[LOG] A Little Coercion Never Hurt Nobody
WHO: Havelock Vetinari, Naomi Armitage. BY RADIO: Celene Hunter, Joseph Suen, Near, Toushirou Hitsugaya.
WHAT: Havelock has his eyes set on a new addition to his pet project.
WHEN: August 29, 2007
WHERE: Vetinari's Office, IPA Headquarters
[RADIO] To Naomi Armitage, Havelock Vetinari radios: Ms. Armitage?
[RADIO] To Havelock Vetinari, you radio: Yes, Lord Vetinari?
[RADIO] To Naomi Armitage, Havelock Vetinari radios: Could you report to my office, please - we need to discuss Third Types.
[RADIO] To Naomi Armitage, Havelock Vetinari radios: (Vetinari does not phrase this as a request.)
[RADIO] To Havelock Vetinari, you radio: ...Yessir.
Vetinari's office is easy to find - it's centrally located, it has a dog dish outside with Wuffles' name on it, and inside, it has the Clock. No one ever forgets the Clock. It ticks. Then a bit later than you would expect, it tocks. Then, just a bit /too/ early now, it ticks. And so on, always out of pattern. Vetinari paid someone very well for it.
Also in the room is a desk (under which there is a dog basket and a doggy) and two chairs. And a closed drinks cabinet.
Armitage, outwardly, doesn't look nervous. Perhaps she isn't easily spooked. Perhaps it's because she's not human. Perhaps it's because her eyes are hidden behind thick black visor-style shades. The young woman rushed to Vetinari's office awfully quickly, for someone who carries herself in such a casual manner. However, the set of her shoulders is just a touch too stiff, the hands in the pockets of her red hotpants just a little too poised. She knocks once on the office door and then lets herself in, closing it behind her.
"You wanted to speak to me about something, sir?" She affects boredom. Inside her mind is racing. The Third Types are a closely guarded secret... barely more than a rumor, even to the major robot manufacturing corporations on Mars.
"I did." Vetinari's response is far better than affected boredom - it's neutrality. "Take a seat." He waves to one of the two chairs in front of his desk. Wuffles snorts and rolls over.
"Miss Armitage - can you tell me about Third Types?"
She has a seat, resisting the urge to kick back and put her boots on his desk in an ill-advised show of rebellion. "...I'm not positive I'm the best person to ask about the subject," she replies. "I assume you're talking about a new generation of helper robots, like the First Types that helped terraform Mars and the Second Types that act as moderately skilled labor or 'pets' for those that can afford them, right?" Armitage crosses her legs and leans back slightly, resting her elbows on the arms of the chair. She doesn't remove her visor. "So far, no news of a successor to those two types has been released."
Vetinari's expression does not change. He places his hands on his desk, the fingertips touching - and /entirely by accident/ moves a file labelled 'Martian Law' into view. "Come now, Miss Armitage. Lying is not conducive to a proper discussion." It is at this point that the lock in the door clicks. It's /amazing/ how quietly a golem can stand, isn't it?
And, being a golem, it didn't trip her electronic proximity sensors. The first thing she does is attack the thing with telemetry, a purely conditioned response to hostile AI threats. It does not cease functioning, or listen to her repeated electronic commands to unlock the door. Well, that's magic for you.
Outwardly, she doesn't even twitch. "Neither are veiled threats," she bites out, like she were an annoyed teenager. "What exactly do you want from me, Vetinari?" No Lord this time. Behind the visor, her eyes dart back and forth once, then focus again on the Patrician.
"What I want, Miss Armitage, is quite simple." He moves - and this time pulls out a file, labelled 'IPA SWAT.' "I want /you/. Your ability to conceal your nature implies to me that you have some working understanding of subtlety and intelligence. The fact that I am making you /aware/ that I know is simply - oh, a /recruitment/ gift. You know I know, and I assure you, I've no intention of revealing it. Please read this." He holds out the SWAT file. It's standard SWAT recruitment and rules papers.
