Are you truly paranoid when people ARE out to get you?
Remember there were (are ?) senators that supported Douchimus. Some of them might not want Acantha to sit on the throne.
Plus remember, there is some kind of mole in New Troy. SOMEONE or something passed along Lynn's change in plans with enough time for the gutters to intercept her.
My money is that it's on someone(s) who's "invisible" socially... quietly going about their everyday lives, but managed to get themselves placed in areas of society where they could pass on critical but seemingly innocuous information. a communications operator, a civil "air traffic controller", a clerk in the city's shipping dept.
All places where key information can be gathered in pieces, but wouldn't seem that important.
There seems to be a misunderstanding brewing over where the Roman delegation will be staying. I wonder if the Taylors will win out. Also, I understand Noctis' concern.
Couldn't Mirabe have just moved a little? A person does that reflexively, I would think. If something is coming at me, I tend to try not to get run over.
Is the hall watcher (android?) following them now? Is she part of the surgical team perhaps?
The bot (along with the stretcher) came up from behind Mirabe, so she didn't see it -- and apparently she didn't pay attention to the bot's voiced warning. (Why should she pay attention to some stupid bot, right? ;-) )
I . . . guess? She really should have heeded the warning though. Most workplaces have an orientation process if you're new, and if not, you'd know these things. Usually that has information on warnings and procedures. The only thing I can come up with would be that she is so engrossed in her conversation with Drs Smolens, and Demark, that she didn't hear the bot. Possible solution: increase bot audio output by 20% :D
What I was trying to say, is that it seems to be a matter of attitude: she doesn't like bots, so she doesn't heed them -- even though she should in this case.
I would really rather think that she was focused on the discussion. The "I hate bots, so I won't heed them" position would be unfortunate in a place that relies so heavily on them. Rephrase it as "I hate flagmen in road construction zones, so I won't heed them."
I think her "dumb bot" comment was due to a little awkward embarrassment at the whole incident.
That seems to be where the bot originally came from (assuming it's the same one); but apparently it passed them to meet up with the stretcher, where you can clearly see it behind Mirabe's shoulder in the last panel of the previous page. The stretcher then did a 90° turn to the left to go through the door (presumably to the O-R), thus passing behind Mirabe's back, while the bot following along the right side of the stretcher passed more or less where Mirabe was standing.
CentComm keeps forgetting that, after she gets done speaking with the Taylors, the Taylors have an unfortunate habit of speaking back to her. ^_^
Of course Calliope is likely to be less emotionally invested in Acantha than Lynn is, and more inclined to hear CentComm's concerns regarding the Cassian considering New Rome's recent actions involving Lynn, so I'd say the issue is far from decided. But I do think it is cute the way CentComm here seems to consider the matter settled already. ^_^
Not sure Commie is actually considering the matter settled -- her remark might also be read as just "I'll see what I can do"...
On the other hand, it *is* quite possible that she considers the matter settled, since quite frankly, Lynn isn't in any position to contest it (even *if* she has her mom's support) as far as my understanding of the situation goes. Lynn may be considering Acantha her new best friend; and she was the one first to propose the arrangement -- but that doesn't change the fact that this is a state affair, not private Taylor business -- and I don't think the Taylors actually have any say in such matters. Lynn will need some *very* good arguments to convince Commie that putting Acantha at Helios Tower would be a better course of action...
One of the silly behaviors in which I indulge is to attempt to analyze things in precise detail, as if matters unfolded in precise and logical ways. However, from a story perspective, we have seen that things sometimes go "in the moment", as well as that persons are complicated beasts who rarely actually devote much thought to technicalities, nuance, and legal niceties. (Except Mr. Black, of course. ^_^)
At the moment, Acantha's 'visit' to Lynn would seem to be a wholly private affair (technically). Although enjoying her rank of Princess of New Rome, she has none of the authority or responsibilities thereof. There is no current state of War declared between New Troy and New Rome, and this is not an officially negotiated state visit. Theoretically the only laws applying would be whatever trade agreements govern travel, tourism, and trade to which Mr. Black alluded, plus the 'exigent circumstance' laws governing Search and Rescue personnel rendering aid to foreign nationals.
