Katya & Ariin(And Paladin)
Ariin moved to Katya's side carefully moving to place her arm over his shoulder answering her by just helping her walk. "So... Mind catching me up a couple of things? Like where all the new people came from... Or what happened to our chain of command? Last time if I remember correctly you were in charge of our little away team." He spoke slowly guiding her out hangar and into the quieter halls of the ship.
"Of course... I'm sure I'm not the only one with questions, pretty sure the last time you saw me and I had a god complex and was screaming about killing a Cruxi." He sighed and grumbled for a moment. "Shut up Paladin." He spoke as if he heard another voice.
"Sorry... Tech's say a copy of Paladin's whatever is living in implant... Basically, my conscience is a giant killer robot who has unlimited access to my thoughts." He sighed. "And constantly tells me how to do things, it's like a backseat driver for your life." He tried to smile a little, he'd always respected Katya, she'd done her best to lead them and more importantly to work with them all. Of course, she would be curious as to what Paladin was saying that Ariin didn't want to hear.
Hearing Ariin speak of what it was like to have Paladin inside his head she gave a small laugh and patted Ariin on the shoulder with her free hand.
“Yes I recall all too well. It is not something one just forgets. Still, I’m sure Paladin means well. Personally, I find it interesting … no fascinating. From what I know it should not be possible. But yet here you are. So please don’t apologise, I’m interested in learning all about how you and Paladin share that mind of yours. I can understand it would be a big adjustment to have company all the time.” she spoke giving him a small smile. Trying to imagine what it would be like if she had Caretaker inside her head. Wondering if maybe one day she could replicate what happened to Ariin.
“I must ask what did it feel like to connected to your werk? I mean I know what it’s like to have a werk feel like it a part of your body. But you actually plugged in. Became what I would consider one being.” Ariin chuckled a little in response thinking back to it. "Well... Kind of like I was feeling what Paladin felt. Like our minds were one managing systems and priming weapons, I didn't move my body at all to control the werk we just did it." He explained carefully.
"I had a god complex once it started, the power rush is... Intoxicating. It's having the power to fire weapons and move via thought. Your commanding a weapon that can level armies and decimate planets with nothing more than that." He spoke sighing. "Which is why I worry about others attempting it... It could make them less human or perhaps see humans as less than." He spoke stopping a moment to look Katya in the eyes.
"I'm not saying it's bad... It's a gift no doubt to be able to commune with Paladin in a meaningful way. But to get their I had to have cybernetic's grafted into my brain, risk becoming a part of Paladin's processor, and let Paladin have full control of my body." He sighed looking away. "They way they ran tests on me and stuff... I don't want them recreating this without the person wanting it. Imagine if they did that to Irina? What nightmare would that create?" Ariin said before looking back at the hall starting to walk again.
"Though it would be different with the others here... I'd be willing to help some of them try it if they wanted."
As Ariin spoke Katya listened very intently. Taking in every word and filing it away. It really was fascinating even if the process sounded a little scary.
“I see your point, it is indeed risky and not all would best suited for it. Still maybe one day you could help me try it. I would mind getting into Caretaker's head and knowing what makes him tick.” she spoke giving him a very slight and slow bow of the head in thanks. Regretting it instantly as the head movement made her headache flare. Katya giving a slightly pained groan.
“Thanks for sharing. If either of you ever need my help. Consider me at your disposal.” she stated giving a sigh as the pain in her head faded back to more tolerable levels.
“Also some advice if you're ever told to fight someone with mental attacks. Don’t do it. The headache is not pleasant. Feels like I’ve got a herd of rampaging scuttles in my head.” she said looking at Ariin for a moment.
“So you asked me to fill in the blanks right? Well, what did you want to know first? Can’t say I know everything, but I’ll tell you what I can.”"Hey it's no problem always here to help you too, were friends we take care of each other." He smiled looking at her as they got closer to the med bay. "Well first off I'd like to know about the new people who seemed to be throwing out the orders when we were out their. Did we get new officers or something?"
Ariin paused a second before adding in a mumble. "Yeah I could see you getting along with your Werk pretty well. Granted are you sure you want cybernetics in your head? I've been told I'm not very good looking because of it." He smiled trying to lighten it all with a joke.
