Chapter 2: Six Months
'Zona sat next to North in the mess hall, leaning against his body. South sat across from them, but her gaze was averted elsewhere. "Great chat everyone…" North joked, wrapping his arm around 'Zona as she smiled at him.
"Oh shut up…" She mumbled, "Can't help it I'm tired."
South stood up, dumping her trash into North's plate despite his slight cry of protest. "Who cares? I've got something better to do." She smirked, sauntering over to where Ark sat in conversation with York.
Sighing, North put his hands in his hands. "I really didn't need to hear that…"
'Zona was about to reply when FILSS's voice transmitted over the comms. "Agent Arizona, please report to Recovery One at once." The all-call was over as soon as it had begun, and 'Zona shot a questioning glance towards North.
Her confusion was mirrored in his face, "What's that about? Is everything alright?"
She shook her head, noting how the attention in the mess hall had slowly gravitated towards her. "I've got no idea. I'll seeya after I find out though, love you." 'Zona kissed his cheek, putting on a smile and grabbing her helmet in hand as she strode out of the mess.
Within the minute, Arizona stood at attention in front of the Director, inside Recovery One. "Agent Arizona, you've been selected to advance forwards the entire Project. This is a very prestigious honor." The Director emphasized, fully expecting a warm welcome from the Agent standing before him.
"With all due respect, sir, I really don't give a fuck. Just tell me what I need to do so I can leave…" 'Zona spoke, smirking underneath her visor at the Director's bewildered expression.
Choking back his surprise, the Director glared at her through the visor. "We've calculated that you're the best match for an old AI program that's been granted to us by the UNSC."
Now it was 'Zona's turn to be blindsided, "An AI?"
"Yes Arizona, an AI. Please try to keep up." He grumbled, gesturing to the team of doctors and technicians filling into Recovery One. "Follow their instructions; I will be monitoring the surgery progress remotely." With that, he turned and left the room.
One technician approached her nervously, holding a medical gown in his hands. "You need to remove the armor and change into this. While you're being implanted with the AI, we'll be upgrading your armor's interface and abilities."
Face flushed with embarrassment, she shivered at the word 'implant'. I wasn't expecting having to become a goddamn stripper when I applied! 'Zona groaned inwardly, stripping off her armor quickly in an attempt to hide her embarrassment. When she finished, the group of tech's carried her armor out of Recovery One, leaving her in the skintight under armor and a medical gown over it for modesty.
"Agent Arizona? We're ready over here." One of the doctor's spoke up, sounding bored as they waited for 'Zona around the examination table.
"Right, sorry." 'Zona replied coolly, not sounding sorry at all as she walked over to lay down on the table. Dick. Although calm on the outside, she was having a hard time controlling the nervous energy swarming about in her stomach.
He flicked a needle filled with a chemical, forcing 'Zona to use all her self-restraint to not hop up and run. "This is just to sedate you during the surgery. It won't hurt a bit." The doctor assured her, using the calm voice all doctor's use when addressing their patients.
"Son of a bitch!" She shouted, more out of surprise than pain as the needle was jabbed into her arm, and the chemical injected into her bloodstream. The surrounding medical crew chuckled as 'Zona shot a deathly glare to the doctor holding the needle.
The doctor shrugged, removing the needle and setting it on a nearby tray. "Okay, I lied." He admitted, wiping away the small dash of blood on her arm and placing a small bandage onto it.
Oh god… 'Zona thought miserable, as she felt the world begin to swoon around her. As her eyes shut against her will, she saw the medical staff approaching from all sides. "If I don't wake up, I'll kill all of you!" She attempted to yell, but it came out as in unintelligible mumble as 'Zona succumbed to the knockout drug and fell unconscious.
*Three hours later*
With a groan, 'Zona sat up the find herself laying on a bed inside Recovery Two. "Guess it went alright…" she grunted, blinking back stars as she attempted to look at her surroundings. The entire room had been cleared, aside from the miniscule greenish blue Spartan standing with his arms crossed at the edge of the bed. Wait, tiny Spartans?!
"Yeah, although tiny is a bit rude, y'know. You're not exactly a giant either, sweetie." It spoke with a slight southern accent, a dull hum resounding with each word it spoke.
'Zona brought her hands to her head as she felt a splitting headache develop. "God, shut up…"
It laughed, but the glow surrounding it dimmed considerably and the pain followed. "Nah, don't feel like it. Although I did reduce the power output; go easy on you for our first time."
Recovering, 'Zona flipped it the finger. "Wait, what do I call you anyways?"
It paused for a moment before replying, "Call me Rho. Never really got an assigned name, but that sounds cool."
"Yeah right! Sound's Greek or some shit, right?" 'Zona exclaimed, chuckling.
Rho's hologram slumped forwards slightly at her mocking, "Shut up, Kit."
She froze, staring at Rho in growing horror. "…What did you call me?" 'Zona whispered quietly.
"Kit, as in Kitiara; your name?" Rho asked slowly, as though talking to a child.
