14TH DAY - [Video]

[babel_hacker]

[He just wanted to ask her if they can go out this weekend.

When he can’t find her name on the contact list, Atsuro immediately check her room at the dorm, ask some people (Allen said he haven’t seen her for a while) and just...keep on looking.

It wasn’t long until he turns on his own phone.]

Hey, everyone? This is Atsuro Kihara, one of the maintainers of the Shadow Database. I’m calling to ask if anyone have seen Madoka Kaname around. Her name disappeared from the contact list, so it’s likely she went home. [To that world with the frightening magical girl system and the dangerous Witches.] Chances are, that’s what happened... But if anyone knows something, let me know.

[Especially once if people know they’re dating. It’s kind of obvious, but probably not to the newer arrivals. His tone of voice seems more cheerful, but it’s kind of obvious he’s forcing himself.]

Now, on another note! To all new people and those who haven’t got it, here is the latest version of the Shadow Database. [An attached program was sent to everyone on the contact list. People who already have it will find their copy updated.] It lists all the current Shadows we identified so far on the streets, as well as from inside Caliban. Caliban is the dungeon inside the tall building, which isn’t hard to find during the Dark Hour. You’re free to call it anything else, if you like, but it’s a good place to train in groups.

And this bears repeating, it’s advised that you fight in groups with people covering different roles in battle. All Shadows have different weaknesses and immunities, meaning if your attacks can’t harm them, your friend’s might. The most, well, infamous example would be Shadows immune to physicals. Spells would be your best bet against them.

[Hm…] I’m also open for more people to help with gathering information for the Database, as I don’t have the analysing skill Madoka have. [His cheery voice almost fell at her name, before it’s up again.] Even if you don’t have it, there’s always maintaining the database and updating it in the event I disappeared!

Comments

[Video, locked]

[truthsnomiracle]

Many aspects of our situation. I would prefer to speak to you in person, if at all possible.

[You don't have to be tech-savvy to suspect the network isn't secure, after all.]

[Video, locked]

[babel_hacker]

Okay. Where do you want to meet up? Got any preferences?

[Video, locked]

[truthsnomiracle]

Unfortunately, I know of few truly secure places that I can use without either permission or awkward questions, so my room will have to suffice. I'm rather busy under the circumstances, so it will have to wait until five this evening.

[Video, locked]

[babel_hacker]

I understand. What's your room number?

[Video, locked]

[truthsnomiracle]

212.

[Video, locked]

[babel_hacker]

212, got it. I'll see you this evening, Mr. Edgeworth.

[Video, locked]

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth sets down the phone, steps back, and bows to the camera.]

Let us ensure that the meeting will be mutually beneficial.

[Video, locked] -> [Action]

[babel_hacker]

I hope it will be. Later, Mr. Edgeworth. [With a wave, he turns off the video feed.

After talking with other people on the phones and answering their questions, he make his way over to Bayview Hotel later. It's simple enough to go to the correct floor and find the right room. 212.

Knock, knock.]

[Action]

[truthsnomiracle]

[Edgeworth is careful about opening the door at first, but then opens it with a nod to the boy and steps aside to let him in.]

Mr. Kihara.

[A black-and-white, collie-like dog trots over to give Atsuro a much warmer greeting, sniffing at him before smiling up at him.]

[Action]

[babel_hacker]

Hi, Mr. Edgeworth.

[He steps inside, only to be a little surprised by the dog. Atsuro bends down a little for a closer look.]

I didn't know you have a dog.

[Action]

[truthsnomiracle]

[And you get doggie kisses on the cheeks for your trouble, Atsuro!

Meanwhile, Edgeworth will be closing the door behind you now.]

I only recently had her, um, retrieved from home. Her name is Pess.

[Action]

[babel_hacker]

[He laughs when he get those doggie kisses!]

Really? How?

[Action]

[truthsnomiracle]

Apparently, you either didn't notice or didn't trust the apparent offer of a gift on the phones. I'd hardly blame anyone for the latter; however, evidence that it works accumulated rapidly.

[Action]

[babel_hacker]

I didn't trust it. [He curious, but not enough to try it.] Like the posts about everyone else getting things? [Cows as well, apparently?]

It seems like it's too good to be true.

[Action]

[truthsnomiracle]

Precisely.

[And now Pess is leaning on you, Atsuro.]

There are caveats. Things that are suspicious and attention-grabbing have been confiscated by the government, for example. Furthermore, objects that allegedly possessed magical powers lack them, as per usual for this place.

[Action]

[babel_hacker]

...Do you think objects that use a fusion of technology and magic falls under the last part?

[He's thinking of his COMP, as he pet Pess.]

[Action] 1/2

[truthsnomiracle]

I would imagine so.

[Action]

[truthsnomiracle]

(Wait, does he mean to imply...)

You have prior experience with such things?

[Action]

[babel_hacker]

Yep, I do. I used a summoning program for demons back home.

[Action]

[truthsnomiracle]

(The diversity of bizarre claims I hear from my fellow kidnappees concerning their prior lives never ceases to amaze and disturb me.)

I... see. ...Well then... er, given your... experience, do you have any insight as to why our phones work during the Dark Hour when other electronics fail? It's important for the sake of creating a means of punishment for the likes of our serial killer.

[Action]

[babel_hacker]

From what I've seen and examined, it's most likely that the phones use an alternate power source for the Dark Hour. Along with running on a different server for the network during that time.

[Action]

[truthsnomiracle]

(Intriguing that Diarmuid's suspicion would be partially accurate.)

Should you identify this alternate power source, might it also be possible for something far smaller to run off of it?

[Action]

[babel_hacker]

Yeah, it should be possible for smaller things to run off from it.

[Action]

[truthsnomiracle]

Then I'll be direct -- since we can neither imprison nor execute dangerous criminals in our ranks, my best idea concerning punishment is to implant a microchip-like tracking device in their bodies and distribute a program to all of our phones that allows us to track them and alerts us if they draw near.

[Action]

[babel_hacker]

It'd be a full 24/7 tracking system, right? [On one hand, it's useful. On another, isn't that intruding on the criminal's privacy?]