224 meets 064 - Starting the Lessons

224: Then she will be looking at open games on the Agents steam page.  She....was just bored.  And what better way to make friends than to play a game with somebody? ......OK, that was dumb, ANY other way would be better to make friends, She knows she's competitive and a grump loser.  She acknowledges that fault and waves at it as it walks with her.

064: They would be in the hacker's bay, still working on the reports and facial recognition scans from earlier, but they felt like a break in their work would be good as well. They stretched from where they were seated, glancing around the area to see if there was still anyone around, wondering about their two colleagues from earlier.

224: She's in the hacker bay too, do not worry 064!  Cause afterall those computers are better.  She's eyeing the game list... oh god how many games do these people have?  I mean she's not complaining but dear god.  How do they get work do-oh 75% of these haven't been played.  Ok.  Fine, that makes sense.  She was not paying attention, but she should be.  She's just chewing on her USB and looking through games.

064: They blinked slightly when they spotted a head at a workstation nearby, and moved to set up some security measures and alert systems on their terminal, just in case the scans detected any anomalies. They stretched again, flexing their legs so some warmth would return to them, before standing up and heading over to the figure. Usually they would leave their colleagues alone to their work in the hacker's bay, but they thought to perhaps see if they could interact with this one, since it didn't seem like they were too busy. Upon approaching, they tilted their head slightly as they watched the female chew on the USB and look through what seemed to be like games.

224: Upon closer inspection, there's be a sticky note on the side of her comp that says 'On Break'.  This is to show she WAS working and still INTENDS to work.  She's not that unprofessional.  She's also quite more observant than what she acts as she notices 064 but didn't turn to greet them right away.  And just continues to look down the game list.  Without turning she'd ask "Sooooo, are there any popular games among the other Hackers?  Co-op of versus, either one is good, but I just wanna play with some people"  She'd then turn to look at her visitor.  Well...it's not 094, but it seemed to be another cute guy.  Really, where were all of these beautiful smart people when she was in school?  Anyway she realizes she should greet people. "Hello."

064: Their head tilted at her words, unsure of how to really respond as they didn't know if games were popular among their class colleagues here at the HQ, much less the popular ones. While it wasn't as if they were completely unaware of games, they did not have extensive knowledge on all the genres and types, so they contemplated for a bit, thinking that 094 would've been able to add on more to the conversation with his gaming knowledge. They decided to return her greeting first in any case, recognizing her face from the agent data they look through regularly for updates and new additions to their ranks. "Greetings, 224. How may I address you?"

224: She blinked.  This wasn't the first time a hacker greeted her with a name already.  How they must have an awesome memory.  "224 or Niz, whichever is more comfortable"  She'd hold a hand out to shake. "Iiiii, can't say I recognize everybody from the roster, so I'm not 100% sure of your rank.  So I apologize for asking, but who are you?"  She gave a sheepish grin.

064: "Miss Niz, then? I'm 064, or Vin, Lee, if you would prefer something more personable." They offered her a polite smile in response, not particularly minding that she didn't recognize them. Their eyes glanced over her workstation again, taking in the small details like the notes and perhaps the way she had arranged the area.

224: Niz's area was clean. Well... it was MOSTLY clean.  Apart from the a few out of the way places on the stayion.  Under her desk there were one or two 2-Liter soda bottles, but they were tucked in a corner and most of them were standing up.  On the desk itself, there wwas another small pile of trash.  Chip bags, wrappers, crumpled up note.  Again, an organized trash pile.  A few note on her computer were just little signs for people. Like "Don't touch my USB's" and "My Chair"

064: They stood there, still looking over the workstation as they waited for a response from their colleague, briefly wondering if she was comfortable at her workstation to have such an arrangement. They remembered reading a few articles about a person's room areas being of relation to one's character.

224: "Niz is fine, Niz is fine.  Whicheever you're more comfortable with" Oh gods this was higher rank that 094.  And that meeting didn't go well at all. Ok, she'd have to act a bit more professional.  She did not want a grumpy repeat of 094.  She looked back at the list of games.  "Do you play some, 064?  Orrrr are you not on break?"  She did NOT want to distract anybody from work.  That could also lead to bad things.

064: "Niz." They nodded as they affirmed what to call their colleague, before tilting their head back at the her computer screen. "Not to worry, I am on break. Unfortunately I have yet the pleasure to really play games. Though I have done something similar before, although it was something of a combination with a simulation session." They wondered if it was an accurate description to use, since they did sort of play it somewhat concurrently while running the simulation.

224: A game with a simulation?  That actually sounded really fun.  She turns away from the list to look at 064/024 with eyebrows raised.  "Oh?  Are they fun?  What kind of games do you do with them?"  Honestly though, gaming or not, simulation software of that caliber was always worth a look at the very least.

