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
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.