Sabriel (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
bindsthedead) wrote2019-03-09 01:38 am
bindsthedead) wrote2019-03-09 01:38 am
PSL
There was a time when Sabriel might have been eager to see the inside of Cyberlife Tower. Her class had been to Detroit when she was thirteen, and they'd toured an android factory- or the part of it they showed to tourists, at least- and visited museums and art galleries and all the sorts of things Young Ladies ought to see, but weren't available in the small town of Wyverley, or in Bain.
But Sabriel wasn't here for a school trip. Recent events in Ancelstierre meant that with the sudden loss of all android soldiers meant that soldiers from the entirely human garrison at the Wall had been transferred elsewhere- which meant fewer soldiers watching the border, on top of the losses from Kerrigor's attack, and a necromancer had slipped across, making his way to the largest city that was close enough to the Wall that magic still worked- one that seemed rather different than how she remembered it.
But what was occupying most of her attention was the Cyberlife representative in front of her. Sabriel listened politely as the woman spoke about malfunctioning machines and simulated emotions and how things that weren't alive couldn't die, so why would a necromancer- and from the woman's voice it was clear she didn't believe such things were real- want with deactivated androids?
Sabriel stood up and shook the woman's hand, telling her she'd been very helpful without meaning a word of it, and headed out the office before pausing.
She sensed something ominously familiar- Death, and a recent one at that. She turned another corner, following the sensation as a hound tracked a scent, half-expecting someone to spot her, to see her in her armor and bells (security had made her check her sword at the front desk) and tell her she wasn't allowed to be here.
But no one came, and no one living was in the laboratory she went into- just a dead- (deactivated?) android on a table-or its head and torso at least, with panels on its chest removed to reveal tubes and biocomponents, and Sabriel felt she'd stepped into a morgue and found an autopsied body.
Sabriel was seized by a sudden impulse. If androids weren't alive, then she'd simply waste some time, but if they were... well, she'd have a source of information she could interrogate as she would any Dead spirit. And unlike the representative she'd just spoken to, she could force it to answer honestly and completely.
Decision made, Sabriel undid the straps and drew Saraneth from the bandolier. This far from the Wall, stepping into Death took a deliberate effort, but soon Sabriel was in the First precinct and she cast around with her senses, trying to feel out the spirit of the android- if it had one, it couldn't have gone beyond the First Gate, and probably shouldn't be that far into the the First Precinct.
But Sabriel wasn't here for a school trip. Recent events in Ancelstierre meant that with the sudden loss of all android soldiers meant that soldiers from the entirely human garrison at the Wall had been transferred elsewhere- which meant fewer soldiers watching the border, on top of the losses from Kerrigor's attack, and a necromancer had slipped across, making his way to the largest city that was close enough to the Wall that magic still worked- one that seemed rather different than how she remembered it.
But what was occupying most of her attention was the Cyberlife representative in front of her. Sabriel listened politely as the woman spoke about malfunctioning machines and simulated emotions and how things that weren't alive couldn't die, so why would a necromancer- and from the woman's voice it was clear she didn't believe such things were real- want with deactivated androids?
Sabriel stood up and shook the woman's hand, telling her she'd been very helpful without meaning a word of it, and headed out the office before pausing.
She sensed something ominously familiar- Death, and a recent one at that. She turned another corner, following the sensation as a hound tracked a scent, half-expecting someone to spot her, to see her in her armor and bells (security had made her check her sword at the front desk) and tell her she wasn't allowed to be here.
But no one came, and no one living was in the laboratory she went into- just a dead- (deactivated?) android on a table-or its head and torso at least, with panels on its chest removed to reveal tubes and biocomponents, and Sabriel felt she'd stepped into a morgue and found an autopsied body.
Sabriel was seized by a sudden impulse. If androids weren't alive, then she'd simply waste some time, but if they were... well, she'd have a source of information she could interrogate as she would any Dead spirit. And unlike the representative she'd just spoken to, she could force it to answer honestly and completely.
Decision made, Sabriel undid the straps and drew Saraneth from the bandolier. This far from the Wall, stepping into Death took a deliberate effort, but soon Sabriel was in the First precinct and she cast around with her senses, trying to feel out the spirit of the android- if it had one, it couldn't have gone beyond the First Gate, and probably shouldn't be that far into the the First Precinct.
no subject
"I understand that it can be- hard for some people to believe those things, if they don't have first hand experience, but if the necromancer isn't stopped-" If the necromancer isn't stopped, they'll all be dead, or forced to flee south into human controlled territory. And Sabriel understands now what the humans will do to them.
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Should he tell her? It would give her time to prepare. What would be better, for Connor's friends to have an unfiltered look at her obviously unprepared reactions, or for her to have answers ready to speak concisely?
... If they want a raw reaction, Connor has full faith that his friends can find one. "They're concerned that I might be compromised. I'd told them about the bell after you used it, and some of my actions have seemed puzzling since then."
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"But I haven't done- anything to you! And it's not- not something I could do without knowing I did it!" She'd never used Saraneth on him. And even the first time, with Connor- she might not have known how she'd altered his programming, but she knew Saraneth had put him under her control.
"I- what are they worried about? They can just- ask, and I'll explain everything."
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"... They're worried that you may have deliberately altered my behavior to favor you over my android companions," Connor answers finally, stressing key words as though he's trying to explain something difficult. "They're worried that you're using me, so they're comparing my accounts with the other Connor's, and soon yours."
"They're going to ask you what you've done." He opens his mouth to continue, then pauses, struggling. She's surprised that Jericho would suspect her of using the power she has, like she doesn't know that every human that's ever had power was likely to use it.
