002 | AUDIO | CALLSIGN: DI481O | LATE MORNING/EARLY DAY 003

[salamanca]

[ There's a click and static of the walkie turning on, and then... nothing. Just breathing. Each breath is slow, heavy, and labored, like the person on the other end is gearing up to say something, but it's too hard. The walkie clicks off.

Then back on again. One more deep breath. The voice on the other end is quiet, soft, ashamed. Lalo is trying to seem less hysterical than he was trying to come off when he first messaged Jet, but still sad and forlorn. Who knows if he's actually accomplishing that goal, but that's what he's going for, anyway. ]

Hello, everyone. This is Ben.

[ The voice on the other end is slightly warm, but low and sad; very very faint Mexican accent, if you're familiar with what a Mexican accent sounds like, barely there unless you really listen for it. ]

I have a confession to make. I —

[ Another pause. ]

I let two of you down last night. I'd like to promise that it won't happen again, but I can't. The thing is — the last thing I remember before I woke up here, some perp attacked me with an electrical cattle prod. Last night, I encountered one of the drones, and when I saw it coming at me, crackling with electricity, I — I — I — it was like I couldn't think straight. My whole world collapsed. I was able to keep it together for a little bit, but it was like that sense of helplessness, those awful feelings came rushing back.

I'll never forgive myself. I'm not asking any of you for sympathy. Or for forgiveness. I say this only because I believe it's only fair that all of you know this before trusting me with anything again.

Thank God for Jet. If anyone is wanting to know about Martin, Jet is with him now. In the building with the drones...

He's working to rescue him. We're keeping in touch.

Kokichi is with Jet too. Kokichi, I am sorry I failed you. I will never forgive myself.

[ There's yet another brief pause. ]

Please be careful, everyone. Stay safe.

Comments

[salamanca]

[ A sad laugh. ]

Is there anything else you need from me, Mr...? [ He'll pause; wait for a name. ] If there isn't, I should probably get going and bring water to Martin and the others. You know. Try to make myself useful somehow.

[ Have a very sad and mopey sigh. ]

[sharktrash]

Squalo. [ Is it a name? Is it a codename? Who knows. ] No, go ahead and be useful. [ A little pause. ] Is there a source of clean water nearby, or are you going to wing it?

[salamanca]

[ It's enough for Lalo's purposes, anyway. He just likes having that personal touch, to know what people's real names are. Not just their call signs. ] There's a spring right here, as a matter of fact. It's nice! The water's fresh, clean. I got lucky.

[sharktrash]

Yeah, that's lucky. There's another one... west from where you are, I think. But it'd probably be a day's trip.

[salamanca]

And I haven't got a day, I'm sorry to say! I've got to go as fast as I can.

[sharktrash]

Better get to it, then. No more copping out, yeah?

[ Is he patting himself on the back for that one and snortlaughing as soon as his walkie is shut off? You'd bet. ]

[salamanca]

[ Hahaha! Lalo gets it! ]