What's the "I" Stand for?

At the Mother of Invention, inside a classroom-like room. Pyrrha, Wyoming, North and South, York, Carolina, Maine and Washington, all helmetless, sit with Delta, Theta and Sigma at desks. While The Counselor and the Director stand at the front of the room. They were receiving information on the AI Theories. All were listening closely, but South looked really disinterested in what they were being told. Pyrrha was a little worried, South had not been herself recently, and she was not showing any signs of improving her attitude. That could be bad.

The Counselor was currently explaining things to them "And as the Director accurately predicted in his thesis on the subject, we see that cognitive impression modeling can be separated from the host. Naturally, this remains an inherently deconstructive process. But most of all, the biggest concern of any full A.I. entity is the prospect of rampancy, which we covered last week".

"Of course our AI units are what we call fragments, so there's very little chance that a personality subroutine can run off unchecked" The Director added.

"Are there any questions?" The Counselor asked.

"Yeah, I got a question. Why do we need to learn all this stuff?" South asked in a rude tone.

"AI theory is like vehicle maintenance, South. If we're going to use this equipment, any equipment, we need to know how to care for it" Carolina answered.

"Oh yeah, Like a coffee maker or a vacuum cleaner" South said. Making Pyrrha, who was sitting next to her, look at her in concern.

"Uh..." Theta began, not sure how to respond to that.

"That was rather rude" Delta said.

"Oh, cry me a river, lightbulb" South dismissed the AI's complaint.

"No, not the same as that" Carolina said calmly.

"I don't even have one because someone didn't bring enough to share, so why am I sitting through this elementary classroom bullshit?" South demanded, and Pyrrha was getting more worried, South was pretty much begging for a demotion at this point.

"I don't have one either, South" Carolina pointed out.

"Nor do I" Pyrrha added.

"Well in Carolina's case it's only because she gave hers to Maine" York said.

"He needed to be able to communicate after his injury" Carolina explained. Her tone was calm, but Pyrrha could tell she wasn't happy about having to do that.

"Oh yeah. That's the only reason you did it. You're a real hero, Carolina. It's not like Maine has much to say anyway" South said rudely, making North shake his head at his sister's behavior. Had she not been Pyrrha's best friend, she would've been tempted to slap her for that.

Maine growls before his AI, Sigma, spoke up "I would like to say just how appreciative the two of us are for Carolina's sacrifice. Agent Carolina, if anyone can excel without an A.I. unit, it is you".

Carolina smiled at him "Thank you, Sigma".

"And Agent Texas of course. That goes without saying" Sigma added.

Carolina smile quickly faded "Right".

"I notice she doesn't have to attend class" South said, sounding like a whining child.

"South, enough already" Pyrrha said, actually starting to sound annoyed at South's childish attitude.

"Agent Texas doesn't need this training" The Director said simply.

The Counselor quickly spoke up to elaborate on what The Director was saying "What the Director is trying to say is that Agent Texas has already completed her AI theory course work. I think that's enough for today".

Everyone were about to leave until Sigma spoke "If I may, Counselor. I have just one last question".

"Oh, come on" York said in annoyance as they all sat back down.

"On the different levels of AI awareness and rampancy" Sigma began.

The Counselor began to list different levels "Melancholia, anger-".

"Specifically in the fourth stage of rampancy" Sigma cut in.

"Meta-stability" The Counselor said.

"Yes, the meta stage, in which an A.I. can be considered fully human" Sigma said.

"That is only theoretical, Sigma. No A.I. has ever achieved such a state" The Counselor said.

"But it is possible" Sigma pointed out.

The Counselor looked at him "In theory, but-".

"But possible. I find that very interesting" Sigma interrupted. Pyrrha was wondering why Sigma seemed so insistent on discussing this. No other AI had behaved like this before. Sigma was different.

"Remember, Sigma, you're not even a full A.I. You are what we call a fragment, so something of that magnitude would be even more difficult for an entity such as yourself" The Counselor explained calmly.

"Well, as the Director always says, it is important to have ambition" Sigma reminded.

"Why yes it is. Class is dismissed" The Director said.

The Freelancers and Theta leave. Delta prepares to follow, but stops as Sigma watches the board at the front of the room.

"Sigma, are you coming?" He asked his fellow AI.

"Yes, yes. We will be joining you shortly" Sigma said and Delta leaves.

The board at the front of the room cycles though several symbols made of combined Greek letters before stopping on a particular combination.


Once outside, Pyrrha ran after South who was walking "Hey! What the hell was that!?".

"You will have to be more specific" South said simply as she continued walking.

Pyrrha grabbed her shoulder and turned her around "You know damn well what I am talking about, South. What's with your attitude all of a sudden? You've always had a short fuse, but you were acting like one of those kids who think they don't need to learn anything".

"What about it?" South asked, clearly not thinking that she did anything wrong.

"Look, I know we don't have AI's yet. But the time might come when we will get one. And while the class could be boring, isn't it better to know what you could be in for before you get in to it?" Pyrrha asked.

"If I ever get an AI that is. It's clear only those on the high end of the leader board will get one" South said.

"Don't say that, South. Even if he is prioritizing those on the top of leader board, it doesn't mean you won't get one" Pyrrha said.

"Whatever you say, Pyrrha. Now can I leave? Or are you going to continue with this little lecture?" South asked.

