"The Meeting" - Reboot.Exe - S2 Chapter 6

## Strings Attached

Jenn

"The Meeting" is the sixth episode of the second season in Reboot.exe. It was released on 16 July 2022 and is narrated by Dave.

## Episode Synopsis

The crew all being awake, they seek out Vinod to try and gain his help for gaining access to the city. Vinod is busy making breakfast and not in a particularly helpful mood. Telling them that he isn't going to be much help to them with this short of a time frame. The suggestion of Seb just calling his parents and telling them that he's going to be in the city, but won't be coming to see them comes up. Eve chimes in, asking Vinod if weapons are generally allowed into the city, which is answered by a resounding "hell no." but that they probably won't be able to check inside of a drone. Eve goes and fills some syringes with sedatives (morphine) from Ugly. Seb calls a tailor's in the city ahead of time to get a suit prepared for him, and Pr0, describing his current condition and how quickly they will need it. The shop owners are flustered, but promises to complete the request.

They decide to head for the city by the way of The Palace Pub. Having made their journey to the boarders with no altercations, they are met with two incredibly large security robots, which is unusual for more than one to be in any spot. Upon approaching the robot, it tells them to step back and get away as there has been violence in the area. Seb grows irate and asks to see the bot's superior. The bot looks him up and down, stating that "You have ten seconds to comply," to which Seb responds: "You have nine seconds before I buy you and turn you into tin cans." And begins shouting for the human security guard at the gate. Seb's stubbornness to get the guard to listen proves to be successful, as he asks the robot to take a scan of him. The robot sarcastically replies that the scan takes more battery than what it would be worth - which is odd to the crew as they have never dealt with a police bot before and the way it's acting seems strange to them. The robot does turn up his missing person's report and they are sub sequentially allowed into the city after receiving a fine for having an unregistered drone.

As they are let into the city, Seb takes a look up at the outside balcony of The Palace Pub and spots a familiar face. The bespoke they ran into before at The Glass Slipper, who is clearly taking note of their arrival. Seb nods to her, acknowledging that he knows she's their and she nods back, not phased by any means. As they walk further into the city, the people there deliberately avoid Seb's gaze, or even a glance in his general direction out of fear of being disrespectful, allowing them to pass through to their waiting city car with ease.

On the car ride to the tailors, Seb gets a call from Oscar. He asks when he and Nyla will see Seb again, to which he replies not for a while yet and that he's not going to be staying in the city for long. Oscar says that his patience is growing thin, but assures Seb that things have been going well, which Seb can't discern if he's being honest about or not. After a bit more conversation, Seb gets it through to him that he's not going to be coming home this visit and asks him to make sure Nyla doesn't ambush them while they're in the city. Oscar said he already did it once and couldn't promise it would happen a second time. A helicopter passes overhead, not knowing if that's related to Nyla or not. They arrive at the tailors with ease. Since Nyla has paid for their suits, she has requested that the tailors pass on a message from her, saying "That if you're not going to come see her (me), then enjoy these suits" with a notable tonal difference in her voice. The tailor is unable to provide anymore information as to what that meant, confirming that she requested no altercations to it. They change, and make their way to the Reboot tower.

Entering the colossal building, there are signs saying "Die now, pay later!" about the building. Clerks and people rushing to and fro. They are easily able to make their way to the reception desk and then to separate elevators protected by security guards. A drone chaperone gets them to the right floor and eventually to a much smaller waiting area.

They begin one last discussion of plans before they enter the room, where Eve voices that she's worried about being approached by Uriel and Gabby again, which Seb confirms that she won't be alone for any of it if she poses as his nurse drone for the entirety of it. After a roughly 30 minuet wait, large double doors open to the sound of soft footsteps padding towards them. A familiar 13 year old boy with golden hair, golden hair, and a finely tailored suit. Uriel scans Seb up and down taking in every bit of information that could be available. He pulls out a digital pad, saying that he's surprised that he made it to this meeting in the first place. Saying that all of the interruptions and schedule changes casted doubt that he wanted to go through with this. Seb reassures that they were just taking the time looking for the exact right candidate. Uriel says that "This is an important day for Amben Pharma, and of course, for the Reboot Corporation." Seb replies: "This is a great day for the world!" Uriel doubts, saying that such things have been said before, but it remains to be seen. He then turns and walks back down the hall.

