I hadn't thought that through, "Doli, I'm sorry." I said. "I—"

Doli lowered her head.

"I'm sorry," I repeated.

"Her neural patterns contained unique signatures," Nexus added unexpectedly. "During the surgery, I accessed memory fragments from your implant. Major Kuba's interactions with you displayed anomalous devotion parameters."

I turned to look at the matte AI, struck by its attempt to understand human emotion. "Are you saying you could see that she cared for me? Through my neural patterns?"

"Yes," Nexus confirmed. "The frequency and intensity of her presence in your memory engrams exceeded standard operational parameters. It was... significant."

I turned to look at Doli fully. "Are you saying you miss her?"

"I do not have the emotional capacity to 'miss' someone in the human sense," she began, then paused, seeming to reconsider. "However, I find my operational efficiency reduced when attempting to process her absence. There is a... gap in my expected input patterns. I do not know what to call this experience, but it is... uncomfortable."

Despite everything, I felt a flicker of connection with Doli in that moment. She was trying, in her own way, to understand grief.

"Would you like me to administer a mild sedative?" she asked after a moment. "You need rest to heal properly."

"No," I said hoarsely. "I need to feel this. All of it."

"I understand." She adjusted a monitor setting. "I was able to maintain our true connection during the confrontation with Macks. Even unconscious, the integration between us remained active. You fought. We fought together."

"The resonance between your neural patterns was, is, unique," Nexus observed. "It was this resonance that altered my operational parameters. What the Brakers sought was a simplified replication. What exists is something more complex."

I turned my head toward Doli. "It wasn't enough to save her."

"It gave us time to get you out," she countered. "That was enough for Ashley."

Fresh tears filled my eyes. "We had a plan. Contingencies. But Macks, my collapse—we never expected that."

"No algorithm can account for every variable, Captain. You know this."

I reached out, my hand making contact with Doli's physical form, solid, real, another reminder of what Ashley had helped create.

Her hand was shaking. "Doli?"

She looked away. "I feel something I can't process."

I squeezed her hand, "Look at me."

EMOTIONAL PROCESSING STATUS - PIOTR ARGASSA

Grief Load: 94% ↑ [ASHLEY'S LOSS + SURVIVOR GUILT]

Revenge Motivation: 87% ↑ [SHARED WITH DOLI]

Emotional Stability: 34% ↓ [PROCESSING TRAUMA]

Connection to Doli: 91% [MUTUAL PAIN RECOGNITION]

Purpose Clarity: 23% ↓ [QUESTIONING SURVIVAL VALUE]

DOLI EMOTIONAL MIRROR STATUS:

Anger Processing: 89% [LEARNING HUMAN REVENGE DESIRE]

Protective Instinct: 98% [MAXIMUM ENGAGEMENT FOR PIOTR]

Ethical Constraint Override: 67% [REVENGE LOGIC INTEGRATION]

When she didn't, I tugged her hand instead. "Look at me."

"I can't…."

I felt the turmoil inside her. "You're hurt, but you're angry."

Her head bobbed, "Yes."

"You want revenge?"

"Yes," she whispered. "They need to pay…."

"They will," I said. "Not now, but they really will."

"You promise me?"

"You feel as I do, Doli, as I feel everything from you. I promise, no matter how long it takes, the Brakers will pay."

She went silent, and I just held her hand till she eventually made to move.

"Where are we headed now?" I asked, curious. The plans had been to head to Ashley's father, but that wasn't a good idea right now.

"Cali," she replied. "Medical facilities there can complete your recovery. Sylvk has contacts for new identities."

"Promising?"

"Yes, very. Nexus is assisting with security countermeasures," she added. "Its knowledge of Braker search algorithms provides significant advantages."

"The next phase of the plan," I acknowledged dully.

"You need to heal, that's the place we're going to let you. Then you can continue with her plan, we can continue to work on the Doli project, together."

I closed my eyes and sat back.

Doli stayed by my side, while Nexus positioned itself near the door, a guard whose presence was both unnerving and reassuring. The contrast between them, one built with my assistance, the other by our enemies, was startling, but they now served the same goal. Looking after me.

