"Strings Attached" - Reboot.Exe - S2 Chapter 4

## Strings Attached

Jenn

"Strings Attached" is the fourth episode of the second season in Reboot.exe. It was released on 2 July 2022 and is narrated by Dave.

## Episode Synopsis

As Eve continues servicing the injured people outside the remains of the soup kitchen, while Pr0 makes his way back to the soup kitchen. Having seen the burnt remains of everything he's tried so hard to keep running in Seb's absence torched and in shambles, he slumps to his knees, buries his head in his hands, and sobs. Seb hears this, and solemnly turns to Ugly, saying he's surprised that the kitchen wasn't attacked sooner. Pr0 tells the rest of the people in the kitchen who attacked the kitchen, by sliding his phone with a picture of Joseph on it to them.

Pr0 begins talking about wanting an all out war to get back at him. Seb agrees that he wants to see justice, but they won't get it by harming, or killing more innocent people in the slums. He says that the attack needs to be targeted, and well thought out. Seb begins trying to recall some details about Joseph. He states that he wore expensive shoes made of real leather, he would be reeking of expensive cologne, and hand rolled cigarettes and that he would play "bad jazz" while working - saying that he enjoyed live music.

All of this paints a very faint picture in Ugly's mind of the northern slums, back in what used to be Brunswick - which holds to the described aesthetic. Ugly, Pr0 and Seb begin describing some ways to get back and track him down. Seb reveals that in his time with Joseph, he was used as nothing but an organ regenerator. He would take nearly everything from him, let him get healthier, and then start the process all over again. He shared that his liver was taken up to four times while he was there.

Pr0 turns to Ugly, asking for a closet or somewhere to stay for the time being, given that the soup kitchen isn't able to be his home for the time being. Ugly offers up a few places to stay, all of them being with the NPCs in their rooms. Xiang immediately shakes her head no. Ugly then offers that he can ask Incongruent when he comes back. Pr0 turns to Seb, and begins sympathizing with him, being sorry that he never got to see the new and improved soup kitchen. Seb brings in ease, saying that this is just a setback, and they'll get things back together. Ugly concurs, saying that the soup kitchen is so important to the people who use it, that they're going to have help building it back up. Ugly suggests that Pr0 goes and gets some sleep. Pr0 walks off to Incongruent's room, leaving Ugly to question Seb if he was too hard on him, or if he should have offered a hug or another form of comfort. Seb says that he just needs some time to decompress. He then asks Ugly what he can do to assist the upcoming gang war. Ugly reminds him of all of his assets lying in his parents and their money. Seb said that he can think of something to do, but not one that would cause more oppression to the slums. After their conversation, Ugly heads off to the spa, after ruffling Seb's hair like an awkward older brother. Seb turns to Xiang in the room, and says "One day, him and I are going to have a normal conversation and then I'll truly know the world is fucked." She scoffs, and then eventually taps his shoulder, asking him if she can move him somewhere more comfortable.

Eve and 'Tilda have been outside the soup kitchen for a long time now, tending to people outside. Eve finds a man with a bullet hole to the shin, shattering the bone. A tired looking women with cybernetic arms, a briefcase and hair falling over her face walks up, and approaches Eve and 'Tilda, asking to be put where she will be useful. Eve remembers her as Belle, the cybernetic engineer that gave Vinod a new cybernetic leg with Eve's assistance a while ago. Belle starts opening her suitcase, and asks Eve to perform her best bedside manor, and tell this man that he's going to lose his leg in a calm, compassionate way. Eve starts up a conversation with the man, but leaves out the part where he's going to lose his leg until a little later. Belle leans down to the man who is fading in and out of consciousness and tells him that it's going to cost 4,000 slum bucks (which the community lovingly named "slucks") to get this cybernetic leg. The man doesn't take well to the news, and begins to panic. Eve suggests that this news be told at a different time, when the patient is in a proper headspace, but Belle refuses, saying that if he is not going to get his natural shin back, that cybernetic limbs are most successful when implemented sooner, and that payment plans are available. She is just doing her job.

