No One's Listening (closed)

[49]

49 didn't take him seriously at first, when he told her what he was going to do. Based on how he'd spoken to her already, it seemed natural that he would continue to be an ass. He did, though, tell her. And she realized he was being entirely serious.

"I'm guessing it would make sure you didn't survive it's removal. Could you not get a strong doll or two to restrain it in that event? It's only a machine, after all." 49 wasn't necessarily making feasible suggestions. Just suggestions. So he would think, so he would speak.

"Either way, if it can't communicate with its kind, that's a large risk that's been effectively reduced."

[Reuben [92]]

"Tell that to Fable." Reuben replied drearily, giving 49 a lopsided smile. "She doesn't seem to get that part. And yes, I have told her that. Your presence here means she doesn't think I'm telling the truth, and unfortunately for me I have nothing else I can tell her."

At the same time, the light on his shoulder flared a bit, and the machine spoke again. "'Only' a machine. You should let her get closer, then I could show her what a machine could do."

There was a quick, sharp clang, as Reuben had moved to smack the arm against the metal of the cage door, scowling at it darkly. He muttered something, unintelligible except to the most attentive of ears, and the arm was still for a few moments.

"Alright, medic. Fine. How about this instead?"

There was a popping sound and a sickening crack, and a hot, prickling pain shot through Reuben's torso; he was on his side suddenly, one normal fist clenching at his front as the machine arm straightened itself fully and stayed that way, not bothered even slightly by Reuben's frantic movements. From Reuben's point of view, pretty much everything outside of his body had turned to blur, except for a loud, constant sound. It was his own shriek, but he didn't know that.