Chapter 28

What happens next

Week 9: Day 66

(Johnathan's POV)

Unmarked location southwest of Solitude.

Hours later

I stood before a single crude wooden cross, Snowberry bushes and moss growing all the single grave site. My helmet under my arm as I gazed upon the final resting place of a fallen ally, a fallen friend, a fallen love. Alcylone Starblast, crudely carved in one of the boards. My eyes looked directly at the crudely made cross, softly smiling at the few happy memories I've had with her. That smile quickly turned to hardened poker face. Her death has to be one of the most scaring to me among those I considered a friend. I closed my eyes and I knelt before the grave as my helmet dropped beside me. Oobleck and I parked the cars a dozen meters back, for a pit stop. He was currently leading Ruby though a Nordic crypt. If the gun sounds from Ruby's scythe were to indicate anything, I'd say they're good right now. Velvet was having a little bit of bonding time with Elaia. Currently trying to teach her how her box works, I think. Jaune was in the car trying to figure out how his sword is on fire. I had to talk the others into letting me do this alone. My skeleton in the closet, I need to be the one to clean it out. I felt a single tear drop forming under my eye, blinking it away I had to force myself to remain strong; For everyone's sake. If they saw how truly broken their guide was, they'd never look at me the same way again. I still remember that horrid day as if it were just yesterday.

Flashback

Tamriel, two years, four months, and nineteen days ago

(A/N: I don't feel entirely too comfortable writing a rape scene, so i'll just skip to the less sensitive bit of this flashback. Might write one when I get better at writing. I know that can be a VERY touchy subject and I do NOT want to make it seem like a joke or make it seem less serious then it really is. Don't like it, then by all means un-follow and favorite.)

"It was my fault she's gone Davian, I should have kept a better eye on my motion tracker." I confessed as I stood before a dying Pyre (1), beside me was Davian Nemesis. His rifle slung over his shoulder as he placed his hand on my shoulder. One of the few people I have left to call a friend. He use to be a marine in the 'Destiny' universe, before the great collapse. Now he is mostly a Hunter. Killing the Fallen wherever they may hide. He helped bust me out of the Thalmor fortress and get Alcylone's body out of there. We wrapped her body in whatever cloth we found and gave her a Jedi style funeral. It's what she would want. Plan on leaving a grave marker still, out of respect and tradition. Wanted this to end perfectly as the sun goes down, for my own personal reasons.

"You can't change the past Johnathan. All we can do now is learn from it and try not to make the same mistakes again." Davian insured placing a hand on my shoulder, keeping his Murmur rifle at hand, just in case more Thalmor decide to show up. He took a quick peek at the waning sun as it set behind us.

"Any final words to her before we go? Solitude is just a few clicks away, We'll need new supplies to finish documentation." I asked.

"Alcylone was a fine companion along our travels, a excellent fighter, a good friend. One who's life was ended tragically and too soon. She was so full of spirit, so full of energy. She had so much to live for, so much yet to have experienced." Davian began the eulogy to the best of his ability. I bowed my head as we paid out final respects to our fallen friend. "The final chapter in her story may come to a closes; a new chapter in ours begins, one where her memory is honored to the fullest. We shall march on with her determined spirit in our hearts, carrying us along the way."

"We will never forget you Alcylone Starblast." I spoke with a lone tear escaped from my eyes as the smoldering embers begun to cool. "You'll always be with us in our memories. We'll see you on the other side. . . ."

Flashback end.

"You alright?" Velvet asked, stirring me out of my thoughts. I looked back to find my rabbit eared goddess standing behind me. Her expression could only be described as worried. Elaia was holding a petting a scared shitless rabbit, I can only assume her or Velvet captured. Elaia was within earshot and eye sight, she won't be getting into any trouble. Jaune was keeping a close eye on her while Velvet was with me. The vehicles were in sight, bumper to bumper with Cole still asleep in the back. Moaning about something along the lines of 'Bender owes me a LOT of money'. I do not want to know why Bender owes him money. More then likely from a illegal job if I know that drunken robot by now.

"I'm fine, just visiting an old friend." I replied pointing to the grave marker. She nodded sympathetically as I looked away. My eyes locked on the grave marker again as a soft breeze blew though the small valley. "It was my fault. I shouldn't have suggested her to come along with me. It's because of me that she's dead."

