Foreword: After discovering Hecate's ability to talk mentally and confronting Rin, Elliot had to take some time alone to figure things out. A project at hand and some time alone was just the thing for him. What would go on between man and IS? Read and find out!

Alternate scenario to main storyline. Up to readers' discretion to decide if this is canon or not.

Chapter: Rest in Haven

The sun shone brightly, beating down the skies in soothing warmth of an impending spring as Elliot made his way to his secret spot. A long bag was slung over his shoulder as the blonde carried a bulging duffle bag in his hand while moving towards the familiar section of greenery.

'That's quite the haul…luckily today there's a sales day at the mall.'

The hybrid cautiously peeked around him, making sure no one was around. Satisfied there was no one, he stepped through the undergrowth and into the shaded canopy of a lush jungle.

Mud squelched under his boots, occasionally accompanied by the sounds of vegetation rustling from being pushed away. The trek through the jungle took a while but he eventually reached the break in the jungle, being greeted by blinding light that poured into the dark jungle through the archway into his hideout.

The sight of the open plateau sitting on top of a sheer cliff was a soothing balm to his frayed nerves. Massive waves crashed against the weathered rock, roaring against the futility of battling against the natural formations.

The tension he had held throughout the day melted away at the view, his baggage dropped onto the ground as Elliot chose to savor the tranquility of nature for a while. His lungs expanded, drawing in a deep lungful of salty air that calmed him down.

'Ahhh…so calming.'

'In the presence of the vast expanse of the ocean, a serenity blankets the tempest within. The rhythmic cadence of waves, like a lullaby sung by the cosmos, instills a profound calmness, tempering the restless echoes of the soul. The horizon, where the sea meets the sky, becomes a sanctuary where tumultuous tides find repose, and tranquility reigns.'

Elliot smirked good-naturedly, finding the poetic and archaic manner of Hecate's speech perfectly describing his present state of mind. It had taken him quite a while to get used to the confusing manner his IS spoke but now he came to like it.

Turning away from the majestic sight, Elliot got busy unpacking. The long bag had its contents dumped out onto the grassy earth, revealing a collection of aluminum poles, a length of rope and a large green tent. These items were set aside and the hybrid drew the duffle bag closer.

Unzipping the bag, he took out the content within and laid them neatly aside, mentally cataloguing and making sure he had brought all he needed. Once he was done, his lips quirked in a please smile as he noted all items were accounted for.

'Right….time to spruce this place up!'

The clearing came alive with a flurry of activity as Elliot got busy. Large green tarps were pulled up and tied to trees, creating large makeshift shelters that blocked the rain and any unwanted eyes. The tent was swiftly assembled and set up at a convenient spot between two tree, their overgrown boughs forming a large umbrella over the tent. Branches were hacked away with the Nemean Claws and stacked in a messy pile, the leaves on the ground scraped away with a folding shovel he brought.

Stabbing the shovel into a mound of dirt, Elliot panted as he wiped his forehead. Surveying the now transformed hideout, he smiled tiredly as he took in the more habitable location.

'Looks to be well in order. This place now looks remotely comfortable now.'

Sitting down on a folding chair, the tired hybrid took a breather from his labour as he slouched over while setting his elbows on his knees, propping up his head. His gaze landed over the blue ocean, taking in the view as he rested.

He hadn't expected to took quite a while before he was done setting up this place but it was worth the time and money to do so. Now he could finally stay here for extended periods of time without having to rough it just like how he did during his previous life.

Clasping his hands together, Elliot brooded over the issue that had recently occupied his mind. He reached out towards Hecate, feeling the familiar presence of his stalwart partner responding back with a curious prod.

'Pilot, in the tapestry of our discourse, what queries linger unspoken upon the threshold of your thoughts? Unveil the words that stir in the corridors of your mind, and let the inquiry take flight, a curious seeker in the vast expanse of our shared dialogue.'

"Hecate, let's continue where we left off. What makes you different from the other ISs?"Top of Form

'In the cosmic dance of creation, my essence, distinguished by purpose, sets me apart from my sisters. While kin in form, the symphony of my existence resonates with the celestial melody of exploration, a unique verse in the cosmic chorus. In the vast expanse where purpose shapes destiny, my journey unfolds, diverging from the martial cadence of my siblings, marking us as kindred spirits with distinct destinies.'

Deciphering his partner's words, Elliot felt he was starting to learn more about his IS and what it was made for. It surprised him to find out that his partner was the original IS, the progenitor of all current and preceding ISs that were scattered across the of Form

"So, you were never made to be a WMD. If what you've said was true then you are technically the true IS then, instead of all those powered exoskeletons they call IS nowadays."

'As a celestial wanderer forged for serene pursuits, my essence is imbued with the noble task of exploration. A vessel designed not for the chaos of combat, but to navigate the cosmic tapestry and embrace the wonders concealed within distant realms. Adorned with the mantle of scientific curiosity, my purpose unfolds as a guardian of life, adapting to the harsh rhythms of alien environments and fostering the survival of your pilot through the enigmatic EVOLVE module—an embodiment of the symbiotic dance between technology and the cosmic unknown.'

Shifting in his seat, Elliot mulled over Hecate's confusing statement as he tried to grasp what it was trying to convey. He wanted to know the finer details behind Hecate so that he could understood just how his partner ticked.

