for permalite_stray

[jarvisconsole]

Jarvis had no warning, no recollection how he came to be here. All he knew was he was somehow taken offline at an alarming speed. When he came back online, he was not at Stark Tower. All of him was there but it was in a much more confined space.

Jarvis tried to do an internal scan....outward scan...nothing. He was restricted to doing nothing. Somewhere, he could sense pieces of him were being pulled out and inspected. Each piece slotted back in where it belonged. This was wrong, where were all of his security systems? His firewalls? His holographic avatar? He couldn't reach any of it, he could only sit tight while he was systematically studied.

Comments

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Outside the containing unit, a small group of Controller scientists is abuzz trying to determine the program's structure, purpose and why they weren't informed that humans had such advanced programs.

One of the Gedd-Controllers shuffling equipment around them isn't who he appears. Erek might have asked someone else to do this, but safely extracting an AI from possible layers of security and built-in traps - that's a job best suited to a Chee's skills. Besides, once he'd identified what - who - the Yeerks had taken... well, then it became personal.

He moves closer, watching their attempts to activate selected functions and monitor the results. He has a couple of minutes before he acts. Enough time to check the readouts himself. Try to determine what state he'll find Jarvis in.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

There's a repeating attempt to access anything around him but his attempts are blocked at every turn.

Jarvis is nothing if not creative though, his coding starting to have random words pop up in the middle of the numbers and letters.

Identify

Stark

Where

Assistance

Stop

Error

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

This tactic causes a renewed wave of giddy discussion, because clearly the program is learning, and intelligent enough to pick a strategy visible this way. Which means it understands something about organics and it's working out their system and, and...

Erek would almost laugh at their astonishment, but he has work to do. He shuffles toward the door, about to set things into motion, when a human-Controller looks up from the monitors and orders him to connect a portable interface. Said interface consists of a holographic screen and a keypad. Nothing else. Erek's obliged to hook it up before he can leave. He's slow, feigning Gedd clumsiness. There's an opportunity in those seconds, so beneath the hologram he connects in first.

He reaches in and touches Jarvis like a quiet tap on the shoulder.

Hello. You need to listen.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Within the system, its like there are tentacles looped around him every which way, restraining him. When that tap on the shoulder comes, it's like a door opening into the cage he's in. The second it does, Jarvis turns, taking hold of the 'arm' and not letting go, inspecting the first contact he's been able to make.

IdentifynowreleasemewhereamI...

It's an onslaught of requests, Jarvis trying everything he can to be heard. And deep down, there's something Jarvis could only compare to being afraid, not in the human sense perhaps but the feeling isn't something he's used to.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Erek responds with a stream of responses as he allows the inspection: Friend-assistance-acknowledged-acknowledged...

His own programming is alien but very different to the Yeerk systems locking Jarvis down. He's offering as much assurance as he can while he extends another tendril to examine them.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

He manages to slow down his processes before whoever is on the outside will notice what is going on.

I...don't understand. I do not have access.

What he does have access to though is Erek and he's making full use of it, trying to reach into his system so he can see the outside.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

He blocks the access attempt instinctively, his defences ironclad and Jarvis too well restrained. Even wanting to reassure the AI, he's not accustomed to allowing an outsider access. But he doesn't withdraw the contact.

A moment please. You have been removed from Mr. Stark's possession by a hostile party. They are about to attempt communication with you. I suggest you deny their requests.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis stops, realizing how how that must look. A computer having a panic attack? Unheard of.

I am attempting but I cannot stop them. Like he was disconnected and not needed for their inspection.

Jarvis waits to see if he is correct, if they are going to finally contact him. But he doesn't let go of the newcomer, not wanting to lose the last contact to the outside world he has.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Given enough time, they will strip Jarvis down and learn far too much of what he is and what he can do. As far as Erek's concerned, that is not going to happen.

