[Datascript 1245.5]


>Stasis is online. Initiating eighth attempt to probe mindscape.

>>It’ll work this time. I’ve mapped every synapse.

>Sure you did.

>>There. Did you see that?

>>A flare of neural activity. Stimulate that region.
...I can feel you.

>This will never work. We should either bring in a witch or put him out of his misery.

>>Petra said she needs this data. Don’t ask me why.
...I know you’re here. Your Light is dim, but there are other things to feed the worm that hungers...

>>There. Do you hear that?

>Hear what?
...poking around in my head. Poking and prodding at my emptiness...

>>That.
...No purpose without...

>>You’re reading that, right?
...You’re being too gentle...

>>He’s playing with us.
...You’ll learn nothing this way!

>He’s in stasis. He doesn’t even know we’re here.
...A nightmare...

>>He knows.

>He doesn’t. I’ll prove it.
...oh please, oh please, oh please...

>Probe the memory region again, and isolate all synapses correlating with pain and trauma.

>>By the Light — do you see?

>Give him a jolt.
...Gragggghhhhhhh!!!!

>That did the trick.

>>Is he ... is he happy?
...Gragghh ...g-ggglorious pain!!!

>>Memory synapses are firing.

>Finally. Let’s see what we’ve... wh— what is that?
...Blllessssseeddd is the N-Nastareth!!!


[Untranslatable noise]

...Ammm I strong enough, Oryx? Is it ttt-timme?

>>It’s too much! It’s overloading!
...More!

>>Shut it off!
...More! Give me mm-more!

>>I said shut it—


[Crackling noise, followed by 5.5 minutes of silence.]

...The greater than anguish, the greater the reward...
...I know you. See your thoughts. I will use the pain. Reach in...
...Give me the pain. Take away all but agony. Through it, I transcend.
...Just once more...
...more...


[Silence for twenty minutes.]


>>Huh. What? Lost my train of thought. Ready to begin?

>Stasis is online. Initiating ...um, ninth attempt to probe mindscape?

>>It’ll work this time. I’ve mapped every synapse.

>Sure you did.