touchscreens | First Lance

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First Lance - [video]

[The rat woman who may have been seen atop various buildings across the city appears on the screen, sans hat, looking unsure for a moment before appearing to realize the feed is working correctly. She clears her throat quietly before speaking in a serious manner.]

I have a question for you all, if you would be so kind as to answer.

There seem to be many worlds represented in this city, but I have noticed that there are many from a planet called Earth. I am from the planet Gaia, but I have yet to meet anyone from my world, be it the same or an alternate version.

So my question is: What world are you from, and is it similar to this place we've found ourselves in? I would like to see if there is any correlation between the home worlds of people brought here.

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[Him too. He's wondered that himself.]

Depends on if you think all that's going on is hugging for energy or whatever they claim.

Probably some sick social experiment.

[Or, you know, a special Hell for robots like Deadlock.]

[Well, that gets a pause out of her. A social experiment? What sort of weird things have you been imagining, Deadlock?]

I... am not certain why they would set up such an elaborate ruse for such a thing.

Just because you can't figure something out doesn't mean it's not fraggin' real.

[Deadlock's not smart, so he's learned that from experience.]

[No offense, but...]

I still have my doubts.

Yeah, fine, don't believe me. You'll see.

Besides, you got a better theory?

There may be explanations for the questions I have that are simply above me. [Considering all this technology stuff she's never encountered that still mildly confuses her, it's a possibility.] I am willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. I still intend to seek the truth on my own, however.

[Just so you don't get any ideas that she's some gullible fool, Deadlock. You seem like you have some kind of grudge against those.]

Yeah, just don't expect straight answers from them.

[Because they weren't really forthcoming with him and why wouldn't they tell the large, angry robot the truth?]

I certainly plan to take what they say with a grain of salt, but if everything appears to match up, I do not have any reservations against believing them.

[Sure she's not happy with the kidnapping without permission thing, but she's trying to be as unbiased as possible here. And you'd think possible threats of pummeling by said large, angry robot would be enough to loosen their tongues.]

But if it does not and I learn of whatever is going on first, I will be certain to let you know.

Hnf. That's on you, then. They come up with a slick story.

[He'll grant them that much, grudgingly.]

[Threats and scowls are only half as effective since the city types only respond to Deadlock via text. Anyone can be brave over a comm line. Frag them all. ]

....why?

[He's not used to being offered anything like 'help' however obliquely. ]

[Those cunning jerks, keeping themselves hidden.]

It is as I said; we are in this together. [A brief pause, then just to make sure:] Would you rather I not tell you?

[One day those city types will be in punching range. Then they'll see the Wrath of Deadlock. It will be glorious. And probably messy.]

Hnf. Yeah, but some people seem just fine with being in Hug or Die City.

[Deadlock is not one of them.]

What? No. Just don't....get it.

[Hopefully someone will be there to clean it up.]

Yes, but... [So he wasn't familiar with just plain old camaraderie? She wasn't unfamiliar with loners, but...] I believe the more informed everyone is, the better off we are likely to be.

[Cleanup is SO not Deadlock's job.]

Yeah, good luck finding others who don't want to be here. Everyone seems pretty fine with it.

[Except Deadlock.]

I... [Certainly a cheerful and optimistic one, aren't you, Deadlock? She can't help but be a little exasperated, but she'll just pretend his sarcasm isn't there.] Thank you. I'm certain there must be a few others, at least.

Haven't found many.

[Because of course they'd all come to tell Deadlock, right? With all this charm?]

[He's a real people person. Anyone avoiding him is missing out.]

Even so, it would do no good to give up. [You gotta have confidence!] ... Thank you for all the information. I hope to put it to good use somehow.

[He knows! ...wait a minute. That was sarcasm, wasn't it?]

Do I sound like I've given up?

[Well...] It only sounds as if you're discouraged.

Just a fraggin' setback. I'm trying to find someone.

[Wiiiiiiing, you are making him look bad.]

Someone in particular?

[People usually weren't that hard to find in this place, considering how small the current habitable areas were.]

[There's an unhappy rev of his engines.]

Yeah. Looks like me. Except perky. And a jet.

[Considering she hasn't seen any others like him...] I would think they would be easy to find... You do not think they have been sent home?

[That some kinda insult?]

I've been looking.

[Not so easy to find!]

And he better not have been sent home. Fraggin' jet.

[No, no, you're just... very unique, is all.]

I'm afraid I haven't seen him. I hope that you are able to find him, in any case. [Whether that means going home or Wing is still here.]

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