6727/Sentinels: Investigation, Mk 1

Sentinels: Investigation, Mk 1
Date of Scene:	01 March 2019
Location:	Unknown
Synopsis:	Forge and Kitty meet about Sentinels.
Cast of Characters:	Forge, Shadowcat
Tinyplot:	Sentinels

---

Forge has posed:
Forge has taken over the Security Center as his current base of operations. The Sentinel parts themselves are in a few different places: some are in the labs, other parts are with him in the security area. It depends on how big the piece is and how much it needs to be isolated.

Forge can be found seated on the floor in a tangle of parts and equipment, working on something that looks like an extreme Frankenstein of parts and consoles. But that's the natural setting of Forge.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde has also added a lot of computer equipment to the room as she ran the data analysis out of here. Some additional computers brought in whole, others are just circuitboards and other components, sitting in racks, connected together by wires and plugged into power supplies. She can work up cases for them later.

Right now she's coming back from a break. Needing to sleep a few hours at a time at the least. Plus there is training to be done. "Hey Forge," she says with a smile as she comes in. "Just filed a mission report on the data analysis. Wanted to see where you'd gotten to. And also, if you wanted to discuss where we should focus efforts next?" She moves to a clear spot of counter, not there's a lot, leaning back against it for a seat. Lockheed is curled up around her neck.

Forge has posed:
Forge does a thing where he rearranges items around, and it can be frustrating to others that work alongside him. There doesn't appear to be logic or clear design to what he does, but somehow it improves the power flow through the other inventions or tests in the room. It's best to just accept it and not question it too closely. He doesn't mess with other people's tests, but things just get a little bit relocated.

"Have you slept?" Forge teases her without turning, a smile in his voice. "Yes, I read your report. I intend to add one about their development of nullification technology," Forge says, his voice turning grave very abruptly. "I chose that as my priority for now."

Forge sets off a test suite, and turns partially towards her, lifting one knee to rest forearm against it, from where he is on the floor. "Now is a good time, though, to discuss. There might be a chair in here."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde does indeed find a wheeled chair. One she'd been rolling back and forth before the two of them filled the space up so fully. Kitty looks around the room. "Would you be up for sharing a lab together, if we can get one made? I don't need nearly as much space as you do. But some of the shared tools would come in handy. And... you're awesome to work with, Forge. I learn as much watching you for a few hours as I did a semester's worth of class," the young woman suggests.

"That's a good area to focus, their nullification," she agrees. "What have you found out about it?" she asks curiously. She rolls over a little closer to look over Forge's test rig he has set up regarding it.

Forge has posed:
Forge gives Kitty a softened, reserved smile, as he lifts a hand to pull his goggles up off of his eyes and to his forehead. He rubs a hand slowly against the side of his jawline. He's clean shaven other than the facial hair: he is taking care of himself, he isn't lost in the work, despite what most people assume. The downtime of personal care, eating, sleeping, is an important balance to keeping his work going. It shows in the thoughtful measured way he considers her words before answering. "I originally intended to set up a better lab here, but the work itself got in the way of it. You are, of course, entirely welcome here. I am no teacher, though it's kind of you to say. I'm happy to look into what you're doing or offer advice, if you want it." Forge doesn't deliberately meddle without invitation.

The interest in his test rig turns his attention quickly to business. "I see a lot of potential for something truly awful. I am hoping they do not see it for a time. For now, they can buffer and disrupt a mutation and the effects, but this path is leading to lengthy nullification. It isn't unlike a direction I had investigated and decided not to build."

Shadowcat has posed:
"That sounds... very unpleasant," Kitty suggests after listening to Forge's explanation. She leans back in her chair, lips pursed, first to one side of her face, and then the other. "Especially if Rogue is like, throwing me at one of their heads when they flip the switch on towards me," Kitty muses softly.

The purple dragon about her shoulders gives her a little nudge. Kitty reaches up and begins working her fingers along the ridges of his head, probably not even realizing she's doing it. Conditioning at its finest.

"They definitely seem to be coming out with newer version. The signatures of their data transmissions, I'm not quite sure yet how many versions there are. Though some of them at least I've been able to read the contents. Or parts of it. If any of that information would be helpful to you? Maybe they have data from having used the nullifier on someone live?" Kitty suggests. And looking nearly sick at the thought that they might have.

"Was wondering how you'd like to tackle some of the areas worth digging into? I haven't done much with where the signals go after the radio station. Is that something you can work in with what you're doing? And I was thinking I'd dig into their operating system, see if there's anything we can exploit. Command codes, bugs, whatever," Kitty says while she continues petting the dragon.