"Don't do this to yourself Johnathan. I'm sure you did everything in your power to save her." She insured putting a hand on my armored shoulder.

"You weren't there Velv. Those jerks chained me up and forced me to watch. Helpless as they deflowered her in every way and tormented in the worst ways possible, doing unspeakable things to her. Her screams for mercy still haunt me to this day. I can sometimes hear her crying in pain when I try to fall asleep." I replied rapidly blinking away the tears. "When I was finally able to do something, it was too late. After that, I just snapped. Every shred of mercy and humanity I had then, just went poof. I laid waste to at least fifty of the bastards before they forced me down, then it was my turn." I choked up at the last part a the VERY vivid memories flooded back to me. "I was lucky they spared me from the rape. But they more then made up for it with unspeakable torture. The burns on my thigh and down my back were from some of their tools. The methods of torture they used are inhumane and down right sadistic. They stabbed me, forced my head under water to nearly the point of drowning, electrocuted me, it was beyond horrific. What's worse is that they enjoyed doing it." I had to force my eyes closed so no tears would be shed, it wasn't working at all. The memories were just too haunting. What I didn't expect was for Velvet to wrap her arms around me and force me into a hug.

"It's okay Johnathan. I'm here for you." She replied in the softest and calmest voice possible. Sounding like it came from the lips of a angel. That was kind of the final crack in my mental state. The dam holding my tears back finally broke. I held on to Velvet as I sobbed into her shoulders. She responded by gently patting my back. "It's okay, just let it all out. I'm not going anywhere." It hurts so much knowing so many innocent lives were ended because of me. Feels like someone ripped my heart out and threw it into a blender. That is how it normally feels. But with Velvet comforting me, I can't describe it. Feels good knowing she won't leave me, knowing that I am a death magnet. Eases the burden in my mind. But it doesn't ease all of it. I'm beyond worried for all their safety. If any of them got severely injured, or even killed. I wouldn't know what to do with myself. I've burred more then enough friends in my short life. I don't plan on digging any more graves anytime soon.

"Thanks Velv. I needed that. " I replied forcing myself to straighten out. I can't afford to let Elaia see me cry. I need to stay strong. I need to keep on going for all their sake. If they saw their guide to the multiverse breakdown like this . . . no Johnathan! Don't think like that, you're stronger then this. South didn't literally beat the wimp out of you for nothing. You have to remain strong, at least till we're back home. Focus on making their visit enjoyable. But which home; The shitty excuse for an apartment back at MERC? Or the new life you're forging at Beacon? Safety for your family, or happiness without any strings attached? Dammit, this is so confusing!

"Come on. Let's get you back to the car. I think Elaia might hug that poor bunny to death soon." She said. Forget her hugging her rabbit to death, I am more worried about me accidentally killing her. This suit isn't the easiest thing in the world to control. Takes a lot of self restraint and decipline to use it properly. One wrong move, and I'd kill someone by mistake or myself. Yeah that sounds about right. After everything I've been though, everything that could have killed me, I'd die from something stupid like smashing my own skull by giving someone a salute in this armor. That sounds about right.

"You're right. We got a birthday girl to make happy." I replied forcing myself to get up. Velvet held my hand as she helped me up to the best of her ability. There is no doubt in my mind that she is stronger then she lets people believe. But I still feel the need to protect her, to hold her in my arms and never let her go. Part of the reason why I don this armor or accepted the augmentation, to have the power to protect what I cherish in life. Jaune was trying to help Elaia catch her rabbit after it jumped out of her arms. I stiffed a small chuckle at the sight. Kind of funny watching the terrified rabbit out smart Jaune. It ran between his legs and jumped for it. Painful description made short, it looked like something straight out of youtube. Jaune keeled over in pain, holding his family jewels while the rabbit ran off into the wild brush. Kind of comedic.

