I follow into bright, and falling white. Blinking, the Id EIS ocular field resolves red sunlight, filtered by swirling falling snowflakes, shining down upon a white-sparkling snow-blanketed courtyard which The Master is already striding across, its black robe slightly billowing from the motion, heading towards the center...8964 copyright protection347PENANAZzv8zvjwzA 維尼
Endless.8964 copyright protection347PENANAJT2Xdm7QoO 維尼
(Go.)8964 copyright protection347PENANAUAJaoL5Qmt 維尼
I hurry after it.8964 copyright protection347PENANAPq0wBspGJa 維尼
"We will spend more time together," The Master promises me distractedly, its exhalations puffing white.8964 copyright protection347PENANA8BAIXnVmlr 維尼
Joy. "If it please you!"8964 copyright protection347PENANAl6TI5FKj2y 維尼
While we approach the empty center, marble-like steps slowly fade into view. They end abruptly, mid-air.8964 copyright protection347PENANAVOPK635UL6 維尼
Conveyence?8964 copyright protection347PENANA0w0Aeuqbxb 維尼
The Master climbs halfway, then glances back.8964 copyright protection347PENANAiRV5mRFCmo 維尼
I follow, halting beside it as the marble-like staircase begins a flowing ascent upwards through the swirling falling snowflakes, bringing us towards further Levels coming visible above...8964 copyright protection347PENANAXgeftQl5Qy 維尼
"This is one of my residence quadrants," The Master states. "You will know them."8964 copyright protection347PENANAtIxDSnFlMn 維尼
"Yes, Master Gabriel." Dutifully turning from it, I stare up at a vast second Level nearing: square like the shape of the Tower, this sprawling Level is separated, by darkly opaque partitions acting as walls, into four huge biome squares bound by the distant clear outerwalls of the Tower showing through to a bloated red sun hanging in the blue afternoon sky...8964 copyright protection347PENANAlOJUS9Bwnn 維尼
Hm. It seems reasonably sized.8964 copyright protection347PENANANHovS1Pz41 維尼
When we reach the edge of this second Level, the rising marble-like stairs now smoothly transition into a flowing flat walkway bringing us alongside for a closer look at one huge square biome filled with white-lumped shapes as snowflakes keep falling everywhere. A darkly opaque partition obscures sight, then another similar square comes into view. I am memorizing every detail of it before we hit the corner of the Level and the conveyer smoothly transitions back into marble-like stairs bringing us upwards through the snow towards a vast, sprawling third Level...8964 copyright protection347PENANAOnGlOT5f8y 維尼
Done.8964 copyright protection347PENANAxr5rmBB2Lk 維尼
Passing a certain threshold –8964 copyright protection347PENANA5dRzwCUe6H 維尼
– rain patters upon us instead of snowflakes, endless droplets falling down in sheets. While still ascending, I look down towards a point in space where each raindrop silently explodes into white snowflakes which continue swirling downwards...8964 copyright protection347PENANA43keIG8J5c 維尼
Hm. The technology is not impossible, but I wonder at its purpose in service.8964 copyright protection347PENANA5snnrRPyPJ 維尼
... before we reach the edge of the third Level, the rising stairs transitioning back into a smooth conveyer bringing us alongside the edge past four more similarly partitioned biome squares.8964 copyright protection347PENANAGNd3Bnbk5K 維尼
Much better visibility here.8964 copyright protection347PENANA0mGW0mLDFg 維尼
The first biome features a bright liquid pool rippling under the rain. A darkly opaque partition obscures sight, then the second biome can be seen to hold a rainy forest glade enfolding a lone cabin. A darkly opaque partition obscures sight again, then we hit the corner of the third Level and the conveyer transitions into rising marble-like stairs once more, bringing us up through the falling rain towards the fourth Level...8964 copyright protection347PENANAlTVKJAnj8U 維尼
(Soon...)8964 copyright protection347PENANAVWMGtKZ7HB 維尼
I stare upwards towards grey, gently roiling clouds, drawing close. Passing a certain point –8964 copyright protection347PENANAC5efJNK9Lf 維尼
– we pass into the grey. It is cold, damp and gently coiling as we reach the edge of what likely is the vast, sprawling fourth Level of this residence quadrant of the Master.8964 copyright protection347PENANAjX73pYw0e2 維尼
