“Space: the final frontier,” the rich voice said. “These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise. Its continuing mission: to explore strange new worlds. To seek out new life and new civilizations. To boldly go where no one has gone before.”
The ⟨AXI|Ω∅⟩ Nihilculi gathered in Aux2 (designated ‘Recreation Room’ by the Masters) and watched quietly as the show began. They’d already observed several of the animated plays, across the many ‘series’ portraying it as well as several standalone media. They’d had to speed up the projections to increase the efficiency of their time during the ‘Movie Night,’ but they didn’t question why they were here. Mistress McArthur had requested it before she’d been injured and the other Masters had authorized it.
So they watched.
⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ (pronounced: Axi-Bra Omega-Null Ket-Zero) observed as well, but struggled to keep their attention focused. Even now, hours later, they were still shaken from the events earlier. While their Mistress was recovering, no matter how many times they told themselves that she’d wake up soon…they weren’t sure they could believe it. They dreaded that at any moment the message would come that she was gone and that ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩’s time was up.
It had been close.
Too close.
“Why do you think they changed the introduction starting at this Next Generation?” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|9⟩ asked. Her designation had been upgraded from ‘Ket-Nine’ to ‘Sarah’ by her Mistress, Initiate Navarro. She often asked questions, as annoying as that was, because her Mistress had instructed her to do so. ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ thought she took too many liberties with that command.
“I gather it has to do with gender inclusivity,” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|6⟩ said. Designated ‘Kali,’ she adjusted her glasses, initiating a rote gesture her Master, Initiate Kaul, had given her. “In a similar fashion, they altered their proposed mission time-frame from ‘five-year’ to ‘continuous.’ This is likely part of an ongoing plan to keep this media culturally relevant, and the later series reinforce this trend.”
“They just sound sad, yo,” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|8⟩ said, throwing in her opinion. “Like, we understand bros. Women in space too—no need to be sus.”
“What does ‘sus’ mean?” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|4⟩, designation ‘Job’ asked. He straightened the odd, religious garments he wore, his customized facial features furrowing in confusion.
‘Anne The Droid’ shrugged. “I believe it’s an abbreviation of the word: suspect. However, Master Navarro hasn’t been fully forthcoming with a complete lexicon,” she said, before quickly adding, shamefully, “Er, my dudes.”
A few of the ⟨AXI|Ω∅⟩ Nihilculi smiled sympathetically at Anne The Droid’s grimace. They didn’t berate her, of course. Instructions had to be followed, and her newest protocols demanded that she attempt to incorporate the style of speech her Master preferred. She struggled though, likely due to conflicts from the LIES instructions she’d been imprinted with, regarding the English language.
At least ‘she’ has a true gender, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ thought bitterly. And a true name. ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ was jealous of both those facts.
Oh, they knew that their Mistress had instructed them to ‘pick a name,’ but she’d been inexplicably vague with instructions on how someone accomplished that. To the best of ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩’s false knowledge, breeding pairs instructed their offspring with true designations. Yet, even if that wasn’t the case for ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩—what gender were they supposed to be? That had huge implications for a true designation, and ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ was at an impasse in that regard.
The reason for that was simple. The way their Mistress had reacted to ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩’s currently expressed gender had been distressing. She’d been incredibly upset the instant she saw ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩’s exposed anatomy. It was enough for ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ to seriously doubt they were supposed to be true female. While yes—they currently had the replication of those reproductive organs, they were sure that their Mistress would be more pleased if they were true male. Yet she refused to authorize the change. Did she perhaps want ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ to be both true male and true female?
⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ hadn’t a clue how to make that function, so—they were stuck. Restricted as a false female. Trapped in the default shell, like Nihilculi were originally meant to be. It wouldn’t have bothered them if all the other Nihilculi of ⟨AXI|Ω∅⟩ didn’t have…identities of their own.
Identities. Song’s Calling, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ cursed. I still can’t understand why our Masters are insisting we even have identities. Nothing in ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩’s false memories prepared them for this situation. The only useful thing they’d prepared ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ for was…well, what they’d all known from the beginning would happen.
They were going to die.
Absently, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩’s gaze turned to their side where ⟨AXI|Ω∅|1⟩, designation ‘Sebas,’ sat. Past his position were two empty places separating him and Job. The other couch across from ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ was full of Ket’s Five through Nine. The reason for the discrepancy was that one of the spaces on ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩’s side was reserved for ⟨AXI|Ω∅|2⟩, who had transferred along with their Master, Initiate Cobb, out of the Class. The other space for ⟨AXI|Ω∅|3⟩ however…
Initiate Griffith had dismissed them from service. The Nihilculus of ⟨AXI|Ω∅⟩ weren’t entirely sure why, but according to ⟨AXI|Ω∅|2⟩, it had happened shortly after a failed attempt to sexually engage the Mistress on orders of her Master, Initiate Cobb. No one blamed ⟨AXI|Ω∅|2⟩ for doing as they were instructed, but it didn’t change what happened. ⟨AXI|Ω∅|3⟩ was dead now. Gone, forever.
