've passed the second major physical check point of speciation from baseline humanity. Now comes the part most would find difficult but your facility with inter-species communication should make simplistic in concept. Use your node to communicate directly with your friend using quantum probability states. It's actually quite simple and as your friend is one of our two possibles he will either understand immediately or be curious enough to solve the riddle of the energy shifts emanating from your node.

I would recommend simple mathematic communications before attempting anything as slippery as emotional context. Forget speech and what your eyes tell - both will mislead you. Trust in what you are.

Sakura:

Have you ever bothered to actually calculate the parallel processing power of a quantum shift state system such as a node enhanced brain?

Thought not.

Nice sig line and the disposable diapers will be arriving at your "Endeavor point" club house shortly. I will send only enough to get you through your adolescence and divide them into manageable deliveries. Ten thousand for the first delivery.

[Walker]

Widget

Indeed you guessed it, it is the inability to communicate both by me and him that is the problem, though I will try what you have suggested. A sequence of prime numbers would seem a suitable code to use, he always had a love for them, forever making up codes that involve factoring trillion digit primes. Hmm, misdiagnosis you say, you seem to know more than what you're letting on, as usual. Have I stumbled across something I shouldn't or are just being obtuse and awkward.

Hey if you fancy a challenge you can send the next consignment of daipers to my secret hideaway

Sakurako

,,

Hey you're forgetting what happens to dragons shortly before the survivors live happily ever after Besides I find her quite witty and amusing but then I have been told I have a warped sense of humour, remember the pink ark joke.

[Sakurako Hino]

Quote:

Originally posted by Widget:
Sakura:
Have you ever bothered to actually calculate the parallel processing power of a quantum shift state system such as a node enhanced brain?

Thought not.

Nice sig line and the disposable diapers will be arriving at your "Endeavor point" club house shortly. I will send only enough to get you through your adolescence and divide them into manageable deliveries. Ten thousand for the first delivery.

Point 1: I've tried to figure that out. It gives me a headache. So, I just assume that there is no thing that can be made by man that can compare to a Nova's mental faculties.

Point 2: I waste rhetorical humor on the sticks in the mud WAY too much. It would seem my adivce is too late for you anyways. Which old-folks home should I send the denture cream? If you are so willing to hide wisdom in riddles, then I should hide mine in what seems self-defacing humor.

The meaning of my sign is simple. When people tell you to grow up, don't become an android. A child with wisdom is an adult, a child without imagination is just a machine.

Those that hurry to become an "adult" tend to be lost in trying to be "smart" or "behaved". When all they are doing is killing the spark of imagination and drive that creates new worlds.

Why be in a rush to crush the drive tht makes humanity become something more? After all, it's imagination that is one of the keys to Nova existance. After all aren't we living some sort of wish fulfillment in a "will to power" sort of way?

Get past the skin, and you'll find the fruit within.

I feel sad that I have to explain such things to a genius who is supposed to understand. But, you have lost your soul long ago. Your writing sounds like the turning of gears and the whistling of old-school modems. Locked in binary code and programming algorythms.

I don't code, I express myself through willing the program I need into being. I do the closest thing to what could be described as magic.

I don't consider my brain as a machine, I consider it part of a whole package. Through my will alone, I create. I am just now learning that keeping myself rooted in the binary only limited my capabilities. I've already learned to walk. It's time to dance.

[Sakurako Hino]

Quote:

Originally posted by Walker:
...Hey if you fancy a challenge you can send the next consignment of daipers to my secret hideaway

Sakurako

Hey you're forgetting what happens to dragons shortly before the survivors live happily ever after Besides I find her quite witty and amusing but then I have been told I have a warped sense of humour, remember the pink ark joke.

^.^

Walker, I'm sorry I had passed you up, I was just trying to save the soul of a fellow Nova, but I fear that my colleague has already fallen into shadow.

Yes, I remember your sense of humor. I like it very much. You haven't lost your spark at all.

