Day Zero - Compatibility 0%

Derek looks around the simulated room, noting the slight pulsing in the walls. He closes his eyes and remembers the last thing that Dr. Martin said, "Let me introduce you to Stiles." Stiles, that must be the name of the AI, he reasons. He opens his eyes again and in front of him is a blue hologram in the form of a male.

Derek backs away as the hologram examines him. It's a kid, he thinks to himself as he looks at the hologram. "Stiles?" he asks, hesitantly.

"You're bigger than I imagined. Well not that I actually imagined Spartans. I mean I have all of your measurements...well not all," he says as he pointedly looks down below Derek's waist. Stiles holds up his hands in surrender when Derek growls at him. "Just, you know, the usually measurements. Size, height, weight, heartbeat rate. Definitely bigger-"

"Stiles!" shouts Derek, wanting the AI to be silent. They were in this room to test their compatibility, not ramble on about Spartan measurements.

"What?" Stiles looks at Derek, inquisitively. "Also, no need to shout. I can hear you just fine."

"Compatibility," suggests Derek, sighing. For the first time since he's learned about the new AI, he's wishing that he wasn't here.

"Compatibility, the capability of existing in harmony," Stiles replies and proceeds to recite the exact definition.

Derek clenches his right hand into a fist. "Stiles!" he shouts again and the other stops talking. "Are we or are we not compatible?"

"What ever happened to first dates? Also, that is not how you ask someone to marry you," Stiles says turning his back to Derek. He hears Derek sigh behind him and turns around in alarm. "Don't go away! I chose you!" He steps toward Derek and says, "The thing is I've never actually had a Spartan or anyone for that matter."

"How long have you been active?"

"One year. One year in isolation, where all I did was think." Stiles looked up at Derek. "I think we're the same size when you're not wearing that armor."

Derek looks at him and Stiles ducks his head down.

"Spartan H-167, Derek Hale, I accept you as my Spartan," says Stiles before smiling and disappearing.

Derek feels the simulated room fall apart and opens his eyes to the bright lights of the Synchronization Chamber.

"Spartan, Spartan, can you hear me?" asks Dr. Martin, a touch of worry in her tone.

"Yes," Derek answers, sitting up.

"Can you tell us what happened?" she asks as she unhooks wires attached to his armor. Realizing that Derek doesn't know what she's talking about, she elaborates, "We lost all readings. Is there a connection between you and the AI?"

"Yes," he answers looking down at his wrist, where a blue light flashes indicating the AI was present.

Lydia Martin smiles. "Congratulations, Spartan. I'll update your file. You'll be on light duty for a week to solidify the connection."

Derek nods, knowing that it was useless to argue the order and walks out of the Chamber. Just outside the door, he looks down at flashing blue light. He takes out the chip and holds in his palm.

After a few seconds, the hologram of Stiles appears from the chip. Stiles looks up at Derek and exclaims, "You're even bigger now! Not fair!"

"We're on light duty," Derek states, interrupting Stiles' rant over sizes.

Stiles stops and nods at him. "So, we get a week to get to know each other. It's like an arranged marriage."

"No one's getting married," states Derek before putting the chip back into its slot and walking to his quarters.

A few feet away from Derek in a dark alcove, Commander Hale smiles. "Perfect," he says as he walks in the opposite direction of Derek.

Compatibility 100%