one █ voice

[uzi]

_{( The voice is clipped, sharp, and to the point-- no scuffling with controls or stopping to take things in, here. Also? Whoever this woman is, she sounds pissed off. )}

So, City—great name, by the way, though I think someone beat you to it—stop me if I’ve got any of this wrong.

Alternate dimension, time travel, and duplicates of people we might already know. Superpowers, overly ambitious AI, and absolutely no discretion about who it pulls in, despite claiming to want “heroes.”

And apparently no reliable way back, since you’re all sitting on your hands, here. Perfect.

Just one question—is the universe as I know it going to implode because of all this crap?

Comments

[uzi]

So, prove the record wrong.

[webline]

[ a pause ]

Don't really have a choice.

[uzi]

_{( she nods. )}

No, you don't. But if you're worth anything much you'll take that as a challenge and live to be a hundred.

[webline]

I -- [ cutting herself off. ]

-- Uh, thanks. [ was all determined for a moment and now she's just feeling awkward again... ]

[uzi]

Don't thank me. Really.

[webline]

I take it back then?

[ oh god kill her ]

[uzi]

Tell me: do you have to try to be this awkward, or does it just come naturally?

[webline]

It came with the spider powers and being made in a test tube thing.

[uzi]

That would just about do it, wouldn't it.

[webline]

Well, it's not like you're helping.

[uzi]

Well, it's not like I was trying to.

[webline]

W-well -- [ fjdskfd ] -- Shut up!

[uzi]

_{( excuse you. )}

[uzi]

No such luck. You're what I've got to work with, god help us both. So no chance of being done with me that easily.

[webline]

Well, I'm not -- I'm not as incompetent as you probably think I am so.

[uzi]

Prove it.

[webline]

I -- I shouldn't have to!

[uzi]

Not the point. If you really are capable, proving it should be a non-issue.

[webline]

But I am!

[uzi]

Mm-hmm. _{( still waiting for proof. )}

[webline]

I am the only Ultimate who goes through this crap! The only one!

[uzi]

Well the rest of us have other crap to deal with. Don't press your luck.

[webline]

I have other crap too! I don't need this on top of that!

[uzi]

Especially when you waste your time whining about it instead of dealing with it.

[webline]

I'm not -- ugh!