[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]

[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.]