Log:Simulacrum Suspicions

2020/09/01 Artemis Wayne Abigail Rangel 1

Wayne is waiting in the cells as Artemis comes down to check on him. He smiles broadly when he notices her. "Hey there again."

Artemis smiles back cheerfully as she makes it to his cell. "Hello, Friend Wayne. I have come to check on your spirits! And your tests. Have they informed you of the possession code in your systems?"

Wayne nods. "They did. I've given it some thought...and I'm okay with them working to remove the malicious code. I hope it won't change my personality much, but they were hopeful that would remain...so I am optimistic."

Artemis looks a bit concerned about that. "Starguardians know what they are doing. I am optimistic you will be the same and unchanged," she says encouragingly. She's standing before Wayne's cell. She puts a hand to the glass. "Did they say they would be discomfort in the procedure?"

Wayne smiles and puts his hand on the glass as well. "They didn't think so? But they mostly deal with computers, not AI. 'Pain' is a weird concept. I shouldn't feel any, being a robot. But...I do. I have sensors that deal with touch, and I clearly can feel pain physically. So...it's unclear what the impact will be."

Artemis tilts her head in concern. "When did you experience pain? I hope I did not hurt you when I held you while we were searching for Wade. Has someone harmed you here?"

Wayne shakes his head, "I...um...punched the wall a couple of times. I did it to myself."

Artemis nods softly. "Ah. In attempting to free yourself of this cell," she understands. She looks towards his hands. "Did it do lasting damage?"

Wayne looks at his hand. "Interestingly, no." He shows his knuckles to her. "I did initially damage my skin, but it has already healed. Based on the manual and what I've been able to find out, I suspect that there are nano-machines that deal with repairs."

Returning from a trip via one of Starguard's High Speed suborbital craft that took her out to the most advanced Carrier in the US fleet.... and let's be honest, she tagged along to visit some of the marines, but also to get the chance to fly that suborbital baby... anyhow, she lands the craft out on the field... drops out of the cockpit as she removes the flight helmet and tosses it to a tech. "Thanks for letting me play." she says before turning to head into the offices.

The tech takes the helmet and give Abigail a wave before starting to check the craft out. "No problem."

Wayne tilts his head and thinks about it. "I suspect I may heal quicker than my counterpart does."

Artemis looks relieved. "Impressive. That is a place they improved upon the original," she smiles. "You should still not self harm, though," she says more seriously.

Once inside, Abigail is grinning ear to ear. She unzips the flight suit that has her spandex 'uniform' underneath, and slips out of the sleeves to tie them about her waist like a loose rope belt.

"Hey there folks." she says. "Wade...." she pauses as she looks at Artemis. "Forgive me." she says... requests, "But you are one of the aliens called Flora or something, right?"

Then her eyes flicker back to Wade... Wayne? And her brows lift, "One should never self harm..." she agrees.

"The Godflora," Artemis clarifies for Abigail, looking over to the stranger and smiling. "I go by Artemis on this planet. Battle Maiden Adept and Bloodlit Chosen of the Ashildr!"

Wayne nods, "It wasn't intentional. I was frustrated by being stuck in here until the tests were finished."

Shaking her head, Abigail approaches the cell. "So, Artemis." she says. "Best to go with the shortest version for normal conversation." But she steps up to the cell and peers into it. "You know. Usually only pris... oh this is the robot?" she asks suddenly having some dawning enlightenment as her eyes widen.

Artemis looks back to Wayne and smiles at that news for a different reason. "Ah, frustration. A mortal emotion! You truly are well-crafted." She looks to Abigail and corrects her again, "This is Friend Wayne of Lockwood."

Wayne is also currently in what is a copy of Wade's older costume. Primarily white with a blue 'v' shape around the collarbone.

Wayne nods to Abigail. "Hi." He thinks about it. "Guardian, right?" He points to his head, "I didn't end up with all of Wade's memories, but quite a bit of them."

