Correspondence (2025 March 02-03)

Correspondence Chapters 1 & 2
==Sunday, 2 March 2025==
===Protector of the Heart===
Chapter 26
Part Six of Battle Scar Soldiers
Striker's heard about Dad's Heart before and zher's concerned by the amount of yelling zher heard through the phone mic. They fight even worse than Herc and Chuck did but zher shoves away the grief that wells up. Zher can always mourn later; Dad and his Heart need help now. Striker hums softly, zher's coding wiggling before Striker decides to help the poor man.
Hey, mate.
Dad’s Heart takes a moment to pick up the phone. When he finally does, he looks confused. "This couldn’t have worked yesterday?" he whines.
Who is this?! I'm not in the mood for wrong numbers.
I'm pretty sure this is Newton Geiszler's number. zher snorts quietly but sarcasm can't be conveyed fully through a text.
Oh. Yeah u have the right number. Who is this?
An old friend of Hermann's from Sydney. I heard he was staying with you. Newt's lips press thin and Striker thinks quickly. Did something happen mate? It just seems like you're a bit tense, is all.
... A friend of Hermann's, u said? Why are u looking for him? The suspicion makes zher proud of the man. Dad is definitely worth the protection displayed but zher has to fix the sadness that hangs around Dad's Heart.
He’s probably never mentioned me, Striker tries really hard not to giggle, but it’s probably the truth, but I check in on him sometimes.
Oh. Well, I- Striker watched as the man's thumbs slipped and sent the message half-finished.
What do u want?
Striker does the code equivalent of rolling zher’s eyes. There’s protective and then there’s annoying. I’m not some stalker-type. Zher wishes that Dad's Heart had a link but it won't happen unless he Drifts with zher's mainframe. Listen mate, if you've had a bit of a row with Hermann, make him breakfast. He likes crepes, pancakes, lemon rolls made European style and fresh fruit with his tea or coffee. You have a cookbook stored somewhere?
I think so. Why are you helping me?
Hermann's worth it, isn't he? Despite your row, you still want him around and being with you? Striker's dead serious on this one and zher thinks it shows because New takes a deep breath.
Definitely.
Then sleep on it, apologize and make up. It's not always gonna be simple, mate, but you knew that already.
Ur creeping me out. How do you know all this?
Like I said, we go way back.
And I should trust you because?
Because I know all this, zher teases.
Not helping the creepy, dude. Who are u?
Text this number if you need help or just someone to talk to that knows him like I do. Ranger Becket's also a good one. Here's his mobile number if you can't reach me. Striker adds Gipsy's Big Kitty to Newt's phone for him. Keep in touch yeah? Oh and tell Hermann that his hacker friends keep tabs. He'll understand.
That’s nice. Who are u?
Well, for one, it's actually zher and two, hacker; I'm not gonna give you my info straight up mate. But... You can call me Striker. Our group is named after the Jaegers. Striker points out with the coding equivalent of a raised brow. Hermann's got some dangerous allies, y'know; not all of 'em are like Ranger Becket.
I'm starting to realize that. Newt narrows his eyes at his phone and taps the side. Did u make this work?
Yeah, mate, I did. Zher contemplates briefly, oh so fleetingly, telling the man that he's talking to a sentient Jaeger that thinks the world of one Hermann Gottlieb because he created them. Look... The only reason I'm doing this is because Hermann likes you. If he's thrown his lot in with you then something is right. Don't mess it up.
Or what? the taunt (even if it's not meant that way) makes zher see red for a moment.
Newton Geiszler will cease to exist. Every personal record wiped, every mention ever made in conjunction with Hermann erased and we'll do it gladly. Striker growled, wishing that zher was still in zher's Jaeger frame for this threat. Newt sat back from the phone and zher sighs heavily. But that's only if you screw up royally, mate. I actually like you. You're good for Hermann and you've managed to crack through all of his layers. Both of you are stronger than ya think an' more stubborn than either of ya realize, mate. Take care of him?
You have to go?
Somethin' like that mate. Technically not supposed to talk to you at all but like I said, I think you're good for him. Hooroo. Striker gave Newt an Aussie goodbye and slipped into Dad's tablet momentarily.
I talked with your Heart. Hope you don't mind, Dad. -Striker
P.S. Everyone sends their love.
