The Id EIS eyes open.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡvRqm4hqKia 維尼
Oh...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡnU1bA7jxhD 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡeM4JFxUC1w 維尼
Mmm. Apropos of pleasure.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡYAr4PYs0GC 維尼
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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡAgl2VnsFNo 維尼
Brightness above...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡFdRKW5JOhH 維尼
I pass up and outside...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡsxoCs5933M 維尼
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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡJpKfqZLc3l 維尼
What?!8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡDbIkaui5SH 維尼
I step forward, alarmed –8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡSpVHpGDsTa 維尼
(Wait.) That is... the long gestating Gateway Machine.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7z0hutWehz 維尼
After I remain motion for a time, The Master glances over. "So," it husks, "you have decided to join me..."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡv4SnVEeplq 維尼
I hurry over to it. "Sorry to be late!"8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡzVCp4UqBgw 維尼
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."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOKiKNwgkl 維尼
"Thank you, Master Gabriel."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡMwsvo3CRaR 維尼
"You are welcome."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡKUQQKjIXmr 維尼
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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡdoKUgqjopH 維尼
Endless.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡOWFU0MqmbN 維尼
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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡQXJ925HvFY 維尼
It is almost finished. (Or started.)8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡLu0betulDW 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡzhrH3xUks5 維尼
I call up: "is there anything I can do to help?"8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡoIaZqm1dbs 維尼
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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡpjCDk5ABvz 維尼
I wait patiently.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTLxFoNh47 維尼
"Boot the main Control Display and check energy input/output," it finally calls down.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡmrNQtZ6Sbv 維尼
"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.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6GIJ1psSvj 維尼
Check. Check...and check.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡecIciUJFBD 維尼
"Audio has been tested," The Master calls, with its voice growing closer...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡcQmn7gQbGR 維尼
"What did you hear?" I ask, turning.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡVI05We0eWD 維尼
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.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLk68lCPiq 維尼
"No." I cock the Id EIS head, suddenly curious. "It is not for one such as I."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡhYvq1z6E6M 維尼
It lands. "A pity..."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡy2w7OplAZo 維尼
I nod. Once it becomes apparent that nothing more will be said, I nod and return to typing.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡBYBsSVwb7C 維尼
Pre-set for the virtualization test is ready, and –8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡuNlhvYruUL 維尼
"Would you like a... soul?"8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7Y0tUqRBbB 維尼
(Hm.)8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzAKgtK6Tk 維尼
Understanding ever deeper the underpinnings of existence due to multi-disciplinary study and research, I might normally consider such a question moot...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡINWzHv0BhU 維尼
Except for the fact that it is The Master asking.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡBXHiTHXB9X 維尼
I look over into its eyes...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡJkPPlkdmoF 維尼
Endless.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfQVpaSHj2 維尼
"Yes."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡeAx1rPokN0 維尼
The Master pauses, then abruptly throws back its thorn-crowned grey head to laugh, and laugh...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡGH2cchdZpi 維尼
I chuckle with it, uncertain of intent.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1vrMwS6Jr 維尼
Its laughter trails off. The Master comes forward, frowning slightly. "Step side."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡgcXK1BqJCb 維尼
I step aside.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡrWVxzQRFwo 維尼
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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt4PUZlfNL 維尼
(Irregular.)8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡgHURVXGe3a 維尼
Curious.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡYtfN4tCK8u 維尼
"Which dimensional coordinates are set?" I ask.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡP5sI5hNFuR 維尼
"Monitor the Secondary," it softly orders.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡPpj8wYkjvT 維尼
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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQM0DQi0RI 維尼
Check. Check, and –8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡmWYuLULlRd 維尼
The Master gives a sudden bark of laughter. "Fuck Tech Protocals," it declares. "A five minute timer will do. I have waited long enough..."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfIqo9Cb1Q 維尼
