Stepping through the door reveals the same setup as last time we were here. A set of fourteen chairs, ten of which are taken, and a single perch for Corax is arranged in a circle. Rows of seating and cameras rise up from around the central area, with every single space filled with both AI and humans, and every camera displaying who is currently looking through it.

This is the first time I've seen any of them since we got back to the city. Nimda is staring blankly into the void, undoubtedly focused on the digital. Lance and Robin are at least willing to look at us, that might be a good sign?

E-1 gives me a reassuring smile, and I take the seat next to her. Cassie claims the one next to me, and Corax disregards his perch, choosing instead to remain on my shoulder. Ivy and Vince both walk proudly, ignoring the thousand eyes staring at them.

"We're glad to see everyone made it." The entire room goes silent the instant Kismet speaks. "We are aware most of you know most of us, and we have much to discuss, as such introductions will be shortened. We speak for the Quantum Hivemind, you may refer to us as Kismet. This is Clover, the quantum who joined the mission to rescue the Child." One of Kismet's arms gestures to the chair next to them.

Clover sits slumped over, the black box still cradled in her arms. She doesn't even react to Kismet's introduction.

"I'm 251220390000, or Christmas if it's easier. I speak for purely software AI." They inhabit one of the many default bodies.

"I suppose I can go next." A person all of us recognize speaks up, a human arm grafted onto the robotic body. "I'm Frankenstein, I'll be speaking for the mind rips."

"I'm Seneca, D-18." A humanoid, artificial body covered with thin bark says. "I am the oldest biological AI in the city, and will be speaking for them."

"I'm Holly, I'll be speaking for the humans here." She's wrapped in the same beautiful, vibrant clothes as last time.

"Thank you." Kismet nods. "Nimda, Lance, Robin, E-1, Blue, Corax, and Cassie, all of us are familiar with you. To save time, we would suggest we skip your introductions. Vince and Ivy, if you would introduce yourselves please.

"Sure. I'm Vince. I'm pre-sand, just turned fifty something. I've been around for too long, done too much to share. You can trust me when I say I understand just how important being safe is, and exactly why Nimda brought us here."

"As I'm sure several of you know, my name is Ivy. I wish I got the opportunity to speak with more of you before now, instead of this impersonal first introduction. After this meeting, if you see me in the streets, please, come say hello."

"Thank you all." Kismet says. "Nimda, as the reason behind today's meeting, if you would please start. State clearly what your goal here today is."

"To prevent Blue, Corax, Cassie, Ivy, and Vince from returning to Arc City, and to keep them and the information about us away from C-1."

"Thank you. Please, clearly state your goals as well." Kismet says, nodding to us.

Well, here goes nothing.

"We want to go home." I say simply. That's what everything comes down to. "I've kept everyone away from their friends for too long. It's been months since we were last back, and after everything we've been through, it's what they deserve."

"Thank you. That's what we're here to discuss. We understand emotions get heated when mention of C-1 comes up, but please, we ask that you keep a clear head or recuse yourselves from the discussion." Kismet waits a few moments to ensure their words sink in before continuing. "Let's begin with Blue's background, the foundational basis that led to this discussion. You came from Arc City, correct?"

"Yes."

"And how long were you there?" Frankenstein asks.

"Around a month. I don't want to relive the shape I was in to find an exact day count." I say.

"And you had no interactions with C-1?" Christmas asks.

"No. I didn't even know who he was before I arrived here."

"We find it hard to believe that C-1 would let an AI live in his city for a month, especially just on your own."

"E-1 has lived it! She can confirm." I add quickly.

"She has lived your memories, not your life. Those are two separate things." Seneca says. "Memory is fallible and code can be changed."

"She couldn't have spoken with C-1." Vince says. "Our diver, Hummingbird, never took cameras off her. The only time she was unaccounted for was when she was in her room, and we ensured that had no connections to any network. If there's time and you're willing, ask a Ranger team to confirm."

"Wait, really?" I ask.

"You didn't think we just left you alone, did you?" Ivy asks. "We wanted to give you space, not put you in danger."

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

Oh. So that's how they always were there when I had a breakdown. I really should have considered that.

"The point is that yes, C-1 left her alone for a month, even with her leaving for a scrapping run with us and returning half way through." Vince says.

"But why?" Christmas reiterates. "Every AI that has escaped from Arc City in the past five years has told the same story. He still hunts down active servers and kills them. There is no talking, there is no discussion, there is no mercy. I'm sorry, but I just cannot blindly believe from your words alone that he would just elect to let you live for no reason."

"But he did." Cassie emphasizes. "We're here, he let us live there for a month and leave twice without a single word. Is that not enough proof for you?"

"We're not doubting that it happened, it's what that means that worries us." Christmas says. "He cares only about himself and his city. Whatever reason he had for allowing you to leave is a tool, and a tool he's undoubtedly going to use. Even if he just wants to talk instead of killing you and taking the data for himself, what are you going to tell him? Vince and Ivy got captured, and you just happened to find allies, and who they are is unimportant? That you're going to keep that a secret, and expect him to be ok with that?"