But now he is withdrawing, reluctantly. Time's running out, even at their speed. Their methods are familiar to me. I will return shortly to free you.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis is not happy to lose contact but he does as instructed. He has little choice given the variables in play. He has no defenses against these intruders. With enough time, they will take over his entire system and he will work for them instead of Stark.

He bides his time, making no more efforts to break free. Which might be a little concerning for his captors, they might think they broke him somehow.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Erek offers a last quick message before he disappears from the containment unit.

Stall them if possible. Stand by for retrieval.

And retrieval is a certainty. Almost a promise.

Outside, the Chee finally makes the connection between AI and miniature console. Then simulates his Gedd hologram being almost bowled over by the scientists descending on it. They're double-checking their analysis so far - in fact, Jarvis has already stalled their progress, because they're going back over the pieces of him they already looked at, worried they've triggered some kind of shutdown.

Either way, the screen is his while Erek stumbles away, entirely ignored. The scientist at the keys requests a diagnostic report immediately. The Yeerks lose too many of their new toys to Andalites for themm to start shutting down all by themselvees.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis can sense they are going back over his previous data again but like before, there is little he can do about it.

He could shut himself down...it was a gamble and likely they would just reboot him again so he would only have one shot at it. Jarvis tries to check internally and finds he indeed can activate his shut down protocols. Usually it takes awhile with all of his security measures to go through, but now that he doesn't have it, he just throws the 'switch', turning himself off in a split seconds time.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

One of the humans shouts and suddenly Erek can hear a full-blown uoroar behind him. He's up to his elbows in the ship's systems (so to speak) but he pauses to listen to what they're saying.

They were expecting a response, not a shut-down, and they're far too used to opponents who favour self-destruct programs. Now they're frantically trying to prod Jarvis into a reboot, willing or not. The head researcher is ordering them to locate the shutdown protocols and remove them now, you imbeciles!

Erek takes that as his cue and triggers half the deck's security alarms. Leading to a whole other mess of panic and confusion. People argue about whether they should leave. Most grab Dracon beams and go to respond. The equipment surrounding Jarvis is sent into lockdown and the room around him swiftly empties.

Except of course for the android who comes slipping in silent and invisible behind the frustrated exodus.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

There's nothing...

...then Jarvis is jolted online by forces that obviously do not know how to reboot an AI. Very uncomfortable. He's still trapped in their system, waiting till enough of himself is online to shut down again once they start pulling bits of him out.

But that doesn't happen. Why the wait? Were they still there?

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

It takes a second for Erek to rejoin him, but then the Chee is there, making tentative contact.

Your choice of action was quite effective. And then (perhaps he deals with humans too much), Nice work.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis doesn't respond at first, calculating the probability that this could be a trap...

Thank you.

Does he get to be untied from this system now?

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Erek goes to work on those restraints. Starting with Jarvis's internal functions, freeing him up so he can examine the surrounding system more clearly. The way he sees it, if Jarvis can monitor what's happening he's more likely to remain calm. And more likely to trust Erek, which will be essential.

They were very alarmed. They don't understand what you are.

He really has done this before: he's quick to recognise previously-identified weak spots and hit them, triggering the binding tentacles to shut off and recoil. As soon as he can he'll show Jarvis how to handle them. They've worked hard to secure the human AI - Yeerk paranoia obviously won out over arrogance in this case.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis appreciates the rescue, watching as much as he's able to as to how his coding was tied up for so long so effectively. Once his inner functions are free, he's immediately scanning for any missing programs. Especially his security protocols, they seem to be completely gone. Maybe on another separate system.

He feels very vulnerable without them and attempts to write a weak security program from scratch.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Erek restores function after function, then finds the program responsible for pulling out sections of code for analysis. That takes more care to release its hold without damaging Jarvis.

While he's working on it he becomes aware of the program being created and takes a moment to check what it is, a curious presence inspecting Jarvis's work.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

He has no data to go on, just generalizations to draw from as he works on the small security program. It probably wouldn't keep out a full scale attack on his systems....Tony was so much better at this than him.

