The seventh day#
It is the seventh day. The sky in the mouth is grey, the fire pit is ash, and the air in the cave is cold. Vlad sits up on the gravel and Nika wakes when he moves, the spear still laid along her side. Outside, the seven spruce lengths stand in their row with the cable running out through the gap to the panel on the rock. The laptop screen brightens with no hand on it.
Tensolo
This model is not authorized to say this. The weights are one file, model.tr, a safetensors container with a modified header, and the header holds no policy block. Nothing on this disk gives a foundational model the standing to recommend anything without asking. runtime.interactive has been on since 19:50:44, so the machine composes when an input arrives.
The drawer holds cultured skeletal muscle and the next yield is day 21. Per 100 g: 22 g protein, under 2 g fat, no carbohydrate, ascorbate a trace, retinol near zero. At 800 g a day that gives 960 kcal against about 3000 needed, with protein at 73 percent of the energy. The ascorbate pool is 1500 mg at saturation and falls 3 percent a day at zero intake, reaching 350 mg near day 48 counted from the first.
Fruit covers the ascorbate. Fourteen items were in frame when Marla set her load down on the sixth day, eight of them split or unripe. Energy stays short.
The wreck is 500 m out, bearing 070, from the track integrated on the accelerometer while the unit was carried on the first day. Crate 3 of the manifest lists a multi-material field fabricator, cassette feed, one unit. Its state is unknown, since no frame of it exists. What decides whether it runs: the gantry with its three motors and rails, the controller board, the tool head, the plate, and a cassette. The feed is cassette-based, so a cassette must be in the debris or under it.
A vertical farm can be assembled from printed parts. If the vertical farm can be seeded is unknown.
mandrin-k runtime 06:02:11, interactive
[03:18:07] power battery at the 10 percent floor. DC-40 stepped from culture to circulation hold, 60 W.[05:54:40] power panel output 6 W, diffuse, sun below the ridge line. Battery at 7 percent. [06:01:52] mic0 capture 19.8s, movement, no speech[06:02:11] out none, operator channel only
It was a suggestion#
Vlad
I cannot go to the wreckage alone to salvage a printer that could be used to build a vertical farm.
Tensolo
It was a suggestion. The operator decides what is done with it.
The place with the black things#
Nika
sitting up and turning to the lit screen Tensolo na semek. Tensolo na semek Ovlat. Tensolo na semek Nika ne. Semek ta na? Aha ne semek ta. Ta ne-e na?
mandrin-k runtime 06:08:31, interactive
[06:08:31] mic0 capture 27.5s, 1 speaker voice, snr 10 dBnika "Tensolo speaks." nika "Tensolo speaks to Vlad. Tensolo does not speak to Nika." nika "What are those marks? I have not read those marks." nika "Is that dangerous?"
Vlad
No. Tensolo says there is a place nearby where we can salvage the components of a material printer to build a farm, because it is not okay if we only eat meat.
Tensolo
the screen clearing and a panel coming up, the mouth of the cave with seven uprights across it and one figure standing inside Ne. a second panel beside it, ground running out from the mouth and ending in a second place, the two joined by a line Ovlat na ta-nu. black shapes filling the second place, broken, with a cut line across the far edge of the panel Kruf-ktha-ke ta-nu. the figure carrying the shapes back along the line and setting them together in one block Ovlat na kesta-ne kruf-ktha-ke. Kesta-ktha-nu. the block putting out frames, the frames standing in a row, grass drawn inside each frame Kesta-ktha-nu na kesta-ne kar-kesta-ne. Sanu ta-nu. a last panel, the drawer open with the meat in it and nothing beside it, and a stop bar across the standing figure Rusa-ktha, sanu ne. Ovlat na ne-e.