Forge has posed:
"I have added a new program to the Danger Room including the large, current Sentinels, and the version related to the head we have. It should be a full training module inclusive of what we can expect them to do. It does not nullify properly yet, but the other aspects of the sentinels should be there. I did not entirely test it, as I had this to do. Still, if the X-Men want to be ahead, beginning training with them would be a very good idea. I don't have time to push that, I'm hopeful one of the other leaders will pick that up. I mentioned it to Ororo."

"And I'd really suggest you not approach them, or anyone that relies on touching them, until we better understand how to block their nullification," Forge says, with a concern that his serious façade doesn't conceal. He doesn't want her hurled at them, clearly. "For now it is a focused blast, but I would expect a zone effect with their next version, if they are smart enough. But perhaps we have a little time." Forge's expression is not optimistic.

"I am able to look into their command system, yes. I'm in there already. Following their signals and tracing information they are using would be something more up your alley, I'd think?" Forge smiles.

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty Pryde reaches over to give Forge's shoulder a pat as she smiles warmly. "So glad that you're here," she tells him. "I really wouldn't have liked an epitaph, Here lies Kitty Pryde. Hit the Sentinel right between the eyes and went SPLAT," she jokes. She looks about his setup then and nods. "If you're in their command systems already, excellent. Yes, I'm far better dealing with programming than I am hardware or weapons. We make a good duo there," she says.

She asks a few questions to determine how to hook her systems she's using into Forge's progress. A few commands are entered on the computers, her routines smart enough to start the handshakes with Forge's system once initiated. "Anywhere else that you're thinking about investigating, or think I could help out?" she asks. "Oh, and that reminds me, I heard we got a new piece of them. Something lower body? What's the story there, do you know?"

Forge has posed:
While the introverted Forge isn't a hugger, he doesn't shy from contact, and laughs. It's an even, deep, comfortable sound from the even-tempered inventor. His expression is fond to Kitty, even if he's not actually much older than she is. "We do. I'm happy to hand you an additional programming puzzle I found, related to their tendency to reset themselves. They have a very early system of AI: they recognize self enough to discard certain orders. It is interesting, but is lower on my priorities, as I am best utilized on these nullification threats. We could use a few more of us here. Tony Stark does not return my calls," Forge chuckles dryly.

"We did get a new piece, yes. It is from Wolverine's mission; somehow Deadpool had it, it was with the Avengers. It's now ours. It is not an important section, but has a great deal of clues about their locomotion in it, and some ideas for me about severing them in half very efficiently, which would ground them."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty is on her typical even keel, which generally means likeable. Only when someone sets her off does the rough side of her tongue emerge. And Forge has never come close to setting her off. She grins as he laughs, enjoying the warmth of it and she says, "That would be something we definitely should pursue, yes."

Kitty muses quietly for a moment, the grin fading. "For one thing, there's the possible risk they could get away from the control of whoever is making them. It sounds like the future Rachel was in, some of the decisions were likely not made by normal humans either. That could explain a lot on what could have happened," she says quietly.

"Do you think there is much possibility of working up a defense against their nullifier? That would go a long way towards thwarting their own advancements on it," Kitty suggests.

Forge has posed:
"What I'm focused on is a solution to disarm the nullifiers, from a tech source," Forge says promptly. Of course that'd be his approach. "And I think sticking to ranged tactics is still a better play with these, particularly at this time. I'd like to adjust some of my long range mechanical disruption weapons. When I have more time." He sighs ruefully. Time is always an issue. He already is living in this lab when he isn't eating or sleeping. What is a social life?

"And yes, I would bet money, if I gambled, on them headed into self-awareness. An Ultron scenario. Though for now, they seem centered around protecting human life above all other priorities, including their own existence."

Shadowcat has posed:
Kitty groans and says, "With our luck, Ultron will take them over or something." It's a necessity. Someone has to show it could be worse. Because if anyone ever says something is too easy? -That- is when it really hits the fan.

"Alright, though having to stick to long range can cut down our numbers. People like myself, Logan, etc, don't really have much option there. Maybe if Hank has time he could look into something that would let us stay in the fight as well," Kitty suggests.

Lockheed gives her a little poke. "What's that? Oh, it is getting late isn't it?" she says, though the dragon didn't say anything. "Alright, I'll get things hooked up with your system and start looking at the operating system in more detail. Oh, and we should figure out who is going to try to trace the signals back further, see if we can find someone responsible," Kitty says. She hops up from her chair. "Let me go grab some food and we can continue discussing it later."

Forge has posed:
"Yes, come back anytime," Forge invites, giving a smile to both her and her dragon. "I'll probably be here, or in the lab," he says, without dismay. He likes to work. His projects are his life: by choice. "If you bring some coffee I won't say no to it, though," he adds, but is already back into the test project.