maskormenacelogs | (no subject)

WHO: Qubit, Kanaya, Science Friends, Karen Starr later (probably)
WHERE: the lab at Starrware
WHEN: Sept 8 & 15
WHAT: maybe getting one thing, and then breaking the other thing.
WARNINGS: horrible nerds, questionable lab safety, and probably a tantrum

(Starters below, but here's some setting-)

The lab Qubit's been borrowing from Karen is pretty good-sized, although a lot of the floor space is taken up by counters, so he's had to get a little creative with where he puts things. The counters themselves are littered with electronics equipment, instruments stacked up on top of each other and wired together in ways that probably look random and haphazard to anyone who's not an electrical engineer themselves. They're a little more futuristic-looking than in the pictures, of course, but the mess is real. What little counter space isn't taken up by working devices is occupied by parts of them instead, and there's at least one decent-sized stockpile of old and broken electronics that don't appear to have anything to do with the rest of the equipment.

But the centerpiece, with as much space dedicated as he can make for it, is the portal itself. It's a little bit of a monster - a nine-foot-tall trapezoidal archway, metallic green, with that sort of blocky retro-future aesthetic its inventor gravitates toward. It's attached to the rest of the machines by thick bundles of cable, some snaking across the floor, others draped like vines over, under, and around the other equipment in whatever way lets them reach. The computers are turned on, but the portal itself is still dark... for now.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[ Her stance shifts, rubbing her arm with some discomfort as her gaze flicks downward. It's something she doesn't like discussing, but knows she ought to nonetheless. ]

On three separate occasions since February, imPorts have had their wills overridden and devastated the cities that house us. It wasn't their choice, but it was their hands, and that makes it their responsibility. I kept my nullifier because I won't be caught off guard to be used as someone else's weapon.

[ Not again, certainly. Though the first time it happened to her, the one that led to her arrest, was before either of those cases entirely, she was just as guilty of it in February. She doesn't care to pass the blame just because she was coerced, anymore than she believes that failing to take preventative measures is anything short of negligent. ]

They allowed it because they aren't about to argue when a reformed criminal volunteers to extend her sentence. At least, that's what I assume.

[Ah. That's reasoning he can relate to, actually. Qubit's had run-ins with mind control before, and had bad enough experiences with it that experimental brain surgery on himself to prevent it happening again was actually worth the risk. And even that hadn't protected him against the mind-altering effects at the swear-in. Or protected others from him. He'd almost taken someone's head off. So the rationale is sound - if you can't address the actual problem, the next best thing is to minimize the damage. Like treating a broken rib.]

Not much of a sentence when you can take it off at will, but I see your point.

... What were you in for, out of curiosity?

[ She gives him a meager shrug. Sure, it's not the same as being on probation, but the voluntary nature of it kind of necessitates that. There's always the possibility that she could be affected when she isn't wearing it, but it's her responsibility now. The best she can do is be diligent with it.

When she answers his question, it's with the flattest expression she can manage, just so he knows it isn't a joke. ]

Supervillainy.

[ Not the whole truth, sure. Brainwashed costumed thug is more of the real truth, but it isn't time to get into the details freely yet, not when the case is still open. ]

[Even though she's perfectly serious, Qubit's surprised enough that he barely believes it. He'd assumed it was for vigilantism or something, not... the exact opposite.]

Seriously? I wouldn't have pegged you as the type.

[ She lets out a groaning hum, and uncomfortable sound for an uncomfortable memory, to call it an unfortunate period in her life is a gross understatement. ]

It was a phase, and one I've put behind me. I've worked very hard to become not the type.

Well, that's good to hear. [He leans back in his chair, absently looking over the device again. She seems sincere, anyway, and given his experience with her so far he's inclined to extend benefit of the doubt.]

I'm sorely tempted to take a look inside, but I'm guessing you'll want it back with all its pieces. Mind if I run it through a quick x-ray, though?

[ She crosses behind his desk, glancing over his shoulder with an eyebrow raised. ]

If an x-ray will allow you to study its components without actually removing them, I will allow it. As long as it's still functioning once you're done with it.

I don't see why it wouldn't be.

[Of course, he doesn't have an x-ray machine just lying around, but that can be fixed. He gets up and heads to the scrap cabinet to grab an armful of junk, which he then reconfigures (with the usual lightshow) into a handheld gun thing slightly larger than a power drill. Then, setting the bracelet on a counter, he takes a couple of pictures with it from different angles; when he's done he hands it back to Kanaya.]

There we are. Thank you.