Artificial

Fracture

Operator Evo

We all stand frozen in place.
"What do you mean they removed the chip?"
"What do you think I mean? Your AI slot is empty!"
"But I'm still functioning! That's not supposed to happen!"
"You don't think I know that? I'm the one who pulled your chip from what I thought was your corpse!"
"Right, sorry, I'm just—I don't know what's happening!"
For the first time since I've had this body, I'm afraid. And not just back-of-the-mind, I'm-nervous-before-combat fear.
Actual, genuine fear.
The armorer walks in front of me, holding the chip I thought I was held in, and Casey rushes forward.
He's yelling, but it fades into the background.
I slowly back away from the chip, my hand fumbling for something to hold on to, to lean against.
Luckily, it finds the best possible something.
I feel someone's digits interlock with mine, then a source of warmth pressing against my shoulder. A warmth so great I can feel it even through my
armor.
A warmth that makes me feel safe.

I look back and see my little fireball smiling at me, our fingers intertwined. She holds her helmet under her other arm, and pulls me close.
"Relax, babe, nothing's wrong yet. It'll be okay."
And suddenly, I believe it.
It's gonna be okay.
I look over at her, captivated by her deep brown eyes and brilliant smile.
As long as I'm with her, it'll be okay.
I release her hand, only for a second, to wrap my arm around her shoulders and hold her against me. With my other arm, I take her hand gently in mine and weave our fingers together once again, and she gives a quick squeeze of approval.

Everything is going to be okay.

I look away from her, now smiling, and see Casey talking to the others, except for Ayala, who has her now-azure eyes locked on us.
"Aww, you kids are so adorable."
Casey speaks up.
"This is officially an MOAS matter. Thank you for your time, gentlemen, but we'll be adjourning to the AI lab."

As I enter the lab with Vel in tow, Casey plugs the chip into a portable terminal, and a plain white line appears on screen.
"Hello?"
That was my voice. But the computer said that.
Casey ignores the voice's question.
"What's going on here, who are you?"
"I'm Evo! Well, sort of."
"That can't be, Evo's right here. Explain, now."
Business Casey is scary.
"Jesus, Case, calm down, I'm getting to it."
"Only Evo can call me Case, alright?" Casey roars, teeth bared like an animal.
"Who the fuck are you?"
Aw, thanks big bro.
"Like I told you before, I'm Evo. Just, a part of him. During the stressful events of late, like the base invasion, his conflicts with Operator Velox, Captain Ayala's death and subsequent resurrection, Operator Evo looked inside himself for answers. He wanted to be the leader people looked to, but still felt like he wasn't meant for the role, traumatized by Captain Taskmaster's death in the initial invasion of Saclar."
"I didn't even realize that was what was going on," I add.
"I do, because that's what you created me for."
Casey steps closer.
"He... created you?"
"Yes, but not intentionally. When Captain Ayala, his long-time role model, died, it finally broke him. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to step up, but was unsure of his ability to give orders. So he imprinted onto his wireless backup unit and created me as a sounding board. An independent party that knew everything he knew, and then some. An advisor."
"That's amazing. So... he's running off of the same system that stores a copy of Boost and Livewire?"
"Exactly."
"Wow. You still can't call me 'Case'."
"I understand."
"And we need to make some changes. First things first, a new voice. What are you feeling, AI?"
"Something wise... Got any wizards or stuff like that in there?"
Casey laughs.
"He's got your sense of humor, Evo, I'll give him that. I'll set him up with this. Test it out."
"You... shall not... pass!" The computer exclaims in a serious tone, sounding like a college professor, or maybe a psychiatrist.
"Works for me," I comment.
"Its no Gandalf, but it'll do," the AI adds.
"Then it's settled," Casey concludes, typing rapidly on his computer. "Your callsign will be Taskmaster, in honor of his memory, as well as to represent your role as an advisor."
"Appropriate. Now, if you don't mind, please insert me into the Captain's helmet so that I might see what's going on."
"Can do," Casey responds, promptly plucking the chip from his portable computer and placing it in Ayala's helmet.
"Can you hear Taskmaster, Ayala?"
"Nope."
"Try activating your weaponry," Velox contributes. "Take out your flamethrowers."
Her eyes go crimson, and two small metal tubes slide out of her gauntlets, a small blue pilot light swaying in front of each of them.
"I don't know what's going on. Is something wrong?"
"We're about to find out," Casey answers as he once again plugs Taskmaster into his terminal.
"What's goin' on in there, man?"
"I tried to integrate, but another AI told me all the space 'up there' was taken."
"Another AI?"
"Yes. She called herself Lazarus, and she said she and Phoenix exist as one, and can't be separated."