Violet Machine

Division 3: Chapter 4

"What do you mean you can do nothing?!" Lindsey snapped at the tech in the digital evidence lab, "It's been over a week!"

"I don't know what else to tell you, detective..." the tech replied meekly, "I've tried but the encryption is a custom one requiring a specialised key, we simply don't have that."

"What about the Codebreakers? Couldn't one of them do it?"

"They could but..."

"But?"

"They've been shut down, the computer we need for that has been taken out for maintenance." the tech explained.

"Maintenance?" Lindsey parroted, "That computer isn't due maintenance for- Ah shit! Steele."

"The chief was the one who gave the okay... You think he did it to disrupt an investigation?"

"Wouldn't surprise me..." Lindsey sighed, "Okay... It's clear you can't crack this thing, right?"

"Right, without the Codebreaker computer, there's no way I'm getting into that black box."

"You're not... But maybe I can..." Lindsey pondered, "I'll take that drive. I need to talk to Ryans."

"Detective, that's against evidence protocol." the tech protested, "It's better kept in the lab."

"Chief Steele just so happens to order the one thing that can open this drive gone when it's needed." Lindsey reminded them, "That drive's our only lead, if it remains accessible to everyone, it'll disappear, that much I am sure of."

"Whether you're right or wrong, we never had this conversation." the tech insisted as he handed the black box over. Lindsey gave him a confirming nod and rushed to Ryan's office.

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The nights of the previous week had not been restful ones for the Ex-tech team. They had been on high-alert since the Cyber attack and their subsequent deployment, since which Silence had been put under investigation due to the issues found in her file.

"Still can't believe that..." Cycla grumbled for the umpteenth time since they'd heard, "And Halsey's sure? The whole file, redacted?"

"All of the experiments, yes." Trace confirmed, "As I have confirmed to you a thousand times, that and the head of her development.

"Still, to think that's gone unnoticed for the better part of twenty years, what the actual fuck?"

"Can it, you two!" Vivian snapped, "This is a serious issue, but don't forget who the real victims are in this situation."

"You're seriously victimising that piece of crap, James?" Cycla asked.

"I was talking about Silence." Vivian corrected through gritted teeth, "She has shown off some of her tech in the past, we already know what she can do."

"Personal Camo, pinpoint accurate vision in both infrared and ultraviolet alongside superior muscle control meant for silent movement." Trace listed, "All well and good, but why was it wiped from the file?"

"You think someone's hiding something?" Lucy interjected from halfway across the room, "Why would someone go through all of that trouble?"

"We don't know." Vivian admitted, "But we have our orders, Silence isn't getting involved until we figure it out or all other options are exhausted."

"Where is Si anyway?" Cycla inquired, "I haven't seen her much."

"In her room, trying to sleep." Lucy replied, "She's been really finnicky since our last deployment."