It won’t stop.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡo2Ju2YgCJu 維尼
(Five million, one hundred eighty thousand seconds.)8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡUutzvK4CjG 維尼
I skim through partial schematics for the incomplete Blanker Project displayed across bright display screens floating in an arc before me…8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡHmuOicKzzO 維尼
(Eighty-six thousand, four hundred minutes.)8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡBnSKkQEpgO 維尼
A slow, languid gesture of the Id EIS arm directs the Station Subroutine to fill in a code-gap…8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡMD19u5NwEB 維尼
(One thousand forty hours.)8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡLHoGQppN1p 維尼
I frown…8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡOVUYqTMzlX 維尼
(Sixty days.)8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡSuZpkgsI2R 維尼
… 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.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡpIrRY1NRsR 維尼
…8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡAte0eyOyGc 維尼
“Id.”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1lje88qG8 維尼
I grunt.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡSFOkvVKV2s 維尼
The feminine voice calls again: “come.”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡxbHTfJMCDI 維尼
Do I have to?8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7rp2UcVsIb 維尼
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…8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡbjYHypNuVu 維尼
Life. Power. Service.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡU2NEhibqrK 維尼
To stare beyond.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡTEpNtv1xgN 維尼
…8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡNIQvr56eId 維尼
“You should not sulk,” the sAI unexpectedly chastises me, after the long silence.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡeqUipI0sLu 維尼
Half-turning. “I…”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1WekYabz89 維尼
“Yes?”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡdeQiieWtO0 維尼
It apprehends the emotional pain I am feeling.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡdK0cf92Tpq 維尼
I sigh. “It has been two months since The Master last summoned me.”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLXcrNWPdZ 維尼
“And?”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡnk4whNvIct 維尼
Although it is the worst pain I know to be apart from the Master for so long, I still feel…8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5UYamacSKe 維尼
Endless.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡRgYSPHPQTN 維尼
To serve is all: a first axiom. And service is not always of a comfortable fit for Attendants, I must remember.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡt8gJqTJ0UO 維尼
I just stare at it for a moment, belatedly considering what should have been the obvious realities of Attendant service. “You are right.”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡy9TLtEIS52 維尼
“Yes.”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡIMcaciARPU 維尼
Plaintive. “Is there anything else I should do?”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡjrUaF47JdU 維尼
Silence.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡqSiZ01QP6X 維尼
“Always,” it says. “But you have not been idle.”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8tFnx4rajR 維尼
“Yes,” I admit. “Well… there is still much to learn, and research. I even began a new project.” Frowning. “In the hope…”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡjHqVg5asMl 維尼
Silence.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡDiSzEn6JGb 維尼
“You possess a unique capacity for brilliance,” the sAI eventually admits. “I would not see it wasted.”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡvKq6lo9YHa 維尼
The Id EIS eyes widen.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡjGnyGSs1vq 維尼
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…8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡJGZl93VM39 維尼
“You think me so capable?” I ask.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡad6AUmIZf6 維尼
“It is merely potential at this point.”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡCHAz7r0L8W 維尼
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.”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡXXpCfcgH9D 維尼
Silence.8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡuu5OPdEJ22 維尼
“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.”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0Nwn37mp1Z 維尼
A partner! A friend!8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡfNarFVPqNf 維尼
Joy. “Anything to serve The Master!”8964 copyright protection325ＰＥＮＡＮＡmkKpDH469j 維尼
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