[center][h3]Two Sides of the Same Coin | Part II[/h3]
[sub]collab with [@Peaceless][/sub][/center]

[i]Not a machine?...[/i]

[i]Excuses.[/i] That was all he wanted them to be as he listened to each articulated word forming from the artificially perfected lips of the once fully flesh and blood woman standing across from him. He searched for signs in the solid black orbs that were considered “eyes” resting behind lids that didn’t react instinctively as they would have to a human; no indicators leading him to a more solid conclusion as he had hoped. Gavon wanted to put this nonsense behind him, to forget that this [i]thing[/i] wasn’t just a mindless machine of chaos, and hoped beyond hope that it would be just another virus in the system which could easily be vented out into space and never heard from again. But that wasn’t the case, as the cyborg’s words drilled down deeper into his own past, knocking at that door which had been sealed and forgotten for many years, and shedding light on at least one truth…

He was, in many ways, not very different from her.

“Yeah, that'll do for a start.” Finally responding to her inquiry regarding the data drive she agreed to relinquish. 

The Chief pulled a handheld data pad from his breast pocket, interfacing with the cell’s energy field, nullifying a specified rectangular area at about eye level along the edge of the field, which revealed an opening just wide enough for a hand to pass through. The decision -during construction of the facility- to manipulate the energy field in this way was based on several factors, but primarily to avoid having any unnecessary gaps in the metal structure itself thereby maintaining maximum structural integrity and lessening any breach-related variables.

“[i]Slowly[/i] pass the chip through the slot, and drop it in my hand.”  He said, narrowing suspicious eyes. “Any further action outside of that will result in this field closing and you losing that...limb.”

The metallic gauntlet rose to Gavon’s eye level, the data drive held out between finger and thumb. The cyborg slowly moved her hand forward, up to the threshold of the energy barrier, where she lightly flicked the drive at the security chief’s chest. He unceremoniously caught it before it hit him.

“You must understand, Mr. TreVayne - most things here will go as you will, but not [i]all[/i] of them. Do not take offense; You see, I like my hand, and have not yet discovered the kind of jokes that amuse you. Could they be dismemberment jokes? I have not tested this ship’s engineering and medical facilities yet, so that kind of humor may be irreversible.”

Unbeknownst to the chief of security, the cyborg was buying time, looking alternately between her hand and his face through the slit in the force field. Her internal CPU was busy analyzing the EM data she had been receiving, looking for low frequency signals… There. 300Hz. The quadruple pump control frequency that set the artificial heart’s pulse at 75. A bit high, but there was no data about the efficiency of the device. The waveform was catalogued for future use.

Ignoring the cyborg’s skewed sense of humor, Gavon reset the field, causing the gap to close immediately and held up the drive to examine it closer, noting a few Japanese markings along its casing. He advised NO4H to treat the drive as “malicious hardware” prior to inserting the interface chip into his data pad and hoping that he wasn’t making a mistake. As the screen lit up with various commands, he keyed in a code for the AI to perform a full sweep of the drive, and within a few seconds, the scan was given a green light, the drive cleaned of any unusable or redundant files, and all data uploaded into the main system for further investigation.

“Okay then...” He said in a slightly relieved tone, returning his attention to the cyborg. “At this point a few things are going to happen before any consideration is made, and of course, the overall outcome will determine whether or not you have a future with us aboard the Ark. Ultimately, this isn’t my decision, and the final sign off rests on the shoulders of the ship’s Admiral, who will no doubt wish to speak with you soon.”

Gavon lifted his wrist to check the time before continuing. “But, until then and unless you have any further questions for me, this meeting is over.”

“No further questions, Mr. TreVayne.” The cyborg smiled. This could’ve gone much worse, though she wasn’t in the clear yet. “I do have a request, or rather, a [i]suggestion[/i]. While you let NOAH cross-reference the boring parts of that drive with the ship’s database, do be so kind and read through the technical data, capabilities and evaluation results of subject #0376, code name [b]IRON[/b]. I have no faith in your Admiral, and before he opposes this arrangement I offer to you, you should be fully aware of its benefits. I suggest it is done before said meeting, so you are better prepared.”