064: "Do you mean simulations? I only run mission training sessions for agents with the simulator. The game combination was an experimental exception." They rubbed their chin as they thought about the previous sessions they've hosted, and stopped themselves from thinking about future plans, pulling their attention back to the conversation. "The planning and execution is interesting."

224: "Mission Training like the training room in XMen?" She looked up at the ceiling.  People knowing how she moves wouldn't be bad in case the worse happens.  "Are we allowed to go look at the simulation area when on break?  Maybe... just to see a demo..." The thought of this had intrigued her.

064: "XMen?" They blinked a little, not recognizing the term and what it meant, but continued either way, not minding if Niz decided to explain what it was to them. "Of course. You can view the ongoings from outside the simulation room from the interface. Me and 094 will be joint hosting one sometime in the future if you wish to observe." They let a small smile show at her interest in the simulator.

224: How did this guy NOT know what XMen was?  Heck, the Agency was almost just like them.  "In the Marvel comic XMen, there is a big room where all the heros go into simulations to train in combat and such."  She looks down at the ground this time, considering Vin's words.  "I wouldn't mind looking or going inside...is there room in that joint sim with 094?  Or are hackers not allowed?

064: "Ah, I see. Yes, I believe it is something similar." They nodded, now seeing the link between the two subjects. "It will be an interesting experience indeed, if you wish to participate. I can notify you when the simulation date approaches if you would like. There are also videos and resources available if you wish to look through the previously run sessions too." They gestured slightly around them, at the hacker's bay and in all its information holding form.

224: "Please do..." She nodded at Vin's explanation of searching data.  "...I have not gone in the field before.  I am right to assume that my duty as a hacker is to get out of the way and work behind the scenes?  Or are there other things I can do?"

064: They nodded back at here in regards to notifying her, before giving their neck a thoughtful rub, as they thought about what sort of words they could offer. "It might be hard to do so at first, if you haven't gotten to know our colleagues, but I believe a general advice I can give would be to trust in your teammates. I apologize if that was not what you meant." There was a brief pause before they continued. "For us supports, the best thing we can do is to make sure we stay out of the heat of battle and be safe, so as to not cause more worry for those that are protecting us. Sometimes there are situations where battle cannot be avoided, if we are attacked, but keep a good eye out, and prevent that from happening beforehand."

224: Nodded and listened.  Trust was on a beach he biggest and most difficult thing.  She felt that a number of her meetings have NOT gone well.  190 was good, but 094... she didn't feel that worked.  She knew she ha a blah personality but was too stubborn to change. "Alrighty..."  She bit her bottom lip.  "So...can we go look at the simulator?"  She was on break after all.

064: "Of course. Although I will be unable to run simulations for you at the moment. I believe it may be possible to run partial ones but..." They trailed off before nodding. "We can see." They shifted a little before moving towards their workstation to grab their tablet, as they already had a lot of the simulation related programs installed within their tablets for ease of access. Walking towards the simulation room, they would stand at the entrance, waiting for their fellow hacker to see if she still wished to head inside.

224: The wait would not take long.  Mostly because Niz locked her computer and hurried after 064, only pausing outside his station(admittedly peeking inside).  Niz would try her best to hide her excitement.  Mind you, a keen eye would notice how she rushes and how she looked ahead at every room 064 approached hoping it was the sim room.  But mostly, she attempted to keep her expression to say 'I'm just here to look cause I wanna see, not that I'm excited or anything'.

064: Their workstation was sparse, even for a neat person, as it held only their bag and a single tablet, which they picked up soon after arriving, leaving it even more plainer than usual. They didn't quite notice her excitement, as they were thinking about how to set up partial simulations within the room to show their class mate an example of the sessions that were held before. They did sense her interest in the matter from prior at least, and was glad. They moved into the simulation room, and began tapping on their tablet to see if they could begin setting up some things even without the usage of a main program.

224: She looked around the inside of the room...didn't look like much, but that was to be expected.  She was not moving her USB from her mouth, hoping to see this thing in action.  "Whatcha gonna pull up?"  She didn't WANT to look over her colleague's shoulder.  But, you know.  Things happen.

064: "Some environmental modules mostly, as a preview of sorts. If this coding works..." They trailed off thoughtfully, before gesturing for some holographic interfaces to appear, and watched as they manipulated the program from the tablet to activate a part of the environmental systems. There was a brief distortion  in the surroundings infront of the pair, before grey blocks of varying heights would form, spreading out in about 20 metres of grey scenery. "Simpler designs work fine it would seem." They nodded, before wondering if they should test interactivity. Although they were a little worried about potential glitches as this was not run from a main program.

