un: unitA2 (voice)

[abandonware]

[The voice that filters through has the gruff, raspy edge of someone who hasn't spoken in a while.]

I need intel on the monsters on the outskirts. I'll kill them in exchange.

[After a moment:] There's something else that I need. A cloak. It needs to - [an irritated sigh, and in a mutter:] how do I explain this - to be able to offset high temperatures. A heat sink. It'll increase my functionality.

I can do something in return. That's all.

Comments

[abandonware]

Sea monsters. Hm. [Some of the enthusiasm in her voice dims.] That'd be a real pain in the ass to fight. I'd sink without a flight unit.

[Neighboring civilizations, hm. She hadn't known this. This simulation was... alarmingly realistic. That the machine or — whatever it was — would invent conflict in this way makes a cold trickle of unease run down her spine.

She's going to ask about this. But first...]

Viruses. Human viruses?

[melnik]

I don't know, doesn't seem like a problem if you have missiles at the ready.

[ Though maybe she's right that it would be overkill. He can appreciate a little discretion after the way some of the other powered Chosen in this place have decided to lash out.

He pauses, trying to think of the best way to explain what happened in that instance. ]

Seemed to affect just about anyone. It came from someone else's world. Some kind of super virus that turned people into cold-blooded killers. This is the kind of thing that is "usual" for this place.

[abandonware]

[She ponders this.]

Hm. If it harms anyone, I'll go find it.

[She was beginning, if slowly, to change her perception around the idea of killing simply to do so. And although she has her doubts about this AI and its — her — machinations, she can't say that this simulation is unpleasant. Not yet, anyway.

But as she continues to listen, she becomes more uneasy. Monsters were one thing, pushing their way into the fabric of this world. But the virus from her own, the one she'd taken from 9S, she thinks about this as Miller describes this virus he'd encountered.

If it returned...]

... I see. I'll stay alert.

[If it returned, then she would destroy herself. Better that than harming someone.]

[melnik]

Yes, I would suggest that you do.

[ While he has no concept of what this issue means to her, it is undeniably a problem that affects them all, and he expects that most of their interests will align on that. She seems to be expressly straightforward in her intent to go hunting monsters, as well. That's a good sign. ]

Let me know if you end up taking down any of those mutants. I'd be willing to offer you a small compensation for your time.

[abandonware]

Got it.

[The mention of compensation surprises her. It's clear in her voice that she isn't expecting it.] Ah, uh. ... Thanks.

[After a moment:]

Hey. Someone else said that these creatures keep coming back. Is that true?

[melnik]

Sure. No need to thank me. You'd be helping me out, too.

[ It's convenient that it matches her interests already, but he meant it when he said it was important.

Speaking of which... ]

It is... in part, true. A few times there has been an invasion of different creatures. Those ones will disappear. Like they were just part of a shift in the environment. When things go back to "normal," they leave, too. But some of these creatures exist here almost perpetually. I couldn't tell you how they multiply.

[ Probably not in the expected way. ]

[abandonware]

[Very uncomfortable news to hear.]

Hm. I see.

Have they ever all been taken out? Or... [She trails off, her implication clear. In truth, this sounded more and more like the machines. The idea of humanity being stuck in the same miserable nightmare that she knew from her world was... unimaginable.]

[melnik]

At once?

[ Of course he gets the implication, but... ]

No. I'm not sure it's possible. I don't know how much you've heard already, but this place can reset at a moment's notice. It's a program. So I wouldn't put yourself out experimenting unless you have a really efficient way of doing it.

[ Though the leading way he says the last part does seem to suggest he believes that might be the case. ]

[abandonware]

Not possible, huh.

[There's interest in her voice. A challenge. This was better. This was protecting humans. More like beating a score than the endless and miserable drudgery of Earth. The monsters would not scream, nor beg for their lives. They would not blame her for killing their friend, or brother or king.

Good.]

We'll see about that.

[melnik]

Well, if that's what you want. Just don't go getting yourself killed.

[ Not that he can really stop her one way or the other. But if she's going to try it anyway, he would like to know how it plays out. ]

Would you report back if you make any progress?

[abandonware]

[Even offhand concern for her well-being is uncomfortable. She responds, sounding unconcerned.]

I'll be fine. I'm sure I've fought worse than whatever this "AI" comes up with.

I'll keep you updated.

[melnik]

[ He'll take her word for it. At least until he has any reason not to. ]

Okay, good. I'll be in touch then.