"Now, you have a choice. You may sign on the dotted line, join the SWAT and work to protect the multiverse...or you may attempt to go back to your life." There is /always/ a choice.
And Vetinari likes to force them. After all - how well would Naomi be able to sleep if she knew that someone with power /knew/? (To clarify: someone with power who didn't have a vested interest in keeping others from knowing. Say, by employing her.)
So, he wants to use her. And he knows what she is... if it got out, her career in her home precinct would be over. Robots, however intelligent, have no rights on Mars. Kill one and it's not even murder - just destruction of property. She reaches out, almost roughly, and takes the file from him, scanning over it quickly. Yes, even the fine print. ESPECIALLY the fine print. "..." Armitage stares silently at the dotted line for a handful of breaths.
"...Fine. I'll work for you, on the condition that you help me keep this under wraps. But if it gets out to ANYONE else that I'm a Third, our deal is off and I'm out of here." Would that be a blessing, or a curse, she wonders...
"Of course." Vetinari nods. "As a member of the SWAT, we will respect your secrets as you will respect any that your coworkers have. Your service is what matters. Rules may be bent for you now - and so long as you provide the service I know you're capable of, they will be." Vetinari pulls out /another/ file, handing it over. "Our frequency is in that file, along with our handbook. I'm sure you'll get along splendidly with your fellow SWAT agents."
Wuffles rolls over again and barks softly.
Sure, whatever. Armitage hesitates for only a moment... and then reaches for a pen, signing her name in precise cursive. What a weird feeling... like having the cuffs slapped on. "As long as they mind their own business, I'll mind mine." She accepts the new folder, flipping it open to skim it briefly. The new signal is routed into the communications center just above her logic board, aligning to the proper frequency.
"I suppose this is really sensitive stuff, 'burn it when you're done with it'?" she asks sarcastically, reaching up with her free hand to remove her shades, not looking up from the file at Vetinari. "And if that's all, may I go? I still have my own patrol coming up."
"If you want to. I was just going to have the rats eat it." The Patrician nods. His tone is much less formal now - while Armitage may not like him yet - and probably never will, given the terms of her enlistment - he's certain she'll be a productive team member. "You may go about your business now - just keep the frequency open."
"Far be it from me to keep the rats hungry," she grumbles, and hands the papers back over. She has scans backed up to her memory now. "Yes sir." She slides the visor back on and stands up, adjusting the hang of her red jacket. "I'll be sure to make myself available." And with that, she steps past the golem and unlocks the door, fuming all the way to the transport gates.
(Y-IPA SWAT) Havelock Vetinari says, "Officer Naomi Armitage. Officer Armitage, welcome to the SWAT team."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Naomi Armitage, stiffly, "Thank you, sir."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Near says, "Yes. Welcome to the team, Officer Armitage. What are your specialties?"
(Y-IPA SWAT) Havelock Vetinari says, "Oh, and I believe that Mister Hitsugaya is listening, too. A belated welcome, Mister Hitsugaya."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Celene Hunter says, "Evening, Officer."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Joseph Suen says, "Welcome to the force Officer. Joseph Suen."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Near says, "I am 'N.'"
(Y-IPA SWAT) Naomi Armitage says, "I'm a member of the St. Lowell police department, based on Mars in my plane. I'm a detective with experience in SWAT procedures and solo interventions."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Celene Hunter says, "I'm Sergeant Celene Hunter, from LAPD SWAT. You need something shot, you come to me."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Toushirou Hitsugaya says, "I would prefer if you called me Captain instead of Mister."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Naomi Armitage says, "Thanks, everyone. I'm looking forward to working with you all."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Naomi Armitage does not sound terribly enthused.
(Y-IPA SWAT) Havelock Vetinari says, "Of course, Captain."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Toushirou Hitsugaya doesn't sound terribly enthused either.
(Y-IPA SWAT) Near sounds incredibly bored with the whole matter.
(Y-IPA SWAT) Toushirou Hitsugaya says, "Thank you, sir."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Near says, "Yes, Captain Hitsugaya. I recognize your voice. Welcome to the SWAT team."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Joseph Suen says, "Right. Captain Hitsugaya, Officer Armitage."