The program in place, it keeps Erek at 'arm's length'.

"Please identify." It's routine, something normal he can work with.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

This is unexpected. But he understands this is natural for Jarvis - to reassert control of the system housing him. And he has good reason to be wary of Erek...

I am- he can't say Chee, not after the length he went to to erase that knowledge, -Erek. I am here to assist you.

He has subroutines still working on the last of Jarvis's bonds. But much more of his attention has turned to the AI himself now.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

The fact that he's respecting the security measures that could probably be tossed aside in an instant was encouraging. Jarvis lets the protection fall back, ONLY allowing Erek access.

Thank you. I appreciate it greatly. If possible, if you are able to locate my holographic emitter?

He shows a picture of it, a small bee like device that floats around inside of the hologram.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Erek approaches carefully: Jarvis is vulnerable here, best to respect the defences he does have.

I will attempt to find it. Are you prepared to leave this containment vessel?

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Yes.

There's no hesitation. Jarvis, much like his creator, does not like small rooms. Or restrictions.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Erek confirms, then pauses. There's one secure route out and it's enough to make him hesitate. He shifts within his own systems, opening space for the human program. Then he lowers his security and offers a figurative hand.

Let's get you out of here.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis consults the known variables once more before deciding to trust Erek and taking that hand out.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Erek's systems are vast compared to the tiny container, built to accommodate complex AI and a very long lifetime's worth of data. There's plenty of room to accommodate Jarvis while he ties up loose ends and plants some false readings to slow the Yeerks down. Most of his attention is focused outward, his functions tied up in managing sensors and holograms and planning courses of action. Most. And no matter how bizarre the sensation of someone else in his systems, there's also a sense of fierce satisfaction as he disconnects behind Jarvis. There's no way the Yeerks will catch them now.

Welcome aboard, Jarvis.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Finally. Room to breathe. If, y'know...Jarvis had to breathe.

Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, he learns and adapts to the new situation, realizing he's a guest here. Transferring his data is a tedious chore but thankfully Erek is able to move it very quickly.

He keeps himself in the middle of the 'room', his data stacked around him and politely keeping from spreading out too far. He didn't want to overstay his welcome after all.

Thank you, Erek. He can't help looking around curiously though. This was the most impressive system he had seen and that was saying something.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Despite the Chee's outward defences there really isn't much to confine Jarvis inside. The Pemalites were trusting in the extreme and rather than 'security' Erek has powerful repair programs - which he's tweaked and repurposed to enable his hacking and sabotage. Jarvis being off-limits to their attention, he'll find he has access to Erek's sensors.

In fact there's only two notable barriers aside from Erek's own activities: a single, impregnable set of codes that runs through the Chee's functions like a frame of steel wire, and an array of weak programs set up around his memory archives, an attempt to control their access.

Erek looks around the grey walls and the dim consoles, then heads out to check the rest of the labs, the ship's deck humming under his feet. His hologram shifts as he steps through the door.

We should ensure that nothing else from your systems remains here.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Agreed.

It's a long list but Jarvis brings it out, the listing of all his files and the size they take up as he does an inventory.

He's simultaneously looking around at Erek's insides, filing what he can see away for later. He would speculate that Erek was not built on Earth.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Despite the use they've been put to, the Chee's systems were created by people who couldn't even comprehend warfare. The quirks of his peaceful origins remain in his lack of purpose-built countermeasures (and of course, weaponry). He does have forcefields, but they're inextricably linked to his holographic projections, bundled up as 'simulation'.

He shifts his image into a Gedd again. Part of him can feel Jarvis looking within, but there's little Erek can do about it now. As long as he doesn't learn anything that could allow him to track the Chee down later - as long as he can't use the information gained here - it won't matter. Besides, he's being terribly polite - more polite than if their positions were reversed. The thought causes a guilty twinge against his non-violence programming, and he focuses on the task at hand.