"Lecture? I am only saying this because I am worried about you South. Why do you insist on pushing everyone's limit like this? The Director already has little patience with you. Are you trying to make him so angry that he will punish you?" Pyrrha asked.

"Alright, I am done listening now" South said and was about to leave.

Pyrrha grabbed her arm "Like hell you are! What has gotten in to you South? Is this because Connie left us?".

South growled a little "Now why would I be upset about that traitor?".

"She was our friend. It hurt a lot to learn she left us like that. But that's no reason to-" Pyrrha began until South smacked her hand away from her arm.

"Alright enough of this bullshit already! God, and I thought North could be to nagging. You are not my mom or my sister, Pyrrha. It's not your fucking business to butt in like this" South snapped.

Pyrrha took a step back, looking hurt "I know that... I was just trying to help a friend... but if you really don't want it then... I will back of".

South's face softened a little at Pyrrha's defeated expression and she sighed "Sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you like that. It's just... a lot of shit going on, ya know?".

"I know. I will give you some space" Pyrrha said and was about to leave but South stopped her.

"Pyrrha, just because I get pissed some times, it doesn't mean I don't love you" South said.

Pyrrha blinked "Lo-".

Before she could finish South kissed her right on the lips. Pyrrha's eyes became wide in both shock and surprise. What was happening!? She was being kissed by her best friend! This was the last thing she ever expected.

South pulled back and smirked at Pyrrha's expression "Damn, I'm such a good kisser that I left you speechless? Well those were some soft lips you got Pyrrha. Well, gotta go. I will see that cute ass of yours later".

South walked away, leaving Pyrrha utterly stunned. Did that just happen? Sure she always knew South cared about her, but Pyrrha always believed they had more of a best friend relationship, almost like sisters. Pyrrha brushed her lips. Now she had no clue what to do.

"Something wrong?" Pyrrha nearly jumped out of her armor before turning around and saw Wash standing there.

"Oh, hello Wash. How long have you been standing there?" Pyrrha asked.

"I just showed up. What's the matter? You look really flustered" Wash said.

"It's nothing... well actually that is a lie. Tell me Wash, how are you when it comes to... well, love?" Pyrrha asked.

Wash tipped his head "Love? Well that depends on what kind of love you are talking about".

"Romantic love" Pyrrha said.

"Oh... well I am not a master on the concept. But romance is just a normal part of life" Wash said.

"And... is it possible for love to exist between the same gender?" Pyrrha asked.

Wash looked at her for a moment "You really are new to this, aren't you?".

"Well training to become a soldier left little time to learn other stuff" Pyrrha said.

"Well, to answer your question. Yes, it is possible for romance to bloom between the same gender. Some call people like that either gay or lesbian. But the more appropriate word is Homosexual, which can be used for both men and women" Wash explained.

"But is it normal?" Pyrrha asked.

"That fully depends on who you're asking. Some think it is normal, and some think it's not. There are even people called Homophobes, who actively opposes Homosexuality. Bunch of assholes if you ask me" Wash explained before he looked back at Pyrrha "But if you are asking for my personal opinion. I have no issues with homosexual people, love is love".

"Thought you said you weren't an expert on this" Pyrrha said.

"I'm not, just read it once because I was bored. Still, why did you even ask about it? Are you falling in love with someone?" Wash asked.

Pyrrha blushed bright red "Oh would you look at the time! I am late for one of my sparring sessions with Carolina. See you around Wash, and thank you".

Pyrrha ran away and Wash looked confused "Was it something I said?".

If only he knew.


Some time later, at a longshore shipyard, a seagull lands on a submerged helmet before being sniped the Insurrection sniper. A little later, Wyoming surfaces along with Florida, both spying on the Insurrectionists at the shipyard.

Wyoming looks up and saw a Falcon flying by "Well, third craft this afternoon. Let's see who else is arriving".

CT and the Insurrectionist Leader disembark from the Falcon.

"It's her" Demo Man said.

"I can't believe he trusts that bitch after what she did to us" The female soldier, nick named Girlie, said in spite.

"It can not be helped" Blake said as she walked up next to them, having arrived earlier than the leader "We don't have to trust her, we only need to trust our leader. If that ex-freelancer can help us win against those murderers, then that's fine with me".

"Don't worry kitty. They will all pay soon" Demo Man said.

"I told you to stop calling me that" Blake said in annoyance. Her eyes resembled at cats, so that owed her the nick name Kitty.

"There she is" Wyoming said as he looks through the scope of his rifle, CT gazes out in his direction "Come in, Command. Tell the Director she's here".

"What is it?" The Leader asked CT

"It's nothing...come on" CT said.

The two continue walking, but not before the Leader glances back out toward the ocean. He had a feeling it wasn't nothing. Maybe it was time to start making preparations.

"Welcome back, sir. Everything is going smoothly here" Blake said.

"Good. Come with me Blake, I will need you for the next part" The Leader instructed.

"Yes, sir" Blake said before looking at her friends "Catch you all later".

"Of course. I saved some beer for us. A whole days work warrants a nice refresher" Girlie said.

Blake smiled "As long as there are no alcohol in them. See you soon".

Blake walked away with the Leader and CT. Having no idea this day was going to take a drastic change real soon.

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