ArchivedLogs:Advising Advisor Advises

Advising Advisor Advises
Dramatis Personae Kisha, Hank
In Absentia	2013-06-14 Kisha and Hank have a heart-to-heart about future projects
Location <XS> Workshop
A large barn-like building situated at the far end of the gardens from the mansion proper, this makerspace functions as a classroom for many of the more hands-on classes. An expanse of workshop space, it is subdivided into smaller segments for the different types of activities: Woodshop, Welding shop, Machine shop, Electronics, Bike shop, Screen Printing and Photography, Fabric Arts, and the Rapid Prototyping Lab with a trio of 3D printers. The space comes complete with a large host of tools available for use, although many of the more dangerous require prior clearance from administration to use -- students with appropriate clearance to use them can gain access to locked equipment with their student IDs. From sanders to MIG/TIG welders to soldering stations to industrial sewing machines to its own darkroom, though, this space is well equipped for teaching students how to /make/. Ahhhh there's nothing like the smell of science in the morning. Which is why Kisha has not only opened every door and window in the Rapid Prototyping Lab, but has a breathing mask on. All three 3D printers are in high gear churning out the assorted mysterious parts she needs for her latest project. Pinned up on the wall is a diagram of a human skull and her touchpad has been hooked into a projector that is scrolling through a selection of technical diagrams while 'Dare' by The Gorillaz blasts out. Hank wanders in looking well-worked. He's been jogging, or, maybe you don't call it jogging when you run on all fours like a gorilla, but he's in athletic shorts, and a t-shirt when he stops in to the shop. He takes one sniff, and reaches over to flip the switch on the industrial blower installed in the ceiling. It goes to work sucking air upwards, blowing the bad out the top, and letting the good sweep in from the open windows and doors. But noting Kisha's mask, apparently he decides to forego the tired lecture on 'safety first'. Instead, Hank walks up from behind, looking at Kisha's work pinned and projected in different places and raises an eyebrow. "Moving on to Frankenstein's monster already, are we Ms. Dorogoi?" Kisha tilts her head up at the blowers and frowns. "They were drowning out my music," she notes. Helpfully answering an unasked question. "No. This is for my Gargoyle project. External BCI, wearable computer and lense based screens. I am also toying with a few other ideas, like making a portable Gunfire Locator system that is also configured to detect a police siren. But that is some way down my to-do list right now." She shifts her mask up out of the way. "How is the ant problem of late?" Hank lets the teacher eyebrow lower, and raises the other one. The SCIENCE eyebrow. "Interesting, yes, I see your design here..." Hank idly begins to flip through some of Kisha's projected notes. "You may want to do some research into dolphin and bat echolocation for the sound locator. I'll send you some links to white papers on the idea." Hank turns away from the notes and shrugs. "As for the ants... well, it would seem to be a much bigger problem. You saw the news about the Diamond District attack?" Hank reaches for an unused computer station nearby and in a few clicks brings up fuzzy video footage of the giant pill bug attack. "I was just going to ste.. use a design that is in current use with the military as a counter-sniping system," Kisha points out with a shrug, moving a little closer to peer at the screen. "Bigger problem? How exactly is the problem bigger than virtually an entire town falling into the ground? Are they going to do something similar to New York? If so.... I am going to make a very sudden request to visit my family and damn the risk of being sold to North Korea!" "No, no, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to alarm you. I've seen some of what they're doing, and I don't think they could actually manage that." He puts a reassuring hand on Kisha's shoulder and shakes his head. "I don't mean 'big' in that sense." Hank climbs up to perch on the chair in front of the lab computer and types quickly, opening his personal files on this workstation. He scrolls through a file containing data on multiple giant insect sightings. "But it looks like we have a mutant who can employ far more than just ants in her work. It compounds the problem, of course." Kisha twitches slightly, then rubs at her temple. "Eugh. That's /delightful/," she notes dryly. "Because what I really wanted to think about was car sized Bombardier beetles. The way scaling works is the only thing which makes an army of huge ants tolerable. Is there /really/ no way I could be permitted to make some form of anti-material rifle? I feel like the school rules unfairly discriminate against students who can't kill with a thought when it comes to potential threats." Hank sighs, and rotates his chair to face Kisha again. "Honestly, I understand the sentiment, Kisha. But you understand the difference of course. One can be disarmed of a rifle. One can miss one's target. This is less often the case with mutant abilities. And of course, our first priority is to keep our students out of harm's way. ALL of our students." Hank runs clawed fingers through the hair on his head, thinking. "And in a fews years...? Who knows? Maybe you'll have a much more active roll in protecting our students. But remember Kisha, you're still a student. I love the computer you're working on here, but we can't have students working on, or carrying weapons." Hank holds up a hand to the inevitable argument. "I /know/ some mutations are just as bad, or even worse than conventional weapons, but leave the protecting to your teachers for now, ok?" Kisha rolls her eyes, then laughs. "Protecting the students?" she says between giggles. "Oh no I am almost entirely self motivated in that particular matter. Except... I was wondering if perhaps I could have your permission to make some non-lethal weapons for Kris, which would then be dismantled once she had patterned them." She frowns. "I appreciate that may go against the rules, but I think perhaps given the nature of her ability it would be best to provide tools which can't kill people. So her first point of call is not an RPG, unless you already have the matter in hand?" "You know, Kisha, that's a terrific idea." Hank grins and hops off the chair to poke more at Kisha's plans, idly. "But I have some tools I think she could use. A taser, certainly. Maybe a riot gun if things get bad. They fire what is essentially a sandbag - do you know the device?" "Which make and model do you have in mind? I know them all," Kisha points out, tapping her head. "I was actually thinking of a launcher that has gas grenades in. Thermal smoke, things like that... I avoided a tazer from my initial plans because they are potentially very dangerous if misused." Her plans seem largely concerned with the technical issues involved with making a Deerstalker hat that can control a computer that is itself made up to fit inside a pocket watch sized case. "Well, all of these present unique problems. But any way you cut it, Kisha, we just can't have you working on any type of weapon yet. I'm sure you understand." Hank smiles apologetically. He doesn't like treating kids like kids, but sometimes he has to. "However, in a few years time, I am very much looking forward to having you as a lab partner. I do hope you'll consider staying on with us after your graduation." He smiles broadly this time, no apology in it. Totally sincere. Too bad his smile is also full of sharp teeth. Oh well. Kisha shakes her head. "Oh no, once I graduate I will have /things/ that need doing," she states solemnly. "Providing the socio-political climate is suitable I intend on setting up my own firm. Or apply for an internship with Stark Industries. Depending on my mood at the time!" "Ah well," Hank says, a little disappointed. "Our loss, but the world's gain. But hopefully you'll still consult with your old advisor when he needs your advice, right?" Hank chuckles and glances at the door. Looks like he might be ready to hit the shower. Lucky the air purifier is working overtime! "I'm sure hiring a consultant for some work will be within the schools budget from time to time," Kisha says wryly. "After all you don't become a billionaire technology magnate by working for free." She glances at the printers, then moves to tap in a few more instructions. "I think I might need to top up some of the feedstocks soon." "Alright, well, good luck in here. Always remember to ventilate." Hank nods and heads for the door. "Just let me know if you need anything!"