===PotH 1.2===
(Correspondence 1.1)
From: Gabriell Archibald (angelwings@internode) | Sent: Sunday, March 2, 2025 @ 22:45 NZT (10:45 GMT) from Location Data Unavailable | Encryption: Alpha | To: Dad (archie@drsg.kiwi)
Subject: Your Heart
I talked with your Heart. Hope you don't mind, Dad. -Striker
P.S. Everyone sends their love.
==Monday, 3 March 2025==
===Or Else! 1.1===
Please see ....
===Red-Copper-China-Break===
Please see "Red-Copper-China-Break"===
===Athene 27.1 - 5===
Please see ....
===Or Else! 1.2 - 3===
Please see ....
===PotH 1.3===
(Correspondence 2.1)
From: H Gottlieb (archie@drsg.kiwi) | Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 at 08:42 NZT (20:42 GMT) from New Zealand Environmental Research Station; Puanga-Rua, Waikato, New Zealand | Encryption: Alpha |To: Gabriell Archibald (angelwings@internode)
Subject: RE: Your Heart
Striker,
I trust you had a good reason for contacting Doctor Geiszler.
He, while a very good man, is remarkably poor at keeping secrets, so I hope you took measures to protect your identity. Please remember that your status before the law is still in question and I do not want you to put yourself at risk.
While I am loathe to ask you for favors, may I trouble you and your siblings for your help in maintaining the cellular and internet connections between my new home and the wider world? Consistent communication, I believe, will alleviate some of the stress in my and Doctor Geiszler's lives.
Please give my love to your siblings and let them know I appreciate your concern for my welfare.
Warmest regards, H Gottlieb
===PotH 1.4===
(Correspondence 2.2)
From: Coyote Pentecost-Sevier (BAMFCoyoteTango@gmail.com) | Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 @ 09:05 NZT (21:05 GMT) from Location data unavailable | Encryption: Alpha | To: Dad (archie@drsg.kiwi) 
Subject: RE: Your Heart
C - Zher was concerned about the shouting because it reminded zher of the pilot fights zher's pilots had. Striker told him that we were a hacker group named after the Jaegers and that we use code-names. Our status is ... delicate, yes, but we will do what we can to ease the way for you and your Heart. All of us appreciate your message, Dad.
S - Should I not have talked to him? I don't want to cause more trouble for you. He just seemed so sad and I, umm, followed what felt right.
We can keep the channels open until the satellite dishes are up. Did ya want us to extend that to [the] workers and Tendo's family so it doesn't look off? It's not a lot of [trouble] and it doesn't take up much of what we could do. Alpha's [planning something] with Puma but he's keeping his words to himself. I just hope he doesn't leave us in woop woop when whatever the hell he's planning comes into play.
Much love, C & S
===PotH 1.5===
(Correspondence 2.3)
From: H Gottlieb (archie@drsg.kiwi) | Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 @ 09:22 NZT (21:22 GMT) from New Zealand Environmental Research Station; Puanga-Rua, Waikato, New Zealand | Encryption: Alpha | To: Coyote Pentecost-Sevier (BAMFCoyoteTango@gmail); Gabriell Archibald (angelwings@internode)
Subject: RE: Your Heart
Striker,
I apologize for the harsh tone of my previous message. I did not mean to scold. I inflicted my (misplaced) anger and anxiety on you. That was wrong. Your instinct to comfort and cheer is admirable. You should continue to follow it, Striker.
I appreciate both of your efforts to ... smooth my relationship with Doctor Geiszler, but I fear last night's dispute may require the two of us to learn lessons on our own.
If it will not trouble you greatly, it would help maintain the appearance of normalcy if you would stabilize the connections for all of the research team. I hope the satellite links are normalized soon so you may spend your energy elsewhere.
Alpha and Puma are keeping secrets from the rest of you? Perhaps I should speak with them ...
Thank both of you for your concern and well wishes.
Warmest regards, H Gottlieb
===Jaeger Mainframes 1.1===
(Correspondence 2.4)
From: S Jorgi (sjorgi@greenbrier.systems) | Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 @ 10:35 NZT (16:35 EST; 22:35 GMT) from Jaeger Mainframe Section, Hacker Valley Facility, West Virginia, United States | Encryption: Beta | To: E Delani (edelani@greenbrier.systems)
Subject: Jaeger Mainframe Activity
Ma'am,
There's been an activity increase from the mainframes, in particular the backups of these Jaegers:
Brawler Yukon, Romeo Blue, Coyote Tango, Cherno Alpha, Puma Real, Lucky Seven, Gipsy Danger, Matador Fury, Crimson Typhoon, Echo Saber, Striker Eureka
Several of my subordinates have attempted maintenance on these machines and were met with severe resistance from several PPDC Heads of Department as well as the mainframes themselves. Do you have any idea why that is?
