InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "Don't fear the reaper"

Data (nfn_nmi_data) wrote in seasidecafe,
@ 2009-02-08 21:44:00

Entry tags:

growing old

Data: Growing Old
Data stands up. “I do not grow old as you mean the phrase. There has been a progression of time since my activation, but that is strictly a chronological measurement. My systems do not deteriorate as biological cellular structures do. I have an aging program that is designed to simulate the external effects of aging in my physical appearance, but that is strictly cosmetic. It can be disabled any time I wish.” He looks around the room. “I do have to watch the people around me growing old however. And I know that, in time, they will die and I will not. Everyone I have ever known or will know will predecease me. Fortunately, with my memory, I shall never forget any of them.” He sits back down and resumes taking readings with his tricorder.

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time_after_time
2009-02-08 11:09 pm UTC (link)

At first, Jack is focused on the device Data is using, quite curious about it. An initial glance over it lets it pass as some kind of PDA or new cellphone, but Jack realizes after looking again that it's anachronistic, probably something from Data's own time. Must be the equipment he went to get from the shuttle.

He freezes his expression as he listens to Data-- not because Data's discussing being a non-biological being, not at all, but because of what Data says about the people around him. Oh, Jack knows very well about that. He clears his throat and heads over to Data. "So, what've we got?"

Thought we might as well continue it over here, since Data's got his tricorder :)

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nfn_nmi_data
2009-02-09 05:45 pm UTC (link)

"Hello Captain Harkness," Data looks up. His uniform is still slightly damp and there are small puddles on the floor around his boots. "Did you enjoy your walk?"

"There are abnormally high levels of industrial pollutants in the atmosphere, including lead and antimony." Data swings the tricorder around, taking another reading of the cafe. "And I am picking up unusual pockets of chroniton particles throughout this establishment."

Works for me! Whee!

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time_after_time
2009-02-09 06:51 pm UTC (link)

"Hello again, Data. It was fine."

He nods as Data tells him the readings. "It's pretty foul. When we get a good rain, give that a scan-- things here get flushed out into the water supply, and if they don't make it back into the system, they get evaporated and then rain back down over everything. They haven't quite figured out that they might not want to pump their air and water full of chemicals and heavy metals. Are the pockets concentrated in any particular areas, around people?"

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nfn_nmi_data
2009-02-10 06:51 am UTC (link)

Data looks at him. "I shall do that. It is a common problem in early industrialized societies. It is hoped they will find other methods before drastic action in necessary." He peers at the tricorder screen. "It seems to be clustered around the people. And there is no fixed pattern that I can determine. Would you happen to know which people here are from out of time?"

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time_after_time
2009-02-10 04:02 pm UTC (link)

"They've only been industrialized for a couple hundred years, so it's going to take awhile to sort out. They'll get it sorted, though." He looks around the room and considers, brow furrowing. "Off the top of my head, Cesare Borgia's centuries out of time... Dr. McCoy, of course. The Doctor and I have both done a lot of time traveling, but that might skew readings. And... Sherlock Holmes was. But he's-- gone now. Dead. There's a girl around, Phédre, not sure what time she's from. I'd have to do some readings to figure out anyone else, can't remember from who I've talked to if anyone else is out of time or just place."

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nfn_nmi_data
2009-02-10 08:38 pm UTC (link)

"The Earth of my time still bears scars of the damage done by industry," Data tells him. "Cesare Borgia, son of Pope Alexander VI?" Data asks, pointing the tricorder at him. "Yes, there are anomalous chroniton readings in his vicinity." Data aims the tricorder at Jack. "Intriguing," he comments. "I have yet to meet the Doctor however, so I am unable to say if your readings are similar to his." Data blinks. "Sherlock Holmes was here? The detective? I have always believed he was a fictional character." He glances at the tricorder again. "I will need to take more readings to determine if any pattern exists to the chroniton particles appearance. Shall I take a reading on your wrist device? You will need to remove it if I am to attain the most accuracy."

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time_after_time
2009-02-10 08:44 pm UTC (link)

"Damage like that takes a long, long time to heal-- if ever. Yep, that Borgia." He waits for Data to take the readings where he points, then looks back to it, looking a bit tense as Data scans him. "Ah. Well. He'll be, ah, different. Yeah, Holmes was. That fellow of his, Watson, went and published his cases with a fictional veneer, but he was here." He shakes his head. "No offense, but I'd rather do the readings yourself and let you have a look. I don't let other people use this. It's nothing personal."

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nfn_nmi_data
2009-02-10 09:13 pm UTC (link)

"They will need to get started soon on various reclamation projects if they are to be of maximum effectiveness," Data says. He looks over at Cesare again. "And there is not enough information for me to ascertain any pattern to who has come here. Tell me Captain, have all arrivals to Margate been like mine? Abrupt and unplanned?" Data pulls up a picture on his tricorder and shows it to Jack. "This is Sherlock Holmes as he is known to me. I am curious to know how much the actual person resembled him."

"I am incapable of being offended Captain," Data reminds him. "You are welcome to use the tricorder." He hands it to him. "Just ask if you have any questions."

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time_after_time
2009-02-10 09:21 pm UTC (link)

"There's been talking of reducing the amount of damage they're doing, but that isn't exactly fixing what's been done. Inconsistent efforts. But hey, no global government or anything to enforce it, so it's all scattered efforts." He considers that and shakes his head. "I don't know, either. I think they've all been abrupt and unplanned, from what I've heard. Some with vehicles, some without. But I don't know if anyone breaks that pattern." He leans over to look at the picture and looks surprised. "Yeah, that looks a lot like him. That's from the films, right? Ah, still, doesn't mean someone shouldn't be polite with you, in my book."

Accepting the tricorder, he studies it curiously. He's got well over a century of experience with a variety of tech from different times and species, though that's never been his specific expertise. With a pang, he thinks if Tosh were-- around-- she'd figure it out in a hurry, even without the experience he's got, putting that brilliant mind to it. It takes him a bit longer than that, but then he checks with Data on what some of the buttons and functions are, asking questions to confirm, before. "So, what shall we scan?"

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nfn_nmi_data
2009-02-11 07:36 am UTC (link)

"I believe the expression is: 'All talk and no action'," Data comments. "It was a shame about the Everglades though. So many species lost." Data considers this. "Another piece of the puzzle, but still not enough to get a coherent picture. I should mention that cloaked Romulan warbirds emit chroniton particles. And the Borg use them. They are essential to maintaining their transwarp network." Data nods. "To the best of my knowledge, yes. But it appears my knowledge is faulty. I am a great admirer of his. I regret I did not get a chance to meet him." Data tilts his head. "Thank you Captain. Not all people are so accommodating."

Data answers Jack's questions, pleased by how quickly he masters the basic functions. "You may scan whatever you wish. It may help you to learn to interpret the readings if you first scan something you know well. The table for instance, or the contents of one of the glasses."

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