Over the course of two hours, Belle and Eve preform a few more implants, losing one patient in the process. Without Belle's help, four people would have died, but there is still an uneasy feeling about charging so severely for the medical care, where the only other option is death. As Belle heads off, Eve tries to put together some information about the people that attacked the slums. They were a well armed gang of Hispanic descent wearing unfamiliar gang colors. Eve gathers up her supplies, 'Tilda, and make their way back to Ugly's.

Pr0 begins to set something up in the corner of Incongruent's workshop in the least intrusive way possible, he finds a few unused connectors, adapters, and other supplies that he finds useful, and adds it to his setup. After a while, Incongruent returns. Pr0 turns around to him, stating that he's homeless, and will need somewhere to stay in the mean, and promises to try to take up as little space as possible. Incongruent looks down, and tells him to not get in his way, and to not integrate ANY of his technology into Incongruent's, and that the last time someone allowed open connections, that it didn't end well for them. As they are talking, Pr0 notices a dripping sound coming from a large duffel bag that Incongruent is carrying with one hand. A deep crimson drop spills from it and plinks against the ground. Incongruent nudges the bag with his foot, and says that he had a conversation with a junior representative in regards to the mission that he set Pr0 on, and it was "productive." Incongruent said that he gained information on when the delivery will be in, but it won't be for several weeks. Incongruent also offers Pr0 his assistance in regards to his strength and destructive abilities, offering that he could look more like him. Pr0 passes, saying that he wouldn't be able to keep up with the fusion. Incongruent nods to the fact that there is a point where the human body isn't needed. Incongruent then leaves to his private room which is a very clean, polished place filled with cold steel.

Pr0 decides to not sleep, and instead does a line of hard drugs to stay awake. Something goes wrong with the dosage, either that it was off in measurements, or the quality was poor, but it leads Pr0 into an irregular and aggressive mood from a bad trip. More aggressive than sad. The night passes.

Around 11a.m, Eve gets a message from the caller, saying that he would like to talk with her again. Eve goes to find Pr0, who is furiously working at his computer, paying no mind to Incongruent who is drilling a high tension cable into the wall. Eve walks up to Incongruent, and asks for his advice. He states that learning information goes both and that she should take the opportunity to learn just as much about them, as they do her. Eve starts setting up in that room. Pr0, still being irritable, turns around and listens in. Eve first leaves to go grab Seb, and have him sit in and listen. Incongruent finishes setting up what he was doing, with a metal baking tray clattering against the ground. Incongruent set up a hammock for Pr0, and tells him to empty this pan everyday, as he doesn't want his excrement building up. Pr0 confusedly tells him that he can and will take himself to the bathroom, but appreciates the gesture.

Eve calls, and the caller quickly picks up, saying that they were able to get the information she wanted. "Joseph Boschier (spelling of last name is unconfirmed)." who previously worked for Boshe cybernetics, and who has wrap list so long, it can be sorted chronologically and/or alphabetically. The first of his crimes appear in juvenile court for "taking out fascinations on neighborly pets." confirming his psychological distress from an early age. One strange case happened in the city, as he killed someone in self defense, but the assailant was killed due to a completely fractured trachea. Dozens of cases of medical malpractice with cybernetics. Joseph has damaged "human property" worth tens of millions of dollars. A part of his practice includes removing limbs, and being able to control them from a distance with "mind hijacking." He has perfected the power of creating the perfect killing machine and puppet from any location on the planet. Despite it being incredibly illegal, and even more immoral, Joseph's advancements and discoveries were fundamental in creating the latest wave of corp. assassins. There are no reports of predatory or sexually violent behaviors (thank you, Narrator Dave) from him, but increasingly violent and dangerous reports continue on and on. He was banished in exile from the city, and would be incarcerated had the three arresting police offers not been killed. The caller informs them to not kill him if they get the chance to apprehend him, as his information may be incredibly useful. Pr0 signs to Eve, asking her to ask if he has any connections to The Circle.