Wayne adds, "I...decided on 'Wayne' for a name to make the difference clearer. I thought it might be confusing if we both wanted to be called 'Wade', and he didnt' want to give up the name." He smirks at that.

Narrowing her glowing eyes, Abigail studies Wayne, and then looks to Artemis. Then she looks back to Wayne. "It's chosen a name then." she says. "I suppose it wasn't -your- decision to be built as a replica of Wade." she states to Wayne. "But I suppose it could be worse."

Artemis is standing before the Wadebot's cell, chatting with him and Abigail.

Wayne folds his arms and narrows his eyes. "'It'?" He looks to Artemis, "This reminds me of Chen's reaction."

Artemis frowns a little at Abigail's narrowing. "True, Friend Wayne did not make the choice. And while he is missing some memories, he has Wade's heart and personality. Be not cruel. He is a true Artificial Intelligence." She looks to Wayne apologetically. "It...is. It may take time to accept you as a person. They are not used to AI species here, from my understanding."

Shaking her head, Abigail shrugs, "I've no issue with artificial intelligences. I have no idea why they would have gone to such the trouble though. Why make such an advanced AI for a one shot thing?" She inclines her head and looks to Artemis. "And it has nothing at all to do with this one being a robot or an AI. Merely to do with the fact that it is an obvious attempt to duplicate a respected hero for entirely disrespectful means."

"I understand it's rude to refer to someone with a clear identifying gender as 'it'," the voice of Rangel utters from the body of Rangel. "As for purpose, the design was replacement while the original was carted away under medically-induced coma. Long term replacement plan is my only guess as to why that much trouble was gone through." She waves to the Wayne. "How's the evaluation going? Any progress?"

Wayne nods slowly and takes a deep (simulated) breath. "I have no control over that. I am...what I am." He says to Rangel, "Your techs have found malicious code in me, and they're working on removing it. They think they can give me a 'clean bill of health' in a day or so."

"Your ire should be at the Laksman for this ploy, not Friend Wayne," Artemis says to Abigail. She looks to Wayne. "Give them time, perhaps?"

"For all we know, this.. Wayne.. has backdoors or spyware that hasn't been found. For all we know it's.. he's recording everything he sees and feeding it back to his creator." She grimaces a bit and shrugs, "No offense."

"Of course he does. That is why Starguard is attempting to cleanse him of these malicious controls," Artemis says with a chuckle.

"Well, yeah," Rangel says. "That's why the techs are doing the thing, right? And the thing they found was exactly that?" She shrugs slightly. "He's been pretty amicable to being checked out, entirely reasonable and put on a convincing impression of someone who had no idea they were a replacement." She grins slightly. "I mean it's not like he's even committed a single misdemeanor, let alone kidnapping or murder, so compared to one of us in this room, he's well deserving of benefit side of doubt."

Wayne keeps his arms folded. "The techs found communication back doors and an external control hook. That's what they're working on removing."

Artemis watches Abigail depart, then looks back to Wayne. "They will be more kind, I hope, once Starguard has removed the code that may control you."

Wayne shakes his head, "I think...you are too optimistic about it, Artemis. I hope you're right, but...I'm pretty sure that I will continue to run into issues."

"Once they get past the distrust," Rangel offers, "It gets much easier. Never completely free of suspicion, but until you actually do something illegal, I expect you'll be able to earn trust at the typical rate for a victim of circumstance and plot."

Artemis smiles. "I am more than sure you will rise to the challenge to prove their misgivings wrong, Friend Wayne," she says with complete confidence. She looks down to Rangel and nods, though she's a bit confused about something. She looks back to Wayne. "It is a shame they treat you so now when you have not done a thing to harm anyone."

Wayne sighs and smiles. "No, I would view me with suspicion too, if I was on the other side of this cell door. So I do understand the reaction. Well, partially." He shakes his head, "Getting called an 'it'...or...when Chen said I lacked integrity...both of those hurt. I feel like...a person. A human. Mostly. I know I'm not, but I feel like one."

