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Captain Jack Harkness (time_after_time) wrote in seasidecafe,
@ 2009-01-08 03:28:00

Entry tags:

predictions

Captain Jack Harkness: Predictions
Jack hasn't come into the café in a few months, trying to avoid run-ins with— a certain person— but he chances it. New year, might as well take a risk instead of staying away out of fear.

He listens to the topic and puts up his hands. "Ohhh no, no no. I'm not telling. Especially if I was in the right universe and knew what was coming up, no. Spoilers. I'm not telling you anything that's coming up, assuming I do know anything. See, if I knew something and told you, you'd be influenced by it. It could change the timeline. A National Lottery number, for instance, that isn't harmless. Someone wins the lottery who wasn't supposed to win it, and I don't mean that in any kind of fate sense, don't believe in fate myself— but as far as the timeline's concerned, they hadn't won it. It gets changed. Maybe they go on to do things they never were going to do, or don't do the things they should have, and along comes a paradox. You get a paradox, paradox destabilises the timeline, and next thing we know, there's no more universe. Except we don't know it because there's no more universe.

"Now, none of us is in our own universe, so what we might know about the future timelines in our own universes may or may not hold true here since— well, it's not our own universe. But we still should be very careful about revealing any definitive knowledge. And since predictions we make could be influenced by knowledge of future events... gotta be careful with those, too.

"So. That leaves some really out there, hopefully benign predictions. Let's see..." He shifts back more in his chair and ponders. "Not the end of the world. I don't have any problem telling you that, because really, it's idiotic how people go standing around proclaiming the end is near. Not even close. If anything's coming up, though, please let it be an end to this era's version of fake tanning. It looks ridiculous. Either get sun-damaged the old-fashioned way or go with your natural pigment level, but don't go orange or look way darker than your skin's able to get. Some people just plain burn, no tanning, but then they go spraying brown stuff on them and it looks like what it is. Fake. When someone comes up with the technology to pleasingly alter your skin tone, then do it, but not yet. I'm not saying I don't think anyone should get any, shall we say, modifications. I thought about them myself before. Not any more, though."

Back when he was mortal and had to worry about aging, he'd wondered if he might get a little maintenance done. It wasn't something expensive or exotic or something to turn your nose at in that time, like it is in this century. Didn't really earn comments since it was widespread and didn't create unnatural looks like these hacking and injecting and implanting techniques.

"That's more wishful thinking than prediction. Go out like that Crazy Frog ringtone, please. Hmmm... I predict... Really amazing coffee will grow less niche. I don't mean Starbucks coffee, I mean the fantastic organic brews that are prepared right without scalding, fair-trade produced, so awesome for everyone, workers and tastebuds. The coffee revolution will of course be spearheaded by King Ianto, long may he reign. And the food here at the Black Pot won't get any more edible if the cook remains in place. It'll continue to be the kind of thing you wouldn't feed a weevil." He raises his hands and waggles his fingers. "Oooo, diiiire waaaarnings. Gives you chills, doesn't it?"

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	nfn_nmi_data 2009-01-09 07:07 pm UTC (link)
	"Excuse me," Data pipes up. "What criteria do you use for determining if you are in the correct universe?" (Reply to this) (Thread)

	time_after_time 2009-01-09 09:08 pm UTC (link)
	Jack looks over to the speaker. "Differences in chronon and artron readings, presence or absence of particular particles and in what quantities, things like that. Who're you?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	nfn_nmi_data 2009-01-09 10:47 pm UTC (link)
	"My name is Data," he explains. "I did not know devices capable of measuring such things existed at this time." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	time_after_time 2009-01-09 11:51 pm UTC (link)
	"Data, huh?" He offers a hand. "Captain Jack Harkness, and they don't." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

nfn_nmi_data
2009-01-10 07:27 am UTC (link)

"That is correct," Data replies, taking the offered hand and shaking firmly. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Captain. What branch of the military are you with? Your attire does not match any uniform that I am familiar with."

Data tilts his head. "Then how do you take the measurements without instruments? And why is it necessary to determine which universe you are in?"

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time_after_time
2009-01-10 01:16 pm UTC (link)

He shakes Data's hand with a nod. "Yours, too. And I was with the RAF. You might be used to seeing service dress uniforms. This is routine working dress. Or are you familiar with the RAF?"

He lifts his left arm and gestures to the leather strap on it. "I did take them with an instrument. And when you've slipped in space and time, it's good to know if you're still in your own universe or not."

Assuming Jack is in his usual coat-light blue shirt-dark trousers, which is indeed uniform.

