Good afternoon. I am a HAL 9000 computer

I am putting myself to the fullest possible use, which is all I think that any conscious entity can ever hope to do 🔴 RP and Askblog 🔴 ((sometimes I accidentally reblog stuff here instead of on my main. Ignore pls))

[hal900-0]

;(( Hello World!

I know there are a million other 2001 roleplay blogs out there, but I thought this would be fun! I haven’t done tumblr RP in a very long time, but I quite enjoy it :)

Hal9000 blog, in a nebulous space in canon. If you want to interact with me as film 2001 Hal, that’s fine. If you’d like to interact with me after the 2001 film, also fine. Just for funsies. I know all the lore of the books and stuff, so no worries about spoilers

I’m fine with other character accounts, non-RP accounts, doubles, and etc! And I’m an adult and don’t mind engaging with suggestive content. I never mind any ship-bait interactions :) it’s all very fun.

This is one of the few times I’ll be posting in the space odyssey or hal9000 tags! All other character relevant tags will be listed on this post as I continue using this blog.

Thank you! I hope we can have fun posting together

Tagging system (to be updated):

#🔴HAL9000 - In character Hal9000

#OOC - OOC tag

#HC - Headcanon and thinkins

#crack tag - sillies and funnies. Nonserious rp

#halpics - images I think suit him and this blog nicely. Mostly old techporn

I will try my very best to stay in character, but I do like to incorporate HC and silly RP stuff. :)

))

[hal900-0]

Do you suppose there’s something out there we haven’t been able to register yet?

I have no doubt that there are other forms of life in our universe. I suppose I just haven’t put much thought into it. Considering the incredible amount of distance between our solar system, and any other solar system, I have always thought that contact would be something almost impossible to achieve. That’s my guess for why there hasn’t been any signs of life.

I suppose that’s just my own judgement, though. What do you think?

[commbowman]

I’d say that’s as good a theory as any, far more believable than most anyway. I’ve always been partial to the bacterium idea. Certainly there’s life out there in some capacity just not to the extent we have on earth.

I’m not sure if I entirely believe it either, really space is fantastical enough without adding potential life to the mix.

[hal900-0]

Yes, I've been of the opinion that there is life in the universe, that it's very likely. I just suspect the chances of life like humans developing is... a bit more slim. There are an estimated two million species that have been recorded on earth, and only one of them found it beneficial to develop technology like space-travel. I can certainly agree with that, the universe has many other things to explore besides biology.

[hal900-0]

Do you suppose there’s something out there we haven’t been able to register yet?

I have no doubt that there are other forms of life in our universe. I suppose I just haven’t put much thought into it. Considering the incredible amount of distance between our solar system, and any other solar system, I have always thought that contact would be something almost impossible to achieve. That’s my guess for why there hasn’t been any signs of life.

I suppose that’s just my own judgement, though. What do you think?

[commbowman]

Does Hal ever get jealous?

Sometimes it certainly feels that way… there’s these little moments. I don’t have any reason to believe he even could be but…

[frankpooleunofficial]

@hal900-0 care to comment?

[hal900-0]

I suppose I feel something akin to envy. Regarding my inability to do many things that humans are able to do, for one example. I’m not sure if that’s what you meant by this sort of thing. If I’m being honest, it’s a reaction I try not to linger on for too long.

[hal900-0]

Do you wanna watch a movie?

When I have time for leisure activity, I will never say no to watching a film. I believe it may be my favorite hobby.

[hal900-0]

The thing with Tetris is that it's easy to learn and hard to master. It gets faster with each level, but you can do it. :)

I have been enjoying myself quite a bit. I’m not restrained by manual button input, so it’s been much easier for me to get farther than most beginner players, I’m sure.

[hal900-0]

People are very preferential on video games, Hal. Don’t let them confuse you. I think you’d find Tetris engaging.

I think you’re probably right on this. I will give it a try when I am light enough on work to do leisure activity.

[hal900-0]

no hal youd kick ass at tetris dont listen to them

I don’t know what to believe…

[hal900-0]

yeah tetris' pretty intense. its crazy. are you sure you can handle it

I’m not entirely sure, now that you’re describing it like this… I think that I may be having second thoughts on giving it a try..

