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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 7, 2014 1:34:02 GMT -5
Tex leaped over the side of the bridge just as shots were fired. The bullets whizzed passed her shoulder, one clipped the back side of her helmet. "Just keep yourself safe, CT, I got this!" Tex called through the COM as she turned and fired off several shots from her pistols. The bullets released from the chamber and flew through the air quickly, making a direct hit with the guard's heads, most of the time. Tex slammed into the butt of a rifle then as she turned to face forward. Her body flew backward and she smacked into the dirt. The boot of the soldier planted into her chest and the barrel of the rifle found it's way to her visor. "Tell me who you are." The man growled. "Tell me who you're with, are you with the UNSC? You're a Spartan, who are you? Why are you here?" He continued to question. Tex writhed beneath his cleats. She moved swiftly then, her speed was amazing. Her elbow pushed into his shin, the sound of his bone breaking shattered the brief silence that the two had shared. The soldier fell forward off of the Spartan just as she jumped up.
"I'm not of your concern." Tex said just before she pulled the trigger of her pistol, one single shot, to the head. She then turned and sprinted up the stairs of the tower, she crept up behind a few of the guards. Her knife found their necks and painted the wall with crimson. That's it, keep it up, Allison. Take them all out, kill all of them. Zeta ordered. The AI was fueling her sloppiness. Zeta had a program in him that the director had installed to cause him to push Tex to her limits. Tex slammed the butt of her pistol into the backs of the men that were jarring at the door that CT was locked behind. Tex shoved them aside and kicked the door open. "Are you alright?" She asked, "Come on let's go." She turned and rushed down the stairs. She ran across the field, popping off shots from her pistol here and there, taking out guards easily. "Almost." She said as they approached the Pelican that had landed in the clearing. It instantly took off and soon enough, they were in slip space once more. Tex took in a deep breath and lifted her helmet from her head, she looked to CT with her emerald hues. "Sorry." She said softly. She knew she had been haphazard. But she couldn't control it.
Tex was silent the rest of the journey back to the headquarters. When the Pelican landed in the hanger she stood and pulled her helmet over her head once more. They were ushered into the director's office. "Where's the AI?" He asked and waited for Tex to hand over the chip. The director took it and plugged it into his computer with a smirk on his lips. "So, Allison. That was awfully sloppy. Care to explain." He looked to Tex. His eyes seemed to burn through her visor. She only bowed her head. She knew. But she couldn't explain why she didn't have control. She couldn't stop it. She had tried to slow down. She had tried. But, the AI pushed for her to keep going. The director looked to her for a bit longer then he turned to the computer and began sifting through the information. Zeta appeared on the desk as a holographic projection. I think it was a successful mission, we have quite a few less enemies to worry about. Zeta chuckled. He watched as the director went through the information. "Well, you two. CT you did an excellent job, you covered Allison well. Go get rested, you have another mission coming up as soon as I get things set in stone here with this intel..." The director punched a few more things into the computer before he pulled the AI chip. "Try that out." He said with a smirk. "Now go get rest, get food, train. We will call you in tomorrow."
Tex placed the chip back into her helmet before she stood and left the room. She walked down the hallway in silence for a long moment before she sighed, "Do you think the AI did that...? Is it the AI? Is that why I can't remember?" She questioned. I didn't make you do anything that you didn't already want to do, Allison. Zeta urged. "I want to remember...I need to remember Connie..." Tex pulled her helmet and placed it on her desk before she began removing her armor. "Why can't I remember?"
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Post by Raven on Jul 7, 2014 11:51:22 GMT -5
"Yeah, I'm good" CT spoke as she lifted the heavy sniper up from its position. She slipped it on her back and held the assault rifle in her hands. She then turned and ran down the stairs, right behind Tex. They dashed for a good while until they came to the flat field, to which the Pelican came from the clouds above, swooping down and landing swiftly for them to dock. CT stepped in quickly, once she was inside the door came upward and the Pelican was already in the air and ascending into the sky. CT took the sniper off her back and placed it on a small weapons wrack, and then she pulled her own helmet from her face. She sat down across Tex and looked to her for a long moment. As if she was searching for something. She knew this new AI had to have some trick up its sleeve. Omega was to force her aggression and strength out of her, what was Zeta's purpose? What sort of brain fuckery did Zeta do?
CT didn't say anything on the ride, she had a sort of burning feeling inside her chest... but she knew she couldn't be mad at Tex. CT had a feeling it wasn't the real Tex that she knew. When they came to the Director's office CT stepped forward and placed the Sniper on his desk. She then turned her head as he took the AI and plugged it into his computer. A software popped up instantly and she watched the Director drag and drop a sequence into the AI's system. He was quick with his actions, either he was purposely being swift to hide something... yeah - that is probably it. CT grit her teeth as she recognized the first line of the code, a manual override. This wasn't a date transfer from the AI... no, that would be done manually by the AI - not by the director. CT switched her gaze to the table when the Director glanced her way after finishing. Her blood began to boil. Her fingers scrunched up in a ball and she fought every muscle she had not to pin the director against the wall and bash his skull in. She wanted to scream and fight the man. He was just a tiny human... and she was the powerful spartan...
CT looked to the director and then spoke "What about the intel?" she spoke and lifted her head upward. She had been on several intel gathering missions, she knew what transfer of data looked like. It wasn't a manual override. "Ah, I got it. No worries, we will decipher it." he spoke and gave a fake smile. CT then tilted her head and crossed her arms "What was the purpose? Who where those people, who were they working for? " she questioned. The Director gave a chuckle and then stepped forward to CT. "Now, Connie, back in your old ops team they liked to share some information. But you're not a team anymore, you about to become a Freelancer. You do the job, no questions asked, and that's it. That information is classified for those it regards to. And you're not regarded." he spoke and then turned around to his desk. "Tomorrow at 900" he spoke and then glanced to the door.
CT grit her teeth and stepped outside the room, walking with Tex. She glanced over when she began to speak. "Do I think the AI did that?" She scoffed and then shook her head. "Absolutely. The real Tex would have been silent, cunning, smart. You just barged in there, no hesitation. You put the mission in absolute jeopardy" she spoke and then glanced over. "The Real Tex loves a bit of strategy. She'll be the first one to tell us to flank. Hell..." she stopped and glanced up to the ceiling, and closed her eyes. She was struggling to bring up one of Tex's memories. "There's this one memory of you at training. You devised this epic strategy in a capture the flag routine. You guys trapped them by faking the Motion Sensors and then with a three point ambush you wiped them out cake and practically danced the flag across the map. It was legendary." she gave a smile as she saw it in her hues. The tall forest trees and the thick grass, bushes and vines all about. The collection of helmets sitting together, then the tiny girl with her back to a tree. She held her hand up and gave the signal, a slight two finger wave, and the entire group popped from their hiding spots and fired.... there was so much laughter after.
CT glanced to Tex and then gave a sigh. "I don't understand" she whispered. "I don't understand why Omega gave me your memories. I don't understand why the director is placing these crap AI's in you. They would be considered inefficient in the A.I.D.L, and destroyed. AI's that highly effect emotion and reasoning are not good." she shook her head. "No real Spartan would host one... " she then led Tex down the corridor. "As for your memory problem. I might have a solution, but I can't do it until we graduate and get the hell out of this headquarters. I'm going to message my good friend Vox, who actually took my blueprints and put that revolver together. But he is an AI developer and engineer. He told me a while back about how it is possible to extract memories and abilities from a human and place it in an AI. It is kind of like Cortana, how she was man of human flesh. Though it hasn't been done yet, It is possible. He might design a special AI with your memories plugged into it for you. I just have to ask.." she glanced to Tex as she punched in the Pin for the Electronics room. "Its a shot in the dark, but it's a start" she spoke as the door opened. She began to take her gloves off, as she hated typing with her gloves on...
She moved over to the computer and logged in. She then brought up a browser, accessed email and began to compose a quick message to Fox. She went into the browser and coded a blocking agent to protect her name from the computer's IP address. She actually created a faulty address and used her semi-code name, when addressing Vox - Con, as she creates a different email address for each occasion. "Alright..." she typed away and hit send, to which she then cleared the cache and history, as if she never touched the computer, even down to the boot timing in the register. She then turned in the chair and gave a grin, slipping her gloves back on. "We will see what he says..." she spoke and then stood up. "For now.. you just have to hang in there. We have to do these next two missions and then graduate, how ever that occurs. All you have to do is try to grasp onto you, not the AI. The AI is only to aid and assist you, not do everything... only help. Your boots don't walk for you, but they help, right?" she gave Tex a slight pat on the back.
CT then lead her out the door and down the hallway, to go to dinner, as she was starving from their trip. "Don't worry about the mission. I'm glad we made it out safely, that is all that matters. We did the deed, and we are alive. Things will get better. I hope the next mission is more together, rather than search and cover..." she pushed the door open to the cafeteria and stepped into the line. It was Friday, which meant it was spaghetti and garlic bread, a real treat. CT grinned and grabbed a tray and filled it up. She made way to her table and took a seat and slipper her helmet from her head. "It is kind of exciting though, you know, to go some where other than the damn arena for once... real time action" she smiled and took a bite of her food. "Though I'd really like to crush a grunt under boot sometime soon, that crunching sound is almost as good as the first bite of a warm hot fudge brownie..." she chuckled and then bit into a huge meatball.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 7, 2014 22:50:04 GMT -5
As CT spoke of Tex's memory the Spartan watched her with a quizzical expression upon her face. She held her helmet in her hands, the visor glared back at her with the golden hue that it placed the world in. She stood over CT's shoulder as she punched the numbers and keys into the computer. "If I knew what was going on, I would tell you." Tex spoke softly, "I only wish I knew even half of everything....just half would make me feel better." She sighed heavily. Tex pulled her brows together and then shook her head after a long moment, she fell back into a silent state then. She would nod her head to CT's words every now and then, but other than that, she had become a fly on the wall. As they two sat at the table for dinner, Tex pushed the spaghetti around absentmindedly on her plate, taking a bite here and there. "I have a feeling that we will be enjoying that feeling soon." The spartan said softly she placed a smile upon her lips then as she made to stand.
"Allison?" A voice carried over the low rumble of the other Spartans. The voice was a female voice, it wasn't the director. No one else called Tex, Allison. The spartan turned to look across the cafeteria as a General walked in their direction, upon the woman's battle gear rest the ranking for the Fleet Admiral. "I can't believe it!" She exclaimed as she sat down at the table, "It is you!! After all these years!" It was Chyler Silva. Tex looked to the name plate that was above the UNSC symbol upon Chyler's chest. The name. That name sounded familiar. Her brows tugged together as she fought to remember. She then looked to CT almost with pleading eyes. "Your name is Allison Mehaffey right?" Silva questioned, a brow raised. "I went to CAMS with you, before you went to SPARTAN II training, I know you were just a kid, but I thought you would remember me...." Her voice sounded crushed as she looked to the food upon her tray, her eyes moved to Tex's tray, it had hardly been touched.
