It won’t stop.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTZXktaQ1A
(Five million, one hundred eighty thousand seconds.)copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxPtREJTLE
I skim through partial schematics for the incomplete Blanker Project displayed across bright display screens floating in an arc before me…copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡrCAGg8jenh
(Eighty-six thousand, four hundred minutes.)copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdaFbv8lma
A slow, languid gesture of the Id EIS arm directs the Station Subroutine to fill in a code-gap…copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡVKHKezoYta
(One thousand forty hours.)copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡCUNdB3lUiI
I frown…copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡbYWmE7RMse
(Sixty days.)copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnYF8dewbH
… 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 protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡHNBu0dxm7P
…copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5jO1Fs9xfB
“Id.”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡLcZKS7X6E8
I grunt.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡNlWpPWCnjK
The feminine voice calls again: “come.”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡdo31pJuygK
Do I have to?copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡa2X9MPhKVV
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 protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡSJgO96LLt4
Life. Power. Service.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡwGszISicrz
To stare beyond.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡWBBTLoI28E
…copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡX0oePxkAiN
“You should not sulk,” the sAI unexpectedly chastises me, after the long silence.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡFPu8oc0Hpr
Half-turning. “I…”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡhm3SfOhYQp
“Yes?”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡDOq12fynQR
It apprehends the emotional pain I am feeling.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡbwGFE5RENh
I sigh. “It has been two months since The Master last summoned me.”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64D9XTXeRO
“And?”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡEvC4wFk52b
Although it is the worst pain I know to be apart from the Master for so long, I still feel…copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡXdHETmJK0w
Endless.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡ27BFgyyeNq
To serve is all: a first axiom. And service is not always of a comfortable fit for Attendants, I must remember.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2rVFwskRyn
I just stare at it for a moment, belatedly considering what should have been the obvious realities of Attendant service. “You are right.”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2vBK9u6Tf7
“Yes.”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡqhe1WvAuJn
Plaintive. “Is there anything else I should do?”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡVLPQqliLcQ
Silence.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fmJ0we7pt
“Always,” it says. “But you have not been idle.”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡfQKuRHZscJ
“Yes,” I admit. “Well… there is still much to learn, and research. I even began a new project.” Frowning. “In the hope…”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ7vFXW1gHe
Silence.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7QutAu0OBp
“You possess a unique capacity for brilliance,” the sAI eventually admits. “I would not see it wasted.”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡhRf2l7JkAV
The Id EIS eyes widen.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3q2z50v7gc
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 protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡlo2PSDkSrW
“You think me so capable?” I ask.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡiINyK8Futg
“It is merely potential at this point.”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡpxGs6MsBTI
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 protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡNf7Q4ZuoRV
Silence.copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡk9E7HognTJ
“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 protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡDigjKm6cYZ
A partner! A friend!copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡVMe2Dj17IT
Joy. “Anything to serve The Master!”copyright protection96ＰＥＮＡＮＡ222GaK5r7Y
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