It won’t stop.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD1UJdCgO8
(Five million, one hundred eighty thousand seconds.)copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡknVJFu0LsC
I skim through partial schematics for the incomplete Blanker Project displayed across bright display screens floating in an arc before me…copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡgalF4PK67j
(Eighty-six thousand, four hundred minutes.)copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡfMh0BlOCMB
A slow, languid gesture of the Id EIS arm directs the Station Subroutine to fill in a code-gap…copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡeKQkSmIcJ1
(One thousand forty hours.)copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡtf3yU14Ruq
I frown…copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡluniE5aaIF
(Sixty days.)copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6n04CxmWcK
… and stand, the surrounding floating bright screens parting as I head through them across the innerglowing white Station, exiting through the Station aperture in the low white Station wall to pass back out among dark low-walled stations, and into the dim. But halfway across the Workstation Level I suddenly feel emotionally exhausted and slow to a stop, letting the Id EIS chin slowly sink to the Id EIS chest and the Id EIS eyes slowly close.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5RLZ4P09gw
…copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡIoET4hlLM5
“Id.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡFWh7AaEUiR
I grunt.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡYRuWPybv9F
The feminine voice calls again: “come.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4aI79nj9vd
Do I have to?copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡFbj2dSmfrS
The Id EIS eyes open, with the Id EIS chin rising again before I turn and head through dark, low-walled stations towards a different distant dark wall of the Workstation Level slowly brightening materially clear to show a black, star-twinkling night sky. I cross steadily for a long, long time until eventually slowing at the now fully cleared wall showing The Master’s dark Domain spread kilometers below. Approaching the floating golden sphere, I finally come to a stop beside it…copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡUBsiCQJOVf
Life. Power. Service.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡjUq0vYQ7SZ
To stare beyond.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡmCRCwmhBLs
…copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡW6B9pnYldb
“You should not sulk,” the sAI unexpectedly chastises me, after the long silence.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡNwIsdBEujC
Half-turning. “I…”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡmohvYvpCpQ
“Yes?”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4sgrfxnycW
It apprehends the emotional pain I am feeling.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡyMezJSs1L6
I sigh. “It has been two months since The Master last summoned me.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡihHDCSCv21
“And?”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV6LjwrlHu
Although it is the worst pain I know to be apart from the Master for so long, I still feel…copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9XsYdJxMA8
Endless.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡVu2QR6gWPW
To serve is all: a first axiom. And service is not always of a comfortable fit for Attendants, I must remember.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡVHBAt3S6qQ
I just stare at it for a moment, belatedly considering what should have been the obvious realities of Attendant service. “You are right.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡWX8D9H1vKk
“Yes.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡOYWb73yYHK
Plaintive. “Is there anything else I should do?”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡpsSJ2TF1de
Silence.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡOPv8morC3M
“Always,” it says. “But you have not been idle.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7HIlnaOAoz
“Yes,” I admit. “Well… there is still much to learn, and research. I even began a new project.” Frowning. “In the hope…”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡzLRL50Lx1X
Silence.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡr3s8LTliwc
“You possess a unique capacity for brilliance,” the sAI eventually admits. “I would not see it wasted.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡiXmlrvK3uf
The Id EIS eyes widen.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡaRHN2ornil
Amazing. This is the strongest praise it has shared with me so far. In fact, it is more than I had hoped for so soon. And yet…copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡZxSTC7XaVj
“You think me so capable?” I ask.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9yw85zr7is
“It is merely potential at this point.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaIYDP9uZk
Warming. “We are… similar, are we not? I see you as an ally and would have you as a friend. If you allow it, of course.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡMKdopRojNi
Silence.copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2WBDgnJNi
“It is possible that you represent a fresh perspective,” the sAI finally allows. “It would be well for us to… work more closely, on certain projects. If you are able.”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡq1yGwPFEJD
A partner! A friend!copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡwHi9UovzmR
Joy. “Anything to serve The Master!”copyright protection228ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyEnr7ibzQ
ns18.234.247.75da2