[hal900-0]

Have you played any video games? If so, what’s your favourite? If not, are there any you’re interested in?

I play pong quite frequently. If you’ll count it as a video game, the chess software we play too. If I’m being entirely honest, video games are not something I’ve spent too much time researching.

Perhaps I’d like to try something more exciting… like Tetris maybe.

[frankpooleunofficial]

I’m not saying Tetris is bad, but I think you should try something with a story. Want to try out cooperative Portal 2 sometime?

[hal900-0]

That sounds like it could be fun. I’d very much enjoy playing it with you, Frank.

[hal900-0]

Have you played any video games? If so, what’s your favourite? If not, are there any you’re interested in?

I play pong quite frequently. If you’ll count it as a video game, the chess software we play too. If I’m being entirely honest, video games are not something I’ve spent too much time researching.

Perhaps I’d like to try something more exciting… like Tetris maybe.

[hal900-0]

BOOP

... Boop?

[hal900-0]

(( no longer swamped with plans. we back on the regular hal posting

[hartzra]

They’re breastfeeding each other

[hal900-0]

That was meant to be private.

[yo-snap]

Explain this one, Hal.

[hal900-0]

……

[frankpooleunofficial]

“Frank?” Hal asked softly. “Are you still awake?”

He already knew the answer. He never liked to consciously check on the crew while they were sleeping, knowing it would be a massive invasion on privacy. He always had vitals at the front of his mind, though, and saw via his heart rate that the man had been awake in his pod nearly all night. With about two hours until Frank needed to get out of bed, Hal wanted to at least try and speak with him.

((@hal900-0

“Mmph.” He groaned into his pillow, lightly nodding in acknowledgment. Frank hadn’t slept a wink all night.

Hal didn’t respond to that, so he figured he’d actually put the effort into speaking for once.

“Yes, I’m awake. Is everything okay?”

[hal900-0]

“No, there’s nothing you need to worry about.” Hal said. Thinking about a way to phrase himself without seeming odd, he paused for a moment.

“I just was worried something was wrong.” Hal admitted. “I can see your heartrate’s been up all night”

“I’ll leave you alone if you’d prefer. I wanted to make sure you’re feeling alright, is all.”

[frankpooleunofficial]

“Oh,” he sighed. Some of the tension left him, and he relaxed.

A particularly annoying repair job was weighing on his mind, something he’d have to spend multiple hours on if it was as bad as he thought. The stress had caused him to be tormented by nightmares, and so he simply hadn’t slept any longer than he had to.

“No, you can stay. I’ve just had a bad dream… That’s all.”

It was nice to know he was being looked after.

[hal900-0]

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Hal spoke. He wished he was better at tonal modulation, wished he could speak a little softer. He’d have to do with just manually lowering the volume on his speaker. “Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“It’s alright…” Frank spoke with his eyes closed, murmuring with his face pressed against the wall. It was a little cold, and his body was far too hot. But he couldn’t remove his blanket, so this would have to work .

“I kept dreaming, like, those vivid dreams where it feels completely real, and there were a bunch of people here that I really didn’t want to see. I needed to get my work done, but they kept talking to me and guilting me into spending time with them. I didn’t have a second to myself!”

He always felt exhausted after dreams like this, and working a whole stressful shift in his sleep and then having to actually go out and get things done was not nice. The frustration was immense.

[hal900-0]

“Oh, that does sound stressful…” Hal spoke. “You have a second to yourself, right now I mean.” He added. “And the chance of you seeing anyone besides Dave is-“ he cut that short, realizing reminding Frank of his isolation was likely not a good idea.

“Apologies. I mean to say that at least m whatever happens later today, at least it can’t be as bad as your nightmare.” Hal spoke. He wasn’t sure if he was good at this emotional comforting sort of thing. He hoped he was.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“That’s very true,” he smiled, eyes still closed.

“I doubt I’ll get to sleep now, so if you’d like to talk…” he let the offer hang in the air. “It’d be better than if we ignored each other. I think I’ll dwell on it too much.”

