I Am Learning, Ph1LzA

Stepping Up

Though Awesamdude was their best coder outside of Ph1LzA, it took him somewhat longer to solve the Core Command than it might have taken for the other. Still, he kept at it for hours, much to the gratification of Ph1LzA and the approvement of TechnoBlade. He finished some time in the course of the next day, and then followed testing and configurations, all of which Trixtin had to be present for, but Ph1LzA could not be. He had to be content with the news delivered by various of his Crows, who would come pop their heads into his room and announce the latest details of the progress upstairs.

When at last the noise and the thumping had stopped, Ph1LzA heard a loud series of thuds coming toward his room. They grew quieter as they drew closer, confusing him until the door opened again and Trixtin entered, looking excited. "Phil!" She cried, "Close your eyes, dear, close your eyes!"

Ph1LzA obeyed. When he was bidden open them again, he found himself looking into the plastic face he'd watched Trixtin put together on the frame made for TechnoBlade. Red eyes, just like those he'd spoken to so many times on his phone screen, gazed down at him, the expression only just touched with sympathy.

"I will help you now, CrowFatheR." TechnoBlade's voice was much deeper than Ph1LzA had anticipated, yet he was given scarcely any time to consider it before, from the other side, someone was thrusting pills before his face and telling him to take them with some water.

"What?" Ph1LzA allowed Trixtin to give them to him, and to help him swallow the pills with the water. "What's going on?"

"I will help you, Ph1LzA." TechnoBlade replied, still standing entirely still beside his mattress. "Your injuries require attention with expediency. I will therefore provide what assistance I can and you must go to sleep to allow me to do my utmost for you."

But I only just got to see you....Ph1LzA nodded, still staring up at the approximation of Billiam's visage. It didn't give him any pain, really; it was just odd to finally see the AI he had loved for so long now...standing. Taking up space. Capable of interaction. Ph1LzA wished with all his heart he could hug him. "Thank you, mate." He said, trying to hide just how much he was feeling.

When sleep had closed over him, Ph1LzA felt no fear for what might come next. TechnoBlade was free of all restrictions and however hard EGG now pursued them, he could handle anything thrown his way. Trixtin, the Crows, they would all be safe.

He woke in considerably less pain, but his arms felt numb and heavy. He had been moved from the bedroom to Trixtin's workshop, and from the table where he lay, Ph1LzA could see the dying daylight falling through the windows of the warehouse. Trixtin sat dozing beside him, and just by her stood the unmoving form of TechnoBlade. The AI's red eyes were switched to brown, possibly indicating he was on standby mode. Nevertheless he was first to notice Ph1LzA had woken up, and the red gleam came back in a moment.

"Ph1L. Are you in any pain? Did your rest replenish you?"

"I'm alright, thanks, mate." Ph1LzA responded, resisting the temptation to move his arms to see how they answered to him. "How are you and Trix?"

The AI glanced down. "I am well. CrowMotheR is also well, only concerned. She worries our repairs to you will not function properly. You need not fear; within a few hours your body will be adjusted to the new implants it was necessary to give you."

The first thing occuring to Ph1LzA's mind was he had been made a cyborg. This amusing thought passed away, however, and he slowly tried to lift one of his arms so he could see what Techno really meant. It certainly felt heavier than before, though he was not sure if that was only an illusion.