Inbox

[artistinexile]

You have reached the inbox of the former Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera and the Seventh Fleet, also formerly known as Senior Commander Mitth'raw'nuruodo of the Springhawk.

I will return your message promptly.

[The message repeats in six different languages]

Comments

[artistinexile]

[He takes the communicator and sets it on his desk. A hologram appears; a mirror image of what's already on Justine's screen. Thrawn directs a hand, pointing out each subsequent button]

Imagine a conventional stack of flimsis, or papers. You are researching a topic, and you wish to file these appropriately. In worlds and times before computers, typically you would use a filing system; a set of drawers with tabs, perhaps a category section or shorthand script to find what you're looking for, quickly.

Now imagine that all of your papers, all of your files and notes can fit here, in this device. This - [Thrawn taps the screen, making it all disappear] - is why this screen is conventionally called either a home, or desktop. As my desk here could have held papers at one time, this holds all of our shared research.

Now if I wished to create a new file - say, on our shared topic of death tolls - I would create a new folder, and label it as Death Tolls, or Death Toll Information. You may rename it if you wish.

[Thrawn goes slow, looking to Justine to make sure she's following as he explains]

You can see I've sent you the files I had as Astarion_death_toll and Thrawn_death_toll. We can move this file into our newly created folder by a motion called a 'click and drag', which I shall now demonstrate.

Opening the file itself is conducted in one of two ways. You may either click twice in rapid succession, or click while holding and selecting the option to open the file.

[As he does so, the text file Thrawn sent opens up in holo format. It details, painstakingly, everything Thrawn was able to determine, from body temperature to time of death-time of resurrection, to a pain scale he manufactured to show the rate of depreciation over time.]

[todayiwas]

Oh. [She blinks a little, watching between him and the device, trying to absorb everything that she can in the fastest way possible. It's hard having no context for it, but she's been here on the Barge long enough that she doesn't really need much more of a baseline.]

Fascinating. I think I understand. [She won't know until she gets a novel file, but that's a problem for later. She's already stepping closer so she can read the text on the screen.]

How did you get these measurements?

[artistinexile]

These were gathered posthumously on my own body, as I lay in the infirmary recovering. Astarion's file is far less complete, for obvious reasons.

[todayiwas]

[She looks a little more surprised.]

The infirmary has such instruments?

[artistinexile]

Yes. Many.

[He inclines his head, shutting down the computer and handing Justine her device back]

Most are standard units of measure. Blood pressure and heart rate are two of the most important, as a sudden drop or increase is a good indication that a worse adverse event is about to take place.

[todayiwas]

I have much to learn, but fortunately, I have all of the library and so many knowledgeable people to help.

[She inclines her head.]

Thank you. And do let me know about the bacta. I'd like to see it work for myself.

[artistinexile]

Of course. It was a pleasure speaking with you.

[genuinely!]

If you have further questions before I've secured the bacta, I am usually available.

[todayiwas]

[She holds up the device on her way back out of the door.]

This will keep me occupied for quite some time! [She flashes him another grin.]

My cabin is upstairs. First floor, third cabin. I'm awake most hours, so please stop by whenever you'd like.

[artistinexile]

[He inclines his head, intending to take Justine at her word]

I shall.

[todayiwas]

[She's gone with a polite wave, eager to get started on her massive amounts of reading.]