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2254-12-10 09:50:25 Aydan > I have to focus on my exam. can you try and look into this more while I’m ætherside ?

2254-12-10 09:50:26 ÆON > Yes. Should I engage directly?

The elevator stops at the wall level and you exit.

2254-12-10 09:50:35 Aydan > I think not, wait until I’m back, just gather information from a distance the way you do best

2254-12-10 09:50:31 ÆON > Understood.

2254-12-10 09:50:32 ÆON > If you need me, I will still be reachable through your personal network.

2254-12-10 09:50:37 Aydan > great! good hunting

2254-12-10 09:50:38 ÆON > Good luck on your exam, Aydan.

As you jump and glide down the ramp outside your building, you see in your peripheral vision that you’re about to crash into someone--they turn aside at the last second, catching you and stabilizing you both. You look over and see the tall enby with white hair and piercing metallic eyes.

“Hi Synth,” you say as they let go of you.

“You really should get a proximity sensor,” they say.

“I’ll try and fit it into my upcoming implantation,” you say.

They walk the same way you’re going.

“The integrated body interface is a huge milestone for most technopaths. It should really be life-changing,” they say.

“Did it take you long to get used to?”

“I...don’t remember. I always had it.”

“Oh, right...” you say. “So is your exam today?”

“Yeah. Around the same time as yours,” they say. “So I’ll probably be out of communication for at least twelve surface hours. The ætherflip test is said to be an ordeal like nothing you’ve ever experienced. I might be recovering for the next day too.”

“Okay. And good luck on your exam!” you say.

“Luck is for RNGs,” they say. “Go defeat your exam. Show it no mercy. Destroy it with overwhelming force. Make a mockery of it.”

“Understood. Synthesis...”