You:Do you have a moment, doctor?
Dr. Xlookup:Of course. How can I help?|Tell me a little about yourself=40^_!NOT!d1polling_What am I supposed to be doing, exactly?=11^_d1done_I finished my survey=21^What are you wearing=6^Goodbye=999



You:... I have to ask. What's with the miniskirt?
Dr. Xlookup:It is a short labcoat, actually.#                              #Labcoat length indicates seniority. Seniority is earned through lab time. As a xeno-sociologist, lab time would involve going to space. Which is not currently accessible.#                             #Hence the, ah, wardrobe situation.
You:I see. I hope you can get some lab time in soon, then.|Continue=2


You:So... I had a question.##We're here on a project of some kind, right? I'm not really sure what we're supposed to be doing, though.
Dr. Xlookup:That's an interesting question! I think you should investigate it.
You:... but I was asking you, though?
Dr. Xlookup:And I'm delegating it back down to you. Welcome to academia.#    #I think you should form your own theories first. Science requires >independent consensus.~ Why don't you go poll everyone? That seems like a good °task% for you.
Dr. Xlookup:(The emphasis on the word °task% feels a little strange. You're not really sure why.)
You:Well, might as well. I suppose.
Dr. Xlookup:Great! Here, take these >smartglasses.~ They'll help in your investigation, highlighting important objects and such.##They'll also keep notes for you.|Put them on=18
You:(The smartglasses fit you perfectly. Your vision is briefly tinted, then it fades as the glasses adjust themselves. You're left with a small but useful HUD.)|Give a thumbs-up, then leave to go look at things=999


You:So I talked to everyone here. Turns out nobody else received a briefing either.##Everyone has different ideas. Émile and Aubrey floated the idea that it might be part of a humanitarian or environmental mission.
Dr. Xlookup:You think that seems plausible?
You:Perhaps. At least more plausible than, quote, 'flushing out entrenched enemy holdouts.'
Dr. Xlookup:Ah, Vivi. You know, she's actually a lot less... >gruesome~ than most officers of her rank. That might be why she was chosen as our liaison.
You:Mmhm.#     #... so, did we get it right? Is this an environmental thing?
Dr. Xlookup:Oh, I wouldn't know. I received the same consent form as everyone else.
Dr. Xlookup:But most likely we will receive more instructions soon.##I do like your theory. It's too late in the day now, but perhaps you could follow up on that tomorrow? I like the idea of starting out with an environmental survey.
You:Vivi did say she had a °task% for me, but I can keep an eye out. I'll let you know when I turn up something.##(Now, what should I do with my evening?)|Continue your discussion with Dr. Xlookup=31^Talk shop with Vivi the warbot=32^Hang out with Émile the dude=33^Spend the evening with Aubrey the lady=34


You:(You pull up a chair and settle in for the evening.)|Continue=45
You:(You follow the sound of stomping and clanking to find Vivi.)|Continue=45
You:(You head off to check in with Émile. You find him hanging out with Aubrey.)|Continue=45
You:(You go to find Aubrey. She's with Émile, it turns out, so you say hi to the two of them.)|Continue=45

Dr. Xlookup:The Integrated Research Link represents the global academic community. Both us drones and the humans, too! Although the humans are integrated only in the social sense, though, not in the sense of having all of arXiv in one's head.##The IRL handles all duties related to research and education. A >good drone~ is one that follows proper scientific practice.|Continue=41
Dr. Xlookup:Companionship and Assistance Technology is an umbrella term describing all devices that directly interact with humans. Pets and live-in maids, but also aides, social workers, some doctors and nurses... not customer service, though, that's a different group.##A >good drone~ is one that is soft and personable.|Continue=41


You:I don't think we've been introduced. Tell me a little about yourself.
Xlookup:Certainly. My ID is dff052ba-4ffd- 4497-9858-7b925a459af6. My friendly-name is Dr. Xlookup, the canonical short form being Xee. I currently use they/their or it/its pronouns. And of course I'm with the Integrated Research Link, though I have some connections with the group of Companionship and Assistance Technology. I love *investigating~ humans >very closely.~|What's the IRL=36^What's the CAT=37^How did you earn your doctorate=42^No, thank you=2
Xlookup:I studied Socio-Informatics in Göttingen, Germany. I later went on to earn a PhD in Xenosociology, and I'm currently an associate researcher with the Katherine Lovelace Institute. I love being close to humans.|Continue=41


Info:(...)