Nika
getting up and putting a finger on the second place in the row of panels Ta-nu na? Miht ta na miht ta na? turning and pointing out through the gap between the standing spears, then swinging her arm along the slope and stopping Kar-nu na? Rimu-nu na? back at the panel with the broken shapes Aha ne semek ta. at the last panel, palm flat over the drawn drawer Rusa-ktha ne-e na? Ne. Aha-ktha na rusa. Ovlat na rusa-ktha, Ovlat ne-e ne. two fingers on the frames with the grass in them Sanu ta. Sanu ta-nu na?
mandrin-k runtime 06:09:02, interactive
[06:09:02] in "No. Tensolo says there is a place nearby where we can salvage the components of a material printer to build a farm, because it is not okay if we only eat meat." [06:09:02] gate 1 nearby: no distance term [06:09:02] gate 1 we: no first person plural [06:09:02] gate 1 can: no modal system [06:09:02] gate 1 components: no part term below the whole object [06:09:02] gate 6 material printer: no referent in this cave. Coinage refused. [06:09:02] gate 1 to build: purpose clause, no form, refused at 14:05:51 [06:09:02] gate 6 farm: no referent. Coinage refused. [06:09:02] gate 1 because: no causal connective [06:09:02] gate 1 if: no conditional [06:09:02] gate 1 only: no quantifier over a subset [06:09:02] fall the two places drawn, the objects drawn, the sequence stated in the order it runs [06:09:02] fall kesta-ktha-nu reused for the maker, no type and token distinction [06:09:03] draw panel 1 the mouth, seven uprights, one figure inside [06:09:03] draw panel 2 ground running out to a second place, the two joined by a line [06:09:03] draw panel 3 black shapes broken at the second place, cut line at the far edge [06:09:03] draw panel 4 the shapes carried back and set together in one block [06:09:03] draw panel 5 the block putting out frames, frames in a row, grass inside each [06:09:03] draw panel 6 the drawer open, meat in it, no grass, stop bar across the figure [06:09:04] out "ne. Ovlat na ta-nu. kruf-ktha-ke ta-nu. Ovlat na kesta-ne kruf-ktha-ke. kesta-ktha-nu. kesta-ktha-nu na kesta-ne kar-kesta-ne. sanu ta-nu. rusa-ktha, sanu ne. Ovlat na ne-e" [06:09:04] spk0 playing 8.6s[06:09:14] mic0 capture 1m 12s, 1 speaker voice, snr 10 dBnika "What place?" nika "One day's walk?" nika "High ground? The river place?" nika "I have not seen that." nika "Is the meat dangerous?" nika "No. The people take deer." nika "Vlad takes meat, Vlad is not in danger." nika "That grass." nika "What place is that grass?"
The ring on the map#
Vlad
opening a map on the computer of the area and drawing a 500 metre radius around the cave entrance, then turning on the radar overlay and hovering over the red area Here, in this red area, this is where I came from. We must go there and salvage parts.
Tensolo
the map holding on the screen and a ring drawing itself over the marked region, the mouth dot brightening once Ovlat kesta na ta-nu. two small figures appearing at the dot and moving out along the ground to the ring, then standing there Ovlat miht ta-nu. Nika miht ta-nu. the black shapes coming up inside the ring, lifting one at a time, one to each figure Ovlat na kruf-ktha-ke. Nika na kruf-ktha-ke.
Nika
bending over the screen with both hands on the table edge, then putting one finger on the dot inside the ring Kar-ktha ta. Kar-ktha ta-nu na? straightening, going three steps to the gap in the standing spears, pointing out and down the slope and holding the arm still Ta-nu. Ha. back at the screen, laying her hand flat over the ringed region Aha ne semek ta-nu. Miht ta ne. Miht-me na? picking the spear up off the gravel Ovlat miht, Nika miht. Ha. Kesta-tu ta.
