[h1]Mai & Ariin[/h1]

[hr]

Paladin nodded, as he looked at the tech. "I was going attempt hardline contact then use force codes to attempt to swap Ariin and my mind back into correct positions." He looked to the device. "Though it would be better to know first if my pilot is alive or dead, as it would help manage risk." He moved closer to the frame running a hand over it.

"It's strange to touch it... I felt so much more natural inside yet in this body, it took days to master basic motion control. It is a wonder that Ariin can fight and manuever as he does like this." He paused and looked at the two others. "I assume you both wish to have begin right away?" He spoke as he climbed into the frame and began the boot up going slow checking every system twice.

Nodding, both Mai and Jake followed "Paladin" into the cockpit. There, both carefully manuvered inside as to not disrupt the process of doing the normal sync up procedures.

While inside, both Mai and Jake did their parts when told to by "Paladin". Mai then plugged in the tech at a recommended port by it's pilot. There, she then placed the speakers nearby while starting up the tablet.

"...Mai...I know this is a bad time but...was..."Seven" born in a similar manner?", Jake then asked as he assisted checking equipment.

"...well...if you must know...it...wasn't by being grazed by a Cruxi superweapon...Seven was born through basic combat stress...", Mai replied as she started up the program on the tablet.

Jake just stopped asking questions there as he continued his work but Mai continued.

"...at the time..."certain" high up members within command were desperate for quality pilots in which they looked for those born from greatness. In this case, my "Ace" of a mother...after she was...gone...they turned to me and Caulder felt I'd fit in with the Helldivers..."

"...I know war is hell...but jesus...", Jake said, using his imagination to fill in the rest of the blanks.

"I imagine you can use YOUR imagination after that...trial by fires...then one battle...scared out of my mind..."Seven" was born...soon, I just let her do all the work while I quietly slept within my part of my own mind...the only difference was that instead of switching places like Ariin and Paladin..."

"...you got a split-personality disorder", Jake finished.

"...I think because of your presence and perhaps even before that on Joppa, most of the pilots in squad Sigma have figured that out...Zim especially and perhaps Serah...but it was also that unique case that led to this tech...one of the other "numbers" developed it to help me and perhaps others with unique cases of sync faults to help cope but again, some thought it was a hoax...or perhaps unnecessary..."

Mai then started up the program.

"...ok I'm in...and don't mind the creepy voices you may hear. All the time though, they're just random noises...heck, none of it sounds like words...but I'm hoping the one were looking for actually speaks."

Putting on her headset, Mai then looked at "Paladin".

"Ok...going to poke around frequencies in this framework. Ready?"

Paladin nodded. "Of course... I thank you Mai, I know you were not close to Ariin but he thinks a lot of the others. He might not be the strongest or the best pilot, but Ariin is loyal to his team, to you all. I know for a fact he would have stormed back here demanded we give chase." He listened for any meaningful words or noise's but nothing, so he continued to speak.

"He thinks of Elora and Sigma like his little sisters. While this might surprise you, he thinks of the unit as a family. Sisters and brothers protecting each other for there own important reasons. I used to think his logic flawed as that would mean protecting other over the mission... Yet now, I see he was right. Survivial is victory." He said then stopped, as he heard clapping over the frequency. 

"Hey the tin can gets it! Now can someone get me out of here... Seriously I'm getting really tired of having to watch my memories. It's like a dime store novel crap without some cheesy narrator. Also tin can... Glad to hear you agree with me." Spoke Ariin though slightly garbled through static. "Also Mai, whose your friend? I don't have eyes really... Wait let me guess! Your brother? Boyfriend?" One could almost feel his smile through the radio. "But anyway, how long have I been in here? Feels like years."

Paladin sighed. "I had hoped your extended stay in there would dampen your up beat attitude it can be exhausting for all involved." He grumbled as he looked at Mai. "Though I am glad you are alive."

Mai just gave a smile at Ariin's response. Even with the static, he was coming in loud and clear. Jake though had a slight look of surprise on him.

"...I won't lie. I felt like I just ate pie", Jake rhymed.

"Seriously?", Mai responded with a look.

"Well after finding him nearly right off the bat with nothing but theories and guesswork, I just became more of a believer of this stuff. I do I do I do."

Mai just slowly shook her head but with a smile on her face. Speaking into the mic on her headset, she said, "No Ariin. He's none of the above. He's a...fellow wingmen back in the day when I did a brief run with the Recon division. Full name is Jake Armstrong."

"Word up Ariin", Jake called.

"Damn it don't talk about food... I miss food. Anyway, I assume your planning on getting me out, well I might be able to help I think I can get out the same way I came in... Well if this is even works in reverse." Ariin sighed thinking for a second. "So question, did my body get super powers from the radiation?"

Paladin groaned and spoke into the mic. "Now Ariin your body did not gain super powers from radiation that's not possible."

Ariin chuckled at his own joke and then finally asked his real question. "So what happened after Paladin and I went all psycho and tried to fight the massive super weapon?"

Both Mai and Jake look at each other before Mai turned back to her mic on the headset.

"...despite collateral damage and casualties...we won...but...during the battle, Elora unlocked some special abilities that made her a force to be reckoned with...that's when a...Cruxi Ace with special abilities of it's own showed up...and took her..."

