text + ad

[a_shadow]

I.

I'm not asking for anyone's help making this decision, but I've got a big one that dropped in my lap, and I'm thinking about the whole process now. You know—dealing with the whole 'this is going to affect me for the rest of my life' thing.

It's not fun.

I think I know what I'm going to do, but pulling the trigger, so to speak...it sucks.

II.

[ Several minutes later, a for sale ad is sent out from Tex's network address: ]

For sale: 2 android-style robots. These are empty shells without any sort of intelligence included. 1 suit of Freelancer armor. Cobalt blue. Sniper rifle not included. Prices on these items are negotiable. Please make a reasonable offer.

Comments

text

[gentlemenpreferblondes]

smooth move
especially that just before this we had someone preaching about robot rights

text

[a_shadow]

If I have it around it's just going to be a reminder of what I can't have.

And I don't see why I shouldn't sell them when there's no intelligence programmed in. Maybe there's someone like me who's stuck in a human body and doesn't want to be.

[gentlemenpreferblondes]

and what it is that you can't have?

you sure about that? the lines of what has consciousness and what not are so blurry nowadays

video; encrypted

[notglitching]

[...

It really isn't his business. At all.

But after half a micro, an encrypted feed opens in answer to Tex's post. No words. Just Rinzler, headtilting at the screen.

It's probably not hard to interpret what he's asking.]

video; encrypted

[a_shadow]

[ She flips on the video to respond in kind, looking reticent. She has a feeling Rinzler isn't going to approve of her decision. ]

I'm not going to need it from now on, that's all. And I don't see the point in having it around if I'm not going to use it.

permavideo + text; encrypted

[notglitching]

[The video answers one question, at least. Her user shell's still functioning. But if that's the case...]

Transfer functions damaged?

text

[prorenataa]

Tex, are you sure about this?

[ Seriously, there hadn't been that much time since their conversation. ]

text

[a_shadow]

Would I be doing this if I wasn't sure?

text

[ryuuzaki]

I suppose you aren't interested in my offer on them.

text

[a_shadow]

I have the pretty distinct idea that you don't want Church's stuff around. And you don't want me using my robot. So why would you buy them?

text, says it's from Jane Shepard

[petridish]

Armor sizing and features?

[a_shadow]

Armor is sized to fit the android. It's approximately six feet tall.

Features: Voice modulator, loudspeaker, oxygen rebreather, overshield. This is the baseline suit, no enhancements.

PRIVATE

[squadgoals]

for the love of god

please change your display name to literally ANYTHING ELSE.

text;

[infailtration]

Tex? You obviously made a decision already, but I've gotta ask what's going on.

[ And who the other body and armor are for, but he'll get to that. ]

text;

[a_shadow]

Basically it's that this meat body can't handle me jumping in and out of it all the time anymore. So I realized I have to either stick with it or stick with the robot.

I know you know what it feels like to be stuck in a situation where there's no good answer. I decided I'd rather have no option so I don't feel stuck.

voice;

[archea]

So you just have like, robots lying around? Is that a thing?

Why would you even want to sell them?

text;

[a_shadow]

I'd rather have cash than stuff I can't use anymore

[nishizono]

how is that even gonna fit short people who might want this shit, you didn't think your fucking ad through at all.

[a_shadow]

It won't. Sucks to be you.

( text )

[polyphobic]

That is a big life decision.

( Sarcasm, because she has no idea why it would be )

( text )

[a_shadow]

[ Tex recognizes dry sarcasm, even over text. ]

This is more than a lifestyle change, and people struggle with those decisions all the time.

text

[tearsinajar]

It always helps to think about it in the long run. As scary as that can be.

text

[a_shadow]

I tend to think anytime I make it further into the future that it's some kind of fluke. But I think you're right.

text

[notthemaniwas]

Tex, I hope everything is going to be alright.

[He worries. A little.]

If you need anything, you'll let me know, I hope.

text

[a_shadow]

That's very good of you, Charles. Thank you for being concerned.