Sion looked back at Blythe and did something that most humans found incredibly unsettling but couldn't put their finger on. He didn't blink. Quantums were programmed by humans to blink periodically in order to offset this uncanny effect, but Sion chose to temporarily ignore it. He didn't say anything; he knew Blythe was right, but he knew she was going to be trouble if she couldn't learn to control the impulse to retaliate, even if only in word. He knew that in the end, there was very little they could do in an empire that was run by Ascendeds, many of whom still shared Solomon's sentiments. Sion exited the shuttle.
Solomon followed wordlessly, throwing a look of disgust behind him. He was glad to be off that shuttle, glad he no longer had to share such close proximity with trash.
Israfil turned and looked at Mike with a hint of terror in his eyes, but it subsided quickly. He realized that Mike may have taken what he said the wrong way, that Ascendeds were creepy, horrifying, and monstrous. Well, it is what he meant, but the thought that he may have senselessly said something to offend Mike only made him feel the distance between them grow, as the hope that they could be friends seemed suddenly harder if not impossible. He wondered if Mike hated him for what he had said. He wondered if he should apologize to Mike. Yet Mike seemed to want to continue to be friends, his words and smile suggested as much. Israfil gulped, "S-sure...m-maybe you can..show me sometime. And...I-I'm sorry for what i said...about Ascendeds..." he went over and joined mike who was waiting for him.
Tera could tell that there was some sort of personality incompatibility between Claire and Blythe, and the strain it put on their relationship as siblings. There was a fear among the Ascendeds that Quantums would endlessly manufacture more of themselves, putting a population strain on the already tight resources of the small empire, and create a rebel robot army that would destroy all human life. For this reason, limits were put into place for how many "children" Quantums were allowed to have. That being the case, Tera didn't have 'siblings', so seeing the strain between the twins made Tera feel a bit sad. "We should follow the Liuetenant," Tera suggested calmly, "I think...he's trying his hardest."
The shuttle had docked in the hangar bay, which was a massive empty space where all seven cogs were docked, all standing upright except for Sion's Fury, which was non-humanoid. Catwalks extended all around the cogs, where the rest of the engineering team were performing some routine maintenance. From the hangar, the cogs could be launched via mag-rail catapult into the thick of battle. Though none of the ensigns had seen their cogs before, since the designs were optimized based on scans of their brains and personalities, it was fairly easy for them to pick out which one was theirs.
"W-which one's mine?" Israfil asked out loud without thinking.
"Whichever one feels most right to you."
Sion turned to the source of the voice and saluted.
"At ease," the owner of the voice replied. She was a tall, tan young woman. "Lieutenant Maya Encarnacion," she introduced herself to the ensigns, "and behind me is Captain Hargreaves. She's given me the privilege of doing introductions." She motioned behind her to show the captain flanked by a few soldiers. Captain Catherine Hargreaves looked over the new pilots with a placid smile.
"So, which one feels right to you?" Maya asked in a friendly tone, continuing the conversation, and sort of putting Israfil on the spot.
"I-I...I don't know...maybe that one," he replied pointing to a massive, white and lilac colored cog, "B-but it feels...almost too powerful for someone like me...but..."
"But...?" Maya asked, prompting him to continue.
"But...I think...I would feel...very safe inside it..."
Maya just smiled, "That's right, your cogs were made for you. I might even say that it knows more about you than you know of yourself. Anyone else want to know which one's theirs? Or does anyone have any other questions before we continue? Mine's that handsome hunk over there by the way." Maya motioned towards a black and green cog that looked for all intents and purposes like a mechanical brawler. She gave Sion an expectant look.
A bit of annoyance showed in Sion's eyes. He felt Maya was being unprofessional, even a bit immature, and definitely too friendly, but he acquiesced, "Mine's Fury, the only non-humanoid cog. As Lieutenant Encarnacion said, feel free to ask any questions before we continue."