Hearing Ariin say they were friends and friends took care of each other. Katya could do nothing but agree. She did indeed consider Ariin a friend which part of her found funny given they had only known each a few months and she was not the quickest to call people friends. It amused her slightly which showed on her face slightly. Before fading, as he asked about getting new officers. Katya about to answer when he heard Ariin mumble about her getting along with her werk well and asking if she was sure she wanted cybernetics in her head. That he’d been told he wasn’t very good looking because of them.
Katya sighed again before giving a Ariin a slight frown.
“Now, Ariin my friend. If I where you I’d be more confident in your appearance. I’ve seen much uglier boys back home. Even if you were ugly, one needs to be confident in their appearance or simply not care. Plus you do know some girls do like cybernetics right? Like find them an attractive quality.” she spoke not realizing what she said exactly and how it could be taken. It only dawning on her a moment later making her mentally sigh, its was too late to take it back now, plus she had spoken what she deemed to be truthful. It wasn't like she had said she thought that way either.
“Anyway, even if it meant getting an implant or two I would not mind it. Even if it trashed my own good looks. Back home appearances don’t mean much it the soul that counts. So even if I turn in to some cybernetic freak, I could go home and find a partner.” She added after a moment before opting to get back on topic.
“So, to answer your question about the officers. Yes, we got a new one. I’m still second in command, but this girl called Elise Steinhart is our field commander.
I won't tell much about her, as I think it best you make your own impression but I’ll say this don’t let her appearance fool you. Then again I’m not sure if she’ll be joining us next battle I heard she got taken out. Sounded bad.” she spoke a tinge of worry lining her words as she spoke of Elise.
"Huh... Alright, well I suppose I'll play the rest by ear. The new squadmates don't seem bad I worked with them when we were outside." He added sighing as he stopped by the med bay. "No, I'm sure you could get barely nocitable implants... After all, you aren't getting yours put after having a knife toss through your eye." He added wincing a little thinking about it.
"I know some people like cybnetics, but either way it's not like I could ever really allow myself anything close to a relationship." He paused his cybernetic eye flashed the word 'LIAR.' "Paladin, I swear I will drown my head in booze just to shut you up." He warned, of course again he was lying.
His robotic went back to normal now. "Ugh, I swear he just wants to let everyone know exactly what I think and I want." He grumbled moving to open the door. "They probably want me back to check over me and head mate... But I could stay and talk until they show up to test you?" He offered gently helping her to one of the beds so she could lay back and rest her head. "So what did he do with my eye? It's not like I can see what does." Again a word appeared from the screen. 'Sshhhh'
As Ariin mentioned he got knife tossed in his eye. Katya felt herself wince a little at the thought. Pretty sure that could not be something pleasant to experience. Hoping she never would have to find out what that would be like. Even if she was no stranger to pain having broken limbs and stuff she was sure it be nothing like that.
Before Katya dwell on the thoughts when she saw the word 'LIAR' flash in Ariins cybernetic eye as he spoke of not allowing himself to have anything close to a relationship. Thinking that it was odd the eye would flash something like that. It made her mind start to tick and after a moment had a theory as to why, but she’d need to see it again to confirm it.
As they entered the medbay Katya was found amusement in Ariin grumbling. Giving a small laugh as she quickly glanced around. Seeing the medical staff were quite busy. Meaning she’d have to wait not that she minded given there was a free bed.
“It’s up to you. If, want to stay and talk I won't say no otherwise, I might just shut my eyes until someone comes to look at me.” she spoke as she accepted Ariins help onto the bed. Giving a pained expression as she slowly laid down. Pretty sure now that she was off her feat she was not getting back up again for a little bit.
Once on the bed she heard Ariin asked about what Paladin did with his eye and again she noticed his eye change this time with ‘Sshhhh’ and Katya's theory was confirmed. Giving a satisfied girn she had worked it out. Opting to side with werk in this matter, after all, there was no harm in being on Paladin's good side.
“What do you mean? Your eye looks normal to me. If it acting up then maybe you should have it looked at.” she said looking at his cybernetic eye for a moment as if she was trying to spot something wrong before looking away.
"Your on his side aren't you? Your all conspiring to make me a better person." He crossed his arms looking at her. "To think before all this I was happily able to steal things and lie. Now I have my own Jiminy Cricket who tell you all what I'm up to." He sighed and took a seat beside the bed. "I can feel him messing with what it displays at least." He added looking at Katya.