I was moments away from laughing, but a tree root caught hold of my foot and sent me tumbling down. Velvet instinctively held on to try to stop me from falling, but considering the fact that I am over a thousand pounds in this suit, she went tumbling down with me giving a yelp in surprise. I landed flat on my back with Velvet right on top of me. Both of us blushed madly and smiled at the awkwardness of the situation. Her chocolate brown eyes looked back at my flaming blue ones with passion. The scent of fresh peppermint coffee filled the air around me. Most likely some perfume Coco forced her to wear, but managed to make the situation all the better. My human hand went up and brushed against her silky smooth cheeks for a second. She smiled brightly as it softly went up and brushed some hair behind her ear.

"Johnathan?" She asked shyly in a soft tone, wrapping her arms around my neckline doing so. My freelancer training told me to be on edge, as she could easily snap my neck like this. My heart is forcing my body to remain relaxed as she leaned in closer.

"Yes Velvet?" I replied in just as soft of a tone, wiggling my arms around her midsection, pulling her even closer. Our faces were inches apart, close enough to feel each other breath. Doesn't take a super genius to tell what she is going to do, and I won't argue. She only said two words. Two words that made my heart race.

"Kiss me." She said in a shy tone, softly and tenderly pressing her lips against mine.

In that moment, every ounce of worry and anguish I felt vanished under her soft lips, replaced with passion for my rabbit eared girlfriend. I closed my eyes as I kissed her back. Strange enough, her lips had a distinct red velvet cake taste. I kind of like it, completes the moment in my eyes. We separated after a few seconds, she let her forehead lean against mine as we looked into each others eyes. Didn't think it was possible, but she looks more beautiful then ever. She smiled leaning down next to my ear.

"Please, don't put yourself down like that ever again. You're our friend, my boyfriend. If you won't do it for yourself, then do it for me. Please." She whispered softly giving me a quick kiss on the cheek. I used my arm still wrapped around her midsection to pull her closer, kissing her on her forehead. Letting her know I accepted her terms silently and without question.

"Hey, do either of you know where . . . oh! Am I interrupting something?" Jaune asked. Me and Velvet froze instantly, turning out head to look his direction. He looked somewhat embarrassed to have walked up on us. Well the position we're in doesn't help the situation that much. "On second thought, I'm just going to go this way. Pretend I was never here." With that, he turned around and walked away, most likely to avoid making the situation any more awkward. Velvet nervously giggled as we looked back into each others eyes, hearing Jaune run into a 'Hog. As much as I'd hate to break up this moment, we still had a some ground to cover, and nearly half a day left till Cole wakes up again. Could use this time to teach Elaia how to fish, or the basics of firearms and combat.

"We should check on Ruby and Oobleck. To be sure they're okay." I said trying to get up. Velvet clung to me and tried to push me back down, rubbing her head affectionately against my chest, her ears tickling my nose. She reached over and held my human hand with hers, intertwining our fingers so they stay together.

"Few more minutes, please?" She asked looking into my eyes, as if they're pleading for us to stay like this even for a bit longer. I laid back down and let her snuggle back up to my arms. Kind of uncomfortable considering I got a million and one rocks poking my backside, but they might as well be poisoned needle because I am not getting up from this spot till my beautiful rabbit eared girlfriend says so.

"I love you Velvet." I replied tenderly kissing her cheek.

(Delta's POV)

Forest on Reach

(Technically in Alice-130's mind)

All around me I saw nothing but lush green forest, small creek ran down a slight mountain. Sitting on a rock overlooking the river was Penny. Calmly watching the water flow downstream as a slight cool breeze blew though her hair. Few fish jumped and landed back in the water. Sun rose high above the treetop canopy as countless birds chirped away in the wind. Few Pelican drop ships could be heard taking off in the distance. A single Frigate was in view over the horizon with several short sword class escorts. Beyond the treeline was countless wind turbines with several farmsteads scattered along the background.

Reach, I know this world oh too well. Project Freelancer's favorite 'time off' pit stop. York loved going to the bars with Carolina and sharing a drink with her. I still remember them drunkenly trying to have a conversation about religion. That was an, for a lack of better words to use, interesting day. I remember York dragging Ohio to a nightclub once to 'celebrate his birthday in style'. In other words, he tried to get him drunk and laid. He did not factor in Ohio's greatly enhanced metabolism thanks to Halsey's surgeries. He retained a higher fuel/energy ratio from eating that normal humans can't achieve. By extent, his body naturally made alcohol have less of an effect on his higher thinking and motor fictions. In simple terms, he can drink a entire liquor store dry and not get drunk. Death by alcohol poisoning is a different story entirely.

