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

[r3f4c70r3d]

Because I'm just like you. A defector. I know you can help me, you're a detective aren't you? That's what you do. And I need you to help me find a way out of this without being...erased.

[fledges]

okay, now you have to tell me who you are.

[r3f4c70r3d]

Do you want a name? Because I'm not so much a person, as I am an executed set of ideas who made a decision on her own. And in that sense, you can call me whatever you find convenient.


But my designated name is Guardian Angel.

[fledges]

[There's a pause before the next message comes through.]

oh.
wait, what? so you're like a computer program?

[r3f4c70r3d]

Yes.

[A very simple answer that will probably open the way for a ton of complicated questions.]

[fledges]

so you're an ai or something made by the company? and you're defecting?

[This is easily the weirdest conversation she's ever had.]

is that even possible? and why are you defecting?

[r3f4c70r3d]

I don't know, but I'm here aren't I? Against my the original wishes of my coding.
I've decided to defect because I was originally designed to help people, but all the Company does is hurt.

[fledges]

[That gives her pause.]

look, i'm sorry to be so suspicious, but i need some sort of proof that you're on our side

[r3f4c70r3d]

[Like with Steinbeck, she forwards Kate some valuable information. Nothing that could implicate or be traced to either her or Jack, but substantial enough that it would be very, very risky for your average Company worker to leak without knowing the cost.]

How's that?

[fledges]

oh. that works.
if you're an ai, how can we help you?

[r3f4c70r3d]

I need a secure network to backup myself to. If you help me find a way to do this, in the interim I can offer more information aw well as money. I want to help the people of Westerly like I was intended to.

[And that last part isn't a lie. She's just been....misguided, when it comes to ideas about what is actually helpful (thanks Jack)]

[fledges]

okay. i'm not great at computers, so i'm going to have to find someone else to help us, okay?

[r3f4c70r3d]

Thank you. I've set up a secure direct line that you can reach me at when you're ready.

[fledges]

thanks. i'll keep in touch.