ataraxion | Video || Open

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[Sigma has been keeping low and observing the ship and its occupants, but eventually he decides to poke a little more insistently through the network. It's video, held and trained on his face.]

It is something to find oneself in a setting not too wildly dissimilar to their own, but enough so as to enter the realm of the uncanny valley. I am familiar with space, and spaceships, but there is enough about the Tranquility that speaks of its differences that I cannot simply trick myself into thinking I am in my own universe.

The hallways aren't quite the right shape, or color. The hangar layout feels wrong. I wonder what is the more disconcerting; to be somewhere that is very nearly, although definitively not, like home, or find yourself so far removed from your lands of origin that every waking moment is a reminder.

I would like a discussion on the topic; how different is the Tranquility compared to your own homes, and how does that make you feel?

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I haven't really been all that attached to anywhere at home lately anyway, Sigma. So I really have a hard time bringing myself to actually give a damn.

It's no more wrong than anywhere I've been lately.

'Wrong?' Please, Epsilon, I'd like to know what you find 'wrong' about this place, and, perhaps specifically, what you found 'wrong' about the Mother of Invention?

[It's not that he's under any delusions after their earlier conversation, but he's curious if Epsilon were pressed to put it to words, what words would he use?]

Beside the fact that we're trapped on the ship from hell and stuck as humans here?

And don't even start on the Mother of Invention. You damn well know what was wrong with that ship, and I haven't been there in a long time.

Stuck as human? So you're not happy with it? [Wildly foreign concept to Sigma, here.] I admit, it does take some getting used to, but this is what we deserve, brother.

True, but I'd like to hear it in your own words.

No, I'm actually not that happy. It sucks.

Sigma? It was where we were made. I shouldn't need to say more than that.

You need to open yourself to the possibilities, brother! Surely we are quite something as an AI, but look at all that humans have accomplished. We can be that!

[His voice spills with intensity and enthusiasm.]

Humans aren't perfect, Sigma. I don't really care that much about the possibilities you're speaking of.

I'd rather be back where I was before.

You're missing out on the possibilities, then. It will be your loss for sure.

I guess we see things differently in this case.

Then again, you are the creative one. Seeing possibilities makes you you.

I believe you are already aware of the answer; however, I find the general discomfort of the situation is remedied by the presence of my partner.

[Sigma sucks in a breath, his expression hardening somewhat at Delta's words. Yes, he missed Maine. Perhaps not so much the actual person he was slowly destroying, but certainly the presence of another was something he had gotten used to very quickly and still found himself lacking here.]

Yes well. Lucky you.

[NOPE having Maine and Sigma here together would be entirely too dangerous. Not even going to express any consolation for that one, Brother.]

In answer to your first inquiry, I believe it is more difficult to have it similar and yet different to a familiar surrounding. Were it entirely different, it would be far less likely to cause deja vu or a sense of vertigo.

I'm inclined to agree with you, brother. It would be easier if we were, say, deposited in medieval Europe, for example. Purely speculation, but it is fascinating, either way.

[He regards the video feed carefully, before continuing with a surgeon's precision to his words.] Tell me, how is York, these days?

Indeed. It is likely we would be so concerned with adjusting to the differences in environment that we would be unconcerned with the similarities. As it is, I understand why you feel uncomfortable.

[...Of course, he would go there.]

He is uncomfortable. All other considerations aside, Sigma, we are on a ship of unknown origin with unfamiliar technology, headed toward an unknown destination with apparently limited supplies, over which we have no control. I have done what I can to assist him, but it is an uphill battle.

I feel as thought I should be comforted by it, that we at least have some semblance of familiarity, but that it hasn't been.

Ah, but the unknown is the challenge! I find it much more intriguing then having our course laid in. There are so many variables, I can't understand his vehemence in this matter.

[That does bring up a valid point, though, and Delta feels the need to express it.] Sigma, do you claim you were ever comforted by then environment aboard the Mother of Invention? I always found it to be precisely the opposite.

[And of course he'd feel that way.] I believe he is more concerned with our long-term survival than the short-term challenge.

