To the head of the UNSC,
It has come to my attention that the experiments conducted by that arrogant man, for lack of a better term, Leonard Church of our sister division, Project Freelancer, have gotten to the point that our Artificial Intelligence unit, Prometheus, has begun to question his faith in humans. Luckily the soldier assigned to him has gone out of his way at some points to convince him otherwise, almost like a supportive older brother, I request that I send in this soldier to conduct an investigation of the procedures being conducted on the Alpha unit, so Prometheus can be calmed. I believe this to be the best course of action.
Sincerely,
Director Andrew Donovan. Project Phalanx
Project Phalanx Head Quarters: Many Years Ago
08:00 Hours
Director Donovan was sitting behind his desk, the stack of papers on his desk was dwarfed by the concern he had for the emotional state presented by Prometheus, the rather young artificial intelligence unit of Project Phalanx. He was worried about the reaction of Prometheus would have, he knew what sort of man Director Church was and what sort of things he'd try, especially on something that would be used in combat. The feeling of dread about him dissipated as the door to his office slid open as a young man clad in black armor with crimson trim, holding his helmet under his left shoulder. "You wanted to see me, Director Donovan?" He'd asked.
"Ah, McAlister, come in, just the person I wanted to see." The Director said.
A small Amethyst colored being appeared, "Is this concerning the letter you received this morning?" he asked.
The director smiled, "Getting curious, Prometheus?" he asked.
"I apologize, and from what 'Zero' here has told me, the I've decided that only the Director will be judged by me, all other members of Project Freelancer will be left out, unless I see otherwise." Prometheus stated, "Also, should the fruits of their labor be suspected of treason toward the United Nations Space Command, and a threat to humanity, 'Zero' and I shall attempt to neutralize that threat to the best of our abilities." He saluted.
"Spoken like a true soldier, Prometheus." Director Donovan saluted, "As you were."
"Thank you, Director." Prometheus replied as he faded away.
"He's been learning from me and getting a better grasp of what good and bad humans are like, as per your instructions, sir." McAlister said, "That's why he's made that conclusion. He's learning fast, it makes me feel proud."
"I feel the same way." The Director said grabbing a cigar and lighting it. He took a few puffs and moved on with the briefing, "Now, it's important that you know, Director Church has a regulation forbidding the A.I. fragments from interacting with each other. But, he says that if Prometheus will be on good behavior, he'll allow them to interact with each other."
"I've heard of that rule, and I've heard that the wilier of the fragments is the Alpha unit's creativity, Sigma, I've told Prometheus to keep a sharp eye on him." McAlister said.
"Knowing Prometheus and you like I do," Director Donovan said, "Sigma's creativity will be nullified." He leaned back on his desk and said, now, 'Zero,' listen carefully, it's going to be different with three of the Freelancers, are not like most other soldiers you've worked with. One, a big fella codenamed Maine, took six shots to the throat and got paired with Sigma as his A.I. since all Maine can do is growl now. He's a tough guy, all muscle and little brain. Then there's agent Carolina, she's a tough one who will show no mercy at all if you break protocol. And finally, there's the dark horse the one who Carolina can't stand, the woman in black, codenamed Texas. Now, look for the agents named North Dakota, Washington, and York. I'm sending 'Aries' and 'Libra' along with you. You seem to get along with them more than anyone else."
"That's because we're from the same area, sir." McAlister replied. "When do I report to Freelancer HQ?"
"There's a Pelican waiting for you right now," Director Donovan said, "hop to it soldier."
"Sir, yes sir." McAlister stood to attention and saluted, and then ran out to the launch bay. His team mates, Aries and Libra met up with him half way, "All right, you two, let's do this."
"Amen, to that, sir." Aries said, "hopefully they're as tough as they we've heard." She had a thing about roughing it out with weak soldiers, one reason as to why she liked being teamed up with Jack "Zero" McAlister and "Libra," they grew up together and made a reputation of being as tough as nails, with a love for punishment.