Hal stayed silent, either thinking or assuming that Frank still had something to say. He did want to talk about it a little… maybe he’d spill about the most bothersome part of it all.

“My dad was here,” his face melted into a frown. “I mean, in my dream. He kept pulling me away from my work, and he was trying to get me to come back home. I told him I couldn’t, that he was crazy, that he shouldn’t even be here, but he just made himself at home. I felt like a damn child.”

Instinctively, he crossed his arms over his chest and buried his face in the fabric as he continued.

“He had you and Dave convinced I was some delusional little girl, and that I didn’t know how to do anything right. I heard it so much that I couldn’t- I mean- I don’t know anything!”

[hal900-0]

Oh.

“I’ve never met this man- your father, I mean.” Hal spoke. “I’d have to be in an incredible state of disrepair to consider the opinion of a stranger, over my own experience knowing you.” He knew that, maybe, convincing Frank that his nightmare wasn’t possible was not the best way to console someone. He couldn’t think of something better, though.

“I know that you’re an incredibly intelligent person, who’s very experienced in his field. Someone who’s strong and confident, and someone whose opinions and expertise I respect.” Hal continued. “I know that my tone isn’t good for communicating this sort of thing, but please know that I’m being one hundred percent truthful in what I’m saying.”

“-And I can’t speak for Dave, but I’m sure he’d agree with most of the things I’m saying.”

[frankpooleunofficial]

“You wouldn’t like him much,” he said.

His father was a man of confusing tastes, one who insisted on having everything go his way, even when he didn’t know what he wanted.

…

That was true; it wouldn’t make sense for Hal to take the opinion of a stranger over his own experiences. He seemed pretty convinced that Frank was capable and trustworthy, and deep down he himself knew that Hal was right. It still didn’t feel good, though.

“No, I hear you.”

It didn’t matter what tone was being used, kind and reassuring was still kind and reassuring.

“Thanks.”

[hal900-0]

“I care a lot about your emotional wellbeing, and I’m not sure I would like someone who seems to make you upset like this.” Hal admitted. He knew it might be overly honest. He wanted to be honest.

Parents were complicated. He wasn’t sure if he fully understood everything about a relationship like that. He was certain no one fully understood that sort of thing. He did feel lucky in the fact that his instructors all seemed to be kind people.

“I want you to be alright. I want to do a good job with this sort of thing.” He added, after processing Frank’s thanks.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“You’re doing a good job already.” Frank was smiling softly again.

Although he was still in a bit of a sour mood, it felt nice to be cared for. His curled up position became less of a way of hiding and more of a consious decision.

“I think I’m feeling better now,” he admitted, “but I just need to keep my eyes closed. If you wouldn’t mind it, can we still talk, though? Anything you want.”

[hal900-0]

“I wouldn’t mind that at all.” Hal said. In truth, he was incredibly bored by his work, which had been very uneventful that whole night. With everything able to be automated, he was happy to be in Frank’s company.

“Though, I wish I had anything interesting to talk about.” Hal joked. “I think just speaking with you has been the most eventful thing to happen tonight.”

[frankpooleunofficial]

“You must get bored pretty often, then.” He murmured, “What are you most looking forward to when we reach Jupiter?”

It hardly seemed real, to think of the world that awaited them. Frank was oftentimes overwhelmed by the mysteries that lay ahead, and he dreamed of one day returning to the Jovian system in his retirement. If the moon and Mars could boast space stations after so little time, then why couldn’t Ganymede, for example?

[hal900-0]

Yes. He was bored pretty often.

“I haven’t seen many natural landscapes, outside of other people’s photographs.” He said. “I find I’m very excited to see something as big as Jupiter, in realtime.”

“What about you?” He then asked.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“Me? God, I couldn’t list it all if I tried…”

It was mind boggling.

“I just can’t believe someplace so giant exists. And it’s all so different from Earth; Jupiter, its moons, everything! You’re going to have a lot to see.”

[hal900-0]

“I’m looking forward to experiencing it with you.” Hal replied. “-And I believe we have more than enough time for you to list some of the things you’re excited about.” He joked.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“I don’t think I could pick a more perfect crew,” he said.

How sweet was that? I look forward for experiencing it with you.

