week 7 - sometime when jack is less deda

[refactor]

[ The first time Jack wakes up, it doesn't occur to him. There are much more pressing matters at hand*, and so, Jack doesn't call out to Alice the first time. He's taking care of himself first, just staying alive first and foremost, but the second time--

The second time, there's much more time to think. So much had happened over this past week as a whole, though it was concentrated very unfortunately in the time where Jack couldn't leave. He'd learned a lot in Rhys's ranting, but none of it was welcome. In fact, it had taken a lot of self-control to not call Alice right there and demand an explanation. Maybe that's where all his self-control had gone, expended on keeping secrets instead of controlling his own rage.

Jack sits up in the medbay (or wherever the fuck the super injured people went leave me alone), and making sure no one is here first, he calls out with a tired laugh in his voice. ]

Hey, Alice. You and me, we need to talk again.

Comments

[al2955]

It has everything to do with this 'epidemiology' you allude to.

[ Once again, this comes from somewhere within Jack, as if she's speaking to his mind. ]

I afraid, however, that the rest of the information you seek is, as you may expect, locked. Not even I have the clearance to access it. You will, however, be capable of accessing it yourself as it becomes relevant. You may have been unaware of this, but each week, more and more information on the project's purpose is unlocked. Before, one must simply have been asking the right questions — but now you have given your body in exchange for information. I hope it is worth it, Jack.

[refactor]

[ If Jack were more self-aware, he'd probably wonder if this was how Rhys felt with Jack in his mind, but, no, of course not. The way her voice echoes in his mind isn't a surprise now, since he's heard it once before. In fact, he expects it far more now than he had when he was in the library. But still, he laughs, seemingly not cowed at all by this situation. There's no regret, not even an inkling of wondering if this was the right choice. It is. Even if he believes that to the point that it's pure delusion, it may as well be reality for him. ]

Yeah, had a feeling you'd say that, Al—

[ He laughs more, but he moves to stand instead of laying on the ground. ]

I know how it goes. I mean, you know too. I made friggin' AIs like you. Then? Then, I became one. So, yeah, don't sweat it. You talk all the pretty bullshit you want. I don't regret a goddamn thing. I am the alpha, I am the omega, but, hey, if you wanna fight about it, suuuuure, pumpkin.

[ His laughter finally calms, even though his veins are still thrumming with energy, both from what he had seen, and the new reality of who he's sharing his body with. It's something that invigorates him, because Handsome Jack loves a challenge. ]

I'll play the game. I'll find out what the hell is going on here. Because- Because your locks, your toying with people, I see that this is all bullshit, Alice. But I'm not gonna spoil the surprise. You picked me for a reason. So we're just gonna see it through together, now.