<Seeker Unit ready for transmission, SIR!> Seeker snaps off instantly,
text book perfect. Probe mentally grinds his Avatar's teeth. Seeker was
a new member of the 'family' and something about that AI made Probe distrust
and dislike Seeker immensely. The arrogant Seeker was always something
of a suck-up to the higher ups, and opportunist. Probe, the oldest AI in
the Intel unit/family was keeping an eye out....waiting for Seeker to show
his true colors (and thus have cause for booting the SOB out.....and evidence
of wrongdoing was the means of doing that.....or gross incompetence). However,
though Probe wanted Seeker OUT of his family, Probe was a professional.
He could work with a human or a fellow AI despite what he thought of that
sucker's personal character (all part of being in the military).
The other AI's (which numbered twelve when counting Probe and Seeker)
followed suite. Some were less than formal, some were out and out bizarre.
All, however, mirrored the contents of Seekers message to the Saratoga.
<Captain Sterndeck here,> the captain of the Saratoga says. <Report
status and current operations.>
The various sundries of biological, mineral, and political evaluation
proves to be about what Standern expects. The Phage is still present in
every biological creature. It is still deadly dangerous except for the
handful of surviving humans dirtside. The planet is still the richest Tiberium
find in all the Multi-verse (and still causing drooling back at the main
office....as well as cursing because it is denied to the Alliance and the
Company because of the Phage. Extensive investigations into the hills and
jungles of known Enemy deployments prove to show no surviving lizards....most
puzzling. Military Intelligence was STILL trying to understand WHY the
Enemy had bugged out. They could have kept fighting (and just might have
secured the planet.....Halloway grudgingly admits.... despite the actions
of present Allied forces). Then again, the reinforcements that Halloway's
friend had called for WOULD have turned the tides..... Remaining local
human concentrations forming to what amounted to city-states (a city that
was also a country for those who don't speak the lingo ........
Probe's report is the one that makes Captain Sterndeck drop his mug
of coffee. It shatters on the floor, and the Captain leaps to his feet
in surprise.
<Probe,> he says after calming his racing heart. <You say that
some of the locals you've been buddying up to may be on the trail of a
possible CURE for the Phage? Explain!> If this was on the level, the War
could well be over for the Enemy.
And a few suites will get fatter, the Captain sighs mentally.
<Sir,> Probe explains. <I only found this out a few days ago from
a discussion with one of the manimals.....a special type of lycanthrope
that Inquirer reported on....let slip that AFTER a little business with
a certain duke, will resume their quest for the lair of Minestus. That's
the bastard who started this whole mess in the first place. They hope that
in there they will find laboratory notes or something that will cure them
the Phage.....and also restore them to human beings.>
<Isn't there a danger that our friend is alive in that lair?> queries
the captain.
<Possible sir,> Probe explains. <We do get power reading from
what the Southern Caves....what Frederigo D'Honaire calls them.....grid
section f-23 bravo, sir. But the readings are muddled. Could be just a
discarded Enemy power rifle.....or something else. Unlikely though, considering
the radiation levels in and around my sensors detected until recently.
The area is now halfway safe to life.....but I wouldn't recommend moving
in to live there until.....a month or so. The same goes for Gala and most
of what was Allaria.>
Probe mentally grimaces at the last. He hadn't the heart to tell Fred
and the others from that area what had happened. It might be for the best
to tell, but......
<And I assume that your helping them to keep tabs on them?> Halloway
probes the AI.
<That and to gather a measure of trust from them, Sir> Probe states.
Basically true.....but revealing the fact that their were deeper factor....like
joining in because of a sense of an affronted sense of morals....was not
what the Captain really needed to know.
<Now THAT shows some intelligence and initiative!> Sterdeck praises
Probe. <Keep that up and you'll be in line for a medal and a jump in
rank!>
<Yes sir.> Probe says in a neutral voice. The AI and the Captain
break the cybernetic contact.
However, on another channel to the Saratoga....unmonitored......
-
 Seeker feels like he's
going to blow a circuit.....so angry is the AI......
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