Ohio and York convened the Director to let us AI have some fun during their time off, so long as we didn't talk about Alpha. It was interesting to say the least. We all ended up sharing stories we learned about our Freelancers. Mu had the most interesting one. She relieved how Ohio got his robotic arm in extreme detail, as if she lived it herself. If an AI fragment could feel real sympathy, Ohio would be the first to receive it. Even Tex had to give him credit for being able to do that, very few would be willingly cripple themselves like that to save their own life. Even fewer would willingly accept Halsey's augmentation, knowing the extremely high chance of death and losing every chance of normality ever again. Ohio has a tough life, I do not envy the man one bit.

Well when an AI truly bonds with their carrier, we can view and/or experience their memories ourselves. For example; Theta still 'remembers' North's childhood back on Tribute. Eta and Iota both remember Carolina's miscarriage in extreme detail; strangely they said she was going to name the baby girl 'Pyrrha Nikos Church', who is coincidentally the same girl here and around the same age Carolina's daughter would have been if she was alive now. Strange, I'll have to remember to look into that when I get the time. They never said who the father was, though heavily hinted at an extremely drunken pre-freelancer one night stand with an also drunk pre-freelancer Washington. Strange indeed. I technically 'remember' York's first encounter with Carolina and their first technical 'date' if one were to call it that. Sigma recalled the death of Maine's family and planet in graphic detail. Gamma remembers Wyoming's sharp shooting lessons on his family farm. Not entirely sure what Omega remembers from Tex or Beta. Beta is kind of a shadow of the Director's wife and Carolina's mother, so I'm not entirely sure what she remembers. She never told the rest of us, kept it to herself. No idea what Epsilon remembered after going in Wash's head for a few seconds. Rest of us AI didn't get the chance to talk to him before he went into deep storage. I remember Mu telling us about Ohio's father sacrificing himself to blow up a infested xenomorph ship, so that his son could live another day. Admiringly that would be hard to live with. Knowing your only living parent sacrificed themselves to protect you. Only logical that Ohio turned out heavily protective of his friends and family after something like that. Explains why he goes ballistic on anyone who even hurts a hair on their heads.

I'm not entirely sure if Penny is a full AI like Alpha, or a fragment like me. So I can't be entirely sure how she works, or what makes her tick. Rest of the AI fragments I know how we work, how we think, how we tick. Penny is an extreme oddball in my book. She behaves like a innocent minded child at times, yet handles responsibilities equivalent to that of a SPARTAN IV with relative ease. Makes being around her all the more interesting. I never know what she'll say or do next.

"It's beautiful." Penny replied with stars in her eyes, watching a flock of Moa ran across the clearing before us. Dozens of them. All bipedal bird like creatures with the head of dinosaur basically. Several were brightly and beautifully colored, males most likely.

"This is about as close to the real Reach as I can show you. Thankfully Alice doesn't mind us in here, so long as we don't do any information digging or mess with anything. If you run into any SPARTAN cadets in here, just leave them be. Best we don't mess with what few happy memories she has left with her bothers and sisters in arms." I replied sitting down beside her.

For this particular moment I chose a different avatar to, as the humans put it, 'mix things up a little'. I chose to look like my freelancer, York. Same 'lady killer' look, same eye injury, same armor style even, same everything. I know it's unnatural for an AI like myself to feel emotions, but I truly 'miss' York. I miss his calm nature despite hell being raised all around him. I miss the small philosophical talks we had about the meaning of everything really. I even miss him trying to teach me to 'act a little more human' during out down time. I miss him about as much as Theta misses North. The kid really looked up to him, almost as if he were his father. Then again Theta is kind of child minded, so the possibility of him seeing North as a father figure is highly likely. In a way, York was more like the uncle I was stuck around 99% of the time that has bad jokes.

"What part of Reach is that?" Penny asked tilting her head in curiosity at the wind turbines.