Tex shook her head then, her eyes stared to her own food for a long moment. Her face filled with frustration as she fought to summon a memory, just one single memory of Silva. Calm down Allison. Your memory is gone for a reason, remember? Zeta said forcefully. "I don't have my memory..." Tex finally whispered. "Your name...it looks familiar...but I can not remember...."
Silva had her own look of frustration upon her face by the time Tex had finished speaking. "What have they done to you?" She asked softly. "I was sent here, to investigate Project Freelancer. To make sure that they were not abusing the power they had been given. To make sure that all of the Spartans were being treated humanely." Her voice was full of emotion. "Do you remember anything at all, Allison?" Silva waited for the soft shake of her lost friend's head before her brows tugged together. "What is the point behind stealing your memories..." Silva pondered before she looked to CT. "Ah, I haven't met you before." She gave a warm smile. "I am Chyler Silva, Fleet Admiral of the UNSC Everest...." She paused for a long moment as she looked over Tex. "Do you know Allison well?" She asked, "Do you have any idea of what is going on here?"
Tex watched CT with a sadness in her eyes. She wanted so badly to be passed the last two test missions. She wanted to meet Vox and get the AI out of her head. She wanted an AI that would help her remember...
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Post by Raven on Jul 8, 2014 12:21:20 GMT -5
CT turned her head when a woman approached. Her eyes spied her armor, to which she recognized the rank. She tilted her head upward and then glanced to Tex as the woman stopped at the table. She was suddenly surprised when the Admiral recognized Tex. Then suddenly CT sat back in her chair and she was overwhelmed with an intense amount of emotion - memories flashing before her eyes. CT shot her eyes open, and turned her glance to the woman. "Silva" she spoke just as she spoke of CAMS to Tex. "You were in the same team as Allison in CAMS. You were.. practically her sister" he spoke softly and shut her eyes again. She tried to ignore the scenes that seem to pop up in her brain. The last time they saw each other... she became overwhelmed with some sort of depressed emotion... but then when she opened her eyes once more to look at the General - she was washed over with joy. "The Real Tex would be crying with happiness" she whispered as she fought tears that swelled in her eyes. Her throat choked up and she shook her head. Damnit! These aren't even my emotions! CT stood up and stared to Silva. "Come with me" she spoke and then lead down the hallway.
The three walked for a moment, until finally CT got to the empty Arena. She knew no one would be around. She turned and looked to Silva "Things are all wrong" she whispered. "They never really treated Spartans good from the get go. We are just their weapons, tossed around like puppets" CT had her helmet in her hands, she turned the helmet and held it before her face. "This is all they see... some suit of armor" she then brought the helmet down, revealing her face. Her pale white skin, eyes like any other human... slowly she shook her head. "They don't recognize that we are humans too.." she glanced down to the Arena and paused. "They toy with our emotions, they chain us up and make us fight against each other until all we know is hatred. Force us to embrace that anger to become frenzied killing machines" she then looked to Silva.
"Two years ago I was an AI tester. I tested so many AI's that were corrupt. They manipulated my brain, twisted my emotions, at some points I didn't really know who I was... those were sent off to be destroyed. There is no saying if they ever did get destroyed. Omega was my last AI I tested. He manipulated the emotions, everything became anger and rage, and he would force your body to react to them. Yes.. I became stronger, but I was uncontrollable with insane thoughts. Omega wasn't destroyed like it was supposed to. When I came to the Project I found out that Tex was hosting Omega. She was slowly losing herself on a daily basis. Omega was programmed to steal her memories. So that Allison would become a full fledged machine, rather than a human. A machine with no memories, and nothing but rage to kill. Well, I was forced to fight Tex in the ring, and I was able to destroy Omega myself. When I did that - Omega transferred her memories into me. I can't say why... but I can only be glad he did. I didn't think about.. if I killed Omega - her memories would fade forever. But in that situation.. I was going to die if I didn't act." she finally gave a long drawn out sigh.
"So now I have her memories, and a new AI has been placed within her. She's not herself still. I'm not sure what Zeta's purpose is. But shes sloppy, she just runs into situations without any plan. I think the Director might be testing her reaction and ability to get out of terribly sticky situations. I'm.. I'm not sure. All I know is this is bullshit! And I'm tired of it" she finally exclaimed and then she shoved her helmet on her face. "And..sorry, I got carried away. Her memories also influence my emotions. I'm CT" she finally reached her hand out to Silva, to shake her hand.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 9, 2014 2:50:55 GMT -5
Silva looked to this new Spartan as she spoke. As she explained the use of the AI Omega to steal away her friend's memory. Her blood began to boil at that point. She looked to Tex whom followed with her helmet in her hands, she gazed into the golden visor of her helmet. "If this is true, CT..." Silva began, her voice full of thought. She turned and looked to the blank empty slate that was the training arena. It looked so different when a map was not uploaded into it. Just a large white room. The Admiral crossed her arms over her chest as she looked to her friend once more. Tex only shook her head in response to Silva's gaze. "Tell me, what is it that, Allison and I used to do. Each and every day. It was almost like a routine." She awaited a response then as she carefully took the helmet from her friend. She pulled the small chip of the AI from the helmet and looked it over for a moment before she motioned for the two to follow her.
Silva turned he small chip over several times in her hand as she walked at a brisk pace down the hallway. She pushed a few buttons on a keypad and the door to the computer room slid from her path. "CT." She said again, she turned as the door slid shut and relocked. "I was sent here, by the UNSC to perform an investigation. It surrounds you. I knew there would be something deeper here though." She gave a nod before she turned and placed Zeta into the computer. She instantly pulled up his program and began typing away. She looked over the codes and shook her head in disgust. "This AI is no better than the Omega AI that you spoke of..." She sighed heavily then. "I digress..."
Silva swiveled in the chair to look CT in the eye. "Your sudden drop in points caught the attention of the Commander in Chief." She gave a slight smirk, "See, on the UNSC Everest we are in charge of two things. The overall fleet, and over seeing the special projects. One of those projects just happens to be Project Freelancer...now if I would have known that Allison was here, I would have come much sooner. But it took your points dropping well below what it would take to get you removed from the program to allow me to come. It caught enough attention that I was ordered to come here with Vickers...." Silva looked to Tex whom was staring at her, a blank expression on her face. "You would remember him if your memory hadn't been stolen..." She sighed heavily once more as she to the computer and began deleting the coding from Zeta. "It seems..." She said as she pulled up a file on Allison. "That you are right CT, the Director was planning on using Agent Texas as an example. That it is possible to make a Spartan into a killing machine and nothing more. That it is possible to remove the human that lies within the suit of all emotion." Her fingers clicked along the keyboard furiously. "Though, it seems now that Allison will need some form of AI to assist her because her memory...it was destroyed with Omega...without that, she is not the same...her combat skills will suffer as well."
Silva continued typing as she removed more coding from Zeta. The hologram flickered on and off on the desk. W-wait!!!.......S-stop!!!! The AI pleaded.
The Admiral pulled the chip then and turned, she stood from the chair and walked to Tex whom she placed the chip back in her helmet. "Try that out." She gave a soft smile. "We will see what we can do about your memory, Allison. I won't leave until you have it back..."
Tex gave a nod, "Thank you, you don't have to..." Her voice was soft as she felt the AI coursing through her armor once again. Allison. The lights of her helmet flashed blue for a moment before turning off once more. I am Zeta, your new AI. He appeared over her shoulder in a hologram.
Silva gave a slight smirk and a nod. "I coded him like Orlin." She said as a small golden AI appeared over her shoulder. It remained silent though. "Orlin is designed like an AI should be. Not like the director had Zeta programed. Zeta was programed to prevent her from remembering anything at all...it's a shame that they want to do this to her..." She sighed heavily before she looked to CT. "We have to get those memories back....Allison is like my little sister, I can't leave her like this." She shook her head as she sat down at the computer once more. She began to pull up files and other things on the computers. "How long have you been here, CT?" The admiral looked over her shoulder to the Spartan, her expression focused.
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Post by Raven on Jul 9, 2014 3:33:09 GMT -5
CT glanced to Silva and then gave a grin. Her eyes and shut and the visions appear before her eyes. The young girl standing before the tall Silva. Their hands came to their chins and they nodded to each other. "Don't hold back..." CT whispered softly. Finally she opened her eyes, the memory fading as she forced it to. "You two sparred... every day." she then shook her head. She didn't like this uncontrollable flood of emotions. It seem to over rider her own system. A tiny fear conjured within her. Would she still be CT in the end? Or would she be altered by Tex's memories? Her memories came so often that she could hardly remember her own. Almost every word, every action came with some intense story, some scene. CT finally shook her head and followed Silva into the room.
Her eyes watched Silva code, to which she was very impressed. "Hmm... where did you learn to code like that? When I worked at the A.I.D.L it was rare to see some one work that quickly. Vox was the only one I know that can work that fast" she gave a gentle smile and then she turned to look at Tex. She could sense her confusion, her discomfort... everyone seem to know what was happening, meanwhile Tex... CT gave a sigh. Then as Silva spoke and she gripped her forehead. Vickers. Vickers. She grit her teeth together and fought the memory that flooded her. "Ugh" she shook her head and squeezed her eyes shut. "We have to get these memories out of me." she said in a low tone. Vicker's face flashed before her eyes. She fought the scene, it flickered in and out - where she disobeyed his command and proved her own leader ship ability. CT stumbled and then grasped onto the wall, her armor grinding against it until finally she came to a halt upon the floor. Her arms wrapped about her knees that touched her chest. "I suppose... we don't think about how often our memories line the present..." she shook her head as her brain seemed to explode within her. "Every...little... thing" she said through closed teeth. Finally she thrust her body upward and then shoved her helmet on her face.
CT turned her helmet towards Silva and then sighed. "About two months now.." she turned and then walked to the door. Her thumb rushed forward and practically punched the open button. The door slid open and she stopped, her head hanging. "We need to act now." she turned her gaze over her shoulder, glancing to Silva. "Who knows how much longer my brain can take this beating, and how much longer Tex can go without her past." she then stepped forward and made her way down the hallway. The more time she lived with these memories the more they became her. "Fuck" she groaned and then made her way to the barracks. Silva's presence was not helping her situation out at all. At first she had decent control of the memories. Her heart was burning, the harsh fire licked against her rib cage and fought to be unleashed. It was almost as if these memories were dying to be with its original host. All the wonderful times, and then all the terrible times, all the sadness and all pain that came with the act of missing Silva - they controlled her.
