Joint Post // Video

[heal_or_execute]

[The video opens with Mordin and Peter smiling at the camera, apparently in a lab of some sort. Given the height difference between them, Mordin is stooping a bit and Peter is kind of on his tiptoes to get them both in frame.]

Have announcement to make. Culmination of joint project. Upgrade to communicators. Could change the way Port-outs are handled.

[Peter rolls a small, penny-sized disc across his knuckles, then catches it between his first two fingers and holds it closer to the camera.]

What we have here is a sensor which, when attached to your communicator --

[He peels a little film off the back of the disc with his fingernail, grabs a comm from offscreen, then sticks the disc to the back of the comm, turning it so viewers can see how it’s attached.]

-- is designed to send out a signal to our computers here at the moment you get exPorted.

Calibrated to particular form of energy emitted by Porter. Very distinct. Records on communicator as well as sending signal. Should eliminate uncertainty after disappearance.

Right. [He nods.] No more worries whether your friend has been sent back to their home or if they’ve vanished off the face of the Earth for, well, an entirely different reason. Or that’s the idea, anyway.

[As Mordin taps his chin:] Of course, can’t entirely account for Lachesis. No way to tell if she’d be able or inclined to sabotage upgrade. More research required.

That’s where you guys come in.

Asking for test volunteers. Would receive upgrade, allow us to see whether sensor works after Port-out.[Pause, blink.] Obviously, don’t hope to see you Ported away. Unless you want to return home. In that case, wish you luck.

[It sounds like Mordin’s getting on a roll, so Peter interjects hastily:] Either way, if you’re interested, speak up in the comments or you can reach us privately through either one of our comms. And thanks for participating in the scientific method. [Yes, he said that in complete earnestness.]

Comments

[wisecracked]

It just seems kind of silly to send out a false alarm if I'm going to be back the next day. Right? Besides, I'm not exactly going back to something safe.

[incywincyhero]

I see your point. [He scrubs the back of his neck, considering.] Forty-eight hours, maybe? Still a little long for my tastes, but it's your call.

[wisecracked]

[She nods.] That should work. Although if the sensor only works when it's a port out how would they know if I were in trouble here?

[incywincyhero]

Process of elimination. If you're missing, and we're sure you haven't ported out... you get the picture.

[wisecracked]

But with the sensor it's only meant to be a quick and easy way to know your friend has been ported out. With or without the delay it would be more quickly noticed than a kidnapping. Since not everyone has a daily job or friends that see them that often.

So really, the delay makes no difference. If I'm ported out my friends will know in a couple day's time. If I'm kidnapped they might not notice until either demands are made or it's too late. [Except that she does have a job and Xanatos would notice if she didn't show.]

[incywincyhero]

Well, I sure hope they'd know sooner than that ... but it's your decision. [He makes a gesture to reclaim the phone. Once she hands it back to him he goes back into the coding to make a few more tweaks, then passes it back over.] There you go, all done.

[wisecracked]

One would hope, yeah. [Once she's done she tucks her phone away. She'll figure out messages later.] Awesome, thanks. Hopefully we won't have to find out if it works or not any time soon.

[incywincyhero]

Heh. Hopefully just getting the sensor installed doesn't count as pushing your luck. Lachesis has an ... interesting sense of humor. Still, I think it's worth the risk ... and seriously, I appreciate that you're willing to give this thing a try. The way the Porter acts sometimes I wouldn't blame anyone for being wary.

[wisecracked]

With my luck this will be just the thing to get me sent back. And hey, I'm too new to be wary. I have yet to be any more of her victim beyond the initial kidnapping.

[incywincyhero]

[He snorts.] This one time I ticked her off and got dumped in New Zealand. On a mountain. And no, I didn't have a coat.

[wisecracked]

[She has to laugh at that.] What did you do to deserve that?

[incywincyhero]

Research. And yeah, I've kept on poking and prodding anyway. Call me a masochist for science.

[wisecracked]

[She gives an amused snort and shakes her head.] Well something has to get your motor running and if that does... [She shrugs.] I can't judge.

[incywincyhero]

[He sputters.] I didn't mean it like that.

[wisecracked]

[She laughs. That's why she says things like that, the reactions.]

Hey, you never know with some people. [Shruging.]

[incywincyhero]

I guess. [His entire face scrunches.] I can think of a few examples, actually, and I really, really wish I couldn't.

[wisecracked]

Yeah...same. [She shudders because Vex comes to mind and that...no one wants to see that.]

[incywincyhero]

Ahem. And on that unfortunate note... [He stands up, brushing at his pants.] I should probably be off.

[wisecracked]

[She smiles and gives a little nod.]

Okay, and uh, thanks for the thing. [She would stand and walk him to the door but she doesn't really have to when she can open the door from where she's sitting.]

[incywincyhero]

[He smiles back.] No problem! Let me know if you have any more questions or concerns.

[And then, after a few last pleasantries, he's out the door.]

[wisecracked]

Will do!