"Adaptability"

Jonathan Irons' POV… Command Room, ATLAS Command Center…

"They have what…?!" I slammed my hands on my desk, hearing the report of MOiRe's Subject One who escaped the facility she was in. "It was supposed to be a clean sweep. The only ones who should have been killed are Rex Hayes and Doctor Boyd Nizio. So what the hell happened?! Subject One isn't supposed to escape the facility!"

"Sir…" An officer decided to reply after my remark. "Right now, we're searching for all three of them as we speak."

"You better have, because I'm not affording Subject One to be brought in by the United States government, or any other allied with them. It could mean our downfall if they follow us here. Send a message back to the teams there in Siberia. They didn't get far, and I know Hayes when I see him, and his experience in the field. He will be at his darkest, even with two others. Even if he doesn't wear an Exo-suit, he's still not to be taken lightly since he's a former SEALS. What of the status of the drone?"

"Sir, by the looks of it, they're gonna be securing the Duchess. Imaging just captured this, sir." As the officer spoke, a thermal-mode video was captured from above the clouds as the same truck had stopped just near the coast. From what they could tell, a large heat signature on the water is detected, and it's shaped like a submarine."

"That's because it IS one. They're going to get her out of the country. That'll give other armies the chance to try retake what we already took from them. Right now, if we stretch ourselves, we'll be vulnerable."

"Are you saying we should let them get away?"

"Unfortunately, we have to press on, and I have a plan regarding this matter. What have you found out about the girls?"

"They're… witches as we heard, sir."

"Good. They have magic, so we have to assume they have enough for our little project. Sergeant, get your squad ready. Not only are you in for killing these witches, but you're more prioritized of capturing them, at least the ones who are weaker than the actual fighters."

"And as for the Duchess?"

"What is the status of the Bomber-Strike squadron I sent out?"

"They remain undetected and they're in the air."

"Divert their current course towards the coast. Send them the coordinates of the drone's current location and let them know of the sub." And my order meant something that he'd ask.

"What are you…?"

"Sergeant, if we cannot convince the people that they completely give Romagna to us by holding their leader, then the next thing on their list is expecting their desired leader gives her life for the sake of the nation. Isn't this how it's supposed to be? The leaders who are willing to give for their country their own lives rather take the damage instead of others. Like I said… We press on and move for other ways to claim this country along with the rest of the European continent. We've done it once by claiming infrastructures and surrounded the United States at this move, and we can do it again, just with another method.

"At this rate… their world will begin to understand that the war is just not the way to mold themselves."

"Sir… You DO know they fight against an alien species, right?" I smirked at this point, knowing I have plans for this world. "What are you planning?"

"Just get that squadron to divert their course. I'll give you the assignment you'll be having your squad go through tomorrow. Goodnight. I want to sleep easy for tomorrow. It's another day, and we don't want to lose focus." I eventually leave that same officer behind, knowing he has his objectives given to him.

And once I got into my room, glad to be alone, I then take out something from my pocket. It looked like a futuristic phone, but it's actually covered with some dark-red hexagons. No. I didn't get this while I'm in this world. I got this right after Hades' was killed back at the world I despised and knew.

It first began as the contents of this 'phone' as I discovered contains an AI of sorts, and I accessed it. She calls herself 'Genie' when I also know she's an extra-terrestrial. I didn't get why she was honest about this…

But I was about to find out today. My room had its own personal computer and I plugged the alien cable into one of its ports. And just like that as the PC was powered, she took it over. I saw her image again, having hexagons and red lines all over her human figure, when I know she's very different and not human.

I took this chance to speak first. "Genie… I want answers. What do you really want that you decided to offer your own resources to me just like that?"

"Hehehe… Irons, you are a man with a true vision, willing to cleanse the world you thought you'd be able to control."

"We both know where that vision went to. They stole my victory, since they were willing to band up against a corporation willing to change the world… a change they will never accept. So I told them in my own thoughts to screw themselves instead. If they don't need us…"

"Irons, you know they'll come after you."

"By a long-shot, they'll come after me, after I get the trust and the resources of one nation I could still get to."

"And by nation, you mean Romagna. Jonathan, you already know that Romagna is strong even without its leader. I did a bit of digging around, and you're willing to kill the Duchess?"

"If it takes that much…"

"The year is NOT 2061."

"That's the point. Still… The witches fighting against us make them the equalizers to everything we throw at this world. I've lost men and aircraft out there. My resources are about to run out."

"Then you must do as we all do."

"What did your species do in the war?"

"Adapt. You must learn to adapt. And we've done that to last longer. We might be losing numbers, but we endured ever since we first showed up and improved since then. Taking them on at this stage will make you all vulnerable. And it's going to wear you all down. Think about what you are all doing. The resources you think you have brought with you, will run out."

"How will I know I can trust you?"

"It's because you can." I saw Genie smirk and her red eyes glow as it happened. "This corporation, is composed of mostly military personnel. You have all seen combat, and I'm sure you've all been giving your lives for it as well. You've had setbacks, and not to mention, betrayals. It's time you move on from that and start moving everything underground. What you do now, will only wear you down faster. Let someone else take the damage. You need to get used to this world and how it works. It's best this way."

"And what about you?"

"I will be your informant, and the nightmare of those who use the technology you have here. I didn't arrive at your desk just because it was coincidence. I want to see the humanity you know, burn. Only YOU and what is left of us will be the only ones they'll see, and they'll fall faster than how you think. Still… let time pass. You can do so much. We can do too, but we need to work together, Irons. Another day will pass, and do so little while you know so much to make progress. Isn't that a better way of not losing lives out there?"

"You're telling me to hide."

"On the contrary, I'm telling you… to hurt them slowly. You have the patience. For this world, give time for more patience, and they'll learn to fear you. They won't know where you are. That's the advantage." Genie has a point right now, and I don't know what else I could do. If I kept attacking nations, it'll be as if I'm sending my own men into a suicide mission while everything runs out on us.

But Genie, is an alien. "Is it because I have no choice?"

Genie chuckled at my question and gladly answered this: "It's because I've known you inside out ever since you let me speak to you. Put it as a mutual understanding. I'm an AI for the species humanity in this world despises... You might be human, but you have a steel fist thanks to what you've done back at your world. Your technology enough is terrifying. Cease everything now. Embed fear later, with me as your spear point." I saw her smile, even making me think this might be a clever plan.

"I need to start planning if that's how it will be."

"Then I will help you with the plans. They will learn… to fear us both, letting it be the only reason why they fall like weak building blocks, Irons." Genie's words were more than what's convincing, as she also showed images of her alien species in action against the witches and the world's armies. They've done so much, it seems. But humanity had a way with might and magic to adapt. She's right about this. We might be a corporation with a more futuristic arsenal, but we need more tact at this point while we're on our own as we don't have magic like they do.

I only hope Genie is right. ATLAS together with her species? I was more than excited of the result…

Short, but really sweet. This shows what Irons will do next. And yeah... It shows a dark plan he has in store together with Genie. Feel free to PM me of ideas and comments you have on the second Arc so far! :D I always liked input to those who are interested.

See ya guys on the next chapter! ;)