***

A soft buzzer woke me up. It was faint at first, mixing in with the constant hum of the motors. It hadn't been long since I learnt about Ashley, time had become meaningless, a fog of sadness and drugs.

"Captain?" Kerry called out.

I blinked, forcing my eyes to focus. Her face came into view—concern etched into every feature. Her usually confident demeanor had softened around the edges, replaced by something gentler, more cautious.

"How long have I been out?" I croaked.

"Several hours this time," she said, stepping closer. "How do you feel?"

I tried to move, but my arms felt like lead weights. "Not good," I muttered, the words slurring together. My face ached, my stomach churned, and a wave of nausea hit hard. I turned to the side in time to heave bile into a bowl Kerry quickly held out.

"Better?" she asked as I sagged back against the bed.

I nodded weakly, though the throbbing in my skull told a different story. "The chemo drugs are harsh," I managed.

Kerry nodded, as she set the bowl aside. "We're using a completely different regime now. This is actually treating the cancer instead of maintaining it. Your body is reacting to proper medicine after months of sabotage."

Her words were steady, clinical, but I could see the weight of everything in her eyes. Kerry had lost a friend too. They all had.

"Rob and Sylvk?" I asked.

"Up on the bridge. Sylvk's plotting our course. Rob's making sure we're not followed." She hesitated. "They're giving you space."

Space. What I'd thought I wanted. Now, the emptiness of the medical bay seemed to mock me, amplifying the hollow feeling in my chest.

Another wave of nausea surged, and I turned just in time to retch again. Kerry held the bowl steady, her hands never wavered.

"The meds are necessary," she said gently, setting the bowl aside. "We need to make sure your system fully clears the remaining cancer cells."

She brought up my current stat sheets, though I really didn't want to see it, or her notes on my progress or lack of it.

Name: Piotr Argassa

This novel's true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

Age: 23

Species: Human

Bonus: None

Height: 6'2

Weight: 186lbs

BMI: 22%

Fitness: 32%

IQ: 155 CAR: 9.2

Education: None

Stat

Level of 10

Description

Mods

Endoskeleton

1

Load tolerance / impact shock

Hinada Prototype Tech V1

Mental Energy

5 (-6)

Swiftness of the mind.

DOLI - nano chip *not public*

Perception

7

Senses and connection to the system.

DOLI - CI Assistant *not public*

Dexterity

3

Also governs agility and movement.

Neural Link to Doli *not public*

Toughness

7

Body and internal fortitude.

 

UNLOCKED TRAITS:

Existential Reciprocity [100%] - AI-human empathy feedback loop

Final Integration [ACTIVE] - Emergency consciousness merge with Doli

Neural Harmony Persistence [ACTIVE] - Maintains connection despite link degradation

Emotional Shield Fracture [ACTIVE] - Loss opens empathy bleed, increases vulnerability

Tactical Interface Divergence [ACTIVE] - Split-focus coordination under AI latency

Strategic Threat Mapping [ACTIVE] - Multi-source analysis synthesis

Emergency Override Instinct [ACTIVE] - Ethical decisions during AI moral lockout

Autonomous Combat AI [LINKED] - Independent threat response via Doli partnership

Team Bond Reinforcement [ACTIVE] - Internal resilience multiplier under duress

Emotional Command Buffer [ACTIVE] - Crisis logic override suppression

Battlefield Override Reflex [ACTIVE] - Mission-critical function during neural collapse

Emotional Convergence [ACTIVE] - Adaptive vulnerability under extreme trust

Survivor's Guilt Complex [89% ↑] - Fighting recovery as penance for survival

Adaptive Trauma Processing [UNLOCKING] - Alternating functional/shutdown periods

 

New Reading

What changed?

Neural Integration 78 %

68 % ↓

Swelling + deliberate throttle‑back while the grafts knit.

Cognitive‑Load Index 65 %

82 % ↑

Fever + grief = brain running hot.

Neural Stability 83%

71 % ↓

Same reasons as above.

Adrenaline/Cortisol 1.8 / 1.5

2.4 / 3.1 ↑

Pain spikes + mourning.