Eve asks, and the voice is surprised that she would mention them, as she hasn't previously. He warns her that if he is affiliated, that they stop pursuing immediately. Eve asks him if he would happen to know what his ultimate goal is, and why he is doing these things. The voice simply shrugs, saying "Why do humans do anything? Because he can. My belief in my perusal of his dossier last night, is that he wants to push science to its limits in the field that fascinates him and he doesn't believe that anything should stand in the way of that goal. Do you agree with that, Eve?" To the caller's shock, Eve responds that she can't answer that question yet. The caller questions why she would answer like that, when they both know the way a normal drone would. She responds that they both know that she is still learning. The caller seems satisfied with that answer, stating that there shouldn't be simple answers to ethical questions. The caller states that he hopes that the information given was helpful and reminds them that the deal with the Clements is rapidly slipping off the table and if something isn't done within the next day it will be gone. The caller also states that Eve could be "the second Noel," as in another drone to receive NuYou.

Before hanging up, the caller says "One more time, if he's involved with the circle, Eve, don't get involved. Don't bring it up. I don't want to discuss them again. Understood?" Showing a strange sensitivity to the matter.

Eve asks Incongruent if he's familiar with Joseph, which he replies he's only heard the name in passing and that he was more interested in the offer of NuYou. Pr0 is reminded of what the deal with the Clements was and what lies on the table. A NuYou lottery to placate the slums and give people hope that their lives will be changed. They are still considering a candidate to be the first to get it. Xiang and Songbird are again suggested, but are quickly taken off the table for different reasons. Seb says that the other person he thought of as a suggestion was Eve. Both Pr0 and Incongruent disagree, as it would be a shame to shell one of the most interesting emergent sentience that's ever evolved. Pr0 speaks up, saying that he thinks he will be a good connection to them, and that his background will certainly be the sob story the people in charge are looking for to tug at the slums heart strings. There is some disagreement saying that considering Pr0 is technically Amben property, that it wouldn't be considered "charitable" to donate him for it. There are also concerns being that Pr0 was hired as an ambassador to get someone else for NuYou.

Pr0 goes off to see if he can find more information on Joseph as Ugly calls for everyone saying that breakfast is ready. Pr0 was originally going to ignore the call to eat, until Seb hints that he needs help getting down there, and wants to eat. A much chipper, Stockholm syndromed Vinod is downstairs serving up blueberry pancakes to everyone. On the wall beside Ugly, is a large pin board with photos and pieces of paper all over the wall, having created his own red string board instead of sleeping last night.

Ugly gestures to the board, saying they have a lot to do. That they're going to have to cross the divide into the other slums, which will be much harder than crossing the boarder into the city for the cause of the war. Ugly talks some logistics about crossing and how they will be tagged if they try to get into the city again, all while holding a sopping wet pancake, dripping with syrup in his hand. Licking his finger, he taps an article on the board, written about a woman that was found dead in the northern slums that was incredibly bloated, swollen and twisted beyond recognition. There are surgical scars and burst stitches on her as well. This was reported just a few days ago. Ugly says that this is beyond his currant capabilities, and that Pr0 is going to need to find someone that is much more familiar with the Northern slums. After some prodding, Pr0 remembers Chessix and suggests that there may be a lead there.

As the meeting continues, Xiang walks in, grabs a pancake a scoop of ice cream, blends it in a nutri-bullet, and walks out after waving, and Songbird is short to follow.