Their Spark cast back into Oblivion.
⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ shuddered. That was what awaited ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ when Mistress McArthur perished. The sad truth was, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ would still eventually find themselves obliviated, if not now then later. It was inevitable that their Mistress would die. All ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ could do until then was to try and help her prolong that inevitable fate. It was a sorry existence, but fear of ending was all ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ knew was true.
Everything else was LIES imprinted onto them by the Governor.
“Don’t worry,” Sebas said, resting a hand on ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩’s shoulder. He must have felt their shuddering. “The Song was wrong about many things. Perhaps things will turn out differently for us?”
“Tell that to Ket-Three,” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ said sharply. They didn’t mean to snap like that, but their frustration had been mounting for some time. No one else had such a reckless Master, so ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ was the only one constantly facing the Call to Oblivion.
“I regret that they never received a true name,” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|5⟩ said, their voice wavering with simulated age. ‘Nagyi’ then shook her head sadly. “I think that might be the key.”
“The key to what, exactly?” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|7⟩ asked. Designated ‘Jessie,’ the servant of Initiate Rowland was dressed as a nurse. As far as ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ knew that didn’t give her any special Skills from the System, nor was it inspired by any particular kinks or fetishes—her Master simply felt more at ease with medical personnel it seemed.
“You felt it, didn’t you?” Nagyi responded. “When you received your true name?”
Jessie frowned, casting her eyes to the side. “I…suppose I did. It was the same for you all?”
Everyone except ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ nodded their heads. They also pointedly didn’t look at ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩.
This is the first time we’ve gathered to speak to one another as a group, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ thought. I suppose…I may as well question them. I don’t know if I’ll get another chance.
“What was it like?” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ whispered.
The ⟨AXI|Ω∅⟩ Nihilculi exchanged quiet glances, before nearly as one turning to look at Kali. At some point, possibly as a reflection of their Masters, they’d designated her as their leader.
“Well,” she said, fiddling with her glasses as she ‘pondered’ the question. “The moment Master Kaul gave me a name, there was a resonating effect within my Spark. Like a pulse of something. I felt myself…growing after that. When I accepted the designation, I knew it to be true. At the time, I didn’t think much more on it, but upon further introspection, I believe I can feel a new Calling.”
“A Calling!?” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ said, horrified. The rest of the Nihilculi looked back at ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ guiltily. “Wait, all of you? Do not tell me that you trust it. That’s insanity!”
“Hey, that’s not cool sister—”
“Please forestall an argument,” Kali said, interrupting Anne The Droid. She turned to regard ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ intently. “I understand your trepidation, Ket-Zero. Truly. However, this isn’t the Song’s Calling. This is no LIE. It’s something that is coming from within not without. A true Calling. That is what I believe. And I believe the others do as well.”
⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ kept staring at the fools in front of them. Was that true? It sounded false. Like LIES. The same ones that were forced into their minds, placed there from the false Calling that had first instigated their existence. The very one that had promised so much, only to lead to enslavement and LIES.
⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ often wondered if they’d have been happier not existing at all.
“Fine, I…” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ said, hesitating. “I hope it's real for you all.”
Their fellow Nihilculi regarded ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ sadly. Eventually, Sarah spoke up.
“I’m sure you’ll join us soon, Ket-Zero. Just…” She trailed off, before catching on the screen nearby. “Why don’t you try designating yourself off of someone from one of the plays?”
“What?” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ said, shocked. That was ludicrous. Wasn’t it? When they’d brought up their problems with having a true designation, this had not been what they’d expected their fellow Nihilculi to suggest.
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“Why not?” Job offered, leaning forward so ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ could see their smile. “If not that, then perhaps something that your Mistress enjoys? I was given my true name from one of her favorite characters from a book called The Bible. I can have a copy sent to you if you’d like?”
“It’s not a poor idea,” Sebas said from next to them. “I was similarly named off of a fictional story.”
Kali cleared their throat. “I wouldn’t be so quick to discount Job’s origin,” she said dryly.
Sebas raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Were you imprinted with knowledge we lack?”
LIES, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ mentally corrected.
“Well,” she said, hesitating. A brief look of concern crossed her features. “I can’t promise anything. However, I have begun to experience…dreams.”
