Certainly feels like I did. I blink rapidly, reality rushing into view again.
\ I don't have the gas mask on anymore. Also I'm laying on the floor, arms
\ under me and slightly to the side.

Old Man stands in front of me, his face showing both relief and a bit
\ of embarrassment, holding a large contraption.

"Ground control to major Mute, nod if you copy." -- I nod.

"Oh man, you went so high this time, I couldn't get to you at all, so
\ I figured maybe what would help is... you know... Looks like it did."

Yeah, the metaphor is apt. So I didn't go under, I went up, into orbit, but then
\ there was a re-entrance and a bumpy ride through the atmosphere and then
\ a touchdown, it fits. Now here I am, the first pony in space-- well,
\ a former pony anyway.

So, what is this in his arms? A long brass tube, some wheels, a belt to transfer
\ torque, and an eraser sitting on the top axis, slightly off to the side.
\ A steampunk de-orbiting device, I guess.

"Oh, this? Well, I don't exactly run a sex shop here, so I had to quickly put
\ together a... you know... something that vibrates somehow..." -- he turns
\ a wheel at the base of the tube, and the top bit shakes. I see. He puts it
\ aside. -- "Anyway, the test was a success, let's get you back in shape
\ and move along."

I drink some water and he sits me on the bed, putting my legs on a chair. He
\ takes a second chair and starts working his hacksaw again. I guess the chain
\ will have to go after all. If we are on an explore mission, it may as well
\ stay behind, sure.

"I don't have a clock, so I can't tell you your new record, but it would
\ be enough I'm sure."

Time to start collecting things I'm good at. First item on the list: hanging
\ in bondage. I'll take my victories wherever I can I guess.

"I'm watching radiation, so far nothing to worry about. We should go as soon
\ as possible, I can't imagine what we would achieve just sitting here. If
\ the future will bring any change, it's not gonna be for good."

The future is something I prefer not to think about.

"So, where to go. The town is out. I've thought about it, and it's simply
\ too dangerous. Radiation is the least of my worries, we can see it. Not so much
\ all the other stuff, like poisons or diseases, and what if there are
\ hostiles there. No."

I'm thinking about urban ruins with mutants and zombies, and two of us in bright
\ yellow suits, which we don't even have. Yeah, I can see how it might go
\ slightly sideways.

"But I know a place we can check out. Not far, maybe three or four hours away,
\ so we can be back before night hopefully. I think we should go in the morning.
\ It's evening now. It's a gas station, what's left of it, I hope there would be
\ something of use in there."

One link is now cut in one place, at a minimum we'll need another cut like this.

"We need to remove the metal thing off your arms and then we'll have to deal
\ with plastic. The steel looks high quality and it's thick, I'm afraid this
\ hacksaw will not be enough. I mean given enough time and blades it can go
\ through anything I suppose, but we may find something better.
\ ~~Also I don't have infinite blades.~~"

Oh good, now I start blaming myself for his hacksaw blades being used on my
\ useless person. Come on Mute, would you in his place be annoyed or would you
\ be glad that you can help? What better use is there for the blades than
\ to free another human being from chains she put on herself?

...

[[Fucking hell, I'm all over the place.|next]]

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