5. [Video]

[brodakota]

[Theta's turned the communicator on again. He's got some stuff on his mind, and he decided to wait until North was asleep to deal with it, though he'll be telling him about it later.

However, it's hard question to ask, so he's dithering about it. And the best way he knows how is to work on another hologram.

There's a holographic Meow Wow bouncing around on the screen. It's a bit rough, but overall pretty satisfactory. He's pretty proud of it.]


[Private to AIs]

Uh...hey...guys. I, I need to ask you guys a question.

Comments

Private to Theta

[brodakota]

[If any AI has managed a way to look completely unsure about something, Theta is that AI. His hologram is kind of dim.]

Uh, hi Epsilon. Well, uh, North was wondering about something, and well, I, uh, I want to try and help him out with it.

Private to Theta

[fearmylaserface]

Depends on what the question is. [If Theta's uneasy, Epsilon is worried.]

I don't want to test Wash's promise to kill me if I piss him off. Okay?

Private to Theta

[brodakota]

Okay. I wouldn't tell him or anything.

[Of course he's going to tell North, and well, it would be very roundabout.]

We were kinda wondering about the future. And what happens. North knows it's something bad, but...

Private to Theta

[fearmylaserface]

Theta... You know I promised the asshole I would tell you guys... And he's probably still pissed about what I told York.

Private to Theta

[brodakota]

I know but, if we know, North thinks that if we go back, we might be able to stop it. Or fix something.

Private to Theta

[fearmylaserface]

Theta? I...

I don't think it's possible.

And if Wash finds out I told you anything, I'm dead. You didn't see him last time I talked to him.

Private to Theta

[brodakota]

I can keep a secret, and so can North!

[Except for the fact that he can't really.]

We gotta do something.

Private to Theta

[fearmylaserface]

I don't think you could keep a secret like this, Theta. And I don't want to put you through that stress. It's really bad.

Private to Theta

[brodakota]

I could!

[He really can't. Even with North's help.]

I gotta do something!

Private to Theta

[fearmylaserface]

Theta... Do you want me to break a promise I made to someone who would kill me for it?

Private to Theta

[brodakota]

[That makes Theta think]

No. Sorry Epsilon.

[He gets North's frustration now. Why don't people want to tell him anything?]

Private to Theta

[fearmylaserface]

I'd tell you if I could.

Private to Theta

[brodakota]

Why doesn't he want me and North to know everything?

Private to Theta

[fearmylaserface]

Because Wash changed from the one you knew back home.

Re: Private to Theta

[brodakota]

[Theta dims, even more if that's possible.]

I know. It bugs North, a lot.

Private to Theta

[fearmylaserface]

I know, Theta. It'd bother me in his place.

Private to Theta

[brodakota]

Is there really nothing we can do about it?

Private to Theta

[fearmylaserface]

I really don't know. I wish I did.

Private to Theta

[brodakota]

[Theta nods.]

I know.