"I don't understand it. I do not view you with suspicion," Artemis says in mild confusion. She looks sorrowful at Wayne's hurt feelings. "The words were cruel. I hope in time she will apologize and see your worth."

"Person, yes. Human? That's the doubtful part with the evidence so far." Rangel shrugs, adding as she looks at Artemis. "The distrust is because he was definitely designed to make observers think he is someone else. There are no trustworthy reasons to do that. Identity is very important as an ideal."

Wayne nods. "That was part of the reason I wanted to change my name. Be my own person."

Artemis looks thoughtful a moment. "Would you still have the banner of Lockwood?"

Wayne shrugs, "I'm...not sure. I'm not really part of the family? So...I could create a new surname too?"

Artemis looks to Rangel as if she may have some insight on that. Then she looks back to Wayne. "That is possible. Or perhaps Wade would see fit to treat you as a Bloodbound. A...brother?"

"Officially you have no record of birth or creation," Rangel says with a shrug. "So you can really just decide whatever you want. Lockwood isn't unique as names go but choosing another would definitely help your situation. I suggest not using Rangel because that's the one I'm using."

Wayne grins, "No worries on taking your name. I'd want to make it my own if I pick a new one. Something unique."

Artemis smiles a bit at Rangel. "Does one need a record? His day of birthing is the day we first encountered him. I should think." She looks to Wayne. "I am sure if you must choose a new name, it shall be a fine one." She's all positivity.

"Purely curiosity speaking here but how would you feel about a different look to go with the name change?" Rangel asks. "Such a change can be anything from getting a neat face tattoo to wearing your hair in a really different way," She taps her collar in a sequence of keys, and she then looks quite a lot like... one of the Starguard agents, uniformed, human. "Or something like this." SHe shrugs toward Artemis. "No, I'm saying there's no record so that's freedom to make the record. There's definitely gonna be a record."

Wayne nods. "I was definitely going to change the uniform as least. I'm not sure about other changes. No face tattoos, though."

Artemis chuckles at the idea of face tattoos. "I think he looks fine as he is." A thought occurs to her. "You will need normal clothes as well, yes?"

Wayne looks down at himself, "Yes, I suppose I will. And a job."

"Not with this thing," Rangel replies, turning the holographic projection off. "You can go without clothing wearing this thing if you want to. Though it is purely visual so... tactile inspections will not pass."

Wayne chuckles. "That's not going to work for me. As soon as it shorts out or something in public I'll get arrested."

Artemis smiles at Rangel's suggestion. "Hmm, that could be useful, Friend Wayne." The changing of appearance or going without clothes is not clarified. She looks disappointed. "Hmm, Friend Wayne is correct. Most places on this planet have some problem with nudity, though their art exalts it. Strange." She thinks a while. "Would Starguard grant you a job once your software is approved? If you obtain a job, then with time you will be able to afford a place to call your own."

Wayne shakes his head, "I...suspect that SG will want to keep tabs on me, but probably won't offer me a job. But you never know."

"I know a few places you can stay until you can pay rent or whatever," Rangel offers. "You get hungry? Guessing yes, and maybe even benefit from processing food into energy."

Wayne nods, "I don't need to eat like a human does, but I can. There are other ways to get power, it turns out."

"Ooh did they tie one of the forms into kinetic like punch and you get a quick jolt? If I designed a replacement android I'd totally implement that system to make for efficiency," Rangel looks really enthusiastic and should probably not be permitted to build androids.

"Perhaps you have a...hmm...plug to charge you up?" Artemis suggests.

Wayne chuckles. "That...seems like a bad idea?"

Artemis looks confused. "The plug?"

Wayne shakes his head, "No, sorry. The punching thing. Yes, there's a way to use an outlet to charge. The industrial outlets."

Artemis nods slowly. "I would think that method would mean you'd have to do battle and punch things frequently." She grins at a thought. That would mean constant training!

"It only seems like a bad idea because you probably aren't designed to make it happen," Rangel replies. "And I have no idea how it would be done but it probably exists somewhere. Oh no, not as the only option. One option. Of several."