So, Acantha probably won't get arrested for lacking a proper passport. She will probably be lodged in whatever hospital CentComm chooses to place her until she is at least competent enough to execute a Discharge-Against-Medical-Advice order, after which it would seem that CentComm has no legal grounds to restrict her movements in any way or keep her from being a guest at the Taylor private residence (Helios Tower). Until then, since we don't know the relative quality of the medical facilities in 3C versus those of Helios Tower, it would seem likely CentComm will follow Calliope's direction. What isn't clear is how much Calliope will be swayed by either Lynn or CentComm about what is best. Noctis, of course, will go wherever Acantha goes.
Hopefully someone from New Rome will eventually arrive with proper paperwork to regularize the arrangements. I find it amusing that some unnamed hospital which is literally on fire can do a better job of collecting and transmitting paperwork than the New Rome State Department bureaucrats. I guess this is another example of meat falling down on the job. If they had an A.I.S. (like Aeneas) to run thousands of simulations and dust off prepared contingency plans for a state visit, they probably could have had all the necessary trade and legal documents filled out and transmitted in 10-15 minutes, including credentials for a full contingent of guards and attendants. It is worthy of note, however, that until that happens, neither Acantha nor Noctis enjoy diplomatic immunity, so they will want to be careful about breaking local laws. ^_^
In my interpretation, the arrangement has been negotiated (through intermediaries) between the Roman acting head of state (Maxus), and... not sure what exactly CentComm is formally -- but she appears to amount to de-facto Trojan head of state. Such an arrangement seems pretty damn official to me, regardless of paperwork. (Which in fact very well might have been arranged in the background...)
Also note that if you are in fact right that the arrangement doesn't qualify as a formal state visit, the points you raised about lack of paperwork means that they do *not* enjoy freedom to roam around like tourists. (In fact, I'm pretty sure Noctis wouldn't have been granted such permission under ordinary circumstances...) Moreover, access to various sectors of Troy is generally restricted for visitors (see the obstacles Mira was facing); so even if they were treated as ordinary visitors, they might not be permitted to choose whether they prefer 3C or Helios Tower.
At any rate, in none of the cases discussed I see the Taylors having any say in the matter...
As for the medical records, they might have been sent from the emergency aid station that is not on fire, where Setorious & Co. were heading. Or even more likely, from some central health system office, rather than an actual medical facility.
I'm pretty sure the Taylors are allowed to have guests, as much as any other citizen of New Troy. Of course they would need to get Acantha and Noctis ID cards, just as they did for Mira. And your point that simply being authorized guests in the city doesn't give them clearance to go everywhere is well-taken. But, as with Mira, if they have a legitimate invitation, CentComm should be as powerless to stop them as she was to stop Mira. Including access to Helios Tower with their platinum access, provided by their invitation.
Who knows where medical records are stored? But, as private and personal data of a member of the ruling house, I'd imagine them to be kept within the medical facilities of the Black Palace and not disseminated widely to more highly-trafficked sites. (Though I'm sure secure off-site backups should exist.)
I think the remark about the "very thorough" genetic profiling is a hint that the data comes from records of the Church of Genetic Purity, which probably has central databases for all citizens they keep track on. That might very well reside inside the black palace -- after all, that seems to be where all important stuff in Roma is; and IIRC also the only place where we have seen Setorious so far...
While the Taylors certainly can have private guests, I very much doubt the arrangement here considers Acantha and Noctis to be their private guests on this visit. (Or, again, that Noctis would ever be permitted to visit as a private guest...)
The Church does indeed keep the medical records of the royal family and other high-ranking persons. The Church's records office was, fortunately, not on fire.
She could be a transhuman with snake DNA and still have feet. It is quite possible that a person could not tell visually. In 'Serpents of Old' people have feet. Having said that, I don't know if that idea was definitively scrapped, or modified.