"So let's talk food commander, I owe you one home cooked meal. What would you like? Or would you prefer I just make a lot of different things for you to try?" Ariin asked as he sat back in the chair. Paladin once again chimed in to tell Katya the truth of the matter, flash a thumbs up as Ariin talked about food to alert her Ariin really could cook good food.
"He's doing it again..." Ariin added as Paladin made a smiley face as if mocking Ariin and his in ability to see what Paladin as doing. "He's going to get me trouble pulling this crap, that's your goal isn't? Keep me from having fun by keeping me trouble..." The klepto cyborg fell back in the chair, defeated by a supreme intelligence with control of one screen.
As the words, you on his side aren’t you left Ariins mouth. Katya gave a small sheepish smile. Knowing she was busted but it was quickly replaced with an amused look as he spoke of them all conspiring to make him a better person. He expression was then replaced with a slightly confused one when he mentioned the name Jiminy Cricket.
“What is a Jiminy Cricket?” she muttered quietly having no idea what that was. But she forgot about it as Ariin said he could feel Paladin changing what the eye displayed. Making a mental note of that.
Then he started to talk about food and Katya felt herself perk up a little. Thinking about what she would like when he asked her. Not really sure given all she had eaten was food form her home world and the stuff the military called food. Which to her was far form anything she’d consider food. Katya again spotting the Ariins eye changing as he spoke. It seemed she’d have to keep an eye on it. In case Paladin wanted to say something it would be rude to ignore the werk now that she knew he could communicate, well sort off.
Sure enough, Ariin knew that Paladin had changed the eyes display and it seemed to push him the little too far. Watching as he fall back into his chair in defeat. Katya giving a sigh, it seemed she needed to help Ariin. Katya shifting a little reaching a hand out and made Ariin look at her. Katya looking solely at Ariin’s cybernetic eye.
“Sorry Ariin but I need you friend to listen to me. Alright Paladin you better listen. I want you to play nice with Ariin. I don’t mind you pranking him but when you push him to far like now or he's having a bad day give him a break. Otherwise I’ll put something together to give Ariin the ability to see what you display. I don’t know a lot about cybernetics but that eye is machinery and I’m good with machinery so it wouldn’t take me long. Play nice and I promise I won't do anything and not tell him a thing.” she stated looking into the eye hard. Letting go of Ariin after a moment.
“Anyway Ariin to answer your question I’d want to try lots of different food. I’ve only eat stuff form my homeworld and the stuff the give us in the mess. Not that I would call it food.”Ariin chuckled. "Well that scared him good." He laughed a little. "Alright, I'll make a bunch of stuff we used to have back on my home world. Farming planet, so be warned it will be a little hard for me to locate the stuff I need." He smiled a little, of course as Ariin had proven when he got Sigma her cake he could find whatever he needed even if it wasn't always allowed.
"Give me a little time to hunt things down and we can set a time and place... Don't need the others showing up and snagging all the food." He smiled, knowing decent meals had been few and far between for them all. "Oh and Paladin says you are a good leader. Also that... No I'm not saying... Ugh fine. He also states you have good symmetry which is a sign of attractiveness." He added blushing a little as the werk made him tell her that.
"He also said if you want to talk to Caretaker he would happily act as a communicator. Oh maybe after I cook everything we slip off and eat our meal out in the hangar with our mechs?" He offered with a smile.
Hearing it would take time to track down everything he needed to cook whatever he had was planning. Katya gave a slight smile.
“Take all the time you need. I don’t plan on leaving the squad anytime soon. Plus even if I did I’d still expect you to keep you promise.”’She said giving him a small grin.
“Oh so I get to eat decent food all to myself? I’m flattered. If it’s nice as I suspect it will be I might have to reward you.” she spoke he tone implying she was joking yet almost might be serious.
Ariins next words made Katya blush even if they from the werk in his head. A little unsure of what to make of being told she had good symmetry which is a sign of attractiveness according to the werk.
“Paladin! Don’t make Ariin say such things.” she blurted out glaring into Ariins cybernetic eye.
“Thank you.” she added a moment later. Ariins next words making Katya look at him with an expression of interest.
“I’d like that and I’m sure Caretaker would as well. Sounds like a good idea Ariin” she stated looking over as doctor made his way over to her.
“Thank you for keeping my company Ariin I won't keep you any longer.” she spoke giving a wave. Thinking it would not be fair to keep him while she got checked over. Having no idea how long it would take.
"Alright, feel better Katya. We can work it out later." He offered as he got up from the chair and left her the doctor to attend to her.
