The Program [COMPLETED]

Chapter Forty-Two

Aiden and Roman ducked into the Outpost, sticking to the upper floor of the building in case any CO's came looking for them. They didn't have a lot of time, and both of them knew it. After a while of silence, they finally sat down in two worn metal chairs they found in the corner of what used to be an office. Once they were settled, Aiden cleared his throat and began his explanation.

"So, you need my help," Roman guessed before Aiden started speaking. "I knew you would."

"You know a lot of things I don't," Aiden glanced at him pointedly, reminded of his and Roman's first meeting. He found the nostalgia rather odd, despite the circumstances. "I'm asking for your alliance. You don't owe me anything at this point. I'm more reliant on the fact that we're fighting for the same cause here. You and I both know that the people are never going to win this war without the help of myself and those in the Program who are still fighting for them. We need to work together to overthrow Xylem."

The young rebel snorted, folding his arms across his chest. "So, you're calling for... what? A cease-fire?" He shook his head, unimpressed. "You think my people will agree to that? It's not possible. This ends with Xylem's head on a stake and when the Program becomes completely reformed. Only then will the people be willing to trust a Programmer."

"Since when did you become the leader of the rebel cause?" Aiden inquired. "When I first met you, you said you were a member of a rebel group. Now, you've got a whole city of them at your beck and call. How'd you make the leap?"

Suddenly, the noise of footsteps stumbling up the staircase to their floor caused Aiden and Roman to instantly withdraw their weapons. To their relief, they found Virgil and another one of Roman's rebels at the door, Virgil's wrists bound and his mouth gagged with a very unhappy look on his face.

"Thanks, Caspar," Roman nodded. The rebel grunted in response before pushing Virgil towards them and turning back towards the stairs.

Virgil walked over to them, seething. Aiden instantly began undoing his friend's binds, while Roman returned to his seat.

"Sorry about that, Colonel," Roman waved to Virgil. "I remembered that you weren't particularly fond of our history last time we met, and none of us were sure how cooperative you'd be. This was my solution. It was also a way of protecting you. This way, if any CO's had intercepted you, you'd appear to be a prisoner of war, and they'd be obligated to keep you alive."

Virgil tore the rag from his mouth the instant Aiden had freed him from his secure ties. He began walking menacingly towards Roman before Aiden held him back in warning.

"You little-"

"Rat? Tyrant? Street scum?" Roman offered sarcastically. "I've heard it all before, believe me. I'm guessing you liked my introduction from earlier?"

"We need his help, Virgil," Aiden reminded him carefully. "Play nice, and maybe one day you can have at each other in the training centre."

"That day better come soon," Virgil growled, reluctantly taking a seat in one of the remaining metal chairs. He stared at Roman sharply, his attention unwavering.

"If you agree to help us," Aiden began, "then I'm in need of a favor. I need you to gather as much intel on Xylem as you can. He must have a file somewhere, in one of the cities. It won't be anywhere near the Units; which means it must be somewhere in Creatan."

Roman paused, a sudden thought crossing his mind. "A few months ago, there was a breach in the Tuclea City database. They moved all the files to Askus City Laboratories, which, coincidentally was broken into and destroyed only a few days later," he recalled. "All of the intelligence on the Program's chemical weaponry was found either missing or destroyed, along with the information from Tuclea City. My men were planning an infiltration ourselves, until we found out what had happened. Unusually, all of the scientists inside made it out. That's when we found them and recruited them."