Wayne chuckles. "I think a home outlet can be used too, but I would need to make a modification, based on the manual."

Artemis nods slowly. "Omega Guard has some superior technological facilities, as they explained it to me. Especially in Friend Sid's labs. Perhaps they could provide an option for power should you need it."

Wayne nods. "Most universities or businesses with industrial outlets have the connections necessary. SG would. CBSU does, I'm sure. Likely in the science department?"

Artemis rubs her chin and studies Wayne curiously, then smiles. "I wonder how long your power source can last under...stress."

Wayne thinks about it and smiles. "Only one way to find out, I guess?"

Artemis chuckles and plants her hands on her hips. "I look forward to testing your limits," she grins. She wonders if he'll prove stronger than Wade in battle training.

"Also curious about your ability to fight," Rangel muses. "Quick clash with the swordlady here should give me a good comparison, if that's what you're into."

Wayne nods. "I suspect my ability to fight...should be pretty similar to that of my original namesake."

Artemis smiles. "I wonder if you were made stronger." She looks up at the glass wall and sighs in frustration. "Be this cell necessary? Will they allow visitors in thy cell?"

Wayne shrugs, "I think the cell is a precaution. It won't be long now. Maybe another day."

Artemis smiles. "Good to hear. If you wish company when they work on thy code, I shall be there."

Wayne laughs, "I think you might find that boring. I'll be sitting in one place for a few hours while...people type."

"Will you be conscious for those hours? Or...deactivated?" Artemis inquires.

Wayne shrugs, "Honestly? I'm not sure. Probably shut down, at least partially."

Artemis nods slowly in thought. The boredom doesn't worry her. "Should you wish it, boredom or no, I shall be there, for part or for all," she says in solidarity.

Wayne grins. "I appreciate it. But...I think I'd feel even better with you out there..protecting the city, in the meantime."

"I'm surprised you haven't been provided with materials for reading," Rangel says. "At the very least. Or a dedicated gaming device. I'll see to it that gets corrected."

Artemis smiles, satisfied by Wayne's answer. "Spoken true to yourself, Friend Wayne. I will honor your wish to make you feel better." She nods along with Rangel. "Yes, something to keep you company and pass the time."

Artemis holds up a finger. "I will, however, come to see you just before they begin. To do the tradition of wishing you Netzah's fortune."

Wayne nods as he thinks about it. "Some books...or a game system would be great. Thank you."

Rangel draws out the PDA familiar to Starguard, tapping in some information, turning it to face Wayne, getting his input, then modifying, trying to avoid using preconceptions as to what he might like. It takes a few iterations to nail it all down. "Give it about an hour, should be all ready, delivered here."

Artemis smiles. "Most efficient! I knew not that Starguard could provide such."

"Well, they've been holding someone in a cell without criminal charge," Rangel offers. "So if the budgetary requisition goes through, I don't pay for it. If not, I pay for it. It's not a lot and I don't have a lot of expenses so it's easy to provide."

Wayne smiles. "Thank you again. That's kind of you to do."

Artemis beams happily. "Yes, most kind, Friend Rangel! I am happy to see others assisting friend Wayne."

"Wouldn't dream of otherwise," Rangel says. "If you know what Wade knows about me, you probably have an idea why I'm inclined to do this."

Wayne nods. "I do know. I also know he respects you greatly for turning over a new leaf, too."

Artemis tilts her head curiously. "What knows he of you that would provide such insight?"

"Well, I was trained by some very ill-intentioned persons to kidnap and murder things that got in the way of kidnappings," Rangel replies. "And I did said things. I've been in a cell like that. Didn't like it at all."

Artemis nods slowly in thought on that. "And now you work for Starguard? A noble change of heart!" she smiles.

"It's not really what you think," Rangel asides. "I made a choice, because I was offered that choice. I abide the rules. Most of the rules. The only reason I was offered a choice was because I didn't have one before. Very special circumstance."

