one

[inmylight_commander]

[So guess who also shot at the Moogles and guess who also got to experience a stop spell stasis field, and who's less than happy about the whole thing?]

[This girl.]

[A video feed opens on another fully armored personnel, her Israeli accent edged with frustration.]

Noble Two calling Noble Actual. Come in Noble Actual. Colonel Holland? Auntie Dot -- Someone needs to tell me what the hell is going on.

[Some brief, jerking movements as she tries to brush off the Meow Wow that keeps rubbing up against her leg and snuffling affectionately.] Stop it. If I'd known you are what I was making I wouldn't have bothered. Go away before I shoot you.

Comments

[inmylight_commander]

And being polite won't get me as much as a good hack. I have my ways.

[fearmylaserface]

...

Did you just threaten to hack me? Really?

Good luck with that. You've got to find me first, bitch.

[inmylight_commander]

It'll happen. [Maybe not right now, but it's definitely a thought in her head.]

[fearmylaserface]

No it won't. The Freelancers won't take it well, Spartan. You don't fuck with the AIs.

[inmylight_commander]

If I can get the information I need, it won't be necessary.

[fearmylaserface]

You started with the threats. Fuck that.

[inmylight_commander]

Just making you aware of what I'm capable.

[fearmylaserface]

With threats? What the hell is wrong with you?

[inmylight_commander]

You're possibly the dumbest Smart AI I've encountered.

[fearmylaserface]

And you are a bigger bitch than Tex.

[unrecovered]

[You know, he's really starting to regret not removing your vocal processors when he had the chance.]

Epsilon, stand down. You're just making it worse.

Noble-Two, requested access to UNSC Project Freelancer AI Codename Epsilon is denied. You can get that same information by asking someone else.

[inmylight_commander]

How old is your AI? [She wouldn't be surprised if there were an issue of rampancy, here.]

[unrecovered]

[He puts that question in context pretty quickly; there's only one reason for anyone to ask about an AI's age, and there's no reason to tell her that Epsilon's a fragment.]

Young enough that rampancy isn't a concern.

[inmylight_commander]

Hm.

[That sound means she would have preferred he be rampant. That would have been an acceptable answer for his behavoir.] Well, I guess they can't all be winners.

[unrecovered]

You thought he was rampant because he's an asshole?

[Wait, seriously?]

[fearmylaserface]

[He almost started into the You aren't my boss that. Then he realized discretion may be safer.] Fine.

[guerriera]

[ Hello, Church. Guess who's glaring at you right now.

And enunciating your name very clearly, and very coldly.

(Spoilers: it's this girl.) ]


Epsilon.

[inmylight_commander]

[What Epsilon should learn here is that Kat gets what she wants, and in poking an AI she got not one but two Freelancers.]

[Ha she wins]

I'm going to take a shot in the dark and say you're familiar with this AI?

[guerriera]

[Colour Carolina unimpressed at you stating the obvious.]

Unfortunately.

Agent Carolina, also of UNSC Project Freelancer.

[inmylight_commander]

I am Noble Two, second in command of Noble Team. I hear you're the acting CO of Freelancer?

[guerriera]

[ 'Acting'? There's a mirthless smile hidden by her visor. ]

In a manner of speaking, I suppose that's true, given our current situation.

[Her tone turns a little more clipped.] What's your last memory from home, Noble-Two?

[fearmylaserface]

[Flinching at that tone. Oh fuck.] Yes, Carolina?

[guerriera]

What exactly do you think you're doing.

[fearmylaserface]

Talking. Not my fault she's a bitch.

[guerriera]

Oh. I see.

Just like me. [And Texas.] That was what you said, wasn't it?