#tornic

Now now. Just because someone is openly antagonistic in a way that is counter productive to morale and occasionally safety doesn't mean that...

[subject pounds fist on table]

I’M RUNNIN’ THIS MONKEY FARM NOW, FRANKENSTEIN ! AND I WANNA KNOW: WHAT THE FUCK YOU’RE DOING WITH MY TIME!!

Where’d THAT come from?

Just keepin’ you guessing, pal.

Wierzbowski is an unusual techpriest.

Understatement.

Ah..uh..yes. But I was referring to the specific nature of her augmetics and her particular technological goals.  For many techpriests, the association with augmetics and strength is a common paradigm. They seek agelessness, immunity to damage and physical strength superior to that of organic equivalents.

Indeed, it is my understanding that most, if not all augmetics are made with this in mind. Mr Marr?

Yeah, pretty much.

Even minor augmetics like the Commissars shoulder giver her a pretty serious advantage.

Exactly! But Wierzbowski’s limbs seem to be largely only as strong as flesh ones of equivalent size would be. When it comes to tasks involving larger weights, the sort that Marr or Yaroslava would jump at the chance to do by themselves, Wierzbowski always asks for somebodies help.

Also to subtly check them out when they lift.

You are NOT subtle, ma’am.

But her focus seems to be more on efficiency of space than raw power. The way one of her arms, is an arm but also transforms into a cyberfamiliar, the way her right leg works as both a leg and a housing for a servo skull. 

She has exchanged strength for versatility. I suppose as a consequence, her body might also be less cumbersome and awkward.

Just as well, as with average, even low strength, a melee fighting style that favours ease of movement and momentum based attacks may be more favourable.

A spinning back kick will know away smaller opponents and a front drop kick will take down most things human sized. At least long enough for you to draw your guns and fight as the Omnisiah intended.

I do rather dislike physical contact in a violent context.

I’ve seen you move and fight okay with smaller mechadendrites attached, but some of the ones you use ARE heavy and awkward. Strong enough to peel open a bulkhead. How do you close combat fight with those attached?

Let me draw you a picture.

[subject slowly lowers the sketch from their face]

Indeed! Although there is never any doubt of what it means in the context we use it.

Let me assure you I can appreciate pedantry, but I also believe languages first purpose is to communicate. If we start using the far more accurate term ‘apostasy’ we’ll have to re-educate the masses.

On a massive, massive level.

Do you know? That’s actually an amazing question. Since we , that is to say Mr Tornic and myself first began teaching Khutulun , or rather, C-16, how to speak low Gothic  - she has said it multiple times.

Which is fascinating. It’s not a word in Low Gothic, obviously  but it’s not an Attilan phrase, either.

There are a handful of languages where it has some meaning. However, nothing that ‘guusho’ translates to in any of these languages would make any sense in the context she uses it.

Additionally, it is highly unlikely she would speak any of these languages. If we are to believe the doctors report to be accurate - and I’d say I rather do. Then her ability to learn additional languages considerably compromised.

Exactly so.

It is hard to tell which aspects of her brain damage are from the shrapnel she took, as there is evidence of much much older trauma, possibly occurring at birth. But it has affected her language centre, which may explain why she also talks in abstract concepts sometimes.

Indeed! But the take away from all this is that she is unlikely to know a third language besides Attilan and the small amounts of Low Gothic we have taught her. And in both of these languages ‘guusho’ doesn't mean any thing.

It may just have to be a mystery. A little quirk we never truly understand.

I am untroubled, personally. I’m just always glad to see her making progress. Vocally and emotionally. Every new word is a triumph, given the damage done.

ROAD LONG. ROCKS MANY.BOTH OF YOU. APPRECIATE.

Ah! She’s got ‘appreciate’!

Good show!

GUUSHO!

Hmm. The captain is practical. So I imagine he just thinks of her in terms of how useful she is as a soldier. I guess you’d have to ask him. I mean, I am him. I’m aware of his actions, but I can no more think myself into his shoes and offer his opinions than he can offer mine.

Kael.

 If people are sufficiently curious, would it be okay if I occasionally masked up before answer a question? Just in case people want Captains perspective.

Can’t imagine him being interesting but...well, I’m not exactly enthralling people as is...

Mm-mm. 

I’m okay with it if you are. Might be interesting for the archives.

The captain isn’t actually dangerous to normal people. He’s just a pragmatists pragmatist. Taciturn.

Hm.

Probably a welcome change, then.

[subject bites her lip and eyes the camera]

Ah..When he’s wearing his mask, Myers is a soldier’s soldier. He is an excellent fighter, has amazing spacial awareness and is an incredible problem solver. But he doesn't actually make anyone feel safe. Even though they couldn’t be safer around him.

He looks around, and sizes up everyone and everything. There is a constant tension and readiness to his posture and demeanour that is infectious. He is impressive but not in a way that is appreciably human. His movements are conservative and robotic when he’s not in combat. His voice is cold.

I do not dislike the Captain. I really don’t. But I miss Myers when he’s around.

I...I worry about the long term affects.

I’ve seen Myers remove his helmet, and I can see for a few seconds as he looks around, the way his face is set...that he’s still the Captain.

But you know...it’s not all bad..

Sometimes, just recently the Captain has called me ‘Wesk’ instead of ‘Lieutenant’ and he offered me his canteen to drink from when mine was empty.

I mean, he said: “My internal auspex indicates your sodium is sub optimal. Consume these electrolytes or you may be a hindrance in the next attack.”

[subject coughs]

Oh goodness me, I can’t do the voice.

But...for him...for the Captain..it was quite a tender gesture.

Oh buddy you got no idea.

I gotta keep track of everyone positions and the terrain all at once. Keep track of all codes and call signs and positions and make sure everyone knows where everything is. Enemies, other squads, variations in terrain.

I got my vox, my slates, two auspex scanners.

I have to keep track of it all and report it. Quickly. Clearly. If I have to repeat myself, the battle is as good as over. I won’t lie to you, slugger. I’m a pretty big deal.

Slightly hyperbolic.

Truth is, Firch is a very decent voxman.

I can speak more languages - but his knowledge of kants, codes and channel tuning is legitimately good.

Ah. Yes. I suppose I am. I mean, the love of my life is my research and my data. But I am still human and well, Daneel’s been there for me so to speak. He’ll notice when I’m stressed or working too hard. Occasionally I look around and I wonder if there’s someone, male or indeed female, that I want to take things further with.