He leads them into a large corporate office with a window view. There are several Greco-Roman statues lining the office. Seb is able to discern that some of them are originals that have been taken from Italy. As they are making their way down the hall, Uriel stops and turns to Pr0 and Eve, stating that they should be prepared to feel disorientated and uncomfortable. Saying that once they enter this room, they will lose some of their facilities. He is being purposely obtuse and it is not until they step into the office that they realize what he was talking about. Pr0 instantly looses his depth perception and Eve's vision is completely reduced to static. This room is so highly protected that it is able to interfere with the tight, closed connections of a drone so that nothing is recorded.

Isaac stands up and without a second glance at Seb's physical situation, reaches for Pr0's hand for a handshake, which he returns. Isaac apologizes for all of the delays, stating that the AIs have been going wild these past six months. Seb begins talking about how they found the perfect candidate for the lottery and begins describing Songbird in a generic sense, which Pr0 interrupts, saying that they've found a diamond in the rough, and is the perfect image of the what the slums could hope and aspire to be. Isaac finds inspiration in her name and goes off sayin that there is nothing more inspiring than a Songbird, reborn from the ashes like a Phoenix. Seb states that Pr0 has been an incredibly valuable asset to finding Songbird. Pr0 suggests the possibility of getting a job inside of Reboot. Isaac agrees and saying that he wants him working closely with them. Uriel speaks up, saying that there is something that would need to be changed in order for Pr0 to work for them, as his cybernetics go against company policy and replaced entirely. Pr0 says that while he is comfortable with Seb and technically being his property, that he would keep the deal in mind.

Seb states that because Songbird is underage, that he would be happy to take guardianship over her. This brings an idea to Isaac's mind, as he flips one of the large windows into a television that shows footage of an incredibly violent riot into the slums. He smiles at the idea of the Phoenix rising from the ashes suggesting that they literally burn down everything around her and come in to rescue her with a helicopter recreating their own tiny rapture. Seb suggests that they somewhat stage this idea with the soup kitchen, that has already succumbed to violence, but still isn't onboard with this idea, claiming its "too American." Isaac sees his point and asks what else they should do. Isaac suggests flipping the role and having Songbird be the one to go in and save these people from the burning building and chaos, but gets trapped in the process and that's when the city would need to intervene. Seb still isn't on board with the idea, saying that he isn't comfortable putting her through any more pain than she's already experienced. Isaac rebuts, saying that she doesn't have to remember any of this. Isaac again, understands where Seb is coming from, but asks for a bit more of a compromise on his end that even people in the city can't afford what a slummer is getting for free. He then suggests smashing her cybernetic legs, which will satiate both Isaac's need for the sob story, and Seb's need to protect what parts of Songbird are real. There is an agreement reached there.

Seb then goes on to say that there are things that he doesn't want Songbird to forget and making it so she can keep who she truly is. Isaac argues this a bit, saying that this is a risk for his company and she needs to be "corporately efficient, and seamlessly transitioned" Seb restates his point on how important keeping things genuine will be to their entire operation. Isaac says that they are going to need to "neaten up a few edges when it comes to compliance." saying that a 13 year old girl, like all teenage girls, are stubborn and won't be the compliant citizen he's after. Seb again, restates his point. Isaac signs, finally giving in, saying that he won't give her "the corporate package" but that there needs to be compromises on his end of the deal as well. Seb agrees. Isaac says he'll have to have a talk with Oscar soon and asks how he's been doing. Seb says that they're long overdue for a conversation. Isaac reveals that Oscar called him about six weeks ago, questioning about Reboot, and he's surprised that Oscar still hasn't gotten ready for it yet. Isaac nods over to Uriel, stating that he himself has been trying out a few prototypes for his own eventual reboot, suggesting that Uriel may not be much more than just a tool for Isaac to experiment with and leach information from. As they are getting ready to leave the meeting, Isaac asks when they could set up a time to get Pr0 set up to work for their company. Seb states that his arm won't be back in usable function for one to two months, so they push it back.

