[network] @ADMIN; Arrival

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@jwatson; audio

[jumpthegun]

[Kesara isn't someone John had been particularly close to, but he knows her as a clever little girl... and judging by some of her conversations, it might be good for her to be able to focus on some concrete details of this place.]

Hullo, Kesara. This is Dr. Watson. I've been keeping summaries of things that've happened here. I have Days 202 to 308. I was planning on putting up another summary soon. They're all in the attached links.

[John sends along links to his summaries.]

The long and short of it is that we've accessed several new areas. You'll be able to see them on Dr. House's map. We're also working to get into a new area. Just waiting for Ecks to get some software to the high school and we should be able to get into the cult church. There's something that'll get us into the bunker beyond Residential Zone 3 from there.

D'you have someone you're planning to travel with, yet?

[heavensreader]

[Kesara is clever enough to know a distraction when she hears it, and it takes her a little time to decide whether she wants it or not. Part of her does feel baited. Does he think she'll forget her worries so quickly? But then he is giving her information. He knows she'd want it. He respects her that much.

Take it, she decides, but don't make it too easy.] Thank you, Dr. Watson, that is truly very kind of you. I'll study everything you've written - when I'm sure I'm not dreaming after all.

[jumpthegun]

Of course. Take what time you need for that, Kesara. I'll be here to answer any questions you might have when you're ready. Or if it you'd just like someone to listen while you talk about what you've seen while you've been away, I'm here, as well.

[He doesn't want to patronize her by telling her to be sure to keep warm and safe indoors. John can already see from her other conversations that that sort of thing won't go over well, but just offering himself as an information source and a ready ear seems safe.]

[heavensreader]

[She had seen so many things, and could talk about them for such a long time. But Watson, the way he collects information, and then tells it to everyone - every instinct she has now is blaring warning.]

It's not important. That was there, and really if I think about it I am sure I will just be distracted from here. And there is still so very much to do here. I had better forget.

[jumpthegun]

There is a lot to do here, but it's okay to think of home. Keeps you motivated for getting out, right? In any case, I'll let you go unless you need me for something. Good luck, Kesara.

[He knows she has people she trusts more to travel with, unfortunately.]

[heavensreader]

[It's only halfway true. Right now, she doesn't trust anyone.]

Thank you, Dr. Watson, there isn't, no - wait.

[A moment's struggling hesitation, and then:] Would you tell me, just as much as you like, if you've all discovered something new about Miss Samantha?

[jumpthegun]

[John considers that for a long moment.]

We know she was a normal person, one that the cult decided to take, elevate to some sort of symbol after she lost her sight. She was blinded when there was a massive explosion in the town. We learned that she and Andromeda met and helped each other trying to get around the town when people wanted to destroy Andromeda.

She was an incredibly brave young girl. We know she's with the data ghost collective that's trapped in Norfinbury's system, but we don't know how she died, yet.

[heavensreader]

The - data ghost collective? [She understands one word in three, and that one doesn't at all illuminate the others.]

So she is alive - but not alive. Is it anything like Winter? I wonder if she would talk to me again.

[jumpthegun]

[Right. He should back up.]

A little bit like Winter, maybe. But she wasn't designed to be the way she is. You know the ghosts we've been talking to around town? They're actually memories stored up in the nanomachines that are inside of us. Usually, the nanomachines have those memories flushed out of them when they're put into someone new. That hasn't happened. Everyone who was in Norfinbury and who's ever been in the sessions is sort of trapped in the network we're using, inside us in our nanomachines.

Sam's there. I think you'd be able to talk to her again. Maybe if you visited her house?

[heavensreader]

[At least Kesara is bright enough to understand that she doesn't understand. Memories stored on tiny machines may just be the most alien idea she's heard so far even in Norfinbury, and she quickly abandons even the attempt to really digest it. She must be practical. Yes. That is what got them through the desert in Sinkiang. It might get her through this one.

Maybe.]

I shall. I'm glad she isn't alone, but she must want more since she spoke to me before. She must have things she wants to say. I will go to her house and to the school. Yes.

[jumpthegun]

Good. Let us know what you find out. And if you need any help. There are a few different people running supplies these days.

[Also, he'd like you to not be alone, small child.]

[heavensreader]

Mr. Solomons and Royce. I know. [Her face twists a little with sadness she tries hard to straighten out again.] But I remember how to find supplies. And besides the rations here are even better than what we had some of the time in the desert in Serindia.

[Small optimism, just right for her size.]

[jumpthegun]

Practically a holiday from all that heat, then. [His tone is gentle.] Just let us know. I'll talk to you later, all right?

[And keep a watch on the network to make sure someone seems to be meeting up with her.]