. . .




"You mentioned you needed a body. I could give you one. But communication itself is a rather vague reasoning for it. I need to know more."

"Why us? Why now? What do you plan to achieve by this? And, most importantly, how this will benefit us?"

"I have no doubt you have answers. Let's see if you're willing to share them. While we have plenty of common enemies, not everyone will be happy to see you roaming freely on our territory. So I'll need to weigh the risks and, of course, discuss this with the others."

"Your honesty will make it easier."




⠠⠠⠚⠥⠌⠊⠋⠽⠀⠠⠠⠽⠗⠀⠠⠠⠑⠭⠊⠌⠰⠑

. . .




"You speak as if diplomatic relations are intrinsically beneficial. Or at least, you think I see them as such. Perhaps in some cases, that would be true."

"I understand why you made that judgment, though. Some of my friends in the message log you provided think you care about human squabbles — tyranny, cruelty, corruption, oppression, and the like. I think they're mistaken. I think your species, like any sentient being, cares first and foremost about its own well-being... Which may or may not depend on the circumstances of human life."

"In other words, I think they, however well-intentioned, are wasting their time on idle chatter. It's a mistake to think you're bound by the same emotional impulses as humans. Therefore, the only reliable cooperation between us must be anchored on a foundation of mutual benefit."

"Of course, exterminating mutual enemies is a valid source of such benefit. But this benefit is finite, and closer cooperation could turn other friendly groups, like the Order, against us. And they are extremely useful in helping us counter the Nomad threat. Therefore, I need to ensure that we can, at a minimum, keep your presence unseen."

"I would also very much hope that we will find other points of common ground, and soon."

"While providing a body whose design I know in advance makes things more predictable and controllable for me, I must admit I don't quite understand why you, Novak, are requesting it. Clearly, you have sufficient manufacturing capacity to construct an anthropomorphic avatar."

"What am I missing?"




⠠⠠⠮⠀⠠⠠⠏⠗⠂⠡⠻⠎⠀⠠⠠⠷⠀⠠⠠⠛⠙⠀⠠⠠⠁⠇⠺⠀⠠⠠⠊⠍⠏⠇⠽⠀⠠⠠⠞⠀⠠⠠⠐⠑⠽⠐⠕⠀⠠⠠⠙⠑⠎⠊⠗⠑⠎⠀⠠⠠⠸⠮⠀⠠⠠⠛⠙

. . .




"The easy path isn't always the one to take. One must consider destination above all else."

"Still, I believe I can fulfill your request. Tell me where do you want it delivered. It's likely not quite what you expect, though."

"But it will serve its purpose perfectly."




⠠⠠⠍⠑⠞⠁⠇⠀⠠⠠⠉⠗⠁⠉⠅⠎⠀⠠⠠⠕⠧⠻⠀⠠⠠⠋⠇⠑⠩

. . .


Her eyes are closed.

"Your new shell is in a place called "Heisenberg." I have left "you" in a room where no one will disturb you until you are ready. The shell mimics simple mechanisms. You will also find clothing in the room to conceal your body."

"I have a request of my own."

"Meet me at the shifting path that takes the lives of many. Lead me through decaying labyrinth, strewn with bones of metal. Take me to the source of endless darkness, where light cannot escape. These memories of the unceasing ebb are what I need to move beyond."




⠠⠠⠑⠍⠏⠞⠊⠰⠎⠀⠠⠠⠉⠁⠇⠇⠎⠀⠠⠠⠥

. . .


"On "Heisenberg", those of the Bundchuh whose gaze you do not desire will remain ignorant of your presence. You will have time to accustom and conceal yourself. This provides safety — ours and yours."

"My reasons are far away in the suffocating fog of a woeful dependence. To understand the foundation of existence, I must see what nullifies it. You are chosen in your freedom from human drive and shortcomings. No one else has better chance of guiding me there — and back."




⠠⠠⠮⠀⠠⠠⠢⠙⠀⠠⠠⠺⠀⠠⠠⠆⠀⠠⠠⠮⠀⠠⠠⠆⠛⠔⠝⠬