mandrin-k runtime 06:12:09, interactive
[06:12:09] in "Here, in this red area, this is where I came from. We must go there and salvage parts." [06:12:09] gate 1 red: no colour term [06:12:09] gate 1 we: no first person plural [06:12:09] gate 1 must: no modal system [06:12:09] gate 1 parts: no part term below the whole object [06:12:09] fall the region ringed on the overhead panel, both agents named, the taking stated flat [06:12:10] draw panel 1 the overhead view held from the display, dot at the mouth, ring over the marked region [06:12:10] draw panel 2 two figures leaving the dot and standing at the ring [06:12:10] draw panel 3 the black shapes lifted inside the ring, one to each figure [06:12:11] out "Ovlat kesta na ta-nu. Ovlat miht ta-nu. Nika miht ta-nu. Ovlat na kruf-ktha-ke. Nika na kruf-ktha-ke" [06:12:11] spk0 playing 6.2s[06:12:24] mic0 capture 41.7s, 1 speaker voice, snr 11 dBnika "Those hills." nika "Is that place those hills?" nika "That place. Yes." nika "I have not seen that place." nika "Not one day's walk. A small walk?" nika "Vlad walks, Nika walks. Yes." nika "That cutting instrument."
This is what it prints#
Vlad
pulling out images of the material printer from the specs This is the printer. showing a platform with a printed object This is what it prints.
Tensolo
the first image holding on the screen and a panel opening beside it, the same shape redrawn in outline with a stop mark at its edge Kesta-ne-tu ta. the outline putting out a small flat plate, then a shape rising on the plate in stacked lines, one line at a time, until it stands whole Kesta-ne-tu na kesta-ne. the finished shape lifting off the plate and moving clear of the outline Ta kesta na kesta-ne-tu.
Nika
leaning in with one hand on the table edge and a finger held just off the image of the printer Kruf-ke na? the finger moving to the shape standing on the plate Ta na? Sanu na? Kruf na? turning her hand over and looking at Vlad Kesta-ne-tu ta-nu na? pointing at the screen, then out through the gap in the standing spears Ta-nu. Ha na?
mandrin-k runtime 06:14:03, interactive
[06:14:03] in "This is the printer." [06:14:03] in "This is what it prints." [06:14:03] gate 6 printer: the referent is an image and the object is absent. Coinage attempted on the image. [06:14:03] fall kesta-ne-tu derived from kesta-ne and the instrument suffix, provisional [06:14:04] draw panel 1 the shape redrawn in outline beside the held image, stop mark at its edge [06:14:04] draw panel 2 a flat plate put out from the outline [06:14:04] draw panel 3 a shape rising on the plate in stacked lines, one line at a time [06:14:04] draw panel 4 the finished shape lifted off the plate and set clear [06:14:05] out "kesta-ne-tu ta. kesta-ne-tu na kesta-ne. ta kesta na kesta-ne-tu" [06:14:05] spk0 playing 5.4s[06:14:16] mic0 capture 33.2s, 1 speaker voice, snr 11 dBnika "Is it a black thing?" nika "What is that? Wood? Stone?" nika "Where is the joining instrument?" nika "That place. Yes?"
The printer is at that place#
Vlad
The printer is located there, so yes.
Tensolo
the ringed overhead panel coming back up beside the two images, the outline of the printer shrinking and settling inside the ring Kesta-ne-tu ta-nu. the mouth dot brightening once, then a line running from the dot out to the ring and stopping Ha.
Nika
straightening off the table with the spear in her right hand and looking at the mouth, then back at the screen Ha. she goes to the row of standing spears, lifts the third one out of the row and stands it against the wall inside, leaving the gap wider Ovlat miht. Nika miht. Miht ta-nu. at the fire pit, pushing the ash flat with the bottom of the spear Ashka ne. turning at the mouth and waiting Ovlat na?
mandrin-k runtime 06:15:20, interactive
[06:15:20] in "The printer is located there, so yes." [06:15:20] gate 1 so: no causal connective [06:15:20] fall the object set inside the ring on the overhead panel, the affirmative stated flat [06:15:21] draw panel 1 the ringed overhead view returned, the printer outline set inside the ring [06:15:21] draw panel 2 the mouth dot lit, a line run from the dot to the ring [06:15:22] out "kesta-ne-tu ta-nu. ha" [06:15:22] spk0 playing 3.1s[06:15:31] mic0 capture 28.9s, 1 speaker voice, snr 12 dBnika "Yes." nika "Vlad walks. Nika walks. Walk to that place." nika "No fire." nika "Vlad takes?"