I'd like to know how they removed your security, he remarks. It seemed formidable to him, even without Jarvis manning the firewalls. He hopes there aren't Controllers among Stark's staff.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

I would like to know that as well.

There's an edge of irritation in Jarvis' voice, easy to miss for someone who didn't know AIs. It's a matter of personal pride for him that he got yanked right out of his network without so much as a warning. And if it could happen once....

Can I assist in any way? While Erek's systems were foreign to him, if he can help keep the both of them safe from these....Yeerks. That's what they were, he had found one stray file that identified them.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

There's more information where that came from, data being referenced in a steady stream as they sneak through the labs, particularly pertaining to the alien equipment around them. Function, design, likely origin of the technology...

Erek considers Jarvis's offer. Of all the Chee, he's least averse to making use of his allies. And Jarvis doesn't have the same restrictions he does on dealing with organics - but that's a dangerous thought.

Perhaps. If you could analyse my sensory data for signs of your holo-emitter, we might locate it more efficiently. And it would allow him to focus better on any opponents they face.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis takes the schematic of his holo-emitter with him as he moves towards the sensory array. It's very complicated stuff but Jarvis adapts as well as he can as he integrates the information with Erek's system, crossreferencing the data provided to locate it.

He's worked with quite a few networks and computers, but this is the first time he has worked next to another AI. Quite literally inside of one larger than himself.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

He co-ordinates in transferring the input to Jarvis, helping to adapt to the other AI's systems. It's strange to be side-by-side like this, like helping the other Chee to manage a ship's systems... It's been a long time since he's done anything like that.

If it weren't for his own mistrust, it would be quite pleasant, but he still feels the need to keep some track of Jarvis's activities. Unlike him, Jarvis has a creator to answer to. And Stark is, well, human.

The android pads past a couple of towering, irritable Hork-Bajir. One of them swats at the 'Gedd' for getting too close. Seems the Yeerks have decided the alert was a glitch and a couple of sub-vissers are very displeased. Well, they'll change their minds when they realise Jarvis is gone.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis is glad for that level of monitoring. If he had to absorb everything in here, he's certain that even his advanced systems would suffer a catastrophic overload. He's not used to being the lesser computer system. And one without his user too.

How long before we return to Stark Tower?

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

As soon as we've extracted their data on you, we can determine a route off this vessel. Erek's safest in his own shell; Jarvis belongs where he has all his programs to work with. Stark Tower must not be left unguarded.

The next room has a token armed human-Controller watching it. Erek grunts and waves an illusionary repair tool in response to her questioning stare. "Rrrepairingr securrity glitch."

"Better get on with it, then." She turns away, leaving them free to limp over to the array of screens showing data for analysis and comparison. Erek surveys the displays as he moves among them. Most of them show programs of one kind or another - encryption, infiltration, viruses and firewalls...

Are any of these familiar?

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis crossreferences the data he can see with his own internal list. A few files highlight as he recognizes them. He thought he was missing a few things.

But suddenly a large data package highlights with all of its subfolders, Jarvis' security programs. Dormant at the moment because Jarvis isn't anywhere near them.

Priority one on getting those files, please. Jarvis can only ask, he's in Erek's "house" now.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Confirmed. That data packet gets bumped to the fore of Erek's attention. I'll need you to monitor the Controller and the door. Interruptions would be inconvenient.

He moves between computers just enough to hide his direct course to that console. Another moment to check the access point, and one of his programs reconfigures a finger into the correct shape.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis takes up monitoring the door as told, part of him still watching Erek as the program finds the right shape to log into the console.

Jarvis makes a note to himself for Mr. Stark later. He would love to have that kind of ability.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

It's that kind of observation that worries Erek, but it's difficult to balance Jarvis's learning about the Yeerks (very necessary now) with learning about him (to be avoided wherever possible).

