117.0

[encryptedlock]

[Backdated slightly to this morning.

York wakes up not only on the floor but in a completely different room than where he was before. There's a moment of panic - it looks entirely too much like something from home to be recognizable as the castle immediately - but as always Delta is there in his mind, reassuring him. Yes, he can still access the CastleNet, and look around a little. This is Noble Six's room.

The question then becomes why is he in Noble Six's room, and how did he get there? And why is his journal mostly blank?]

Hey there, castle. It's me, and I seem to be back to normal now. So. What kind of loss was I on and for how long?

[UNSC filter, sans Maine]

And what the hell is going on with the journals?

Comments

[encryptedlock]

[York turns away from the AI for long enough to stride over to Carolina and give her a friendly shoulder-grab greeting. Delta more or less has the situation over there covered.]

Hey.

[youfallback]

[Carolina nods efficiently to Noble Five and the shoulder-grab is definitely appreciated. ]

Hey. [Just some staring for a few seconds, keeping up that professionalism, especially in front of a NOBLE.] Wash okay?

[noblefive]

You do know that I ain't that fussy when it comes to protocol. Should learn to relax a bit, agent.

[This is all said in a nonchalant tone of voice as he walks back over to the AI unit to watch]

[encryptedlock]

[Professionalism or not, York can tell when she's acting strangely. They're going to have to have a talk later once they're alone. But for the moment he nods.]

He's frightened. Delta's trying to talk him out - think the power outage made him panic, and he doesn't have a way to cope with panic when he's not in a body that can sweat.

[youfallback]

[Carolina doesn't acknowledge Jorge's comment with much more than a glare from under her visor. She moves over toward the AI unit carefully, not wanting to spook Wash herself.]

He was scared as soon as his loss started. [Turning back toward Jorge.] How long has he been like this?

[noblefive]

Since you handed him over to me. It took a few hours, though.

[Jorge sighs slightly] I thought he was saving power. I'll be damned if I've seen this tech before.

[encryptedlock]

D's getting through to him - shouldn't be too much longer now.

I think I'll show him how to use one of the crystals for backup energy. I'm pretty sure he has one, and if he's not using it for anything else, well, we can at least temporarily rig it to this. That way even if he gets kidnapped and tossed out into the Dead Zone, he'll be fine.

[youfallback]

[Just nodding. She should've seen this coming.] Freelancer tech, Noble Five.

He mentioned a few things I need to ask you about, York. We can take him back to your room once he's back with us.

[noblefive]

... What would happen if he was thrown in the dead zone? I know all tech would stop working, but...

[He thinks the rest of that sentance is self-explanatory.]

[encryptedlock]

Well, he's an AI. When you cut all power to an AI, it's erased.

[And that right there is the number one reason York flat out refused to go into the Dead Zone until he had redundant backup power for Delta.]

And that sounds good to me. Delta says the diagnostics are checking out from what he can tell, but it won't hurt to verify that.

[youfallback]

[Carolina nodded, agreeing with York. Granted, she had dramatically less experience with AI, but it made enough sense to her.]

Meaning he should be up and running.

[noblefive]

But he's not.

[A gruff sigh] I wonder if I had anything to do with this. You know, Washington not knowing me as well as the rest.

[encryptedlock]

[York shakes his head.]

I seriously doubt it. Wash has enough issues with AIs in general that he doesn't need any help to get freaked out when something out of the ordinary happens. Above and beyond what's happened to him here, he had some bad experiences with a disintegrating AI back home.

[He pauses for a moment, tilting his head to one side as if listening.]

Delta says Wash is fine now, and he'd like to go up to my room so he can use the projectors.

[youfallback]

[Carolina nods, albeit not particularly in response to anything. She's trying to take in York's words but they almost sound like they're in a different language. What the fuck brain what are you doing.]

We'll take him upstairs then. [Turning to Jorge.] Thanks.

[noblefive]

Any time.

[He looks to Wash's AI unit again]

I hope he's going to be okay.

[encryptedlock]

He's tougher than he seems.

[York gently picks up the AI unit and nods at the Spartan.]

Thanks for watching after him while I couldn't. I owe you one.

[youfallback]

[Carolina's already said her part and so she'll just be heading for the door, holding it open for York. He's got the sensitive stuff, after all.

She gives a final nod toward Noble Five, one of approval.]

[noblefive]

Hey, it's my duty to help others, too, right? Any time. I'm just glad it wasn't my fault.

[He gives a returning nod back to Carolina.]

[encryptedlock]

[York waves as he heads out, the AI unit securely nestled in his arms.]

Thanks again, and it's good to meet you.

[noblefive]

You, too. Let me know if there's anything else I can do.