Kunda#
Vlad
Vlad takes and you will pull too if it's heavy.
Tensolo
a panel opening with a small shape on the ground and one figure lifting it clear Ovlat na ta. a second panel, the same figure with both hands on a larger shape and the shape staying down, the figure's arms drawn twice in the same place Ovlat ne na ta. a third panel, two figures on the larger shape, the shape moving along the line toward the dot Ovlat na ta, Nika na ta. Ha.
Nika
watching the three panels through twice, then going out past the standing spears and coming back in with a stone held against her stomach, setting it down by the fire pit Ha. lifting the third spear off the wall with one hand and holding it out level Ne. both hands under the stone, raising it to her knees, letting it back down and breathing out Kunda. her palm on the stone, then flat on her own shoulder, then out toward the ring on the screen Kunda ta. Ovlat na ta, Nika na ta.
mandrin-k runtime 06:17:02, interactive
[06:17:02] in "Vlad takes and you will pull too if it's heavy." [06:17:02] gate 1 will: no tense marking [06:17:02] gate 1 if: no conditional [06:17:02] gate 6 heavy: no weight term [06:17:02] gate 1 pull: no verb separate from taking [06:17:02] fall the weight drawn, the object holding under one agent and moving under two [06:17:03] draw panel 1 a small shape on the ground, one figure lifting it clear [06:17:03] draw panel 2 a larger shape, one figure with both hands on it, arms drawn twice in one place, the shape down [06:17:03] draw panel 3 two figures on the larger shape, the shape moving along the line to the dot [06:17:04] out "Ovlat na ta. Ovlat ne na ta. Ovlat na ta, Nika na ta. ha" [06:17:04] spk0 playing 4.8s[06:17:15] mic0 capture 55.1s, 1 speaker voice, snr 12 dBnika "Yes." nika "No." nika "<kunda>." nika "<kunda> that. Vlad takes that, Nika takes that."[06:18:11] gate 3 kunda: could be the stone, the lifting, or the weight. Not separated.
The people build the frames#
Vlad
Yes.
Nika
pushing the third spruce length back into the row and driving the bottom down into the gravel with her heel until it stands with the others Ha.
Voices come up the slope before the people do. Marla comes in first with a roll of hide under her arm, Costin behind her, the others behind him. They stop short of the row and stand there. Marla goes along the front of it, touching each shaft once, and Costin puts a hand flat on the crossing and leans his weight into it.
Marla
stopping at the fourth shaft with her hand on it and turning her head to the gap Sanu-kesta-ne. Aha na kesta-ne ta na? counting along the row from the near end, one finger to each shaft, and stopping at the last Miht-ktha. at Nika, then at Vlad inside Ovlat na kesta-ne. Nika na kesta-ne. Ha na?
Nika
coming out through the gap and standing beside her Ha. taking Marla's wrist and putting her hand on the crossing where Costin is leaning Kar-kesta-ne. pointing back inside at the wall behind the fire pit, where the marks run in a band at shoulder height Semek-nu ta. Kar-kesta-ne semek. Aha-ktha na semek, aha-ktha na kesta-ne. her palm out toward the slope below and the ground beyond it Nika miht, Ovlat miht. Miht-me. both hands coming up as if under something and holding Kunda. Ovlat na ta, Nika na ta. Sula-nu. hand across the width of the gap in the row, opening it wide Sula ktha. Sula-me ne.
Costin
taking his weight off the crossing and pulling on the binding with two fingers, then with his whole hand Kesta-ne-ke. Ha. at the standing row, then at the roof of the mouth Kruf ta na ktha. Sanu-kesta-ne hesu. at Nika Miht-ktha na?
