Never been to a Panera, though I think some exist around here. Also, I have a thing about soups- they're not me.
Oddly enough, I have that same thing about broccoli and cheese. It's all I can do to choke it down, even with the help of a good flavor-blocking drink like milk or juice.
Pity. I might have to put the plot on hiatus, and just post the older bits to SB while I wait. It'd give me time to refine them just a bit, and get the framing device/personality just right.
**********
For once, I was thankful for the glacially slow containment lab doors. They gave me time to finish shoveling down my breakfast sandwich, and wash it down with a glass of the first drink I could get- a truly disturbing concoction that was almost, but not entirely, unlike tea.
I'm quite aware of the irony of that.
By the time the doors had finished opening, the sandwich was in my gut, the drink container- still half-full- had gone down a nearby garbage chute, and I was halfway presentable. The cavernous room was, as usual, mostly empty; the 'almost', in this case, was both Doctor Scaglietti and, to my surprise, Uno. The doctor was directly in front of the door, facing me; Uno stood at attention on his right side, facing inward, a plastic case cradled in both arms. So if Tre were here, would she be across from Uno, or would that spot be left empty for Due?
"Ford Prefect," the doctor intoned, "come forward." He motioned at the space in front of them. Not being a total idiot, I did. Even managed to keep my eyes front, despite my natural tendency to try to look at everything.
Once I was standing in front of the doctor, Uno took one step forward forward. The case in her arms popped open, revealing... well, not much. I only took a cursory look at the case, since I was trying to be polite and keep my attention focused on Scaglietti, so all I saw was an ocean of black foam, and a glint of reflected light off the object inside.
"As you've already noticed," he said, waving a hand at the case, "your Device is complete, and ready for testing. Before you do," he said, pausing for a second, "I'd like you to answer a question for me."
I nodded. Wonder what he's going to ask.
"Who are you?"
I blinked. That's not what I was expecting. Start with the simple response, I guess. "You already know my name."
Scaglietti shook his head. "That's not what I asked. What sort of person are you? What sort of fighter? What is the existence that is 'Ford Prefect', and where does he stand?"
Sounds like my standard answer to the Vorlon Question would work, with a few more facts added. Truth, and nothing but the truth.
"Before almost anything else, Doctor, I'm a seeker of knowledge. I want to learn everything I can- not just facts, but skills, experiences, and ideas. I came to you because my upbringing and my biology made it impossible for me to experience magic... well, magic, martial arts, and any physical activity more strenuous than lifting heavy objects.
Even before that, I'm a creature of self-imposed limits. There are acts I've sworn not to engage in, and principles I've sworn myself to. To me, those oaths are a part of who I am, to a degree that I can- and have- frozen in existential panic instead of countenancing the idea of breaking one."
I looked up, having lowered my head as I talked, and met the doctor's gaze. "I will not murder, nor will I permit those around me to murder, if I have the strength. I will not kill without need, nor will I allow meaningless killing in my presence.
I will attempt to prevent combat, if at all possible. If I do have to fight, I will use any means necessary, save those prevented by other oaths, to ensure the greatest victory possible for my side, at the lowest possible cost in lives.
I am civil towards my opponents, and face them with honor. I am merciless towards my enemies, against whom everything is permitted."
I took a second to catch my breath, favoring the doctor with a small grin. "The rest of my oaths are mostly related to personal vices that I refuse to engage in. Only two others are of note to you: that I will speak no word that is not true, and that when I give my word to do something, I will see it done. I have given my word to fight for your cause, as partial repayment for the work you've done on me, and that's precisely what I'm going to do."
As before, I could see that the two of them had monitors with medical data up, no doubt verifying the veracity of my words. Sensible of them- trust, but verify. Good policy. They won't find anything, though- nothing I said was a lie.
Sure enough, the two of them took a bit of time to watch their monitors- replaying that entire little speech I'd made, no doubt- before looking at each other, and nodding. Uno took a step forward, letting her arms drop just a bit as she walked. The contents of her case finally came to light, and I gasped.
My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother Atom Bomb of Courteous Debate. Get yours.
