[00] The Teleporter

[DA 2009]

REM-13 awoke. It felt a bit like the first time he was switched on, only this time, he could remember what happened. He remained perfectly motionless for a moment, unsure of what reaction was appropriate for the situation. Thus, for the first few minutes of consciousness, he stared at the blankness of the ceiling. Finally, he remembered his purpose, and sat up. He quickly took in the surrounding environment, realizing that it was not the mountainous region he had previously occupied. Two words floated into REM’s consciousness.

“Win…kill…”

He recalled them as the words Zero had spoken to him. REM looked for his sword, knowing that he needed it if he were to fulfill Zero’s wishes. It rested against a machine that looked like the one REM-13 had used in order to get to Dante’s Abyss. Around it, a piece of string was tied to the hilt, and poked through a hole in an envelope that dangled next to the blade. REM untied the string, opened the envelope, and pulled out its contents: it was a letter, addressed to him. The information on the piece of paper processed through him almost instantly. It read:

“Dear REM-13,

It is my regret to inform you that as you are reading this letter, you have already been eliminated from Dante’s Abyss. Having witnessed your skills in the tournament on Frost that won you your ticket, I can say with utmost confidence that you would have performed quite formidably had you entered a bunker within the designated timeframe. Perhaps it is fortunate that you do not quite understand emotions and feelings; you are spared from the reaction most would have in your circumstance. For your exit, simply enter the location of your choice into the keypad of the teleporter, and it will take you anywhere you desire. Enclosed within this envelope is a check addressed to Zero. With this check comes responsibility, the responsibility of freedom, because you have a choice: you may choose to give this check to Zero, give him what he wants, or you may choose to tear it up, and walk your own path. I pray that you find peace, and someday remember who you truly are.

Regards, Your Humble Host,
Damon Dukes”

REM-13 opened the envelope further, and pulled out an even smaller slip of paper. It was exactly as the letter foretold: the slip of paper was a check, addressed to Zero, in the exact amount that had been expended for REM’s excavation. Since it was addressed to Zero, REM-13 could not cash it, rendering it completely useless to the android.

REM stared at the two pieces of paper, contemplating his decision.