She took two steps back, and lowered herself into a lotus position in the middle of the room with a fluid, spinning motion. Her black eyes rose at the tall man’s face, their red irises clearly visible through the force field.

“Thank you for your time.”

Nodding in acknowledgment, he turned and stepped away from the cell, the two guards saluting as the Chief headed toward the double doors that lead to the elevators. Just before exiting, however, he stopped roughly halfway and turned his attention in the direction of the cell once again.

“Why Security?” His inquiring tone echoed throughout the otherwise silent corridor.

The cyborg opened her eyes. What a strange question. Surely her skills would be best implemented against intruders, or [i]as an intruder[/i] in case that’s ever needed. But could she say she considered the rest of the options on this ship? Superhuman speed and strength have other uses beyond violence. In fact, why would she even let her [i]body[/i] have such a prominent effect on her career choice?

She stared into nothing for the seconds it took to process these thoughts, then slowly moved her eyes at the security chief.

“Working towards safety and security of the human race - It has been my dream. I have studied Criminology and worked in the ministry of internal security back on earth. My chance to fight the Devastators has been taken from me, but my wish to protect humanity, whether from an external foe or from themselves, has not.” And that goal was clearer than ever in her mind, pushing away doubt and indecision. “Thank you for asking. You will not find this information in the drive.”

The trip to SecCom -via several security checkpoints and an elevator ride to the top floor- gave him time to think through all that had taken place during their exchange. Reservations to even [i]consider[/i] her for any position on the ship were slowly diminishing as he couldn’t help recognize the all-too-familiar similarities between himself and the cyborg. Both had been fashioned into tools of terror and destruction, their own pasts branded with dark secrets, constant deceit, and unthinkable betrayal of trust that left more than internal and external scarring, but an ever-growing and intensifying resolve to fulfill a promise of service and protection. Gavon had no doubts that her physical attributes would be well over what was required, but still questioned the cyborg’s psychological integrity and long term loyalty to the interests of the ship and it’s crew. He questioned it as he questioned his own, realizing that man or machine could never truly escape a history of violence, but merely suppress it in hopes it never resurfaces again.

Of all the information his brain was processing all at once, however, he’d almost overlooked a comment made by the cyborg halfway through their meeting, and yet the reference still eluded him.


“Noah” Gavon’s headset lit up, recognizing the command to speak with the ship’s AI. “Search the term [b]‘Tin Man’[/b] and advise of all results found.”

Within moments, Noah’s smooth, digitally enhanced voice came through the Chief’s earpiece. “The term ‘Tin Man’ yields two results, both derived from Twentieth Century archival data. The first refers to slang used when addressing a law enforcement officer, whereas standard badges at that time were made of an alloy called pewter, which was also considered aluminum, which was also considered-”

“Tin” Gavon interjected, as he passed through the open elevator doors and made his way toward the SecCom main entrance. “And the second?”

“Result number two refers to a character, in a nineteen thirty-nine film entitled [i]The Wonderful Wizard of Oz[/i], who was constructed fully of aluminum alloy, or tin. ‘Tin Man’ was the name given to said character throughout the film.”

“Hm” He scratched at his beard. “I don’t see the relevance in that definition.”

“There is more, Chief TreVayne, if you will permit me.” Noah’s voice chimed in once again.

“Eh, yeah, go head…” He said, smirking at the thought that he may have interrupted the poor AI again.

“In the story, the main protagonist, Dorothy Gale befriends the Tin Woodman after she and her two other companions -the scarecrow and cowardly lion- find him rusted in the forest. He agrees to join their group as they journey to the Emerald City to find The Wizard who can help each companion with what they desire the most.”

Gavon sighed, walking up to the biometric scanning chamber that would allow him into SecCom. “Noah, let’s skip to the part regarding the Tin Man” 

“Of course, Sir. The Tin Woodman desired only one gift from the Wizard, one such thing he had been void of throughout the story, which was a [i]heart[/i].”

The Security Chief paused for moment, and even as the “Access Granted” annunciator indicated clearance to proceed, he stood in awe and silence for several seconds before a repeat verbal indicator chimed to enter the designated doorway. 

[i]“Well shit…”[/i] He finally whispered to himself in surprise, before passing through the threshold into Dispatch and Communications.