ARCADE SESSION: REBOOTED

[knux400]

Some sort of machine- presumably the fluid cycler- pops into existence next to the bed. It has a clear chamber on top, connected to another chamber and two rubber hoses, each ending in a needle. Stitch unwraps herself and helps Echo onto the bed, guiding her into position.

"That's fine. Sorry I'm using up so much of your resources."
"It's alright! You helped my TCP, and I'll help yours. Besides, we're at my base- technically I have infinite resources right now."
"Do you think that enemy TCP is going to come back? They know where you are now."
"..."

"Probably. Stitch said they looked tired, so it might be a while, but... Probably. I don't know. They seemed really intent on just..."
He trails off, but you get the idea. In the meantime, you type to Echo a bit.

I’m so sorry, Echo. You were so so brave and you did amazing. I’m going to get better at strategy to keep you and Hank safe, I promise. This nice TCP here- her name is Stitch- is going to help you feel better, but please let her know if anything goes past your boundaries. She’s here to help but you’re the one in control here. Let her know what you need, please. I’ll stay here as long as you want, but I am worried about leaving Hank alone for so long. If it’s okay with you, I’d like to go check in on him and I’ll be right back.

its okay

wasnt your fault

go check on hank, ill be fine
 
You're not sure if it's the exhaustion, the bed she's lying in, or the blanket TCP that was wrapped around her, but she's definitely starting to nod off. Poor thing.
 

Stitch is calmly talking to Echo. You decide it can't hurt to stay and listen for just a little bit before you go check on Hank- you're worried too, after all.

Show Content CW: MEDICAL, NEEDLES:

This is called a fluid cycler, it helps clean a TCP's fluid.
mhm
I'm going to put this end in your wound, and the other end in your leg. The machine is going to drain the dirty fluid from your wing, and it's going to go up into this chamber where the water will be separated out. Then, once it's clean, it'll go back into your leg here. I need to let it run for a bit so we can get the water out of your system, then we'll focus on patching that hole up, okay?
okay

As soon as Echo gives her tired okay, Stitch gently inserts the needles into Echo just as she explained. Echo winces slightly, but doesn't seem to protest or resist. Sure enough, the chamber on top is slowly filled with foggy yellow liquid.

You figure everything's working properly and Echo will be fine for a minute or two, so you switch to your view of Hank.
 

Sorry about that, Hank! Are you doing okay?
-Ah! Yeah, I'm okay. I decided to check out the RIGS upstairs. It took me a while to figure it out, but it's pretty fun! The controller is a bit hard to use, but I'm getting used to it.

RIGS? You realize he must be referring to the Rapid Response Gaming System, or RRGS for short. It's often anglicized to RIGS since it's easier to pronounce. You have no idea how he managed to pick up common Morbit slang, but it might just be the way TCP speech works.

That's good! Listen, are you okay to stay here a while longer? Echo is in a little bit of trouble and I need to help her out.
Oh no! What happened!?
She... Got hurt by one of the other TCPs. One of the other players I was talking about earlier decided to be mean, so their TCP hurt Echo. She's safe now, though- she's with a friendly player and their TCP, Stitch, is taking care of her.
Okay.
...Is there anything I can do to help? I'm not feeling bad anymore, I was just waiting for you to finish whatever you were doing.

You start to tell Hank to stay put, but... is there something he can do? It might be worth sending him to escort Echo back home. It would be a pretty big job for someone so new, but he seems eager to help.