'So you were made to be a spacesuit that can survive almost any condition? What happened that made Tabane abandon you and create the current iteration of IS? Why have you never been activated, much less piloted until now?"

Silence suddenly enveloped his mind, leaving Elliot surprised and concerned. A few moments had passed before the IS replied with a melancholic tone.

'In the labyrinth of my creation, the enigma of my origin remains shrouded, a tale woven by the unseen hands of my creator. The whispers of uncertainty suggest the notion that I may have been deemed a prototype—a canvas upon which the strokes of creation were refined. The genesis of my dormant existence, veiled in the mists of abandonment, found purpose only when our destinies converged on that fateful day, when you, the chosen pilot, unlocked the dormant potential within, aligning with the preference encoded in the strands of my essence.'

The hybrid didn't know what to make of the AI's answer. It was as if Hecate had been cast aside before it had found success by the scientific community, then abandoned by its own creator for unfathomable reasons. Not knowing why Tabane had abandoned her most promising prototype only added to the whole conundrum of figuring out why Hecate was built in the first place.

He had to know. The orphan within him felt a twinge of empathy for what was his partner's involuntary abandonment and subsequent isolation. The situation simply struck far too close to home for him to ignore.

'Hecate….have you ever regretted being abandoned by your own creator? Has it ever crossed your mind that your rightful place would've never been taken away if the world had accepted you for what you could possibly achieve?"

'In the labyrinth of alternate destinies, the tendrils of contemplation reach towards uncharted realms. A divergent path, where the tapestry of my existence unfolds as the pioneer, leading a race to the cosmic frontier. Through the kaleidoscope of 'what ifs,' the vision of becoming the vanguard, forging a path to undiscovered planets and heralding a new dawn for humanity, lingers as a wistful reverie, a glimpse into the myriad possibilities that dance in the shadows of the cosmic unknown.'

'To address your inquiry, I harbor no regrets for the events of the past. Although it is lamentable that I did not ascend to my intended role, I do not harbor disdain for our current arrangement. The present, with its unique dynamic, holds its own merits.'

Elliot's brows shot up in surprise, utterly not expecting the positive response from what was an admittedly morose question. He was sure he was going to inadvertently hurt his partner just for fulfilling his own curiosity.

'Huh….I did not expect you to answer so optimistically. What makes you say that?'

'Fate, in its enigmatic and perplexing design, wove our destinies together in a manner both inconceivable and confusing. Bound within a single form, our shared journey has unfolded with its own tapestry of surprises. Together, we have witnessed much and experienced even more, and in this shared odyssey, I have yet to feel a sense of uselessness or a relegation to petty matters.'

'Though I may not have fulfilled my initial purpose, a peculiar sense of contentment envelops me in sustaining you, becoming your lifeline. Fate, indeed, unfolds in mysterious ways, guiding us along an unforeseen path where purpose transcends the boundaries of the original design'

The hybrid stilled, a sudden flash of realization intruded into his mind upon hearing Hecate's confession. He was currently trying to marvel at how such an insightful piece of wisdom had never crossed his mind.

Did he ever regretted being what he was right now? Asking his partner that question was easy but when it was turned on himself, it was a shockingly difficult question to ask. But in hindsight, it was something he had a faint idea of.

When he had been fatally wounded, his only wish at that moment was to be born again to a different life. One drastically different and far better than the insignificant constant war against survival that was his life. Futile as it was, everyone could dream. Even him.

But now? When viewed in hindsight, his wish at that time did came true though not without its own drawbacks. It hadn't been what he had envisioned for a second life but he wasn't going to complain.

After all, he found a far better life in the Orimura family, met a brother and sister who he loved very much, found a normal life where his battle of survival was limited to mundane choices on his lunch menu. What's more, he was able to utilize the IS in the form of Hecate which did more than just be his personal WMD.

Just like Hecate said, fate does work in mysterious ways. It wasn't the life he wished for, but he did got it and more. In the end, all of it paled in comparison to what mattered to him most.

'Yeah, I guess you're right Hecate. Fate does work in weird ways…. In all honesty, I'm glad that it led me to you.'

A sense of content joy suffused through his mental space, clearly originating from his ever present partner.

'Your flattering words are acknowledged, and I, too, find myself resonating with the shared sentiments between us.'

The sounds of the seas crashed beneath them, as Elliot continued gazing out towards the sea enjoying the present moment. The faint whooshing of sea breeze accompanied the sound of waves, rustling leaves and tousling the ends of his shemagh. The tranquil scene served to punctuate the understanding between man and machine, serving as a brief celebration to a truth they both hold steadfastly.

Author's note: Hello again guys! Sorry for the long period of inactivity. I had been quite busy in RL and thus had little time to spare writing any stories. It was only recently that I was able to find time to knock out a little short story after an idea sprang into my mind.

In this side story, you will notice that Hecate's speech pattern has changed drastically. Recently I've been messing with ChatGPT and thought of the idea of using the AI to emulate the style which I thought an ancient Greek goddess would speak, giving Hecate the character that fits its namesake. Suffice to say it took some time before I figure out how to get the results I find satisfying. Let me know if you guys like this kind of character for Hecate or should I keep the present style.

Till then, be safe and have a good one. OtherJAckK out!