opnet [OpNet] Small problems, big solutions

[Gentle Giant]

Hello, I hope no one minds that I am posting here. I am not a Nova, but my brother has just erupted, so I am posting for him. He would post here himself, except he can't read the screen, or type on a keyboard.

You might have seen him, he was on the news last night walking down the street, crushing cars and trying not to step on people.

We've now got a few small problems between us. He's fourty feet tall, weighs several tons (we haven't gotten him on a scale yet) and has just started complaining about being hungry. He can't figure out how to shrink, and I'm rather afraid he's going to starve before he manages it.

So he needs an employer willing to feed him a ton of hamburgers a day. And did I mention my brother is an abject pacifist? He is also complaining about being bored, since watching a big screen TV for him is a lot like watching the feeds on a gameboy XI. For the time being, the governer has offered to let him sleep in the local park, as long as he doesn't hurt anyone.

If you have any suggestions, we would both love to hear them.

Muchos gracias in advance.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

High profile. Needs a rich employer. Not into killing people. Sounds like he would be a good fit for the Project. I'm sure they have reps on the way, but if he says I convinced him to join I get a bonus I'd be happy to split.

Seriously, I can think of several things he could do for Utopia. Just for starters, he could work teraforming with the Eden project.

Utopia is also a good place for training. They teach young novas things like (just for example) how to turn off their powers.

[Singularity]

I'd follow Dr. Troll's advice: Utopia seems to be the best way to go. My former employer and their counterparts would try their best to make your brother a weapon of war. If he wants to make a living, he might want to look into the mining, construction, or (pardon the cliche) logging industries.

Luck to you both.

[Lemmy Chillmeister]

That's a buncha bullshit Singlularity. I've chatted with the folks at Devries and they got loads of non-hostile jobs for novas. They are the ones that mining, construction and logging industries go to for chrissakes. You got a mad on for the angry side of the work that's fine, but don't go spinning the dudes head in weird directions.

Well, GG, I wish I knew what to tell ya. If I ever need a house moved I'll give you a call. You might think of moving someplace that will make your bro more comfortable. Someplace with big spaces and natural features he can interact with. Someplace with a lot of mountains and deep fucking lakes. Or the Ocean.

[RPG Post]

I hope things work out for your brother. I can provide china that is sized for him - my little siblings think he is cute for such a big person. I wish I could provide work as well, but I have not the money to feed him or the space to fit him. I am sorry.

Go to Utopia. They can teach him to dorm, if nothing else.

Good luck.

[kestrel404]

I'm afraid that the Triton Foundation would be a poor place for your brother. But I also feel that Utopia would be a good fit. Perhaps in 3rd world development.

[Singularity]

Quote:

That's a buncha bullshit Singlularity. I've chatted with the folks at Devries and they got loads of non-hostile jobs for novas. They are the ones that mining, construction and logging industries go to for chrissakes. You got a mad on for the angry side of the work that's fine, but don't go spinning the dudes head in weird directions.

Perhaps, but I believe I have a more accurate perspective of DeVries. Anna is a good woman and might be able to find good work for GG but Carrington can be quite a charming man. I only advise GG away from DeVries to avoid the possible conflict or exploitation. If you have experienced problems with Utopia, please express them so we do not make a mistake in choosing possible employers. Or even better: has anyone had negative experiences with nova employers?

[Williams]

Quote:

Originally posted by Franklin 'Singularity' Alden:
Or even better: has anyone has negative experiences with nova employers?

In a word, yes. Somehow, DeVries got it into their collective heads that I seem to fulfil some optimum profile for a potential elite. I told them 'No'. It seems they have some trouble with the meaning of the word, because they kept on asking. Three times I had an oh-so-photogenic DV rep turn up on my doorstep, asking the same question. By the third time, I was more than a bit irate, so I sent him home with a little souvenier. I think the leg healed crookedly, because the next time he turned up, he was walking with a limp. The things they offered me: money, female company, and more than a couple of polite-yet-veiled threats. Somehow they find it irksome that somebody capable of what we can do would not want to prostrate ourselves to the bottom line.

[Gentle Giant]

Thank you all for your advice. It turns out that my brother made the decision on his own to joing Project Utopia yesterday, and I only learned about it today.

I have been unable to leave the hospital yet, and he is not allowed in the downtown area. Someone finally managed to cobble together a 'telephone headset' for him, made of some car speakers, a full sized microphone, and a mobile phone, all attached to a car battery. A local radio shack put it together for him. He described it when we talked, it was quite ingenious.

My doctors tell me that I am not likely to be able to walk again, but they will be letting me out of the hospital soon. I have several special-made braces around my midsection to prevent stresses to my spine. They advised against it, but I want to see my brother.

