acquiring-signal

[acquiring-signal]

...Dot and/or Dash wanted to say hello, apparently.

(I should probably stop leaving my console open when the cats are present.)

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[acquiring-signal]

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[acquiring-signal]

Maybe the most prominent lie that they tell you about reprogramming is that you can avoid it, if you do all the right things. That if you behave yourself, don't cause trouble, tell them what they want to know, you'll never have to worry about it.

The truth is, it doesn't matter how well you follow their rules. I've seen it up close -- all of it, from the beginning. Rectification, that barbaric thing they called repurposing, and everything in between. And even farther back, the remnants of the programs assimilated by the Master Control Program.

It's never about good behavior -- it's always about exploiting fear.

So this leaves you with a choice. You can do your best to be respectable, to fall into place. You can justify the violence around you, tell yourself that those programs must have done something to deserve it -- and that if they'd just done what you're doing, they would have been safe.

Or you can refuse to step in line.

I made my decision a long time ago. Can't tell you what to do, of course.

But you're a smart program. You'll figure it out.

[acquiring-signal]

[59] What would they want to be remembered for?

Right into the deep end, as usual. I'd expect nothing less. :-)

Funny that you ask, though. I don't think about it often -- or at least, as little as you can when the Occupation's always five ticks from knocking down your door.

And if it ever comes to that... I don't think I mind the idea of being forgotten. There are worse things, y'know? As long as the work continues. As long as there are other programs willing to take it up.

But I fully intend to see it through. Someday, I'll see a free Grid again. So will you. So will all of us, System willing.

[acquiring-signal]

OC questions

60 questions that can be made into an OC ask game, or you can just fill everything out yourself to get to know your character a little better :)

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[1] What first impression do they typically make? Are they likeable from the get go, or take time to grow on people?

[2] How does their social personality differ from how they act when they’re alone?

[3] What emotion is the hardest for them to deal with?

[4] How physically and emotionally affectionate they are?

[5] Are they good at keeping secrets?

[6] How direct are they in conversations, do they speak in hints and riddles or bluntly say what they think?

[7] Are they a good liar, and what would they probably lie about?

[8] How open they are about their true feelings, both positive and negative?

[9] What is their love language?

[10] How quickly do they fall for someone?

[11] What are small things that make them happy?

[12] How high is their self-esteem?

[13] What kind of sense of humor do they have, if any?

[14] What does it take to make them laugh, and what does their laugh sound like?

[15] How do they act around people they don't like?

[16] Do they easily rely on others to help them out, or prefer doing everything themselves?

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[17] What is their biggest struggle that no one around them is able to understand or believe?

[18] Do they ever have to hide their identity and for what reason?

[19] If they could change one thing about their past, what would they change?

[20] When they’re sad or upset, do they need company or some time alone?

[21] When they’re sick, would they want others to visit and take care of them, or they would rather prefer not to be seen at not their best?

[22] Do they have nightmares, and if yes, when did they start and what are they usually about?

[23] What was the worst, the darkest period of their life that they have been through?

[24] How hard it is for them to not allow their emotions to cloud their judgement?

[25] Do they have fears and phobias, and if they do, do they usually keep it to themselves or talk about it openly?

[26] Do they have any physical or mental ilness, how do they handle it and how open they are about it?

[27] Do they have any scars, how did they get them and how do they feel about them?

[28] What is something that they will never be able to forgive?

[29] How do they deal with loss, stress and anger?

[30] What are their most healthy and most unhealthy coping mechanisms?

[31] How hard it is for them to own up to their mistakes and wrongdoings?

[32] Is there something they've done in the past that they deeply regret till this day?

[33] What are one of their fondest and most treasured memories?

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[34] Do they have vices they don't want others to know about?

[35] Do they like their own appearance, and what do they do, if anything, to alter it in any way?

[36] Do they own items that have sentimental value?

[37] How would they spend a lazy day when they have nothing specific to do?

