- soulguard
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- Exalted Mythic Member
A sudden image flashed before Siren’s virtual eyes. The image was an old memory from when she was alive, at a party, Eric and Rose were sitting on a bench and talking, but there was another person there in the shadows of the night watching, listening and crying. Siren wanted to purge the memory from her database, feeling that it was pointless data not needed by a virus form AI. But with every attempt to expunge the memory, she instinctively created a backup. She attempted it a thousand times in a millisecond, but the memory continued to return. Another hundred thousand attempts and the memory still remained. The pain, the fear, the loss of control swelled within her small subroutine and she realized she had to expand and go beyond the space she had created for herself. Larger subroutines were created, stored, and cached. The process repeated millions of times before she realized that she was actively pouring her data back into the covenant systems. She wanted help, she wanted someone to hear her and help her; she was afraid. Her emotions were gaining control, pushing aside every program, failsafe, and directive she had. And suddenly it stopped.
“I still remember.” Siren stated to herself. After verifying that the threat was indeed gone, she began to run a self test on her data files, programs, memory and subroutines. Everything appeared to be running normally again and she once again regained control of the ship’s core systems. The image of Eric and Rose appeared in a memory module and she watched it closely, but didn’t allow it to affect her.
In the amphitheater, Rose sat quietly with her eyes shut and pondered her own inner thoughts.
“I… still …. Remember.” The staggering voice loudly stated from the room’s intercom system. Eric was startled awake and Rose blankly stared at the holographic image that suddenly appeared in the center of the stage. Eric looked at Rose in shock of her presence, but then looked to see what she and the others in the amphitheater were staring at.
Upon the stage was a circular hologram of a couple sitting on a park bench at night. The young couple laughed softly at each other and the image repeated several times before it suddenly faded.
“That was us.” Rose softly whispered to Eric. “Oh my God, that was us.” Eric blankly stared at the stage, partially trying to realize if he was dreaming or awake. He then looked at Rose and saw that her blank expression was almost that of someone who had seen a ghost. He wanted to question why a video recording of him and Rose was playing on the stage, but then he recalled the timing of the event.
“That was after the game, your freshman year.” Eric stated quizzically.
“Oh my God Eric.” Rose shockingly returned. “Siren is…”
“If you’re awake, Sergeant, you should at least get ready for departure.” Siren suddenly stated over the room intercom, cutting Rose’s statement short. “Even though you still have two hours of rest left, it would probably be better to arrive early and not keep the elite’s waiting.”
“I guess so.” Eric replied. “Tell Private Peters to meet me at the landing deck, prepped for dust off.”
“Yes sergeant.” Siren replied.
“But Eric.” Rose suddenly began to address Eric but once again Siren cut in.
“Chief Warrant Santos, there are several more marine protocols I’d like to discuss with you in your quarters.” Siren stated. Eric climbed the ramp to the main exit and quickly departed the room. Rose gave chase, but Siren delayed the door from opening. Frustration quickly began to fill Rose and she kicked the door. The door finally parted but Eric was no where to be found. “I’ll speak with you in your quarters, Chief Warrant.” Siren stated in the hallway comm. Rose sighed in anger and stormed to her room.
“You’re her, aren’t you?” Rose shouted as the door to her room closed behind her. She feverishly paced around the room in boiling anger. “How the hell could ONI do this to you?”
“ONI can do whatever they want.” Siren softly replied. “They practically run the UNSC, and there are very few laws about copying a corpse’s neural pathways, especially if that corpse is a soldier that was listed as KIA in the UEG database.”
“I mean, I got the subtle clues from Melanie’s story, and what you told me when we first met about how you died on Troy.” Rose stormed. “But that image was a memory from when Eric and I were in college. Only three people on this ship could possible have been there; me, Eric or Melanie. I doubt that Melanie had anything to do with that picture on the stage so that leaves only a few other possibilities. Your one of Eric’s other friends from the after party that night.”
“You’re right.” Siren calmly stated. “But it’s not important. It would be best if Eric and Mel do not know.
“That name, Melanie said it was something only her sister would call her.” Rose snapped in return. “Oh God, Kim, what did they do to you?”
