A/N: Facility open, shit goes down, and people are pissed. Also, more backstory, cause I can. Any text you see with [] is the A.I. Le go…
...
As soon as the automated voice finished speaking, Wraith pinned me to a wall. My head slammed back and I could see stars. Her forearm was over my throat and she was slowly increasing pressure.
"Why didn't you tell me? WHY?!" She said through her gritted teeth.
I had to reach up and tap her arm three times since I couldn't speak because I was basically being choked until I pass out. She removed her arm from my throat and I could finally breathe. I could see the look of anger and betrayal. Even though I never did betray her. I didn't even think my hand scan would work. I did it on impulse.
Coughing into my arm, I took a deep breath, "For your information, I did tell you I'm the bastard child. I didn't think my DNA…. was in IMC systems. Even when I was a spy…. I didn't interface with their systems. I had a data knife that... mimicked an IMC login at the proper clearance. Do well to remember that….. the Outlands were once in IMC territory, so I don't find it surprising that these facilities….. recognize me. I loathed my father; he was never there… for me." I said in between coughs.
I continued to rant my frustration, locking eyes with Wraith so she can see the hurt I had pent up, "I never got to know him, he was so busy with his work that he never had time for the kid who was deprived of a father. My mother, who in fact, wasn't even my biological mother, cared for me. She died during childbirth, even with all the technology we had, they couldn't save her. And what did my father do?" I paused to glare at her, "ABSOLUTELY NOTHING! HE DID NOTHING, HE ONLY CARED ABOUT HIS WORK!"
I took another deep breath and my voice dropped to a whisper, "It was part of the reason that I joined the Militia in the first place. He didn't think his own blood would do something like that. Well, life has its reasons. Mine were skewed but justified. So Wraith, don't come at me with not telling you. I wanted to repress these memories and feelings. Feelings that say I actually care about the old bastard. I can't have anything that somehow doesn't involve him, and it seems that even my father can ruin anything, even though he's lying on his deathbed."
Wraith's hostile manner disappeared, her voice softened, "His deathbed?"
"Just because I loathe him, doesn't mean I don't care about his health. I still have some contacts that keep an eye on him and he's on his deathbed. He has lived a long time, so I needed to leave. I couldn't emotionally deal with that. So I left, and now I'm here." I finished with a sigh.
Wraith's whole demeanor softened, then she wrapped her arms around my waist and pulled me close into a hug. I reciprocated it and leaned my head on hers. I wanted to cry, but couldn't. Yeah, he's family but only barely. Right now, I needed to focus. "Come on Wraith, we have information to scour for, " I said as dropped my arms from her and walked up to a terminal.
The robot voice said, [What can I assist you with today?] (A/N: Less confusing, I hope, this way.)
"A.I, Identification please," I said monotone, not wanting to deal with this robot.
[A.I Designation: Charlie; Lima; Alpha; India; Romeo; Echo, or CLAIRE, at your service]
I froze, that name, the acronym, it said Claire. Clear as day, there is no way he did….
"M-M-Mom?" I whispered under my breath. I felt Wraith still behind me, knowing she connected the dots as fast as I did.
I quickly pulled a locket from around my neck, that I honestly forgot I had, and opened it. What was there was someone I never got to meet. My mom. My actual mom. Her name was Claire, her last name slipped my mind, but she was my mom, actually married.
So, my father found a way to remember her, in his own sick twisted way. Wraith noticed the picture as she hovered over my shoulder. I made eye contact, silently asking her not to ask about it. This hurts just as much. Sometimes the emotional wounds hurt just as much as the physical ones, sometimes more. I can't escape my family history, no matter how much I want to.
"Claire, Look for any or all IMC detention facilities across the entire Frontier please." Assuming it was voice activated, if not, I already typed into the database what I wanted to find. Wraith stood back, right now, I was unstable, my emotions are splattered all over the place.
Apparently, I wasn't done on board the feels train. The AI, umm Clarie, responded [Why are you looking for this Austin? You know you don't have access.] It said in a soft motherly tone, one I'd never thought I'd never hear, well, ever.
"For a friend," I said as I looked at Wraith, who could see I was battling to keep myself composed.
[Fair enough, no one has been down since… 23 years ago today. They won't mind if these files go 'missing'.] Claire said cheerfully. I plugged in a little hard drive into a port for the eventual file transfer. I only wondered how long she has been alone. As I thought this, a notification appeared on the console in front of me, 'Far too long my child.' How did she know? 'It's all over your face hun. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, but I'm proud of the man you have become.'
I could feel my heart beating in my chest, aching. I felt like the world could end and I would be content. Knowing that my mom is somehow still alive, even though I'll never get to hug her, sets me at ease.
[Downloading relevant files; Transferring to the device; Please stand by.]
I wiped away a tear that was starting to fall, I had to breathe to make sure the sobs don't fall. Not now at least. "That was far easier than I thought," Wraith said next to me, her hand on my shoulder. "I'm sorry you had to go through that and I'm sorry I accused you of withholding information, I shouldn't have jumped the gun."
Instead of responding, I pulled her close and I kissed her. I'm pretty sure a tear made it to my lips because it tasted a little salty. Wraith didn't resist, she kissed back with as much ferocity as I did. Then the room was lit up in pink, playing slow music. I forgot my 'mom' was watching, much to my embarrassment
[File Transfer at 50%. Also, we have company, better hide.] Claire said, and that brought us back to alert.
Wraith ran to one side of the room, while I ran to the other and I hid obscurely by some cabinets. I turned off all possible systems and lights on me, Wraith saw me do this and did the same. We had to hide because if we were caught…. I honestly don't know what will happen. So close, yet so far; I refuse to be ripped away from my answers. Wraith, no doubt, feels the same way. We aren't going out of here without a fight if it comes to that.
Claire took the liberty of dimming the lights and making it look like we were never here. I thought about it and the only thing that ratted us out was the hard drive. If they notice it, then they will know someone was here, and I'm pretty sure the organizers will not take this infraction lightly. I don't plan on getting caught, but that drive could get us caught. I debated internally on whether or not to step out and get that drive, my instincts told me no, so I obliged.
Someone came in and started to yell, "A.I! We have received a disturbance that someone has entered this facility under the name 'Austin Hammond'. Can you confirm that this is the case?"
[No sir, no one has entered this facility for 23 years 5 minutes. My records indicate that you, sir, were the last person in here at that time.] Claire stated in a monotone voice.
"Dr. Hammond was concerned when he got the notification that someone entered this facility. He wanted to confirm if it was his estranged son. He has been worried about him, yet he doesn't show it." The person in this dapper suit said, sounding hopeful. I internally fought with myself whether or not to reveal myself. It was a coin toss on how it would go. It would be a warm conversation, or it would be hostile. The latter wasn't in my favor, because neither option was fantastic.
Against my better judgment, I stepped out from behind the cabinets and silently walked behind the man. He didn't hear me, so I took this chance to put him into a sleeper hold.
"Now, tell me why you're looking for me…"
...A/N: Ahhhhh... cliffhangers. Sorry not sorry
