Wherein Raptor Perry is triumphantly resurrected.

[raced_god]

He'd been turning the disk over in his hand for what felt like hours.

It had been just about a year since he'd effectively killed the artificial intelligence of his spacecraft, and he still felt horrendously guilty about it. At the time, there had been no choice--the computer had gone rogue, and even if the Captain and his ship had reconciled at the end, a rogue computer was a rogue computer, and rogue computers needed to be dealt with.

Deal with it he did. Falcon had backed up "Raptor Perry's" systems on a disk, then wiped the AI from his ship entirely.

Now, however, was the time to put it back. Despite efforts to convince himself otherwise, he needed Perry. Running the ship without his custom AI was, frankly, a pain in the ass. Still, he couldn't help but have his doubts. What if the computer decided it was going to do whatever the hell it wanted? Repeat the events of the war? There were only so many precautions Falcon could take. Perhaps the theft and mysterious return of the disk compelled Falcon to reactivate it. Maybe the AI could tell him if it had been in use while it was missing.

And Falcon had a project in the works. It was still far from complete, but it needed to be tested. He'd called in what felt like half a billion favors to get the technology and information he needed, but piecing it together himself and inputting the necessary programming had proved to be very difficult. A test run was necessary.

The transfer of information from the disk to the ship's mainframe took a fair amount of time, which Falcon used to tweak the device. Once the upload was complete, he powered up the device. A light shot forth, hovering above the circular contraption, wavering with static before taking a vaguely humanoid shape, blue and shimmering and featureless. Falcon sighed and furrowed his brow. It was a start. He could only imagine what it would look like after further customization.

The projection sputtered, as if struggling to keep itself together. Then, it spoke.

"Activation successful. Please hold for system analysis."
-------
[Perhaps you pick up this accidental public transmission on a headset/radio/codec/Pokedex/TV/spaceship computer/other such transmitting device. Or maybe you're just magic and/or made of hax. Whatever the case, there is static for a moment, and then whatever you were listening to/watching is replaced by two voices. One is a bit muffled, but unmistakably Captain Falcon's. The other is crystal clear but sounds rather artificial. It might be vaguely familiar to a few students and faculty.]

--ast recorded date: Fifteen March, two-thousand-and nine. This is unexpected, Captain.

I know, I know.

And this is not the same craft.

Uh...no. It's not. The Flyer...you're used to, I guess...it was destroyed. Back in June.

Destroyed?

Black Shadow.

You can't seem to keep out of trouble, can you?

My job gets me in trouble from time to time.

I trust you were not injured.

Of course I was injured. Anyway, I--

Yet you still remain here. I suppose it would be pointless to remind you to be careful.

Just a little.

And is this device an attempt to ensure my complacency?

Maybe.

I am glad to be back, Captain, if only to prevent you from indulging in the questionable decisions I assume you made in my absence.

Right. Thanks.

[The transmission dissolves into static.]
-------
I heard about what happened. Are you all right?
-------
Checking in as usual. What's up?
-------
I parked next to you. I hope that's okay.
-------
This might seem a bit random, but we have so many scientifically-inclined students and faculty here, I figured it was worth a shot. Does anyone know anything about hologram technology?

Comments

[blondprodigy.livejournal.com]

I could pretend to know everything about it.

[raced_god]

Shoot.

[blondprodigy.livejournal.com]

...Well, um... what did you want to know in particular? I could try to bullshit something.

Wave is totally out of jail by now so hey

[babylonmechanic]

I'm your girl. My computer has a holographic display. Built it myself.

Awesome

[raced_god]

Oh, hey, great. Did you program it yourself too?

Re: Awesome

[babylonmechanic]

Naturally. So what do you need?

[4x4-of-manly.livejournal.com]

[Hello. Lighter was trying to figure out the magic music box doohickey and SUDDENLY, FALCON. Sooo not the kind of music he was hoping for.]

What the hell were you doing on the radio? Cut it out.

[raced_god]

The radio?

[4x4-of-manly.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I was turning the thing looking for some decent music and all I got was you and some other guy going on about some nonsense.

[time-mast3r.livejournal.com]

[AAAA What is this she was just watching a cool documentary on something dumb AAA THERE'S SOMEONE TALKING AAAA THERE'S NO PICTURE ANYMORE AAAAAA

Uh... so uh... Dana might of ended up smashing it on accident with a very loud yell in panic.

Falcon you owe her a new TV. >:I]

[raced_god]

[WELL GEE SORRY maybe if you tell him what happened he'll feel bad.]

[time-mast3r.livejournal.com]

[SHE TOTALLY WILL WHEN SHE SEES HIM.]

[Privato]

[icequeen-aran.livejournal.com]

So I noticed. I also noticed a familiar voice...

You got him back online, huh?

Re: [Privato]

[raced_god]

Oh. Right. When I turned on the projection device and rebooted him I think some of what we were talking about accidentally got transmitted.

But...yeah, he's back.

Re: [Privato]

[icequeen-aran.livejournal.com]

Better keep him on a short leash this time, Captain.

So. Holograms.

Private

[leadthemalong.livejournal.com]

Well, first I would like to hear how you have been this week. I do not usually see updates from you on the network.

Are you asking about hologram technology because you're planning to reinstall your original AI? I recall a conversation you had with me before regarding hologram technology. We have holographic technology on my home planet, but I doubt it is what you are looking for... Perhaps Samus would know something about hologram technology. Her gunship seems extraordinarily advanced.

Re: Private

[raced_god]

I've been all right. I kind of holed myself up this past week to make some headway on this project.

I actually reinstalled the AI this afternoon. For a test run of the projection device I've been working on. Anything you could tell me would be helpful, I'm trying to get as many opinions as I can. Do you know anything about programming?

Re: Private

[leadthemalong.livejournal.com]

Is that so? I was a tad concerned last week, but I'm happy to hear nothing dreadful happened.

I may not be as handy as you when it comes to mechanics, but I think I could help you with programming. What do you need assistance on? Perhaps I may have an answer for you.

[Tried to be private, but failed horribly, you might need to help her Falcon]

[rockinthrutime.livejournal.com]

Now why wouldn't I be alright?

[And help he will. Private!]

[raced_god]

Gold told me what happened.

I wanted to say I'm sorry.

[Oh boy, thanks Falcon]

[rockinthrutime.livejournal.com]

You don't have to be sorry. I have to admit I haven't had such a battle in a very long while. Forgive me for asking, but is there a particular reason that he picked you, out of everyone on this world?

And I finally know why the Sphinx lost his nose.

Dehiatusing for just a moment so I can post this

[tank-rockarms.livejournal.com]

[Private level ONE]Hey, why were you talkin' to like... some sorta robot guy on the radio when I was workin' out in the gym?[/private]

I feel so special also now it's private level a billion.

[raced_god]

Uhhh...yeah, I think I accidentally transmitted some of me talking to my computer. Sorry about that.

Haha I'm dumb. Let's try that again.

[palmtreemowhawk.livejournal.com]

You know, you should really give a warning when you suddenly hack all of the tvs, I wanted to prepare myself for the instant nausea that you gave me when I heard your stupid gross voice!

[raced_god]

I have no idea what you're talking about.