"I just hope we get a little field action, or at least a little combat practice." Libra retorted. His Scottish background made him and combat were close friends. "I hear that they have and agent named Texas who took on three agents and had a score of eight to nothing, in combat practice."
"Let's just hope that all goes smoothly, I've heard that Maine's a pretty nasty fighter, he carries around a Bruteshot, and we know how the Covenant used to ream us with those during the later years of the war." McAlister stated, "And his A.I. is supposed to be pretty crafty." They donned their respective helmets as they entered the launch bay, they wore armor types that matched their specialty, Aries was a master of reconnaissance in the field of battle, Libra preferred closed quarters combat, and McAlister was known for wearing the Hayabusa armor and carrying a katana for close combat and a Needler for ranged combat. Libra's insatiable lust for combat gave made burgundy with goldenrod trim his color choice, and Aires chose to stick with a dark green color for armor.
Project Freelancer Headquarters
13:58
As the Pelican docked in Project Freelancer's base of operations, Prometheus appeared, "I hope all goes well."
"Getting cold feet, Prometheus?" Aries asked.
"Don't burn out your processors, Prometheus," McAlister said in a laid back tone, "I'm certain this will go swimmingly."
"And what is your opinion of this, Agent Libra?" Prometheus asked.
All that the A.I. unit got from Libra was a snore and a mutter, "No use getting an opinion from Libra, Prometheus, he's been asleep for the past three hours." McAlister said before he elbowed the brawler in burgundy in the ribs, "Wakey wakey, Rip Van Winkle, we're here." The harnesses lifted as the ship completed its docking procedures and the three companions got walked down the exit ramp, led by Aires, Libra, while McAlister took up the rear.
They were met by a soldier clad in light blue armor with white trim and a rogue helmet. "You must be the crew from Project Phalanx." She said, "I'm Agent Carolina. Please follow me; Director Church wants to run an evaluation on your leader, Zero, and how his A.I. functions combat against a skilled fighter like Agent Texas."
"Looks like you're up Zero." Libra and Aries said in stereo.
McAlister simply walked with Carolina with Libra and Aires in tow. They walked to a door next to a stairwell, Carolina looked at McAlister, "I'm gonna need you to give me your weapons, Zero. Director Church will provide the materials needed for this ten round fight." McAlister unshouldered his katana and handed it to Aries and his Needler to Libra.
"Sorry, Zero doesn't like anyone he doesn't know personally to hold his weapons," Libra said, "just one of his quirks."
"I can respect that, I'm the same with my plasma rifles." Carolina replied. "You two to come with me, and Zero, just go through that door, Tex will be waiting for you."
McAlister walked through the door to the combat training room, while Libra and Aries followed Carolina up the stairs and into the observation deck. There they saw the higher ranking members of Project Freelancer, Agents North and South Dakota, Connecticut, New York, Washington, Wyoming, and Maine. "You think the guy in the Hayabusa armor is going to last very long against Tex?" asked North Dakota.
"Betcha Tex wins another perfect ten, like always." New York stated.
"Please, McAlister will clean Tex's clock in five rounds." Libra said, "He's pretty ruthless in combat, simulations included."
The Freelancers turned to Libra as he walked to the window. "Care to make a wager, old boy?" Wyoming asked, "Just to make matters more interesting."
"Aye, that's a grand idea, man." Libra said as Scottish his accent thickened, "twenty on Zero."
"Very well, I'll add fifteen to young Agent McAlister's side." Wyoming said.
"I put fifty on Tex," North said.
"Twenty-five on Tex," York added.
North looked at him in disappointment, "Really, York?"
"What?" York asked, "Cut me some slack, it's all the money I have.
"Quiet you two," Carolina said, "let's watch and see what Zero can do."
F.I.L.S.S, the main computer for Project Freelancer, announced the beginning of the session, "Round One will begin soon, pugil sticks ready. Begin."
McAlister picked up his stick and locked eyes with his opponent, the woman clad in black armor, Agent Texas, looked back, "You have no idea what kind of pain you're in for." She said.
"Oh, this is gonna be fun," McAlister said in a low voice.