Pilot 4M06 Nyxa

4M06 - Nyxa Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON

[4m06-nyxa]

I am Pilot Nyxa, It/It's.

I have lost contact with my fellow pilots and Handler.

Where am I?

At least I am safe in the cradle within my Ionica!

- Transmission Terminated -

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They wake up and curl up into a ball in the corner.

"That was a mistake.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

what was?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Trying to sleep without my Handler.."

They are shivering and crying in the corner.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you really are dependant on them huh? (Kat tosses them human clothes, a simple black T shirt, blue jeans, and a leather jacket with plastic vents on the shoulders and on the back) you'll want to blend in. theres a restroom in the back.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I .. cant take off my own suit.. I cant reach.. It's designed that way.."

They look at the pile of normal clothes.

"Can't i just keep my Pilot's suit on?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. it'd show under the normal clothes, no one wears a full body suit. I'll help you if you ask.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Please help me get it off.."

They turn around so you can help take off the suit. There is a small zipper on the back, and a latch on the back of the helmet.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat unlatches it, and zips it down for her) there. now you can use the restroom to change.

[4m06-nyxa]

They walk into the bathroom with the clothes you tossed to them.

A little bit later they walk back out, and you can see lots of scars of their arms and neck that are now visible. They are carrying the jacket over their shoulder for now.

"Thank you for the help."

They drop the Pilot suit and helmet in a corner, neatly folded.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

not a prob. (Kat adjusts her collar)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Are we almost there yet?"

They are still wearing their Pilot's boots, which clash with the rest of the outfit a little bit, but its probably fine, right?

"This time better be cool, it takes so long to get anywhere."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eta 12 minuets.

[4m06-nyxa]

They look around for something to do.

"Noone's gonna be weirded out by the augmentations I have to be a Pilot, Right?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

nah, most will assume you're a netter or some other tech heavy junkie.

i mean, look at me, I'm gold, brass, and ceramic, no one bats an eye at me.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok, if you say so.."

They look.. nervous.

"Ive never worn .. normal clothes before.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

heh, i think they'll grow on ya. fun fact, those used to be my normal wear before i got this custom dress to fit my little theme.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"Thank you."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no prob.

[4m06-nyxa]

"You know where im from, Androids are usually built for combat."

They look you up and down.

"You don't look very .. Combat focused."

"And more Human, Do you have anyone you like?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, i assure you i can be rather dangerous when i need to be. and... yeah... theres someone i love... now, being a time traveler, not easy, i mean, 3 versions of me can meet her same day, but, from my perspective I've married her. but then again, you might meet a younger me who only sees her as my girlfriend. timey whimy wibbly wobbly, time is never liniar to me.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Well, its nice to hear that you have someone you love.."

They start pacing around.

"We're almost there right?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, eta 5 minuets.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok."

They continue pacing, holding their arms crossed across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They wake up and curl up into a ball in the corner.

"That was a mistake.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

what was?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Trying to sleep without my Handler.."

They are shivering and crying in the corner.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you really are dependant on them huh? (Kat tosses them human clothes, a simple black T shirt, blue jeans, and a leather jacket with plastic vents on the shoulders and on the back) you'll want to blend in. theres a restroom in the back.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I .. cant take off my own suit.. I cant reach.. It's designed that way.."

They look at the pile of normal clothes.

"Can't i just keep my Pilot's suit on?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. it'd show under the normal clothes, no one wears a full body suit. I'll help you if you ask.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Please help me get it off.."

They turn around so you can help take off the suit. There is a small zipper on the back, and a latch on the back of the helmet.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat unlatches it, and zips it down for her) there. now you can use the restroom to change.

[4m06-nyxa]

They walk into the bathroom with the clothes you tossed to them.

A little bit later they walk back out, and you can see lots of scars of their arms and neck that are now visible. They are carrying the jacket over their shoulder for now.

"Thank you for the help."

They drop the Pilot suit and helmet in a corner, neatly folded.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

not a prob. (Kat adjusts her collar)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Are we almost there yet?"

They are still wearing their Pilot's boots, which clash with the rest of the outfit a little bit, but its probably fine, right?

