Eight – Therapy Session

Church reappeared inside the data card. Since it used holographic storage, he found he could manipulate the environment into something suitable for a physical presence. It wasn't always fun navigating lines of raw computer code and circuit patterns as an AI.

Around him formed a massive room with a vaulted ceiling and endless blue light patterns set inside white walls. It was a reasonable facsimile of the AI Storage Rooms at the Freelance Operations Center, where Wash and the Alpha had first retrieved his memory unit.

Somewhere nearby, he heard a low and soothing voice say, "I think we should consider him for a Recovery agent."

"Are you so sure he can trusted?" a familiar Texan drawl answered. That was the Director.

"He has a history of obedience, if nothing else," the Counselor replied. Church began to walk through the corridor, trying to follow their voices. "He's a reliable field operative, though not our best. And given his trauma with Epsilon, we can safely assume he'll have no intention of stealing an AI for himself."

Church turned the corner and looked out at a memory being played out. He saw the Director and the Counselor standing in front of a holographic table in their command center. The Director had his back to Church. That was fine; he knew every line and hue in the man's face, and so many memories of who he'd been before Project Freelancer.

The Counselor was more visible. Tall, dark, and eerily serene. Even going through his memories as Alpha, Church couldn't think of a single time the Counselor had ever misspoke or raised his voice. He was always in control, even when playing the subordinate.

Just one of the few things that pissed Church off so fucking much about the guy.

"If he proves himself on this first assignment," the Director replied, "then perhaps I'll allow it." He pressed his finger on the table's console. "FILSS, please summon Agent Washington."

"At once, Director," the AI responded. Church beamed at the sound of her voice. She was still a friend, even after all the hell she'd put him through as Sheila.

Church focused on the Counselor. "Okay, buddy. Let's see what else you've been up to…"

Wash stared. "I can't believe you're actually considering this. After all you went through when we were hunting the Director!"

"I don't like it anymore than you do," Carolina replied. She was going over every weapon in her arsenal. Plasma pistols, battle rifle, Magnum, grenades, electric baton, and her armor's speed and camouflage enhancements. All operational and primed. She flexed her wrist and tested her camouflage, blending into the base wall seamlessly and reappearing just as smoothly.

"Somehow I doubt that."

"Look, Wash." Carolina faced him with a defensive stance. "I don't care for Cal's attitude either, but he might respond to having a partner. If the worst should happen, Church and I can stop him. You know we can handle it."

Wash didn't speak for a moment. Then, as he turned to leave, he said, "Take care, boss."

"You too, Wash."

The virtual environment inside the data card was shifting again. Church stood still as the vaulted ceiling and holographic storage walls disappeared. Now he was in the middle of a familiar white landscape littered with gray bases.

Sidewinder. Where all the trouble began and the Meta came to an end.

He saw the Counselor standing inside one of the bases, talking to one of the AI. Church recognized it as Gamma.

"Scenario Four is complete," the monotone-voiced program announced. "We will now proceed to the final chapter in Blood Gulch."

"You must take care when dealing with the Alpha," said the Counselor. "He appears to be adjusting to these scenarios. If the time loop did not break him before—"

"We will not fail," Gamma responded. "Agent Wyoming believes that we are close to locating the alien artifact in their possession. It will not be long before it is ours."

Tucker's sword, Church realized. He remembered all the havoc Wyoming had caused and how Tucker's possession of the alien energy sword had led to him upsetting the Freelancer's plans.

The alien artifacts had a role to play in all this. The Sarcophagus. The energy sword. The dig team in the desert. And all those military tech gangs that he and Carolina had been tracking down one by one. Everyone was after a little souvenir from the Great War, it seemed.

Gamma dissolved a second later. When the Counselor turned around, he touched one of the wall consoles, setting off a trio of rising chimes.

"This is a project advisory," said the Counselor. "Under no circumstances can the Alpha be allowed to revisit Sidewinder. Sufficient trauma must be established to prevent its return. This is a Level One priority."

"Understood, Counselor," said FILSS. "I will log the advisory for all project personnel."

"Thank you, FILSS. I believe I will retire for the evening."

"Good night, sir."

Church watched him turn away. As he did, the scene fragmented and Church reappeared in the real world.

"Sidewinder. The Counselor's gotta be at Sidewinder."