video; un: techgod

[brandnewtech]

[ Dressed in clothes that are way too colorful for this setting, the Technical Boy is sitting at a wooden table, arms crossed. The room is dark but not unnaturally so. A stack of papers sits off to his right side, only partially in frame. Observant viewers may notice that the top one is a schematic of some kind, but the details are mostly obscured.

He lifts one eyebrow before he starts speaking. Intending to be an approachable, his facial expression is calm and is almost a smile, but something about it seems a touch unfriendly. ]

At the risk of redundancy, I'm looking to connect with fellow inventors, mechanics, engineers, alchemists, and technicians for a special project. I have four hands already but need more or it's going to take fucking forever to finish.

Don't ask me what it is. That information is currently on a need-to-know basis. What's important is that it's in the city's best interest. Promise.

Intrigued? Like a challenge? Hit me up. Private messages from serious offers only.

[ He leans forward to get closer to the video in a conspiratorial manner. ]

If you want to leave public messages, tell me what you think this place needs. Get creative.

➟ Attached: "video transcript.txt"

[ Anyone who knew Tech Boy from before may notice this is a bit more vague and brief than his usual network communications. And is that a glitch right as he cuts the feed? Must have been your imagination. ]

Comments

[brandnewtech]

The "creepy suspicious ass god" was my boss. Looks like the miasma starts to permeate after a while.

But if I don't have your trust, I got your attention. Just as good.

A handful of scrap metal is hardly any of the city's business right now. Right now, if you're not going to help, you're just being nosy. But don't worry. I'll make the announcement when the city needs to start paying attention.

[hauntedsavior]

Oh, dude, I got about 18 months of experience in why having my attention and not my trust is a bad thing.
You know you're talking like a supervillain, right?
Like, you're at least that self aware, I hope.
"I need more hands to help with my mysterious project, and anyone who doesn't trust me needs to keep their nose clean, now if you'll excuse me I have to call a man about an elaborate boat bomb!"

[brandnewtech]

18 months? So you're new to the game. Got it.

I didn't say anything about clean noses. I didn't make veiled threats. I said I was looking for professionals in these fields because I don't want to have to fucking explain myself every time a screw is tightened or a formula is calculated, like I'm doing now.

And I didn't say anything about bombs. That was all you. It's like you've never heard of covert defense operations.

[hauntedsavior]

[she scowls on her end of the screen. this guy's right, but she doesn't have to like it.]

Listen.
Maybe it was.
But the last guy I ran into who said he was making all these plans for the "greater good" turned out to be a genocidal eugenicist, so you can't blame me for being a little on edge about it.
And I guess if I think about it, a genocidal eugenicist probably wouldn't be announcing his plans to the whole town like this.

All right, fine, maybe I came out a little hot. Whatever.
Still a really vague job offer. Wonder what kind of clientele it's gonna bring out.

[brandnewtech]

I've known my fair share of genocidal eugenicists, ruthless iconoclasts, and homicidal maniacs. Generally they wait until they're in power and their plans can't be stopped before making public statements.
Not always. Some of them are morons.
I guess it's 50/50 either way.

Very few nefarious offers so far. But given a long enough timeline, that number will never be zero.

[ "Whatever" almost sounds like an apology. He'll take it. It's as good as he ever gives anyway. However, he is still who he is, and blatant disrespect is something of a pressure point. ]

[[ PRIVATE ]]

You're lucky I'm in a good mood. I've been told don't react well to people fucking with me.
This isn't a threat. But if your hobby is poking bears, you should know the reach of their claws.

private

[hauntedsavior]

[it is. enormously tempting to leave this so-called tech god on read. it would also be extremely funny. for all she knows, this is just some self-important script kiddie. but the way she's been sleeping lately, the way the paranoia is creeping into everything she reads, hears, sees, says, she can't leave it at that.]

Appreciate the warning, but I don't make a habit of it, thanks.
I have enough beasts to worry about in the woods.
First line of defense for the bears.
Just in case any of their claws don't quite reach that far.