LET'S [test] DRIVING

[cava]

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN, YOU KNOW THE DRILL. Here's a few options, all stolen shamelessly from previous iterations.

> The Park. Man, what a nice day out. Why not enjoy it? I'm sure -- shit, yep, there's some echo monsters or whatever they're called.
> The Mall. Exactly what it says on the tin! Dodge the hordes of teenage mallrats or take part, whichever suits your tastes.
> Rainy Day. Agh, it's fucking awful out. And is it raining those vermilion things?? Now you've got an Echo to contend with on top of everything else. Find some shelter, quick!
> Arts and Crafts Fair. WILL THE KITSCH OVERWHELM YOU


or make up your own whatever this is basic and just for the purposes of getting a new test drive up.

Comments

[titanology]

[Hanji yelps, swiveling their head around to see their attacker.]

DON--Oh.

[Hanji was sure that he was some kind of robber, but nope. Not at all.]

I'm fine. Was I passed out again?

[So normal.]

[amajin]

That, or sleeping. You're... supposed to be here, right? Not, like, in a bed with monitors plugged in or anything...?

[He tilts his head as if he doesn't really think of that as a huge issue.]

Maybe you should be in a bed no matter what.

[titanology]

Oh, I work here!

[Waves a hand.]

I'll be fine. Just let me finish my coffee.

[amajin]

[He gestures to a cup of cafeteria coffee that has been knocked to the floor by a sleeping researcher's face.]

You mean that coffee?

[He's seen that level of dedication before.]

You're a medical researcher, huh?

[He sighs, put in mind of his ex-wife, and forces a smile anyway. Just thinking about having to deal with her makes his sunny personality take a hit.]

[titanology]

....I'll get another cup.

[They will never give up. Must finish the research paper.]

Yeah. I'm studying virology.

[amajin]

Medical researchers...

[There's a turn in his lips as he says it, but then he brightens up, quick]

Well you must be onto something, right? Just don't let 'em catch you sleeping or they'll make you go home.

[titanology]

Yes, we've been studying the flu virus mutations and seeing if there's a pattern at all....the mutation seem to happen more when the weather is warmer...

[amajin]

[He's about to turn away, but then he turns back.]

Well, that's curious, cos more people get infected when it's cold and they're indoors with other people who can infect them...

[titanology]

Yes, I know! But that might be due to the higher amount of people in an enclosed area where the virus gets circulated. Either way, it could be a mess-up.

[amajin]

Well, yeah, but that's where it gets the chance to mutate, unless...

Maybe other animals are incubating it over the summer? Like cows and pigs and birds?

[titanology]

Perhaps, although they generally don't catch the human strain....they might be infecting those with compromised immune systems and mutating there.

....You are a medical professional, right? I could show you the work I've done, if you're interested.

[amajin]

[He grins and offers his hand]

Doctor Jin Aznable, MD, PE, PhD. Basically I'm a certified genius who engineers medical robotics.

I'd love to see your research, but I dunno if I could do you any good. I haven't practiced actual medicine pretty much ever. My ex-wife is pretty famous in the research field... But she probably wouldn't be interested in anything I'd be showing her.

[He laughs.]

[titanology]

What a title! [They grab his hand, quite enthusiastically.]

Oh--her! [She smiles brightly.]

It's fine, it needs to be done first. I'm not even close to done, yet.

[amajin]

[He lets their hands go, though he looks a little surprised at the energy.]

Yeah, uh, there's a bunch of speeches of hers on Youtube where she talks about me. That's cool, though, I'd love to see what you come up with. Let me know when you got it all worked out.

[titanology]

I will. It should be a week or two, now.

[amajin]

All right. Uh, what's your name?

[He fumbles in his jacket for a business card. He never keeps these things on hand in the right way. Some Japanese guy he is. Finally he finds one, though it has a bent corner, and he offers it up.]

Here, my card.

[titanology]

Zoey Sina.

[They take it with a smile.]

I'll see you around, then?