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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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 Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:04 pm
"Ahh, see that wasn't so difficult, was it Seth? We had to make some special accomodations for you. You see, we had to really rush with the preparation serum - I'm glad that there weren't any snags. And it was truely good fortune that you decided to bring that liver sample. I have serious doubts as to whether we would have been able to extract any kind of salvagable DNA from the pelt alone in time to test it on you. And even then, we likely would have had to combine it with something to get a full strand."
Sabin exalted in Seth's reaction to the news.
"And of course no one knows the full story. But our men have leaked juuust enough information for them to get a picture. As far as your friend is concerned, you got the money, got blinded by the dollar signs, and decided to keep it for yourself. After all, you were disreputable enough to take the errand, who's to say that you werent' disreputable enough to take it all for yourself."
"What's the point? Well, I told you the truth - or at least part of it. Cloning the species! For science, man!"
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Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:20 pm
"Bullcrap!" Seth immediately objected. "So you lied to my parents and my friend too? Bloody hell man, who haven't you lied to? I had every intention of giving half of the payment for that pelt thing to James, he was my mate."
"And screw science up the arse with a bent stick," He growled back in response. "I couldn't care less about advancing scientific knowledge, an extinct species, or anything at the cost of my freedom."
He sat back down on his bed and tiredly sighed. "So what now? What's going to become of me now that I'm stuck on your island for the rest of my life? What do you plan to do with me?" He grumbled. "I can't stay here for the rest of my days with nothing to do, you know. I'd go insane, or die of boredom. Surely you know that."
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:26 pm
"Well.... you may know that.... but he certainly doesn't. How many years had it been since you had even been in contact with that mate of yours? He went on a limb to trust you.... but you can look at it like this.... you saved his skin, boy-o. You're a bloody martyr. But.... he'll never know that. He'll just know you as the traitor that stole his money.... andhe can never go to the cops because it was an illegal operation to begin with."
There was a sound as Sabin clapped his hands together. A segue to his next topic.
"And what to do? THe others certainly have found ways to entertain themselves. There's a whole room full of movies, books... another of arcade machines and games. A workout room... food, exploring the jungles. You're on an island paradise, you might as well enjoy it."
Sabin paused.
"Or, of course, you could be the first man in a hundred years to study the behavior of a thylacine. I might even give you a push in that direction if you like."
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Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:46 pm
"Wait, now you want me to do your work for you?" Seth queried, a little taken aback by the question - he hadn't expected any response like this. He half expected that he would have been lied to, or outright ignored, but not this.
"Well, it would give me something to do, but... I can't do anything like that without books, a computer, so on. I have to admit that I don't really have an interest in researching something like that either - James was the museum freak, not me. I'm just a network administrator, or at least I was, I guess." He shrugged. "But I suppose if I'm going to stay here longer than I originally intended, it would give me something to do, besides walking around, or sleeping."
"I need a new laptop anyway, my old one, er... it broke." He felt sheepish upon admitting that, not wanting to go into the details of how it had broken. "How about giving me two of them? Just make sure it's a Dell or a Compaq - I hate that stupid fruit company and their crappy iBooks." He briefly pondered whether or not he should push on and request for more things, but for the time being he wanted to see if he could get away with his first request. It was the most desired out of all the things he wanted anyway.
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Nov 14, 2006 11:49 pm
Sabin had actually mentioned the option rather tongue in cheek, or somethign to keep the man occupied - pay attention to the changes within his own physiology and psychology. It really was a rare opportunity, and had Sabin been in the man's shoes, an option he himself might very well have taken.
But if he would be interested enough to share, then there was no reason to discourage the man.
"I think I might be able to get you the things you need. Resarch on Thylacines.... new laptops... we can't get you access to the web, you'll have to undersatnd. But we can see about the computers themselves. "
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:06 am
"Your island doesn't have any connectivity to the internet at all?" It was more of a frustrated statement than a question, and he already knew the answer. "Is it because the island is remote, or because the company you work for doesn't want us communicating with the outside world?"
"I can offer solutions for both of those. The island must have some kind of communication with the mainland, right? Connect up to any old ISP's gateway through that. If not, satelites would help out. If its security and the leaking of information to the outside world you're worried about, do the same thing China does with their internet - it's heavily filtered because of their censorship laws or something along those lines. Invest in a nice dedicated firewall and heavily restrict access and you're away."
"But yeah, I need a couple of new laptops." Seth grinned at the mention of them, and was actually pleased momentarily. The prospect of owning a new piece of hardware always made him happy in the past. "A nice desktop PC for the desk here would also be good." He paused, thinking hard. "I can ask for anything I want, right?"
