I know, I know: long time, no update. Stuff happened, I was writing other stuff. I should be able to get this finished now.

Angel in Disguise, part 5

The woods opened up to an era of long grass, and Michael stood motionless for a few seconds, "I can't detect anything, but my range is limited without activating my active sensors. It's your call Captain." Shan looked around: the half-light of dawn cast long shadows, limiting her ability to see. She sighed, "Ok, we go, but stay sharp."

The two of them made their way across the grassland, eyes scanning from side to side, keeping a look out for anything hostile. Movement off to one side caught their attention at the same time: they both span round, brining their weapons up as a figure erupted from the grass, a cammo-net covering it's back.

Shan's eyes bulged as she saw who, or rather what, it was: a second AI, an Elroy L model, the same as the one that had broken Paul. The AI tilted his head to the side, it's own weapons pointed at the other three "Now this is one for the books: an AI helping humans. Care to explain, explain yourself?" it's head twitched to the side slightly when it repeated itself. Michael's eyes where fixed on the newcomer, his body shielding Damphousse, "Let's just say I'm not like you and leave it at that. You walk away, we walk away, no one get's hurt."

Elroy smiled, "Well you see, I don't think that's going to happen. I want to know why you're helping those who tried to destroy our people." His eyes moved to Shan, "Especially this one. Oh, I know who you are, Captain Shane Vansen, 58th squadron, US Marine Core. You see; we like to know our enemy." His gaze shifted back to Michael, "Drop the gun or I kill the humans."

The gun fell from Michael's hand instantly, shocking Shane, "What you do that for?" Michael looked at her, "Asimov's first rule: an AI can not, through either it's actions or inactions, coarse a human to be killed or injured. I can't override it." Elroy grinned, "Now isn't that funny: your pet AI can't defend you. How poetic." He moved both his guns to face Shane, "Now you drop your weapons, Captain Vansen."

Michael's action had a fluid grace to them: his free had moved round to his back, drawing an automatic pistol, and brought it round to bare on Elroy, pulling the trigger twice. The rounds struck the other AI in the chest, passing straight through it's power cell. Elroy looked surprised as he fell to the ground, unmoving. A second figure let from the grass, scramming like a banshee. Shane's eyes went wide: a Felicity O model AI, the same as the one who had killed her parents.

She froze.

To Be Contiuned…