outer_divide | [VIDEO | 003: Electronic Wizardry] Thursday, Week 9

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[VIDEO | 003: Electronic Wizardry] Thursday, Week 9

[The feed opens with Kaidan sitting on a stone bench that's actually a chunk of concrete balanced atop some repurposed construction blocks. It's overlooking a pit in the ground that was once a basement, and has now been converted to a dinosaur holding pen... at least for a dinosaur of the less carnivorous persuasion. The fencing around the top isn't complete -- this is a thing that will take more time and manpower than he can give at the moment -- but the debris in the pit has been removed, a ramp created to where the one bit of fencing is, in the form of a gate and sidewing walls( made from more repurposed debris) and he looks headached and exhausted but satisfied.]

If you're involved in Shepard's transportation project, a more permanent stable's ready now. Someone else'll have to bring in browsing for the beast, and if someone wants to check over my attempt at getting seepage to pool at one end for a water source I'd appreciate it... but it's got a home as soon as you can get it here.

As for me, I want to get started on some basic electronics now that things aren't actively on fire. I have a few ideas and I scavenged a few things, so if you want in, meet me here.

[He pans the datapad's camera so that people can mark the location by the buildings and backdrop.]

I've got a spot picked out that I can take you to. Needs a little work, but it's private and out of the sun.

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[The Doctor gives the scenery a long look before nodding.]

I'll be there as soon as I'm able.

Standing by, then. I'd, uh, appreciate your thoughts on whether this'll hold the thing. I'm not an architect, and I don't think they generally design for dinosaurs anyway.

[For all he's obviously exhausted himself, there's still a hint of a gleam in his eyes at the thought of an inbound dinosaur.]

[The Doctor can't help but grin a bit, too.]

It looks secure to me, though I can't say I know a triceratops' strength off the top of my head. If my databanks were functioning...

[He shakes his head.] It will help if the animal is comfortable there, I'd wager. They may not take well to being imprisoned after they recover.

[After a moment, softly] Ian does have a point, you know - any creature's natural inclination, generally speaking, is to roam free.

[Kaidan sighs at that: long, pained, but attempting to let irritation bleed out in it rather than in his words. One hand rubs at his temple, the gesture one part habitual to one part trying to soothe the beginnings of the biotic migraine that being a one-man construction force is gifting him with.]

Look. I know we're messing with the natural state of things. But frankly, that thing's natural state is to be extinct. Domesticating some of the dinosaur species would be a huge advantage for a population that's already scraping by on the edge, both for food and pure muscle power.

I can appreciate the kid's concerns. Hell, I think I recognize myself at that age in some of them. But in the end, it's the dinosaur that's going to decide whether it wants to be kept or not -- that pit's not holding it if it really wants to leave.

[The Doctor nods, his agreement sincere.] I'm aware of the practicality, and I've no intention of putting a dinosaur's needs above the resident population. [Even if a part of him is tempted, all the same.]

I simply wanted to caution that it may end up being more trouble than it's worth. I'd rather we weren't overly stubborn about it, if that's eventually the case.

Noted. And hell, if it's stressed and wants to get out of here, I'm not going to be standing in its way. Ideally we probably should've gotten a bunch of young ones, if what I remember from my lone xenobiology course is right.

[His expression, wryly exhausted, hangs for a moment on the mental image of a clutch of imprinted young ceratopsians following Shepard like, er, lambs.]

Still, this one'll let us learn what they eat, and it can take care of itself and take off if it's not interested.

[So very dry.] Perhaps we'll get lucky and she'll be pregnant.

[A huffed laugh puffs across the comm.]

Wouldn't that just be the icing on the cake?

[Ian is just frowning.] How long are you planning on keeping it?

[Kaidan studies the frown, head canting and one hand rubbing at his temple as he mulls over why it might be. His voice is steady and neutral as he answers as a result... or that could just be from talking through his headache.]

As long as it's happy to be kept, I figure. The commander's hoping to domesticate it.

[dryly] No one's ever happy to be kept, trust me.

[An eyebrow raises at that.]