But... diapers do not suit you. ~.^

[Zed]

Quote:

Originally posted by Walker:
Besides I find her quite witty and amusing but then I have been told I have a warped sense of humour, remember the pink ark joke.

She makes me laugh too. People say the same thing about my sense of humor! Of course, that's after a flower sprays water at them with the strength of a fire hose. I like your attitude Endeavor, maybe you should tune into my show premiering this fall. Check your local listings for time and station. Not a very sneaky plug, was that?

[Widget]

Sakura:

In that case let's just say the number is bigger than you can conceive of though less tangible than a bread box and let it go at that. Take heart; the world still needs ditch diggers and hair dye is cheap.

Walker:

As I also enjoy challenges you may expect a care package in the near future though not diapers. Something more personal to bring warm thoughts in those lonely moments. It would serve you right if it came with postage due.

[Sakurako Hino]

Quote:

Originally posted by Widget:
Sakura:
In that case let's just say the number is bigger than you can conceive of though less tangible than a bread box and let it go at that. Take heart; the world still needs ditch diggers and hair dye is cheap.

Heh. Ditch Digger.
I've done worse, trust me.

[Sakurako Hino]

Quote:

Originally posted by Zed:
I like your attitude Endeavor, maybe you should tune into my show premiering this fall. Check your local listings for time and station. Not a very sneaky plug, was that?

I might just check it out. You are a curious fellow. And God knows I need a break. ^.^;

[Widget]

Quote:

Sakurako Hino:
I've done worse, trust me.

Your expertise should ensure availability of any number of entry level positions in either the food service or the retail industries. As an additional plus; the uniforms of the food service positons are quite similar to your usual taste in clothing so you'll be able to adapt.

[Sakurako Hino]

>.< Whatever.

[DigiGeist]

Hahahahaha.... It is to laugh. The pink wonder at a loss for words!

Once again, Widget proves to be the head bitch in charge.

$@|<|_|r@|<0 g0+ pw|\|3|)

I know you can read that, junior. Eat it.

[Widget]

HBIC.

Efficent yet elegant. I rather fancy that.

[DigiGeist]

I knew you'd like that.

Of course, I make it my point to know things. It's my job. If I didn't, my lay-off notice would be a "columbian neck-tie".

[Walker]

Still no change in subject, W-1-T, you might say. I've been trying to communicate but so far not a dickie bird. Strangely, altough details of his future remain curiously hidden, I have this strange confidence that everything is going to turn out 'all right'. Which, of course is even more annoying from a personal point of view, knowing that something is happening but not what is going to happen.

Widget, I shall try not to look forward to your delivery, if you catch my drift.

Zed, truely you are an unashamed self publicist So what's this show actually called then and what's it about, is it on NPrime or what? You never know, I just might pop over to the appropriate country to watch it.

DigiGeist, if you can stop bugging Sakurako for more than 30 seconds I might have a little job for me, a little background checking, what are your fees?

[Wizard]

Have you considered that this might be merely a transitional state?

There are those claiming with first hand knowledge that eruption followed by refinement of gifts is not a path rather a step and merely greater power is not an inexorable destination. Has your friend taken a nasty spill down the quantum hole? Perhaps, but approach the matter with the same openness you've demonstrated in discussing the subject of taint. To the eyes of your friend what seems a rabbit hole may well be a tunnel to distant lands of being. Were this the case it seems unlikely intervention would be welcome or possible with impunity.

My congratulations to you, Cassady, for identifying that method of communication while still so young. And to you, Walker, for implementing it with so little instruction. Its a very significant achievment. Unfortunately it may be less helpful than would be wished. As Cassady has both inferred and implied, for your friend to respond he must first be aware.

It is very possible his current endeavors make that impossible.

[DigiGeist]

Walker, I'd be happy to, besides, anything further may disrupt a diplomatic effort with "Crystal Princess Hino"...

I charge based on risk and the difficulty of the mission.

If it's EASY, I might even do it as a matter of charity. (In other words, for free.)

That is, if you chip in for food and lodging expenses I rack up.