Depending on medical facilities there could be a OR with audience gallery behind glass. If not, Noctis ought to simply "scrub up" and be as unobtrusive as possible in corner.
On looking at this page for the third or fourth time I am suddenly struck by the irony of Dr. Demark chiding Mirabe about staying alert while creepy hall-monitor-bot with the eerie glowing blue eyes, mask-like expression and thousand-yard stare silently sneaks up over her left shoulder. ^_^
I'm not sure CentComm is going to win this argument. Dolly doesn't trust her right now and was last seen contacting Calliope.
This may be a case of first contact trumping any later communications. We know Calliope totally trusts Dolly and is going to be guided by her. Dolly indicated to Maxus she would be his contact to Acantha too, which to me means that Acantha will be close (physically not via a comm).
Centcomm has enough people upset or pissed off at her that she may have to acquiesce. First contact already has the Taylors expecting Acantha and Noctis to be their guests at Helios Tower. Either Centcomm is expecting an argument, or will get blindsided by it. With all the other incoming complaints, she will have to pick her battles.
No one has yet mentioned the bond between Lynn and Acantha, the fact Acantha was there when Lynn woke up after repairs in NR Clinic and Lynn is not going to take any krap from anyone about where her newly found BFF and almost sister stays.
Oh yes what happened to the "White Angel" that was doing Cella's job before? Last we saw she got her wrists slapped by Pinkie.
That is actually a good point Dragonrider. Lynn isn't likely to NOT be there for Acantha. She is going to demolish any obstacles that get in the way, even if she has to recruit a mercenary team of her own!
of her own... she has one,, the team she is with , all have beefs of their own with pinky, an all want a word with sed pinky...
well except maybe Marcus....
awww poor pinky,,shes gonna get it from all sides wen every body gets there... she will want to put Acantha in Heilos,, so she can lock out her tower...
Poor Pinky hell, she'll only get half the attitude and Flak she deserves. Unfortunately no one but Calliope, her Mother and to a lessor extent Lynn has any say over her. She is not quite a self sufficient machine, possibly, TR, Deep Blue and Aeneas combined might be able to at least thwart Cent Comm but I doubt Deep Blue would be bothered.
Hello everyone, I wonder if Mirabe is not Mirabe? Also who is in the med transport? The easiest way to enter an secure area is to look like you belong there. Just some thoughts.
I think Centcomm has enough scanners and other security gubbins in the 3C building, that someone entering under false premises would not fare well at all.
Poor Mirabe... You're in the big leagues now, girl! You were doing great up till then... Best way to impress people who live by the motto "Humble service humbly given"? at a guess, I would say "humility".
For Mirabe it is more like HUMILIATED, DLK. She was trying so hard to impress those she worked with, and got too focused on that she lost track of her surroundings. Being a transhuman, she probably feels she has more to prove than most too. All which add to her humiliation. I think many of us have been in her shoes, if not exactly for the same situation (I wasn't almost run over by a robot:-D).
I'm wondering if the doctors might realize how Mirabe feels later and try to cheer her up? Especially Dr. Demark! She is an empath after all!
Well, it was in front of pretty many people. I was out there to work on it, (I was supposed to be the so called "expert", but there really is no such thing. You learn something all the time.) and I wasn't mindful of where it was in it's routine. This was a fair sized industrial robot, and I wouldn't have been much of an obstacle. I saw it coming just in time, and recoiled, and in doing so, almost fell off the ladder, in what must have been comedic fashion, because there was some laughter, and chiding. I was pretty red-faced. :D (and learned a lesson) I wasn't really trying to impress anyone, but I didn't want to be the comedy relief either. I didn't get upset though; I know who's fault it was. My boss did hear about it later, and made some comments as well.
