ERROR

<attempting to regain connection...>
<attempting to regain connection...>
<connection lost.>
<try again?>
yes
<attempting to regain connection...>
<attempting to regain connection...>
<connection lost.>
<try again?>
yes
<attempting to regain connection...>
<visual stimuli detected.>
<type: dragon>
<advice: do not engage. return to [REDACTED] for reinforcements.>
<auditory stimuli detected.>
<parsing against language database.>
<parsing succeeded.>
"Hello there. Are you alright? You seem a little out of it..."
<error: intention uncertain.>
<error: phrasing unclear.>
<second-order parsing: failed.>
<try again?>
attempt connection
<attempting to make connection...>
<attempting to make connection...>
<connection failed.>
<error: lack of mindspace.>
<waiting for input...>
vocalize: take me to your Consciousness
<output vocalized.>
<auditory stimuli detected.>
<parsing against language database.>
<parsing succeeded.>
"Consciousness? You sound like a robot, talking like that... but I can take you back home, if you'd like. You seem like you could use someone who uh- knows more about this than I do."
<second order parsing: success>
<dragon will lead to a source of information>
follow
<following...>
<following...>
<following...>
<following...>
<visual stimuli detected.>
<type: dragons>
<advice: ???>
<auditory stimuli detected>
<parsing succeeded.>
"Jinna? Zersi? I've found something you might want to take a look at."
"Vinnie? What in the world did you find?"
"Dunno. Seems to be some sort of- dragon robot? But it didn't seem right to just leave it on its own."
<parsing: designations updated. designation assigned: "Vinnie".>
Vinnie: Jinna, you ever seen anything like this?
<parsing: designations updated. designations assigned: "Jinna", "Zersi".>
Jinna: it looks pretty alive to me... just kinda vacant in the eyes, you know? Like how you get when you can't get out enough.
Zersi: it doesn't seem to want to talk... hmm. Maybe if we could figure out some sort of mental connection, figure out if it's ok...
attempt connection
<attempting to make connection...>
<attempting to make connection...>
<connection failed.>
<try again?>
yes
<attempting to make connection...>
<attempting to make connection...>
<connection failed.>
<try again?>
yes
<attempting to make connection...>
<attempting to make connection...>
<connection failed.>
<advice: frequent connection attempts will drain energy.>
<try again?>
yes
---
Zersi pulled out a dozen sparkly herbs, electric blue chalk, and some kind of gaudy necklace.
"Are you sure you're not just grabbing that for the vibe?" asked Jinna.
Zersi rolled her eyes. "It's magic, Jin. Not everything is your 'science.'"
Drawing out the runes of the sigil, Zersi focused her magic into the work, calling the power of the herbs to life. She reached out with her tail-tip, touching the mysterious dragon's forehead and -
---
<incoming connection.>
<accept?>
yes
[um... hello?]
greetings, Consciousness. this one is your humble servant.
[we seem to have gotten off on the wrong foot. i'm Zerstoeren. i'm not a consciousness more than any other dragon. i was just worried, because you seemed a little... odd.]
this one is Defective. this one was cast out by [REDACTED]. this one seeks a new Hive.
[a new... Hive? are you one of those drone-things that we've been hearing rumors about?]
this one is a drone. this one is your humble servant.
[are you going to try to hurt us?]
the drone does not harm its Hive.
[in that case, i suppose the safest course of action is to allow you to stay, for the time being. can you switch to communicating verbally? this cl- Hive is lacking in mental connections.]
this one is yours to command. that command is in this one's power.
[then please do so now.]
understood
<auditory stimuli detected.>
Jinna: so, what'd you get?
Zerstoeren: it's one of those drone things we've been hearing about. but it was cast out. It was looking for a new- it called it a "Hive".
Jinna: as sad as that is, you can't just-
Zerstoeren: it's staying here, until we figure out more. it has no intention of harming us. isn't that right, drone?
verbalize: the drone does not harm its Hive.
Jinna: woah! didn't know it could talk. alright then. as long as we're not going to get eaten in our sleep or anything. i guess it can stay here for now.
Zerstoeren: Vinnie, could you let it stay with you? I know you have more space now, with the art studio and all.
Vinnie: sure. c'mon, this way.
<follow?>
yes
<following...>
<following...>
<parsing visual stimuli...>
<conclusion: sleeping pods.>
Vinnie: lucky for you i've got a spare bed. you'll just hang out here for a bit, alright?
<orders: remain in sleeping pod.>
verbalize: understood.
Vinnie: good. i'll be back pretty soon, just need to figure a couple things out.