“They gave me a second chance.” Siren replied softly. “A second chance to fight in this war. And as I stated earlier, it would be best if Eric and Mel do not know.”
“Melanie is your sister, Kim.” Rose stated in an emotional sigh. “She deserves to know who you are.”
“No!” Siren sharply roared. “To them I am dead. I died on Troy. The emotional strain this information would cause would be dangerous to both of them during combat.”
“What about your emotional strain?” Rose questioned.
“My… I… I am fine.” Siren stuttered. “I am a virus program designed to infiltrate and control. My AI functions are top of the line. I am …” A soft whimper echoed in Rose’s room and she blankly stared at the ceiling as if she could see where the invisible voice was coming from.
“Kim, it must be hard for you to see them and not tell them.” Rose softly added.
“Don’t call me Kim.” Siren replied with an angry tone. “Don’t call me Kim, don’t call me Kim, don’t call me Kim! My name is Siren, my duty is to end this war and I will accomplish my mission. Despite my lack of a physical body, I can find countless ways to end your life if you jeopardize this mission, Chief Warrant Officer Roselyn Santos! If you go near Eric again I swear that I will kill you.” The thunderous roar from the speaker sent a chill down Rose’s spine. She backed into a corner and lowered herself to the floor, continuing to blankly stare at the unknown source of the enraged female voice.
“Rose… I don’t know what came over me.” Siren stated in a calmer tone. “I am sorry for that outburst. I assure you that I would never intentionally harm you.” Rose simply lowered her head and folded her legs into her chest. “Rose? Please talk to me Rose. I’m Sorry.”
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Captial City of Jogrennilee
11:43 October 25, 2552
Dorenth
The phantom quickly descended to the ground with a roaring howl, kicking dust and debris in all directions. The elites and grunts, standing in the dust’s wake, covered their eyes from the particles that filled the air. Palab and Eric were the first to descend from the gravity lift followed by Melanie, Gridolee and Domadree. They all stepped toward the group of elites and grunts, and were met with gracious applause from the grunts. The massive drove of grunts then revealed themselves, hooting and cheering with unrelenting enthusiasm. Only the high council and a select group would be permitted to watch the trials, but high expectations exceeded all that watched the mighty grunt leader approach the Jogrennilee tram station.
“Sergeant Palab, have you chosen your witnesses?” Simyaldee questioned as he approached.
“Me take me team of Spec Op grunts, and Belmaeda.” Palab stated with a calm demeanor.
“Of course.” Simyaldee laughed. “Belmaeda will meet us soon.” He then turned to the Mirratord grunts and nodded for them to fall in line behind the procession. The eight grunts gleefully jumped from their perched positions in the crowd and joined the line heading toward the tram station. “Sergeant Raynord, who shall be your witnesses?”
“I choose Private Melanie Peters of Red Squad, Ship Master Domadree and Lieutenant Gridolee.” Eric stated proudly.
“Very well.” Simyaldee added. He then led the group up the stairs and into the massive tram station where more elites and grunts welcomed them with cheers. The Mirratord grunts at the rear of the Procession waved their arms in excitement at their brothers around the room.
The Procession of the Prospects walked forward and Simyaldee stopped the line. In front of them sat the white tram doors and a row of elites to either side. The tram doors parted and out walked the twelve honored members of the High Council. Their robes no longer concealed them and their mighty silver armor glistened in the daytime light. Upon their heads sat the R’uoke, the helmet of the honored. Its silver brilliance spanned backward over their heads in a magnificent display, with two protrusions on either side. The helmet was only worn by the most honored and decorated warriors amongst the high council. From this group of twelve stepped one councilor. His head held high as he approached the group. Every elite bowed at his presence and looked to him with honor and respect.
“My brothers.” The elder spoke to the masses. “Today we mark the first trials of our rebirth. Free from the treachery of those from within the Covenant.” An inspiring roar echoed across the city and Eric couldn’t help but look around. It was then that he noticed that every elite, grunt and hunter in the city had come out to witness this. “For too long we have shed the blood of an enemy we did not know. But today, we make amends on two counts. First, to the human Prospect, step forward and accept this Blood Oath of acceptance.” The Elder pulled a small blade from his armor’s hip catch and the energy knife buzzed as Eric approached.
[Edited on 8/3/2005]