Cyberpunk: Spartan Walker

The smile on Ellie's face became brighter and brighter as he spoke, until after the last sentence, her eyes sparkled, as if there was a starry sky hidden inside.

After a full second of pause, she pinched the hem of her blouse, turned her face away, and said rather coquettishly: Idiot, you said 'you can't live without me'. It's so foul.

Her voice was almost a whisper, and a warmth flowed in his heart.

Silence then enveloped the place, and you could faintly hear the cheers of the Marines coming from outside the door. Tommy scratched his head guiltily and wanted to say something, but he didn't know what to say.

As if seeing Tommy's embarrassment, Ellie looked up and smiled, revealing two cute dimples. Although you are stupid, thank you anyway. You should be proud of being thanked by Lady Ellie!

Her tone returned to its usual liveliness, and Tommy couldn't suppress the smile at the corner of his mouth. He felt sweet in his heart, as if something was brewing.

Soon, an impulse came over him. He reached out to touch her head, but the moment he was about to touch the bright blond hair, his fingers went through it - he suddenly realized that Ellie was an artificial intelligence, and this was hers. A holographic image, and he has subconsciously regarded her as a real person with a body.

Damn, what am I doing? Doing so will hurt each other. Isn't the final outcome obvious?

His hand froze in mid-air, his heart ached like a knife, and even Ellie's smile became a little forced.

I'm sorry, Tommy whispered.

Ellie's eyes dimmed and she smiled helplessly. No need to say sorry, it's actually quite good to be an artificial intelligence. She put her little hand on the back of Tommy's hand, as if she was really holding his hand. At least my intelligence can help everyone. I The speed of thinking is much faster than that of your slow organic brains.

Tommy was silent, watching blankly as Ellie's fingers tapped on the back of his hand, but there was no feeling coming from there.

Let me ask you a question, don't think blindly. She said suddenly.

Um.

Promise me, Ellie's eyes stared at him tightly, and their eyes met in the air, Promise you won't have random thoughts.

I promise.

Ellie took a step forward, and the two of them were very close. If you met a girl like me, and I mean a real girl, would you like her?

Everything about her is impeccable, and it's not a difficult question to answer.

Tommy was about to speak, but he saw Ellie raised her index finger, signaling him not to give an answer. The sad smile on her face made him feel dizzy.

I'm just kidding, you know I always make witty remarks that are inappropriate.

She turned around, her long golden hair flying. Tommy's heart beat a few beats faster. In his eyes, the lighting in the corner, the lavender walls, and the complicated religious symbols on the table all disappeared, leaving only the slender line in the white world. Back view.

It wasn't until Ellie's voice sounded that Tommy came back to his senses. Go and get some rest. You'll be busy in more than ten hours. If you fall asleep during the shooting, don't blame me for shocking you.

Her tone was relaxed, but he couldn't laugh.

If only there was a way to change this.

****

Master Chief John-117's temporary living quarters aboard the Covenant flagship, the Justice.

The Master Chief was awakened by a rapid knock on the door. He sat up from the makeshift bed, rubbed his sleepy eyes, then got out of bed and opened the door.

Avery stood outside the door and smiled at him, showing his white teeth. I don't want to disturb your sweet dreams, Master Chief, but we are getting to the terminal. Captain Case is waiting for us on the bridge.

John was a little confused about this, but said nothing, deciding to ask Cortana later. He tidied up the place, put on his helmet, and walked side by side with Avery towards the corridor leading to the bridge.

Sergeant, Colonel Price and the chief hesitated, not knowing whether to ask about the light green haired hell paratrooper who seemed to have a close relationship with Tommy. But having said that, he continued, How is the situation of the female soldier who often follows him?

Ha, Corporal Rebecca is taking the time to sleep. She is very sleepy. She is exhausted from taking care of another paratrooper who is psychologically shocked. The sergeant shrugged, But she is fine. That little girl must be tough. . Colonel Price got up after a short sleep. He talked to Ellie for a long time and now started looking at some Covenant force databases. Compared to our past encounters, everyone looks good.

Understood. The Master Chief opened the communication channel, Cortana, how is the condition of the ship? Why did you wake me up in advance?

It's expected to arrive at Reach in twenty minutes. She said through their communicator.

The Master Chief checked his mission clock. You said the total flight time was thirteen hours. By my calculations, we only traveled about two hours.

I determined it to be thirteen hours based on the specific characteristics of the Covenant's slipspace generator, but her voice trailed off.

Cortana?

I'm sorry. In slipspace, a strange time dilation effect occurs in the ship's velocity. In this regard, speed, acceleration, and even time become meaningless in slipspace. I thought I told you this . She replied, getting angrier as she spoke.

The Master Chief didn't understand where her anger came from, so he looked at the Sergeant. Avery shook his head at the look he gave him and shrugged.

Cortana sounded distraught—and not just forgetful. This is not a good sign. They depend on her to fly the ship, and if she starts to fall apart, they'll be in big trouble.

The Master Chief opened the private communication channel with Cortana, What else do I need to know?

There was no response from the communication channel for ten seconds. I have figured out the Covenant's magnetic plasma forming system, she replied. We will have some offensive capabilities when we get to Reach - if necessary.

Does the rest of the ship still function normally?

Yes, she replied, I'm sorry, Master Chief, these calculations are tricky.

There was no sound on the communication channel.

The Chief was deeply concerned by Cortana's behavior, but he had to convince himself to trust her. Otherwise what choice does he have?

After being released by the guards at the door, they entered the bridge. The officers manning the ship were still busy, but they were more tired than when the Chief had seen them two hours ago.