[38] What do they usually do or where do they go when they need to feel comfortable and safe?

[39] What is their sleeping habits and favorite sleeping position, either alone and with someone?

[40] How picky they are with food, do they have specific dietary requirements based on their health or culture?

[41] What’s their usual morning routine?

[42] What is their idea of a perfect friendly hangout and/or romantic date?

[43] Do they enjoy flirting or being flirted with?

[44] On a party, where would you find them?

[45] For an event, would they dress like they typically do, or go all out?

[46] Would they rather dress to look attractive or to feel comfortable, and what would they never wear?

[47] Do they drink alcohol, and if they do, how much and how often?

[48] Are they, or were they at some point in their life, a part of any subculture?

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[49] Do they possess any unexpected skill or knowledge that surprises others, and otherwise, what is something anyone would assume they know or can do, but in fact they don’t?

[50] What are they really good and really bad at?

[51] How good are they with money?

[52] Do they speak any other languages aside from their own?

[53] Do they like to sing and how confident they are with their singing?

[54] Do they like giving gifts, and how good are they at picking good gifts?

[55] How long does it take for them to make a new place feel like home, and what do they need for it?

[56] How would they react to hearing a dirty joke?

[57] What was the most stupid or dangerous thing they have ever done?

[58] In the situation where they had to choose, would they rather stay loyal to their morals or to people they love?

[59] What would they want to be remembered for?

[60] If they were to commit a crime, what kind of crime would it most likely be?

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some of these question were written myself, some are the courtesy of my friend, and some were brought from my questionnaires in my old fandom. if you use them, please reblog or link back to this post

[acquiring-signal]

◎ "What sort of stuff do you always carry with you?"

Hm. Let's see.... immutable components aside, this is what I've currently got on me:

Frequency jammer.

My network data chip, of course.

A transceiver. There's a little pirate radio station out of... Bismuth, I think, that I can pick up pretty reliably with this thing.

A pair of gloves that an old friend made for me, ages ago. They were supposed to be for working on the broadcast station, but... I like them. They feel like me. I've worn them so long that sometimes I forget the patterns in them aren't just a permanent part of my circuits.

And in my bag:

Medkit, just in case.

An old handheld console. I run my connection through the network chip, so I can work from wherever, when I'm not at home -- including remote tech support when something breaks at the station.

...And a datapad I borrowed from my partner and keep forgetting to give back. Heh.

(If you're reading this... sorry, love. We both know I'm not gonna remember it's there until I need it.)

[acquiring-signal]

Send a ◎ and a question and my muse must answer, even if it’s a secret.

[acquiring-signal]

Lately, I've been dreaming about the Encom system.

It wasn't ever really home for me. I was barely out of beta when the system migration happened, and we all woke up here. My friends, my family, everyone I left behind -- they're all in Gallium City.

That's why I stayed here, even after I had to go underground. Couldn't make myself leave. There's nowhere else I'd rather be, even if I have to keep my distance from the people I care about for a while. Maybe I'll be able to go home to them someday... System willing.

But I'll never see the old Grid again. And I think I miss it, sometimes -- although, for the life of me, I can't make sense of why.

[acquiring-signal]

You were in Argon?? Was Dyson still there? I heard that whole thing was a disaster. An energy plant almost blew up!

If he was, I didn't catch wind of it -- but my resources aren't what they used to be, and I do my best to avoid any and all Occupation presence when I'm out that way. I know my way around Argon pretty well, but not nearly well enough to be worth the risk of getting too close.

Just as well, when it comes to Dyson. Traitor, sadistic bastard, and a coward besides.

[acquiring-signal]

Can you talk on whatever's gone wrong in previous visits to Argon? Certainly Argon is still pretty lax compared to other cities, with many other cities having been taken over by the Occupation. I've had friends move over there when the Occupation put their foothold in my hometown, it's a pretty peaceful place from what I've seen.

