“[i]I was dependent on none and related to none. The path of my departure was free, and there was none to lament my annihilation. My person was hideous and my stature gigantic. What did this mean? Who was I? What was I? Whence did I come? What was my destination? These questions continually recurred, but I was unable to solve them.[/i]”

Alice calmly and quietly read alone a very old story, written more than an entire millennium before. This wasn’t the first time she’d read this, it was a rather enjoyable story, though she personally preferred the works of Jules Verne. She found herself empathizing with the supposed “monster”, while disliking his petty, irresponsible creator. Like the former, she pondered her own existence, seeking to understand herself. She was well aware of her nature, an experiment like Frankenstein’s creation. But she was brought up with a specific purpose in mind, to be a soldier and wield a massive weapon of war built solely for her. Was that all she was? Indeed she fulfilled her purpose on the battleground beautifully, but she saw she had the potential for other things. So...what was she?

Regardless, now was a weighty moment not only for her, but all of the 7th MAS team. Many of them waited there in the hangers, for in a few moments, the newest member of their team would be arriving, while the casket of their former leader Astelion would be leaving them. Judging by what the other’s were saying, they weren’t exactly comfortable with welcoming a new recruit. From her access to certain data, she also learned this new recruit would also be the heir of Astelion's MAS, which has been renamed in honor of it’s late pilot. 

Alice still couldn’t believe Tori Astelion was dead. Of course she knew for certain that she was, that she died in battle a few weeks before, and that as their new teammate approached, Astelion’s casket would depart. But even though it was futile to do so, she wanted believe she was still alive. Tori was more than just a leader to Alice, she was someone she looked up to and revered, and not only for her prowess on the battlefield. But now she was gone.

She watched as the transport shuttle landed, and a young woman disembarked: Second Lieutentant Ariana Williams. All the while a feeling of apprehension growing in her. She didn’t know what to think of her new teammate beyond her simply being a new teammate. An air of inexperience surrounded her, betraying her admirable qualifications, and Alice wasn’t sure if she could see this new comrade flying the former machine of Astelion, but that’s what was going to happen.

The first to approach Ariana was Mr. Shanks, who ignored her salute and introduced her to the other pilots. While Alice was merely sitting behind one of the crates, he assumed she was still in her infomorph form. 

With a small gulp, Alice stood up from behind the crate and silently moved over to the two. She had a little habit of moving so quietly others didn’t notice her. 

[color=7ea7d8]"Actually, Mr. Shanks, I’m right here. Also the shipboard AI is doing well."[/color]

She put on a smile and turned to Ariana, standing at attention and returning the recruit’s salute with her own and a formal, mechanical sounding greeting. While sounding for the most part human, her voice gently flanged with changes in pitch, an indication of her synthetic constitution, among others.

[color=7ea7d8]"Hello, Second Lieutenant Ariana Williams, it is a pleasure to meet you. My name is Alice."[/color]