CONTACT 001 // VIDEO

[0perator]

[The manic look of someone very new to Cybertron has faded by the time Alia actually makes her call to the network, but there's still an unmistakable wide-eyed expression to her as the video feed picks up. It's probably not helped by the fact that so many of the inhabitants here so are blasted tall that she's paranoid about being stepped on.]

If there are any Maverick Hunters in the area, please respond. This is Alia. I, ah, could use some company about now.

[She taps the microphone-- decorative, thankfully-- on her headset and sighs.]

Ok, so I'll admit to being new around here. I got the orientation, but... what is there to do around here if you're not fifty feet tall?

Comments

[nobody_number_8]

[OK, now Axel's eyebrow is all the way up there, but he doesn't inquire about that just yet.]

I'm willing to bet that your Axl isn't a Nobody.

[0perator]

What?

Clearly there is some reference I'm missing here.

[nobody_number_8]

A Nobody. An incomplete being with no heart.

...Well, I guess I shouldn't say no heart; Sora says I'm gradually developing one, and I'm inclined to believe him. But still, no proper heart yet, so the distinction still applies.

[0perator]

What does having a heart have to do with anything? Sounds like humans being stupid to me.

That's a new one, though.

[nobody_number_8]

[Axel shakes his head.]

I'm not talking about a physical heart that pumps blood. I mean what lets you feel things, form real connections with people, and generally what makes you you. Nobodies are born without that.

[He lets the comment about humans pass, since he can tell that she's not exactly one. As to what she is though, he's not sure.]

[0perator]

O-kay....

[Skeptical Alia is skeptical.]

Still seems a little speciesist.

[nobody_number_8]

Yeah, I know, it sounds weird, but weird is kinda par for the course when you're something that was never supposed to exist. Just trust me when I say that hearts are kind of a big deal where I'm from.

Now, speaking of different species, if you don't mind my asking, what are you, exactly? I can tell you're not human, even though you kind of look like one.

[0perator]

[Just.. not going to touch that first statement, then. It's kind of crazy to have this metaphorical idea being held more important than empirical evidence.]

I'm a reploid. Your crazy doppelganger would be one too.

[nobody_number_8]

[It's a lot less metaphorical than you might think, Alia, given that it can be ripped out of your chest and turn into a monster, but that would require more explanation than there is a place for here.]

'Reploid'? That wouldn't be anything like a Replica, would it? Cause if there's also a guy called Vexen somewhere in your world making Replicas of people, I'm calling some cosmic shenanigans.

[0perator]

No? We're technically replicas of an advanced robot named X, but none of us are copies or anything, and there's shit in X's hardware that we still don't understand.

[nobody_number_8]

Hmmm... Yeah, you're right; it doesn't sound like the same thing. Which is good, given that Vexen's replica of a boy name Riku kinda went off the rails and tried to kill the original.

[Of course, Axel had had something of a hand in that derailing, but by the point he'd gotten directly involved the Replica really hadn't needed that much of a push to leave sanity in the dust.]

[0perator]

Ew. I don't think I'd like this Vexen person.

[nobody_number_8]

Yeah, he wasn't very likeable; an arrogant, know-it-all jerk who didn't know when to keep his mouth shut.

[Which was why Axel sorta killed him, but Alia doesn't need to know that.]

[0perator]

I was more thinking along the lines of cloning and brainwashing, but that works too.

[nobody_number_8]

Well, yeah, he did that too.

Though technically, a Replica isn't the same thing as a clone. A Replica is essentially a living puppet, a blank physical form. It stays that way until a person's data is transferred into it; memory, appearance, physical abilities, basic personality traits... pretty much everything that's known about that person. Then the Replica copies them, taking on that person's form, abilities, and basic personality.

[0perator]

Sounds like a maladjusted copyroid. Ouch. No wonder he went off the rails.

[nobody_number_8]

With how much crap happened to it... him, in the few weeks he was alive? Yeah, can't say it was that much of a surprise when he snapped. Almost surprised it didn't happen sooner, frankly.

Probly a good thing Vexen never made more than one.

[Even as he says it, something about that statement sounds... off to him, even if he knows it's true. The only successful Replica ever produced was the Riku Replica. He supposed that it was possible that Vexen had made other prototypes, but none of them ever saw the light of day, as far as he knew.

He brushed off the vague sensation of wrongness. It was probably just his developing heart messing with his head.]

[0perator]

Yeah, well, remind me to punch this Vexen guy if I ever see him. I bet karma owes him a few.

[nobody_number_8]

I'm sure you're right. Course, given that he's sorta dead back home, he's probly already paid some of it back.

[Even if, according to Sora, he'd come back as his original human self. Still, being incinerated probably covered a lot of karma points.]

Not that being dead back home ever stopped somebody from showing up here, though, so if he does, I'll remind you.

[0perator]

Thanks. I think.

[nobody_number_8]

[Axel just sort of smirks in amusement, indicating that he was halfway kidding.]

Just be careful if you actually do, hmm? Just like I can control fire, Vexen can control ice. And he's got about as many qualms about using it on people as you might expect.

[0perator]

I think I can manage.

[She does still have her buster installed, and it's probably as bad for organics as fire or ice would be, after all...]

Thanks for the tip.

[nobody_number_8]

Not a problem.

Need any help finding your way to the Hub in the meantime?

[0perator]

Nah. It'll do me good to map the place on my own.

[nobody_number_8]

OK. See ya around, then, I guess.