[3]

[savethedarkness]

[with Bond out in ... space ... what ... well, it leaves M to cool her heels, for the most part, and on her own to monitor the journals for information. the knowledge of her loss is annoying at the very least, but she's got other things to get used to.

like the fact that

her best agent

is

in

space.

she's reading the transcriptions of it all over for at least the third time that day, trying to figure out how it can even be possible, sipping at a glass of bourbon. if anyone in the clinic tries to tell her she shouldn't be drinking on heavy pain medication, well. okay, just go ahead and try.]

I'd heard that things change here, frequently, but I have to admit, none of you warned me about the possibility of only a handful of us being swept up. It's damn inconvenient, if you ask me.

[and then a ghost glides up to her with an envelope on a silver tray. she frowns, and takes it hesitantly] What on Earth --

[she slides out the paper, mumbling to herself as she reads] Financial Consulate of the Zargon Village for -- for FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND CREDITS?!!

[she drops the letter and practically snarls]

DOUBLE. OH. SEVEN. I don't care how many bloody lightyears away you are. Kindly explain. Now.

Comments

[last_rat_standing]

[... well now. He hadn't expected they'd send the bill to HER. He can't help but smirk as he picks up his journal, his free hand going to his ear]

What, precisely, am I to explain?

[savethedarkness]

For starters, why you felt the need to pass the buck along.

[last_rat_standing]

I can assure you, Ma'am, that I had nothing to do with the bill being sent to you. [He smirks] Perhaps they know that I was technically working at the time that they... transported me.

[savethedarkness]

I've already got whatever the clinic charges to contend with, I didn't need you putting me however far in the bloody red this is.

Do they have any alcohol left up there, now, by any chance?

[last_rat_standing]

Seeing as they've begun rationing food? Unlikely. I'm not the only one who chose to partake, as it were.

[He looks around, tilting the journal so she can hear the alarms sounding]

As it's going you may not have to worry about that bill, anyway.

[savethedarkness]

[well that changes things considerably. her sneer untwists itself into a simple frown, instead.]

Well, report, then, what the hell's going on? We'll discuss the rest of the matter later.

[last_rat_standing]

[He drops his voice considerably, keeping an eye out for anyone who may be listening]

They've started canceling events. The rest are supposedly "pending." They say there's meant to be a curfew but they can't enforce as there isn't any light or sound. This entirely thing is getting more absurd by the day. Due to a supposed "budget snafu" they've reduced everyone to one meal a day and it's hardly an appetizing one.

On the face of things they've been trying to assure everyone that everything's fine. In the back end, however, it seems that there are numerous mechanical failures that they're desperately trying to fix. There are lights and warning alarms everywhere back here.

[savethedarkness]

Damn. Sounds like you'd do best to watch your arse. Do you think there's any sort of threat that might be able to ... [Christ, how does she put this]

... follow you back here?

[the way she says it, she's well aware how absurd it sounds, but she had to ask anyway]

[last_rat_standing]

Unknown.

[And that word speaks volumes. He doesn't know what the threat IS let alone if it could come back to the castle.]

[savethedarkness]

[neither of them have ever been known to mince words.]

Find out, then.

[not that she gives a damn about most of the people here, but she just managed not to die, and she'd like to keep that going if she can, thank you very much]

[last_rat_standing]

Yes Ma'am.

[With that he shuts the journal and continues his reconnaissance. What? He's got a job to do. He's not going to waste time saying goodbye on the magic journal thing. He's looked stupid long enough as it is]

[savethedarkness]

[she opens her mouth to say something else, but then she hears the telltale 'paf' of the pages as he shuts the book.

fine, young man.

but we are not done discussing the bar tab.

not by half.]

[last_rat_standing]

[They are if he can help it]

[savethedarkness]

[news flash.

you can't.]

[last_rat_standing]

[HE CAN TRY]

[savethedarkness]

[and he'll get a nice gold star for his efforts. you know the one.]

[last_rat_standing]

[Bloody hell]

[savethedarkness]

[and this is why she is the boss.]

[whistles_the_blues]

You don't like the learn as you go methods this place has?

...Sounds like someone blew the budget.

[savethedarkness]

Oh, I'm used to learning on my feet, it's the second thing that's more the problem.

[whistles_the_blues]

Problems are kind of what this place deals in, something you may have to get used to.

I suppose you could just wish for the credits.

[savethedarkness]

I deal with nothing but problems. These are just a different set. [it's no big deal to her, really... but at wishing for money, she bristles]

And what next, beggars riding? No. I was raised to earn what I need.

[whistles_the_blues]

[He's a wandering robot, money's never been something he's had to worry or care about.]

Shame your "007" doesn't seem to feel the same way. Is that his serial number? Couldn't you have given your robot a better name?

[The code name reminds him of his own serial number DLN 000.]

[savethedarkness]

Ha, double-o, a robot. You couldn't be farther from the truth, I'm sure. As for the designation, it wasn't my making. [and no, she's not elaborating]

[whistles_the_blues]

It's close to the serial number system machines have where I came from. It makes an even worse name for a human. at least you didn't choose it, your taste is off the hook.

[savethedarkness]

It's not meant to be tasteful, it's meant to be secure. His real name doesn't enter into it.

[whistles_the_blues]

In that case, it gets the job done. [He had taken on a new name when he arrived here, he get behind that.]

[savethedarkness]

It does. I've found that "if it isn't broken, don't fix it" is a rather solid maxim.

[whistles_the_blues]

Fair enough. I work under something similar to that, sometimes even if it's broken, the risks that come with fixing it can be too great.

[savethedarkness]

But what of the risks of continuing on with it broken as it is? There are always a number of variables to consider.

[whistles_the_blues]

Weigh the options and consider carefully before acting or choosing not to act.

[savethedarkness]

I always do. I wouldn't have my job if I didn't.

[whistles_the_blues]

Good to hear.

I wouldn't be me if I didn't.

[savethedarkness]

And who might that be, then? [it's as good a way to get an introduction as any, she figures]

[whistles_the_blues]

I've went by Break since I arrived here. [He's not a huge fan of his real name at the moment.]

Or I suppose there's always my serial number; DLN 000, but it's boring. And you are?

[savethedarkness]

Emma. [another with an alias.... how interesting. but wait].... I'm sorry, but did you just say your real name was a number?

[whistles_the_blues]

Pleasure to meet you.

I said I had a serial number, It's hardly what I'd call a name though.

[savethedarkness]

How the devil do you have a serial number, but not a proper given name?

[whistles_the_blues]

Do you recall when we I mentioned that your 007's code name reminded me of a model number. I'm sure you can figure out the rest.

[savethedarkness]

... I've an idea, but it sounds more like something out of an Asimov novel than anything I've ever actually seen.

[whistles_the_blues]

Do you expect any less from this place?

[savethedarkness]

I don't expect anything, I haven't been here quite long enough to have any expectations. I know what I consider plausible, personally, but that's becoming more and more a horse of a different colour.

[whistles_the_blues]

So you don't consider a robot plausible?

[savethedarkness]

Some robots, yes, but ... nothing this extensive. Fully integrated artificial intelligence to the degree that you're displaying quite frankly doesn't exist where I'm from.

[whistles_the_blues]

...It was kind of a new thing where I came from too. Plenty of robots exist there, but only one fully capable of independent thought and will as far as I know.

[savethedarkness]

Yourself?

[whistles_the_blues]

That's what I was getting at.

[savethedarkness]

You made it a difficult point to miss. ... So tell me - and I'm hardly being condescending - why are you the special one?

[whistles_the_blues]

...I'd hardly call it special. Simply the first, a prototype.