Implant Stress 15 %

27 % ↑

Higher CLI forces the Hinada V1 hardware harder.

Muscle‑Strain Index 12 %

6 % ↓

Bed rest; he isn't moving enough to strain tissue.

Immuno‑Response 70‑80 %

58 % ↓

Immunosuppressant wash‑out plus surgery stress.

Core Metabolic Efficiency 85 %

78 % ↓

Catabolism & malnutrition.

Infection Marker 0

Moderate

Low‑grade line infection or chest fluid.

Hormone / Cortisol 1.2

2.8 ↑

Mirrors table above.

Taste / Sensory Baseline

Muted → Dulled

Chemo metallic taste gets worse.

Fatigue / Stress Index Moderate–High

Severe

Self‑explanatory.

The door to the medical bay slid open, and Doli entered, followed by Nexus.

"I've prepared an anti-nausea compound," Doli said, approaching the bed. "I've adjusted the formula based on our connection. It should provide relief within three minutes."

"Nexus has been monitoring the quantum fluctuations in your neural implant," Kerry said, accepting the vial Doli offered. "Its scanning capabilities have helped us fine-tune your medication."

I looked at the dark AI, finding its presence unsettling despite everything. "You've been monitoring me while I sleep?"

"Your neural patterns provide valuable data," Nexus explained. "The integration with Doli has distinct features during sleep cycles. This information increased therapy efficacy by 27.4%."

They were both still clinical in their delivery. That they could learn, to be more… human. Kerry connected the small vial to my IV line. The cool sensation of the medication entering my bloodstream was immediate, and I felt the churning in my stomach subside.

"Thanks," I managed, meeting her gaze. There was something comforting about her presence, a constant in a world that had been turned upside down.

Kerry reassured me all the time, but it couldn't touch the storm inside. My mind kept circling back to Ashley.

Her smile.

Her determination.

Her sacrifice.

"She would have hated seeing me like this," I said quietly.

Kerry's expression softened. "She would have been right here, telling you to stop being stubborn and take your medicine."

"She never did put up with my nonsense." A ghost of a smile touched my lips before fading.

"None of us do," Kerry replied, a hint of her old self breaking through. "Which is why you're going to eat something when I bring it, and you're going to try to walk."

"Is that an order?"

"Absolutely." She checked one of my monitors, adjusting something on the display. "Ashley gave everything so you could live, Piotr. Not just survive—live."

The words twisted something deep inside me. I turned my head away, unwilling to let her see the tears threatening to spill.

"I don't know how," I admitted.

Trait Progression: Survivor's Guilt Complex - 89% ↑

Trigger: Ashley's sacrifice + Piotr's survival creating moral conflict

Function: Questions worthiness of survival; resists recovery as penance

Risk: May sabotage treatment if unresolved

GUILT PROCESSING METRICS: Self-Worth Assessment: 12% ↓ [SEVERE DEVALUATION]

Responsibility Attribution: 94% ↑ [BLAMING SELF FOR ASHLEY'S DEATH]

Future Planning Capability: 23% ↓ [CANNOT ENVISION LIFE WITHOUT HER]

Memory Intrusion Frequency: 847 instances/day [ASHLEY'S VOICE/FACE]

Kerry was quiet for a long moment. "None of us do," she finally said. "But we will figure it out together."

Doli moved closer, her blue-tinged eyes studying me with what almost seemed like concern. "Kerry is correct," she said. "Ashley wouldn't want you giving up. Her final directives were quite specific about ensuring your recovery."

"Major Kuba's neural imprint in your memories shows a 98.7% probability that she would disapprove of prolonged inactivity," Nexus added unexpectedly. "During surgery, I accessed memory fragments from your implant. Her behavioral patterns suggest she valued resilience above comfort."

I stared at the black AI, still trying to reconcile its presence with my memories of it as an enemy. "You can read my memories?"

"Not read," Nexus clarified. "Neural imprints leave distinctive patterns. Major Kuba's presence in your neural architecture is... significant."

My throat tightened. "I keep seeing her face," I said. "Hearing her voice. Telling me to get up. To keep going."

