[It’s at least better than Alan expected. Clu isn’t taking the first opportunity to peer into Rinzler’s code, even when there’s a suggestion of fault. It adds some credibility to Clu’s promise—though Alan’s stomach twists all the same imagining Clu “correcting” any perceived error if Rinzler does report in a second time.]
I hope there won’t be any reason for that. [It’s possible that these dreams were an inexplicable, one-off event. They wouldn’t be the first Alan has experienced since he arrived through the Ingress. Still, he’s well aware that such a hope is mostly wishful thinking. And he doubts Clu will hold off on examining Rinzler’s code forever...]
I know what Clu promised . And I want to believe he’s telling the truth. But I'd rather hear it from you: if you go to Clu for this, are you sure that the only thing he’ll “correct” is damage from the asteroid?
[If Rinzler is certain, Alan… won’t be certain himself, but knowing Rinzler has some confidence in Clu’s promise is at least some level of reassurance. And if Rinzler does have his own doubts about his admin's sincerity... Alan would rather hear it now, whatever conflict it may bring with it.]
There is. A pause. Hesitation. Stall, even—especially as it draws out. One micro. Two. Clu's promises are certainty, and doubting that is unacceptable. But it was Rinzler acting on his own that caused this. But he is not permitted to destroy himself. If Clu decides the action counts, that further changes are necessary to avoid mishap...
...no. No, it doesn't matter—that's the wrong question to even be processing at all. More relevant: what will happen if Alan-one considers him at risk? His user might interfere. Might edit Rinzler, might obstruct Clu—bring harm to Rinzler's admin, or be harmed in turn. Or worse.]
[There’s a lag before Rinzler’s one-word answer comes through, short enough to be explained by a momentary distraction or quirk of the network, but not short enough to be unnoticeable.
Alan is beginning to wish they were having this conversation face-to-face. At least Rinzler’s sound tends to be a reliable tell.]
If you do report in, can you let me know first? I’d like to check in with you afterwards.
[The request feels pathetic. Alan can’t stop Rinzler from reporting to Clu alone. All he can do is try and make sure the program is still whole after it's done.]
[The lag this time is slightly less. Still, no less difficult. It's a hard request. Clu might condone Rinzler keeping contact with his user, but reporting on the admin's actions trips a full hex of flags' worth sick disloyalty. Even if, technically, he would only be reporting on his own...
Relevant facts. Relevant data. Would Alan-one, or Clu, come to harm from the action? Only if his user planned to intervene already. (Or if Rinzler were incapable of confirming function after.) The former condition evaluates to a cautious unlikely; Alan-one would need more warning to set up a trap. The second potential... also low. (Rinzler hopes.) And not providing data came with its own risks.]
Can try.
[No promises. But... that should be all right. He could ask Clu.
[It’s small, but it’s something. Part of Alan says that if he really gave a damn, he wouldn’t let it happen at all—wouldn’t let Clu peer into Rinzler’s code after everything he’s done, even with a promise that Alan has only heard about secondhand.
But he can’t make decisions for Rinzler. He’s trying to learn from his mistakes, trying to distance himself from whatever it is inside him that keeps deciding that if Rinzler won’t make the correct choice, then he’ll make it for him.
[Alan-one's thanks is unwarranted. Alan-one's instruction well beside the point. Still, there's a whisper of relief as the tangled priority chains loosen. A flicker of gratitude, a fraction of surprise on top of that.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ninetydegrees
(no subject)
I hope there won’t be any reason for that. [It’s possible that these dreams were an inexplicable, one-off event. They wouldn’t be the first Alan has experienced since he arrived through the Ingress. Still, he’s well aware that such a hope is mostly wishful thinking. And he doubts Clu will hold off on examining Rinzler’s code forever...]
I know what Clu promised . And I want to believe he’s telling the truth. But I'd rather hear it from you: if you go to Clu for this, are you sure that the only thing he’ll “correct” is damage from the asteroid?
[If Rinzler is certain, Alan… won’t be certain himself, but knowing Rinzler has some confidence in Clu’s promise is at least some level of reassurance. And if Rinzler does have his own doubts about his admin's sincerity... Alan would rather hear it now, whatever conflict it may bring with it.]
(no subject)
There is. A pause. Hesitation. Stall, even—especially as it draws out. One micro. Two. Clu's promises are certainty, and doubting that is unacceptable. But it was Rinzler acting on his own that caused this. But he is not permitted to destroy himself. If Clu decides the action counts, that further changes are necessary to avoid mishap...
...no. No, it doesn't matter—that's the wrong question to even be processing at all. More relevant: what will happen if Alan-one considers him at risk? His user might interfere. Might edit Rinzler, might obstruct Clu—bring harm to Rinzler's admin, or be harmed in turn. Or worse.]
Yes.
[He's definitely, absolutely sure.]
i'm one comment away from being able to use this for AC o9
Alan is beginning to wish they were having this conversation face-to-face. At least Rinzler’s sound tends to be a reliable tell.]
If you do report in, can you let me know first? I’d like to check in with you afterwards.
[The request feels pathetic. Alan can’t stop Rinzler from reporting to Clu alone. All he can do is try and make sure the program is still whole after it's done.]
the ones in this month wouldn't count, sadly! But heck yeah, long thread~
Relevant facts. Relevant data. Would Alan-one, or Clu, come to harm from the action? Only if his user planned to intervene already. (Or if Rinzler were incapable of confirming function after.) The former condition evaluates to a cautious unlikely; Alan-one would need more warning to set up a trap. The second potential... also low. (Rinzler hopes.) And not providing data came with its own risks.]
Can try.
[No promises. But... that should be all right. He could ask Clu.
...
He really, really shouldn't.]
(no subject)
[It’s small, but it’s something. Part of Alan says that if he really gave a damn, he wouldn’t let it happen at all—wouldn’t let Clu peer into Rinzler’s code after everything he’s done, even with a promise that Alan has only heard about secondhand.
But he can’t make decisions for Rinzler. He’s trying to learn from his mistakes, trying to distance himself from whatever it is inside him that keeps deciding that if Rinzler won’t make the correct choice, then he’ll make it for him.
That doesn’t make it easy, though.]
I know I’ve told you this before, but stay safe.
I’ll do my best to do the same.
(no subject)
Rinzler had expected him to press.]
Acknowledged. [A beat.]
Won't fail.
[Not the command, and not his user. Not again.]