Chapter 3: All It Takes Is A Little Persuading
Ari was back in her room, lying on the bed thinking over how much she was going to loathe the scientist she was stuck with. She'd come to regret ever thanking him for finding her and keeping her in this place. The will to escape was growing and if she could find a way to get away from Cortex she'd gladly take it. Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the metal door opening. Holo stepped through the doorway and took a peek at the disgruntled Na'vale'li lying on the bed.
"Ari, are you all right?" he asked concerned.
"I'm fine Holo, I'm just a little mad is all." she replied. The hologram sat at the foot of the bed and watched the young woman squirm uncomfortably.
"I don't like him either, but until we can get away it's best to do as he says." Holo suggested. Ari turned on her side and clutched the pillow under her.
"Fine, but how long will it be before we ever get to the real, outside world? How long until then?" she stressed.
Holo shook his head and looked up at the darkened window peering into the room.
"I don't know, but with a bit of persuasion I think it can be achieved rather early."
"Persuasion?! How are you going to convince this control freak to let me outside for even a few seconds?" Ari interrogated.
"When I looked into his systems I found data of some of his doings. Apparently he's got this fascination for these "Power Crystals", rare gems that have immense power. There are many inventions he wants to work, but they'd need these crystals to do so." Holo informed.
Ari put together the pieces and huffed in anger.
"You honestly think he'll let me go after the things?"
"No, but we can try. You've got so much potential and he has to see that in order for him to let you do anything other than slowly die in this room." Holo urged. The Na'vale'li took into account that she would have to work for Cortex in the short-term, but her long-term goal of escape was well worth the abuse she could see coming if she failed with his tasks.
"Fine," she agreed, "but if this doesn't work I'm putting the blame on you."
"Then it's settled, I'll go tell him that you're willing to work in finding the crystals." Holo announced getting up from the bed and going back through the door. Ari was silent and she let a long annoyed sigh.
"It's only for a little while." she thought.
"Are you insane?!" Cortex yelled, enraged at the hologram's suggestion.
"Doctor Cortex she has the potential to serve greatly in this field, if you'd give her the chance I'm sure she would prove most valuable to finding the power crystals." Holo pleaded.
"How am I supposed to trust her with going out into the world. She might escape and what then, if she does there's no way she'll survive for long. She knows nothing of the outside world."
Holo bit his lip and thought of something to convince him to let Ari take on these endeavors. His holographic form glitched for a split second, and then returned to normal, but instead of being in a state of thought he was posed with a sinister smile on his face.
"You could put a tracking device on her. Whenever she goes out to find the crystals you can keep track of where she is. If she goes too far out just go after her, or...perhaps add a little shock collar you humans use to train animals." the artificial Na'vale'li suggested.
Cortex perked up at the genius plan and was actually considering going through with his plea.
"How will I know that she can make it out there? She certainly has no experience in the outside world." he stipulated.
"I can take care of that, just let me go with her on a few runs, I'll make sure she learns what I know about the planet." Holo replied.
"And how can I trust you won't escape as well?"
Holo spun around and went to the main computer and started to bring up several programming codes. He typed a large matrix of numbers into the programming code and then turned to face the doctor.
"I've just put my AI sequence into your systems. I'm bound to the computer mainframe temporarily, just give the orders and I'll come back. If I don't comply I'll get shut down and Ari will have to bring me back to restart me." Holo explained.
It was almost too good to be true, but Cortex couldn't possibly refuse the offer to have an extra hand find the crystals. He had his other minions, but they were mostly incompetent when it came to finding the things, but Ari. She could be just what he was looking for, new blood, able to mold into a great seeker for the crystals, and with time she could become the perfect minion he'd so desperately wanted.
"Very well, I'll send you two on a test run tomorrow, but only if the girl complies to my rules." Cortex warned.
"I'll make sure she understands the situation." Holo promised with that same sinister grin.
Back in the room Ari was still on the bed and back to her thoughts of freedom and escape from her captor of eleven and a half years. When Holo came in she was desperate to hear what news he had for her.
"Well, did he take the offer?" she asked immediately.
"Yes, but on a few conditions. You have to abide by his rules when you go out to find the crystals."
"You actually convinced him to let me outside? I'm impressed, but what kind of rules are we talking about here?" she questioned.
"I'm not for sure yet, but I know that I'll be accompanying you for a few of the runs to find them. Just so you can get acquainted with the outside world." he continued.
"That's not bad, but I'm wondering just how much he's going to restrict me on going to find the things." she muttered.
"I can't be sure of what he'll do, but when we get the chance to escape we will." Holo assured. After running it by a few times in her head Ari was pleased with what she'd been given and thanked her companion greatly.
When Holo left the room he immediately met Cortex who was eager to start on the work for the tracking device.
"Well then, have you told her what's going to be done?" he asked.
"I have, and she's willing to comply with the terms." Holo reported.
"Excellent! Now we just need to make an effective "tracking" device to keep her in check."
"Of course, wouldn't want her running off the first day now would we." Holo chuckled as he glitched out again for a split second.