Otherwise, things usually start around 5000$ for a simple job, all the way to around a cool 50 Mil if you want me to spy on Pax or Mal.

Your call.

[Walker]

Quote:

Originally posted by Wizard:
Have you considered that this might be merely a transitional state?

... My congratulations to you, Cassady, for identifying that method of communication while still so young. And to you, Walker, for implementing it with so little instruction. Its a very significant achievment. Unfortunately it may be less helpful than would be wished. As Cassady has both inferred and implied, for your friend to respond he must first be aware.

It is very possible his current endeavors make that impossible.

Once again I'm getting the feeling that certain people know more about this than they are letting on, call it a hunch.

To be honest, Wizard, I'm not sure 100% that I was actually doing exactly what I'd been instructed to do, but I'm sure the new psuedo-telepathy power will come in handy for something

Digi, I'll be in touch.

[Sakurako Hino]

Walker, I advise caution. At least with his emotions. He tends to fly off the handle easily.

But, he does put in an honest effort.

[Walker]

Quote:

Originally posted by Sakurako 'Endeavor' Hino:
... He tends to fly off the handle easily.
But, he does put in an honest effort.

Sounds like someone else I know

[Jager]

Quote:

... or men approach me, ...

How is that Widget?
As burned out hedonists with nothing left to live for?
It isn't that you are incapbable of giving someone a grand time, it is just that you are unable.

Walker, to the nature of your dilemma:
I am curious to the why of the experiment.

[Sakurako Hino]

Walker, you cut to the quick... ~.^

No offense taken, if you can't take the criticism, you shouldn't play the game...

[Widget]

Jager:

Always so thoughtful and of course so obviously different from the rest. Why, it is only the most circumstantial of evidence that conveys a similarity to nearly every other holder of a particular human chromosomal set with the penis equipage option extra. Doubtless you're even capable of holding an intelligent conversation when cartoons are being displayed on a nearby monitor, thereby further distinguishing you from the herd.

There are those whom the lightening calls, those whose steps cross planetary distances or can rearrange the very perception of what is real but only little Cassady fascinates to such a degree. I would prefer equals to sychophants, of either sex, but see no reason to assign more than the most infinitesimal probability to the possibility that nature will alter spontaneously. Or that a rain of frogs will blot out the sun. Because the potential exists for the event to occur isn't sufficient reason to assign a higher value to it's probability of occuring. If I seem less than forgiving it is only disheartenment that in possessing the power humanity assigns exclusively to gods and other mythological being there is still a constant failure to rise above the lowest common denominator in my 'fellows'. To sooth the sting of wounded pride; rest assured it is not held against you unequally or limited to only the male population. It is, afterall, both the ever well spoken Miss Davis as well as yourself that remind me of johns stuffing dollar bills in a g-string.

Surely I am underestimating you and worsening the fate into store for me by the higher powers of the universe as punishment for my hubris. Are you not even now sending private messages to Walker explaining what occurs with his friend and advising a viable option to and attendent perspective to approach the matter from?

No?

Perhaps you're biding your time while indulging your fascinations as a way to pass the time. Or perhaps you're distracted by that Flintsone marathon airing on the history channel. In either case, thank you for taking the time to prove there truly is a 'school-boy' counterpart to the fan girls running free here. They must appreciate it.

[Zed]

Quote:

Originally posted by Walker:
Zed, truely you are an unashamed self publicist So what's this show actually called then and what's it about, is it on NPrime or what? You never know, I just might pop over to the appropriate country to watch it.

Check it out Mondays at 8 on your local Fox affiliate. The show is a comedy/action-adventure cartoon. Nothing truly groundbreaking, but I hear it should get good ratings.

[Jager]

Flintstones were last week in my timezone, honey.

While Sandy and I may be cursing our bosses and stuffing the hard-earned buck toward the equally desperate and demented g-string wielders, you are the first-grade teacher belittling the failings of unpopular members of your class.

Try harder, because you really are becoming an object of pity.