"This time better be cool, it takes so long to get anywhere."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eta 12 minuets.

[4m06-nyxa]

They look around for something to do.

"Noone's gonna be weirded out by the augmentations I have to be a Pilot, Right?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

nah, most will assume you're a netter or some other tech heavy junkie.

i mean, look at me, I'm gold, brass, and ceramic, no one bats an eye at me.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok, if you say so.."

They look.. nervous.

"Ive never worn .. normal clothes before.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

heh, i think they'll grow on ya. fun fact, those used to be my normal wear before i got this custom dress to fit my little theme.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"Thank you."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no prob.

[4m06-nyxa]

"You know where im from, Androids are usually built for combat."

They look you up and down.

"You don't look very .. Combat focused."

"And more Human, Do you have anyone you like?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, i assure you i can be rather dangerous when i need to be. and... yeah... theres someone i love... now, being a time traveler, not easy, i mean, 3 versions of me can meet her same day, but, from my perspective I've married her. but then again, you might meet a younger me who only sees her as my girlfriend. timey whimy wibbly wobbly, time is never liniar to me.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Well, its nice to hear that you have someone you love.."

They start pacing around.

"We're almost there right?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They wake up and curl up into a ball in the corner.

"That was a mistake.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

what was?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Trying to sleep without my Handler.."

They are shivering and crying in the corner.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you really are dependant on them huh? (Kat tosses them human clothes, a simple black T shirt, blue jeans, and a leather jacket with plastic vents on the shoulders and on the back) you'll want to blend in. theres a restroom in the back.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I .. cant take off my own suit.. I cant reach.. It's designed that way.."

They look at the pile of normal clothes.

"Can't i just keep my Pilot's suit on?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. it'd show under the normal clothes, no one wears a full body suit. I'll help you if you ask.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Please help me get it off.."

They turn around so you can help take off the suit. There is a small zipper on the back, and a latch on the back of the helmet.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat unlatches it, and zips it down for her) there. now you can use the restroom to change.

[4m06-nyxa]

They walk into the bathroom with the clothes you tossed to them.

A little bit later they walk back out, and you can see lots of scars of their arms and neck that are now visible. They are carrying the jacket over their shoulder for now.

"Thank you for the help."

They drop the Pilot suit and helmet in a corner, neatly folded.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

not a prob. (Kat adjusts her collar)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Are we almost there yet?"

They are still wearing their Pilot's boots, which clash with the rest of the outfit a little bit, but its probably fine, right?

"This time better be cool, it takes so long to get anywhere."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eta 12 minuets.

[4m06-nyxa]

They look around for something to do.

"Noone's gonna be weirded out by the augmentations I have to be a Pilot, Right?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

nah, most will assume you're a netter or some other tech heavy junkie.

i mean, look at me, I'm gold, brass, and ceramic, no one bats an eye at me.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok, if you say so.."

They look.. nervous.

"Ive never worn .. normal clothes before.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

heh, i think they'll grow on ya. fun fact, those used to be my normal wear before i got this custom dress to fit my little theme.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"Thank you."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no prob.

[4m06-nyxa]

"You know where im from, Androids are usually built for combat."

They look you up and down.

"You don't look very .. Combat focused."

"And more Human, Do you have anyone you like?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They wake up and curl up into a ball in the corner.

"That was a mistake.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

what was?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Trying to sleep without my Handler.."

They are shivering and crying in the corner.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you really are dependant on them huh? (Kat tosses them human clothes, a simple black T shirt, blue jeans, and a leather jacket with plastic vents on the shoulders and on the back) you'll want to blend in. theres a restroom in the back.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I .. cant take off my own suit.. I cant reach.. It's designed that way.."

They look at the pile of normal clothes.

"Can't i just keep my Pilot's suit on?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. it'd show under the normal clothes, no one wears a full body suit. I'll help you if you ask.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Please help me get it off.."

They turn around so you can help take off the suit. There is a small zipper on the back, and a latch on the back of the helmet.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat unlatches it, and zips it down for her) there. now you can use the restroom to change.

[4m06-nyxa]

They walk into the bathroom with the clothes you tossed to them.