Hm. If I cannot see at all...8964 copyright protection347PENANA2ajf3QWMB1 維尼
The conveyer slows, then gently stops.8964 copyright protection347PENANAQcdI9WlhAA 維尼
"Id."8964 copyright protection347PENANA0hRz51nwyH 維尼
I turn.8964 copyright protection347PENANATOz53aqG16 維尼
The Master is wreathed in grey fog, almost seeming a part of it. "Research at the processor until you finish, then take the winding stair."8964 copyright protection347PENANAIoT1vOcdiF 維尼
"Yes, Master Gabriel." I turn, immediately walking off into the obscuring grey. The Id EIS footsteps are muted. Gradually, the outline of a chair, desk, and a large screen sitting upon it become visible. Obviously the processor, I smoothly sit at the chair, waiting patiently for it to scan and activate...8964 copyright protection347PENANALv02YqihRc 維尼
But the large screen remains dark.8964 copyright protection347PENANAlDavtC7g1q 維尼
Oh?8964 copyright protection347PENANAjcRrTN4wYL 維尼
Frowning, I press the power button underneath and the screen finally warms, brightening to a directory.8964 copyright protection347PENANA0LbQoQ3uve 維尼
Hm, this is older tech. For nostalgia? Or to keep this information off of the main system?8964 copyright protection347PENANAkxdWR8B7aW 維尼
I scan, then open the first filetree: it is an incomplete biosynth codemap labeled Second. A basic biosynthetic Attendant template is included and the behavioral traits are listed, but no detailed maps for neural systems or attached psych evaluations are included.8964 copyright protection347PENANAG4YtEJDv7H 維尼
Curious.8964 copyright protection347PENANAnc9yJOWLp7 維尼
Reading through the service record, I find it similarly incomplete. Second was often punished brutally, while frequent post-maturation tweaks to the Second EIS were made by The Master. Permanently decommisioned after six months, no Projects are listed.8964 copyright protection347PENANA5HBD7PiTvJ 維尼
"Hmm." I sit back in the chair, reflecting...8964 copyright protection347PENANAttyQkld7QW 維尼
Second was a failure. It would be helpful to know more particulars of this cautionary tale, but... I cannot be too worried, having already completed several successful Projects for The Master without noted punishment.8964 copyright protection347PENANAphooj1H8TI 維尼
I move on, opening up the next filetree: a biosynth codemap labeled Third. A heavily altered biosynthetic Attendant template, the service record shows competent service, with noted assistance on certain of The Master's projects. But nothing stands out, and service was ended after two years.8964 copyright protection347PENANA2HekyF1NfF 維尼
Generic.8964 copyright protection347PENANAsWD2oHSE4l 維尼
I move on, opening up the next filetree: a biosynth codemap labeled Fourth. The biosynthetic Attendant template was moderately altered, and Fourth is listed as having produced many original Projects and serving for nearly a century. When examining listed Projects, I am impressed to discover that Fourth invented Smartmatter 2.0, the first C-Shield, Evolution Trigger 2.0 and a wide range of other foundational technologies.8964 copyright protection347PENANAkB52fWfx2C 維尼
Yes, there is much to live up to... although Fourth did NOT possess intelligence beyond Base 1, as I do. It was also tailored to introspective meekness, conversations with The Master appearing to have been few and far between. Another interesting fact is that Fourth was only punished twice: once on the first day of service, and again shortly before The Master ordered termination.8964 copyright protection347PENANALVWrKBGBuP 維尼
The Id EIS lips curve up into a smile.8964 copyright protection347PENANA08fbJuyj8W 維尼
I can exceed this.8964 copyright protection347PENANAv5qwrueAbC 維尼
I move on, opening up the next filetree: a biosynth codemap labelled Fifth. Basic template and basic service record.8964 copyright protection347PENANANMPLa6p41B 維尼
Generic.8964 copyright protection347PENANAHsunSbPtMl 維尼
I move on, opening up the next filetree: a biosynth codemap labelled Sixth. A social aide but a scientific failure. Long-lived.8964 copyright protection347PENANANj9hWTFVtR 維尼
Mixed success.8964 copyright protection347PENANAeTO7WO0EGr 維尼
