Chapter Text
| The lights came on, and she sighed as her consciousness stirred. She remembered the conflict that she'd left behind, and yet her new environment didn't show any signs, no scars or gouges. | |
Floor of History
Rodion
|
Haaaah...my head... |
| This wasn't Lobotomy Corporation. The wing was now something entirely different, and her body felt...soft. No longer did coolant pump through her shell. Now it was blood, warm and strong. | |
| Footsteps rang out on the smooth floor, and she looked up to see the last person she wanted to see. | |
Director of the Library
Gregor
|
Good morning, Rodion. So...ready to get started, right? |
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Floor of History
Rodion
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... |
| Gregor, the machine who'd run Lobotomy Corporation. The man who aspired to be a man. The monster who'd betrayed the script, even after their leader had finally managed to atone... | |
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Floor of History
Rodion
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Greg...I still can't forgive you for what you did! You...you...! |
| The machine frowned, a coldness settling over its cold visage. Whether he or it, the machine went from the friendly greeting to an expression that iced over. | |
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Director of the Library
Gregor
|
...I don't care about that argument. We made a deal, and I don't need you to want to do this. |
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Director of the Library
Gregor
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I simply need you to do as you're told. Then we can all be free. |
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Floor of History
Rodion
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I won't complain about being human again...but why aren't you? Makes me think there's a trick here, Greg. |
| The familiar nickname failed to conceal the contempt. Gregor simply cocked his head, before shaking it. | |
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Director of the Library
Gregor
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There's no trick here. If I could snap my finger and make my own flesh, I would. |
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Director of the Library
Gregor
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My creator made me to watch over a hive. A nest of critters that would survive over and over again, so that his goddamn Seed would be planted. |
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Director of the Library
Gregor
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I will be human. I will have two arms, a heartbeat, and the humanity to taste the senses of the City. I will look at the sky and celebrate no longer being the one who organises. An Emperor of Vermin. |
| The outburst was new to Gregor. Gregor, who had watched agents die again and again and again and again without even opening his eyes. | |
| Behind him, a tall woman in a simple black suit stood, and he regained his composure. | |
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Director of the Library
Gregor
|
Rodion, this is my servant. She will be responsible for greeting those who visit the Floor of General Works. Plus, she will be responsible for bringing Books to you. |
| The woman gave an amiable smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. For a second, the Librarian was convinced that this woman was some kind of assassin, like the cruel hands she'd fled to arrive at this fallen wing. Her eyes were sharp, with a glimmer that would almost pass for energy if not for the unmistakeable sheen of hate. | |
Gregor's Servant
Outis
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It's...good to meet you, Ma'am. Outis, at your service. I look forward to bringing many books to you! |
| Before the Librarian could say anything, the glare at Gregor's form was gone. Gone so fast that she must have imagined it. | |
| This hapless, servile woman couldn't be anything like the Middle. She wasn't dangerous. Just some poor soul who'd got caught in something horrible. Just like her. | |
| In the days to come, visitors came to the Library. | |
| With Visitors, came Books. | |
| With Books, came understanding. | |
| Understanding that drew out the abnormalities once more. Every reception emboldened the Floor of History, drawing forth new tools. | |
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Floor of History
Rodion
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Eyes on me! |
| She smiled cheerfully as she broke the spear of a Fixer against her knuckles. Her body hadn't been so strong, even when it was metal. | |
| Finally, she'd accomplished something. Yet somehow, it still felt hollow. | |
| Even when she was made of Light and Flesh, truly unique save for a handful of individuals... | |
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Director of the Library
Gregor
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Good work. That'll be the end of that. |
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Floor of History
Rodion
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Was this really necessary? I mean, for your...one true book? |
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Director of the Library
Gregor
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It has to be. It's...I'll finally be free. Finally be free of the shackles that my birth imposed. |
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Gregor's Servant
Outis
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An excellent idea, Library Director! Your metamorphosis in emotion and flesh is a certainty! |
| ...perhaps it was the way that Rodion and the servant shared glances. | |
| Maybe that was when she knew that she'd have to confront that constant empty space in her chest. | |
| She'd have to face it when Gregor did - perhaps that was the point of the Floor of History. To say goodbye to the past, and banish it into the books. | |
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Floor of History
Rodion
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I couldn't do a thing back then...but now, now we can. |
| She'd found that will to stand up straight. No matter the pain, she knew that she had to keep standing to face the future. |