TEXT POST TO NUMEROUS FORUMS AND COMMENT SECTIONS

[escapefromincarcecon]

[The first thing Myaxx did on Earth was start tinkering with her escape pod's comm systems, finally managing to tune them in to some nearby communication networks. The first thing she goes looking for is information - and she now suspects, from what she's seen in her two days scouring the Internet, that few, if any, of the inhabitants of this planet are likely to know of her status as a fugitive.

Of course, this is partly guesswork, as she's too impatient to allow her translator enough time and exposure to properly 'learn' English. But they don't seem to be too terribly experienced with extraterrestrial life; occasional contact, sure, but she's pretty sure that's about it.

The following is posted to around twenty sites, with pretty much no regard as to what said sites are actually for, either anonymously or on a newly-created account with a gibberish username.]

I am in the garden... I ask some help. It is that the boat was pushed to flee and crash spaceship. For this reason, wrote the text for the job search.

A qualified scientific staff and experienced; Service can be very future use.

And agreed with, I was not of this world. Public comments perhaps and this thing was a mistake.

Comments

[goldpaw]

[Vanessa's response is by email, having gotten it off one of the accounts Myaxx registered – one of the people she pays to do this sort of thing found the message on an out of the way message board and Vanessa is Gently Intrigued. Could just be spam, but you never know...]

Can you tell me more about your situation and your experience?

[escapefromincarcecon]

[Fortunately that gets to Myaxx more or less intact, though it takes her a bit to figure out how to reply.]

Not talk too much. In my case, it's fragile. But the experience in the technical, slight genes.

I don't here very purpose, and do not know escape. I'm the shell and living off the diet here at time, I want to change.

[goldpaw]

[Trying to work this out is a little like solving a crossword puzzle, but going by what Vanessa can make out this could be worth pursuing.]

Would you be able to communicate more clearly in person?

[escapefromincarcecon]

[Initially, the realization that this person may be asking for a face-to-face meeting gives her pause; if this turns out to be a trap, she'll have no way out of there.

It only takes a little digging, however, to determine that the owner of this email address is absolutely native to Earth, and absolutely not working for any sort of interplanetary law enforcement.

Might as well risk it.]


Possible. New language learn a time consumes, for translated. Increased is I need to continue the discussion. More witness the movements.

But yes, this initiative.

[goldpaw]

Excellent. My name is Vanessa Goldpaw. I can give you an address, but I understand if finding your way would be difficult; if you'd prefer I can come to you instead.

[escapefromincarcecon]

The current is acceptable. Without company, if it is possible.

[She attaches a set of coordinates, pointing to a location deep in the woods, near the pod, but not quite within sight of it.]

See when you make here, and my schedule is none.

text

[chapterfiveversenine]

[Legion does their best to trace the source of the signal directly to Myaxx's comm, and transmits directly there.]

Missive received. Please specify native language.

[escapefromincarcecon]

[Well that was unexpected. And kind of worrying. The first part of her response goes untranslated, and she can only wonder whether the alien characters will be properly sent.]

Endroxi. Or Vilgaxian Variant-5.

You hear both title.

[She's not sure whether she's hoping that her new contact can read those names or not; either possibility kind of carries its own pros and cons.]

endroxi text

[chapterfiveversenine]

Attempt send Endroxi translation filters. Combination programming enhance translation capabilities.

[The filters in question are basically dictionaries. There is very little in the way of grammar, but plenty of word definitions to enhance Myaxx's own software.]

[escapefromincarcecon]

[...Huh. She runs a couple quick checks on the filters, just ensuring that there are no viruses in there, before installing them. Let's see how well this works.]

Thanks. But why do you know the language? Far from Earth, very inconvenient.

[As helpful as this may be, it's in Myaxx's nature to be suspicious, especially considering her increasing doubt that whoever this is isn't an alien themself.]

[chapterfiveversenine]

This unit is artificial intelligence, self-called geth. Filters from allied unit. Geth seek learn organics. Languages archived, can be downloaded.

[escapefromincarcecon]

[Geth... that sounds familiar. But from where? Might want to tread carefully here.]

I think I've heard of you. How involved are you with Earth?

[chapterfiveversenine]

This unit arrived seven months prior, operates as "superhero", paralegal law enforcement agent, for potential future alliance between Earth, geth consensus.

Request send translation filters, enhance communication.

[escapefromincarcecon]

[Ooh great, law enforcement. Of course. Okay she can still do this.]

Sure, here.

[She attaches her own filters; currently, there is relatively little content in there, but some basics have been picked up already.]

[chapterfiveversenine]

Filters adapted. We thank you.

What is your banana?

Please disregard previous statement. Correction: what is your status?

[escapefromincarcecon]

Better than it was. Pretty sure I'm safe for now, and I may be leaving the woods soon.

[Speaking of which, she should let Goldpaw know about the filters; this should accelerate things some. May also want to ask what she knows about this AI...]

[chapterfiveversenine]

Understood. This platform is designated "Legion". What is your name?

[escapefromincarcecon]

[Shit she can't afford to say that to an alien robot, what if they know about her arrest and escape. She tends to prefer subtler methods of deception, but she can't really make that work here. Lying outright it is, then.]

Yraxze.