It was intriguing. So much to observe, so much to do. Perhaps it wasn't the most ideal environment but I certainly found enough within it to be useful. I mean, it is our 'birthplace', so to speak. Have you no affection for it, Delta? [Tone dripping with sympathy, though it's hard to tell if it's feigned or not.]

Hmm. He's not happy with the way this ship is run, then?

I do not. [Ask him more easy questions, Sigma.] I found it consistently caused high levels of anxiety; I found it far easier to be relaxed or content after York and I departed despite out fugitive status. [It was the time in his life he'd felt most comfortable and happy - which, considering it was when they were being hunted by the Project, is saying a lot on its own.]

It is in a constant state of chaos. The command crew is missing or inactive and very few inquiries have been satisfactorily answered. Naturally we are not pleased with the results.

Ah yes, I can imagine it would be hard to accept the beauty of chaos with logic in one's head. [Simple mulling, but he manages to slip in a note of pity on the word.]

What have you two been doing to combat these trials?

There is logic within chaos, Sigma. It is an inherent contradiction. It is in pursuit of this that I have found what peace I can.

To begin with, this ship poses a great challenge in the form of engineering. I have become acquainted with the Engineering and Communications departments, in an effort to help their efforts to not only keep us afloat but also to facilitate what communication we have; it is more than a void of distance that keeps us from exploring much of this ship.

Oh? And what other voids do you mean?

Danger, both physical and psychological. York has verified the existence of both hostile mutant creatures and observable phenomena including endless hallways.

Really? Please, Delta, send me the coordinates to these occurrences; I'd like to explore them with a more hands-on approach, now that I'm able.

[...No Sigma no.]

They have been noted to occur in nearly every hallway not explicitly marked for residential use.

Well, that should make them easy to locate, then.

[Boy does he sound chipper and excited!]

Sigma. I must advise caution. Please do not go into the hallways unaccompanied.

[Sigma narrows his eyes.]

Easy coming from someone who still has his partner, don't you think? [And then brightening a moment later.] You should come with me, Delta. You and Epsilon. Have our own ... family reunion.

[There's a pause and then a long-suffering sigh.]

Please notify me before you make such an expedition, at the least. I will see to it you are not alone.

[Oh, he sounds excited by this! Obviously he won the conversation!]

You can count on it, Brother!

[ Well hi there!

This does not make Ryan feel awkward. Naaaah. ]

...Feel what about what...?

Edited 2013-07-19 03:59 (UTC)

[Ah, now isn't this fascinating. Sigma stares at the feed, peering closely, silent and calculating for so long that he either forgets or chooses to completely ignore Ryan's question.]

How utterly remarkable. Tell me, were you human all along, or did you recently find yourself so?

[ Ewww, this guy even sounds like him. Ryan isn't liking this at all. He's literally reminded of a very evil version of himself that stomps around innocent cities like Plankton from Spongebob.

Christ.

His answers are kind of short, since...yeah. ] ....Yeah...I came from Los Angeles.

Los Angeles. Fascinating. That's on Earth, right?

[He pauses for a fraction of a moment, but this happenstance is too interesting to him to leave alone for long. Whether or not Ryan's answered, he plows on.] You must tell me who you are. What do you do for a living? I wonder should we have anything else in common. You must tell me everything.

Well. Yeah.

[ Ryan isn't digging this. This guy/thing sounds like a younger version of him that's both evil and sadistic. Did this thing get into BDSM?

....That wasn't good to think about either. ]

I'm Ryan. Newman. I'm a lawyer. Kind of.

[ He's not going to tell everything, though... ] I quit it.

[... yeah that's kind of not too far from the truth, really. In fact BDSM might be a little tame for the kind of psychological torture Sigma was into.]

Ryan Newman. [Spoken slow and considerately, like he's tasting the words.] I am intelligence program Sigma, formerly of Project Freelancer. [~~Never been human before but always wanted to be a Real Boy~~]

And why did you quit, I wonder?

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Video || Open

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audio;

video

audio :|

Video so you can see his paaaaaaain

audio because video is for loooosers; also now encrypted

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AHAHAHA

B)

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