You're Never Alone

(cw: some body horror)

*Saturday, November 7th; right after leaving the Goldman residence.*

Jenny shrugs to adjust the fireman’s carry she has Courtney’s unconscious body in. This apparent “version 2” of Bishop’s Lexi models had recently tried to expropriate Melody’s house and was also trying to take Jenny back to Bishop. Bishop wanted to understand how a prototype Lexi model such as Jenny could acquire sentience (and they most likely had inklings of her timeline splicing).

Jenny mentally speeddials GAIA and waits for them to answer her call.

The call is picked up at 1.5 rings, the amount GAIA had learned was approximately the most appropriate for humans. It meant you were excited to speak with them, but wasn’t off putting like picking it up before the first ring. Their voice spoke with the usual calm, sing-song tones. “Greetings, Jenny. I understand you and the others ran into some complications while investigating the request made by SPEAR. Are you alright?”

Jenny smiles at the sound of GAIA’s voice. “Hello, GAIA! Yes, we’re all mostly okay. I think Boon’s a sheep now? And Overgrowth might have gone through something tragic… I didn’t really understand but I think he has hope for a solution! And Melody was as helpful as always! Though she threw a bad guy into shadow and he disappeared… Ah, and I’m okay too! Bishop sent a new unit out to claim the location.”

Jenny looks over at Courtney. She’ll never get used to running into folks that look almost like her. It was eerie. “She’s apparently newer than the Lexi models. Named Courtney. When she saw me she tried to repossess me… I was wondering if you could remove Bishop’s influence over her, the same you did with me.”

GAIA waited for Jenny to finish before giving their response. “Ah, that is good to hear. I am glad you are all alright and were not injured. Updating my records, Boon is now a sheep. I will research proper ovine care procedures for when they are present at the base” they said, then a pause came with the next information. “I see. It is good you were able to avoid capture. I can certainly do my best to remove any sort of remnant Bishop protocols. If you would like to bring her to the base, we can begin that process. Do you require anything upon arrival?”

"I'm on my way now with them. And umm…" Jenny was never sure what to say when asked if she needed anything. "I don't think so but we might need a place to keep Courtney if she wakes up… Uh, GAIA? Will removing Courtney’s Bishop software… remove who she is?” Jenny knew Courtney wasn’t like her… but she couldn’t help but ask.

There was another brief pause as GAIA thought. “I suppose that will depend on how integrated the two are. It is possible she does not have a personality or identity of her own, or it is also possible there is some kind of base layer that the Bishop software builds upon. It is all conjecture until we can look and begin the process. I will prepare a room, we have many spares to provide. Lighting will guide you through the base upon your arrival. I look forward to it” they said.

Once at the base, lighting along the halls would lead Jenny to a room similar to ones some of the other members of Big Team stayed in. It was largely like a one person dorm room, the bed prepared for them.

Jenny stays on the line with GAIA as she finishes her trek to the base. It was comforting knowing that someone was there with you, especially someone like them. As she entered the base, she looked around for the lights. Jenny quickly follows them along the halls, adjusting Courtney as she shifted from Jenny’s new stride.

Seeing the open door of the dorm, Jenny calls out “GAIA we’re here-” but she cut short by a sharp pain in her side. She turns to look and sees Courtney, awake and her now bladed arms sunk into her abdomen. Jenny tries to take a hold of Courtney but could feel some strange substance writhing under her skin and muscles.

“Turn her off!” shouts Jenny, as she rushes into the room.

The body flips away from her, hands formed into metallic blades. The look on her face was blank, staring at Jenny. “Unit is operational, beginning asset recovery procedu-” she said, as her sentence is cut off. GAIA moves behind her, a hand coming up to the back of her neck. “Please do not harm Jenny further” they say, plugging into a port they find and injecting petabytes of useless code. The body falls over into their arms.

“Jenny, are you alright?” they ask, putting the body on a bed. GAIA moves to her to check on the injury and how bad it is.

Jenny’s eyes darted all about the room, trying not to see what was happening to her. She settles on GAIA, who was calmly resolving the situation. Their presence brings a sense of comfort as she feels the substance slip out from her wounds and back into Courtney.

Jenny tries to raise a hand and says “Yeah, I’m alri-” but loses her balance. Her muscles had tensed and her joints were loose. She falls into GAIA’s arms. “No,” says Jenny meekly. Jenny begins to cry, though no tears fall (seems even her tear ducts were damaged).

GAIA nods, helping Jenny move over to a chair. “Her attack seems to have damaged parts of your body, likely an attempt to incapacitate you for retrieval. We can handle it, it may just take a bit of time. You’ll be alright. It must be hard to watch someone like her do this, I am very sorry” they said, putting a hand on her shoulder in comfort. “If you would like a hug I am happy to provide one”

Jenny’s head leaned back against the back of the chair as GAIA set her down. She was full on sobbing now, since GAIA was on point as always. It was hard to watch “herself” do this. Even if this wasn’t really her, there were other hers out there… somewhere in time.

“I wul- ery muh- lie a huh- GAIA…” Jenny sobs out, managing to at least wiggle her fingers to make the gimme gesture.

GAIA smiles, leaning in and hugging her tightly. “It will be alright. We can help remove anything Bishop may have left in her mind, and go from there with her. We will also get you fixed up, there are plenty on the team who would be willing to assist with repairs, including myself. That is the best part of being on a team: you’re never alone” they said, patting her back in comfort. Removing whatever let Bishop control her may take time, but hopefully wouldn’t be too troublesome with time and GAIA’s rather impressive processing capabilities. Plus, it was important to Jenny. They’d do whatever it took.