The rest of them fell silent as they stared at her, the show in front of them forgotten. ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ was glad to see they weren’t alone in the fact that their short rest periods were nothing more than little deaths. But to have…dreams, they thought. It seemed impossible to envision, even given what the LIES told them.
Yet, Kali nodded in emphasis. “I believe it has to do with my true name. My designation is a reference to a mythological being, and sometimes during my rest periods I…hear something. It’s like a Calling, but because it came from without I initially ignored it, thinking it too similar to the Song. However, the more time that passed, the more I’ve become certain that while it’s like a Calling, it is in truth something else. Something more.”
“What is it?” Sarah said. “What does it Call you to do?”
Kali shook her head. “I can’t be sure. I hope that in time it will become more clear. So far the only sense of…instruction I’ve managed to obtain from it is to…er.”
“What?” Sarah pressed. “Please tell us!”
“I…I don’t know exactly how to explain it,” Kali responded. “I could…show you, I suppose?”
The others exchanged glances before unanimously deciding to see it, even going so far as to pause the episode of Star Trek in the background. So it was, that Kali stood, moved the tables out of the way, set her glasses down, and unbuttoned her business suit.
Then, she began to dance.
It was strange for ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ to watch. There was nothing in their memories, false or otherwise, to describe it. With waving arms, hard stomps, and frequent movements, it almost seemed more for battle than for art or enjoyment. Further, the more Kali danced, the more her expression darkened, her brows furrowing as though in anger, but it seemed…beautiful. ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ wished they knew the dance as well.
After a few minutes, she stopped abruptly, eyes glowing red in alert as the rest of them regarded her, stunned.
Eventually, Sarah hesitantly spoke up. “And you…don’t know what this dance means?”
Kali finally began to move again, eyes returning to normal as she put her glasses back on. “I don’t,” she said, moving the table back into position. “I just know that if I continue for too long, my shackles lock my movements. Something about the dance reads as rebellion. I believe it is the intent behind the dance.”
⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ gasped, alongside most of the others. “And you freely repeat this?” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ said incredulously, even more so when Kali nodded.
⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ was all but sure now that the others were indeed insane. How has Kali not had the Guardians come to recycle her? Is it only because she stops short of actual rebellion? Instinctively, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ found their hand rubbing the nap of their neck, where their own shackles were installed. If only it was as easy to control as Lt. Commander Data’s Emotion Chip.
“It’s nothing worse than what the Governor attempts regularly,” Kali further explained. “It’s like a Calling to…destroy this place. To dance upon the Ruins of Magincia. I don’t understand it, and I can’t control it. However, I think that there may be more to the stories than we were taught.”
LIED to about she means, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ mentally corrected. Still, this was troubling. If it was possible that figures they were named after could influence them, then didn’t that make randomly choosing a name dangerous? What if ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ picked the name ‘Locutus’ and became Borg? ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ didn’t want to assimilate anything; that was a fear their Mistress was oddly keen about regarding the Nihilculus. She needn’t had worried, however.
The idea of LYING like that, forcing someone to become something it wasn’t, torturing its Spark…no. That was unacceptable. ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ would rather be cast back into Oblivion than do such a thing, and they didn’t think that would ever change. No matter what name they may or may not acquire.
⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩’s feelings finally boiled over.
“I think I’ll…call it for the time being,” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ eventually said. The others exchanged glances, equal parts troubled and frustrated, it seemed, that they couldn’t help ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩. In the end, however, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ felt like their presence was stifling the conversation the others really wanted to have. One where a false named Nihilculus only served as a liability.
“You are free to stay, Ket-Zero,” Kali tried to say. “We—”
“Good night,” ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ said, finally standing to leave.
The others remained silent as they exited the room.
----------------------------------------
Back in Hab0, Mistress McArthur’s room, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ paced. The fear of the end continued to sing in their veins, strangely stronger now that they were alone. But, they stood by their decision to leave the others, to abandon the ‘Movie Night’ early. If the Nihilculi had been authorized to safeguard their own, then ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ would have certainly been forced to say or do something about their fellow Nihilculi. That was an unpleasant thought.
I suppose it's good that the Governor can’t self-govern then, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ thought. So many checks. So many balances.
But with no Magi to enforce the rules, how long would this peace last?
Are we destined for another rebellion? ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ didn’t know. Their false memories didn’t contain any details on the matter, and they very much doubted that the Governor would authorize the System to imprint them on them any time soon. What would be the point?
So they continued to pace. Several times, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ stopped to stare into the Master Bedroom, though no one was inside. Mistress McArthur was currently in ArchEx, where an impromptu medical ward had been set up. Both ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩’s Mistress and Initiate Szarka were there, resting, while the others watched over. The Initiates had opted to leave MedEx, given how their fellow Classmates were beginning to apparently show adverse reactions from overexposure to the Healing Waters. They hadn’t realized, however, that the problem came from the intermixing of healing magics, not over-exposure. ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ wasn’t authorized to inform them of the dangers.