There was a bit of silence before Mai looked down. Trying to control herself since "Seven" wasn't mentally there at the moment to do so for her.

"...we lost...a few pilots from Squad Sigma in the process...I was in a coma...", Mai began but couldn't continue. Heck, she didn't even want to name the ones lost.

Normally, Jake would have since intel like that was his specialty but even he thought better of it. Even more so since Jake knew full well that without "Seven", Mai was mentally unbalanced when it came to talking about the horrors of this war...and perhaps other issues.

"Damn... That's not good..." Ariin spoke from the other end. "I assume were going after Elora then? Look Mai... I know it's hell out there trust me I saw some shit growing up in the mega cities on Mars but we are gonna get through this. Hell I'm quite literally my brain getting digitized! I made a promise to myself I was gonna keep my squad safe, your on that team Mai."

Paladin nodded as well. "I can confirm Ariin is telling the truth."

"No matter what happens, we count on each other and stick together we can do this. We will get Elora back. We will beat the Cruxi. Then I get to go sit a prison cell until... Huh maybe things go better for me if we don't end the war." Joke the thief as sighed. "I remember hearing 'Seven' on the comm's Mai don't let her rule your head. Your the one I want piloting, not your brain mate... Cause your my friend." He said trying to cheerful and up beat as one could be while trapped inside a digital program that could be eroding memories.

"...and like it or not Ariin..."Seven" is apart of me...and the whole reason why I'm still going till this point...I don't know when she'll return since that coma really knocked a few screws loose in my head...but I have a feeling she'll at least agree with you believe it or not...she's just there to...make those tough decisions when the time and situation comes for it...", Mai responded.

"...for better or worse huh?...well...roll with the punches as they say", Jake then said.

"...Ariin...much like what your going through with Paladin, Seven...also had some diffiulties at first but even she adjusted...what were planning to do here though...is more risky though", Mai then said.

"Ariin. It's Jake. Long story short, were going to attempt a Hardline. We just wanted to get a "lock" of sorts with Mai's tech here so...well in theory, if we got your frequency and know where you are in this framework then the success rate goes up...course, it's just theory. But as I said, were having a chat with you here so...here's hoping."

"Alright then... Beam me out Scotti!" He said, hiding the terror with a cheerful joke. "And if I don't make... I will haunt your frames!" He added, teasingly, trusting they would get him through this.

Mai then looked at Jake who nodded to her. She then looked at Paladin.

"Alright then. Paladin. We got Ariin on this frequency...now I just hope this works..."

"Wait. If we try this with your tech plugged in, could it be possible that Ariin could wind up in that tablet?", Jake suddenly asks.

"There's a failsafe on this thing to prevent that. Again, don't ask...my "contact" seemed to know what was going on somehow and made sure that we were ready for such an attempt. Said contact did say that I could unplug it before the Hardline attempt but that'll mean that, in this case, "Paladin" would have to mentally stay on Ariin's frequency...which is not as easy as it may sound."

Mai then added, "But by the end of the day, it comes down to this...whatever we do, we have to decide now..."

Paladin reached over carefully taking the plug and inserting into slot just above the robotic eye, with a deep breath he gave the order. "Full sync online." With that, all hell broke loose. Paladin, gave a scream then began to convulse the cable held however as the began to change, more emotion as the scream turned to laughter. The Frame itself shook as if being driven before it all stopped and body of Ariin slumped over, breathing faintly.

It took about five minutes but slowly the electronic eye came into focus as opened his real one. "Hey... Ow... I feel as bad bad when got a knife stuck in my brain." Ariin spoke then turned his head quickly. "Huh... But..." His eyes went wide and groaned again. "Oww... I might need a check up... I can swear I still hear the Tin can talking at me."

"..."

Mai just seemed to stare at Ariin during those five minutes while Jake was checking over the framework systems to make sure everything was back online. One things for sure though. Jake saw Mai real freak out briefly or Ariin's convolsions before he saw something himself.

The way Mai's eyes suddenly rolled...as if she had a brief siezure or something...but Jake had seen that symptom before. It was only once back in the day when Mai was working with the Recon division.

And how she began checking over Ariin's body after he had regained conscience...that dead serious look.

And her "drone" voice.

"Mission Accomplished. Ariin is back in his body but comments from cadet Ariin suggest he may have a similar problem to...myself."

She then slowly turned her head to Jake.

"...uh...heh...hi Seven", Jake said with a smile.

"...Jake...I require assistance. Ariin does need medical attention. I also must put away the tech that helped with the mission success. Lorenzo or Ritsu or perhaps others maybe...displeased that I brought such equipment into the base without authorization", Seven droned.

"Wha-? You mean you didn't have it...nevermind. I'll put it in the backpack. Let's just get Ariin to medical."

Nodding, "Seven" then helped Ariin to his feet while Jake quickly put Mai's tech toy back in it's backpack. Slinging it on his back, Jake then assisted "Seven" with escorting Ariin to the medical bay.

"Hey Seven..." Ariin stood up slowly leaning on the two as he tried to focus. "Ugh... I swear being a cyborg is not all it's cracked up to be... Granted holo-graphic projector and the ability see through clothing is a plus an... Oww. Right shutting up... Paladin hates it when I make up crap." He groaned again letting them take him to medical.