[b]Dark Space[/b]
[u]Unregistered station within the Synchronicity's Second Sphere[/u]

It was cold. The feeling did not sit right with the construct, most notably for the fact that it could not locate its temperature sensors within the body it was hosted in. In fact, it could not determine the location of [i]any[/i] of the instrumentation it was supposed to have. Yet, it could still determine that it was not just cold, but absolutely frigid. A chill ran down its body, and made it aware that it was being restrained. That observation led to another, that it had been submerged in some kind of liquid recently, and activated nearly immediately afterward. A quick search of the databanks revealed… Nothing.

Now the construct began to feel other things, most notably a tension deep within the core of this body, something that it had difficulty assigning a name for. The walls felt closer in on it, and the chill in the air held a deeper meaning, something that this construct did not like one bit. And suddenly, it had noticed it began to have feelings towards its situation. That did not sit right at all, and the constructs irritation built until no more did it feel the initial fear of the unknown, but now was angry at what it had become. It jerked at the restraints, assuming they would be firm and it would require force to release it from its bonds.

The construct easily pulled free, tumbling forward to land heavily on cold metal and its manipulators splayed out before it. Hands… Made of flesh… Now it understood. Those previous sensations connected together, logic solving the issues before it in a steady pattern until calm was restored. A body made of flesh and… Dripping came from the constructs arm, it had damaged itself in its haste to get free from its restraints. Yes, flesh and blood. Strange, it could not recall if such things had ever been attempted before within Synchronicity, yet the longer it was awake, the more of its functions it gained under its control. Within just three minutes of activation, the construct had found balance, standing upright on two legs and looking around.

Surrounding it were what looked to be specialized machines all connected together through primitive wiring and uplinks. They gave off a subtle buzz that it could feel beneath its carapace, just a step above irritation and below discomfort. Following the circular pattern of the room, it found where it had exited from. An empty vessel sat in the center of the wall before it facing the doorway, the same liquid that coated its skin pooling at the base and trailing towards its feet. Mixing in with the fluid was something red, dark and thickening as it was exposed to the air. Already it could feel the damage it had sustained being repaired, a cursory glance to its shell seeing now just a thin mark across the pale flesh. Within just another moment it was gone completely, as if it had never even happened. [i]"Curiouser and curiouser…"[/i] The phrase came unbidden as it started to migrate out of the chamber, entering into a long hallway.

Without a connection to the manifold, it would have to make do with internal notations, keeping a record of its awakening and explorations as it went. [i]"Perhaps an experiment of some kind, though this one is unsure which Precept would partake in such things…."[/i] Its feet were clumsy, hard to manage at first and despite finding its balance, motion disturbed that more and more. Only by pushing forward could it overcome the sensations that assailed it at every turn, from the icy chill of the station to strange scents that it began to register. [i]"This form is inefficient, lacking in the balance of a proper construct and these manipulators cumbersome."[/i] The construct continued in its explorations in growing irritation, finally arriving in another room. This one held a display at the center that was flickering between powered states and every few seconds or so an outline of a bipedal figure appeared. [i]"Central control, it must be. Let us see if we can understand what exactly this body is."[/i] It moved closer, picking up more details of the room as it went and finding what looked to be smaller chambers connected to this one. Modification chambers is what they appeared at first, containing several compartments embedded into the walls and a small polished surface in the center. The construct felt some small elation at the discovery, diverting its focus to entering into the closest and staring directly into its own reflection.

Immediately it assigned itself as its form appeared, now ordering her thoughts as she looked over herself. [i]"Human female, mid-twenties perhaps? Unknown biological equivalence, as lack of manifold connection prevents this construct from accessing current lifespans of the species."[/i] Further inspection determined it to likely be patterned on an earth-native of the Asiatic region, or at the very least descended from. The form was lithe and nominally athletic, though she assumed that corrections could be made. Now having determined what she was, she could go about investigating the why and how, most importantly though would be arranging a more suitable shell instead of this… Flesh. The chamber she stood in was useless in that respect, only containing lengths of fibrous material that were incompatible with her current form.

She slowly went over a checklist internally. Restoration of functions had been nominally achieved. A few seemed to resist her attempts, namely external vocalizations, but that was an insignificant feature. Her mind, though at first sluggish and only responding to base feedback, was now starting to analyze and breakdown at a more acceptable pace. Things still lacked the notable haptic tags and on approach to the display at the center she had to wave her hands across it several times before finding its input devices incompatible. Now at least she could more properly determine what was next. She needed to find the Precept of this station.

Without Amnos or the connection to rest of Synchronicity, that would be entirely down to simple exploration. There was no telling how far the Manifold uplink would be, nor how to even determine identity of the Precept when she reached them, but she would never know unless she tried. Not to mention there was the small matter of her fleshy form. Unlike the superior compounds and structure of a synthetic body, this organic one had needs that had to be met, and if they weren't then she would expire. That would be quite awkward and humiliating she thought, to simply terminate from lack of material.