Isaac has Uriel set up a date to meet with them in the future and also a reminder to ask Pr0 on a golfing trip in the future and then asks him to escort them all out. Seb, not wanting to be watched by Uriel any longer, asks him to arrange a cab for them. He refuses, simply stating that is not his job and that they are not his guests. Seb asks if it was out of Isaac's budget to give him any emotions. Uriel flatly responds "Perhaps. I wouldn't know. I have no other frame of reference." While this conversation is ongoing, Eve makes a medical check on Uriel. She is able to confirm that he is a very healthy bespoke, but he has a strange, rapidly healing bruise just above his collar line. Seb lectures him on guest etiquette while they're going down the hall together, which ends with them meeting the secretary to arrange a car. Eve looks to him, and asks him if he is in need of any assistance. He leans very close to her, and says: "I think you're already helping." And then cracks just a very small smile, the first expression she's seen on his face before he turns and walks away. They walk up to the secretary and arrange to be dropped off close to another exit of the city.

They are dropped off but Seb turns back, wanting to go a pharmacy to arrange fusion for Pr0. The pharmacist asks how he will be paying for the fusion, and he says to put it on the Amben tab. The pharmacist says that they can't do that. Seb says put it on his personal one, only for the pharmacist to say that there are insufficient funds.

Seb excuses himself to call his mother, who answers quickly, knowing exactly why he has called. Seb argues, saying that their property is going to die without fusion, and she strikes back, saying that if he were better at maintaining anything, this wouldn't be an issue. Seb asks if she would rather talk to Pr0 herself and tell him that he's going to die. She says certainly. Seb hands him the phone, and she says "Sebastian would just like you to know that he's too proud to come home and because of that, you're probably going to die." After a bit more bickering, Pr0 states that their conversation has been as productive as it was going to be and that things aren't going to change. She says to hand back to phone to Seb so he can hang up on her, like he always does. Pr0 does it first instead.

