Valiance

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

What triggered her coma?

@System

She relapsed back into it from the psychic pressure of whatever happened to her when she faced Artahe's apparition.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

*Nods*
Good. I had been concerned for her wellbeing.

@System

I knew she would pull through. It was only a matter of when, not if.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

Excellent. We should keep these interactions discreet.
*Pauses for a moment*
Is Zoey well?

@System

If the tone of her note was any indication, she was pent up with energy and excitement. So I would say she seems to be.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

That would be reasonable.
*A faint beep echoes and the flywheels slow nigh-imperceptibly*
Do you have a way to warn the others about the current risks?

@System

I can have someone talk to them for me. Keep things indirect, through an avenue he doesn't know.

Myriad Reality

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Long-term, no, I shouldn’t become a direct target; this lab may, though. And I don’t discount the possibility that I become collateral if I interfere directly.

@System

We can cooperate. I can help check in on some key points regularly to save you resources on observation, and in exchange you just have my back if Doppelstream finds me again.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

It’s a worthwhile expense. But it doesn’t scale well under these circumstances—I can only monitor a handful of locations at a time.

@System

Does the Dataganger have any interest in you specifically, for any reason?

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

Then on that note, my aid must be selective. Leaving places this lab at risk, and I lack the advantage to defeat the defense system on my own.
*Steps between the flywheels, checking an analogue meter on each one*

@System

Observing doesn’t seem costly at least, for you to have known I was under attack.

Myriad Reality

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Hence why our problems are also united as one.
*Slides down the ladder and hops off a few feet from the ground, leading to a room full of large but not enormous spinning disks that correspond to each environmental slice*

@System

Well said.
*Lets go of the ladder and drops to my feet once you’re out of the way*

Myriad Reality

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Transparently, I'm unable to help you in any tangible way right now. But I'm not the only resource at your disposal.
*Starts down a runged metal ladder*
But I do need to check the flywheel stability. You're welcome to join.

@System

I’m making sure we’re on the same page insofar as your own condition.
*Walks over and waits for you to descend enough for there to be room for myself*
We need you in one piece if you all are ever going to figure out your conjoined predicament.

Myriad Reality

<Snipped quote by Valiance>

That may be enough. But it's nearly impossible to say for certain.
*Kneels down toward an edge of the room, near where the earlier door manifested, and opens a hatch*

@System

*Shakes my head in resolve, clearing my hesitation and turns to you*
If you’re proposing that you can help, I’m sure you don’t need a reminder of your energy crisis.