ataraxion | [voice]

[HAL's voice isn't the usual pinnacle of polite, non-invasive and slightly emotionless speech it usually is. This time, when he talks, he sounds worn out and tired and a little melancholic, which isn't his normal state in the slightest.]

I thought it would be best to let the network know that I am going to go for a walk.

It may not be the best time, considering recent developments, but I don't think I'll be going extremely far, or for very long. There is still a good chance that I may take longer than a few days to get into contact with the network again, however, and so I wanted to make sure that nobody would worry. I will be perfectly fine by the end of it. I think, in these situations, it's best to take a step back from things and clear your head before re-approaching.

[He's got a very good feeling that he will not be fine at all, but he's ever the people-pleaser, even when he's upset with his life.]

Um. [That's definitely new. But HAL surges on despite the fact that he's not very sure what to say,] If you happen to hear this, Wheatley - I. ...I am very sorry.

[But he doesn't go on past that.]

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[HAL takes an equally long time to respond, because... he's not even sure what to say.

So he goes with what he feels is safest.] I hope that your procedure goes well, if I'm not available when it happens. You're... [this is really hard.] You're lucky, to have the technology available to recreate your previous chassis. I hope you know that.

[because being human SUCKS NOW.]

[I TOLD YOU, MAN

EVERYTHING SUCKS]

No, I--I know. It's going to be fine.

[But it sounds like he's saying it more to convince himself than anything.]

If it works--and...and it will, absolutely positive--we can still--

[This is probably THE MOST HE HAS EVER PAUSED IN HIS ENTIRE ARTIFICIAL LIFE.]

If you change your mind.

...I don't think it would be wise for me. Any more, that is. [He can't bear to actually say I've been compromised, but it's right there on the tip of his tongue. He notices Wheatley's attempts to convince himself, but he doesn't say anything.]

Ah.

[He can't say he isn't disappointed by that, but he at least knows better not to press the issue.]

Well, it's not like...the offer's going anywhere. I don't think it is, anyway. I don't see why it would go anywhere...

[And he trails off at that, sort of wondering if he shouldn't switch to video because there's something to be said for face-to-face communication when this seems like the last they'll speak before HAL goes soul-searching and Wheatley shoves himself in a metal beachball, but--]

Don't--don't get lost, okay?

...I won't. I'm going to be very careful about it. Hopefully, I'll come across some information or location that may be useful in our current situation. [It's clear that's not at all the reason he's doing this, but at least he can pretend.]

I mean it. I just--Are you feeling better, at least?

[It's kind of a dumb question--Wheatley knows HAL isn't feeling better, or he wouldn't be taking some kind of weird walk into the bowels of the ship while Mr. Red Smiley is making hit lists. It's just a much easier question to ask than do you know what's wrong with you.]

I... [HAL doesn't know how to begin to respond to that. He's not sure. He feels better - mentally, maybe not so much, but there's no more pain, no more tumor...]

I'm not sure how I feel right now.

So you're going to...take...a walk.

Yes.

I guess I will...see you when you get back, then.

...Yes. I hope everything goes well, and I will see you when I return.

Right, uh.

...Bye.

....

[maybe he shouldn't go maybe he should wait and make sure everything goes well with wheatley's procedure what if something happens and this is the only time -

He exhales slowly.]

Goodbye, Wheatley.

[There's a brief silence before the transmission cuts out completely, a silence that should probably be filled with something better than "bye, because "bye" is totally lame and uncaring but is he even built to care?

Who even knows, man.]

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