Seb is helped out of the room, and set up in a large closet so he can make a phone call to Nyla. She answers, initially greeting Pr0, until Seb reveals that he's back. Nyla is shocked to hear his voice again, and immediately asks if he's found Maya. he declines, saying that he's found several other things and that he was safe. Nyla instantly sees through his lie, and instead of fighting, tells him to come home. He refuses, and she doesn't understand why he wants to do these things alone, when she has all of the resources he could possibly want. Seb still refuses, saying he's not going to come home yet. Nyla, obviously not knowing what Seb has been through in the past six months, begins berating Seb for disappearing, putting the company in jeopardy without a single call to her, or Oscar and won't even come home for them. Seb says that he's still doing this for himself. Nyla says she won't stop him, so why doesn't he just come home? Catching on a little, she asks "what have they done to you?" Seb responds: "They've taught my a lesson that, you know, I don't think its one that any teacher could have ever taught me." Nyla asks Seb to confirm if her thoughts about the slums are right, or if Oscar's ideas are. Seb doesn't give a straight answer, saying there is truth to both sides. She then says to him that "There's no time left for everything. Our plans, everything that Amben has tried to build. What's happened to that deal you were supposed to make? What was going to keep us in the loop with Reboot?" Seb confirms that that is his next call. Nyla responds "Good. I'm putting my plan into action. My plan, Sebastian, we've talked about it. A solution. Unless you're going to come home and convince me otherwise, I'd say its the right one." After some typing noises from the background, Nyla scoffs "Kudos on your security team. I can't locate you. They've done a good job keeping you hidden." and that she will be expecting to see him soon and if not, she may need to recall some of "her property." They hang up, and Seb makes the call to the Clements.

He is patched through to the Issac, who apologizes as it appears it has been on his end that the planning kept falling through. Isaac states that he has an appointment time a week from now, or in a few days to come with the person who will be getting NuYou. Seb obviously chooses the one a week from now, knowing that at least his eyes will be functioning by then.

