File 01 [Video]

[ice_aged]

[A bit of prodding and device-inspecting and very displeased grunts and mumbles finally bring Vexen's face into view. And boy does he look angry.]

Who's brilliant idea was it to have me teleported to such a place as this?! Xigbar, if you teamed up with Axel and this is another one of your pranks, I will not have it! So help me, once the Superior finds out about this...

[He takes a breath, using the additional few seconds to inspect his surroundings. His face goes from 'intrigued' to 'annoyed' to 'curious' to glaring at the device again.] And if this is not one of Xigbar's foolish shenanigans, then will someone kindly explain to me which world this is? And that... that ridiculous woman in there?

[In his moment of frustration, he accidentally drops the device. As it falls into the snow, the clunking of the backpack soon follows, and Vexen just grumbles even more.]

The nerve of them...

Honestly! She's younger than I am, how could she be my mother?! I just need to return before the Superior--

[There's a long, long moment of silence. The slow, sinking realization that he was definitely exploded finally sinks in. Once he grabs the device, he just clicks it off.]

Comments

[Audio]

[ice-aged.livejournal.com]

Remember? You're the second person who's said that, but I don't recall ever seeing this place before.

[Audio]

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

You don't remember anything?

[Cobra Commander could use this to his advantage.]

Allow me to explain. You were here before, and you worked for me.

[From what he remembers he was planning to hire Vexen at some point, but never had the chance to actually do it.]

And then you vanished.

[Audio]

[ice-aged.livejournal.com]

Did I, now... and who might you be?

[Audio + Video]

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

Yessssssss, you did.

[There's a click as the gear's video function is turned on, showing Cobra Commander's mask.]

I am Cobra Commander! Leader of the terrorist organization known as Cobra! Any questions?

[Audio]

[ice-aged.livejournal.com]

I highly doubt I would stoop so low as to work for a terrorist. That's not beneficial to me in the least.

[Audio]

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

[Crap.

The video shuts off suddenly. That did not go as planned.]

Why is that? I assure you my organization can offer you...

[What can he offer?]

Information? That's beneficial!

[Audio]

[ice-aged.livejournal.com]

[What a sudden change...]

Information? What sort of information are you bargaining?

[Audio]

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

You're ssssome sort of researcher, right?

[He thinks that sounds right, but it's been a while.]

[Audio]

[ice-aged.livejournal.com]

Somewhat. I'm a scientist.

[Audio]

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

Close enough. What I'm offering is a simple exchange of information. I can provide you with information about this world and its people that you don't have. In return, all I ask is that if you discover anything interessssting, you share it with me before announcing it to the entire world.

You need data. I need new sources of information. I think I'm being more than fair.

[Audio]

[ice-aged.livejournal.com]

And what would working for you entail? I refuse to sign up for any sort of... questionable organization without knowing the full details as to what will be expected.

[Audio]

[serpensrex.livejournal.com]

Are you hard of hearing? I just said let me know of any interesting discoveries you make! I'm not asking you to sign up, and I'm certainly not going to explain the intricacies of my organization to someone who doesn't want to stoop so low as to work for a terrorist!

[He calms down after realizing he lost his temper, and sounds much more agreeable now.]

So do we have a deal or not?