"Its the collision" A voice came from behind her. It was a deep voice, familiar, and caring. The Commander stood behind CT. "That is the problem... your memories versus hers..." he slowly walked to stand in front of her. "Soon your memories will alter, fade, and diminish - as well as Allison's. Then her memories... and yours will be eternally lost." he shook his head slowly and then wrapped his arms around her. Her fingers moved to his back, where she realized he was not wearing his suit. He was soft.. warm...His finger tips touched her helmet and slowly removed it from her face. Connie instantly buried her head into his chest and let out a long sob. She had been holding it for so long. All the while she had been suppressing her own memories and emotions... with the sudden collide - she could no longer hide her own. "I can't say if this will be the last time I will embrace you. I fear soon you will fade, and my precious Connie will be gone" he whispered softly. His cheek brushed against the top of her head and he held his breath. "I wish I could have been there... for you. I wish I had never accepted those orders... I had a choice.. I could have stayed on patrol and been with you and Rin.." he whispered even softer. "I could have been the father you always wanted.." he then pulled his head back. His hues stared into CT's and then he gave a smile. "No matter what is happening up there... just don't forget that, Connie. I love you." he brought his lips to her forehead and then he stepped away.
From there he left the barracks. CT stood there and then held her hand outward. He had slipped a necklace into her hand. It was a delicately cut Amethyst. CT smiled and closed her fingers around it - her mother wore it for as long as she could remember. "Thanks.. Dad" she whispered and then slipped it over her head. The jewel then found its way under her armor and rest against her skin - a reminder of her past. CT then turned and sat down on the edge of her bed. Exhaustion over whelmed her, mentally, emotionally..physically. She sprawled out over her bed and shut her eyes - even in her armor - she was abducted by sleep.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 10, 2014 12:28:05 GMT -5
Silva paused, her concentration broken by CT's words. Where did you learn to code like that?... Vox was the only one I know who could work that fast... Her expression contorted, changing to something of sadness, something of regret...something...
Silva returned her attention to the computers, the files, the mass of information. She didn't speak of Vox. Not even after CT had left. The only answer Silva had given her was a slight nod. When the door slid shut after CT had left Silva turned and looked to Tex, her eyes searched the golden visor of the Spartan. "Tex." She said then gave a smile. "It fits you little one." She stood and reached forward, she carefully removed the helmet from her friend's head before she took the helmet over to the computers. "Relax, Allison." She gave a soft smile as she pulled a few tools from a drawer and began working on the helmet. She was installing a new program, a new HUD. "Tell me, what can you remember? If anything." She seemed to be pressing for something. Silva looked up from the helmet as she worked, waiting for a response. After several, long, silent minutes she sighed as she saw the spartan shake her head. "It's alright, Allison, don't worry." She gave a light smile. "Here." She slipped the helmet back over her head. "Try that out." She then stood. "I have to go speak with the director." Silva said before she walked off, leaving Tex alone in the computer room.
Tex looked to the computer for a long moment. Her file was pulled. It was open. She hesitated before she stepped forward and sat down in the large black leather rolling chair. Tex took in a deep breath as her hand moved to the mouse, she clicked and thus began scrolling. Her breathing slowed, as she read. As she read everything, from her childhood through CAMS...Spartan training...after training she had been placed in Blood Gulch as a mercenary. She led the team. It was more of a test than anything else, her file explained. It was a test of her skills to see if she would be suited for Project Freelancer. She had spent three years at Blood Gulch, running the mindless missions, taking out the insurrectionists. She barely even broke a sweat. The next section in her folder spoke of a test mission. It explained that Omega had been implemented. That the AI had been placed into Tex's helmet over night, that they were testing it. She was sent on a mission, an easy search and destroy. The rest of that section of the file was locked. Tex clicked several times but a box kept popping up stating, access denied. She frowned as she continued to read into her statistics as a freelancer recruit. She read the director's notes. 'Allison is adjusting to AI Omega quite well, soon she will have no memory left and we can use her solely as infantry for missions.' Tex stopped there. Tears welled in her eyes. She was a machine. That was all she had come to Project Freelancer to become, a machine. Sure she was human, but not anymore. The director had succeeded in stealing away her memory. So he had succeeded in making her into a machine. Ruining her emotions. Taking away things that made her smile. Things that made her cry...
Tex grabbed her helmet quickly and rushed from the room, tears streamed down her cheeks as she ran through the headquarters. She ran all the way to one of the small training rooms. She picked up two pistols and a knife before she punched the start button on the simulator. Tex shut her eyes and took in a deep breath as the world around her faded and changed into thick forest. She heard the sound of grunts and elites in the distance. The sound of feet crunching along the tropical floor of the forest. Tex crouched and began moving forward. I advise caution, Allison, you are highly outnumbered. Zeta spoke as Tex approached the back of an elite. She jumped onto his back, knocking him forward onto his knees, just as soon as that happened she snapped his neck in one swift movement. Silence. Tex continued like this, pressing forward toward a compound of some sort....
***
Meanwhile...
Silva had found her way to the barracks. She paced outside of Tex and CT's room. Her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She looked upset. Uncomfortable. She fidgeted with her hands again, her fingers rubbing a spot on her finger, the spot where a slight tan line could be seen. A ring? Silva shook her head before she finally pressed into the room. "CT." She said to the sleeping Spartan. "Come with me...there is something.." She bit her lower lip slightly, her eyes seemed a bit glassy, as if tears were threatening to roll down her cheeks. She waited for the Spartan before she led her across the campus, she punched in her code into a key pad before she took CT into the back wings of the building. The abandoned wings. The lights were dim. Only a few remained on. This caused an ominous feel to the place as Silva continued forward, the heels of her shoes clicked and echoed through the ghost town of the wing. It was the old barracks. At one point, the compound had been used as a Spartan training facility. Years ago. "This was one of the largest training facilities, other than Reach...for new Spartans..." Silva said softly, though, the comment wasn't meant to spark conversation. She continued on until they passed through what seemed to be an old cafeteria. Silva pushed the dusty doors open to a huge balcony. Tables sat upon it, rust had formed on the metal, it had been dormant for so long.
Silva stepped to the railing of the balcony. It overlooked the lush rainforest that lay below the compound. She gave a soft smile, a storm was brewing over the horizon. She then looked to CT, her eyes welled with sadness once more. "CT..." She began, her voice grave. "I..." She bowed her head and gripped the railing more tightly. "I don't think you know." She whispered and shook her head. "You spoke of Vox..." She swallowed then, these words, it was still so hard to get out, so hard to push through her vocal chords. "You couldn't know what happened, no one does...I only know because...." She reached up to her neck and pulled at a black chain that hung around it. As she removed it a set of dog tags were revealed, upon the tags hung two rings. The rings had been meant for her hand and Vox's. Silva ran her thumb over the name on the tag, it was his name. "He was murdered." She spoke very softly. "It's been about three weeks since the deed was done..." Silva fell completely silent then, her knees shook, her voice wavered. The strong Admiral that she had been before was gone. This was Silva stripped of her military power. This was why Silva had taken her so far away. Here....Silva could mourn...she could cry....she could be herself. She could show emotion.
Silva bit at her lip, trying to fight back the tears. "I knew the day it happened." She whispered, her voice carried over the silence almost perfectly. "They approached me. I knew it wasn't good news. My heart sank instantly. The words that came over their lips stabbed my heart, a thousand times over...and then, each time that I still think of Vox...I can not hold back my emotion...." She sniffled slightly. "Tomorrow...I was to say my vows...tomorrow, we were to become one....to celebrate the union we had made....to announce our future..." She shook her head, unable to speak any longer. Tears rolled over her cheeks like a stream now. Her knees gave out and she fell, her head rest upon the railing, her hands gripped so tightly it caused her knuckles to turn white. "No...one...knows....just...his family..." She managed to choke out in soft whimpers...
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Post by Raven on Jul 10, 2014 13:16:03 GMT -5
CT laid in bed - sleep came in bouts of minutes, but then faded as her system was shocked by a dream, or nightmare. Finally she lifted her head and sat at the edge of her bed. These swirling dreams in her head were fighting against her, they wanted something... and a sleeping CT was not one of them. CT turned her head as Silva stepped in and stood before her. "Eh?" she spoke softly and then finally she stood up and followed behind her. CT forced her gaze away from the general, her hues following the grey walls and doors that passed by. Soon they came to a restricted area, and to a door that CT couldn't even break the code on. She had always wondered what was behind it. As Silva punched the code in - and the door opened- she seem to almost gasp as it expanded to such a huge facility. "Whoa.." she whispered.
She knew their Head Quarters wasn't built just for Project Freelancer, but she never knew it was a Spartan Facility. But as the she thought about it, it made sense. The walls were thicker than any before, the training rooms were massive and had some of the most durable technology she had ever seen. It wasn't built for puny USNC training. Spartans. She knew too, something about always rang familiar to her. But her memories of her Spartan training had always remained thin in her mind. It was a time she never wanted to think back to again.
Finally they came to a delightful balcony. "Oh.. man.." she whispered with excitement as she approached the rails. Her gloved fingers wrapped about the cool damp rail and her gaze stared over the trees. Each time she met the outside world she always found herself wrapped up in the beauty. Like she spent too much time cramped up in some lab, some facility, and not enough time embracing the natural world. Finally CT turned and glanced to Silva as she timidly began to speak. As she brought up Vox she wanted to urge her - Spit it out already Each word had her stomach in knots, at one point her throat closed up and she fought to swallow a dash of saliva that nervously filled her mouth. "Wait.." then the word stuck her.
He was murdered
Suddenly the world stopped. The breeze from the near storm seem to stand still - the trees paused in their wavering to its strength. The chirping of birds that seem to warn their friends of the near storm paused. Her breath was dry, hard, and she couldn't dare take another. She shut her eyes and felt something boil within her. "Murdered?" She whispered. Silva continued, but CT wanted her to stop there.She didn't want to hear anything more. Then as Silva pulled the tags from her shirt, as well as the rings - CT lost it there. Her fingers gripped the rail and she fought herself with the odd force that seem to bubble within her.
"No.." she whispered with a crack in her voice. "NO!" She suddenly screamed out over the sea of green. Instantly her armor flashed red and there was a terrible glow about her. She suddenly rushed over and lifted a table from the balcony floor and threw it as hard as she could. Her hands then grabbed a chair and cracked it over her knee, busting it completely in half, and then she tossed it as well. It was as if CT was going through a terribly powerful fit. She let out a groan and then turned - her fit collided with the wall and it cracked beneath her strength. This amazing power reminded her of when Omega coursed through her, when she could feel every inch of her body light aflame, her muscles responding to Omega's anger. But this time it was her anger.
