[8] - backdated to pre-Rex; San Diego

[savethedarkness]

[Private]

[reading Bond's report over confirmed what M had read to her mounting horror over the journals on the cruise ship ... and more. she spent most of her first comfortable morning on land with a breakfast tray from room service, sitting on the balcony of her room in the open air and flipping back and forth between the freshly penned - if cheeky - report, and Zelos' all-encompassing treatise on Paradisa.

she scribbles a few notes:]

- InGen
- Lastlook
- Winchester
- Fairfield
- Missing books
- possible ally?

[immediately after that, she stops, stares out at the horizon for a moment, then turns her attention back to the page with a sharp, determined focus and writes out a filter, carefully]

[John Hammond, or anyone who could bring this to his attention]

Dear Mr. Hammond,

We've not met, but if you are able to read this, as I surmise you may be - we have at least a common thread running through our lives. I won't mince words, as I'm sure you're a busy man. Some colleagues of mine have been to Isla Sorna, and there are remnants of your work there. Since your name was not mentioned, but that of your company was plastered all about, I thought you may have a right to know. If you wish to discuss details, please filter your reply to the name I have signed.

I assure you, I have no intention to come and root you out, or cause harm to any who may be residing with you. The hostile, armored outlanders who seemed a threat to both yourself, and the people I keep watch over, have mostly been killed, and I for one see that as a blessing. If you would rather keep to your own life and leave us to ours, I have a healthy respect for that sort of thing - but I see nothing wrong with a free exchange of information. As a man of science, I hope you will agree.

Sincerely,
M of M16

[that little gamble being made, she sets her journal aside and takes her time to finish her breakfast, even taking the time to read the newspaper that was delivered. it's all old news, really, by her standards, but it's good to even have the vestiges of a familiar routine. once she's done, she dresses for the day and opens the journal again]

It seems we have the day free, in a city that's at least passingly familiar to me. I've been to San Diego on buisness on one or two occasions, and I'm in a mood to get to know the city on a more casual level. Would anyone care to join me?

Comments

[banshee_rider]

M. I wouldn't mind a tour.

[What visits she had made to Earth in the past had been quick and mostly confidential. A few medals ceremonies, some highly classified debriefings, but not much in free range shore leave. That's what happens when you're a walking weapon of war.]

[savethedarkness]

Hello, 087. How about a bit of lunch, first? There's a cafe I recall being quite good.

[banshee_rider]

That sounds like an idea. I'll meet you in the lobby?

[savethedarkness]

Of course. [she hopes she doesn't have to tell her to dress civilian]

[banshee_rider]

[Yeah whoops, Kelly's there in full armor. It's not like she really has a secure place to store it, here.]

[savethedarkness]

Oh for God's sake. [she uses an old trick, biting the inside of her cheek to stop from laughing. apparently she should have said something after all]..... Don't you have any civvies?

[deductiongeek]

I wouldn't mind going out to explore. I've been to Los Angelos before, but I think this is my first time in San Diego.

[Also, it would give him an excuse to avoid Sugar.]

[savethedarkness]

Well, then, we shall have to do something about that. What sort of things should we put on the itinerary?

[she knows he'd likely be interested in more mature things, of course, and having someone who was adult in body as well as mind would probably make it far easier for him to investigate them]

[deductiongeek]

[He is taken aback for a moment. Conan had grown used to simply being dragged along to whatever the adults in any party were interested in. It wasn't often that he was given a choice in anything, any more. Even people who knew who he really was often just dragged him along to things.]

Museums, I guess.

[savethedarkness]

Any in particular? I know there are several, they had a mess of pamphlets in the foyer.

[deductiongeek]

Natural history or science. [He says this decisively.] I've had more than enough of art museums for a while.

[savethedarkness]

I sense a story. ... How about science? I've always been rubbish at it, you can explain some of it to me and I'll get you lunch for your pains.

[lara_the_explorer]

I've never been to San Diego before. But I heard they have a few museums that sound interesting.

[savethedarkness]

Quite a few, yes. I've heard their zoo is nothing to sneeze at, either, but after the days you lot just had, I've also the feeling that's the last thing on everyone's lists.

[a pause, and then she filters]

[Lara Croft]

I hear I have you to thank for aiding a colleague of mine out there.

Emma

[lara_the_explorer]

A colleague of yours? Was it James?

Lara

[savethedarkness]

It was, indeed. Very sharp of you.

Emma forever

[lara_the_explorer]

[Lara smiled outside of the journal]

I figured he was military or intelligence, from the way he looked and his skills.

[savethedarkness]

Both, in all honesty. As am I. ... He's my direct report. [that's all she needs to know for now, but aiding Bond had granted her the privilege of a little transparency]

I trust this is a welcome rest after all that nonsense.

dictated

[kungfuwitch]

I'm from San Francisco but I've visited San Diego enough times to know my way around.

[savethedarkness]

Well, then, I'd be glad of your company. It feels like I haven't spoken to you in a dog's age.

[kungfuwitch]

Yes I'm sorry about that... we left the castle for a little while after what happened. I'm busy playing catch up, now, on everyone I haven't talked to in a while.

Where would you like me to meet you?

[savethedarkness]

I can't blame you in the least - I hear that's a general practice for people who've had enough of the place for a time.

The foyer seems like a common enough ground - that is, if you're staying at the Hard Rock with the majority of the people I've spoken to.

[kungfuwitch]

I am in the hotel, yes. The foyer sounds perfect. I can meet you there, shortly.

[wizard_redfive]

I'll join you, if you don't mind. I've never been on the West Coast before.

[Other planets, yes. California, no.]

[savethedarkness]

I don't mind in the least. Where would you care to go?