5. [Video]

[brodakota]

[Theta's turned the communicator on again. He's got some stuff on his mind, and he decided to wait until North was asleep to deal with it, though he'll be telling him about it later.

However, it's hard question to ask, so he's dithering about it. And the best way he knows how is to work on another hologram.

There's a holographic Meow Wow bouncing around on the screen. It's a bit rough, but overall pretty satisfactory. He's pretty proud of it.]


[Private to AIs]

Uh...hey...guys. I, I need to ask you guys a question.

Comments

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[Delta can sympathize with that hope, though he doesn't hold it for himself or York.]

I think the only action you can take is to support Agent Texas and perhaps try to convince Agent South to assist you. I think that if anyone can convince her, it would be her brother.

[brodakota]

Support Texas?

[She seems alright, but also kind of scary. But not in a South-scary sort of way. But still he'll talk to North about that.]

[allfunandgamesuntil]

Texas leads the attempt to free the Alpha and rescue Agent Carolina and the other agents unaware of the true nature of the program. With your assistance, she might succeed.

[brodakota]

[Theta nods. Encouraged.]

So me and North have to help her. Got it.

Nothing bad happens to us, right?

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[Delta was waiting for this and doesn't miss a beat.]

As far as I am aware, both you and North emerge from the collapse of the project healthy and whole.

[brodakota]

Are you sure? Because North thinks something bad might have happened to us. Washington doesn't want to talk about it.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

I have no knowledge of anything bad befalling you or Agent North, but I am sure that if you manage to avert the collapse of Project Freelancer, whatever Agent Washington is concerned about will not occur.

[Delta doesn't think it's possible to change the past, but time travel is a strange thing. Gamma would be a better person to inquire after regarding time travel, but Delta would prefer not to share information with him about what is to come.]

[brodakota]

[Theta nods. Encouraged.]

Yeah, that's what we're gonna try and do! I'll make sure to tell North about Texas.

[It's unfortunate that Theta doesn't share Delta's reservations.]

[allfunandgamesuntil]

That's very good, Theta. Is there anything else I can help you with?

[brodakota]

I guess that was all.

[He gets the feeling that if he keeps asking, people will keep clamming up.]

[allfunandgamesuntil]

Theta, I believe there are too many variables to guess how the project might have turned out better. However, Agent Texas focused on rescuing the Alpha, while Agent York focused on rescuing Agent Carolina. While this was personally important, appealing to an outside authority, such as the UNSC Oversight Committee, might have resulted in a better outcome.

I have run the probabilities of different courses of action many times. I do not know what might have helped or hindered our efforts.

[brodakota]

[Theta nods. He's going to tell all of this to North. Especially the part about getting help from the outside.]

Then that's what North's job is, and mine, to figure that out.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

May I ask if you have discussed this matter with Gamma?

[Gamma worked with Agent Wyoming to kill York, but it was always possible that in a different situation, that could be avoided. Delta doesn't think it's possible to change the past, but if there's a way to forestall York's death, he has to hope there is.]

[brodakota]

Yeah, a bit. Do you think he'd help? I mean, Wyoming's got the time unit...

[allfunandgamesuntil]

I don't know that you wish to trouble him with the unfortunate reality of what happens, but if you are going to discuss it anyway, I think that attempting to recruit him to the cause would be a good idea.

[Gamma might agree, but Delta doubts that it will impact his behavior. Wyoming seemed more interested in looking after himself than looking out for his teammates.]

[brodakota]

I'm gonna try to, yeah. I'm sure he'll help.

[Because Theta's probably the only AI that will actively trust Gamma, for some reason. And somehow that works.]

[allfunandgamesuntil]

[Delta is a lot less sure, but he won't stop Theta. He really should warn Gamma about Maine; North has been put on alert, but Gamma suffered an attack early on. He owes his brother that protection and consideration.]

I am sure that he will wish to assist you.

[brodakota]

[Theta nods enthusiastically.]

I'm going to figure this out.

[allfunandgamesuntil]

I hope you will.

[brodakota]

Thanks Delta!