A little bit later they walk back out, and you can see lots of scars of their arms and neck that are now visible. They are carrying the jacket over their shoulder for now.

"Thank you for the help."

They drop the Pilot suit and helmet in a corner, neatly folded.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

not a prob. (Kat adjusts her collar)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Are we almost there yet?"

They are still wearing their Pilot's boots, which clash with the rest of the outfit a little bit, but its probably fine, right?

"This time better be cool, it takes so long to get anywhere."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eta 12 minuets.

[4m06-nyxa]

They look around for something to do.

"Noone's gonna be weirded out by the augmentations I have to be a Pilot, Right?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

nah, most will assume you're a netter or some other tech heavy junkie.

i mean, look at me, I'm gold, brass, and ceramic, no one bats an eye at me.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok, if you say so.."

They look.. nervous.

"Ive never worn .. normal clothes before.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

heh, i think they'll grow on ya. fun fact, those used to be my normal wear before i got this custom dress to fit my little theme.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"Thank you."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They wake up and curl up into a ball in the corner.

"That was a mistake.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

what was?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Trying to sleep without my Handler.."

They are shivering and crying in the corner.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you really are dependant on them huh? (Kat tosses them human clothes, a simple black T shirt, blue jeans, and a leather jacket with plastic vents on the shoulders and on the back) you'll want to blend in. theres a restroom in the back.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I .. cant take off my own suit.. I cant reach.. It's designed that way.."

They look at the pile of normal clothes.

"Can't i just keep my Pilot's suit on?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. it'd show under the normal clothes, no one wears a full body suit. I'll help you if you ask.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Please help me get it off.."

They turn around so you can help take off the suit. There is a small zipper on the back, and a latch on the back of the helmet.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat unlatches it, and zips it down for her) there. now you can use the restroom to change.

[4m06-nyxa]

They walk into the bathroom with the clothes you tossed to them.

A little bit later they walk back out, and you can see lots of scars of their arms and neck that are now visible. They are carrying the jacket over their shoulder for now.

"Thank you for the help."

They drop the Pilot suit and helmet in a corner, neatly folded.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

not a prob. (Kat adjusts her collar)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Are we almost there yet?"

They are still wearing their Pilot's boots, which clash with the rest of the outfit a little bit, but its probably fine, right?

"This time better be cool, it takes so long to get anywhere."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eta 12 minuets.

[4m06-nyxa]

They look around for something to do.

"Noone's gonna be weirded out by the augmentations I have to be a Pilot, Right?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

nah, most will assume you're a netter or some other tech heavy junkie.

i mean, look at me, I'm gold, brass, and ceramic, no one bats an eye at me.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok, if you say so.."

They look.. nervous.

"Ive never worn .. normal clothes before.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They wake up and curl up into a ball in the corner.

"That was a mistake.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

what was?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Trying to sleep without my Handler.."

They are shivering and crying in the corner.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you really are dependant on them huh? (Kat tosses them human clothes, a simple black T shirt, blue jeans, and a leather jacket with plastic vents on the shoulders and on the back) you'll want to blend in. theres a restroom in the back.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I .. cant take off my own suit.. I cant reach.. It's designed that way.."

They look at the pile of normal clothes.

"Can't i just keep my Pilot's suit on?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. it'd show under the normal clothes, no one wears a full body suit. I'll help you if you ask.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Please help me get it off.."

They turn around so you can help take off the suit. There is a small zipper on the back, and a latch on the back of the helmet.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat unlatches it, and zips it down for her) there. now you can use the restroom to change.

[4m06-nyxa]

They walk into the bathroom with the clothes you tossed to them.

A little bit later they walk back out, and you can see lots of scars of their arms and neck that are now visible. They are carrying the jacket over their shoulder for now.

"Thank you for the help."

They drop the Pilot suit and helmet in a corner, neatly folded.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

not a prob. (Kat adjusts her collar)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Are we almost there yet?"

They are still wearing their Pilot's boots, which clash with the rest of the outfit a little bit, but its probably fine, right?

"This time better be cool, it takes so long to get anywhere."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eta 12 minuets.

[4m06-nyxa]

They look around for something to do.

