(no subject)

[fearmylaserface]

[Well... That trip home had been enlightening. Unless it was some kind of strange dream. And the fact that Allison was gone and he woke up somewhere other than where he'd last been with her...

Besides, he doesn't sleep. Not really. He's an AI. He turns on the comm on video without thinking about it as he looks his body over...]

Yes! I'm not a damn Tonka truck anymore. A definite improvement.

I thought this place was bad for people not staying dead... Actually? I think I'm going to make a point to never assume someone died again. It just bites me in the ass later.  Here or at home.

[Actually focusing on the comm now.] Something really strange just happened... I was home again. I don't know if it was a dream or real, but I woke up someplace else here when it was done and Allison is gone. Has anyone seen her? She's a Pricklemane.

Comments

[allfunandgamesuntil]

Tonka truck? You have got to share this story next time we meet up.

It is good to see you again, brother.

[fearmylaserface]

No. I think I'll pass on sharing that one, York. Too embarrassing. [Never see an AI embarrassed before? Here's your chance.] Just... Glad to be in a real body again.

Delta... You have no idea how good it is to see you again.

[Private to Epsilon]

[allfunandgamesuntil]

From our perspective, you were absent for only two days. Was it a longer absence from your point of view?

[York crosses his arms.]

I guess I can live with that. [For now.] So who's alive?

[Private to York]

[fearmylaserface]

Yes. It was longer.

... I... I'm not sure where to start. [He knows something big this time.]

[Private forever?]

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[Delta glances at York.]

Perhaps with a name?

[Totally]

[fearmylaserface]

... This isn't going to be easy. But...

Thank you for insisting on the documentation with York, Delta. You have no idea how much those journal entries helped.

[He's trying to not throw it down all at once... And Wash is going to be less than happy, either way.]

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[York crosses his arms.]

Church, who did you see?

[fearmylaserface]

Carolina is alive...

oops you broke him

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[York stares blankly for a long moment, then disappears from view. His slightly hysterical laughter is completely audible, though.]

[Delta looks down at York - apparently he is now sitting on the floor - and then back to Epsilon.]

Is she well? ...are you well?

[fearmylaserface]

...

Considering she was dragging me and my friends around on her mission to find the Director for revenge? She's just fine.

And I'm... Coping with the situation.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[York's voice floats up from the floor.]

I knew she was out there somewhere, D. I knew it.

[Delta's voice is soft.]

Yes, York. You always said that you believed Agent Carolina had survived. [He turns to Epsilon.] Is there any way in which I may assist you? I may not be available in the immediate future.

[fearmylaserface]

Of course you did. You said it enough in your journal entries. As hard as it was to sort those out of my memories... They were what she really needed to see.

[shaking his head] No. There isn't, Delta. I have a long overdue talk with Washington... Even if he's an asshole. If you need me for anything, you know how to contact me, brother.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[Delta nods.]

I hope that we can talk again soon. I...

[There's a thud and Delta looks down.]

Hey! No, I'm okay guys...OW! Sparky, that's my face.

I think we will be fine.

[fearmylaserface]

I hope so too. If you have any questions once he's over the shock, let me know.

And I promise... When I go back again, we'll be making the Director pay for what he did to all of us.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

Understood. When that happens, please be careful. Sometimes seeking revenge doesn't end well.

[Delta looks down again when York yelps.]

Is she aware of what happened to York and to myself?

[fearmylaserface]

I'm starting to remember things, Delta... He needs to pay.

And she knew. She was checking the logs of what happened...

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[York scrambles back into view (or at least enough that you can see his face); Sparky is on his back and the hebby repp is resting his head on top of York's like some kind of bizarre living hat.]

Which logs?

[fearmylaserface]

The recordings of the fight when you were killed. She wanted to see that fortress. She didn't know that someone had the brilliant idea to move me to her vehicle.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

...you put yourself in a Mongoose, didn't you? That's the Tonka truck story.

Certain classes of vehicles do allow AI support, York.

A Mongoose, D.

[Guess who isn't ready to address the actual point.]

[fearmylaserface]

I didn't do it. They did it. Said it was a good way to spy on her.

[Yes. That's embarrassment.] And yes, a fucking Mongoose. Shut up.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[York sobers abruptly.]

So where did you get recordings of that fight, Church?

[fearmylaserface]

They weren't my recordings. She was playing that before she knew I was there.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

She must have gotten into the records...that would have been pretty risky.

[York shakes his head.]

That's Carolina all over.

[He shakes himself.]

Thanks for telling me. I'll sign off now; we can work on the knife thing...later.

[fearmylaserface]

Not that hard. I've been in those records. Then again... The security system thought I was the Director.

[nods] When you feel up to it, let me know. Until then, goodbye.