Armitage needs a tag, please!
WHAT: Havelock has his eyes set on a new addition to his pet project.
WHEN: August 29, 2007
WHERE: Vetinari's Office, IPA Headquarters
[RADIO] To Naomi Armitage, Havelock Vetinari radios: Ms. Armitage?
[RADIO] To Havelock Vetinari, you radio: Yes, Lord Vetinari?
[RADIO] To Naomi Armitage, Havelock Vetinari radios: Could you report to my office, please - we need to discuss Third Types.
[RADIO] To Naomi Armitage, Havelock Vetinari radios: (Vetinari does not phrase this as a request.)
[RADIO] To Havelock Vetinari, you radio: ...Yessir.
Vetinari's office is easy to find - it's centrally located, it has a dog dish outside with Wuffles' name on it, and inside, it has the Clock. No one ever forgets the Clock. It ticks. Then a bit later than you would expect, it tocks. Then, just a bit /too/ early now, it ticks. And so on, always out of pattern. Vetinari paid someone very well for it.
Also in the room is a desk (under which there is a dog basket and a doggy) and two chairs. And a closed drinks cabinet.
Armitage, outwardly, doesn't look nervous. Perhaps she isn't easily spooked. Perhaps it's because she's not human. Perhaps it's because her eyes are hidden behind thick black visor-style shades. The young woman rushed to Vetinari's office awfully quickly, for someone who carries herself in such a casual manner. However, the set of her shoulders is just a touch too stiff, the hands in the pockets of her red hotpants just a little too poised. She knocks once on the office door and then lets herself in, closing it behind her.
"You wanted to speak to me about something, sir?" She affects boredom. Inside her mind is racing. The Third Types are a closely guarded secret... barely more than a rumor, even to the major robot manufacturing corporations on Mars.
"I did." Vetinari's response is far better than affected boredom - it's neutrality. "Take a seat." He waves to one of the two chairs in front of his desk. Wuffles snorts and rolls over.
"Miss Armitage - can you tell me about Third Types?"
She has a seat, resisting the urge to kick back and put her boots on his desk in an ill-advised show of rebellion. "...I'm not positive I'm the best person to ask about the subject," she replies. "I assume you're talking about a new generation of helper robots, like the First Types that helped terraform Mars and the Second Types that act as moderately skilled labor or 'pets' for those that can afford them, right?" Armitage crosses her legs and leans back slightly, resting her elbows on the arms of the chair. She doesn't remove her visor. "So far, no news of a successor to those two types has been released."
Vetinari's expression does not change. He places his hands on his desk, the fingertips touching - and /entirely by accident/ moves a file labelled 'Martian Law' into view. "Come now, Miss Armitage. Lying is not conducive to a proper discussion." It is at this point that the lock in the door clicks. It's /amazing/ how quietly a golem can stand, isn't it?
And, being a golem, it didn't trip her electronic proximity sensors. The first thing she does is attack the thing with telemetry, a purely conditioned response to hostile AI threats. It does not cease functioning, or listen to her repeated electronic commands to unlock the door. Well, that's magic for you.
Outwardly, she doesn't even twitch. "Neither are veiled threats," she bites out, like she were an annoyed teenager. "What exactly do you want from me, Vetinari?" No Lord this time. Behind the visor, her eyes dart back and forth once, then focus again on the Patrician.
"What I want, Miss Armitage, is quite simple." He moves - and this time pulls out a file, labelled 'IPA SWAT.' "I want /you/. Your ability to conceal your nature implies to me that you have some working understanding of subtlety and intelligence. The fact that I am making you /aware/ that I know is simply - oh, a /recruitment/ gift. You know I know, and I assure you, I've no intention of revealing it. Please read this." He holds out the SWAT file. It's standard SWAT recruitment and rules papers.
"Now, you have a choice. You may sign on the dotted line, join the SWAT and work to protect the multiverse...or you may attempt to go back to your life." There is /always/ a choice.
