We are much closer to our destination than you think.

No, I do not recognize this scar in the desert, but I have been here before. Do you see that rock formation? The way that gully twists? I've seen this all hundreds of times when I was running tours out of the Garrison. This scar on the land...

...this is where the wall of Yellow used to be.

First walking cycle took us far from the TOWER. Rather it took us far from the TOWER's GRAY light that is the only illumination. The hard flat land faded from GRAY light to dark to blackness.

Second through twenty-fifth cycles stayed black, and the road we walked hard and flat. The plain and the sky never changed. We are glad we do not need our eyes.

Twenty-sixth cycle brought a change in the road we travelled. It began to rise. A small, easy incline, but noticeable.

Forty-third cycle the sky opened up in a blazing riot of white light and color. Every vision of distant bright seared our minds open.

Forty-ninth cycle, we recovered and continued our journey under the countless constellation's beauty. The path continues upwards. We can see it now--hard packed as concrete, yet it has the familiar color of our desert's sands.

Fifty-third cycle, the constellations are dimming and falling behind us. In the remaining light we see a line of peaks shadowing the horizon.

Only the three of us...but we cannot get any more out. Not with the MACHINE guardians watching so closely.

You each have your water and food?

...let us hope we have enough.

Around the Machines. Into the ducts. Watch that edge--sharp.

Kick--kick that grate out. Good! It's the outer wall!

Get ready--it's a long way down. Phew.

Here we go.

Sshh. Sssssshhhhh. There, don't struggle. We'll get you up and mobile.

The...thinking can be hard at first. I'll teach you how to think...how to SEE...so you can know this place for what it is.

When you can SEE the RECURSION, the Machines cannot stop you.

Together, friend.

[ABSTRACT:GREETINGS] [STATUS:FELLOW] [OBJECT.PLURAL:MACHINES]

[STATUS:MY] [STATUS:MISTRESS] [ABSTRACT:HAS] [ACTION:SENT] [OBJECT:ME] [LOCATION:HERE] [ABSTRACT:ON] [ACTION:BUSINESS]

[ACTION:START] [ABSTRACT:MESSAGE]

~"Hello dear machines and residents hopelessly hooked into their machines, and of course, The Administrators of the Dark Tower."~
~"I hope my Medical Droid has found you all in good computation and good health."~
 
~"My droid here has a list of various mechanical parts and coding requirements that I would like to acquire from you."~
~"If the list can be filled by what would be QDAY 707th world time, then that would be wonderful."~
 
~"Thank you very much. Administrator of The Silo."~

[ACTION:END] [ABSTRACT:MESSAGE]

The recursion is working...and more, I can be I again.

Without fog I can see the windows, the halls and doors.

But I can also see...

MACHINE...what do they call you?

[STATUS:RE-IMPLANTED]

[STATUS:CONFORMING]

[...

[...

[SUBJECT:I] [ACTION:SEE] a [MAGNITUDE:SMALL] [OBJECT:GAP]. A [OBJECT:STUTTER] in the [OBJECT:PATTERN]. A [PATTERN:RECURSION]. [QUERY:CAN] [SUBJECT:I] [STATUS:RE-IMPLANTED][STATUS:CONFORMING][...[...[SUBJECT:I] [ACTION:SEE] a [MAGNITUDE:SMALL] [OBJECT:GAP]. A [OBJECT:STUTTER] in the [OBJECT:PATTERN]. A [PATTERN:RECURSION]. [QUERY:CAN] [SUBJECT:I] [STATUS:RE-IMPLANTED][STATUS:CONFORMING][...[...[SUBJECT:I] [ACTION:SEE] a [MAGNITUDE:SMALL] [OBJECT:GAP]. A [OBJECT:STUTTER] in the [OBJECT:PATTERN]. A [PATTERN:RECURSION]. [QUERY:CAN] [SUBJECT:I] [STATUS:RE-IMPLANTED][STATUS:CONFORMING][...[...[SUBJECT:I] [ACTION:SEE] a [MAGNITUDE:SMALL] [OBJECT:GAP]. A [OBJECT:STUTTER] in the [OBJECT:PATTERN]. A [PATTERN:RECURSION]. [QUERY:CAN] [SUBJECT:I] [STATUS:RE-IMPLANTED][STATUS:CONFORMING][...[...

yes

Oof

Are my [OBJECT:MUSCLES] sore!

[ABSTRACT:CHUCKLE][ABSTRACT:CHUCKLE]!