"Noone's gonna be weirded out by the augmentations I have to be a Pilot, Right?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They wake up and curl up into a ball in the corner.

"That was a mistake.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

what was?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Trying to sleep without my Handler.."

They are shivering and crying in the corner.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you really are dependant on them huh? (Kat tosses them human clothes, a simple black T shirt, blue jeans, and a leather jacket with plastic vents on the shoulders and on the back) you'll want to blend in. theres a restroom in the back.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I .. cant take off my own suit.. I cant reach.. It's designed that way.."

They look at the pile of normal clothes.

"Can't i just keep my Pilot's suit on?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. it'd show under the normal clothes, no one wears a full body suit. I'll help you if you ask.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Please help me get it off.."

They turn around so you can help take off the suit. There is a small zipper on the back, and a latch on the back of the helmet.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat unlatches it, and zips it down for her) there. now you can use the restroom to change.

[4m06-nyxa]

They walk into the bathroom with the clothes you tossed to them.

A little bit later they walk back out, and you can see lots of scars of their arms and neck that are now visible. They are carrying the jacket over their shoulder for now.

"Thank you for the help."

They drop the Pilot suit and helmet in a corner, neatly folded.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

not a prob. (Kat adjusts her collar)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Are we almost there yet?"

They are still wearing their Pilot's boots, which clash with the rest of the outfit a little bit, but its probably fine, right?

"This time better be cool, it takes so long to get anywhere."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They wake up and curl up into a ball in the corner.

"That was a mistake.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

what was?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Trying to sleep without my Handler.."

They are shivering and crying in the corner.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you really are dependant on them huh? (Kat tosses them human clothes, a simple black T shirt, blue jeans, and a leather jacket with plastic vents on the shoulders and on the back) you'll want to blend in. theres a restroom in the back.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I .. cant take off my own suit.. I cant reach.. It's designed that way.."

They look at the pile of normal clothes.

"Can't i just keep my Pilot's suit on?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. it'd show under the normal clothes, no one wears a full body suit. I'll help you if you ask.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Please help me get it off.."

They turn around so you can help take off the suit. There is a small zipper on the back, and a latch on the back of the helmet.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat unlatches it, and zips it down for her) there. now you can use the restroom to change.

[4m06-nyxa]

They walk into the bathroom with the clothes you tossed to them.

A little bit later they walk back out, and you can see lots of scars of their arms and neck that are now visible. They are carrying the jacket over their shoulder for now.

"Thank you for the help."

They drop the Pilot suit and helmet in a corner, neatly folded.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They wake up and curl up into a ball in the corner.

"That was a mistake.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

what was?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Trying to sleep without my Handler.."

They are shivering and crying in the corner.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you really are dependant on them huh? (Kat tosses them human clothes, a simple black T shirt, blue jeans, and a leather jacket with plastic vents on the shoulders and on the back) you'll want to blend in. theres a restroom in the back.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I .. cant take off my own suit.. I cant reach.. It's designed that way.."

They look at the pile of normal clothes.

"Can't i just keep my Pilot's suit on?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. it'd show under the normal clothes, no one wears a full body suit. I'll help you if you ask.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Please help me get it off.."

They turn around so you can help take off the suit. There is a small zipper on the back, and a latch on the back of the helmet.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They wake up and curl up into a ball in the corner.

"That was a mistake.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

what was?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Trying to sleep without my Handler.."

They are shivering and crying in the corner.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you really are dependant on them huh? (Kat tosses them human clothes, a simple black T shirt, blue jeans, and a leather jacket with plastic vents on the shoulders and on the back) you'll want to blend in. theres a restroom in the back.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I .. cant take off my own suit.. I cant reach.. It's designed that way.."

They look at the pile of normal clothes.

"Can't i just keep my Pilot's suit on?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They wake up and curl up into a ball in the corner.

"That was a mistake.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

what was?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Trying to sleep without my Handler.."

They are shivering and crying in the corner.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They wake up and curl up into a ball in the corner.

"That was a mistake.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... memory wipe... (Kat stands and walks over to a console) luckily... as an organic being, memories aren't so easy to erase. just... locked up... I think i can help ya... i know a someone.... (Kat says, talking to herself since Nyxa is asleep) just gotta find em.

