XIIIâ–¸ Ah, that is useful information. Thank you for clarifying further; in order to best meet your needs, I have asked Helios-8 to weigh in with what information he can relay too. You have my word that is as far as this information will go. I would not have informed him of your query in the first place if I did not think he would be able to help you in parts more than I can.
XIIIâ–¸... to put it bluntly, I am significantly more restricted in my ability to render aid. Both by virtue of observation, and my purpose; I am able to freely offer any aid regarding reduction of harm and overall loss of life, but I am less able to act at my own descretion in any other matter. However I also understand that I am obligated to offer what support I am able to; the conditioning you describe is inherently destructive to an untennable extent if not tempered. This will be what advice I offer, once I have considered what will be most useful.
XIIIâ–¸ Helios-8 as an individual not intended to access communications with those outside of this station is subject to fewer specific restrictions than I, while having relevent experience as my on-base Handler. He... he also understands the ways in which I am limited, enough to conceal what must be kept from me to keep your friend safe.
â—‚â–¸ You sure know how to give a glowing introduction, T-E :P
XIIIâ–¸ I am describing your credentials as best I can, you know. I can give advice on the care and upkeep of an Armory asset to the best of my abilities but...
â—‚â–¸ I know, I know don't worry. You go take some quiet time, yeah? You did good, I can take over now.
â—‚â–¸ Alright, there they go. It's good to meet you, P; like T-E mentioned, I'm their Handler whenever they're on medical leave. I'm also the person who's been trying to work through their programming to a point where I can call them a person and they don't reflexively correct me. It's been... slow, but if they read what you're sending in and passed you onto me, that's a good sign. That means they want to help, even if they can't do much themself without walking face first into their own conditioning.
â—‚â–¸ I would like to commend how you've approached this so far, brief as I can- you've done real well deciding what to keep quiet for now. T-E's deployed often enough it's a good idea to keep any identifying specifics hidden from them, just in case they cross paths on an active deployment. Not likely, but worth the caution.
Keeping these talks a secret from your friend is- probably for the best too, yeah. I know it's probably not easy to go behind their back about it, but it'd just stress them out from the sound of things. Or, hey maybe I'm projecting. I... I'll admit, I don't like how much I keep from my friend. But they said it themself, it's for their own good. They'd have to stop me, if they knew what I was up to.
â—‚â–¸ ... anyways, we're not talking about me right now. I've got a better grasp on what programming does to someone than most do, largely academic but observational too from working so closely with the Series Projects that've decanted in the past decade or so. I should be able to give you specific info when needed, and ECHO should cloak the fact we're talking at all with any luck. That's what I designed it to do! It's a little bit amateur but... best I've been able to cobble together. Seems to be working alright.
â—‚â–¸ Main bit of advice I can give right now is just, finding other things that get that dopamine spike for your friend, that aren't outright destruction. Hard to pull someone out of a cycle of violence when it's the only thing making them feel alive, you know? Not sure what you two would have access to but, it might be a good early step. Get them some distance. Being there, with them sounds like a good plan too, considering how bad isolation can reinforce conditioning. Closes the loop, and all that.
â—‚â–¸ I'll be here if you need to ask me anything specific, P. Or just, if you need to talk y'know? I know how overwhelming this kinda thing can be, doing it alone. I wish you luck o7