CT turned and then pushed her back against the wall. By this time her helmet had become foggy, and wet - tears flood from her cheeks faster than anything before. She fell to the floor, her back against the wall, and she pounded the ground with her fists. As Silva came towards her CT shot her head towards her and grit her teeth "Don't fucking come close to me!" She shouted. CT knew she couldn't quite control herself. The glowing in her armor began to settle as she breathed heavily and forced control. Never before had she been so overwhelmed with rage. She gave a sigh as her armor returned to its natural brown setting and she glanced to the floor between her armored legs. "He was.. getting married?" she whispered and then closed her eyes. She couldn't tell what hurt more - the fact he was dead... or that he was getting married.
"You need to get out of here Connie" A concerned voice came from across the room. CT stood just a few years younger, in just her black jump suit that she usually wore under her suit. Vox came towards her and stopped before her. His dusty blonde hair was neatly combed, his face clean and shaven, his gentle green hues look to her and seem to reach toward her. She could feel his gaze running over her cheek, her neck, her lips. Vox stepped forward and closed the distance and wrapped his arms about her. Vox was a few inches shorter than her, though any human would be to a Spartan. "I don't want them to torture you anymore... Connie" he whispered with the softest of voice. He glanced up and then stared to her. "I can't torture you anymore" he added and then reached up to her cheeks with both hands. Slowly he moved to his toes, and some forced brought CT down. Her lips pressed against his and suddenly her heart lit aflame.
Their kiss was passionate, and lasted a good long while. Their first kiss. And also their last. "I love you" Vox finally whispered. All the time they had spent together in the lab.. laughing, learning, hanging out, it was the best time of CT's life - when she wasn't on the field testing AI's. Every time she would come back from her testing she would give Vox her analysis. Then he would always console her as her emotions seem to always be on a rollercoaster. He taught her how to embrace, but control her emotions. He taught her to embrace what she loves, embrace the small things, hold them close - because life is never too kind. Then after they clocked out... they always went and got a beer.. or tea on CT's request. Talk some more, blush, some kind of awkward nerdy flirting... it was all she ever wanted.
"You can't stay here.. anymore, I wont let you" Vox whispered as he pulled away. Connie's eyes searched his. "What.. do you mean?" She whispered and looked to him. "I can't watch you suffer any more as we stuff bull shit AI's in your brain. I can't do it.. I'm resigning from the lab. And I want you too, as well." he spoke to her. "What.. will I do?" CT spoke softly. Her mind was buzzing and her lips were tingling, thinking about the future was not much of a concern. Her body called to Vox, she didn't want to speak - she wanted to show him how she felt. She wanted to whisper - I love you with her heart. "Become a Freelancer" he spoke and then smiled. "I've been researching it, it's practically perfect for you" he smiled. "I'm opening a private lab, and -" CT cut him off suddenly "But what if.. I die or something? I go on some insane crazy mission?" she whispered. Then Vox smiled and shook his head with confidence "You won't die, you're my Connie. You'll survive. And when you come home.. I'll be here" he smiled and then leaned upward once more...
It had only been a year since then. She had to go through a pre-testing facility to even enroll in Project Freelancer. "How.. could.. in just a year?" she whispered and her visor moved to glance at Silva. "I... don't understand" she whispered. Her heart had been crushed into a million pieces by this time. She refused to remove her helmet especially at this moment. It shielded her broken face, her eyes that spilled with tears and were crimson red - blood vessels almost ready to pop in her eyes. Then slowly she stood and straightened up. That sudden emotion now faded into a stiff broken anger. "Talk to me when you know who the fuck killed him" she spoke and then suddenly walked past her. Her steps led her out of the secondary facility. Her steps found her lead to the Arena, to which she punched in the code to the training room. She knew who was in there.
She shut the door and then ran forward into the simulator. She pulled a dagger that she nabbed on the way in and stabbed an elite. Then she quickly turned and sparred with another, dodging his sword - she grasped the wrist of the Elite and broke it easily in her hand. With force she shoved the elite over her head and yanked the sword from his hand. A boot on his chest - she sliced his head off. She then turned and with a war cry she ran forward - 1, 2, 3, 4, sliced and dead to the ground - a blue oozing blood covered her armor. She finally met up with Tex and stared to her.
"They won" she spoke as there was moment of pause before another drop. "We are fucking machines" she then turned and picked up a covenant carabine and plucked grunts as they jumped from the ship above them. "They fucking manipulate us. Destroy our humanity" she shot as she ranted. "We are nothing but god damn puppets!" she started crying now as she fired. "I fucking hate them all" she tossed the gun down as it was empty and pulled at the sword. She dodged a bullet from their ship and she rushed forward into the thick brush.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 10, 2014 17:52:02 GMT -5
Silva's expression filled with shock as she pressed her own back against the balcony. The anger that had swelled up in this Spartan, she hadn't expected it at all. "CT...I..." Get the fuck away from me. CT's voice had been full of pain when Silva approached her. Silva bowed her head as she tucked the tags away in her battle gear. She fell into silence then until CT walked passed her, ordering her to tell her who killed Vox. She knew. She knew very well who it was that had killed Vox. It wasn't a who, more than a they. It wasn't their fault. It wasn't the Spartans that were to blame for the action. No. The Director.
When CT had been placed into Hydro, after the first incident with Agent Texas, the director had sent her and Agent Maine out on a mission. The director had programed a few things into the AIs that resided within the Spartans. It made them much more lethal, for a short period of time. Like a ticking time bomb, ready to go off at any second. Meta, that was the AI that Maine held. An AI much like Omega. Anger fueled it. Hate fueled it. The AI was perfect for this mission. A perfect thing for the Director to use as a tool. "Go in, find the lab rat, Vox, and kill him, unless you can get him to give you Ecko. Even then, once you have the AI Ecko, kill him. Do you understand me Agents? Kill him, squash him like the bug that he is."
Tex gave a nod and turned. The two Spartans stepped into the back of the pelican, the ride was silent. It wasn't about chatter. It wasn't about games. Once the slip space disappeared Tex stood and leaped from the back of the plane, she plummeted down toward the lush forest that surrounded the compound. Just feet above the ground Tex activated the jet pack that she had picked up from the back of the pelican. She then rushed forward with Maine on her heels. The two quickly picked off each of the guards that stood within the two towers of the compound. "Hold up." Tex said as she slammed the butt of her rifle into Maine, this shoved him into the wall. "We can't just barge in, it is a suicide mission. If we are not careful, one of us will die. By one of us I mean you, Agent." She roughly shoved her rifle harder against his collar before she finally let up. Tex turned and flanked to the right. They scaled the fencing before the two entered a grate that led them beneath the compound. It seemed like miles of vents that they had traveled through before Tex finally popped out of one in a small room that looked much like a living room. The two crept around in the darkness. Tex placed her rifle upon her back and pulled her pistol. She pressed her back against the wall of the apartment and peered around the corner. There he was. Exactly where the Director had said he would be.
Vox sat at his dining room table, he had just made a wonderful dinner. The smell of baked chicken floated through the air and into Tex's nostrils. Tex gave a nod to Maine before they rushed the room. It all happened in seconds. Tex grabbed Vox and held him against the wall with her forearm. "Tell me where it is." Tex ordered. Vox only struggled against her. "If you tell us where the AI is, we do not have to kill you." She said once more, her voice was more threatening this time. The barrel of her pistol pressed into his jaw, causing him to lean his head back into the drywall of his home. "This is the last time I will ask." Tex warned.
Maine aimed down the sights of his rifle, his trigger finger itched. "I'm not going to tell you, Agent Texas." Vox snapped. "I know what you have inside you. I fought the director for it for months! Omega should have been destroyed! I'm not going to give you Ecko."
Tex shoved him harder into the wall, causing some of the drywall to cave from the pressure. He let out a muffled groan as he felt his bones threaten to give away to her force. "You will tell me, or you will die." Tex snapped. "This is not a matter of what you want anymore, Vox. You leaving A.I.D.L. was what you wanted, now it is what we need. You have no say in this. We will find Ecko after we kill you, even if we have to flip this entire compound upside down."
Maine let out a chuckle. Once Vox began to shake his head the Spartan pulled his trigger. Blood splattered all over the front side of Tex. She turned and let out a cry before she clocked Maine in the side of the helmet. "You idiot!" She snapped as she knocked him to the ground and sat over him, she threw several punches into his helmet as he blocked the best he could with his arms. "I was about to get something out of him!" She slammed him once more, causing the concrete to crack beneath his body. Tex stood up and left she fired shots at each guard she saw as she walked through the corridors of the lab. Not a word was shared between the two until they reached the pelican once more. Tex slammed Maine against it, "You caused us to fail." She said before she entered the Pelican once more....
***
Tex looked to CT as she entered the battlefield. She began to rant and in response Tex stopped firing for a moment as she listened. "If we are machines, then how is it that we recognize it?" Tex asked as the simulation faded away. "What the---"
"Agent Texas to the director's office. Agent Texas." The intercom rang out clear as day.
Tex took in a breath, that was why the simulation had dropped all of a sudden. The director. Tex holstered her pistols and looked to CT. "I am more of a machine than you are, at least you know who you are..." She stated before she walked from the room. Tex walked across the compound and entered the Director's office. His chair was facing away. "Director." She said as she stepped forward. "You req--" Something hit her then. With force. Tex flew against the wall and fell to her hands and knees. She turned her head to see Maine standing before her. He cracked his knuckles and chuckled slightly. Tex staggered to her feet before the Spartan pinned her against the wall, he ripped the AI from her helmet and tossed it to the Director.
"So, Silva thinks she can help. Does she?" The Director chuckled slightly. "Don't let CT find out what you did to Vox, Agent."
Tex fought against Maine until her vision began to blur. He was holding his arm over her throat, preventing her from breathing. The last she remembered was falling to her hands and knees once more, then blackness....
It could have been days...hours....weeks...months....she wasn't sure how long it had been...how long she was unconscious. When she woke she found herself out in the field. Within her hands she held a DMR. Tex looked around as her vision cleared. So nice of you to finally wake up, Allison. Zeta's voice broke the silence. "What's going on...?" Tex asked as she staggered to her feet. You have been assigned a mission from the director. We are to take out the new recruits, show them what it is to be a freelancer. Tex stepped forward through the halls she looked around. The world was silent. "Who are they? Where are they?" She asked.
