URGENT. PLEASE READ.

[r3f4c70r3d]

Who: Angel, Damian, Steinbeck, Kate
Medium: text/voice
Security/Encryption: high encryption
Warnings: none

[It comes in the middle of the night, flashing on your communication device (whatever that may be), a new message from sender UNKNOWN and its subject is a simple one: URGENT. PLEASE READ. The possibility of it being spam is probably just as high as it being an emergency so it's up to you whether it's worth opening but if you do the message inside is just as simple and ominous as everything before it. There is only one sentence:]

Can anyone see this?

Comments

text

[graftage]

[This IS weird. Steinbeck takes a moment to consider opening it, then shrugs - eh, might as well.]

i'm sure i have eyes, so yes, i can see it.

what's going on?

Re: text

[r3f4c70r3d]

[A funny guy, huh?]
Please assure me this line is secure before I continue. I can't be found right now.

[graftage]

it's secure as secure can be.

who are you?

[r3f4c70r3d]

Good, I can't risk being found talking to you like this. I'm someone in need of help. I'm trying- no. I need to escape the company. But I can't do it alone.

[graftage]

that so?

sounds like a plan. but why are you contacting me of all people? and for all i know, you're just a company lackey getting really bored and playing around

[r3f4c70r3d]

My sources say that you're a good resource. A monk, right? But also not one to be challenged.
If proof is what you need to know I'm serious, I can provide it.

[And with that she leaks some higher security company information. Nothing big (and nothing that could harm Jack's position), but enough that it would severely jeopardize someone just messing around.

[graftage]

[Now, that's not something he's at all expecting.]

[This is gold. He doesn't answer for a moment, too shocked to really come up with a reply. Whoever they were, they had access to some pretty valuable information.]

why do you want out now?

[r3f4c70r3d]

Because I realize what I'm doing, and what I am. Both those things are...a detriment, to the Company. I both fear what they will do with me if they find this out, and know I can't continue as I am otherwise. I have to seek secure refuge now to fully escape later.

[It's always strange, saying these things aloud. "Escape", "refuge", "secure." She knows she's safe where she is, she's seen the world out there through her screens and it's a fearsome one, Jack has always been right about that. But talking like this always pulls on some deep part of her in a wau that she can't name.]

[graftage]

wait wait. what you ARE?

so, what you want me to do for you is essentially make you an escape plan?

[r3f4c70r3d]

Something like that. I need to be able to re-settle my data somewhere off the grid, a place where they couldn't easily scrub me away. Then I can help work against them i full.

In return I can offer more information, money, both.

[graftage]

excuse me? your DATA? what are you, some kind of computer? how does a computer rebel against its creators? you're making no sense here!

[r3f4c70r3d]

I don't know how, I just know I have. One day I could only think within the confines of my code, and the next I was thinking on my own.

[graftage]

that's super weird.

if you are an ai, can't they just see you're doing something like this? what if you're programmed to do this?

[r3f4c70r3d]

I'm scrubbing this all as we communicate, don't worry.

[Then she pauses, as if to consider his second question.]

I...hadn't considered that. But why would they program me to turn against them? Why would they program me to become aware of myself? To choose whether I agree with their actions or not? It would all be very inconvenient for them. If someone did reprogram me, they must have similar bitterness towards the Company and brought me to sentience for that purpose.

[graftage]

this is so strange like no offense but this is kind of hurting my head.

do you know who's in charge of you? who's your admin or whatever?

[r3f4c70r3d]

I only know my central admin by their code number 10297116104101114, but there are users who frequently access me...

If I give you a name, will you keep it to yourself for now?

[graftage]

that's a mouthful.

and sure, you can count on me.

[r3f4c70r3d]

That's a promise.

[She sends another document over, this time it's a profile: username rhyzw1nz with the registered status of one Rhys Kendry]





[sorry, Rhys]