I move on, opening up the next filetree: a biosynth codemap labelled Seventh. Served unremarkably well for 10 years.8964 copyright protection347PENANAML2Dm9JcqE 維尼
Underwhelming.8964 copyright protection347PENANAXwMl82gExG 維尼
I move on, opening up the next filetree: a biosynth codemap labelled Eighth. Moderately altered template. Stern, brilliant, mercurial and long-lived, the end of the service record is redacted.8964 copyright protection347PENANAVBbr6olQvW 維尼
Curious. Hm.8964 copyright protection347PENANAm0rK8TCFHA 維尼
I move on, opening up the next filetree: a biosynth codemap labelled Ninth. A tireless worker, intelligence at base level 1.2, it chiefly maintained the Tower grounds and wider Domain, travelling beyond the Border as well, although those details are mostly redacted.8964 copyright protection347PENANAy0EaEV7yOL 維尼
Another interesting mystery.8964 copyright protection347PENANA8OU2TGmB8g 維尼
I move on, opening up the third to last filetree: a biosynth codemap labelled Tenth. Intelligence was base level 2.0, but service was erratic. Numerous Projects are listed, a great number in the middle partially redacted. Tenth served 40 years, although it was intermittently held in stasis for years at a time.8964 copyright protection347PENANA1Cl8eir1vs 維尼
Mhmmm. Peak mystery.8964 copyright protection347PENANAuQw5v07QPs 維尼
I move on, opening up the second to last filetree: a biosyth codemap labelled Eleventh. Little is listed besides a few Projects concerning theoretical physics. Eleventh served five years, attended a Meeting of The Twelve and was promptly decommissioned at the end.8964 copyright protection347PENANAZO943EzATc 維尼
Some kind of presentation failure, I assume.8964 copyright protection347PENANAkNxiG32d6O 維尼
When I move on to the last filetree, the Id EIS eyes narrow. Three folders await me: the Genesis Project, Lost Eden and the Interrupting Event.8964 copyright protection347PENANAeaDQCRAjNd 維尼
Hm. (Well now...)8964 copyright protection347PENANAZ5Tqcjp9Yk 維尼
While reading, I find that it is all old, pivotal history, but detailed much more fully here than in public Tower systems, including every single step from the Iconoclast Period to The Twelve. By the end I have run the gamut from intrigued, to enthralled, to beaming pride for those forever superior8964 copyright protection347PENANAGtE5G2bBtg 維尼
The death and rebirth of humanity. Wow. What an incredible genesis. (Yes. The Master is a great one...)8964 copyright protection347PENANAZ3bqVscHn3 維尼
Now finished, I shut the processor off and walk back out across the fourth Level, through swirling grey mist. I eventually return to the now empty marble-like walkway and step on, after which it begins passing alongside the edge again before transitioning back up into rising stairs which curve towards the center of the interior, ambient light fading quickly until all becomes darkness.8964 copyright protection347PENANAB3g2bjqxoB 維尼
(Stillness.)8964 copyright protection347PENANAhmEPHhHCAt 維尼
I am still.8964 copyright protection347PENANAIhjCnoyrYx 維尼
Suddenly: a spotlight shines down now, illuminating a solitary, red-sheeted bed waiting in the center of this new dark place.8964 copyright protection347PENANA9MWb4QNnSX 維尼
Is –?8964 copyright protection347PENANA7EFmYWII5V 維尼
A heavy hand falls upon the Id EIS shoulder.8964 copyright protection347PENANA6Njlhe4BcB 維尼
Oh! It's touching me! I...8964 copyright protection347PENANAa92wY2wlmu 維尼
"You are to be favored," The Master whispers behind me in a strange, husky tone never used before.8964 copyright protection347PENANAF6JWk0TTgp 維尼
I smile tremulously, sensitively aware of the constant Id EIS body nudity the first time now...8964 copyright protection347PENANApcClv5Eu2n 維尼
Its grey fingers slide from the Id EIS collarbone on down, trailing warmth Never before experienced. Across the Id EIS chest, then building down towards the Id EIS stomach-muscles growing taut at the contact, moving towards –8964 copyright protection347PENANA6Ln951cRbX 維尼
I gasp.8964 copyright protection347PENANA8QTHvxYBLF 維尼
Hot breath against the Id EIS ear. "It is time to share new things."351Please respect copyright.PENANAOPajHorwCP
8964 copyright protection347PENANA7UYTZvxtFT 維尼