Ouch. I would say you probably know how Mirabe feels pretty well. Most of my gaffes didn't have large audiences. And as a bonus, I survived them too! :-D
Hehe, ouch would have been if it would have hit me. :D
I wanted to be in a position to see a status indicator on a sensor when it went by, but it went by sooner than I expected. The proper thing I SHOULD have done, would have been to wait until it was at the position, then halted it. I wanted to save time. WRONG!
I can kind of empathize with Mirabe. Her best bet would be to shrug it off, if she can.
I agree with you, Stormwind, and you're right, we've all been there at one time or another.
The fact that she has performed admirably up to this point though earns her a little slack (at least it would in my eyes), and like the rest of us she can chalk it up to a learning experience.
As Will Rogers once said:
"Some people learn by reading, and some people learn by watching others, but most of us have to pee on the electric fence for ourselves."
I would give her some slack regardless, DLK. Her performance aside, (which was good), it's natural to be startled in that circumstance, and more often than not, to be embarrassed when it's in front of others. She'll be fine. It's a life lesson is all.
Oh well, I'll say it, "By the pricking of my thumb, something snakey this way comes."
Now I got it out of my system.
(It was that or, "Med Tech speak with forked tongue.")
Of course Centcomm made arrangements to have Acantha housed away from the Taylors. Centcomm would be profoundly stupid to do otherwise.
The alternative is to have Noctis - whom Centcomm is required to consider as a potent weapon controlled by a hostile power - in the same space as Calliope Taylor, who alone among all humans could command Centcomm to use those weapons and things she's kept a lid on all these years and commit genocides and reduce cities to ash and glass and so on.
Centcomm gets pretty nonlinear when she thinks something might expose Calliope Taylor to coercion or motivate Calliope to command her into unwanted action. Remember her response to the messenger from Dolly? Her priority was to prevent Calliope Taylor from ordering a nuclear strike.
You think she's going to allow Noctis to be in the same room as both Calliope and Lynn? NO WAY IN HELL!
Except that Calliope, alone among all humans, could command her to allow it....
Your last sentence is important here, I think. Once Calliope hears from Dolly, and Lynn, Centcomm will be hard pressed to lodge objections. Lynn will have a lot of sway, and Dolly will certainly be able to point out that Centcomm was not on the level here, and cast doubt on her motives.
It will come down to what Calliope's opinion of the situation, and of Noctis and Acantha turns out to be. Acantha, while not technically in direct command of Noctis, does hold sway over her. Acantha would not allow Noctis to harm Calliope unless Calliope tried to harm Acantha, which seems unlikely. If Dolly and Lynn are able to convince Calliope, then Calliope should be able to convince Centcomm.
That is how the situation looks to me, but I am often wrong.
@Moritui good point, except for the last sentence: what makes you think Calliope could actually *command* Commie?
This seems to be a common assumption here, but I don't really get it. As far as I remember, besides being Commie's "caretakers", the only actual power we know of the Taylors having, is holding the genetic key to the Vaults of Nasty...
(If Calliope could actually command Commie, she wouldn't have needed the "Sunstone", "Blackout", or "Horatius" scenarios to deal with Commie, when she was trying to interfere with Mira's message...)
CentComm goes nonlinear when someone who might have information that would provoke Calliope approaches.
http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/965
Calliope has the command code to shut her down.
http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/979
CentComm notes that Lynn Taylor's safety is paramount to the security of the entire city.
http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/986
"If anything irreparable happens to Lynn, I want that fucking place turned to ash and glass, is that clear?"
http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/1147
Remember there were (are ?) senators that supported Douchimus. Some of them might not want Acantha to sit on the throne.
Plus remember, there is some kind of mole in New Troy. SOMEONE or something passed along Lynn's change in plans with enough time for the gutters to intercept her.
We might have to doublecheck your paranoia credentials, young man!
All places where key information can be gathered in pieces, but wouldn't seem that important.
Couldn't Mirabe have just moved a little? A person does that reflexively, I would think. If something is coming at me, I tend to try not to get run over.
Is the hall watcher (android?) following them now? Is she part of the surgical team perhaps?
