After a few days of getting Caboose settled into his new lodgings, I was

ready to bring out the next subject, or rather subjects. I had updated the

transfer device with a reverse engineered compact nuclear powered generator

modified from Caboose's suits power pack so it was able to bring out two or more

people within quick intervals of time, usually within mere minutes of each

other. I had both Delta and Caboose standing in the corner as I began loading

the models for the next subjects, Leonard L. Church, a.k.a. Alpha, and

Epsilon-Church. I sat back and watched the vortex grow. But I realized that

something was wrong when I saw a few curling strands of smoke rise up out of the

back of the unit. I was reaching out to hit the kill button when the flash

signaling their arrival emanated from the swirling vortex. I quickly tore my

hand away from the cover of the kill button and covered my eyes. When I looked

in to the chamber, as my eyes cleared, I saw two identical figures in cobalt

armor carrying sniper rifles.

The one on the right shook his head and looked around the chamber. He took

one look at his double to his left and sprang into action. Alpha swung an

armored gauntlet into Epsilon's visor, knocking the A.I. back into the

shatter-proof glass with enough force to send spider web cracks racing across

the glass and cracking the visor. As Epsilon started to peel himself off the

glass he was pinned back by the barrel of his own sniper rifle. "Who the fucking

hell are you? Why do you look like me? Tell me or else!" Alpha shouted at the

pinned Spartan.

I scrambled out of my chair and went to open the door. But I was stopped by a

hand on my shoulder. I turned and saw it was Delta who had stopped me. "Leave

them be. I sent Epsilon a message explaining the situation. He understands what

is happening. I tried the same with Alpha, but my messages bounced off him like

flies. The odds are 1:5000 that one of them will be harmed." he told me. I went

back to my chair, and watched the drama unfold in the chamber.

Epsilon looked at Alpha through the cracks in his visor. "I am you." he told

Alpha in an identical voice.

Alpha growled from deep within his throat. "TELL ME THE GODDAMN TRUTH! And

let me remind you, at this distance, even I can't miss." Alpha hollered at his

fellow A.I.

Epsilon smiled at Alpha from behind his visor. "Here, let me show you." he

said. Epsilon knocked the barrel of the sniper rifle off his chest and closed

the distance between them. Before Alpha could react, Epsilon clamped his hands

onto the top of Alpha's helmet and began to transfer copies of his memories to

the head of the A.I., and began to copy and transfer Alpha's memories to

himself. When the process was completed, Alpha collapsed to the ground and

Epsilon stood tall. He towered over his source and said "I am Freelancer

Artificial Intelligence Program 3P5L10N. I am Epsilon."

After a few moments Alpha stood, facing Epsilon, and said "I am Freelancer

Artificial Intelligence Program 4LPH4. I am Alpha." He looked around and noticed

Caboose, Delta, and myself outside the chamber. He motioned to us for the door

to be opened.

I opened the door and the two walked out, in sync. I introduced everyone and

lead them out of the room, to get the two newest members of the rapidly growing

team settled in.