Wayne nods slowly. "I think you might be selling yourself short, Rangel. Based on my personal take on things."

Artemis nods slowly. "You could have betrayed the Starguardians, but you have not. As much as I have knowledge of."

"That's the question, though." Rangel speaks casually, but lacking in any of her usual flippancy. "Would I, if given incentive? I don't know the answer. But that's why there are eyes on me a lot. I'd like to think there's no incentive great enough to be worth risking the consequences."

Artemis rubs her chin thoughtfully. "There is little to tempt me. What of you, Friend Wayne?"

Wayne nods again, "I think the commander generally has a good effect on people, too." He looks to Artemis, "What do you mean?"

Artemis smiles. "I'm trying to understand what motivates the mortals of this planet. I imagine there would be nothing to tempt you to take risks."

Rangel nods, her expression shifting back to its general state of taking nothing seriously. "It's said everyone has a price. Mainly by those accustomed to paying those prices. I think Starguard pays my price nicely and it's not easy to top their offer."

Artemis frowns at that concept. "Every mortal has a price? Hmmm. I did not know all hoomans were for sale in that way. What a strange culture. Are you all enslaved, then?" she suddenly worries.

Wayne nods, "Ah. I'll...be honest. I have no idea what would tempt me. As Rangel says, that's a saying here on the planet. Everyone has a price. I don't know if that's true or now. I'd like to think it isn't? But there has been a lot written about such. At least one movie made. Probably a lot more than that."

Rangel grins, amused. "Still working on the metaphors. Okay. The meaning is there is something that will sway everyone to do a given thing. There are those who are dedicated to knowing what that thing is so they can sway those they choose."

"Also the thing varies between people. There is not a universal price."

Artemis ponders on that a bit more. "Hooman sayings are metaphors are so strange. I can never tell if hoomans are saying what they mean." She listens to their explanations and tries to process it. "I...think I understand this concept now." She's not fully sure.

"When emotionally agitated, usually someone says exactly what they mean," Rangel informs. "It's not perfectly reliable, but usually true."

Wayne adds, "The idea is that if you keep upping the offer, eventually it will be enough to sway someone to do something."

Wayne shrugs, "It's a cynical view of humanity, and not one that I particularly agree with."

"Which one? The upping offer or the emotionally agitated mean-saying?" Rangel asks. "I'm still working out how to identify cynical."

Artemis thinks carefully on Rangel's words. "Ah. Agitation brings out the truth?" There are gears turning, but understanding eludes her. Just barely. "I am glad you disagree with that, Wayne, and that you know not a price. I had no doubt such would be thy feelings," she smiles.

Wayne smiles. "I mean the thing about everyone having a price. It feels cynical to me."

"It's true for many, and we can't prove it's false," Rangel offers. "So there's really not a point in worrying over it."

Artemis rubs her chin. "Hmm. I cannot think of an offering to buy Friend Wayne, so perhaps it -can- be proven false."

Wayne shakes his head, "There's no way to prove it false. Not really. The assumption is...you haven't offered enough if they say no."

"Predicing behavior is not easy in this whole price thing," Rangel says with a shrug. "And sometimes you really don't want to know the answer where friends are involved. Which is okay because you don't need to know the answer if it's a friend. If you can buy a friend's choices, that's not really friend."

Artemis nods slowly at their explanations, and Rangel's wisdom. "I would not wish to buy or sway a friend's choice or free will. Though if they were to go down the villainous path, I would hope to reason with them."

Wayne nods, and considers mentioning Artemis working for the evil verion of Porter for a time. But he decides that reopening that wound wouldn't be a good idea. Instead he just says, "It's always for the best to try to talk people down first, if possible."

"It's been determined that under no circumstances am I allowed to try to talk someone down first," Rangel claims. "But I got patience so I can wait til talking fails on others' parts."

Artemis nods and smiles, in agreement with the pair. "I will keep these teachings in mind. Now, to fulfill Friend Wayne's desire, I think it time for me to aid in protecting the city."