03 - #D4AF37

[to_dust]

[The Dalek Emperor transmits in audio only, but there's no mistaking him/them for anyone else-- not with that characteristic modulated, stilted whine of a voice.]

Strictest attention must be paid to the Admiral's announcement of pairings. The inmate designated as Marsh is now a subject of the Daleks. He will not be controlled without the permission of the Daleks. He will not be injured without the permission of the Daleks. Do not intrude. You will be exterminated.

[Private to Marsh]

Inmate designate Marsh, we have studied your file. Come to our chambers, we will speak to you.

[Replies will be from divergentemperor]

Comments

video;

[notdreaming]

You know I hate being told what to do.

[ She doesn't even care, really. She has plenty of other people to mess with. She's just posturing. ]

Re: video;

[divergentemperor]

Your preferences are irrelevant. We suggest attending to your own mission.

video;

[notdreaming]

I bet you do. But my own mission is a whole lot less fun when he's comatose.

Re: video;

[divergentemperor]

Your boredom is irrelevant. It is the sign of an inferior species. Daleks are not bored.

video;

[notdreaming]

Daleks are snobby robots. You're hardly any better than an ordinary clone.

[mistconduct]

Christ. Fucking possessive assholes.

[divergentemperor]

Your input is unnecessary. You are weak. You do not pose a threat to inmate designate Marsh.

[mistconduct]

Fuck off. I'm not weak.

Fucking new warden pricks..

[divergentemperor]

You are the inferior species. Your experience is irrelevant. You are still inferior. Your commentary is irrelevant.

[voice]

[walkingmeltdown]

[Everything snapped out in a rough, angry and impatient growl.]

You can have him. Not like he was one of my playthings to begin with. Or is this just posturing for the mind-readers?

I'd give you my blasted inmate to keep him company, too, if I thought I could get away with that.

[voice]

[divergentemperor]

Your inmate is inferior. We have no use for him. Marsh is of interest. Marsh has been used by many telepaths. He is a subject of the Daleks.

You are interesting. You sustain a nuclear reaction within you and yet you are human. We would like to examine you.

[voice]

[walkingmeltdown]

A robot thinks another robot is inferior? That's...almost funny. Wasn't aware there was a hierarchy in play.

Not this garbage again. [Good thing this is voice though, or the Emperor would see his flinch. One of the few other wardens that regularly makes him nervous.] I've told you, like hell I'm holding still and lying down for you to stick needles in my eyes. Or who knows what else.

You want to play doctor, use someone else as your lab rat. We have plenty of warm bodies.

Re: [voice]

[divergentemperor]

We are not a robot, we are Dalek. We are the new breed. We are built on mutated humanoid life. We wish to understand your biological processes.]

[spam]

[myironeyes]

[He has no idea what to think about this. It's - not unbelievable, from a psychological standpoint, the possessiveness. But it feels far to good to be true. There will be a price for this protection, inexorably. But he's incapable of rejecting it, of even pushing it too hard. He hopes, against hope, against the hollows Kelsier left, that it will last awhile. He doesn't bother to answer before walking briskly - without delay, but also without enhanced speed - to the Dalek's quarters. He knocks once.]

You summoned me.

[spam]

[divergentemperor]

[The throne room of the Emperor is metal. There are no seats. The Emperor himself is flanked by two stocky servitor robots, each an arrangement of six multi-use arms around a central hub like a particularly blocky starfish; not dexterous, but strong, and durable.]

Inmate Marsh, we have reviewed your file. We have questions, we must confirm our observations.

[spam]

[myironeyes]

[He enters, closes the door behind him. Everything is clear and bright in his ironlines, almost too bright.]

I'll answer questions.

[Quietly. He's - behaving. He hates himself for it. But questions are better than experiments, and he'll surrender himself to this strange thing's curiosity if it means not having to dismember any of his friends.]

Re: [spam]

[divergentemperor]

Excellent.

[The Emperor glides toward him, truncated eyestalk looking him up and down.]

We wish to know how much of you remains when you are controlled. We have a suspicion. Are your memories your own. Are your impulses your own.

Text

[fireincarnate]

Subject. What does that mean?

Text

[divergentemperor]

HE IS OUR INMATE

WE REGARD HIM AS OUR SERVANT

DO YOU REQUIRE FURTHER CLARIFICATION

Text

[fireincarnate]

You don't need to shout.

Text

[divergentemperor]

VARIABLE CASE TEXT IS INEFFICIENT

[characterdefect]

You know I'm around if you need a helping hand. Like usual.

[divergentemperor]

Your cooperation is rational. You would make a good Dalek. Have you considered applying for conversion?

[characterdefect]

I've thought about it. Don't think it'd agree with my constitution.

[divergentemperor]

Further experimentation is necessary to refine the process. We require candidates.