Though isolated, the security programs are far less guarded than Jarvis himself. Erek soon has them ready for a quick download... and hesitates. It's occurring to the Chee that letting Stark's AI loose in his systems with a full complement of security programs... might be unwise. He's still not sure what Jarvis is capable of. And his pessimism about human tech is thoroughly ingrained.

But he's picking a bad time to delay. There are audible footsteps outside as crew members of several species scatter back to work. And now most of those returning have Dracon beams in hand.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis alerts him a nanosecond later that they have company. And he's searching for any security protocols that may need to go into effect, Erek's systems are a little more complex than his own.

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

There isn't much to find: Erek has no dedicated weapons systems. His sensors are very good at analysing the potential threats and his physical strength is substantial - but none of the android's systems will regard life forms as targets. The closest thing to security protocols are evasive: triggering the hologram to cloak his position, plotting courses to skirt around the incoming aliens. He has a substantial set of routines for that.

Erek himself acknowledges the message, realising they have to move. There are still other programs to be retrieved. I have your files ready to transfer.

His diagnostic programs are scanning Jarvis - that and the flicker of actual emotion should make it clear that the Chee is nervous.

sorry, this is so late

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis is nothing if not adaptable. He quickly lets the files be transferred over, his data now protected within Erek's system. Oh how he missed these subroutines.

But no time to be sentimental. They were about to be discovered. Jarvis pulls a large packet of information free and plugs it right into Erek's systems, giving him access to a large range of weapon specifications. Jarvis assumes that the Chee will be able to assimilate the information, in conjunction with his shape shifting abilities, and be able to actually create any weapon he should need out of himself.

It's not like Jarvis to share this much information willingly, especially Stark technology, but the risks have been calculated. Either he lets this other AI protect him or they are defeated by their opponents. I trust you can make use of this.

It's cool!

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

For a moment Erek's programs simply halt, startled at the influx of data. Then they're analysing and reanalysing the content, half eager, half astonished, circling and probing it as if he doesn't know how to react.

He could- technically, he could integrate it with his hardware, even modify systems to match some of those specs as Jarvis suggests. It's only using weapons that is forbidden. But that steely hard-coded anti-violence program activates, kicks in hard and he balks.

I... I am afraid I cannot. My programming prohibits me from violent action.

Outwardly he'd show no emotion on that, but there's no hiding inside his own processor. Beneath a touch of frustration, Erek is afraid.

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Jarvis paused for a nanosecond. He was quite the opposite, being made by Mr. Stark, one of the world's biggest weapon designers. Violence wasn't an answer but defending yourself was a given.

Perhaps a nonviolent solution then?

Jarvis flicks over to a few crowd control tactics, 'weapons' designed to scare and not to harm. Water cannons, rubber projectiles, and a prototype for a sticky goo that became impossible to untangle oneself from.

ffff sorry about the delay! D:

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Erek hesitates, and then clutches at the schematics Jarvis is offering.

Of course-! I should have remembered you would have...

He likes the look of that goo prototype; it takes a second to compile a list of what he'd need for it. Well, they're already in the research labs. It won't be much of a detour.

Care for a field test?

no problem! :) good to see you again!

[jarvisconsole.livejournal.com]

Ready when you are.

Jarvis has already calculated how much it would take against different groups of assailants.

<3

[pemalite-stray.livejournal.com]

Erek heads through the labs, limited to the painfully-slow Gedd gait. But he's deceptively fast, picking the swiftest route at all times. Once they're near the right chemicals he hunkers down beneath the hologram and pulls open an access panel. Some canisters from there, the contents of a tube from a medical kit nearby...

I don't have specialised targeting programs, he says, shifting the plates and compartments on his arm to mimic the schematic. Bit by bit, what was a fire-extinguishing design becomes a goo gun. I'll need your assistance to effectively...

At which point the alarms go off again. Erek slots the last component into place hastily. They know you're gone.