thelegion | Video

[ The feed flicks on to show York, smiling in the mess with a mug of coffee in hand and Delta hovering over his left shoulder in all his six inch green glory. ]

Good Morning, beautiful people- it's another serene day on Legion World and I'm here to offer a little Legion wide challenge, bet, wager, whatever you wanna call it, I'm offering one.

My name is Locksmith and anyone that can encrypt a file, secure a room, or seal up a safe that I can't crack? Gets me as an errand boy for a full twenty four hours. And, you know. Bragging rights. Get to rub it in my face that Delta and I couldn't hack or pick whatever lock you've got set up.

[ He pauses to take a sip, setting the mug down for a moment of seriousness, hands lacing in front of him on the table, shoulders lifting and dropping in a brief shrug. ]

Now, some ground rules- it's gotta be a lock. No setting a two ton weight in front of a door and watching me sprain something trying to push it out of the way. I get a time limit I set when I see whatever you've got locked or encrypted, I'll tell you and I'll stick to it, anywhere from half an hour to three depending on whatever you've whipped up. Lastly: If I end up your errand boy no humiliating costumes. Been there, done that, I am not cute in a french maid outfit, ok? Ok.

[ Here Delta pipes up, offering helpfully: ] Amusing hats and signs of shame are, however, exempt from the 'humiliating costume' clause.

[ York turns his head to squint at Delta. ] Seriously?

Further incentive for participation, and for us not to fail. I am attempting to assist in your motivation.

Well, thanks for that.

So if you feel up to the challenge? Drop a line here or find me in the mess, I'll be the guy talking to a green hologram, drinking coffee.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

No deadline this time.

[When they finally do unravel the whole thing, the file will assemble itself into a very complex, constantly moving holographic sculpture. Delta might be able to pick up that's it's a ridiculously complicated algorithm mapping slipspace trajectories into three-dimensional shapes.

Yeah you just opened a really elaborate and mathematically awe-inspiring screen saver, York. Congratulations.]

[ It takes awhile for them to finish picking at it- without the time limit they're better able to appreciate the nuances of the encryption. Even with the file Cortana shot Delta they're playing it by the book. No cheats, no hints.

Cracking it and getting that- he sets it up in a holoprojector in his quarters, kicking back to marvel at it. Complicated, kinetic, and incredibly soothing. The digital equivalent of an aquarium for Delta.

True to their word they shoot a file simply titled 'bouquet' to Cortana- an infinite fractal hologram of York, Lancaster, and Tudor roses growing, blossoming, wilting, and being reborn in real time. A solid dozen roses with four of each surrounding a single blue tinged rose in the center that stands out for having the same layering encryption she'd used to test them spinning through each petal.

'For a remarkable lady' is the tag attached. ]