“But I don’t really have a list. I’d be adding things whenever a new one came to mind!”

[hal900-0]

“I don’t think I could have picked a better one either.” Hal agreed with him. “I’m very happy to have met you and Dave.” He wished he could laugh a little at Frank’s last comment

“Well, I wouldn’t mind that either.” He teased.

[frankpooleunofficial]

They talked for hours about whatever came to mind and, by the time Frank was due to get up, he had already finished two coffees. Hal still let the alarm play, probably just out of habit.

“I’m awake!” Frank shouted.

“Is that your way of letting me know I’m on the clock?”

[hal900-0]

“Apologies. I didn’t turn it off when you first woke up.” Hal said. In truth, part of him wished neither of them had to work. He quite liked his morning with Frank. He’d hope for something like this to happen again.

“I suppose we should get to our work, then.”

[frankpooleunofficial]

“I’m just joking around, don’t worry about it.”

He smiled and stood to start his day.

“Maybe so… but thanks for staying with me. I wouldn’t mind doing that again, even if I do lose a couple hours of sleep.”

[hal900-0]

“I always enjoy spending time with you, but perhaps we shouldn’t cut too much into your sleep schedule.” Hal said. “-But I wouldn’t mind keeping you company if you have trouble sleeping again.”

[frankpooleunofficial]

“Frank?” Hal asked softly. “Are you still awake?”

He already knew the answer. He never liked to consciously check on the crew while they were sleeping, knowing it would be a massive invasion on privacy. He always had vitals at the front of his mind, though, and saw via his heart rate that the man had been awake in his pod nearly all night. With about two hours until Frank needed to get out of bed, Hal wanted to at least try and speak with him.

((@hal900-0

“Mmph.” He groaned into his pillow, lightly nodding in acknowledgment. Frank hadn’t slept a wink all night.

Hal didn’t respond to that, so he figured he’d actually put the effort into speaking for once.

“Yes, I’m awake. Is everything okay?”

[hal900-0]

“No, there’s nothing you need to worry about.” Hal said. Thinking about a way to phrase himself without seeming odd, he paused for a moment.

“I just was worried something was wrong.” Hal admitted. “I can see your heartrate’s been up all night”

“I’ll leave you alone if you’d prefer. I wanted to make sure you’re feeling alright, is all.”

[frankpooleunofficial]

“Oh,” he sighed. Some of the tension left him, and he relaxed.

A particularly annoying repair job was weighing on his mind, something he’d have to spend multiple hours on if it was as bad as he thought. The stress had caused him to be tormented by nightmares, and so he simply hadn’t slept any longer than he had to.

“No, you can stay. I’ve just had a bad dream… That’s all.”

It was nice to know he was being looked after.

[hal900-0]

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Hal spoke. He wished he was better at tonal modulation, wished he could speak a little softer. He’d have to do with just manually lowering the volume on his speaker. “Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“It’s alright…” Frank spoke with his eyes closed, murmuring with his face pressed against the wall. It was a little cold, and his body was far too hot. But he couldn’t remove his blanket, so this would have to work .

“I kept dreaming, like, those vivid dreams where it feels completely real, and there were a bunch of people here that I really didn’t want to see. I needed to get my work done, but they kept talking to me and guilting me into spending time with them. I didn’t have a second to myself!”

He always felt exhausted after dreams like this, and working a whole stressful shift in his sleep and then having to actually go out and get things done was not nice. The frustration was immense.

[hal900-0]

“Oh, that does sound stressful…” Hal spoke. “You have a second to yourself, right now I mean.” He added. “And the chance of you seeing anyone besides Dave is-“ he cut that short, realizing reminding Frank of his isolation was likely not a good idea.

“Apologies. I mean to say that at least m whatever happens later today, at least it can’t be as bad as your nightmare.” Hal spoke. He wasn’t sure if he was good at this emotional comforting sort of thing. He hoped he was.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“That’s very true,” he smiled, eyes still closed.

“I doubt I’ll get to sleep now, so if you’d like to talk…” he let the offer hang in the air. “It’d be better than if we ignored each other. I think I’ll dwell on it too much.”

