Gearborn

“Awakening Protocol” You power on with a jolt. Aether hums in your chest, spinning the cold crystal at your core. The world returns—lines of light trace across your artificial retina, labeling objects, threats, and unknowns. The Geared Bridge lowers before you like a command accepted. Around you, soft-bodied organics murmur, step nervously, shift their weight. But the steam sings to you. The turning bridge is familiar—not memory, but programming. Your designation echoes from a nearby speaker: > “Unit , identification confirmed. Status: Redeployment.” A technician tries to scan your spineplate. You turn slowly, your joints clicking into place. This is not your first awakening. But it may be the first one you choose.