The universe is big, its vast, complicated, and ridiculous. And sometimes, very rarely, impossible things just happen and we call them miracles. This is one such time.
Deep in interstellar space there exists an ever growing construction whose size dwarfs any one star and whose purpose is too complex to answer any single answer. Too large to have been made by any known sentient race, this ancient relic predates the oldest records of the universe. Still growing, and already so massive that it should have collapsed into a black hole, the structure is supported by truly mystifying technologies whose vast scope have yet to be understood in full by any of its occupants.
Over the course of its existence, thousands of races have made the structure their homes and developed its resources to best suit their needs. Some found solace in its walls, carving out a safe niche for themselves in what was otherwise a harsh and uncaring universe. Others meanwhile, desired nothing more than to expand and conquer the vast structure to turn its secrets and materials to their own ends. Whilst others still cared only for the science and technologies that could be gleaned from the place itself and the way it was put together.
Some believe that anything is possible here. That if it can be conceived then surely it must be found in the bowels of the God's Machine.
The sky above was the color of a television tuned to a dead channel.
A cloaked figure wandered from one segment to another, the noise of its feat echoing against the dull steel walls of the abandoned breeding and sanitation station. Once, a thriving community had lived here with resources and technology sufficient to support a population of hundreds of thousands. No more, however. The cold grey walls and dusty skeletons told a story of a brief violent war that saw its people flee to distant parts.
Quiet as the grave, the building made no noise at all as the figure walked through the old factory. The sound of her footsteps echoing faintly against the steel walls whose disarrayed machines were now covered in inches of fine grey dust. Stumbling briefly, the cloaked one sat on the ground and hugged its knees to its chest. Shivering from hunger and exhaustion, a cursory look had told that no rations had been left out in the open. Yet, with hope that a deeper examination might reveal hidden caches. She would look for those as soon as she finished a short rest.
It was hard to know for how long she walked between segments, but however long it had been, the treck had left her feeble legs trembling from the effort.
The deafening silence of the factory was broken as another pair of footsteps skipped along the long unused paths. The owner of these playful strides looked around the derelict facility, gazing at everything and nothing in particular, taking in the scenery before her. So much dust, so quiet... Deserted clearly. A small frown forms of the person's face, but it was fleeting, quickly fading as curiosity took hold once more.
"Hmmm? A wrong turn perhaps? No inhabitants despite the relative stability of the location. Well an investigation of the surroundings would not hurt at all, perhaps this unit will find clues on the local's whereabouts!"
After the brief pondering the young woman continued to look around and eventually she stumbled upon the shrouded figure curled up on the floor. A living being! A good discovery! Quickly she made her way over and addressed this mysterious person.
"Greetings! Are you alone here? Do you require assistance?"
Enveloped in the thick silence that encompassed the factory, the figure only emerged from her torpor when she registered the noise of footsteps approaching her. Weak as she was, the cloaked figure should have fled the potential danger but, for one reason or other, the cloaked one simply allowed the stranger to approach. Looking up at the stranger who aprached her, the figure's cloak fell back to reveal a white haired girl with bright blue eyes.
With eyes wide at the revelation that she wasn't alone anymore and shivering ever so slightly, the figure opened her mouth to speak with the stranger whose clothing seemed so out of place in this abandoned industrial complex.
Flinching at the very sudden, very loud beeping coming from the girl, the blonde woman simply stood there otherwise unperturbed until the blaring noise subsided. Tilting her head slightly with a puzzled expression, scanning her as if she was trying to figure something out about the specimen before her.
"My my, this is the first time a Customer has provided their own word filters. How interesting. Is that something everyone you know can do? Hmmm... Perhaps this dear Customer would like some new clothing? Your current state of dress leaves a lot to be desired and no woman shouldn't be without the cutting edge of the latest fashion trends! Or perhaps you'd like a light snack? Something nutritious yet light to maintain your slim figure! I have all such items and more!"
That almost sounded like a sales pitch. But she couldn't be a merchant she certainly didn't dress like one and where were her wares?
Boobs are full of hopes and dreams, regardless of size.
Staring at the stranger with a perplexed expression, the figure stared at the blonde stranger with anticipation but no more words were forthcoming.
". . ."
And so, for a few moments at least, the two strangers stared at each other in complete silence.
"GRRRRRRRRrrrrrrrrrrrrr..."
And then the silence was torn with the sudden and violent sound of the figure's stomach rumbling with hunger. Blushing with the noise that had suddenly emmited from her midsection, the girl fidgeted nervously, unsure what to do with herself.
"One moment, this Unit will process a sample product for you~!"
Though the sound of a stomach growling that loud should have been cause for alarm, the blond beamed in delight instead. A hungry customer was a paying customer usually~ Holding her hands out in front of her, small glimmers of sparking light appear in palms and swiftly, atom by atom, the lights coalesced to form a surprisingly simple object; a cup of steaming hot noodles and a fork.
