Spy Tech, Class Two (17 Jan)

[mi6-m.livejournal.com]

Wednesday, January 17, Period 1

The only change in the classroom from last week is the presence of several boxes set on the floor near M's desk. The professor herself is standing near the projection screen, and addresses the class once everyone is seated.

"The first order of business today is to remind you that I require some manner of written excuse for any failure to attend class. Failure to attend class or to supply a valid excuse will result in disciplinary action."

A slide appears briefly on the screen:

CLASS ONE: ABSENCES

SCHRODINGER

LECTURE: "We begin our examination of espionage technology with what is probably the first item that comes to mind when you think of spies and gadgets -- the camera." As she speaks, slides appear on the screen to illustrate the lecture. "Cameras have evolved a great deal over time, and in the field of espionage they continue to prove extremely useful. Inventors have developed cameras that work underwater, from a distance, are miniaturized, can be hidden inside an item or article of clothing, and that work under intense light or low light conditions."

M pauses in the lecture and instructs Nadia to open up the boxes and pass around the items inside. "These infrared cameras -- and you'll each be receiving one on loan -- are designed to take photographs in complete darkness, without the benefit of a flash. This is a particularly useful item, as I'm certain you can imagine. The bright light from a camera flash would make a typical camera useless in situations which require the photographer to remain unobserved in a darkened room."

DISCUSSION: "Share with the class your ideas on how cameras are used in espionage, and why the industry can't make do with the ordinary cameras you can buy at the mall."

ASSIGNMENT: "Your assignment for next week is to take a minimum of five photographs with the infrared camera. Keep in mind two things: first, that these photographs must be taken in complete darkness, or they will not develop properly. Second, any obscene photographs that result from this assignment will earn you an automatic F for the class. And trust me, you're not going to be able to doctor the film to avoid being found out. You will turn in your cameras, film intact, next week, and I will have the photographs developed. If you have any questions about how the cameras work, please ask before you leave class. Also, remember to turn in your essay assignments from last week before leaving."

[ooc: If your character is from a time/world where they would have no idea how to work the cameras, ask M or the TAs to demonstrate. Also, for goodness sake, PLEASE get permission from any charcters you attempt to photograph for the assignment! Please to be waiting for OCD is now up!]

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Comments

Re: Discussion

[apocalypsesoon.livejournal.com]

"Can be used for detecting something buried, or to get accurate data on oil derricks and stuff. Digicam and plastic housing works."

Re: Discussion

[mparkerceo.livejournal.com]

"True," Parker said, thinking. "And I suppose anything that might be hidden..."

Re: Discussion

[cat-in-the-box.livejournal.com]

"There's also cameras that might be used to detect certain things about a person if they're advanced enough. Or used to identify persons that seem important later, when memory isn't reliable enough to describe someone."

Re: Discussion

[bound2blade.livejournal.com]

"Any details, really, not just about people," Setsuna put in, a bit nervously, feeling out of her league because this was way different from any of her usual methods. "New and important details about a scene can surface when carefully observing an image of the scene that you simply look right over when you're physically there. Of course, even a photograph can be decieving at times, so it's important to remember that."

Re: Discussion

[misshargrove.livejournal.com]

"...And wouldn't certain cameras with those types of functions be able to record sound? It would and could be highly beneficial to get up close and personal without really getting up close at all. Of course, I would think this sort of equipment would be very hard to come by, and not your everyday Joe could walk around obtaining one. Special consideration is given these types of cameras, and I would think only certain goverment officials trained in espionage would be allowed to handle them, and handle them correctly and for specific operations."

Re: Discussion

[cantgetnorelief.livejournal.com]

"Well, yeah, that's not the sort of stuff you want just anybody running around with," Anders agreed. "Especially here. Lords know the frakking squirrels give us enough trouble."

That was about the extent of his useful contribution for the day, really.