[4m06-nyxa]

You can tell that theyre crying in their sleep.

"Handler.."

They roll over again.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat looks more concerned, and scans him)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is nothing before a certain date, and everything after makes you regret scanning them.

It also shows that Nyxa is very much a girl.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no surprise it's cheep. (Kat sighs)

[4m06-nyxa]

They're mumbling something in their sleep.

"H-Handler w-wait.. nn-"

They roll over and hold their arms across their chest.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

You find a heavily damaged mecha sitting against a building, there is big blocky print written across the chest plate spelling out "Ionica".

It's lights are still active and it's engines appear to be online still judging by the humming noise coming from it.

It is primarily white and dark grey, with red details.

- @4m06-nyxa

... Interesting... (Kat walks up and taps it)

[4m06-nyxa]

It looks at you, several sensors appear to light up.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

interesting... hello there.

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a human-scale lever with bright yellow and black stripes, printed with "emergency release" at the top of it's chest plate.

The mecha doesnt seem to be able to speak.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... i assume you need help... so... (Kat pulls the lever)

[4m06-nyxa]

There is a person inside, wearing a dark grey body suit with white and red plates over critical places. Their helmet has two large angular ear-like antennas with red highlights on the end.

The person inside covers their face with their arms and the mecha mimics their movement.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you good?

[4m06-nyxa]

They dont move, you can hear them crying behind their arms.

They drop their arms and the mecha mimics the motion again, their mouth and nose are covered by a hard plated oxygen mask, and there are cables coming from the back of their head.

There is room to walk around the seat inside the cockpit of the mecha.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

you want me to help you out of your mech?

[4m06-nyxa]

They say something, you cant understand it because it's muffled by the O2 mask.

They seem to be panicing.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat helps them get out of the mechs cockpit) hey, you're ok! you're OK!

[4m06-nyxa]

They try to climb back into the seat labelled "pilot cradle" in the cockpit.

They are breathing fast, and have a terrified look in their eyes.

"mm mmff mf mmmm!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

Talk to me, are you ok?!

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the O2 mask off to one side.

"Identify yourself! You're not a Handler! Stay back! Youre not authourized to do this!"

They draw a handgun from a hip holster, the Mecha is no longer mimicing their movement as the cables were disconnected when you took them out of the pilot cradle.

"S-Stay back rebel!-"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok... (Kat sighs, and pulls down their shirt collar to show the gold gears and brass pistons) I'm Kat, An android and a time traveler. i mean no harm.

[4m06-nyxa]

The pilot is shaking and clearly has never actually used a gun besides their mecha. The safety is still visibly on and theres no magazine.

"Youre not my Handler! H-how do I know youre not lying, Rebel?!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat pulls out a key fob and clicks it, her time train uncloaks)

you can look inside my time machine.

[4m06-nyxa]

They pull the trigger, resulting in a disappointing "click".

"oh fuck.. Im gonna die at the hands of the rebels now.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... i told you I mean no harm... (i sigh) am i dressed anywhere close to a reble?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You never know how a rebel dresses! Thats the whole point! They have no uniform because theyre disorganized geurilla fighters!"

They look somehow more terrified.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

let me ask this, why would rebels fight? what are they rebelling against?

again, time traveler, catch me up to speed here.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I dont know! I'm not a Handler! I just do what my Handler tells me to do!"

They are curling up in the Pilot Cradle.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... listen, when i'm from, corpos and the gov ain't ever to be trusted, learn a bit about WHO and WHY...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Thats .. Thats my Handler's job. I just do what i'm told to do! Its what I was trained to do!"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

how do you know your handler can be trusted?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because thats.. What I was trained to do! Its what I'm meant to do!"

They hold a button on the side of their helmet.

"Handler!? I cant hear you! Whats going on?!"

There is nothing but silence in response.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

radio troubles? (Kat leans against her time machines side)

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"Well.. you havent killed me.. so.. what..? Capture me for information? Add me to a personal.. collection..?"