'Zona looked around the room quickly, reassured at her name's secrecy. "Did you go through my head to find that? You fucking asshole!" She hissed, ignoring the pain as she stood up and began to throw on her armor. It lay on the seat next to her, newly refurbished by the techs.
"Jesus, chill out a fucking second!" Rho exclaimed, floating up to be by her shoulder as 'Zona finished placing on her armor. "I was ordered to do that!"
"By who?" 'Zona interrogated, still pissed as she sealed her helmet on.
"I don't know, I wasn't fucking paying attention. It was the creepy dude with the bad southern accent and shitty goatee." Rho replied, shrugging helplessly.
She chuckled at his description, the target of her fury changing. "The Director? Any other orders he gave you?"
Rho nodded, flying up on her shoulder as she left Recovery Two against the doctor's orders. "Yup, meet a fella named New Mexico for a training session." He flicked off the medical staff as 'Zona stepped out, gaining a small laugh from her.
"Well then, let's get to work." 'Zona grinned evilly under her visor, Rho buzzing in agreement next to her as they stormed into the training room.
A grey and red armored Freelancer stood in the center of the room, a rocket launcher strapped to his back.
"So, Agent 'Zona." He began, "Choose your weapons. No idea why, but the Director authorized me to use live rounds against your paint ones…" Mexico added, sounding confused yet pleased.
'Zona nodded, walking over to the weapons rack to retrieve a preloaded Sniper Rifle and pistol. Fuck, is he trying to kill me?! She thought in frustration, noting the rocket launcher that Mex hefted.
Don't worry; we've got a few surprises for this asswipe. Rho hummed in her head, his hologram nowhere to be seen. While you were chilling in dreamland, the tech's added some new shit to your armor. Namely, an armor lockdown feature.
Comfortable with her choice of weapons, 'Zona walked to stand across the room from New Mexico. What's it do? She flicked the safety on her rifle off, raising it up halfway to aim at Mex. FILSS began her countdown, but 'Zona ignored it as she conversed with Rho.
You'll find out soon. Soon as FILSS finishes, just activate it. Trust me, Kit. Rho spoke cryptically, using her name despite her feelings towards it.
She sighed, Fuck you. Across the room, Mexico shrugged the rocket launcher off his back, taking aim. Rho remained silence as the countdown continued to tick down.
"3…2…1… Round begin." FILSS ended, seemingly oblivious to the damage New Mexico could cause with his rockets.
As Rho had predicted, Mex fired both rockets immediately, in anticipation of an easy, but messy, victory. Unfortunately, Mex was clueless about 'Zona's new upgrades. She activated her new armor enhancement like Rho ordered, watching in amazement as her armor seemed to move on its own. Her armor ducked to the ground, a field of energy shielding covering every square inch of her black and purple suit.
The rockets both hit her dead on, scorching the ground around her and flinging shrapnel in every direction. Smoke and fire blossomed outwards from the point of impact. Mex stepped forwards cautiously, unable to see past the wall of smoke.
He heard the click of a trigger, quickly rolling to the side. A paint bullet whizzed by right where he had stood seconds ago and Mex quickly sprinted towards the direction it had come.
'Zona saw him easily, unloading two more rounds at his person. Both shots caught him in his left leg, swinging it back and causing Mexico to stumble as the rounds hardened on impact. I've got an idea; I think you'll like it… Rho spoke quietly in her head, although she could hear the excitement in his voice.
Upon recovering his balance, Mex hobbled around to face 'Zona. He saw her swing her rifle, holding it by the barrel as she swung it like a bat. Mex grunted as it caught him in the chin, knocking his head upwards and forcing him to stumble back.
She pressed on, flipping it around to smash it onto the pressure point on Mex's shoulder. 'Zona received a cry of pain for her efforts, following up with a front kick to his chest. She chuckled as he hit the ground hard, on his back. 'Zona returned her rifle to its proper position before blasting a paint round onto Mex's helmeted head.
Mex let out a muffled curse as the paint hardened around his head, and Rho appeared by 'Zona's shoulder. "That is how you fucking do it!" He exclaimed, laughing.
"I'm the one who did all the work, you ass!" 'Zona remarked jokingly. Rho wagged a finger at her, ticking in disapproval.
"So? You'd be a very nice black and purple coat of paint on the wall if I hadn't told you about the armor lock. Although that was a nice touch with the sniper rifle there," Rho boasted, proud of their idea.
'Zona shook her head as FILSS broadcast her victory, before looking back at Rho. "…Y'know, you aren't half bad, Rho. But if you ever call me Kit again, I WILL end you." She threatened, only half kidding.
His hologram shivered ever so slightly at her threat. "Got it… Partner." Rho added in hindsight, relaxing on Zona's shoulder as she left the training room.
"Hello? 'Zona? …Anyone?" Mex called out futilely, ignorant to 'Zona's leave of absence. His grey and red armor was still in lockdown from the paint, rendering him immobile. "Help…"