224: Façade gone, Niz cant' help but enjoy the simple change in scenery. "Wooooow" Sounding much like a child being shown a new amusement park.  "This is so cool!"  She was wandering around...being careful to not get too far away from 064.  She didn't know limits yet and didn't want to test them without 064's position.

064: "This map data is from the first simulation session I ran. The blocks can shift, although I am unsure if testing it out on a partially activated program would be safe." They spoke with a small smile at her excitement, although unsure if their explanation was necessary. The hacker walked around the blocks themselves for a bit, not too far from their colleague either, never having been in the simulations they planned before.

224: She was listening to every word.  "So this is ground zero for all your simulations?"  She attempted to touch a bit of the landscape.  "How many have you made since this?"

064: "I've planned a fair number, although in terms of execution, about five sessions so far." They glanced  around the monochrome landscape and its angular forms. The blocks felt smooth to the touch, as they were meant to not have any sort of gripping aid to help climb up or down upon.

224: "Can you teach me to make some?" She was interested.  Really she was.  She would walk around the buildings, going in the same direction as Vin.  "Annnd what's the most complicated thing you've ever made here?"

064: Teach? They pondered upon that thought. They've never actually taught someone to do something before, much less something as complicated as setting up modules and systems for a simulation. One hand left the tablet to rub thoughtfully at their neck, slowing in their steps as they thought upon it. They supposed it would be an interesting experience either way, and hopefully for their junior colleague as well. They weren't sure how well they would be able to teach after all. "I do not mind, if you wish for me to teach you. And if you are referring to environmental settings... perhaps the 4th map, as the experimental one was based off another program. Although the conversation did have its own complexity."

224: The first thing about teaching you need is an attentive audience.  And with all the little plans and devious ideas in Niz's head, you got one.  "Any chance to load that up?  Orrrrr, would that be dangerous?" She did not want to see if any of the fictions where people got caught in simulations were true or not.

064: "Hmm, I can try to set more specific limits to contain the radius and extent of data loaded. Perhaps we should move to the entrance so as to not potentially be in a glitch or such." They walked back towards the entrance, but not quite leaving the simulation room while they tapped on the tablet to remove the grey blocks and reset the environmental settings in preparation for the next modules.

224: Nope, not getting caught in this! She'd kinda rush after 064 and stood next to him to watch the changes if/when they happened.  Again, excited.  "Whatcha loadin?"

064: This time a road would begin to form, before the scenery stretched out further to form a short building next to a carpark, along with an alleyway nearby. There were some partially loaded lighting modules as well, casting the environmental modules in a night time scenario. "This was the starting area of the 4th session, where the agents would've met up with generated characters within the small building over there. This is about 10 to 20% of the entire map."

224: "Cool"  Niz would take a few step forward, taking a peek at as many details as she strolls along.  "How good are the AI's for the enemies?"  She was walking toward the small building to see what lay within.

064: "That would depend on what kind of session it would be. It can range from simple to complex for the purposes of the simulation. However I would personally prefer to use simpler enemies if they are in larger numbers, and more complex, humanoid ones for ones that require more in depth combat and negotiation practices. I suppose I could show you, but it would be safer to look at video footage, if you still wish to see." They spoke, a little carefully as to ensure they do not overwhelm their colleague with all the details. While it is not as if they do not believe in her ability to understand, they've been made aware that speaking too much at a time can be a little straining for the other party. They followed after 224, and opened the door that led into the small building, which would reveal a dimly lit hallway that smelled a little damp.

224: She would again nod in understanding.  She'd rather NOT deal with an enemy face to digital face, so a video will be just fine.  224 was a bit overwhelmed, but more by sheer awesome than anything else.  And she was OK with being overwhelmed with that. "That's understandable..." She screwed up her nose at the damp smell as she looked down the hallway.  "Are the videos of previous simulations available to others or just for the Sim Master?"  Was Sim Master the right word?  She didn't know.  Sounded awesome anyway.

064: They would lead the way towards a door at the end of the hallway, if she still wished to see what the area was like, speaking as they walked forward. "I've made all the videos available for anyone in the hacker's bay to see if they wished so. I can send you the data directly to your workstation as well if you'd like as well." They were a little amused at the naming sense for the one hosting the sessions, and felt as if that title would sound 094 better.

224: She was just wandering now. "That would be awesome, thank you!"  At the other end of the hall she'd open the door while asking "So...when do you think I can start learning?  Do you think I should experience the inside of one on a sim mission first?" She looked around to see what the door hide.

