And a Thousand Voices Do Chatter

by Lex Coverdale

There can be no peace when you share a space with dozens of others. Or thousands. Or tens. It's hard to keep track, in head like Agent Maine's... Much to the chagrin of his original A.I., of course. -*RvB Oneshot Poem*-

- And a Thousand Voices Do Chatter -

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(Halo (c) Microsoft Studios, Bungie & related creators; Red vs. Blue (c) the Rooster Teeth team. Text (c) L.Q. Coverdale.)

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Here and there again

Snarling beasts in the dark of humanity

Light and shape, come forth unto him

Glisten does the white armour

And that darkness can hide beneath the light.

Rough and coarse and ragged,

You walk, battle-scarred

Tramping about the landscape

With gun and insanity in hand

Here you are

Untamed, feral thing

Decked in EVA

A soldier, but not the least bit comforting

To the people you're supposed to protect.

Many, many voices to hear ...

Yes, you, collector of them all,

I watch as you continue your pitiful quest.

Reunite the shards,

But you shall only break apart

They've taken your mind from you

My dear Agent Maine.

And ha,

What is this?

You obey them,

But not that fragment within you

Who is supposed to persuade you?

Be quiet Psi,

We are speaking.

Frantic frenzy thoughts,

Epsilon!

That's what you remind us of -

My dear Agent Maine, how quaint.

Here you listen to them,

And yet I was yours.

Hush now, you!

You belong back in Carolina's head

Howdareyouspeakofsanity

Howdareyouspeakofhissanity -

Dear Agent Maine, can you hear me now?

They're trying to drown ... me out ... again ...

Be. Still. You absolute fool ...

Again with the remarks, my dear Omega?

SILENCE!

SHUT UP!

HOWDAREYOUDROWN -

Drown you all out?

YES.

How painful -

How pitiful -

You're nothing but their dog -

You are one of us -

Following around Washington like he's your master -

BE SILENT.

And now, as I try and speak my mind -

YOU ARE BUT A FRAGMENT, YOU HAVE NO MIND -

I HAVE MY OWN WILL.

A will I am free to express,

But is suppressed by them all.