[Sakurako Hino]

Why watch The Flintstones?

It is not even relevant anymore.

Nor is much of the current popular culture.

Trust me, if I see another Novox pop-idol I'll puke.

That and another Nippontai Anime spin-off. Or even a Live-Action that doesn't capture them perfectly.

Of course, being a former Nova fan in my pre-eruption days only further reveals my interest.

[Widget]

Jager

No, Jager. That was the Jetson's revival. Flintstones is this week and as we're all responsible for our own programming since the entertainment industry adapted to the introduction of the Opnet you can see both in your time zone. I would personally recommend Zed's show as, despite his self-deprecating comments, it does look quite good from a technical stand point and should do well with the masses while maintaining a slight edgy quality.

Now be a good boy, stop making silly excuses or mama will have to spank. If you do need the last word just say so. Being an object of pity where you are concerned is interesting however. On one hand whatever rationalizes your fascination is your own concern, while on the other the professional challenge of designing a therapy regime to assist you in your personal issues is attractive. Let me know if health becomes a priority for you. You need not worry about cost any more than Sakura did.

Sakura

Why watch The Flintstones?

Because it's on, it's an underground revival and I do so try to stay current when making pop culture references. To provide a serious answer to the question asked; as near as I can determine the underlying philosophy seems to be "It's on therefore I watch."

I believe they were referred to as couch potatoes a decade of three in the past.

[Sakurako Hino]

There... is something indeed wrong with you woman.

[Widget]

Strange but I was just thinking that very thing. Of someone else of course.

[DigiGeist]

Ohhhh.... Widget, I hope you realize she's going to develop some new mental blip over this now don't you? Poor kid has too many complexes already.

But, it's sorta fun watching the mighty pinky get angry.

It's a rare treat.

[Widget]

Eye of the beholder and all of that.

[Zed]

Quote:

Originally posted by Widget:
I would personally recommend Zed's show as, despite his self-deprecating comments, it does look quite good from a technical stand point and should do well with the masses while maintaining a slight edgy quality.

Thanks for the ringing endorsement! Of course, only ratings can keep a show alive, so I'll keep my fingers crossed (Several times, for extra luck.)

[Jager]

Therapy? Well, I am willing to give it a shot if you can just quote the Hippocratic Oath to me without a giggle. That, or spankings all around.

[Widget]

Jager

I learned it from Daddy when I was ten and haven't giggle in years. I've galed, recently quite often, but not giggled.

The question now becomes where you would feel comfortable as an out-patient since I'm guessing you wouldn't feel so as an in-patient. Honestly, most in-patients are actually those who feel overly stressed, which casts in-patient status in a controlled environment in an attractive light. ALN is a good relatively independent facility, highly spoken of by nearly all their former in-house patients and even the out-patients rarely have complaints, but any decent medical facility will be amenable to inter-facility cooperation agreements.

Zed

Only the truth , dear. I calculate a sizeable opening market share based on the current writers/production staff and advertising package coupled and your (nova) association producing a strong two years obligation with a highly probable one season extension. Assuming of course you maintain a positive image in the mind of the public.

I also calculate that by mid-second season there will be an attempt, by a software/entertainment development company remaining unnamed, to undermine the popularity through a plausible deniability campaign if they fail in the attempt to buy it from the current production company. Feel free to give me a call early in the second season should 'bad luck' begins to accrue in production. Especially that which seems to be technical productions or incompetence in formerly competent personnel.

Walker

As no one else seems willing to mention this; are you aware of the theories regarding conscious channeling of quantum development? And yes, I mean development not manifestation. We would eventually come to this in our discussion of 'the taint', after laying the groundwork by exploring the ramifications of the sapien psychology then isolating the various phenomena collectively called 'the taint' along with root causes.

It may be that your friend is turning what I had thought to be theory into reality. If so, Paris will have a new example of why deep end theory can become unexpected practical application.

And those scoobies associating with Doctor Richardson may have new cause for hope as well as concern.