“Sorry,” she mouthed, hoping the commander didn’t feel ambushed by her parents. After all, he preferred to wait, but she knew if he was truly adamant about not interacting with her family he would have stuck to his guns. She followed alongside him into the house, moving around ARIA as she greeted her father at the door. He quickly requested a glass of water and moved to the sitting room off to the right to take a seat next to his wife.<br/><br/>Ava figured that ARIA’s usual methods of obtaining their guests’ information would fail her. She was about to tell the AI to leave him be, but the commander was more cooperative than she anticipated. She smiled and waited for him to join them. “Precursor is a client of my father’s. Has been since they were just a small start-up.” She informed him, sitting down on the sofa across from her parents. “We’ve had ARIA’s since the S3.”<br/><br/>“Speaking of, your ARIA was deactivated. A few months ago some of your men came to Ava’s penthouse to collect her things. She’s not very friendly to strangers. She probably gave them hard time,” Rachel chuckled. “Ava’s unit is a bit more aggressive than our own. Almost called the authorities and had me thrown out onto the streets last time I visited.”<br/><br/>“That’s because I lived by myself in a densely populated city with a crime rate that is astronomical in comparison to the almost non-existent one in Windsor Heights. If I had my ARIA as sweet and hospitable as your own, she would be making intruders cookies and five course meals.” Ava smirked.<br/><br/>“Dinner! You should both stay for dinner.” Her mother suggested enthusiastically as ARIA returned with a tray of beverages.<br/><br/>“We can’t stay long. We’ve got to be back at the compound before nightfall.” Ava told her, thanking ARIA softly when she placed her tea cup in her hands.<br/><br/>“Tell me, Colonel, is it customary to accompany your subordinates on their leave?” Fredrick asked, sipping his water. He wasn’t too interested in small talk and really, he never was. He was a lawyer and he liked to cut to the chase.<br/><br/>“Don’t interrogate him, honey.” Rachel chided gently.<br/><br/>“It’s a simple question, dear.” He said, patting Rachel’s knee reassuringly. “I mean no harm by the question, Colonel.”<br/><br/>“We happened to be out, and I asked if I could visit. That’s why he’s here with me.” Ava said, trying to diffuse some of the budding tension.<br/><br/>“<i>Out</i>?” Her mother smirked, giving her an approving look.<br/><br/>“Well, yes . . . but not like that. Just—“ She tried to explain, flustered by her own choice of words.<br/><br/>“You don’t have to explain anything to me, darling.” Rachel sipped her tea slowly.