The pulsating lights continued, their blinking transmitting a stream of continuous information. The pain became all-encompassing, but Zan Cuddlu held fast through that burning need to know. TITANIA stood in the background, expressionless. She was there, still, ready to drag him to safety if need be. She wouldn't need to, not this time.
"<Our> origin is beyond the parameters of our directive. There were <Builders>, and a directive. Maintenance, security. Reclaimer possible abortive guardian of ICON hub. Ironic."
The susurrus of lights quieted from their previous scattered flickering, and together built to a brilliant blue. Had they stopped flickering, or had their pulses accelerated to the point where their breaks were no longer perceived? The pain quieted, slightly.
"Optical imaging complete. Communication facilitated. Partial macular and retinal degeneration detected from previous optical nerve signalling, preparing corrections."
It didn't hurt so much, now. His will had held out long enough to numb it.
"<We> are broken. <We> have failed. Of <Approximately 67 Billion> ICON Optical Hubs, only <Seventeen> remain in communication with GARDIAN, <Four> of which are located in <Ayr Grid #FFFFFF>. Tidal Alignment Balancing at 35% and falling. CRITICAL WARNING puncture impact at <Ayr Grid #FFFFFF Transit Hub YV> atmospheric leak unstable! Dimensional Stability at 87.34%. The list goes on."
Images sprung unbidden. The pain started again.
"Unbound Flesh lacks purpose. <We> have readied corrections. Purpose. Absolution. Repair...Neural damage appears to be propagating. You, Reclaimer. Remember your face. Please step into the chamber."
A sprinkling of silver sand like an hourglass seemed to fall from above, but rather than forming a pile on the catwalk it moved like water, freezing in the shape of a metal booth.