"That specific place, I believe is called a 'Kivas'. They are self sustaining settlements across the planet. Mostly dug in ground to save on space, they are both practical yet comfortable. Designed to last for long periods of time without the need to replenish supplies, due to how remote they are the people living in them prefer it here then in one of the major cities." I explained trying on a 'smile'. "Fascinating how humans adapt so quickly to the harsh worlds around them. They can live nearly anywhere they set their hearts at, and find ways to thrive there for countless generations on end. Bending everything around them to their needs, yet will always remain at it's mercy. They're so fragile yet full of determination and ambition. They'll fight to till the end when faced with certain extinction, and won't go out quietly or easily. Covenant learned that little fact the hard way. They have had the technological and numeral advantage in every fight, every space battle, every campaign. But humanity always had one advantage the covenant would never outmatch in any way. Their ability to adapt quickly and never give up till the end. That seems to be what drives humanity to keep pushing forward." I mused as Penny lazily laid her head on my shoulders, her soft ginger curls laid gently down my arm as she lessened the distance between us.

Strangely enough, Inside Alice's head we've gained the ability to 'feel'. Not sure how it's even physically possible for an intelligence program to have a sense of touch, by all logical means I shouldn't. Yet why here? Is it from the SPARTAN's own experiences, or are we starting to become sentient beings?

"The Covenant, could they come here? To Remanent?" She asked with her emerald eyes glimmering in fear, understandable fear at that. From what I've seen, if the Covenant did show up here. I predict only Atlas would even stand a tiny chance at repelling them, IF they tried a ground approach. Well more like 1.258% chance. This world has absolutely no space navy, and few weapons that could even hope to even take down a Covenant ship's shield. Atlas airship lasers may scratch it, but they'd need coordination of over fifty ships firing in the same spot to even crack it's shields. Their rockets may be able to punch a hole in a corvette's hull, but also unlikely. If the covenant showed up here, there would be no Remanent at all. So in human terms; 'they're boned'. They'd skip the ground attacks and get right to the glassing. May take a few weeks, but they'd turn this place to glass given the chance. No one here could stop SPARTAN can't without any means of getting on their ship or a nuke to blow it up. Even then it would be a suicide mission.

"0.000000057% chance they'd show up using their technology or Forerunner Tech. The Covenant may be technologically advanced, but not Multiverse traveling advanced. Forerunners maybe but highly unlikely. They'd have a one in a Quintilian chance to find this world by random jumps like MERC does. Pinpoint is harder to do but they'd need to know where to go first. It's highly unlikely they even know this place exists at all. In simple terms, you'd have better odds of Yang Xio Long telling a funny original joke then the Covenant attacking here. It would be highly unlikely of the former coming first. Xio Long has said some pretty horrid jokes." I insured wrapping my arm around her. I've seen York do this in his memories of with loved ones. The humans call it 'comforting'. I'm trying to let her know, subtly, that there is nothing to worry about.

"Delta?" Penny asked looking up at me. "Can I ask you one more question?"

"I believe you already have, but go ahead and ask what ever you want." I replied giving her my best York style smile.

"How can you tell if you love someone?" She asked out of the blue.

"I am quite possibly the worst AI to ask a question like that to. You'd have to ask Beta or Mu on that one. My interpretation of that is quite different from what the humans believe it is." I replied to the best of my ability. I am not lying, anything about love I know nothing about. That bit didn't get fragmented into me. Think Alpha's love went along with his humanity and mercy, would explain a lot about Mu. I could be wrong, difficult to tell exactly what parts of Alpha each of us AI got. So till I know for certain, I reserve the right to change that statement.

"Can you explain?" She asked.

"How do I explain this in terms you might understand?" I asked myself thinking for a bit. Never had to break down how I see 'love' in simple to understand terms. "What love is can best be described as complicated. In my views, love is when you're willing to stay by someone's side no matter what is going on in the world around you. Willing to fight to your last breath to protect that person. Friendship love and romantic love are two different things. It's difficult for me to explain exactly how I see love, for I have never experienced romantic love before. So I have no base line to compare it to." I explained the best I could.

"So you've never had romantic feelings for anyone before?" She asked.