"... Be honest," Connor manages. "And don't be surprised if they assume the worst." He considers smiling, but instead narrows his eyes further, frown deepening.
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"But I'm not- I wouldn't!" And Sabriel's not even sure she could control someone with that degree of subtlety, even if she wanted to. He'd said they had evidence of the necromancer before they'd encountered her, couldn't they see how important it was to stop him?
She frowns unhappily as Connor keeps talking.
"I'll be honest," she promises, "And I won't get upset if they assume the worst." She assumes that's what he's worried about- that she'll react poorly if whoever's interrogating her makes an accusation, and do something that will just make things worse.
no subject
"They'll likely assume the worst," he confirms, though it hadn't been a question. "We're at war, and we're fighting for our rights. Every human we've ever met has been out to harm us."
Prompts to cushion the blow of what he's saying weave themselves into his words, remnants from days when he was expected to defer to humans and be adaptive to their needs. Connor plucks the words back out, dumping them in the recycling bin without missing a beat. (The actions are almost reflexive.)
Despite knowing what he doesn't want to say, this doesn't mean he knows what he'll say instead. He's silent for another pause, eyebrows pinching closer together.
"Focus on the necromancer."
... That's not enough. It's maybe a thing to start with, but it can't be the whole picture. (At the same time, Connor's already spent too long speaking. Does she have enough for him to stop without letting the entire mission derail? Would it be better for him to leave even if she's left half-equipped?)
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"Abhorsen's business is with the Dead," she recites, in a tone that makes it clear she's repeating what she's been told before. "So I shouldn't- talk about anything else, because it's not relevant to my responsibilities as Abhorsen. Meddling in anything else wouldn't be welcome. It's just..."
It's what Mogget told her, but Sabriel's not sure if it's good advice outside the Old Kingdom. But Sabriel's not so sure it works here. What's happening between humans and androids is relevant- without countless android deaths at humans hands, the necromancer wouldn't have the makings of an army. And all of Sabriel's attempts at neutrality, well...
"I tried to stay out of things, but all that led to was the army after my head."
no subject
"Don't avoid their questions, that will suggest guilt. Don't ignore anything, the things that happened are important. We're at war, and no matter what the necromancer might do, the humans are what's killing androids now. Just--"
His shoulders are stiff, and he has a hand up to gesture while he talks. He only notices the latter because it brushes the bullet-proof glass between them, and he jerks it back, LED pulsing solidly.
He needs to relax. If the upcoming conversation doesn't go well, he'll renegotiate with North. Together they'll find a way to prevent what might come. Perhaps he should speak with her afterwards one way or another; half of this confusion has been because he hasn't somehow communicated, because he hasn't--
Connor shakes his head, forcing a silent breath out through his nose. His shoulders lower, mimicking relaxation. "You were on the right track before." His lips curve up, and he fights the false expression back down to something flat. His eyes, unaffected by the 'smile', are drilling into her. "Don't be discouraged if they hate you. Be clear about your intentions. Do your best."
no subject
Sabriel can do that, she thinks. It's not like she's much good at lying anyway. Connor- both of them- know that.
"I understand. I need to be patient, and not get upset. But... Do you think they'll believe me?" Connor being on the other side of the glass, rather than a cell, suggests Jericho believes him to some extent, even if they're worried about what they think she might have done to him. But Connor still seems on edge.
"Don't worry," Sabriel reassures him, "I'll be completely honest and hopefully that will settle everything."
no subject
Between the three of them, they have (or can produce) as much proof as Jericho could want about the Necromancer and his plans. They have both Connors' memories. They have Connor-53 and Abhorsen's magic. There's enough credit there that this won't be ignored. What Connor doesn't know is whether they'll trust Abhorsen enough to work with her. There's no other option, if they want to succeed (and survive)--except if things go badly, Jericho might disagree.
... They're going to manage this. For better or for worse, whether Connor has to drag everyone together to reopen questions, or whether Connor has to push his negotiation protocols to their utmost limits. He isn't alone, either--North wants their people to survive, and it helps that Abhorsen is clearly willing to listen.
Abhorsen is human, and she has blind spots the size of Cyberlife Tower sometimes, but--her intentions may help her. Her sincerity is unusual, and it might be enough.
Connor hasn't relaxed, when he finally nods again, but the fidgeting has settled somewhat, and some of the edge in his stare has dulled to something ragged.
"Hopefully it will," he agrees.
He takes a small step back, then pauses almost immediately. "Do you--have any questions, before I go?"
(His loyalties mean he might not answer, if she asks something dangerous, but if patching a hole in basic local information might help the proceedings, then it's simple enough to address.
no subject
The necromancer is a threat- one she's better suited to deal with than anyone else. He's something beyond the android's range of experience, but something she's trained to fight. Better to have her deal with it than risk his friends deaths.
"I don't have any questions, but- Thank you," she says instead, a grateful smile tugging at the corner of her lips, "For helping me. Even though you don't have to."
no subject
Connor's own reaction comes slowly, only after he evaluates it and cross-examines his own reasons for responding in kind. When he finally does, though, the corner of his mouth pinches up. It doesn't transform his face, and indeed it seems like he's figuring the motion out at all.
His tone, at least, sounds like something subtle and sincere in it has lightened.
"Thank you for listening," he says, then pauses, as though not sure where to go next. "... We'll work this out, and then we'll finish our mission."
Can he really promise that? Should he have promised that? Too late now. Feeling less stressed by the questions than usual, Connor shoves them to the side, inclining his head slightly.
"I'll check in once I've followed up on some contacts," he says, turning to leave.