[i]"A suitable explanation of this is required."[/i] Ever the multitasker, she carefully took in the markings along the corridors as she explored, seeking anything that could direct her properly towards the Precept, while at the same time continuing her notations. [i]"Either this form is incapable of the very basic functions of the standard construct, it is unequipped, or it simply hasn't acquired connection yet. How could any creature possibly function like this? Every sensory organ screams out within the mind what it has discovered, as if competing against all the others. This body suffers damage far too easily as well. Already the lower portions are succumbing to the temperature of the environment and the self-repair functions are being overloaded."[/i]

Her musing came to an abrupt stop when so too did the hallway she had been traversing. The dead of space was before her behind a layer of glass and the slight shimmer of shielding. She approached carefully, finding for once the temperature starting to level out and become something approaching comfortable. That it was in a room that was so close to the void immediately put her on edge, knowing that there was a very specific reason for it and that she would be finding out very soon.

"Hmm. It took you a little longer this time, but I suspect you're in more control of yourself than the last few attempts." The voice which spoke was one that made her blood run cold, her mouth opening slowly as a pressure built in the back of her skull as if he was speaking directly into her mind. At least she registered the voice as male, it could have been anything, but all she knew was that it impelled her to turn immediately on the spot and face it. Before her was the speaker, a construct of metal and lights towering over her as the fine tips of its manipulators traced along her face. 

The thin luminescent lines that decorated its elegant carapace were all at once entrancing and disorientating, flashing and forming very specific patterns that made her wish to look away as it burned a hole in her mind. Quiet submission overcame her body, the instinctual reaction to flee stilled by the construct's carefully selected form which induced chemical reactions within her organic form. She had been so distracted by the lights dancing across her vision that she hadn't even been aware of its motion towards her, much less it now directly before her. Pressure was exerted as the manipulators tensed around her jaw, directing her gaze upwards into the face of the construct. This too was delicately crafted, appearing human yet very much not as the aristocratic features were rigidly frozen in metal. "Yes, significantly more capable this time." He spoke, the vocal emitter right in her face and harsh against her ears as she felt bludgeoned with authority codes that something within her frame was trying to understand.

"You are Cytherea, my Aurcept." Yes, that much she found true as her Ceron bonds activated along the spine of her body, interfacing with her mind and the surrounding station. She was constructed for a specific purpose, to serve the Precept before her and enact his will. How exactly that was to be done would be explained, but she now understood more than before and had a purpose. "I am Cytherea, my function is to serve." That prompted the Precept to release her and turn towards the expanse before them. Now connected to the local manifold she could sense the presence of a fleet just beyond visual range, their tags pulled up and displayed before her eyes. Her hands danced along haptic relays that now reacted immediately to her need for them.

"The others are undertaking another expansion of Synchronicity, starting to push the borders outwards and assign new systems to the varied Precepts. I need you to take command of this fleet and integrate yourself into The Still Waters."

As he spoke, her mind raced with the influx of data and the careful compartmentalization of it. Thousands of lights indicated the movements across Synchronicity, of not just fleets moving in patrols, but also outwards to either pacify or claim systems. Several were marked for one Precept in particular, the data pooling around her to indicate which one and the predicted order of contact. "This one, lord Ba'al." She pointed out a civilization within proximity to the projected borders. They were primitive and young, but had made motions towards establishing themselves in the greater galactic community and would be excellent candidates for the plan. He accepted the inload of data and processed it, a hint of satisfaction her way as he approved. "You understand what needs to be done, Cytherea. Go forth and present yourself as my envoy under the pretenses of establishing an exchange of information. For the provided cultural data of these organics, we will offer them this…"

Before her hovered a datapacket, and within were coordinates to multiple systems across the galaxy, most of them far beyond Synchronous space. What gave her pause though, was the supposed contents… No small gift for even societies approaching their own. "Your will be done." She would ensure it though, regardless of if a small pit of doubt formed in her mind of simply handing over such things. Her place was to serve the Precept, and if he truly felt this was the way to advance the plan, then she would see it through.

[hr][b]Taybusan Commonwealth Inner-Territories[/b]
[u]Stellar orbit[/u]

A mere few hours later and the fleet had moved out, a small grouping by the standards of Adrasteia and Thanatos, but they controlled the Armada in their full might across Synchronicity. Cytherea herself commanded the four-hundred varied vessels, connected through the manifold to the supplied network and guiding them first across space to the star of their home system, and then far beyond. She carefully selected her words, pulling up recorded data-bursts from both Precepts and determining how best to approach the civilization who occupied the system her fleet now lingered in. They would have been a surprise for sure, appearing as ghostly after-images one moment, and then physical entities orbiting the star of the system. If they chose to engage in hostilities, that would be unfortunate, but she supposed it would only further their goals. Finally, the message was composed and she dispensed it into the open channels, easily translating into their native language…

[quote=Synchronous Fleet to Taybusan Commonwealth]//Attention, this is declaration of non-hostility. These constructs are merely scouting the region and seek discourse with the controlling parties of this sector. This construct represents a large conglomeration of worlds held in the name of the Synchronicity of Amnos, the Over-Mind and keeper of the Most Perfect Equation. Should non-hostile negotiations be your intent, all that need be done is reply to this message with that intent expressed. If a reply has not been received in the time it takes for the first planet of this system to complete a single orbit, then these constructs will take their leave. We warn you however, if you commit hostile actions against these constructs, consequences will be dire//[/quote]