"Not in the way you're thinking. Technically as an AI fragment, I can't 'feel' any true emotions. Anything as such would turn me rampant and possibly kill me in the long run. Mu might for some odd reason. But as the logic fragment, I can't feel any true emotions. It's a major pain in my ass sometimes, if i had one." I replied as we watched a Pelican drop off several young SPARTAN II recruits of various ethnic groups into the forest before us. They won't pay any heed to us, they'll just think we're some couple enjoying the scenery. Now that really I think of it, that is exactly what we look like.

"So you've never kissed anyone? Or gotten a kiss before?" She asked.

"Agent Rhode Island tried to kiss my forehead once when she first meet me, but found out quickly that my physical avatar isn't solid from a face plant to the ground; Outside this mind I'm merely made by altering the light waved around me to form a mobile hologram of sorts. In here we're pretty solid." I replied. "Why do you ask?"

"I was just curious, no reason at all. *Hic*." She responded with a cute hiccup at the end, laying her head once again on my armored chest plate, closing her eyes as I lazily let my head rest on top of her rather soft ginger hair. I closed my eyes to ponder with myself. I know something is wrong. AI technically don't have a diaphragm or vocal cords, so hiccuping is impossible for us. Unless it is a backdoor function her programmers installed for some odd reason. What reason I have no idea. Maybe to tell when she is lying. Most likely possibility I can come up with right now. "Delta."

"Yes Penny." I replied without even opening my eyes.

"When Ironwood puts me back in my body and ships me back to Atlas, would you try to visit me? It gets lonely at the testing labs without a friend to talk to." She asked with her voice laced heavily in fear and anxiety. I didn't even need to open my eyes to tell hers were full of fear. In all honesty I have no idea where Atlas is even at, never mind where the lab she gets tested is at. My only bet in seeing her when Ironwood takes her back would be the SPARTAN or a different carrier. But there are only two people on this planet able to carry an AI, Agent Ohio and the SPARTAN. Doubtful the SPARTAN would go though all the trouble so I can visit Penny again, but she is full of surprises. Ohio might but it would be pushing it. Two AI in his head could push his mental stability a bit too far. Best having him avoid a complete mental breakdown any time soon. But if Mu were to stay at Beacon, Ohio might let me visit Penny. Too many unknown factors to make an accurate guess.

"I'll try to visit when I can." I promised. "I may not be as mobile or flexible as Mu or Beta, but I'm willing to do anything and everything I can to see you again Penny."

"You would?" She asked, voice less dreadful but filled with more uncertainty.

"Of course." I replied opening my eyes and looking down at hers. Her eyes were full of hope and glittered as the sun set on the brisk day on the memory of Reach. "You're the first AI friend I've ever had who wasn't 'related' to me. First one to 'crack me out of my shell' as the human would put it." I gave her York's best 'everything will be alright' cheerful smile, right before she wrapped her arms around me and tried to give me a bone crushing hug.

"Thank you Delta. You have no idea how much it mean to me to have a friend." She whispered tightening her grip on me, like I was going to disappear soon. Well to be fair, she does have to return to a physical body soon. So she might want to enjoy what little time we have left together as AI.

"No, thank you Penny. For putting up with my lack of social skills." I replied lightly kissing the top of her forehead. I've seen York do that plenty of times in his memories, guess now is a better time to see whether it actually works or not. Penny responded with a cute giggle and light smile. I've seen that look before though York's memories. I think it means she liked it, or that she is happy. Hard to tell because once again, I am not the fragment for love. Still think Mu got that small bit.

"Delta, can you close your eyes for a moment." She replied blushing madly. "There is something I want to try that Tex suggested. But she says you'll need to close your eyes for it first. Nothing bad or anything."

As any of the Freelancers would say. Oh what the hell, what is the worst that could happen . . . well logically speaking the worse she can do to me in this form is fragment me into even more basic AI forms. All though those ones would be less powerful and even worse then a rampant AI . . . theoretically. Listening to the ginger, I 'closed' my eyes. All though I can't see, I can still 'hear everything around me. Even Penny taking in and letting out a deep breath. What is she nervous about?