-YHTris

## TL;DR

* The crew seeks out Vinod to try and gain his help for gaining access to the city. Vinod is busy making breakfast and not in a particularly helpful mood. The suggestion of Seb just calling his parents and telling them that he's going to be in the city, but won't be coming to see them comes up.
* Seb calls a tailor's in the city ahead of time to get a suit prepared for him, and Pr0, describing his current condition and how quickly they will need it. The shop owners are flustered but promises to complete the request.
* Having made their journey to the boarders with no altercations, they are met with two incredibly large security robots, which is unusual for more than one to be in any spot. Upon approaching the robot, it tells them to step back. Seb grows irate and asks to see the bot's superior. Seb's stubbornness to get the guard to listen proves to be successful, as he asks the robot to take a scan of him. The robot does turn up his missing person's report and they are sub sequentially allowed into the city after receiving a fine for having an unregistered drone.
* As they are let into the city, Seb takes a look up at the outside balcony of The Palace Pub and spots a familiar face. The bespoke they ran into before at The Glass Slipper, who is clearly taking note of their arrival.
* On the car ride to the tailors, Seb gets a call from Oscar. He asks when he and Nyla will see Seb again, to which he replies not for a while yet and that he's not going to be staying in the city for long.
* They arrive at the tailors with ease. Since Nyla has paid for their suits, she has requested that the tailors pass on a message from her, saying "That if you're not going to come see her (me), then enjoy these suits" with a notable tonal difference in her voice.
* Entering the colossal Reboot building, they are easily able to make their way to the reception desk and then to separate elevators protected by security guards. A drone chaperone gets them to the right floor and eventually to a much smaller waiting area.
* After a roughly 30 minuet wait, large double doors open to the sound of soft footsteps padding towards them. Uriel scans Seb up and down taking in every bit of information that could be available. Uriel says that "This is an important day for Amben Pharma, and of course, for the Reboot Corporation." Seb replies: "This is a great day for the world!" Uriel doubts, saying that such things have been said before, but it remains to be seen. He then turns and walks back down the hall.
* As they are making their way down the hall, Uriel stops and turns to Pr0 and Eve, stating that they should be prepared to feel disorientated and uncomfortable. Saying that once they enter this room, they will lose some of their facilities.
* Stepping into the office, Pr0 instantly looses his depth perception and Eve's vision is completely reduced to static. This room is so highly protected that it is able to interfere with the tight, closed connections of a drone so that nothing is recorded.
* Isaac stands up and without a second glance at Seb's physical situation, reaches for Pr0's hand for a handshake, which he returns. Isaac apologizes for all of the delays, stating that the AIs have been going wild these past six months.
* Seb begins talking about how they found the perfect candidate for the lottery and begins describing Songbird in a generic sense, which Pr0 interrupts, saying that they've found a diamond in the rough, and is the perfect image of the what the slums could hope and aspire to be.
* Isaac flips one of the large windows into a television that shows footage of an incredibly violent riot into the slums. He smiles at the idea of the Phoenix rising from the ashes suggesting that they literally burn down everything around her and come in to rescue her with a helicopter recreating their own tiny rapture. Seb isn't onboard with this idea, claiming its "too American."
* Isaac again, understands where Seb is coming from, but asks for a bit more of a compromise on his end that even people in the city can't afford what a slummer is getting for free. He then suggests smashing her cybernetic legs, which will satiate both Isaac's need for the sob story, and Seb's need to protect what parts of Songbird are real. There is an agreement reached there.
* Isaac gives in to Seb’s concerns of losing who Songbird was, saying that he won't give her "the corporate package" but that there needs to be compromises on his end of the deal as well.
* Isaac reveals that Oscar called him about six weeks ago, questioning about Reboot, and he's surprised that Oscar still hasn't gotten ready for it yet. Isaac nods over to Uriel, stating that he himself has been trying out a few prototypes for his own eventual reboot.
* Isaac asks when they could set up a time to get Pr0 set up to work for their company. Seb states that his arm won't be back in usable function for one to two months, so they push it back. Isaac has Uriel set up a date to meet with them in the future and also a reminder to ask Pr0 on a golfing trip in the future and then asks him to escort them all out.
* Seb asks if it was out of Isaac's budget to give him any emotions. Uriel flatly responds "Perhaps. I wouldn't know. I have no other frame of reference." Eve makes a medical check on Uriel. She can confirm that he is a very healthy bespoke, but he has a strange, rapidly healing bruise just above his collar line.
* Eve looks to Uriel, and asks him if he is in need of any assistance. He leans very close to her and says: "I think you're already helping." And then cracks just a very small smile, the first expression she's seen on his face before he turns and walks away.
* They are dropped off but Seb turns back, wanting to go a pharmacy to arrange fusion for Pr0. The pharmacist asks how he will be paying for the fusion, and he says to put it on the Amben tab. The pharmacist says that they can't do that. Seb says put it on his personal one, only for the pharmacist to say that there are insufficient funds.
* Seb excuses himself to call his mother, who answers quickly, knowing exactly why he has called. Seb argues, saying that their property is going to die without fusion, and she strikes back, saying that if he were better at maintaining anything, this wouldn't be an issue. Seb asks if she would rather talk to Pr0 herself and tell him that he's going to die. She says certainly.
* Seb hands him the phone, and she says "Sebastian would just like you to know that he's too proud to come home and because of that, you're probably going to die."
* After a bit more bickering, Pr0 states that their conversation has been as productive as it was going to be and that things aren't going to change. She says to hand back to phone to Seb so he can hang up on her, like he always does. Pr0 does it first instead.

-YHT