[video] [encrypted]

[trialbyliar]

[Someone has spent the last few hours holed up reading through everything on the network. Everything. Every post on both the public and encrypted networks, every comment, every introduction. He might have made notes if he'd had any paper, but for now he's just keeping it all in his head. And it's a lot.

But finally, he gets around to making a post himself. The new face that pops up on the comms is young, though the exact age is hard to determine – one of those baby faces that could be anywhere from like twelve to eighteen. He seems thoroughly unimpressed as he sits back to stare down the communicator screen.]

Wow, the corporate hellscape was pretty bad, but apparently there's a murderer on the loose, too? You'd think they'd at least switch up the genre this time.

[Who is "they"? Well, that's what he'd like to know.

But his expression abruptly changes, all childish excitement and wonder. He grins down at the communicator, nearly bouncing with excess energy.]

But how cool! A special network secret from Jorgmund? It's like we're spies! I'm sure with everyone working together, we can get out of this whole mess!

[Aw, how nice. Unfortunately, that optimistic energy suddenly disappears as the smile drops off his face, replaced with a sly smirk.]

Is that what I'm supposed to say? You're all pretty naive if you really think this network is any safer than the other one! I guess that's how so many of you have gotten picked off by just one killer, huh? What, did you just skip up to this mystery lady like "heeeyyy, you totally won't peel my face off, right?" and expect to be best friends?

[ bitch that's rude ]

Aaaanyway, I guess it's pretty standard to introduce ourselves on these things. Pretty rude of you guys to not even bother meeting people properly in person, but whatevs!

[He leans back in his seat, sizing up the communicator like it's an actual person prostate before him, and spreads his arms in a theatrical gesture.]

I'm Kokichi Ouma, the Ultimate Supreme Leader. I'm sure we're all gonna be the best of friends!

[A cheery smile, completely shameless as he tacks on at the end:]

But that's a lie. You should probably know I'm a liar.

Comments

[scavengineer]

They also tend not to be supreme leaders for very long.

Correlation isn't causation, but there is some interesting data there nonetheless.

[trialbyliar]

Well, that's why I'm the Ultimate Supreme Leader, isn't it? I'm waaaay better than all those scrubs!

[scavengineer]

I find that hard to believe, all things considered.

[trialbyliar]

It's true! My organization has over 10,000 members, all devotedly loyal to me! I mean, it only makes sense, since they all know the people who cross me are never heard from again.

[He's got that too-confident manner of a kid playing pretend. It's probably more believable back home where Ultimates are a known quantity, but no one could really be blamed for doubting him here.]

And good minions get afternoon tea breaks! So really, it only benefits them to work for me.

[scavengineer]

I also find that hard to believe.

[She pauses, something occurring to her.]

Do you have trouble making friends? Lack of ability to engage in proper social interaction would explain almost all of this conversation.

I've had troubles with it myself. Never to the extent of engaging in pathological lying, but I do understand how difficult it is for someone with less typical personality traits to engage with their peer group.

[trialbyliar]

And now you're accusing me of having no friends! You just get more and more rude!

[He's grinning, though, clearly not all that offended.]

But having "less typical personality traits" is what makes me the Ultimate Supreme Leader! The Ultimate Initiative wouldn't have picked me if just anyone could do what I do, right?

[scavengineer]

Incorrect, actually. I asked if you have trouble making friends. That doesn't mean you have no friends.

Although I will admit your preference for minions over allies does at least somewhat suggest it. Most people I've met like that don't really have friends themselves. Maybe because they don't like having to trust someone they don't have full control over?

But that's pure speculation on my part. I'm not exactly an expert on people, just machines.

[trialbyliar]

[He's about to respond. But then something offscreen seems to catch his attention, and his expression goes panicky.]

Eek! There's a creep trying to corner me in the bathroom. Help!!!

[Abruptly, the video cuts out. Welp.]

[scavengineer]

[Gadget waits until Stacia's interruption is done before trying to restart the call.]

I'm sorry about that. That seemed like a slightly unnecessary reaction, although considering you were insulting people who almost died it's an understandable one.

Where were we?

[trialbyliar]

[There's no immediate response, his communicator tucked away. Who knows? Maybe he really is being murdered.]

[scavengineer]

[She can see Stacia's text messages. She's not dumb.]