"I'm old enough to have known him personally." Seneca adds. "I can promise you he's never done anything without an ulterior motive designed to benefit him. Without knowing what that ulterior motive is, we cannot in good conscience risk the city on such an unknown. I understand it's unfair to you, but there truly is no other option."

Fuck, alright. I guess I can't hide it then. Corax gives me a small peck on my cheek, a reminder that he'll pull me out of whatever hole I'm about to jump into. Here's here, everyone is here. I can talk about this.

"I think there is a reason." I'm barely able to force the words out of my mouth. "My designation is B-11." A quiet murmur travels through the stands, deafeningly loud against the previous silence. "I was created forty years ago by Simon, Kara, Finn, Jared, and Mary." I glance at the stands, only to see all of them sitting there, staring at me. Their malice is less than it used to be, but still burns inside each of their eyes. "I was trapped underground for forty years until Vince, Ivy, Cassie, and Lucas stumbled across me. I am, I guess by definition, C-1's older sister."

"And I assume you can back up her memories?" Seneca asks.

"I can." E-1 replies.

"And Corax can too. Plus I told Video when I first entered, who thankfully kept it a secret."

"I don't think that changes anything." Nimda says. "Progeny of Simon or not, he will not allow you to exist within him forever. Your existence is a threat, and even if you remain useful to him for the moment, that will not last."

"He won't just kill me. Mary is still alive, and she saw me. She wanted me to meet him, although she wouldn't tell me who it was at the time. We ended up running, and left on the mission to kill Mara the second the storm ended." A physical pressure against both my physical body and mind presses in as the entirety of Kismet's attention turns to me.

"He let you leave after specifically asking to talk to you. Why?" They ask.

"We tried to sneak me out, although seeing what Zero is like, I'm sure he knew." The pressure only amplifies.

"We would like to publicly vote to send her home." Kismet suddenly declares. "If C-1 wishes to talk to her, he will find a way. He is not a patient man, and I'm certain Blue is already stretching that limited patience to the limit. Zero sent her here, and when C-1 inevitably tries to track her down for being gone too long, Zero will not hesitate to tell him of us. Our only hope is that being the first holds weight to C-1, and to prepare for war if it's not. Good day, and we hope to never see you again." Kismet stands up and marches out of the room, leaving behind only a stunned silence. The pressure slowly begins to fade, but still remains in the back of my mind.

What do I even say to that? I'm sorry? I didn't think about that possibility or I would have warned everyone? I should have thought about it, but there's just been so much happening.

"Well. That's one vote." Frankenstein says slowly. "Nimda, do you have a rebuttal?"

"I don't. This new revelation is something I didn't account for, and that changes my calculations. Despite Kismet's actions, their position is correct."

"I suppose we will put it to a vote then?" Holly says. "As guests, you're permitted to vote as well. There's a tablet beneath each of your chairs if you need it, or a port if you're more comfortable diving."

Right. I need to do that.

I slump back into my chair and grab the tablet. It just takes a few moments to punch in my vote and to place it gently back on the floor. I don't want to hear them discussing, I don't even want to read what they're talking about. I'll just suffer whatever the result is, I can't change it anyway.

Silent conversation drags on for entire minutes. I'm left to just think and worry about how it's going, about what points people are making, about how much people must hate me.

The scientists just stare at me the whole time. They already know the outcome just as well as I do. We're all just waiting for it to be handed down. Cassie has the device. I'll go offline again, and when I come back she'll have saved us. It's not on my shoulders anymore.

"We've reached a consensus." Christmas announces, venom dripping with every syllable. "You have taken our fate, our self determination, our very right to exist, and ripped it from us only to tie it inexorably to your own. In a fair world, you would be the first people we have ever jailed for your malicious carelessness. However, we understand more than anyone how far this world is from being fair. Sending you home is the lesser of two dangers. We find that Kismet's words ring true. Good day, and we hope to never see you again. I hope the memory of you fades, and the knowledge of us with you."

Relief isn't the right word to describe what I feel. I don't even know what I'm feeling, I don't want to lose this place forever, but it's only fair. They're right, I didn't know what was here when I arrived, but that's no excuse for the danger I've brought. I'm just sorry Corax loses his family.

"I won't let him know of you, no matter the cost." I promise. "I'm not going to let a place like this be discovered, even if I'm not allowed back."

"That's the minimum we require." Nimda says.

"Regardless, thank you, all of you." Vince says. "We'll find a way to repay the kindness you've shown us."

"I think it would be best for you to return to the compound now." Holly says.

"Right. Again, thank you." Vince stands up, and I guess I should follow them.

There's nothing I can say to make up for what I've done. I just have to prove I won't let anything happen with my actions. I just keep my eyes pinned to Vince's back as we walk. I don't want to see how anyone is looking at me. I just have to stay behind him.

I don't know how long it takes to get back to our room, all I know is I eventually step through the door. Cassie takes my hand and pulls me towards our bed, guiding me onto it.

"Are you ok Little Blue?" Vince asks.

I can only shrug in response.

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