064: The interior of the room behind the door was relatively sparse, as the characters that were meant to use it, along with the key mission items, were not loaded into the room. There was a dim light bulb hanging from the ceiling, that illuminated a worn table, along with some chairs. The walls were plain and held a coat hangar next to a cupboard. There was also an empty bulletin board to cover the other side of the wall. "Perhaps you could begin with experimenting within a program first. Experiencing a simulation session may help, but research takes up the bulk of planning a session. Environmental modules are usually the most important, and makes the foundation of a session stable for the most part. Coordinates of participating people should also be taken into account when loading the environment."

224: She stared and listened as 064 spoke.  All that made sense.  The program was the most important part after all.  "Alright, alright." She'd nod then go and sit in one of the chairs, propping her feet up on the table.  This was nice.  "So Environment is the most difficult.  Makes sense...even in games, most of the processor is devoted to the stuff around you." She would give a nod. "Alright then any specific homework, or am I allowed to just tinker when exploring the program?"  She didn't want to do something without 064's permission.  She was really trying to make friends with this superior.  She did not want a repeat of 094.

064: "Perhaps you could think of a context of which you wish to create a session based on first. It would help to know the specifics details which helps craft a more realistic program as well, although you could always stick to simple block modules and focus more on an objective for participants to complete. That way you can slowly develop your test modules into an actual usable program. Although if it is easier for you, perhaps you could just work on the stability and realism of let's say, a room. Keep going through the debugging process and make sure the materialization is stable, before adding things to it to test. I do not usually physically test those things in the simulation myself, so I ensure there are procedures which will immediately end the simulation in case anything goes awry." They tapped on the tablet as they spoke, sending the video footages to 224's workstation, before looking through their simulation related programs to see what would be suitable to train in. They've never quite dealt with simulations prior to being assigned to HQ01, but they did spend much of their time reading up upon it in HQ05 after discovering that the elite headquarters housed such an interesting function.

224: "Hmmm....I think I'll just stick to making a goal.  Maybe edit the block terrain a bit.  Go for a tron feel to make it look cooler." She'd give a nod as she looked around the room. "Maybe... MAYBE a program where the enemy can't be seen.  Not normally anyway.  It'll give field Agents something new to work with." She'd give a smile as she imagined it.  Then she thought.... "Or maybe a simple hide and seek game?  Those could be clever.  Make little spots people can hide or give the user some control over the terrain....."

064: They would simply let a small smile show on their face as they listened to her thinking about her ideas aloud, glad that it got the gears in her mind to start running and coming up with concepts. They kept silent for the duration as they looked through their programs, not wanting to interrupt her and content to simply wait until she was done. Tapping on the tablet, they would then send a program to her workstation to experiment with. They weren't sure if they needed to send guides along with it if the program was unfamiliar to her, but they believed she would be able to source for the necessary information. Such was their class' job afterall.

224: She was just babbling and appreciated that 064 listed.  Or pretended to listen.  Either way, the silence was appreciated and nice.  "Soooo on a less mature topic, can we watch movies in here orrrrrr video games?" She tilted her head hoping 064 would understand the question.  Cause just imagine, Finding Nemo in Virtual Reality.  Or PacMan.

064: They tilted their head back at her at the question, not seeing a need for leisurely activities to be performed within the simulation room where it wasn't exactly comfortable. Either way, it was a place for work so they doubted it was something that would be looked upon with approval in general. Although this preview of the simulation's systems were also a form of leisure in a certain sense, aside from the learning benefits. "I do not believe so. I am unsure of the specific protocols for viewing media within the simulator, but it would be best to keep those outside. I do not know if anything is activated within the room if others decide to test out systems as well."

224: Again, a nod of understanding.  "Fair enough.  Thank you again for showing me all of this"

064: "I am glad if it interests you. Please feel free to consult with either me or 094 with regards to the simulation practices." They gave the area around them a brief glance, before tapping on their tablet to see if they could unload specific areas. They made a small observatory 'hm' as the alleyway, carpark and hallway disappeared, leaving only the room they were in still remaining in the simulation room.

224: She'd give a nod.  "Will do!" She watched the everything disappear with a small bit of satisfaction before standing and making her way to exit said room.  "And I look forward to any simulations you hold with baited breath so I can see this big guy in action"

064: "I hope to not disappoint." They nodded back at her, and moved to shut down all the loaded modules in the simulation room while walking back towards to the entrance of the simulator. "I will be resuming my work then, Niz." Another nod with a small wave, before they headed to their workstation. They would still be in the same area, but they felt a proper farewell would be polite.

224: "I will too!  Thanks for showing me around!" She'd wave 064 off.  That was a much nicer meeting.  She looked at the floor.  She really should go say hello to 094 again.  Chances are, they're meeting would be much more proper hands this time around....... maybe later