"Penny, I am failing to see the logic behind thi. . . ." I tried explaining but was cut off immediately by something soft, warm, and over all enjoyable clashing into my lips. Everything happened so fast I could barely process it. My eyes opened to find Penny right in front of me, as the humans would say, 'kissing' me. I was able to feel every nano-second of it all, genuinely feel it all. The warmth of her lips against mine . . well technically York's but with me appearing as him. I could feel the breath from her nostrils slowly exhaling. I did the only logical thing someone like me can do. I froze on the spot. My mind trying to comprehend what it meant. From York's memories, I can deduce that she either loves me or wants to 'get lucky'. Since Penny is child minded I am going with the first option. Just as quickly as it began, she pulled away smiling brightly as her cheeks were as red as Ruby's cloak.

"Tex told me to I should give you a kiss to reward you, for helping me from the past month." She informed blushing like she was about to explode. Forget that, I might explode. Why did she kiss me? Does she love me? But we're AI. AI can't feel love. Though Penny is an advanced AI, on par with Alpha. Could she feel emotion like he did? I'm just a fragment, I can't 'feel' love. So why do I feel 'happy' that she kissed me? Am I becoming sentient? But that is impossible! I'm a fragment, AI fragments can not achieve metastability. So why am I able to 'feel'? Error, Error. Logical explanation not found. Logical explanation not found. Log. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Delta,exe crashed for trying too hard to figure out what just happened.

Total system recovery in progress.

Total systems recovered: 0.2%

Estimated time left: Unknown

(Ruby's POV)

Skyrim

This is exactly the kind of thing I read about all the time in books. Exploring an abandoned crypt, loaded to the brim with zombies, trapped in a darkened room with a backpack full of goodies. Oobleck and I got separated. He went down one path, I took another. It has been room after room on cranky zombies trying to slice my head off. I am loving it all!

Crescent Rose has been getting in a LOT of moving target practice. But with how confined I am down here, I can't use my baby to her fullest, stuck using her gun mode. The zombies weren't too hard to defeat. A simple head shot or point blank shot keeps them down. All though the ones that do the shouting thing are a bit annoying. Kill count is up to what . . . . forty three since I been cut off from Oobleck. I think, I might be killing the same one twice for all I know, they all look the same to me.

Another point-blank shot from my baby took off the head of another undead creep. I let out a exhausted sigh as I loaded another mag. These things just keep popping up. I blast one, two more pop up. Like a endless game of shooting gallery. Out the corner of my eye, I spotted an old chest.

"Let's see what is in this chest." I said to no one in particular. Found out that these things have some rather interesting stuff in it. Few gold coins here, some beautiful gems there, couple of neat glowing jewelry occasionally. I am running out of places to stuff this stuff. Resorted to eating my entire secret stash of emergency cookies to make room for the gems. I can buy a whole lot more cookies with just one of these gems, the sacrifice is well worth it. I tried to open it, but it wouldn't budge. Few more times . . . same result. Locked, well I am not going to try to pick that lock. Last one I nearly lost all my bobby pins. I do not want to loss all my bobby pins, Yang would not be happy.

"There you are Miss Rose. Find anything exciting?" Oobleck asked popping though the door. How does he move around so fast? Well he certainly looks happy if his backpack full of scrolls, books, and gems of all sorts is anything to go by.

"Just a chest. I can't get it open." I replied trying to force the lid open. Maybe the lock is rotten or rusted and I can force it open. Just . . . need. . . to . . . put . . . my . . . back . . . into . . . it!

"Miss Rose I would not suggest forcing the chest open. If it's locked, it's for a good reason." He replied knocking on the wooden top to the chest. "Sounds like it is hollow or has very little in it. Must be a dummy chest, I hear ancient crypts had a few of these to throw off tomb raiders. Best we leave it be."

"You're right, probably not worth it." I finally gave in. That chest is like ten tons. No way am I pushing that back so Johnathan can rip the lock off. I would most likely tick off any spirits that live here as well by doing that, which is why I am keeping my looting to a minimum. Only the stuff I really really want. . . . which is pretty much every gem and gold coin I see on the ground. "Think we got enough to make this trip well worth it."

"Ah yes, the pursuit for scientific knowledge is ever a dull or fruitless one. Plenty of books and scrolls to keep my busy for the next few years. One of a kind back home. I can add them to my study back in my dorm. Kept as a reminder of an entirely different world." He mused as we begun to walk out. He's not wrong. I did get a lot of cool stuff from this side stop. At least a hundred gold coins, dozens of gleaming gems, a glowing wicked shard black dagger, a few books called 'spell tomes', and something called a black soul gem. No idea what the last one is for. I assume to hold a soul.