No human, or other sapient species, sure. Animals are different -- meet their needs and they're happy. Food, water, safety. Companionship if they're social.

[he just crosses his arms] Some people think that about humans, too.

[A small clue begins to coalesce, based off what bits of personal story Ian's told him before. Kaidan looks wry.]

Well, rest assured I'm not one of them. Shepard either, not with how she grew up. But seriously, the thing's about as bright as a cow, or any number of other farm animals humanity's tamed. If you're going to try for moral absolutism on this one, you'd better be a vegan.

[There's a bit of a challenge to those words, but it's delivered with a frank air and consideration rather than outright dismissal.]

I'm not an architect, but I believe I can evaluate your water source.

[She pauses, then smiles very slightly.]

And give some assistance with security.

Appreciated.

[He smiles back, crookedly, although someone as familiar with him as Liara can probably read the signs that he's about to go find a nice sunless hole to crawl into while his brain gnaws on him for a bit.]

If you have any good arguments in support of why domestication attempts are a good thing, I might have a couple people to point you at, too.

[Liara can read the signs. She also knows him well enough not to say anything.

This does not, however, mean there won't be a quiet delivery of food and water, once he's recovered enough to be able to eat.]

I am sure I can come up with several, although whether they would be listened to is another matter entirely.

Always the challenge, isn't it? But at least this isn't like getting the Council to listen about Sovereign.

I hope.

I do not think the dinosaur intends to eradicate all life on this planet, so the situation is at least a little less dire. [Her smile is almost playful, in spite of the topic.]

Small mercies. Although hell, I think so long as they can see for themselves that Shepard isn't some horrible figure of animal cruelty they'll come around.

I mean, there's no way that thing's staying if it feels otherwise. I'm not that good at construction.

None of us is. At least, not lacking materials that could withstand a krogan charge.

If we had materials like that, I'd have plans for it outside of building a pen with them anyway.

Better emergency shelter would be a good start.

I had a few ideas on that score. Future plans, that sort of thing. I need to build up a better rapport with the locals first, though.

[Eyes closed and his hand still shading them from the light, he still manages a wry smile and reflects on facts that Liara probably already knows.]

Human history`s got a long tradition of people showing up from civilizations with higher levels of tech or resources and, at best, deciding they know what's best for everyone as a result. I think I want to avoid that.

[Liara laughs at that, quiet and just a little bit rueful.] I believe that may merely be history, Major. There is no sentient species that has not at some point decided they are the ones who know best.

[A snorted huff of a laugh matches hers.] Well, I'll, uh, take that as reassurance that we really are more alike than different, rather than depressing myself.

Had a chance to interact with the locals much?

Not as much as I would like. I believe I unnerve them.

I guess I can see that. They're suspicious of the ship folks in general, and it looks like Verdana must've been a straight up human colony before their war.

At least you'll probably be easier for them to adapt to than if you were Wrex or something. Or hell, Garrus. A few of my older relatives still twitch about turians.

But your older relatives would remember first contact. I do not know that these people even have records...though I would very much like to find out.

If I find the remains of an old library while I'm scouting out a nice dark place to hide... I'll definitely let you know.

Well, would you look at that. [She sounds weary, but appreciative. She's kind of... biotically exhausted, at the moment.]

I'll see if I can't herd it. [Or ride it. There's also that.]

There's a field ration bar here with your name on it when you get here.

[He lifts one silver-wrapped package to the camera and waggles it.]

Unless that's not actually an incentive.

It is. [Definitely. She's been wolfing down everything he's brought her.]

I'll get things ready and see if I can't head your way in the morning.

Damn. You have been stretching it thin.

[His tone is teasing, the mockery of field rations a time-honoured tradition, but he still gives her a quick once-over to see just how much of a toll the dino-bubbles have taken on her.]

I'll have things standing by. Ping when you get closer so I can open the gate.

Roger.

Be right there!

Glad to have you aboard. I should warn the space is, uh, a fixer-upper. But I think it's got potential. Bring equipment if you've got it.

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[VIDEO | 003: Electronic Wizardry] Thursday, Week 9

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