❧ i n b o x

[abheirrant]

—pposed to know when to start speaking? That wasn't a very thorough explanation on what I'm to do this, now was it? Hello? Hello? Are you listening to me? Are you even still ther— [beep]

Comments

voice;

[vosseeker]

[ After being informed of this public conversation on the network... ]

"Constructs."

[ The way he repeats Carlisle's word, rolls it around like it's something pestilent. ]

You're playing a dangerous game.

[audio]

[abheirrant]

[Uh oh. It's a good thing this isn't a video call, or Starscream would get to see the look of utter terror on Carlisle's face as he puts together just why he might be getting this call. Despite that, he feigns ignorance.]

I don't know what you're talking about.

Re: [audio]

[vosseeker]

[ Starscream's tone is honeyed and poisonous. ]

Oh, I think you do. "Beings who are constructed" ring any bells?

[abheirrant]

[He does not like that tone one bit.]

Er, yes. That... is how I would generally describe constructs, as they... usually are.

[vosseeker]

And yet your advice didn't imply anything about "usually", did it?

[ It's phrased as a question, but it's definitely not a question. ]

The little automatons scurrying around the colony are constructs. The thing that serves drinks in the bar is a construct. Programmed things which do whatever task is set for them and are unable to think for themselves. They are tools. Glorified appliances.

And yet you, Carlisle, seem determined to classify anyone not made of meat into that lowly category.

Do you know what I did to the last body of authority who decided I was lesser based on my making?

[ Starscream's voice is disturbingly persuasive. ]

Go on. Guess.

[abheirrant]

I- I don't much care for guessing games.

[He's doing his best to keep his growing apprehension out of his tone, but it's there. It's definitely there.]

[vosseeker]

No? That's a pity. Perhaps you'd prefer an in-person demonstration.

You are, after all, not difficult to find.

Because I believe we might need to have a discussion about clearing up a few of your... misconceptions. That's the polite thing to do, isn't it?

[abheirrant]

No no no no, I- I don't think a discussion or demonstration are necessary. I wouldn't- I wouldn't want to waste your time further, of course.

[A beat, and because he can't contain his paranoia:]

Am I really that easy to find?

[They haven't met, have they? This fellow can't possibly know what he looks like. Then again, Kabal found him pretty easily that one time, and he is rather... distinctive. Anyone who saw him once would know who they are looking for. There aren't many other people who are covered head-to-toe nearly all the time, after all.]

[vosseeker]

[ All the playfulness drops out of Starscream's tone in an instant, like someone's flipped a switch. Suddenly his voice is frigid and flat. ]

I insist. Since you are determined not to recognize the inorganics here at the same level of sentience as the rest of Anchor's population, the only reasonable way forward is to consider you a threat... and to act accordingly.

[abheirrant]

[That didn't answer his question, which does not bode well. Carlisle's nerves continue to bleed into his tone.]

I- I never said you were incapable of sentience. Or even th-th-the same level of sentience.

[vosseeker]

That conversation says otherwise.

[abheirrant]

I fail to s- see how.

[vosseeker]

Wrong. Answer.

[abheirrant]

I do not know what you want me to say! It's- it's obvious you're sentient, even if you are constructed!

[Someone just hand the man a shovel so he can dig his own grave.]

[vosseeker]

[ the silence across the line is positively brittle with threat ]

"Even if."

One moment, I do believe we need to continue this conversation in person.

[ Carlisle run. ]

[abheirrant]

[Uh oh. Carlisle stares at his phone another two or three seconds, as though the construct robot individual on the other end might change his mind. When he doesn't, Carlisle finally manages to find his voice long enough to respond. It squeaks unpleasantly as it is drawn from the back of his throat.]

No, thank you.

[And with that, he's going to hang up, then go hide in the corner of the barn until the end of time. The cow with one horn that hangs out in there will keep him company.]