I've been writing a bit.
Oddly enough, I have that same thing about broccoli and cheese. It's all I can do to choke it down, even with the help of a good flavor-blocking drink like milk or juice.
Pity. I might have to put the plot on hiatus, and just post the older bits to SB while I wait. It'd give me time to refine them just a bit, and get the framing device/personality just right.
**********
For once, I was thankful for the glacially slow containment lab doors. They gave me time to finish shoveling down my breakfast sandwich, and wash it down with a glass of the first drink I could get- a truly disturbing concoction that was almost, but not entirely, unlike tea.
I'm quite aware of the irony of that.
By the time the doors had finished opening, the sandwich was in my gut, the drink container- still half-full- had gone down a nearby garbage chute, and I was halfway presentable. The cavernous room was, as usual, mostly empty; the 'almost', in this case, was both Doctor Scaglietti and, to my surprise, Uno. The doctor was directly in front of the door, facing me; Uno stood at attention on his right side, facing inward, a plastic case cradled in both arms. So if Tre were here, would she be across from Uno, or would that spot be left empty for Due?
"Ford Prefect," the doctor intoned, "come forward." He motioned at the space in front of them. Not being a total idiot, I did. Even managed to keep my eyes front, despite my natural tendency to try to look at everything.
Once I was standing in front of the doctor, Uno took one step forward forward. The case in her arms popped open, revealing... well, not much. I only took a cursory look at the case, since I was trying to be polite and keep my attention focused on Scaglietti, so all I saw was an ocean of black foam, and a glint of reflected light off the object inside.
"As you've already noticed," he said, waving a hand at the case, "your Device is complete, and ready for testing. Before you do," he said, pausing for a second, "I'd like you to answer a question for me."
I nodded. Wonder what he's going to ask.
"Who are you?"
I blinked. That's not what I was expecting. Start with the simple response, I guess. "You already know my name."
Scaglietti shook his head. "That's not what I asked. What sort of person are you? What sort of fighter? What is the existence that is 'Ford Prefect', and where does he stand?"
Sounds like my standard answer to the Vorlon Question would work, with a few more facts added. Truth, and nothing but the truth.
"Before almost anything else, Doctor, I'm a seeker of knowledge. I want to learn everything I can- not just facts, but skills, experiences, and ideas. I came to you because my upbringing and my biology made it impossible for me to experience magic... well, magic, martial arts, and any physical activity more strenuous than lifting heavy objects.
Even before that, I'm a creature of self-imposed limits. There are acts I've sworn not to engage in, and principles I've sworn myself to. To me, those oaths are a part of who I am, to a degree that I can- and have- frozen in existential panic instead of countenancing the idea of breaking one."
I looked up, having lowered my head as I talked, and met the doctor's gaze. "I will not murder, nor will I permit those around me to murder, if I have the strength. I will not kill without need, nor will I allow meaningless killing in my presence.
I will attempt to prevent combat, if at all possible. If I do have to fight, I will use any means necessary, save those prevented by other oaths, to ensure the greatest victory possible for my side, at the lowest possible cost in lives.
I am civil towards my opponents, and face them with honor. I am merciless towards my enemies, against whom everything is permitted."
I took a second to catch my breath, favoring the doctor with a small grin. "The rest of my oaths are mostly related to personal vices that I refuse to engage in. Only two others are of note to you: that I will speak no word that is not true, and that when I give my word to do something, I will see it done. I have given my word to fight for your cause, as partial repayment for the work you've done on me, and that's precisely what I'm going to do."
As before, I could see that the two of them had monitors with medical data up, no doubt verifying the veracity of my words. Sensible of them- trust, but verify. Good policy. They won't find anything, though- nothing I said was a lie.
Sure enough, the two of them took a bit of time to watch their monitors- replaying that entire little speech I'd made, no doubt- before looking at each other, and nodding. Uno took a step forward, letting her arms drop just a bit as she walked. The contents of her case finally came to light, and I gasped.
My Unitarian Jihad Name is: Brother Atom Bomb of Courteous Debate. Get yours.
I've been writing a bit.