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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Lazybones" data-source="post: 5011245" data-attributes="member: 143">Interlude: Research Priorities (June 10, 2008)Interlude: Catalina (June 12, 2008)"No, we haven't given the project much of a priority, but that isn't the point is it?"  Arm draped casually across the back of her chair, Catalina's eyes met those of the investigating officer evenly.  "The malfunction wasn't in the machine itself, as soon as it was disabled Operative Olloff discovered that there was a deliberate sabotage of the AI.  How would giving Doctor S more staff have prevented that?  It might even have made it easier for the saboteur to disguise their actions." "I can't tell you too much more than that."  She uncrossed her legs and recrossed them in the other direction.  "Four of us were in the recreation room when we were shouted over the com by Operative Allen.  We headed to the lab and found the door locked.  I've no idea how that happened but would speculate that the saboteur instigated it.  Either way, I managed to override the lock and we ran in." "The one scientist was on the floor, but we went right past.  Operatives Kasprjak and Swift kept it busy while Operative Olloff attempted to get into its controls from a terminal, and I tried a similar approach on the machine."  Catalina gave the officer a rueful smile.  "Unfortunately it was moving around too much for me to get the panel open, and Operative Olloff didn't manage to get into the AI before it was damaged too much.  It was then Operative Olloff uncovered the sabotage, beyond that I've nothing to add." Interview over, Catalina left the room and was half way down the corridor when she had a sudden thought.  "Damn," she muttered to herself, "with the investigation going on we've not been updated on what that thing was we found in the swamps."  Turning on her heels she returned to the workshops and poked her head around the door.  "Hi there," she called to the nearest engineer with a friendly smile,  "I was just wondering, has anyone taken a close look at what we brought in from the swamp?  I'm a tad curious as to what something that heavy could be."  She paused, clicked her fingers and spoke again.  "Oh, is it also possible to get an idea on what manpower and what timescale you think you'd need to get another manufacturing workshop up and running?"The engineer, who looked barely old enough to be out of college, let alone grad school, flushed.  Catalina didn’t recognize him; he had to be one of the new staff assigned to Workshop 2.  "Oh, you mean the thing that fell off of the alien ship?” he said.  “I'm not a researcher, but I heard Doctor Oka...Oku... well, the African guy?  He was saying it had something to do with the alien propulsion systems.” “As for the workshop, I don't know for sure, a week, maybe two.  They're really pushing us hard.  I don't know where they're going to put the new staff; guess we're going to have to take shifts on the beds and showers."Catalina turned up her smile to the next level of intensity.  “Thanks, love,” running her eyes over him one more time before leaving the workshop.  She didn’t wait to get back to her quarters, whipping her xPhone into her hand as she started quickly composing an e-mail.  Interlude: Buzz (June 14, 2008)"Jackpot!" Buzz looked around, hoping his enthusiasm had not been overheard, but the lounge was almost empty, with just a few technicians talking quietly around the microwave.  He quickly logged out of the computer, keeping mental notes.  He dare not keep any digital records at this point.  He was in a somewhat self-congratulatory mood as he returned to the barracks, but his smug smirk faded as he considered the next step.  How should he share this new information?  Certainly he trusted team Alpha, but if the wrong people found out… "Oh Buzz, you got yourself into a mess now," he muttered.  As he made his way to his locker, he saw a deck of cards sitting out on one of the bunks, and had an idea.  He pulled out his X-phone and began composing an e-mail.To: Team Alpha From: Buzz Subject: You might miss something! Time to take a break. Poker and fun. As long as you don't mind losing all your credits! Meet at the table at 10pm. Team Alpha only, I don't want too many folks to lose all their money. The first Russian there sets the ante. May the best man win! He snickered at the last line.  Jane and Cat were sure to be there!  He pressed "send" and threw himself down onto his bunk, using the xPhone to access the security subroutine he’d started earlier.  He’d need it sooner rather than later, it seemed…</blockquote>

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