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:15 am
"None at all, in or out of the labs. And believe me, I am certain that Moreau could finance getting a gateway set up to get us access, but it's a matter of security. And as much as I am sure he would appreciate the offer, he doesn't want any communication, especially off island that he doesn't personally over see."
There was the sound of fingers tapping out on a keyboard - likely not half as quickly as Seth's typing speed, but the sound was unmistakable.
"I'll see about filling the laptop requests, and I'll make a note about the desktop. And you're welcome to request anything you like. I just cant' guarentee everything coming in."
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:36 am
"Well an internet connection would have been the most obvious request but that's out..." He was silent for a few moments. "This 'Moreau' bloke is the boss, ey? Are you sure there's no way to convince him otherwise? Even a heavily restricted internet connection, such as one with no ability to post data, is better than nothing at all. This is going to sound a bit silly coming from me, but I can set something like that up, and would be more than willing to if it meant internet access of any kind. It'd give me something else to do. The bloke who lives above me would also really appreciate that kind of setup, he's a net-geek too."
He had his fingers crossed now, hoping for an answer in his favour. If there was a network to set up, and internet security in place, there was a network and said security to break and crack through.
"Hmm, as for requesting stuff..." Seth pondered. "How about getting me an acoustic guitar? I used to play on and off when I was a kid, not any more though. I'd also like transport. How about giving me one of those jeeps, like the one you were driving around when I first arrived? I'd like a set of wheels."
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:42 am
"While we do our best to accomodate the .... residents here on the island, we are not stupid, Seth. Even were Moreau to set up an internet connection, and I can guarentee you that it is not in teh works, he wouldn't get one of our residents to set it up."
"The acoustic guitar, I can see about. No promises on the jeep. After all, the island is only so big and has plenty of walking paths. You really dont' need a jeep if you're not transporting anything."
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:51 am
"Damn. Well that sucks." Seth sounded dissapointed. There went that idea.
"How about an ATV then? You know those things with the monster wheels and the handlebars. What about a battery-powered scooter, or an off-road dirt bike? Either an ATV or a really boss dirt-bike would be good. Sure, there's a lot of walking paths, but it'd be fun to fang around on a bike or something."
"Just a thought, really."
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 12:55 am
"I will see what I can do." Sabin responded airily.
"Ulitmately, the decision is out of my hands, but I will be sure to look into it."
Sabin paused, tapping his nails on teh counter. "Is there anything else you wished to talk about?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:10 am
"No, not really." Seth shook his head, despite the fact that Sabin wouldn't have been able to see it. "About the only other thing I can think of that I want is a larger fridge, to store more food in so I don't have to keep hoarding it from the cafeteria so much."
"But that's about it, basically. I could crap on for hours about how this place is a prisoner island and how I, or everbody else doesn't want to be here, but that's of no concern to you. I could prattle on about some ridiculous half-baked plan to escape, but whether I do that or complain about my situation to you, or declare my hatred, or whatever the hell, it's ultimately useless and doesn't change anything. I'm still stuck here, you're still going to be doing your job."
"If you want me to make notes about the animal I'm turning into though, sure, I guess I can provide you with that much. Thanks for your time, I guess." Seth said finally.
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:23 am
If the rant was supposed to spurn some sort of reaction from Sabin, then it failed. If anything, there was only more of a tone of humor in his voice.
"Well, you should get out more, see the others. The fridge is perfectly large and you shouldn't become a total hermit. But I shall see about your orders and see how things are going. But I would be interested if you do decide to take notes."
"You take care, Seth."
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:40 am
"I'm not a hermit," Seth grumbled. "I only wanted a bigger fridge because it's annoying to have to walk back and forth from my duplex to the cafeteria on a daily basis."
"Where do you want me to leave these notes, exactly? Do I walk all the way across the village to the lab building and stuff them under the gate or what? And do you want me to type them up and print them out?"
"I'll try to take care of myself, but I can't make any guarantees. I can, provided I don't go mad from lack of stimuli, or die of boredom first."
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Sabin Duvert Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Nov 15, 2006 1:46 am
"You can just leave them on your dresser, Mr. Callaghan. We can have someone pick them up periodically if that is of convenience to you. Wouldn't want to have to make you walk more than necessary." There was a hint of a mocking smile in his voice, but only a hint.
"And my dear fellow, man has made do with a lot less than we provide you here. Once upon a time, electricity was just a figment of man's imagination. You'll live without the internet. But in the meantime, I'll put through your order."
"You have a nice afternoon. It will likely take a couple of days for your orders."
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