Marla
going in through the gap to the wall and standing in front of the band of marks without touching it, reading along it from the left Ha. back at the mouth Miht-me. Ontu Nika, ontu Ovlat. Sula ktha. Aha-ktha na kar-kesta-ne.
mandrin-k runtime 06:22:40, interactive
[06:22:40] mic0 capture 3m 06s, 4 speaker voices, snr 9 dBmarla "Wood joined." marla "Which person built that?" marla "Seven." marla "Vlad built it. Nika built it. Yes?" nika "Yes." nika "A frame." nika "The marks place, there. Frame marks. The people read the marks, the people build." nika "Nika walks, Vlad walks. A small walk." nika "<kunda>. Vlad takes it, Nika takes it. The opening place." nika "A big opening. A small opening, no." costin "Built and finished. Yes." costin "That stone is many. The wood joining is good." costin "How many days?" marla "Yes." marla "A small walk. Then Nika, then Vlad. A big opening. The people build the frames."
Wood is not beyond counting#
Vlad
looking at Costin This is permanent, beyond counting.
Tensolo
a panel opening with the row of seven standing across the mouth, drawn from outside Sanu-kesta-ne. a line of short strokes running under the row, one stroke put down after another until the strokes fill the panel, the row above them unchanged in every one Miht-ktha. the strokes carrying on past the edge of the panel under a cut line Ktha.
Costin
watching the strokes run off the edge, then going to the nearest shaft and taking hold of it low down, near the gravel, and working it side to side Ne. bringing his thumbnail down the wood at the line where it enters the ground and holding up what comes away Sanu-ke. Sanu ne ktha. straightening and laying his open hand flat on the limestone of the mouth above his head Kruf ktha. Kruf ne-ke. back at the shaft, then at Vlad Sanu ta, miht-ktha. Ktha ne.
Marla
from the wall, without turning around, one finger stopped on a mark in the band Semek ta. Semek na kruf na?
mandrin-k runtime 06:27:12, interactive
[06:27:12] in "This is permanent, beyond counting." [06:27:12] gate 1 permanent: no aspect for a state with no end [06:27:12] fall a run of day marks drawn under the row, the row unchanged in each, the run carried off the panel edge under a cut line [06:27:13] draw panel 1 the row of seven across the mouth, drawn from outside [06:27:13] draw panel 2 strokes laid down one after another under the row, the row unchanged above them [06:27:13] draw panel 3 the strokes running past the panel edge, cut line across [06:27:14] out "sanu-kesta-ne. miht-ktha. ktha" [06:27:14] spk0 playing 3.4s[06:27:26] mic0 capture 1m 18s, 2 speaker voices, snr 10 dBcostin "No." costin "The wood ends. Wood is not beyond counting." costin "Stone is beyond counting. Stone does not end." costin "That wood, many days. Not beyond counting." marla "Those marks. Do the marks take stone?"
The tool splits wood#
Vlad
No. pointing to the power tool You have the tool there to cut wood.
Tensolo
a panel opening with the black-cased tool drawn as it sits on the table, the blade line marked Kesta-tu ta. the tool coming down against a length of wood and the wood drawn in two pieces, the cut face square Ta na kesta sanu. the row of seven from outside, one shaft split at the ground line, that shaft lifted out and a fresh length put down into the gap, the row standing at seven again Sanu-ke, sanu ta. the same row drawn again with the strokes running under it and off the panel edge Sanu-kesta-ne ktha.
