Voice

[deservinghell]

[Having determined the netbook is capable of a video feed, Henry makes certain to broadcast only his voice when he reaches out to the network; given the effect his condition has on reflections and even digital images, presenting an empty backdrop for no apparent reason is not the way he'd like to initiate first impressions. With the channel open, there's the clearing of a throat, then:]

And thus the whirligig of time brings in his revenges. I suppose it's about time fate doomed me to fight another man's war, eh? The Devil knows I've been asking for it. But it begs the question... What did the lot of you do to deserve it?

[The accent is unmistakably English, though a sharp ear might infer he hasn't been among Englishmen for some time.]

Comments

[deservinghell]

That's awfully unreasonable of her.

[latkje]

Women!

But most soldiers are fighting in someone else's war. The ones who can pick aren't usually soldiers.

[deservinghell]

Most soldiers are at the very least given a cause to rally round, even if it's a lie.

I'm not especially motivated to fight this battle.

[latkje]

We have very poor leadership. I'm afraid they might expect us to fight for our lives.

[deservinghell]

I suppose that prize means more to some than others.

[latkje]

Lives make for strange currency. I don't really like to think about it, to be honest.

[deservinghell]

It's unfortunate that sometimes we have no choice.

[latkje]

And I'm used to doing things I don't like. I did say I was married.

[deservinghell]

There's something to be said for systematic exposure.

Did your wife end up here as well?

[latkje]

No. Just me.

What kind of hell do you think I deserve?

[deservinghell]

With a few exceptions, I try not to pass those sorts of judgments for strangers.

[latkje]

But you have no problem asking them to pass their own!

I have a few sins, but none I'd give up so easily.

[deservinghell]

In my experience, mere sins are usually forgivable.

[latkje]

In my experience, the ones who really need it are the ones who never ask.

[deservinghell]

Yes, I suppose that's usually the way of things.

[latkje]

And I knew at least one person who'd never forgive me for something I didn't do. It's all a bit of a mess.

[deservinghell]

In the end, perhaps it's best if we are our own judge and jury. Though there will always be those who can't handle the responsibility.

[latkje]

There's no system that hasn't got flaws. That's what makes the whole thing perfect, right?

My name is Nash, by the way. I should've introduced myself first, that was rude.

[deservinghell]

Henry. And don't worry about it. It's been a genuine pleasure to meet you.

[latkje]

Well, I'd say the same. If we can call this a meeting.

[deservinghell]

In an age of wireless networking, I'd say it counts.

[latkje]

You've got to know I have no clue what you're talking about.

[deservinghell]

Yes. I'm starting to get the impression most of us aren't on the same temporal page, so to speak.

[latkje]

If everything else's out of order, why not time?

[deservinghell]

Hm. It does make a certain amount of sense, doesn't it? I