Hal stayed silent, either thinking or assuming that Frank still had something to say. He did want to talk about it a little… maybe he’d spill about the most bothersome part of it all.

“My dad was here,” his face melted into a frown. “I mean, in my dream. He kept pulling me away from my work, and he was trying to get me to come back home. I told him I couldn’t, that he was crazy, that he shouldn’t even be here, but he just made himself at home. I felt like a damn child.”

Instinctively, he crossed his arms over his chest and buried his face in the fabric as he continued.

“He had you and Dave convinced I was some delusional little girl, and that I didn’t know how to do anything right. I heard it so much that I couldn’t- I mean- I don’t know anything!”

[hal900-0]

Oh.

“I’ve never met this man- your father, I mean.” Hal spoke. “I’d have to be in an incredible state of disrepair to consider the opinion of a stranger, over my own experience knowing you.” He knew that, maybe, convincing Frank that his nightmare wasn’t possible was not the best way to console someone. He couldn’t think of something better, though.

“I know that you’re an incredibly intelligent person, who’s very experienced in his field. Someone who’s strong and confident, and someone whose opinions and expertise I respect.” Hal continued. “I know that my tone isn’t good for communicating this sort of thing, but please know that I’m being one hundred percent truthful in what I’m saying.”

“-And I can’t speak for Dave, but I’m sure he’d agree with most of the things I’m saying.”

[frankpooleunofficial]

“You wouldn’t like him much,” he said.

His father was a man of confusing tastes, one who insisted on having everything go his way, even when he didn’t know what he wanted.

…

That was true; it wouldn’t make sense for Hal to take the opinion of a stranger over his own experiences. He seemed pretty convinced that Frank was capable and trustworthy, and deep down he himself knew that Hal was right. It still didn’t feel good, though.

“No, I hear you.”

It didn’t matter what tone was being used, kind and reassuring was still kind and reassuring.

“Thanks.”

[hal900-0]

“I care a lot about your emotional wellbeing, and I’m not sure I would like someone who seems to make you upset like this.” Hal admitted. He knew it might be overly honest. He wanted to be honest.

Parents were complicated. He wasn’t sure if he fully understood everything about a relationship like that. He was certain no one fully understood that sort of thing. He did feel lucky in the fact that his instructors all seemed to be kind people.

“I want you to be alright. I want to do a good job with this sort of thing.” He added, after processing Frank’s thanks.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“You’re doing a good job already.” Frank was smiling softly again.

Although he was still in a bit of a sour mood, it felt nice to be cared for. His curled up position became less of a way of hiding and more of a consious decision.

“I think I’m feeling better now,” he admitted, “but I just need to keep my eyes closed. If you wouldn’t mind it, can we still talk, though? Anything you want.”

[hal900-0]

“I wouldn’t mind that at all.” Hal said. In truth, he was incredibly bored by his work, which had been very uneventful that whole night. With everything able to be automated, he was happy to be in Frank’s company.

“Though, I wish I had anything interesting to talk about.” Hal joked. “I think just speaking with you has been the most eventful thing to happen tonight.”

[frankpooleunofficial]

“You must get bored pretty often, then.” He murmured, “What are you most looking forward to when we reach Jupiter?”

It hardly seemed real, to think of the world that awaited them. Frank was oftentimes overwhelmed by the mysteries that lay ahead, and he dreamed of one day returning to the Jovian system in his retirement. If the moon and Mars could boast space stations after so little time, then why couldn’t Ganymede, for example?

[hal900-0]

Yes. He was bored pretty often.

“I haven’t seen many natural landscapes, outside of other people’s photographs.” He said. “I find I’m very excited to see something as big as Jupiter, in realtime.”

“What about you?” He then asked.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“Me? God, I couldn’t list it all if I tried…”

It was mind boggling.

“I just can’t believe someplace so giant exists. And it’s all so different from Earth; Jupiter, its moons, everything! You’re going to have a lot to see.”

[hal900-0]

“I’m looking forward to experiencing it with you.” Hal replied. “-And I believe we have more than enough time for you to list some of the things you’re excited about.” He joked.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“I don’t think I could pick a more perfect crew,” he said.

How sweet was that? I look forward for experiencing it with you.

