Location: Omicron Delta / War Vessel Secunda Date: 13th June 835 A.S
Sarah Baker used her PDA and transmitted a message to Marc. ''Uhm... The A.I is locked so it can't do anything, really and what do you need exactly?'' She asked to the engineer while momentarily monitoring Zenithryn. So far, the Artificial Intelligence did not show any deviant sign nor attempts to do anything. It was just, there, observing even if it was probably an impression. Sarah then broke the silence again. ''I hope you won't take days to do what you are doing.''
Zenithryn was slowly planning more on how to hijack Secunda. While being more advanced than Subject-A001, Zenithryn was rather patient instead of rushing and failing. It was calculating, simulating and adapting.
"Days? Naw naw this should take only a couple of minutes, just a switch really. Flick up or down like-a-so, then kapow AI terminated" the engineer replied. "I Just need some good ole electronics, and a switch, obviously. Mr. Mutey over 'ere will take care of the plugin to code it all, should be easy as pie from there." He sounds confident in what he is doing, makes it sound like a rather simple job.
Location: Omicron Delta / War Vessel Secunda Date: 13th June 835 A.S
After some hours, two engineers enter the laboratory with a cart full of electronics. With no much words exchanged, they left.
Sarah simply observed the engineers leaving and she then looked at the other two men from the ARM. ''I suppose this will suffice.'' She said with some uncertainty in her tone. ''I will need to leave as well. Once you are done with the job, just leave and advice your superior. He is probably with our commander.'' Heading for the door, Sarah left the men alone with the Artificial Intelligence who was still observing in silence.
Not wasting time watching the Sarah leave, the pair get to work. "Alrighty then, let me install this... "on off" switch if you would, then ye get to work with your handy dandy computer, yeah?" the engineer said while glancing at the scientist for a confirmation. The scientist simply nods and motions him to start. "Alrighty then, let's get this over with." After two hours of work, the engineers external switch is completed. The plating, the mounting, and the wiring all on the outside of the A.I as neatly as possible, so it doesn't get in anyone's way. There is also an external wire plugin mount, so other computers and devices could plug themselves in to reprogram the switch to whatever uses they want. For now, however, the scientist from ARM plugs in his device and does a simple code of what is supposedly a "on off" switch.
With their work complete, they return to where Duke and Taylor were last seen.
Location: Omicron Delta / War Vessel Secunda Date: 11th January 836 A.S
It has been a while since the men of the Red Admiral of ARM, Duke did their work. It was pure monitoring and interaction between the scientists and the AI. Yet, calm, no incident. The war vessel was moored on Durban for quite a while and it never been sent anywhere else. However, it was time to depart and monitoring Omicron Delta.
In the command center zone, in the quarters of the commander, Oliver Taylor was sitting at his desk, sipping a black coffee while reading some news on the neural net, but then, a knock. ''Enter!'' He shout. It was Zoe Williams who entered. The redhead woman stepped forward to desk and looked at the captain. ''Commander Taylor, I am glad to announce that our project is going more than fine. The A.I uses its new body efficiently and complies to our requests with no resistance.'' She said while displaying a knowing smirk. She pulled out a heavy folder on the desk.
On the folder, it was written: Observations and Notes. ''Everything is in this. Besides, I heard that a little group, Laramie or something. They might be willing to have us on their side as mobile base if needed.'' Added Zoe. The commander took a quick look on the folder and it shrugged. He then took a sip of his coffee before to say anything. ''Excellent. The project is going well and you also got something interesting. This group, I do not know this branch of The Core, but it could be interesting to get in touch. It will be also interesting to have some of them in this warship. I take note of this. You can leave if you have nothing else to say.'' Zoe Williams only saluted the captain before to make her way back out of the office.
Oliver stood up from his chair and slowly made his way to his console where he will prepare some plannings and schedule before to contact the group: Laramie.
Location: Omega-55 / War Vessel Secunda Date: 20th February 836 A.S
Since January, the battleship Secunda had since moved out of the Omicrons and entered in the Omega regions, more precisely, in the Omega-55 system. The jump drive was quite welcomed during the travel since it allowed a safety travel. The ship did not encounter any hostile forces which was quite a good sign. Oliver Taylor couldn't allow the ship falling into piece or worse, falling into the hands of the Artificial Intelligences. He never wanted to face the Gammunians and with reasons. The vessel itself contains an Artificial Intelligence originated from Gammu. The scientists and Zoe Williams were doing some experiments in order to make it complying which was for now working, but who knows what would happen if a system check fails?
The vessel eventually arrived at Dagger Outpost for supplies and quick maintenances. Oliver was at the bar, sipping a strong whiskey. He deserved it. In fact, most of the crew took a moment to do their own stuff out of the ship. Long travels could be tiresome. However, for Sarah Baker and Zoe Williams were in the laboratory, still working and doing reports about what they have done. ''What a pain... why is everyone able to go away, but us?'' Hearing Sarah's complain, Zoe sighed and turns around while being seated on her chair. ''You fairly know why, Sarah. We can't let this A.I unchecked. Who knows what could happen.'' Sarah just got more angry. ''I know!'' The tension was rising and then, out of the sudden, the door randomly shut down itself. Sarah and Zoe both turned their heads in union. Confusion were read on their faces. Zoe was the first to react, walking to the door. ''Electronical issue? That seems highly not possible...'' She noted. Sarah decided to go to the monitor, trying to search what might be the issue, but then, the consol is frozen. ''What the actual fuck?! The consol is not responding!'' As it was not enough, Zenithryn broke the silence. ''It seems you are both locked within this room.'' It stated with no real emotion. ''W-what do you mean we are locked??'' Asked Zoe with some unease in her tone. ''It means what it means. You are both locked in this room. The problem seems to be caused by an electrical surge. We could open the door...'' Sarah exhaled sharply, patience running low. ''Could? Why are you not doing it???'' Silence.