I laugh too. "As you say, Master Gabriel."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡ67Vf5YRuJ8 維尼
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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡaf7h2ezT5u 維尼
"Initiating frequency banding," it calls.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡhEnCWbK0wT 維尼
A hum begins building deep within the big, hulking Gateway Machine, while a cold wind starts to blow...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnO6UmaRXZ 維尼
I carefully monitor the readouts on the intentionally archaic Secondary display screen overhead...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡs57VJxwLbC 維尼
Normal.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡlflu9u1O4q 維尼
"Syncing co-ordinates to second of 3 Abnormality Sites," it calls. "Secondary confirm."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡl7EGeOad2d 維尼
I type briefly. "Confirmed. Proceed when ready."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJdyNYfnnn 維尼
A long pause.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡfsp7MnbjIM 維尼
"Initiating bridge," The Master finally states, no small amount of longing in its voice.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8gyCPI6OTG 維尼
The lowered circular gate-head is now brightening between us, and paling with glowing distortion...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡe3p2PSFueT 維尼
"Activating Gate."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡPnsHwzxnst 維尼
Slurred rending, then ethereal fire bands the circular gate-head, interior now burning dark...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡqys3pcFoDc 維尼
I gaze at it, into...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡDMm9IMTclv 維尼
Abyss.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Zlm0xlGpr 維尼
... (...)8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡdaLGpEYllo 維尼
The Master calls: "I'm going to adjust –"8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡcR5KbqeqHm 維尼
All sound drops.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡzTp2cMsKFz 維尼
What?8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡNzGh4mnIaK 維尼
The Id EIS eyes narrow.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4WHjqag90F 維尼
(Yes.)8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡMbZuAx8rAE 維尼
The inside the circular gate-head clears, showing...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡjPiVYaPXxF 維尼
... flat hues. Slowly, shapes of all types wink in and out of existence, moving along gentle currents of some other dimension...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCX7lrQwXd 維尼
Hm. Like schools of alien fish. Or bloodflow. Or –8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡPOJOS4Qjno 維尼
I step forward, to get a better view.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡFW5ncEIXqv 維尼
... 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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡDVMPhIhSao 維尼
What?8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1T3YGdYyOs 維尼
I step forward again.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡZXI9k1iNva 維尼
... 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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡJuNd6sykYm 維尼
How...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡppkHEdI1O9 維尼
Another step closer.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡ09yDEuHPCa 維尼
... 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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡzNV5tXsKHT 維尼
Whe...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡtJOoHqhnxB 維尼
Again, closer...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡbnsiEpIaDf 維尼
... 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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡlFRYYeOgjC 維尼
W...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡI5CEG81ToG 維尼
Closer.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuX1iFaB0A 維尼
... 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 –8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡxVKvwAHfg6 維尼
Vertigo.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡpZF0uEp2ib 維尼
No. It is pushing up AS the landscape. (Leviathon, crowning...)8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡGOVo36Fk2R 維尼
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 -8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtxHNezAaq 維尼
sky/rock/soil/liquid/All8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ6kHE4AbO 維尼
(We.)8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGOHk7q3lv 維尼
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 –8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgLzGpIldZ 維尼
POP: all of it suddenly bursts like a bubble.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8Tgnn39mUQ 維尼
Oh.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡtl7DEkMSvL 維尼
Ethereal glow dims...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tnLgnHiFl 維尼
Song fades...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡaliivnk3nL 維尼
(...)8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡhHcg5a3N3N 維尼
And.8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡSSOvIGpseP 維尼
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...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡt4c90zMpwl 維尼
The Master, who is standing beside me while still staring ahead with a strangely blank expression...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡceM5QgH8BO 維尼
We...8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡl0PKUJU43C 維尼
"Master Gabriel..."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡwL08DyU1rK 維尼
"Leave," it whispers. "Leave me now, Id."8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡdzdZQpxh2c 維尼
I leave.336Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcq5oLrwEQj
8964 copyright protection332ＰＥＮＡＮＡuCvT4NMYp2 維尼