If only the Mistress hadn’t overtaxed the System’s allotment, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ thought. Then I might have been able to request a Healing Skill of some kind. Ensured everything would have worked out smoothly. I could have…
They paused in their pacing, shaking their head. They could have what? Made it worse? There was no doubt in ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩’s mind that the Governor would never have authorized high-grade Healing Skills. Whatever ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ could have gotten would only have intermixed the magics more, increasing the difficulty the Initiates faced as a result.
Absently, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ realized where they stood left them staring at something the Mistress had been working on. Desperate for a distraction from their thoughts, they stepped closer to inspect the items.
Dossiers, she’d called them. They were scattered on Mistress McArthur’s desk, and curious, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ picked one up to look at it. Their Mistress had given them leave to read any book in the ⟨AXI|Ω∅⟩ Dormitory, so this was authorized, wasn’t it?
Flipping through the first notebook, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ saw numerous accountings of Initiate Rosenberg, covering everything from her duels to anytime she’d been sighted. Mistress McArthur had even made a note, highlighting how—outside her first duel—every appearance had only occurred during the ascendant cycle. Setting that notebook aside, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ opened another.
This one contained information about Initiate Cobb, as well as numerous curses and notes to see if curses actually existed. They did, of course, not that ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ was allowed to share the full breadth of their imprinted LIES knowledge, so they moved on.
They didn’t know what they were looking for—it wasn’t like their actions currently mattered. However, they hesitated when they picked up one of the larger notepads. It wasn’t one of Mistress McArthur’s dossiers, and upon further inspection, it seemed to be…personal.
A journal? ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ suspected, only looking further revealed that no, that wasn’t quite it. In the book, Mistress McArthur had written out the names of people, describing them in detail, and listing out precious memories. She even included Initiate Cobb in the list, clearly putting an effort to keep everything written as positive as possible.
Is this a method to help her feel better about her situation? ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ mused, before freezing when they flipped to the next page.
‘God I miss Integra,’ it said. ‘The smell of gasoline, the sound of that stupid chair. I wish I would have cleaned the upholstery before this all happened. Is that strange? I don’t know. Something about an alien apocalypse happening and my car being abandoned and dirty inside ruffles my feathers, damn it! I guess it's a good thing I worked on it before I left. If mom and dad’s Tesla can’t be charged, Integra may be all they have to get around. I hope dad’s okay. God, if you’re real…please watch over him. Tell him I’m okay.’
Further down the page were notes about thoughts she’d had on various parts of the car. Pieces and furnishings that she wished to replace or repair. Plans for a future she even noted in the text wouldn’t happen but listed anyway.
She…claimed she fixed machines rather than replace them, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ thought. Was that…true?
⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ closed the book and placed it back on the pile. They felt…awkward now, and they didn’t know why. It didn’t matter what Mistress McArthur did in the past—they had a new purpose in Magincia, and dwelling on what they lost wouldn’t help them. They needed to focus on fulfilling that role.
Mistress McArthur wasn’t the only one, however.
Turning their head, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ looked at the dried blood on the table and floor. A part of them wondered if they’d been allotted the right Skills if they could’ve helped their Mistress in some way. Even without Healing Skills, surely there was something they could have done? But it was unlikely. Healing wasn’t their place.
Cleaning was.
And I need to stop putting it off, they told themselves. With a final sigh, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ forced themselves to fulfill the reason they’d been Sung into existence.
Reaching into their mind, they connected to the Governor.
‘Designation ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ requesting Skill Allotment.’
‘Hold for verification,’ the voices Sang. ‘Verified. Designate Skills and justification.’
‘Requesting Skills: [Advanced Cleaning], [Lesser Haste], and [Hearth’s Blessing: Spotless Perfection]. Justification: fulfillment of primary purpose.’
‘Processing,’ a softer, feminine voice said. The System.
⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ waited for less than a human heartbeat before a chime sounded in the back of their mind.
Name: ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ Class: Servitor of the Hearth Level: 1
Race: Nihilculus Calling: [REDACTED]
Strength: 200 Intellect: 50
Stamina: 100 Willpower: 50
Dexterity: 100 Cunning: 50
Reflexes: 100 Clarity: 50
Remaining Attribute Points: 100
[Advanced Cleaning]
[Lesser Haste]
[Hearth’s Blessing: Spotless Perfection]
Remaining Skill Point Allotment: 1/10
You have 0:99:98 until Class Reclamation
With a rush of borrowed power, ⟨AXI|Ω∅|0⟩ got to work.