“But I don’t really have a list. I’d be adding things whenever a new one came to mind!”

[hal900-0]

“I don’t think I could have picked a better one either.” Hal agreed with him. “I’m very happy to have met you and Dave.” He wished he could laugh a little at Frank’s last comment

“Well, I wouldn’t mind that either.” He teased.

[frankpooleunofficial]

They talked for hours about whatever came to mind and, by the time Frank was due to get up, he had already finished two coffees. Hal still let the alarm play, probably just out of habit.

“I’m awake!” Frank shouted.

“Is that your way of letting me know I’m on the clock?”

[hal900-0]

“Apologies. I didn’t turn it off when you first woke up.” Hal said. In truth, part of him wished neither of them had to work. He quite liked his morning with Frank. He’d hope for something like this to happen again.

“I suppose we should get to our work, then.”

[frankpooleunofficial]

“Frank?” Hal asked softly. “Are you still awake?”

He already knew the answer. He never liked to consciously check on the crew while they were sleeping, knowing it would be a massive invasion on privacy. He always had vitals at the front of his mind, though, and saw via his heart rate that the man had been awake in his pod nearly all night. With about two hours until Frank needed to get out of bed, Hal wanted to at least try and speak with him.

((@hal900-0

“Mmph.” He groaned into his pillow, lightly nodding in acknowledgment. Frank hadn’t slept a wink all night.

Hal didn’t respond to that, so he figured he’d actually put the effort into speaking for once.

“Yes, I’m awake. Is everything okay?”

[hal900-0]

“No, there’s nothing you need to worry about.” Hal said. Thinking about a way to phrase himself without seeming odd, he paused for a moment.

“I just was worried something was wrong.” Hal admitted. “I can see your heartrate’s been up all night”

“I’ll leave you alone if you’d prefer. I wanted to make sure you’re feeling alright, is all.”

[frankpooleunofficial]

“Oh,” he sighed. Some of the tension left him, and he relaxed.

A particularly annoying repair job was weighing on his mind, something he’d have to spend multiple hours on if it was as bad as he thought. The stress had caused him to be tormented by nightmares, and so he simply hadn’t slept any longer than he had to.

“No, you can stay. I’ve just had a bad dream… That’s all.”

It was nice to know he was being looked after.

[hal900-0]

“I’m sorry to hear that,” Hal spoke. He wished he was better at tonal modulation, wished he could speak a little softer. He’d have to do with just manually lowering the volume on his speaker. “Do you want to talk about it?” He asked.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“It’s alright…” Frank spoke with his eyes closed, murmuring with his face pressed against the wall. It was a little cold, and his body was far too hot. But he couldn’t remove his blanket, so this would have to work .

“I kept dreaming, like, those vivid dreams where it feels completely real, and there were a bunch of people here that I really didn’t want to see. I needed to get my work done, but they kept talking to me and guilting me into spending time with them. I didn’t have a second to myself!”

He always felt exhausted after dreams like this, and working a whole stressful shift in his sleep and then having to actually go out and get things done was not nice. The frustration was immense.

[hal900-0]

“Oh, that does sound stressful…” Hal spoke. “You have a second to yourself, right now I mean.” He added. “And the chance of you seeing anyone besides Dave is-“ he cut that short, realizing reminding Frank of his isolation was likely not a good idea.

“Apologies. I mean to say that at least m whatever happens later today, at least it can’t be as bad as your nightmare.” Hal spoke. He wasn’t sure if he was good at this emotional comforting sort of thing. He hoped he was.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“That’s very true,” he smiled, eyes still closed.

“I doubt I’ll get to sleep now, so if you’d like to talk…” he let the offer hang in the air. “It’d be better than if we ignored each other. I think I’ll dwell on it too much.”

Hal stayed silent, either thinking or assuming that Frank still had something to say. He did want to talk about it a little… maybe he’d spill about the most bothersome part of it all.

“My dad was here,” his face melted into a frown. “I mean, in my dream. He kept pulling me away from my work, and he was trying to get me to come back home. I told him I couldn’t, that he was crazy, that he shouldn’t even be here, but he just made himself at home. I felt like a damn child.”

