The sentient Gravity Drives consider them a miracle worker. They've even gained the respect of the Nae'hyn. They've had a lot of experience with fixing damage to the Gravity Drives, and thanks to a mild empathic ability, know how to soothe even the crankiest ones very quickly. -- Anon Guest
Gravity Drives, it might surprise many to know, are cusp-cogniscent. Their classification as such has lead to a number of rights and protections that are enforced both by the CRC and the Nae'hyn themselves. With an option for a wronged Gravy Drive to enact their own retaliation[1].
The AI Alliance keeps a beady and judgemental eye on the Nae'hyn all the same. The Nae'hyn generally keep to themselves and rarely let outsiders in.
It's because their unique faith also often gains mockery from outsiders, not because they are xenophobes. They tend to treat all strangers with suspicious trepidation, and seldom welcome newcomers to their territories. Except for Techie Yves, who's also an Esper.
Possibly the Alliance's only known mecha-empath, a scheduler chip designed to help hir be aware of time malfunctioned. It was in situ when it happened, and it augmented something just under the surface. It took some getting used to all around.
Hir livesuit has a medscanner in it so ze can be sure whatever twinge ze's feeling is hir or not. And yes, ze has left hir ship to rescue an abandoned Gravy Drive more than once.
When listening to the primer on the Nae'hyn's faith, hir answer to the first few precepts was, "Well of course machines are alive. I mean sure, some of them take a few months or years to start having a personality, but it's the same with babies. They take their time, too."
As it happens, believing what the Nae'hyn believe without scoffing or snorting at it is a sure and certain means to a welcome. Yves could always rely on shelter and food at the nearest Nae'hyn habitat. Often at the hands of the local Elder.
Hir ability to sense Drives in distress is highly valued. And so too is a completely different skill.
Some Drives are more than tetchy. Some have become vicious through mistreatment. They are wont to lash out at anyone and anything they perceive as a threat. Many of them have been abandoned, and need therapy.
Well. The techie/Nae'hyn variant of therapy.
This rescue was arcing electricity whenever they got it. Hostile and snarling at any attempted repairs. People who did this said it was a mistake to give Drives their own power sources. To which the Nae'hyn replied, Perhaps it was a mistake for you to have a heart.
They clearly weren't using it anyway.
Techie Yves studied the rescue, toes clinging to a handrail[2]. Using every sense in hir possession to figure out a peace offering.
"Bloodthirsty," ze announced. "So angry. Let's try a blue steak and if that won't work, let her zap some vermin. Get it out of her system."
The Drives did not have voices. They never worked very well whenever anyone tried. They clearly had feelings and personalities, but the keepers attuned to them were their interpreters. In this case, without coming into contact with the rescued Drive, Yves was the best at this.
"It's going to be all right," Yves cooed. "You're going to fly again with people who care."
The Drive didn't believe hir. Not yet. These things always took time.
[1] If you are wondering why Gravity Drives are also called Gravy Drives, consider the impact of one when it goes wrong.
[2] Dexterous feet really help with these situations.
[Image by Pickled Stardust on Unsplash]
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