hadriel | 011✖; (video)

[From the get-go, almost anyone who knows Rey might immediately sense that something's... off, about her. For one thing, she's activated the video feed, which she just about never does. Second, she carries herself oddly than usual these days. More rigid, her jaw tight. Third, there is a stone cold expression that might startle the faintest of hearts if they're so unfortunate to wake up to this face.]

"Greetings."

[When she speaks, it's even more obvious that she isn't right. Rey is not the 'greetings' type, and her tone is different as well. Her r's roll and her voice is lower. Not that she had a high-pitched voice before, it's just -- different. Those from Earth might even be able to recognize it as a distinctive Russian inflection.]

"I skip pretenses and keep this brief: It would seem our successor designated 'just Rey' has tampered with our memory core. Up here." [As 'Rey' says this, she taps the corner of her head as if to emphasize her point.] "Present designation is Operative Safronov. Is not my desire to be here. This area of operation is successor's purview. Not mine. She messed up brain. I fix it. Is what I do.

"Do not seek us. Not now. Have only vague estimate for damage. Safety could be compromised."

[She pauses, then adds:] "Looking for successor designated 'just Rey's contacts." [i.e. friends? What those are.] "Might help. Might not. I make no promise.

"Apologies for those inconvenienced by this asshole."

[On that rather blunt note, 'Rey' -- or, rather, Safronov, reaches for her device and the screen goes black. Now that she's made her point clear, she wants to minimize any chance of people seeing and discovering her current position.]

[ooc: A quick clarification -- Rey has recently jacked into her own brain to try and fudge some memories, and fudged up herself instead. This will not be a permanent thing. More info here.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

[Sorry bro that's just how she's wired.]

Why would I want to take her place? You must watch too many movies about evil machines.

[Safronov might seem cold on the surface, but she knows when her time has run its course. This is not how she wants to exist.]

... They weren't all movies, but that's not the point... You were her before, weren't you? Why did you stop?

「Maybe hearing it will clear that out.」

We don't "stop". Our time tends to end in death. I was compromised on last mission and forced to self-terminate. Still could be compromised. That is why I must be locked down again. Too much a risk.

[And even Safronov is starting to get the feeling that there are people who would rather not have this Rey end the same way. It's something that Safronov was missing. No one grieved over her loss.]

「There is a bit of silence from his part as he tries for that to make sense. It does, slightly, but it's better than nothing, with the experiences he had with souls taking over bodies... He's not sure what she actually is so, or Rey, in that matter, so cannot compare.

A shiver runs down his spine at how things ended for her.」

Compromised in what way?

Was sent to sabotage quantum processor's hub at Russian location. Would have damaged important communications for synthetic enemies. But it was not success. There was failsafe. I became infected. It sent me to terminate the one who gives me orders. Had to take care of myself instead.

[And that much she already just told Atem, so that's all she wrote right there.

[But hey, look on the bright side:] Our information cannot be deleted. Only locked away. This likely applies to the infection they put in my data. So I cannot stay.

「That infection thing doesn't sound good at all.」

Okay — let's think it's not locked, what would happen?

「He's usually all for optimism, but gotta be prepared.」

Then infection will spread. Our minds corrupt. Become unstable.

[Which she doesn't need to say it, but is bad news bears for everyone all around, especially for those close to Rey.]

Edited 2018-03-05 03:40 (UTC)

「Unstable... more? Wait, no, don't say that. It was only a hard patch, which is why we are here.
But she definitely doesn't need to explain more.」

Got it.

[Get it? Got it?] Good.

If you believe you can help, I send coordinates tomorrow.

[And if not, she'll have to move on.]

I'll wait.

「Yeah, no, if not, he'll hunt her down.」

Hmm... thanks, for doing this.

「She really needs it.」

For doing what exactly?

[Maybe he means the fact that she doesn't intend to replace her successor, even if that was an option for her. But really, Safronov isn't someone who gets praises and appreciation that often.]

Trying to fix things. I guess.

「He knows it's not damn easy...」

[Well then.] Don't have many options.

[And with that, she cuts the feed.]

Edited 2018-03-16 22:15 (UTC)

011✖; (video)

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