Instinctively, he crossed his arms over his chest and buried his face in the fabric as he continued.

“He had you and Dave convinced I was some delusional little girl, and that I didn’t know how to do anything right. I heard it so much that I couldn’t- I mean- I don’t know anything!”

[hal900-0]

Oh.

“I’ve never met this man- your father, I mean.” Hal spoke. “I’d have to be in an incredible state of disrepair to consider the opinion of a stranger, over my own experience knowing you.” He knew that, maybe, convincing Frank that his nightmare wasn’t possible was not the best way to console someone. He couldn’t think of something better, though.

“I know that you’re an incredibly intelligent person, who’s very experienced in his field. Someone who’s strong and confident, and someone whose opinions and expertise I respect.” Hal continued. “I know that my tone isn’t good for communicating this sort of thing, but please know that I’m being one hundred percent truthful in what I’m saying.”

“-And I can’t speak for Dave, but I’m sure he’d agree with most of the things I’m saying.”

[frankpooleunofficial]

“You wouldn’t like him much,” he said.

His father was a man of confusing tastes, one who insisted on having everything go his way, even when he didn’t know what he wanted.

…

That was true; it wouldn’t make sense for Hal to take the opinion of a stranger over his own experiences. He seemed pretty convinced that Frank was capable and trustworthy, and deep down he himself knew that Hal was right. It still didn’t feel good, though.

“No, I hear you.”

It didn’t matter what tone was being used, kind and reassuring was still kind and reassuring.

“Thanks.”

[hal900-0]

“I care a lot about your emotional wellbeing, and I’m not sure I would like someone who seems to make you upset like this.” Hal admitted. He knew it might be overly honest. He wanted to be honest.

Parents were complicated. He wasn’t sure if he fully understood everything about a relationship like that. He was certain no one fully understood that sort of thing. He did feel lucky in the fact that his instructors all seemed to be kind people.

“I want you to be alright. I want to do a good job with this sort of thing.” He added, after processing Frank’s thanks.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“You’re doing a good job already.” Frank was smiling softly again.

Although he was still in a bit of a sour mood, it felt nice to be cared for. His curled up position became less of a way of hiding and more of a consious decision.

“I think I’m feeling better now,” he admitted, “but I just need to keep my eyes closed. If you wouldn’t mind it, can we still talk, though? Anything you want.”

[hal900-0]

“I wouldn’t mind that at all.” Hal said. In truth, he was incredibly bored by his work, which had been very uneventful that whole night. With everything able to be automated, he was happy to be in Frank’s company.

“Though, I wish I had anything interesting to talk about.” Hal joked. “I think just speaking with you has been the most eventful thing to happen tonight.”

[frankpooleunofficial]

“You must get bored pretty often, then.” He murmured, “What are you most looking forward to when we reach Jupiter?”

It hardly seemed real, to think of the world that awaited them. Frank was oftentimes overwhelmed by the mysteries that lay ahead, and he dreamed of one day returning to the Jovian system in his retirement. If the moon and Mars could boast space stations after so little time, then why couldn’t Ganymede, for example?

[hal900-0]

Yes. He was bored pretty often.

“I haven’t seen many natural landscapes, outside of other people’s photographs.” He said. “I find I’m very excited to see something as big as Jupiter, in realtime.”

“What about you?” He then asked.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“Me? God, I couldn’t list it all if I tried…”

It was mind boggling.

“I just can’t believe someplace so giant exists. And it’s all so different from Earth; Jupiter, its moons, everything! You’re going to have a lot to see.”

[hal900-0]

“I’m looking forward to experiencing it with you.” Hal replied. “-And I believe we have more than enough time for you to list some of the things you’re excited about.” He joked.

[frankpooleunofficial]

“I don’t think I could pick a more perfect crew,” he said.

How sweet was that? I look forward for experiencing it with you.

“But I don’t really have a list. I’d be adding things whenever a new one came to mind!”

[hal900-0]

“I don’t think I could have picked a better one either.” Hal agreed with him. “I’m very happy to have met you and Dave.” He wished he could laugh a little at Frank’s last comment

“Well, I wouldn’t mind that either.” He teased.