"One cup of Omni-Corp Brand Instant Noodles! Too busy to cook? To hungry to wait for delivery? Simply pour hot water into this cup of goodness to enjoy a quick and healthy meal instantly! At home, on the go, anywhere, any time!"
With the spiel out of the way, the mysterious woman (or perhaps a food wizard?) extended her hands out towards the girl offering the food to her to eat.
Boobs are full of hopes and dreams, regardless of size.
Taking the proffered cup of steaming noodles from the stranger before her, the girl took up the fork, inspected it closely before using it to eat the noodles from the cup.
At first her eating was slow and careful, moments going by between mouthfuls before she would take another, but soon the girl was chowing down. Shovelling the entire cup down her throat even as the steaming water dribbled down her cheeks and neck.
However, even as the cup was empty, the girl's face became quite red as the heat of the meal she had ingested caught up with her and make her body burn up from within.
"Haaaauuuuuu..."
The girl sighed in discomfort. Looking down at her empty cup and staring at its now food-less bottom with a mixture of sadness and anxiety.
The blonde watched with a smile as the girl enthusiastically devoured the noddles she provided, the satisfaction of a customer's desires a pleasing thing in its own right. However it did not last as the food was finished, the girl looked down at the empty cup wistfully perhaps desiring more to eat.
"Would you like some more dear Customer?"
Boobs are full of hopes and dreams, regardless of size.
Looking up from her cup to the miraculous person who had manifested food from nothingness, the figure seemed to suddenly perk up with shock at the revelation but seemed to struggle with herself.
". . ."
Moments of silence passed as the girl contemplated the empty cup before her before finally opening her mouth again.
Once she got conformation that her customer indeed wanted more food she smiled and produced yet another cup of steaming noddles for her. Though instead of immediately handing the cup over, she pauses and gives the girl before her another good long look. It was less then likely this customer would have anything of value by the conditions she was in and where she found her...
"The first cup was a free sample dear Customer, this unit must ask for payment before any further products are provided to you..."
But not all things that hold value are physical.
"This unit requires information on any nearby large population centers in exchange for this produce, a community containing at least three hundred thousand inhabitants is required. This unit will accept any information or guidance you can provide as payment and credit towards future purchases."
Boobs are full of hopes and dreams, regardless of size.
Staring at the blonde woman whose powers could materialize food from nothing, the aforementioned "Customer" looked at her with a dazed expression, her composure showing that she hadn't quite understood what had been intended by the comments regarding credit and purchases.
"BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE... "
Moments went by as she stared straight ahead, her eyes unfocused as she looked at the wall straight ahead of her whilst her pale flawless hands gently clutched the empty cup of noodles before her.
Eventually, the girl turned her attention back towards the woman to ask in a perplexed but neutral tone.
"Isitcommon... is ... it ..."
Before once again lapsing into silence. Struggling with something deep within herself that only she could contend with, the potential client went on to speak in a very deliberate way.
"Is ... it ... common ... for ... people ... to ... exchange ... geographical ... data ... and ... navigation ... functions ... for ... sustenance ... ?"
"It is not dear Customer, but these are not common circumstances. Geographical data and guidance would currently be more important to this Unit's mission then physical currency or trade. Thus this is what this Unit requests in exchange for my goods. Additionally, it appears you have little-to-no currency on you, unless this unit is mistaken?"
At least... the woman hoped she knew something or else she'd have to keep wandering again. And wandering all alone was get booooooooooooooooooring.
Boobs are full of hopes and dreams, regardless of size.
Staring at the woman as she explained herself, the girl thought she understood the request and the approximate nature of the exchange and thus tried her best to convey where more humans might be found in the appropriate numbers and density to fulfill the terms of the exchange.
"BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP"
However, as seconds dragged by and the aforementioned woman continued to stare at her without understanding and, more importantly, without synthethizing more of that edible substance she was bargaining for, the girl's spirits visibly dropped as she realized the information she was trying to relay simply wasn't getting through.
"I ... Know ... Place."
The girl said as she stood up, wrapping the thick cloak she had sat in around her once again.
Immediately the mysterious woman perked up as she got what she was after, and produced precious noddles for her guide as she now had an interest in keeping her new companion healthy and full of energy. Finally she was going to make some progress on her mission... and see more then a handful of people on the roads for once! Super exciting! She wondered what the big communities would be like, if they had sufficient income and trade for her business? Surely they would have to!
"Wonderful! Thank you your patronage dear customer! This Unit is ready to follow you where ever you may lead!"
The excitement radiated from her much like the steam from the freshly produced cup of noddles she offered to the girl before her. ....wait, wasn't she forgetting something-- oh! Yes!
"Before we commence our traveling, this Unit would like to know how she should address you dear Customer! Do you have a name? Or a designation? Maybe even an ID Code?"
Boobs are full of hopes and dreams, regardless of size.