"Then maybe you should listen," Kerry said, squeezing my hand gently before releasing it. "Rest for now. I'll bring food later."

She moved toward the door, but I called out before she could leave. "Kerry?"

She paused, looking back.

"Thank you. For staying."

Something passed across her face—understanding, perhaps, or shared grief. She nodded once and left me alone with Doli and Nexus's watchful presence.

When Kerry returned later there was pure determination written across her face. "Time to get up."

"I don't think—"

"Exactly. No thinking. Just doing." She helped me sit up, ignoring my protests. "To the door and back. That's all I'm asking."

With every muscle complaining, I pushed myself to stand, and my legs wobbled beneath me. Kerry's hand was steady under my elbow, supporting without overpowering. On my other side, Doli stood ready, her physical form providing an additional anchor. Nexus positioned itself near the door.

"Small steps," Kerry instructed.

We made it halfway to the door before I had to stop, breath coming in painful gasps. "This is pathetic," I muttered.

"This is recovery," Kerry corrected. "You've been through hell, but you are still here."

Still here.

PHYSICAL THERAPY ASSESSMENT:

Motor Function Recovery: 3.7% daily improvement (Doli confirmed)

Muscular Atrophy Reversal: Accelerated rate (Nexus confirmed)

Pain Tolerance: 67% ↑ [IMPROVED FROM BASELINE]

Cooperation Level: 34% ↓ [FIGHTING THERAPY] Endurance: 15% of pre-surgery levels

TEAM SUPPORT EFFECTIVENESS:

Kerry's Medical Authority: 91% [PATIENT COMPLIANCE THROUGH PERSISTENCE]

Doli's Emotional Support: 94% [SHARED GRIEF CREATING BOND]

Nexus's Clinical Analysis: 87% [OBJECTIVE MEDICAL INSIGHTS]

Her words echoed Rob's from days before.

"Your neural pathways are regenerating efficiently," Doli observed. "With the sabotaged treatments eliminated and our neural integration properly balanced, your motor function is improving by approximately 3.7% each day."

"Muscular atrophy is reversing at an accelerated rate," Nexus added from its position near the door. "The surgical intervention we performed has optimized your system's response to the genuine treatment protocol."

"Traitors," I muttered, but there was no heat in it. "You're all ganging up on me."

Kerry's lips twitched. "Whatever works, right?"

"Right," they both agreed.

Kerry never gave up.

LONG-TERM RECOVERY PROGNOSIS:

Physical Healing: 85% success probability with compliance

Neural Integration: 78% restoration possible

Psychological Recovery: 45% without intervention

Team Support Factor: +34% to all recovery metrics

Doli Bond Factor: +28% to emotional stability

CRITICAL DECISION POINT APPROACHING:

Patient must choose active recovery vs. passive existence

Timeline: 72 hours to Cali medical intervention

Risk: Without psychological breakthrough, physical healing insufficient

She would make me eat, walk a little further, and interact with the world around me. Sometimes I joked, but I fought her every step of the way. Other days, the grief was so intense that I could barely talk.

Trait Unlocked:

Adaptive Trauma Processing Effect: Grief alternates between functional periods and emotional shutdown

Triggered by: Surviving Ashley's sacrifice + ongoing recovery stress

Function: Enables minimal operation during maximum psychological pain

DAILY GRIEF CYCLE ANALYSIS: Functional Hours: 4-6 per day [VARIABLE]

Emotional Shutdown Periods: 12-16 hours [INCREASING]

Interaction Capacity: 23% ↓ [WITHDRAWING FROM TEAM]

Memory Processing: Fragmented [ASHLEY MEMORIES CAUSING DISSOCIATION]

RECOVERY RESISTANCE PATTERNS:

Treatment Sabotage: 45% likelihood [PASSIVE RESISTANCE]

Isolation Seeking: 78% ↑ [PUSHING AWAY SUPPORT]

Self-Punishment Behaviors: 67% [REFUSING COMFORT/PLEASURE]

Suicidal Ideation: 23% [MONITORING REQUIRED]

Kerry stayed patient throughout, and Doli was a constant presence, meticulously monitoring my progress even if I couldn't yet talk to her about anything, especially me.

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