A/N: This one's in Pilot's POV. For some reason it's extremely difficult to write for him. He is mostly sane at this point.

Chapter 8- ANNET

I stood outside of the door, bouncing eagerly on the balls of my feet. It was such an honor! Dr. G said that Seven seemed comfortable around me, so I was to take him to get his headpiece. I am so glad that I can spend time around the savior of the modern world!

The door swung open, revealing Seven. He was wearing the goggles I had given him! And he was still holding the mug, which was filled with some kind of drink. Coffee? Tea? Whatever.

"Chris? What are you doing here?" He asked. He was kind of intimidating, being almost a foot taller than me and all.

"Doc Gromov sent me to accompany you when you get your ANNET transmitter." I said happily. "Come on!"

"I met ANNET yesterday. She was annoying." He commented, following me to the elevator. I had never been up to the top levels before- I only have third level clearance- so this was extra exciting.

"You MET HER? ANNET's a her?" I asked incredulously. "I thought it was a neural network!"

"I guess she's zee main body of zee network or something," Seven mused. "And it would help if somebody told me what a Neural Network was."

"OH! I guess it would be confusing for you, huh. It's the internet, only in your mind. You can browse while you sleep, and get information in your head when you're awake. And you can talk with it, like mind messaging. It's really cool!" I explained earnestly. Honestly, where has he been? Everybody knows this stuff. Geez, the rebels were missing out!

Seven was still looking slightly confused as the elevator arrived and opened. We stepped in. The headpiece center is on the second level. We got there and made our way past all of the offices to the store.

Inside, several long tables stood in the center of the room. They were all covered with all kinds of transmitters, most of which were waaay above my price range. Mine was pretty standard issue-a small earpiece thingy. Works like a charm, but I could go for something snazzier.

A few people were standing around, browsing through the options. A uniformed man came up to us.

"Captain! It's you!" He exclaimed. "And you must be Chris Hatchenson. Dr. Gromov informed me that you'd be here." He noticed me? How? Here was Seven in all his Captain-y glory and this guy has the time to mention me? I didn't know whether to be flattered or ashamed.

"So, I am here to get zee- transmitter?" Captain asked.

"Yes. Dr. Gromov said only the best quality headpieces for you, Captain." The salesman said. "It's great that you're here, by the way. We greatly need your assistance in this war. Come now, let me show you the options." He led the tow of us to a table towards the back of the room. The newest types of transmitters lay on it. I checked a price tag. Holy cow, these things cost a fortune!

Evidently, Seven had noticed the prices too. "How vill I be able to buy zis?" He asked.

"Gromov's paying for yours himself. You're a test subject, so you don't need to pay for most things." The salesman said cheerfully. "So, what do you like?"

Seven surveyed his options thoughtfully. "Zat one," he said, picking up a headpiece that wasn't too different from my own.

"Oh, yes, that. It's a great one, very effective. It'll pick up signals up to five miles underground!" The guy said. "Try it out!"

Uncertainly, Seven put on the headpiece. He stood in silence for a moment, probably too surprised to speak.

"What exactly do I do?" He asked.

"Just think. You'll be asked some questions to set up. Just think the answers. Simple!" I said.

We waited for him to figure it out for a bit. "So, you know him well?" The salesman asked.

"If two days is considered knowing someone well, then sure," I replied.

"Better than most people know him."
"I guess."

"Even better than Gromov," he added. That was actually a good point… Wow, I actually know the amazing Captain better than the man who found him!

"I think I figured it out," Seven announced.

:So can you hear me?: I ask Seven with a mind message.

:This is really strange.: He replied, glancing at me. He had been wearing the goggle the whole time. The salesman didn't seem to be bothered by it. You did encounter some strange people at the Directorate, after all. I guess he'd be used to it.

"I think we're done here, sir," I said. "Thanks!"

"No problem. And I hope you enjoy ANNET, Captain! Dr. Gromov is a genius for inventing it- makes everything more convenient. Bye!" The salesman said, smiling.

We left the store.

:So… what do you think?: I asked Seven through ANNET.

:Strange.: He responded. :Can we not talk like this? It's unnerving.:

"'Kay," I said, reverting to speech.

"Thanks," he said. He seemed distracted. What had gotten into him?

"Did you store your memory on ANNET?" I asked. It was one of the most convenient parts of ANNET, in my opinion. Relieved stress, and protected memories.

"No, I didn't."

"WHY?"

"I trust my mind more than the internet," Seven said.

"Whatever you say, Captain," I said, shaking my head. I'm not one to question his judgment.

:It's Dr. Gromov here.: I received a mind message.

:Hi!: I replied.

:Did Seven get the headpiece?:

:Yep!:

:Good. Tell him he's free for the rest of the week,: Gromov said. :Thanks.:

"What was zat about?" Seven asked. "You were actually silent!" Yeah, that's a bit of a first for me.

"No, I was just talking with Dr. Gromov," I explained. "He says you're off all week. So I guess you can just go do something around here. Or go out in the city, I guess. None of my beeswax what you do."

"Alright," he said nervously. I guess he wasn't given much free reign back with the ICM. "See you later." He left in the opposite direction. Waving goodbye, I headed down to the first level for some lunch, and spent the rest of my day wandering around the G-Cube. Seven never ceases to amaze me. I can't wait to see his skill on the battlefield.

I had decided something. I already served in the army, but I'm going to again. I want to be under Captain's command so I can be there when we win the war.

I wasn't really satisfied with the chapter when I submitted it. I edited it a bit. Snippy is next!