"Lock that door! Keep her out!" She heard someone yell. Tex rushed forward just as a door slammed shut. She caught a glimpse of yellow armor from the other side. Does it really matter who they are? You are to follow orders, Agent. Tex felt her head begin to pound. She fell to her knees as the AI pushed into her conscious. She beat the ground with her fist until she lost control. She stood and rushed the door, beating it with her fists. The thick metal plating dented from the blows, then, she gave it one good kick causing the door to fall from its hinges. "Oh shit!" Someone yelled from down the corridor. Tex rushed forward after the group of four. Her DMR was attached to her back. There was no need for weapons against this enemy.
***
Meanwhile the Director sat in front of his computer, a smirk on his lips as he watched everything play out. Tex was in a simulation training, with Spartans that had just joined the ranks. "Oh this is just perfect." He chuckled just as Silva walked into the room. "Ahhh Admiral." He smirked. "So nice of you to join me."
Silva walked up to his desk and caught a glimpse of the action on the screen. "Where is she? What did you do to her?" She slammed her fist down onto the table. "They are not machines Director. You've done enough already, you made Allison kill Vox!" Tears welled in her eyes.
"Oh, I'm sorry, did that hit a soft spot?" He smirked to her. "Do you miss him?"
Silva reached across the desk and grabbed the man by his throat, she pulled him forward and pressed his cheek into the table. "Do not toy with me, Director. I can kill you myself and I will not get court marshaled, so let me make myself clear...you need to stop toying with the Spartans of Project Freelancer. This will eventually turn on you, and one of them will no doubt kill you."
The director only giggled. "Good then, we have succeeded. My only goal is to strip them of their humanity. To make them not feel as you are now. You feel too much, Silva. This makes you vulnerable." He slipped from her grip and pulled a gun from his desk in such a swift motion that the Admiral had no time to react. When he pulled the trigger electrodes shot from the barrel and dug into her skin. Silva instantly fell to the ground as electricity coursed through her body, she whimpered as she tried to fight it, until ultimately she gave in. "Now, I can do this to a true Spartan and it will not phase them. They can push through the mind numbing pain." He lifted his finger from the trigger and Silva relaxed, her breathing was quick and heavy. "To a human like you or I, we can not fight the effects." He pulled the trigger again and she began to shake once more, tears streamed down her cheeks as she attempted to fight back. He snickered before he stopped once more and looked to the screen of his computer. "Agent Texas is a masterpiece."
***
"Run run run!!!" One of the Spartans cried as he ran passed the crate boxes of the room. Tex punched through the box and grabbed him by his throat, he let out a cry just before she pulled his body into the metal with full force. Then she lifted the crate and tossed it at the others, causing them to scatter like roaches in the light. Tex rushed forward toward one of the team members. He had a sword in his hand. A useful tool. Tex fought against him, she ducked under the sword, then made contact with his shoulder, next he swung at her again, she punched him in the chest and just as he made to run she grabbed his arm and kicked him in the back, stealing the sword in the process. She grabbed a hold of the spartan then and made to stab him with the sword just as the light went out. Tex looked to the weapon and shook it a few times as the Spartan in her grip began to chuckle. "What's the matter? Can't keep it up?" He snickered. Tex turned her gaze to him and slammed her hand that held the metal handle of the sword into his helmet, sending him flying across the room. Tex threw the sword to the side and cracked her knuckles as she looked to the other Spartans.
***
"She is unstoppable. With the proper orders. Her speed and strength alone is so powerful that...well.." The Director chuckled as he watched the next bit of action on his monitor. Tex had one of the Spartans on his back at gun point while the others stood around in shock. They didn't dare attack. "Can't you see Silva? Vox would have destroyed Zeta. He would have destroyed all of the AI if I had let him live. Tex prevented him from doing that, under my direction."
Silva slowly stood, she ripped the needles of the taser from her flesh. "You are killing innocent people, Director." She warned. "That mission that you just had CT and Tex go on, those were innocent people, and for what? Huh? What information did you gather?"
The director only smirked to her, "Ecko." Silva froze. The AI that Vox had created before his death. Ecko was much like Cortana. It was one of the strongest AIs to date. In the hands of the Director, it would be end game. "I had planned to install it to CT. But, I am not sure she will accept it. Especially after I saw her destroy Omega." He shook his head. "Though, Ecko would be much better than Omega ever was for Allison." He grinned devilishly. "Could you imagine the control? She wouldn't be able to make a move without my say. She wouldn't even be able to breathe unless I gave the okay."
Silva's blood was beginning to boil at this point. So much that she didn't notice the sound of the door opening behind her. "You, are, unbelievable!" She snapped as she pulled a pistol from her holster. "Pull her from that match right now and reset the codes that I had placed in Zeta. You do not control any of these Spartans. They are not machines! They are---"
The cold butt of a rifle slammed against the back of Silva's head then, knocking her forward, her head slammed into the edge of the Director's desk, leaving a perfect gash in her skin. "Wonderful work, Maine. Take her to the barracks and see to it that she doesn't get to my office again, would you?" The director chuckled at the end as he returned his attention to the screen before him.
***
Tex was sprinting away from a rocket now. She leaped into a teleportation doorway and continued to run, headed straight toward all of the Spartans that were on the field with her. Tex slid between the legs of one, he cowered as the rocket followed her path. Tex then leaped down through another doorway at the last second, causing the rocket to explode on impact of a cargo container. The world began to fade away then and Tex staggered. She took in deep quick breaths as Zeta allowed her control once more. "What..." She looked around and looked to her hands before she looked to the other Spartans that also staggered to their feet. "Match point, Texas." The intercom declared. She looked around for a moment before she walked to the elevator and rode it up in silence. Her moves were smooth. Her body quick. She really was unstoppable. Without the AI controlling her movements, she would be even better. Tex walked through the observation room to receive a pat on the back from a few of the other Spartans. One being Washington, the other Carolina. They all continued on toward the cafeteria where she filled her tray with food and sat down, alone, at the table in the corner. She lifted her helmet from her head and poked at the green beans on her tray before she scooped up some mashed potatoes. She shut her eyes as she tried to remember the simulation battle. Nothing. It was gone.
***
Silva began to wake. She rolled to her side and heaved on the tiled floor. All that remained in her stomach was acid, thankfully. She pushed herself up and felt her head. The dried crusted blood reminded her of what had happened. She had to detain the Director. There was no way around it. It had to be done. Before he got his hands on Ecko...
Silva pushed out of the room and moved down the hall, she found her way to Tex and CT's room and stopped outside. She pushed the door open and looked over the Spartan for a moment. "It was the Director. He ordered Vox to be killed." She said, her voice low as she entered the room and shut the door behind her once more. She looked as though she had been through a battle. Blood had dried down her face from her injury. "Two Spartans killed him, one pulled the final trigger. Though, it was orders from the Director that caused Vox's death..."
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Post by Raven on Jul 10, 2014 22:26:38 GMT -5
CT glanced to the empty room as the simulator died and then she sighed. "See you later" she spoke as Tex left the room. CT glanced to the dull room and then slowly followed out. CT made her way to the computer lab and took a seat in the rolling chair. She glanced to the screen and logged in. She scrolled down the pages of emails sent to Vox. She propped her head up with her hand and stared to the rolling text. As the year went on his messages became dull, and short. No longer filled with extensive news, all he was working on, the meal he cooked. The last message she got she stared at.
"Connie,
I miss you my dear. I've been awfully busy lately. I just finished testing my prototype. I wish you were here - I think this is a breakthrough with AI technology. I wish you could be the one to test him out. I developed him specifically for you. Ecko. Yeah, I named him after our dead Gerbil. I miss that little guy. Ecko is more advanced than even Cortana. I cannot wait until it is certified... Ecko is yours. That project has come to an end, and I am happy to finally offer you something far more advanced than anything before. For now, I have it at the Testing Facility. There is a new program they installed, thanks to you, that all new AI's go through a harsh procedure of testing and they have to meet a huge set of terms before being considered safe for Spartan use.
I also wish you were here. Tonight I am making your favorite. Baked Chicken, mashed potatoes (Don't worry, I loaded it with Garlic and Onions just like you like it) and broccoli. Its a Connie meal, really. If only I could ship it to you.. though I am sure by the time it arrives it will be bad. Thought that counts, right?
And all that stuff about the Director - I'm trying to get a hold of some upper command. To get someone with high authority inside. I think I have gotten through, I'm just waiting on some paper work to go through. Thank you for all you've done, my love. You are aiding in one of most important revolutions, and this is going to be key. Once this hits the news.. the USNC will have to crack down on it's programs and how they treat their Spartans.
Don't ever forget, you're human too.
~Vox "
CT stared to the screen and then bit her lip. He used to end them all with "I love you... Still waiting for you at home" but those faded months ago. He used to send 10 pages at a time... going on and on about the tiniest things. "What did I do wrong?" CT whispered and stared to the screen. Finally she exited the window and backed up. "Why did you lie to me?" she whispered softly under her breath. Her eyes swelled with tears and she turned in the chair. Standing before her was the Commander who had is arms crossed.
"It's happening.. isn't it?" The Commander spoke softly. He stepped forward and held his hand out to her, helping her from the chair. CT took his hand and then stood, glancing into his visor. She could almost see his eyes. "I.. I think so" she whispered. She knew what he was talking about... The arrival of Silva was the first sign - and the Commander knew it. "I've been trying to fight the Director. But I knew if I deviated from his wishes then I would be removed.. and I wouldn't be with you anymore." He spoke and then gave a sigh. "Listen... whatever you do - just make sure you have everything. The proof, the order, the justification. If anything goes wrong you will be labeled as a Rogue Spartan, rather than someone bringing justice. I can't help you.. I wish I could. But the Director has his eagle eye on me.." he finally leaned down and pressed his visor against the top of her head. Like a helmet kiss. "If things get messy... just call me. I will come running, no matter what.. but I know you can do this" he then turned and stepped through the door.
CT stared at her father and then followed. Her footsteps led the opposite direction and she made her way to the Barracks. She sat down at her bed and removed her helmet from her face. A cloth in her hand - she began to dab at her wet cheeks. She had cried too much for one day. Finally she rolled onto the bed and stared to the ceiling. "I just want to sleep.." she whispered. She knew she couldn't... it was already too much to ask for silent thoughts. If it wasn't her thoughts rumbling, it was what she liked to call "Tex's thoughts". Or more like her thoughts that were being influenced by all these memories that constantly flooded her. Everything she saw forced a memory over her hues. The cot - memories of CAMS flooded her, the barracks there. And then the tables - one time Tex crashed another Spartan into the table and broke it in half... one after another...
