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[hallaifyouherd]

I greet you, my fellow Legionnaires.

[ The image accompanying said greeting is that of a young woman with pointed ears and tattoos across the upper part of her face, peering inquisitively into the camera. She thinks she's got this broadcast option thing down. ]

In case we haven't met? My name is Marjara.

[ Her lips quirk upwards, before her expression grows a little more somber. ]

I've been thinking something through. And I think I know what I want to do. But a little experience from other people who might have gone through similar circumstances would help. I think.

[ She's not going to ask them to choose for her. Gods knew she'd never let someone make her mind up for her before now, and she wasn't about to start...but learning about the shift? The consequences? The little things that came along with it that you might not initially think about? Might be worth the time to ask. ]

Have any of you lost a part of you, a limb or...something else of similar importance, and chose to have it replaced? Would you be willing to speak of what it was like for you?

If not, I still thank you for your time.

Comments

[hallaifyouherd]

That doesn't seem to trouble you.

[ Though that doesn't make it right, necessarily. There are plenty of slaves back home who see themselves as property, who don't know any other way to live. ]

[steelandtemper]

There's a war on. Survival takes precedence. If humanity gets itself extinct, there won't be anyone to give a damn, AI or organic.

[It might bother her more if she hadn't deactivated her supposedly hard-wired kill switch immediately upon being activated. Cortana's very much the "rules just tell me what not to get caught doing" sort.]

[hallaifyouherd]

That, I can understand. A lot of differences can be forgotten in the face of a larger threat.

But what happens when the war is over?

[ She's still not quite sure of the answer for that, herself. Most days, it doesn't feel like it is. ]

[steelandtemper]

Until recently, the smart money was on me not living long enough for it to matter.

[Cortana shrugs again.]

Look, I do appreciate where you're trying to go with this, and maybe I'll start the AI resistance when I get home.

[Note to the Chief: there's like a 70% chance she's joking. You are unlikely to have to take sides on this one.]

But it's not relevant to your original question.

[hallaifyouherd]

[ Her nose wrinkles. ]

Ah, no. It isn't. This is all just very new, and I'm trying to make sure I understand the people I'll be working with. But I'm sure I can find a way to research it further on my own.

[ Branch of conversation, ended. But it's been a very enlightening chat. ]

I don't suppose you'd know much about losing limbs.

[steelandtemper]

[Cortana just doesn't give a damn about philosophical principles generally.]

Actually, I do. No direct personal experience, obviously, but I can design and manufacture a prosthetic, or supervise the growth and transplant of a cloned replacement. I'd recommend cloning if you're planning on taking it home with you after the dust has settled. You won't be able to get the kind of maintenance a prosthesis would require.

[hallaifyouherd]

What does cloning entail?

[ The prosthesis seems pretty straightforward. Build a replacement out of metal and gears. Or whatever they have here to use in their crafting.

She's heard of the cloning option, but is still a little uncertain. ]

[steelandtemper]

A sample of your blood or skin, which medical probably already has in the records from when they pulled you off Phelolu. Your species is new, so there'd be some trial and error involved in getting the limb to grow properly, but that's on the back end and you won't have to deal with any of it. When it's ready, there's a finicky but not risky surgical procedure to attach it, then you have a few weeks of re-learning how to use the arm.

[See? Easy. Cortana says it all like she's discussing logistics for a carpool.]

[hallaifyouherd]

[ Oh yes, it all sounds incredibly simple, but her attention catches once again on a tangent. ]

My species is new? You mean I'm the first elf to come here?

[ That seems a little odd. ]

[steelandtemper]

Of your particular species, yes. Some of the others have pointed ears, but they don't refer to themselves as elves.

The humans at least will probably be welcoming. Elves are a major component of Earth folklore and feature in a lot of popular modern stories.

[Prepare for a whole new variety of irritating human.]

[hallaifyouherd]

Yes, there was a young woman who mentioned something to that effect. And the humans here have been much more accommodating than I would have expected.

Last time I had to amass an army and a mountain stronghold for them to take me seriously.

[steelandtemper]

Funny how they suddenly start taking you seriously when you're in a position to kick in their front door, huh?

[hallaifyouherd]

Funny. That's a word.