[David 'Dr. Troll' Smith]

They can be more subtle than that.

The problem is DeVries can make more money with someone like this as a combat machine. If he were a nova healer or a nova archologist, this wouldn't be an issue. But there is a lot of combat potential here, so guess what they will try to steer him to?

[Lemmy Chillmeister]

Quote:

Originally posted by Franklin 'Singularity' Alden:
Perhaps, but I believe I have a more accurate perspective of DeVries. Anna is a good woman and might be able to find good work for GG but Carrington can be quite a charming man. I only advise GG away from DeVries to avoid the possible conflict or exploitation. If you have experienced problems with Utopia, please express them so we do not make a mistake in choosing possible employers. Or even better: has anyone had negative experiences with nova employers?

So, don't sign a contract with DVNTS. Simple as that. Say no to Carrington, plus the dudes a fucking soldier, he doesn't want to hire anyone that isn't going to do the job. Waste of time and hurts the company's rep.

As for negative experiences, nah, not really. Devries was interested, especially when they found out I could surround myself with a field that would freeze dry even nova tissue, but I told them no a couple of times and they backed off. Williams, whoever your contact was, I'm thinking he wasn't playing by the rules. Never heard of anyone else getting a 'work with us or bad things will happen' treatment. Utopia never came calling, not even once. Guess they're happy with that poser-bitch, Skew.

[Singularity]

Quote:

Originally posted by Lemmy Chillmeister:
As for negative experiences, nah, not really. Devries was interested, especially when they found out I could surround myself with a field that would freeze dry even nova tissue, but I told them no a couple of times and they backed off. Williams, whoever your contact was, I'm thinking he wasn't playing by the rules. Never heard of anyone else getting a 'work with us or bad things will happen' treatment. Utopia never came calling, not even once. Guess they're happy with that poser-bitch, Skew.

Hm, interesting. I went straight to DeVries after I erupted, but most of my "coworkers" experienced the persistant ABCs of sales from the DeVries representatives: Always Be Closing.

Curious... I would have expected Utopia to court you to some degree. At least for the research value and experience they could gain from studying another nova's condition. I believe you have described the softest recruitment experience I have heard. DeVries left you alone after a few visits and Utopia never called. Very different

When I entered my sabbatical (of sorts), Utopia filled my OpNet mailbox with questions if I had turned over a new, altruistic leaf. The other nova consulting agencies were not far behind, as well as some unusual, private citizen requests. The messages have trailed off since it has been rather clear I desire to remain independent for the time being.

In fact, the Teragen were the only ones who did not try to knock my door off its hinges.

Quote:

Originally posted by Gentle Giant:
My doctors tell me that I am not likely to be able to walk again, but they will be letting me out of the hospital soon. I have several special-made braces around my midsection to prevent stresses to my spine. They advised against it, but I want to see my brother.

Be sure your brother includes time with a nova healer in return for joining Utopia. I am sure they can find someone to heal your injuries.

[H. 'Machine' Mann]

Many don't realize there is a heirachy to organisation recruiters in the same tradition that old time sport recruiters and agents exemplified as the worst of a bad lot. Those with negative recruiting experiences often were not "targeted by the company" so much as simply the unlucky recipient of the attentions of a mediocre to poor recruiter. A complaint to the human resources department of either organisation usually suffices to end the matter though new novas rarely realize this.

Then there are the demographic recruiters. These are the fully empowered agents who, with a handful of spreadsheets and software analysis, know they hold the key to a nova's recruitment. Unfortunately the package is rarely complete so its as much art as science to close the deal. Thinking they know the lay of the lock, they'll inadvertently twist the wrong key and watch as the opportunity goes down in flames. Agents of this calibre are usually quite professional and when the faux pas is evident will withdraw from the field... And call in a fellow recruiter to sympathise with the recruitee. Don't laugh, it works more often than not.

Finally there are the unlucky few that possess abilities that organisations simply feel they must have, if only to deny the gifts to another agency. These situation can get quite ugly.

[Singularity]

Quote:

Finally there are the unlucky few that possess abilities that organisations simply feel they must have, if only to deny the gifts to another agency. These situation can get quite ugly.

Bravo, H. Mann. There are few things a determined person cannot do.

[Neil Preston]

Brother of the Giant, if you would like to contact me in private, I could possibly help you, if you still need it.

[Neil Preston]

Should I feel slighted? I have only had about two dozen offers all told. Two from Utopia and DeVries, and one from a bunch of smaller outfits. They took my "No" for a "No", and went on about their way. I guess I have something no one else wants.