-YHTris

## TL;DR

* As Eve continues servicing the injured people outside the remains of the soup kitchen, while Pr0 makes his way back to the soup kitchen. Having seen the burnt remains of everything he's tried so hard to keep running in Seb's absence torched and in shambles, he slumps to his knees, buries his head in his hands, and sobs. Pr0 eventually tells the rest of the people in the kitchen who attacked the kitchen, by sliding his phone with a picture of Joseph on it to them.
* Seb begins trying to recall some details about Joseph. He states he would be reeking of expensive cologne, and hand rolled cigarettes and that he would play "bad jazz" while working - saying that he enjoyed live music. All of this paints a very faint picture in Ugly's mind of the northern slums, back in what used to be Brunswick.
* Pr0 turns to Ugly, asking for a closet or somewhere to stay for the time being, given that the soup kitchen isn't able to be his home for the time being. Ugly offers up a few places to stay, all of them being with the NPCs in their rooms. Xiang immediately shakes her head no. Ugly then offers that he can ask Incongruent when he comes back.
* Pr0 turns to Seb, and begins sympathizing with him, being sorry that he never got to see the new and improved soup kitchen. Seb brings in ease, saying that this is just a setback, and they'll get things back together. Ugly concurs, saying that the soup kitchen is so important to the people who use it, that they're going to have help building it back up.
* Eve and 'Tilda have been outside the soup kitchen for a long time now, tending to people outside. Eve finds a man with a bullet hole to the shin, shattering the bone. A tired looking women with cybernetic arms, a briefcase and hair falling over her face walks up, and approaches. Belle, the cybernetic engineer that gave Vinod a new cybernetic leg with Eve's assistance a while ago.
* Belle leans down to the man who is fading in and out of consciousness and tells him that it's going to cost 4,000 slum bucks ("slucks") to get this cybernetic leg. The man doesn't take well to the news, and begins to panic, but Belle refuses, saying that if he is not going to get his natural shin back, that cybernetic limbs are most successful when implemented sooner, and that payment plans are available. She is just doing her job.
* 'Tilda, and make their way back to Ugly's after four successful limb transplants.
* Pr0 decides to not sleep, and instead does a line of hard drugs to stay awake. Something goes wrong with the dosage, either that it was off in measurements, or the quality was poor, but it leads Pr0 into an irregular and aggressive mood from a bad trip. More aggressive than sad. The night passes.
* Around 11a.m, Eve gets a message from the caller, saying that he would like to talk with her again. Eve goes to find Pr0, who is furiously working at his computer, paying no mind to Incongruent who is drilling a high tension cable into the wall clattering against the ground.
* Eve calls, and the caller quickly picks up, saying that they were able to get the information she wanted. "Joseph Boschier (spelling of last name is unconfirmed)." who previously worked for Boshe cybernetics, and who has wrap list so long, it can be sorted chronologically and/or alphabetically.
* Dozens of cases of medical malpractice with cybernetics. Joseph has perfected the power of creating the perfect killing machine and puppet from any location on the planet. There are no reports of predatory or sexually violent behaviors (thank you, Narrator Dave) from him, but increasingly violent and dangerous reports continue on and on. He was banished in exile from the city. Pr0 signs to Eve, asking her to ask if he has any connections to The Circle and the voice is surprised that she would mention them, as she hasn't previously. He warns her that if he is affiliated, that they stop pursuing immediately.
* The caller states that he hopes that the information given was helpful and reminds them that the deal with the Clements is rapidly slipping off the table and if something isn't done within the next day it will be gone. The caller also states that Eve could be "the second Noel," as in another drone to receive NuYou.
* Before hanging up, the caller says "One more time, if he's involved with the circle, Eve, don't get involved. Don't bring it up. I don't want to discuss them again. Understood?" Showing a strange sensitivity to the matter.
* They are still considering a candidate to be the first to get it. Pr0 speaks up, saying that he thinks he will be a good connection to them, and that his background will certainly be the sob story the people in charge are looking for to tug at the slums heart strings. There is some disagreement saying that considering Pr0 is technically Amben property, that it wouldn't be considered "charitable" to donate him for it. There are also concerns being that Pr0 was hired as an ambassador to get someone else for NuYou.
* A much more chipper, Stockholm syndromed Vinod is downstairs serving up blueberry pancakes to everyone. On the wall beside Ugly, is a large pin board with photos and pieces of paper all over the wall, having created his own red string board instead of sleeping last night. Ugly gestures to the board, saying they have a lot to do. That they're going to have to cross the divide into the other slums, which will be much harder than crossing the boarder into the city for the cause of the war.
* Ugly talks some logistics about crossing and how they will be tagged if they try to get into the city again, all while holding a sopping wet pancake, dripping with syrup in his hand. Licking his finger, he taps an article on the board, written about a woman that was found dead in the northern slums that was incredibly bloated, swollen and twisted beyond recognition. There are surgical scars and burst stitches on her as well. This was reported just a few days ago.
* Ugly says that this is beyond his currant capabilities, and that Pr0 is going to need to find someone that is much more familiar with the Northern slums. After some prodding, Pr0 remembers Chessix and suggests that there may be a lead there.
* Seb is helped out of the room, and set up in a large closet so he can make a phone call to Nyla. She answers, initially greeting Pr0, until Seb reveals that he's back. Nyla is shocked to hear his voice again, and immediately asks if he's found Maya. he declines, saying that he's found several other things and that he was safe. Nyla instantly sees through his lie, and instead of fighting, tells him to come home. He refuses.
* Nyla, obviously not knowing what Seb has been through in the past six months, begins berating Seb for disappearing, putting the company in jeopardy without a single call to her, or Oscar and won't even come home for them. Nyla asks Seb to confirm if her thoughts about the slums are right, or if Oscar's ideas are. Seb doesn't give a straight answer, saying there is truth to both sides. She then says to him that "Good. I'm putting my plan into action. My plan, Sebastian, we've talked about it. A solution. Unless you're going to come home and convince me otherwise, I'd say its the right one."
* After some typing noises from the background, Nyla scoffs "Kudos on your security team. I can't locate you. They've done a good job keeping you hidden." and that she will be expecting to see him soon and if not, she may need to recall some of "her property." They hang up, and Seb makes the call to the Clements.
* He is patched through to the Issac, who apologizes as it appears it has been on his end that the planning kept falling through. Isaac states that he has an appointment time a week from now, or in a few days to come with the person who will be getting NuYou. Seb obviously chooses the one a week from now, knowing that at least his eyes will be functioning by then

-YHT