SOS

Carrot

Maria was resting in the Sanctum. Here, where she was left alone with her thoughts, she expected no disturbances. In the back of her mind she could feel the presence of all the Ghosts, bar one.

No one had seen or heard from Bumpy in quite a while. At first they had presumed that he needed some space to come to terms with his separation from his squad and the rest of humanity. But he had been gone too long now.

Maria had first been annoyed that he had gone out on a haunt on his own, now she was annoyed at herself for not worrying sooner.

Suddenly, as though prompted by her thoughts, a new but familiar voice made itself heard.

start function >>consciousness<<
strange//peculiar, hurt//pain//ow
function::locate injury//damage

It was he, the lost one.

Injury location = cranium//skull
non-fatal//will>>survive<<

function ::check Herculean status
weaponry//armaments 0%::engine 79%::shields 50%//inactive
autopilot::on

function::sensors_scan
list all :%targets
2 execs::4 goads::1 judg

suggestion to tactical routine:
autopilot engaged by Prometheans//prodigal ones
do not fight

suggestion accepted

function ::psychological_self-check
scared//afraid//lonely//irrational

weird//intriguing

secondary thought stream infiltration

Maria

"You are no longer alone," she thought.

/ < / << /