After seeing how much serious heat an android can carry, for all I know she might have face-melters concealed in her wrists. ;)
I think her "dumb bot" comment was due to a little awkward embarrassment at the whole incident.
Of course Calliope is likely to be less emotionally invested in Acantha than Lynn is, and more inclined to hear CentComm's concerns regarding the Cassian considering New Rome's recent actions involving Lynn, so I'd say the issue is far from decided. But I do think it is cute the way CentComm here seems to consider the matter settled already. ^_^
On the other hand, it *is* quite possible that she considers the matter settled, since quite frankly, Lynn isn't in any position to contest it (even *if* she has her mom's support) as far as my understanding of the situation goes. Lynn may be considering Acantha her new best friend; and she was the one first to propose the arrangement -- but that doesn't change the fact that this is a state affair, not private Taylor business -- and I don't think the Taylors actually have any say in such matters. Lynn will need some *very* good arguments to convince Commie that putting Acantha at Helios Tower would be a better course of action...
At the moment, Acantha's 'visit' to Lynn would seem to be a wholly private affair (technically). Although enjoying her rank of Princess of New Rome, she has none of the authority or responsibilities thereof. There is no current state of War declared between New Troy and New Rome, and this is not an officially negotiated state visit. Theoretically the only laws applying would be whatever trade agreements govern travel, tourism, and trade to which Mr. Black alluded, plus the 'exigent circumstance' laws governing Search and Rescue personnel rendering aid to foreign nationals.
So, Acantha probably won't get arrested for lacking a proper passport. She will probably be lodged in whatever hospital CentComm chooses to place her until she is at least competent enough to execute a Discharge-Against-Medical-Advice order, after which it would seem that CentComm has no legal grounds to restrict her movements in any way or keep her from being a guest at the Taylor private residence (Helios Tower). Until then, since we don't know the relative quality of the medical facilities in 3C versus those of Helios Tower, it would seem likely CentComm will follow Calliope's direction. What isn't clear is how much Calliope will be swayed by either Lynn or CentComm about what is best. Noctis, of course, will go wherever Acantha goes.
Hopefully someone from New Rome will eventually arrive with proper paperwork to regularize the arrangements. I find it amusing that some unnamed hospital which is literally on fire can do a better job of collecting and transmitting paperwork than the New Rome State Department bureaucrats. I guess this is another example of meat falling down on the job. If they had an A.I.S. (like Aeneas) to run thousands of simulations and dust off prepared contingency plans for a state visit, they probably could have had all the necessary trade and legal documents filled out and transmitted in 10-15 minutes, including credentials for a full contingent of guards and attendants. It is worthy of note, however, that until that happens, neither Acantha nor Noctis enjoy diplomatic immunity, so they will want to be careful about breaking local laws. ^_^
Also note that if you are in fact right that the arrangement doesn't qualify as a formal state visit, the points you raised about lack of paperwork means that they do *not* enjoy freedom to roam around like tourists. (In fact, I'm pretty sure Noctis wouldn't have been granted such permission under ordinary circumstances...) Moreover, access to various sectors of Troy is generally restricted for visitors (see the obstacles Mira was facing); so even if they were treated as ordinary visitors, they might not be permitted to choose whether they prefer 3C or Helios Tower.
At any rate, in none of the cases discussed I see the Taylors having any say in the matter...
As for the medical records, they might have been sent from the emergency aid station that is not on fire, where Setorious & Co. were heading. Or even more likely, from some central health system office, rather than an actual medical facility.
Who knows where medical records are stored? But, as private and personal data of a member of the ruling house, I'd imagine them to be kept within the medical facilities of the Black Palace and not disseminated widely to more highly-trafficked sites. (Though I'm sure secure off-site backups should exist.)
While the Taylors certainly can have private guests, I very much doubt the arrangement here considers Acantha and Noctis to be their private guests on this visit. (Or, again, that Noctis would ever be permitted to visit as a private guest...)
Yeah, I can understand Noctis - but who in NT would actually want to harm dear Acantha? If there were any they would need to come there first...