And Vetinari likes to force them. After all - how well would Naomi be able to sleep if she knew that someone with power /knew/? (To clarify: someone with power who didn't have a vested interest in keeping others from knowing. Say, by employing her.)
So, he wants to use her. And he knows what she is... if it got out, her career in her home precinct would be over. Robots, however intelligent, have no rights on Mars. Kill one and it's not even murder - just destruction of property. She reaches out, almost roughly, and takes the file from him, scanning over it quickly. Yes, even the fine print. ESPECIALLY the fine print. "..." Armitage stares silently at the dotted line for a handful of breaths.
"...Fine. I'll work for you, on the condition that you help me keep this under wraps. But if it gets out to ANYONE else that I'm a Third, our deal is off and I'm out of here." Would that be a blessing, or a curse, she wonders...
"Of course." Vetinari nods. "As a member of the SWAT, we will respect your secrets as you will respect any that your coworkers have. Your service is what matters. Rules may be bent for you now - and so long as you provide the service I know you're capable of, they will be." Vetinari pulls out /another/ file, handing it over. "Our frequency is in that file, along with our handbook. I'm sure you'll get along splendidly with your fellow SWAT agents."
Wuffles rolls over again and barks softly.
Sure, whatever. Armitage hesitates for only a moment... and then reaches for a pen, signing her name in precise cursive. What a weird feeling... like having the cuffs slapped on. "As long as they mind their own business, I'll mind mine." She accepts the new folder, flipping it open to skim it briefly. The new signal is routed into the communications center just above her logic board, aligning to the proper frequency.
"I suppose this is really sensitive stuff, 'burn it when you're done with it'?" she asks sarcastically, reaching up with her free hand to remove her shades, not looking up from the file at Vetinari. "And if that's all, may I go? I still have my own patrol coming up."
"If you want to. I was just going to have the rats eat it." The Patrician nods. His tone is much less formal now - while Armitage may not like him yet - and probably never will, given the terms of her enlistment - he's certain she'll be a productive team member. "You may go about your business now - just keep the frequency open."
"Far be it from me to keep the rats hungry," she grumbles, and hands the papers back over. She has scans backed up to her memory now. "Yes sir." She slides the visor back on and stands up, adjusting the hang of her red jacket. "I'll be sure to make myself available." And with that, she steps past the golem and unlocks the door, fuming all the way to the transport gates.
(Y-IPA SWAT) Havelock Vetinari says, "Officer Naomi Armitage. Officer Armitage, welcome to the SWAT team."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Naomi Armitage, stiffly, "Thank you, sir."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Near says, "Yes. Welcome to the team, Officer Armitage. What are your specialties?"
(Y-IPA SWAT) Havelock Vetinari says, "Oh, and I believe that Mister Hitsugaya is listening, too. A belated welcome, Mister Hitsugaya."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Celene Hunter says, "Evening, Officer."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Joseph Suen says, "Welcome to the force Officer. Joseph Suen."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Near says, "I am 'N.'"
(Y-IPA SWAT) Naomi Armitage says, "I'm a member of the St. Lowell police department, based on Mars in my plane. I'm a detective with experience in SWAT procedures and solo interventions."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Celene Hunter says, "I'm Sergeant Celene Hunter, from LAPD SWAT. You need something shot, you come to me."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Toushirou Hitsugaya says, "I would prefer if you called me Captain instead of Mister."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Naomi Armitage says, "Thanks, everyone. I'm looking forward to working with you all."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Naomi Armitage does not sound terribly enthused.
(Y-IPA SWAT) Havelock Vetinari says, "Of course, Captain."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Toushirou Hitsugaya doesn't sound terribly enthused either.
(Y-IPA SWAT) Near sounds incredibly bored with the whole matter.
(Y-IPA SWAT) Toushirou Hitsugaya says, "Thank you, sir."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Near says, "Yes, Captain Hitsugaya. I recognize your voice. Welcome to the SWAT team."
(Y-IPA SWAT) Joseph Suen says, "Right. Captain Hitsugaya, Officer Armitage."
Armitage needs a tag, please!