references.

[blameful]

tba

Comments

PART FOUR

[blameful]

COUNSELOR: agent washington? agent washington?
WASH: sorry. what were you saying?
COUNSELOR: were you thinking about epsilon again, agent washington?
WASH: no.
COUNSELOR: what happened with epsilon was not your fault, washington.
WASH: i didn't think it was.
COUNSELOR: we have safeguards for the unstable emotional patterns of an artificial intelligence. sometimes these algorithms fail.
WASH: oh. so then it's your fault.
COUNSELOR: we prefer to think of it as no one's fault.
WASH: really.
COUNSELOR: just a possible but rare and unfortunate outcome.
WASH: how convenient.
COUNSELOR: are you having any new feelings about the incident?
WASH: no. just the same old feelings. you know, that i had another person in my head and i got to experience firsthand as their mind unraveled while mixed with my own. that i still have trouble distinguishing between its disintegrating thoughts and mine. you know, the usual.
COUNSELOR: what about the hostility from other agents who lost out on assignments once we suspended the use of implants?
WASH: what about them? am i supposed to feel bad for them or something?
COUNSELOR: do you think you could work with an ai or another agent ever again?
WASH: no, i don't.
COUNSELOR: good, then we have a job for you.

WASH: south! i need you out here now! get over here right now! south! where are you? [ no response from south as she adjusts to delta's implantation into her armor ] south, i need you out here now!
SOUTH: wash, i'm here.
WASH: good, i need help on the left. this guy moves fast, so keep your eyes open. [ no response ] south? you okay?
DELTA: she is experiencing difficulty with my presence.
WASH: how difficult?
DELTA: it should pass shortly.
SOUTH: i'm fine! let's get this guy.
WASH: no.
SOUTH: no?
WASH: you see that ship? you get to it and take off. get yourself, and more importantly delta, back to base. i'll cover you as best i can.
DELTA: wash, is your armor adequately compensating for your wounds?
SOUTH: you're hit?
WASH: just twice, i'm fine. movement on twos. on my mark, sync.
SOUTH: but —
WASH: sync!
SOUTH: sync.
WASH: move! [ moves out and is immediately shot in the back by south and goes down ]
DELTA: alarm: friendly target! cease fire!
SOUTH: calm down. just stacking the deck in our favor. [ approaches maine ] listen to what i'm about to say because you have a choice. wash is dead. i put a timed charge on his body, so if you want his equipment you better get it now. or you can come after us and lose it for sure. so, what's it going to be? chase us in hopes of beating us, or go for the sure thing and find us another day? [ maine retreats to wash ] smart move. [ calling command ] come in, command.
COMMAND: hello, recovery two. what is your status?
SOUTH: mission accomplished, command. we were able to draw out the enemy just as you projected. sending logs now.
COMMAND: excellent news. we will use the data to devise a new strategy to combat it. what is the status of recovery one?
SOUTH: kia. the enemy took him down.
COMMAND: understood. was wash ever aware of your efforts at any time?
SOUTH: negative. he acted exactly as the profile predicted. he even set up the encounter.
COMMAND: return to base. we'll rate you for implantation as agreed.
SOUTH: negative.
COMMAND: say again, recovery two?
SOUTH: negative. you got what you wanted, and i have my ai now. you won't be hearing from me again. goodbye.
COMMAND: south, you know we have other agents. [ silence ] we will find you, south.
SOUTH: it's not you i'm worried about.