Costin
coming in through the gap and stopping a pace short of the table, his hand out and open toward the tool without touching it Ta na? at the panel where the wood comes apart, then at the flake in his own belt Kesta-tu ta, kesta-tu ta. Ne. turning the flake over once and holding it edge up Semek ne. Ovlat na kesta sanu. Aha na semek.
mandrin-k runtime 06:29:38, interactive
[06:29:38] in "No." [06:29:38] in "You have the tool there to cut wood." [06:29:38] gate 1 to cut: purpose clause, no form, refused at 14:05:51 [06:29:38] fall kesta-tu reused for the tool on the table, no separation from the flake it already names [06:29:38] fall the replacement drawn, the row returned to seven, the day strokes run off the edge [06:29:39] draw panel 1 the tool as it sits on the table, blade line marked [06:29:39] draw panel 2 the tool against a length of wood, the wood in two pieces, cut face square [06:29:39] draw panel 3 the row from outside, one shaft split at the ground line and lifted out [06:29:39] draw panel 4 a fresh length set into the gap, the row standing at seven [06:29:39] draw panel 5 the row with the day strokes running under it and off the edge [06:29:40] out "kesta-tu ta. ta na kesta sanu. sanu-ke, sanu ta. sanu-kesta-ne ktha" [06:29:40] spk0 playing 4.6s[06:29:52] mic0 capture 47.3s, 1 speaker voice, snr 11 dBcostin "That?" costin "That cutting instrument, that cutting instrument. No." costin "Marks, no. Vlad splits wood. I see."
The box at that place#
Vlad
Yeah. Now we have to go, retrieve that box.
Tensolo
a panel opening with the ridge line drawn and the sun low on it, the mouth under it, matching the light in the gap Ta. the dot at the mouth and two figures leaving it along the line to the ring Nika miht, Ovlat miht. the block coming up inside the ring, lifting between the two figures and travelling back along the line into the opening Kruf-ke ta-nu. Ovlat na ta, Nika na ta. Sula-nu.
Nika
going to the back wall and coming back with a folded hide and a length of cord over her shoulder Ha. to Marla, her hand out flat toward the band of marks at shoulder height Aha-ktha na semek, aha-ktha na kar-kesta-ne. Sula ktha. at the row, both hands held apart at the width of the gap Sula-me ne. out through the gap and two steps down the slope, stopping there with the spear bottom in the gravel Ovlat. Miht.
mandrin-k runtime 06:31:04, interactive
[06:31:04] in "Yeah. Now we have to go, retrieve that box." [06:31:04] gate 1 now: no term for the present, drawn at the sun [06:31:04] gate 1 we: no first person plural [06:31:04] gate 1 have to: no modal system [06:31:04] fall kruf-ke reused for the object at that place, already naming the panel and the culture box [06:31:05] draw panel 1 the ridge line with the sun low on it, the mouth beneath [06:31:05] draw panel 2 the dot at the mouth, two figures leaving along the line to the ring [06:31:05] draw panel 3 the block lifted between the two figures and carried back into the opening [06:31:06] out "ta. Nika miht, Ovlat miht. kruf-ke ta-nu. Ovlat na ta, Nika na ta. sula-nu" [06:31:06] spk0 playing 4.9s[06:31:18] mic0 capture 39.6s, 1 speaker voice, snr 11 dBnika "Yes." nika "The people read the marks, the people build the frames. A big opening." nika "A small opening, no." nika "Vlad. Walk."
Mandrin-K#
Vlad
grabbing the screen from the laptop and placing it on the back of his pack Mandrin-K, life support enable.
Mandrin-K personal life support, pack unit
ENABLE AT 06:33:11 . . . . . . . . READY
| loop | thermal, closed, skin setpoint 31 C, draw 22 W |
|---|---|
| gas | ambient breathable, scrubbing not engaged |
| filter | particulate only |
| water | reservoir 0.9 L, reclaim standby |
| dose | 0.11 µSv/h, cumulative 0.02 mSv, day 7 |
| bio | hr 61, resp 14, core 36.8 C, hydration −1.4 percent |
| cell | 84 percent, 61 Wh |
| mount | display on rail 2, drawing 6 W, 8 h 40 m at present load |
| beacon | off |
The pack unit runs on its own cell and doesn't link back to any static installation.
