It won’t stop.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5g6U5VUOlv
(Five million, one hundred eighty thousand seconds.)copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8J87AgZguW
I skim through partial schematics for the incomplete Blanker Project displayed across bright display screens floating in an arc before me…copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡyc7W0oupVW
(Eighty-six thousand, four hundred minutes.)copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡH1dNViIP74
A slow, languid gesture of the Id EIS arm directs the Station Subroutine to fill in a code-gap…copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfNtnoJmEe
(One thousand forty hours.)copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡjcqq8qPCPK
I frown…copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡzwLMjH51wc
(Sixty days.)copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5SsTlPi5cW
… 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 protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡjv9JViaLVZ
…copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡwuwhhPZmRw
“Id.”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXo1RKR9Q3
I grunt.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ69yfTux3fs
The feminine voice calls again: “come.”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LXz3ep2Bg
Do I have to?copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡzbeXc5H3fx
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 protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lHFAB98Ep
Life. Power. Service.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡBIbyhfNHip
To stare beyond.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡXRAcONhwQw
…copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4XSLCtmMB1
“You should not sulk,” the sAI unexpectedly chastises me, after the long silence.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡbcKmL1BzJT
Half-turning. “I…”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡYGKzSzma5d
“Yes?”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡH9azVM2izE
It apprehends the emotional pain I am feeling.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡjKR37C5JcO
I sigh. “It has been two months since The Master last summoned me.”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡCavnKoX6z2
“And?”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgcuP8gSqQ
Although it is the worst pain I know to be apart from the Master for so long, I still feel…copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡwKAnOH0Tqc
Endless.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡI3ner7Doec
To serve is all: a first axiom. And service is not always of a comfortable fit for Attendants, I must remember.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxsE2iMjbc
I just stare at it for a moment, belatedly considering what should have been the obvious realities of Attendant service. “You are right.”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HWJ5Kr5ES
“Yes.”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡinWFCnNfM1
Plaintive. “Is there anything else I should do?”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡrdzURBdDUo
Silence.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ36MNcxehc
“Always,” it says. “But you have not been idle.”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7AA3fcq3rd
“Yes,” I admit. “Well… there is still much to learn, and research. I even began a new project.” Frowning. “In the hope…”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4TqEOig1Wb
Silence.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡqMexz2J7g1
“You possess a unique capacity for brilliance,” the sAI eventually admits. “I would not see it wasted.”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡjoBTrR6SVy
The Id EIS eyes widen.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ50rvEfOVhK
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 protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Iwlg6nZdE
“You think me so capable?” I ask.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1x2Drtvxlq
“It is merely potential at this point.”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5rqxW5NL05
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 protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡv6N2r48P4m
Silence.copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5TvJkZeSl
“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 protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡEXM5uJaiub
A partner! A friend!copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡnZib2Kfbzj
Joy. “Anything to serve The Master!”copyright protection132ＰＥＮＡＮＡx2pry8LxmE
ns3.234.208.66da2
