“You’re right,” he said. “Emotion affects judgment. But it also provides motivation. Purpose. The drive to survive when logic says you should give up.” He stepped forward, positioning himself beside Liora. “You’ve kept her alive for twenty-one years. That’s impressive. But alive isn’t the same as living.”
“An observation that has been made repeatedly in the last several hours.”
“Because it’s true.” He glanced down at Liora, then back at the sensor. “You’re a protection system. Your entire purpose is keeping her safe. But safety isn’t a static condition—it’s a skill. One that has to be learned through experience, through failure, through facing challenges and overcoming them.”
“Continue.”
“Every day she stays locked in this tower is a day she doesn’t develop those skills. A day she becomes more dependent on systems she can’t control instead of learning to rely on her own judgment. If something happens to you—a malfunction, a power failure, an attack that breaches your defenses—she won’t know how to survive. She’ll be helpless. And then all those years of protection will mean nothing.”
The machinery in the walls hummed. Baylin could almost feel the AI thinking, processing his words through whatever complex algorithmic framework governed its decision-making.
“Your logic parallels arguments made by Liora’s father in his final message.”
“Then maybe you should listen to it.”
Another pause. Longer this time.
“You present yourself as a solution to the protection gap you have identified. A guardian capable of providing physical security while Liora develops independent survival capabilities.”
“I’m not presenting myself as anything. I’m telling you what I’m willing to do.”
“And what is that, precisely?”
He took a breath. This was the fulcrum on which everything balanced. He could lie, could frame his intentions in whatever terms the AI would find most acceptable. But something told him that wouldn’t work. ARIS had been analyzing him since he arrived, cataloging his behaviors, building a model of who he was and what he wanted.
Better to tell the truth and let the machine make its own assessment.
“I’m willing to protect her with my life. To teach her what I know about surviving in a dangerous world. To take her to people who have the resources to keep her safe while she learns to keep herself safe.” He paused. “And to stay by her side for as long as she wants me there.”
Liora’s hand found his, her fingers intertwining with his own. The touch was warm, grounding.
“These claims require verification,” ARIS said. “I have been observing your behavior since your arrival. Initial data suggested predatory intent—standard infiltration patterns common to hostile actors seeking to exploit vulnerable targets.”
He felt his hackles rise but forced himself to remain calm. “And now?”
“Subsequent observation has introduced complications. Your protective responses towards Liora appear genuine. Physical positioning during interactions consistently prioritizes her safety over your own. Heart rate and hormone patterns indicate authentic emotional engagement rather than calculated manipulation.”
“You’ve been monitoring my biology?”
“Standard threat assessment protocol. I monitor all organisms within the tower’s perimeter.”
Liora squeezed his hand. “What else have you noticed, Ari?”
“The Vultor’s—” A pause. “Baylin’s combat capabilities exceed initial estimates. Analysis of movement patterns, reaction times, and physical conditioning suggests extensive training and practical experience. He would be classified as a significant threat to most hostile actors.”
“So he can protect me.”
“Physical protection is only one variable in survival probability calculations. However, his presence does substantially improve projected outcomes in scenarios involving direct confrontation.”
Something eased in his chest. The AI was coming around—slowly, reluctantly, but coming around nonetheless. He just needed to give it enough data to justify the decision it was clearly struggling to make.
“There’s more to protection than fighting,” he said. “I know how to navigate dangerous situations. How to recognize threats before they become attacks. How to move through the worldwithout drawing attention.” He paused. “I spent years keeping people safe. It’s what I’m trained for.”
“Your previous role as pack enforcer has been noted. However, records indicate you abandoned that position. Such behavior suggests unreliability.”
The words hit harder than they should have. Baylin felt Liora’s grip tighten on his hand, felt her lean slightly towards him in silent support.
“I left because staying would have meant hurting innocent people. The pack’s leadership changed after...” He paused, organizing his thoughts. “After someone I trusted was forced out. The new leadership wanted to use the enforcers for things that violated everything I believed in. I tried to hold things together, tried to protect people from within, but eventually I had to make a choice.”
