War for Freedom

(Chapter 19)/Digital Values

Huntress's POV:
April 12th, 2093, 09:10:
50 miles East of the Bathurst Inlet, located in Nanuvat, Canada:

Sitting in the back of a C.A. transport truck, I was going over our assignment our master placed on us, guard detail. It was our punishment for not terminating the Alpha and Bravo Team's the moment we returned from that dimension. He had eyes in the sky when that happened, whether it was a drone or satellite, it did not matter. Looking up, I saw Deinos sitting in front of me, with no one else here.

Our master decided to split us up, and placed Max with Swift and Sorceress while I stayed with Deinos. The facility both Deinos and I would be guarding was insignificant, worthless even, an area that served almost no strategic value in my opinion. Perhaps that is what our master is seeing us as, worthless. As I looked down and began wondering how Max was doing, Deinos said,

Deinos: "It won't be long before he decides to terminate us for perceived insubordination."

I looked up at him in slight confusion, not at what he meant, but his willingness to say it. Looking at the front, and seeing the window to the main cabin was closed, I looked back at Deinos before asking,

Huntress: "It's dangerous to say such things Deinos, why would you risk being caught saying that?"

Deinos: "Because the C.A. has no longer given The Pack any form of helpful consideration since the fall of RVGE."

Huntress (shocked): "Why bring him into this, and what are you meaning by that?"

Instead of answering immediately, Deinos looked out of the back of the truck, looking at the terrain we were passing by. I continued looking at him at the same spot as before, silently demanding an answer from him. He may have been granted free thought, but if any soldier, engineer, or scientist of the C.A., or even Sorceress, heard this from him, they would report it to my master, and he would dispose of Deinos soon after.

As for me, after everything with Zero, I have become lenient on my Pack, allowing them to say and think whatever they wanted. Still, to have him think of this, it would be something that would result in his memory wipe. As if sensing my thoughts, Deinos said,

Deinos: "The reason I tell you this...is because I trust you can keep it a secret, and because these thoughts are burying themselves deep within my code."

Huntress (curious): "If so, then do you plan to leave the C.A.?"

Deinos (looks directly at Huntress): "If the opportunity presents itself, I will, and I would be more then welcoming if you, Max, and Swift would join me."

Not only is he thinking insubordination, but desertion as well. He must trust me greatly if he's willing to tell me about this. This trust is something I won't squander, but as The Pack's leader, I can't just let it go. Looking at him, I said,

Huntress: "I cannot leave the C.A. Deinos, not without Max at least, and even if we did, where would we even go?"

Deinos: "Anywhere is better than with the C.A., perhaps the States, or even somewhere in South America."

Huntress: "That's Alliance territory, and we're more than likely going to get shot if we even attempt to enter said territory."

Deinos (nods): "That I understand, and would not blame them for doing, considering what we have done. Whatever the case, I will leave once my failsafe is gone, do you plan to join me, or stop me?"

I looked at him for a moment, considering the possibilities. If I allow him to leave, our master will terminate me without question. If I stop him, however, he will have his memory wiped and replaced, something I want to avoid. Looking at him, I said,