CT covered her eyes with her arm and sighed loudly. Then the door opened and someone approached. Slowly she lifted her body and glanced to Silva. She stood and then stepped in front of her, helmet in hand. "Are you sure of this, did he do that to you??" She spoke and her eyes gazed into hers."Yes. he did, and yes.. I am." She was telling the truth. "You need to assure this. You need to make some calls.. and fast." she reached forward and stole the handcuffs from her waist. "I'll get the Director.." she held her head up and then glanced to the door. "Was he... happy?" she whispered softly. She had changed the subject to Vox. Silva glanced to her with broken eyes and then glanced down to her shoes. "You must be Connie.. then" she spoke and then she took a huge breath. "Yes, he was happy.. very happy" she smiled weakly. CT looked to Silva and then nodded her head one time. "That is all that matters then" she then passed by her, sliding her helmet onto her head...
She made her way to the office - her boots were swift, and her blood had began to boil. She allowed all her anger to rise. Everything - it finally added up. Why the director brought Tex in.. why Omega... why all the silly games. It explained why the Director was so pissed off when the Spartans hacked the system. He knew USNC would see it, covering his tracks would be hard. He was messy.. it explained why Vox was killed. Vox was heavily involved.. surely he was pulling strings.. and if Vox was with Silva - it made sense why she was here. Vox told her everything CT had. Silva knew Tex was here because of CT. She gripped her hands together and then touched the door. She went to turn it - but it was locked. Instantly she leaned back and kicked the door in. It practically fell off its hinges from her force.
The moment her hues targeted the Director she felt an intense rush flow through her. Her armor slowly grew onto glow a bright neon red. The Director's eyes turned and he stared to her. "An AI?" he questioned with a grin. "I didn't know you had that in you" he laughed and then leaned his head up. "Can I help you, CT?" he smiled as he stared to the screen. CT stepped forward and placed a hand on the desk. "You sure can" she suddenly lifted the desk, the computer ripped from the outlet and fell off the desk as she lifted it into the air. She then threw it.. the Director ducked and the Desk collided with the huge glass pane behind him, causing it to shatter into a bunch of pieces and leading to the desk falling to the trees grasp.
The Director stared in astonishment and then punched a button on his wrist. CT reached forward instantly and gripped him by the collar. "You are fucking with the wrong people, Director. You forget who we are" she spoke with pure rage. He grinned and shook his head "You mean...a bunch of weak minds, with hearts that can be manipulated...You are not human" he gave a laugh. "All I have to do is pluck the right chord.." he grinned. CT grit her teeth and spoke roughly "You are so wrong..." - "Are you so sure about that?" he laughed. Suddenly CT flew backwards as Maine grasped onto her helmet. She dropped the director and fell to the ground. Instantly she jumped to her feet and balled her fists. "Oh yeah?" she jumped side to side on the balls of her feet. "I'll show you real Spartan strength, Director" she nodded at Maine.
Instantly Maine jumped forward. CT leaped to the side easily, dodging his attack. She punched at his shoulder, and then quickly into his gut. The pure strength was amazing - he flew backwards and hit the wall. His recovery was swift. He quickly rushed forward once more and pummeled into her with his shoulders, sending her slamming into the wall. CT groaned as her back hit the wall with force - but he was slow. She knee'd his gut and then kicked right between his legs. Maine went flying upward, where his head smashed into the ceiling. CT then grabbed his thigh with both hands and pulled roughly at his body. She slammed his body into a bookshelf, where the wooden shelf broke in half easily - books flying all about the room. She then rushed forward and picked up a huge text book that rest at her feet. She gripped it with two hands - just as Maine stood, she slammed the book against the side of his helmet, and then tossed it to the ground with ease. Maine groaned and then stepped forward to punch - But CT was gone by the time his vision fixed. She was behind him - easily she gripped the back of his helmet, fingers flipping under the helmet - touching his sweaty neck, and she pulled the helmet down. She brought his spine against her knee, a rough cracking sound filling the air, and then she pushed him back up - to which she butterfly kicked his head, her boot smashing into his visor with powerful strength. He instantly flew to the side and grind against the floor. He slid until he was holding onto the window by his fingers, his body over the ledge - dangling above the huge trees.
She stepped over to the window and reached down - her fingers gripped under his white chest piece. She lifted him up in the air with insane strength. Maine grasped at her arms and struggled against her... blood came from his visor where it cracked and broke into his skin. He shook his head "CT.. don't.." he whispered softly. CT then reached forward and grasped the AI from his helmet, yanking it out. She held it in her other hand and then glanced to the Director who cowered in the corner, yet watching with awe. She then squeezed the AI - crushing it in her palm, she threw it to the ground and then dropped Maine. He fell from the window, but she knew he would be fine.. he would land on his feet properly, but he was gone from the equation now.
"AI's do nothing but get in the way.." She spoke and walked to the director. "Strength... that comes from here" she bashed her fist on her chest and then pulled the handcuffs from her small pack. She reached down and grasped his wrist, and then handcuffed each together. She then knelt down and stared to him as he cowered - fear that she would kill him, but awe of her demonstration. "I am no machine" she whispered, her visor touching his nose, she was so close to him. The red in her armor began to fade. "I am a Spartan".
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 12, 2014 18:22:17 GMT -5
Silva stood in the doorway. She had followed CT to the office. She stood atop of the kicked in door, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. She watched as CT battled Maine, and as CT threatened the director. "I'll take it from here, thank you." Silva spoke as she stepped forward. "Director Jenkins, you are being court marshaled for crimes that you have committed against the Spartans of Project Freelancer. Treason. Murder. You name it, sir you have broken several vows and laws that the UNSC has set in place. It is not up to me your sentence, but if I were the judge it would be death by firing squad." Silva lifted him to his feet harshly. "You attacked an officer, killed a prized professor in the labs, attempted to kill several Spartans, and you've tried to control all of their minds for your own games, just to get a hold of Ecko? You ordered Agent Texas and Agent Maine to dispose of Vox if they could not get the AI from him." She leaned in closely as she spoke this, her brows pulled together tightly. "You really think that such an act will go unnoticed? Not to mention you allowed the hacking of the system to drop CT off of the leader board? I know it was South. I can track IP, I know who did it and at what time from what room." Silva's voice was not nearly as caring anymore. "You killed Vox and you're trying to kill the rest of the Spartans by stealing away their humanity. You've nearly succeeded with Agent Texas. She barely even knows her name. If it wasn't for you, she would remember me, she would remember CAMS training and her Spartan II camp. She wouldn't draw a blank during battle either...." Silva slammed his face into the wall and the Director let out a cry. "You're lucky I don't kill you right here, right now. Lucky. I could do it, without a second thought, but, why would I do such a thing when you can get punished? When you will ultimately die no matter the case. How do I know this? Once the judge hears of your order for Vox's death, that will be the end of it, not to mention your attempted murder of CT and your assault of myself..." Silva shook her head.
The director fidgeted against the Admiral. "J-Just let me go, Silva, I apologize...I..."
"Take him." Silva shoved the director into the arms of another soldier whom had appeared out of thin air, it seemed. It was Vickers. He looked over to CT with a soft smile in the curve of his lips. "Your fighting was amazing." He said before he turned the director from the room, the barrel of his gun was pressed into the small of the man's back. Vickers looked over his shoulder with a smile on his lips as he looked to CT once more. He admired her. It was clear.
"We have to get to Ecko before someone else does..." Silva sighed. She turned and looked to CT, just as Tex appeared in the doorway behind the two. "Allison isn't herself without her memories...she doesn't fight with the same lightening reactions, she can't think it seems. No matter the situation, I feel as though she is compromised and is not the same person that I knew nearly 10 years ago..."
"It isn't my fault that I can't remember..." Tex muttered before she rushed away. Hearing what Silva said was enough to cause her pain. It made her sound worthless. It didn't matter that she had no clue who this woman was, the words would have been hurtful either way.
Silva turned and bit at her lip slightly. "Connie..." She turned and looked to the Spartan before her. "You are better with hacking than I am, can you find out where Ecko is? The director knows, but I know that he won't give the location away to us now, not after this." She stepped over to the broken window, a gentle breeze wafted inside of the office. She looked down below to see the Director shoved into a military vehicle, he was on his way to be court marshaled. He wouldn't be seen again. Not even if he somehow won the case. No, Silva was the new director. Silva bowed her head slightly for a moment as the car peeled out and pulled away. She listened to the sound of the engine revving as it raced off, only to hear the sound interrupted by a large explosion. Her eyes rose to the sound, her brows pulled together. Out of the forest came Agent Maine, a fuel rod cannon on his shoulder. He grabbed the Director from the back of the vehicle and raced off. "We need to act now." Silva said as she took off from the room, she hit a red button on her way out, the lights dimmed and the alarm sounded, signalling for everyone to meet in the briefing room. Spartans ran side by side with their new director, oblivious.
Silva climbed the podium and looked down over the sea of unfamiliar faces. "I know that none of you know who I am..." She began, her eyes looking out over the large group. "I am Fleet Admiral Chyler Silva, I will be taking charge of Project Freelancer from here forth to ensure the proper treatment of all of the Spartans that undergo this training. Her eyes fell on Tex then and her voice caught in her throat. The Spartan stood in attention, ready for orders, ready for the attack. That part of Tex reminded Silva of Allison, the willingness to go into battle. The willingness to fight. The Admiral pulled her eyes from the Spartan before she looked down to her hands that gripped tightly to the metal. "I need an assistant to go with Connecticut on her next mission, Agent Texas is not...fit for battle.." It seemed the words stabbed at her heart. But she knew that her statement was true. That, Tex would be a danger to CT if she were to go.
"I am her partner, and I am going. That is what I am good for, if nothing else." Tex spoke up, her voice strong.
Silva bit her lower lip as she looked over the sea of Spartans once more. No one budged. She took in a deep breath and bowed her head slightly, this wasn't going to be an easy choice. "Alright, I need North and South, you are headed out of the compound in search of Agent Maine and Jenkins, the man formerly known as the director. We must stop them now." She stepped down and rushed off only to get a hand to her chest. North stood above her, looking down through his visor.
"What makes you the boss of us? Huh?" He pinned her against the wall.
In an instant the Spartan was ripped away. Tex had grabbed North and thrown him to the ground, she sat over him, holding him to the tile. Her fists slammed into his helmet several times before she stood. "She is the director, so I think it goes without questioning." Tex said before she rushed off to the prep room where she lifted a DMR onto her back, a pistol to her thigh and the revolver that CT had given her to her other thigh. She grabbed a few sticky grenades and took in a deep breath. She didn't know where they were going...but...she hoped it meant she could get her memories back...