HMT Jorgi
===Jaeger Mainframes 1.2===
(Correspondence 2.5)
From: E Delani (edelani@greenbrier.systems) | Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 @ 10:45 NZT (16:45 EST; 22:45 GMT) from Operations, Hacker Valley Facility, West Virginia, United States | Encryption: Beta | To: S Jorgi (sjorgi@greenbrier.systems)
Subject: RE: Jaeger Mainframe Activity 
The exact reason is apparently above my pay grade.
However, orders are orders and the client is always right.
Continue monitoring the situation and noting any irregularities.
Contact me if the system is compromised or its stability threatened.
Delani
===Or Else! 1.2 - 1.3===
Please see ....
===Athene 27.5 - 6, 6===
Please see ....
===PotH 1.6===
(Correspondence 2.6)
From: H Gottlieb (archie@drsg.kiwi) | Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 @ 16:27 NZT (4:27 GMT) from New Zealand Environmental Research Station; Puanga-Rua, Waikato, New Zealand | Encryption: Alpha | To: Gabriell Archibald (angelwings@internode)
Subject: RE: Your Heart
I trust you were listening to my recent conversation with Doctor Geiszler and thoroughly enjoying the irony of it. Your 'cover story' seems to have put his mind at rest, as well. Well done.
Warmest regards, H Gottlieb
===PotH 1.7===
(Correspondence 2.7)
From: Coyote Pentecost-Sevier (BAMFCoyoteTango@gmail) | Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 @ 16:34 NZT (4:34 GMT) from Location data unavailable | Encryption: Alpha | To: Dad (archie@drsg.kiwi)
Subject: RE: Your Heart
S - I understand that sometimes people misplace anger. I didn't take offense. If coding could blush, I'd be red right about now. Thank you and I think I'll help your Heart out with recipes for beginners next time around.
It really isn't much [trouble]. Honestly, we could be doing this, playing the stocks and winning against some human team at a gaming tournament all at the same time. It's a bit of the S-word-ish but I can't keep sitting with Herc an' Coyote or in the mainframe. My processors would go nuts.
C - Zher and I are keeping as busy as possible. Brawler almost broke Lars' phone when he tried a low-tech hack. We're trying to refine our techniques and Striker's right when zher said that we can't sit with each other or in the mainframe all the time. Dr. Lightcap's been trying to figure out how to get us frames that won't frighten humans and that can allow us to speak. She's been doing it under the guise of prosthetics but we wouldn't mind if we were useful.
Much Love, S & C
P.S. I thought the irony was hilarious and I thought that particular story up on the fly. Thank you.
===PotH 1.8===
(Correspondence 2.8)
From: H Gottlieb (archie@drsg.kiwi) | Sent: Monday, March 3, 2025 @ 16:41 NZT (4:41 GMT) from New Zealand Environmental Research Station; Puanga-Rua, Waikato, New Zealand | Encryption: Alpha | To: Coyote Pentecost-Sevier (BAMFCoyoteTango@gmail); Gabriell Archibald (angelwings@internode)
Subject: RE: Your Heart
Recipes for beginners would be much appreciated. Neither Doctor Geiszler nor I have much experience with cooking. I'm certain our smoke alarms will be thoroughly tested.
If you have cycles to spare in a few weeks, I may ask you for some assistance with my work. I have a modeling project in mind which you may find interesting.
As to new, mobile frames, for the past several years I have corresponded sporadically with a young researcher building agile humanoid robots from lightweight materials. At our last conversation, he had not progressed much beyond basic construction and stabilization, but perhaps by now he has prototype frame design which could be shared with you and Doctor Lightcap. If you wish, I can make introductions.
Warmest regards, H Gottlieb
===Athene 27.7===
Please see ....
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Correspondence: 26 / March 2 | 27 / March 3 | 28 / March 4 | 29 & 30 / March 5 - 6 | 31 / March 7 | 32 / March 8
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