"You are not go-" Lasky begins to order but stops when both the AI's avatars freeze in motion over the table just before the normal soft blue light it emits turns green and all the displayed data disappears as a voice begins to laugh.
The ghostly image of a green man seems to appear out of nowhere just a few feet from the two frozen AI's projected avatars.
He seems about medium height for an AI with a lean yet muscular build and caucasian features. His spiked hair is within appropriate military grade and he wears a neatly pressed pinstriped suit much like that of the old mobsters in the 1950's with an unlit cigarette hanging between his thin lips.
His expression seems glued in an overconfident grin which can only be described as creepy when paired with wide, staring eyes that seem to contain about the same amount of emotion as a reptile's. If I have to guess from the way he carries himself, I'd peg him as very full of himself… And a raving pervert.
"My my. What a pity. The best vessel of the UNSC and with two AI's and it took hardly any effort to crack your systems... I had hopped you'd at least be worth some amusement." The male AI complains somewhat bored as he glances at the officers and over both AI's. Before turning his attention to my parents then down to me as I look about ready to rip his head clean off, had I the ability to do so.
"But you. You may be worth some amusement to me as you struggle against my master's web like a helpless fly." he coos, licking his lips hungrily as I let a threatening snarl slip from between my lips.
"Even a helpless fly can kill the spider. Or be their undoing." I shoot back, watching the AI's every slight movement as he turns more to me and his grin, unbelievably spreads nearly to his ears as his eyes light up with delight.
"Oh yes. You are indeed entertaining. That's why it is going to be a pity. That like your carefully prepared files, you'll not exist long." he states as his avatar disappears like a mist into the 'air' above the table before the green light that was his controlling the table suddenly rushes to the points my hands contact the table far faster then either I or anyone can move and I get struck with a massive influx of electricity that throws me to the deck nearly 8 feet from the table.
"Ciel!" my parents call my name surprised as the AI's resume moving, my mother's utterly furious as Lasky begins handing orders out rapid fire while my parents move over and together begin trying to help me while they wait on medical help.
"She's not breathing." My mother worries as my father checks me over then after a few minutes of trying to resuscitate me my eyes dilate and I suddenly gasp, rolling onto my side with my parents help as I begin to cough and gasp for air.
"Ow..." I complain as I begin to get to my feet grumpily despite my parents and the newly arrived medic's protesting as my strength and senses return fully. I look at my hands and touches my ribs thoughtfully then exhales.
"Fuckers." I curse quickly opening my jacket top and pulls my shirt aside to check my shoulder that was still healing and to the others shock – it has healed over.
"Lasky. We've got three hours. There's not much choice. If we do nothing they're going to leak this to the civilian medias that the UNSC sat back as some monsters killed my parents youngest children." I state grumpily as the medic continues checking me over.
"And if you go, you are doing exactly what they want." Commander Palmer grunts and I look at her.
"Actually, either way it's playing right into their hand. Either way this will be leaked to make the UNSC look bad. But at least this way, we can counter by leaking this ourselves. Letting the public know what exactly this group pushed us to do by returning Junior to them to save two young children at the cost of military pride giving into terrorist demands to buy the time to bring them down. Or some shit like that." I state, touching my head as it throbs.
"Highcom knows already. There was a breach in their systems and the files you sent are gone. Thankfully, after the Admiral had sent them and they'd been read." Cortana states after a pause and I smile slightly.
"But its pushed them to agree. High priority has been given to stop this group and resources are already in motion towards making a project to fight this group. I've relayed your suggestions and its being debated now, but it sounds like you've got support." she continues as I walk back to the table and picks up the metal bracelet Sam had given me on my birthday some years ago, now burnt and warped where it'd fallen by the table.
"But you can't go down there alone.. You'll be an open target." my mother protests and I nod.
"I know. But there's not much we can do. I won't abandon them." I begin as the discussion goes on about the dangers and why I shouldn't go while the Captain has to go to a communications console to speak with HIGHCOM.
"Why not use the Mark 7? They never said you had to come in a uniform or civilian clothing." My uncle suggests as he walks in from the hallway, causing us to pause and I blink a moment thinking then I smile.
"They never said I couldn't go armed either..." I state as the Captain turns to us.
"Do it." he orders and I nod abruptly before turning on my heel and heads down to 'Spartan Town' at a jog.
It's not long before I'm leading Junior into the building we'd been sent the location of, restraints jingling a bit as he walks just in front of me as we walk into the dimly lit room where I'm supposed to do the exchange. I've however made sure that any weapons I brought with me are not visible but well hidden on my person as I carefully scan the room.
"Right on time." That same man's voice states as he walks forward from the shadows as a video screen activates showing my brothers being released, to run into a recruiting office. The youth I'm holding my hand on the shoulder of lifts his head hopefully as the man walks forward.
"What a waste." he states before pulling a gun and shoots Junior in the head surprising me as the youth falls to the floor with blood leaking from the bullet wound in his forehead.
"As promised." he states and I grit my teeth slightly disgusted at how emotionlessly he just shot the young Graves without a single moment's hesitation.
"Indeed." I snort before shifting to turn on my heel and leave but my armor locks up and suddenly the internal pressure grows quickly, making it harder to breathe with each passing second.
"After all, you and your armor are more valuable to us." that male AI's voice coos in my ear as spots grow in my vision as I struggle to breathe and move.
"Shit... This's not becoming a good pattern..." I think to myself as I feel the man tap on my faceplate.
"You seem real enough to me." he quotes someone long dead before my vision blacks out totally.