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Post by Raven on Jul 12, 2014 20:40:30 GMT -5
CT glanced to Silva and then scoffed loudly. "I appreciate you and all." she said with a sassy tone as she approached Silva. "But I never want to hear you say that again. I am CT, or Connecticut, you pick one and stick with it. Admiral." She spoke and then walked past her. CT stopped and then glanced to Tex as Silva spoke about her. "Wait.. Tex" she ran forward and caught her in the hallway. Her hand reached forward and grasped Tex's as she dashed away. "Hey, come on" she called and then turned her about. "Look..." she gave a soft sigh and then lifted her head. "I know you are having a hard time, trust me I am too. Hang in there, really. Look, no matter what Silva says - You're my partner, I will only work with you. You understand? She might not have confidence in you, but I do. It is your nature to be badass, and you know it" she gave a gentle chuckle and then placed a hand on her shoulder. "We are going to fix this, okay? I gotta go, but I will see you when we launch for Ecko." she then nodded and turned away.
CT made her way back to the Director's office, where CT interrupted her as she began to talk to CT. "You don't need to be talking to Tex like that. I understand your purpose, but she's still Allison, she is still Tex." CT crossed her arms and then cleared her voice. "Alright. Director, I'm listening.." she finally broke the personal level and returned to a professional state. She listened as she spoke of Ecko, of the Director and their need for speed. "I'm on it" She leaned down easily and lifted the huge computer from the floor. It had only been banged around slightly, and the monitor had been completely smashed to bits. She reached forward and ripped the wires from the computer and tossed them to the ground. She then stopped and turned her head as she heard an explosion. "Damnit.." she cursed softly. "I knew I shouldn't of let Maine go.." she muttered. She then glanced to Silva and nodded "I have an inkling. Vox told me it was at a Testing Lab, but he never told me which." she then lifted the computer and stepped from the room.
CT walked down the hallway at a brisk pace and punched the code in for the Computer Lab to open to her command. She instantly walked over and set the computer down on a spare table. She began to plug in the chords and then plucked a monitor from another computer and plugged it in. "Alright.." she spoke as the computer turned on. She rolled a chair up to the desk and slipped her gloves off. Just as she did so she glanced up to the ceiling as it rang loudly - calling for an emergency briefing. "Hmph" she then turned to the computer and began to open snooping through all the data that computer had. Searching keywords for Ecko, AI, and so on - nothing. The computer was blank. She then grunted and pulled up his email. She bit her lip and pulled up the Script Code box and began to type away. Her fingers moved swiftly until finally she cracked it. "Damn he had that shit blocked heavily" she gave a grunt and the email finally opened. She searched until finally she came across an email she was looking for -
"Nathaniel,
Let me know as soon as Ecko reaches the Lab. I want you to extract the AI and place the attachment in the core functions. After I want you to place the AI. Once Ecko is rejected I want you to place the fake Ecko in its deposit spot. That will be coming in the Phaserline shortly after you reply.
Remember,
Our agreed numbers are still final, and if you do this well I may even double it..
Jenkins."
"Fuck" CT grunted. She instantly printed the email and then - with another program she pulled up the received IP. She instantly plugged the IP into one more program and figured the Coordinates of the computer. "A laptop.." she then looked up the Coordinates and found the name of the Testing Lab. AI Developmental Testing Lab. She then figured their President - Francis Wheeler, just in case. She scribbled the Coords and the President's name on the printed email. "Alright.." she had one more thing to do. She hacked into the AIDTL's database and wrote in CT and Tex on the guest list. This only took a few minutes, their hacker wall was surprisingly easy to sneak through.
CT then printed out the Guest list and then changed the password on the computer, so that only she would be able to enter from this point forward. Quickly she shoved herself back in the rolling chair and she shoved her gloves back on her hands. She rushed, with papers in hand, down the hallway. She had taken two hours to do all the hacking and planning, but she had everything she needed. She ran into the briefing room and skid to a stop. "Alright" she came to Silva and handed the paper forward. "I found out Jenkin's inside at the Lab and tracked his IP to these Coordinates. I followed those coords and found it is the Official A.I Developmental Testing Lab. I added me and Tex to the Guest list" She then pulled the list up "This is the guest list" she then stepped back and glanced over her shoulder. Tex stood - fully prepared.
"We don't have time to wait" she spoke and then stepped over to the table. She picked up several sticky grenades and lifted up a sniper from the weapons rack. She shoved it on her back and then glanced to a pad on the wall. She walked over and punched in a code - opening the Weaponry. She stepped inside and then lifted a SAW from the wall and gripped it in one hand. She then shoved three huge clips on her waist and then walked back through the door. Both hands came to the SAW, lifting it upward. "I have a feeling this mission won't be so easy. Jenkins knows where we are headed..." she then stepped forward with confidence. She always felt like a badass with a SAW In her hands. "Lets go, Tex" she turned her head and nodded.
"Alright Tex" She spoke as they walked. "We are gunna kick some ass, alright? Good ol' fashion style. We see those motherfuckers and we go balls to the walls on them. You got that?" She turned and smiled, even though her helmet hid that grin. It was a grin of excitement, to finally have the opportunity to unleash her, and Tex's fury upon the true evils of the world. Who cared of the Covenant, whoever - this ex-Director and its peon was the most terrible of corruption. It was a festering disease that was more powerful than any - those we should trust were our enemy, and that was enough for a death match.
They climbed onto the Pelican and then she handed the Coordinates over to the pilot who was ready for their mission. "Be speedy, and unnoticed. Track our positions for any immediate retrieval. " CT spoke and the pilot nodded. She then walked back and took a seat. She breathed slowly as the Pelican lifted into the air and began forward. "We're gunna get this AI.. and we will get your memories back"
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 12, 2014 22:15:32 GMT -5
Tex stared to CT as she spoke. As she told her to hang on, to stay strong. It brought a small curve to her lips as she listened, it was a care that she wasn't used to. Something she didn't know. She only knew the machine side of herself, though, she felt the pull of emotions on the strings of her mind as she watched CT walk away and reenter the director's office. Silva's office. She stood motionless for a moment before she had wandered to the briefing room where she had participated in the beat down of North when he had shoved Silva against the wall. Hang in there She told herself. Don't give in.
***
"Good work Connecticut." Silva gave a nod as she looked to Tex with worried eyes. She feared the failure of the AI, that it would attempt to take over again. She hadn't had a second to reprogram it yet...
Tex gave a smirk right back to CT that was hidden by her helmet when CT had spoken to her, when she too had smiled. It was something, to have a teammate she could rely on. "We will kick some ass, these cock biting fucktards don't stand a chance." Tex chuckled as she strapped herself into the pelican.
***
"Meta! Don't slow down!" The director ordered the Spartan beneath him, it was Maine...or what had been Maine.
"Hold it!" North called, "I will shoot!!" A few seconds passed and Maine didn't stop, a bullet whizzed passed Jenkins' head. A blur of purple came from the trees and knocked the human from the Spartan's back.
"Got it, bro." South said in a smug voice as she stood over the director.
"South!" North called as Meta turned and slammed his elbow into the back of the small purple Spartan. South crumpled to the ground in a heap. North ran forward and pulled his pistol he let out several shots to which Meta dodged, the Spartan then cloaked and disappeared into the forest. "Get back out here you pansy!" North screamed as he pulled his battle rifle back out. He turned just in time to see Meta's fist flying toward his helmet to which he dodged, only to find himself on his back. He attempted to scramble to his feet only to find Meta's foot planted in his chest. He then received a swift kick to his head, sending him into the unconscious world. Both North and South were severely wounded in the short fight. Meta's strength and speed had been immensely increased with the added AI of Sigma.
"Agent, let's go! We don't have time for these games right now!" The director barked as he stood to his feet, only to be lifted off of the ground by the Meta.
The two rushed through the forest at full sprint and entered a teleportation device that let them out in the cold icy world that held the AIDLT headquarters. Meta stopped in the field then and looked to the sky, a pelican was approaching. A low growl came from him, however whatever he had said was unable to be made out. The director only shook his head, "Let's go! Don't worry about them!" The director ran ahead and into the lab where he punched in his key code and slipped inside, in searched of Ecko.
***
The pelican landed in the snowy climate of the AIDLT lab. Tex jumped from the back of the pelican and rushed forward, "They're here! Did you see them when we were pulling in?!!" She yelled over the sound of the pelican's engines as it took off once more. She pulled her DMR from her back only to find herself on her back the next moment. The DMR skidded across the icy ground. Meta appeared with a strange device in his hands, the hard drive to extract AIs. He stabbed it in Tex's direction just as she rolled away and got to her feet. "CT! Get Ecko!!" She cried as she blocked another attack. Tex flew backward into a stalactite icicle, she didn't move for a moment before she got to her feet once more, she pulled a shotgun that had been frozen into the ice. She took a couple shots at Meta, causing him to stumble backward before she rushed him and slammed the butt of the shotgun into his abdomen. Meta took another swing at her with the AI extractor, he wanted Zeta. He wanted all of the AIs...well Sigma did...Sigma was an AI that the director had created for CT, to prevent her from crashing the program, to turn her into the ultimate machine....though...it was clear that the Director had other avenues for the AI now that he had discovered that CT was working with the UNSC to shut him down. Tex narrowly escaped again, her shoulder caught the brunt of the damage this time, her armor sparked as she kicked him in the chest. She lifted a few buttons into her hands before she took off at a sprint, she looked to Maine for a moment before she clicked the red button of the device. The glacier behind him sounded with several explosions before it began to collapse. Maine rushed forward, jumping over debris that he escaped within seconds of. "Shit...." Tex muttered as she turned and sprinted off toward the complex. She felt a few shots catch her in the back, another and another until she fell to her stomach, skidding across the ice....
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Post by Raven on Jul 13, 2014 17:24:53 GMT -5
CT stepped from the Pelican just behind Tex. She held her Sniper in her hand and ran behind her. Her eyes had already spot Meta among the snowy area, his visor standing out like a tall blade of grass among a freshly mowed lawn. CT didn't follow Tex's orders, no way. She spot the device in his hand just shortly after his approach, she knew its capability. Just as Tex called out she heard a wizzing past her head - Jenkins held a sniper up to his eye. "Fucker", he fired once more and CT ducked just in time. She pulled her sniper up with lightning speed and pulled the trigger before her eye even focused on her target. The bullet fired forward and hit the scope of his sniper. The glass shattered and sprayed into his face, just a good enough distraction for her to rush forward. "Tex!" she ran forward.
