tvk | Metal Man in Prospero [Video]

[As inconvenient these circumstances were, Longinus-1, Eins, had to come to terms with a grudging sense of respect. The Last Battalion has already discovered teleportation technology and have put it to use throughout the base through specialized platforms. However, despite how far they have advanced technologically compared to the world above, the limits were too obvious. Without warning, Eins found himself far from the steel base and frozen desert that the Last Battalion called home. He found himself in civilization, something that he has never truly seen since his creation.

Beyond that, he finds that his body is now of flesh. The armor that he once called his body has been completely stripped from him as well as his magic and weapons. The scientists would certainly want to figure out the nature of this city's physics, but Eins did not have such patience. And it would seem there's little use trying to escape either. Annoying beyond measure.

Then there was little he could do. His first priority is to scout and find ways to survive. He must build an information network to familiarize himself with all the facets of this place. Yes. Fortunately, he was given just the proper tool for the task. After spending time outside, walking throughout Prospero, he decides to give this a try and make contact with others like him.

The image of a calm, black-haired man wearing a suit appears on screen. He speaks with a deep tone that carries distinctly German accent.]

... Ah. Good. The device functions properly.

I do not believe for a moment that I am arrogant enough to assume that I possess a unique predicament. There are no doubt others like myself who have been spirited away. Wegzaubernd. And I am not naive enough to believe that that was the last of my surprises. I seek greater information from those that are willing to enlighten.

... Oh. Yes. You may address me as "Heinrich".

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

... Immortal?

Very good with technology. Even if the air was toxic and no plants would naturally grow, humans adapted ways to live.

I believe I'm starting to understand the source of your wide perspective a little more, fraulein.

I'm glad I'm a little less mysterious.

Could I ask for your name? I don't suppose you would enjoy being addressed as "fraulein" for too long.

It's V/V.

[Sounds like Vivi, doesn't seem too weird until you see it written.]

That's a fine name. ... Is it short for anything?

Type-Venus.

... Type?

[He's taken aback a little. That's... certainly not a human name.]

... That's not an average name given to a person. Or is it back in your home?

It's not. It's the term for a group of aliens that are attacking - technically, I'm not a person.

... Were you of the group, fraulein?

[Well... he didn't see that coming. But then again, considering his own origins, how farfetched would the woman's background be? Actually, if this is the case, then there are definitely others like the two who are borrowing a human guise for the moment.]

I was. I didn't look like this much at all.

What did your group hope to accomplish by attacking the world? To establish order? For living space? ... and what was the outcome?

Hope is the wrong word. We weren't sentient - I'm the only one who gained it from being parasitic. We were just following the orders of the planets. The orders to end humanity, who had survived the death of the Earth and done what living beings weren't supposed to be able to do.

I don't know. Humanity was losing against the forces of the other planets, but they were still alive when I came here.

... I see.

[This would be inconvenient if something like that affected his own world. But then again, he barely comes from a world to begin with. It's more or less a conceptual plane born from the question "what if". It's a part of the world, but completely detached from it simply because whatever is inside the plane cannot exist. The lives inside are trapped regardless of whether they're aware or not. And for the better of the world, really. The Last Battalion operating in Antarctica could be unfortunate to put it mildly. It's a world in glass that has no end and hardly a beginning.]

Then it would be safe to say that your existence is something close to a natural disaster. ... To deal with a particularly persistent pest. ... Interesting, that this would be the fate of humanity. ... and yet, you don't seem to regret gaining consciousness.

That's a good way of putting it.

I love the world. Even if it's doomed, there's beauty in it. I've met wonderful people and enjoyed so many things. Why would I regret really being alive?

There are those that learn to regret. Fortunately, you aren't one of them.

It's worth being sad to be able to be happy.

You say that because you are strong. Too many others are not.

People can grow to be strong, can't they?

As a group, maybe. But true individuals who possess both the independence and strength to lead are too few.

There are more of them than people think.