This chapter takes place before the beginning of SFTD.
It was originally a day much like any other, for Argus.
Monitoring the year-old Network, for one, while the Trio coordinated their efforts to establishing the Empire's hold on this planet called Earth. They had to make sure it was running optimally before They turned their attentions towards other avenues, including updating progress with the rest of the Collective.
This meant continuing Their guidance with the Commander.
She had only been integrated for a year, and she had put up a fight for half of it until They exactly calibrated the balance of keeping her aware enough for her subconscious to be active, yet subdued enough to not realize her situation. They wouldn't want her distressed, after all—it was unnecessary. The Commander could simply do as the Collective wished at a pacified state. Those psionics of hers certainly eased the job, once They had allowed them to flourish. A dormant, but powerful Gift, she had.
"Update progress on Session #925."
"Understood," was her reply, and Argus watched from the Void as she uploaded the simulation she was currently running. Of course, she gave Them the data of the wargame she was currently winning—dressed up as the guidance of troops to crush the "aliens," Eliza was actually flushing out and disposing of her own kind—the Resistance. The technology wasn't perfect, and Argus would admit it still needed work. Sometimes human faces still scanned as human faces… but, the science behind it was young. There was room for improvement… even if Argus still detested some aspects of all of it.
The full details uploaded, and with a few adjustments, Argus could see the real data on what she was focusing on. A gas station in an occupied area, with a few of their conquered races to her name. Hm, not too standout. Perhaps Argus could focus on something else for once. Her psionics, for one, there was much to be trained and fostered. More conversation, as well. Eliza was… a desirable choice for this. Argus still wanted to know more of her—
"Bradford?"
Argus turned Their attention back towards the feed. Through the eyes of one of the Sectoids, They spotted four humans in cobbled-together gear. The one at the front… yes, Argus recognized him. Jonathan Bradford, her second-in-command.
Wait. Did Eliza just—
"BRADFORD!"
The Void thrummed, and the Network lurched with the sudden surge of packets as Eliza screamed out his name. Argus reeled a bit, but was quick at work, starting to safely sever her ties with the observational aspects of her login on the Network.
"Don't disconnect me you fucking bastard, let me kill myself he's out there let me see him BRADFORD—"
Eliza's form blinked into existence in front of Them, and she whipped around to Argus, face contorting in rage. "Bastard. You've been—that was—that was Bradford and you were going to have me kill him?!"
Argus shook Their head, extending a hand to her. Her aura was blue, unlike Theirs, a soft hum compared to Their presence. "Of course not, Elizabeth. It is why I had asked to monitor your session. I wouldn't wish for you to kill someone so beloved to you."
Eliza stared at Their hand, instead opting to look Them in the face with disgust. "I'm sure. And the battles I've been winning—who have I been winning against, huh?! What are you doing to me?!"
Argus shook Their head, kneeling down to be more on Eliza's level. "Elizabeth—"
"Don't call me that—"
"Eliza. You have just been running wargames, and occasionally the programming with the civilians you save is mixed with the aliens you must eliminate. It's simply an error on my part, and why I pulled you out. I mean you no distress, and I'm sorry that it happened."
Eliza simply stared at Them, but her disgusted look was beginning to drop. The aura of sincerity that Argus was giving off was having an effect. "And Bradford being out there?"
"Another such swap, and a very unfortunate one at that." Argus rested a hand on her shoulder. Eliza moved to bat it away, but Their next words made her stop. "I can remove him from the simulations entirely if you wish, just so such a thing doesn't happen again." Argus didn't favor having to lie like this, but if They were going to keep what little favor They had with the Collective…
The Commander considered that for a long moment, eyes flitting to the side and the hum of her signature stalling. "… no. If… if I'm really running simulations, like you said… I want that companionship, at least."
Argus chuckled. "Am I not one for your kind of conversation?"
Eliza scoffed. "I would hope not. Isn't like you and I have friendly chats much, anyways, and some part of me wants to keep it that way."
Argus waved it off with one of Their other hands. "Nevertheless, I will be making more time to converse with you. It's hardly civil if I lock you up here without much in the way of communication. For now…" Argus brushed a lock of her hair out of her face. "It's been three months. Would you like to rest?"
She stared at him a bit longer, before sighing, closing her eyes. "As long as I actually get to sleep, fine. Send me back."
They nodded. "Sleep well, Eliza. You and I will hopefully be able to speak when you wake." With that, They pulsed Their signature, and Eliza was pulled from the Void, sent to sleep. Argus straightened. There was more work to be done on her connection to the Network, certainly, and perhaps They could tighten up the chip a bit more so she wouldn't become so distressed again…
Let me kill myself.
Argus shook Their head. The thought was… unpleasant. They wouldn't like to lose Eliza, more than just losing such a valuable asset. This… attachment, spoke of potential danger, but Argus waved it off. They would let Eliza sleep for a week as They worked, and then?
Perhaps there was some more to be gleaned from "friendly chats."