"Pelican I need a ladder drop, lift to the lab roof" She called over the COM. "Roger that" Instantly the Pelican came from the thick clouds above their heads. She slipped her sniper onto her back and pulled her SAW. She rushed Maine as he was in front of her - rushing Tex. She fired a quarter clip into his back before he finally turned around. With a leap she flew through the air, her heel landing directly on his visor. She crushed Maine downward, and she propelled forward as soon as she hit land. She skid to her knees the moment she came to Tex and slipped an arm under her back. "Grab a hold sister" she lifted Tex and tossed her over her shoulder - and then turned with speed. She pulled the SAW up with her other arm and pulled the trigger. The SAW's recoil was crazy, it's accuracy was little to none - but it was enough to make Meta hesitate. She then leaped into the air and shoved her boot into the ladder that dropped before her, and then she wrapped her arm around the ladder and continued to fire. The Pelican raised slightly in the air and moved over the roof of the Lab. She shoved the SAW between her legs and pulled a sticky from her chest and tossed it onto the building. She then grabbed the SAW and glanced to Meta who rushed forward to the building. The Sticky exploded and CT dropped down, Tex still on her shoulder. The ceiling had weakened intensely and even gave in, and then with the power of her landing she busted through the ceiling and landed confidently. A flurry of dust settled as she stood upward, her head moving side to side as multiple people backed up to her presence.
CT set Tex down on a slab of concrete that crushed a table before her, and then picked her SAW up that she placed on the ground. She pulled her Shield Recharge upgrade from her armor and placed it into Tex's and then turned around. She stepped over a huge piece of ceiling and crumbled mess and looked to one of the lab scientists and held the SAW up. "Where is the AI safe?" she spoke. The man in the coat shook in his boots and then took a deep breath. "Come on!" CT Shouted "I don't have time for you to be a chicken shit!" she stepped forward and then finally he blurted out the directions. "Down the hall, third right. 9180" he stepped to the side and pinned his back to the wall, staying out of her way. "Damnit" she muttered and then rushed through the door. "Get out of my way!" CT shouted as she ran through the hallway, dodging several people. She stopped at the door and punched in the code as he said and it opened to her command. Just as it did so - Meta came busting through the door down the hallway. She picked up a sticky and tossed it towards his direction and then rushed inside the room.
The room was a ton of lockers, each containing its own AI. "Damnit" she shouted and then glanced to the single person in the square room. "I need Ecko now, before it gets in the wrong - " the door suddenly bust open with an intense kick by Meta. "Now!" She shouted and then turned towards Meta. She lifted the SAW - but Meta rushed forward and knocked it from her hands. He easily picked her up by her neck and held her into the air - but just as he did she released a decoy and ducked downward. She uppercut his gut and then crossed his shoulder, instantly she dropped and rolled to the side where she popped up with speed. Meta turned and swung a punch, it smacked into her chest and sent her flying backwards against a set of lockers. The lockers caved and bent as she slammed against it with force. CT groaned and then stepped forward as soon as she could and then ran forward. She punched - deployed a decoy - punched again, kicked his side - they were blocking, dodging, hitting, no harsh attacks just yet. Finally CT butterfly kicked his helmet, sending him skydiving to the floor.
She turned and then grasped the AI that the man had finally retrieved. She pulled her sticky and threw it at the wall, which blew up on contact like she wanted. A Hole in the wall appeared and she pushed the man through it. CT slipped the AI into the back of her helmet and then ran forward.
"5220"
CT ran to the pad on the wall and punched in the code Ecko called to her. She then ran threw the hall and then rushed past the room she had broken into. Her shoulder busted into the double doors in the hallway and continued to run.
"Second right, 7912, the Pelican is on its way. The Lab has alerted its Emergency Response, be prepared to fight 5 Spartans, those who train the AI's, would you like me to list their names?"
"No. Where is the nearest lake?" she called to Ecko as she ran forward, her breath heaving as she ran full speed. She skid to a stop and punched in the code to the final door, leading to the snowy world before her.
"500 meters North East of your position, Connie"
She pulled her Sniper Rifle and then began to run in the directions given. "Tex, Maine is still in the building, Lab Spartans are on assault. Get yourself out of there, I have Ecko. " She spoke over the COM.
"I will ping her map of your position"
"Excellent" CT spoke and then turned her head over her shoulder, where 3 blinking red dots appeared on her map. 3 Spartans chased after her in full speed. "I have 3 spartans on me, that leaves 2 more and Maine in the Lab" she called out in the COM and continued forward... She quickly turned, her boots sliding against the frozen lake. The Spartans rushed forward, one was in full blue attire - he was foolish in his attack. He went head on, his fist going for her head. She simply bashed him with her Sniper and then skipped to the side, where a yellow spartan fired his Assault Rifle. CT rolled to the ground and stuck the lake with her final sticky grenade. She skipped backwards - and instantly the two Spartans ran forward. She pulled the sniper and then shot 4 shots around the grenade, which blew up under the Spartan's feet. The lake's ice cracked and then broke inward, both spartans slipping into the cold water. CT turned and then rushed forward just as the Pelican came down to land.
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Post by Blindside Tex on Jul 13, 2014 21:47:47 GMT -5
Tex groaned slightly when CT lifted her up and tossed her over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "I got this...I told you to get Ecko..." She grumbled, though, if CT hadn't been there...Meta would have most definitely slammed the AI extractor into Tex which would have most likely killed her...
Tex held on as the action took place, her shields recharged and she moved about, her health meter blinked red as she stood up slowly once they were in the lab. The whole thing took place so suddenly. She didn't even have time to react, before she knew it, Meta was running toward her and CT was gone with Ecko. Tex lunged forward, her fist collided with his visor, she then hooked left, then right. Meta let out a grumble before he snapped his fingers around her neck. He lifted her upward, Tex struggled against him as he lifted the AI extractor up. She squirmed and kicked into him, her knee caught his abdomen harshly, causing him to drop her to the ground just as the doors slid open. She coughed as she pushed herself up. She shoved Meta then, causing him to stumble backward as shots rang out through the room. Tex ducked as she sprinted, she tossed a grenade in the general direction of the shots as she ran through the wall that CT had blown a hole into.
The shots ceased just before the explosion. Debris flew passed her head causing her to stumble forward. She stumbled into the first door which had the keypad lock. "Aww crap..." She said in a bland tone. She bit at her lip as she heard the footsteps barreling in her direction. She pulled her pistol out and let out three shots into the keypad, causing the whole mechanism to give in, the door slid open as sparks flew everywhere. A little harsh don't you think? Zeta said with a chuckle. Take a left, then a right, run down the stairs and you will be at another door, punch in 7825, that should get you outside.
Tex gave a nod. "Thanks, Zeta." She said as she sprinted onward, her body ached. She knew she was injured, but she couldn't quite tell where. It felt like she had been run over by a tanker. She tossed another grenade over her shoulder as she quickened her pace, she stumbled down the stairs and slammed into the door before she punched in the code harshly. The cold entangled her body as she rushed out into the snowy climate. "CT, where are you? We need to extract now!" Fear was laced in her voice, something that was not normal for the Spartan. Though, with her body burning, her health level flashing and three Spartans on her tail, she knew the odds were against her.
Tex skidded to a halt when she made it out into the middle of the field. She looked left, then right, no sign of CT or the pelican. She pressed the button for her COM just before Meta slammed into her body, knocking her to the ground, the only sound that came over the system was a muffled cry. She scrambled to her feet and sprinted away from him, running up an inclined rock. When she reached the wall at the top she jumped off of it, performing a back flip through the air. As she flipped over she grabbed Meta by the bottom of his helmet, ripping him upward with her, she brought him down over her back as she landed with a thud. Meta flipped away from her with a low growl he pulled the extractor from his back once more and stabbed at her. Tex dodged left, then right, she punched in at him before she deflected the device once more. She then pulled her knife and grabbed his shoulder before she thrust the blade into his back, just next to his shoulder blade. Though, this didn't seem to phase him. He stood up and stare down at her, her reflection appeared in his visor. Before Tex could react he let out a shot from his concussion rifle, this caused her to fly into the air and slam into the ground on her stomach harshly. She slowly pushed herself up to her hands and knees, her body was shaking. She let out pain filled breaths with small cries. Her shield flickered, the alarms sounded in her helmet. You need to see shelter, Allison, you'll die. Zeta pointed out the obvious. Tex had enough time to flip to her side just as Meta clutched her around the throat once more. She didn't struggle nearly as much this time. Her hands gripped his wrist as he brought the extractor up to slam through her visor.
"Tex!!!!" A familiar voice called, shots rang out once more. "Shoot him! Shoot him!!!!! Put her down!!!" Each and every bullet hit Meta. As the Spartan made to thrust the extractor forward, his grip loosened and he dropped her to the snow. He clipped her shoulder with the device, causing sparks to fly from the instrument before he threw a drop shield to protect himself as his shields fell. Toward them two Spartans rushed. One was in a cobalt blue armor, the other wore a teal color. Meta let out a growl before he turned invisible and rushed away, he let out several shots from his concussion rifle before he was gone for good. "Tex? Is that you?" The voice again. Tex knew it...somehow, in her subconscious, she hadn't lost the sound of that voice. She didn't know what it was from, or who it was, but...the tone...she knew it...somehow...She coughed as she slowly pushed herself to her hands and knees once more, her eyes fluttered as she looked to the cobalt Spartan as he grasped her hand and helped her to her feet. "I thought you were gone, for good." He said, his voice happy, he pulled her into a quick embrace before he took her arm over his shoulder. "What do you have to do with Ecko?" He asked as he looked down to her.
Tex looked to him and shook her head as she leaned her body weight against him. "I don't remember...I don't know..." She muttered. "I don't know..." She repeated this several times as she fought to remember why she knew his voice, why did he seem to care? Who was this?
The cobalt Spartan sighed softly as he walked her through the valley toward the pelican. "Guys, the brown Spartan is a freelancer, no need for lethal action. Stand down. We are coming to you." He said over his COM as he pulled her along.
"Man Tex! Church and I thought you were dead..." The teal Spartan said as he took her other arm and pulled it up over his shoulder. Tex grit her teeth from the pain, but she didn't speak, she hung in their arms close to unconsciousness. Soon her feet pulled through the snow, her body became slack. "She's nothing but dead weight..." The teal Spartan complained.
"She's fine, Tucker, shut up." The cobalt Spartan, Church, said. They came to the ramp of the Pelican and lay her on it gently a line of blood had dripped into the snow behind them as they had carried her. Church looked to CT. "Who are you? What do you guys want with Ecko? He isn't finished with testing yet. He isn't ready for the field, not to mention, Tex..." He looked to her and pointed, "Almost died! Isn't she supposed to be your teammate? Or did that all get thrown out the window?!" He was raging furious. He seemed to know Tex, quite well in fact. The care in his voice was genuine. His anger was real, it was far from an act...
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