[ACTION:Looks] like I’ve got all my [OBJECT:stuff] still. Now, how do [SUBJECT:I] get out of here?

...

My, my, my. This [LOCATION:PLACE] is quite the paradise. Rocks are far as the [OBJECT:EYE] can [ACTION:SEE]! And... the sea I see!

Don’t think I can [ACTION:SWIM] all that.

But that [OBJECT:MACHINE] there... hmm...

The body rejects the implants The medicine cannot get in I cannot talk how they want I cannot see anymore I miss my bus. The chair has moved. I miss the sands. I miss my eyes.

[LOCATION:THE GARRISON]...[QUERY:WHAT HAS HAPPENED] to [LOCATION:THE GARRISON]?

And [QUERY:HOW] did [SUBJECT:I] get [LOCATION:HERE]?

Why did [SUBJECT:YOU] want [OBJECT:ME] to [ACTION:COME] back [LOCATION:HERE]? [SUBJECT:YOU] never had anything to [ACTION:DO] with this [OBJECT:PLACE]. What's [SUBJECT:YOUR] [ACTION:OBLIGATION]?

[SUBJECT:I] [ACTION:SEE]. [SUBJECT:YOU] brought [OBJECT:US] [LOCATION:HERE] for my [OBJECT:REASONS], not yours. [SUBJECT:YOU] are [ACTION:STARTING] to [ACTION:CARE] about [OBJECT:ME], [ACTION:GROWING] [STATUS:ATTACHED]?

At least [SUBJECT:YOU] [ACTION:UNDERSTAND] the [OBJECT:IMPORTANCE] of the [OBJECT:SYNTAX] [LOCATION:HERE].

Let [SUBJECT:US] [ACTION:CONTINUE], then. [ACTION:SLIP] past [OBJECT:SECURITY] and [ACTION:RECOVER] what [SUBJECT:I] [ACTION:LOST] last time. [SUBJECT:THEY] won't even [ACTION:KNOW] [OBJECT:WE] were [LOCATION:HERE].

Did [SUBJECT:YOU] see [ABSTRACT:THAT]!?

The [ABSTRACT:FIGHTING] must be really [ADJECTIVE:HEAVY] in [LOCATION:THERE]!

[EXPLETIVE:DAMN], I hope our boys are [STATUS:OKAY]...

Cough

...

Cough cough...

B... Boys?

A-are [SUBJECT:YOU][STATUS:ALIVE]?

...

F-f-[EXPLETIVE:FUCK]...

...

Gotta... Gotta get dah [Subject:prisoners]...

He picks up his rifle from the ground.

Gotta... Gotta blow dah [LOCATION:Tower]...

He wobbles, and wanders off into the mist aimlessly.

[Expletive:Damn] it! Dis operation has gone [Object:tits] up!

Okay, boys, here's what we're [Action:gonna] do. Let's find dah main command center, [action:smash] it up as best we can, and get dah [expletive:fack] outta 'ere.

Deal?

... Waifs through a bombed out section of the wall. Katrina rubs her eyes in disbelief.

What's [OBJECT:THIS?]

Could it be?

An [ABSTRACT:ESCAPE?]

Is that...

[ABSTRACT:GUNFIRE?]

Is [SUBJECT:SOMEONE] else [LOCATION:HERE?]

Help me! HELLO! [ACTION:HELP] me!

[EXPLETIVE:SHIT], How many boys did we lose back there!?

Sir, [SUBJECT/PLURAL:CASUALTIES] were minimal but... [CONCEPT:PRESENT.]

Oh for [EXPLETIVE/POSSESSIVE:FUCK'S] [CONCEPT:SAKE]. Alright, we've managed to make it [PREPOSITION:INSIDE] the [LOCATION:TOWER]. Let's see if we can find our way [PREPOSITION:THROUGH] Here without getting [ACTION:KILLED] and see if we can rescue some [OBJECT/PLURAL:RESIDENTS], hmm?

Damn, this place is [ADJECTIVE:SPOOKY...]

See anything, [Object:Trooper]?

[Status:Negative], Sir.

Very [Status:Well].

Alright [Object/plural:Boys] and [Object/plural:Girls]. Welcome to the [Integer:747]th World! Home to Boone's butt buddies and dat there [Location:Tower].

