((Collab between LetterBee & NarcissisticPotato))
Working for Gary Stuart was a bit of a new experience for Ruby, with all things considered. Before-hand, she had been a lone-wolf hacker that stole information in return for money then she turned to Aperture after being convinced of the benefits working for them would entail. And now, she was stuck working in an environment that could probably rival Google's can-do attitude when dealing with their interns. It was sickening, she was stuck amongst inferior idiots that only had knowledge on a few computer languages. That wasn't even the worst part - that was the fact that she had to pretend to be one of those mongols. Of course, she pulled her role off effortlessly and within a few days she was the star of Stucorp's think-tank and edging closer to gaining information about Gary Stuart himself.
Ghost continued to be suspicious of Alanna Tate, but could not find anything suspicious about her except for her rapid rise in the ranks, and her apparent freedom from the increasing Anti-Meta sentiment in LA. Both of those traits had benign explanations, but Ghost was paranoid and protective, and, well, something about 'Alanna rubbed him the wrong way. So, he just continued watching her, and finding new occasions to meet with her. Then came the day he had been waiting for, the day when Gary Stuart came to Alanna, and invited her to a private lunch; curse that man's libido.
From Ruby's point of view, Ghost was a horrid presence, especially when she couldn't get a moment to herself with him standing over her. It had almost got to the point where she was getting worried about it - had her cover been blown? Of course, she has no other option but to play along as Alanna Tate, the shy yet chirpy programmer. Ghost represented a problem that needed to be resolved but up until that lunch with Gary Stuart, she didn't have any viable options. "Mr Stuart." She greeted him, her demeanour bright as usual. "Thank you for inviting me today but I don't think things like this are for interns like me."
"It's just lunch," spoke Gary, smiling. "Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything to you, except, of course, talk about our life stories. Besides, you've worked hard, and you've worked well, so why not reward yourself?" The truth was, Gary was not completely naive; he knew that something was off about Alanna, but he didn't have enough evidence yet, and evidence was important. If the young woman would agree to his offer, he would then take her to his private office in the building, a private office that was artistically dotted with floating-orb drones. At the centre of the office was, well, lunch; Turkey Bacon, a Ceasar Salad, and some Cream of Mushroom all spread out on a table.
"So, like it?" Gary said; Ruby/Alanna might not be sure if he was referring to the drones or the lunch.
The food was of little to no interest to her at that moment - she had been given a free oppurtunity to study enemy technology so she was going to seize it. "I've never seen drones structured like orbs but you seem very fond of the design." She murmured, slowly reaching up and brushing her fingers over the drone. "Very nice sir but why exactly are they here?" She questioned, still captivated by the small drone which was hovering freely.
"Amazing, aren't they?" spoke Gary, who then continued, "these drones are for personal security, as well as aestethic pleasure. Basically, these drones are equipped with robotic arms, a stunning laser, and, well, deflector shields, in order to protect from mind-controlling enemies." The CEO chose to leave out any mention of the droids' kill-switches; he wasn't that inexperienced. "They're a new invention, to be marketed to the FBI...or at least some branches." He smiled. "Also, I'm sure you already know this, but, well, StuCorp started out as a toy company, before branching out to weapons and armor, biotech, and...publishing." There was a smirk at invoking the Arson, Murder, and Jaywalking trope.
There was no point even attempting to offer anything new on the droids - she constantly had to remind herself that she was an intern, not a technopath with an unparalleled genius. "I like to think that I'm at least aiding the design of these. There are too many bad people in the world and if I can help at all, I count it as a minor victory." Smiling softly, she turned and tentatively brushed a loose strand of black hair behind her ear; she was very fond of her new hair, even if it wasn't what she was used to. "So... lunch?" Smiling again, Alanna took a seat in front of him. "Sir, may I ask a question? You see, Ghost has been trailing me recently and I don't like making accusations but I think he likes me..." There was a light blush that touched her cheeks, finishing off her perfect performance in an attempt to rid herself of Ghost.
"Then confront him about it; I give you free rein too," spoke Gary. "If he refuses to stop stalking you, I'll talk to him about it. Also, a question: how do you define 'bad' people?"
