Ground Rules:

[omipotent_bastard]

No, no. This just won't do!

If you're going to invite me in, first, you need to understand how things work. You're not writing me. I'm writing you. And if you're going to invite me in before this game of yours starts, I'm going to need to take you for a test spin somewhere.

Yes, like this place. Perfect.

Comments

[omipotent_bastard]

"Indeed it is. And you're... well. You're not my favorite Captain, but I'm sure you'd be at least a little entertaining. What with the secrets you've got hiding in your little brain..."

[cpt_ray]

One auburn eyebrow raises. "I'm not sure I could handle the excitement of being your favorite captain," she drolly admits.

[omipotent_bastard]

"Probably not. Jean-Luc can't handle it either. Which is what makes him so much fun."

[cpt_ray]

"So, I heard."

"Out with it then. What do you want that you cannot just wave into existance?"

[omipotent_bastard]

"Oh, just waving it into existence isn't any entertainment at all. Observing and testing... well, that's much better."

[cpt_ray]

"So, this is all social science for the sake of social science? You like your job, don't you?"

[omipotent_bastard]

"Isn't it important that we enjoy our work?"

[cpt_ray]

"It's a desired, but not always feasible, outcome."

[omipotent_bastard]

"I suppose we can't all be omnipotent."

[cpt_ray]

"Or omnipresent." So says the time traveler.

[omipotent_bastard]

"Exactly. If you were omnipresent, then you wouldn't have to set out on all your silly little adventures."

[cpt_ray]

"Silly? An abacus is silly to someone with a replicator, but it all starts somewhere, doesn't it?"

[omipotent_bastard]

"An abacus? Try two sticks that get smacked together. Still, it's quite impressive. With such a limited brain, you manage to hold together a vessel made so crudely, and set out across space and even time to see if there's anything out there you can even comprehend. It's a testament to your species. Truly."

[cpt_ray]

A thin smile decorates her features. "Jean-Luc Picard was right about you."

[omipotent_bastard]

"About which part? That I'm irresistibly charming, debonair, and strangely hypnotic?"

[cpt_ray]

"About testing humanity and its allies and your likely reason for doing so."

[omipotent_bastard]

He clucks his tongue. "He's been telling secrets."

[cpt_ray]

"No. It's my job to find them."

[omipotent_bastard]

"Well, then. You'd best get cracking, shouldn't you?"