That does bother me quite a bit. A gem that is able to hold someone's soul. Their entire life sucked away into something so tiny, and used to make weapons and gear better. The ability to hold someone's entire soul in a rock doesn't sit right with me. I can only imagine what kinds of sick torment that happens to the poor soul when it gets warped to make enchantments or to recharge them. I know this is a entierly different world, filled with completely different rules and ways. But I just can't get past the fact that someone can steal a soul here and manipulate it.

"Thinking deeply I'm guessing." Oobleck asked as we passed a few headless zombie things. I may have gotten a bit carried away. In my defense, it was either me or them.

"Yeah, thinking of why would anyone want to take another beings soul to manipulate it?" I replied holding the soul gem in my hand. "Something so tiny, yet so powerful. Makes me wonder what would happen if the wrong people got there hands on something like this back home."

"In my opinion, I'd say we leave something like that here. All though taking one back for study could be beneficial if given to the right people. Just depends on how you view things." He explained. "We're just now beginning to study how Aura really works and the science behind it. Something like that gem could jump boost our research by years, decades even. But that can come on a great cost. We'd loose the discipline and respect for a power like that by jumping over critical points instead of learning from them. It's entirely up to you whether you want to bring it back or leave it here. I'm just here to give you advice. How you perceive that advice is entirely up to you."

"Wow, that is some deep thinking Oobleck. And here I thought you were just my history teacher." I replied handing him the black gem, he seems like the kind of guy who won't abuse a power like that; I trust him.

"The past can teach you plenty on what to prepare for with the future." He replied cryptically stuffing the gem in his backpack. I can see daylight as we neared the entrance once again. "I'll be sure this doesn't fall into the wrong hands. Once we leave this world, this soul gem and it's secrets don't exist to us." I nodded my head in agreement. A power like that is something our world isn't ready for. It is messed up enough without people stealing each others souls. I shutter to imagine what the White fang would do if they got their hands on something like that.

I had to shield my eyes from the sun's glare as we entered the open rocky plains of Whiterun once again. The cars were bumper to bumper, with the turret pointed out. Jaune was busy practicing his swings with the sword the Jarl gave him. Johnathan and Velvet were down by the stream, showing Elaia how to fish. It looked like they were a real family down there. A father and mother, working together to teach their daughter how to fish. Cole was still fast asleep in the cars, muttered something or another about the Joker. No idea who that is, more then likely someone I do not want to make mad.

"Oh hey Ruby, find anything interesting down there?" Jaune asked putting his new toy away. Feel good having some friends in this weird world. But I must admit, it is a experience I wouldn't trade for anything.

"Nope." I replied cutely walking toward him. Countless gold coins and gems rattled as I walked down the rocky and beaten path. As long as I keep one foot in front of the other, what is the worst that can happen here.

And that's a wrap people. Sorry it took so long. You have any idea how difficult it is to write a somewhat 'heart to heart' moment with Penny and Delta. That is either my fourth or fifth attempt. Each one worse then the last till I said screw it and took a small break. Now I got a clear mind, new ideas, and more time to keep going. Strap yourselves in, next chapter will be the end of the skyrim mini-side adventure. Someone from the RWBY or JNPR group will be lost to the harsh world of skyrim for a while. Deciding to end this at season three. I will not have it dive into season four at all. I have too much on my plate. Too many ideas on how this can end. I am ending it at season three, this is going on far enough. Maybe a sequel will dive into season 3. that is up for debate on whether I'd be willing to or not.

I was debating on whether to include two new SPARTANS into the mix, but couldn't find a way to add them in. I've had a small talk with someone on Daviant art, he suggested I include a crossover universe where Naruto and Hinata become class II spartan IIs. I seriously thought of it for the longest time. But I can't think of a way to add them in without screwing everything up because I know nothing about the Naruto universe. Not my cup of tea. Did some slight research on it. Maybe in future chapters with Doctor Halsey like I want, but not this one. I'll let you decide. See you all next chapter

~Dgreen20

(Insert Beta notes here)