War for Freedom

(Chapter 13)/From Bad to Worse

Helena's POV:
March 23rd, 2093, 08:00:
Vanguard Base:

Sitting in my chair in my office, I was meeting with Zero about his new...AI companion. While I was glad he came back, I was skeptical about the AI he brought back, especially since it was made by the Corrupters Armada. I think Zero is being too trusting if he's just going to listen to the words of an AI we know nothing about. If anything, I was disappointed in him.

As I was silently complaining about this, Zero was talking with it as he looked away, another thing to add up. Why would he willingly allow that thing to implant itself in his helmet and put it on afterwards. It could have controlled him afterwards, and that would be a mess to say the least. I doubt I'll be able to trust this AI as quickly as he has, but until it can prove itself to me, it'll be treated with the highest caution I have.

Putting that in the back of my head for now, I looked back at Zero as he asked,

Zero: "You alright Helena?"

Helena: "No, I'm still disappointed at you for allowing that thing to get into your head without thinking of the consequences."

Zero: "I can understand...no Orion, she's just being cautious."

Helena: "This is also a problem, to anyone who doesn't know better, they'll assume your crazy and talking to yourself."

Zero: "Can't really blame them for thinking that, especially since the Rex and Sophia wants to keep Orion behind closed ears."

Right, of course, the decision the General's made after I informed them about the AI. While they were both as cautious as me, they believed that keeping the AI's existence secret would be best for everyone. Despite the protests from Zero himself, the General's decisions were final. The AI would work for the Alliance as an extension of Zero's arsenal, in exchange for not being destroyed.

Eventually, a knock on the door got my attention, making me look up and say,

Helena: "Come in."

As it opened, I saw the familiar face of Diana behind the doorway, a soft smile plastered on her face. She bowed down after opening the door before saying,

Diana: "Colonel, I have returned from my leave, I hope I can make up for any lost time I caused."

Helena: "It's fine Diana, welcome back, how's Mac and Sophie?"

Diana (leans back upright): "They're adjusting quite well to living in Kansas. Mac's still nervous about going to school, but I trust Hank to give him the confidence needed."

Well, that's good to hear, especially with everything else going on. Looking back at her, I said,

Helena: "Well, why don't you take some time to unpack before returning to your duties, I assume it was a long ride back."

Diana: "I've already cleared everything out ma'am, I'll be out here catching up with everything, if you'll allow it."

Helena (nods): "Granted."

She then bowed her head again before closing the door, leaving both Zero and I to our affairs. After the door closed, Zero looked back at me before saying,

Zero: "Well, hopefully that helps with calming your nerves."

Helena: "It does, slightly, now then, returning to the AI-"

Zero (takes data disk out): "If you want to talk about Orion, the least you can do is hear it out for yourself."

After saying that, he placed the data disk on table in between us before sliding over to me. I looked at it with caution, wondering what it could do should I mess it up. Grabbing it, I inspected it for a bit before opening my secondary computer underneath my primary. After activating it, I ensured that it was in a closed network before installing the data-disk in.