Code Release 1.0: Error - Network has been disconnected [Voice]

[eyesofargos]

Department of defense code Alpha-seven-five-nine-gamma-two. Priority one. Request immediate connection to Division 6 emergency network. ARGOS biological console reporting in. Catastrophic failure of all network protocols detected. Console has been removed from terminal. Repeat: console has been removed from terminal. Current whereabouts unknown,

Comments

3/3

[grey_of_heart]

... Jeff?

Re: 3/3

[eyesofargos]

[There's a long silence on the line before he replies.]

That is...one of my designations, yes. I am also called ARGOS. Voice analysis i-indicates...Oh God. I know you.

Re: 3/3

[grey_of_heart]

[He receives a long pause in response.]

You... are Jeffrey Levitt. Not ARGOS. You're a man. You're my friend.

Re: 3/3

[eyesofargos]

Gabriel?

[The data still comes to him, though now it has the blurred, imperfect quality that only purely human memory can give. Aliases, crimes, known treasonous activities...He should be listing them. That's his function. But the words won't come. He can't. Instead, he says...]

I'm so sorry.

[...and he doesn't know why.]

[grey_of_heart]

[So many things come rising to the surface of his thoughts. Bits and pieces of years of memories, and of the last time they'd seen each other. Gabriel had sworn he'd get Jeff out.]

[He closes his eyes and breathes deep.]

Shhhh... it's gone now. It doesn't matter. Not anymore.

[eyesofargos]

The...the network. My eyes. My mind. It's all gone. I can't...I can't fulfill my function anymore. I don't know what to do. [He sounds on the edge of panic.]

[grey_of_heart]

Take it slow. Breathe.

[Fuckall, if I ever get back there I'm going to rip it all to pieces--]

[He calms himself as well. Gabriel remembers having to deal with his 'new' abilities, and he also remembers losing them. Like cutting off an arm and a leg. This has to be even worse.]

Do you want me to find you?

[No idea what he can do, but he's willing to try.]

[eyesofargos]

C-confirmed.

[This was closer to what he was used to. Someone telling him what do do. He hesitates a moment before answering.]

Yes. Theoretically, seeing someone that one is familiar with would be beneficial in reducing anxiety.

...

Please.

[grey_of_heart]

[Gabriel ran a hand over his head, through the short hairs of his shaved skull.]

Can you tell me where you are? You might have to go outside and take a look at the house and the street sign.

[eyesofargos]

Please hold.

[There's a long pause, and footsteps can be heard, followed by a door opening and closing.]

Address appears to be 5725 Cunningham Street.

[grey_of_heart]

I'll be there.

[And he is. He must have ran the entire way because he's out of breath when he gets there, not bothering to knock when he comes in. Anyone has a problem, they can yell at him. He has other priorities.]

[So, Jeff, have a thin and pale, scarred up man with an intense expression and a lopsided smile on his face.]

[eyesofargos]

[The man that greets him is equally thin and pale, hugging himself nervously. His gait is clumsy as he approaches, as if he's trying to remember how to walk.]

Gabriel. H-hello.

[grey_of_heart]

[Gabriel doesn't stop with his forward momentum. He hugs the other man, tightly. Sorry if that freaks you out, Jeff.]

[He wants to say 'thank god you're here' and 'I hate them for bringing you here' all at the same time.]

It's good to see you.

[eyesofargos]

[Jeff stiffens as Gabriel hugs him, and when he pulls away, Gabe can see puzzlement on Jeff's face.]

I'm...relieved that you're all right.

[...okay, awkward, but he's trying.]

[grey_of_heart]

[Gabe takes a step back. He'd be concerned, but Jeff seems a thousand times better than when they last met.]

Sorry, mate. Got a bit away from myself there.

Are you... how are you feeling? The last time I saw you...

[eyesofargos]

I was not yet ARGOS. It's been...a long time.

[He frowns as he says it. That...doesn't quite seem right.]

I...think?