The Id EIS eyes open.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡGgdmiHWzgw
Oh...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgSGHFwI74
Shooting stars are streaking across infinite void in a gorgeous cosmic display. When turning and pressing up with an Id EIS hand on red-sheets, I see shooting stars breaking apart high in the atmosphere of a grey planet enveloped by dark storms threaded with lightening.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eb7B7Kw4D
Mmm. Apropos of pleasure.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡOKU17dI3MZ
I sit up, the Audiovisual Representation environment fading. Rising from the bed, I then begin striding across an immense bedroom, occluded floor showing a mosaic-style high view of The Master's spiral canyon residence quadrant. I near one the nearest luminescent black wall, a portal smoothly irises open and I step through it back into a featureless white cell. Turning, I see the portal iris shut before successive waves of blue light then PULSE up from floor to ceiling...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡA6ftNX8kFf
Brightness above...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡoOtAW4IGBM
I pass up and outside...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡkpwfrEs9Hf
Thin wind blows atmosphere, an overcast sunset dominating the sky. Rising stops, and I now am standing upon the vast white square of the Tower roof. Across from me are small white drones buzzing nimbly about a dark, hulking... thing, with various seams open, crouched upon the edge. The Master is working by on the big lowered circle-head...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9impL9mTt2
What?!copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8SRCtNGbui
I step forward, alarmed –copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOHu498wjQ
(Wait.) That is... the long gestating Gateway Machine.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡMs88RUieNM
After I remain motion for a time, The Master glances over. "So," it husks, "you have decided to join me..."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡgWE7y8Vfjp
I hurry over to it. "Sorry to be late!"copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡxgefLioUPH
The Master chuckles, turning back to the lowered circle-head of the Gateway Machine. "No apologies. The time we spent in Somnotic Experience was pleasurable enough, but the final experience was for you alone."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBaTK2O3gB
"Thank you, Master Gabriel."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡPwxuD6CylV
"You are welcome."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡYTcc8XuxSj
A connection has been building between us since the first weeks, and months later it seemed to be leading us now from the impersonal, towards...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡfDVpxFrlIH
Endless.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡXyev2SBErX
Smiling slightly, The Master gestures, causing the buzzing white drones to each suddenly flit towards open seams across the vast dermal material of the Gateway Machine. Each drone extrudes searing, white-hot tendril-manipulators, using them to adjust material and begin to weld seams shut. The quickest finish, to begin burnishing surfaces clear...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡzpQMBZJ6wC
It is almost finished. (Or started.)copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡpLfkbN0C8I
The Master floats up through these semi-automated activities, its black robes rippling until it slows to a stop again alongside the Gateway Machine's broad shoulders.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡk5gzBjrcXS
I call up: "is there anything I can do to help?"copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9xi0jTZ2Zv
Waving away the nearby drones, The Master glows it's grey right hand whitehot and slices a new seam through the dermal material before drawing the hand back, cooling. It reaches forward with its other hand to pull the newly opened seam wider in a display of casual post-human strength, after which the fingers of its now cooled hand into writhing grey cords and thrust that split-fingered hand inside of the machine all the way up to its grey elbow...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡFphVJsIJ5R
I wait patiently.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡsqXJZy2qKZ
"Boot the main Control Display and check energy input/output," it finally calls down.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUwBUPvTSv
"Yes, Master Gabriel." Having contributed a fair bit to Project completion, I move without hesitation around the base of the Gateway Machine to a large, dark screen on one side of the head-gate before tying away at the keyboard below it.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡpyUGtD9bnf
Check. Check...and check.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QFZzExC5i
"Audio has been tested," The Master calls, with its voice growing closer...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡCoc9Z6Yv0R
"What did you hear?" I ask, turning.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0pqU6Tyg4W
The buzzing drones disintegrate into windblown ash, slowly blowing away in the thin breeze while The Master gently floats back down. "Have you ever dreamed?" it finally asks me in response.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡv7Ma6lPEYU
"No." I cock the Id EIS head, suddenly curious. "It is not for one such as I."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡWAj9JjgIOh
It lands. "A pity..."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡAOH0JNTh3Y
I nod. Once it becomes apparent that nothing more will be said, I nod and return to typing.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡdz50KcmzRk
Pre-set for the virtualization test is ready, and –copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOUOXE7emW
"Would you like a... soul?"copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡvWKcWu0QM4
(Hm.)copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡO0DU0n6mXX
Understanding ever deeper the underpinnings of existence due to multi-disciplinary study and research, I might normally consider such a question moot...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsLBgJfnXC
Except for the fact that it is The Master asking.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡjsz4EwzFml
I look over into its eyes...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡJblm5lKcIH
Endless.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9p9V0pEgNC
"Yes."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡT74scJYLok
The Master pauses, then abruptly throws back its thorn-crowned grey head to laugh, and laugh...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67vsuBOeNw
I chuckle with it, uncertain of intent.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡVXV5SWuxdi
Its laughter trails off. The Master comes forward, frowning slightly. "Step side."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ96peyBYwnn
I step aside.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡRuvnWZYKeM
It moves into position, staring up at the Control Display while typing away at the keyboard, muttering: "Gods and angels, heroes and villains. To see the never before seen..." Onscreen: Virtualization of a test-run for the Gateway runs, yet the expected output displayed is...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡhaJcfC9Jam
(Irregular.)copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jsry03xxq
Curious.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡUoUqLQqKBE
"Which dimensional coordinates are set?" I ask.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡxSOg53TeN3
