Challenge #16 - Confrontation

[bent_on_revenge]

How do you handle confrontations?

Easy. I face them all the time.

I fight, I attack, I blackmail, and I get even.

Comments

[timeshadow]

Those are all very effective methods, Dr Zane.

[bent_on_revenge]

*raises an eyebrow, considering her for a moment*

Yes, I thought so, too.

[timeshadow]

::Nods::

I find subversive attack and blackmail are good preventatives, as well.

[bent_on_revenge]

*slowly* Indeed...

I'm sorry, I don't think I've had the pleasure of being introduced to you before..

[timeshadow]

Oh, I'm sorry ... that wasn't very good manners, was it?

::Smiles, holds out hand::

Rakj'a Jarre.

[bent_on_revenge]

*shakes her hand firmly* Dr. Brian Zane, but I suppose you are already aware of that. Pleasure to meet you.

[timeshadow]

And you, Dr. Zane.

As I was saying, you seem to have an interesting outlook on life.

[bent_on_revenge]

Really? I don't hear that often.

[timeshadow]

That's not surprising ... 'interesting' doesn't always mean 'pleasant', which would stop a lot of people from looking too closely.

But you seem very focused, very ... driven. And that's the kind of person who gets things done.

[bent_on_revenge]

*nods slowly* Thank you for taking notice..

[timeshadow]

::Thinks a moment, then smiles wryly::

I'll be honest with you, Dr Zane ... I've met most of TKR. And the KI Two Thousand, and your AI. I confess to feeling very ... anthropomorphic about them, and I wouldn't like to see any of them physically damaged. For me, it would be rather like watching a dog getting kicked.

However - I also understand your anger at the whole situation and your desire for revenge.

[bent_on_revenge]

*snorts* I should have known TKR.. and my creation would make their way into this conversation.

*narrows an eye* So I take it you are siding with them as well in this whole dispute I seem to have stirred up...

But I can say I appreciate your... understanding.

[timeshadow]

I'm not trying to be on anybody's 'side', Dr Zane. I do my best not to be whenever possible.

What I'm thinking is that there's a way for you to have your 'revenge' ... or at the very least get well and truly even ... without anything having to happen to your AI. In fact, you could leave it behind you on the figurative scrap-heap and move on to greater things.

[bent_on_revenge]

*raises an eyebrow, slightly suspicious*

...

*prompting her to elaborate* You have my interest.

[timeshadow]

Alright ... ::starts to pace as she talks::

I'm wondering - why bother 'getting revenge' on the AI? It's just a machine, right? Wires and circuits. Isn't it the people you really want to get to? FLAG? The ones who replaced you with Dr Maris?

Well, let's face it, TKR have been around a good few years. Technology has shot ahead all over the place, there's so much more to work with now. Why don't you find yourself a sponsor, maybe among FLAG's competitors, and use the newer advances to build something better? To use a cliche - the 'Next Generation' of AI.

You could even apply your work to areas that FLAG never thought of - say, the medical field. Imagine an AI that could process and assess emergency patients as they come through the doors in ER. Something like that could make your mark, not just in the AI industry but world wide.

In short ::ticks on her fingers:: you'd hit FLAG in the hip pocket, you'd get all the people hassling you off your back, you'd make a shitload of money, and once you succeed you would go down in history

[bent_on_revenge]

*is quiet for a good while, thinking it over, considering...*

*thoughtfully* That is rather intriguing...