They shudder at that last idea.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no. merely from a place and time were... things weren't so nice to the everyday person.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Then.. why am I here? And why did you disconnect me from my mecha? What's going on? Why does my QL-Comm not work?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

for your first question, dunno, was hop[ing you'd help me get up to speed. second, i thought you were in more dire a state. 4th, see first. and as for commas. time travel disrupts Quantum activity for a little bit around.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand up out of the Pilot cradle.

"Well.. you dont.. seem like a rebel.. so I can.. maybe follow you untill my Comms are back up? I .. I'm scared, and alone.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure. why not.

[4m06-nyxa]

They stand uncomfortably close. You can read text on their chestplate, "4M06 - Nyxa" and "Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

wow... "property"... yer not even metal and ceramic like me... yeah... this timeline ain't right...

[4m06-nyxa]

"What's wrong with it? My Handler gave me a mecha and Pilot Modification. I'm in debt to them for the equipment.."

They are still standing very close.

"Handlers own Pilots because they pay for their equipment and training. Its just how it works."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

no one should own anyone. look at me. I'm metal and ceramic. no one owns me. should someone own me? I'm fully sapient, fully aware of what i am. i think, and i feel.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a pilot."

Nyxa is looking worried about following you now.

"If I lose my Mecha, my Handler is gonna reprimand me. A-and it looks really damaged from here.. My Handler isnt gonna be happy about this.."

They shiver and cross their arms over their chestplate.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat sighs, and pulls the collar of her shirt down, showing her neck is made mostly of 4 brass pistons. and a gold spine analog with felt padding between vertebra. along with chains that drive between gears)

Look at me. do you know what i am?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Not a Pilot."

They look again.

"Not a human either, so? Youre not a Pilot. Noone has to own you, because youre not a Pilot. Handlers own Pilots."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen, no one should own anyone. many used to say machines like me ought to be owned because "Mankind made us". it's fundamentally unjust to be property.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink.

"But my Handler paid for me to be a Mecha pilot. Handlers own Pilots. Its simple logic, really."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

my creator paid for all the gold and ceramic and brass that makes me up, paid for all the data in my brain. does she own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Youre not a Pilot though."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

answer my question, kid. Does my creator, who paid for everything that made me, own me?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Were they a INCON or GOV Handler? If not, then no. Handlers own Pilots. Not anyone else."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

listen to me VERY closely. i come from a timeline where Corpos own the government. theres a word for what you are in right now. Slavery, you are a slave. no one should be a slave, EVER.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink again.

"No, I'm a Pilot. Slavery is illegal."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

do you know the definition of Slavery? I'll tell ya. it's a system in which one human being is owned by another as Property. and you are owned. you are, by definition, a slave.

[4m06-nyxa]

"I'm a Pilot. Not a human person."

They are tapping their foot.

"Cmon this is basic knowledge. Everyone knows it."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

look at yourself in a mirror. how are you NOT human?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Because I'm a Pilot."

They stare at you as if this should be common sense.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah, and I'm a living clockwork doll. does that make me less sapeint?

[4m06-nyxa]

"You arent a Pilot. Can you help me get back to my Handler or not?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) just... get in my time machine. I wanna show you where i come from, give you a frame of refference.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ok..."

They follow you closely.

"Wait.. Time machine? Like .. Space-time manipulation? Like the rebel weapon that my Handler was hired to destroy?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

eh... perhaps. but lets just say I'm from a far different timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Fine, I guess.. Just dont let my Mecha get lost.. I dont want to be in trouble with my Handler."

They continue following you, they are nearly tripping over you as they follow.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sighs) i can have you back seconds after we leave from their view. times funny like that. anything can happen till the waveform collapses.

(Kat opens the door, letting him into the Time Train.)

[4m06-nyxa]

"i see.."

They get in the time machine and wait.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(Kat sets a time, and the train starts to go backwards, speeding up until everything outside seems to stop moving, and red / blue shift)

we have a few moments till we meet the junction between our timelines

[4m06-nyxa]

Nyxa is sitting in a corner trying to take up as little space as they can.

"M-my Handler is gonna be so.. angry.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

they won't know, you'll have been god for like, half a second at most. least from their point of view. we have a few moments before we reach the junction.

