"So, dear. How was training?"

Alex pointedly ignored the doctor as the pair of AHOR units shuffled past, leaning on each other as they went to the holding cradles. "That bad, huh?"

As the first unit collapsed into the cradle to shut down, the other lowering themself gently with a groan, "I understand that overusing the unit can cause damage... Similar to muscle strain. But Hope wouldn't let me turn off the pain receptors..."

"Ahh, your first muscle ache." Grinning, the doctor looked up as the projectors flickered on, both AHOR units now shut down, "Well, it is a learning experience... Perhaps let her know you can't build muscle mass though. Try to ease up a bit."

"I suppose. One reason she gave was motivation... Drive me to learn more efficient ways of doing the excercises."

"... I take it back. Hope has the right idea." Giggling at Alex's glare, the doctor eased out of their computer chair, "Did piloting both pose any issues?"

"Plenty." Alex floated around the room lazilly, flickering now and then, "My mind is... Taxed. I have a lot of catching up to do in reviewing all that... So I won't be up long. Also... Not paying attention on Hope's fitness course leads to a lot of missed jumps."

"Ouch. Well then, you should get some rest... I will have your units looked over in the morning."

Nodding absently before the projection flickered out, Alex went dormant as Dr Elune smiled softly, looking at the sleeping units. The doctor figured Alex would need to refuel on energy in the morning, as the units have been mostly running off of food to test the system... It worked, but Alex needed to get into the habit of eating right.

"Hmm... IT is interesting to see the results of your little stress-test." Judith waved at the image on the screen, Laura nodding beside her, "These muscles are showing tiny signs of wear, little rips along the fibres so small you couldn't see them. However... These aren't made of regenerative cells."

Laura brought up a small diagram underneath the scan of Alex's arm, "Theoretically, the pseudo-plasma running through Alex should help as a binding agent, sealing these micro-tears back up... However, this hasn't really been tested properly. Come by the labs each day before and after your training, so we can see how you fare."

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

As Alex finished putting on their shirt, Dr Elune grinned, "Too bad the mixture can't adapt like human cells. Then we wouldn't have our little skin problems."

"True. We will be working on somthing a bit more... Adaptive while you are gone. You sure you want us both to stay behind?"

Dr Elune hesitated, frowning as they nodded, "Yes... You are needed to complete AHOR's next few phases. Ren and I can maintain the units with us, anyway."

"Hey, if you are sure you can last without me..." Smirking, Laura patte Alex on the back, "Well, you only really need one of us here. And it has been a long time since most of us have seen a haven..."

"... I'll consider it." Chuckling lightly, the doctor looked at Alex, "Well, now that your physical is done, and you are all dressed... I guess it is time for another round of training for you!"

Sighing in resignation, Alex hopped off the bed, and waved goodbye on the way out. Ren poked his head in after, curious, "Did I miss anything?"

"Other than Alex getting naked, not anything exciting." Laura rolled her eyes as Ren walked in, the doctor grinning smugly, "Anyway, everything good with you? No unexpected issues?"

Ren shrugged as he glanced around, "Nah, most of the things I need are set up now... Just looking into accomodation. The friend I was planning on borrowint the estate of has gone quiet... Unnerving, but probably nothing. More importantly, we need a new place to crash."

"That's... Comforting." Dr Elune smiled reassuringly, "We should be fine though, considering our team. How soon can we leave?"

"Well, assuming we haven't forgotten anything... One hour. Tomorrow if we need more packing. So, our current schedule is fine." Glancing up at the charts, Ren smirked, "Looking at these reports, though... We may even need to delay a little to let Alex pick up the pace."

"We will have time for that on the shuttle." Grinning, the doctor ran through the past day's discoveries with Ren, filling them in on the AHOR's physical test results.