Alanna successfully hid the smirk that nearly rose to her lips as she was given permission to tell Ghost to take a hike. However, upon asking his next question, Alanna frowned suddenly and stared at him. "I suppose I classify people as bad like any other person does. Anyone who takes the law into their own hands are bad and anyone who thinks that discriminating you for what you're born as is bad. What do you think qualifies someone as bad, Sir?"
"Causing unnecessary suffering, regardless if it's for the law or against it. I know, sappy, but, well, the fact is, most suffering is uncesessary, at least at this state in the world. Sometimes you may have to inflict it, but those times are one, rare, and two, have to be forced on you." He then smiled, faintly. "I've seen your eyes before, in a certain broadcast by a certain someone." Gary knew. He knew that a certain Technopath's eyes almost glowed with a lightning blue, a lightning blue that cannot even be covered by contacts.
Possibly the scariest thing she did was quirk her head to the side a little, an eyebrow raising involuntarily before she returned to her lunch. Stabbing a piece of chicken with her fork, she raised it to her lips beffre meeting his eyes. "Sometimes bad things have to be done for the greater good. You of all people should know that, Gary." Alanna was gone now and Ruby was ready. "My eyes are my most stunning feature; wouldn't you agree?" Laughing softly, she sat back and took a look at him before clearing her throat. "Some of your drones have some shitty security and now their loyalty is... arbitrary. So, Mr Stuart, how shall we resolve this?"
"Sigh...I was hoping I was wrong," spoke Gary wearily. "That, and we define 'the greater good' in our own ways. Activate kill-switches." And with that, the drones all fell down with a loud clanging and banging, completely deactivated. "Despite the suffering you caused my friends, especially Cedric, I do not plan on fighting you; Director Taylor is the one I wish to fight; if Destiny exists, it has pitted us against one another. In fact," he spoke, "I'll even tell you this: The families of the Magi, are now on our side." Not yet true, but knowing Constantine, it will be. Also, it would help seed mistrust between Aperture and its chosen guardians. "And said families are under our protection."
She smirked dryly as the drones came crashing down - it seemed that even their inventor had his doubts about their powers of keeping her out. Giving him a quick roll of her eyes, Ruby curled her feet up onto the chair and stared at him. "It would be a very unfair fight. I'm just a young girl lacking power-armour, after all." Still smirking, she inspected him before chuckling a little. "You good guys and your desires to get an advantage! Really quite entertaining, really. The Magi are heroes, we don't control them and if you think they're going to allow you into the sleeper-facility, you're an idiot."
"Point, also, you betrayed the fact that Aperture hasn't informed you yet - we've found another way in; what I said was a distraction. As for that other way in, Director Doctor Taylor will tell you once I send you back - he loves being surprised," he smirked sarcastically. "And yes, I'm sending you back so I can send a message to him."
Ruby sighed softly and inspected her nails, almost as if Gary Stuart wasn't particularly worth her time. Finally, when she did decide to continue on with the conversation, she gave him a small roll of her eyes before elaborating. "With all due respect, Mr Stuart, you could take the whole bloody army down there and they wouldn't get in. If you know what's good for you, you'll call off anyone with any intentions to infiltrate the sleeper-facility because I assure you, they will die." With that, she slid to her feet and once again rotated her head to the side, watching him curiously. "You've built some pretty robots and you've helped the FBI but it's time to give up. You're playing with things you don't fully understand and going against organisations that are leagues ahead of you." Sighing softly, she fixed him with that intense stare of hers. "For the mercy you've shown me, I hope you get out of this war. If you do, per chance, not get killed, do some research into Project Eve. It might help you understand."
"Thank you," spoke Gary, "and, here's my message to Director Taylor: Tell him that, the End Times are coming, and by End Times, I don't mean in a religious sense."
Quirking a small eyebrow at him, she smiled a little before turning away from him, heading towards the door. "The End is always coming, Mr Stuart, but some of us just know when and where it'll be!" She shouted back to him, sarcasm dripping from her voice as she looked down sadly at the small robots before pushing the door open. "Another time then, eh?"
((TL;DR, Gary and Ruby talk, the former reveals that he knew who Ruby was, then lets her go to reveal a foreshadowing message to Director Doc Taylor.))