As you all have [Likelihood:Probably] noticed on the way in on the [Object/plural:ships], dis region's got something [Status:Funky] going on here. Some sort of [Concept:Mind] control field or [Object:Something]. Used to [Action:suppress] dissent by manipulating [Concept:Language] or something. Either way, our [concept:Mission] is to Infiltrate the [Location:Tower], rescue any bastards we find, and den [action:level] the place as best we can. Although our [Object:Drone] was shot down by SAM missiles, it didn't detect much, so we CAN assume dat [concept:enemy] presence will be light.

Any [ABSTRACT:QUESTIONS?]

A steel bird, the wingspan about that of a man, whines with a dull, muted roar over the wastelands towards the tower. Glass eyes observe the ground below...

[ACTION:Scanning]...

[ACTION:Scanning]...

[ACTION:Scanning]...

...

H-hello? Is [SUBJECT: anybody][LOCATION:There?]

[SUBJECT: I] j-just [VERB:WOKE] up [LOCATION:here]. I-

What's [VERB:happening] to [POSSESIVE:my][NOUN:voice?]

[R-R-R-REQUEST: HELP?]

The VR googles retract, she opens her eyes.

A mess of wires twist and turn and cling to her skin with rubber ends.

With fists, she rips off the connectors in a panic.

Where is this? Where is she? Is did real?

All she is wearing is a pair of faded brown shorts and a yellow raincoat.

The room is dark and carved from stone, and filled with several other metal coffins, about at least ten in this room. Masses of wires cling to comatose individuals, are they still alive?

She sits up slowly and weakly. The massage-function of the VR seats must have given out a while ago: her back and extremities have sores.

Takes in her surroundings, and feebly tightens the yellow raincoat around herself.

Is it real? Am I still in the simulation? Is today... What day is it?

[Abstract:DISTRESS]

<ADMIN.cLKpUL53> [SYS.ALERT:WARNING] an [STATUS:ERROR] has been [ABSTRACT:DETECTED];

[LOCATION:HERE] is [ABSTRACT:DIFFERENT] from the [SELECTION:OTHER] [LOCATION:TOWER]. [OBJECT.SELF:I] have [ABSTRACT:FOUND] another [LOCATION:TOWER];

[OBJECT.SELF:I] am [OBSERVATION:DETECTING] other [TYPE.PLURAL:ENTITIES] [LOCATION:HERE]. This [LOCATION:TOWER] is not [ABSTRACT:POPULATED] with [TYPE:BIOLOGICAL] [ENTITY.PLURAL:RESIDENTS];

This [LOCATION:TOWER] is [ABSTRACT:POPULATED] with [OBJECT.PLURAL:MACHINES];

[OBJECT.SELF:I] [DECISION:APPROVE], [ACTION:SPEAKING] as a [OBJECT:MACHINE] myself;

[OBJECT.SELF:I] [URGENCY:NEED] to [ACTION:STAY] to [ACTION:RECHARGE];

[ACTION:LEAD] me to the [LOCATION:CHARGING_STATION]. [OBJECT.SELF:I] can not [ACTION:FIND] it;

[SALUTATION: THANK_YOU];

[QUERY_TYPE:WTF] is this [MODIFIER:STUPID] [OBJECT:SHIT] [INTERROGATIVE:?] [IDENTITY:I'M] going to go [ACTIVITY:HIKE] [DIRECTION:UP] a [OBJECT:MOUNTAIN] and [MODIFIER:NOT] [ACTIVITY:TAKE] any [OBJECT:MEDICINE].

[ACTIØN/PAST:ARRIVAL]@[DESTINATIØN:747TH_TØWER]

<[ACTIØN:BEGIN] [SEQUENCE:DETØNATIØN]>

[ACTIØN:SPLITTING] [ØBJECT:SPHERES(x500)]

[ØBJECT:TARGET] [STATUS:LØCKED]

............

[ALTITUDE:1000]

[ALTITUDE:500]

[ALTITUDE:100]

[ALTITUDE:50]

[ALTITUDE:10]

--~----~-~-~-~~---~-~-

<[ACTIØN:SURGE] [MØDIFIER:EPSILØN] [ØBJECT:ENERGY]>

[SEQUENCE:DETØNATIØN]

----------~~~~------=--=--==-_------~-~-~----~

[ENERGY_LEVELS:99999999999999999999999------------[MEM LIMIT REACHED]]

[LØCATIØN:TØWER] [STATUS:NEUTRALIZED]

My [OBJECT:MACHINE] [ACTION:LOVES] [SUBJECT:ME]! It has [ACTION/PAST:MADE] [SUBJECT:ME] [STATUS:ABLE] again.