028 웃 VOICE

[secretasshole]

[David does not care about the flood. He doesn't care about the dolls, or the discomfort brought on by someone playing with his, or pretty much anything else people have been posting about over the last few days, because there's something more important going on.

In his opinion, anyway.

He attaches copies of these random conversations, and addresses the ship at large in something like his usual direct tone.]

The network appears to be malfunctioning again.

[And despite his casual tone, he's... curious.]

[Private to Ceres]

Once the flood has passed, I have a matter I would like to discuss with you.

[tl;dr Arthas talked to him.]

[Private to Mira]

[He's still really not sure what to say during something like this - don't hurt anyone feels patronizing and like something he wouldn't have appreciated hearing when he was an inmate - but dammit he is making an effort.]

Are you affected?

Comments

Voice

[voluntaryapnea]

I'm guessing that doesn't happen often? The network malfunctioning?

Voice

[secretasshole]

It happens every few months, although not usually during another disturbance.

Voice

[voluntaryapnea]

[Stiles chews his lower lip for a moment, considering that.]

Is that all that happens? Or is it usually preceding something else?

Voice

[secretasshole]

Usually, that's all that happens.

[Except that one time. That had been bad.]

private;

[heavenlymisandrist]

Why wait?

private;

[secretasshole]

What specifically has he told you about what we've discussed?

private;

[heavenlymisandrist]

That we shall attempt to transfer my consciousness into an empty body, leaving this one to Aya.

private;

[secretasshole]

And did he go into further detail on what that would actually mean?

private;

[heavenlymisandrist]

He did not.

private;

[secretasshole]

In a body relatively similar to my own, your ability to feel emotion would be considerably reduced. I understand human emotions, but do not experience them in the same way you presently do.

There are other differences. You would no longer require food or sleep, and you would process other senses differently. You would become effectively immortal, but potentially require the assistance of others specializing in robotics to repair any damage you may experience instead of being fully reset by a death toll.

private;

[heavenlymisandrist]

These are all things to which I am accustomed. It will not be a permanent change.

[ But let's be real here, Ceres could definitely use a little less emotion. ]

private;

[secretasshole]

Then I'll make my requests of the Admiral once the disturbance has passed. [Just in case he's, you know. Not the Admiral we all know and pretend to slightly tolerate.]

Do you have any specific requests at to what the form should look like?

private;

[heavenlymisandrist]

It is no matter. When I am free of this place I will be myself again.

private;

[secretasshole]

Understood.

[bodilesswarrior]

And, once again, I'm wishing it was an actual network and not - whatever the Barge is actually doing.

[secretasshole]

Have you noticed anything unusual?

[bodilesswarrior]

Not yet, not beyond what people are saying themselves. [Her brow furrows, slightly.] It's possible only some of us are being affected.

[secretasshole]

It's also possible that this is only the beginning.

[bodilesswarrior]

Oh, I'd take that as read. [She sounds more weary than apprehensive.]

If we end up on the mirror barge again - we're gonna need a gameplan.

[secretasshole]

Which you will ultimately have no control over implementing, if you are affected.

[bodilesswarrior]

No, but I've got to hope some of us aren't. [It's likely. Doesn't mean it's a guarantee.]

Your other self - he was an Inmate.

[secretasshole]

Obviously.

It's highly unlikely he graduated.

[bodilesswarrior]

Good. [Robots are a pain in the ass to fight, okay.] ...Granted, "unlikely" is what the Barge does.

[secretasshole]

Good?

[bodilesswarrior]

I get the idea if you wanted to go on a killing spree, you'd be pretty good at it.

Besides, I've fought angry robots. It's not fun.

[secretasshole]

Unfortunately, [Is he joking? He's probably joking.] I was not programmed to be capable of going on a rampage.

[this_corrosion]

Looks fine to me.

[secretasshole]

This isn't the first time it's happened.

[this_corrosion]

Did you try turning it off and back on?

[secretasshole]

That isn't how this works.

[this_corrosion]

Yeah, but you don't really know until you try it, do you?

[secretasshole]

Thank you for your input, Mr. King.

[this_corrosion]

Course.

[exnihilo]

I think so. I feel pressure, sometimes, like I'm being held and moved, but whoever it is hasn't hurt me.

[secretasshole]

Good.

Have you noticed anything unusual, beyond the effects of the flood?

[exnihilo]

[She shakes her head.]

Nothing new.

[The barge is weird, but - nothing new.]

[secretasshole]

I hope it remains that way.

[Even if it's not likely to.]