[Video] Arrival of A Terminator

[unclebob]

[At first glance, the face on the screen looks handsome, though perhaps a little intense. Staring off into the distance, the Terminator holds the locket in a fragile grip, like he’s afraid he might break it. Then he turns his face into the camera’s view and the once-handsome features turn into a nightmarish looking visage. The right side has mostly been ripped away, revealing the metal skull and glowing red eye beneath the bloody organic covering. He looks like he's been put through the ringer and no mistake. A fairy hovers in and out of the video, occasionally perching on his shoulder. He keeps shrugging it off. With only one working hand, he can't swat the little pest away.]

Is this device working properly?

[He doesn't wait for an answer. If it is working correctly, he'll know soon enough by the response he gets. The Terminator stares off again, turning the locket so that whoever’s watching gets a good shot of what he’s staring at: the flowery barrier between the Station and the rest of the Drabwurld.]

I cannot cross.

[His voice is flat, but underneath, there’s a current of wonderment. He’s never found anything able to keep a Terminator in check before. To have it happen now is a curiosity that he wants to explore further. He takes a few steps more, until he’s right at the edge of the line, but he doesn't cross over. He's had enough of the sensation of glitching and his systems shutting down for one day, thank you very much. He stands there, far too still to be natural, like he's waiting for the barrier to just disappear and let him cross. Hey, in this place, anything could happen.]

Comments

[duplicitoussight]

That's an awful situation.

[He hmms.] Don't you think it's probably the work of that fairy following you around?

[unclebob]

[He turns his head to glare at the little creature. It gives an alarmed squeak that can be heard over the locket and shakes its head no in a vigorous manner. Well, that settles that for the machine.]

I do not think so. A theory has been put forth that it has to do with the magic in this place.

[duplicitoussight]

[Right. Now that he thinks about it, his cell phone hasn't been working. It wasn't that he wasn't getting no service--rather, the device won't turn on at all.]

... so fairies really are tricksters. How mean of them to bring something like you here. You're not really useful like this, are you?

[unclebob]

Yes. It is of no concern. I am in need of maintenance before I can fulfill any purpose.

[He'll spare Kano the details. His intuition tells him this particular human won't like hearing about how he's missing an arm in addition to what's going on to his face.]

[duplicitoussight]

In that case, don't you think you should ask your dear monarchs for help? You know what side you're on, don't you?

[unclebob]

Seelie. [The Terminator frowns. He's been a protector his entire existence, one who gave help instead of asked for it. It had never even occurred to him the monarchy might be able to help his problem.] Do you think they would have enough power to solve the problem?

[duplicitoussight]

[That's a little unexpected, but he supposes that appearances aren't everything. After all, considering that Mary of all people was Unseelie...]

But of course! If they brought you here, they should be able to fix you, don't you think? You'll have to start winning their favor right away.

[unclebob]

Shouldn't be too difficult.

[Even though he's got very little in the way of an idea on how to do that. It can't be any harder than the last few carnage-filled days of his existence.]

[duplicitoussight]

I'm glad to hear that.

Ah, by the way... do you have a name?

[unclebob]

No. Some here call me Terminator.

[No prizes for guessing the origins of a name like that!]

[duplicitoussight]

[Ah...]

I see. Is that your purpose?

[unclebob]

It was my purpose. But not anymore.

[duplicitoussight]

... so what would your new purpose be?

[unclebob]

I don't know.

[A first for the Terminator. He's always had a clear and direct purpose.]

Perhaps it is fighting in this new war.

[duplicitoussight]

[There's a pause.]

If you'd like, I could help you figure that out!

[unclebob]

Are you always this interested in helping other people?

[duplicitoussight]

Hey, what's wrong with offering a helping hand, huh?

[unclebob]

Nothing. I rarely see people who care enough to help others.

[duplicitoussight]

[In all honesty, this was more out of self-interest than genuine worry. A robot might be a useful friend to have around--that's what's going through Kano's head. But the Terminator doesn't need to know any of that.]

... people considered "unnatural" or "weird" should help others like them. That's what our group's "mission" is.

[unclebob]

You're considered "weird" or "unnatural"?

[The Terminator wonders why. There doesn't appear to be anything physically unusual with Kano.]

[duplicitoussight]

Adults can be reeeally harsh towards kids, you know! [He laughs.] Ah, but forget it, just think of it as a surprisingly kind act.

[unclebob]

[The Terminator feels like there's more to the first half of what Kano says, but he doesn't press.]

I will. Kindness is rare to find where I am from.

[duplicitoussight]

Great, great! I'll come visit you when I can. You'll recognize my voice, won't you?

[unclebob]

[The Terminator nods, then realizes he's still on the audio setting.]

Yes. I will.

[One of the advantages of having a CPU for a brain is that he never forgets.]