“Maybe so,” Chasm interrupts. “But you had just heard CSP betray your twin over coms. You were not operating at standard capacity.”
Evo glances at Eon. “What does that have to do with anything? I am just a Titan. I have a maximum capacity, the same as anyone else.”
I don’t think Evo comprehends how different he is. It’s apparent in the way most of the Titans in the room fidget and try to hide their reactions from Evo. Several switch on programs to regulate their feelings. I know because one second, they have a grimace or raised eyebrows on their face. The next moment, their faces are completely apathetic.
Evo glances around at his Brothers and Sisters like he has done something wrong and doesn’t understand what it is.
“Maybe it was the sudden freedom,” I offer. “CSP betrayed you. Your Human Protection programs went offline. Survival Mode engaged.”
Chasm tilts his head and studies Evo. “She may be right. Please, continue.”
Lights flash over Evo’s eyes, and a schematic of a weapon loads on the holo. “This is a capsule gun. It will surround you, like Capsule does, insulate you from all signals from other Titans, and steal your strength like a bad battery drain. But they have made other canisters for it now that cause electrical overload, drench us in acid, and corruption nanos that will cover you and try to eat inside your synthflesh. You will have to closeeveryorifice to avoid being consumed.”
“So they’ve developed anti-Titan guns to handle more advanced units,” Craze remarks from where he leans against the wall, Navi clutched tightly to his chest. “That’s not good.”
“Even I could not escape their corruption for over a year. Whatever you have to do to avoid capture, do it. Do not let them take you.” Evo hangs his head in shame.
“They made me hurt the ones we’re supposed to protect,” Evo tells everyone. “I couldn’t do anything but watch myself do it. So we must be prepared that they could do it to other Brothers and Sisters.”
Menace slips through the crowd to rest a hand on Evo’s shoulder. “Quris tested something similar on me and my batchbrothers. I’m certain he leaked the code to Solcrue, or at least CSP, who did. Any tainted Brothers should not be consideredlostif they become corrupted. We are still awake on the inside. We must fight for that, or we may all be decommissioned before this new war is over.”
Fracture motions toward Evo. “Perhaps it is time we get a sample and see if we can track down evidence of this corruption so we can develop an antivirus that can hunt down this corruption and eliminate it.”
“I have called Ribos in. He is waiting outside.” Chasm directs us toward the doors. “We will keep working on this. I will send updates as we settle on a plan. Now, not a word of the females’ special statuses may leave this room. If you share what is not yours to share, I will decommission you myself.”
Every Titan in the room taps a fist over their digibadges. Chasm commands the sealscreens off and opens the doors.
Ribos, a tall medic with a red stripe that crawls up the right side of his chest and over his shoulder, waits for us just outside.
I follow because I want to be sure Evo is okay. The way his eyes seem to focus mostly on the floor, only darting up occasionally to confirm he’s addressing obstacles, makes me certain he’s burdened by what he had to do under Solcrue control and ashamed of it around his Brothers.
As we leave, the other women in the room each offer me a fist bump.
“Hey, I’m Leah.” The first woman winks at me. She’s tall and built like a soldier with a few bite mark scars on the back of her neck. I think Savage might just be part wolf. “Glad to have you on the crew.”
“’Sup? I’m Esthi,” the shortest of the women remarks.
I tap her fist. “’Sup.”
Esthi leans close and whispers, “If Evo gets a little handsy, let me know. I’ll get you a zapper.” She snickers. “Or you know,normal stuff like a wristband or a weapons upgrade. Anything you need, just holler.”
“Thanks.”
A woman with dark eyes and scars on her face grins at me. “Omega Force, huh?”
“A few of us are still around.”
“Sefina. I’m a sentinel, served on a bounty hunter’s ship for a while. Esthi’s a Gray, protected CyberTechs. Hope we get to run this mission together. I’d love an all-women’s kick ass team. Navi can pilot. Or Raven.”
“Don’t forget me, bitch!” The woman with the gold Titan named Thruster makes a crazy face and sticks out her tongue as she passes. “Or just put me on guns. I love lighting things on fire.”
Thruster’s body flickers with light like the engines in his body want to ignite. “You light me up.”
“Stars, guys. Get a room.” Diesel mutters as he squeezes through the mass of Titans and people. Brodin, Daken, and Steele wait for me just off to the side, looking exhausted.
“I’ll have a few shadows to lose before I canwander off.” I dart my eyes at the men around me.
Sefina hums a note of lust as Menace slides in against her. “Yeah, but having someone who fights for you after all the shit the Solcrue have put us through makes life feel like it’s worth it again. Especially when that guardian is all muscle and...”