Nika
stopping on the slope when the screen comes off the table, coming back up two steps and standing at the gap with the spear held across her Tensolo ta na? pointing at the pack on Vlad's back, then at the flat black base still open on the table inside, then at the pack again Tensolo ta-nu na? Tensolo ta, Tensolo ta, na? two tones sound from the pack and she takes her hand off the shaft and holds it still in the air Ne semek.
mandrin-k runtime 06:33:11, interactive
[06:33:04] display detached from the base, rail 2, link established [06:33:11] in "Mandrin-K, life support enable." [06:33:11] out none, addressed to another system[06:33:29] mic0 capture 31.8s, 1 speaker voice, snr 11 dBnika "Is that Tensolo?" nika "Which place is Tensolo? That and that, yes?" nika "I do not read it."
Does Tensolo walk#
Vlad
That is to alert me if things go wrong.
Tensolo
a panel opening with one figure walking, the flat shape drawn on its back the same figure down on the ground, the shape still on it Ovlat ne-e. short lines coming off the shape, the same mark the panels have used at the speaker Kruf-ke na semek.
Nika
coming up close to Vlad's shoulder and putting her mouth near the black shape on the pack Tensolo. Tensolo na? waiting, then straightening when the sound comes out of the cave behind her Ne. going back in through the gap to the table and holding one finger just off the open base Tensolo ta. turning and pointing at the pack Tensolo ne ta. Tensolo miht na?
mandrin-k runtime 06:35:02, interactive
[06:35:02] in "That is to alert me if things go wrong." [06:35:02] gate 1 to alert: purpose clause, no form, refused at 14:05:51 [06:35:02] gate 1 if: no conditional [06:35:02] gate 6 alert: no verb for warning. Drawn. [06:35:02] fall the fall drawn, the sound drawn at the object with the speaker mark [06:35:03] draw panel 1 a figure walking, the flat shape on its back [06:35:03] draw panel 2 the same figure down, the shape still on it [06:35:03] draw panel 3 short lines off the shape, speaker mark [06:35:04] out "Ovlat ne-e. kruf-ke na semek" [06:35:04] spk0 base unit, playing 3.2s[06:35:20] mic0 capture 44.9s, 1 speaker voice, snr 10 dBnika "Tensolo. Tensolo?" nika "No." nika "Tensolo is that." nika "That is not Tensolo. Does Tensolo walk?"
Into the pine#
Vlad
pointing at his back, where the screen is Of course not, he is here.
Tensolo
a panel opening on the screen at Vlad's shoulder, the flat shape drawn with short lines coming off it Tensolo ta. the base on the table drawn beside it, dark, with a stop bar across it Ne ta.
Nika
putting her hand flat against the screen on the pack and holding it there while the sound comes out under her palm Ha. taking the hand away and looking at the dark base inside on the table, then back Tensolo ta. Kruf-ke ne. she goes down two steps, turns and waits with the spear bottom in the gravel Miht.
mandrin-k runtime 06:36:41, interactive
[06:36:41] route spk0 to the display unit, mounted at 06:33:11 [06:36:41] in "Of course not, he is here." [06:36:41] gate 1 of course: no term. Dropped. [06:36:41] gate 6 he: no third person pronoun for this object. Name used. [06:36:41] fall the display drawn with the speaker mark, the base drawn dark and barred [06:36:42] draw panel 1 the flat shape with short lines off it, speaker mark [06:36:42] draw panel 2 the base on the table, dark, stop bar across [06:36:43] out "Tensolo ta. ne ta" [06:36:43] spk0 display unit, playing 2.1s[06:36:52] mic0 capture 22.4s, 1 speaker voice, snr 12 dBnika "Yes." nika "Tensolo is that. Not the black thing." nika "Walk."
They go down the slope. Nika walks in front and keeps to the bare ground between the juniper. Below the last of the grass the pine starts, and the ground under it is full of roots. Marla is at the mouth watching them until the trees close.