"CH01"

[pagesniffer]

{voice}

Presumably, the existence of a live network--

[a couple of muffled thumps override the calm, businesslike tone for a moment, then a prolonged rustling that he eventually speaks up over]

--means the presence of live users at some point in time

Comments

[lovelyscientist]

Please make your way to a safe location in the city as soon as possible, sir. It's not safe in the forest. Miss Knowledge has written up a useful explanation here if you are able to spare a moment to read it.

Do you need assistance?

[voice]

[pagesniffer]

That much I have gathered; thank you for what you have provided. Knowledge indeed.

For the moment, I would like a few questions answered -- which locations mentioned in this guide are safest and contain the greatest concentration of citizens? Additionally, your name, in case I do need to call on you again.

[voice]

[lovelyscientist]

The Latimir, Horton and Marshall apartments as well as the high school. The hospital is safe, but the majority of people do not live there.

Ah...Lucrecia Crescent. I am one of the doctors that work at the hospital if you need medical assistance.

Please do be careful.

[voice]

[pagesniffer]

Noted. The unsafe areas of the city are much like the forest?

My name is Zexion; I may have to pay the hospital a visit at some point if what I am told about the chips is true. What are the hours of operation?

It seems fairly lethal to be otherwise.

[voice]

[lovelyscientist]

A pleasure Mr. Zexion. The forest is the most dangerous area as far as I know. The city is...less so, though not entirely safe. I haven't been everywhere so it's hard to say, but as a general rule it's not good to go out alone unless you have a weapon and a good deal of practice in using it.

As for the hospital, there's usually someone around. Miss Little Washu lives there if nothing else. Though I can't guarantee the removal of your chip at present I'm afraid.

...While I'm at it, there's a soup kitchen that runs out of the high school during the week. If you need it.

[voice]

[pagesniffer]

Well-met. As long as it is possible to outrun or outmaneuver the majority of monsters and hazards, that should not be a pressing problem, even with the handicap imposed by the chip. [he's not as confident as he sounds! but he is doing good so far, so]

There are no set hours, then? I was told only that the chip could be removed and that the locations may be ambiguous.

Food is difficult to find?

Re: [voice]

[lovelyscientist]

I...suppose? I'm not very good at it myself.

It would be best if you scheduled ahead of time. Also, there is a medical questionnaire you should fill out, just in the event of complications. And...well we don't know where all the chips are at present, so for you it might not be possible at this time.

More so food is...not easy to procure. There's very little fresh food, most everyone lives off canned products and the local wildlife. ...Who also happen to dislike allowing the population near said canned products. It can be a bit trying if you don't know what you are doing. A few people stock up items in the high school for anyone who needs them though and there is a group that will hunt for those who can't.

...I'm sorry, this is a lot to take in isn't it?

[voice]

[pagesniffer]

Is this questionnaire digital, for preparation's sake? And I assume this difficulty is due to the scientists' efforts at hiding the chips, or so I've heard.

A hunter-gatherer existence... This is a densely populated city? I would not have expected it.

I am the one taking up your time with endless questions; the volume of answers is hardly a problem.

[voice]

[lovelyscientist]

Mmm right here! You can fill it out. And that is exactly the case.

Growing food, electricity and other...luxuries are hard to keep in place here. There are people working on it, but it takes time. And...things can be quite destructive around here at times.

[voice]

[pagesniffer]

Very well. What are their methods? It seems as though they are not foolproof.

Of course; "the Coliseum was not built in a day", so to speak. Destruction is always the greater force. The monsters and natural disasters that have been mentioned are the main culprits?

[voice]

[lovelyscientist]

Mostly it's that the chips are hard to detect. They're small and give no sign of their presence; the only...I suppose reliable way to find them at this point in time is trial and error so to speak.

As far as I know, though I'm told there are also a few destructive people around as well.

...You catch on very quick Mr. Zexion. Most people spend time asking about friends and complaining upon arrival.

[voice]

[pagesniffer]

They cannot be found even with electronic or, perhaps, supernatural methods of detection...?

From what you've said so far of the city's population, that is inevitable as well.

Just Zexion will do. I have all I need of those from my world; complaining at this point accomplishes nothing. [a bit more lightly] Deliberately wasted time is practically a crime in research.

[voice]

[lovelyscientist]

As far as I know this is the case, though I am not an expert in either by all means. Still there are others who do excel in those areas so if it were possible... I'm certain they must have tried already.

Alright, Zexion. But hm such an approach. Are you a researcher then?

[voice]

[pagesniffer]

Few things are impossible. Are you able to name any of those with more expertise in these areas?

I am.

[voice]

[lovelyscientist]

Hm maybe. Let's see... Miss Little Washu of course, I believe Miss Yagokoro as well. Miss Ashtear and...Miss Knowledge seems to know a bit of everything. There are more, but I'm not very familiar with everyone here.

You are also very succinct. Any particular field?

[voice]

[pagesniffer]

On the contrary, you seem to be quite well-informed. How long have you been a resident?

[there's definite amusement here] You'll forgive me. I studied the human mind.