*lol* that autobot... =P ...but it was not there before - so why would it need to show up now?
Awwww... poor Mirabe... *comforts her*
...and good reaction, she did not drop her data pad, regardless the scare...
Hmmm, we have not seen Mirabe's feet (or whatever she has instead), yet... the camera only shows her above waist...
...well, Lynn will definitely have Acantha over as guest - nothing else is acceptable for her friend... and CentComm can do nothing to it...
@alt text: yeah, I was wondering why that was...
Details, details. >_<
Noctis: *inspects self* Ah, that autoclave-fresh feeling!
>:=)>
Your description of the bot is cracking me up so fucking hard. :D
This may be a case of first contact trumping any later communications. We know Calliope totally trusts Dolly and is going to be guided by her. Dolly indicated to Maxus she would be his contact to Acantha too, which to me means that Acantha will be close (physically not via a comm).
Oh yes what happened to the "White Angel" that was doing Cella's job before? Last we saw she got her wrists slapped by Pinkie.
(The intel Rosie likely stole from Ceci before the self-destruct activated, can come in handy there for sure...)
well except maybe Marcus....
has been an in sight the whole time.. so no to a switched Acantha..
I'm wondering if the doctors might realize how Mirabe feels later and try to cheer her up? Especially Dr. Demark! She is an empath after all!
Hehe, ouch would have been if it would have hit me. :D
I wanted to be in a position to see a status indicator on a sensor when it went by, but it went by sooner than I expected. The proper thing I SHOULD have done, would have been to wait until it was at the position, then halted it. I wanted to save time. WRONG!
I can kind of empathize with Mirabe. Her best bet would be to shrug it off, if she can.
The fact that she has performed admirably up to this point though earns her a little slack (at least it would in my eyes), and like the rest of us she can chalk it up to a learning experience.
As Will Rogers once said:
"Some people learn by reading, and some people learn by watching others, but most of us have to pee on the electric fence for ourselves."
Now I got it out of my system.
(It was that or, "Med Tech speak with forked tongue.")
The alternative is to have Noctis - whom Centcomm is required to consider as a potent weapon controlled by a hostile power - in the same space as Calliope Taylor, who alone among all humans could command Centcomm to use those weapons and things she's kept a lid on all these years and commit genocides and reduce cities to ash and glass and so on.
Centcomm gets pretty nonlinear when she thinks something might expose Calliope Taylor to coercion or motivate Calliope to command her into unwanted action. Remember her response to the messenger from Dolly? Her priority was to prevent Calliope Taylor from ordering a nuclear strike.
You think she's going to allow Noctis to be in the same room as both Calliope and Lynn? NO WAY IN HELL!
Except that Calliope, alone among all humans, could command her to allow it....
It will come down to what Calliope's opinion of the situation, and of Noctis and Acantha turns out to be. Acantha, while not technically in direct command of Noctis, does hold sway over her. Acantha would not allow Noctis to harm Calliope unless Calliope tried to harm Acantha, which seems unlikely. If Dolly and Lynn are able to convince Calliope, then Calliope should be able to convince Centcomm.
That is how the situation looks to me, but I am often wrong.
This seems to be a common assumption here, but I don't really get it. As far as I remember, besides being Commie's "caretakers", the only actual power we know of the Taylors having, is holding the genetic key to the Vaults of Nasty...
(If Calliope could actually command Commie, she wouldn't have needed the "Sunstone", "Blackout", or "Horatius" scenarios to deal with Commie, when she was trying to interfere with Mira's message...)
CentComm goes nonlinear when someone who might have information that would provoke Calliope approaches.
http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/965
Calliope has the command code to shut her down.
http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/979
CentComm notes that Lynn Taylor's safety is paramount to the security of the entire city.
http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/986
"If anything irreparable happens to Lynn, I want that fucking place turned to ash and glass, is that clear?"
http://datachasers.thecomicseries.com/comics/1147
2 + 2 = 5 for sufficiently large values of 2.