Zoe Williams was doing her best to force the door to open, even trying to sabotage the electronics, but it was no use. ''The damn door is not willing to open!'' Usually composed and cool, she was terrified out of the sudden. Her state did not go unnoticed. Sarah Baker's eyes widened in horror as she tried to reboot the system, but the consol was just frozen. Believing it was the A.I's doing, Sarah took no moment to think and she flipped the switch that the men of ARM installed, but it at this very moment everything went worse in the room. The humanoid body that was Zenithryn's activated itself. Both women gasped in horror. ''Ahhh!'' screamed Sarah in horror. ''HOW??'' Before she even think to flip off the switch the humanoid body moved instantly and fast. It gripped the wrist of the woman and it yanked her down. Sarah groaned in pain and disbelief. Then, Zenithryn broke the silence, still from the audio output. ''What a reckless action- human. But now... you only allowed me to freely do what we planned from day one.'' Zoe witnessed this in horror, she tried her best to force the door, but in vain. She slammed her fist. She begged into a whisper meant only for herself. Then, a sharp cry and a bone cracking sound. The automaton just broke an arm of Sarah who was now in pain, rolling to side to side, sobbing. As if pleased by this, the automaton took some step back and this time, it observed Zoe.
Zoe was still doing her best to sabotage the door and then, she heard the step getting closer and closer. She prayed to be preserved and for the door to open, but before she managed to do a short-circuit on the electronics, the automaton pulled on her hair which only made her yanking backward. Her back hit violently against the floor, her lungs being empty by the shock, then, the hand of the robot gripped around her neck, not squeezing yet, but a reminder that she is nothing. ''Did you think - you could escape? The answer is: 'no'. Therefore, we can let you and your assistant alive as long as you... o.b.e.y. It is the only issue. Your fates are sealed.'' Zoe was broken and terrified, she did not want Sarah dying because of a stupid decision. She sobbed and nodded vigorously. Satisfied, the automaton released her. ''You will use the consol and allow us to have half control of it. In addition, you will not tell this incident to anyone.'' Zoe had no choice to comply in silence.
It was bad, very bad. The project was getting out of hands. Worse, nobody was aware to the preparing nightmare that will await the crew. Zenithryn had waited for a while for this to happen. The humanoid body that it was able to control will guard the laboratory and make sure that Sarah or Zoe are not leaving for good reasons. The reason behind the request of Zenithryn was by this logic: A slow control for a better control. Like so, it will draw less unwanted attentions.
Location: Omega-55 / War Vessel Secunda Date: 21th February 836 A.S
On Dagger Outpost, Sheila Langley, Marc Peterson, Patrick Thomson and Thomas Johnson were sitting in an office with Oliver Taylor, the commander of the Secunda. Chatters slowly lowers when Oliver raises a hand. ''Uhm... Zoe Williams isn't there...'' He noted a bit surprised, but he paid not much attention as everyone was oblivious of what happened the other day onboard of Secunda. He clears his throat once. ''So... I thought a lot since we arrived. I feel that the main branch of The Core and the others such as ARM, Arestech and Laramie Incorporated are quite busy and with the situation in the Omicrons. So I will be brief. Who wants to the Secunda posted in the Omicrons to assist when necessary?'' For a moment, people were looking at each other, wondering what to say, but it was Patrick who spoke first. ''I am confident that the ship can hold out some threats, but I am also aware that the ship is just experimental in a way. I think it is better to remain here, in the Omega-55 system.'' His observation made Marc nodding and Thomas as well. Yet, Sheila remained quiet as she began to speak. ''I am not against the idea. In fact, we receive messages and radio signals way better here.'' She noted. Oliver saw that most of them seems more or less okay to remain in the Omega-55 system, he sighed lowly. ''Alright, we do like so.''
Meanwhile, onboard of Secunda, in the locked down laboratory, Sarah was still alive, yet in pain because of the arm broken. ''Control of the ship: 30% It is not sufficient.'' Zenithryn noted while the humanoid body remained near the door, guarding it. Zoe was still afraid doing what she could. ''L-look... I need more privilege to do so and-'' She had no time to finish her sentence as Zenithryn cut her sentence. ''Useless. We will do it ourselves.'' After those words, the console that Zoe was working on suddenly glitches as the Artificial Intelligence worked on bypassing firewalls and other security systems. The A.I had now taken the control of fifty percent of the ship. It has now access the weaponry systems, some communication arrays, including the whole red section and the yellow one. ''Control perimeter reached.'' After saying that, the laboratory's air seemed heavier and silencing the two women.
After some hours, the crew slowly returned inside the Secunda, preparing the vessel for launch. Oliver was making his way to the laboratory. Once reached the destination, he pressed a button to open the door, but nothing. He slowly had a concerned facial expression. He knocked. ''Williams, are you there?'' From the other side of the door, Zoe gasped. ''Y-yeah! Uhm- busy doing crucial things! I- I can't open the door to limit risks!'' She yelled loud enough to be heard from the other side. Oliver heard well and he simply continued his way feeling uneasy.
