The Id EIS eyes open.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡaeg1t8rFvh
Oh...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡujokmqBBOx
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡV26PTRt7mD
Mmm. Apropos of pleasure.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡR84XLKgQZU
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡnRBNmUd6uR
Brightness above...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡkZTH7dr8t7
I pass up and outside...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡlUkjCjAQ94
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5a9DkeGv8K
What?!copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡtZaKXY3G1j
I step forward, alarmed –copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡopFyDsCAoo
(Wait.) That is... the long gestating Gateway Machine.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡi7TfiFNbGB
After I remain motion for a time, The Master glances over. "So," it husks, "you have decided to join me..."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡwWcV2EiYgs
I hurry over to it. "Sorry to be late!"copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡgU54KGKVeg
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡRi5Wi3SFv5
"Thank you, Master Gabriel."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡF9sCHvPoUD
"You are welcome."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡY53Jc8xvJB
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡBSPgaxtyao
Endless.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡCmyHnaooK2
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡK33C2Ue2Rt
It is almost finished. (Or started.)copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡqe8J0URfFT
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2QYplHRoas
I call up: "is there anything I can do to help?"copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡwqlpNO1Hhb
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡPgqit4VCvJ
I wait patiently.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡkhrFTHLCn3
"Boot the main Control Display and check energy input/output," it finally calls down.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7NMGfh42Nj
"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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CmyIp4900
Check. Check...and check.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡzyN56hidAb
"Audio has been tested," The Master calls, with its voice growing closer...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡCNgk1Ufzx3
"What did you hear?" I ask, turning.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡayberpgZfj
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡkExer5KwiV
"No." I cock the Id EIS head, suddenly curious. "It is not for one such as I."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡQQV72WkE0r
It lands. "A pity..."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡpcdviz8DYR
I nod. Once it becomes apparent that nothing more will be said, I nod and return to typing.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3SWX2CVDaT
Pre-set for the virtualization test is ready, and –copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡo4JwIBPbsQ
"Would you like a... soul?"copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡrX5MUmuzTe
(Hm.)copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡtyWpUgdS8u
Understanding ever deeper the underpinnings of existence due to multi-disciplinary study and research, I might normally consider such a question moot...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvOBFM70Rh
Except for the fact that it is The Master asking.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnUMvYFg61
I look over into its eyes...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡjynNkQ70cu
Endless.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wVJJTgmjK
"Yes."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡz1dG51aI3b
The Master pauses, then abruptly throws back its thorn-crowned grey head to laugh, and laugh...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4iJPYJ5Ghw
I chuckle with it, uncertain of intent.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡnnwkKRQbbP
Its laughter trails off. The Master comes forward, frowning slightly. "Step side."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡwSATeXFoN7
I step aside.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡUo8jMD0In1
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7jqVM1RrQa
(Irregular.)copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzVspNZ9g0
Curious.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡATvFRmEdR8
"Which dimensional coordinates are set?" I ask.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡVvl20qc5Zx
"Monitor the Secondary," it softly orders.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSAziiUaRY
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0BhVfs93db
Check. Check, and –copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡu39tGZZZMQ
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡjQIbljE72N
I laugh too. "As you say, Master Gabriel."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡdB6Zj8NOsD
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡulLdQV41LI
"Initiating frequency banding," it calls.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡXUYJwRRLDe
A hum begins building deep within the big, hulking Gateway Machine, while a cold wind starts to blow...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡinyOUPKBdK
I carefully monitor the readouts on the intentionally archaic Secondary display screen overhead...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡYQKbplK7L2
Normal.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡSVy28pdCmh
"Syncing co-ordinates to second of 3 Abnormality Sites," it calls. "Secondary confirm."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡN8FCc2581r
I type briefly. "Confirmed. Proceed when ready."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7G1YZ6m9BN
A long pause.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2bDWY3quUy
"Initiating bridge," The Master finally states, no small amount of longing in its voice.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡAH0SnCkbQa
The lowered circular gate-head is now brightening between us, and paling with glowing distortion...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLk6eCkIUj
"Activating Gate."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡJJrsgzffvr
Slurred rending, then ethereal fire bands the circular gate-head, interior now burning dark...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3U4XAxgpvN
I gaze at it, into...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡNQ43eJ1flb
Abyss.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOJLrlerUS
... (...)copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡssxv6Y0kRM
The Master calls: "I'm going to adjust –"copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡrZ9PEUltpO
All sound drops.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡRNpkWRpFkd
What?copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡxFjf46o73Y
The Id EIS eyes narrow.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡJspasyeMi2
(Yes.)copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡdA1yD9zvDr
The inside the circular gate-head clears, showing...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡtPDPMXfStG
... flat hues. Slowly, shapes of all types wink in and out of existence, moving along gentle currents of some other dimension...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡZBqHR2Cm5Z
Hm. Like schools of alien fish. Or bloodflow. Or –copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HJ1B6hi8m
I step forward, to get a better view.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡEYYWRJvWAD
... 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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡbaCxYj9kxo
What?copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4QrEewVU6H
I step forward again.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡcV3e0M465s
... 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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡggLQIC4fnQ
How...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡEtkzWcw6Vs
Another step closer.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡUXXalUj6Mk
... 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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡQkNPQ1ZnEH
Whe...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtRAVVQdmC
Again, closer...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡLFjbu6KDFQ
... 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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOvnSX3MAk
W...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡS8XLss8lh0
Closer.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡFhRrfFqm4Q
... 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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡxUzSwJBf1b
Vertigo.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyojhGh5QV
No. It is pushing up AS the landscape. (Leviathon, crowning...)copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡd9XifvLBrO
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9OYfemj7vE
sky/rock/soil/liquid/Allcopyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡU8jIREOBnO
(We.)copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡP84EdKESGI
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡGpoAKz4VmF
POP: all of it suddenly bursts like a bubble.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡV3Ic2HafIN
Oh.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡJKh6eu7w8V
Ethereal glow dims...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ840z1x9ea2
Song fades...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡQEFg4NoFv3
(...)copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡECczYAS0Mr
And.copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡpJSyyVSqJy
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 protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2pcMmSB03
The Master, who is standing beside me while still staring ahead with a strangely blank expression...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡk6lvncLKiV
We...copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡtpjvztIKen
"Master Gabriel..."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡs7MpHLfKi8
"Leave," it whispers. "Leave me now, Id."copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9Q3TodvYf2
I leave.211Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkP7T2plGPM
copyright protection207ＰＥＮＡＮＡDxCNh2jvjs
