The Time from Before

Another Step to Functionality

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Allen stepped on the metro, or the train car, full of Inklings. He wanted to avoid contact with these guys for as long as possible, but it was unavoidable. Better to do this now than never.

Even then, there were a lot of Inklings. And a dozen Octoling as well. Not to mention, there were plenty of those jellyfish things. Allen didn't consider himself introverted, but this situation was nerve-wracking. He placed his hand on his rifle strapped behind him.

He avoided eye contact just as he was advised to do. He didn't make a sound, walking down the car until he found a seat. Coincidentally, he sat right next to a disguised Callie.

They didn't say anything to each other. Even if they wanted to, a language barrier stood between them. But that didn't stop Callie in the slightest.

She smiled and waved, eliciting the same response from Allen. She tried making a few hand gestures, but they were lost on him.

Instead, Allen grabbed his PDA and typed something.

> Translate everything here until I say.

* The translation download is not complete. However, this Unit will try its best. Translating English to Inkling and vice versa.

> How are you?

Allen handed the PDA to Callie, watching as she read the text. She typed back.

> Is this being translated?

> It is.

> That's super cool! I have so many questions! So (UNKNOWN) stories to tell!

Her smile beamed; her mood lifting those around her. It was a strange effect, but maybe she just had that 'aura' that some people get.

They talked back and forth, Callie's giggles from Allen's responses echoing throughout the car.

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About half an hour passed like this. Allen asking questions, Callie asking questions, and stories being told whenever.

> The Dominion was actually overfunded, leading to all sorts of strange investments. We had to use the money, or it (UNKNOWN) lost as taxes, essentially.

> How big is the Dominion, really?

> We don't know. Now? Just the three of us. Back when it was in its prime, the Dominion stretched over three galaxies and had billions of soldiers. I remember reading a few accounting reports. Have you ever seen a budget so big it spans across an entire piece of paper?

> Can't say that I have...?

The train car they were both riding in suddenly violently shook, the vibrations pulling the PDA out of Callie's hands. Allen was quick on his feet, grabbing the PDA before it slammed into the ground.

Allen sighed in relief. The thing was thousands of years old, so who knows how structurally sound it is anymore.

The PDA, however, did not like that.

"Please refrain from damaging this unit. Internal ENR, (Emergency Nano-Repair), processes would require two weeks to repair and test internal components. Without this Unit, contract confirmation would not take place, invalidating–"

"I get it. PDA, you're silent until I say." Allen sighed.

* Understood.

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