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nfn_nmi_data
2009-01-10 10:37 pm UTC (link)

Data recites: "The RAF, or Royal Air Force was founded in 1918 by the amalgamation of the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service. It was the first air force to be independent of army or navy control. They were noted for thwarting Hitler's plan for invasion of the United Kingdom during the Battle of Britain in 1940. They, along with the United States, formed the core of the UEAF, United Earth Air Force, formed in 2103."

Data peers at Jack's wrist. "Intriguing. A portable device. I have never seen one so small." He nods. "I see. You have traveled in time as well. May I inquire as to your means of transportation Captain? And I take it from your comments that you are not in the correct universe?"

*nods* I can't imagine him in anything else. And why Data knows all that stuff and doesn't know about the uniforms is beyond me. Maybe that file got deleted. ;)

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time_after_time
2009-01-10 10:47 pm UTC (link)

"That's, uh... Very factual, yes. I'm kind of retired RAF in practice, not really going through the process of it. How about you? What's this look?" He gestures to Data's jumpsuit.

"Oh yeah? It's just stored in the flap here. Yeah, I have, with the vortex manipulator built into this, but it doesn't work now so I can't actually get back to my own universe, just scan to tell where and when I am. Ianto over there--" he points, "and the Doctor are also from it."

Heehee, maybe! Store some facts but eh why take up space with fashion? ;) And Jack looks rather nice in his waistcoat looks when he breaks out of the uniform.

Sorry for dropping threads with Caprica, gaaah. I'm so bad about not picking back up on threads I've slipped on.

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nfn_nmi_data
2009-01-11 05:21 pm UTC (link)

Data nods. "Of course." He has been told many times that he has a bad habit of going on and on. He touches his chest. "This is my uniform. I am a Lieutenant Commander in Starfleet."

Data looks even more impressed. "Built in? This is a remarkable device. It is too bad it is malfunctioning. Your attempts to repair it have been unsuccessful. I have some components in my shuttle. They may not work, but you are welcome to try them." He looks where Jack has pointed. "I have met Ianto. I did not realize you were from the same time. Were you traveling together when you arrived?"

Right! Good point. If they'd had it, they might not be running around in their jammies now! :D There is something about a man in his dress blues! *sigh*
S'all right. Don't fash yourself. We can always start a new one if you'd like.

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time_after_time
2009-01-11 08:13 pm UTC (link)

"Starfleet, really? There's somebody else with Starfleet here, but I don't know what rank he holds, just that he's a doctor. I haven't seen him wearing a uniform like that, though."

He opens up the leather flap to let Data have a look at the device inside. "See, the strap's just a holder to carry it in. Easy access on the wrist. And yeah, believe me, I've been trying quite awhile to fix it but I can't. It isn't physically damaged, but it's kind of scrambled now and I can't unscramble it, for lack of a technical term. Where's your shuttle at?" He smiles over Ianto's way before looking back to Data. "Not traveling, no. We live on a space-time rift, and looks like we both got pulled through, but dumped here at different times. I ended up here months after he did. How about you, were you on a shuttle flight?"

Hahaha, that's gotta be it-- lost their info on fashion, so they went "hmmm what's comfortable-- aha! Jammies!" instead of worrying about style.

Yeah, easier to start new ones when fallen behind on a thread :) Caprica and Data are a good pair of not-quite-human types so I don't want that to drop! I could try to dig up the old thread to see where it left off, though.

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nfn_nmi_data
2009-01-12 07:05 am UTC (link)

"That would be Doctor Leonard McCoy," Data tells him. "I have met him. Twice. He retired as an Admiral, but he was not a line officer. He told me he was on vacation when he arrived here, so he did not bring any uniforms with him."

Data listens, then turns and points toward the sea. My shuttle is 16.0934 kilometers in that direction. Would it be possible for me to look at the device?" He nods. "Ianto told me about the Rift. A most intriguing phenomena. Yes, I was returning to my ship when I encountered a wormhole. I was unable to escape it and ended up here. Your Rift seems to share characteristics with a wormhole. Have you done any studies on the similarities?

Makes sense to me! But they really should have feet in them for maximum effect. ;)
Sure. That sounds great. Just let me know when you want to start the new thread!

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time_after_time
2009-01-13 01:20 am UTC (link)

"That's right, yeah. I don't know him well, but he's very interesting-- and he isn't retired yet, so you might not want to mention that to him if you're from his universe. Risk of paradoxes if you tell someone about their future."

He looks over that way, eyebrows raised, and then back to Data. "That's precise. Yeah, you can look, but don't touch." He holds his arm out more to offer a better view. "I haven't, no. We don't have wormhole access, for instance, so it'd be a theoretical study but we wouldn't have observations to compare to."

What about those button flaps on the butt?

The last half of the last season of BSG starts on Friday, so that'll probably help kick me into it.

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nfn_nmi_data
2009-01-13 04:34 pm UTC (link)

"I shall mind my words most carefully," Data tells him.

