Story
Proxima
The Exchange (95)
- A “merchant.”
- I probed your mind.
- It probes.
- Right.
- The Biosampler does not stab.
- You are Merrick.
- You got that from stabbin’ me?
- For a price, o’course.
- Oh, well, I provide whatever's needed.
- What is a "merchant"?
- It cannot mature.
- Sure, but you’ll owe me… strange woman.
- We must find the Hexapod.
- You may call me Proxima.
- You will assist me then.
- (groans)
- Take it easy.
- Here.
- Hunger’s a universal language, right?
- How ‘bout another?
- See. We could be friends.
- Hey, easy! I’m not your enemy.
- What the hell was that?
- Hm. Your blood is clean.
- Wait… you know the common tongue?
- We may converse.
- Compatible? In what way?
- I can show you.
- My form is enhanced to promote cooperation.
- There is no need for shame.
- With compatible species.
- (gulps down the moonshine)
- But it will promote a little comradery.
- How am I gonna help?
- I mean I don’t even know what this Hexa-thing is.
- This will not help us find the Hexapod.
- Give it here.
- My grafted form prevents intoxication.
- What? You’re wastin’ the booze?
- You feelin’ it yet?
- Well, well… look what I found.
- A barrel.
- Go on. Try it.
- Oh, no, it’s so much more.
- I rest when required.
- I was trained to hunt them.
- Is that so?
- That is all you need to know.
- These parasites.
- What about when you’re not huntin’?
- (gulps) Ah…
- I think you’re havin’ a good time.
- Observing you is useful.
- Oh, yeah? What are you observin’ now?
- You know what… I don’t buy it.
- Drink up!
- Well, this will certainly help you rest.
- It’s just the moonshine.
- Your blood flow has increased.
- Your body wishes to mate.
- Your scent changed.
- Is this for cleaning wounds?
- Moonshine.
- Nah, this is the good stuff.
- Let’s drink it.
- Oh, shit! It’s leakin’.
- Well, no sense in lettin’ it go to waste.
- Hm. You may prove useful after all.
- I know a few. Give me some time.
- I’ll find your weapon.
- These… “brigands.” You know them.
- First, I need to find my weapon.
- Hexapod.
- It is essential for success.
- I’m just makin’ sure you don’t sneak off.
- I’ve been lookin’ all over for you.
- Maybe I can help you find this… hexa-dog?
- Our vigorous pair-bonding was successful.
- Proxima! There you are.
- You are concerned.
- You know, since you owe me.
- Every brigand within fifty miles has probably been here.
- It ain’t here.
- Look…
- Nothing.
- One of ‘em must have it.
- You cannot know that. There is more to search.
- And if you wanted to choose differently?
- But why? What did the, uh, Hexapod do to you?
- I told you already.
- I was chosen.
- I would not.
- Soooo… why are you doing this anyway?
- You would not understand.
- Not here.
The Weapon (34)
- I haveth a crown and scepter don’t I?
- So, you’re a king now, huh?
- Who dareth approach me?
- And who’s the lady? A gift?
- Well, look who it is.
- We’ve got business with Larreth.
- What do you want, Merrick?
- Bow before Larreth, the Brigand King!
- Go on then.
- ... nicked me.That’s all.
- Stray shot…
- Well, at least you got your weapon.
- What happened?
- You are ungrafted.
- You will not survive if we continue.
- You're bleeding.
- And if you die?
- Continue
- Done
- Even if success is unlikely.
- Hypothetically… say we don’t find your weapon?
- I know, but if we didn’t… for some reason.
- I would continue.
- Right.
- There are... contingencies.
- What would you do?
- You said you would find it.
- (groans in pain)
- Follow me… you bastards.
- Do something!
- I am retrieving it.
- You have my weapon.
- Take it!
- Take it! Please, I… yield.
The Final Exchange (32)
- Something we can use… to heal you.
- There’s gotta be something here.
- (scoffs) Pretty stupid, huh?
- And fill it up.
- And you all stare at the corpse.
- Around a big hole in the ground.
- Mostly babble.
- Share stories.
- Then you put them in that big hole.
- Until there’s… nothin’ left to say.
- Well… let’s see.
- You hear me?
- You… get together.
- … Proxima?
- (sigh)
- Almost there... Stay with me, Proxima.
- But it is damaged.
- Can’t you just stick that… probe in me again?
- I am… severely injured.
- I can… try.
- You know… use my blood or somethin’?
- Because you still owe me.
- For my future kin.
- I am… sorry, Merrick.
- Memories extracted.
- Tell me… what do your kin do with their dead?
- There’s not really much to tell.
- Well, you’re not gonna die
- Where I am from… my grafted armor would be reclaimed.
- You made a bad “deal.”
- I still want… to know…
- Your dead… what becomes of them?
ALife For ALife (22)
- Do not follow me.
- Farewell.
- Merrick…
- You expect me to buy that?
- You have served your purpose.
- (groans)
- But the bleeding has not ceased.
- I have extracted the projectile.
- That sounds… bad.
- Where… am I?
- And I will kill the Hexapod.
- Do not make me re-injure you.
- I will continue. Alone.
- Well, I’m not missin’ that.
- You wouldn’t dare.
- A fair exchange… for all your help.
- A life for a life.
- Now my debt to you is repaid.
- Wait… what?
- You previously stated: I owe you.
- (grunts) Are you drainin’ me?
- The opposite.
The Endeavor (21)
- (skittering closer)
- Where are you hiding?
- It must be close.
- The growth is… germinating.
- And I’m pretty sure I just saved your life.
- I followed you.
- What are you doing?
- You’re welcome.
- You… interfered.
- A contingency.
- If the Hexapod returns...
- I’m not leaving you here to die.
- Just go.
- Leave me.
- My blood will poison him.
- Now compromised.
- Was that really your plan?
- (strange sound in the distance)
- (echoing shriek)
- But containment must be enforced.
- It is unfair, what has been done to you.
The Arrival (14)
- (grunts exhausted)
- (grunts in pain)
- Tae vhau.
- But I think I get the idea.
- In fact, I think we can help each other.
- Look. I mean you no harm.
- Uh... I’m not sure what you said
- Ueht.
- Vish ree annu.
- Mether's milk.
- Well, don’t worry… I’m ‘ere to help.
- You’re alive.
- You… understand?
- … what?
The Hunt (7)
- Scared.
- Scared. You should be.
- You should be.
- I've got you.
- Injured. Good.
- (strange noise)
- It’s... near.