"Monitor the Secondary," it softly orders.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPn3gV4jsC
I walk to other side of the lowered circle-head and stop below the smaller dark Secondary screen. Pressing a key on the keyboard there, I watch the archaic screen brighten before beginning to type quickly...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡKn0ENMvdx7
Check. Check, and –copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡR40Gl5Jekx
The Master gives a sudden bark of laughter. "Fuck Tech Protocals," it declares. "A five minute timer will do. I have waited long enough..."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡhWmEZDA4X2
I laugh too. "As you say, Master Gabriel."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡGHqHmduRr2
The sun is sinking behind the horizon, all darkening across Domain and rooftop as we prep final countdown for the first opening of the Gateway...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡYj6ZZs5JGq
"Initiating frequency banding," it calls.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYmDDmgdqd
A hum begins building deep within the big, hulking Gateway Machine, while a cold wind starts to blow...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡg7VGPhUk8m
I carefully monitor the readouts on the intentionally archaic Secondary display screen overhead...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡm7Ft6FVcoC
Normal.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡCFAYiekzrL
"Syncing co-ordinates to second of 3 Abnormality Sites," it calls. "Secondary confirm."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡMISIpIZk28
I type briefly. "Confirmed. Proceed when ready."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡGofmSm1Nyq
A long pause.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡpb509oeuXG
"Initiating bridge," The Master finally states, no small amount of longing in its voice.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡfKo8sOQr8T
The lowered circular gate-head is now brightening between us, and paling with glowing distortion...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡzOhPa9ccXK
"Activating Gate."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡCnWHn55Bz2
Slurred rending, then ethereal fire bands the circular gate-head, interior now burning dark...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPMHXevOGD
I gaze at it, into...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡHfsZ4D9hP6
Abyss.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1rtY8R3etD
... (...)copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡhLs4sqjXeZ
The Master calls: "I'm going to adjust –"copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡBVf3VkG4Bw
All sound drops.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡbDXFB6wFlZ
What?copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡiCKLGdb0aq
The Id EIS eyes narrow.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡZLmePhzwma
(Yes.)copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yOZdp6J4r
The inside the circular gate-head clears, showing...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡJn3t9KGlKR
... flat hues. Slowly, shapes of all types wink in and out of existence, moving along gentle currents of some other dimension...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡLKD8ZtqyZM
Hm. Like schools of alien fish. Or bloodflow. Or –copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡJ2lx2yW8h1
I step forward, to get a better view.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡA0pEuyobT9
... illumination is strictly binary, either evenly bright or evenly dark, but with all slowly flowing. A dark triangle brushes against a bright trapezoid, the quality of "bright" transferred instantly over to the triangle before the now dark trapezoid continues floating off...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3FTHNTaesa
What?copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1bcmIeUFnc
I step forward again.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡHXd6BHE0Ty
... the shapes are changing now, each of them slowly expanding, contracting, darkening, or brightening while transforming into familiar matter like rock, soil, liquid, sky, although each property is also unnaturally uniform in texture, like geometric abstracts of cosmic essences all slowly coming together...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Xe3E1XPgp
How...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡZhAcDjryZO
Another step closer.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGMXNoFsoz
... a trilling sound grows as patchwork forms meld gradually into a strange reality, the clear slowly coming clearer, and deeper, into primitive hills and a liquid sea reflecting the motion of strange bright things wheeling in the dark sky above...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0yweCagzZw
Whe...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZNzbrTCZS
Again, closer...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡrJzdHmBmO0
... everything shimmers subtly, the trilling gradually expanding into the opening of an unparalleled song as the landscape slowly begins to deform, swirling, twisting, as something pushes up through it...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPzs4bDkLC
W...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡRKCFkN6dq5
Closer.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6RPG5w3HTR
... the song is enfolds outwards, strange and mournful, while the upwelling head continues rising up into view, pulling the landscape with it like cloth, and –copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡHPHgiLsV6d
Vertigo.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡyXXaCiYIvo
No. It is pushing up AS the landscape. (Leviathon, crowning...)copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡOCgEilbm24
Without realizing it, I now stand directly before the open gateway, transfixed beyond Mastery at the birth of this glorious new understanding as the fabric of foreign reality slowly outpours through the Gateway, spilling -copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKUV1dHt8N
sky/rock/soil/liquid/Allcopyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡHHKFSmXQ5t
(We.)copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡfU6vypRJLU
Everywhere: eyes and mouths open to join the Song which THRUMS body and Tower and Domain with an unstoppable Peace while a hand reaches forward to –copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡOZEJUGWCa5
POP: all of it suddenly bursts like a bubble.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡpRM9xFwuvB
Oh.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡXKv4g4t7Ne
Ethereal glow dims...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1BdGl8nhKx
Song fades...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9pajWPQql
(...)copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡro6Xsm1VuP
And.copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡawrndMwA4h
And I am still standing with the Id EIS arm extended in the dark of night, and falling wind. I eventually lower it and turn away from the now dead Gateway, towards...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rrxCKtrAT
The Master, who is standing beside me while still staring ahead with a strangely blank expression...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2iS0Lf2HK
We...copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡSRgjft5M3a
"Master Gabriel..."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3bCuIefcFQ
"Leave," it whispers. "Leave me now, Id."copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6sTolUaBWR
I leave.122Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNk0i3exfU
copyright protection118ＰＥＮＡＮＡlOIB8Y5eK8