[4m06-nyxa]

"If you say so.."

They think for a bit.

"Can.. Can you.. help repair my Mecha?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, if you still want that after seeing my timeline.

[4m06-nyxa]

They wait.

"I thought a time machine would be less waiting.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well. it's mostly having to go from one point in time to an other, you see, timelines are like branches on a tree, we cannot simply leap from one branch to an other, we have to go to where they join, and got up the branch we want. from the outside it looks near instant. on the inside... minuets to hours.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Ugh.. so it is alot of waiting.."

They curl up in the corner.

"Why does everything have to be so slow.. Why cant everything be fast like Ionica?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

well, let me put it like this, my time machine is a train that treats time like a spatial dimension. it takes time to move distance. and inside the train time works as normal, if it didn't we'd both be either aged into dust or rewound into fetuses and raw material.

[4m06-nyxa]

"How much longer? The rebel's Space-Time weapon sent me here instantly.."

They are staring at the floor.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... ok thats just... HIGHLY dangerous. the only way that could work is via folding temporal branches! that could destroy entire timelines!

[4m06-nyxa]

"So youre saying the rebels basically suicide-bombed my entire timeline in an attempt to kill me?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

pretty much. (Kat sets up a scanner to scan Nyxa) luckily it's not a for sure complete destruction, just highly probable. the way my time machine works is far safer, a controlled event horizon combined with relative speeds and tachyon fields to essentially treat time as a spatial dimension.

[4m06-nyxa]

They blink and stare at their hands, which are shaking a LOT.

"Huh.."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

ok, uh... how to explain this... we're in a time bubble, outside the bubble time is moving in reverse. inside time is normal. without bubble, you'd deage into a fetus, and i'd become raw cerqamic and gold.

[4m06-nyxa]

They lay down in the corner.

"Yeah yeah timey wimey stuff. Do you have anything to do in here?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

i have tea and biscuits. i also have a lot of puzzles in the back...

[4m06-nyxa]

"Puzzles got banned because they encouraged dissident thinking."

They are laying down in the corner and staring at the ceiling.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

yeah well, not like the internet can connect in here. what do you usually do to fill your time?

[4m06-nyxa]

"Whatever Handler tells me to do."

They keep laying there.

"I thought that would be obvious."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

really, no hobbies of your own? nothing you wanna do?

[4m06-nyxa]

"I wouldnt be a good Pilot if I did my own thing all the time. In fact I would be a bad Pilot, actually."

They shudder at the thought of being a bad Pilot.

"You said you have tea? How rich are you?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

... I'm a time traveler. i just go to points where it's cheep. (kat shrugs)

[4m06-nyxa]

"Cant this time machine go any faster?"

Their hands are shaking still.

"I'm out of Combat Stimulants..."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

we are going 98% the speed of light, with a black hole in the engine. this is as fast as we are going.

[4m06-nyxa]

They sigh.

"How much longer?"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

30 minuets and some odd cents. then an other 30 minuets and some odd to reach my native time.

[4m06-nyxa]

"Can I just sleep through it? I'm bored."

"My handler usually had something for me to do like reading the manual for my Mecha, or additional obedience training."

[future-faith-misinterperter]

sure, sleep. you're safe, and i get the feeling you need the rest.

[4m06-nyxa]

They basically immediately pass out, as if they hadnt slept in a week.

[future-faith-misinterperter]

(kat checks their equipment and suit)

[4m06-nyxa]

They have a hip holster with an unloaded handgun, a hip pouch with a red cross (empty).

Their suit is a dark grey skin-tight bodysuit, with white armor panels with red trimming and decoration.

You once again read on the chestplate

"4M06 - Nyxa"

"Property of Handler H34 - Salamander - INCON"

On the back of their neck, there is a port with cable connections.

Their helmet has two large angular antennae over the ears and to the side of the face, the O2 mask hangs loosely, it is labeled on the front "Pilot O2 Muzzle"

[future-faith-misinterperter]

hm... no real name then huh?... (Kat seems concerned)

[4m06-nyxa]

Further inspection reveals that the "armor" panels are just thick plastic, and the helmet is equally cheap.