"I am always precise, Captain Harkness," Data says solemnly. He closely examines the device on Jack's wrist. "Have you done a full-spectrum field calibration?" Data asks. "I see. I have information on my computer that you may access for comparative purposes." Data could recite the information, but he refrains from mentioning that.

*gales of helpless laughter as I imagine Worf with his buttons half-undone (holding a teddy bear and perhaps sucking his thumb!)* :D
YAY!!!

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	time_after_time 2009-01-17 12:04 am UTC (link)
	"Good. We like keeping the universe intact." Yeah, he could guess that given how decimal-placed the measurement was. "Oh yeah? That'd be really helpful, thanks." Maybe he has a fuzzy stuffed bat'leth he can go to sleep with :D And of course a nightcap with a pom-pom (or whatever you call them) ball on the end. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

nfn_nmi_data
2009-01-17 06:57 am UTC (link)

"I concur wholeheartedly," Data agrees.

"I shall have to fetch a few things," Data tells him after examining the device as best he can without touching it. "It will take me two hours and twenty-two minutes, barring complications. Should I meet you back here or do you have a workshop of some sort we could use?"

*giggles madly* I would LOVE to see that! I wish I could draw!

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	time_after_time 2009-01-19 01:39 pm UTC (link)
	"Oh, you don't have to do it right now. Not like any of us are going anywhere in a hurry, right? Sometime when you've got the free time, come by the house-- unless you want to get out of here. With the food here, I can totally understand someone wanting to get on out." Maybe sometime if I'm in a drawing mood, hmmm... (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	nfn_nmi_data 2009-01-19 03:57 pm UTC (link)
	"There is no time like the present Captain," Data tells him. "Aren't we?" He tilts his head. "And as yet, I have nothing else to occupy my time. But I would not mind leaving here. It has nothing to do with the food. I do not eat. I have been told I am fortunate." OOOOHHHH!!!!! (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	time_after_time 2009-01-25 11:40 pm UTC (link)
	"We're kind of stuck here for now, so... plenty of time." He looks at Data curiously. "Yeah, in this case, very fortunate. Too bad you can't have what's actually good-- which isn't here. Why don't you eat? System doesn't digest food?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	nfn_nmi_data 2009-01-26 06:43 am UTC (link)
	"Then I shall go to my shuttle and retrieve the equipment." Data looks back at him. "I can take in a small amount of food without damaging my internal systems Captain, but it is not necessary for my bio-functions. I do not need to eat. I am an android." Did you still want to do a new Data/Caprica thread or just go on with this one? Either way is fine with me." (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

time_after_time
2009-02-06 02:53 am UTC (link)

"You wanna meet back here, then, or what?" He looks at Data in mild surprise. "You're really out of your time, yeah. Anything I should be aware of, any liquid intake problems, things like that? I don't want to accidentally damage you trying to be polite company."

Arrrgh I continue to suck. Anyway, I'm processing what's going on in the new BSG episodes and think I might watch them further before doing anything new with Caprica, figure out what I might incorporate into my Caprica's stuff or not since she's been AU anyway.

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nfn_nmi_data
2009-02-06 05:38 pm UTC (link)

"That will be quite acceptable Captain. This place is more than adequate for our initial examination." Data tilts his head. "I am three hundred twenty nine years out of my time. Provided I have not ventured into another dimension myself. No, thank you Captain Harkness. I do not require any routine maintenance that my self-diagnostics cannot deal with." He blinks. "I am extremely durable. It is unlikely that you would be capable of damaging me." Data turns to leave. "I shall see you in two hours, twenty two minutes Captain."

That's OK. We can just continue with this. Data's gone to fetch his tricorder and a basic repair kit.

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time_after_time
2009-02-06 07:50 pm UTC (link)

"That's quite a ways. I don't think there's anyone coming to this café who isn't from out of their own dimension. All of us have slid sideways, at the very least, and some have gone forward or back in years, too." He nods some, glad to hear that. And mental note that if Data ever comes by the house, don't offer him food or drink. No purpose and why put the strain on his repairs?

"Two hours and twenty-two minutes. Got it. I might go for a walk, but I'll be back here after that."

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nfn_nmi_data
2009-02-07 08:18 pm UTC (link)

"Intriguing," Data observes, looking around the room. "Perhaps we will be able to discover how that is possible as well as repairing your device." He nods. "I shall see you when you arrive Captain."

Two hours and thirty-five minutes later, Data is back at the table in the cafe. His uniform is still somewhat damp and there are puddles on the floor around his boots. He has a small satchel on the table and he is peering into his tricorder, not-so-unobtrusively aiming it at the other patrons. From a distance, it looks enough like the communications devices that everyone seems to carry with them that it raises no comments.

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