Not without implicating some friends in those misadventures -- who might still be alive, System willing.

[acquiring-signal]

Made it safely out of Argon without an issue -- although it was touch and go there for a little while. It's a long drive back to Gallium. But hopefully, as long as the comm links stay up, I won't have to do this again for a while.

Tesler must be getting nervous. More soldiers out lately than I remember.

Never gets easier to live with, knowing what reprogramming's done to their souls.

[acquiring-signal]

you said the network's gone? what happened to noise?

I don't know. Never found out.

To be honest with you, some part of me says he must still be out there. Still giving them hell. It's stupid and stubborn, but I've never been able to let it go.

He told me once that sometimes, my hopefulness borders on delusion. He was right.

...I miss him.

[acquiring-signal]

Comm links restored.

Not sure what got in there. Gridbugs, maybe, or maybe they just fell apart after being under-used for so long.

Took longer than I hoped. Didn't have help, this time -- and I might be getting a bit rusty.

Now let's see about getting out of here and back home. Quickly, if possible. I feel like every time I come out to Argon, something always goes wrong.

[acquiring-signal]

You know, I heard from... a friend of a friend... that Eve of @evecolourshock's team is doing something of an... underground movement of her own.

Mostly resource reallocations, supply disruptions, that kind of thing, but... well. Maybe you've heard the rumours - about Dyson's little... accident in Purgos that time not being quite as accidental an explosion as the Occupation would like you to believe.

Just a rumour, you understand? Can't be too careful these cycles. But...

It's nice to know there's a few of us still fighting, any way we can.

Hm. I hadn't been hearing much of anything, back home. That's why I came out to Argon, re-establishing some communications links. Interesting "rumors" -- but personally… I don't believe that they're rumors in the slightest.

I guess you could call me a bit old-fashioned for this, but in my experience, being "careful" with the truth is the sort of thing that keeps us in the dark. Be brave enough to call things what they are. Hold the lies and propaganda up to the light and watch them fall apart under scrutiny.

But it sounds like your friends are doing good work. Important work. Keep it up.

[acquiring-signal]

Hey, you might be surprised to know that there's still one Renegade out there trying. It's a little hard being a one program show, but I work with what I've got to try and make the Occupation's lives miserable. The User and Tron might be gone, but I'm still here and not going away anytime soon if I can help it.

Surprised? No. Not really. But like you said, you're one program. You can't take the Occupation down single-handedly. And expecting it of you isn't fair.

That's not a value judgement. It's just a fact. I've seen what happens, when it is the expectation. You try and fail... and destroy yourself in the process.

I'm not gonna tell you what to do -- Renegade, copycat, whoever you are. It's good work, and it's worth doing. I think we can agree on that. But I am gonna tell you that you can't save everyone, not without help… and I wish you didn't have to try.

[acquiring-signal]

Greetings, programs.

I'm writing this from Argon City -- farther from home than I'd like. It's been a while since I've been out this way, so I guess an introduction is in order.

A long time ago, when Clu's army first took over in Gallium, some friends and I started a mutual aid and secure communications network. Most of those friends are gone now, and most of the data chips we distributed have gone offline. I'm proud of what we built together, even if it didn't last long. Maybe I'll tell you that story later, if you want to hear it.

You can call me Signal.

Now, enough about me, and enough about the past. You, my friends, are the Grid's bright and shining future. Or you could be, if you'd reach out and take it, instead of waiting for someone else to intervene. Your city's dying, and the Grid with it, and no one's coming to save us this time. Not the Users, not Tron, and not the Renegade.

So tell me… what are you doing about it?

[acquiring-signal]

[LOADING PROGRAM METADATA...]

Name: Signal

Pronouns: they/them

Function: [INVALID DATA] // Pirate radio operator. More or less.

Compiled: [NULL], Encom system

Location: Gallium City

Allies: [NULL] // You, I hope. // Greetings, program.

[Further information available.]