During 4th Wall week 1

[grimjeaper]

Hey, so. Weird question. Does anyone have a Dataspike I could borrow?

Comments

[thornsofmalkav]

Barry, dude, what are you making now?

[grimjeaper]

I'm fairly certain I ought to be able to make a function where it forcibly ejects anyone that tries to establish an Interface connection.

[youandyoualone]

Messire Bluejeans, I would very much be interested in such a thing if you can construct it.

[grimjeaper]

Just gotta find a Dataspike first. Or make one, but I figured asking around was a bit quicker.

[youandyoualone]

Sadly, I cannot supply you. [And unlike Altair, he's not even lying about that.]

[grimjeaper]

Ahh, don't worry too much. I'll figure something out.

But hey, if you're interested in getting the finished product anyway, wanna give me a hand testing its functionality later?

[youandyoualone]

... I do not know how to Interface, nor do I care to learn. But if I can without doing so, I will.

[grimjeaper]

Oh, don't worry. You won't need to learn it -- I will, uh, I'm gonna have to Interface you to give you the function, but it'll only need to be the once.

[youandyoualone]

I can endure it once to never endure it again. Let me know when you need to meet.

[bite_the_hand]

If you can get that Function working I'm definitely interested too. I don't have a Dataspike but I think I can still use Assist, if that'd help.

[grimjeaper]

I'll be happy to pass it along! I'm not technically using any kind of faction skill or anything to make it, though, it's just a lot of hand-coding. If you wanna see how it works though, you're welcome to drop by!

[bite_the_hand]

Ah... I'll, uh, I'll wait until you finish the coding or you change your mind about the Assist. I still don't really get computer stuff when I'm on the outside of one.

[grimjeaper]

No problem. But hey, gimme your name and I'll come find you when I got it finished. Shouldn't take me too long, I got almost everything I need.

[bite_the_hand]

I'm Eren Jaeger.

...I guess this is going to take an Interface to learn, isn't it?

[grimjeaper]

Hah, yeah. That's the catch, really, b-but it's kinda like a vaccine. One shot and you get long-lasting protection. Except you'll be able to turn this protection off and on in case you do need to Interface with someone.

[bite_the_hand]

I can deal with that. I just need to know ahead of time so I can brace myself for it.

[Private]
I've been on the wrong end of a forced Interface before. I think I'm mostly over it, but it's still better if I can psych myself up to it first to make sure I don't react reflexively. I'd feel really shitty if I ended up accidentally punching you.

[grimjeaper]

Fair enough.

[Private]

No, that makes sense. I-I've definitely been on the end of reflex punches before, though - I'm a sturdy guy, you don't have to worry too much about hurting me.

[The flesh may be squishy but it's seen a lot of use. Maybe not this specific flesh but the general concept of Barold in general has.]

Private

[bite_the_hand]

Yeah but even if you can take it I'd still feel bad.

Private

[grimjeaper]

Hah, yeah. Look, you don't need to worry about it for a while. I'll let you know when it's done, and you can come find me after you're done psyching yourself up. Sound good?

[theflyingone]

You do not just borrow a Dataspike.

[grimjeaper]

Well I don't wanna steal it. I just need to get the data from it physically entering an object and activating an Interface.

[theflyingone]

And someone using Interface on an object is not satisfactory because...?

[grimjeaper]

I need to test this function against varying levels of consent. An unwilling Dataspike seems like the most coercive manner of Interfacing I can think of.

[theflyingone]

Are you insane? No one is going to agree to that. Not unless you are the test subject yourself.

[grimjeaper]

Oh- did I not say that was the plan? Yes, actually, I'm the one getting stabbed.

[His tone is. Actually entirely sincere.]

Altaïr

[theflyingone]

...You were caught up in your work, weren't you.

[ If only Altaïr wasn't already well on the road to gaining knowledge through dangerous and slightly questionable self-inflicted activities, like staring into the Apple... He's willing to help a brother out and reap the benefits of science. ]

I do not have a Dataspike.

[ It's a lie. But he's not advertising his arsenal, not ever. ]

However, I might have some Grid skills that could help anyway. Tell me where you wish to be lightly jabbed? Am I right in assuming this function will react automatically to the intrusion?

[grimjeaper]

I was kind of hoping for the Dataspike, to be honest, I was after that specific intrusion data. I've picked up a pretty good number of Jaunt skills, between those and all the data I got during the Jaunt I can do everything else myself.

[theflyingone]

Let me see what I can do. At worst, I will send you another message saying I cannot help. Give me a time, about a few hours long, when I can meet you in the Workshop to run your test.

[ When Barry least expects it. If Barry wants a forced Interface, surprise stabbing is in order, and he's working with one of the best in the business. ]

[grimjeaper]

Well I'm there right now, so sure. Any time's fine!

[the real trick is Altair not getting murdered by a pair of elite-level wizards]

[theflyingone]

I will see you soon.

[ Why is it always murder with wizards... ]

[grimjeaper]

[gotta backstab your way to the top my dude]

[carbonatedscientist]

I suppose we could always use Declarification on something else to make a Dataspike...

[grimjeaper]

Oh, actually, that's a great idea. It'll be interesting to see if a non-standardised Dataspike causes a different reaction...!

[carbonatedscientist]

What sort of reaction are you trying for, anyway?

[grimjeaper]

Primarily I'm just after the data from a connection being forcibly made, I need to make activation flags to prioritise the function over everything else the Interface might collect.

[carbonatedscientist]

That should be simple enough to do with a little Declarification, I'd think...

[grimjeaper]

Oh, no doubt. I can just make a syringe and Declarify it to withdraw information instead of blood.

[carbonatedscientist]

Simple, yet effective. Declarification comes in handy.