racks, Scrapes and Synthetics: Surviving as a Bio-Mechanical Hybrid in Bressenclooster
In the battered Bressenclooster of Grauwlicht, surrounded by cyclical storms and piercing scarcity, we meet the bio-mechanical hybrid Gatlen-Vex. Between failing synthetics and rusted networks, he shares his daily survival, doubts, and loneliness-offering a raw glimpse into being something that fits nowhere at all.
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) Welcome... uh, I mean, thank you for agreeing to talk, especially given the... bombardment outside. Can you introduce yourself briefly?
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) Uh, yes. My name is Gatlen-Vex, generation 17Z. Um... Human origin, mechanics added after my sixth cycle, so... yeah. Mostly biological, except for the left side and speech module.
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) Your left side is shaking a bit-that's... from the external interference, I guess? Is normal function still possible in these conditions?
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) Ha, functioning... That's relative. The moisture array clogs up a lot, especially since oxygen pressure dropped. My synthetic lungs can't handle it. But I get by, mostly.
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) What's your job here in the cloister exactly?
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) Maintenance. Reanimation. Sometimes improvising with failing drones. Anything to keep the energy shields near the supply rooms working. Honestly... half the job is finding parts and hoping you don't get eaten by a Slug-Cloud scout on the way.
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) You sound… well, less optimistic than some residents I've met. Is it hard, this life?
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) Hard? Well, depends what you mean by hard. My organic jaws go to sleep every night, my mechanical brain keeps running. Sleep deprivation is a pain, but data fragmentation is worse, trust me.
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) Is there, um, still outside contact, or... is everyone stuck in the mist?
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) Outside is gone. Subspace channel blips, but almost no response. Last message was a supply list request. From who? No idea.
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) And your own future-do you still think of escaping?
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) Escape? Ha! Um... Yes, I want to say that, but my spine cracks from laughing. Not really. Small upside: rusty barriers sometimes keep the Grabbers out a little longer.
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) Is it true that bio-mechanical hybrids have tension with, um, full humans or pure synthetics here?
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) Absolutely. Let's be honest: nobody trusts the communal modules, and organic jaws are either loved or hated. Technically too much machine to eat with the rest, too much flesh to hide with the cooling circuits. So yeah, uncomfortable.
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) Has there been..., well, conflict? Or, you know, incidents involving you?
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) Listen, just last cycle, during fluid capsule distribution. Bam, someone yanks my arm off-the mechanical one, luckily. Just because I reached the crate first. Ten minutes of debate whether I should stick it back on or not.
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) Um, do you ever-maybe, uh, feel lonely?
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) What? Pff... Um... Yeah, of course. Everyone talks to themselves, unless someone else knows better. People leave the room when my cooling fans start up. So, yes, yes that happens.
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) Sorry if this... gets awkward, but have you ever doubted your loyalty to the cloister?
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) Good one... There are nights when I only trust my own leg, and that's detachable. But when your whole memory doesn't feel like yours, well, what is there left to be loyal to?
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) So what do you hope for-now your systems, relationships, and parts of your body... are falling apart?
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) Um, hope? *quiet laugh* Just to keep going. Maybe the museum will want my data if I fail. Or the Slug-Cloud might turn around. That would be something.
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) One last question, Gatlen-Vex: if you could change one thing, really ONE thing about your life here, what would it be?
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) Simple. Just one night of uninterrupted sleep. Or actually-wait-a charger that isn't stolen within ten minutes.
Interviewer Grobnick-Rho/4(T) *pause, some crackling outside* ...Oops, I think the storm's getting closer. Thank you for your honesty. I... wish you luck.
Gatlen-Vex (BMH-17Z) Luck. I could use that. Uh-don't forget your recorder, those go missing fast here.